Chapter 697
Elysia massaged her temples, feeling a secondhand embarrassment for him.
Luckily, his efficiency saved the day. The delivery arrived swiftly, brimming with bite-sized delights: mini quiches, shrimp dumplings, mini donuts, along with burgers and sandwiches, not to forget the soy milk and a variety of hearty oatmeals.
A feast to cater to the varied tastes of the little ones.
Elysia called out for the kids to wash up for breakfast, and the little rascals bolted from the playroom. They scurried to the dining table, eyes scanning for their breakfast before racing off to wash their hands.
Tarquin set aside the delivery, placing his homemade dishes in front of Elysia. “Eat this,” he suggested.
“Why’s that p>
“It’s made by me, not some other guy,” Tarquin said, knowing well that the chefs at Jinpeach Restaurant were all men.
Elysia rolled her eyes. Was this really the time for a competition?
Before she could retort, the children dashed back, settling into their seats.
“Mommy, I want the burger p>
“Mommy, can I have the dumplings p>
“Mommy, I want the shrimp dumplings p>
“Mommy, I want to drink the oatmeal p>
The four of them chirped like little birds eager for feeding, turning into tiny tigers once the food was served, devouring their meal with gusto. Thanks to their super dad, they were famished.
“Take it easy, don’t rush your food, Evan. Chew properly before swallowing p>
Evan, the athlete of the family, always ate as if there was no tomorrow, especially when he was starving.
After ensuring the kids were fine, Elysia finally sat down to her meal.
She was flanked by Emmett to her left and Evan to her right, with Elijah and Elliot nearby, leaving Tarquin at a distance.
He eyed the kids, feeling a tad resentful for the first time.
It seemed to him that these four were hindering his romance with Elysia!
He wished he could bundle them off to school already!
But, school was still out p>
After a moment, Tarquin texted Lowell, plotting.
Post-breakfast, Tarquin suggested, “Let’s hit the mall today, then catch a movie. Consider it my way of making up for the morning mishap p>
The promise of an outing excited the kids, and Elysia agreed.
After getting ready, the family of six headed out.
Downstairs, Evan spotted a small hedgehog in the bushes, thrilling the kids to no end as they gathered around it.
Elysia reminded them that hedgehogs were protected and to look but not touch, then she and Tarquin, carrying a bag full of essentials – wet wipes, a portable first-aid kit, and spare clothes for the kids – headed to the car.
Juggling motherhood meant always being prepared.
As Elysia was about to call the kids over, the car abruptly sped off!
It was gone p>
Elysia’s eyes went wide with shock. “Hey! The kids aren’t in the car yet p>
“I know, my car can’t fit everyone. They’ll go with Lowell’s,” Tarquin explained.
Elysia was flabbergasted.
The kids, still fixated on the hedgehog, noticed Tarquin’s car leaving and were instantly bewildered.
Evan was shocked. “We’re not in the car yet, why’d he leave p>
Emmett added, “And he left so quickly, as if he was running away from us p>
Elliot and Elijah just exchanged looks.
Then came Lowell, as enthusiastic as a kid in a candy store, “Elliot, Evan, Emmett, Elijah, how about I take you guys out for the day? We can hit the amusement park, visit the zoo to see the big tigers, and then catch a movie and grab some delicious eats p>
Tarquin, unable to ditch the kids at school, decided to hand them over to Lowell instead!
The kids instantly knew this had to be their stepdad’s arrangement!