Chapter 43: Daddy-o of the Patio

I woke up next to Charon as usual, but it was different this time. We were naked and I was sore as shit from the waist down. He may think he was careful, but he handled me like a ragdoll. Still, I wouldn't let him know how much it still hurt or else he'd never allow himself near me again.

I was sure to be quiet as I got out of bed and kept Charon asleep. He had a faint smile on his face, one that made me feel warm and fuzzy. I turned back to my drawers and fished out some baggy clothes. I pulled the old jersey over my head and stepped into the faded shorts.

I made my way downstairs to the kitchen to get breakfast when I noticed something was off. I checked the room and my stomach dropped as my eyes moved to the empty sofa. Dogmeat had perked up and was thumping his tail against the floor. He was curled up in front of the door.

I rushed to the front door and pushed Dogmeat out of the way gently. He huffed and moved to the sofa. I swung the door open and saw no one around. I ran out of the door and noticed too late as my face was getting closer to the ground. I moved my hands up in front of me and curled in before hitting the ground. I rubbed my arms to sooth the brush burn from the metal and looked back to see what I tripped on.

"Good morning, love," Dad's voice was gruff.

I stood up slowly and dusted myself off. "What the hell are you doing down there?"

He glared up at me as if I was the one who dragged him outside. "I had your robot put me out of my misery last night. You have very thin walls."

The blood drained from my face as the realization hit me. He heard everything.

"Well... what can I say? I... I have my own life out here and I've chosen who I want to spend it with. I'm not going to apologize for it."

He shook his head and swore under his breath. "Eleanor, I know you don't need me to govern everything you do, but I am still your father and I prefer if you respect that."

I stooped down to throw his arm over my shoulder and lift him up. He shooed me away and knocked on the door. "I'll get the robot," He grumbled.

Instead, the knocked was answered by a very worried Charon. He looked over me and sighed in relief. Then he noticed my father and his expression turned sour.

"What does he want?" Charon barked.

I stood back up and placed an arm on his, ushering him over to the table by the ramp and away from my dad.

I leaned in so only he could hear me. "Charon, he had Wadsworth carry him outside because he heard... us. I don't know when he left, so I don't know how much he heard."

Charon wiped a hand down his face and began to turn his head in my dad's direction. I pulled his face back to me. "I don't know what to do in this kind of situation."

I sighed and shook my head. "Me neither."

"You two aren't quiet about anything, are you?" Dad called from the door.

"Piss off!"

"Charon," I hissed.

He shook me off and stomped back inside. I followed after him, stepping over my stubborn father and caught Wadsworth's attention. The robot sputtered over and scooped Dad up with ease, if not with care and dumped him on the sofa like Charon had done yesterday.

I crossed my arms and kicked the door closed with my foot. Dad avoided looking at me. I ran my hand through my hair and my fingers snagged on a knot. I huffed.

"Dad, before you start going on and on about how you're my dad, let me just talk. I know you just want what is best for me, I really do, but I also know what is better for me... Charon and I have had some rough times, but we stuck together. We sort of have to. I love him, and I know how that sounds, but I really do." I paused to check and see if Charon was listening from upstairs. "I have been through so much out here, and you can tell. I have a home here though, and a loving partner, and a baby."

He was still staring at the ceiling after my speech. Had I not been paying close attention, I never would have noticed the smallest tear roll down to the back of his head. He swallowed loudly before speaking. "I know dear, and I think I may just now realize that I need you a lot more than you need me... I know I haven't been the easiest person to work with, but in my mind, you are still my little girl."

I sighed heavily. "Oh, daddy, you know I still am. I just have a life that I'm happy with here... You'll always be my daddy."

He smiled sadly. "And you'll always be my little girl, honey. Even if you're having a little one of your own."

I nudged his legs aside and sat down by his feet. "Can I ask you a question?"

His brows lifted and he shifted his eyes to mine. "What do you need?"

I rubbed my legs self-consciously, prepping myself mentally for the question. "What do you have against Charon? And don't give me the whole 'I'm the father, I'm not supposed to like him'."

Dad tried to shrug, only half managing it. "Despite my being your dad, I don't like him and what he does. I have no prejudices, but... there's something different about him. There's something that is very dark there."

I nodded slowly. "There used to be."