Daddy's Tilly-Rose

For TILLY ROSE, my number one fan. Thank you for your support, the emails and your continued encouragement. May your every fantasy come true.

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CHAPTER 1

It’s not that Tilly Rose wasn’t loved, she was. Growing up an a stable family environment she blossomed under the care of her parents, however, Tilly always felt that there was something important missing in her life. Her parents were strict disciplinarians, they weren’t cruel or anything but made sure Tilly toed the line and always on her best behavior.

Even from an early age her parents treated her as a lady and expected her to behave like one. There was no going home with dirty clothing after play with the other children, candy was strictly rationed because it could ruin her teeth and a treat of junk food was almost non-existent.

There were other things as well; while her parents encouraged her to seek knowledge during her schooling they never assisted her in any form of research or discussion of homework. She was made to seek her own answers and draw what conclusions she could but woe-betide her if her grades fell short of average.

Then when she did excel, as she often did during a specific project and received high grades, there was no, “Well done” or hugs and kisses to encourage Tilly to strive even harder. The only physical contact she received was the kiss on the cheek when she retired for the night. Once she tried to climb onto her father’s knee for a cuddle but was roughly pushed away by her daddy while her mother had said, “It isn’t lady like to do that.” Tilly never tried it again.

When Tilly was just a few weeks short of her twelfth birthday she found blood in her panties, horrified, she called her mother for assistance. There was no sympathy and little reassurance, only a lecture about it being a, “women’s thing and from that time on she would be, “unclean,” once a month for the rest of her life.”

The word unclean was branded on poor young Tilly’s brain together with the idea that anything to do with sex was unhealthy and should never be mentioned under any circumstance. After being shown how to apply a sanitary napkin Tilly was told that she must look after herself in future and not bother her mother again.

Once again Tilly never did, even when during some of her early periods she suffered excruciating cramps, she put with the pain rather than ask her mother for help. It was about that time that Tilly began to lack self confidence herself and considered she was unworthy of affection but oh! How the poor girl craved affection.

Time and again Tilly dreamed her father came to her bed, held her gently in his arms cuddling her body too him before tenderly kissing her goodnight but it never happened, not once.

So the years rolled by and even though Tilly began to develop into a beautiful young lady, she retreated further into her shell. Answering questions only when asked and never involving herself in a group activity, but all that, was to magically change.

CHAPTER 2

It was late summer when Tilly walked in on a conversation between her parents. She sat quietly thumbing through a fashion magazine pretending to read but listening with interest.

“Well I don’t want him here. From what I remember he has no respect whatsoever for normal values and even less for those around him. Remember how he left me? Heaven knows what would have happened if you hadn’t have stepped into his shoes. The man has no sense of responsibility at all,” her mother said.

Daddy’s face was red with anger, “You were just as much to blame as Paul, you used yourself to trap him, who can blame him for shooting through when he saw through your little scheme. I wished to God I had, there has to be a better life than the one you’ve put me through.”

Tilly had seen her daddy angry before but never like this. She sunk down in the chair making herself as invisible as she could and hoping the ground would open and swallow her up.

“Don’t you dare talk too me like that. I’ve been a good wife to you and you’ve never said a grateful word since we were married. No woman should have to put up with what I do.”

“Ah! A good wife? Yes, all except in one department. A dead cod fish has got more sensitivity and feeling than what you have. I don’t give a damn what you say, Paul is my brother and he’s going to stay with us until he finds his own place. The guest apartment out the back is fully contained so he can stay there, no one comes to visit us anyway not that I’m surprised with your bitchy temper.”

Tilly’s mom seemed fit to explode, “Yes, he’s your brother, both of you are so alike. So long as you get your carnal pleasures you’re happy. Do you think I enjoyed lying down for him? All I wanted was a house and security; I certainly didn’t intend to get pregnant.”

“But you did,” her father shouted, “Then when Paul left for the navy you came moaning to me, saying you’d made a mistake and I was the one you really wanted and I was fool enough to believe it. You and your brat have made my life a misery ever since. Well Paul’s coming and he’s staying and that’s an end to the matter.”

Tears clouded Tilly’s eyes when she realized that they were talking about her, holding back the sobs that were caught in her throat, she quickly ducked out of the room and made it to the back garden before the wail of despair left her lips. So intense was the argument between her parents, they had not even noticed that she’d been there.

Tilly missed dinner that night. She lay on her bed sobbing, realizing that the man she thought to be her father wasn’t but a brother of her father named Paul. She knew that she wasn’t intended to hear any of the conversation but it had explained in some way why her father had been so cool towards her.

At breakfast the next morning the atmosphere was strained, but her father took the time to explain that her uncle Paul was coming to stay with them for a while and would be living in the self-contained guest rooms at the back. He went on to explain that his brother had spent years in the navy and now that his term was finished would be looking to settle back into civilian life.

It was a couple of weeks later that Tilly watched her Uncle Paul’s arrival from an upstairs window. She was expecting to see some decrepit figure, instead it was a a man of military bearing who sprightly stepped from the taxi. He was tall and muscular, looked to be in his early forties with hair the colour of grey steel. She saw her father and Paul embrace, the first time her father had shown any real affection for anyone.

It was much later that her daddy took her down to the guest unit and introduced her to Uncle Paul. “So this is Tilly Rose, I haven’t seen you since you were a baby, what a beautiful young lady you’ve turned into.” Paul said greeting her with a big wide smile.

Then to Tilly’s surprise and embarrassment he lifted her as though she were a feather kissing her firmly on the cheek before crushing her to him in a bear like hug. Tilly was flustered by the sudden show of affection, her heartbeat increasing rapidly at the suddenness of the stranger’s actions.

When at last Paul placed her back on the ground she looked up into his handsome face and said breathlessly, “Hello Uncle Paul.” Again she was rewarded by a huge smile and cheeky wink from his bright blue eyes.

After that moment Tilly hung around her uncle as often as she could. She was drawn to him, admitting to herself the reason being that she wanted to know her real father better. It became a habit for her to slip out in the morning and collect the paper and deliver it to the guest room. Then joining Uncle Paul for a coffee on the balcony of the small dining area.

The first few mornings were uncomfortable for Tilly and the conversation she made was stilted, but Paul had that pleasant habit of making everyone he spoke with feel at ease. Soon the conversations were free flowing, Tilly finding herself actually volunteering information and making significant contributions.

Paul often made her laugh with some of the outrageous stories he told about the navy and some of the places he’d visited. More and more she found she wanted to be with him whenever she could and would go out of her way to visit at every opportunity.

One day Paul invited her to join him for a trip to the botanic gardens. For three solid hours they wandered around the grounds looking at exotic trees and flowers. Then Paul had taken her small hand in his, “Come on Tilly, time for lunch. Let’s find a café and refresh ourselves.”

Tilly found herself thrilled at his touch. She felt like a little girl again as they walked hand in hand across a grassed area toward the park’s pavilion. She could never remember ever being as happy as she was at that moment.

While they ate Tilly imagined what her life would have been like if Paul had married her mother and then immediately put such a thought to one side. While she knew her mother loved her she was incapable of showing any loving feelings for her or any one else, including it seemed, her husband. Tilly let out a deep sigh and nibbled absent mindedly at her sandwich.

“That’s a heavy sigh for a youn’un,” Paul smiled at her. “Penny for your thoughts.”

Tilly looked at the handsome man seated opposite, “Sorry Uncle Paul. I was just thinking about something. It’s been a lovely day I’ve really enjoyed myself. All the years I’ve lived in the city and this is the first time I’ve visited the gardens.”

“Yes it has been a lovely day and I want to thank you for sharing it with me. I hate doing things like this on my own, you coming along was an absolute bonus. Nothing pleases a sailor more than to have a pretty girl on his arm,” Then grinning wickedly at her, “Unless of course it’s two pretty girls.”

Tilly felt herself blushing, she could never remember having a compliment like that before. Remembering her manners she stood and gave a little courtesy, “Thank you Sir,” she said.

Laughing with her Paul stood up and placed the money for the check and generous tip on the table. “Come on sweet thing, time to make tracks for home.” Tilly once again flushed with pleasure as he took her hand in his.

When they reached the park gates Paul stopped at the flower seller and purchased a single stemmed red rose. Grabbing Tilly with a hand on each shoulder he hugged her to him and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. “There you are sweetheart, a perfect rose for another perfect rose.”

Tilly’s heart almost jumped into her throat and it wasn’t the gift of a rose that did it although she really appreciated the gesture. It was Paul’s kiss that seemed to burn like fire on her forehead and the inexplicable stab she felt in her heart. She looped her arm through Paul’s and walked on air to the bus stop.

As they reached the house Paul invited her to join him later. “The last time I was in Australia I purchased some compact disks of a special nature. I think you’d enjoy them would you like to listen to them with me?”

Tilly agreed saying that she would join him as soon as all her assigned chores were complete and she’d had her dinner.

CHAPTER 3

It was a little after 7pm when Tilly knocked on the guest room door. Paul opened the door and ushered her in. “Good timing Tilly,” he said quickly kissing her on the forehead again and catching her totally by surprise, “Let’s get started.” Tilly made to sit on an armchair, “No don’t sit there Tilly. Come and sit on the lounge with me. That’s the focal point for the speakers. I’ve already got the disks loaded, the remotes in my hand so all we have to do is relax.

“This music is by Tony O’Connor. He blends his arrangements and compositions with sounds of the Australian Bush, I think you’ll find them quite exciting.

“Now I’ll just kill the lights. Now, close your eyes and listen and you’ll be transported to beautiful and magic land.”

Paul pressed the play button and the haunting opening to “Breath Deep Magic” filled the room. Tilly marveled at the mixture of sounds, especially the cries of the kookaburra that hauntingly blended in with the soft melody.

Australia had been one of her major projects when she was at school so it wasn’t hard to close her eyes and see the gum trees dancing their branches in light winds in time with the music. Then visions of the rainforest with the rippling streams meandering through paradise and the calls of rare parrots as they flitted among the trees.

She visualized the vast brown plains of a country with an opal heart where the kangaroo leaped in great bounds across the harsh desert fringes while the huge graceful wedge-tailed eagles spiraled lazily in the bright blue sky.

The exciting sounds of a didgeridoo communicating with the ancient land while the Australian magpie sang the most beautiful bird song in all the world.

So lost was Tilly in the magic of the music she didn’t even realize that Paul had his arm around her until there was a small break between tracks. When she did, it seemed the most natural thing in the world to lay her head against his chest and snuggle into him. Paul’s hand stroked her hair in time with the soft melodies and Tilly’s heart was fit to burst with happiness.

Two hours had passed by the time the second disk had finished leaving a room so silent you could have heard a pin drop. If Paul hadn’t have been stroking her hair she would have believed that he’d have fallen asleep. The music had calmed Tilly, almost hypnotized her into such a feeling of well-being she knew there could be no better time than now to resolve a question that had been niggling away inside her brain. Taking a deep breath she took her courage in both hands and hoped for the best.

“Uncle Paul?.... You’re my real daddy aren’t you?” she asked.

It seemed ages before Paul spoke and Tilly was frightened she’d upset him. She anxiously held her breath waiting for a reply.

“Yes I am Tilly Rose. How do you know?” he asked.

Tilly quietly told him about the argument between her mom and dad. How things had been said that she wasn’t meant to hear and how much she’d hurt afterwards.

“Why didn’t you marry mom, is it because you didn’t want me?” Tilly asked.

Paul pulled her tightly against him almost squeezing the breath from her, “No baby, no. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m not going to tell you any stories about your mom but it would have been a dreadful mistake for me to have married her.

“Trust me when I say it was for the best Tilly but I want you to know that I’ve always loved you. Look I’ll show you,” he said reaching into his pocket for his wallet.

From the centre he took out four dog-eared photographs and displayed them on Tilly’s lap. Each one was of her at different ages and from their condition Tilly could see that they’d been looked at hundreds of times.

Something else suddenly dawned on Tilly, “Birthday cards and Christmas cards with money in, you sent them didn’t you? I used to ask mom who they were from and she said, she didn’t know, it was you?”

“Guilty as charged. Your mom thought it best that we do it that way, I didn’t want to fight with her for fear of hurting you. I’d have sooner have lived without you in my life than make you unhappy.”

Tears seeped from the corner of Tilly’s eyes and Paul’s heart went out to her and it almost broke when she sobbed, “I’d have sooner had you than the cards and the money.”

Paul scooped Tilly up onto his knee and cradled her in his arms softly kissing the tears away from her cheeks, stroking her hair with one hand while the other patted her back comfortingly.

Two things happened to Tilly at that moment, her heart filled to overflowing with love for this man and she felt a pool of wetness forming in the gusset of her panties. She was confused at her feelings and didn’t know what to do but bury her face into his neck. He continued to rock and caress her while making comforting noises, giving her the cuddles she’d missed out on in life.

It happened without any warning. Even though Paul had not touched her sexually in any way, Tilly Rose whimpered in his arms, her body trembled and shook while the first orgasm of her life exploded into her panties. She felt Peter hold her tightly as the orgasmic waves flowed over her and when the final shudder had passed, he gently kissed her softly on the lips.

“Are you alright baby?” he asked.

The sound of her mother’s voice echoed in the back of her head, “It’s not lady like. Sex is dirty. You’re unclean.” Tilly scrambled off Paul’s knee sobbing and ran from the room and back to the house.

Throwing herself on her bed Tilly felt as though she would die of shame. Curling up into a tight ball, she sobbed herself into an uneasy sleep which was punctuated with dreams of hellfire and damnation.

CHAPTER 4

For two days Tilly managed to avoid Paul. She still collected the morning paper but left it on the mat in front of the guestroom door. Knowing Paul’s usual movements, she contrived ways to avoid him and succeeded well until early on Sunday evening.

Her parents were out and she believed that if Paul had followed his usual movements he would have gone down to the hotel for a drink. Tilly had taken the opportunity to care for the small rose bush growing in the secluded area of the court yard which was situated between the house and the guest room. It was a pretty area which was protected from the elements by three high brick walls allowing the growth of ferns and other exotic plants. It was one of Tilly’s favorite places.

Carefully snipping away the dead and dying roses, Tilly sucked in the earthy heady scents given off by the plants in the courtyard after they’d been sprinkled by the automatic watering system. Completely lost in the job at hand, she didn’t hear Paul approaching behind her.

“Why have you been avoiding me Tilly, what have I done?” Paul asked placing his hands on her shoulders.

Tilly let out a little scream and jumped violently, dropping the clippers in fright. Quickly she spun around to find Paul almost on top of her, a gentle smile on his face and concern written in his eyes.

“I… I haven’t been… avoiding you. I’ve had things to do,” she lied.

Paul moved to hold her but she took a step back and then kept retreating until her back came up against one of the high walls. She felt the cold dampness of masonry through the thin material of her summer dress. “I really must finish that rose bush,” she said.

“Bugger the rose bush. Something’s upset you and I want to know what it is, I’ve really missed you the last two days. We were getting on so well together and then you took off like a frightened rabbit leaving me to wonder what the hell I’d done wrong. That wasn’t fair of you Tilly, I deserve better than that.”

Tilly’s bottom lip trembled and tears sprang to the corners of her eyes. She knew that it was impossible for her to lie to this man. The only way was to place her trust in him and hope that all would be well. He was after all her real daddy and she should be able to confide in him.

Paul tilted Tilly’s chin upwards with his finger tips then lowered his head, kissing the tears away from her eyes. His heart filled to overflowing for his long lost daughter and his happiness at finding her was now overshadowed by her sadness. “Please Tilly; tell me what I’ve done to hurt you. If you don’t tell me, I can’t make it better.”

A fresh flow of tears erupted from Tilly’s eyes and her shoulders shook as she sobbed into her hands. “It wasn’t you daddy, it was me,’” she blurted out.

“Whatever do your mean? You did nothing wrong at all, one minute you were on my knee having a cuddle the next, you rushed out in an absolute panic. You’re confusing me Tilly, tell me what made you act in such a manner?”

“I…’erm… something happened,” Tilly cast her eyes down to the floor of the brick-paved courtyard her face blushing bright red with embarrassment. “I… did… I did something dirty.” Once she blurted out the truth Tilly began to sob again. She just wished she could be anywhere else in the world at that moment.