Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 1282

Tarquin's face softened, his eyes full of warmth.

"You ran out here wearing so little-aren't you freezing?"

"I'm fine, really."

Elysia slipped her arm through his, her gesture as light as a lifeline.

She turned to the two old men, her voice taking on a playful, almost pleading tone.

"Quincy, Walter, didn't you both already figure out what really happened back then? We agreed to let it go, remember? Don't scare him."

Quincy and Walter exchanged glances, both rolling their eyes at themselves. "Isn't this just the way it goes-girls grow up and leave us old-timers behind?" Elysia jumped in immediately, shaking her head.

"No way! I love you guys just as much as I love him-you know that!"

That made both old men chuckle, the sound echoing on the cool evening air.

"All right, all right," Quincy said, waving her off with a grin. "Elysia's right. Let bygones be bygones. Come on, let's head home-dinner's waiting!"

The two old men started off down the path, their steps surprisingly spry. Tarquin stood frozen for a second.

Elysia tugged on his arm, smiling. "Come on."

before he could say anything, Walter called back

worry, son, I was just messing with you. Wouldn't dare actually hurt you-if I did, our Elysia would have my

in, laughter in his voice, "Evan says you're Elysia's

old men chuckled as they wandered off toward the

a faint smile tugging

gently. "Don't take it to heart. They know

her, sincerity

know. I'm not upset. I'm grateful-grateful that they love

smile lit up

really were happy, living

it hadn't been for wanting to give the kids a more normal life, you know, let them experience all the

their grandkids too. Sometimes, I didn't

the best luck I ever had. They

a second chance at life. They gave me real

Tarquin's voice was soft.

things happen to good

this in

how many ever get to stumble across someone powerful, someone who takes them in and raises them right? It's like

extraordinary person—she'd found six. If that's not

must've been a saint in her past life. Maybe saved the

him, "Grandma and Grandpa are waiting for you to join us

He looked down, half-expecting the ground beneath his feet to explode-after all, Walter had tried to scare him earlier. But nothing