Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 996

Elysia's eyes widened in panic.

"Hey! I was just kidding! I didn't mean it, really, let's not make a big deal out of it! We still have to run errands today!"

Every time they went at it, she couldn't get out of bed for a whole day and night.

"You can't even joke about that!"

Tarquin silenced her protests with a commanding kiss, a deep one as a form of punishment.

No matter how much Elysia flailed and struggled, she couldn't escape.

After the kiss, Tarquin asked, "Still thinking about finding a new husband?"

Elysia, dazed and breathless from his kiss, with her cheeks flushed a deep red, meekly surrendered, "No, not anymore."

"Still dare to threaten me with bedroom antics?"

"No, I won't."

"Take back what you said!"

"Mhm, I take it back."

Seeing her so compliant, Tarquin's mood lifted, a handsome smile playing on his lips as he gazed at her closely, admiring her trembling lashes.

All the dark clouds in his heart cleared away!

Elysia was his beacon of light; a simple word, a tiny gesture from her was all it took to heal him.

Keith's issues, the mysteries surrounding them, the drama with Gideon and Verity, not to mention the whole Hawkins family saga... Each one was a headache.

And then there was his mother...

But Elysia had this healing effect on him. She was like a summer breeze, a warm sun in winter, beautiful and radiant.

As Tarquin was lost in thought, suddenly, he felt a sharp pain on his shoulder!

His little "kitten" had shown her claws, biting him hard on the shoulder in protest.

After the bite, she glared at him defiantly!

Tarquin laughed, softening, "Don't worry, I know we have important things today. Just a kiss, I won't tease you."

"You jerk!"

"Yeah, I'm a jerk. Elysia's husband is a jerk! Elysia married a jerk!"

"You..."

"Not mad anymore, right? Want to bite me again?"

It was a way to honor the memory of the departed and a means for the living to alleviate their grief.

Master Cloud at Compassion Abbey, situated atop Spirit Mountain, was their destination.

Due to the steep terrain, they could only drive halfway up the hill. The rest of the journey required climbing steps or taking a cable car.

Tarquin planned for the kids to take the cable car, but they refused.

They believed climbing would demonstrate their sincerity, hoping to move the Saints and the Holy Mother, bringing good fortune to Grandma.

They were so young; what did they know?

Yet, every action was driven by love.

Elizabeth had never met them, yet like Elysia, their love for her stemmed from Tarquin.

Their love for Tarquin made them love Elizabeth, embracing his affections.

Tarquin understood. Carrying Elizabeth's ashes, watching Elysia and their vibrant children climb, he felt deeply moved.

Silently, he whispered to Elizabeth: "Mom, rest in peace. I'm truly happy."

When the family reached the base of the hilltop, everyone except Tarquin and Baby was panting and exhausted.

Baby, the little princess, had grown tired a third of the way up, so Tarquin had carried her on his shoulders the rest of the ascent, sparing her the breathlessness.