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.

was not new; it crept up every time they gathered in joyful union,

in her heart.

someone–was absent, yet she

was an odd,

grand Number One Mansion, the atmosphere

carried a plate of spaghetti upstairs, where Elijah was still

looked

he approached gently.

10:25

move, his eyes fixed on

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

the mention of Mommy, a flicker of life sparked in Elijah’s hollow eyes.

think Mommy knows?” he asked

a special bond between mother and child. She knows what you’re feeling, and she knows when you’re not eating.”

if I miss her, does she know

“Yes… she does.”

knows I miss her, why

in Tarquin’s heart

gone? Why wasn’t

Does she not like me?” Elijah’s

“No, of course not.

come back if she

a heavy heart, Tarquin stroked Elijah’s head. “Maybe she’s caught up in something right now, something that’s keeping