Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Mia wasn't one to shy away from a bit of chaos. "Anya, bring the fish over so my son can see it."

Anya, still barefoot, walked over to Andre, while little Henry, curious about the unfamiliar creature, reached out to touch it. But before he could even get close, the fish flicked its tail, turning Henry's giggles into a near-breathless cry. Next to Chad, Molly chuckled, "See, Chad? It's been half an hour, and here comes the second round of tears."

A bunch of kids crowded around Anya, all eager to see the fish.

Later, Anya, still without her shoes, dashed to the supermarket to grab a plastic bag for the fish, keeping the kids captivated.

Leo trailed behind, holding Anya's canvas shoes. "Anya, put your shoes on before you hurt your feet."

But Anya was too engrossed to hear him.

In the afternoon, while the men were off delivering some items, Mia and Molly tidied up the campsite, with the kids doted on by their beloved Aunt Anya.

If she had the time, Molly would've loved to stay and camp out too.

While cleaning, Molly said, "Dad, Mia, I'm not heading back home tonight. I'm going with Chad to the Byrne place. I promised Mom I'd go to the office tomorrow." Hansen chimed in, "Remember, Anya picked a bunch of cherries this morning. Take some back for your folks and grandparents."

"Will do, Dad."

On the way back, Mia took the bag of fish, and Henry, now lying in his baby seat, wasn't scared of the fish anymore. His little hands even reached out to play with it. Every now and then, he glanced up through the sunroof, enjoying the ride so much that he fell asleep on his own, no soothing from Mom needed.

Mia, feeling drowsy herself, hung the fish in the car and dozed off next to her son.

Hansen, riding shotgun, reclined his seat and drifted off too.

Andre glanced back at his sleeping family, both young and old, and slowed the car down with a smile.

Anya, exhausted from her day of tree climbing and swimming, fell asleep as soon as she got in the car. Leo, looking back at her, couldn't resist gently touching her head.

rare moment of tenderness was lost on the sleeping Anya. With no one else around, Leo

got home by

same but couldn't compete with his wife. He settled for gently pinching Henry's hand. "Henry,

out his little tongue, adorable as ever, making Bruce want to show him off to the

woke up, stretched, and quickly went

I put the fish?"

on, let's take it to the

a few servants to repack the leftover fruits and drinks into the car, handing over two bags of cherries. "Mia,

need to save so much. It's just them and the housekeeper. I'll

to make the jam, and then you can take

jam!

increasingly felt her son wasn't good enough for little

to hold Henry, Bruce's profile picture was now of Henry, much to Mrs. Cedillo's occasional annoyance. "Uncle, do you think my

"Hmm~"

mayor, was now softened by Henry's presence. "Nope, still fair and soft.

sucking on his fingers, melted Bruce's

to the yard to make jam, with

in washing the cherries. Leo, from a window, quietly sat down

returned home, where her parents and grandparents fussed

cherry picking today, and I brought some for you,"

daughter's clumsiness. "Did you

them; Anya did all the work. I just played

brought them out

"Now that Molly's back, we finally see you

lounging on the sofa, felt a bit sleepy. "If Mom isn't home, you're hardly around either." Molly sat next to Chad, feeding him two cherries. "Bro, if you're sleepy, just go to bed. I slept

asked his son, "Still working