"You all be good tonight, and listen to Grandpa and Grandma, okay?"


    Baby, hugging Lan, nodded enthusiastically. "Don''t worry, Mommy. Tonight, we promise we won''t ask Grandpa for onion rings, or fried chicken and fries, and we won''t drink any soda."


    yton quickly pped a hand over Baby''s mouth, shooting an awkward grin at Elysia. “...”


    Her four brothers face-palmed in unison. *Silly sister, that''s a dead giveaway.* Elysia saw right through it but didn''t say anything, just smiling. “Alright, off you go.” She usually didn''t let the kids eat those things, but a little treat now and then was fine.


    After yton and Pam left with the children, Elysia tied on an apron and went to the kitchen to bake a cake for Tarquin. As she worked, she started a video call with Winona and Blossom.


    Winona asked, "So what''s the final n for Mr. Bradford''s birthday tomorrow?"


    Elysia said, "During the day, we''ll celebrate at home with my parents and the kids. At night, we''ll all go out and party."


    This was what she and Tarquin had discussed earlier. It was his first birthday since their family of seven had been reunited, and it had to be special.


    Winona said, “Keaton just called me. He told me to invite a bunch of our girlfriends to go hang out at The Blissful Pub tomorrow night. He said it''s to liven up Mr. Bradford''s party, but I think he''s just holding auditions for his next girlfriend."


    Blossom, ever the gossip, chimed in, "So that secret girlfriend he''s been hiding doesn''t actually exist?"


    Elysia added, "I asked Tarquin about it today, and even he didn''t know anything."


    Winona said, "Looking at him, I''d bet she doesn''t. I have no idea how he managed to fool Janelle and Mr. Huber."


    Blossom snarked, "If he was lying, he''s definitely going to get an earfulter!”


    Winona said, “An earful is the least of his worries. Check this out." She sent a photo


    of Keaton''s alpaca-like haircut to their group chat. Elysia and Blossom burst outughing at the same time.


    "Is that Keaton''s new hairstyle?"


    Winona giggled. "He would never go out in public like that. He''s probably already had it cut. Janelle sent it to me. She said if Keaton ever bullies me again, I can use this to ckmail him He''s so concerned about his image, he''ll do whatever I say to keep the photo from getting out."


    Elysia understood Janelle''s intentions and felt a brief pang of regret. Janelle was genuinely good to Winona; she would be a very


    happy daughter-inw. It wasline


    shame Keaton was such a fost cause. With his yboy ways, Elysia had no faith in them as a couple.


    After gossiping about Keaton for a bit, the conversation shifted to the birthday Surprise Elysia had prepared for Tarquin. As soon as the topic came us Elysia quickly hung up iming she had a message" check. She was far too modest to handle Winona''s raunchy suggestions. Just thinking about


    what Winona had coached her to do


    made her cheeks burn.


    After finishing the small cake, she put it in the fridge and went to the bathroom to get


    ready. Once she was all cleaned up, she slipped into bed to wait for him.


    She waited until eleven o''clock at night, but Tarquin still wasn''t back. She couldn''t


    help but text him. [Are you on your way home?]


    Tarquin called her. "Getting impatient?”


    "No, I was just bored and thought I''d ask."


    Tarquin said, "On the road. I''ll be home in about half an hour."


    Elysia nced at the time. Half an hour from now would still be before midnight. "Okay, drive safe."


    "I will."


    Knowing Lowell was also in the car, Elysia kept it brief. “I''ll hang up then.” "Mm."


    After Elysia hung up, Tarquin put his phone away. He frowned, his eyes turning icy as he nced in the rearview mirror.


    Then he looked at the navigation. “Take a right at the next intersection," he told Lowell.


    Lowell gripped the steering wheel, his expression tense. "That''s a dead end."


    "I know. Just do it!"