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.

home around eleven, the

mumbled,

watching Anya head to her room before

got busy with his "personal projects," keeping

downstairs for more warm milk, he noticed the light

Leo paused his game to

Pulling an all-nighter?" Andre

his book. "Nah, just

nephew's door thoughtfully before heading

in Mia's arms. Andre handed her the

do

cotton swabs, sitting by the bed to 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 about his late-night

walked through the school campus, and Mia broached the subject of

responded, "He's just busy with work,

Anya grew more observant, wondering if

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

relief. Mia's parents, the Irvins, came straight to

was overly affectionate, heartbroken to have learned

felt a surge of distress. He