Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

"Nah, Cooper's back home, and with him around, who's gonna pry Henry from his arms?"

Once Hansen was brought up to speed, his mood lifted instantly. "Really?

Cooper's such a good kid. But hang on, why'd you want us over at your place?"

"We're having a bunch of folks over tomorrow. You're the elder in the family, so it's your job to keep things in check."

Hansen frowned, a bit miffed. "I've been saying we should have the birthday at our estate. You just had to come back here, making it seem like Maplewood Estates is your turf, and not the family home."

Andre glanced at his dad in the passenger seat, explaining for the first time, "If we did it at home, Leo wouldn't show up."

Hansen, catching on a bit late, realized there was still a rebel in the family who wouldn't come back without proving himself. "I gotta say, even though you're all about Leo, you're really putting your own nephew in a tough spot."

Andre shrugged, "If pushing him helps him succeed, then it's worth it."

Hansen asked, "And if Leo doesn't make it?"

"Then he can come back and take over the family business."

Hansen sighed, "...Other families fight over who gets the company, but here we are, a business empire, just itching to pass it on. I just don't get it."

Andre let the comment hang.

When they reached Maplewood Estates, just as expected, Hansen only got to hold his grandson for a few seconds before Henry was back in his uncle's arms.

Cooper was all over the place with his nephew-spinning him around, tossing him in the air like a tiny airplane, swinging him by his armpits. It made the adults nervous, but Henry was giggling with glee, his laughter infectious. "Choo-choo, fly!"

That night, Hansen watched Cooper warmly carrying the little guy off to bed, a hidden smile on his face. "Cooper, you're a top-notch kid. This boy really is a standout youth."

The next morning, bright and early.

The Maplewood Estates staff were already bustling about, and a sleepy Henry was gently lifted from his bed by his mom, who slipped him into fresh clothes while he was still half-asleep.

Once dressed, Henry snuggled back into the warm spot his uncle had left for him, catching a few more winks.

Not long after, his mom was back to coax him awake, playfully twirling her hair around his little nose, pinching his cheeks softly. "Wake up, my little charm, it's your second birthday today, my son."

Awakened by his mom's loving voice, Henry slowly came to.

As the morning unfolded, guests started trickling in.

Seeing Henry perched on the couch, everyone took turns going over to give him a little hug or a rub.

Aaron Madison showed up, spotting his son he hadn't seen in ages, and jokingly complained to his in-law Hansen, "Now that Cooper's back, he doesn't even go home, just makes a beeline for Henry." Madison then teased his son, "You head straight to your sister's place every break, doesn't she ever get tired of you?"

Mia chuckled, "Tired? Nah, but sometimes he does make me wanna hit him." Soon, Bruce and Naomi walked in, followed by Mars, who came straight for him, Godfather Yan with a flashy gold chain, Godfather Zhen, who kept tossing him into the air, and finally, Conner, swaggering in with his "wife."

"Sweetie!" Annie cooed as she walked in, immediately looking for Henry.

Bit by bit, everyone gathered. Alice showed up, Noah arrived, and even the invited guests Denny, Jamie, and Michael made it.noveldrama

With so many faces around, Henry's little eyes couldn't keep up, his tiny brain struggling to remember who everyone was, leaving him adorably bewildered!