Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"Are we good to go now?" Andre asked.

Mia stood up, "Let's head out."

Denny had intended to cover the bill. "Mia, didn't we agree I'd take care of the check when we leave?"

Mia, carrying her son's bag, replied with a grin, "With a little tycoon like me around, why should you spend a dime, right, honey?" She teased, linking arms with her husband, who was already juggling a little one cuddling up to him.

As they stepped outside, the chilly air hit them, and Andre opened his coat wide, wrapping his little one snugly.

Denny had planned to see the couple off but had already hailed a taxi.

Mia glanced at Jamie and spontaneously gave her a hug, which brought Jamie to tears. "Mia, meeting you has been the happiest thing for me."

"Come on, no tears. Get some sleep, and tomorrow you'll see the happiest person waiting at home for you."

Their car arrived, and Mia and Denny got in, leaving the family of three to head towards their own car.

Mia, still arm in arm with her husband, asked, "Are you still mad at me?"

Andre snorted, "What's there to be mad about? You did nothing wrong."

Mia pouted and nudged her husband, "Who taught you to talk in such a sarcastic tone?"

The festive season was in full swing. The city was decked out in decorations, with neon lights wrapped around tree branches and small lanterns hanging by the roadside.

People were starting to stock up on holiday goodies, while others were busy planning their trips home.

Suddenly, Mia suggested a leisurely stroll through the streets as a family of three.

Henry was carried for a while before being set down to walk on his own.

"Do you think men and women think differently?" Mia mused. "You see, for a guy like Jack, getting into a relationship means considering family and geographical factors. Lily, on the other hand, doesn't think about any of that; she just wants to be closer to him. Jack is thinking about marriage and doesn't want future complications, whereas Lily is carefree and just wants to be with him. So today, when Lily confessed, Jack gently rejected her, citing that coming from different places, their families wouldn't support their union." Andre replied, "If the roles were reversed, and Denny was the one pursuing Jamie, do you think Denny would let distance be a reason not to be together?"

Mia thought about it but didn't answer.

"It's true he considered that aspect, but it's also undeniable that he doesn't love Jamie as much as Jamie loves him," Andre said, surprised to find himself discussing such youthful romances with his wife on the street.

Mia leaned on her husband's shoulder, seeking reassurance. "You have a point. Denny is seen as quite the catch in his circles, so he's confident and a bit self-absorbed. He's never short of attractive women around him, and Lily is just an ordinary girl, easily charmed by someone like Jack."

"Honey, I'm just an ordinary girl too, with my own vanities," Mia opened up. "I so want to shout to the world, look, this is my son, the cutest little baby in the world. This is my husband, the most amazing man in the world, who loves me and whom I love the most. But you and our son are different. No matter who tries to take him from me, he's destined to be my child. If others knew about you, I fear they might trouble you using my name.

And I'm scared of losing you to younger, more beautiful women. You know, I'm the same age as Lily, and she doesn't have a single wrinkle, but I already have fine lines under my eyes.

In this era filled with beauties, I never believed my looks alone could make you love me forever."

"You could," Andre stated firmly.

They walked slowly, watching their little one toddle ahead.

"When I get old and turn into a grumpy old lady, will you still love me?"

"I'll age before you, and besides, I'm already being teased by my wife for 'getting old.""

Mia playfully retorted, "Ah! Why bring up such topics? Let's not talk about this anymore." Suddenly, Henry stumbled and fell.

Knowing his parents were behind him, he started to cry, wanting to be picked up.

Andre, holding back Mia from rushing forward, said, "Henry, get up on your own."

After a few minutes of crying, Henry lay on the ground, still sobbing. Mia scolded her husband, "His clothes are dirty now, you're washing them!"

Andre sighed in resignation.

Five minutes later, Henry stood up and ran to his mother to be picked up.

Mia, finding him dirty, passed him to his father.

It was getting late, and after a while, they headed back to the car.

Mia wiped Henry's tear-streaked face with a wet wipe, noticing his skin was a bit dry. "Andre!" she called out sharply.

Andre, driving, felt a surge of nervousness at being called by his full name. "What's wrong?"

Mia accused, "Did you forget to apply lotion on his little face again when you took him out?"

Andre guiltily looked away, "Maybe, once or twice, I forgot."

"You never did, did you? His skin's gone rough. You said it was too sticky in warm weather, so you skipped it. But in this cold, windy weather, you still don't apply it. Afraid it'll make him look less

èl

manly? Didn't your parents do the same for you when you were little?"

Andre stayed silent.

Henry, sucking on his fingers and blinking his tear-soaked eyes, listened as his mom scolded his dad.

Mia grumbled, "I don't believe your parents let you go without moisturizer in the winter."

Andre finally spoke, "Mia, who else in this world would dare speak to me like this?"

Mia wasn't interested in his deflections she was focused on her son's tender skin. "I've worked soè hard to keep his little chubby cheeks

soft and tender. They can't get rough

before he even has a chance to charm someone."

Back at Maplewood Estates.

Mia didn't let her husband carry their son, stripping the little one down and leaving the clothes with Andre before taking him to bathe.

That night, Mia was almost using a magnifying glass for Henry's skincare routine. "My baby's handsome face hasn't even charmed a girl yet; we can't let it get rough."NôvelDrama.Org © content.

Andre had been looking forward to a

cozy evening with his wife since she

was off work. But, because his laziness was caught out, their evening ended up being illuminated not by romance, but by the glaring equivalent of a billion-watt light bulb between them.

Father and son exchanged glances, each finding the other's presence somewhat irritating.