"Did you have fun at preschool today?"


    The little ones chanted in unison, "Yes!"


    Baby said in her tiny voice, "Mommy, my brothers said it''s Daddy''s birthday tomorrow, so we don''t have to go to school."


    Elysia couldn''t help but smile. "That''s right. I''m letting you all take the day off tomorrow so we can celebrate with Daddy, okay?"


    "Okay, okay! No school tomorrow, no school tomorrow! Grandpa, Grandma, Mommy said I don''t have to go to school tomorrow!" The little girl was as happy as if it were Christmas. Among all the kids, she was the one who disliked school the most.


    yton and Pam yed along, feigning shock. "Is that so? Our Baby doesn''t have to go to school tomorrow?"


    “Uh-huh, Mommy said so! If you don''t believe me, ask her! Mommy, Mommy, quick, tell Grandpa and Grandma that I don''t have to go to school tomorrow, right?"


    Elysia''s expression was full of affection. "Yes, yes."


    Baby turned to yton and Pam. “See, Grandpa, Grandma? You heard her!"


    yton and Pamughed. "We heard, we heard. Baby can sleep in tomorrow. After you wake up, we''ll go to the park and ride the carousel. Then we''lle back for lunch, and Grandpa will make you something delicious!"


    "Yay! I want to ride the little pink horse."


    "Okay, okay."


    As the room filled withughter, Elliot and Evan tugged on Elysia''s sleeve. “Mommy, Daddy''s birthday is tomorrow. Is he still noting home tonight?"


    For the past few nights, Tarquin had been staying at the family vault on the old estate.


    Elysia wasn''t sure. "I''ll call and ask him in a bit."


    yton said, "While you''re at it, ask if he''ll be back for dinner tonight."


    "Okay."


    Elysia called Tarquin. As soon as he answered, Baby piped up, "Mommy, don''t forget to tell Daddy I don''t have school tomorrow!"


    Elysiaughed helplessly. "Okay, I know, sweetie."


    She took the phone upstairs as Tarquin asked, "What''s my Baby girl saying?"


    Elysia reported, "She wants me to inform you that she doesn''t have school tomorrow."


    Tarquin sounded surprised. “Since when are you willing to let them skip school?"


    Elysia retorted, "It''s your birthday tomorrow, did you forget?"


    Tarquin paused. "...I actually did. You''re letting the kids skip school just to celebrate my birthday?"


    "Of course. Celebrating my husband''s birthday is the most important thing."


    Tarquin''s happyughter echoed through the phone.


    Elysia chuckled as sheined,


    "Baby is only in preschool, she doesn''t even have homework yet, and she already hates school.


    are we going to do when she at


    elementary school and has actual assignments?"


    Tarquin wasn''t worried at all. “I''ll do them for her.”


    Elysia thought she''d misheard. "What did you say?"


    Tarquin borated, "I''m not going to ruin my rtionship with my daughter and give myself a heart attack just over homework. Itshot worth it."


    "If she has too much, or if she really doesn''t want to do it, I''ll do it for her."


    "And if I''m busy, I''ll have her brothers help her."


    Elysia rolled her eyes, but Tarquin continued, "Eating well, sleeping


    time, and


    staying healthy.t


    first School is second Confer


    Elysia wanted to argue, but she couldn''t find the words. He actually made a good


    point.


    Changing the subject from their daughter, she asked, "So, you''re finallying back today?"


    "Yeah, I''ll be back tonight."


    "Will you make it home for dinner?"


    "I won''t make it for dinner. I''m eating with the priests here at the old estate. Don''t wait for me. I''ll be backte."


    “Okay. Oh, right, there''s one more thing. Alicia attacked Winona because of Beatrix. Did you know about that?"