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

But who were these people, really?

Tarquin thought about it. If these were truly the leading figures in their respective fields, even if he hadn't met them personally, he should at least have heard of them. But, listening to Elysia talk, he couldn't quite put any names to faces.

Elysia noticed Tarquin's furrowed brow and mistook it for nerves. She gave him a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry," she said easily, "Grandma and the grandpas are super easygoing. They treat me and the kids like family, and they'll treat you the same way."

Tarquin shook off his thoughts. "So, what did they do before they moved out here?"

She shrugged, "Honestly, they were just regular folks. Sure, they had their hobbies, but they were happiest working the land, growing vegetables and raising animals."

Tarquin: "..."

They chatted idly all the way to the airport, where their private jet was already waiting.

A couple of hours later, the seven of them landed in Darkfort City.

As soon as they got off the plane, there were people waiting for them-polite and respectful to a fault.

Darkfort wasn't far from Jindale City, both up north. Tarquin had invested a lot in this region, pouring money into local businesses and contributing to the city's growth. The taxes alone he paid every year were a significant sum.

If they hadn't kept this trip under wraps, the mayor himself would probably have shown up to greet them at the airport.

The family grabbed a quick lunch at a diner near the airport-burgers and fries for the kids, coffee and sandwiches for the adults. They didn't linger; instead, they hopped into a van and headed straight for the mountains.

By the time they reached the foothills, the sun was already setting.

With the kids in tow, they didn't want to risk hiking in the dark. Instead, they checked into a charming countryside bed & breakfast known for its homemade pies and cozy rooms.

They decided to rest for the night and head up the mountain in the morning.noveldrama

They'd booked a suite for the family. The baby bunked with Tarquin and Elysia. Elliot, Evan, Emmett, and Elijah shared the other room.

That night, as was her habit, Elysia tiptoed into the boys' room before going to bed herself, checking to make sure they were covered up. Even in August, the nights in Darkfort could get chilly, and a light blanket was a must.

She quietly opened the door and was surprised to see Elijah standing by the window.

The little guy was silhouetted in the moonlight, gazing out at the mountains as if deep in thought. The other three boys were already fast asleep.

Elysia's heart skipped a beat-was Elijah sleepwalking?

She hurried over to him.

Hearing her approach, Elijah turned around, his little brow furrowed in concern.

Elysia knelt beside him, lowering her voice. "Elijah, honey, why aren't you sleeping? Is it too different from home?"

She figured maybe the new place was making him restless. Tarquin had picked the nicest B&B around, but for Elijah, who'd grown up with every comfort, it was still a big step down.

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Unlike his brothers, who'd spent their early years running wild in the countryside, Elijah had always been at Tarquin's side-raised in penthouses and country estates, never lacking for a thing.

But Elijah just frowned at her, saying nothing.

Elysia reached up to gently smooth his hair, about to say more, when Elijah suddenly spoke.

"Mom, you had it really tough, didn't you?"

Elysia blinked. "What?"

He looked at her, his expression earnest, older than his years. "Living out here in the mountains is hard. You were here for five years, right? You must've gone through a lot. But I promise, from now on, I'll take care of you. I won't let you suffer again."

Elysia felt her heart swell. Was this what had been keeping him up at night— worrying about her?

He saw the roughness of the mountains and thought she must have suffered. It made him want to protect her.

She stared at him for a long moment before finally speaking.

"Elijah, you've got it all wrong. I never suffered."

She smiled softly. "Sweetheart, happiness comes from two places-what's around

us, and what's inside us."