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."

take wedding photos. We'll throw the best wedding anyone's ever seen. Every tradition, every celebration-I won't let her miss

that, Clayton finally let out a breath he'd been holding for years. "You have no idea how much that puts my mind

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

you to promise to love her for the rest of your life. All I ask 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

you ever do anything to hurt her-if you ever pull a Zane and Winona

offended. He just smiled gently. "I get where you're coming from, Dad. But honestly... you don't have to worry. If

hope you'll remember I'm your

just stared at him for a second, speechless, his eyes rimmed

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

them could

few rounds, one was

night, once Elysia had tucked the kids and her parents

stepped inside when Tarquin appeared in the doorway, blocking

the door. "What are

you," he said, the whiff