That evening

Again he felt his years melt away when he saw Noriko. It was that warm feeling of seeing your sweetheart. "All done, just closing up." He knew they were both sinners, but could not help looking at his Step Daughter, and try to give her the bad news, of Suki not coming home tonight. "Yeah, Mom will be coming home tomorrow night it seems..." He could not hide the slightly mischievous smile.

"Why don't you grab that old big wool blanket, I will make us some snacks and we can star gaze for a bit?" The night was going to be a clear one, and warm. He knew if he killed the estate lights, the light noise from the city was to far away, and let them stare up deep into the stars and milky way.

"Too bad," Noriko remarked, not dismayed in the slightest that her mom was spending an extra night with family. It gave her and her dad that much more time together alone in the house. "Guess we have another night together then?" she asked him. His smile told her everything she wanted to know, that they would be enjoying the time alone, and in bed most likely.

"I'll grab the blanket." She knew exactly where it was, the one he meant. It was cozy to curl up in, and warm especially if you shared it, and she knew they'd be sharing it tonight, the idea of making love beneath the blanket under the stars was romantic, and she was looking forward to it. So it didn't take her long to find the blanket, stashed away in the great room where the fireplace lay. That also crossed her mind, making love on the floor of the great room, the fireplace bathing them in a warm glow as they made love to each other. Perhaps another day when Suki wasn't around, Noriko thought.

As she came out, blanket tucked under her arm, she saw her father making snacks. "Looks good dad," she remarked, seeing the sample of food he'd pulled out, along with a couple glasses of sparkling wine from the looks of it.