Emma moaned as the heat of the hot tub penetrated her sore muscles. It had been a very long day, with Emma hiking what seemed like a hundred miles through the parkland near her parent's cabin. Her feet were sore, her legs were sore, and she was just beaten down and exhausted.
"Now, now, Emma." Her father chided gently, carrying a tray of drinks for the three of them. Emma's mother, Jill, was luxuriating in the tub across from Emma. Emma and Jill graciously accepted their respective drinks as Emma's dad, Carl, climbed into the tub with his two favorite women.
The trio settled back against the jets, drinking their beverages.
"How was the hike, kid" her dad teased. Emma, at almost 30, was used to her dad's teasing, and it didn't bother her like it had when she actually was a kid.
Emma grimaced. "It was beautiful, but I wore the wrong shoes. I really should have worn the boots."
Jill chuckled. "I told you as much this morning." She said.
"I know, I know. Good grief, an actual 'I told you so.', how clichΓ©."
Jill and Carl laughed along with her.
"How are things with Ben?" Carl asked. Ben was Emma's husband, and they had been going through some difficult times lately.
"They're as good as I can expect, I guess."
"That bad?" Asked her mother.
"Yeah," Emma responded with a sigh. "Ben thinks he is 'in love' with some coed." She sighed. "They've been sleeping together for about six months now, give or take." She said. Her face a picture of anger and regret.
The trio sat together in silence for another half hour or so, enjoying the heat, before Jill finally said that she was done and headed back into the cabin.
Emma sat alone with her dad for a few minutes before he prompted her, "Your feet still sore? Give them here."
Surprised, Emma put her feet into her dad's lap under the surface of the water. Carl took one foot into his big hands and began to gently massage her aching feet.
"Oh... That feels wonderful, dad." She sighed, closing her eyes in pleasure.