Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

They didn't linger long in conversation before Mia hurried ashore to comfort her little boy, who'd been scared half to death. The moment Henry was in her arms, he buried his face against her, his lips quivering, eyes full of tears as he clung to her neck with all his might. Mia could feel his fear in the tightness of his hug.

She gently patted his back, holding him close. "Mommy's okay, sweetie. There's nothing to be afraid of."

Henry sniffled, a touch of stubbornness in his quiet sob. "No! I don't want you to go."

Mia kept walking, carrying him. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll hold you as long as you want, my love."

The summer air was heavy and warm, and Mia's dress-thin and breezy-dried out in no time as they strolled along.

For the rest of the walk, Mia became the perfect example in her husband's parental lesson. "See, Henry? That's why you have to be careful around water. Mommy almost got swept away just now, didn't she?"

Henry refused to let anyone else carry him. In the end, Andre had to scoop him up, half complaining, "Do you even know how much you weigh these days?"

Wayne got his turn in his mother's arms too, while Mars splashed his little feet in the cool stream, beaming up at Mia with a wide, toothy grin. "Hey, bro~"

Henry turned when his little brother called. He chewed his lip, then answered, "Bro-"

Wayne's third word wasn't "grandpa" or "grandma" or "uncle"-it was "brother." He couldn't pronounce it quite right yet, but Henry always knew when he meant him.

That night, back in the city, the family gathered for dinner. Grandpa Hansen couldn't stop bragging about how wonderful the kids were.

least, until Henry sneakily snatched a piece of meat right off Grandpa's plate. That was

Everyone burst out laughing.

was late and everyone was worn out from the day. Both families

left so many rooms empty in this house. Next

boys ended up camping out in

on rooms. The kids need a place

got his own room,

squeaky clean, braced his little hands on the mattress, watching

fair, Dad. No playing favorites.

on his bed and realized t was pointless to argue-his daughters always had a comeback

ready. He

whe

sigh, Hansen gave in, shutting the

it easy! Don't get yourself worked up. You know,

sbdup. when you're olde

from the

so smart, come take your kids

least we made sure they're washed and

"Bunch

by, saw the boys giving Grandpa a