Molly's excitement took a nosedive. "Why's that?"
"Isn't it obvious? We've all noticed that Chad's been into you for ages."
"But we were just kids back then!"
Mia sat solo on a nearby bench, eyes on a father and son playing in the distance. She chimed in, "You know, Chad was kind of a jerk back then. But at least he's been reliable and hasn't hurt you all these years."
Molly propped her chin on her hands, grinning, "Mia, guess what? Chad and I are in separate rooms now, and it's been a while too!"
Mia's eyes sparkled with intrigue, "Oh, do spill the beans!"
Molly laughed, "Chad had an ex he never mentioned to me, so I made him sleep separately as punishment. Mia, you wouldn't believe how good it feels to flip the script. Chad used to grill me, question me, even judge me. But now, it's my turn to call the shots... Hey, Mia, what are you staring at?"
Mia was lost in thought, admiring her husband's handsome silhouette. "Molly, why didn't Andre have an ex for me to get upset about? That would give me an excuse to be mad and enjoy a few days of blissful separation."
Jade shook her head in disbelief. "Don't worry, I'll pass on your words to my Andre."
Mia turned to her phone's camera, "Don't worry, I'll also tell Chad about your early morning love confession."
Molly asked, "Are we just messing with each other now?"
Mia laughed, "Isn't that what we always do?"
After a while, Mia, feeling the chill creeping in, tucked her hands inside her jacket. "Let's pick this up back at the hotel."
Ending the call, Mia started waving her arms, taking tiny steps on the slick snowy path, looking more like a waddling polar bear.
The "little penguin" lay sprawled on the snow, eyes on the inky sky, kicking his tiny feet, calling out to Andre, "Ah~ crawl, babble."
Snowflakes dotted Andre's shoes, some melting into little water spots. He tried capturing his son on his phone but kept missing the mark. "Mia, come over and take a picture."
"On my way, hon! Catch me!"
As Mia approached, she gave a little hop, skating across the ground before spreading her arms wide. Andre reached out, catching his wife mid-leap.
Mia laughed, standing on tiptoe to give him a peck.
Andre chuckled, bending down to meet her.
In the snowy night, under a streetlamp's glow, on a quiet street, a couple embraced and kissed, their shadows stretching long beside them, next to their little bundle of joy.
Even after all these years of marriage, the sight of his petite wife never failed to make Andre's heart skip a beat.
Every day, little Mia was a fresh delight.
Henry lay there, twisting his chubby face, feeling like a third wheel as he watched his parents cozy up. Wasn't this supposed to be his photo op? How did it turn into a smooch fest?
The kid learned to entertain himself.
Back in Havenbrook.
Molly lay in bed, something nagging at her. Suddenly, she sat up, "Wait a sec, what was Conner doing at the police station? How did I end up spilling my guts while he stayed mum?"
At the hotel.
Annie knocked, and Conner swung the door open.
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