The Million-Dollar Heart

The trio stepped into the elevator together.

As they reached their floor, Dorian heard the noise outside and came to open the door, "Vivienne, Percival..."

Upon seeing Thaddeus trailing behind the couple, he raised an eyebrow, "Now, where were you this early morning? Ah, waiting downstairs for your sister, I see. Why didn't you say something? Your mom thought you were oversleeping."

Caught in his little scheme, Thaddeus's face turned a bright shade of red, "Dad... I wasn't sleeping in."

Dorian chuckled and ruffled his son's hair, encouraging him to go and inform Cordelia Wilson of his whereabouts.

"Don't let us start worrying if we can't find you later."

In the living room, Cordelia emerged from the kitchen with a bright smile, "Vivienne, Percival, you've arrived."

Vivienne nodded as she approached, "Cordelia."

Percival set down the gifts they brought, "Dorian, Cordelia, these are some delicacies my in-laws insisted we bring over for you to try."

Dorian, eyeing the elegantly wrapped gift boxes, instinctively refused, "Oh no, we really can't accept these, Vivienne, Percival. Please, take them back."

Cordelia chimed in, "Yes, we're still trying to figure out how to return the last batch Mr. Linklater brought over. If you keep bringing these, we'll lose sleep over it." Percival gave a wry smile, "Cordelia, these gifts were a specific request from my in-laws. If you don't accept them, I'll be the one getting an earful back home." Dorian and Cordelia exchanged helpless glances.

Vivienne had a habit of sending over treats every now and then.

And ever since Arthur learned how to keep his daughter happy, gifts had been arriving even more frequently, much to the couple's dismay.

After repeatedly asking them to stop, things had quieted down for a bit.

And now, it was starting all over again.

Vivienne, pulling Cordelia to sit down, said, "These are just some snacks. Please, accept them, or Mr. Wolf will have trouble explaining himself back home." Convinced by Vivienne's reasoning, Dorian and Cordelia finally relented.

dishes,

pork to Vivienne, reminding her, "Vivienne, eat up. You're about to get married. You should take it easy on

Vivienne nodded.

Dorian

quickly served a piece of pork to Percival, "Percival, you

accepted with a smile, "Thank you,

"No need to thank me. We're all family here. When Vivienne and your kids come along, they'll

almost choked on her pork at the

feeling helpless, tugged at Dorian's shirt under the table, whispering, "What are

I didn't say

raised his glass to Dorian, "Don't worry, Dorian. You won't have to wait too long to be called grandpa." Feeling validated, Dorian gleamed at his wife and

Vivienne, "..."

conversation in the living room,

card from the drawer and handed it to

to return it, "Cordelia, I can't accept

and I consider you our own daughter. It's customary for parents to give Pa dowry or a gift when their daughter marries. This

the Brooks family had carved out a spot for themselves in

at the bottom of the

dollars meant little to Dorian now; he

wouldn't have been accepted. After much consideration, they settled

Vivienne and Astrid's futures. Saving more when possible and less when not. Because of Vivienne, Dorian's first job post-Hawthorn was with Dawson, earning a million a year, allowing him to deposit twenty thousand monthly into the accounts for Vivienne and Astrid. To date, each

"I..."

refuse again when Cordelia, seeing right through her, cut her off, "You have to accept it. We've been saving the same amount for your sister Astrid too. Both of you

hard for Vivienne not

her and Astrid as if they were her own

and when it came to

warm sensation inside, and she extended her arms to hug Cordelia, "I'll take it, thank you,

refuse any further would just be