Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 406

But Tarquin didn't ask any questions. Instead, he turned to Elijah and asked, "Having fun today?"

"Yeah! So much fun! I wanna come hang out with them more often."

"Sure thing."

Elijah's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really?"

Tarquin chuckled and affectionately ruffled his hair. "Of course, buddy. Daddy's all for you making new friends."

"Then I'm coming back tomorrow!"

"…Alright."

Elysia caught the quick agreement with a hint of surprise. Was he in a particularly good mood today?

Once in the car, Elysia yawned.

It had been a long day, filled with much excitement and a bit too much wine, making her sleepy.

Elijah was considerate. "Mommy, if you're sleepy, you should take a nap. I'm here for you."

What he meant was, don't worry about daddy sneaking up on you.

Elysia, touched by his thoughtfulness, pinched Elijah's cheek, "Then mommy will take a short nap. Wake me up if you need anything."

"Okay."

Elysia leaned back and fell asleep. Elijah made sure Lowell turned up the heat in the car and then took Tarquin's coat to cover Elysia.

Tarquin watched his son's caring actions, about to say something when the little guy motioned for silence, "Mommy's sleeping. Be quiet."

Tarquin "…"

He felt a mix of sourness and pride.

Sour because Elijah was so good to Elysia, it made him, the biological dad, a tad jealous.

Pride because Elijah seemed more like a normal kid each day, his psychological issues rapidly healing.

Heeding his son's gesture, Tarquin stayed silent.

He stole a glance at Elysia, plotting silently.

As they arrived at their complex, Elysia was still asleep. Tarquin offered, "Let her sleep. I'll carry her up."

Elijah, unaware of his dad's ulterior motives, nodded approvingly, "Daddy's finally getting it. You should always be nice to mommy."

Elysia quickly averted her gaze. Whether he liked her or not was none of her concern.

Elysia smiled at Elijah, "Let's not worry about them. Let's go home."

Who knew how long they'd be talking? They couldn't just sit in the car and wait!

Nodding, Elijah and Elysia got out of the car.

Elysia couldn't help but glance back, though without much thought, and carried her little guy towards their building.

Tarquin and Nola noticed her.

Seeing her awake, Tarquin's mood darkened further.

He had hoped to carry her up while she was asleep, maybe pluck a few hairs for a spell, but now that plan was ruined.

Nola's eyes reddened even more, "Tarquin, are you ignoring me because of her? Are you bewitched by her?"

Tarquin, annoyed, asked, "What do you want?"

Nola, crying, said, "You don't answer my calls, you don't reply to my texts. I'm so upset! If I don't reach out to you, will you just forget about me? Tell me, is it her? Is she the reason you're ignoring me?"