Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 33

Elysia emerged from the bathroom to find Emmett had whipped up her favorite comfort meal – a bowl of chicken soup. He had sprinkled chopped green onions and cilantro on top, just the way she liked it, along with a pair of sunny–side–up eggs.

Emmett had a natural flair for cooking and a genuine interest that made everything he touched turn to deliciousness.

A warm feeling bubbled up inside Elysia as she approached Emmett and planted a smacking kiss on his cheek.

“Emmett, you’re the sweetest, like a warm hoodie on a chilly day,” she cooed.

Emmett’s cheeks flushed a rosy hue, his shyness evident. But when he noticed the bruise on Elysia’s face, a shadow of concern crossed his features, and his eyes welled up.

“Mommy, can I sleep with you tonight? I wanna be close to you.”

Elliot and Evan, hearing this, turned their hopeful gazes towards Elysia.

“Of course, you can,” Elysia chuckled.

“Yay! I’ll tell Mommy a joke to make her laugh.”

“I’ll give Mommy a massage.”

“I’ll help Mommy fall asleep.”

Laughter and love filled the small room, a testament to their tight–knit bond.

But as she looked at her three little ones, Elysia’s heart skipped a beat, a strange surge of emotion washing over her. It was as if a piece of her complete heart was missing.

new; it crept up every

in her

if something–or someone–was absent, yet she

odd,

the atmosphere

plate of spaghetti upstairs, where Elijah was still perched by

small figure looked lost

and he approached gently. “Elijah, come on,

10:25

didn’t move, his eyes fixed on

the plate on a small table in front of Elijah, Tarquin tried to coax

flicker of life sparked

Mommy knows?” he asked

child. She knows what you’re feeling, and she knows

her, does she know that too?”

“Yes… she does.”

she knows I miss her, why doesn’t she

sorrow in Tarquin’s heart

that heartless woman gone? Why

she not like me?” Elijah’s voice wobbled with sadness.

course not. She must love you very

why doesn’t she come back if she knows I miss her?”

heart, Tarquin stroked Elijah’s head. “Maybe she’s caught up in something right