Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 665

Molly hadn't really planned that far ahead, but her mom, Coleen, was already laying out the future.

"Thinking about having kids? That's way down the line for me."

Coleen chuckled, "Don't be so sure. Once you're married, if you're not careful, babies come along quicker than you'd think. You might not even realize it until it's too late."

Molly reclined in the passenger seat, absorbing her mom's mystical advice. It reminded her of her friend Mia, who had also found herself unexpectedly pregnant shortly after tying the knot.

Resting a hand on her stomach, Molly remembered how confidently she once believed she wouldn't be caught off guard. Now, she wasn't so sure.

"Mom, is the morning-after pill still effective if you take it more than 24 hours later?"

Coleen just sighed.

Their conversation meandered to lighter topics after that, the kind of easy, pleasant chat that felt like basking in the simple joys of life.

When the topic of how many kids she might want came up, Molly found herself surprisingly open to the idea.

It was as if Mia's words had unlocked something in her. "Once you've crossed that bridge, everything else just falls into place naturally."

Before, talking about marriage and children made Molly shy and uncomfortable, as if it was all too intimate. But now, with everything out in the open, having children seemed like a natural part of life she could face without embarrassment.

"I bet Chad would want a few kids, especially since he always gets such a kick out of seeing our nephew, Henry. But I reckon he'd be overwhelmed with just one. Kids are adorable in small doses. You think they're the cutest thing ever until you're the one dealing with their tantrums every day. My nephew's a prime example. Mia sometimes loses her patience with him big time." "Kids will be kids," Coleen remarked. "Every mom goes through it."

It was as if the troubles of the world were someone else's concern. After their chat, Coleen drove Molly around, taking in the local sights and enjoying a bit of a photo op among the blooming pear trees, which felt almost like a mini-vacation.

Molly was only responsible for keeping her mom's spirits up; whatever drama was unfolding with anyone else, she couldn't be bothered.

By late afternoon, Chad discovered the car gone and called the dynamic duo, now shopping at the market, and they finally headed home.

Back at the house, the aftermath of an earlier commotion was evident by the clutter left in the car's backseat.

With the local police and community officers gone, and Juliana's family whereabouts unknown, Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer looked visibly upset, while Molly and Coleen seemed detached from the Byrne family drama.

That evening, the household busied themselves with chores. Kendrick and his son cleaned up the yard, Grandpa Elmer tended to the vegetable garden, and Coleen cooked dinner. Molly, less helpful in the kitchen, was sent to assist her grandmother with the bedding. Seeing her grandmother's spirits low, Molly struggled to replace the right words of comfort. Family disappointments hit parents the hardest.

"Grandma, about that gold bracelet I bought you, why don't we go to town and get it back?"

"Don't worry about it, dear. I'll just buy you another one."

Later, Molly suggested, "Why don't you and Grandpa pack up and move to the city with us? You've always refused because you didn't want to impose, but we've been getting along so well. Plus, it'll be easier for us to take care of you."

But Grandma Aubree seemed unconvinced, lost in her own thoughts.

Molly persisted, sitting down beside her. "Sometimes, out of sight, out of mind is a good thing. I know this incident has upset you, but maybe it's for the best if we keep our distance from them moving forward."

Mentioning Juliana brought tears to Grandma Aubree's eyes. Molly hugged her, offering a mix of consolation and pragmatism. "Look at it this way, at least she didn't steal from someone else and end up in jail. It's just a local scandal, nothing more. Things will blow over." Despite her grandmother's skepticism, Molly kept up her reassurances. "And hey, maybe this scare will set her straight."

Grandma Aubree wasn't convinced, but Molly didn't give up. "What if she comes back, causing more trouble? That's why moving to the city makes sense. I'll be there to keep an eye out."

Chad, overhearing the conversation while sweeping outside, and Kendrick, about to enter the room, were both roped into Molly's plan without even realizing it.

Eventually, Grandma Aubree began to seriously consider the idea of moving, thanks to Molly's persistent persuasion. It was a big decision, leaving a lifetime of memories behind, but Molly was determined to make her grandparents see the benefits of starting anew in the city, away from past troubles.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Coleen had dinner ready, and the family of six gathered in the backyard to enjoy the meal. During dinner, Coleen suggested they should consider moving back home soon, to tidy up and secure the house. After all, it was Juliana who had caused a scare this time, but next time, they might not be so lucky if an actual burglar decided to pay a visit.

Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer were visibly moved by the suggestion.

This time around, Molly was to share a bedroom with Chad, as the parents and the grandparents insisted the two take the most spacious and comfortable room. However, Molly shook her head vehemently, refusing to stay in that room.

The reason? During her last stay, she had been terrified by a centipede that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the night.

No matter how nice the room was this time, Molly was adamant about not staying there, insisting on squeezing into the smaller room Chad had stayed in previously.

"That bed is only four feet wide. If the two of you try to sleep there, even turning over in your sleep will be a challenge," Coleen pointed out.

Jade replied, "I don't turn over in my sleep."

Chad burst out laughing at that. If Jade didn't turn over, then who was the one who tossed and turned all night, resembling a restless worm?

Coleen was skeptical but understood that no argument could overcome Jade's lingering fear. In the end, the two resigned themselves to staying in the smaller room from their last visit.