Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Hannah had her own take on things. "Sweetie, you need to learn to spend some money. Andre's out there busting his butt, and his paycheck's got your name on it. If you don't spend, what's his motivation? And Mia, you too-shop smart, not hard. Why tire yourself out at

the mall when you can just click a few buttons and have everything delivered?"

Mia wasn't one to just go with the flow. Sitting next to her husband, she pointed to their little bundle of joy in his arms. "I need to be careful with our money, babe. Raising a kid isn't cheap. This little rascal's already gone through a ton of diapers-and they cost a fortune!" Henry, the diaper-wearing culprit, let out a babyish "Ahem, umm."

Andre looked down at his son with a gentle smile. "Hear that? Your mama's talking about you."

The little one gazed up at Andre, grunting with effort.

Fatherhood had clearly softened Andre-a change everyone could see and feel.

Around eight in the evening, Chad got back to his hotel room. He opened the door to find that Molly was gone.

The water bottle on the table was empty. He chuckled and walked to the bathroom, where a used toothbrush was left haphazardly.

Chad picked up the toothbrush, smirking coldly. "So repulsed, huh?"

Molly got a call from Chad while the Cedillo family was having a cozy evening. They were lounging in the living room, watching TV, playing games, and chatting.

The Cedillo household was a picture of warmth. Mia and Naomi were deep in conversation about parenting, while Hansen teamed up with Molly for a game, urging his daughter to lead him to victory. Anya, crouched on the floor, was idly carving art into orange peels, turning a simple snack into a masterpiece.

Leo occasionally glanced her way, careful not to disturb her. He joined in on a conversation with his dad and uncle, while Henry, lying in the middle of the living room, would occasionally stir and whimper until Mia picked him up.

Everyone was busy, and Chad's call made Jade's heart skip a beat.

"Hang up, hang up, we're about to win," Hansen urged.

hung up and continued guiding her dad to

provided background noise as the family carried on with

back into his father's arms, lulled

cry. Only when the room fell silent, with just his cries echoing, did

of oranges, passed them to Leo, who ended up with a sore mouth

Chad didn't bother

done with her orange

fixed on the ceiling, a smile playing on his lips as he thought about Molly's words. At the Cedillo household, Anya's

the little one woke up with no food and started

up and walked around with him,

Mia tried to take over, Andre insisted she

started playing a lullaby, the soft melody reaching

feet, finished her snack and went over to Andre. "Uncle, I'm done

"Uncle Andre, Anya's been studying hard and hasn't had a chance to hold Henry. She's really looking forward

son over

at the unfamiliar face and began to

and walked around with him until his whimpers faded

as she sat next to Leo, whispering excitedly, "Chad,

about her best friend. Normally, Henry would barely stay in her arms when she got home, but today she seemed quiet, not even fussing to hold Henry. Mia's eyes briefly caught the

was past eleven when the family finally dispersed to sleep, and the baby was back

returned to her familiar room, her eyes falling on Chad's missed calls. She hesitated, then withdrew her hand from the phone. "If

shower, and Mia began undressing

the

and son locked eyes,

eyes, go