Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 352

Tarquin, for once, was being obedient, hunched over the side of the bed, retching into the trash can. Elysia was there for him, one hand steadying him while the other gently patted his back through the blankets. But despite their efforts, Tarquin could only bring up a bit of bile. It seemed everything else had been emptied earlier in the bathroom, leaving him dry heaving, forcing out whatever was left, which was just stomach acid. Elysia frowned, concerned. To be vomiting bile, he must be feeling terrible. Her tone softened without her even realizing, "If nothing's coming up, don't force it. Here, rinse your mouth out." She reached for the glass of tea by the bedside to help him rinse his mouth. Tarquin, lacking the strength to hold the glass, sipped from it with her help before lying back down. Elysia grabbed a tissue, gently wiping the corners of his mouth. This time, he didn't swat her hand away...

After replacing the trash bag in the bathroom bin, Elysia came back to find Tarquin still looking miserable, which made her frown again. She didn't want to care, but he bore such a striking resemblance to Elliot, Evan, and Elijah! It was as if her brain automatically slotted her kids into his place. Even though she knew it was Tarquin suffering from his drunken state, not her children, it pained her just as if it were her own kids feeling unwell! After some hesitation, Elysia grabbed the yogurt from the nightstand, "I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing this because you're like one of my kids right now, and I'm the mom!" She convinced herself out loud, scooping up a spoonful of yogurt and holding it to Tarquin's mouth, "Here, eat!" Tarquin looked like he wanted to protest, but Elysia was ready, deftly avoiding any resistance and again offered the spoonful, "Eat!" Tarquin turned his face away, refusing, but Elysia got stern, "Eat, or you'll regret it! Be good!"

Be good...

Suddenly, Tarquin's eyes snapped open, and he looked at Elysia... Memories of his childhood, being by Elizabeth's side, her voice and her laughter flooded his mind. "Tarquin, be good, you can't be picky. Picky eaters don't grow up strong. Try this, mommy made it just for you, come on, be good." "Tarquin, why the pout? Are you upset? Don't keep it to yourself, talk to mommy, be good." "Tarquin, you have to eat your carrots and greens, they help you grow tall and keep you healthy. You can't pick them out; you have to eat them all, be good, let mommy feed you." These childhood memories surged like a tide, leaving Tarquin choked up. He just stared at Elysia, feeling an unexplainable mix of emotions, unable to speak. And it was probably for the best that he couldn't make a sound! Imagine if he accidentally called her 'mom'? That would scare Elysia away for sure!

Elysia, lacking the ability to read minds, couldn’t fathom his stare or why he seemed so strange all of a sudden, giving off a vibe of vulnerability, like a stubborn little one in need of comfort. But he was far from a little one; he was more like a big, scary dog! Was it her threat that had shaken him? That didn't seem right; he was tougher than anyone! Elysia concluded that he must have become sensitive and fragile from the alcohol. She'd never guess that in treating Tarquin like a child, he was momentarily seeing her as a motherly figure! Seeing the fierce man turn into a pitiable figure softened Elysia's voice a bit, "Come on, eat up. The yogurt might not sober you up, but it'll make your stomach feel better. You'll feel less miserable after." As she spoke, Tarquin looked at her, and she looked back at him. When he obediently opened his mouth to eat, Elysia was genuinely surprised.