Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

It was late-way past bedtime-when Andre called up his brother-in-law, hoping for some solid parenting tips.

Cooper didn't beat around the bush. "Andre, let's be real. You and Mia never actually try my tricks."

Mia, with zero shame, leaned in close to Andre, her ear basically glued to the phone as she listened in. Andre raised an eyebrow, "Why wouldn't we try them?"

Cooper sighed, "You've got work, Mia's got classes. Neither of you can be glued to Hank all day like I am. When I take him to the bumper cars, he gets obsessed so I haul him out, plop him in the car, and have him practice his writing. If he writes neatly, he earns another round. Same for skiing: once he's hooked, I pull him aside to learn three new words, then let him hit the slopes again. We just keep repeating. Even between activities, I make him review. That whole week I was home, I took Hank out every day to dig up some new hobby."

He paused, then added, "Oh, and Andre-Hank is crazy about bumper cars now. When he's driving, you and Mia had better keep an eye on him. Don't let him go on a demolition derby spree."

Andre just stared at the phone, speechless.

Cooper kept going, "He's got the hang of skiing now, but he's just wild enough to be a menace—loves flying down the steepest hills. Seriously, you two need to keep watch. And Sweetie? Every time we go boating, she's dying to jump in the water. Oh, and Andre-I took him to the water park. Taught him how to row, too."

Mia clicked her tongue and exchanged a look with Andre. Neither of them said a word, but you could see the worry in their eyes.

Suddenly, while Cooper was still on the line, a familiar woman's voice cut in, "Is that Sweetie? Sweetie, it's Kristen!"

"Jennie, get out of the way!" Cooper's muffled argument with Jennie came through the speaker. Mia, ever the nosy one, leaned in even closer-her face practically squished into Andre's.

overseas, Cooper and Jennie were actually wrestling- Cooper had Jennie pinned to the table by the neck, and the so-called princess looked anything but royal, her heavy makeup smeared all over his

"Guards!" Jennie shouted.

circle of guards appeared in a flash, watching their princess get manhandled by Cooper. They hesitated, torn

charts. Somehow, the phone

totally outmatched. He tossed aside the blanket and got out of bed. "Mia, I'm going to check on Henry-bethe's

the master bedroom,

"Hey! I wasn't done listening. Why'd they hang

face, tossing his book at her.

sister had heard his chaos. He just knew he'd be getting another phone call

kids bedroom, Andre

in and

lying on his

with his toes, happilyck,

fiddling 16st in

world.