Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Elysia's eyes darted away, avoiding contact. "I told you not to ask. If you keep at it, I'm really going to get mad. Seriously mad!" Tarquin was silent, baffled.

The message she was sending couldn't be clearer; she knew Elijah's mother, knew her well at that!

But why the secrecy?

Could she possibly be...

A thought struck Tarquin, tightening his brows and halting his breath momentarily.

Seconds later, his heart raced uncontrollably, his blood boiling with anticipation.

Gasping, his face taut with shock, he stuttered, "Elysia..."

"Hmm?"

"You..."

Seeing his emotional turmoil, Elysia inquired, "What's wrong?"

A bolt of lightning cleaved through the night, followed by the distant rumble of thunder. The rain showed no signs of stopping, only growing fiercer. Swallowing hard, Tarquin pushed down what he was about to say, lifting Elysia in his arms again.

"Let's get you home first."

If she wasn't volunteering the information, it meant she chose to hide it. Badgering her wouldn't change that; he had to uncover the truth himself. Unaware of his thoughts but sensing his heightened agitation, Elysia, clasping his neck, cautiously asked, "Do you believe what I just said? Has it eased your mind?"

Tarquin gave her a meaningful look, nodded, and swiftly changed the subject.

"Let's get you home into some dry clothes first. Don't want you catching a cold."

Back in the car, he wrapped her in a spare blanket stored in the trunk and planted a kiss on her forehead before taking the driver's seat and starting the engine.

The heavy rain made driving difficult, and it was past 3 a.m. by the time they reached home.

Instead of heading to Future Community, Tarquin drove to Sunshine Community, closer to the seaside.

Upon arrival, he adjusted the water temperature for Elysia to take a hot shower.

"What about you?" she asked, noting his drenched state.

"I'll shower after you," Tarquin replied.

"My hair's long; it'll take me a while. You go first; you're quicker."

He watched her intently. "Either you go first, or we go together."

Elysia blushed deeply at his suggestion, turning away to enter the master bedroom, now claimed as her own.

She remembered having a change of clothes here but found only undergarments, no outerwear.

After a futile search and several sneezes, Tarquin, concerned for her health, urged, "Go shower. I'll find something and leave it at the door."

Left with no choice, Elysia nodded and retreated to the bathroom.

Tarquin, eyeing the bathroom door, furrowed his brows in deep thought. Elysia, is it really you?

Minutes later, Tarquin knocked on the bathroom door.

Still under the shower, Elysia quickly wrapped herself in a towel at the sound.

"What's up?"

"I couldn't find your clothes. Do you want to wear mine, or should I go back for yours?"

Given the late hour and the relentless downpour, going back was out of the question. She conceded, "I'll wear yours. Just leave them at the door."

"Alright. And don't worry about the kids; I've called Lowell. He'll check on them."novelbin

After placing the clothes at the door, Tarquin retreated to his study, too soaked to sit, opting to stand instead.

He lit a cigarette, staring out at the rain, lost in thought. Elysia's words, her recent behavior, all seemed to hint at something troubling...

Tarquin's brows knit together once more as he extinguished his cigarette, picking up his phone to call Benjamin Lawson.

"I'll come to the hospital later to see you."

"