Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Molly hadn't really planned that far ahead, but her mom, Coleen, was already laying out the future.

"Thinking about having kids? That's way down the line for me."

Coleen chuckled, "Don't be so sure. Once you're married, if you're not careful, babies come along quicker than you'd think. You might not even realize it until it's too late."

Molly reclined in the passenger seat, absorbing her mom's mystical advice. It reminded her of her friend Mia, who had also found herself unexpectedly pregnant shortly after tying the knot.

Resting a hand on her stomach, Molly remembered how confidently she once believed she wouldn't be caught off guard. Now, she wasn't so sure.

"Mom, is the morning-after pill still effective if you take it more than 24 hours later?"

Coleen just sighed.

Their conversation meandered to lighter topics after that, the kind of easy, pleasant chat that felt like basking in the simple joys of life.

When the topic of how many kids she might want came up, Molly found herself surprisingly open to the idea.

It was as if Mia's words had unlocked something in her. "Once you've crossed that bridge, everything else just falls into place naturally."

made Molly shy and uncomfortable, as if it was all too intimate. But now, with

be overwhelmed with just one. Kids are adorable in small doses. You think they're the cutest thing ever

After their chat, Coleen drove Molly around, taking in the local sights and enjoying a bit of

responsible for keeping her mom's spirits up; whatever drama was unfolding with

car gone and called the dynamic duo, now shopping at the market, and

commotion

and community officers gone, and Juliana's family whereabouts unknown, Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer looked visibly upset, while Molly and Coleen seemed detached from the

tended to the vegetable garden, and Coleen cooked dinner. Molly, less helpful in the kitchen, was sent to assist her grandmother with the bedding. Seeing

that gold bracelet I bought you, why don't we go to town and get

dear. I'll just

You've always refused because you didn't want to impose, but we've

Grandma Aubree seemed unconvinced, lost in her own

out of sight, out of mind is a good thing. I know this incident has upset you, but maybe it's for the best if we keep

least she didn't steal from someone else and end up in jail. It's

trouble? That's why moving to the city makes sense. I'll be there to keep an

overhearing the conversation while sweeping outside, and Kendrick, about to enter the room, were

persistent persuasion. It was a big decision, leaving a lifetime of memories behind, but Molly was determined to make her grandparents see the

enjoy the meal. During dinner, Coleen suggested they should consider moving back home soon, to tidy up and secure the house. After all, it was Juliana who had caused a scare this time,