Tarquin: "...Who told you?"


    Elysia said, "Keaton told Winona, and Winona told us... Did you already know?"


    Knowing he was on thin ice, Tarquin quickly tried to defend himself. "I only found out yesterday. I just forgot to tell you."


    Elysia was not pleased. "From now on, anything involving Winona and Blossom, you tell me ahead of time!"


    "Okay! I''ll be more careful next time."


    Elysia then asked, "Also, I heard Keaton is secretly seeing a girlfriend. Do you know who it is?"


    Tarquin: "He''s secretly seeing someone? No way. He goes public with every single girlfriend. Who told you that?"


    Elysia knew from his reaction that even he was in the dark. "Jess told me..."


    Tarquin''s lips thinned. Keaton had totally fooled Janelle and Richard!


    He decided not to expose Keaton just yet. "Does this have something to do with Winona?"


    Not wanting Winona''s efforts to be in vain and worried for her safety, Elysia told him about seeing Beatrix at the hospital that day. She emphasized how Winona had stepped forward to shield her and how Beatrix had threatened her.


    "You need to talk to Keaton. I know he''s helped Winona a lot in the past, but he can''t let her be put in danger. He needs to handle his business with Beatrix properly."


    Tarquin''s expression was serious. "Okay, I understand."


    Elysia pressed, "So you really don''t know what''s going on between Keaton and Beatrix?"


    Tarquin: "No idea. He''s never mentioned it."


    Elysia muttered, "I don''t get it. Keaton doesn''t even like Beatrix, so why is he her backer? Does he owe her something?"


    Tarquin: "...I''m not sure."


    Elysia sighed. "It''s his private life, and it''s not our business, but I won''t stand for it if Beatrix uses his protection to hurt Winona."


    Tarquin said, "Don''t worry. If he lets Winona get hurt again, I''ll beat him up myself. Nobody hurts my wife, and nobody hurts my wife''s best friend!"


    A sweet feeling spread through Elysia''s heart, and a smile touched her lips. "In that case,e home early tonight. I want to be the first to wish you a happy birthday."


    Tarquin asked, "...Besides ''happy birthday,'' is there a surprise?"


    Elysia''s cheeks flushed. "Are you saying you won''te home if there isn''t?"


    Tarquinughed. "No, of course not. I''ming home either way. I miss my wife."


    His words, "I miss my wife," made her heart skip a beat.


    Elysia didn''t mention the ''surprise'' again, saying softly, "I miss you too. Hurry home as soon as you''re done."


    "I will."


    The young couple flirted for a while longer, only reluctantly hanging up when Evan came looking for her. To anyone listening, you''d think they


    hadn''


    hagh teen each other in ages


    when in fact, they had just been


    together yesterday morning.


    When Elysia went downstairs, yton asked her, "Is Tarquining back for dinner tonight?"


    "No, he''ll bete. We can eat without him."


    "Alright, we won''t wait for him then."


    The family enjoyed a lively dinner together.


    After the meal, yton said, "The kids don''t have school tomorrow. Let them stay


    over at our ce. You and Tarquin can pick them up tomorrow and have lunch with us then."


    He was, of course, creating an opportunity for Elysia and Tarquin to have some time alone. Having been through it themselves, they knew that young couples in love cherished every moment together. Tarquin hadn''t been home for several nights, and tomorrow was his birthday. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. By taking the kids, they were giving the two a chance to nurture their rtionship.


    Elysia appreciated the gesture. "That''s so nice of you, Mom and Dad. Thank you."


    yton smiled warmly. "Don''t be so formal with your own parents. Your mom and I love having the little ones around. She''s always hoping they''lle stay over."


    yton''s house was in the same vimunity, not far away. When they bought it they had already set up rooms for Elysia and the childrenplete with bedrooms and study areas.