Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



This cantankerous man, whether as an orphan in his youth or later as a father to Elijah, had always been a figure of pity. And her Elijah...

They say the holidays make you miss your loved ones more, each festive season intensifying that yearning.

Most kids love Christmas, seeing it as the most joyous time of the year.

But for her Elijah, it was the most torturous period annually.

No more.

Never again!

She was back, and she vowed never to let her Elijah spend another Christmas alone.

From now on, every Christmas would be celebrated together with Elijah!

Elysia sniffled, her tone much softer, "Blossom mentioned wanting to take the kids out shopping today, to buy new clothes and shoes, and maybe pick up some holiday goodies. Is there anything specific you need that I can pick up for you?"

Tarquin's expression remained unreadable, silent for a moment before speaking, "New clothes and shoes?"

He and Elijah had always had their clothes custom-made, never needing to shop for them separately.

"Yeah, it's a tradition to wear something new for Christmas. Kids especially look forward to new outfits for the holidays. It makes them sad not to have that. Growing up, I only ever got to wear my younger sister's hand-me-downs during the holidays, and it always made me feel left out. So, I've made it a point to get new outfits for my kids every year."

One for each, ensuring all three little ones had their share.

This year, though, there would be four sets needed, including one for Elijah.

Tarquin said, “Just pick out whatever you think is best."

"Okay, so I'll get one for Elijah, and one for you too?" She wasn't sure when he'd have the chance to shop himself, so Elysia cautiously asked. Tarquin looked at her for a while, then grunted a ‘hmm', “Use the card I gave you. There's no limit. Spend freely."

Spend freely?

Elysia immediately bounced back from her prior dejection, thrilled, "So I can spend however I like?"

"Hmm!"

"Thank you, Sugar Daddy!"

Tarquin: "...So money-minded, you must have been broke in your last life!"

Elysia said, "I'm not worried about my last life. As long as I'm not broke in this one, it's all good. What kind of clothes do you want?"

"Just pick out anything, as long as it's not childish."

"Got it! What size are you?"

"Ask Lowell."

Elysia rolled her eyes, "Poor Lowell, has to remember everything, almost like he's your better half. When you do get a wife, wonder if you'll see Lowell as a rival."

A wife?

Strictly speaking, he already had one, though they'd never met. His "wife" was someone the Bradford family had arranged for him years ago to curb his influence, reportedly after consulting a fortune teller for their compatibility.

It was said that she would bring him bad luck.

Ironically, after they got married, his fortunes soared instead of plummeted!

A cold smirk crossed Tarquin's face at the thought.

Elysia, oblivious to his expression, saw that he had finished eating and began to tidy up, "I'll leave this here for now and head straight to the mall from the station. If you manage to get out today, you can help me bring it back."

After her instructions, she left, only to turn back at the door, reminding him, "Don't forget to pick this up, okay? It cost quite a bit, you know, a whole bunch of dollars."

Tarquin: "..."novelbin

Watching her leave, he felt an inexplicable sense of annoyance.

He couldn't tell if it was because of her, or because of himself.

But while he was irked, Elysia was anything but.

After all, she didn't fancy him. Her concerns for him were out of pity, mainly for Elijah's sake.