Frank woke early the next morning, Roxanne lay beside him, her arm casually tossed across his chest. He watched her face as she slept, even after their acts of passion; she still looked the innocent, pure child to him. A small smiled played at the corners of her mouth, her hair a tangled jumbled mass. Like so much seaweed tossed up on the beach. He knew she’d be horrified if he saw her like this. He smiled to himself and lifted her arm gently, slipping out of bed. He headed to the bathroom, then silently made a pot of coffee and stood at the counter looking out the window as it brewed. The nagging thoughts coming to his mind.

Is what they had done wrong? “No,” he told himself. “Can love be wrong.” Is it misguided love? “How can it be misguided. I’ve loved her since the day she was born. This is just the ultimate expression of that love.”

He poured a cup of coffee and silently went to the front porch of the cabin. The Loons were quiet now, replaced by the sounds of the Mockingbirds and Thrushes. He heard the “hoot” of an Owl as it made its way to its hollow. He caught the movement in the water as a single Mallard paddled its way into the new day. The sun had not peeked over the horizon yet but the sky was a bright pink, the shadows of the clouds racing across the sky. The lyrics of a song coming to his mind.

“She came to him like the dawn through the night.”

He smiled to himself, as he sipped the coffee. Yes, that is exactly what she had done. She was a new day in his life, she had filled the void. He hoped it was a long day in that sense. He wished he could freeze time and keep her close forever, but he knew that would not happen also. She was free and independent, he had raised her to be that way. He envied the young man that would one day claim her. No. he corrected his thought. He envied the young man that ‘she’ would one day claim.

The tip of the sun rose above the horizon and a new day was born. The colors of nature jumped to life. He loved this lake and the new memories it would hold for him. He crept back into the cabin, aware of his nakedness and headed for the shower. He glanced over at her still sleeping form, comfortable and serene in her beauty. He sat his cup on the back of the toilet, closing the door as he stepped into the shower. He stood in the jets of hot water, washing their lovemaking off. He was almost finished when he heard the door open. He rinsed the soap off his face and pulled the edge of the curtain back.

“DADDY!” She yelled, looking up at him from her perch, trying to cover herself. “Can’t a girl have some privacy.”

“Sorry Baby,” he chuckled, thinking of the irony.

He heard the toilet flush then the end of the shower curtain slid back as she stepped in with him, his half drank cup of coffee in her hand.

“Morning Daddy,” she purred, her sleepy eyes looking up at him, dancing with mischief.

“Morning Baby,” he smiled down at her.

She brought the cup to her mouth and drank greedily for the wakefulness of the caffeine. Tilting the cup to fast, it spilled around the edges, running down her chin and dripping onto her breasts.

“Oops,” she said leaning forward.

“You’re a mess,” he laughed looking at her hair and the dribble of coffee on her chin.

She struck of pose, turning sideways, holding the cup out, and fluffing her ‘seaweed’ hair with the other hand. He took the cup from her and sat it on the wire rack of the shower.

“Come here,” he laughed again, pulling her naked body close, kissing her on the forehead. “You need a good washing.”

He turned her around in the shower so the water was hitting her back. Grabbing the bar of soap, he began to wash her, starting on her back. She wrapped her arms around him a laid her head on his chest. His strong hands and fingers massaged her muscles as he washed her. He moved down to her butt, holding it, caressing, washing. His soapy fingers moved between the soft firm cheeks, moving up and down, massaging, washing, probing. He slid down her body, breaking her hold on him and knelt on one knee before her. She put her hands on his shoulders as he began to wash her legs. He lifted her foot and placed it on his thigh, lathering it. He washed her ankles then the bottom of her foot, moving to the toes. He massaged each toe as he went from one to the next, slowly, gently rubbing each between his finger and thumb. He moved up her calf and worked the muscle there, massaging it up and down. He lowered her foot and began on her thigh. He marveled at the strength he felt under her soft flesh, strong and hard, but showing only feminine grace. He moved to the other leg and repeated the same process, kissing the tops of her thighs. He stood and his hand slipped between her thighs as he held her sex in his hand, washing her from front to back. She spread her legs to allow him better access. He rinsed his hand in the water then slipped just the tip of his finger inside her to cleanse her entrance. She had a dreamy pleasant look on her face as he washed her belly then up to her breasts.

“Time for the hair,” he said smiling at her.

She held his shoulders as she leaned back into the spray, soaking her hair. He poured shampoo onto it then began to work it into a lather. He started at her temples slowly working his fingers against her scalp. She interlaced her fingers behind his neck and leaned her head back, her eyes closed, their naked torsos pressed against each other. He worked his fingers around her whole scalp slowly caressing it, massaging it. Then he leaned her back under the water to rinse it before starting over again. He took her ears between thumb and finger and worked the lather along the folds and convulsions, massaging the lobes. He moved to her graceful throat, his hand working up and down. He could feel the soft vibrations she was making, much like a kitten purring, but could not hear it. He smiled as he washed her chin then across her mouth and up the side of her nose. He gently washed her flushed cheeks then her forehead. He leaned her back under the water once more to rinse the suds off. He wrapped his hands around her lower back and held her.

“All clean,” he commented.

She just stood there pressed against him, the hot steamy water running over her.