Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Arriving at Blue Lake Residences, they spotted Leo.

Leo scooped up little rascal Henry in one swoop, spinning him this way and that until Henry's eyes went wide and dazed. What's up with his big brother today? "Hey, sweetie, how'd you manage to get yourself kidnapped abroad this time? You're still just a kid, but you sure know how to get around."

When the spinning finally stopped, Leo crouched and gathered the other boy into his arms, planting a kiss on his cheek. It had been way too long-Leo really had missed them.

"Wayne, did you sneak into the kitchen and steal some of your mom's spicy chicken again? Set your mouth on fire, didn't you?"

Wayne just tilted his head, still not too familiar with this brother yet.

With both boys tucked in close, Leo hugged them tight and called over to the three women, "So what's the move tonight? We ordering in, or heading out somewhere?"

Everyone agreed-takeout at home sounded best.

Molly started asking Leo about how things were going at work, and the conversation wandered off into business talk. Mia was quickly lost. Somewhere along the way, the three of them had taken different roads in life, but at least family still kept them close.

Conner was back in Havenbrook, too. He'd come to pick up his wife's prenatal records from the hospital, ready to transfer her care to the Newtown clinic. From now on, he figured, no more bouncing between two cities all the time. The thought left him with a quiet, settled feeling-like life was finally falling into place.

As luck would have it, Teddy was also at Crescent Park, so Andre suggested a little catch-up.

Crescent Park. Mars showed up last.

asked as he

head. "He's swamped. Couldn't make it. It's just us four. Sit down, we'll snap a pic for Asher and

sister-in-law, your wife's pregnant... Everything's coming up gold for you. So you and Asher back to

Asher to poke fun at, Conner was quick to jab

soon as the photo went into the group chat,

replied, "Baby girl here

"Almost."

her up

raised an

came through the

set aside, and the conversation drifted easy and warm. No whiskey

move, brewing and passing out tea,

So Andre, what made

us out today? Found some

"Mia took the kids to see Leo. Place was empty. You guys popped into my

"So the wife and kids are gone

time, you can leave me

Everyone burst out laughing.

with his chopsticks, said, "Leo's the realhero behind cleaning up the Dark Web this

skills well and couldn't help