Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin)

The old man and the little boy were chatting away, so caught up in their own world that nobody noticed the look on Tarquin's face.

The old man leaned in toward Evan and said,

"Listen, Evan, you remember what Bernard always says: Maybe your fists can't fix everything, but they sure can fix the kind of people who start the trouble in the first place!"

"Doesn't matter who it is—if someone's messing with your mom, you go all out and give them a real good wallop!"

Evan balled his tiny fists and nodded so hard his hair flopped,noveldrama

"Yeah! If anyone bullies my mom, I'll knock their socks off! I don't care who it is!"

The old man grinned, "Even if it's your dad."

Evan replied without a hint of hesitation, "Of course! My mom's the most important!"

Tarquin: "..."

For a second, he honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

He was touched that his little boy loved his mom so much.

But on the other hand, he felt a pang of sadness-his own son didn't seem to care about him at all.

Tarquin just stood there, somewhere between a smile and a sigh, and glanced over at Bernard.

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, as if he'd just dodged a bullet.

If he hadn't built a real relationship with Elysia, what kind of mess would he be in right now?

One, two, three, four, five... six!

That's right, six heavy-hitters, all out for his hide!

Just the thought made Tarquin swallow nervously. And he'd alwa

thought of

himself as a brave guy, but even he had to admit this was terrifying.

He was just an ordinary guy. There was no way he could go up against a squad of geniuses and powerhouses like this.

Then his thoughts flashed to a certain crowd...

All those busybodies in Jindale City who used to gossip about Elysia, sneering about her raising kids out in the sticks with a bunch of "no-good nobodies."

Well, envy is a real disease, Tarquin thought. Those folks must be terminal, to have the nerve to say that.

Nobodies? Ha! Any one of these six legends could stroll into town and wipe the floor with their entire clan!

Tarquin steadied himself and greeted Bernard politely, "Hey, Bernard. Good to see you."

The old man cleared his throat,

"Well, whether it's good or not depends on you. You treat my Elysia and those rascals right, then I'llbe good. If I'm good, things go well for you. Got it?"

He wasn't just talking-he was laying down the law.

Tarquin nodded,

"I get it, sir. Don't worry-Elysia's the queen of our house. The kids are little

princes and princesses. I'm just the loyal butler."

A butler's job is to serve the queen and her royal kids, after all. He'd treat them right.

The old man narrowed his eyes and added,

"Glad you understand. Now, about you hurting Elysia before-I'm not done you over that. That slap was just a reminder. If you ever will

with

break her heart again, you ap

have words. Don't go thinking just because we've retired that we can't come out of hiding. For her, we'd do anything."

Tarquin was all seriousness,

"Sir, from now on, the only one doing any bullying in our marriage is her. I swear

I'll never hurt her again."

The old man finally looked satisfied, the threat fading from his eyes as he laughed,

"A man's word is his bond, son. Don't make me regret trusting you. Don't let me down."

Tarquin replied, "You have my word."

He respected these old guys, partly because of Elysia-her family was his family

now.

But also because these men had reputations and accomplishments that

commanded respect. They were true legends and patriots.

Bernard spoke up, "So, what brings you to us today?"

Tarquin got down to business,

"Elysia and Grandma are tidying up at home. I came out to ask you and Evan for help-there's still some of

no

those poachers left to det

Bernard finally remembered the unfinished business and asked,

"What did Grandma want done about it?"

"...She didn't say. She left it in my hands."

Bernard looked surprised, "You're handling it?"

Back in the old days, it was always Gerald who took care of things when trouble

came to the mountains.