Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Chad said, "Man, I wish Henry had half as much energy as your kid. Kids should be wild, right? Mine-just the thought of sand on his feet and he's ready to burst into tears."

Andre shot his brother-in-law a look. "You should be grateful. Wayne's calm- makes parenting so much easier. Henry, though... all four of us are running ourselves ragged. Henry! Stop right there!"

Before Andre could finish, he was already tearing off after his son, who was sprinting for the ocean like a rocket. Chad turned, cuddling his own quiet son, and watched Henry practically vibrating with excitement. Looking down at his little boy, Chad said softly, "Honestly, being mellow isn't so bad."

Wayne twisted around in Chad's arms, looking for his brother, eyes glued to Henry.

Henry's little feet splashed into the cold surf. At his dad's sharp call, he froze for a second, but when he saw Andre barreling toward him, Henry's mischief kicked in. He knew what was coming-another swat on the butt-so he took off again, right into the waves.

A big wave crashed and knocked Henry down, tumbling him onto the sand. Andre swooped in, scooped him up sideways, and gave his squirmy son a couple of warning spanks. "When I tell you to stop, you stop. You don't run off.”

Henry wasn't fazed-he knew his parents never really meant it. With a pout, he said, "Daddy, I wanna chase Cooper-"

Further out, Cooper was surfing, cutting across the water on his board, checking the shallows every so often to make sure things were safe.

Lost in his own world, Cooper didn't notice his restless nephew on the shore. Henry was glued to his uncle, desperate to join in the fun.

About half an hour later, Cooper finally came back in. "Hey, sweetie."

"Cooper! I'm here! Daddy spanked me!" Henry sang out in his toddler babble, and his dad translated with a sigh, "He's just telling you he's here and I had to give him a spanking."

Still dripping in his wetsuit, Cooper shook out his hair and strode over, scooping Henry right out of Andre's arms. "Let's go, buddy. Uncle Cooper will take you out for a ride."

Andre hesitated. "Cooper, Henry's still a little guy-I don't want him messing around out there. He just tried to run straight into the ocean to get to you."

Cooper just grinned, "Relax. He's safe with me, I promise." He always made sure to try everything himself first before letting his nephew join in.

Honestly, Cooper adored this chubby, almost thirty-pound bundle of sweetness more than anything.

Still, Andre couldn't take his eyes off them, his heart in his throat as Cooper and Henry headed for the water.

Henry had been dying to try out that surfboard all day. Once they hit the waves, Cooper set Henry on the board. "Hold on tight, sweetie. I'm right behind you."

Cooper swam alongside, keeping a

steady hand on the board. Henry clung on, legs spread, tiny hands clutching the slick surface, his face glowing with excitement. Uncle Cooper always showed him new worlds, and Henry trusted him completely.

When they got out past the shore, Cooper steadied the board as a wave rolled in, pushing them both further out. Henry's eyes went wide. He gripped the board so hard his knuckles turned white, and, alittle scared, he twisted around to look for his uncle, voice trembling, "Cooper, hold me~"

"Don't worry, kiddo. Look ahead—I'm right here."

Another wave rocked the board, andnoveldrama

Andre's heart nearly stopped. He dashed into the surf, terrified his little boy would get swept away Henry could barely doggy paddle, and out here in the big, wild ocean, with all its hidden currents, he was just so small.