Charlotte
Feeling herself wake up before her alarm, she couldn’t help smiling as she snuggled under the blankets. It was her birthday today. The big one-eight. She was now legally an adult. Drinking, smoking and voting were now legal. Sex had been legal for two years but… well, some people still freak out about that fact. But she was still a virgin. Barely had a boyfriend before today, when she thought about it. There was only one man in her life that mattered.
Opening her eyes, the room was still in darkness, checking her phone to see the alarm was only a minute or two from sounding. She suppressed a giggle, as she knew what to expect. A tradition that happened every year since she was a little girl. Back then, her father would be waiting to wake her up, excited as she was about her birthday. Now that she was a little older, he waited until she was obviously awake.
As soon as the alarm blared, she switched it off and waited for the knock. “Come in, Daddy,” she called out.
He opened the door enough to poke his head through. She felt her heart flutter at just the sight of his handsome face. Those blue eyes were so beautiful. His thick brown hair. That stubble on his face that just screamed ‘rugged bloke’. Opening the door wider, he was wearing a tight white t-shirt that clung to his muscular arms and broad chest, a small pair of shorts. He wasn’t a hairy man, but she’d seen his chest before, a coating of dark hair, also down his arms and legs. He was barefoot as he stepped towards her bed.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she sat up and hugged him tightly as he sang quietly into her ear.
“Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday my dear Lottie
Happy birthday to you.
I love you more than anything, sweetheart. You were my first born and my love for you is unconditional until the day I die. You own a piece of my heart along with your brother and sisters.”
Every time, it made her cry as she could hear the love for her in his voice every time he sang and the words that followed. Her mother had never shown her the level of affection her father had shown her, nor had she shown it for her siblings. Her father could be a hard man on the outside, but inside, he had a kind, soft heart, and it was obvious he did everything for her and her siblings.
“I love you too, Daddy,” she whispered, feeling his powerful arms hold her tighter.
“Have any birthday wishes?”
“One or two. Maybe they’ll come true.”
“Hmmm. We’ll just have to see.” He let her go, sitting back as she laid back down, unable to stop smiling at him. “Ready for your first night out as a legal adult? I’ve got reservations at your favourite restaurant. Whole family is coming.”
“Mum?”
“No.”
“Good. I don’t want her there, Daddy.”
“It’s your choice. I’ve already let her know you don’t want her there. She’s obviously not happy, but you’re now eighteen. You can choose to do what you want and invite whoever you want.”
She didn’t want anything to do with her mother. It had only been three months since she’d walked out on them. She hadn’t been back to the house to visit since. She had tried calling a few times. Emily wasn’t contacted. She had tried calling Nathan and Alyssa. Charlotte picked up once, told her not to call again, and blocked her number. She told her father. Again, he said it was her decision to make.
Kissing her cheek, he announced he’d get started on breakfast. He always cooked breakfast for the kids on their birthday. He’d also done the same thing for her mother until it was obvious that she’d stopped caring what he did for her.
Needing a shower, she slipped out of bed and padded down the hallway to the large bathroom she shared with her siblings. Locking the door, she took of her t-shirt and slid out of her panties, giggling at the fact they were already wet. Just cuddling her daddy excited her far more than it should. Ensuring the water was nice and hot, she stepped under and enjoyed the blast, wetting her hair before allowing her hands to roam her body. She’d woken up horny, remembering the naughty dream she’d had.
Contemplating masturbating, she eventually just focused on washing herself, hands running over perky C-cup breasts, her flat stomach earned from playing netball, her toned arse and legs. After washing and conditioning her long red hair, she stepped out of the shower to brush her teeth, stepping back to check herself in the long mirror, thinking that shaving herself might be a good idea, for no other reason than it would like neater. Wiping herself down, she padded back to her room wrapped in a towel, passing Emily on the way, stopping to hug her little sister.
“Love you, little girl,” she whispered. Emily smiled broadly. “D. L. G. Daddy’s Little Girl.”
“Then what are you?” Emily asked as always.
“I’m his sweetheart.” Kissing her forehead, she whispered, “I’ll always be here for you, Emily.”
She’d been reassuring her little sister constantly since the day Emily told her everything their mother had been doing, the years of mental abuse and, from what she’d learned wasn’t sure their father knew, physical abuse. She’d been suspicious but never imagined…
“Love you,” Emily whispered, before she walked to the bathroom. Charlotte smiled as she could see Emily coming out of her shell again. For too long, her giggles and laughter had been missing, only realising for how long until their father mentioned it.
Summer wasn’t far away, and her final exams were on the horizon. Looking out the window, it was a fine spring day, so she went with a tight white blouse, the standard patterned skirt every girl was required to wear at school, a pair of knee-high white socks and her black flat pumps. Heels were not allowed, of course.
Walking downstairs, she was the first to arrive, her father cooking breakfast for them first before he’d shower and dress for work. Ever since their mother had left, he’d cut back slightly on his hours, telling his boss his focus was his children through the divorce process. He looked up as she cleared her throat, watching his jaw drop slightly.
“Wow,” he whispered before he smiled, “I’m looking for my little girl. She’s about this high,” he made a gesture of about four-foot-high, “Giggles a lot, cute freckles over her nose, a right terror at times?”
Sauntering towards her father, she stood on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “I’ll always be your little girl, Daddy,” she whispered, “I’m just older now.”
“You sure are. Take a seat, breakfast will be ready soon. Everyone else up?”
“Emily was getting ready in her room. Guess one of the twins is currently showering.”
Her father planned it perfectly as always, breakfast ready by the time his four children were seated. It was one of her favourites. Pancakes with bacon and syrup. Could have gone out and bought it, but she always thought it was better when her father put something together. Plus, he just had a real knack for cooking good bacon.
Focusing on eating, she didn’t realise her father finish quickly before he headed off. He returned within twenty minutes, showered though not dressed for work. Placing a small box in front of her, she looked up at him. Smiling, he simply gestured for her to open it.
She almost squealed as it was obviously a key for a car. “Daddy!” she squealed, leaping up onto him. He chuckled as he easily held onto her, rubbing her back as she cried. “It’s too much!”
Shushing her, he carried her towards the front door, ensuring her feet were on the floor before leading her outside. There, beside his BMW, was what looked like a new car. “It’s not new, before you ask,” he explained, “But it’s got low mileage and only one previous owner. Yes, it’s only a Corolla, but they’re good cars, reliable, and I know you’re not interested in anything sporty. As for your old car, Nate and Alyssa will share it as they learn to drive. Considering they’re tied at the hip, it’ll just be their car. I’ll keep looking after it for them, and I’ll also make sure this is well maintained for you too.”
She hugged him again, burying her head into his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“The twins are seventeen early next year, and Nate is putting in all the hours needed to get his provisional. And as you’ll be off at university anyway, you won’t be going to the same place, so someone else will need to drive the three of them to school.”
“It wasn’t too much, was it, Daddy?”
“You’re only eighteen once. And your grandparents did help. It’s paid in full. Also got a year of insurance, and a full tank of fuel.”
Her friends all noticed her arrival at school later that morning in her shiny new car. Her friends adored her father as much as she loved him, though she’d never admit how much she did love him. The fact he’d been the centre of her fantasies for a long time. Being the middle of the week, it was torture having to wait another couple of days for her party, but at least she’d be heading out that night for dinner.
She was busy studying when her father returned home from work later that afternoon, no surprise he was home at least an hour or two earlier than normal. Even on her birthday, she couldn’t not study. Her exams were far too important, requiring good marks to get into the university and course of her choice. So focused on her work, she didn’t even sense a presence until two arms wrapped around her, chin on her neck, a stubbled cheek against her own. She giggled as soft lips pressed against her soft skin. “Two hours and we’ll head out,” her father said quietly, “Dress nice.”
“Of course, Daddy. I’ve already got a dress picked out.” She paused before asking, “Is Caroline staying tonight?”
“I’m not sure. Would that be a problem?”
Giggling, she shook her head. “No, Daddy. Of course not. I just know you haven’t seen her in a week or so.”
“She’s been rather busy. We’re keeping things casual.” He paused and chuckled. “I’m talking to my daughter about my love life. But you’re old enough to understand these things.”
He stepped back, sitting on the edge of her bed again. She turned to face him. “Will it get serious?” she wondered. She loved her auntie and had seen how good they were together.