Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Henry sat at the table, his eyes watery and his mood sour, pouting as he tossed his spoon aside.

Andre shot him a look. "Pick up your spoon."

But Henry, stubborn as his dad, just glared right back, arms crossed.

Mia, halfway through her own food, broke off a bite and held it out to her son. "Here, baby, Mommy's got you."

That finally did the trick-Henry's little hands reached out, his lips quivering as he took the piece. "Mommy, I love you~"

"Mommy loves you too, sweetheart. Now eat up."

After he finished, Henry eyed his abandoned spoon, then cut his gaze between his parents.

Mia shrugged. "Mommy can't reach it. Ask your dad.”

Henry looked at Andre, who was determinedly ignoring him. "Daddy-"

Andre didn't budge. "What?"

Henry puffed out his cheeks, trying to be extra cute. "I love you, Daddy."

Andre just sighed. This little guy-half the time he wanted to scream, the other half he just melted.

He handed Henry the spoon. "Throw it again and you're done eating."

Henry clutched the spoon like a lifeline and started slurping his soup, loud and proud.

Usually Molly would have had something snarky to say, but tonight she was quiet, finished her dinner, and disappeared into her room without a word.

Hansen noticed the tension. Something was definitely up with these kids, and his curiosity was growing by the minute.

After dinner, Mia cozied up to Andre, voice sugary. "Babe, could you get me some water?"

Andre fixed her a mug of honey tea and handed it over before ducking into his study.

It wasn't long before Mia showed up again, Henry in tow, looking as messy as ever. "Honey, your little monster needs a bath."

Andre glanced at his son. "Let him wash himself."

Henry piped up immediately, “Daddy, you do it!"

Andre wrinkled his nose. "Daddy stinks."

Henry giggled, "I stink too!"

Andre just shook his head.

Mia gave the two a nudge, pushed Henry into the room, shut the door, and made

a quick getaway.

Now it was just the two of them, sizing each other up.

Luckily, Henry wasn't as prideful his dad. He trudged over on his pudgy fegs, wrapped his arms around Andre's neck, and cudd up, all sweet and innocent

Andre looked down at his little troublemaker, his heart turning to mush.

Henry peeked at the computer on the desk. "Daddy, what's that?"

"That's a computer."

Henry scrunched up his nose, mimicking the word. "A compu-compu!"noveldrama

Andre couldn't help but laugh. He scooped the boy into his arms. "Alright, let's go. Stinky dad will give stinky boy a bath."

Henry kept glancing back at the computer. Andre teased, "Who's the stinky one here?"

"Me!" Henry grinned.

Andre smiled, planted a kiss on his cheek, and carried him off to the kids' room.

night,

That dre and Henry had a

full-on splash war in the

By the ex

war in the bathroom.

time they were done, Andre's sleeves and pants were soaked.

Back in the bedroom, Mia was bundled up under the comforter. "Honey, come

here."

Andre wasn't having it—he just headed for the shower.

Mia's face fell in disappointment.

Not long after, Andre came out, freshly showered. Mia perked right up. “Honey, come to bed."

Andre lay down on his side, pretending to sleep.

Mia couldn't take it anymore. "Oh, so we're not speaking now?"

She threw off the covers

lacy nightgown, and in the soft,

golden bedroom light, she

.n

sauntered

slowly toward the closet, every move

catching Andre's eye.