1 comments/ 53786 views/ 0 favorites The Homestead By: Miltone Note from the author: The following story is a continuation of the series begun with "The Blissfield," and continued with "The Log Cabin" and "The Apartment." Although it is not essential that you have read those stories first, reading them first might help understanding the characters and their progress toward building a relationship. Part 1, Noel Night "I can't wait, honey!" Holly exclaimed as she stepped up onto the porch. "This is so exciting--our first house!" She looked up into David's clear blue eyes and smiled as he grinned and warmly embraced her. "I know, Baby. We're finally going to be under the same roof, all of us," David answered, fiddling the key into the lock and opening up the door. Holly went to enter through the open door, but David held her back by the arm. "Hang on a sec." He shoved the keys into his pocket and spun her around to face him. "You remember that I'm a kind of old-fashioned guy." "I know and it's just one of the things that I love about you," Holly confessed. Her green eyes--or were they blue this afternoon--were sparkling like fine jewels in the late afternoon sun. "And being a traditional kind of guy, you know what that means," he said and quickly scooped his arms around her, picking her up with a single swoop. She laughed as she fell into his arms and then hooked her hand around his shoulder and hung onto him tightly. "My hero!" she gushed with a buoyant laugh. "My sweet Baby," David replied, stepping up into the foyer and carrying her inside toward the great room. He set her down just past the step down near the wraparound corner couch. "So what do you think?" he asked expectantly, waving his arm around the room. It was their first weekend together in their new house, well, new house for them at least. So many changes had come in the past year. The biggest had been that David found out his children would be coming to live with them and the cozy apartment that had been so ideal for the two of them had suddenly shrunk overnight. After talking the entire situation over, they decided to go house hunting and eventually found an older roomy two-story colonial. Ever since the closing, David had spent every available hour remodeling, painting, and preparing. Over the past week, while Holly spent a few days with her family and friends, David had supervised the movers and gotten the bulk of his household things out of storage. The last couple of days had been a blur, but now that Holly had arrived, all that remained was the appearance of his kids with their things. "Wow, this is really great!" she said looking around the great room. "I like it, I like it a lot." Her eyes didn't seem to miss a thing, especially the improvements; the marble fireplace, the hardwood floor, the home theatre, the inviting leather couches, and the fur rug by the hearth. "I can see spending a lot of time in here ... with you." "Good, so can I ... with you," David agreed. "We've got a few minutes. Can I get you a drink or something? I mix a pretty amazing Cosmo you know." "I know," she said. "I remember the last one you made for me." "A good memory, I hope?" "All my memories of you are good," Holly said. "Every last one of them." "So are my memories of you," David smiled and then moved over to the bar and began to fix a couple drinks. And they had accumulated a lot of memories in the three years since they had first met. There were many memorable online chats and a very hot game of Truth or Dare, a wonderful weekend at the Blissfield Bed and Breakfast, and a terrific trip to her parent's cabin in the woods. Then there was the year they lived together in their apartment, throwing dinner parties and entertaining friends. There were long days of school and work and long nights of counting the stars and making love. But it had always been enjoyable and their love had only deepened. And now they were ready for the next transition. Despite all the good hearted warnings of their friends, his and hers, about the dangers of May-December romances, they had persisted because they loved each other madly, without cause or expectation. Their long distance relationship had turned into a lively live-in relationship, and when they needed to make room for his children, buying a house seemed the best alternative. And now as he looked back at her, seeing her move around looking at some of his collections, he never seemed to feel more in love with her than right now. David finished mixing her drink and stirred it in ice. He strained the mixture and poured it into one of his best crystal glasses. While it settled he poured himself a quick Jack D on the rocks and then carried the drinks into the great room. He handed her the Cosmo and held his glass aloft. "Welcome home, Baby," he smiled broadly. "Mmm, it already feels like home," she cooed. "And I just got here." "I'm sure you'll feel even more at home when you get all of your things unpacked. There's a couple of big crates downstairs with your name on 'em and I was not about to go there." "Smart boy," Holly said patting him on the cheek. "You've done a great job doing all this. It feels so much like home already." David gave her a quick tour of the house. It was quite different from the place she had seen just a month before. The kitchen was completely redone with lovely custom maple cabinetry, granite countertops and hardwood flooring. The dining room was transformed from a non-descript box to a plush inviting room for entertaining. As she looked around, Holly could see the improvements in every room. There were some obvious touches remaining to be done, but that would come with time as they settled into the place and made it their home. "You've done such a beautiful job," Holly said, taking a seat in the living room. "I'm impressed." "I told you that I wanted to make it nice for all of us," David replied as he sat beside her. "So when are they going to get here?" Holly asked. "Their mother said she would drop them off around five," David said, checking his watch. "So we have a few minutes yet. She's rarely on time." "I'm really excited about meeting your kids," Holly remarked. "I feel like I know them already." David eased his hand around her waist and let it rest on the small of her back. Leaning toward her, he placed a soft kiss on her lips, feeling her soft wet lips melt into his. The brush of her tongue on his mouth made him tingle with excitement. Her kisses always did. They had come so far in two years, from friends to lovers and now to something more. This felt like the last piece of big puzzle was about to fall into place, the last unfathomed part of his life was now opening up to her. If Holly and he were to be anything meaningful together, his children would have to be a part of it. Always protective of his kids, perhaps even more so because of his divorce, David felt nervous about taking this step, but excited too. Holly's kiss was welcome, and the touch of her hand on his shoulder, grasping him, her fingers curling around his arm helped too. "Gees, I forgot all about your bags," David said with an embarrassed chuckle, suddenly remembering her things out in the car. "Let me go get them for you." "I think you'll need my help, hon," she said. They left their drinks and went out to her car and unloaded her suitcases. David struggled to carry the heaviest ones and declined her offer of help with them. "That's all right," he grunted proudly. "I got 'em!" "All right," she laughed. "But don't expect any sympathy if you put your back out, old man." "Not even a little back rub, you sweet young thing?" he asked. "Hmm, maybe," she teased, holding the front door open. "How about with warm baby oil?" he asked, his eyebrows arching a bit. "Mmm, not fair ... but only if you do me too," she said. "You know I'm a pushover for a warm oil massage." David grinned broadly remembering the last time he had massaged her and how intense it had ended up. He led the way upstairs to their room. "I've left all of the dresser, more than half of the walk-in and both nightstands for you," David said, struggling to lift the bags onto the bed. Holly opened up her first case, and began transferring her lingerie. "Oh, boy!" David exclaimed. "My favorite part!" "Hands off my underwear!" Holly warned with a stern voice that David could tell was completely fake. "If I let you help you'll just want to do something sick, like toss it onto the bed and roll around all over it." "Not me," David said expressing his shock with his expression. He picked up a dainty little purple bra and fingered the lace edging. "But I might ask you to model a few pieces." "Honey, by this time in our relationship, I don't think there is too much in here that you haven't seen and already played with," she said snatching the bra from his hand and placing it with the others in a drawer. He picked up a short little black silk slip with light blue lace edging and held it up. "Is this new?" he asked, letting it dangle from his fingers. "Do you mind?" she cried out, and grabbed it from him. "I don't mind at all," he said, putting his arms around her and pulling her down onto the only open spot on the bed. He held her on top of him, his hands exploring her back and butt. They kissed tenderly but with a firm passion. "Have I told you that I love you today?" "Um, no. I don't think so," Holly answered. "Well, I do," David said. "I do love you." "And I love you too, sweetie," she replied. "But if you don't let me up, I'll never get my things put away." "Oh, all right," he groused. "Just be that way!" David let her get up and watched as she continued putting her things away, carefully tucking her dainty lingerie into the drawers. Then it was time to open up the larger case, with pants and dresses and such. He couldn't keep his eyes from her. There wasn't a curve or line about her that he didn't love or appreciate. She was a tall girl, and athletic but on the slender side of that scale. He loved to watch her move, the way her body shifted beneath her sweater and jeans. When she leaned over to take some more clothes from the case, she noticed his lingering glance and she paused. "What?" she asked, curious about the way he was looking at her. Then she became aware of just how her breasts swayed down against the plush knit of her sweater and she looked back at him innocently. "You are the biggest perv I know." "Me? Perverted?" he said rolling over onto his back laughing. "Here I am admiring the woman I love and she accuses me of being a perv! How bad can it get?" She stood up straight and tall, the natural arch of her back thrusting her breasts out proudly. David rolled back over and pushed himself up from the bed. "My god, you are beautiful!" he said and took her into his arms. His kiss was long and passionate, a kiss made warmer by the way they moved their hands to touch each other; her hands on his shoulders and chest, his hands on her waist moving up to her breasts. "If you don't leave me be," Holly said breathlessly, "I'll never get unpacked." "You're right," David agreed with an easy smile. "I should give you a few minutes." "That would be nice of you," she said and carried some more of her things to the closet. David slipped from the room and walked down the hallway to inspect the kid's rooms. According to her personal teenaged choice, Jenna's room was done dramatically in orange with bands of various shades of blue ringing the ceiling. While painting the room, David had wondered what it would be like to have a young teenaged girl around the house full time, and how she would handle Holly's presence. They were fairly close together in age and that might turn out to be good or bad. He hoped for the former. Then he went to look in on Drew's room, done in blue with trains and trucks and airplanes emblazoned on the border, comforter, and curtains. Several years younger than his sister, Drew was all boy and David had made sure that there would be plenty of room for his cars and trucks and Lego collection. He was looking forward to having his son around and being able to spend more time with him. Ever since his divorce, David had missed being away from his kids and now that their mother had begun to have some difficulties, he had eagerly accepted having the kids back with him. He took a deep breath. Everything was set and ready. Then he heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway and went to the upstairs hall window to check. A Chrysler sedan had pulled to a stop and the back door was swinging open with Drew spilling out with a little bag and his favorite stuffed animal. "They're here!" David called out and peeked into the master bedroom. The sight that greeted him brought a flush of warmth to his cheek. Having just slipped off her jeans, Holly was standing by the bed, dressed in only a sheer white lace bra and matching thong, both so sheer that he could see the outline of her nipples and her lovely sex. "If you don't mind, I thought I'd change," she said, holding up a fresh pair of tight black slacks. Holly paused for a moment; she could feel the heat of David's admiring gaze on her body before his eyes rose and focused on hers. "God, you are beautiful," he murmured, feeling his full arousal from just a single intimate look at her. Holly grinned and felt her own body respond to his gaze. She knew what he was thinking and the thought turned her on. The remainder of the afternoon and the evening would certainly be interesting if this simmering feeling was maintained. "Don't you think you should go answer the door? I'll be right down." "I love you, Baby" David mouthed from the doorway. Holly smiled. "Love you too!" she whispered. "Now go!" David descended the stairs quickly and opened the front door to see Drew running up. "Hey, Dad!" Drew called out. "Hey, Boo-boo," David said, leaning down to hug his boy. "How's my boy?" "Good," Drew answered, giving his father a quick hug before moving past eager to see inside the house. Drew was ten years old, pretty average in the height and weight department with reddish blond hair and cinnamon brown eyes. He was just getting to the age where his body was starting to stretch out. Just as he welcomed Drew inside, David looked out front and saw that Jenna had reached the porch. "Hi, Daddy!" she sang out and gave her father a big hug. "Hi, Honey," David replied. "It's so good to have you home again." He couldn't believe how tall she was, perhaps taller now than her mother. She was wearing her blonde hair longer than before. She had his blue eyes and shared a lot of his personality traits. "Why don't you go inside and I'll help your mother with the rest of your stuff. You guys can figure out where your rooms are, can't you?" He knew better than to ask that question as they both passed him and streamed happily upstairs. David walked out to the driveway where Allison struggled to unload the trunk. "Here let me help you with that," he said reaching for the large bag she was trying to lift up. "I got it!" she said with a grunt, still struggling to pull the bag up from the trunk. "You sure?" David said, backing off. He watched as she tugged at the handle but wasn't able to lift the bag up from the trunk. "Well, maybe not," she said, taking a step back. David reached in and pulled the large suitcase up and maneuvered it to the pavement. "Damn! What did you pack in here?" "Clothes, lots of winter clothes," she replied, grabbing a couple of the smaller bags. David lifted the other large case from the trunk and began to roll it up toward the house. "You realize that I'm not doing this because I want to," Allison said. "I didn't say you were," David answered. "I don't make judgments, remember?" "Sure you do, just as much as I do," she said. "I just need some time to get over things, to get better. But I'm warning you now, as soon as I'm better, I want the kids back." "Maybe they will be the judge of that," David replied. She paused and looked at him closely. He had seen that face before and it wasn't a good one. Their divorce had been difficult. She had some personal issues with her family that sadly spilled over into their marriage and had ended up driving him away physically and emotionally. He could see that the issues were still roiling inside her, made even more so since the loss of her mother and the alienation of her remaining family. "Am I allowed to come in and see where my kids are going to be living?" she asked pointedly. "Yes, you can see where OUR kids will be sleeping," David replied, matching her tone of voice. As they entered the house, Holly happened to be coming down the stairs. She looked gorgeous having changed into a soft dark red sweater and snug black pants, you know, the kind that show off every lush curve of hip and leg. Allison stopped and looked up at her. For a split second David saw her jaw drop, but she quickly recovered. "My, my, David," she said. "They just keep getting younger, don't they?" "Be nice ... don't start," he said under his breath. He set the kid's bags near the foot of the stairs and put his arm around Holly's waist. "Allison, this is Holly ... Holly, Allison." "Hi," Holly smiled and made a little wave. She was normally very bright and welcoming, but on meeting his ex she seemed much more reserved. He could feel it in the way she leaned into him. Allison let her friendly gracious side emerge and smiled warmly. "How nice to meet you," she said. "I'm sure that this is hard for you, being so young and all, while David is quite used to my meeting up with his little girlfriends. Now, let's see ... you have graduated from high school haven't you?" Holly looked puzzled and David stepped up. "Holly graduated from college last year," David said. "Oh, my! A child prodigy!" Allison remarked quickly. "Don't do this," David said turning to face his ex fully. "You've done it in the past and all it has done is make yourself even more miserable than you are already. Just accept the fact that Holly and I are together and let's get on with our lives." There was a look exchanged by the exes, one that definitely made Holly feel left out, despite the warm strong presence of David's arm around her waist. "Well," Allison said with a demonstrative sigh. "That must be my cue to leave." "If you want. Why don't you go upstairs and say goodbye to the kids?" She gave him a dirty look out of the corner of her eye and then climbed the stairs. David turned toward Holly and grinned bravely. "Bark is worse than the bite," he said trying to smile. Holly grinned but her face showed a touch of concern. "The worst is over now. We can't forget that this is between us, you and me," David said, holding up his arms. Then he waved his hand toward the door. "And she is somewhere on the outside, okay?" "I know," Holly answered softly. "I'll be fine. It's just to be so hard for her to do this. I kind of feel sorry for her." "In a way, so do I," David replied. Holly remained downstairs and drifted into the great room while David lugged the kid's bags up the stairs. She could hear the voices upstairs as the kids said goodbye to their mother. Drew seemed okay with it, Jenna a little more uncertain. David returned downstairs and stepped up close to Holly for a hug. She could see that this was hard on him too, not that he would ever say anything, but she could read the look in his eyes and saw the least little trace of tears at the edges. Their embrace lingered as it helped take the edge off their anxieties. When Allison returned downstairs, David met her in the foyer. She looked at him stridently. "Just remember, no matter what, I will never get used to you being with another woman. Never. And don't ever expect me to be polite to ... to ... to someone like her." The Homestead "You still don't get it, do you?" David said, glad that Holly had remained in the great room. "Things will never be the way they once were between us. What we had was great ... once, but you did everything you could to drive me away. You thought you could control me, say anything to me, treat me like shit, call me names, insult me in front of the kids, tell me to leave you alone and instead go jack off in the bathroom ... and I was just supposed to get over it and forget that it ever happened? Life doesn't work that way; people don't work that way. Holly loves me as much as I love her, and we are together now." "Whatever, lover boy." "All right, I think it is time for you to go," David said, feeling exasperated. "We've got a ton of stuff to do yet tonight." "Goodbye, David," Allison said with a chill voice, moving toward the open door. "Goodbye. Take care." He could see in her eyes that she saw Holly moving toward the foyer. "Oh and honey," Allison spat in Holly's direction. "When you're all finished with whatever you have planned for this guy, just make sure that there's enough left to put the kids through college." Then she turned and stepped through the door and trotted out to her car without another look back. David took a deep breath as he closed the door and latched it shut. Allison was usually nice when dropping off the kids but could always be counted on to say something cruel if his girlfriend was about. When he returned to the great room, Holly stood looking at the fireplace. David embraced her from behind, whispering in her ear, "I love you, Baby!" "Mmm, I sure hope so," she said turning toward him. "You're going to need to if she's going to keep coming around. I don't know about putting up with that all the time..." "You won't. I'm sorry. I thought that maybe she could be civil." "She was civil, just a little malicious too, that's all." "You forgot brutal, nasty and spiteful," he said. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to put up with that." "I'm all right," Holly said. "And don't apologize for her behavior. You were trying to be nice, and besides, it's not your fault she's a bitch." "Hey, let's not think about that," he replied. "Let's move on, okay?" Holly nodded. "So you ready to meet them?" "I can't wait," Holly replied. David escorted her up the stairs to where the kids were in their rooms. He knocked on the open door to Jenna's room. She was hanging up some of her clothes and looked over. "Jenna, there's someone here for you to meet," David said, bringing Holly to the doorway. "This is Holly." "Hi," they both said awkwardly at the same time. They looked at each other, Jenna's glance perhaps a bit more critical than Holly's. It took Holly to make things move off dead center. "So your Dad tells me that your swim team did really well this year," she ventured. "Oh, yeah! We won our league and district and made it to the State Finals for the first time!" Jenna said proudly. "That is so awesome!" Holly said. "That must have been exciting." "We had the greatest time," Jenna said, starting to warm up. "I did my personal best in the 50 freestyle and butterfly." "And you've been accepted at Auburn," Holly added. "That must be pretty exciting too." "Yeah," Jenna replied trying to mask her excitement with an air of nonchalance. "I have some friends going there this year and I'm really looking forward to it." David noticed Drew peering out of the door of his room and moving down the hall toward Jenna's room. "Come on, Boo-boo," David said, waving him closer. "There's someone you should meet. This is Holly." Drew moved shyly into the shadow of his father, trying to keep his eyes on Holly while shielding the rest of him from her view. "Hello, Drew," Holly said with her winning smile, waving toward him. "Hell-oo," Drew replied in a low soft voice. He had always been shy at first around strangers, but once he warmed up there were no family secrets that were safe. Holly squatted down onto Drew's level. "Your father tells me that your robotics team won their regional contest and that you're going onto the State finals next week." Drew nodded. "I'm looking forward to seeing just what it is that you guys do," Holly said with a grin. Drew giggled but didn't reply, not too surprisingly. "Well, you guys need to finish unpacking," David said. "Why don't I give you a hand?" he said to Drew. David and Drew went to his room to finish unloading the rest of his clothes and things. As David hung up some shirts and jeans in the closet, Drew busied himself finding places for his Lego and Hot Wheels collections. "Oh and Dad?" Drew asked. "Oh and Drew?" "Is your girlfriend--what's her name?" "Holly." "Is Holly going to be living with us while we're here?" "Yes, she is." "Is she going to be my new mom?" David paused for a moment. "Well, she is never going to replace your mother. Your mother will always be your mother. Holly is my girlfriend." "Do you love her?" "Yes, I do." "More than Mom?" "Drew, Drew," David said, sitting beside Drew on the bed, and putting his arm around his shoulders. "I've explained to you many times that your mother and I can't live together any more. What's important is that we both love you and want to do what's best for you." "So you love Holly more than mom and want to live with her instead?" "Not exactly," David replied. "But I love Holly and want to live with her now and I want you and Jenna to be a part of our lives." "Ok." And that was it. His curiosity satisfied for the time being, Drew began to put his collection of Bionicles away. David finished hanging up and putting away his clothes. As he passed back down the hall he heard the sound of laughter coming from Jenna's room. When he poked his head into the open door, Holly and Jenna were standing at the open closet door, with Jenna holding up one of her outfits. "You didn't tell me that Jenna has awesome taste," Holly remarked. "Yeah," Jenna gushed. "And now that I have someone almost the same size, I have another closet to borrow things from." "Oh, man. Don't get me in the middle of that one!" David exclaimed and backed out of the room, lowering his eyes and waving his hands. "Why don't I let you finish unpacking, ok?" Holly said to Jenna. She followed David down the stairs and reached her arms around his waist, pressing her body against his backside. "Your kids are precious, David," she remarked. "I hope this works out, I really do." "So do I, Baby," David replied, turning around to face her. "So do I ... very much. And as long as we keep enough time for each other, we'll be all right." Holly didn't say a thing but her tight hug spoke in the affirmative. They refreshed their drinks and toasted their new life together, pleased with how things had gone for slightly different reasons; David that Holly seemed to accept his kids, and Holly that his kids seemed to accept her. Of course she wasn't above a good bribe and prepared some hot chocolate for the kids when they finally wandered downstairs. They gathered in the great room, sipped their drinks, and talked about the small things in life, school life and work life, just casual superficial conversation that continued to break the ice. David kept a close eye on his kids. They seemed reserved--hesitant almost--at first, but as the minutes rolled out, they grew more accustomed to Holly's presence and their conversation grew warmly animated. By the time their drinks were history, it had grown dark and they decided to get started on their first evening together. "Come on kids! Let's go!" David barked out. Given the cool weather, it took a few extra minutes, but they all managed to get dressed for their excursion. "So where we going first, Dad?" Drew asked. "First things first, we're getting our Christmas tree." The kids were happy and excited at the thought as they piled into the van and headed out to a Christmas tree farm not far away. Of course, David felt it was his responsibility to keep the Christmas tunes going as they motored along the pleasant drive on a two-lane blacktop. There were a couple inches of snow on the ground and almost every house they passed was decorated and lit up. "I was reading in the newspaper where this might be the last year for the old Christmas tree farm," David remarked. "Why, Daddy?" Jenna asked. "Another subdivision I guess, you know progress and all," he replied. "That's too bad," Holly said. "It's really pretty out here." "That's why people want to live out here I guess," David commented. "When I was a kid, I picked apples at an orchard right here," he commented as they passed by a newer subdivision with large brick homes on huge lots. "Now they grow houses instead of apples." David turned off the blacktop onto a gravel road and drove slowly along the winding road until they came upon a brightly lit field. Even from the road you could see several beautiful Christmas trees. As everyone climbed out, David grabbed his saw and took Holly's hand as they crossed the road. "Let's stick together, you guys!" he called out to the kids as they ran into the lot and disappeared between the trees. "Come on! Don't get lost!" The pine scent was thick as they walked between the rows of trees. There were several empty spots and many of the trees that were left near the road were small or misshapened. They could hear the kids shouting back and forth farther along. There were Douglas Firs and White Pines and Scotch Pines and Blue Spruces and several others for which David didn't know the names. They paused occasionally as they strolled along checking several prospective trees. Suddenly they heard Jenna's voice calling. "Daddy! Daddy! We found it!" Holly and David headed off in the direction of her voice and came face to face with a tall Scotch Pine, perhaps seven feet tall or more. "What'd I say?" Jenna said as she gestured toward the tree. "Isn't it perfect?" It was tall and full and thick with strong branches for lots of ornaments. The needles were thick and green and gave off a great fresh smell. "I like it," Drew proclaimed. He had picked up a loose branch and waved it about like a sword. "What do you think?" David asked Holly. She walked around the tree and smiled. "It's very pretty," she answered. "Good enough for me," David said, slipping the cover off his saw and squatting down to begin cutting the tree. "Is that all you do, just chop it down?" Holly asked. "Yep," David said, drawing the saw blade back and forth on the tree trunk. "Then you carry out to the road and the guy tells you what you have to pay. Pretty slick, eh?" "Oh and Dad?" Drew asked. "What's that, Drew?" "When we bring the tree back, how are you gonna glue it back down?" Holly and David both chuckled. "Well, you see, Drew," David said slowly, trying to think of the best way to tell him. "After we cut it down, we can't exactly put it back." "Oh," Drew said. "I don't think I want that tree anymore." Drew began to wander off. "He's gonna be like Jenna and the turkey farm." "How's that?" Holly asked. "Years ago we used to drive past a turkey farm every day on the way to her school. I stopped by one day by myself and ordered a turkey for Thanksgiving. Jenna refused to eat it, saying that she couldn't eat something that she maybe had once seen alive." Once David had cut the tree down, he managed to carry it toward the road. A few dollars lighter, he tied it to the roof rack and they piled inside and drove home. Once it was unloaded and placed inside on the stand, David looked at his watch. He knew if he was hungry that everyone else must be too. "It's getting kind of late to cook dinner and decorate the tree," he observed. "Why don't we go into town for dinner instead?" "Yeah!" the kids shouted. "Guess they're tired of my cooking already," David joked. "And I haven't even cooked my first meal!" "But I never will," Holly said. "Hope not, baby," David replied, planting a kiss on her lips. "And don't forget that I can cook too, you know," she added proudly. "I remember," David answered. "And look forward to it." They all bundled up and piled back into the van to drive into town. Like many older small towns, Northville had survived by keeping filled with the sort of specialty shops that the large shopping malls didn't have. There were some of the old standbys, like a hardware, bakery, and barber shop, but there were also designer women's apparel shops, a jeweler's, an antique store and of course the local theatre, which now featured live performances and not films. From the moment they pulled up along Center Street, the sidewalks appeared more crowded that usual. Almost all the stores were still open and David realized that this was no ordinary Friday evening. "That's right, this is the Friday Night Aglow." he remarked. "Stores open late, Santa Claus in the park, probably carriage rides too." "Cool," Holly said checking out the crowded sidewalks and the bright lights and decorations everywhere. They managed to find a parking spot not far away and walked toward Main Street. The sidewalks were lined with luminaries, and the vintage streetlights were decorated with fresh garlands and red bows, the store windows were all brightly decorated, and the warm seasonal glow was reflected in the faces of the shoppers. "Well, Mr. Morrison," called out a familiar voice. David looked around to see the smiling face of Bob Meyer, a friend from scouting, and his wife. "Hey, Bob ... Lisa ... how are you?" David said, greeting Don with a handshake and Lisa with a smile. "This is Holly." "Hello," Holly said shyly. "Nice to meet you," Lisa said politely, giving Holly a close but approving look. "Indeed. Very nice to meet you," Bob replied. "So what brings you downtown on a cold night like this?" David asked. "Dunno," Bob said in a dull voice. "Heard a vicious rumor about something happening down here tonight, but damned if I can figure it out." They all chuckled, then stood and chatted for a few minutes more before moving on. "Merry Christmas!" was the common greeting or farewell. It seemed that everyone passing by would say hello, or wish a merry Christmas, even if they didn't actually recognize the person. David held Holly's hand tightly and squeezed it every once in a while. "Oh, my look at this," Holly said as they passed the jeweler's. "Isn't that the most beautiful thing ever?" "Which one?" "That one right there," she said pointing at a lovely diamond ring set in the Orin Jeweler's window. It was an elegant setting and a very attractive, artistic design. "That would look great on your finger, wouldn't it?" David remarked. "In my dreams!" Holly laughed and looked away, but then caught a glimpse of David staring closer at the display for a moment before they continued down the street. After passing a few more shops and slowing to look at the brightly decorated windows, the passing crowd reached a bottleneck. Holly and David had to press tightly against the storefront to get past. Caught in the shadow of a doorway leading to a law office on the second floor, David pulled Holly close to him and put his hand under her chin, lifting her face toward his for a warm wet kiss. The glow of the lights across the street flickered in their eyes as they looked at each other and smiled. They didn't need to say a word for the expression in their eyes said everything. As the crowd surged along, they looked ahead. "Kids!" David called out to Jenna and Drew as they began to move further down Main Street. The children were getting a little too far ahead and he wanted to make sure they all got into Helen's Uptown Café for their late supper. "Hold up, okay?" He pointed toward the restaurant. Pleasingly, there wasn't a very long wait at all and they soon slipped into a cozy booth, David managing to slip in beside Holly. Once settled in and the menu was fully digested, Jenna proceeded to relate her latest tale of high school romance and intrigue involving her friend Lauren who was moving to Arkansas and pledging eternal faithfulness to her boyfriend Lance who was remaining in town. Drew chipped in with a new story of his latest Kid's Club adventure, where his buddies had built a fort and they had a great time defending it against the invading girls. Holly and David exchanged a look knowing how that whole dynamic would change in a few years. David enjoyed the look on Holly's face as she listened intently to the kids and he loved the way she laughed joyfully when Drew told of the burping contest that he had won. He reached under the table and found her hand, taking it inside his and holding it on her lap. When their meals were served, they all shared sips of pumpkin bisque, bites of Eggplant Parmesan, and afterwards split a generous order of cherry cheesecake. "I am so stuffed!" Holly commented as the last bite of cheesecake disappeared. "Now we have a good reason to walk all the way back to the car," David remarked. They noticed how the evening had obviously grown chillier when they exited the restaurant. David led them across the street to where a line had formed to take rides in the horse-drawn carriage festooned with holiday decorations. As they joined the line, another friendly voice called out. "Hey, Dave! Dave!" "Well if it isn't the Mike Denton family," David announced as he recognized the approaching couple with their kids stringing along. "How are you?" David asked, shaking Mark's hand and nodding toward Mike's wife, Beth. "And a hearty Merry Christmas to you," Mike replied, eying Holly closely. "Merry Christmas!" Beth said cheerfully. "So are you going to introduce us?" Mike asked pointedly. "Of course," David said warmly, placing his hand on the small of Holly's back. "Mike, Beth, this is Holly." "Hello," Beth said, reaching her hand out to Holly. "Nice to meet you both," Holly replied. "So you're the one who's been keeping our former Men's Club president so busy lately," Mike said to Holly. "Not that I can blame him at all." "It's up to him what he does in his spare time," Holly said, looping her arm inside David's. "So what're you guys up to?" Mike asked. "Just waiting in line for the carriage," was David's reply. "Thought it'd be nice to tour around town with all the lights and decorations turned on." "How romantic!" Beth exclaimed. "I remember when Mike used to want to do things like that." "Never too late, old man," David commented with a laugh. "Maybe next year," Mike replied. "Right now I'm freezing my ass off." "So am I," Beth added with a giggle. "Merry Christmas!" The Dentons waved and moved on with the rest of the passing crowd. When the carriage pulled up and emptied, it was their turn. David helped guide the kids up into the carriage and then helped Holly up, following behind her and sitting next to her in the back with the kids up front. "You might want to wrap up in those blankets, folks," the driver said. "It gets pretty chilly up here once we get going." Holly and David spread the heavy woolen lap blanket over their laps and snuggled together as the carriage began to pull away from the curb. Holly hooked her arm through David's and leaned against him. The view from up in the carriage was lovely as they toured the downtown streets and then moved out into the residential neighborhood nearby, where the rambling Victorian houses were lit up and their decorations were all aglow. "This is so perfect," Holly said as she nuzzled next to David. He could see the glow of the season sparkling in her eyes as they passed house after house with lights and animated seasonal characters placed out on the lawns and rooftops. David let his hand wander underneath the blanket, coming to rest on her thigh and stroking it lightly. He could feel the warmth of her legs underneath the fabric of her slacks and she did nothing to stop his hand. Yet with his kids in front, he had to behave himself for the most part. But there was no denying the intimacy of his touch. The Homestead All too soon their ride was over and they walked back to the car and drove home. Once they were back inside the house, it was time again for hot chocolate. David preferred a more adult libation and chuckled when Holly insisted on having hot chocolate with the kids. "With plenty of marshmallows," she added. "Besides, the stuff you like to drink tastes like bad medicine." "I can't help it if I've developed a taste for bourbon and vermouth, dear girl," David answered. "Although this is a festive night and the vermouth is replaced with Cointreau." While Holly and the kids happily fixed their hot cocoa, David got busy in the family room building a fire and getting it started. By the time they had finished in the kitchen and joined him, the fire was beginning to blaze brightly. "So you guys want to watch a movie or something?" David asked. "I wanna watch Shrek," Drew chipped in. "You always want to watch that, Drew," Jenna said. "Let's watch something Christmasy." "Let's see, we've got It's a Wonderful Life," David suggested. "What about one of the Santa Clause movies?" Jenna said. "We just got Elf too," Drew suggested. "I just love the part where he drinks that whole big bottle of pop and burps really long!" "There are some other good parts too, aren't there?" David commented as he located the DVD case among those sent over by their mother and pulled it out. After popping it in, David got the popcorn going and they soon settled into watching the movie. There was room for all of them to fit on the plush leather couch; David on the end, Holly fitted into the crook of his arm, and Drew and Jenna close by. They passed the popcorn back and forth and enjoyed the movie. Both Holly and David chuckled at Jenna's commentary. She did have the uncanny knack of knowing what to expect at the movies. "Check it out, the love interest," she said at the appropriate moment. Then later she simply sighed deeply. "Oh, poor Buddy," Jenna remarked. "He's just sooo cute." They all laughed and cried as they snuggled together on the couch and watched the movie. Soon after, it was time for Drew to head off to bed but David had to work at getting him into bed. "We've got a long day tomorrow, Boo-boo," David told him. "We've got to decorate the tree, make Christmas cookies, maybe finish up some last minute shopping." Reluctantly, Drew crawled into his new bed in his new room and David tucked the covers around him. While giving him a big hug, he whispered near his ear, "Goodnight, Boo-boo. I love you, Drew boy." David rose up from the bed and turned off the overhead light, leaving on just the small dim lamp on the nightstand. "Oh and Dad," Drew called out. "What Boo-boo?" "You didn't say goodnight to Spike," Drew said pulling his stuffed buffalo from under the covers and holding him up. "Goodnight, Spike, goodnight, Drew, goodnight all the rest of you guys!" Drew had to say goodnight for all the rest of his stuffed animals, in cute little squeaky voices. He may be ten years old, but he's still a little kid, David thought. And that isn't a bad thing. When David walked down the hall, he overheard Jenna talking with Holly. "But you'll never be my Mom," Jenna said firmly. "I don't want to be your mother, honey," Holly said plainly. "I don't know whatever it was that happened between her and your Dad and besides it isn't my place to say. But no one can ever replace her in your life. I'm certainly not going to try." "But you and my Dad are living together, so you must want to marry him or something," Jenna went on. David held up in the hallway for a moment while they talked. "That's what most of his other girlfriends have wanted." "I really don't think we're at that point yet, Jenna," Holly replied. "Honey, look, I love your Dad ... I really love him a lot ... more than I can put into words. And I'm going to stay with him as long as he'll have me. And if he asks me to marry him some day, I probably will. But even if I do, it will never take your relationship with your mother away from you. You'll always have that. I can't touch that." "But you're so much younger than him. I have a hard time with that." "Maybe because you're so young, I don't know. All I know is what I feel about your Dad. He's a great guy and I don't want to lose him, ever." "Well, okay, I guess. But you and I can be friends, right?" Jenna asked. "I hope that we can be the best of friends, Jenna," Holly answered. "That would be so cool," Jenna laughed. "I could have the coolest mom in school!" "But you just said ..." Holly remarked as if confused. "Hey, just playing with ya," Jenna said seriously, then added teasingly, "Mom!" They both laughed and David made a sound as if he were just approaching. He paused by the doorway to Jenna's room. The girls had apparently been sitting together on the bed, Holly was getting up and Jenna was slipping between the covers. "Don't tell me you're going to bed already, honey?" David asked. "Yeah, it's getting late and I'm kind of tired with everything going on." Jenna sighed and curled up under the covers. "Then good night, sweetie. Glad to have you home." "Thanks, Daddy. Goodnight." He pulled the door to her room closed and joined up with Holly. "So, have you two made your peace?" David whispered. "Yes, I think so," Holly answered in an exaggerated whisper. "She's a great kid. You're really lucky." "Thanks," David said easing his arm around her waist. "I'm lucky cause I have both of you ... actually, all three of you," he added, nodding toward Drew's room. Hand in hand, they returned downstairs to the great room. The fire had settled and David poked at the smoldering oak logs and lay in a couple more. He sat on the hearth while the flames caught and the fire erupted again. Holly had been flipping through the television channels but turned it off when there was nothing interesting. David took the opportunity to cue up some seasonal music, soft instrumental versions of some favorite holiday tunes. Holly made room for him on the couch and he settled into the corner, holding her as she leaned back against him. "This is so nice," she purred, folding her arms over his and holding them against her. "I feel so warm and safe here with you." "I want you to feel happy about this," he replied. "I want you to feel as though there is no other place you'd rather be, and no one else you'd rather be with." "But what about my family?" she asked. "You know how attached I am to my folks and brothers and sister." "I do and they are all welcome here," David replied. He couldn't tell exactly if she was joking or not, but he certainly wasn't joking in his answer. "I could never come between you and your friends and family. But I would hope that they would never come between us." "They won't," she reassured him. "They'll love you, I just know it." "Even if I'm older than your father?" Holly was silent for a moment. There were those kinds of things to consider if they were to become a permanent couple. Being in love and enjoying great sex wasn't enough. There would be challenges ahead with both families, even with the two of them. "Even if ..." Holly answered finally. "They'll see how much we're in love and how well you take care of me ... how happy I am." "Are you?" David asked. "Are you happy ... here with me?" "I am ... very," Holly replied. Their voices became softer as the meaning of their words deepened. David felt Holly relax and she rested her head against his chest, nestled near his shoulder. His nostrils were filled with the scent of her hair and her perfume. For the longest while they sat together, just holding each other close. David leaned down to kiss her hair; Holly ran her hand over his chest. Then she lifted her head up and faced him. "I always want to feel this way about you, honey ... always," she said in a soft voice barely audible above the sweet strains of the Christmas music. "Good, because this is too good a feeling to let go," David replied. He placed his hand under her chin and guided her lips toward his. It was a soft sweet kiss that they shared, their soft warm lips pressing together and parting over and over again. Each time their lips met, they were warmer and wetter and the kiss lasted longer. Holly raised her hand from his chest to his face, her long fingers stroking his cheek. There was a special look in each of their eyes, a look not of lust and longing, as so many of their glances had been in the time since they had been together, this was a look of loving and belonging. They sank back onto the sofa remaining close together, listening to the soft holiday music play and feeling the warmth of the blazing fire. With the lights turned low, there was a golden glow in the room that seemed to heighten all of their senses, particularly touch and smell. "I love the way you feel," David remarked softly as he eased his hand over her firm belly. "And I love the way you feel me," Holly replied. "I love to be touched." "I know," he whispered as his hands glided up over her arms. He felt her snuggle close to him. When his hand slipped down to caress her breast through the soft plush wool of her sweater, Holly purred softly arching her back gently into the sweep of his touch. David traced his fingertips along the edge of her bra, circling slowly around her firm but pliant flesh. Finally his fingertips grazed over her nipples; he could feel the puckered texture, and the erect tip through her clothes, and heard the sound of her sigh. Holly shifted enough to face him and their lips met in another warm loving kiss. Their tongues began to play, little dancing flicks at first, but soon growing to deep plunges into each other's mouth, their heated exchange bringing murmurs of pleasure to both of their throats. As their deep long kiss continued, Holly turned and climbed onto his lap, straddling his hips and facing him fully, her hands cradling his face. She leaned down and kissed his face, not just his lips, but the corners that were curled up from his smile, his cheeks, his chin, his nose, his forehead, his closed eyelids. They were soft gentle loving kisses, but each one sent a new and different tingle coursing through his body. And when her kisses returned to his lips, they were stronger and wetter and deeper and accompanied by the sweetest little whimpers of desire. David let his hands explore her waist and hips, gliding over the soft snug fabric of her slacks, feeling the firm curves of her ass as she straddled him, his fingers finding the edging of her string panties. He gripped her ass and pulled her body close to him, feeling the mound of her sex press against the firmness of his growing erection. As he slipped his hands up from her ass, he brought them around to the front and eased them up underneath her sweater. The soft bare flesh of her tummy was warm as his fingers felt their way up toward her breasts. He cupped them tenderly, feeling their full swell fill his hands, the stiff erect nipples pressing through the silken fabric of her bra and into his palms. "Yes, David ... touch me ... touch me all over," Holly sighed as his hands squeezed her breasts. But suddenly, she let go of his face and sat upright on his lap. "What about your kids?" "What do you mean, Baby?" David replied still fondling the lush swell of her breasts. "Won't they hear us or wake up or something?" "They're probably sound asleep upstairs on the other side of the house. The doors are closed. I don't think we have anything to worry about." "You sure?" "Yes, Baby," David answered and added a warm wet kiss. "I'm sure." Holly leaned back for a moment and looked around the room filled with the glow of the blazing fire. Crossing her arms over her chest, Holly reached down and grasped the hem of her sweater. In one long slow motion, she pulled the plush dark red material up and off over her head. She shook her head side to side to shake out her chestnut red tresses. As she did so, David left his hands on her body, but now pulled them away to gaze at her. Holly looked so sweet and sexy in the flimsy little silken bra, a deep purple with delicate black lace trim. The material was so sheer that her stiff nipples were easily seen as her firm curves surged up from the purple silk. David then ran his hands over her body, from her waist to her shoulders and back again. He traced the cups of her bra where they ran over the jiggling upper curves of her breasts. His hands followed around to the back, dancing along the edge of the silk and lace, teasing her soft supple skin. He could feel her hips begin to rock gently as he touched her body. When his fingers found the clasp of her bra, Holly rested her hands on his shoulders and arched her back giving him easy access. The bra snapped apart with ease and David slowly peeled it away from her breasts. "Mmm, Baby! You are so beautiful," David said in a low husky voice. The sight of her perfectly round breasts topped by the gorgeously erect rosy pink nipples made him growl. He cupped her bare breasts, letting his fingertips graze over her taut nipples, watching them grown stiff and puckered. And when he had teased them into sheer perfection, he leaned forward and kissed them, one then the other and back again and again until they were warm and damp from his kisses. David suckled them and nibbled them relentlessly not stopping even when Holly began to pull away. He reached behind her back and kept her body close to him. "Oh, honey! You're gonna make me cum just by kissing me there," she hummed as she surrendered to the wonders of David's oral onslaught. David grinned and kissed his way back up to her mouth, his hands gliding back around to her breasts, to pinch and pull and tease her nipples so damp from his kisses. Holly began to tug at his sweater eventually getting him to raise his arms so she could pull it off him. His t-shirt quickly followed and was tossed aside. She leaned down and kissed his chest and nibbled on his tight little man nipples, delighting in the way his body twitched with each nip. "Is somebody getting turned on?" Holly asked with a little swivel of her hips on his, feeling the length of his erection rub against her sex. She reached down between her legs and ran her fingers over his growing member. "Hmm, I think so." "Um, guilty as charged," David replied. "Not that you aren't." "Oh, honey, I'm way more than turned on, you know me that well," Holly replied, trying to open up his slacks and decided to slip down off his lap to finish the job. Settling down onto the floor between his legs, Holly opened up his slacks and giggled when she saw the black silk boxers imprinted with red lip prints and the words, Merry Christmas! "Oh, these are too cute!" she exclaimed and quickly pulled his slacks down to get a better view. "Like these, eh?" David asked as he kicked off his shoes and let her pull his pants down and off. "Oh, I like ... very Christmasy, honey," Holly chuckled as she ran her hands up over his legs and then teasingly over the bulge growing in his lap through the silken boxers. "But I think I like this even more." Her fingers coiled around his thickening cock, surrounding it with the plush silk of his shorts and stroking it gently. "Mmm, you are always so responsive." With one hand Holly stroked his cock until it was rock hard and cradled his balls with the other. She teased him unmercifully, stroking him, even leaning down to nibble on his erection through the silk of his shorts. Then she slipped a hand up the leg of his shorts grasping his long hot hard-on and bringing a deep groan to his lips. "Oh, god, Holly! Fuck!" he swore, unable to control his words or the rocking of his hips. Holly found the opening of his shorts and popped his cock out. "Oh, my," she giggled as his long thick pink cock rose up from the hole in the black silk Christmas shorts. "I guess you are happy to see me." She held his cock upright at the base with her hand still buried in his boxers and leaned forward to lap at the tip with her tongue. Holly ran her tongue up and down the length of his shaft until it was fully hard and glistening. Then she swirled her tongue around the head until David groaned with pleasure. Holly grinned and parted her lips just a bit, then kissed the head, and swiveled her mouth back and forth around the cap, humming as she went. David tried to thrust his hips up but she resisted, keeping his surging cock resting at her lips, the entrance to her mouth. As her lips parted further, he could feel her twirl her tongue around the head of his cock, sucking the first drops of precum into her mouth. "Is this what you want, honey?" she asked with an impish grin. David struggled to keep his eyes on her as Holly began to stroke him with both hands. He nodded. "Yes, but more." "More, honey?" she asked, the devilish grin growing. She rose up on her knees and brought her breasts toward his cock. Guiding his upright shaft between them, Holly pushed her breasts together surrounding his cock. "Like this?" "Oh, yeah, that's good," David moaned. "But I want more." "More? You are a greedy boy, aren't you?" she laughed. As she rocked up and down, sliding his cock between her breasts, Holly leaned down and lapped at the head of his cock each time it came near her mouth. "Is this what you want?" "Mmm, yes ... but something ... something more," David murmured. "I wonder what that could be?" Holly said with a phony little perplexed look on her face. Then her face lit up. "Oh, I think I know what you want." Holly settled back down between his legs and leaned forward bringing her mouth close to his cock. With her eyes trained on his, she opened her mouth and took his cock inside. All he could feel was the warmth and wetness of her tongue and lips and she sank his cock deep inside her mouth. Sucking him hard, Holly drew him to the back of her throat. Then she slowly began to bob her head up and down, sucking him deep inside then backing away. She knew she was driving him crazy because his hips rocked uncontrollably and he kept calling out her name in little sharp curses. "Oh fuck Holly! Jesus! Oh, shit!" he growled as she sucked him deeply into her mouth. Holly slowly eased her mouth off him, grazing her teeth over the head as his cock popped out of her mouth. "You better keep the noise down," Holly admonished him. "You'll wake up the kids." "No ... don't ... stop," David growled. "Please." "Oh, I just love it when you beg," Holly giggled. Then she dove back down and sucked him deeper and harder than before. David reached his hands down to fondle her breasts swaying just within his grasp. There was a raw passion to her manner but it felt so complete and loving. He stroked her hair with one hand, helping her keep it from interfering with her luscious oral lovemaking. Perhaps on some level this might be seen as what it appeared on the surface, but to David this act held much more meaning and he longed to share the feeling. He lifted her head from his throbbing sex and kissed her fully on the lips, a deep loving kiss that drew her up from her knees and into his arms. From there, he maneuvered her up onto the couch, stretching her out on her back while his hands sought the snap and zip for her snug black pants. His fingers must have been a little cold for Holly began to giggle. "You're tickling me," she laughed as she arched her back so that David could reach the zipper and snap. Once he had finished that, Holly reclined back down onto the couch and let David tug her pants down her long, long legs. David couldn't resist running his hands up over the smooth sleek skin of her long shapely legs. Although she tried to keep her knees together it didn't take long for David to pry them apart with the right combination of caresses and kisses. Everywhere he touched her he kissed her; everywhere he kissed her, he caressed her. Finally he reached the top of her legs and the silky triangle of purple fabric that covered her sex.