Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Leo grinned. "I'm not officially in the family yet-plenty of time for that down the road."

He scooped up Henry. "Hey, buddy, want to spend Christmas at my place?"

Little Henry squirmed, mumbling something that sounded halfway between "Cooper" and "busy," clearly frustrated that he couldn't get the words out.

His mom came to the rescue, translating with a smile. "His uncle just invited him to spend Christmas together, but he says he's busy."

Leo hugged Henry tight, then handed him back to his parents and headed out alone.

Andre watched his nephew's silhouette disappear, feeling a tug inside. Mia noticed the look in her husband's eyes, slipped over, and took his hand. "Babe, one day Leo's going to be so grateful for everything you've done."

Andre glanced down at her shining eyes and couldn't help but smile. Only she could ever read his heart.

"Let's head home."

"Yeah."

Back at the Byrnes', Molly was dreaming of a few extra days off. She made a beeline for her mom's room and knocked lightly. "Mom, you in there?"

Coleen, in the middle of her nightly skincare, shared a look with her husband. "With a sweet voice like that, I already know she's here to ask for some time off." Kendrick, ever the softie for his daughter, chimed in, "Honey, why not let her stay home a bit longer? Look at Mia, Leo, and Anya-they're all still on break."

Coleen rolled her eyes. "That's not the same. Those three are still students. Our girl is supposed to take over the company one day. If she keeps lazing around, when am I ever going to retire? Don't spoil her. Just tell her I'm already asleep."

Molly pressed her ear to the door. "Mom, I can hear you! You're obviously not asleep-you want Dad to pretend for you."

Coleen: "..."

Finally, Coleen pulled open the door and faced her daughter. "Nope. Not approved."

Molly pouted. "I didn't even get a chance to ask yet-"

Coleen folded her arms. "So ask."

Molly was about to start her plea, but then shrugged. "Never mind, you already told me no."

She slouched back to her room, watching her husband play with their son. "Chad-"

Officer Chad didn't need to guess what his wife was up to.

"Chad, can't you help me out? Let me stay home a couple more days? Mia wants me over to build a snowman. I haven't played in the snow at all this holiday!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoes, and kissed him.

Chad put on a serious face. "What's in it for me if I help?"

Molly blurted, "Between the two of us we've got 800 tricks, and you're the only one who can help me out here."

Officer Chad raised an eyebrow. "How'd you come up with 800?"

Molly grinned. "You've got a thousand, I've got negative two hundred-add 'em up, that's 800~"

Chad realized he'd walked right into that one. He hefted their son. "What do I get if I help you?"

Molly tossed him a wink, then shot a look at their little boy and towards the door. She didn't say a word, but the meaning was obvious.

Chad's grin turned wicked. "Deal!"

He handed their son to the housekeeper and went to hunt down his parents.noveldrama

A few minutes later, Officer Chad came back. "Five days off-good enough?"

"Chad, you're the best!" Molly jumped into his arms.

Chad pulled her close, smirking. "You'll have to say that a few more times tonight -in bed."

The next morning, Officer Chad was up at the crack of dawn for work. Kendrick was up early too, stretching and sighing, "Feels weird, suddenly so quiet."

But he still took Coleen out for a walk.

Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer bundled up in so many layers they could barely move. Even when their theater friends called to invite them for choir practice, they wouldn't leave the house. "Why is it so chilly in here these days?"