Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

After getting home, Hansen found himself with his little bundle of joy perched on his knee. He'd missed this tiny ball of energy dearly, even though he'd only been gone for a couple of days. Next to him, his daughter started airing her grievances. "Anyway, Chad is a mess, and Andre isn't much better."

Hansen, feeling exasperated, slapped his thigh and said, "I've been saying it all along, neither of those guys are any good. You insisted on marrying him against my advice. Andre's not exactly the model of a dutiful son, and poor Mia's caught in the middle." Molly nodded in agreement, "You were spot on, Dad. I must've been out of my mind back then. If only I'd listened to you."

Anya decided to spill the beans, "But Grandpa, it was you who pushed auntie to marry uncle."

Everyone in the living room turned their eyes to Hansen, rendering him speechless.

Naomi chuckled at the child's honesty, finding it amusing.

Hansen pointed to his chubby little grandson, "All I ever wanted was a cute little grandkid like him."

Molly bit her nail, eyeing her little nephew, "But your grandson is just as cheeky as his parents."

Grandfather and grandson shared a look, with Henry's eyes sparkling with cuteness. Hansen had missed him so much that he pulled his grandson into a tight hug, "I don't care, even if he tricks me, I'm okay with it."

"Is Henry sleeping with you tonight?" Mia asked as she walked in.

She had overheard the family's conversation about the kids teasing the elders.

Hansen looked at his grandson again. Henry grinned at him with his tiny baby teeth, making Hansen pause. The daytime and nighttime versions of his grandson seemed like two different people.

"Alright, Dad, we won't tease you anymore. My son's sleeping with us tonight," Mia said, scooping Henry into her arms.

Hansen pointed to the coffee table, "Mia, dig in. I know what you guys like. I spent all morning finding these treats. Beef jerky, cornbread, spicy chips... especially these spicy chips, they're all the rage." Mia opened a pack and took a bite, while Henry watched, mouth watering.

Before long, Andre came over with a milk bottle and a glass of water, settling down next to his wife and kid, "Dad, how'd you make it back?"

"I flew back on my own wings," Hansen replied, playfully poking fun at his second son.

Molly gave her dad a thumbs-up, clearly impressed.

Andre glanced at his sister, realizing she'd been complaining. Chad and his brother-in-law exchanged knowing looks; the complaint was anticipated.

Once everyone was back home, the family moved to the dining room for dinner.

At the dinner table, Chad chatted with Molly, "Don't give Conner any more wild ideas, it's affecting the morale of the police force."

Molly tilted her head, pretending innocence, "Chad, you're blaming me for nothing. What wild ideas did I give?"

Hearing his friend's name, Andre perked up, "What's going on with Conner?"

Chad explained the latest happenings, "Every day, someone from Majestic Dining Enclave delivers food to the station. Luxury cars wait outside to take his fiancée places, there's chilled soda when it's hot, umbrellas when it rains-like he's some kind of mob boss. Our team even got a taste of it a few times."

Andre wondered if his friend had lost his marbles. "Molly, what on earth did you tell him?"

Mia turned to her friend, curious. Even for chasing someone, this silly approach didn't seem like Molly's style.

"It's nothing, Andre. I just explained

why I'm the favorite at the station. I said: 'I'm well-liked because I'm always around, familiar to them, and since I'm younger, they all treat me like a little sister. I occasionally bring snacks, order takeout, and buy drinks and food. I'm always up for a chat and a laugh. Most importantly, Chad treasures me, so naturally, his colleagues do too. No issue there, right?""

Molly even took out her phone to prove her innocence.

No one needed to see her phone; they believed her. Mia asked, "Do you think he misunderstood? You emphasized the last part, but he might've focused on the earlier comment?" Molly nodded, "That's very possible!"

With a gleam in his eye, Hansen asked, "Who has Conner set his sights on? I could play matchmaker."

Mia gently warned, "Dad, the girl he's interested in isn't exactly a pushover. A few punches, and she'd crack ribs."

"Really? That's fantastic; she'd be a match for Mia. We won't need TV anymore; we'll have boxing matches at home-Mia versus the girl!" Hansen said eagerly.

The room went silent, all eyes turning to Mia's husband.

Andre calmly reached out, placing a piece of meat into his wife's bowl. "Eat up, you've been studying hard."

Noticing his father only serving his mom, Henry reached out with his chubby little hands for his dad's chopsticks. No playing favorites here-Mom and baby deserve equal treatment. Andre balanced things out by adding some veggies to his son's plate.

Anya, seeing no one replying to Hansen, didn't want him to feel awkward, so she chimed in, "Grandpa, little Grandpa Elmer has been missing you too. How about we visit Chad this weekend?"

"Leo has a soft spot?"

QUMS

Anya nodded, "Yes, Chad recently mentioned, 'Grandpa always chases after the new stuff. With a little grandson around, the older ones seem like someone else's.""

Hansen, sensing the jealousy from his eldest grandson, decided, "Let's go, Grandpa has to visit."

After dinner, Mia whisked a messy Henry away for a bath, while Molly chatted with her at the door.

Andre retreated to the study to call his friend and save him from his misguided antics.

Chad and Bruce had plenty to discuss, while Naomi and Anya headed to Leo's room to pack some warm clothes. Hansen...

"Hey, I'm back. My kids missed me too much."

"Old Meng, I'm heading out. My family needs me. They've all been calling me back, you guys keep having fun."

Mia returned with a freshly bathed Henry, wrapped in a towel, "Dad, want to hold him? Fresh out of the bath." "Of course."

Henry was scooped into Hansen's arms, leaving Bruce envious. "Mia, ask me first next time."

Mia waved it off playfully, "No problem."

In the study, Andre leaned back, listening to his brother's chatter.

"...always making sure I'm noticed. Now, whenever Annie's colleagues spot me, they know her fiancé is around. But stick to the rules, never interfering with their work. Molly brings snacks, so I skip that-it's too girly. deliver meals instead.

Breakfast means pastries, lunch a fuff meal, and for dinner, a luxury combo. Iced water for heat, umbrellas for rain, covering all bases. Molly's the little sister, so I figured I'd be the big brother. How's that for being a good brother?"