Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre scooped up the little munchkin, his voice playfully stern, "Daddy's off to work. Make sure you get some sleep at home, and no staying up all night like a little night owl, got it?" The little guy was already defying him, snuggling into Andre's chest, his yawns becoming more frequent as sleepiness took over.

Andre stroked his son's cheek, indulging him with a soft smile, "You can sleep in a bit in the morning."

The morning buzzed by, and Cooper's face popped up on a video call, "Where's my favorite little man?"

"Out like a light," Mia replied with a smirk.

Cooper signed off with a quick, "Later."

It wasn't long before Anya chimed in with a video invite, and an exhausted Jade called her BFF. Mia's status update followed soon after: 'The little one's asleep.'

With that, the calls mercifully ceased.

Come midday, Chad was notably absent from the team lunch.

Donnie knocked on the door, "Boss, I'm ordering takeout. What's your poison?"

"I'm heading back to the hotel. Molly's waiting for me there."

Donnie's response was a silent nod.

With only minutes to spare, Chad rushed back to the hotel to grab a quick bite with the girl.

He'd gone to bed late the night before, so he took the chance for a power nap at the hotel.

When he woke up, he found Jade curled up beside him, fast asleep.

As Chad left the room, he gently tucked her back into the covers, adjusting her position with the utmost care before slipping out quietly.

He made a beeline for Easton's office at the precinct. "Got any leads?"

was ruffling his hair in frustration, "You're

"Who else came

City's

Chad's face was unreadable.

his colleague's dilemma, Chad

Everyone knows Molly's your sister.

at a technicality, "Legally, I'm

electrical fire. Plus, there were new

awake, but door-to-door inquiries had turned up zilch.

peek at the

feeling the pressure from above, gave in. After all, Andre could do more than just apply pressure. He could "close a case" in

spent two hours in Easton's office, then called

...

swamped with work at the precinct, making it late before

darkness deepened, Molly's calls grew more frantic. "Bro,

be there. Lights on, doors

"Please hurry."

will. Try to

I'll wait for

was just a whisper,

the sound of a familiar voice on the phone - the affection in his eyes

wrapping up, Chad swung by Easton's office one last time before

by with a strong cup of joe for Easton. "Don't be too hard on Chad. Molly's his world. Anyone would be on

sip, "I get it. We've all watched over Molly like she was our little sister.

the coroner left, Easton realized she never visited without

...

was back at

his room, now commandeered

she lay in the hotel