The Hackberry family reunion always takes place during the Labor Day holiday weekend at the family estate in the Midwest. In most years it is typically a big turn-out with several generations gathering. Autumn Hackberry and her partner, Randall, are always part of the planning.
The couple have been together for ten years, both are in their mid-forties. Autumn is a buxom, curvy Black woman with a delightful smile and playful personality. An intellectual by nature, she's an executive with a large publishing firm with aspirations of eventually starting her own boutique publishing house. Randall is a chubby white man, divorced, and with a stereotypical "dad bod" and the groan-inducing dad jokes to go along with it. He's not a career-oriented person, but over the last few years has found his way into being involved with local politics, organizing voter registration drives and even organizing a couple of protest rallies.
They are very much in love with each other and have been since they first met in person, after meeting each other on an adult chat site several years earlier, during the early days of the Internet when their parents believed it was full of scammers and axe murderers. They both have curious minds and have always indulged in exploring the boundaries of sex and the taboo, and have been open with each other's thoughts and feelings. They became each other's best friends long before they became lovers, but since then they've been almost inseparable. They enjoy each other's company. Autumn puts up with his lame jokes because he's adorably romantic and sentimental. Randall often finds himself lost in her bright, chocolate eyes and aroused by her gifted mind and sexually permissive demeanor. Everywhere they go, everyone notices just how in love and devoted they are to each other.
The last year for Autumn and Randall have been stressful, however. Autumn experienced a medical issue and the end result was that while she recovered in full health, her hormone balance suddenly changed and her libido evaporated. Randall, deeply concerned about his love's health, has been respectful and supportive as she's struggled with this unexpected change during the prime years of their lives.
The preparation for the reunion kicked off early as the family's designated master cooks and chefs started cooking the food, with family members straggling in by Noon. Over the next few hours several dozen more family members arrive with their spouses, children and grandchildren to get the festivities started. Known to run late into the evening, the day offers plenty of fun with games and sports activities for young and old alike, and all generations gathered in various groups for rounds of spades, Uno, or just reminiscing and laughing about years past and getting caught up with each other's lives.
Randall was relaxing under the shade of a tree during the early afternoon when Autumn stepped outside from the kitchen, having finished her share of baking some of the desserts. Coming up behind Randall, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on his cheek.
"You know, Keisha," Randall said tongue-in-cheek, "we really shouldn't be meeting like this out in the open. If Autumn catches us there will be hell to pay from the whole family!"
Autumn immediately withdraws from her hug and slaps him on the back of his head. "You a goddamn fool, Randall!" she exclaimed.
"Don't I know it," said Randall with a chuckle. "All done, babe?"
"Yep! This baker has clocked out! If you'll excuse me, I'm going to get out of these clothes, go refresh myself and enjoy some of this party."
Randall perked up. "Would you like some help in getting refreshed?" he asked, turning in her direction and cracking a cocky grin with a raised eyebrow.
"Stop it, sir!" replied Autumn. "There's children present and they have ears!"
"Aright, I guess I'll keep my hands to myself. But if your cousin comes around and starts flirting again I may have to flirt back."
"I'mma cut that bitch if she does!" said Autumn. Not that she was worried, she knew her cousin Keisha could be flirty, but she was respectful and knew better than to cross any boundaries. "Anyhow, I'll be back out in a bit. Just relax, love."
Randall leaned back in his chair again, watching over the reunion. Eventually other men in the family would make their way over and strike up conversations about family news, sports and politics. Despite being the only white person in an all-Black family, everyone had welcomed him with open arms, and Randall always felt like just another one of the Hackberry clan.
Autumn made her way back inside and up the stairs, arriving in her old childhood bedroom. It had long since been converted into a guest bedroom, with nary a hint of her childhood left. It still felt like her room, though, and this is where her and Randall stayed when they came up to the house.
Autumn stripped out of her dirty, flour-dusted clothes, put her shower cap on and then stepped out into the hallway, nude and carrying a towel. Nobody else would be up on the second floor and she felt free to walk naked and uninhibited. She adjusted the water for the shower and then stepped in, giving herself a quick rinse-off of both the flour as well as the sweat and humidity. The tepid water felt wonderful as it cascaded down her body, causing a slight raise of goose bumps. She let herself relax and enjoy the water flow as it gently beat upon her skin for a few minutes.
Feeling refreshed, Autumn shut off the water, let herself drip-dry for a few minutes, then stepped out of the shower to towel off. Wrapping the towel around her plump and plentiful 46 G bust, it hung off her body like a soft, terrycloth gown. She made her way back to her room to finish drying, lotioning and getting in some fresh clothes. As she does, she adjusts the blinds to look outside over the events, high enough to where nobody would see she was in a state of undress even if they happened to look up and stare. Her eyes sought out Randall, and found him now gathered near one of the play areas for the kids, kicking a ball around with them.
Randall was a divorced father of three children, all grown now. He and his now ex-wife started their family when he was just out of high school, and he loved his children very much. Autumn watched as Randall was engaged with entertaining the young ones and sighed. She herself never had the opportunity to experience motherhood, and when she and Randall met neither were of the mind to try for children of her own. While she wished she had been able to at points in the past, she also very much enjoyed her child-free life and the freedom that came with it. She still had a hand in helping to guide and educate several of her nieces and nephews when they were younger, and she was the beloved Auntie Autumn in the family. But her life had given her the opportunity to pursue her intellectual and educational interests and to build a career in a challenging, rewarding field. She had few regrets.
Still, as she watched she felt a pang of sadness in her heart. The last year of life between her and Randall was also challenging, but not in the best and most fun of ways. The two of them had always been fiery, passionate lovers. She missed the feeling of intimacy, of being aroused and feeling desired. She knew Randall loved her deeply and would never stray because of this, but she hated how she just couldn't rise to the occasion as she used to. While Randall never spoke to his own feelings, she could feel that he, too, missed their lovemaking, and he missed their lustful, wild sex life that was part of their close connection to each other. Autumn had been working with a team of doctors, including her gynecologist, a dietician and a sex therapist to try to rebuild her connections to those feelings that now just felt lost. She appreciated the love and support that Randall had provided her when she needed it most.
Pondering on it more, she decided that today she would try to push past her feelings and show her appreciation for Randall and their relationship. Composing herself, she finished drying and massaging the lotion into her dark, radiant skin. Pulling her makeup bag out of her luggage, she sat down in front of the vanity, deciding that she wanted to put some extra "wow factor" into her appearance by applying foundation, some blush, eyeliner and a shiny layer of gloss to her plump, supple lips. Returning to her luggage, she fished out a bright, light linen blouse and a form-fitting skirt. She pulled out a lacy but supportive bra that gave her girls the form and attention they needed. Deciding to forego panties, she stepped into her skirt and slid it up her thighs and over her shapely derriere, zipping up the back snugly. She threw on her blouse, fluffing it out a little, and buttoning all but the top few buttons to give a wonderful, but still tasteful, view of her cleavage. Giving herself a once-over in the mirror, she admired the woman who she saw in her reflection. A stunning goddess, beautiful and blessed, brimming with confidence.
Autumn stridently descended the stairs, through the ground level and out the back to return to the party. She mixed and mingled with several family members as she slowly made her way back over to Randall. She stood next to him as he kicked a ball around with some of the toddlers, watching them cackle as they gave chase to it and try to bring it back to him. Autumn slid her hand into his and gave it a squeeze, interlocking her fingers with his. This had become their love language, expressing their intimacy through touch and gentle caresses.
"You're always so good with the babies," Autumn remarked.
Randall smiled. "It just comes naturally to me I guess."
She squeezed his hand again. "I love you, babe," said Randall. He turned to face Autumn, and immediately noticed her attire. He stepped back and gave an approving look up and down her body, then pursed his lips as he gave a low, audible and drawn-out whistle.
"Ms. Hackberry," Randall said with a pronounced and exaggerated Southern drawl, "I believe you are the finest filly that a young man might ever see at this gala!"
Autumn played the part, fanning herself with her hand. "I DO declare, Mr. Montgomery, you certainly know how to make a young girl's heart flutter!"
