Chapter 3 - Revelation
We did what we could to act indifferently towards each other, but it seemed to me that the look in Sarah's eyes when she glanced in my direction would be obvious to even a casual observer, let alone her parents. But they didn't comment.
When we went out, we were careful not to touch until we were out of sight, when we would grab each other and try to compensate for the lack of kissing and words of love. But generally we tried to keep our hands off each other during the day, and on each other as much as we could from late evening to early morning.
Each time we went out we passed the snowman we'd made together. It seemed much smaller during the day than it had while we were making it. And we never did add any facial features to the poor creature.
Christmas Day would fall on a Monday, so I went out alone Friday to shop for my hosts. When I returned, Sarah whispered to me, "come talk to me," and I followed her into her room.
"Mom wanted to know if we were getting on okay. She thought we'd had an argument."
"Really?"
"Well, the first couple of days we were friendly, and the rest of the time she thinks we've been ignoring each other."
"What did you tell her?" I asked.
"That we were doing fine, and that I was glad you were here. But maybe we should try smiling at each other once in a while, it would be less suspicious."
"I think I can manage that," I said.
Saturday we went skating. Not something I'd have ever considered, especially in the open air on a flooded field, but Uncle Todd claimed it was a tradition, the weekend before Christmas.
I'd been skating occasionally, so I knew enough to stay upright, but no more. Sarah was pretty good, and helped keep me from falling. It worked well for us. She could catch me and hold me, helping to demonstrate to her parents that we were friends, and at the same time feeding our need for touch. We were careful that her mom and dad didn't see us sneaking kisses, and that added to the fun.
Saturday evening we stayed up late with Sarah's parents, relaxing and drinking hot cider. Our lovemaking that night was about tenderness and affection, not experience. Afterwards, when we were curled up in her bed, I knew what I needed to do.
Sunday, Christmas Eve. I left the house not knowing where I was going to find what I needed, or even if the stores would be open. Or how to navigate the public transportation system...
I left Sarah behind, of necessity, and I could see that she was upset. I didn't like disappointing her. But perhaps this was worth it.
Hours later, I was becoming depressed. I could not find what I was looking for. I almost gave up, promising myself I'd figure out another way of doing what I wanted, later in the week, when I found what I wanted. Exactly what I wanted.
We exchanged Christmas gifts in the morning. Aunt Eloise in particular seemed pleased with her gift, though I'm certain she knew Sarah's hand was in the choice.
"Could we go listen to your CD?" I asked Sarah, and she took me back to her room, and started the disc playing.
"Just a moment," I said, cutting through the bathroom to my room, returning with the small package I'd been spent so many hours trying to find.
"I have something else for you, Pix," I said. "This is half of it." I gave her the package. "Merry Christmas."
She frowned. "Thank you, Ben. Why didn't you give me it earlier?"
I held my piece as she opened the box.
"Oh, Ben, it's beautiful." She held up the gold chain, then looked more closely at the pendant. "It's a pixie!"
"Yes," I said. "It even has your eyes." I pointed to the tiny sapphires on the figure.
"Help me put it on?" she asked.
"Not yet," I said. "Let me give you the other half, first."
"Okay," she said, sounding puzzled.
I took the pendant from her, and sat beside her on the bed. "The other half is this, Pix. It's a secret message. You're eighteen, and as mature as you are, and as much as you know your own mind, things change. You have four years of college ahead of you, and your life won't be the same when you leave home.
"So..." I cleared my throat, "I'm... ummm... I'm making you a promise, Pix. When you're ready, I'm going to ask you to marry me. You might not say yes, and whatever you think you would answer now, you might not feel that way in a year or two. But I'm going to wait, and I am going to ask you. Until then, this little pixie is to remind you that I want my very own Pixie."
Sarah's eyes glittered with moisture. "Put it on me," she asked again, in a husky voice, and I did.
"That's so sweet, Ben," she said. "When you ask... well, I'm sure we can find an engagement ring that goes with this little guy."
"You might not want to wear it yet," I suggested. "Not around anyone who might want to know where you got it."
"We'll see," she said. "For now, I'll wear it for you."
Then she held out her arms for me, and we kissed. She leaned into me, melting into my embrace, then backing away just enough to start unfastening my shirt. "I want you," she whispered.
I could have objected that her parents might hear, that they could walk in, that we could wait until the evening...
But I wanted her, too.
She was already unfastening my pants as I figured out how to unzip her skirt, I took off my shoes and socks as she stood to remove her hose and panties. She drew me to my feet to pull my pants and underwear down, then took my face between her hands to kiss me fiercely.
Kicking off my pants and slipping off my shirt, I started to unfasten her blouse, but she turned away to grab a condom. She kissed me again as she unrolled it onto me, then lifted the sheet back for me to get into bed.
Joining me under the sheet, she lay down on top of me, then lifted slightly to squeeze back down around my cock. By the time I'd finished unfastening her shirt, she was already moving against me.
I caressed her waist and butt, then pulled the sleeves of her blouse down her arms, made more awkward by her refusal to stop kissing me. Not that I was complaining. Her urgency was infecting me, and I fumbled desperately at her bra strap to get inside.
As soon as her bra came loose, I twisted my mouth from hers and fastened it to her left breast. We tangled in the sheet as I tried to get her bra down her arms and off without releasing her breast, but she took over and finished the job.
She tongued my ear as I continued to suckle, then pulled her left breast away and presented the right, which I took eagerly. Her chest buzzed with the excited groaning sounds she made deep within.
Squeezing her ass, I pressed her hard against my cock. Her breath caught as she started to gasp, and I kept driving until her climax shook her. She lifted herself on her elbows, still rocking her hips hard against me, and I released her breast and looked into her eyes, soft with delight. She smiled at me, pendant dangling from her neck, before lowering her face to mine.
As we kissed, she stretched her body along mine, pressing against me from chest to waist, and I ran my palms down the smooth skin of her back, holding her to me as we kept rocking. She made soft noises of growing excitement against me, and as she started to gasp, I held her firmly to me, thrusting hard into her.
"Mmmm!" Her voice was high-pitched, almost a panicked sound as she tensed. I squeezed her butt and pushed, panting in my own arousal as the tightness of her pending climax pushed me into mine. She released my mouth to breathe for a second, then pressed her face into mine as her body shook, and our tongues joined as we came together.
"I love you, Pix," I whispered, as she rested her head on my shoulder, sighing softly, her body still twitching in orgasm, her pixie pendant resting against my neck.
When we dressed, Sarah tucked her pendant inside her blouse, so that she could wear it unobtrusively, and we returned casually to the living room.
The nights made the days worthwhile. Not that I didn't enjoy the time with her family, but being so close to her, and unable even to touch, to hold her hand...
But then, keeping our secret carried its own thrills. We laughed about that when we were together, the double meanings, the times when one of us said or did something that should have exposed us. And the less immediate but more serious threat of discovery at night, in each other's arms... All in all, it was an exciting time.
I guess we knew that the game couldn't last forever.
The New Year's Eve party promised to be a grand event. The minimum age was eighteen, and Sarah was looking forward to being able to be a part of it for the first time, and she spent a long time getting ready to go.
She had chosen an midnight blue dress, long, with a neckline which just touched the edge of the swell of her breasts. Her mother told her she was beautiful. She was right. Thought she probably wouldn't be quite as cheerful if she'd known I'd helped Sarah into the dress, and traced my lips around the neckline...
Of course, we traveled in scarves and heavy coats, and it wasn't until we were at the party that I saw that Sarah had added the pixie pendant. It warmed me to see her wearing it.
Like the previous week's ice skating, the party was a place where it would seem strange if I didn't stay close to Sarah, and I didn't waste the opportunity, dancing with her when I could.
We were leaning against a wall, happy to be together without having to worry about it, when Aunt Eloise drifted up. She was carrying a glass of champagne.
"Ben," she said, "can I get you a glass?"
"I'd love one, Aunt Eloise," I said, "but it wouldn't be fair to Sarah."
"Oh, here," she said, pushing her glass into my hand. "I haven't started this one, I'll get another." She leaned close, and in a conspiratorial voice, said, "Share it with her. It's New Year's Eve."
"I will," I said.
Then she frowned slightly at Sarah. "That's pretty," she said, touching the chain around her daughter's neck. "Is it new?"
"Yes," said Sarah, quietly.
"When did you get it?"
"Christmas," she replied, her face turning red.
Aunt Eloise lifted the chain to see the pendant more closely. "Christmas?" she said. "I don't recall..."
She looked up. "Oh, my God," she said, softly. Then she looked at me. "This is more than a Christmas gift, isn't it, Ben?"
"H... how did you know?" I asked.
"Know what, that it was from you? I remember your nickname for Sarah, Ben. I'm her mom. And this is far, far too expensive for just a Christmas present for a cousin."
I nodded, and gripped Sarah's hand as it stole into mine. There didn't seem much more point in hiding, and I wanted the reassurance as much as she did.
"I love her, Aunt Eloise," I said.
"We love each other," Sarah corrected me. "We're going to get married."
That might not be the best way to ease my aunt's misgivings. "In a few years," I cut in quickly, "if Sarah still wants to when I ask her. I'm not going to mess up her life, Aunt Eloise."
Aunt Eloise shook her head, looking at me as though for the first time. "You are so much like your mother."
"Is that... is that good or bad?"
"Yes," she nodded. "I think I should take the champagne back, I need it." As I held the glass out to her, she said, "No, keep it, I need something stronger."
"What have I done, Ben," whispered Sarah.
I took a sip from the champagne glass, then passed it to her. "Here, you heard your mother."
"Thanks," she said, taking the glass from me. She gulped about half of the remaining champagne, then started coughing. I took the drink back, then stole a paper napkin from a nearby table and handed it to her. Her coughing fit was almost over when Aunt Eloise returned with what looked like a Scotch on the rocks, and with Uncle Todd at her side.
"Todd," she said, "I want you to meet our daughter's choice for our prospective future son-in-law.
"Really? He asked. "Where?"
Aunt Eloise's lips formed a wry grin., and Sarah took my hand again.
"Oh," said my uncle. "Oh, I see. Isn't that sudden?"
"Not really, Dad," said Sarah, "It just seems that way."
"Marriage, though," he insisted. "Don't you think you're still a little young?
This time Sarah explained our promise, more eloquently than I had.
My uncle nodded thoughtfully. "You've thought this through," he said. "I'm still shocked. I hope you know what you're doing."
"I haven't asked her yet, Uncle," I said. "If it isn't best for Sarah, I think I can trust her to tell me to go to hell."
"You probably can, Ben," he said. "Well, I'm not sure how I'll feel about having a nephew for a son in-law, but give me a few days to think it over. In the meantime, congratulations, Ben, you're a lucky man, and this calls for a celebration."
"Dad," said Sarah, "give me the keys."
"Why?" he asked.
"I'll drive us home. You celebrate as much as you like."
He fished the car keys out of his pocket. "Lucky is right, Ben," he said. "You'll only have one woman to order you around."
Sarah giggled and hugged her dad. Aunt Eloise drew me aside, though, away from then. "This isn't what I was expecting. "
"Gary is history," I said, "which is what you wanted.
She looked surprised. "Yes, I thought you be good for her." Her expression seemed slightly amused. "I know you've always been fond of each other. I couldn't figure what was up when you seemed so indifferent. If you've gotten engaged..."
"We're not engaged," I interrupted.
"... almost engaged without us even knowing, then I've a pretty good idea of just how close you've gotten in private."
I didn't say anything, but I felt my face getting hot.
"Just... be careful," she said. "I know you wouldn't want to hurt Sarah."
"I won't hurt her, Aunt Eloise."
"Good," she said, "because if you do, I'll cut off your balls myself."
I blinked.
She took a large swallow of her drink. "Todd has the right idea," she said, and turned to rejoin him.
Sarah introduced me to some of her friends, as her cousin. A couple of the girls took that as an excuse to flirt with me while she danced with other guys.
Watching me with amusement as her friends tried to attract my interest, Sarah visited with other friends, so I took the opportunity to dance with the girls before Sarah returned and took my hand. "You are having way too much fun," she said.
"No," I disagreed as I took her in my arms and hugged her. "Now I'm having fun." I caught a glimpse of one of my former dance partners looking scandalized.
Midnight approached, and we rejoined Sarah's parents. They'd taken advantage of her offer to be a designated driver, and were both drinking Scotch, though they were far from drunk. We joked with them, and they smiled at us, even with my arm around their daughter's waist.
After the countdown and the cheering, I kissed Sarah. I thought we should probably take it easy around her parents, but when we broke for air, my uncle and aunt were absorbed in each other. "What the hell," I said, and drew her close.
Soon we were putting our heavy coats back on and trudging back out to the car. Sarah's parents rode in the back. Sarah drove carefully, avoiding ice and drunk drivers.
"I think they're reconciled to you and me," I whispered to Sarah.
"What do you mean?"
"Check your mirror."
She looked in the rear-view mirror and grinned. Aunt Eloise was leaning against her husband with a smile on her face while he caressed her cheek.
Inside the house we hung up our coats an wished each other a happy New Year. Sarah hugged her parents, and for a moment I was on the outside of the family group. "Thanks, Mom," she said. "Thanks, Dad."
Then she turned to me. "Goodnight, Ben," she said, and hugged me before heading for her room.
"Happy New Year," I said, and gave my aunt and uncle a quick hug. As I turned to leave, Aunt Eloise gripped my arm. "Remember," she whispered in my ear, "be careful." I nodded slightly before she let me go.
Since Sarah's parents were now aware of our romance, I knew our nightly activities would need to be more circumspect. And with her goodnight wish, I wasn't sure if she was expecting to see me. I heard her moving about in her room, but I changed into my pajamas.
A moment later, there was a gentle knock on the bathroom door. When I opened it, Sarah whispered, "Come on," and I followed her to her room. The light was off, but she had lit a fire, which would have been the sounds I heard, and the room was warming.
We kissed, standing, her arms around my waist. I stroked her neck, finding the zipper of her dress, and drew it down. I slipped the sleeves over her arms, and the dress fell to her waist. She eased it off as I unfastened her bra.
I stroked her perfect, golden breasts, and she slipped her tongue into my mouth and unbuttoned my pajama jacket. We separated for a moment to finish undressing, then held each other close, my cock stroking her pussy.
Sarah sat on the floor, and laid back. I saw that she'd set the condoms beside the fireplace. After I'd put one on, she lifted and parted her knees. I lowered myself gently onto her, and she took me inside. She held my neck and sighed as she rocked her pelvis against mine.
She sighed contentedly against my shoulder as we made love slowly by the fire. I kissed her forehead and she tilted her head back, letting my lips reach hers. Slipping my right hand over her left breast, I squeezed, and her legs snaked around me, tightening around my thighs.
"Mmmm," she sighed into my mouth. Her movements were becoming more sharper against me, and I could sense her excitement growing, even as I tried to avoid moving faster, not wanting to come before she did. She released my lips, pulling my face down to her shoulder, her lips against my ear. "I love you, Ben," she whispered between sighs, then her body shuddered against me.
I gasped as she carried me into climax with her, my cock pulsing with fire. "I love you too, my Pixie," I said.
Being more cautious in our nightly adventures was not a bad trade for being able to be openly affectionate with each other, and for their part, Sarah's parents feigned polite ignorance of what they obviously knew was going on behind our closed doors.
We built more snowmen. In the yard beside the small featureless snowman we built two together, vaguely male and female. "You know what that makes the little guy there," I said.
"Oh, no," said Sarah, "and I was going to kick it down. Mustn't hurt the baby."
Aunt Eloise's warning about being careful had obviously been a reference to safe sex, but Sarah wasn't particularly surprised to hear it. "I'm sure she isn't thrilled that we're lovers," she said. We were alone, drinking coffee at the kitchen table, after making the snowmen. "But she's smart enough to know you can't put the genie back in the bottle, and if we aren't doing it here, we'd find another time and place."
"True," I said, "we would," and squeezed her hand. "What about your dad?" I asked.
"Oh, he knows. He's been so paranoid about me with other guys, he couldn't possibly imagine we're only holding hands. He likes you."
"I'm not sure your mother does, though," I said, and told her what Aunt Eloise had threatened to do if I hurt her daughter.
Sarah laughed. "That sounds like Mom. It doesn't mean she doesn't like you. Just that she likes me more. But if you hurt me, she'll have to get in line. I'll be the one cutting off your balls." She nuzzled my cheek, and whispered, "Remember, I know how to find them."
My flight was due to leave on the following Sunday afternoon. Saturday night, Sarah excused us early to sit before the fire in her room for the last time.
She didn't speak as we piled up the paper and wood. I lit it, then reached for her, but she backed away. I was surprised and hurt. "What's wrong?" I asked.
"I've been thinking about your rules," she said.
"What rules?"
"You promised me something, Ben. You promised that you'll ask me to marry you. Some day. When I've experienced enough of life, I guess."
"Yes, but..."
"Don't interrupt," she said. "How long before you gave me the necklace did you know you wanted to marry me?"
"Only, a day or two, but..."
"How long before that did the idea even cross your mind?"
"Uh, a day or two," I said.
"Do you have any idea how long I've thought about it? No, listen, I appreciate what you're doing. That's why I didn't even think about this part of the deal, why I guess I only understood this now, now that you're getting ready to leave. I won't see you for maybe months, and you want me to wait for years before you think I might be ready?
"In just a few days you were ready to make me a promise that will commit you for years, and if I say yes, for the rest of your life. But you don't trust me to be capable of making a choice that has been before me for much longer than that."
"It isn't that I don't trust you," I said. "It's that I don't want you ever to feel I took you away from whatever life you would have found without me."
"Isn't that for me to decide?"
I looked at her, at her determined expression and piercing blue eyes, and I knew that she was right. I sighed heavily. "What do you want?" I asked.
She grinned. "I hope you're not always so easy to persuade."
"Hey, I didn't say I was persuaded. I want to know what you think we should do."
She sat on the bed. "Well, the idea's good. I already know what I want, but there's a world I haven't seen. I should get away from home first. But you can't wait until you think I'm ready, whether I'm through college or even later. Ask me in a year. We can figure out then how long the engagement will be."
"I can live with that," I said.
"Good," she said. She held out her arms for me and we sank back onto the bed. "That gives you a year to save for an engagement ring." Then she kissed me.
As I started unbuttoning her blouse, I touched my lips to her ear. "Little Pixie," I whispered, "You really have grown up."