Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1365

“Evan already called us. Time to get up!”

Tarquin didn’t even bother opening his eyes, just mumbled lazily, “Let me snooze a bit longer.”

Elysia pinched his cheek hard.

“Snooze, my foot! The kids are all up and here we are, still lazing around. Aren’t you even a little embarrassed?”

Tarquin just flashed his annoyingly charming smile, eyes still closed. “Not embarrassed at all. Where’s the rule that says parents have to get up before the kids?”

“Shameless! Get up! If you don’t, I’m really gonna lose it!”

Tarquin finally peeked an eye open, lashes fluttering, looking like he’d just stepped out of a comic book. “Morning kiss?”

Elysia leaned in and gave his chin a playful bite. “Morn-ing!”

Tarquin chuckled, grabbed her chin, and planted a firm kiss on her lips, eyes full of affection. “Good morning.”

Elysia rolled her eyes, threw off the covers, and headed for the bathroom.

Last night, Tarquin had taken his time but had been gentle. And since he only wanted her once, she didn’t feel uncomfortable this morning.

As Elysia started brushing her teeth, Tarquin followed right behind.

She brushed. He brushed.

He stood so close behind her that his chest pressed into her back, resting his chin right on top of her head.

Elysia stared at their reflection in the mirror, completely exasperated. She rinsed her mouth and then glared at him in the mirror. “Are you planning to drip toothpaste foam all over my hair?”

Tarquin turned to rinse his mouth, then immediately plopped his chin back on her head, grinning at their reflection. “Hey, are my teeth white?”

Elysia rolled her eyes so hard it could’ve been an Olympic sport. “Are you five years old? Move!”

Tarquin wouldn’t budge. “Let me see if yours are whiter.”

Elysia bared her teeth at the mirror. “Whiter than yours!”

He spun her around by the shoulders. “Let me get a good look.”

“Uh-huh! Mommy, I want to take Lan with us skiing. Grandpa says Lan’s brave enough.”

Baby was hugging Lan close to her chest.

Elysia nodded. “If you want to bring Lan, we’ll bring him. Let’s all go together.”

Most bunnies tend to get skittish in new places, but Lan was different. Maybe it was from hanging out with White for so long—Lan was fearless.

Baby had taken Lan to all sorts of places, and he’d never been scared.

Now, compared to when Keith first brought him over, Lan had grown twice the size—round and fluffy, like a tiny teddy bear.

Lan was a gift from Keith. Every time Elysia saw the bunny, she thought of him.

If Keith were still here, he’d be glued to Baby’s side, just like Lan is now.

Some things, she supposed, just never got easier.