Henry hadn't quite gotten his fill of the argument before it came to an abrupt end. He twisted his head around, utterly baffled by the sudden silence.
Andre glanced over at his petite wife, chuckling at how clever little Mia could be.
Naomi was on the verge of laughter. She couldn't hold it in any longer and dashed to the bathroom to laugh in peace.
Bruce chimed in, “I'll go check on Naomi.”
And just like that, both couples had made their escape.
Andre stood up, cradling their baby, “Let's head upstairs.”
Mia trailed behind her husband, climbing the stairs with him.
“Goodnight, Dad,” Molly called out.
Anya quickly followed her aunt’s lead, adding, “Grandpa, remember: early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
Everyone had scattered, leaving Hansen standing there speechless.
Back in the bedroom, Mia eagerly hugged her son, showering Henry with kisses. Overwhelmed by his mother's affection, Henry blinked in surprise.
Andre closed the door behind them, “Do you think I need your dad’s money? Why are you always pulling tricks on him?”
Mia grinned, “Haven't you noticed he's getting stronger mentally?”
Andre smirked, “I guess we have you to thank for that, huh?”
Mia quickly switched gears. One moment she was the guilty party, the next she was playing the victim, “Honey, you didn’t protect me today.” Her voice was laced with mock indignation.
Andre wasn’t buying it. He tapped her forehead affectionately, “Mia, you should be grateful I'm not punishing you.”
Mia pouted playfully, trailing her husband to the bathroom.
Andre set up the bath for their son. Initially, they had the perfect baby bath set up, but laziness kicked in, and they resorted to a regular bucket. Eventually, even the bucket went missing, and they settled on using the sink.
Molly wasn't asleep yet. She wandered into her dad’s room and took over his phone, playing Candy Crush until she surpassed several levels. Hansen grumbled, “Molly, you’ve beaten your Uncle Harry. Harry Rayner must be getting help; there’s no way he could’ve gotten ahead of me otherwise.”
After leveling up for her dad, Molly returned to her late-night chat with Chad.
Mia was also up, but not for her phone. She perched at the head of the bed, leaning against Andre, her feet resting on the comforter. Henry, in his pajamas, sat snugly in her lap as they watched the man they adored play Hearts on his phone.
“Honey, level one hundred is impossible. Can you help me?” Mia pleaded.
Andre couldn’t resist her charm and took her phone to help her win. Henry, oblivious but eager to be included, watched intently.
After a few hours, Andre hit the target, turned off the phone, and announced, “Alright, under the covers, both of you. Time to sleep.”
Mia playfully tossed her son aside, wrapping her arms around Andre, “How about we send Henry to Grandpa’s and have a night to ourselves?”
Andre raised an eyebrow, “Are you sure?”
With a burst of spontaneity, Mrs. Cedillo declared, “I love you too much, honey! Tonight, I’m all yours, no matter what!”
Andre wasted no time, scooping up their bewildered son like a sack of potatoes and delivering him to his father’s room, “Dad, here’s a little buddy for you.”
Grandpa and grandson exchanged wide-eyed stares.
Back in his room, Andre locked the door and approached his eagerly waiting wife.
“Troubles like these, we could use a few more. Dad’s mental fortitude can still improve,” Andre teased, pulling Mia by the ankles toward him.
Mia seductively brushed her hair aside, letting her nightgown straps slip, her eyes brimming with a mix of innocence and allure. Andre’s heart raced with desire as he gazed at her, his eyes clouded with passion, “No matter what, you’re not allowed to refuse.”
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