Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Soon, Leo jogged over to Anya, worry etched on his face as he bent down and dusted off her skirt. "Was it really necessary to run that fast? You nearly ran straight into traffic, you know."

After brushing the dirt away, Leo straightened up and glanced at the teenage boy nearby.

The boy looked Leo in the eye. "Are you alright?"

He shook his head, then quietly turned away, wheeling his bike down the sidewalk.

Leo watched him go, a strange heaviness settling in his chest.

His gaze drifted back to his girlfriend. “And you-carrying Lizzy while running... Look at this little goofball." Leo gently pinched Lizzy's chubby cheeks. “You're just as silly as your sister Anya."

"Chad~"

Leo grinned and pinched Anya's cheeks too, one soft cheek in each hand. For a moment, under the leafy shade, his heart felt so soft. Even the most stoic men would melt at the thought that flickered in Leo's mind: someday, he and Anya would be standing here with their own little girl, and he'd be pinching both their cheeks the same way.

He beamed, completely lost in the warmth of the moment, not noticing the gloomy teenager glancing back at him with a shadowy look.

The boy turned away, pushing his bike down the street until, finally, he spotted the person he'd been waiting for.

clinging to his dad's pant leg, eyeing the teacher who was

even his favorite Uncle Cooper all tried

and tried to lead him away. Just as he was about to burst into tears, his dad crouched down

bit his lip, torn between wanting to sob and wanting to be

and with a shaky, heart-wrenching voice,

your wrist? If you miss us, you can call whenever you

around them

Henry

man he doesn't cry When you get to class, maybe

He pouted, looking utterly wronged. "Daddy, I want you and

leave,

too." Normally, he called himself "baby"

for the first time, he

"Henry." s

barely resisting the urge to

pitiful face. Even Grandpa Hansen almost caved.