Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Micah

They spent two days inside Big Bend National Park. They hiked many of the trails and took in the diversity of the land and the animals of a totally different eco-system than they were familiar with. They watched a storm roll in while strolling back from dinner, which had included several shots of tequila that they'd learned was made from the agave cactus like those growing all around the park.

Micah discovered she might be a bit of an exhibitionist when the skies opened up and she stated she wanted to make love in the rain. Her Daddy willingly obliged, showing her yet another benefit of the rocking chair on the patio outside their cabin as he held her while she impaled herself on his erection. She came with the gentle motion of the rocker, her head thrown back, laughing as she caught raindrops on her tongue.

As they exited the park, they took a selfie in front of the sign and promised to visit as many National Parks as they could during the coming years. Having expected him to drive straight to the airport, Micah was surprised to recognize the road they'd taken only a few days earlier.

"Did you forget something here?" she asked as they pulled up in front of the house.

"Not really, just thought you might like to end our vacation where we started it."

"You thought right," she said and jumped out of the Jeep. She yelped when his hand connected with the backside of her jeans.

"You're to wait for your Daddy to help you out of the car."

Giggling, she rubbed her hands against her butt. "Maybe I took your words more literally than figuratively," she suggested.

"Cute, but no," he teased, getting their bags from the car. "Grab the key?"

"Sure, oh, hi, Lydia, we're back!" she said, waving wildly.

Stone grinned and released one suitcase's handle to add his own wave. "Thanks for inviting us back."

His statement had Micah pausing on the third step and looking back. "Is that another figurative statement?" A bark of laughter made her flush. "Okay, I guess that was a pretty stupid question considering Lydia is a ghost."

"Not at all," her Daddy assured her, leaning forward to peck her cheek as the stair made her almost his same height. "And though she didn't go to the post office to mail me a card, that didn't keep her from coming to me in my dreams and asking us to return."

Micah's mouth dropped open as she stared at him and then back at the house. When he passed her on the stairs, it took her a moment to follow. "You're serious."

"I am. Won't say it wasn't a bit unsettling, but well, I couldn't ignore it either. The house wasn't booked when I called this morning, so here we are."

Micah found the key where she'd left it and slid it into the lock. "Whatever the reason, I'm glad you did, Daddy. It will be nice to make more memories here."

There weren't any adventures on his secret agenda as they'd done those the first time they were here. Instead, they spent the day cooking a meal together which, of course, included dessert. Micah set a place for Lydia, placing a lemon-blueberry cupcake on a plate, making sure there were plenty of multi-colored sprinkles in the shape of stars clinging to the mountain of icing.

When she saw her Daddy's eyebrow quirk as she laid a napkin and utensils beside the plate, she smiled. "Don't want Lydia to feel left out."

"I don't either, Webby, but I'm just going to say it now. If I see that cupcake floating in midair and a bite being taken, I might have a stroke."

"Good thing I'm a nurse then. I'll bring you back, Daddy," Micah promised.

After supper, they carried mugs of hot chocolate out to the front porch to watch the world go by. When she was about to sit in one beside him, Stone held out his hand. "Come sit with me, Webby, I believe Lydia might want to join us this evening."

Settling on his lap after he'd taken a seat, she said, "Oh, I forgot to grab the book." She'd chosen another book from the parlor shelf, but it was presently upstairs beside their bed.

"Give me your cup while you run up and get it."

"Okay, I'll be right back." Micah jumped off his lap and ran up the stairs, grabbing the copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that had called to her when she'd picked their second book of the trip. She skipped down the stairs but paused inside the door when she heard voices. Who could possibly be visiting? The only person who even knew they were here was the rental agent and she always just phoned, but she'd seen both hers and her Daddy's phones upstairs on the nightstand. Looking down at her gown, she wondered if she should go upstairs and change or simply stay inside until whoever it was left. Her decision was made when she heard Lydia's name being spoken. Taking a few cautious steps forward, she listened.

"Lydia, I know I never met your Ethan, but I feel compelled to speak for him, if you'll let me?"

It was her Daddy's voice and when she heard no other, she realized he was having a conversation with their ghost. Holding her breath, she strained to hear if there was a response, but heard nothing but the creaking of the porch planks as the rocker rocked back and forth.

"Thank you, that means a lot. Micah is everything to me, she is my heart and the other half of my soul. I know how much you loved your husband and how tragic it was when you lost him. I can't even imagine losing my Micah. But, Lydia, even though this house you shared was where you two were the happiest, and no one can blame you for wanting to hold on to that happiness, I just know that I'd never find true contentment without Micah by my side."

"I know you're scared of what might be on the other side, that you won't find your Ethan waiting for you, and I can't swear you will, but everything in me feels as if there is so much more than just the world we see. All you have to do is look to the heavens to know we are but a small speck in the vast expanse of the universe. I might be a scientist, but I'm also a man whose heart tells him true love has a power that can't ever be fully comprehended. If you want to stay on this plane, in this house for another hundred years you can and no one will blame you. But if you decide to take a leap of faith, to go join Ethan, know that Micah and I will never ever forget you and your hospitality."

Micah felt tears welling in her eyes as she listened to the most incredible human being she'd ever met. And when he chuckled, and added, "I love that idea, but Micah would have to agree. I'm sure you understand."

Agree? With what?

Curiosity overtook her and she pushed through the screen door. "Agree with what?"

Stone chuckled. "What has Daddy told you about eavesdropping, little girl?"

"That's it's naughty," Micah said without hesitation. "But what do I need to agree with?" Before Stone could respond, Micah turned toward the empty rocker. "Lydia, if Daddy meant I had to agree with what he was telling you, I do. I know that no matter where we are, I'd want to be with my Daddy. I'm sure yours feels the same way."

Her gaze never left the rocker as she held what most would consider a one-sided conversation. But Micah knew better. She didn't have to see a physical form for her heart to know Lydia's spirit. With a huge smile, she shook her head. "You don't need to thank us, we need to thank you. We've had a lovely time here and will always treasure the memories you've helped us make." After another moment, she tilted her head and then reached out a hand, closing her fingers around air but feeling a warmth and a connection in her soul

When she turned back to her Daddy, he smiled and held out his hand and once again, she climbed onto his lap. As if he hadn't just held his own conversation with a ghost, he handed back her mug of cocoa, took the book from her, opened it and began to read.

An hour later, he closed the book and dropped a kiss on top of her curls when she protested. "Just one more chapter?"

"Afraid not, baby. You might have forgotten, but I do remember some little girl confessing to eavesdropping."

"You do? Well, we both know this house has ghosts so maybe it was another little girl?"

"Who has duck feet and is wearing my favorite nightgown? What are the chances of that I wonder?"

Looking down at her duck slippers, Micah giggled. "About one in a googlydeck?"

"It's googolplex, but lucky for you, you've got the winning ticket. Now, up you go. By the time I wash these and lock up, I'll expect you to be in the corner with that nightgown lifted to your waist and your panties at your ankles."

Instead of despair, anticipation ran through her as she slid off his lap. Knowing a spanking was in her immediate future didn't stop her from skipping as best as her slippers would allow up the stairs. Though this corner didn't include any drawn circles, she still pressed her nose against the wallpaper. Instead of wrapping her arms around her back, she held the bunched white cloth of her gown at her waist, the folds forming a curtain that framed her bare bottom. White cotton panties were a stark contrast against the dark planks of the flooring. When she felt a cool breeze across her naked skin, she giggled.

"I thought so. But I'll be fine, thanks for asking. But, Lydia, I hope you really think about what my Daddy said. He's a good man and wouldn't steer you wrong."

"And on that thought, her Daddy asks for some privacy, Miss Lydia. We'll see you tomorrow."

Micah hadn't heard him come in, but smiled as she imagined him gesturing for their hostess to leave the room before he closed the door, as if that would keep a ghost out. She was giggling when she felt his hand cup her right ass cheek and didn't stop even as he began to spank.

After a dozen swats, evenly divided between her cheeks, she wasn't the only one laughing. But she was the only one who squealed when he lifted her from the floor, panties falling off her feet as he turned her in the air to face him.

"Babygirl, you're making it awfully hard to be a strict Daddy right now."

"Sorry, not sorry," she quipped, dropping her arms around his neck.

"At least you're an honest, naughty girl," he said, moving to the bed and sitting, settling her onto his lap. Fingers slowly pulled on the first pink ribbon of her gown.

"So, babygirl, on a scale of one to ten, how much did you enjoy your vacation?"

Huh?

It took her a moment to switch from thinking about how much she loved him making love to her to realizing he'd asked her a question. It wasn't easier when his fingers dropped lower to tug on another ribbon. "It's the best vacation I've ever had. In fact, I'm not sure how you're ever going to top this one, Daddy."

"I'm very glad. I've enjoyed every moment as well, though I do that every single day I spend with you."

A third ribbon came untied and Micah could feel her nipples pebbling as her bodice opened.

"Do you remember when I told you you're a chef, a poet, a great singer, a fabulous husband and an incredible lover?"

"I do, though I think you might be the tiniest bit biased, babygirl," he said, untying the last of the ribbons and pulling the halves of the white cloth apart, exposing her round breasts.

Micah shuddered in pleasure as he cupped her breasts in his hands, his thumbs running across the peaks of her nipples. She wanted him, but she wanted to let him know what she was feeling even more. Lifting her hand, she placed her palm on his cheek, drawing his gaze from her breasts to her eyes. "Maybe, but every word is true. No matter what I'm facing, how scared or worried, tired or sad I am, I know you will help me even if it means simply holding me to let me know you are there. I love you, Daddy. I love your huge heart and I love you for loving me back. Thank you for a vacation I'll never forget, for being so kind to a woman you never saw but somehow believed was there and needed you too. Thank you for taking me to the stars"–her free hand found the pendant at her throat–"and for bringing some back for us to share forever. But most of all, Stone Barrows, thank you for being the rock I will always cling to."

Her Daddy's eyes held a glittering of their own when he released her breasts to cover her hand in his before pressing his forehead to hers.

"Being your Daddy is the greatest gift I'll ever receive, Micah. Thank you for being my wife, my lover, my Webby, and my Little girl."

With a kiss, all words became unnecessary. And when a white shape flew across the room, it wasn't a ghost, but a nightgown no longer needed as he wrapped her in his warmth.