Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Annie got the drift of what Chad was hinting at. "I'm just here to learn, and I'll only interact with you as a colleague. If you're worried my presence might put a dent in your marriage, then maybe it's not as solid as you think." Chad replied, "Just remember what you said."

With that, he hung up and dialed Andre.

Meanwhile, Andre was on his way home, stealing glances at his wife in the passenger seat. "Why's there an apple missing from our tree?"

Mia tried to dodge, "How should I know? You're not thinking I ate it, are you? I'm not like Henry, eating everything in sight." She said this with her head down, trying to hide her fib.

Andre, who knew her too well, wasn't fooled. "Today, it was just Henry's mom in my office."

Mia bit her lip, "Come on, sweetie. Instead of making money, you're counting apples on our tree? Got too much time on your hands?"

Andre's phone rang, cutting their chat short. He picked up, "Hey, Chad."

"Annie's transfer got the green light, just needs the final stamp."

"Got it, thanks."

Chad hesitated, but left it at that, "I'll go pick up Molly now."

After ending the call, Chad shook off his thoughts and drove to Chade Inc.

When he arrived, Molly was venting to her mom. "Mom, even if Chad was riding a tricycle, he should be here by now. What's keeping him?"

Coleen Byrne replied, "If he's late, why are you clinging to me and not letting me leave?"

"Aw, Mom, just hang with me till Chad gets here." Molly kept her mom occupied. "Why not call Dad to pick you up?"

Coleen said, "I have my car, no need to bug your dad."

"Well, I don't have a car, so I'm gonna bug my husband."

Coleen gave up trying to reason with her daughter.

When Chad finally showed up, Coleen was relieved.

Jade grabbed Chad's jacket playfully, teasing him, "Chad, what little fox caught your eye on the way, making you late for your wife?"

Chad held Molly's hand, "You're the only fox I see, how could I notice anyone else?"

Coleen quipped, "I feel nauseous."

Molly joked, "Pregnant?"

Coleen gave her daughter a playful smack.

Molly, beaming, pushed her mom into the backseat of Chad's car, "Dad's been wanting to drop you off at work forever. Give him a chance tomorrow."

On the drive home, Molly and her mom chatted away, with Chad mostly quiet.

Back at the house, as Molly was video chatting with her little nephew, Mia walked in.

Henry reached out for a hug as soon as he saw his mom.

He ended up in his dad's arms, while Mia sneaked away to find Hansen.

"Did it work?"

"Relax, when has your dad ever let you down?"

Mia showered her dad with praise, making Hansen's smile stretch wide.

In the living room, Henry was being his usual charming self, making everyone laugh.

"Conner, I had Chad check it out. Annie's transfer got the nod, just needs a stamp," Andre casually mentioned.

"Who?" Conner Nettleton sprang up from his favorite chair, "Who did you have look into it?"

"My brother-in-law, Chad. You know him; he was at that meeting too. Makes it easy since he's an insider. Why?"

Conner got up, "Do me a favor, don't let her transfer go through."

Andre, puzzled, asked, "I never got the chance to ask last time, who's Annie?"

"A person."

Andre was left speechless.

Downstairs, video calls were coming one after another. Molly, after finishing a call with her giggling nephew, saw Anya calling next.

Leo Cedillo had been trying to reach Anya, always finding the line busy. When he finally got through, "Chad, what's up? Your call cut off my video with the baby."

Leo: "Are you still Anya? You do realize you have a boyfriend, right? One who'd like to video chat with you?"

Mrs. Cedillo, fresh from a shower, saw her daughter on the phone. "Who's that?"

Anya, on the call, sweetly replied, "My boyfriend, he's jealous I didn't video call him."

Leo heard every word.

He wondered if he was the one who had been reluctant to part in the first place!

"Alright, I'm working late. Take care."

"Oh, bye." Anya hung up before Leo could say goodbye.

When Anya tried calling Mia again, the line was busy.

"Must be Auntie or maybe Uncle Henry."

And she was right; Cooper was wrapped in blankets, video chatting with his little nephew late at night.

...

As Henry grew, he showed his displeasure not just by crying but also by getting restless, his little face turning red with frustration.

Madison remarked, "Just like Mia back in the day. If we didn't let her eat with us, she'd get as eager as Henry is now."

Mia, munching on ice cream, shared a look with her son.

Hansen, also eating, said, "Our kids have such great appetites."

The ice cream was bought secretly, without Andre knowing.

The whole family had been 'warned' as long as Andre didn't ask, they wouldn't say a word.

Andre was hardly ever home, so as long as they ate it on the sly, he'd never find out.

Those in the know kept it quiet.

Mia finished her ice cream, with a smidge of cream left. She squatted in front of Henry's stroller, where he wiggled with anticipation, mouth open, ready to snatch it. In the end, Mia let him have a little lick, just to satisfy his craving.