All persons in this story are presumed to be of legal age.
***
I was never gifted with fitness. I didn't play sports. I was smart, usually in the top three percent of my school. I was picked on, and teased, sometimes even tortured by bigger boys. But I was cute, and the girls liked me. In High School I curried special favors from the Head Cheerleader Kimberly, in exchange for tutoring her. No sex, just her tutoring me on girls. In fact she decided she liked me and we ended up dating. After we graduated college, we got married. I got a good job and advanced up the chain to senior management. On our sixth anniversary Kimberly announced she was pregnant. We had a little girl and named her Mila Renee after Kimberly's Grandmother and my mother. Life was beautiful for a while. Then Kim had a miscarriage.
Doctors determined her uterus had major issues and she had an ablation. I was okay with one beautiful child, but Kim had longed to give me a son. She was laid off when her company downsized and depression took over. An auto accident in the rain left her in chronic pain and sadly, sex was just not possible for her. We spent years just making do with oral and hand jobs and toys. I was committed to pleasing her in any way possible. I just pushed my ego aside and learned to bury my longing. Mila grew up to be a chubby but adorable academic all star. Due to advanced placement, she actually graduated just before turning seventeen, and had already been taking some basic college general education courses on the side and during summer. She went off to start college at 17. We hated to see her go out of state, but an academic scholarship was nothing to sneeze at.
Then my world came crashing down. Kimberly was killed in a massive multi vehicle crash on the turnpike. I somehow managed to call Mila, although I cannot recall what I said. She flew home and supported me. The funeral, the insurance, the bills, the friends and family... all of it, was managed mostly by her. I was numb and lived those days, and many thereafter in a fog.
I sat one night and watched Mila working on yet another pile of paperwork. I wondered when she grew up. I tried to remember spending time with her. Sure we had dinner together most evenings, hadn't we? My life had been busy. My job and taking care of Kim... had I neglected my daughter? There were a few, too few vacations. It just seemed as if it had happened all too fast.
That night as I lay in bed, Mila came and sat with me.
"Daddy, we need to talk."
"About what, honey"
"I've rearranged my classes for the summer semester. I'm taking a full load but they are all online, so I can stay home longer."
"That's nice. It'll be good to have you home, for a while. But I'll be fine. I'll go back to work in a few days..."
"No, no you won't. I spoke with your HR rep and they're insisting that you burn some PTO. It seems you are capped. Two weeks minimum on top of the bereavement leave and sick time already spent."
"Oh."
"So your vacation starts tomorrow, I have some stuff planned so get a good night's sleep and I'll see you in the morning."
She kissed me and left.
When I stumbled into the kitchen the next morning, Mila was just putting breakfast on the table.
"Good morning Daddy!" she said cheerfully and kissed me.
She seemed bubbly and happy and I wondered how that could be. I picked up my tablet and scanned the news. Then I noticed the date. June 4th, the date of the Battle of Midway and... shit! How could I have forgotten? I laid it aside and smiled at her.
"By the way, Happy eighteenth birthday sweetheart."
She grinned. "Thank you Daddy! I hope you don't mind but I made some plans for today."
"I don't mind a bit. You go on and have fun."
"Oh no, you misunderstand me. WE have plans. You're going out with me! A Daddy-Daughter day. No arguments."
I laughed, "Okay, sure."
We talked as we ate and it was nice to have such pleasant company. I found myself smiling. She finished before me and went to my room. She laid out some clothes for me and then bustled off to get herself ready. Shorts, sandals and a Hawaiian shirt. Well it was supposed to be hot today. I was sitting in my easy chair in the living room when she emerged. I was a little shocked to see my daughter was attractive. When had that happened?
Mila wore sandals too, along with short shorts and a flouncy off the shoulder crop top.
"Let's go!" she said grinning.
We spent the morning at the zoo where a new Amazon Rain Forest exhibit had recently opened, then grabbed some coneys for lunch (always one of Mila's favorites) before heading to the mall to do some shopping. Mila wanted to get me to buy some new clothes but I balked.
"I've got to be careful, I don't know what the financial situation is like, there are going to be bills and I should be cautious about splurging."
Mila looked at me with her hands on her hips and her head cocked to one side.
"Dad! What do you think I've been doing the past two weeks? You're set. I mean it. Mom's insurance and the insurance from the company whose driver hit her has made you wealthy. Your bills are paid up or paid off. Including your mortgage. You could retire if you wanted, though it might be tight. Look..."
She took my phone and pulled up my bank balance. I was stunned.
"Now I don't want you to blow it on a boat or sports cars but treating yourself to some new clothes should be fine."
"But... it's your birthday!"
Mila looked at me with a gleam in her eye. "Fine. For my birthday I'm buying you something special to wear and for my birthday you have to promise to wear it..."
"Mila..."
"Trust me Daddy."
"Oh... alright."
And so less than an hour later I walked out of the mall in a new ensemble. New boots and socks, a new green polo shirt and a new brown modern utility kilt. I felt awkward at first, especially since Mila had insisted I wear it "traditionally" or something. Meaning commando. The breeze caressing my manhood was both startling and nice. Mila held my arm and giggled.
"Did you see that? Those women were leering at you! And god, I swear the redhead over there looks like she wants to eat you alive! But don't worry Daddy, I'll defend you. If they want you, they'll have to get through me first." She laughed and the musical note filled me with joy.
We locked our bags in the trunk and drove to the theater for an afternoon movie. She wanted to see some romantic chick flick before it left circulation. As we walked from the car I remarked,
"I could get used to going commando. It is much cooler..."
"Yeah I know," Mila responded. "I absolutely hate underwear! So confining and uncomfortable."
I looked at her in surprise.