Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1613

A lump formed in Elysia’s throat. The children were showing off their certificates, and Elijah was telling her about his new friend, all just to cheer her up.

She was their mother, yet her children were the ones comforting her.

Elysia was both touched and filled with self-reproach. "I am. Mommy is so, so happy. Tonight, Mommy is going to cook a special dinner just for you."

"Mommy hasn't been feeling her best lately because she's been worried about Elliot and Evan. I'm sorry for making you three worry."

Emmett asked, "Is Mommy all better now?"

Elysia smiled. "I'm all better."

Baby asked, "Mommy, when are Elliot and Evan coming back? I miss them."

Elysia said, "They'll be back soon. They miss Baby very much, too."

After chatting with the children for a few moments, Elysia turned to Lowell. "Thank you for picking up the kids. Why don't you stay for dinner? I'll make extra."

Lowell quickly refused. "No, no, that's okay! I've still got work to do at the office. I should get going, Elysia."

With that, Lowell said goodbye to the little ones and practically bolted out the door, as if his life depended on it.

Elysia turned to Tarquin. "What's with Lowell?"

Tarquin countered, "Why was he the one picking up the kids today?"

Elysia said, "He called me at lunch and said he wanted to do it, so I didn't have to go this afternoon. Didn't you know?"

Tarquin's lips thinned. "If I'd known, he wouldn't have looked so guilty when he saw me. Ditching work to pick up the kids!"

Elysia was speechless.

Elijah said, "Daddy, you're not allowed to dock Uncle Lowell's pay!"

Emmett quickly chimed in, "Daddy, are you going to dock Mr. Lowell's pay?"

Baby hugged his leg, her voice small and sweet. "Daddy, please don't dock Mr. Lowell's pay..."

Elysia laughed. "Looks like all of Mr. Lowell's spoiling hasn't been for nothing."

Tarquin thought of Dane, then summed it up simply. "He has terrible taste. He has a hard enough time finding a girlfriend, let alone getting married and having kids."

Elysia, who didn't know what had happened in Border City, pouted. "Lowell can't be worse than Axel, can he? If Lowell has a hard time finding a girlfriend, what's Axel going to do? He's cold as ice, keeps everyone at arm's length!"

Tarquin sighed heavily. Thinking about their love lives was giving him a headache.

Elysia teased, "Look at the friends you hang out with. Some are practically allergic to women, others are always surrounded by them. None of them are normal."

Tarquin grinned. "I'm the only normal one, which is why I'm the only one with a wife and they're not."

Elysia glanced at him and smiled softly.

Suddenly, Tarquin's phone rang. It was Keaton.

He wiped his hands and answered. "Hello."

Keaton's voice was frantic. "Tarquin, you need to get to the hospital, now! I'm in deep trouble!"