Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

By the time night rolled around, the yard was finally swept up and the beds were made with fresh sheets. Tonight, everyone was staying over at the old family

house.

Coleen bunked in with her daughter and grandson. Wayne had napped way too much during the day and just couldn't settle down in this unfamiliar place, so when night fell, he became a bundle of nerves, fussing and crying.

Molly, wrapped up in a thick robe, paced the chilly yard with her little boy in her arms, trying to soothe him. At eight, Chad called.

Eight o'clock in the city felt like the beginning of the night-lights, laughter, life. Out here in the country, eight felt like the whole world had gone quiet.

As soon as Wayne saw his dad on the phone, he burst into tears, reaching for the screen and begging for his dad to come get him.

Later, the neighbor's dog barked, and Wayne started bawling all over again. Molly plopped down on a tiny bench in the yard and video-called her sister. "Come on, let's see what your 'bubba' is up to."

Wayne, in his sweet baby voice, corrected her, "It's brother."

"Oh, Mommy forgot! Look at you, sweetie-now you say it so clearly. Not 'bubba,' it's brother."

When the video connected, Mia was clearly not at home.

"Mia, where are you?" Molly asked.

Mia noticed Molly wasn't home either. "Annie's due any day, so we all came to Newtown. What about you? Where are you guys?"

holidays, so we came back to clean up the old house. We got so tired we just decided to crash here

-Newtown Hospital-

into the bustling hospital room, phone in hand. She spotted little Henry sitting happily on his godfather's lap. "Henry, sweetie's missing you! Come video chat with

scampered over on his

got to see his brother's

bit overwhelmed by the crowd, so Annie suggested

looked calm, Teddy had that put-together vibe, Asher was

Mars-Mars was, well, extra

have you been up

stammered, "Uh, me? Nothing much,

foot of his wife's bed, looked at the group. "What's up,

his mouth and blew out a breath.

sitting by Annie's side,

"When

room

five kids, then

a real

way of teasing

"My family of three

the one