Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Everyone had gotten used to it by now-after all, this little troublemaker had pulled the same antics at Wayne's first birthday party.

Hansen rushed over, grinning, and raised his glass to his precious grandson. "Here's to the New Year, my sweet boy! Stay healthy, stay safe, and be good. Let's toast, just you and Grandpa."

Henry giggled, clinked his bottle with Grandpa's, and, with both hands on his milk bottle, guzzled down the last of it in a few big gulps.

Wayne and James, meanwhile, just kept glancing at each other-neither one really knew the other, so instead, they both watched their older brother. They were so focused on him, they forgot all about their own bottles.

Across Eldoria, the New Year had arrived. Every home was glowing, every window lit up with warmth. Fireworks streaked through the night sky and exploded in color, while families gathered close for the celebration.noveldrama

On a little island far from home, four families had come together. The mood was light and cheerful-no one felt out of place. Mia, always up for some fun, decided to head down to the beach for a little nighttime adventure. She pulled Molly aside, and the sisters quickly roped in the Byrne family's sweet but scatterbrained Anya. Off the three of them went, leaving the dads in charge of the kids.

Despite their wealth and status, these families never bothered with stiff dinner table rules. Family time was all about laughter, food, and making memories.

Chad hardly ever got a real vacation. Tonight, he clinked glasses with Andre, savoring the moment.

"Feels weird, doesn't it? New Year's Eve and not a snowflake in sight," Grandpa Elmer said to Hansen.

Hansen threw his head back and laughed. "You mean this is your first time ringing in the New Year in the middle of summer?"

Grandpa Elmer nodded, smiling. "Exactly."

"Come on, time to drink up! Tonight it's just us-no need to worry about getting tipsy. Cooper, Leo, let's see what you can handle. Andre, crack open the good stuff!" Hansen called out.

It was a night for celebration, so the ladies-who usually kept their husbands in check-relaxed and let the men enjoy themselves.

Leo, always scheming, figured if he wanted to have his girlfriend all to himself tonight, he'd better get his future father-in-law a little tipsy. So, ever the eager host, Leo kept the drinks coming. "Mr. Calder, another round for you."

Leo hardly let anyone's glass stay empty-he was on a mission.

Meanwhile, Henry stood on his chair, eating dinner. Andre peeled shrimp, popping pieces into his son's mouth. Henry alternated between his milk bottle in one hand and a dumpling in the other, cheeks shiny from all the food. When he was full, he started looking for his mom. "Mommy?" he called out.

Down at the beach, the three girls were having the time of their lives.

Mia's dress was soaked halfway up, but she just hitched it up and kept wading through the waves. "The water's so nice tonight!" she shouted.

Jade was already splashing around, kicking at the surf. "Mia, check out my ninja kicks!"

Water flew everywhere, and Mia wasn't about to take that lying down. She splashed Jade right back, both of them laughing. Then Mia turned, "Anya, what are you doing over there?"

They found Anya bent over, phone flashlight on, scouring the shoreline.

"Hey, do you think we can find giant crabs on a beach in a foreign country?" Anya asked.

The sisters exchanged a look and wandered over, hands linked. "Why would there be giant crabs just because we're overseas?"

Anya's logic was as unique as ever. "Well, there are so many people back home combing the beach, all the big crabs get snatched up! Here, there's less competition-maybe I'll finally catch a big one!"

The sisters just stared for a second. Sometimes, Anya's way of thinking was something else.

In the end, the three of them bent over side by side, helping Anya hunt for sea creatures and picking up pretty shells as they went.

"Mia, come check this out! It's blowing bubbles!" Molly shouted.

Mia laughed, "Think it's a clam?"