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.

to his dad's pant leg, eyeing the

parents, grandparents, and even his favorite Uncle Cooper all tried to

to lead him away. Just as he was about to burst into tears,

to sob

searched for Mia, and with a shaky, heart-wrenching voice, he

watch on your wrist?

kids around

wailing. Henry wanted to

scooped him up. "See? The other kids are crying, but my boy's a little man he doesn't cry When you get to class, maybe you can help cheer up your friends, okay?"

it this time. He pouted, looking utterly wronged. "Daddy, I want you and Mommy to

leave, Henry wants

too." Normally, he called himself "baby"

the first time, he

"Henry." s

barely resisting the urge to just

melted at Henry's pitiful face. Even Grandpa