"Are you sure you have my present?" I heard from the bedroom behind me as I carried my suitcase out to the car.
"Yes, dear," I replied pretending irritation, "I have checked 3 times this morning, and the box has been in the same place I put it last night each time."
"Sorry, I just don't want you to forget it," Jackie answered as she followed me out with her own suitcase.
The present she referred to was the pair of diamond earrings I had bought for her 2 weeks previously when we were on our island vacation. I had told her then to consider them a Christmas gift, and now that Christmas was only 2 days away, I had told her that they would need to be wrapped and placed under the tree to make them an official gift. Jackie had protested a bit, but in the end she relented.
"I will feel naked without them." she had claimed.
"I remember you naked with them." I replied, "It will only be a couple of days."
We were going to her parent's home in Wilmington for the Christmas holidays, and I told her that she would get the gift on Christmas morning. She would need to look sufficiently surprised when she opened the box in front of her parents. I was really just giving her a hard time, I knew she had not taken them out except for a couple of cleanings since the day I got them for her. She played along, but really did want to get them back into her ears as soon as possible.
I had decided that I would go with her, not that I really had a choice. I did not let Jackie know that I had made the decision shortly after she first asked me, I let her 'convince' me with a few extra blow jobs, some quality time in the shower together, really just things we might do anyway, but it was all part of the game. My own parents had committed to spending Christmas in upstate New York with my sister and her family. I loved my family, but spending a week or more with the 7 of them while possibly snowbound was not something I looked forward to. I would catch up with them sometime in the near future, just like every other year.
We finished loading the car, and got started. I was driving the challenger and was looking forward to a nice road trip. I had owned the car for almost 2 years, but with the first year dedicated to restoration and the next just local driving, this would be the first chance I had to get it out on the open road. The forecast had been for chilly temperatures, but mostly sunny conditions across the state. The 300 or so miles would take about 6 hours, so I decided to take the first shift behind the wheel, then Jackie would drive the final segment to her parents home. Once I cleared the town proper, the highway was lightly congested and I was able to pick up the pace. Coming to a long, straight section, I took a quick look around for local law enforcement, and then opened up the engine, giving those 3 carburetors the full benefit of cool air and fuel. The speed quickly passed the century mark and we were fast passing any few slower cars in the right lane. Jackie and I each enjoyed the feeling of power, and this was fun. Maybe that 6 hour estimate might be a bit much.
I did decide that prudence dictated a more modest speed and we were back to 10 over the posted limit shortly. The ride was going well and we spent time talking about memories of Christmas past. Occasionally, a car would come up and the occupants would look, wave or give thumbs up as they checked out the car. Some would rev their engine, hoping for a speed contest, but those we ignored, choosing to obey the laws. About 4 hours into the trip, the gas tank and our own stomachs were getting empty, so we got off the highway and found a place to eat. Once the growling in our stomachs was satisfied, the car received its own fill, then Jackie took over driving duties and we continued on. I kidded that I did not mind more seat time, but Jackie told me any seat time for me would be on the passenger side. As we got closer to our destination, Jackie was more familiar with the roads that she had ridden on growing up, so perhaps it was good that she was driving. The lunch stop had added another hour to our estimate, and we arrived at her parent's home shortly before 4.
Jackie pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine. We got out, stretched a bit, and then turned to face her parents who had come out to greet us when they saw us arrive. Jackie's father was a big man, not really tall, but solid and muscular. He owned a small construction company, and had spent most of his life outside doing physical labor. Her mother was shorter and petite, but Jackie told me not to let her size and appearance fool me, she was tough as nails and could swear like a truck driver if necessary. She did the bookkeeping and office duties for the construction company. Jackie gave her mother a hug, then her father before introducing me to Davis and Antoinette, Dave and Toni to their friends. Before she could speak, her father looked at the car and commented, "This doesn't look like that piece of crap you were driving last time you were here."
Toni turned to him and said, "Don't start teasing her, Dave. You know how much she loves that car."
Jackie piped up, "the car is in the garage, and Steve will be painting it in a few weeks."
Her father looked at me, and then said, "So, you work in a body shop? Jackie said you were in computers."
Jackie was ready to jump in and defend me, but before she could speak, and why I said it I don't know, I responded, "Actually, I'm a gigolo. Jackie just keeps me around as her boy toy."
Dave cracked up at this, and Jackie stood there with a look on her face that said "I don't believe you just said that!"
Toni again chastised her husband, "Dave, you shouldn't be teasing them"
Dave responded "Me? He started it."
With my rapier like wit, I countered, "Did not!"
Her father stopped laughing long enough to answer "Did so!"
We were both standing there laughing like crazy, Jackie trying to say something, but the words would not come out. Her mother moved next to her and putting her arm around Jackie's shoulder, said, "Jacqueline honey, you are in trouble. If he is this much like your father already, you are in big trouble!" She continued rubbing Jackie's shoulder, but with a big smile on her face.
Soon things calmed down enough for Toni to suggest we get our things and go inside. My initial concern about meeting her parents had been that we might not get along until they knew me better, but that concern had disappeared now. Jackie had once again found the ability to speak, and was telling her parents about the trip and asking about goings on in their lives. As I brought our bags in, Toni directed me to put them into Jackie's old room, settling another concern we both had. One of my questions before agreeing to this trip had been sleeping arrangements. We had been living, and sleeping, together for about 5 months, but even Jackie wasn't sure how they would react, and would we have to sleep in separate bedrooms. Now the question was answered, and we could relax in that knowledge. Not sleeping together, whether sleeping or something more personal, neither of us liked being apart for any length of time. We really did not want to have to sneak around into each other's room at night if her parents separated us.
After things had settled down, we sat in the living room to talk. The Christmas tree was decorated and there were some presents beneath it already. Toni plugged it in and the lights made a nice impression in the room as the outside light was fading fast. Dave asked us if we would like something to drink, and each chose a beer, as did he. Toni got herself a glass of apple cider and we talked about our lives for the next hour. By that time, we were getting hungry and the smell of food that had been cooking was starting to fill the house. Toni asked Jackie to help her in the kitchen, so I was left with Dave to keep me company. We did not have a lot in common to talk about, but found enough to keep things from getting too uncomfortable. Soon we were called to dinner, and went into the dining room to eat.
Toni had cooked roast beef, mashed potatoes, rolls and various vegetables. Starting to eat, I discovered where Jackie had gotten her cooking talents, the food was really good. Our conversation had slowed as we ate, but I took the time to compliment Jackie's mother on an excellent meal. Jackie added her own congratulations, saying she had forgotten just how good home cooking could be. Toni beamed at the compliments, and told us to fill our plates again. I guess all mothers must feel obligated to have their children overeat.
After coffee and some homemade apple pie, we again retired to the living room to talk for a bit. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve day but we had no particular plans. However, since we had been up early and on the road for a long time, Jackie and I decided to call it an early evening and excused ourselves for bed. Toni added that she and Jackie's father would not be far behind.