Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Mia chimed in with a smile, "Relationships are all about keeping in touch, you know?"

Leo, peering at the sunset outside, couldn't resist a cheeky comment, "Funny, I don't see the sun rising in the west and setting in the east!"

Mia, catching his playful tone, grabbed a book off the table, ready to chuck it at him. But Leo quickly held up his chubby little boy as a shield, warning, "Mia, I'm holding your son here. You throw that book, and he'll be the one in trouble!" Henry, blissfully unaware, kicked his legs and giggled with delight.

Anya, sitting nearby, was itching to hold the baby, but she hesitated, her fingers fiddling with the edge of the blanket.

Finally, she got up, ambled over to Chad, and, with a swift move, snatched the little one from Leo's arms. "Go ahead, Auntie, you've got a clear shot now!" she declared, her voice light and playful.

Leo barely had a moment to react before a couple of books thudded against him. Meanwhile, Anya, holding the baby, chuckled gleefully.

Leo pointed accusingly at his girlfriend, "Anya!"

Anya, nestled between her aunt and uncle, grinned, "I'm heading home with you guys. This place is getting too risky."

Leo couldn't help but accept defeat; after all, he did choose her.

Back at Leo's place, his sisters checked in on his plans. "Does the family know you quit your job? Are you going to tell them?" they asked.

Leo shook his head, "No need. I've only told Dad to keep him from worrying. With exams around the corner, I'm focusing on studying. Once that's done, I'll look for a new job. Right now, acing the entrance exam is my top priority." Mia nodded, "When's your lease up?"

She hadn't forgotten that rent was a hefty monthly expense for Leo.

"I paid for six months upfront and a month's deposit," Leo replied. "So, no worries there." Relieved, Mia picked up Leo's political science study materials. "Mind if I take these, Leo?"

"They're all yours," he replied. "I was planning to give them to you anyway, so go ahead."

Mia tucked them into her bag, smiling, "Prepping for this exam feels like a family project. My husband is picking schools, my brother's sorting materials. Dad's helping with the kids, and even my nephew's gathering news highlights for me. My little boy lies beside me while I study, 'cheering me on'."

Though every time, he ended up being carried away by his dad for causing a ruckus.

The onesie her brother bought was pretty much useless since it had an open crotch, and their dad's method of discipline involved removing the diaper first. In the end, it was her son, with his little mouth wide open, crying his heart out.

After hanging out for about half an hour, Henry started getting fussy, tugging on Mia's clothes, wanting to be held. When Mia picked him up, he began to cry, trying to nibble on her in hunger.

Mia guessed, "Looks like my little guy's hungry. I didn't bring any formula today, so let's see if we can find some snacks to keep him busy."

But when they checked his snack bag, it was empty.

Mia and Molly exchanged glances, and Jade asked, "Mia, what did we just eat?"

Amberly chimed in, "Well, Leo, I guess it's time for us to head out."

Anya was about to leave too, but as she stepped into the elevator, Leo playfully pulled her back, "Hold up, you."

The elevator doors closed as the sisters descended, and Anya found herself wrapped in her boyfriend's embrace, gazing into each other's eyes. Anya blinked innocently while Leo gave her a look, "Let's go home and have a 'chat"."

Anya pouted, "Chad, I just want to go home."

In the car, Henry cried loudly, clutching an empty snack box in his little hands, growing more upset the longer he stared at it.

Feeling guilty, Mia cradled her little one and called her husband, "Hey, hon, where are you?"

Andre replied, "Still at the office, about to head home."

Hearing their son crying on the other end, he asked, "What's got him so upset?"

"Looks like he lost his snacks and got hungry, so he's crying," Mia explained, feeling a bit guilty.

Andre, catching the hint in his wife's voice, figured out where the snacks had gone. "Want me to come over, or are you and the little one coming to me?"

Ten minutes later, outside Cedillo Inc., Andre scooped up his tearful son.

Wiping away the tears with his large hand, he cooed, "You're already a year old, crying over every little thing like a baby."

Andre's car was always stocked with essentials: formula, snacks, diapers, and clothes.

With dad around, the little one's tummy was soon satisfied.

Molly handed them over to Andre, staying in the car because of the cold. She rolled down the window and called, "Andre, I've dropped off your family. Now I'm off to pick up my partner."

Andre reminded her, "Drive safe, nice and easy."

"Don't worry, Andre, see you later." Molly waved, stepping on the gas, even daring to drive one-handed.

Finally, Andre shouted, "Two hands on the wheel!"

Molly immediately complied, gripping the steering wheel with both hands.

Andre watched his sister's car until it disappeared from view, then turned to his wife and child, ushering them into the car to head home. Molly arrived at the familiar precinct doors, having not been at the police station since she got pregnant.

Her sudden appearance, with her pregnant belly, shocked everyone. "Wow, Molly, I can't believe it." They remembered her as the young, naive little sister. Even knowing she was pregnant, not seeing her kept them thinking of her as the unmarried girl she used to be.

Seeing her now, her belly was a visual reminder of how things have changed.

"Hey, forensic whiz, still here?" Molly hopped out of the car, bouncing over to the forensic scientist, linking arms with her.

The forensic scientist saw Molly's familiar gestures and was reminded of the little sister who used to get in trouble with her brother.

Easton, returning from a call with his team, saw Molly too. "Hey there!"

Everyone gathered around Molly, curious.

"Molly, what brings you here today? We were just talking about how much we miss you."

Molly smiled, "I'm here to pick up Chad after work."

The team, eager to catch up, surrounded her, inquiring about the pregnancy.

Chad, stepping outside, saw the car meant to pick him up but not Molly.

He went over to the security booth, "Hey, have you seen Molly?"

"Chad, mind watching the door for me? I want to check in on Molly at Easton's."

Officer Chad sighed as the security guard passed the task to him and hurried over to the neighboring yard. "Molly, do you know if it's a boy or a girl?"

Molly had become the center of

attention If it weren't for a call from home urging her about dinner. getting cold, she could have stayed at the station, chatting for another couple of hours.