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.

eyeing the teacher who

grandparents, and even his favorite Uncle Cooper all tried

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

between wanting to sob and

and with

tight. “Henry, look-see the watch on your wrist? If you miss us, you

around them

Henry

The other kids are crying, but my boy's a little man he doesn't cry When you get

looking utterly wronged. "Daddy, I want you and

leave,

Normally, he called

but for the

"Henry." s

the urge to just hold his

melted at Henry's pitiful face. Even Grandpa Hansen