Tom And Jane Ch 05 Vacation

Chapter 5 - Vacation

There I was, dressed in my trusty Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts, sandals, ridiculous straw hat, Josh and Sarah in tow, trying to pretend they don't know me. It's a ritual I've performed ever since they were little, and one that makes them wish they didn't know me. We were heading out to Seattle, to see some old friends, and enjoy the scenery. Seattle doesn't sound like anyone's idea of a tropical, Hawaiian shirt type of vacation, but some traditions have to stay. Hell, I once got on a plane in Washington D.C. in freezing, snowing, windy weather wearing only this outfit, because tradition.

Seattle meant a lot for the kids and I, because most of my time flying in the Navy had been spent in the area, up at Whidbey Island, and the kids had friends here still. It's what they considered their hometown, and to a point, it was mine as well. I had promised that the we would make it out there one more time before Josh started college, and the kids were holding me to the promise. Luckily for me, Pan Am provided us with free airfare, so this was going to be an extremely cheap trip. Hell, even the hotel would be covered by a generous benefactor. The kids and I were looking forward to a fun week back home.

From Detroit, we flew to San Francisco, had a couple hours' layover to tour the airport, and then the flight to Seattle. In the captain's seat for this one was Ron, newly minted as captain, and I had the pleasure of commenting on his landing on the way off the plane. Up the gate we went, and at the top was what I was looking forward to the most on this trip; Jane would be meeting us at the airport. She had only spent an hour around both of the kids up to now, and this was an opportunity for her to get to know them better, as well as for both of us to spend time together. What I didn't expect to see was what Jane was wearing; a bright red and white Hawaiian print sun dress, large, floppy straw hat, and big black sunglasses. It was 50 and rainy in Seattle when we arrived.

"Dad, are you two related" chimed in Josh, and Sarah only nodded. I just grinned big at Jane, who was smiling back at me. She looked beautiful in her ridiculous outfit.

We hugged, and all of us talked about what to do next. "Let's get to the hotel, I'm freezing in this" said Jane, and off to the room we went. It was actually a suite, with two bedrooms. Jane had insisted on splurging for this, and rejected my offer to pay. "This is my tryout, and besides" she paused "we're going to want some alone time." I smiled. I love this woman.

The first day, we mostly spent at the hotel, acclimatizing to the time change. We all ended up down by the pool. I had never seen Jane swim before, and was immensely saddened to see her exit the bathroom, wearing a baggy shirt over her one-piece swimsuit. Jane, the kids, and I all swam for over an hour, Jane never taking the shirt off, even in the water. It did the job required, and hid her from others' view. Josh and Sarah and I had a blast, and Jane was slowly getting more comfortable talking to the kids. Later that night, during dinner, Jane talked about playing rugby in high school and college, and I made jokes about being a fifth-rate high school basketball player. Jane talked to Sarah about clothes. I knew Jane could dress, because I'd seen some of the things she wore, but I also found out that my rich girlfriend did so by shopping at discount places. Sarah hung on Jane's every word. Josh and I talked about his senior year, soccer, and about attending the University of Michigan the next year. He had wanted to stay nearby for college. Michigan was a good school, and I was proud of him no matter what.

We spent the next couple days out on the town, and they were too busy. We hit a lot of our favorite spots, and by the third day, we were at Seattle Center, getting lunch. While walking around, Jane and Josh both spotted the arcade at the same time. "Tom!" Jane jumped, and pulled me into the arcade, with my kids happily alongside. We spent the entire rest of the day there, goofing around. Jane and Sarah had almost immediately found a dancing game, and both spent an hour playing it, dancing, and I even saw Jane on the ground, laughing, at one point. Her and Sarah were hitting it off big time. Josh and I went between a bunch of the sports games, where he was able to beat me at all of them. Him and I talked about life, his mom, school, sports, and a lot of other private things. Josh was a man, and I found myself having the conversation I didn't expect to have with my boy. Eventually, Jane switched kids, and I got to hang out with Sarah. Jane and Josh teamed up on some shooting game.

After what felt like hours, Josh returned. "Dad, she's really, really good at video games."

Jane just threw up her arms "Hey, I used to beat up on the guys at McGill playing Goldeneye." All of us were impressed.

Another dinner, another night in the pool, and another night of Jane and I only cuddling. She was over what happened in Montreal, having left it in her rearview mirror. Despite what she had told me, sex wasn't on the table now, even with the kids in the other bedroom. "I'm trying to not rub it in their faces that I'm screwing their dad" Jane said, sly grin on her face. I kissed her, trying for a little boob grab in the process, but she intercepted my hand and guided to my own crotch. "Work on yourself, if you have to." I didn't consider that an option...yet.

The next day was our trip up to Whidbey Island. The Prowler squadrons were stationed here when I was a pilot, and thus the reason for our long-term association with Seattle as a family. The kids still knew the place like the back of their hand. We were escorted through the gate by the squadron commander of VAQ-135, a man I knew quite well. CDR Dave Baker, a long time ago one of my naval flight officers, was now the commander of the squadron. "How's life in the back seat, Chirp?" I asked him.

"Hey, I can't complain, not that exciting" he said back to me. We both had a laugh about it. Chirp showed me around the squadron area, I shook hands with a bunch of younger guys, and saw how different life had become in the Navy. For one, the squadron was half the size that I was used to; instead of four guys per plane, the Growler only needed two crew members. Chirp also showed me around the Growler, which was based on a fighter, the Super Hornet. It was a sleek jet, and carried at least as much power as the Prowler. I got to sit in the pilot seat, and it felt like every bit the fighter it was born from. Unfortunately, nobody else with me was allowed inside the jet, due to secrecy regulations. Jane just waved it away, happy to not have to try to get into the cockpit. Sarah also seemed mildly disinterested in it. Josh, however, had the visible look of disappointment on his face. I cut my time short, just to keep from making things worse for him.

Chirp had used my call sign a few times, and finally Jane decided to ask about it. I just shrugged "I've got nothing to hide, unlike your name" and made a few chirping noises. Dave laughed, and told the story of the time at my first fleet squadron that I tried to fight, on my own, a half-dozen VF-103 guys. The CO had dressed me down in an epic fashion, a full 20 minutes of red-faced screaming. Finally, winding down, he had asked me if my skull was so thick that I felt like I could defend the entire squadron's honor...when the realization came that the idiot in front of him, with the thick skull, had fought the squadron with the skull and crossbones logo. At that point, I became 'Skull' Banner.

Chirp's nickname involved an amorous foray with a local girl in the squadron hanger, who made bird sounds when excited. I had personally handed that one out. I wasn't about to tell that story to my kids, though Jane cried with laughter later when I told her.

After a long day there, including watching a couple squadrons return from their boat, we made the long drive back into Seattle. Sarah and Jane sat in the back seat and talked, while Josh and I sat up front. "That's a really cool jet, Dad, and the Super Hornet seems like a really cool fighter" said Josh.

"Yeah, but it's a fighter" I let my electronic attack flag fly, but agreed with what he said, at least privately.

We got back, had dinner together, and went to bed. Jane curled up in my lap as we watched TV that night, and we talked. Jane finally decided to break it to me "you do realize that Josh is going to be following in your footsteps, right?"

That one caught me off guard "What do you mean?"

"When I talked to Jessica, she said that Josh had really picked up his grades and extracurriculars last year, and had sent out scholarship applications for Navy ROTC" said Jane.

"Shit" was my only reply. I loved Josh, and wanted him to do great things, but I distinctly wanted him to follow his own path. It also reminded me that Jessica had given her approval before the trip, having had lunch with Jane and I. My ex-wife and I were probably never compatible, but there was a sort of love there that only two people who had raised kids together could have. We would never consider spending another second in a relationship with her, but it was important that she felt comfortable with Jane being around the kids.

Jane, Jessica, and I had gone out to eat at a local place a few weeks before, after I had decided that I wanted to invite Jane on the trip. I hadn't told Jane yet, but Jessica knew. She wasn't against it, but liked that I had included her in the decision making. So all three of us had gone out to lunch. Jessica was off for the day, having a few days off her hospital shift. The restaurant was a nice Greek place. I hadn't known it, but Jane loved Greek food. We had been there a few minutes when Jessica arrived. I introduced the two, and was a bystander in the conversation for next hour. Both women got along fantastically. They had both grown up across the river from each other, Jane in Windsor, and Jessica in Grosse Pointe Park. Jessica had played soccer in high school. They had graduated the same year, and had known of each other's schools. They talked about growing up in the area, watching Tigers games with their dads, and had such similar upbringings that they would have been best friends, if not for living in separate countries. After lunch, Jane headed to the car, and Jessica and I talked. "Tom, I feel more comfortable with her going than I ever expected." I felt some pride at that, but she continued "and if you let her get away, you're a moron."

The last couple days of vacation would end up being magical. We went out to the Olympic Peninsula, hiked a bit, and enjoyed the outdoors. By the time was had left, everyone was asleep, Jane and Sarah leaning against each other. I drove in silence, looking at what I had. The entire trip had been magical so far. We returned home, everyone woke up, and we got dressed up to go to dinner. Jane wore a beautiful sweater and skirt, and she helped Sarah choose her outfit as well. My daughter came out of the kids' room, looking 10 years older than she was. I felt like an old man at that moment. Jane really could do a lot for a person's clothes. We talked for a couple hours at dinner, again, on a bunch of different topics. Eventually, Jane and Sarah got the okay to take the kids' bedroom over for the night. Josh would get the big bed, and I'd be happy on the couch. The women would get a night of girl talk, and Josh and I spent the late hours talking about the Navy.

"Dad, I didn't want to tell you because I knew your feelings about me becoming a pilot" Josh was on the defensive.

I responded "Josh, whatever you do, you're my son, and I love you. I just want you to be safe, because-" I trailed off, and then told him the story about my experience with danger on the carrier deck, a story that only Jessica and I knew, up to that point. Josh understood the risks, and wanted to see the challenge through. I told him I supported him completely. We hugged, and he headed off to bed for the night.

Our last night would just be Jane and I, as the kids ended up staying over with cousins (Jessica had a brother who moved out here while I was in the Navy). Jane had told me that sex wasn't an option when the kids were around, but it seemed like another night of that was coming. Jane was in her pajamas, not making any move on me, and I was content to wait until we got back to Detroit. We'd have a few days, and a week's worth of pent up lack of sex would only spell trouble for Jane.

"Alright babe, I'm ready for bed" Jane said, using her new pet name for me. I, being the gentleman, let her use the bathroom to get ready first. I was out there for a few minutes when the bathroom door opened, and Jane was standing there, one arm up on the doorway, hip out a bit, wearing only a thong and some stockings. "I didn't want to bring a lot, so now you don't have to take much off" Jane purred like the sex kitten she was.

I choked on my water. Jane laughed at me, and when I caught my breath, I said "Hey, who said I was prepared for sex tonight, I might have wanted to go to bed." Jane simply walked over to the bed, lifted the sheets, and grabbed my stiffening penis. She gave me her best 'seriously?' look, and just pointed her hand at me crotch. "Yeah yeah" I said, and she jumped on me, smothering me in her boobs.

I enjoyed that for a while, drowning in the boob sea that was her chest, when I rolled her off of me, and then me onto her. "Whoa there, flyboy" she laughed, and then got back into the mood, slipping her thong off. "We're not going to need a lot of preparation for this" she said to me, as I slipped off my boxers. In an instant, I was inside of her, moving my hips with hers, going slowly. We looked into each other's' eyes. She closed her eyes and arched her back a bit. I kissed her all over her neck and shoulders. While I was doing that, she whispered in my ear "Let's just finish, just like this." She proceeded to arch her back again, shoving her breasts into me, closing her eyes and letting out a moan. When her vaginal muscles spasmed during orgasm, it triggered me into finishing as well.

We lay next to each other for the next couple hours after, talking. "Did you know about Sarah and her boyfriend?" Sarah had been in eighth grade the last school year, and the idea of her having a boyfriend was fairly shocking. Jane continued "I'm guessing from the look on your face that's a no. Well, if you noticed that she was withdrawn over Christmas, it's because they broke up."

"Well, good for my mental state, I guess" I quipped.

Jane looked serious though, so it was time for me to shut up. "Tom, she dumped him because he kept trying to pressure her into sex." I could see the red creeping in again, and then the realization that my teenage daughter was such a strong young woman now, made me feel a lot better.

"Thank you, Jane, I won't even mention it to her, and thank you for being awesome with my kids" I said to her. Jane smiled sweetly, and we cuddled, completely naked, until we heard the door open the next morning, and Jane and I had to scramble back into our pajamas.

Jane and I had taken separate flights to try and keep our relationship semi-concealed, and the flight home was no different. Jane had managed a direct flight to Detroit, while the kids and I would go back through San Francisco, this time spending a night in the city. We said our goodbyes in front of the hotel, my kids now smiling instead of rolling their eyes, and Jane whispering into my ear that she'd meet me at my condo.

On the way home, the kids forced me to sit between them on the flights. They peppered me from both sides with questions about Jane. I tried to answer all of them, and eventually satisfied all of their curiosity. Upon reaching our hotel in San Francisco, they said that they would have me committed if I didn't marry her. Given what Jessica had said, it was starting to look like a consensus was forming.