Everything I Cannot See (Open for one M)

[Lady_Mornington]

Everything I Cannot See (Closed for Cobra2004)

You're the rain, You're the stars
You're so near, You're so far
You're my friend, You're my foe
You're the miles left to go
You are everything I ever wanted
And You are my lover

George Rowland McKenzie put the pen down on and stood up casting a glance out the window overlooking the park. The weather proved as predictable as usual. London winters never harboured any surprises.

Staring fixedly at the barren trees on the opposite side of the quiet street the reminded himself he should be at Heathrow in less then an hour. The reason being the visit, the first to be precise, by his daughter Emily.

Smiling akwardly he reminded himself that he had not known of her existance until last month when a letter had arrived, informing him that he at the age of 60 he had to become a responsible father. Of course he had suspected that he might have at least one illegitimate child, yet he had never devoted any serious energy trying to assess whether that was a correct assumption or not.

He was 60 now and a successful solicitor, living the careless life of the older bachelor. Standing 6' and still in good shape, salt and pepper hair and a handsome face and a security to match it he was still able to charm women junior to himself. His Scots accent still audible even though it had been decades since he left his native Edinburgh. Straightening his clubtie and examining himself in the mirror he went out of his office.

At the same time Emilly was seated on the BAA flight 35 from Stockholm to London Heathrow. Her solemn features did not betray the turmoil raging inside her. She was 24 and attending her last semester at university studying to become a lawyer. Perhaps as an act of rebellion she had chosen the profession of her absent father to spite her mother. She had grown up with the constant reminders that her father did not want anything to do with her. And that her only secure point being her mum, thus provocing the fixation that Emily had shown in locating him. She knew she probably invested too much effort but that was the way she was. Emily did things to the limit or not at all, which had left her emotionally scarred, and beneath the secure surface of a top student as well as a curator of one of the student nations she was deeply insecure and harbourerd the feeling of not really belonging anywhere.

 

[Cobra2004]

SO! You are looking for a father. I can give it a shot if you like.

 

[Cobra2004]

George kept staring at the barren trees as if he wanted to look right though them. expecting to see this daughter of his Emily.

"My Gawwd. A daughter at my age," he thought. "Thank god she is a grown woman I don't have to raise her. I wouldn't know how."

Well I suppose I better get on to the airport. It won't look good to be late for our first meeting I suppose.

He drove to the airport wondering what she was like. what would be like to have a young woman around the house.
He had a thousand questions and no answer to any of them.

He got to the airport with time to spare. "I batter have a small drink," he told himself. "To calm my nerves."

As he sat at the bar counter he thought. "I wonder what she'll think of this old guy as a father, probably and old stuff shirt and all that.

He finished his drink and headed down to the arrival baggage's. All the bags had just started to drop into the carousel..

He waited nervously looking at all the young woman trying to spot her. "Lets see. dark blond hair, green eyes, wears glasses,
short leather jacket, hair pulled back in a bun."

His eyes felled on a dark blond head, as she got closer he smiled. That's her.
he said softly. He waited till she looked his way than waved his hand up in the air. She smiled and waved back.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Emily was tired from the flight and of course there had been issues when she passed through customs. Not that she had to have her bags searched but the questions on the reasons for her visit to the UK chafed her nerves. Still she upheld a brave smile and a courteous manner, answering the Customs officer. As she finally was allowed to pass through the barriers she noticed that the bags from her BAA flight was delayed. Gritting her teeth she swore silently in Swedish. After an agonizing wait her bag finally came out on the carousel and she hoisted it off declining help by a handsome Australian back-packer.

She made her way out to the arrivals hall scanning the room for any trace George..Dad she reminded herself. Then seeing a tall very handsome man wearing a somewhat outdated tweed suit and a chequered shirt caught her eyes.

"Dad" she mouthed the words then tentatively raised her hand giving a wave as a smile caressed her lips.

 

[Cobra2004]

George had no idea what to expect. He remembered her description she sent of her. dark blond hair, in a bun behind her neck
knee high dark or black jeans. glasses, leather jacket. He looked her up and down trying to remember everything. The only thing she neglected to mention was how lovely she was.

He waited for her to walk out of the restricted area, wheeling two suit cases one in each hand, he than walked up to her. He handed her the roses he had hidden behind his back.

"These are for you Emily, it's a pleasure meeting you." He said to her. He didn't know if he should kiss or hug her. He would like to do both. He thought maybe he should let her make the first move.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Smiling brightly, Emily put down the bags and accepted the boquet of roses, then gently placing her arms around his neck she placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you...Dad..." It felt strange saying that word yet now she somehow imagined that she'd get used to it. Holding on to his neck having to stand tiptoe she inhaled the fragrance of his eau-du-colonge. Then gently even tentatively so he responded kissing her cheek and placing a surprisingly strong arm around her slender back.

"God this feels really strange" Emily whispered as she clung to him, her head swimming, feeling herself losing her footing as she was embraced, and in assauged by emotions she felt a sob run through her body tears running down her cheeks and wetting the collar of his shirt

 

[Cobra2004]

He was surprised when she put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. He was not used to this sort
greeting but she was his daughter, and he kissed her gently on her cheek, his arms around her small waist.

"You are welcome Emily." A strange feeling went through him as he held her. He didn't know what it was, perhaps the idea
that she is his daughter, and he had no idea what he should feel as he never had a daughter till now.

"I know what you mean Emily, it feels strange to me to." He held her tightly as she still had her arms around his neck.
The other reason he held her, was her lovely scent how it filled his nostrils, and her warmth felt so good to him.

"Come. Come. Daling, this is no time to be crying, it's to celebrate." He said when she sobbed and tears ran down her cheeks.

He took a kerchief out of his packet and gently wiped her eyes.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

"I'm sorry"

Emily sniffled and accepted the hankerchief from him. Noticing the monogram GRM embroidered on the silk.

"It's just that I've pictured this for so many years, this moment..." she was lost for words and hugged him again nestling her face against his neck.

"You probably think me as being overly emotional now, the drama queen and all that" she smiled and as she slowly let go of him and hesitantly took a step back to collect her things "I'm not really like this" she knew why she was making the excuses. She wanted desperately for him to approve of her, to see her for her intellect and abilities and not just for the storm of emotions she just displayed

"I'm sorry about the shirt" she smiled apologetical handing the hankie back and once again looking at him.

"I should probably have dressed to the occasion.." a wry smile as she glanced meaningly at his somewhat out-dated suit and the shining brouges. His appearence the perfect image of the British gentleman. She thought for a moment that he looked a bit like a more masculine version of Jeremy Irons and smiled at the thought.

Knowing her attire could not match his she fervently hoped that he'd still be pleased with her.

"So.." she turned her head pushing her glasses back "what next then...Dad?"

 

[Cobra2004]

"Well I think that under the circumstances one has the right to show her emotions. "It is not everyday one meets her father for the first time at age. What was it 24? He returned her hug and held her for a moment, and I have you know that I don't think of you as a drama queen. I think of you as a lovely woman scared, not knowing what's ahead.

I let you in a little secret. He whispered to her. I feel as you do at the moment. I have to learn to be a father and at my age it's terrifying." I am not like this either, and now that you're here, we'll have lots of time to find out how we're like.

He looked down at his shirt, when she said sorry about the shirt. He smiled, "It's nothing really and beside it's an old shirt.

He looked her up and down. "Dressed for the occasion you say, and what occasion is that. you're looking just lovely to me as you are now. I don't think you could be more lovely if you try.

"Next. I think we should put these bags in the boot and go home and freshen up. soon will be dinner time and you'll have the choice of either going out to dinner or dine at home. Daughter"

"Hummm. Daughter! that's going to take some getting used to. He said smiling at her.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

"Oh that sounds awfully formal Dad...Daughter" she nudged his ribs in a playful gesture.

"Most Victorian" she mimicked his soft Scots intonation as she once again tilted her head sideways and looked at him.

"I think Emily will do just fine" bending down she picked up her suitcase and expertly hoised the rucksack on to her shoulder. Then sticking her arm in the nook of his she followed him towards the exit.

"I'd like to go out for dinner, It's been ages since I was in London" frowning she continued "And I didn't even know that you lived here or even existed then" she sighed then smiling again she looked at his handsome face as he gently led her towards the carpark.

 

[Cobra2004]

"Ouch!" He said jokingly as she nudged him on the ribs. "You think it's Victorian, he asked her smiling.
He found it hard to be so playful with such a young woman. "Geees, he thought. I think of her as a woman
not as my daughter.

"Very well Emily it is than. beside, I like that much better. He said. He fallowed suit and pick up the other suit case.

"I think you'll have to teach me the young modern ways." he said as she slid her hand inside his arm and they headed toward the exit.

"You like to have dinner out?" he said surprised. I was hoping you would Emily. I had made a tentative reservation for tonight.

"Emily I never you knew you existed all till a month ago. I don't mind telling you that it didn't came as a surprise that I had a daughter. I just never thought about it. I've been a bachelor all my life, and I did get to know some women. I guess it was bound to happen.

He led her to the carpark, he took the car keys out of his pocket and pressed the button. the light flashed on a jaguar a few time.
"That's our car, he said to her. He opened the boot and stowed the two suit cases inside. He opened the door on the left side to let her in, once she was seated. He went around to the right side and got in the driver sit.

"Are you ready for your new home Emily, we should be home in a half hour.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Emily was pleased with the response and even more so when her father showed her to the car. Having lived under fairly modest conditions with her mum in one of Stockholm's less affluent suburbs she was well pleased with the fact that he had the self-secure air of a man of certain wealth.

"Modern life is rubbish" Emily said as a reply, quoting the title of Blur's album "besides I think it's better I get a dose of proper Victorian values" she smiled as she stepped into the passenger seat of the car.

The Jaguar as most things that belonged to her father seemed to be rather out of date, yet lovingly kept. The leather upholstery felt exquisite and she couldn't help but trace a finger along the wooden panels.

"This car must almost be antique by now Dad" she tilted her head giving him a wry smile as he pulled out into the busy London traffic.

 

[Cobra2004]

"Emily Modern life is not rubbish for young people. It's rubbish for old people like me. Perhaps after you live here for a while. You'll see things a little differently.

You know today is young people way of life. Everything is modern today and most people like me have a hard time with it.
Were to set in our ways to change.Victoria values are a thing of the past, mind you some of the old values are still good today."

He thought about Emile said and smiled. "There isn't much about me that isn't antique daling," he said laughing, "and as you can see, the car still runs well. beside, I don't really need a new car, I'm not a show off by nature.

He noticed Emily running her fingers over the leather upholstery and the wood trimming. "Look's like you like some antique things.
He said smiling at her.

"Emily were here." He said as he pulled into a gate and drove between a rows of trees. The house was right at the end of the drive.


"I hope you like it."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Emily smiled as her father negotiated the traffic and giving his view on contemporary life

"I don't know Dad..***** seems quite complicated these days does it not?" she looked out the window, for a second catching the eye of a man in the car that overtook them. "I mean you probably knew what to do from the start? There's too many choices these days and I'm not sure I can cope with it to be honest"

Reaching out she switched on the radio finding herself listening to the rather dreary rantings of a minister on BBC 4. Wrinkling her nose she slotted the first availible cd into the stereo filling the Jag's interior with classical music.

"What's this, Mozart?" Emily hummed as she let herself be immersed in the musc.

"Chopin, Emily" George smiled as he looked at her through the rearview mirror seeing how she had leaned back and apparently enjoying the music.

Eyes still closed she tilted her head to the side and George found himself warming to this quirke of hers. A smile playing on his lips

"You see she smiled triumphantly - Modern life is indeed rubbish" then correcting herself "with a few minor exceptions"

George's curiosity having been nudged turned to look at her "Like what?"

"Indoor plumbing for starters" Emily laughed impishly "I suppose you had a hard time adjusting to that didn't you? Given your age and everything..."

She looked at him as he tactfully replied, thinking that he was indeed quite different from most men she had hitherto met. His entire personalty conveyed the image of days gone past, yet the anachronistic bearings did endear him, at least that was what Emily thought. Where most men she'd met had seemed overly eager to impress, her father seemed to be in no need to affirm himself vis-a-vis her or anyone else for that matter. Emily found this most charming and, she added to herself, he was handsome as well. And she tried to find the similarites in their faces as they drove along.

 

[Cobra2004]

"I don't know Emily. Life is not really complicated. We make it so I think, and yes I wanted to be a Lawyer and went for it. But you're right about one thing. There are to many choices these days, but if you know what you want. you just have to go for it. That much will never change."

He watched her fiddle with the car radio and wandered. Perhaps she a little nervous and tries to hide it by fiddling. She didn't like what was on the radio than tried a cd.

"No Emily. That's not Mozart. It's Chopin. Classical music is hard to tell by who, unless one listen to it quite allot." He smiled when she leaned back and she seamed to enjoy the music.

George wasn't used to listen to one person talking so much about life. to him life was simple. do what ever works for you and be happy about it, no matter what others think of you. It is your life after all.

He turned to look at Emily when she again said. " Modern life is indeed rubbish" then correcting herself by saying, "with a few minor exceptions"

He thought about that for a moment, his curiosity kind got to him. "I see." He said. "Now you said with a few minor exceptions."

OK. Young lady," he said turning to look at her. "Like What?"

"Indoor plumbing for starters!" He repeated her words. "No! I didn't have a hard time adjusting to anything. And what is my age got to do with it." He than caught himself and laughing he said. "Emily. I do believe you're teasing your old man."

He looked at her for a moment. "I bet that underneath that unsure Pearson, there is a very bright mind. He thought.
"Maybe. Just Maybe. She is my daughter in more ways than one."

"Perhaps it'll be fun having her around," he thought, as he pulled in front of the house and turned the engine off.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Emily lugged her heavy suitcase from the booth of the Jag and once again hoisted her rucksack onto her shoulder. Her Father had offered to help but she politely declined.

Entering the semi-detached house, Emily was struck by two things, the lingering aromatic smell of pipe-tobacco and the fact that the house seemed to be kept in quite the military order. Looking at the framed prints on the walls she found that they were mostly reproductions and a general military theme to them.

Without asking she strode into the sitting-room, lined floor to ceiling by bookcases. She picked a volume at random finding it to be an account of some far of war she'd never heard of. Turning to look at George who was standing in the doorway watching her intently.

"Nice, a bit stuffy perhaps but nice" she looked at the bookshelves again "did you read all of them?" there must be close to 2000 volumes in there. Her father smiled deferntially admitting that he had read, if not all at least the lion's share of the collected books.

Emily then proceeded into the kitchen and was pleasantly surprised to see that her father's faiblesse for the tried and tested did not extend as far as kitchens went. There was also the impressive array of winebottles that caught her interst.

"And I thought an Englishman didn't want anything to do with the French" she examined a bottle knowing it to be originate from one of the best wineries in France.

"I'm a Scot my dear" George replied feigning outrage "and for your information there has always been a loving relation between Scotland and France" he felt that he didn't quite had a grip on things, and admitting to himself, he was a bit worried that Emily would disapprove...

"I like it here..." she finally said

 

[Cobra2004]

"Emily. I'm not That Old that I can't help with your suitcase," he said slightly hurt even though she politely declined.

He unlocked the door and let her enter the house first. He was about to ask Emily if she wants to take her belongings to her
room, when she started to look about her surrounding. He quietly fallowed her around. waiting to answer her if she had any questions.

She headed toward the sitting room and he stopped by the door, giving her all the room to move around on her own.

He smiled when she said "Nice, a bit stuffy perhaps but nice". "A typical remark I heard many times referring to the British,
he replied to her. "I guess we might appear a little stuffy to some people, he said.

"Yes." I suppose I did read most of them over years. He answered her when she asked if he read all those books. I don't go out all that much anymore, and I've always love reading, it's a good way to relax for me.

She than went towards the kitchen and he again fallowed after her.

"And I thought an Englishman didn't want anything to do with the French". She said while she examined a bottle of French wine.

"Emily! You never call a Scot but a Scot. You know I'm not an Englishman. He said pretending to be hurt. I might've lived here for many years. But I'm still a Scot above all.

Beside. One doesn't have to like the people to drink their wine. And. As a Scot. I must tell you that, the Scots always had a very good relation with the French.

He looked at her non knowing at that point what to make of her, perhaps she wasn't sure if she liked his house or him for that matter. He had hoped that she would. He liked her from the start.

"Oh! Thank God." He said to himself. letting out a sigh of relief. "That's grand Emily." He said trying to hide what he felt. I'm so glad you like it.

"Now I can tell you this," he said looking at her. "I've never thought of having a woman around the house. I liked my freedom to just come and go, especially with my profession one never knows when or what time he gets home, but I always felt that a home needs a woman's touch.

Are you up for it Emily?

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Emily gave a small laugh at his request

"A woman's touch indeed Dad" she tilted her head to the side looking at him in that peculiar manner she used whenever she didn't really believe the situation to be serious

"If you don't mind IKEA I'm the right person" she looked at his crestfallen look and silently cursed herself perhaps having been a tad too flippant. Stepping over to where he was standing she stood tiptoe again and kissed his cheek.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that. I really like it, it's like I imagined it too be" she smiled reasurringly

 

[Cobra2004]

Why are you laughing. you are a woman and a beautiful one at that, surely you wouldn't mind giving your touch here and there.

"IKEA! She can't mean that. He thought. No! He thought again she's just teasing me.

"I know you didn't really mean what you said about IKEA. You're to bright for that. I know also that I'm an old stuffy shirt some time.
I have thought about you since I received your letter, and you being my daughter with no other relative." He was about to say something else than changed his mind. right now was not the time. He thought.

Tell me honestly Emily. If you would like to see some changes in here. What changes would you make.

He looked at her trying to read her eyes and face, that was more important to him than what her answer would be.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Slighly taken aback by his seemingly honest question Emily didn't quite know how to react. She wasn't used beeing given a free hand in such matters, having been a person who had to fight to have her say rather than receiving the privilige.

"Get rid of the prints" the first thing that sprang to her mind, and perhaps a change of curtains. Once again tilting her head finding it a bit bizarre having a discussion of redecoration his house having only just met him.

"Look Dad, I really appreciate your offer but right now..." she smiled displaying a row of perfect white teeth "I really could start inspecting the bathroom, the tub to be more precise" shrugging "Besides we can discuss those matters over dinner..." once again tilting her head and giving him the look which he wasn't sure how to interpret "which I believe someone offered to buy me"

Feeling mischevious she felt compelled to add "Mind you I won't settle for fish and chips though"...

"Now would you be so kind Sir as to show me to my lodgings" smiling as she said it putting him at ease knowing it was merely an attempt to be witty although on his behalf. Yet he suspected that the emotional stress probably made her more flippant than she'd usually be and thusly he responded in kind

 

[Cobra2004]

He watched her closely, her reaction didn't came as a surprise entirely. He was now wondering what her life was like.
She seams so unsure of herself at time, and yet he sees in her a very mature bright young woman.

Emily there is no rush on anything, we have tons of time at our disposal to talk about thing, I've only mentioned because I saw the way you looked at everything.

"Anyway.You're right. we can talk some more over dinner, or we'll discuss things as they come up once you are nice and settled. you'll have ample time to look around and get a better idea.

He really wanted her to be comfortable here. He could live with the changes if it came to that. having a daughter was a shock at first, but after thinking about it. He felt excited and that was more of a shock to him. He could hardly wait to see what it be like having
a woman in the house, and a beautiful one at that.

"You are right Emily First thing first and right now you're bath is first on the agenda. Come, and I promise it won't be Fish and chips
for dinner." he said smiling. "Between you and I Emily. I don't care much for fish and chips, mind you. I do like fish, if it's well prepared."

He led her to where the bedrooms and the bath were. "This is your bedroom," he said as he pulled the door open. and next to it
is the bath. My room is on the other side of the bathroom, both bedrooms have a door into the bath, just remember to make sure the door to my bedroom is close first.

"In this closet you'll find towels, soap, some spare tooth brushes and tooth past if you need it," he told her as he open the closet door. Now I shall leave you so you can refresh your self. I'll be in the sitting-room when you're ready.