As May slipped into June, Sara's graduation drew near. She was excited to be finishing high school, sad to be saying goodbye to many friends she'd probably wouldn't see again for a long time, if ever, and nervous about starting college...and terrified about leaving home. She knew she'd adjust to living away from home, but what about her father? How would he manage all alone for most of the year? Who would take care of him? They'd been a team for such a long time now, even just as father and daughter, they'd been friends and confidantes. He was always there for her activities, when she was proud of some new achievement or sad about some sort of loss or disappointment. And she was there for him, sort of the woman of the house, comforting him, especially just after her mother Hannah died, listening when he needed to unload about some sort of work problems. And then a few months ago, they had become lovers, sometimes tender and gentle, others wild and kinky, even sometimes inviting her best friend Steph to join in their fun.
Daniel was also feeling wistful, so proud of his daughters' accomplishments, graduating in the top 10 of her class, her running track up until this past season, taking part in various school productions of musicals and plays. He was there watching for almost every single one. He felt it was his obligation as her single parent, and besides, he didn't really see it as an "obligation". He loved being there for her. He'd watched her grow from a sad tween into a stunningly beautiful adult, confident, kind, empathetic and funny. And then she became his desire, his first sexual partner in almost 7 years, since Hannah got too sick to be a sexual partner. He never cheated, taking time from work to care for her, thankful he had such a good management team to keep his business running. Sara was incredible, tender and loving when they desired, wild and uninhibited at other times. He'd miss her sexually, but he really was just going to miss his daughter more than anything.
The night of the Honor Class dinner, they got dressed up to the nines. Daniel was wearing one of his best suits, a dark grey pinstripe with a new white shirt and a blue and red striped tie. His beard and moustache trimmed, his hair freshly cut (bald crown notwithstanding), Italian leather wing tips- he looked the very part of a successful businessman.
"Sara, are you almost ready? We have to get going in 15 minutes!"
"Almost ready, dad. Meet you downstairs!"
Daniel went into the kitchen to get some water, waiting to see how the new cocktail dress they bought would look on her slender body. He didn't have to wait long.
Sara stepped into the kitchen, and he stopped breathing for a moment. Always a beautiful young woman, she was nothing short of stunning now. She'd gone to get her hair and nails done in the afternoon, and the effect was breathtaking, her hair perfectly cut and shaped, her black curls framing her face and her nails with her typical French tips. But the dress...a black cocktail dress, down to mid-thigh, bare shoulders showing her perfect dark skin, and it hugged her body like a second skin. Her legs were encased in dark hose that were shimmering, and she wore 3 inch stiletto heel black patent pumps. A couple of rings that she always wore, and a simple gold neckless and gold earrings. Her makeup was understated and so easily applied. She looked at least 5 years older, elegant, classic.
"Well, daddy, what do you think?" She twirled so he could see the back, the dress embracing her round and full buttocks. She could make a grown man cry, and Daniel had tears of love and pride in his eyes.
"Honey, you are breathtaking. Just stunning. But...I think there's something missing. I don't know..." He reached into his jacket inner pocket and pulled out a long, gift wrapped jewelry case. "I think this must be for you, baby."
Sara squealed with delight. "Daddy, you really shouldn't have. You do so much for me already. But thank you!"
"You're welcome, honey. Go ahead open it."
"Ok!" Sara said with a big grin. The box under the wrapping was light blue with a white ribbon. She was stunned for a minute. It was from Tiffany's. "Oh my god, daddy, what did you do? I can't take this; it's way too much!"
"How do you know you cant take it if you don't know what's in it? Come on, lets see!"
With slightly trembling hands, she slipped the ribbon off the box and opened it. Inside was a jewelry case, which she flipped open. Now it was her turn to have her breath taken away. Inside on a black velvet backdrop was a double strand of pearls, lustrous, shimmering in the light. At the ends was a matching set of earrings. She couldn't believe he did this.
"Daddy, are you serious? For me? Really?"
"Well, they're not for me. You don't want them? I could give them to someone else if you prefer..."
"Don't you dare! Oh my god, help me put them on!" She turned her back to him and he removed the gold neckless and put the pearls on. She turned around. The brilliant white of the pearls was a perfect contrast with her darker skin and her black hair and dress. "I have to go see the mirror!" She ran (as fast as she could in the heels) to the hallway mirror. "Daddy, they're beautiful! You're really crazy, you know that?"
"Do you want the earrings as well?" he teased.
"Of course! Silly!" She took off the ones in her ear lobes and put in the pearls. She couldn't believe how the set looked on her. "I may never take these off! Ever!" She turned to her father with her eyes welling up. "I don't know what to say. I don't know how to thank you, daddy. They're beautiful. I love you so much!"
She went to him and let him envelope her in his arms. "I love you too baby. I'm so proud of you. And the pearls are pretty; YOU'RE beautiful! The most beautiful girl in the world." He hugged her with his own tears filling his eyes.
They stood like that for a couple of minutes. Daniel finally said "Hey we've got to get going or we'll miss the dinner."
Sara smiled at him and said "Would that be so bad? I bet I could think of another way to spend the evening."
Daniel smiled back and said "No way, not now anyway. You earned this. I want to see you receive your honor society award. I want everyone to see the smartest, most lovely and loving daughter in the school."
"And I want to show off my pearls! Hell, I want to preen!" she giggled. Sara took her cashmere wrap and handed it to her father. "Daddy, would you?"
"With pleasure, my lady." He gently placed the wrap over her shoulders, opened the door, and then opened the car for her, holding her hand as she stepped in. Daniel then got in the drivers side.
"My daddy is such a gentleman. You know just how to make a girl feel so special." She leaned over and kissed his lips, gently so as not to mess up her lipstick, but with love and a hint of desire. "And I don't even want to think what these pearls cost you. They're way too extravagant."
"Want me to return them tomorrow?"
