Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

In the basement, Leo casually tossed the trash while Anya fished out the car keys from her purse to unlock their car. She handed Leo a wet wipe to clean his hands, a small gesture that spoke volumes about their seamless coordination-exactly what Anya had always envisioned for herself.

Leo fired up the engine, and off they went.

Over at the library, Mia sat where Leo used to hang out, diving into her studies. She tackled problem sets, leafed through books, and whenever she hit a snag, she'd pop on her headphones to catch a live-streamed lecture. When the study grind got too much, she'd take a break by scrolling through her family group chat, chuckling at her son's antics.

Andre made it a routine to pick up his wife twice a week, treating her to dinner and easing her anxiety without any added pressure.

At home, Molly found solace leaning on her mom, snuggling up to her grandma,noveldrama

or occasionally retreating to nurse her son in privacy.

"Hey Chad, grab some bubble tea on your way back," Molly called out.

Chad teased back, "In your dreams."

Molly shot back, "Well, then you can cuddle with your dreams tonight."

Officer Chad just sighed, "..."

The trio that once roamed the high school halls, always in each other's company,

had now branched out into their own separate lives.

Meanwhile, the bright sun shone on a man racing down the highway, on a studious girl at a library table aged with time, and on a girl with a sunhat soaking up the rays on the lawn.

Hansen often brought his grandson to see the Byrne family, visiting his granddaughter and daughter. Henry and his brother shared a tight bond; Henry, trying to be a good big brother, offered his baby brother a sip from his water bottle, but only ended up making him cry. In one moment, Hansen shared a heartfelt chat with his daughter, and in the next, he'd be calling his grandson back home. With Andre around, Jade usually toned things down a bit.

When Chad arrived home from work, Jade challenged him, "Chad, tell me a hundred great things about me. Fail, and you owe me a big chicken platter."

Coleen, feeding her grandson, couldn't resist teasing her daughter, "A hundred? Even with two zeros knocked off, it's a tall order for Chad."

Chad, playfully, started counting Molly's hair strands, "You've got hair, two strands, three strands..."

Molly, nestled in Chad's arms, pouted, "That doesn't count, Chad. You're cheating."

Chuckling, Chad replied, "You didn't mention any rules. Maybe I'll count your eyelashes next."

Molly squeezed her eyes shut, "You won't manage that."

Later, before bed, Chad told the chef, "Whip up some chicken nuggets for Molly tomorrow."

"Sir, she's not supposed to have that."

"I'm not talking about a heavy dish, just something light and visually appealing."

The chef pondered over what 'light yet visually appealing' could mean.

Chad knew Molly was fed up with bland soups. He figured a bit of flair might spark her appetite.

Back in the bedroom, the sound of running water from the bathroom caught his

ear.

Uh-oh, he thought.

He dashed in to find Molly, hair soaking, in the middle of a wash.

"Molly! Mom said no washing your hair."

With shampoo suds everywhere, she whispered, "Shh, Chad, keep it down."

She quickly rinsed off, "Too late now.

I'll weanne

a hat tomorrow, and neithe.

Mom nor Grandma will notice e

swnovel

Chad didn't fully grasp the ins and

outs of postpartum care, just thanet

Molly needed to avoid cold and exertion.

So, as

the shower, even before she had a

as she stepped out of è to moisturize, Cha hadet.

had the

hairdryer ready to go.