Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Chad's boss kicked off a round of applause, grinning ear to ear. "Ha! Looks like Henry's ready to step into Chad's shoes. Good kid-twenty years from now, Grandpa Johnson will be waiting for you at the station."

The host jumped right in, keeping the jokes coming and the mood light.

Chad held his son close, looking down at his little face, gently running his fingers over Henry's tiny hand. He couldn't help but beam. "So you went straight for Dad's medal, huh? Thinking about being a cop like me someday?"

Henry looked up with big, innocent eyes, then burst into a giggle and dove into his dad's arms, completely melting Chad's heart.

The three of them posed for a family photo at the birthday table, then everyone squeezed in for a big group shot with the Byrnes before the feast began.

At the table, conversation turned to the Cedillo family's Henry and what he'd picked during his birthday grab. Most hadn't been there, so they were itching to know. Hansen let out a booming laugh. "That little guy? He's sharp-didn't want any of the stuff. Just held tight to his mom and dad and wouldn't let go. He already knows who's the best catch."

Henry sat there, mouth surrounded by a sticky ring of barbecue sauce. "Cooper, more food!"

Cooper fed him, then Leo, then Anya, and Henry grabbed whatever he could reach himself. Mia watched, half amused, half exasperated. "Whose kid are you, anyway?"

"I'm from over there!" Henry chirped, mispronouncing the words in that adorable baby way.

Everyone cracked up. Mia egged him on, "And who's your dad?"

"Daddy's the real catch, and Mommy's from over there," Henry replied without missing a beat.

Soon enough, "the real catch" himself-Andre-came to check on his son, only to find Henry a sticky, messy mess. "Want Daddy to hold you?"

Andre pulled a face. "You're too dirty, bud. Not picking you up like that."

Henry pouted, clearly not happy.

But Andre couldn't resist for long. He scooped Henry up anyway, wiped his cheeks and little hands clean, and only then planted a kiss on his now-clean face.

By two, the party was winding down. The Cedillo and Byrne families took a big group photo before everyone headed home.

On the way back, Cooper was driving his sister's family since her husband had had a few drinks.

He'd just come back from a few trips abroad and barely been home two days. "Sis, mind if I take sweetie home with me tonight?"

Andre cut in, "Why don't you just stay over at Maplewood Estates tonight?"

Cooper wrinkled his nose. "Or how about we all just head to my place?"

As they got close to Maplewood Estates

Cooper suddenly changed

the Irvin family house.

course and steered toward ge

His sister shot him a look, unable to resist teasing. "Cooper, you and Anya are the same age, and she's already got a boyfriend. Maybe it's time you found someone too All you ever talk about is sweetie this and sweetie that."

Cooper shot back, "You think I should get a boyfriend?"noveldrama

Mia gave him a look. "You try, and I'll end you!"

Cooper rolled his eyes. “Sis, you're only twenty-three, but you nag like you're thirty-two."

"I just don't want you to end up old and alone."

"Is being single some sort of crime now?"

Mia: ""

Andre: "..."

Neither Mia nor Andre could find anything to say to that.

Only Henry piped up, waving his little fist. "Cooper's the best!"

Cooper grinned, "Who does Uncle love most?"

"Sweetie!" Henry cheered.

"Smartest kid ever." Cooper glanced back from the driver's seat. "Give Uncle a kiss, sweetie."

Mia

back Pulled Henry into the oille your uncle's t belongs to swnonet

backseat, covering his mouth.

Cooper just laughed, "We'll save it for when we get home."

And sure enough, once they got to the Irvin house, uncle and nephew were thick as thieves.

Even on weekends, when Henry went to the climbing gym, it was always his uncle Cooper right there with him.