Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Naomi sighed and shook her head at Mia's complaint. "It's different now, Mia. Back then, it was all about the excitement of bringing a new bride home. Now it's his baby girl leaving the nest; it's a whole other ballgame."

Mia nodded in agreement. "Exactly, a daughter-in-law is one thing, but his own flesh and blood? That's tough for any dad. And to think, I was practically railroaded into marrying into the Cedillo family. Andre and I hadn't even laid eyes on each other before it was all decided for us." "Look at me now, popping out kids for them," Mia continued with a rueful smile, gently stroking her son's cheek. "Like I'm ever getting away from this family. Dad might as well be deaf to anything I say at this point."

Hansen, holding his plump grandson, retorted with a hint of annoyance, "Cut the sarcasm, Mia. When have I ever not listened to you?"

Mia decided not to provoke her father further. "Okay, Dad, if you're willing to listen, then listen good. Chad's downstairs right now, and we all know why he's here. That alone tells you he's serious about Molly. Love is precious, Dad, and you may not have noticed, but Leo and I have seen how Chad dotes on Molly. He treats her no less than any of us Cedillos would."

Hansen stubbornly refused to engage. "There's nothing to discuss."

Mia persisted. "If we're talking about the in-laws, us women have more say than you men because we've lived it."

Naomi chimed in from the side, "She's right, Dad. Listen to Mia. She wouldn't lead Molly astray after all these years of friendship."

Mia listed off common family woes with growing intensity. "Mother-in-law battles, clueless fathers-in-law, deadbeat husbands, the abusive, the adulterous, the braggarts with no substance. You've heard it all, haven't you? And the gratitude we owe, is convent life really so grand?"

Hansen remained silent.

Mia pressed on. "Any woman can fall into these traps without realizing it. But for Molly-do you want her to end up alone while the rest of us revel in happiness? That's just not realistic, Dad.

The Byrne family has been a savior to Molly, in more ways than one. Now that she and Chad are keen on each other, what could be better? She can repay their kindness and find happiness all at once. She's hoping for this herself, Dad. Maybe it's even fate."

trust Chad, Dad. His actions today, showing up to take responsibility for Molly, that says it all. And his job, it's exactly what you've always respected. Everyone praises Chad: my brother, my husband, and even

Byrnes, you've seen how they treat Molly. With them, it's like mother to daughter, father to daughter-no in-law drama. We

you thirsty after all that talking?" asked

I've still got more

always tell her father what's in her heart. So she tells us, her sisters-in-law. Naomi and I have talked it over, and

him in person, see how he is with Molly. The Byrnes have

her to at least meet the man, rather

too wanted to go downstairs, but he was afraid of giving

from Hansen's arms, his eyes

at his mother, a picture of

go downstairs

"it's about

thoughtful look, Hansen finally rose to his feet with the help of his cane and Naomi's steady arm. They made their way downstairs

was the first to spot Hansen and stood

the man who wanted to take his daughter away, not giving an

who was only capable of making contented

without looking that Mia must have brought him down. Indeed, Mia approached, sitting her son on Andre's lap before settling next to

Leo and politely inquired, "Chad, when

wife's. It must've been Mia's

brings you here?"