Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Chad paused for a second, then his face lit up with realization. "Yeah, you're right."

"Let's go with the 'Endless Bloom.' The color's perfect, the fabric's satin, and the embroidery is way more intricate than the rest," Chad suggested earnestly, not just paying lip service.

Molly took a sip of her bubble tea, placed the cup on the table, and ticked off an item on her checklist. Chad grabbed her drink and tried a sip through her straw, tasting the sugar-free concoction.

Molly turned to him with a questioning look. "Does it taste like there's zero sweetness to you?"

Chad replied with a half-smile, "Sweet enough to give you a toothache."

Molly stuck her tongue out at him playfully. "I'd take the pain."

Chad took her drink and held it to her lips, feeding her a sip. "So, what? You gonna roll on the floor in agony, swearing off sugar for life to me, Chad?"

Molly took a gulp, her cheeks puffing out guiltily, avoiding a reply.

Chad's teasing hit home. Not that Molly couldn't dish it back, but he was describing a scenario all too familiar from her past.

After lunch, Molly couldn't drink anymore. Not wanting to waste it or carry it around, she handed it over to Chad. "Bro, I can't drink anymore."

Chad took the cup, holding her hand as he finished the drink for her before letting go and tossing the trash. He then continued, one hand holding their morning's spoils, the other ushering Molly into a home decor store to purchase the two sets they'd decided on, plus an extra flowery four-piece set for Grandma Byrne.

In the afternoon, Molly set out to shop for other things.

Thankfully, fashionista Molly had the stamina for shopping, leaving her with plenty of time to continue until the evening.

Chad made several trips back to the car to drop off bags; if he hadn't accompanied Molly today, leaving her and Anya to fend for themselves would have been unthinkable.

By afternoon, they hit a wedding store, with Molly's list guiding them on a treasure hunt for red envelopes, balloons, favor boxes, candlesticks, and decorative "Double Happiness" characters.

Even as the day wore on, Molly didn't let her fatigue show.

glanced at her list, a hint of shyness in her voice. "Maybe just socks and pajamas for

not pressing the

drop her off at the Cedillo residence to deliver

only a small elegant bag, practically collapsed, abandoning any pretense of poise. "Dad, I'm

Hansen's phone still echoed with the sounds of a card game, his focus on securing the

finally paid attention to the world around him. "Huh? What did

Molly: "..."

full of bags, and the butler swiftly directed the staff to assist with the

couch, causing the little one who

her son, coaxing her sister, "Tired

mall marathon. What

brought the baby's face close to Molly's. "Give your

little guy turned his head away, brushing his cheek

"Oh, not up for a kiss?

Molly: "..."

"Anya, cherish him. Finding someone patient enough to listen to you ramble

quipped, "It's

didn't catch his

did but kept it to

got home and saw Molly sprawled out, he greeted her with a

Chad, congrats on your wedding."

Henry, who seemed to enjoy being in his uncle's arms,

ever. "Molly, what did you buy

and a bunch of

to Chad and took Molly to her room

you bedding, but you've already done it.

duvet cover casually on the bed. "Molly, good choices. I've been stuck at home with the baby, unable