Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 390

Elijah finally persuaded his mom to give him a chance, and what does he do? Embarks on a foolish quest, that's what!

Elijah blurted out, "Dad, do you plan on staying single forever?!"

"...No."

"Well, it sure looks like it! If you keep treating mom like this, you're gonna die alone, man!"

Tarquin just scowled in response.

Elijah, clearly frustrated, continued, "Regardless of whether she's my mom or not, your attitude is all wrong! Have you ever considered, if she really is my mom, the way you're scaring her off is not going to make her like you, let alone stay with you?! She's already got a beef with you over what happened six years ago, and instead of trying to make it up to her, you're just being all stubborn. What's your plan here, to keep her or scare her away?!"

Tarquin bit his lip, his face darkening as he said, "I tried to talk to her reasonably, but she flatly refuses to admit anything. I had no choice but to bring out the evidence."

"And then what? After you prove she's my mother, what's next?"

"I'll apologize, beg for her forgiveness."

Elijah was dumbfounded. How could someone so smart be so clueless about love?

"Dad, that's like slapping mom and then offering her a candy bar. Do you think mom's a toddler that's easy to coax?"

Tarquin sneered, "With her intelligence, she's barely two and a half."

"It is! You just want to find her to make up for your past mistakes, to ease your conscience!"

If not, he would have recognized mom long ago! And he wouldn't be so adamant about making mom admit it!

"If you really loved mom, you'd only think about making her happy, you'd try your best to show her your good side, find ways to make her like you. Instead of repeatedly trying to confirm it, especially when she's clearly against it! The same person, if she's mom, dad loves her. If she's not, dad doesn't. Does dad think that's true love? If you truly love someone, no matter how many identities they have, you should love them all the same, right?"

"..."

Tarquin, his breathing heavy, looked at his son, speechless. All these years, he had been searching for her, trying so hard to find her. He thought he was in love with her. If not, why would he be so concerned about her well-being? Why would he be so desperate to treat her right? But maybe his son was right. Maybe it was just guilt, wanting to make amends. Amends, not love.

"Dad." Elijah suddenly stepped forward, taking his hand and looking up at him, "You once said, blood isn't that important, what matters is how we treat each other. The Bradfords might share your blood, but you guys don't treat each other well. Mr. Lowell and you aren't related by blood, but you're as close as brothers!"