Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1686

The next day, Evan was up before dawn.

The thought that Bernard was gone and the old master had left, that there was no one to join him for his morning training anymore, made a pang of sadness hit him. But he still climbed out his window just like always and went to the woods behind the house to practice his martial arts.

He had to keep going. He had to make himself stronger—strong enough to avenge Bernard.

As soon as he reached the woods, Evan saw a familiar figure.

The little guy was surprised. "Dad? What are you doing here?"

Tarquin, dressed in a dark sweatsuit, was leaning against a large tree with his hands in his pockets, waiting for him.

"I need to get some exercise in the morning, too. From now on, we'll do it together."

Now that Bernard and the old man were gone, he would come and train with Evan every day. He didn't want the boy to be lonely.

Evan's eyes lit up instantly. "Can you actually get up this early?"

Tarquin narrowed his eyes. "You looking down on your old man?"

Evan jutted out his chin, a mock-threatening look on his face. "Winter's coming. The mornings are going to get really, really cold!"

Tarquin smiled. "If you can get up, I can get up."

"Of course I can get up! Back in the mountains, I was always the first one up. Even Bernard didn't wake up earlier than me!"

"Then I can get up, too," Tarquin said with a grin.

Evan's eyes widened with excitement. "Let's make a bet! If you can keep getting up early, I'll owe you one favor. Anything you want, I'll do it."

A fond look crossed Tarquin's face. "Deal. And if I lose, I'll owe you one favor. Anything you ask for, as long as it's in my power, I'll do it."

"It's a deal!" the little guy exclaimed.

"A deal's a deal," Tarquin smiled.

The boy was thrilled. "Okay!"

Elysia knew about it and felt for him.

"Evan's naturally active. He was always the first one up in the mountains. Martial arts is his passion, but you're forcing yourself to go with him. It must be hard on you."

Tarquin kissed her forehead and said softly, "You risked your life to give birth to them and you never complain about how hard it was. All I'm doing is spending some time with him. It's nothing. Besides, I'm his father. It's my duty to be there for him."

Seizing the opportunity, Tarquin added, "At the end of the month, I need to take Evan to Thyania."

Elysia was taken aback. "Thyania? What for?"

"Thyania is hosting a friendly martial arts tournament," Tarquin explained. "Evan wants me to take him so he can see what it's like. You know how much he loves martial arts."

"But there's so much turmoil over there lately," Elysia worried. "It's not safe."

"Don't worry," Tarquin said. "I'll be with him. Nothing will happen."

Elysia still felt uneasy and didn't really want them to go. But she knew martial arts was truly Evan's passion, and she shouldn't stand in his way.