Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

If someone had told Chad that "pie in the sky" was a real thing, he would have laughed it off and probably had a whole speech ready to debunk the myth.

But after setting foot in the Cedillo household today, not only did Chad start to believe in those proverbial sky pies, he was downright convinced that the universe was raining down wife cakes! Chad sprinted to the Cedillo's place, not wasting even a half-second.

Upon arrival, he found the Cedillo family's living room buzzing with activity, a crowd encircling the near-explosive Hansen. Only his girl, Molly, stood apart, frantically waving her hands in denial, "No, no, it's not like that, I swear. I just thought the old folks looked so spry and happy doing their line dancing, getting the blood flowing and spirits high. I figured, why not sign up my dad for a class, let him have some fun too? I wanted to be the dutiful daughter, but I never meant to kickstart my dad's second spring. If I were trying to set him up with a stepmom, my mother would come back from her grave just to throttle me!" Molly's face was ashen as she tried to explain.

Bruce was fuming, and Andre's face was a thundercloud.

Mia, cradling a baby, gave her a covert thumbs-up, while Leo clapped silently in admiration. "Jade, you're a legend," he mouthed.

Chad suddenly got why Hansen was ready to blow a gasket.

When Hansen spotted Chad, he pointed at his daughter and barked, "Take her away! I disown her. Let her go pester the Byrnes, you hear me? I don't want to see her face again!"

Chad wasn't about to pass up this golden opportunity.

He stepped forward, gripping Molly's hand firmly, "Hansen, the dowry's on its way."

Seeing his sister about to send their father into orbit, Bruce also urged Chad, "Chad, please, just take Molly with you."

Molly, her arm still in Chad's grasp, kept gesturing wildly to her family, "Bro, I really didn't mean it, I'm not looking for a stepmom for us. I'll go kneel before mom's memorial tablet and apologize. I didn't push dad to betray mom!"

the Byrnes, "Mr. Mayor, where's the Cedillo family's household registration book?" A wedding license wouldn't

the Cedillo's lively living

sense the excitement. Forsaking his nap, he was held upright by his mother, trying to twist his chubby face towards the source of the commotion, although he couldn't understand a thing. Still, he felt part of the action. Afraid of missing out, the babbling baby

towards the drama with sparkling eyes, patted his back. "What are you 'gah'ing about, you

with frustration, on the verge of a big cry

once held up, he

contentedly watching the drama, he was snatched up by his tall, handsome dad for an even better view. It seemed his mom was off comforting his

trying to soothe

Let her take her thoughtfulness to the Byrnes; the Cedillo house

hunched her shoulders, whispering, "Dad, when I said I'd

up!" Hansen, overcome with anger, lunged

Naomi held Hansen back from either side, while Chad protected Molly, "Hansen, just cool off a bit. I'm taking Molly off your hands today so she won't

continued his gurgling commentary as Andre admired

much fanfare but each carried a folder, and Coleen had also brought two big, fat

family deserved red envelopes. Thus, a plump Byrne envelope found its way to Leo's pocket, and another nestled in baby

his dad, his chubby cheeks the very picture

truck this afternoon," Kendrick said, handing over a red booklet that opened like a petition, filled with jewelry, precious metals, and

years. Now, it's part of the dowry too. A dozen prime storefronts downtown, an entire office building in

calm his father down, "Dad, go rest." Don't take it!

in, "Dad, don't you dare accept it. If you do, Molly won't be able to rile you up anymore