Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Mia dragged her weary bones home late that evening, only to find her husband, Andre, propped up against the headboard, engrossed in his latest thriller. Beside him, their little bundle of joy, Henry, was snoring softly. Andre glanced up as she entered, gave a small nod, and returned his focus to his book.

Mia bit her lip, then scampered around the bed to her side, kneeling down to plant a gentle kiss on Henry's chubby cheek.

"Wake him with a kiss, and none of us will get any sleep," Andre remarked without looking up.

Mia, squeezing Henry's cheek with mock severity, retorted, "If we hadn't tied the knot, where would we get such a cute little munchkin?"

Andre pretended not to hear.

Young mothers and their sons-it's all about cuddles and play. Who could resist that soft, tender face just begging to be squeezed?

But when Henry started to cry, Mia's eyes darted helplessly towards Andre.

Her son had indeed been roused to tears by her affection.

Andre just sighed.

And so, that night, the couple took turns consoling their fussy little man.

The next morning, Grandpa Hansen left the house early, despite being one of the last to bed and the first to rise. He spent the evening sneaking off to the memory room dedicated to his late wife, barely interacting with anyone.

The urgency from the Gordon family was palpable, and Leo didn't waste much time. He helped Anya pack a few essentials and picked out an SUV from the garage to drive her over.

Before leaving, Anya clung to baby Henry, showering him in reluctant kisses.

Henry seemed unimpressed; lacking any power to resist, he could only babble in protest.

Leo was pulled aside by a conspiratorial Hansen who whispered, "That night, were you just trying to get a rise out of me, or do you really intend to marry Anya?"

Leo just smirked, "Take a wild guess."

Hansen was left fuming.

Leo got a whipping from Grandpa, and nobody knew why.

Anya, reluctant to part with little Henry, turned to Mia with a fanciful request, "Auntie, why don't you come over for Christmas? You can bring Henry, and we have a big mansion for you to stay in."

Mia, ever the pragmatist, replied warmly, "Sweetheart, maybe next year. This year, I've got to take Henry and make some holiday cash."

Molly reminded her, "Next year, Henry will get his own Christmas gifts."

Mia fell silent.

bundled up in a tiger-striped hat,

placed the Cedillo family's gifts in the back of Leo's SUV and advised his nephew, "Drive safe, stop at rest areas

at the Gordons', and make a good impression. Remember:

Leo nodded, "Sure."

and Molly whispered conspiratorially in the

Anya leaves, and we all miss her. When Chad leaves,

Anya finally handed Henry back to Andre,

car had been idling for a while as Anya lingered, her gaze fixed

"Enough staring. If you want a brother that badly, go home and have your parents make you one."

"Chad, my

towards Hansen, "Forty's nothing. His wife had a daughter at

daughter in question, Marissa,

"I'll tan your hide, you little

outburst was intercepted by his eldest son,

and thump her son

"Can't you control that

replied, "I'll

took his

to Chad getting scolded at home, Anya didn't dare

heartfelt farewell to the Cedillo family, with

cursing his

Leo a

little guy in Andre's arms grunted as if on cue, drawing both parents' attention to

time, Chad made a few more visits to the Cedillo family, and Hansen's

and Andre weren't as confrontational

The sisters were puzzled.

her sister-in-law Molly

craftily said, "Marry me, and I'll

win the heart of the hardest catch, one must

Molly was furious.

family's in good hands

Vivian was staying with the Byrne family. With the community old and lacking surveillance, and the residents a mixed bag, Vivian steadfastly denied any involvement, and Easton seemed

Coleen's study, her hands poised over the keyboard, the data on her screen blurred before her

need to settle Vivian's situation before Christmas, or Molly won't

cop and Molly