Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre had just gone downstairs to grab some warm milk for his son, thinking he'd help out with bath time, when he overheard his wife and Naomi chatting. Something in their conversation hit him right in the heart. Little Mia wasn't her usual energetic self lately, all thanks to their high-spirited son. He cried a lot, fussed even more, stayed up late, and was generally a handful.

Motherhood had sapped a lot of Mia's energy, now divided with their son.

Andre pushed open the bathroom door and saw their son, almost done with his bath. He grabbed the little guy's special hooded towel.

Mia pulled their slippery son out of the tub and handed him to Andre. "Thanks for the help, Naomi," she said.

Naomi waved it off. "We're all family here, no need for formalities."

As she left, Naomi reminded, "Mia, if Henry won't sleep tonight, bring him to me. You need your rest, especially with classes tomorrow."

"It's fine, my husband and I can handle it."

Back in the bedroom, the little one was already wrapped up and sipping the warm milk his dad had fetched.

"Mia, maybe we should let the nanny put Henry to bed from now on," Andre suggested. "It's too much for us."

Mia shook her head gently. "I can't bear the thought."

She sat beside her husband, looking lovingly at their son. "Yes, it's exhausting, but it's a happy kind of tired. Sure, he's a handful sometimes, but he's so lovable." She gave her son a tender peck on the cheek. "Do you love mommy?"

The little guy giggled, kicking his legs joyfully.

Anya got home around

mumbled, "Goodnight,

to her

with his "personal projects," keeping his room light on till the

he noticed the light under Leo's door and

paused

busy with work? Pulling

Leo closed his book. "Nah, just winding down with a game. Heading to bed

at his nephew's door thoughtfully

in the bedroom, the little one was fussing and whimpering in Mia's arms. Andre handed her the warm milk, which she tested on her

fever. What do we do, honey?"

dab at their son's joints. "The doctor said it's common for babies his age to get fevers. He's young, better to avoid medication if we can. I'll try cooling him down this way." They chatted about Leo, wondering

next day, Mia and Anya walked through the school campus, and Mia broached the subject

"He's just busy

the topic drop, but Anya grew more observant, wondering

more attention to Leo at the office, noting his nephew's daytime lethargy and early evening naps. Leo always blamed his workload,

recovered, much to the family's relief. Mia's

overly affectionate, heartbroken

of distress.