Author's Note, tip of the hat to kenjisato for editing and suggestions.
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Richard Marston arrived home from a long day to find his daughter, Leah, making dinner, and it was not the usual. He knew this meant she wanted something.
"Hi Dad, dinner will be ready soon. So, settle in."
He did, pouring himself a scotch, and watched the news. When dinner was served, he thanked her and said nothing more, waiting for her to make her pitch. They talked about their day. He listened when she talked about her college classes with interest. She was in her sophomore year now, and her education had always interested him. Leah knew he wanted her to succeed.
The moment he expected finally came.
"Dad, can I talk to you? I mean it's kinda personal."
He just smiled. Leah always knew she could talk to him about anything. But she wondered how he would react this time.
"Dad..." she paused. "I met someone... Um, Carrie. Um, Dad..." She paused again. "I think... I think I'm a lesbian."
He looked at her calmly. "Is that all? A month ago, you were into some guy."
She was relieved and his sympathetic smile had a way of opening her up. "Yeah, but Carrie... I mean I've fallen for her. And I think she's fallen for me."
"So, giving up on guys?"
"I don't know. But I like her... a lot. And want to explore her, us further."
"If it's what you want, explore away. None of your dad's business."
Leah felt she could get to her real point. "Uh, one thing. We don't really have a place to, uh, you know, be alone. Would you mind if she stayed over here from time to time.
Richard's mind went blank. It was one thing in the abstract, to have his daughter making out with another woman. But in her room? He went silent and stared at his empty plate while Leah wondered if she had asked too much. But Richard could deny his daughter nothing, if it made her happy.
"Leah, you have to be patient with your dad. I still haven't quite come to terms that you're a woman now, an adult with adult needs." He looked at her. "If you can be... discreet, yes. I just don't want to hear, uh, well..."
"Dad! Thanks. I know what you mean. You won't hear a peep," she replied, taking his hand. "Can I introduce her to you? Friday, I'll invite her for dinner." She stood and hugged him. "You go relax; I'll clean up."
"Is this all I had to do to get good service here?" he joked with her, before heading upstairs to his study to catch up on email.
As he sat at his computer, he reflected on it. His only child, and she had a sex life, yet not quite twenty. The image of her with another girl--no, a woman, flashed through his mind. He quickly vanquished it and turned to his computer.
*****
The next day, Leah met Carrie on campus. "He agreed!" Leah started. "You're coming for dinner Friday."
A worried look fell on Carrie's face. "Is he cool with us?"
"Yes! I have the coolest dad on the planet. He just accepted it--us. Except, you can stay over, but we have to be, uh, 'discreet' was the word he used."
Carrie giggled, "Yeah, I can see why he wouldn't want to hear you moan."
Leah grinned. "Planning on making me moan?"
They embraced, and Leah planted a delicate kiss on her lips then looked around to see if anyone was looking. Then, they kissed more passionately.
"Can't wait for Friday," Leah whispered.
"Hope he approves of me."
"Oh, Carrie, how could he not."
*****
Leah drove into the driveway and as she stepped out into the cold February air, she saw her father's car already there. "He's home already!" she told Carrie. "I'll make introductions, then make dinner while you two get to know each other."
"Okay." Carrie replied, nervously.
Inside, Leah sniffed the aromas coming from the kitchen.
"Dad! What are you doing?"
"Making dinner. I didn't hear any plans from you. So, I bought swordfish."
He finished chopping some vegetables and turned to her, stopping in his tracks. Standing there, was the most beautiful young thing he'd seen in a long time. The first thing he noticed was her figure; it was his ideal. Slightly shapely, a bit more than Leah, and an inch shorter. All perfectly proportioned, he thought. Then her face; bright blue eyes and a warm, almost innocent smile, framed by her sandy hair. He imagined she could wrap anyone she wanted, man or woman, around her finger with just that smile.
"Dad, this is Carrie."
Richard remembered himself and wiped his hands before offering one to his guest. "Nice to meet you, Carrie."
His own warm greeting relaxed her, "Hello, Mr. Marston."
"Leah, why don't you sauté those vegetables," he ordered. "Come, sit at the table. Can I get you anything? The wine is open."
"Ooh, some wine would be nice," she beamed.
He poured three glasses and deposited one by Leah, before sitting with Carrie at the kitchen table. He asked a few questions, then listened as Carrie talked away. He learned she was a junior, and not quite a year older than Leah. Leah was thrilled. She knew her father would like and accept her new love interest. For Richard, he was happy to just look at her.
"The fish should be ready. How are the veggies coming?" he asked, excusing himself from the table.
Everything ready, they sat and got to know one another over dinner. He learned how the two met. And a bit about how hard it was to find alone time. Carrie learned that he was divorced, but Leah's looks told her not to probe. For Richard, it was an enjoyable conversation. As a young woman definitely out of his reach, he could admire Carrie from afar.
With dinner over, Richard started clearing the table.
"Oh, no you don't," Leah commanded. "I'll clean up."
"I'll help," Carrie offered.
"We can watch TV after. I have a show I want to catch up on," Leah continued.
"In that case, I'm headed to my study. I have some things to catch up on also. Then bed, it's been a long week," He told them, before walking out.
At the kitchen door, he saw Carrie's bag in the living room and turned back. "Uh, Carrie, I assume you're staying the night. Omelets in the morning," he said, before heading upstairs.
The women looked at each other. Her father rarely went to bed early and Leah knew it was to give them alone time. She hugged Carrie, followed by a long kiss. "Come on, let's finish."
Kitchen tidied; they snuggled in front of the TV, as Leah brought up her show. Carrie glanced a few times at the stairs, before Leah whispered not to worry. Neither were interested in the show, as Carrie had an arm around Leah and the two kissed while hands explored. Carrie watched as Leah's finger traced the curve of her breast. Not to be outdone, she nibbled on Leah's neck. The women kissed and played for an hour, before hearing a door close upstairs. Richard had turned in.
"Leah, is your dad seeing anyone?"
"Not that I know of. He's gone on a few dates since the divorce, but they seemed to not work out."
