Leave early for work and goodbye kisses.

The next morning, Wednesday, your alarm wakes you up 30 minutes earlier than normal. Natalie grumbles beside you, still mostly asleep as you roll out of bed and start your day. For the briefest of moments, you are confused about why you aren't waking up at the normal time. That's right, you need to go in early today. But why? The memories of yesterday come flooding back. Was that real? Maybe it was all a dream and you'll forget everything within minutes.

You turn off your alarm and go to the homepage of your phone. There it is. The Affection Multiplier App. You feel so relieved that it's there and real. You open it up and toggle the real time feature while looking at your sleeping wife. The green 17 reappears over her head. You turn it on and off a few times. Each time the number vanishes and reappears with every touch of the button. You decide to just leave it off for now. You'll turn it on back at the office where there's dozens of people around.

As you go through your morning routine, you remember that you're going to the gym later. Normally you would be dreading this but anything to spend time with Hana was a good thing. You pack a bag with some clothes and other essentials. As you eat breakfast in the kitchen, Natalie walks in still wearing her nightgown. Now is about the normal time when everyone in your house wakes up on weekdays. You and Natalie have work. Ava has school.

Confused, your wife looks at you and says, "Are you going in early or something?"

"Yeah, I've got a project that I'm working on. I want to head in early so I don't have to stay as late. I'm sorry that I missed dinner last night."

From the hallway leading to her bedroom, Ava emerges rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She's still wearing your old t-shirt. It hangs halfway down her thighs, blocking her underwear from view. It amuses you that you know exactly what she's wearing underneath. White cotton panties would be easy to guess but it's exhilarating to know for a fact because you openly looked at them the night before. Barefoot, your 18 year old daughter walks to the table and sits down.

She grumbles, "Morning..."

Natalie starts to make breakfast for her and Ava. You finish yours and look at your watch. You need to get going. Your wife puts a plate of food down in front of your daughter.

Mouth full of toast, Ava looks at you and says, "Leaving already?"

"Yeah, I've got a lot to do today. Also, I'll probably be home late again. Maybe 6:30 if I had to guess."

Natalie says, "You'll miss dinner again."

Ava jumps in, "Mom, he's going to the gym after work. We can eat a little later than normal. I'd rather wait and have Dad here."

Your wife shrugs and says, "I guess so. You really going to start working out again, Frank?"

"Yeah, that's the plan. I've got a friend at work that's been encouraging me. I know it's long overdue."

She seems to approve and says, "Good for you. 6:30 it is."

"Thanks dear."

You walk up to her and give her a kiss on the cheek goodbye. You pause for a moment hoping that she'll give you one back but she doesn't.

"Before you go, there are a couple of things I wanted to tell you. I was going to last night but..."

"You were immersed in your show. It happens."

"Right... well I feel like I need to give you a heads up. I invited my mother down for a few days for Ava's graduation. She'll come sometime next week."

Your stomach sinks. Your mother in law, Elise, hates your guts. Since day one, she's thought that you weren't good enough for her daughter. She always had you walking on eggshells around her. Hold on a second... You've got the power of the Affection Multiplier on your side now!

You smile at Natalie and say, "Awesome! I'm looking forward to spending time with her."

She gives you an incredulous look and says, "Sure you are... How about you? Any of your family going to come?"

"I'm not sure. I think so but I need to call them."

"Well let me know as soon as possible. We'll have to figure out sleeping arrangements."

"You'll know as soon as I know. Anything else? I really need to get going."

"Yeah… this Friday I think I'm going to have a girls night with my friends."

The shift in the tone of her voice catches your attention. She almost sounds... guilty. You look over at your daughter who gives you a knowing look back.

You hide your discomfort and say, "That sounds great. You deserve to have time with your friends. I know it's been a while since you guys had a girls night. So, who all is going?"

"Umm… not sure yet. Probably just the usual ones."

Sitting at the table, Ava perks up and says, "Daddy, maybe you and I can do something on Friday? I don't want to leave you here by yourself. My friends and I have all summer to do stuff."

You beam at her and respond, "I'd love that. It's a date."

Natalie looks between the two of you suspiciously. Things were definitely way more friendly between you and your daughter than normal.

You grab your bags and say, "Well, I'm off. See you two later tonight."

Ava pouts and says, "Daddy wait. I want a kiss too!"

You laugh and walk over to her. She smiles as you bend over and kiss her on the forehead. She grabs your face and gives you a wet kiss on the cheek. Natalie seems even more confused as you walk by her to the door. Was being affectionate with your daughter really that unusual? Well, it wasn't weird enough for her to say anything. You also notice that Ava called you Daddy a couple of times. She normally just calls you Dad. Especially when Natalie is around. Oh well. It's not like you've got anything to worry about. Before you start up your car, you pull out your phone and check their scores.

Natalie Thompson

Affection Score: 18(+1)

Love Score: 25(+3)

Lust Score: 0

Ava Thompson

Affection Score: 73(+4)

Love Score: 10(+1)

Lust Score: 6

Pretty good start to the day.