Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



"Elysia, can you believe it? You've only ever had my child. No one else's!" Tarquin couldn't contain his laughter. "I mean, wow!"

Elysia blinked, staring at him as if he had lost his mind. "And that's news...how?"

Had the guy gone completely bonkers with joy?

"Hey, hey, just take a breath, will you?"

Tarquin couldn't help but spill his excitement, "I am calm! Totally calm! It's just...I can't stop laughing. I'm over the moon, Elysia! How did I get so lucky? Tell me, am I not the luckiest guy alive?"

After his rant, his stomping around, and calling out her name until his eyes welled up, Elysia couldn't stand it anymore. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, pouring all her love into that one gesture, hoping to calm the storm in his heart.

Tarquin quickly took over, kissing her back passionately, channeling all his excitement into their embrace.

When the kiss ended, his tense nerves finally relaxed, his voice hoarse, "Elysia, thank you. Thank you for such an incredible surprise."

Elysia, catching her breath, tried to steady her emotions. She had planned to wait until his birthday to tell him, but she couldn't hold back any longer. She couldn't bear the thought of the Bradfords squeezing him for money or letting them badmouth him without doing anything about it.

"I wanted it to be a birthday gift, but I guess the surprise came early. Now I've got nothing left for your birthday."

Tarquin, affectionately kissing her forehead, whispered, "This surprise... it's enough to last me a lifetime."

But following the joy came a wave of guilt and remorse as he thought back to six years ago...novelbin

"Elysia, about six years ago, I..."

Elysia cut him off, "I know it wasn't on purpose. I've forgiven you."

Tarquin felt choked up, "Elysia..."

Elysia continued, "I was angry at you, but now, I'm just glad it was you. Despite everything, I'm glad it's you I love."

Tarquin's heart shook, his voice even huskier, "Elysia..."

"And after having our child, I stopped being angry. I just hoped I'd never have to see you again. But who could have imagined? On my first day back in Jindale City with our child, I'd run into you. Not only did we meet, but we also fell for each other again. It must be fate, right? It feels like it was all prearranged, that we're meant to be together."

Tarquin held her tighter, filled with a mix of relief, guilt, and tenderness.

"They say giving birth is like walking through the valley of the shadow of death. For some, even one child is a miracle. But you... you gave birth to our children. Was it painful?"

Elysia shrugged, "The pregnancy was tough, and it's not like jobs are lining up for pregnant women... But giving birth? I didn't even know it was happening until I woke up and our child was already born."

Her nonchalance contrasted sharply with Tarquin's aching heart.

"Elysia, I'm so sorry."

He was sorry for the hurt at the airport six years ago, for the life she had to rebuild alone, for the pain of childbirth she endured without him by her side, and for all the years she and their child spent without him. He was sorry for being cold when she returned to him, bearing their child.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, his apology a whisper of regret for all the years lost and the hardships she faced alone.