Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 1432

She helped him take off his coat, gentle as always.

"Did you get some sleep? Or just lying there?" she asked softly. "Did you finish everything?"

"The cemetery's all settled, but the monks are still at the old chapel, holding services. They say they'll need three more days."

"Do we need to go over there?"

"I'll go myself. Just wanted to come home and check in. I'll head back in a bit."

Elysia took his coat and hung it up in the entryway closet.

Elliot, their little boy, grabbed a pair of slippers from the shoe rack. "Daddy, change your shoes!"

Tarquin grinned. As soon as he slipped on the slippers, Elijah, his younger son, picked up his dress shoes and tucked them neatly inside the cabinet.

Tarquin gave Elijah's hair a gentle ruffle, his eyes full of warmth.

The four of them headed toward the living room. Tarquin glanced around. "Did Mom and Dad head out already?"

Clayton and Pamela had moved out at the beginning of the month. The house was quieter now.

"No," Elysia replied, "they stayed tonight. They're worried about you—and about me and the kids."

She lowered her voice, "I gave them a little something to help them sleep. Your dad left you some dinner too. Want to eat?"

knew he probably hadn't had a bite all

Is there

"You want soup?"

of craving it. But

chicken noodle. It won't take long. You

call you when

You're

grinned. "You

disappeared into the kitchen. Tarquin wasted no time—he led the boys upstairs

soup just to give her something to do. The business about the eighth-generation

as the study door closed, Elliot

and took out a small plastic box. He popped it

work on this

and Elijah leaned in, curious. "What

granddad gave me when

a piece and read it aloud:

in Zhinora. He'd say, 'Wherever you are never forget where you came

straighter, eyes

Grandpa are real heroes," Elliot declared. "We're proud

them and never forget our roots!" Elijah

"They'll be proud of you

them quickly assembled the pieces, revealing a detailed map of Zhinora, with every city

But-

frowned. "Hey, we're missing a piece. Is that

looked