Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre whispered into his wife's ear, "Sleepyhead, time to rise and shine. Gift card time!" With that, he gave her earlobe a quick peck. He couldn't quite grasp why he was so head over heels for her, but he was. The moment she heard the words "gift cards", she was up like a shot. "Are we talking big bucks here?" She asked, glancing at her husband.

Andre replied, "Well, they're handpicked by me, what do you think?"

She was not the kind to get spooked by a gun to her head but if gift cards coming her way, Mia's only ask was, "Throw 'em at me, the more the merrier.!"

She sat up, clutching the duvet, reaching out for the cards, "Hand them over."

Andre said, "Give me a kiss first."

Mia gave him a look. If it wasn't for the gift cards, she wouldn't kiss him. But for money, she could play along.

Hansen was also on the gift card mission, "We should give more to our daughter, and our son's wife, she's our daughter too. A bit for Leo, Bruce, and Andre should do. Don't forget."

The butler was busy jotting down names on each card, "Don't you worry, Mr. Hansen. All set."

A rare scene unfolded in the Cedillo family's living room that morning.

"Mia, here's a gift card from your dad. Merry Christmas! Give me a grandchild this year, will you?"

"Mia, this is from your brother and me. Merry Christmas! Be good with Andre."

"Mia, this is for you from me. Merry Christmas! We are all expecting your babies."

"Mia, this is from your husband."

...

her hands, her

had to visit all their relatives over the year. First thing in

roomy and had no zippers. "That way, when people give me giftcards, I can pretend

greediness was endearing, "Have a kid, and they'll bring gifts for our son. That's way more than Christmas gift cards. And you get to keep all

see herself with her

and money. But if we move to Maplewood

me!" Mia nodded, then realized she was being

"Too late,

me!"

will know. There are no absolute secrets in the world, but you need to learn to discern what can be made

Mia was tempted again.

she didn't say it out loud. She was quietly planning how to take her son's money. Perhaps Andre,

Coming home, Mia was all giggles. She dumped all the gift cards from her handbag onto the couch in the living room, "Molly, Leo, come help me

even more

Molly went to help.

huddled on the floor, opening gift cards, all excited. She chuckled and didn't

cards, "Five hundred, eight hundred,

jotted it all down, Leo said, "That's five grand

them aside and kept

Naomi appeared in the living room, she said, "Mia, Molly, Leo, time for

yet, we are still counting the money." Mia

He laughed and told the kitchen to save some

Mia was looking at her full safe, caressing the gift cards, "Marriage is a money-maker. I feel like getting married again this year." Molly was intrigued, "I want to get married too." Then, they took the safe to the dining room, making plans about how to spend the money

their room that night, Mia freshened up and sat at her dressing table, finally ready to open her husband's special gift card. Mia held the card with reverence, gave the envelope a kiss, and opened it. "Empty?" Mia

darling, is for you to write down the