Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Cooper stood outside the airport, glancing at his watch, waiting for a family of three to leave before the weight of loneliness hit him.

All around him were classmates, friends, and teachers from different countries, with faces unlike his own. He craved the comfort of a home-cooked meal but knew he'd have to drive far to find a place that served it. When he got back to his car, he found out that his brother- in-law had already sorted out all the paperwork for the vehicle.

Cooper started the car and headed back to his quiet studio apartment.

When he opened the door, there was a box of milk on the table.

He frowned, not remembering buying it.

A bag of cereal sat on top of the cupboard. All the alcohol in the fridge had been replaced with water and fruit, and the freezer was stocked with various meats. The fridge was filled with vegetables, nuts, and legumes.

The cupboard was packed with snacks and flour, along with several packs of pasta.

His spaghetti? His beer? His coffee?

On the balcony, someone had enclosed it with glass.

But knowing his love for the view, they hadn't sealed the glass completely; he could still open it to see the sunset.

His bed was a mess. When he got closer, he found a note: "Your bed was messed up by your precious nephew rolling around. Your sister and I didn't want to make it, so you'll have to. I traded the spaghetti and beer at the store. We didn't fully enclose the balcony because it gets too hot in summer and too cold in winter, and it's safer this way. Take good care of yourself, maintain a healthy lifestyle. -Sister."

Looking around, Cooper noticed his place was spotless, and his bedside table and desk had new photo frames. One showed his nephew Henry laughing, another had Henry gnawing at his face, and another was a picture of him with his sister. There was also a candid shot of him and his brother-in-law Andre talking, with Andre looking at Cooper with high hopes and Cooper looking back with admiration.

Cooper sat on the edge of his bed, covering his eyes with his hand as they reddened, and rubbed his face.

On the plane, Henry cuddled by the window, gazing at the vast land and sea below, while his parents watched over him tenderly, Andre gently stroking his son's head.

Henry was easygoing during the day, not crying.

When he got hungry, he'd tug at his dad's collar.

sorted through photos on her phone of the

tricked her little one.

on his mom's lap, looked around as if he really was going to sleep,

attendant, seeing the well-behaved child, complimented, "Henry is so good on the flight, not crying

yet. Wait until he's up, and you'll hear our little tiger

knew the trio was coming home,

of several hours, they arrived

exited the airport, shy

by his

Henry

leaving my son in

"Why

you stay up. You were still posting on Facebook at 4 am about 'Playing Candy Crush every

"Then, we three will just

Hansen: "..." Blackmail!

grandson, staring eye to eye, "Well, it looks like it's just you and me

asked Molly, "When can we meet? I need to take my son to visit

right after

but before he could speak, Hansen took on the responsibility of caring for his grandson at the

uncle about their father, "Dad doesn't listen to your big

while eating, "What are you talking about

say Dad doesn't listen. You should mention how he's still up playing

trouble, asked, "...Is Chad

your dream is crushed, Chad is on the night

wanting to

his

special cookies for her son, and whenever he cried, placing one in his mouth would stop