Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

What they saw when they arrived was the king of the jungle-eyes shining with a deep, mysterious glow-locked in a staring contest with a tiny human toddler.

Henry, up on tiptoe, stretched his little arm out, determined to shake hands with the enormous tiger.

His dad scooped him up right away, not about to risk it, while Grandpa Hansen hovered close by, ready to protect his grandson. "Kiddo, this one's way more intimidating than that big black bear you saw earlier," he said.

But Henry clung to his dad's pant leg, insisting on being picked up he just had to get closer to the tiger.

"Daddy, carry me. My legs hurt. I can't walk~ Daddy, up!" Henry whined, reaching his chubby hands skyward, but his eyes never left the tiger behind the glass.

Andre lifted his son, and the pair-father and son, both with a hint of feline in their bones-stood there "chatting" with the tiger.

Mia snapped a picture of the two of them from behind, with the tiger looming in the background.

Molly grinned and teased, "Mia, I finally get why you three make such a family— you're all big cats at heart."

Mia smiled, "Are we?"

Molly nodded.

Since meeting a "kindred spirit" like this was a rare event for Henry, he refused to budge. Andre and Mia just let him be, staying close by.

Molly wanted to take her own son to see the other animals, so for now, the two families went their separate ways.

Anya was torn—two kids she adored, and she couldn't decide who to follow.

Leo didn't hesitate. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Come on, you're with me."

Hansen eyed the line at the ice cream stand, then glanced back at his son's group. Slowly, the old man faded from view.

Ten minutes later, Hansen popped back up, looking positively delighted-ice cream in hand.

Time slipped by. After half an hour, Andre hefted Henry in his arms. "We've spent plenty of time here. Say goodbye to the tiger now-it's time to move on."

Henry waved his little hand, "Bye-bye! I'm leaving~"

The tiger pawed at the glass a couple of times, then just watched as Henry left.

With the families split up, the routes changed. Mia led Henry down to the riverbank to feed the fish.noveldrama

"Dad, honey, you two stay with

Henry white he feeds the fish. I'll get some photos three generations together a picture of warmth. Mia

stepped back, camera ready to capture it all.

Henry was a committed little feeder, grabbing a handful of fish food and launching it into the water.

Suddenly, fish swarmed from every direction, like petals on the wind, leaving Henry wide-eyed and amazed.

Hansen rushed over, "Mia, you get in there too-let me take a picture of all of you."

In

Mia quickly adjusted her hair and joined them, ready for a family photo. But Henry was too fascinated by the fish to look at the camera. the end. Andre, unable to resist, nudged him to the side so he and Mia could get a couple's shot.

Andre was always a good sport when it came to pictures with his wife.

Still, the dad in him never relaxed—while posing, Andre kept a firm grip on the hood of Henry's sweatshirt, just in case his son got any ideas about taking a swim.

"Mommy, look, that's Daddy!" Henry suddenly pointed at the fish, confusing his toddler logic.

Mia looked down. "That's a fish, not your dad."

Henry frowned, stubborn. “No, Daddy is a fish~"

Mia suddenly realized what he meant and burst out laughing. "Your dad is 'Yu'-a gentleman-not a fish!"

Andre couldn't help but smile, too.

Just then, the sun slipped lower, casting a golden glow over the rivers soft and sparkling on the water wrapping the little family in gentle light.

Beneath the sunset, the little family: the father, steady and kind; the mother, bright

and playful; and Henry, full of mischief and wonder.

"Daddy's not a fish~"