Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

The next morning, before Anya could even bring up moving out again, the breakfast table was a chorus of objections, making it clear she wasn't going anywhere.

Naomi, hearing that Anya was practically family already, put her foot down. "Anya, Chad can't cook to save his life. Let him figure it out on his own while you stay here with us. Your great-aunt will take good care of you." Hansen chimed in, "Your aunt's left, taking Henry with her. Your uncle will be off soon, too. If you leave, your granddad will be all alone."

Anya couldn't help but protest, "Granddad, that's not what 'left alone' means."

"It's what I say it means."

Later, Chad called Anya. "I'm not even settled yet. You coming here would just add to the chaos."

Remembering Chad's promise, Anya teased softly, "Chad, you said you'd come get me."

Chad swallowed hard. "I will, but only when I can provide for us both. I don't want you to suffer because of me. Stay home and don't complicate things. If you miss me, call, and I'll come get you."

"Well, I miss you now."

"Sorry, bad signal. Can't hear you," Chad said, hanging up.

Anya pouted, "Chad's such a tease-just like granddad."

Meanwhile, Mia, noticing Henry had been spoiled at his grandparents' place and his schedule was all over the place, packed his bags early one morning. She placed them in the back seat of her husband's car and pointed to the baby sipping from his bottle. "Either take him back to my dad, or he goes to the office with you. Just one condition-don't let him sleep all day!"

him to

lively grandson and a suitcase full of baby essentials

opportunity to tease, "Granddad, guess you're not left alone

grandson, replied, "He's here now,

with kisses, and dashed off

got Chad's address and visited him at his hotel. It had been a while since the family of three had been together, and suddenly, there

and Bruce surveyed Chad's living conditions. Bruce picked up a book from a stack on the

I'm catching up on the basics I missed,"

son. "Chad, come home. You need a proper environment to study for grad school. Your mom and I can take care of you." Chad refused, "Mom, I've finally got

deflated, knew her son wouldn't easily agree to return. She reached into her purse, pulling out two bank cards and a passbook. "This passbook was your grandmother's gift to you when you were

hearing of their visit, Hansen had retrieved some money saved for Chad from his wife's memorial room and handed it

generous. Mrs. Cedillo had deposited a million each for her son and

the money back. "Mom, I

the couch, said, "Take it. If we can't help you in any other way, at least let us support you

money from the salary my uncle gave me; you don't need to give me more," Chad insisted, placing the cards and passbook back in his mother's purse. "If you keep pushing this, I'll

refusing your parents' help just to

firm. "I won't spend it. I can support myself, and I haven't sunk so low that I need my parents' money

rent, a car payment, and no time for a job with your studies. Just take