Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Evan felt a little tug at his heartstrings, though he never knew that his dad's silence was due to his eagerness to be by his mom's side.

Tarquin was a bit tipsy, having indulged in quite a few drinks that night. He wasn't drunk, just pleasantly buzzed.

All he could think about was Elysia.

Elysia was still in the kitchen getting water when Tarquin approached her from behind, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin in the crook of her shoulder.

Even though they had been together for a while, this intimate gesture still made Elysia's heart race.

Pushing him away would only make her seem prudish, so she braced herself and asked, "Have you been drinking?"

Tarquin's warm breath tickled her ear as he replied,

"Yeah, had a get-together with a few uncles. Keaton and the guys cornered me, insisted I drink. Wouldn't let me leave otherwise."

"What could they possibly want, keeping you there so late?"

"Nothing really, they just knew I missed you and the kid. Used it to blackmail me into drinking. But I know my limits, I didn't get drunk. Just missed you a lot while I was out..."

As he whispered, his lips brushed against her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine.

Elysia, fearing he might lose control, quickly stepped out of his embrace and turned to face him, pushing a glass of water towards him, "Drink some water!"

Elliot was still in the hospital room, and she didn't want to get overly affectionate in front of their child.

Tarquin took a few sips from the glass she held, then placed it on the counter and pulled her into his arms again, "Elysia..."

Elysia squirmed a little, "Stop it, Elliot's still in the room."

"Just a hug," he murmured softly, his voice filled with tenderness.

Elysia stopped resisting.

"You must've had quite a bit to drink, feeling sick? I don't have any hangover soup here, but if you're not feeling well, I can order something for delivery."

"I'm not feeling bad. I just wanted to hold you, Elysia. I'm really happy today. Really happy. The uncles said I'm as lucky as my dad for finding a good woman. But I think I'm luckier than my dad. He only had one son, but I've got four!"

Elysia joked, "Four kids come with their own set of pressures! Are you hungry? I've got some dumplings left over from dinner in the freezer, or if you'd prefer, I could make you some pasta. There's some in the fridge."

Tarquin shook his head, then said, "It feels so good to be loved, cared for, and cherished."novelbin

Elysia paused, a frown crossing her face as her heart squeezed a little.

It was just routine care, and yet it moved him so deeply, clearly starved for affection.

Those sensitive to love often lacked it...

She had heard bits and pieces about his past from Elijah: losing both parents at a young age, taken in by the Bradfords but never truly loved, surrounded by wolves in sheep's clothing.

Feeling a surge of compassion, Elysia wrapped her arms around him, gently stroking his back to comfort him, "No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side, for life."

Tarquin looked up at her, his eyes brimming with emotion.

Overwhelmed with feelings of joy and gratitude, he sealed his emotions with a kiss on her lips.

Elysia was startled at first, instinctively checking on their child.

Seeing Elliot fast asleep, she gradually relaxed, though not completely, as if they were having a clandestine affair.

It was only when they were on the verge of losing control that Elysia stopped him, "Enough, I'm going to check on Elliot."

She pushed him away and hurried to the bedside, her cheeks flushed with color.

Tarquin watched her, swallowing hard several times before grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, unscrewing the cap, and gulping down the entire bottle to calm his nerves. He then approached Elliot's side, checking on the little one before turning to Elysia,