Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Molly was on the verge of tears, swearing she'd never been through anything like this before. Yet Coleen remembered clearly that the two of them had definitely crossed that line.

Before long, Chad stepped out, cool as a cucumber, without a hint of panic. He walked over to Molly, wrapping his arm around her waist in a natural, affectionate gesture aimed at Coleen. "Mom, you're still up?" Coleen glanced at them, offering a casual piece of advice before she left. "Try to get some sleep; you both looked exhausted last night."

Leaving the newlyweds standing there in their matching red pajamas.

Feeling the warmth from Chad's palm through the thin fabric of her silk pajamas, Molly's heartbeat quickened. "Uh, Chad, I need to use the bathroom."

"Let's head back; our room has one too," Chad said, guiding Molly back to their bedroom.

Molly dilly-dallied to the bathroom, and by the time she came out, Chad was already in bed, seemingly dozing off.

Molly approached the bed, lifting the covers to slide in.

Back to the beginning, where each movement Molly made was cautious and tentative.

"Molly, I'm heading off to sleep. You should too," Chad murmured.

Molly simply responded with an "Okay," too nervous to make any further movements. Neither of them brought up the earlier awkwardness of Chad attempting to untie her sash or Molly's panicked dash out of the room. Eventually, when the sound of light snoring filled the room, Molly dared to shift slightly, whispering to the "sleeping" man, "Huh, does Chad snore?"

The pretend sleeper: "..."

The snoring ceased shortly after.

Once Chad was asleep, Molly felt a sense of freedom. She lay back, pouting as she stared at the red canopy above, her once sparkling diamond ring replaced by a more modest band, now on her ring finger. "Why hasn't Mia replied to my message?" Molly checked her phone again.

Eventually, she reluctantly messaged Anya, "Are you asleep?"

Anya quickly replied with a voice message, "Auntie, I absolutely loved the wedding favor you gave me."

to chat about

afternoon nap, Molly finally fell

Chad woke up first, his internal clock ticking. The first thing he did was check

letting the bright sunlight spill over the red bedding, making it look even more

as Chad was getting up, signaling she still

eyes, Molly squinted at the sunlight hitting her dark hair. "Tired? I can close the curtains for you to sleep some more?" Chad's pajamas were still

the previous day, "You and your dad, both heavy sleepers.

didn't care what time

had their own

reflection, even with a

brushing, then we'll talk," Chad suggested, used to guessing what Molly was trying to say,

get that heart-shaped balloon? Why didn't you tell me? I would've bought

balloon. "You couldn't buy this with all the money in the world. I made it with our parents

to admire the balloon, growing fonder of

it to Mia, sharing

thing your nephew didn't see it, or he'd have burst it with one

the missing

reply was listless, "Newlywed waking up

then skillfully navigated

"How's my nephew?"

milk, indirectly explaining why she was 'returning' at

and flailing about, until finally calming

small gathering with friends after

chatted briefly before Chad changed,

together, Coleen was surprised to see her daughter up. "Thought you'd sleep