Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Mia gave a suggestion: "I think you should try knocking on a wooden fish-good for karma."

Jade asked, "But if I just tap an electronic wooden fish, will Buddha know I'm sincere?"noveldrama

Mia shot back, "Why don't you go ask Buddha in person, then come back and let me know?"

The two women volleyed jokes, their banter so lively and offbeat that all the adults in the room went quiet, just to listen. Coleen pointed at her daughter and sighed, "She's already in her twenties, a mother herself, and still like this."

Madison looked at her own daughter and grinned. "Well, like mother, like daughter -what can I say?"

Andre and Chad couldn't help but laugh, exchanging glances with their wives- each one doting on their own little family.

Mrs. Calder watched her daughter in the middle of the chaos and couldn't help but comment, "Mia and Molly aren't so bad, but look at mine-still the queen of the kids' table."

Anya was busy making wild strawberry treats, with a few berries left over. She was already brainstorming her next creation, surrounded by three little ones. She nibbled as she cooked, feeding the kids and sneaking bites herself.

Suddenly, Henry started looking around the house, on a mission to find his uncle. He shouted, "Cooper!"

Madison glanced around and asked her husband, "Honey, have you seen Cooper? Quick, Henry's calling for his favorite uncle."

Soon enough, Cooper appeared, explaining he'd just been to the bathroom. He swept his nephew up in his arms—and once he had the little guy, there was no way anyone else was getting him back.

That night, as everyone headed back to their own villas, Henry was finally pried away from his uncle's arms, only to be scooped up and carried high on his dad's shoulders all the way home.

The next morning dawned misty and cool.

Andre woke early and went straight to his nephew's room, picking up his chubby little boy, tossing him over his shoulder, and carrying him right outside.

Mia saw them off at the dock as father and son boarded the boat, Henry still dozing in his dad's arms.

As the sun rose and the day warmed, Henry finally woke up, rubbing his eyes and feeling hungry.

Usually, Henry took his time waking up, but today he popped upright on Andre's lap, looked out at the endless blue sea, and then up at his dad with wide, worried eyes. "Daddy, the house flew away! Mommy's gone, too!"

Andre chuckled, "No, buddy, the house didn't fly away. Mommy can find us-we're the ones who sailed off. It's just you and me today."

Meanwhile, when Asher got word that his godson was coming, he actually cleaned up his base-a rare event-three full days in advance. Every piece of gear was spotless, every heavy machine gleamed like new, and he made sure there wasn't a single pothole in sight. "My boy's just a little guy. If he trips and falls, whoever's responsible owes me a hundred push-ups, a hundred pull-ups, a hundred-"

"Godpa!" A sweet, milky voice suddenly called out, interrupting Asher's orders. Thanks to some gentle coaching, Henry's speech was finally clear.

Asher, a man with a deep scar across his cheek, turned around to see the tall man stepping off the boat-cradling a chubby-cheeked little boy in his arms.

"Hey, son!" Asher broke into a run to greet them.

Andre had never received such a grand welcome. Usually, when the guys visited each other's camps, they just strolled in like it was their own place-no fuss, just a quick hello. But this time, Asher, the big boss himself, was running out to greet them.

When they met, Asher scooped Henry right out of Andre's arms, hugging him tight.

He planted a kiss on Henry's cheek. "Kiddo, your godfather's been waiting ages for you to visit!"

Then Asher turned to his men, hoisting Henry up for all to see. "See this little guy? This is Henry-our future boss! If anything happens to me, he's the next in line, got it?"