The Mother Tracie Deserves

THE CEREMONY

It was time again for the annual award ceremony for Tracie's volleyball team. It would be the same event in the same location, but I was a very different woman. The previous year's ceremony had been a low point for me, but this year, I couldn't wait for the evening to come.

I was at work, walking through the office, when my boss called to me, "Oh, hey, Lorraine, do you have a moment?"

I looked at my watch. "I need to make a call real quick. Can I get with you in a few minutes?"

"Oh, sure, sure. Wow, you look really nice today."

"Thanks. I've got an event for my daughter right after work."

"Well, enjoy. Real quick though, I just got off the phone with the Affiliated folks about your proposal. You know I thought it was a little risky, but they really liked it. This may save the whole account."

"That's great news," I said, smiling. My gamble had paid off! I thanked the universe, and some good advice from my friend Bill:

The biggest wins come from going where other people wouldn't dare.

How right he was!

My boss said, "It's fantastic news, Lorraine. So, when you're done with your call, come to my office and we'll talk about next steps."

"Absolutely," I said. "I'll just be few minutes."

As exciting as that was, I had something even more exciting to attend to. I made my way through the main office area and continued to the far end of the floor, down a quiet hallway to a rarely-used conference room. It was where people went when they wanted a little privacy.

I called my stepdaughter.

She answered right away. "Hi, Mom."

I kept my voice down. "Hi, gorgeous. How are you?"

"Good. Are you at work?"

"Yes. How was school today?"

"Fine." Then Tracie's voice got sexy. "I miss you."

A warm thrill spread over my body. Even more quietly, I said, "I miss you too, angel. This morning was amazing."

"You almost made me late for school."

"Me?" I huddled by the conference room window, away from the door. I whispered, "You were the one waking me up at five in the morning, all raring to go."

"Oh, should I stop doing that, Mom?"

"Never. That's the best way to start the day."

Tracie hummed and said, "I can still feel your fingers."

Now you know why I needed a private space to make this call. I was getting hot in the unheated conference room.

I cleared my throat. "Anyway... are you getting ready for the ceremony?"

"Yeah. Emma's picking me up at four o'clock."

"Okay, good. Don't forget to take your stuff with you for the big sleepover."

"I won't. I'm pretty much all packed."

"That's my girl. Are you dressed yet?"

"No, I just got out of the shower. Want a pic?"

My eyes rolled up in lust. "Baby, you know I always want a pic."

Tracie had set up Clipverse on my phone, an app for sharing temporary pictures that automatically delete after you look at them. Even though I only used it for Tracie's messages, it had quickly become my favorite app ever!

While I eagerly waited for her photo to come through, a co-worker passed by the conference room door.

I quickly changed my tone to regular mom talk. "So, do you have any homework you need to do?"

Tracie chuckled. "Wow, you are at work, aren't you?"

Clipverse lit up, quickening my pulse. I looked to make sure no one was in the hall and opened the photo.

There was a selfie of my stunning daughter: she was nude (I mentally celebrated,

yes!)

in our bathroom, gripping her delicious breast for me, and sticking her tongue out with a big, mischievous smile. The look on her face made me want to jump in my car and speed home to her.

I drank in every incredible detail of the photo. After ten seconds, it vanished from my phone. Clipverse always left me wanting more, but it was better that way.

Tracie said, "Did you like it?"

I said, "Love, love, loved it, honey. Always. But I can't stay on the phone long, and I know you're getting ready. I wanted to tell you to take a look in the drawer next to my bed."

She chuckled, "The vibrator drawer?"

I blushed. "Um, actually, the drawer above that one."

"I hope it's new batteries. We used up all the ones we had."

"Oh my goodness, Tracie." My face heated up as I giggled. I actually had just bought some new batteries on my lunch break - they were in my car. I said, "Just please look in the top drawer, would you, silly? There's something in there for you. Something special."

"Hold on," she said. "I'm getting there."

I bit my fingernail, excited for her to find it.

Tracie said, "Okay, let's see." I heard her gasp. "Oh, this little white box?"

"Yes."

"It's for me?"

"Yes, baby. I wanted to give it to you sooner, but it just got delivered this morning after you left for school."

"Ohh, Mom," she cooed in happy surprise. "Is that your lipstick kiss on the box?"

"Of course."

"Mom, you didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to. I thought maybe you could wear it tonight."

"Should I open it now?"

"Yes, yes!" Of all the birthday gifts and Christmas presents I'd given this girl over the years, I never enjoyed it more than giving her this little thing over the phone.

Tracie gasped. "Oh my gosh, it's so pretty. Is it a pendant? What does it say?"

"Read it." I was getting emotional.

She read the inscription,

"'A daughter's love is the greatest gift.'

Oh Mom! That's so beautiful."

"And look at the back," I said, biting my lip, glancing toward the hallway to see if anyone was around.

She read, "'

L & T Forever.'

Oh my god, Mom, I'm going to cry."

I started to choke up. "No, don't cry. If you cry, I'll cry."

She chuckled sweetly, "I love it, Mom. I absolutely love it. Is it gold?"

I said, "It's just a little something."

"I'm definitely wearing it tonight," she said.

"Well, I know you're not big on necklaces, so look at the chain."

"Let's see... Oh wow, the chain is so long! Why's it so long?"

Speaking quietly, I said, "It's a belly chain. You wear it around your waist. So, I thought maybe you could wear it under your dress."

She gasped in delight. "Oh that's awesome! Yes, I want to do that for the ceremony. I'm putting it on right now."

"Do you like it, angel?"

"Mom, I love it. And I love you."

"I love you too, baby. And I really mean those words on there."

"I know you do. This is so cool. I've never worn one of these. It's kind of sexy wearing it."

I said, "That may have crossed my mind."

"Okay, hold on. I'm sending you a picture."

"Please do." My heart beat quicker. I remembered that my boss was waiting for me, but nothing would pull me away before I got to see my stepdaughter wearing my gift.

The photo came through Clipverse and I almost doubled over with arousal when I saw it.

My gorgeous girl was stretched out on my bed, nude, in a fashion-model pose. Her hair laid spread out around her head as she held the phone at arm's length above her. Her body was perfect, as always. The thin gold chain glinted around her waist, and the inscribed pendant laid halfway between her belly button and hip. I imagined kissing all around it on her tight tummy. I almost cried when the picture vanished.

My daughter's sweet voice returned to the call. "I love wearing it. It kind of turns me on."

"Whew," I said, patting my chest over my thumping heart. I glanced one more time toward the door and said quietly, "That makes two of us, honey. I can't wait to see it in person."

"Me neither. Thank you so much, Mom."

"You deserve it, Tracie, and so much more."

~ * ~

That brisk November evening, I walked into the banquet hall feeling happier and more self-assured than I ever had. My unhappy marriage was completely behind me, I was sober, my career was going great, and most importantly, I was head-over-heels in love with the most beautiful person I'd ever known.

I wished my ex-husband could see me at the award ceremony this time. But he was back to his true form, and had told Tracie he couldn't make it. I didn't know what plans he put ahead of his daughter this time, and I didn't care.

Like the year before, I sat with my friend Jenny and her husband Jim. Of course, I had seen Jenny in the bleachers at several volleyball matches that fall, but hadn't seen Jim in a while. His reaction was very gratifying when I first joined them.

"Wow, Lorraine, you look great," he said.

Jenny smacked him playfully in the arm. "And what about me?"

He hurried to say, "Well you always look great, my love."

Jenny squinted at him and we all laughed.

I said, "Thank you. I'm feeling pretty good."

Jenny said to me, "You really do look good, Lorraine. I love the outfit. Looks like you're enjoying the event a lot more than last year, huh?"

I shook my head with a big smile, as if I could hardly believe it myself. "Thanks. You have no idea. Things are really good now."

"It shows," Jenny said.

Like every year, the girls of the volleyball team looked fantastic for the ceremony, in their special-occasion dresses, makeup and hair. I took pride and pleasure in how gorgeous Tracie looked as she helped officiate the evening and hand out the many awards. Everyone in the room was lucky to gaze on her in her sparkling mini dress.

It delighted me that Tracie looked so happy. I didn't detect any awkwardness on her part as she presented alongside her team co-captain - and former summer lover - Mackenzie McClintock.

Once the typical awards were given out - both the serious team awards and the funny ones - Mackenzie stood at the podium and announced one more.

She said, "Before we finish, I want to thank my mom for being so great running the booster club again this year, and her helping the team in so many ways. I also want to thank my dad. And in fact, could we have all the parents here stand tonight, if you can?"

The parents, making up half of the audience, stood, including me. Tracie was at front standing next to the podium. She looked at me with the most enchanting, happy smile. I gave her a little wave. She put her hand on her belly and gave me a wink. I realized her hand was where her belly chain pendant was under her dress. A thrill tickled through me. I bit my finger as Tracie and I smiled at each other.

Mackenzie said, "Let's give a round of applause to all the parents who made this season possible."

Since few of the parents clapped for themselves, it was a polite, if small, ovation.

As we started sitting back down, Mackenzie's mother Margie took over the podium. She said, "Congratulations to all our seniors, and for you younger players-"

Tracie quietly started saying something to Margie. The woman looked bewildered that anyone would interrupt her. Tracie took the microphone from the podium and said, "If I could, I just want to take one second here. Mom, would you stand back up?"

I was surprised and confused as everyone in the place looked toward me. I laughed nervously and stood. I didn't know what my daughter was doing. But within two heartbeats of making eye contact with her, it seemed to me that she and I were the only people in the world. She looked like an angel, as if light was beaming out of her.

Tracie said to all gathered, "I just want to say something. Um, Mom, we've been through a lot together. You helped me get through so many things growing up..."

I had to work to keep from crying. I said, "And you helped me."

She went on, "I just want to say thank you, and I'm so proud of you, and-" she sniffed.

I said, "Don't you cry, or I'm going to cry."

A kind laugh went through the crowd.

Tracie wiped her eye and said, "I just want to say, Mom, I love you so much. Thank you for being the best mom in the world."

That was it: the tears spilled down my eyes. My stepdaughter blew an air-kiss to me and I blew one back.

Next to me in her chair, Jenny said, "Oh my god." She handed me a napkin. I took it and clenched it to my chest, where my heart was ready to burst with gratitude and love.

To make the moment more unbelievable, the banquet hall filled with heartfelt applause and even cheers. Was this real? Even bossy Margie McClintock looked touched as Tracie handed back the microphone.

I sat back down, wiping my eyes. Jenny kindly rubbed my back. I could hear Margie say, "That was really beautiful, Tracie. Beautiful." Then, to the whole room, she said, "Well, what a wonderful note to end on. Don't forget, the varsity and junior varsity girls are invited to our house for the traditional team sleepover..."

While Margie brought the event to a close, my daughter walked over to my chair and gave me a hug I'll never forget for as long as I live.

~ * ~

SPEEDING FORWARD

As November's early dusk darkened into night, we had flown down the highway, Tracie sitting in the passenger seat, stunningly beautiful in her glittery mini dress. It had pained me that I could only glance at how the dress showed off her perfect nineteen-year-old body - but I was driving as fast as I ever had.

After just over an hour on the road (making record time), I was opening the door to a luxurious hotel suite.

Tracie stepped in and looked around with wide eyes. "Oh my goodness! This place is amazing, Mom. Wow!"

I chuckled, "You sure you won't miss your team sleepover?"

She laughed. "Hm, well, let me think: sleep on the hard, cold floor at Mackenzie's house with a bunch of gossipy, immature girls who won't let me sleep - or this..." She wrapped her arms around me. "I think I'll take this sleepover instead."

I nuzzled her ear and said, "Well, you might not get much sleep here, either."

Tracie giggled and bit her lip.

I stroked her hair. "But, we get a whole, big, comfy bed - all to ourselves."

She pressed her smiling lips to mine, but I cut the kiss short. "So come on," I said, pulling her into the suite. "I'm dying for you to see this."

We both marveled at the sumptuous accommodations. Tracie said, "This is the nicest hotel room I've ever seen. Isn't it expensive?"

"Well, honey, thanks to you, I've been doing very well at work, so we can afford it."

My smile was so big it almost hurt when she gasped and said, "Mom! A hot tub? Oh my god, how awesome! Now I know why you drove us so far to get here."

I laughed, "And now you know why I drove so fast."

"Let's fill it right now," Tracie said, squealing and dancing with excitement. Her enthusiasm reminded me of the time I took her for a surprise horse-riding lesson when she was younger. Then, she was a little girl in sneakers, jeans, and a rainbow t-shirt. Now, she was a gorgeous young woman in heels and a killer cocktail dress. But she was still my same precious stepdaughter, showing her glee in the same delightful way.

She turned on the faucet. "Oh wait," she said, disappointed. "I didn't bring a bathing suit."

I grinned at her. "Me neither."

She gasped. "Oh my god, Mom, that's so sexy!" As water thundered into the tub, Tracie wrapped her arms around me. After a typically lengthy sports ceremony, and a dangerously fast hour-long drive, it felt so good to finally be alone with my girl, and hold her like I wanted to.

She whispered into my ear, "Mom, I want to get naked with you right now."

"You don't need to ask me twice." We both immediately began undressing, starting with our shoes.

While we got out of our award ceremony outfits, I said, "Can you believe we ran into the Johnsons in the lobby? And I drove all this way to avoid seeing people we knew."

"That was hilarious." Tracie wiggled her stunning body out of her dress. "But so what? They totally believed you."

I hung my blouse on one of the suite's closet hangers. "Hopefully. I mean, if they're up here to take Matthew to tour State, there's no reason we wouldn't be. Here, let me hang that."

Tracie handed me her dress and chuckled, "Do you think they wondered why I'd be coming in for a college visit in a mini dress?"

I gazed at her fantastic body as she peeled off her panties and I hurried to get my pants off. I said, "Actually, I don't care."

We both laughed. I turned my back to Tracie, which was all the prompting she needed to undo the clasp of my bra for me. I said, "I noticed Matthew was very interested in how you looked."

"Yeah," she sighed dismissively. "He's always looking at me in biology class. He's a dork." She fingered the straps of my brassiere off my shoulders, then promptly pulled my panties down. It hadn't been long since I became my daughter's willing lover, but we had already become well-practiced at quickly undressing each other.

Kicking our clothes to the side, I turned to face her, my eyes drinking in the glory of her body, while enjoying how she gazed at mine. I said, "He may be a dork, but you sure don't make it easy for these poor boys at school." I dropped to my knees, grabbing her hips. Tracie smiled down at me, looking even more beautiful naked than she had in her dress. I said, "I've been waiting all day to do this."

I gently bit the gold belly chain around my stepdaughter's perfect waist. Holding it in my teeth, I wiggled my nose into her tummy. I relished my girl's loving giggle.

She asked, "How long are we staying here?"

"We don't have to go back home until Tuesday."

Tracie said happily, "So we have four days?"

I kissed her belly all around the pendant I'd given her earlier that day, fully agreeing with the inscription:

A daughter's love is the greatest gift.

Speaking between kisses, I said, "Yes... I scheduled Monday... and Tuesday... as vacation days at work... and I already called... the school... to excuse you." I couldn't get enough of kissing the peach fuzz on her athletic tummy.

"I have the coolest mom," she said, looking down at me and caressing my ear. "What reason did you tell the school?"

"Just the truth. We're out of town on family business." I licked my angel's flawless skin. Her bush bristled on my chest.

Tracie purred, "Good reason."

There was a gentle knock on the door. A voice said, "Room service."

I said, "That was quick," then called out, "One moment."

My daughter covered her boobs. She whispered, "Why do people always come when we're naked?"

I smiled. "Your mama's already solved it." I went into my luggage and dug out what I had gotten for each of us.

"Another gift?" Tracie said.

"Yes, baby. Let's put them on."

In moments, we were wearing our new, matching silk robes. I was feeling very glamorous. Tracie and I exchanged quick glances, both of us seeming quite pleased with how pretty our stiff nipples showed under the fine material.

I opened the door and a girl in a tuxedo shirt and black pants was standing behind a cart with the items I had ordered at check-in. She said, "Would you like me to bring it in?"

"Sure," I said, stepping back. "Honey, she's going to bring in the cart."

Tracie moved aside as the room-service girl pushed the cart to the little table by the window. I noticed the girl looking at my daughter.

I said, "It's been a long time since we got room service, hasn't it?"

Tracie said, "I barely remember. When was that?"

I said, "I think it was when we went to visit Dad's family in New Jersey. You would've been, like, nine. Do you remember meeting all your cousins?"

"Yeah. I guess it has been a long time."

The girl set two dishes of opera cake on the table with gleaming forks, two tall champagne flutes, and an ice bucket with a bottle in it.

Tracie looked at me questioningly.

I said, "Don't worry." To the girl, I said, "Can you tell her about the drink?"

The girl said, "Oh, um..." She looked at the bottle. "It's a sparkling beverage made with tea and ginger and a mix of berry juices. Non-alcoholic. Is that what you wanted?"

"Perfect," I said. My daughter smiled in satisfaction.

The girl said, "Do you want me to open it?"

"Yes, please," I said. "And please pour a couple glasses."

While the girl worked on opening the champagne-style bottle, Tracie asked her, "Do you go to State?"