Breakfast with Ava.

Thursday morning, you wake up in a great mood, which is strange considering that your possibly unfaithful wife is mere feet away from you. Today is going to be a great day. Eager to get started, you begin to sit up. Sharp pain all over your body causes you to wince loudly.

Natalie grumbles next to you, "You alright?"

Grimacing as you get to your feet, you answer, "Yeah... just sore from yesterday. Probably overdid it."

Your wife doesn't respond. Instead she rolls over and settles back into bed. That's a bit unlike her.

"You sleeping in?"

"I took the day off of work."

"Oh? Not feeling well?"

"Not particularly."

"Want me to bring you anything?"

"I'm fine, Frank."

You busy yourself with your morning routine. When you're dressed and ready, you walk gingerly over to your wife's side of the bed. Her eyes are closed but you can tell that she's awake. You lean down, ignoring the pain, and kiss her softly on the cheek.

You whisper, "I love you."

At first, she seems to ignore it. Only when you're halfway out of the bedroom do you hear her respond.

"Love you too..."

Of all the times throughout your relationship with Natalie, that one felt the best.

In the kitchen, you hum happily to yourself while you eat on some fruit and pack your lunch for the day. Down the hall, you hear your daughter's bedroom door open. The patter of feet indicates that she's moving quickly in your direction. You turn just in time to catch her as she jumps into your arms. You stumble slightly and your sore body curses you but you squeeze Ava back, one of your hands finding itself holding her up by her panty clad bottom. She's still wearing the outfit you left her in last night.

She says a bit too loudly for your liking, "Dad! Holy shit I can't believe..."

She must have seen the note you left her.

"Keep it down."

"Oh! Sorry."

Your body is really starting to hate you for continuing to hold her. Gently, you ease her down to the ground. Ava must notice you struggling.

In a quieter voice that can't be overheard, she asks, "You're feeling it from your workout with Hana yesterday, aren't ya?"

"A bit. I'll be alright though."

This time she stays on her feet when she hugs you. Ava's cheek rests against your chest and her hands rub your back.

"Dad, I couldn't believe it when I read your note. Are you sure that you didn't mean $100?"

You chuckle, "I'm sure. You deserve it."

"This isn't because you feel guilty about spying on me last night, is it? I'm not actually mad at you. I'm not going to tell Mom or anything. You don't have to worry."

You never thought for a second that she'd tell your wife. Still, it's comforting to hear.

"Only a little guilty. Just don't spend it all on something stupid, alright?"

"So, like, I can buy whatever I want? Not just an outfit for tomorrow?"

"Well, I'd prefer if you didn't spend it on ****. But, yes, whatever you want."

"The dealer at my school only takes cash anyway."

You laugh, "I'm going to pretend like I didn't just hear that."

You release Ava from the hug. She walks over to the counter to make herself some coffee. She looks so cute standing there barefoot in her shirt and panties. You just wish her shirt was a bit shorter. It currently hangs just below her bottom.

Looking back at you from over her shoulder, your daughter asks, "Where's Mom? She's normally up by now."

"She's off today so she's sleeping in."

"Hmm."

"What was that?"

"What's what?"

She turns to face you and takes a sip of her coffee, eyes studying you.

"That noise you made. What was that supposed to mean?"

Ava chews at her lip a bit before responding, "Just... seems unlike her. That's all."

You haven't told Ava about your conversation with Natalie last night. You're hoping that your wife just needs a day to gather her thoughts. You're happy to give her some space if that's what she needs. You decide to not press it any further with Ava, who no doubt believes that her mother is being dishonest about not feeling well.

"I don't know which one of us will be home first later tonight. Just don't come barging in here with a bunch of shopping bags, okay?"

She snickers and takes another sip of her coffee before answering, "Yeah that might raise some questions."

You love how your daughter holds her coffee cup up by her face even when she's not drinking from it, as if she's treasuring it's warmth. You glance at the time. It's time to get going. You've got to make a stop before work and you still want to get there early. Ava is leaning against a counter. You walk up to her, pausing a foot or so away.

"Time for me to head out. Be a good girl today, Ava."

She smirks, "No promises."

You click your tongue and reach out to take her cup. You place it on the counter next to her. Intentionally reaching low enough to touch skin, your hands find her hips. Closing the distance between the two of you, you plant a soft kiss on her forehead, letting your lips linger for a few seconds.

Breaking the kiss, you lean back with your hands still on her hips and smile down at her. She looks into your eyes for a moment, seeming to acknowledge the borderline inappropriate embrace between the two of you, before standing on her toes and giving you a quick peck on the cheek. To be honest, you'd hoped for more.

"Have a good day at work, Daddy."

For the briefest of moments, you consider lifting her up onto the counter and seeing how much kissing you could get away with. You just can't, though. If things are to move forward with your daughter, she needs to be the one to make the decision.

Before you pull out of your driveway, you check Natalie and Ava's scores.

Natalie Thompson

Affection Score: 22 (+1)

Love Score: 38 (+5)

Lust Score: 0

Ava Thompson

Affection Score: 89 (+1)

Love Score: 21 (+2)

Lust Score: 18 (+6)

You could sit here all day and fantasize about things to come. But, with the Affection Multiplier in your pocket, that seems like a tremendous waste of time.

True to your word, you stop by the coffee shop before work to get a drink for Jan. It's a small price to pay for progress with your cold hearted boss. You notice that the barista is the same one you had yesterday. She's quite cute so you make a note to get to know her when you have more time. For now, a generous tip will have to do. She flashes you a quick smile before sending you on your way. You take a moment while in your car to turn on real time score updates using the AMA.