Disclaimer: This story contains scenes of incest. If you find this subject disturbing or objectionable, please move along without reading another word. I didn't write it to upset or offend anyone. I wrote it for one specific person and my only hope is it helps her on her journey. She and I are the only ones who know what that is, to my knowledge. Any constructive criticism on style, content, etc. is welcome as a growth opportunity for other possible future works. Any negative comments about subject matter will be diligently ignored, because I honestly don't give a shit...
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We landed in St Thomas early Friday afternoon. After a predictable wait for luggage at baggage claim, we got lucky and hailed the third taxi in the rank.
As I helped the driver load our bags into the back, I observed, "Ashley, you definitely pack differently than your mom. Her purse is heavier than this."
"We're in the Virgin Islands for a week, Dad. Bikinis, shorts and sundresses don't weigh much," she replied with faux annoyance and a grin. "Thanks, for bringing me, Daddy. Best winter break ever. Everyone is jealous."
"Everyone?!" I laugh, as we climb into the back of the cab. "Yeah, I'm sure all your friends are jealous of you spending 10 days at the beach with your dad. Every 18-year-old's nightmare. Sorry Fabi got sick. That stinks. Now you both are going to be miserable for senior winter break. Sorry, kiddo."
"Ha! Fabi is so pissed! She was dying to come."
"I'm sure. A week in VI doesn't happen often!"
"Yeah," she smirked. "That and she's had a crush on you for years! Now I get you all to myself." It was no secret. Everyone joked about it openly in our house, including Fabi on her many sleepovers. It was flattering, but I had no interest, of course.
And I knew Ashley was mostly serious about having me all to herself. We had always been very close. It was a point of pride with mom. She thought it was so sweet how we were together. It seemed to validate her as a wife and mother. My best moment as a father, so far, had been one Saturday night when we were watching a movie. Ashley told the boy she had over, who was hoping to be her latest bae, that I was the funniest person she knew. I smiled about that for days.
Ashley is no man eater. But the boys she brought around seemed to have a shorter shelf life than those of her friends. In our discussions, her mom and I had decided that it was more a result of her mature outlook than a reason for concern. She has always been a bit of an old soul. This was confirmed the time I asked her point blank, on one of our Saturday afternoon outings, why she didn't seem to keep boys around as long as her friends did. She casually replied, "Probably because they're boys. The cute ones will have a chance when they grow up. Maybe..." We both laughed over that. Me mostly in relief...
The 40-minute ride to the resort went quickly. It was advertised as condos, but they were really cottages, separated by tropical foliage for privacy. Ours was a two bedroom with a big deck and a boardwalk leading out to the private beach. I tipped the porter for dropping our luggage in our rooms and giving us a quick tour of our lodgings. I forgot to check the fridge and pantry to make sure all the basics I had requested were there before he left, but everything seemed to be in order.
Ashley walked up, gave me a big, full body hug and said, "Thanks for this, Daddy. Can't think of a better way to spend a week than here with you."
"Sure sweetie. Sorry mom and Fabi couldn't come. I hope you're not going to be too bored. Nine days is a long time to be stuck alone with your Dad. I'm sure there will be some cute boys around to distract you."
"Whatever. I've got the cutest boy on the island staying right here with me! And the funniest!" she beamed.
"That's sweet of you, honey," I grinned. "Ok, unpack and beach?"
"And brilliant. You always know what to do next," she smiled teasingly.
"Smart-ass," I grumbled, playfully. And we headed off to our rooms to unpack and change.
I put my clothes in drawers and the closet, dropped my Dopp kit by the sink in the bathroom and pulled on my trunks and a t-shirt. Then I went to the kitchen, grabbed a beer from the fridge and headed out onto the deck to wait for Ashley. It was a gorgeous day. Around 80, low humidity, a fresh breeze and broken clouds in the sky. We should be able to get some good beach time in before dinner.
I took my first swig of beer and heard, "Ready, Dad," from behind me
.
"That was quick," I replied as I turned to see Ashley emerge through the open French door in one of my old t-shirts as a cover up and her beach bag over her shoulder. "Did you get a towel and sunscreen?"
"Yep. And for you, too. I brought a book and magazines. Not sure I feel like reading, though."
"Seems like a lot of work right now. You want a beer or some wine? I'll grab it for you."
"You sure, daddy. I'm not 21, we might get in trouble."
"Mom and I told you, you're old enough to serve in the army so you're old enough to drink. At least when you're with us. Don't be dumb and we won't have a problem. If anyone here even says anything on the beach, they'll just make you pour it out." Ashley had always been a good kid and had earned the right to start being treated like an adult. In some ways. Still had to protect my little girl, though.
"Ok, daddy. I'll have a beer, too. And grab me a bottle of water, please." I retrieved a beer and two bottles of water and we headed out to the beach. We found two unoccupied chairs and a nice young man came over and offered us an umbrella, which we accepted and charged to the room, along with a generous tip.
As Ashley started spreading her towel out on her chair I said, "I can't believe you still use my ratty old t-shirt as a cover-up. You could've bought something cute when you went shopping for the trip, Ash."
"It's not ratty, Dad. I don't do ratty. It's got "character". And I like the way it feels on my skin. And it's not old. It's vintage," she added with a grin.
"Oh, great. I'm vintage," I moaned.
"Vintage, not antique, Daddy. Like wine, you're getting better with age," she giggled. With that, she turned, grabbed the hem of the shirt and lifted it over her head. Lord help me...
Ashley is about 5'7" with a trim build, somewhere between thin and athletic, light brown hair, just past her shoulders, and hazel eyes. Not the spitting image of her mom, but definitely could be her younger sister. My shirt had gone halfway down her thighs, so this was my first glimpse of her new bikini. String bikini. Periwinkle blue. The bottoms tied on the sides and were what I guess you call a Brazilian cut; okay coverage, but certainly not...ummm...excessive. The top had enough material for her smallish breasts without leaving absolutely everything to the imagination. Yes, my little girl was kicking down the door of womanhood right in front of me.
"I guess you bought that when you found out your mom had a business trip? She'd be harassing you all week about that suit, young lady..." I chided. Halfheartedly.
"Yeah, well she hates it when I wear a sports bra and yoga pants around the house, too. Mom needs to lighten up."
"And you get me in trouble when I defend you, too. She is a little bit more conservative in her opinion of how you should dress than me."
"I love it when you protect me, Dad. Thanks. I wouldn't fight it so if she didn't basically dress the same way. And all my friends. It's just silly."
"I know, sweetie," I offered, "I think she knows that, too, or she would fight me harder on it. I think she's trying to protect you. In her own way."
"Speaking of, do you want me to put sunscreen on your back for you, Daddy? Then you can do me..." Did she have to say that right then? I was just fighting my mind out of that particular gutter...
Then we settled into a beach day. Sat under the umbrella and talked about school and colleges and boys and friends and mom, etc. At one point, Ashley went back up to the cottage for a couple more beers. Then we got in the water for a bit. Then Ashley went up to pee and get another towel. Then more talking. Then it was my turn to pee.
"You want another beer, Ash? I'm heading that way," I asked as I stood.
"No, thanks, Daddy. I've had enough for now. More water would be good, though."
"K. Be back in a few." And I headed to the condo, stopping at the top of the stairs to rinse the sand off of my feet. The sandy footprints on the deck and the tile in the cottage made it very apparent that my usually conscientious daughter hadn't bothered with the hose, though. I huffed a bit on my way to the bathroom, then found a broom and dustpan and cleaned up the mess before heading back to the beach.
"Hey, you tracked sand all inside the condo," I grumped as I handed her the water.
"Yeah, Dad, we're at the beach," she replied evenly. I couldn't tell if there was an eye-roll, because of the sunglasses.
"Well, the beach is going to be in the living area by the end of the week if you don't start rinsing off. Five seconds with the hose, sandy one, that's all it takes."
"Fine, Daddy," she replied, I thought a little testily. Still couldn't see those hazel eyes to get a good read.
We got back in the water after that and went for a short walk. When we got back to the chairs, Ashley announced another trip inside. "Don't forget to rinse off, Sandy!" I reminded, in my cheeriest sarcastic voice. Which elicited a very cute eye-roll from my daughter.