Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 1224

Tarquin could already guess what was on Clayton's mind, so he spoke up first.

"I've already asked someone to tally up everything I own," he said, his voice steady. "Once it's all done, I'm transferring everything to Elysia's name. On our wedding day, everything will be hers."

Clayton gaped at him, genuinely stunned. "Wait-what?!"

Tarquin just nodded, looking him straight in the eye. "I don't really know how else to show her how much I love her. I want her to have everything-me, my heart, my money. All of it."

He hesitated, then added, "Dad, it was my fault Elysia never got a real wedding. I regret that, every day. That's why I've been planning—so I can finally give her the ceremony she deserves."

Clayton was quiet for a moment, his face softening, eyes misty. "Son, I know everything you two have been through. Not having a wedding wasn't just your fault. But the fact that you want to make it right... that means the world to me."

He took a deep breath, his voice rough with emotion. "Elysia is my only daughter. For years, I couldn't be there for her, and it broke my heart. Now that I have her back, I can't stand the thought of her ever being hurt."

Tarquin nodded solemnly. "I understand, sir. She's my one and only, too. I'd never let anything happen to her."

"You and Mom don't need to worry," he went on earnestly. "Whatever other women have, Elysia will have. And whatever they don't have, I'll make sure she gets it anyway."

wedding anyone's ever seen. Every tradition,

holding for years. "You have no idea how much that puts my mind at ease. I trust you, Tarquin.

let me be a dad and nag you for a second, okay? I

is—if the day ever comes when you don't love her anymore, please, don't hurt her. Just tell me. I'll come and get her, no questions asked. I won't let her get caught up in your life if it's

hurt her-if you ever pull a Zane and Winona situation-I swear, I'll come after

Dad. But honestly...

with a lopsided grin, "I hope you'll remember I'm your son-in-law and put in a good word for

stared at him for a second, speechless,

up a glass of wine, grinning ear to ear as

of them could really hold

few rounds, one was completely wasted, the

kids and her parents into bed, she made her

barely stepped inside when Tarquin appeared in

leaned back against the door. "What are

he said, the whiff of whiskey on his breath