Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"Shh, Dad, let's see how long he can sit," whispered Andre, keeping a close eye on his son from a distance.

Andre couldn't just leave his beloved son unattended. He knew Henry had a flair for the dramatic. Whenever his parents or elders were around, he'd cry, fuss, and demand attention. But when left alone on the couch, Henry would sit there quietly, occasionally glancing around, not making a peep.

Andre positioned himself just behind Henry, staying out of sight but ready to step in if needed.

Hansen stepped out quickly, and soon enough, everyone abandoned their cherry jam and wine to gather in the living room. There was Henry, still sitting solidly on the sofa, his little face scanning the room for familiar faces. He looked adorable and perfectly steady!

Naomi hurried to capture the moment on video. Even Jade, who was soaking in a bubble bath and binge-watching her favorite series, got the news. She grabbed her phone, wrapped herself in a towel, and pulled Chad out of bed. "Chad, look, Henry can sit now! He looks so helpless and pitiful sitting there all alone."

Chad's eyes, however, lingered on Jade, swallowing hard at the sight of her wrapped in a towel.

Mia and her husband Cedillo whispered, "How long has he been sitting?"

"A while now. I wanted to see how long he could last without crying, and he's still doing fine," Andre said, surprised by his little crybaby's resilience.

Mia, ever the nurturing mother, suggested, "He's still young; let's not make him sit too long."

Just then, the family members who had been spying on Henry quietly came out, revealing themselves.

"Henry-"

Upon seeing the familiar faces, Henry beamed, "Ah yay yay!"

Mia knelt down, scooped Henry up, and kissed him. "My little boy can sit now. Time to fulfill your dad's promise."

Andre lifted Henry high, filled with pride, and instructed the household staff, "Tell the kitchen to prepare some rice cereal for my son tonight."

jam, dashed

insisted on holding his nephew, even tussling with Andre for a turn. "Andre, let me hold him. It's been nearly twenty years since

embrace, began to babble,

amused, mimicked Henry's gibberish, creating a seemingly fluent conversation

Henry learning to sit would get the

top the exams someday, we'll throw a huge celebration. Andre's friends from all over the

cherries for jam, Mia shared her concerns, "He's just fussy now.

him in line," Naomi reassured. "After Leo

added, "Chad's not afraid to rebel; he just doesn't want to upset

Naomi exchanged knowing

about their kids. "Every time I see you three with your girls, I regret not having another daughter. Mia, you and Andre should try again in a couple of years. Henry will be older, and you'll still be at a good age. Not having a daughter at my

like I can just decide to have a daughter and, poof, there she is. What if we get

way when Leo was two or three. Your brother and I were too scared

the unmarried young woman, didn't join in on the married women's conversation. She sat,

room with the pits. "Grandpa, let's plant a cherry tree! Then we

silent for a few seconds,

Leo saw Anya digging outside. He got up and

"Planting a tree."

the tree?"

where cherry pits were

sighed, shaking

outside by his uncle to join the

Anya's jam was ready, Leo had stored the wine in a cool

the family finished praising Anya, the moment everyone had been waiting for