He slipped his phone into his pocket, walked over, bent down, and with one arm scooped up Henry while using his other hand to help his wife to her feet. Together, they headed out.
Father and son shared a close moment, and Andre asked, "Want to keep playing?" Henry snuggled up to his dad, playfully nibbling on his cheek.
Originally, they were just supposed to pick up Henry. But then Mia took him to the family room for a quick clean-up and change. Afterward, Cooper wondered aloud, "Sis, I didn't even let him walk around, and I fanned him when it got hot. So why does he look all dirty and his clothes wrinkled when he's with me?"
Andre chuckled, "Your sister has magic hands. When she's with Henry, he never gets dirty."
When they went out, Andre carried Henry; his "luggage" was handled by his uncle, and his nanny mom kept him cool with a little fan. Henry's main job was holding his bottle and enjoying his snacks.
Back home, Madison called her son several times, "Where are you, it's so noisy? Why aren't you home yet? Your sister hasn't come back either."
Cooper replied, "I'm with my sister. She's got her son on the carousel, my brother-in-law is snapping photos, and I'm carrying the bags."
Mia, under the guise of entertaining Henry, enjoyed the small planes, carousel, water boat rides, Ferris wheel, and spinning teacups. They stayed until it got dark, watching the fireworks. Mia then suggested, "Honey, our son doesn't want to leave just yet. There's a little motorcycle ride over there he wants to try."
Andre, seeing his son yawning in Mia's arms, said, "Alright, take him for a ride." Mia, cradling her sleepy son, went to queue again.
Cooper, slouched in a chair, tiredly said, "Sis, let's head out."
"You can leave if you want. My son still wants to play."
Cooper turned to Andre, "Brother-in-law, let's hit the road."
Andre replied, "Henry's not done playing."
Cooper looked at his nephew, almost asleep in his mom's arms, "I must be seeing things."
They finally left around nine, having had their fill of fun. Henry was asleep in his mom's arms, while Cooper and Andre sat up front.
On the ride home, Andre asked Cooper about his studies, and Cooper mentioned, "Brother-in-law, my research project is on one of your branch offices. Could you lend a hand?"
"Which branch? Just call the person in charge there. They'll help you out. I've already given the green light."
Cooper said, "I'll dive into this project after September."
Mia, wiping Henry's face with a wet cloth, had been listening, "You're sticking around till September? That's quite a stay."
"Sis, I'm back to help you and Dad pick a postgraduate major."
Mia paused, "What?"
Cooper explained, "Tonight, we're discussing your postgraduate options with my brother-in-law and our parents."
Mia exclaimed, "I'm not discussing this with you!"
Andre laughed softly, "Cooper didn't mean you. It's just me, Cooper, and our parents. You and Henry just listen in."
Mia frowned, the post-fun worry settling in. She leaned forward from the back seat, squishing her face between the front seats, "Honey, I'm not ready. I feel like I've gotten too comfortable being a mom."
Andre reassured her, "Consider the postgraduate study. Dad and I have talked, and we both think it's a good idea."
Mia turned to Cooper, "You go study."
Cooper replied, "Sis, I don't need to. I'm going straight through."
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