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."

seen. Every tradition, every celebration-I won't

much that puts my mind at ease. I

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

you don't love her anymore, please, don't hurt her. Just tell me.

straightened, his jaw set. "But if you ever do anything to hurt her-if you ever pull a Zane and Winona situation-I swear, I'll

look the least bit offended. He just smiled gently. "I get where you're coming from, Dad. But honestly... you don't have to

your son-in-law and

a second, speechless, his

first time in twenty years, Clayton picked up a glass of wine, grinning ear to

them could

rounds, one was completely wasted, the

had tucked the kids and her parents into bed,

Tarquin appeared in

against the door. "What are you

the whiff of whiskey on his