Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"What's going on?" Leo asked.

Henry, the only kid who could really talk, piped up, "Big bro, give us food. Little bro's hungry."

So that was it—Leo had brought home takeout, and the three little ones caught the smell. They'd gone to check it out, but couldn't reach the table, so they tried climbing onto the chairs like they did at home. Only, these chairs weren't the heavy wooden ones they were used to-they were lighter, and as soon as the kids started climbing, the chairs wobbled and crashed to the floor.

Leo bent down, picked up the fallen chair, and squatted to face the three. "Alright, you three, hands out. Let's have a look-no hiding."

Henry stuck out his tiny, chubby hands-soft and adorable.

Leo checked him over, then looked at his feet. No scratches or bruises. "Next."

Ash got caught by his brother-in-law and shot his big sister a teary, betrayed look. "What are you crying for? I'm your brother too, you know."

Leo checked over his little brother-in-law-aside from some grubby hands, he was fine.

Then he called over the youngest, Wayne. "Wayne, your turn. Come here, buddy."

up Wayne and checked his fingernails. "These need a

glanced between the dining table and the living room, sighing in defeat. He slumped onto the couch, pulling Ash to his

little Anya was the only one he couldn't pin down, running after the littlest one,

team effort just to get the three of them

into the guest bedroom where he used to crash. He set up cartoons on the tablet and turned the heat up a bit. Then he lay at

the head of the bed, with Anya acting like a safety railing to keep

their big brother and sister, the routine was always

cartoons before bed, snacks scattered across the sheets, bottles in hand. Stuffed, cozy, and warm, they lounged lazily, drifting off as they watched

were out, Leo and Anya were wiped,

curled in her spot under the blanket, already asleep. Leo lay at the foot of the bed, making himself a guardrail, with the wall on the

into a light, peaceful

and angelic while asleep-but as soon as he woke, he turned into a whirlwind of

the covers and held one of his little brother's feet, finally letting himself

Chad got a call at work. "So, you took off,

it,” Chad replied, hanging