Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 582

Anya squatted on the carpet, her tiny hands rummaging through the box Uncle Andre had brought home. "Uncle, what's this?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. Andre glanced over and smiled. "It's a self-rocking cradle for Henry. When your aunt gets tired of holding him, we can just pop him in here, and it'll do the rocking for us." "Do we have to put it together ourselves?" Anya inquired, poking at the assortment of tools in the box.

Andre nodded. "I'll get to it in a bit."

Leo, lounging on the couch, suddenly perked up. He grabbed the bag of parts and started tearing off the packaging. "Uncle, I'll start putting it together if that's okay."

Andre nodded again, and Leo began the assembly. Not long after, Chad also joined in, leaning over the coffee table to study the instruction manual.

Little Henry lay in his father's arms, cooing and babbling as if he were trying to join in on the grown-up conversation. Andre cradled his son with one arm while inspecting the parts with the other. Before long, three of the most handsome and accomplished men in their respective fields were huddled around the coffee table, assembling a baby cradle for the tiniest member of the family. Bruce returned home and swiftly claimed Henry, much to the baby's chagrin, who pouted with a chubby-cheeked frown.

Soon, the three women who had been chatting upstairs came down. Naomi spoke up, "Don't worry about anything here, I've got it covered with Mia's help. As for the Byrne family, your mom just had major surgery last year and is still undergoing chemo. When you head back, listen to her and take some of the load off, okay?"

Molly nodded. "I know, Naomi. I'll take care of Grandma and Grandpa too."

"And don't fret about Dad," Mia added. "Naomi and I will handle all his affairs."

"Thanks, Naomi. Thanks, Mia," Molly replied with heartfelt gratitude.

Descending the stairs, they found little Anya still perched beside Leo, eagerly handing him whatever part he needed. Chad was busily attaching a canopy, and Andre was fiddling with some small toys, seemingly part of the contraption.

With Bruce cradling Henry, they both watched the trio's progress in putting together the cradle.

"Honey, what's this?" Mia asked, looking at the incomplete rocking contraption with confusion.

"It's a cradle I picked up for our boy after work," Andre explained. "He's getting heavier, and I don't want you to strain your arm. It's better to have something to keep him entertained without having to hold him all the time."

Henry listened intently but, being just a baby, couldn't grasp the full meaning of his father's words. He simply felt loved.

Noticing it was getting late and after receiving a prompt call from the Byrne family, Chad insisted on staying a bit longer to finish the assembly.

So, the room filled with people watching three charismatic men put together a cradle for a tiny bundle of joy.

When the cradle was finally assembled, everyone watched as Andre gently placed Henry inside and tested the rocking motion. The toys Andre had been putting together were mobiles that hung above, providing entertainment for little Henry as he lay there. Chad, concerned about the cradle's sturdiness, checked the fastenings and, finding them secure, was relieved.

The men felt a profound sense of accomplishment as they watched the content baby.

As the evening wound down, Chad and Molly said their goodbyes. Mia picked up Henry to give him his bath.

Life's gatherings and partings cycled through the night's rest.

The following day, Chad drove Molly to the bridal shop. The bride's dress was chosen, but Chad's groom's attire was still up for decision, along with photo shoots and other wedding preparations.

Previously, Molly had often been seen either as an inexperienced young girl or as a mother with a child, but this time, she didn't have her husband accompany her to choose her wedding dress. This sparked wild speculation, with some guessing whether she had been pressured into marrying a wealthy businessman who was reluctant but agreed due to her pregnancy, yet was too disdainful to join her for dress shopping.

The drama ended when Chad made his appearance, leaving the shop's patrons in awe. The beauty was to marry a man whose looks matched her own, not some beast of high status.

Molly had preselected a few suits for Chad, and upon trying them on, they settled on the perfect one.

As they were finalizing the wedding photos, Molly had a sudden realization.

"Chad, you've tricked me."

Confused by her abrupt accusation, Chad asked, "Tricked you? How?"

"Into marrying you." Molly, now fully lucid, began to tally up the facts. "We don't need to rent a venue; Chad Inc. owns a grand hall and the Cedillo Group's Crescent Park is exclusively for private family gatherings. Buying a ring is simply a matter of having money and taste. Choosing a dress is time-consuming, but not a month-long affair. No need to rent equipment, just hire a professional team, and everything's taken care of... Wedding photos will be rushed for the right price..."

Chad, somewhat embarrassed, touched his nose and listened as Molly continued her revelation.

"So, getting married isn't that complicated after all!" Molly glared at Chad, ready to settle the score.

Chad, caught off guard, replied with the same simplicity Molly had once shown. "It's my first marriage too, I didn't know it could be this straightforward."

Molly, no longer befuddled, retorted, "Don't blame it on being your 'first time.' You just played me."

But even with her newfound clarity, it was too late to back out. Family and friends were aware of the upcoming wedding, and they had even reached the point of taking wedding photos. There was no turning back from marriage now. Annoyed, Molly declared, "Just wait. I'll make sure none of the wedding photos with your face in them are chosen. You'll just be a background filler."

On the day of the photo shoot, Mia, too, stepped outside with her chubby baby, joining in on the sunny (chaotic) day.

"Alright, darling, hold that pose," the photographer encouraged, his voice warm against the crisp winter air. "Just like that, you're the epitome of the blushing bride, sweet and delicate as a dove in spring. And you, the groom, you can hardly wait to sweep her off her feet, can you? Embrace her, show her your love. Perfect, no need for direction-you two are naturals, a match made in heaven!"

Amidst the snow-covered park, the couple stood close, their breaths visible in the frosty air. Two assistants scurried around them, adjusting the lighting to capture the moment perfectly, while another was on standby with a makeup kit, ensuring the bride's rosy cheeks stayed just the right shade of pink. Off to the side, Anya clutched the couple's puffy winter coats and bags, her arms wrapped around the bundle like a mother hen.

The holiday season had come and gone, but the snow seemed to have missed the memo, blanketing the landscape in a pristine white layer that glimmered under the sun's touch.

Mia cradled the little one in her arms, lifting the child to get a better view of her auntie. The tot's eyes sparkled with the same excitement that danced in the bride and groom's, a shared family joy that seemed to make the cold just a little more bearable.