Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Elysia, though puzzled, quietly followed his lead and mimicked his actions. Elijah, Elliot, Evan, and Emmett each placed incense in Kendrick's holder. Suddenly, the candle in front of Kendrick's photograph flickered loudly, and the flame shot up high.

Evan, amazed, asked, "Hey, is Grandpa Kendrick really happy?"

Elliot confirmed, "The higher the flame, the happier he must be."

Emmett was thrilled, "Grandpa Kendrick likes us."

Elijah looked content, “I just told Grandpa about his daughter-in-law and grandkids.”

Tarquin: "..."

Elysia: “..

The Bradford family collectively scowled, "..."

In the quiet chapel, only the voices of the youngsters echoed, unusually loud. Elysia felt awkward and gestured for them to be quiet.

Elijah smiled gently, "Mom, no need to be shy, Grandpa likes you."Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Hearing this, Elysia's embarrassment grew, her lips twitching: Where's the ground when you need it to swallow you up?

This was a chapel, and she couldn't argue with the children; she could only shake her head at Elijah, signaling him to keep quiet. Tarquin wasn't bothered. After all, his dad wasn't foolish. If he had really brought a daughter-in-law to see him, he would have mentioned it himself. Elijah's words were just child's babble. But to the rest of the Bradford family, Elijah's words, coupled with his smile, made them even more uneasy!

After Tarquin finished his ritual, it was Allegra and her family's turn. Tarquin didn't bother waiting inside and led Elysia and the kids out. Once outside, he lit a cigarette, looking somewhat downcast.

Elysia shrugged helplessly, "You four are looking for trouble, huh? There's nothing between him and me, yet you blabbered nonsense inside the chapel. Look, you made him upset."

Elijah immediately shook his head, his words full of empathy for Tarquin, “It's not that; Dad's just missing Grandpa and Grandma. He always feels sad after the ritual."

"Oh? Is that why?"

"Yeah, Dad's been pretty lonely these years, he just doesn't show it. Mr. Lowell said that when Dad was about four or five, his parents died, supposedly murdered. Then, Dad was brought back here, and that's when the nightmares began..."

Elysia frowned slightly, turning to look at Tarquin. He leaned against a large oak tree, a cigarette between his fingers, occasionally taking a drag, his brows slightly furrowed, his ruggedly handsome face tinged with melancholy. He was an unbreakable father, but he too was once a child. He too once had parents and carefree days.

Elysia felt a twinge of sympathy looking at him and asked Elijah, "How did your grandparents die?"

"I'm not quite sure, just heard from Mr. Lowell they were murdered, and the culprit's still at large."

"...Then why is there only your grandpa's memorial in the chapel and not your grandma's?"

She had noticed earlier that the space beside Kendrick's photograph was empty. Typically, Tarquin's mother's memorial would be placed next to Kendrick's.

Elijah shook his head again, "I don't know, Dad never mentioned it."

Elysia pondered for a moment, then told the kids, "Stay here for a bit, I'm going to keep him company."

Elysia walked towards Tarquin. The four little ones quickly followed and hid behind a bush, spying. The little sneaks knew Mommy was going to comfort Daddy; they were eager to hear what they would talk about and how much their relationship would progress.