Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

The maid asked, "Mrs. Mia, any dinner requests for tonight? I'll give the chef a heads-up.'

Mia smiled and said, "Let's go with whatever Henry fancies. My husband and I are easy."

Lately, young Henry's been a bit fussy with his meals. He's been turning his nose up at food, but the minute his parents start eating, he's right there, trying to sneak some bites.

After the maid left, Andre headed downstairs to get the car. He parked right at the hospital's entrance, making sure Mia and Henry didn't have to walk a step more than necessary.

Henry was bundled up snugly by his mom, only his misty eyes peeking out. He had on a fluffy red scarf, a Donald Duck mask, and a matching hat. His little hands were tucked away in his sleeves.

Mia was on edge after Henry's recent illness and took every precaution.

Back at the Cedillo house, Henry sat on Mia's lap, gazing at the familiar yet strangely distant decor. Having been away, everything felt a bit new. He stood unsurely on the floor, only feeling safe when holding his parents' hands.

It took a good half-hour for Henry to realize, oh, this is home too.

Anya, always the worrier, got a video from Mia showing Henry playing around, with Mia saying, "Henry's doing better now. How's your mom, Anya?"

Anya replied, "Aunt Mia, after the holiday, Mom's heading to the hospital."

"Isn't she due in March?"

"Yeah, but Mom's on the older side, and the doctor suggested inducing. Dad thinks the hospital's the best place for her."

After their chat, Mia went to coax her son into eating.

They had lunch at the Jiang's, spent the afternoon with the Irvins, and made it back to Maplewood Estates by evening.

Once a little food thief, Henry now needed his parents to come up with ways to get him to eat.

Andre spent the night tinkering in the yard while Mia bathed their little munchkin, worried he'd catch a chill. She quickly bundled him up and tucked him into bed.

At nine, Andre came back inside,

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hands dirty from the garden. After washing up, he found Mia and Henry on the bed, engrossed in "Bear Behaving Badly." Andre shed his clothes and headed for a shower.

The bath was already drawn, courtesy of Mia, which brought a smile to Andre's face.

The next morning, Mia admired the swing set Andre had put together in the yard. She glanced back at her quiet husband, a man who spoke volumes through his actions. Her eyes welled with warmth anda love as sweet as honey.

They hadn't spent New Year's at the Cedillo's, so Thanksgiving was their time there, extending their stay a bit longer.

Mia hadn't forgotten about the

Calders. After the holiday, she called Mrs. Calder to see how things were going. When she learned Mrs. Calder was hospitalized, she expressed her concern and hung up.

Feeling anxious, Mia went to Andre, "Hey, did Mr. Calder mention that Mrs. Calder's in the hospital?" "She's already there?" Andre adjusted his suit jacket, surprised. If Mia hadn't told him, he'd have been in the dark. "I'll sort out work at the office. We can head to Willowtown soon to visit."

Before Andre left for work, he gave Mia a soft kiss, "Be good. Wait for me at home, and let me know what you fancy for dinner. I'll bring it by."

"Dad!" came a little voice from the bed, green with envy.

Mia chuckled, "I think I gave birth to my own little competitor. Go give him a hug, honey."

As school approached, Anya returned home, bursting through the door and making a beeline for Henry. She smothered him with kisses until Henry squealed, "Mama!"