"Donnie?" Molly called out again, hoping to get a response.

Chad looked up from his work, "He's busy."

Molly sighed, "..."

The game had just started, and Molly had already messed up, dragging Donnie's score down with her. Soon after, her avatar went gray, signaling her defeat.

Chad, with a faint smile, handed the phone back to Donnie, "Back to work, man."

"You're a sly one, boss," Donnie chuckled.

The other team members couldn't help but notice Chad's unique way of dealing with Molly. "Captain, do you get your unconventional interrogation techniques from dealing with Molly?" one of them joked. Chad laughed, "I can't deny she's been quite the teacher in that department."

Just as everyone was settling in for an all-nighter, a delivery arrived with a note: "From your wife."

No one needed to ask; everyone knew who it was from. Only the captain's wife would stay up so late to send over a midnight snack.

Chad put down his paperwork, "Alright, let's share the food and keep going."

Chad didn't go home that night, diving straight into the next day's work. Molly didn't dare call him again.

The next day, Mia called Molly to check in, "How's it going?"

"Haven't seen him. Got caught up playing games until dawn," Molly admitted.

"Good luck with that," Mia said before hanging up.

Mia, noticing Anya sunbathing, called out, "Anya, stop chasing Henry around or you'll both get dizzy."

The spring weather was perfect, a pleasant twenty-something degrees with a gentle breeze. Anya, holding a small blanket, wrapped little Henry in it and ran around on the mat, making him giggle with joy.

a large fisherman's hat and placed it on Anya's sweaty head, "Learn from

one to the shade and handed

as relaxed. Molly kept glancing at the door,

brother and ask when he'll

raised an eyebrow, "Why don't

by Chad, Molly made up an excuse, "We hang out all the time. It might

hanging out together for over a decade,

argue with her mom, Molly headed upstairs in her

that evening, glancing at Molly in the living room as he

making

have you eaten?"

change. I'll be

upstairs, Molly followed, trying to catch up, a

the walk-in closet, Molly leaned against the doorframe, "Um... Chad, you're not staying home

his shirt, answering nonchalantly, "Nah, got work. Anything

major." Molly fidgeted at the

a clean shirt, eyeing her

I'll be waiting

Molly quickly left. Officer Chad, now dressed, came out to see his newlywed wife, who had lately

Molly: "I'll drive you."

passenger seat, "I'll drop you off at the station,

back inside to vent to

ride a bike to work, and you

quiet so people don't mistake

resemblance to their daughter, silently took

"There's a cab

her seatbelt and suddenly leaned over to kiss Chad, a kiss out

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