Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 584

The vision of a bustling, happy family of six flashed through his mind, filling him with an immediate sense of contentment.

But in the next moment, Elysia flat-out rejected the idea, “No way!”

“Why not?”

Elysia's brows furrowed with concern. She was already uneasy with the kids spending too much time around him, let alone the idea of living together day in and day out. Even if Elliot and Evan wore disguises every single day, it was only a matter of time before their cover was blown. Besides, it wasn't exactly practical to live in disguise 24/7!

Grasping at straws, Elysia protested, “We’re practically strangers, and moving in with you, kids in tow, would just invite gossip.”

Tarquin immediately reassured her, “As long as I'm around, no one would dare gossip in your presence.”

“That’s not the point! It's... it's just weird for me,” she insisted.

“How is it any weirder than you staying over at my place now? You're already spending nights here to take care of Elijah.”

“It's different. I'm your nanny. Staying over occasionally is one thing, but moving in with my whole family? That's just not how things are done. When does a nanny ever move in with her employer?”

Tarquin's brow furrowed in frustration. “Who said you're just the nanny? You're not!”

“But that’s what you said. And if I'm not the nanny, then what am I?”

Tarquin was momentarily speechless, his face darkening. Had he really said that? After a pause, he argued, “Since when does an employer's son call his nanny 'mom'? Neither Elijah nor I have ever treated you like you're just the nanny.”

“Still, I can't just move in with my kids.”

Tarquin thought she was just feeling awkward and tried to persuade her, “Don't overthink it. Just focus on Elijah. He'd be thrilled to have you and the kids move in.”

Elysia frowned, “Elijah would be just as happy if we all went back to the Future Community.”

Seeing her slightly upset, Tarquin asked, “So, you really want to take Elijah back to live in the Future Community?”

“Yes!”

Tarquin hesitated for a moment before relenting, “Alright, fine. After Elijah gets discharged, we'll go with you.”

“So, you were planning to take Elijah and leave without considering me?”

Elysia nodded sheepishly, “Yeah.”

Tarquin's face fell, a mix of disappointment and resignation. He stared at Elysia for a few seconds before asking, “What about me then?”

“You... you can stay at your place.”

“So, you and Elijah leave, and I'm just supposed to live by myself?”

“You're an adult. You’ve been living independently for a while now. You'll be fine on your own, won't you?”

Tarquin pressed his lips together, a contrast of images flashing through his mind: Elysia with Elliot, Evan, and the twins, Elijah, all of them together, their lives filled with laughter and joy. And then there was him, alone, the very picture of loneliness.

Tarquin's expression darkened, “I reject that proposal. If you're taking Elijah to the Future Community, you have to take me too. Otherwise, it's off the table!”