Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre's four brothers exchanged sympathetic glances as they watched his spirited wife, Mia, in action.

Andre cleared his throat a couple of times, trying to hide his embarrassment. Mia was truly sweet and charming when she wasn't in one of her fiery moods.

"Hey, the bar exam isn't tough, right? Signing up for Level 4, right? Blocking my calls, huh? Think you can just escape this, Cooper? You say you're overseas, yet you send me study materials?! I haven't even finished the last batch you sent!" Mia blurted out in her grad class after receiving a fresh stack of revision materials, with a note that said: From your loving brother.

Her fists clenched tight.

After giving her brother a good talking-to, venting her frustration, Andre stepped in to calm his fiery wife, whispering, "We've got guests watching."

Mia glanced back, "It's cool, they're all family."

Cooper was dragged off the couch by their dad, who mused, "Dad, should we get a paternity test?"

Right after, Madison gave her son a playful smack on the back of his head.

Little Henry's mouth formed an 'o', eyes wide and gleaming as he gazed at his grandmother, falling in love with his cheeky grandma all over again.

Feeling a bit sulky, Cooper straightened his clothes and shuffled over to his adorable nephew, giving him a big hug.

Henry's gifts were stacked up on a table, plenty of them despite the small number of guests.

The Calder family couldn't make it, but their daughter delivered their presents.Property © 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

The former Secretary-General, now Jack, along with his right-hand man Noah and many of Andre's "crew" from various branches, all showed up with gifts for Henry. Twenty or so seats were filled up in no time.

With so many guests around, there was no need for the parents to hold their child; people were practically lining up to take turns.

Cooper held his nephew, finding even his yawns cute enough to steal another kiss. Anya watched the adorable baby and then glanced at her boyfriend with a coy smile.

The room was decked out in festive decor, with a table on one side displaying Henry's first birthday goodies-a small fruit platter, a "fortune-telling" mat, eggs, a comb, a red string...and some wine. They'd already set off firecrackers early in the morning at home.

Henry had been woken from his sleep, crying loudly until a bath and a change of clothes calmed him down, and then the family made their way to the hotel.

The room was a sea of red with balloons, tablecloths, and racks everywhere.

As Mia put it, "Our wedding wasn't even this red."

Her aunt chimed in, "My wedding with Chad wasn't this festive either."

Anya added, "I'm not married, so I wouldn't know."

As soon as Henry settled onto the couch, Mars swooped him up, not even three minutes passing before Conner tried to snatch him away. Finally, Annie stretched out her arms to hold her godson.

"Kasha, I just had him for a second."

Annie replied, "Don't worry, fiancée, I'll take over your hard work, let me hold him, no need to thank me."

Like a magician, she pulled out a lollipop seemingly from nowhere and handed it to Henry.

Everyone was in high spirits, Hansen looking particularly cheerful.

Guests arrived, and the room was filled with laughter.

They chatted about Molly's due date, speculating on the baby's gender.

Chad teased Molly with a candy, "Guess which hand? Get it right, and I'll buy you a milkshake today."

"Chad, you're always tricking me. I bet there's nothing in either hand." Molly caught Chad's wrists, stopping his tricks. "Open your hands, let me see."

Chad, normally serious, rarely showed his softer side to his family. "That's cheating, let go of one hand, and I'll show you one at a time."

"Nope, open both at once." Molly insisted. Chad didn't budge, so Molly turned to her dad, "Dad, look at Chad."

Kendrick would chide his son, "Don't tease Molly, show her now."

Chad opened his left hand; it was empty.

Henry somehow ended up back in his godfather lan's arms, his little eyes watching his aunt and uncle's game.

Then, Chad opened his right hand, revealing a candy resting there.

Molly pouted, "So, if I guessed wrong, I get two milkshakes as consolation."

Anya whispered to Leo, "Can Auntie really be this unreasonable?"

Leo replied, "Don't be surprised; she can pull anything off."

Leo occasionally peeked at his phone, avoiding conversation with his uncle.

Mia was checking the schedule, "Had I known a first birthday party was this much hassle, I'd have just spent the money for some peace." Madison, feeling for her daughter, offered, "Mia, anything you need help with?"

Kendrick, Aaron, and Bruce were deep in conversation.

Annie sat quietly in a corner; without her little tiger in her arms, Conner was her only company.

Conner held her hand, joking with a bunch of friends.

Hansen was particularly impressed

by Annie, "So, this is Conner's girl, huh? Not bad! Good choice!" He asked Annie, "Kasha, when's the big day?

Don't just hold Henry all the time get hitched this year and give him a little sibling next year

Conner, seizing the moment, said, "Uncle Jiang, you have to officiate our wedding."

Hansen slapped his hand down, "Done deal! Consider it settled." The wedding talk was on.

Annie: "..."

Henry eventually wound up in his brother's arms.

The two brothers locked eyes, and then Leo's phone buzzed. He checked to see Vincent had been arrested!

Leo's lips curled into a grin, shutting off his phone, and holding his little brother he kissed his chubby cheeks, "You're my little good fuck charm, holding you brings great news."

Henry: "Wah. Baba"

...

Everything was set, and the time had come.

Henry was back in his parents' arms.

Whatever they wanted him to do, his little hands and feet, ready to kick and squirm, were held gently but firmly, ensuring he cooperated. Henry's shoes were removed, his bare feet pressed into a red clay plaque, "Wuu, Ah bah."

Andre steadied his son's little feet, pressing them onto a hand and

٢٠٠

footprint plaque, inscribed with net

words he penned himself: Peace,

Smooth Sailing

Henry gnawed on his little hand, watching his father's meticulous work, seeing Andre's carefulness for the first time.

After finishing, he wrapped his beloved son in a hug.

"Is this the first time Andre's being so careful?" Mars joked.

Mia shook her head, "No, it's the second time. The first was when I was in the delivery room."

Henry clinging to his dad's neck, scrunched up his little nose, shouting, "Lovey-dovey."

Everyone paused, "What did he just say?"

Andre was momentarily stunned by his son's enthusiastic outburst, "Son, what did you just say?"

Henry, with a big grin, nestled into his dad's chest.

Henry's relationship with his parents was typically laid-back, often feeling a bit left out, but during special family moments...