Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin)

Being a doctor isn't just tough-it's downright risky sometimes.

Especially if you're one of the good ones.

Tarquin paused for a moment, then turned to look at Elysia.

Elysia just grinned. "I think learning some medical skills is a great idea. Baby's into it, too. I think it's awesome."

Tarquin just stared at her.

He could tell right away-Elysia had absolutely no clue what it actually meant

when Tracey said she wanted to take Baby on as her apprentice.

Put it this way: if word got out, the whole medical community would lose its mind.

The Stevenson family would be beside themselves with jealousy.

Honestly, Tarquin was happy for Baby, and he looked at Tracey with genuine gratitude. "If Grandma's willing to teach her, that's a real blessing for Baby. Thank you, Grandma. It means a lot."

Tracey was delighted that Tarquin hadn't objected. She immediately called to Baby, "Oh, it's no trouble at all! Come on, sweetie, let your great-grandma show you some really neat stuff."

"Okay!" Baby hopped down from Tarquin's arms and grabbed Tracey's hand, bouncing along as they headed toward Tracey's cozy little cottage.

Tarquin slung a basket of herbs over his shoulder and walked behind them with Elysia. They were bringing the fresh herbs over to Tracey's place.

Elysia asked, "Did you guys eat the breakfast I left for you?"

"I did. Bernard and Evan didn't."

"Really? Why not?"

"They're still not back yet."

Actually, Bernard had come back earlier, but when he saw Evan was still gone- and knew Evan was out there with his student-he got worried and went looking for them.

Elysia didn't really think they were in any danger. She was just concerned they'd get hungry. "It's nearly lunchtime. Aren't they starving by now?"

"They'll be fine. Evan packed some food when he left."noveldrama

"Oh, then he'll probably be gone until dinner. I should've guessed. Anyway, are all those poachers taken care of?"

"Yeah, it's all sorted out. Don't stress about it."

Elysia let out a sigh of relief. That was one less thing on her plate.

"Once Grandma figures out the right antidote, we can all go home. I just hope there aren't any surprises back in Jindale City."

"...Zane's still with Winona Newsom, and Central Pharmaceuticals is still expanding. It'll be fine. How long do you think Grandma will need

make the antidote?"

"Hard to say. There's no set time."

"No rush. This is a good chance for you to catch up with Grandma and Grandpa anyway."

"Yeah, you're right."

Tarquin carried the herbs into Tracey's little cottage.

Tracey was busy showing Baby

some of her babies"-tiny

hydroponic seedlings and some rare

aquatic creatures, all floating in glass jars. The sun made them shimmer, and they looked almost magical.

"Look

holding Baby," Tracey said,

a jar. "You can this plant's essence, and it'll

all sorts of wild hallucinohet

you

She pointed to another. "And this one? Even the meanest grizzly bear would drop

like a stone with just a single leaf."

"And over here this one's a virus killer..."

Tracey described everything with so much enthusiasm, clearly hoping to spark Baby's curiosity.

Baby was totally hooked, eyes wide, looking from one jar to the next. "Great- Grandma, do you think I could grow these myself one day?"

"Of course! I bet you'll find even more amazing plants and critters out in the wild.

You'll be even better at it than your old great-grandma!”

Baby's face was full of hope. Tracey's face was all pride.

By lunchtime, Elysia was in the kitchen, making sandwiches and salad.

Tarquin scooped Baby up for a quick change-she'd been running around the herb garden and got mud all over her clothes.

Once Baby was dressed, Walter whisked her away to show off some fireworks displays he'd been designing for the upcoming Fourth of July.

Tarquin, now alone, went back to Tracey's cottage.

"Grandma?"

Tracey looked up, curious. "What's up?"

Tarquin nodded seriously. "I wanted to ask you about someone..."