Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1412

About ten minutes later, Tarquin came back with the kids.

He looked sharp as ever in his tailored suit, holding Baby in one arm and carrying her backpack in the other.

Baby had her hair in two cute pigtails, a bunny-shaped hair clip perched on her head. She was wearing a princess dress with white knee-high socks, and her shoes—limited-edition Mary Janes with little pearls—were the envy of every little girl in her class.

Her big round eyes, chubby rosy cheeks, and fair skin made her the picture of adorable mischief—a classic cutie pie.

The four boys led the way in matching shirts and slacks, each with a lookalike backpack slung over their shoulders. Before they even got through the door, they were already calling out,

“Nana! Pops! We’re home!”

“Hey, hey!” Clayton and Pamela came rushing out, beaming with joy.

Seeing their four handsome grandsons, the couple couldn’t help themselves—hugging one, kissing another, laughing all the while.

Baby, still in Tarquin’s arms, kicked her little legs excitedly and called out,

“Nana, Pops, I’m home too! Look, I’m right here!”

Clayton chuckled and hurried over.

“Of course Pops sees you, Baby! Come here, let me hold my little princess.”

He scooped Baby up from Tarquin and spun her around, making her giggle with delight.

He barely had time to enjoy the moment before Pamela swooped in, “Nana’s turn! Let’s go inside, I made cookies!”

Tarquin gave a gentle, “Hey, Mom, Dad.”

Clayton and Pamela nodded and herded everyone inside, still smiling ear to ear.

Pamela and the kids walked ahead, chatting, while Clayton and Tarquin lagged behind. Clayton leaned in and lowered his voice.

“Did you upset Irene again today?”

Tarquin’s expression shifted. “What happened?”

“I dunno, after she talked to Evan’s teacher on the phone, she seemed off.”

Tarquin blinked, “She called Evan’s teacher?”

Tarquin looked awkward. “It wasn’t skipping—we asked for leave.”

Clayton just stared at him for a long moment, lips pressed together, then finally shook his head.

“You are so busted. I mean it. You know how Irene is about school! Remember before the semester started, Baby cried every morning—her eyes were all puffy—and Irene still wouldn’t let her take a day off! What on earth gave you the nerve to sneak Evan out?!”

Tarquin mumbled to himself. Well, the nerve came from me, I guess.

Last night, after coming home from the gym, Elysia had been in a great mood and pretty much let him do whatever he wanted. Their night had gone... very well.

And this morning, he’d seen the news from Thyania, and that had put him in an even better mood.

Thyania’s martial arts community was inviting fighters from all over the world to a big friendship tournament—Evan’s grandfather was leading the charge, with a huge cash prize that was all over the international headlines.

It was all thanks to last night’s big match. Exactly what Tarquin had hoped for.

On the way to school, the kids had showered him with praise, saying he’d been the coolest dad ever in the ring last night.

Honestly, it was hard not to feel on top of the world.