Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 483

At the dinner table, all the kids had washed up and were ready, but Tarquin was still holed up in his study.

Elysia went to call him. After all, he was the host and it would be rude not to invite him to his own dinner after he'd been bustling around preparing everything.

Pushing open the door to the study, a cloud of cigarette smoke hit her, making her cough immediately. Frowning in disapproval and worried the smoke might drift into the rest of the house, she stepped inside and quickly shut the door behind her. As she made her way to the window, muttering under her breath, "Don't you know smoking's bad for you? With a habit like that, you're heading for trouble."

She flung open the window to air out the room. Tarquin, lost in his thoughts about Blossom and the mysterious person, barely acknowledged her. Elysia tapped on the desk to get his attention, "Earth to Tarquin! Quit smoking, it's time to eat."

Tarquin looked up at her, simply saying, "Elysia."

"What's up?" she asked, puzzled by his tone.

He seemed like he wanted to ask her if she'd noticed anything odd about Blossom lately but then thought better of it, considering her naive nature and the cunning of the mysterious person.

silence, Tarquin finally stubbed out his cigarette and stood up to

pressed, "What was that

only grew a brain to

he opened the door and left, leaving a

the study, only to be greeted by the bright faces of her four little ones, eager to have her join them at the table. Tarquin had already taken his seat, and despite her irritation, Elysia couldn't bring herself to argue in front of the children. She

cold wind howling outside while inside was warm and cheerful. This was their first family dinner together, and Elijah was more excited than anyone, having

"Dad, what

Tarquin hesitated as Elysia looked on, surprised, "There's

Dad said he had something

eyed Tarquin suspiciously, "You prepared a surprise

also turned their attention to Tarquin,

to avoid turning the surprise into a shock, Elliot suggested,