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

Anya mumbled,

Anya head to her

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

went downstairs for more warm milk, he noticed the light

there?" Leo paused his game

Pulling an all-nighter?" Andre

Leo closed his book. "Nah, just winding

at his nephew's door thoughtfully

the little one was fussing and whimpering in Mia's arms. Andre handed her the warm

fever. What do we do, honey?" Mia

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 activities, but couldn't

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

just busy with work, Aunt

the topic drop, but Anya grew more observant, wondering if something was amiss with

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

little guy recovered, much to the family's relief. Mia's parents, the Irvins, came straight to the Cedillos' to check on

overly affectionate, heartbroken to have learned he

Aaron felt a surge of distress. He joked