Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Leo leaned on Anya as they hailed a taxi and took off. After everyone else had gone, the family of three was the last to leave, heading straight back to Maplewood Estates. This was their cozy little nest, just for the three of them.

Andre, usually the quiet type, got a bit tipsy and held his snoozing son close, showering him with kisses full of love. He even managed to wake the little guy up with all the smooching. Henry stirred, all cranky and crying his eyes out. Andre, cuddling his son, asked, "Henry,

do you know who Daddy loves the most?"

Henry just kept crying.

Andre reassured him, "Daddy loves you and Mommy the most."

Henry cried even harder, probably upset about being woken up from his nap on his birthday.

Andre, swaying slightly and holding his son, tried again, "Do you know who Daddy loves the most?"

Mia quickly stepped in to rescue their little one from Andre's arms, "Honey, what's up with you, getting this drunk?"

The little guy settled down in his mom's arms, his big teary eyes, framed with those long lashes, watching his dad curiously.

Andre was in a good mood today; he'd had a bit too much to drink, with his friends toasting him repeatedly and him returning the favor.

With Henry now in Mia's arms, Andre turned to her and asked, "Little Mia, do you know who is the most important to me?"

Mia smiled, "Me and our son, right?"

Andre gently tapped Henry's forehead, "The most important can only be one person. He'll have to wait in line; the most important is you."

Henry, with tears still glistening on his lashes, was unimpressed: "......"

Mia teased, "You're telling tall tales; your son's getting smart, he understands us."

Andre glanced at Henry, "Alright, you can be second, reluctantly."

Henry leaned back, cozying into his mom's arms and ignoring his dad.

When they arrived at Maplewood Estates, the staff came out to greet them. Mia passed Henry to a staff member and helped her husband to the bedroom. She instructed, "Just let Henry nap on the bed, and bring some warm water for the master. And ask the kitchen to whip up some hangover soup."

Mia bent down, slipped off Andre's shoes, and helped him out of his coat, placing it over Henry like a blanket. She then tucked Andre into bed.

Henry wiggled out from under the coat, cutely sticking his little bottom up in the air on the bed, joining his mom in looking after his dad, who had celebrated Henry's birthday a bit too enthusiastically. He crawled up and gave his dad a kiss.

Andre, with sleepy eyes, gazed at his little bundle of joy. Before meeting Mia, he never imagined having such a happy family, such a soft and adorable son, and becoming a husband and a father. "Henry, do you love Daddy?"

Henry, with his bottom up, replied, "Love ba ba."

Andre kissed his little face.

Mia sat on the bed's edge, seeing her husband this tipsy for the first time, "Honey, did seeing Leo today make you this happy? What did Leo thank you for?"

Andre lay flat on the bed, looking at his curious wife, "Sweetheart, your hubby's drunk, and apparently, I'm craftier than you."

Mia playfully nudged his chest, her eyes darting playfully, "I'm not crafty."

Henry, trying to tell his mom all his little secrets, only managed to babble. Mia chuckled, "What are you babbling about, honey?" The hangover soup arrived, and Mia encouraged, "Honey, drink up. We've got plans this afternoon."

Andre remembered and, as he drank, noticed his son drooling beside him.

Eventually, he held Henry and brought the bowl to his little mouth.

Henry, like a little puppy, stuck out his tongue to taste it.

After one sip, Henry's face scrunched up, too bitter.

Andre laughed and teased his son, who shook his head, refusing more.

Andre's face softened with fatherly love, "You cheeky little rascal."

In the afternoon, Andre napped while Mia, carrying Henry, stepped out to let him rest.

Jamie sent Mia photos of the class notes with all the important points highlighted. Mia was in the living room, going over the work with Henry by her side.

Cooper came in and crashed on the couch, while Aaron took another.

Annie was caught up in an investigation, "Someone set me up, it must be Leo," Vincent blurted.

Annie perked up at the name, thinking of the guy she met today, "Which Leo?"

Vincent, agitated, said, "He claims he's Andre's nephew, his dad's some big shot, and he framed me."

Hearing about Andre's family, Easton felt a twinge of worry, instinctively wondering if Mrs. Cedillo and Jade might be involved.

In the interrogation room, Annie calmly put the folder aside, "Your wife reported you."

"No, officer, you have to check. My wife wants a divorce; she set me up, teaming up with Leo."

Annie pressed, "Tell us the whole story truthfully."

After leaving the room, Annie hesitated before calling Conner.

Easton approached, "What's holding you up?"

Annie glanced at her screen, then dialed Conner's number.

It rang a few times before he picked up, sounding groggy, "Hey, Kasha."

"Hey, just wanted Leo's number, your nephew. Got a case where his name came up," Annie said.

Easton was surprised; Leo had been a frequent visitor, and his number was already in the system. Why ask?

Conner, still out of it, gave a number, which Annie didn't bother to note.

Conner, also having had a few too many, asked with a headache, "Kasha, anything else?"

"No, thanks for the help," Annie

veland

paused before hanging up. "Oh, let me know your hotel room number. I'll come by after work."

BUMS

Conner's fog cleared instantly at this, and he sat up, "Crescent Park, room V3."

"Got it." Annie hung up coolly.

She then found Leo's number in the system and dialed.

Easton seemed to get the hint. He

wandered over to chat with the coroner, "Looks like Kasha might be

moving out of the staff dorms

Things with Conner are heating up, I

think."

The coroner, munching on spicy chips, asked, "You know why Chad's a lieutenant and you're still a captain?"

"Why?"

"Because Officer Chad doesn't get into gossip."