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."

cheerful voice, Molly put her phone down, without much to chat about with a girl who didn't even

restless afternoon nap, Molly finally fell asleep deep

internal clock ticking.

had been left open, letting the bright sunlight spill over the

woke up as Chad was getting up, signaling she still

hair. "Tired? I can close the curtains for you to sleep some

remembered her father's advice from the previous day, "You and your dad, both heavy

the Byrne family really didn't care

the bathroom, they both had their own sinks,

teeth, Molly admired her reflection, even with a mouth full

used to guessing what Molly was trying

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

up and stepped out, he glanced at the red heart balloon. "You couldn't buy this with all the money in the world. I made it

balloon, growing fonder

it to Mia, sharing her big red

it, or he'd have burst it with

missing

reply was listless, "Newlywed waking up at this hour?

two always managed to hit each other's sore spots, then skillfully navigated

"How's my nephew?"

milk,

nephew crying for his mother at the door, refusing formula and flailing about, until finally calming down in his mother's arms. After feeding,

left early for a small gathering with friends

briefly before Chad changed, and Molly went to her

surprised to see her daughter