Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin) novel Chapter 876

Sweetie hadn't even spotted Tarquin; she was clinging to Keith's neck, whining,

"Daddy, daddy, I had a nightmare, I'm scared, so scared, waaah…"

Keith held her tight, his voice trembling with concern,

"Don't worry, sweetheart, Daddy's here! Daddy will protect you, there's nothing to be afraid of."

A touching moment of father-daughter bonding...

Tarquin stood frozen in place, watching, his heart sinking to rock bottom!

The kids had somewhat anticipated this, but they hadn't expected Tarquin to enter with Keith.

They thought he'd come back with Mommy first, and then Keith would be allowed to see the little one.

But here they were...

Tarquin arriving with Keith, wasn't that just asking for trouble?

Sweetie would obviously prefer Keith!

To him, this was a disaster movie in the making!

The kids could only sigh in resignation. Emmett, feeling sorry for him, walked over and tugged at Tarquin's hand, trying to ease his awkwardness and heartache,

"Daddy, hug?"

Only then did Tarquin tear his gaze away, trying to steady his emotions, and bent down to pick Emmett up.

Emmett kissed him, wrapping his arms around his neck, "We all missed you, Daddy."

Tarquin felt a lump in his throat, touched by Emmett's empathy and comfort.

But at that moment, he was too overwhelmed to speak.

Holding Emmett, he couldn't help but glance over at Keith and Sweetie...

Sweetie was still crying, Keith was patiently soothing her.

He could only stand quietly to the side, not even daring to make clear who he was, fearing it would upset Sweetie.

Elysia, too, stood silently by, quietly shedding tears.

Sweetie sniffled, "Daddy, you're not leaving?"

"Mhm, Daddy's not leaving."

"Daddy, you still want me?"

Keith's lips quivered, tears streaming down his face,

"Daddy wants you, as long as you want Daddy, I'll never leave! No, even if you don't want Daddy, I'll never leave. Daddy loves you! Loves you more than life itself!"

"Daddy, don't cry, Sweetie kisses."

The little girl wiped Keith's tears, then kissed him, once on the left, once on the right.

Keith looked at her lovingly, "Sweetie, don't cry either, Daddy kisses."

Keith kissed Sweetie twice, wiped her tears and her nose, and gently said,

"Remember, don't be scared of nightmares anymore, they're all fake. See, you dreamt Daddy died, but here I am, alive and well, right? Only sweet dreams are real."