Country Mile

DREAM COME TRUE

Genna laid on her bed, feeling sorry for herself while her bottom radiated a heat unlike anything she'd ever felt before. She was trying to distract herself from the lingering burn by flipping through a GAP catalog when someone snuck into her room, quietly closing the door behind them. She didn't have to look to know it was her sister.

"You're gonna get yourself in trouble," Genna warned, her eyes still roaming through the catalog splayed out before her. She flipped to a new page, and finally glanced up when Delilah had yet to speak. She watched in confusion as the blonde began making bizarre hand gestures.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

"I'm bein' a mime. Like you were at dinner."

A blank stare was quickly followed by an uproarious laugh from the brunette. Delilah made a frantic leap onto the bed to cover Genna's mouth all while trying to stifle her own giggles.

"SHHH! You are gonna get me in trouble!"

"F.. fuck.. you!!" Genna gasped through her laughter. "That.. that's so mean! He was so mean for that!"

Delilah's cheshire grin grew impossibly wider. "I know, but dinner was so.. nonviolent."

"I'll show you nonviolent," Genna jeered as she wrapped an arm around Delilah's neck and worked on pinning her to the bed. Laughter and high-pitch squeals filled the room as Genna's pillows were scattered to the floor during the amicable scuffle.

For the second time that day, they froze with wide doe-like eyes when the door swung open to reveal Adam's unhappy face.

"Delilah Katherine, you ain't supposed to be in here and ya know it. If I find you in here again I'll be sendin' you to bed with a sore bottom of your own."

Ducking her head sheepishly, she scrambled off the bed. "Sorry, Daddy. G'night Genna."

Still smiling, Genna gave her a wave. "Night, Li."

Delilah slowed as she approached Adam, unsure how to pass by him. He sighed, giving her a lenient smile. He pulled her to him and gave her a single pop to the backside, "I know you're worried about your sister, but I didn't kill her. She's fine."

"That's debatable," Genna wryly commented.

Delilah smiled at her, then looked up at Adam. "You're right, her sarcasm is fully intact. She's fine."

Genna let out a faux gasp. "Traitor!"

Delilah shrugged and Adam chuckled softly at their banter. "Alright, settle down. Ya'll stay in your own rooms, y'hear? G'night girls."

Their voices blended into one as they both replied, "Night, Dad."

Adam closed Genna's door, and walked Delilah to her own room to ensure she too went to bed. He closed her door and stood in the hall for a long moment hoping he was actually being the dad he tried so hard to be. The dad they needed. The dad they deserved.

After thanking the heavens above for his two girls, he went down stairs to the third girl he had once tried so hard not to care for. The woman he was quickly realizing he needed. The woman he deserved....

He entered the kitchen to see Anne sitting at the table with a hot cup of chamomile tea in her hand. She was dressed for the evening in a pale pink robe that hung loosely over a white camisole. He followed her line of eyesight as she stared out at the moonlit frost glistening on the fields. He noted how the lunar light shone in on her face and haloed her beautifully. Her hazel eyes looked more green and her skin looked impossibly soft. His eyes dragged down to the steam rising from her cup and watched as her lips parted to take a sip. He couldn't help but to think those lips were perfectly kissable and wondered if they tasted as sweet as they looked.