I Introduce The Selfish Machine

I leaned against the counter in the kitchen, sipping on my coffee as Piper rushed through. She headed for the fridge, but then turned on her heels in the small kitchen and stood on her tip toes to kiss me. Passionately, I might add.
"Mm, well good morning to you too." I said, my voice still raspy.
She ran her hands through my bed head. "I love the way your voice sounds when your sleepy." She said, then kissed me again. I put my hands on her hips, pulling her closer to me. Her fingers ran through my hair, which drove me freaking crazy. Her lips are so soft, and so is her skin. I ran my fingers across the little space between her high waisted skirt and her crop top. Ugh, I wanted her. Right now.
She pulled away slowly, but left her fingers in my hair. "Calm down there, big boy." She laughed.
I rolled my eyes and laughed with her. "Oh, whatever. Are you going out with Seren today?" I asked. She moved out of my hands and to the fridge. Jeez, those jeans.
"Yeah, it's great having a rich friend. They pay for everything." She said.
I laughed, yet again. There's never a dull moment with her. "Well, now that's just greedy."
She opened a water bottle then turned back around to face me. "Oh, I'm kidding. I'm paying for lunch. Anyways, what are you doing today?"
I shrugged. "I might watch Star Wars."
Her jaw dropped. "Without me?"
I laughed, then pulled her back over to me. "That's how I knew you were the one." Then, I kissed her. I never wanted to let her go, I just wanted her against me.
"You're getting too excited." She whispered against my lips.
I sighed, letting go of her. "I'm sorry, it's just, jeez, do you have to wear those jeans?"
She laughed. "Maybe I like being a tease*." Then she turned around and walked out of the kitchen. I followed close behind her, reminding her to grab stuff. She's so forgetful, that silly goose. But, I'll always be there to remind her.
"So, have you talked to, well, you know who?" I asked as we got to the door. Piper held on to the knob and leaned against the door.
She sighed. "No. I don't think I'm ready to yet."
I smiled, then kissed her forehead. "Wherever you're ready love, I'll be right by your side."
"I can't believe I fell for such a sappy man."
"Whatever, you love it."
"I do." She said, then stood on her toes to kiss me. I can't wait to hear that in a few months. "And I love you, Tones."
"I love you, Pipes."
She smiled, then opened the door. "Now, go watch some porn." She said.
I laughed. "Nah, I'll just wait for you to come home so we can actually make love."
"Make love? What are you, a chick?"
"You know, I can take that ring off your finger just as easily as it went on."
"Try me, Perry. See how long you could last."
I laughed, then kissed her again. "I love you, be safe." I said.
"I love you too, we will." She waved before shutting the door, leaving me home alone.
I sat on the couch in my boxers. I actually have the apartment to myself. I could do whatever I want. Maybe I should get dressed.... Nope. Screw it. I'm alone. I'm just going to sit here in my boxers... I COULD GET NAKED. Nope. Nope. That's just abusing the power.
I scanned through our DVD collection that sat underneath the TV. I couldn't watch Star Wars without her, that would be like cheating. I don't really want to watch any horror movies while I'm home alone. I panic easily. Then, I came across a movie I didn't even know we had. The Notebook? Oh yeah, Seren got it for her. Piper said it was a load of crap, but it can't be that bad.

I sat on the edge of my seat, holding a tissue up to my face as Noah and Allie yelled at each other in the rain. No, Noah, don't be so mean to Allie. She's your- YES YES YES. I wiped the tears from my eyes as Allie and Noah kissed on the pier. Screw that stupid Lon. Who needs him? Allie and Noah are SOULMATES.
Okay, maybe Piper's right, maybe I am a chick, but this movie is just too good.
In the middle of Noah and Allie's sex scene, there was a knock on the door. I paused the movie, turning my head quickly to look at the door. No, I can't risk it. I shut off the TV, knowing if the guys caught me watching this, they would never let me live this down.
There was a second knock. "Just a minute!" I shouted, looking for pants in a rush. Piper had left the dirty laundry hamper by the door, and on top of the pile was a pair of jeans. I smelled them. Ugh, disgusting, but they'll have to do for now.
I swung the door open, reliving a man with black hair that was graying. He was thin and tall, and stood with pride. He had a white button up tucked into some khaki pants.
Annnnnnd I was shirtless.
"Yes sir, how can I help you?" I asked.
He looked over my shoulder, or maybe my head. I'm not sure. This guy is tall. "I'm looking for Piper Lynn, does Piper Lynn live here?" He asked, his voice worn out.
"She's out right now, but she'll be home soon."
"And who are you?"
"I'm her fiance, Tony."
He smiled softly at me. "You're the man she's marrying." He said softly.
"Yes sir." I said, staring at this man, wondering how he knew so much about Piper. Then it hit me and I felt my eyes get wide. "Are you Piper's father?"
He smiled again. "I am, but my name is now Noah Turner."
Noah. It's always the freaking Noah's.
Then, I did something I didn't expect myself to do. "Would you like to come in sir? Piper won't be out much longer?"

I sat next to Piper's dad on the sofa, and I had no idea what to talk about. We both sipped our beers silently, waiting for someone to speak up.
"So, how are you?" I asked, desperate for some sort of conversation.
He nodded. "I'm alright, son, and yourself?"
Could be better. "I'm great, actually."
"So, you're marrying my daughter then?" He asked.
"Yes sir, Piper's great. She's a sassy little thing, but she's such a sweet person."
He laughed. "She's always had an attitude. I'm glad you like that about her." I actually love it about her, but I'm not going to say that out loud to her father. I noticed him staring at the Storm Trooper Mug I was using earlier for my coffee. "You're also a Star Wars fan. Piper picked her a good man."
"Thank you, sir."
It was silent for a moment. I glanced over at Mr. Kristianson, or Turner, to see tears in his eyes. He shook his head. "I should've told her sooner." He whispered.
How the hell do I comfort my future father in law who I haven't met until six months before the wedding? "She understands, she just has a hard time... comprehending what happened."
He reached for the tissues I had left out from the movie. "I just," he sighed, "I just thought she would be tough. She's a tough girl, ya know?" Oh, I know alright. She's so freaking hardheaded and a mess to deal with. God, I love her so much. "I want her to see that everything I ever did was protect her, and Leanna. Even though I couldn't protect Leanna for long." He cried. I awkwardly placed a hand on his back and patted it. This is so sad, but I don't know how to comfort him.
Then, it clicked.
It clicked like Piper's camera.
"Excuse me." I said, then took off to the bedroom. On Piper's side table was the pastel blue notebook where she put her polaroids. I grabbed it, then brought it out quickly to her father. I sat next to him again, opening the book. "This is Payton Grace." I said, pointing at the picture. I saw him smile, smile like he was in love.
"That's-that's my granddaughter?" He asked, covering his mouth with hand.
I smiled. "Yeah, she's a wild child."
"She looks just like Leanna." He said, the tears slowing down.
"Maybe I can get in contact with Jacob and he can bring her over. Jacob was Leanna's husband before she passed."
"Oh yes, I remember Jacob. She dated him in high school. Nice guy. I would love that, Tony, thank you." He said.
I then gave him the notebook, letting him flip through it and telling him the stories about the pictures when he asked about them. This was a man who faked his own death and hid out forever, just to save his family. He's not a bad guy, he's a guy who just didn't know what to do. What to say. If anything, I admire him. He's the best father Piper could possibly have, and I want more than anything for her to forgive him.
Suddenly, the door swung open. "Okay, Tony, so I literally bought the CUTEST bra and panty set on sale. Well, I bought like ten sets because they are awesome and they look amazing on me, and if you give me like five minutes to change, I will show you!"
Oh gosh, Piper.
I looked up, and then Mr. Kristianson looked up right after me. I watched Piper's jaw drop, and the bag slip out of her hand. I watched Mr. Kristianson stand up and stare at her. They stared at each other for a few minutes, then he took a step towards her.
"Piper Lynn?" He asked.
I was waiting. I was waiting for Piper to scream, to break down, to run out, to do something. But she just stood there. She didn't even ball her fingers up in a fist. She. Just. Stood. There. Then, "Daddy?" Her soft voice asked. She walked forward and wrapped her arms around her dad, hugging him and crying. "Daddy I missed you so much." She sobbed into his shoulder.
I heard Mr. Kristianson sobbing as well. "Oh Piper, Piper I'm so sorry."
"No no no, shut up. You did nothing wrong." She cried. "If anything, I'm sorry."
Mr. Kristianson pulled away from the embrace. "Don't ever apologize for your emotions, baby girl." He said, then kissed her forehead.
I watched them become father and daughter again, crying and hugging and laughing. I was happy. I was happy that Piper could have her dad in her laugh. That she could have her dad walk her down the aisle and be there when we had children. But, most of all, I was happy because she was happy. I was happy because for the first time since we have been dating, I saw a genuine smile. Not to say that she didn't smile genuine smiles all the time, but this smile was different. She has her dad back. That's all a little girl ever wants is her father, and now she's back.
She wiped her eyes, then looked at me. "Daddy, daddy did you meet Tony?" She asked, turning her father around and pulling him towards me.
"Yes, I met Tony." Mr. Kristianson said, then smiled at me. "He's a great man, Piper." He looked back down at Piper, who was staring up at him.
"That means the world to me that you think that." She said. I silently agreed with her.
She glanced at me from time to time, but kept her eyes on her father. Her first true love, and the only guy I'm okay with her loving more than me.

"So dinner tomorrow night? Will Payton Grace be there?" Mr. Kristianson asked as he stood in the doorway, about to leave.
"I've already texted Jacob and he's bringing over." Piper said.
"I haven't seen Jacob in a while. It'll be nice to catch up."
Piper hugged her dad again. "Thanks for dropping by, Daddy."
"It was no problem." He said. He kissed the top of her head then let go of the embrace. He held his hands out for me to shake it, and I did. "It was great to meet you, Tony."
"You too, sir. Be safe driving home."
"I will, see you two tomorrow."
We said our goodbyes, and then he left. Not for good this time. As soon as the door was shut, Piper jumped on me for a hug.
"I'm so happy he's back, Tony." She whispered into my shoulder.
I smiled against her head. "Me too, babe."
She pulled away from the hug and placed her lips softly on mine. She's so happy, I love it. I want to make her this happy for the rest of her life. But, I kept finding myself touching the skin between her jeans and her crop top.
She giggled then rest her head on my shoulder. "So, I'm guessing you didn't watch porn." She said.
"I watched The Notebook instead."
She pulled away from the hug and laughed. "That's why the tissues are out!"
"Hey, it's sad!" I argued. I'm tearing up just thinking about it.
Piper jumped into my arms and I caught her, my hands on her butt to hold her up. I can't say I'm not enjoying his. "Okay, my whimpy hunk of man, let's go 'make love'." She said.
I smiled. "Make love?"
"If you ever tell anyone I said that, I swear-" I cut her off by pushing my lips onto hers. She smiled into the kiss and I ran to the bedroom, eager to get my pants off.

Notes

* - you know who you are if you get this.