Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1314

“Walter, are you full yet?”

Evan dashed over to Walter, his bright hazel eyes wide with curiosity.

Walter nodded. “Yeah, I’m stuffed. Why?”

“Come on, come on, let’s get back to your fort. I want to learn that silencing trick!”

Evan grabbed Walter by the arm, dragging him along. After a few steps, he spun around to call back to Bernard and their mentor.

“Bernard, Uncle, don’t look for me tomorrow! I’m skipping martial arts. I’m gonna learn how to make—”

He caught Elysia watching and quickly changed course.

“—uh, fireworks! Super cool fireworks!”

The two older guys exchanged a look. “…”

They weren’t thrilled about their student getting stolen, but honestly, they had to hand it to Walter—the guy had real skills.

Elysia, for her part, didn’t really get what was so impressive about it all. To her, Walter was just a guy with a knack for making fireworks and little inventions.

She called after Evan, “Be careful, you two.”

Evan grinned. “Don’t worry, Mom, Walter’s got my back!”

Evan was the kind of kid who loved a good brawl, was always up for an adventure, obsessed over martial arts, and totally geeked out over anything that exploded or had gears and wires.

***

Life went on like that for days.

Everyone was busy, chasing their own dreams and passions. Elysia, mindful of her grandmother’s concerns about the future of medicine and her own baby’s health, worked hard to learn everything she could about holistic healing.

The kids all dove into whatever fascinated them, each determined to reach new heights.

By the end of August, the antidote was finally ready.

Which meant it was time for Elysia and the kids to leave the mountain.

The elders knew they couldn’t keep them there forever, so they walked the family a long way down the winding path, saying their goodbyes.

Bernard scowled. “You’re not allowed to die! We haven’t avenged your aunt yet. You have to stay alive, you hear me?”

Walter just knit his brows and said nothing.

Evan wiped his eyes, gaze fierce. “Don’t worry, Bernard, Uncle. I’ll make sure we get justice for Auntie.”

The two old men just sighed.

After saying goodbye to Elliot and Elijah, Walter came over and handed Evan a flash drive.

“Hang on to this. It’s got all the stuff you love—you’ll have plenty to tinker with.”

Evan’s eyes lit up as he threw his arms around Walter. “Thanks, Walter.”

Walter ruffled his hair fondly.

“Remember our motto?”

Evan grinned. “Of course! ‘Honor is found at the edge of a blade, and truth is in the range of a cannon!’”