TWO
The next 6 months flew by like the proverbial whirlwind as mine and Kathleen's relationship deepened and led to our wedding.
Kathleen and Erika, her daughter, had moved into my house after the wedding and were settling in nicely. Erika had come home from college for the wedding and stayed for the Summer, giving her and I the time to get acquainted.
Erika was, like her mother, the complete package. Brains & beauty. Standing 5'- 6", an inch or so taller than her mother, she kept her body toned and well defined through her regular workouts.
Her natural auburn hair was enough to draw your attention by itself except that it competed with her even rarer natural blue eyes - think Elizabeth Carlisle. Practically twins - including the sexiest blanket of soft freckles extending down her neck across her shoulders and across the top of her chest.
She was stunning without makeup, but with makeup, people would just stop and watch her walk by. She impressed me as a beautiful young woman who's wardrobe and personality said, "Yes, I know I'm gorgeous, but there's more to me to my looks and I don't need to show off."
For those that took the time to really get to know her - at least those she allowed to get close enough to have the opportunity to get past her appearance and discover her delightful, genuine personality, the experience was endearing.
She was the embodiment of Kathleen's proudest moment and they were very close.
The day we met, she greeted me with a big smile and a hug as she whispered in my ear, "I will judge you by how you treat my mother. If you ever hurt her I'll cut your nuts off."
Definitely a chip off the ol' block.
As Spring turned to Summer and I had the pool opened, we all found ourselves spending more time outside in the fresh air around the pool. There was a definite trend with Kathleen and Erika in that if it was just the three of us around the pool both of them wore swimsuits that were considerably more revealing than if we had company, though in either case there was really no hiding their physical beauty.
I remember Kathleen prepping me for Erika's presence in the house by saying, "She's all frill & lace and loves dressing to accentuate her beauty and femininity."
"So, are you telling me to be prepared to see her walking around scantily clad?" I asked.
"No. That's not her style. You'll see, just don't act surprised."
"Ok."
On that day of our first meeting she popped out of the car dressed in tight jeans and a form fitting cable knit sweater and 2" red pumps. Nothing out of the ordinary, but definitely dressed to make an impression.
I looked at Kathleen with a quizzical expression. She read my face perfectly, "You'll see." she said.
Later, after unpacking and showering to rinse off the dust of her road trip back from college, I understood.
Erika came down the stairs in a fresh pair of skinny ankle length jeans, a form-fitting vanti bra tennis tank top and nude patent leather ankle strap pumps.
Hearing her heels hit the wooden floor at the bottom of the stairs, Kathleen and I both turned to look in Erika's direction.
"Mom." she said as she walked by us toward the kitchen, "he's staring."
"I know sweetheart. He does that. It's actually quite flattering."
"I think it's cute." Erika replied.
"Jake."
"Jake."
"Uh, huh?"
"You're staring."
"Yes. I am."
"I'm starving." Came Erika's voice from the kitchen.
"I'll be right there sweetheart and we'll make a snack that we can nibble on while we cook dinner."
"Perfect! I've missed us cooking together."
"Me too honey."
"Is he gonna be ok?"
"He'll be fine sweetheart. He did this on the night of our first date too."
"Yeah, Jake, I heard about that first date - nicely done!"
"Thanks. And if I recall, your mother did a little jaw-dropping staring of her own that night."
"Mother, is he bragging?"
"Well, we ARE in Texas sweetheart..." Kathleen started before I interrupted with, "and it ain't bragging if it's the truth."
"Just exactly what ARE we talking about here?" Erika asked.
"The look on your mother's face when I pulled up to the jet at the airport." I said before Kathleen could reply.
"Yes. That's what we're talking about." Kathleen added after a moment.
There was a brief pause before we all broke out in laughter.
I stayed out of their way, as instructed, as the two of them performed a graceful dance around each other as they worked as a team to prepare dinner. The conversation between the three of us flowing as easily as it had for me and Kathleen.
"You two have done this dance before." I observed.
They both laughed, then Erika added, "When it was just me and mom, she always made making dinner a fun thing for us to do together. Guess we still sorta fall back into it pretty easily."
"Definitely."
The laughter and conversation continued into and through dinner ending with three fresh cups of coffee and a light apple tart.
Finally, Erika stood up, stretched and said, "I'm wiped out. Jake, it's been very nice getting to know you. I can see why my mother is so taken with you, but if you two will excuse me, I'm gonna go see if my bed is as comfortable as it looks."
Erika walked over to Kathleen and leaned down and kissed her on the cheek and hugged her, "Night mom."
"Night sweetheart. It's good to have you home."
"Yes, and it feels like home already." Erika replied as she walked over to me, leaned down and kissed me on the cheek, "Thank you Jake. Good night."
"Good night Erika. I hope this always feels like home."
I watched as she strode gracefully across the floor towards the stairs.
"Jake. You're staring." Erika said without looking back at us.
I turned to look at Kathleen, lifting both hands palms up.
