A Blissful Night with My Stepfather

he horrifying realization that her stepfather was the man from her one-night stand. It f

re he quickly replaced it with a polite, if somewhat strained, smile. "Ginny, it's so n

"Y...You're Raymond" She stammered, her voice barely above a w

tly. "Yes, I am. And you must be Ginny. Y

her with a delighted expression. "I'll leave you two to get acquainted.

ure. "Of course, darling, it will be my pleasure" H

as a struggle, the tension between them palpable. The house seemed to grow qui

lway to a door on the left. He opened it and gestured for her to en

ly made bed and the soft, welcoming decor. She nodded

but hesitated, his eyes darting to her fac

ce small. Raymond gave a cu

mind racing. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with her thoughts

in the kitchen. He forced himself to focus on small talk, but his mind kept drifting

oticing Raymond's distracted demean

Raymond replied, forcing a s

t's a lot to take in. Ginny's been through

with Ginny had left him feeling unsettled. There was something about her tha

ur off her hands. She grabbed a bowl and dished out all the

voice echoed through the house, cal

the stairs with as much composure as she could muster. At the bottom, she f

is voice warm but edged with som

She replied, trying to

he awkwardness in the room was thick, like an invisible fog. Ginny did her best to focus on the food

ect," Mrs. Morgan said, clearly trying to bridg

hitched and the worst part was, she just couldn't stop stealing glances at him. Ginny's pulse quickened, and she found i

ite chatter, but Ginny's

ed, drinking some juice off her glass. "To keep the dishes and perhaps wash them" Ginn

you think I'd let you lift a finger?" Lucy wriggled her bro

do the dishes, sweetheart. In the meantime, you can get to know your new father even mo

. The room was suddenly filled with silence. All had

his voice breaking the sile

eplied, her tone guar

fortably in his seat. "I'm sur

tening slightly. "It has been... I didn'

ment, the world outside seemed to fad

her breath catching in her throat. She wanted to look away but found herself

, standing up abruptly. "It's be

es following her movements. "

toward the stairs. Her hand was on the

oice low and urgent. "C