On the road, Elliot shot a text to Elijah, "Me, Evan, and Emmett are bringing Blossom home now. We''ll be about half an hour. Try to dy Mom so she gets back after us. We''ll chat more when we meet."


    Elijah, still in the car, received Elliot''s message and his eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief before he announced, "I need to use the restroom."


    While Elijah took his detour to the restroom, Elysia stepped out of the car to call Blossom. To her surprise, Elliot picked up, "Hey, Mom."


    Elysia was taken aback, "Elliot, why are you answering Blossom''s phone? Where is she?"


    Elliot replied calmly, "Blossom''s catching some z''s."


    Elysia was even more surprised, "Wasn''t Blossom supposed to drive you guys home? How did she end up asleep?"


    "Blossom''s been under the weather for a couple of days, chugging cough syrup like it''s going out of style. Probably knocked her out."


    Elysia was aware that Blossom had been sick, having called in sick earlier that day before rushing off to school due to an issue with N. Generally, cold medicine does tend to make one sleepy.


    Elysia didn''t think much of it and asked, "Where are you guys now?"


    "We''re on our way home. Blossom came to pick us up."


    "Blossom''s asleep, so how are you guys getting back?"


    "We called a ride."


    "...Oh, well, don''t go anywhere once you''re home. I''ll be back soon, okay?"


    Considering Elliot was with a driver, Elysia didn''t pry further into N''s situation, nning to ask once they met in person. After advising Elliot a bit more, she hung up.


    Back in the car, Elysia told Lowell, "Skip the daycare. Head straight to Future Community. My best friend already picked up the kids."


    "Alright."


    Due to Elijah''s extended bathroom break, they reached Future Community an hourter. As soon as the car stopped, Elysia told Tarquin, "Wait here; Elijah and I will go up and check."


    "I''lle with," Tarquin said, stepping out of the car.


    "You can''te!" Elysia blurted out, a bit too vehemently.


    Her strong reaction puzzled Tarquin, "Why not?"


    Elysia''s heart raced, "Because... because..."


    Seeing her struggle for an exnation, Tarquin furrowed his brows, his suspicions deepened by N''s earlier revtions. "Is there a secret upstairs?" he asked.


    Elysia''s eyes widened, "No!"


    "Do you not want me to meet your kids?"


    His direct question caught Elysia off guard, her eyes widening even more as she vehemently denied, "Not at all!"


    Tarquin looked at her thoughtfully for a few seconds before heading toward the building. Elysia instinctively grabbed him, "I told you, you can''t go up!" Tarquin nced at her hand on his arm, "Give me one reason."


    "No reason. You just can''t!"


    "No reason? Now I''m even more curious."


    "You..."


    "Mom!"


    Before Elysia could continue, she was interrupted by her son''s voice. She turned to see the three little ones running happily towards her.


    Elysia''s heart leaped to her throat in panic! She stood frozen, her soul nearly jumping out of her body!


    Thankfully, she soon realized that Elliot and Evan had disguised themselves, looking identical to Emmett, showing no resemnce to Elijah or Tarquin.


    Elysia swallowed hard, trying topose herself, "Why did you guyse down?"


    "We came to pick up Mom and Elijah."


    Elliot even casually greeted Tarquin and Lowell, "Hey, guys."


    Tarquin observed Elliot thoughtfully. Lowell responded with a cheerful, "Hello there."


    Elliot then turned to Elijah with a smile, "Elijah, let''s go upstairs and y."


    Elijah, already clued in on Emmett''s talent, wasn''t startled at all by the sight of Elliot and Evan''s transformation.