Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin)

Lan was being extra sweet today, glued to Baby's side like a little shadow.

Clayton's face lit up with a warm, doting smile.

"All right, all right-Grandpa's got you. Come here, let Grandpa hold our Baby's

little pet."

He scooped up the tiny bunny, gently stroking its fur, while the kids gathered around, bubbling with excitement.

The scene was pure coziness-a slice of home.

Just then, Elysia came down the stairs, cheerful as ever.

"Hey, Dad," she called, grinning at Clayton.

Clayton's eyes sparkled with pride when he saw his precious girl. He couldn't hide

how much he adored her. But a second later, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Haven't been sleeping well lately?" he asked, studying her face. "You look thinner... and are those dark circles under your eyes?"

Elysia laughed it off.

"I was a bit worried about Winona the past few days-didn't sleep much. But it's okay now."

Clayton had seen all the drama online about Winona and Zane. He shook his head, frowning.

"The Newsom family really caught a bad break, running into such a jerk! What goes around comes around, though—-guys like that never end up happy."

With that, he shot a look at Tarquin, feeling secretly grateful.

The Hawkins family lucked out, he thought. They got themselves one hell of a son-in-law.

Still, the next moment, a pang of sadness hit him.

There wasn't even a wedding photo in the house.

His daughter never wore a wedding dress. She never had a real wedding.

What girl doesn't want to walk down the aisle in a stunning white dress and have her big day?

His baby got none of that—just a marriage certificate.

Of course, he didn't blame Tarquin for any of it. But his heart ached for his girl, his one and only daughter. He wanted nothing more than for her to be happy, to have no regrets.

Clayton took a deep breath, pushing down the feeling so he wouldn't spoil the mood. With a smile, he turned to Elysia.

"I brought you guys some gifts!"

He set Lan down carefully and wheeled his suitcase over, popping it open. The case was stuffed with all kinds of quirky little trinkets-not fancy, but each one fun and unusual.

"Wow!" The kids squealed, rushing over in a noisy bundle.

Clayton picked out a mini bunny keychain and handed it to Elysia.

"This one's for you. Picked it out especially-see if you like it."

Elysia examined it. "This looks familiar somehow..."

Clayton's face lit up.

"It's just like the one you loved as a kid-the one that used to hang in your room, remember?"

Elysia's eyes widened. "That's why! It really does look just like it!"

"Do you like it?"

She nodded, swallowing back tears. "Yeah! I love it. Thanks, Dad."noveldrama

For a second, it felt like fatherly love had taken on a physical shape, right there in her hand.

Clayton's grin stretched from ear to ear.

"Silly girl, what's with the 'thanks'? As long as you like it, that's all that matters. Ha!"

Honestly, his daughter liking his little gift made him happier than landing a billion- dollar deal.

"Grandpa! Is this one for me?"

"Grandpa, I want this one!"

"Grandpa, this is awesome-I love it! Thanks, Grandpa!"

Pamela came back in after her therapy session, and the kids scrambled over.

"Grandma, Grandma, Grandpa's home!"

"Look, Grandma Grandpa brought us all these presents! He even got some for you!"

The living room buzzed with laughter and chatter for a good long while before it finally quieted down.

Later, Elysia and Emmett headed into the kitchen to whip up some extra side dishes for Clayton.

Pamela and Baby joined in to help.

Meanwhile, Elliot, Evan, and Elijah dashed upstairs to inspect their new toys.

That left just Clayton and Tarquin alone in the living room.

Clayton sipped his tea, glancing at Tarquin every now and then, clearly wanting to say something but holding it back.