Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 542

The first meeting wasn't exactly a piece of cake, but at least it got things rolling.

Chad didn't hang around long at the Cedillo household before taking his leave, and Molly rushed out to see him off. The night air was crisp, with a cold moon hidden behind thick clouds, casting an eerie glow over the desolate yard. Tears glistened in Molly's eyes. "Chad, I told you, my family isn't going to welcome you with open arms."

Chad chuckled as he wiped away her tears. "I figured as much. But hey, I wasn't kicked out, so there's still hope for us."

Back inside, the Cedillo family was still gathered. Mia, breaking the silence, finally said, "A thousand words couldn't make it clearer-Molly's into him."

Later that night, as Andre cuddled their son and watched Mia make the bed, he asked, "Mia, did you tell Dad to go downstairs?"

Mia didn't beat around the bush. "I thought he should step in. It's better for Molly in the long run. Think about it-if you were trying to marry me and my dad refused to see you, leaving only Cooper to face you, wouldn't you hold a grudge against him after we got married?" "No," Andre replied without hesitation.

Mia paused, finishing up their son's crib, and then picked up the little one to change him. Andre came over to help. "Why do you think Molly and Chad are a good match?"

As Mia laid their naked baby on the bed, she turned to Andre with a determined look. "Alright, honey, let's hear it. You tell me what's wrong with Chad, and I'll counter. If you can out-argue me tonight, I'll drop it. But if you can't, that means you agree he's a good match, and you've got to give your blessing."

Andre, smart enough to avoid his wife's trap, moved to dress their squirming son. The baby seemed to protest his father's clumsy attempts, and just as his face turned red, about to cry, Andre handed the baby over to Mia.

In her soft embrace, the baby calmed down. Mia stripped off his onesie. "Honey, run the bath. He needs a clean-up-our little guy's a stinker today."

The little stinker stayed quiet as his parents skillfully dodged the topic of Molly and Chad. Andre didn't want to upset Mia, and Mia didn't want to lose her temper.

After a bath and fresh clothes, Andre lay in bed, watching their son flail his arms and kick his legs, smelling sweet and clean. He teased his son's lips with a finger. "Your mom's getting fierce these days, huh? Even Dad doesn't dare cross her, right?" "Mmmhmm," the baby gurgled.

"Has Mia become the boss around here?"

"Mmm, yeah."

Andre pinched his son's chubby cheek affectionately. "All this chub is thanks to Mama."

Downstairs, as Mia fetched water for their son, Molly appeared. "Mia, thanks a bunch."

Mia, holding a baby bottle under the running tap, shrugged. "Cut it out. No need for formalities."

At the Byrnes', earlier that day, when Chad went home to change, Colleen had already guessed his intentions. That evening, she called her son. "How did it go?"

"Not too bad," Chad replied.

After hanging up, Colleen returned to bed and said to her husband, "The Cedillos won't be easy to win over. Molly's just been reconnected with them, and if she's to marry back into our family, well, if I were Hansen, I wouldn't approve either." Kendrick replied, "We should visit and lend a hand to the kids. They can't manage on their own."

Colleen nodded in agreement.

...

The day the Byrnes came calling happened to be a weekend when the entire Cedillo household was home. Their purpose was obvious, and everyone understood why they were there.

Chad tagged along, and though Hansen was reluctant, he had to come out to meet the Byrnes, who were benefactors to the family. Andre was in the living room, burping his son when the guests arrived. The little one showed no signs of sleepiness. Anya's parents had been calling her to come home, and after several prompts, she agreed reluctantly. Leo planned to take her out to buy some local Havenbrook treats for her folks.

Molly, clad in pajamas and with messy hair, eyed the unannounced Byrne parents. "Mom, Dad, Chad?"

Colleen, able to overlook her daughter's disheveled state because she was her mother, thought, had it been a mother-in-law visiting for a proposal, they would have bolted at the sight. Unaware of her off-putting appearance, Jade made no move to change or tidy up. Mia nudged her gently. "Go get dressed and wash your hair. Your parents are here to help."

Molly hurried upstairs.

Colleen seized the moment to bond with the Cedillo's treasured youngster, Henry. "I've only seen Henry a few times since he was born, and now he's grown so much, all chubby and cute. Andre, may I hold him?"

Henry had his big welcoming party when he turned a month old. Although Colleen was invited, she couldn't attend due to illness.

Andre handed his son over to Colleen. The baby didn't fuss at all in her arms.

Holding him close, her eyes filled with affection, Colleen remarked, "Henry's so adorable, with ears just like Hansen's. He's bound to be a lucky child."

As her words hung in the air, everyone in the room had their thoughts. Chad admired his mother's knack for striking a chord with Hansen, winning his approval more effectively than any declaration of love could.

Mia gazed at Colleen with a mix of admiration and awe, thinking to herself, "True to her reputation, Colleen is a force to be reckoned with." She had just complimented the Cedillo family's darling, the apple of their eye, and managed to do so in a way that made Hansen beam with pride, hitting all the right notes.

And by praising Henry, she had cleverly softened Andre's potential animosity towards them.

After all, what father doesn't revel in hearing his son praised?

Andre was only human; he, too, enjoyed when others recognized the value of his precious child.

Leo realized where Jade had gotten her gift of gab from; with a mother like that, how could she be anything but exceptional? "Anya, take note," he said with a knowing smile.

The clueless Anya asked, "Chad, what should I learn?"

Leo was at a loss for words.

Kendrick took his seat and started chatting about the Cedillo family's little treasure, Henry. "Andre and Mia tied the knot just last year, right? And now they're parents already; time sure flies."

Hansen responded with a tinge of denial, "Not that fast; my daughter has been back for less than a year."

Kendrick chuckled and continued, "There's plenty of time ahead. Molly will have many years to dote on you."

"Not anymore, someone's got his eye on my little girl," Hansen retorted, casting a glance at Chad. "Who knows what tricks he used to woo her."