Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Elysia pouted, her voice tinged with sympathy, "You know, I kinda feel sorry for you."

In her eyes, it was simple. Most folks would want someone by their side when they're under the weather, let alone going through what he was. Yet, here he was, without a single soul to fret over him.

Pretty sad, if you ask me.

Sure, she wasn't related to him by blood, like Lowell, but she was the mother of his son.

A secret he was oblivious to, but one she was painfully aware of.

Their son tied them together with bonds that couldn't be severed. Directly linked, she felt a tad closer to him than others might.

She wouldn't bother with the small stuff, but when push came to shove, she believed she ought to step up.

Especially considering her guilt over wanting to whisk Elijah away from him, despite Blossom's advice against it. Helping him now might ease her conscience when the time came to leave with Elijah.

Her admission of pity rendered Tarquin silent, his gaze dark and unreadable. The room fell into an uneasy quiet.

Feeling awkward under his stare, Elysia broke the silence, "But I definitely can't handle a corpse, so we'll need Lowell's help. Should I talk to him, or will you?"

Tarquin pocketed his cigarettes, initially lighting one before remembering Elysia's dislike for the smell and putting it away. Leaning back, he assured her, "You don't need to worry about me. Just take good care of Elijah."novelbin

"I'll definitely take care of Elijah! But how will you get out?"

"There's always a way."

Elysia frowned, "Aren't you worried someone might frame you? If you're pegged as a murderer, you could face the death penalty."

Tarquin shrugged it off, "No worries. If I did it, I'd be brainstorming my defense. If not, it's not my problem. Let's see if they've got the chops to pin it on me."

"But if you can't clear your name, you'll be stuck in jail, and the police can hold you for a month. New Year is almost here..."

"Looking to spend New Year together?" Tarquin teased.

Elysia, caught off guard, raised her voice, "Who wants to spend New Year with you! Can't you take this seriously?!"

"I'm not serious?"

"How can you be serious if you think I want to spend New Year with you?"

"Why bring up New Year then?"

"I'm worried about you and Elijah! If you can't get out before New Year, think about how sad Elijah will be. It'll ruin his New Year!" After a brief stare, Tarquin assured her, "Don't worry, I'll be out before New Year."

He had plans to take Elijah back to the family estate for New Year's Eve dinner. He wouldn't leave his son to face the wolves alone.

Seeing his confidence, Elysia asked, "Don't tell me you have evidence to clear your name and you're just not using it?"

Tarquin didn't elaborate, simply stating, "Tell Elijah not to worry. I'll be out by New Year's Eve at the latest!"

Considering today was December 28th, New Year's Eve was just around the corner.