His Daughter

Chapter 1

- It's so stuffy in here. - Greg complained as he wrestled the window latch. – Have to be honest with you, this was definitely not what I expected.

Gabbie laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of her head. Her auburn hair glistening in the afternoon sun.

-I guess my parents didn't really take care of the property in a while, but I am sure we will manage... I mean, it's only three weeks anyway, right? Plenty of time. – she smiled, brushing some dust off of the nearby nightstand.

- Gabbie, when you said family get away in your family's vacation house, I did not envision deep cleaning the whole place...- The man sighed. Greg turned to face his wife, bracing his hands on his hips.

- I don't know Gabbs... the whole place is covered in layers and layers of dust, the windows barely open... I would not be surprised if the bed sheets in the storage were mouldy. - Gabbie smiled sadly, her hands brushing over the small flowers painted on the nightstand. The man sighed as he crossed the room, walking up to the queen-sized bed his wife was sitting on.

- Gabbs, honey... You know I don't say that because I want to hurt you, right? I am just worried about Jenny's allergies. And with all that dust laying around...

- I know...- Gabbie mumbled. – I just... I wanted this to be, like the old times. Me, you and our little girl in the house I made so many memories in... And now it turns out the house is a complete ruin and you guys don't like it here and... and...- the tears started to well up in Gabbie's eyes. Greg brought her closer to him, wrapping his tanned arms around her as he shushed her before the whole situation escalates.

- I am sorry honey, please don't cry. - he said as he rocked back and forth. – It's not your fault and besides you were right, just a little bit of cleaning and we will be dandy, right? - Gabbie looked at him with teary eyes.

- I know this place is important for you... I really do like it here and I bet the little pea upstairs also does. - Greg smiled hugging his wife tighter, stroking her beautiful red hair with his free hand as he whispered words of assurance into her hair. Soon enough the tiny hiccupping sobs subsided leaving Gabbie to just rest against his frame. Not long later Gabbie pushed herself away, facing her husband. She wiped the stray tears away from her slightly reddish face.

- Greg... I am so sorry... I don't know why I- but Greg shushed her before she could continue with the apology.

- I know honey. I know... - he murmured, before leaning in to kiss her on the forehead. He stroked one of her cheeks with his thumb.

- Don't worry about it, ok? This will be the best, most relaxing getaway we have ever had. I will make sure of that. - He sent her a cheesy grin while raising his thumbs up mimicking the men in those stupid commercials their daughter liked. Gabbie sent him a hesitant look before uttering.

- Are you sure? You know... with the house being... like that. - She looked around at the dusty furniture surrounding them. Greg made a thinking face as he stepped away from his wife.

- I mean... This house does look like your average "murder cabin" with a dose of King's "The Shining", but I am sure it's fine.

Jenny sent him an unimpressed look, crossing her hands over her chest.

- Is it too early for jokes? - Greg asked innocently, before she pushed him away playfully.

- You are such a jerk. – she laughed quietly, placing her hands on his chest. Greg smiled playfully.

- But I am your jerk, no? - Just as the two begun to lean towards each other in the golden rays of sun, a yell could be heard from somewhere inside of the house.

- Mooooom! - Jenny yelled. – Moooom! Mom, where did you pack my swimming suit! - the girl hollered from her room. Gabbie sighed before yelling back.

- In the pink suitcase!

- What?! – Jennys confused voice echoed through the house. Gabbie sighed once again, before pecking Greg on the lips.

- Her timing is great, huh? – She whispered. Greg rolled his eyes as the hollering of their daughter continued through the cabin.

- Go get her, before she finds the special bra. - the man wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at snorting Gabbie. They shared a quick kiss before his wife turned around walking out of their soon to be bedroom, yelling to her daughter about the suitcases. Greg's eyes followed her short frame through the door and down the hallway until she disappeared. He sighed.

She was a good mother and a good wife. Well certainly better than Greg's own mother. After all Gabbie was with him, raising her child instead of running off like his mother liked to do. And because he loved her, he hated treating her like a child. When he had seen the house for the very first time, he was in absolute disbelief that this was the very same "famous" vacation house Gabbie spend most of her childhood years in. However, after, bringing his concerns the to his wife he was met with outburst bordering hysteria and days of silent treatment. He understood why she was like she was, or at least he liked to think that he did. Things were hard before, leaving no space for negotiation this time. He could not afford to break the already fragile balance they had built over countless therapist appointments and counselling. He had to stay here to make things work for everybody's sake. And as much as he hated feeling like a parent of two instead of one, he had no intention of failing as a husband. After all, he swore in sickness or in health...

Greg sighed, picking up an old broom from the corner of the bedroom. The man begun to sweep the floor absent-mindedly as he listened to the muffled giggles coming from his daughter's room. He couldn't wait for the mess awaiting him in the rest of the rooms.