13. December 13th
December 13th
Lorelei
Scott: I can’t wait to see you for the ball tonight, beautiful.
I knew I should have gone to the city for a new dress for Scott’s company party, but I spent too much time at the soup kitchen last night. I couldn’t bring myself to leave all those who are in need.
A dress pales in comparison to their struggles, but now that I’m trying to get ready, and this party will have people from all the regional senior centers, and the headquarter's corporate offices in Boston. I feel like I need something a little fancier.
This is the big corporate party, so it’s more of a winter wonderland ball. An actual ball.
I stand in front of my closet, flipping through each and every hanger. None of my dresses are good enough.
I shut the closet doors and reopen them again, hoping something has magically appeared since I last looked five seconds ago.
Ugh! I sigh in defeat.
“Mom! Where are you? Lacey sent a date 911 text out for you! Addy and I are here to help!”
Oh goodness. Of course Lacey would invite Scarlett and Addy over to help. They do not miss any chances to meddle.
“I’m in my room, girls. Come on in.” The girls’ eyes are wide as they enter and see the mess I’ve created.
“Mom what happened? I don’t think I’ve ever seen this house such a mess. Unless, we created it.” Addy comes in with her hand over her mouth in mock horror.
“Oh hush, Addy. I can’t find the right dress to wear. This is a fancy affair!” I whine while gesturing to the clothes covering every surface of the room.
“No worries, Mom! I’ve got the perfect one.” Scarlett walks in with a dress bag that I immediately recognize. It’s a red silk dress I loaned to her for a charity gala with her fiancé, Preston.
“Scarlett, I gave that to you. It’s yours now.”
“Well now it’s yours again. Go on, put it on.” She practically pushes me into my bathroom.
I unzip the bag and run my hands over the soft silk. I remember the day I bought this dress.
I was shopping with Andrew in Boston after visiting Scarlett in college. It was by far the most expensive dress I've ever seen. We had just started dreaming of our trip to Paris together once Andrew retired. After I tried it on, Andrew insisted that I needed this dress for our trip to Paris. He took it from my hands and immediately purchased it before I could argue.
Tears start falling on my cheeks as I hear a soft knock on the door.
“Mom, are you okay in there?” I can’t answer with the sobs trapped in my throat. When I don’t answer I hear the door open, and Addy steps in.
“Oh, Mom. What’s wrong?” She motions for the other girls to come in and they all huddle around me, hugging me.
“Nothing is wrong. I was just remembering when your father insisted that I buy this dress for our trip to Paris. It feels so wrong to wear it for another man.”
“Stop right now. Dad would want you to wear this dress, wherever you want to. He’d also want you to be happy. So he won’t care that you’re wearing it for someone else,” Scarlett says, pulling my hair off my shoulders, draping her arms around me.
“You’re right. Dad would just be happy that I’m happy. I just miss him so much.” More tears fall while memories flood my mind.
We huddle together on the floor of my bathroom for a few more moments before I slip on the dress. It fits just as I remember.
Before I know it the girls are descending on me for hair and make up.
When they finish I feel more beautiful than I have in years. I stand in front of the full length mirror, twirling side to side as I admire my transformation.
The red dress fits me as well as it fit Scarlett, the soft silk cascading down my body. My hair is swept up off my neck in a low twist, showcasing my collarbone. The gold shoes Adelaide brought give the perfect amount of glamor to a simple dress.
I hope I can make you proud of me, Andrew, and live a life that honors you while being happy myself.
I glance at the clock and realize I’ve pushed my time limit. I need to get the girls out.
I go downstairs to try and rush them out before Scott gets here to pick me up, but I have no such luck.
All three girls are standing outside the foyer when Scott rings the doorbell and Lacey lunges forward to open the door.
“Hi Scott. It’s so nice to see you this fine evening. Would you like to come on in?” Lacey smiles ear to ear.
“Hi, Lacey, I’d love to.” God bless that man and his patience. From what I know of Keith and Jason, I suppose they have probably given him a lot of practice with patience over the years.
I come down the rest of the stairs and save Scott. “Oh girls, please leave him alone.”
Scott looks up the stairs towards me and stops in his tracks.
“You look . . .Wow.” He reaches out to take my hand as I come to the last step. “How did I get so lucky to have the most beautiful woman with me this evening?”
I know the blush is covering my cheeks. It’s been so long since another man has complimented me like this. The girls are all standing watching us, as Scott looks at me. “I’d say I’m lucky myself.”
And I am. Not only is Scott a good man, but he looks so good in that suit. I thought he was good looking in his normal lumberjack attire, as the girls call it, but in a suit he looks even better.
“Okay you two, have fun tonight. Remember it’s okay to get one hotel room not two,” Scarlett winks.
“Oh stop it girls. You’re embarrassing.” I grab my clutch and overnight bag, pushing Scott out the door to get away from them before they can embarrass me anymore.
They promised payback, and it seems they are following through and then some.
We're dancing to the last song of the night. I'm swaying in Scott's arms, resting my head against his chest. My heart feels tight, having to make a decision about where I'm spending the night. I want to skip my room and spend the night with him, but the thought of being with another man makes my chest constrict.
I lay in my own bed, thinking about the night.
The ball was everything I had hoped it would be. It was beautifully decorated, amazing food, and even better company.
Luckily, we were seated with some people from our senior center so I knew others besides Scott. We spent the night dancing and exchanging small touches. But despite that, I decided to forego Scarlett’s advice and stay in my own room.
I just don’t know if I’m ready to share a bed with Scott tonight, the memories of Andrew and this dress, so fresh in my memory. But now as I lay here unable to fall asleep I am regretting my decision.
Scott: I had a wonderful night with you tonight Lorelei. I wish it didn’t have to end.
I wish it didn’t have to end too. I could go next door. I could go knock on his door. But is that allowed? I decide to ask the girls.
Me: I got my own hotel room, but I still want to spend time with him. Can I go knock on his door or is that rude?
Addy : YES! GO NOW!
Lacey : Of course Mom! Go tell him that!
Scarlett : Go get it Mom! You deserve the happiness!
They all answer immediately as if they were waiting for a text from me . I guess that settles it. I check my face in the mirror, I’ve taken my makeup off but I think I still look alright. My hair is in a messy ponytail, and I’m wearing my leggings but my girls go out like this all the time. It must be okay right?
Before I lose my nerve, I walk next door to Scott’s room and knock softly on the door. He opens it immediately.
“Lorelei," he stammers, "I was just coming to knock on your door.” He seems shocked that I am on the other side of the door.
“I don’t want the night to end either.” I step into his hotel room and shut the door behind me. Scott reaches out and pulls me towards him, wrapping one arm around my waist and his other hand gently on my face as his lips come to mine. He steps me back until my back hits the door of the hotel room. I wrap my legs around his waist and he pulls back.
“I’m so sorry, Lorelei. I lost myself.” He shakes his head at himself. "I'm trying to respect your decisions."
I don’t respond. I simply pull him back to me and start the kiss over, letting him know that I was not sorry in the least.
His hips push me tighter against the door, holding my body in place, freeing his hands to roam my body.
My mind wanders, momentarily, making me question if I’m ready for sex. It would be the first time since Andrew.
His lips create a trail from my ear down my neck, across my collarbone, and ending at my bare shoulder as my off the shoulder sweater falls further down my arm.
Before I can question myself any further a moan unwillingly leaves my lips.
He grasps my ass, and carries us to his bed. My back gently hits the cool comforter below me. He slides his hands up the front of my sweater, grazing my nipple, and removes the sweater.
Next he moves to my leggings and panties.
He pauses, “Are you sure about this, Lorelei? I want you to be absolutely sure. I don’t want you to have regrets -”
I reach up and hook my fingers into the waist of his sweatpants and tug them down.
“I’m sure, Scott.” I let my eyes wander down his body, "I'm so sure."
It’s a simple statement but seems to release a hunger in him. He rips down my leggings and panties in one motion when I arch my hips off the bed.
He runs his fingers down between my legs, “So ready for me, beautiful.” His deep voice and his touch send goosebumps down my body.
He dips his head back, licking, nipping, teasing me until I’m begging him to make me come. Right before giving me what I want, he steps out of his sweatpants that are pooled around his ankles and fills me, bringing me closer to my orgasm.
I arch my back, silently begging him to move and give me what I need.
He takes his finger and traces it gently along my cheek, staring into my soul, “Thank you for giving me this gift, Lorelei.”
His mouth covers mine, and he slams into me, filling me more than I thought possible. At first he moves deliciously slowly. Allowing me to feel every inch of him filling me over and over again. As he gets closer to his orgasm his movements become faster, more frenzied, and needy.
After a few more strokes, we both reach our orgasms together. He rests his weight on his forearms, hovering over me.
“Lorelei, that was-“
“More perfect than anything I could have imagined for this moment,” I finish for him.
“Yes, it was,” he agrees.
Without any more words needed, he lays down beside me and pulls me close.
Before long his breaths are soft and even. I settle into his warm body and bask in the moment.