Family Ties

Olivia was Dawn’s opposite in many ways: five inches taller and probably twenty-five pounds heavier, with a figure that reminded me of Susan, especially since she shaved her pubic hair as well. She was a brunette too, and her personality was more like Susan’s, wry and sharp compared to Dawn’s perkiness.

Susan herself drew my attention as she draped her towel over a patio chair and descended the stairs into the hot tub. Mom and Dad joined her, followed by Kirk and Doug and their fiancées. Erin hung back to sit by Christy and me, so I stepped into the bubbling water first.

The tub was big, but seven adults displaced enough water that it sloshed over the coping as I joined them. Even more water streamed onto the concrete deck as Christy and Erin sat beside me. Christy was so short that her chin barely cleared the surface, so I put my arm around her and guided her into my lap.

“Much better,” I said.

“It’s a pain being our size,” Dawn said to her, “isn’t it?”

“Sometimes,” Christy agreed.

“I mostly wish I was taller.”

“Me too. And heavier.”

I glanced at Christy. “I dunno. I like you just the way you are.”

Kirk put his arm around Dawn and agreed with a nod.

“Especially when you sit on my lap,” I added. “Then we always have something to talk about.”

Christy stiffened with embarrassment, but everyone else smiled at the old joke. The conversation turned to other things, so I took advantage of the moment and leaned close to her ear.

“Relax,” I said softly. “We’re more open about it, remember?”

“It just takes some getting used to.”

“You can say that again,” she said.

“You’re doing fine.” I kissed her cheek and hugged her protectively.

She relaxed against my chest, but then jerked in surprise when she felt my nascent erection press into her thigh.

“Sorry,” I said without meaning it. “Can’t help it.”

She rolled her eyes but smiled. “I kind of like it.”

“Okay, I like it a lot.”

“Good. ’Cause you’re going to spend a lot of time with it.”

“Are you all talking about his dick again?” Erin asked in a low voice.

“Sorry,” Christy said immediately.

“No, it’s cool. I mean, you’re his girlfriend, right? You’re supposed to talk about it.”

“Nah, it isn’t weird. We’ve always been like that. Besides, it’s just a body part, like an arm or leg, even if it does seem to have a mind of its own.”

“I know, right!” Christy said. She leaned toward Erin to whisper, “He and Paul actually have conversations.”

“I’m not surprised,” Erin laughed. “Paul’s always talked to himself. So I guess it’s only natural for him to talk to his dick too.” She glanced at me.

“So, big brother, what’s he have to say for himself?”

“Not much. He has a one-track mind.”

“You can say that again,” Christy murmured affectionately.

“Speaking of which,” I said, and shifted her toward me a bit. “Much better. Room to grow and all that.”

Erin rolled her eyes and changed the subject. “So, Christy, what’re your plans for Christmas?”

“With my family in San Diego.”

“Will you have a chance to come visit us?”

“I don’t know.” She glanced at me. “Do you want me to?”

“You know I do. Let’s check your ticket when we get home. You might be able to cash in the Knoxville-Atlanta portion. You can ride home with me and then just fly direct to San Diego.”

“That’d be awesome,” Erin said. Then she barged ahead without thinking.

“What about New Year’s? We go skiing every year. Maybe you can join us.”

“Didn’t you tell them?” Christy said to me.

“We’re going skiing with Trip and Wren,” I said. “In Lake Tahoe.”

Erin’s face fell. “Oh.”

“I know. I just thought… it’d be nice to have her along.”

“We’re trying to take things slow. Besides,” I added with a significant look, “I don’t think she’s ready for a week with our family and all its… um…

Erin actually flinched when she realized what she’d almost done. She recovered immediately and said, “Oh my God, no kidding! We’d probably drive her nuts.”

“What kind of traditions?” Christy asked.

“Just silly games and stuff,” Erin said, seemingly off-hand. “But tell me more about this trip to Lake Tahoe. Sounds romantic.”

“I hope so,” Christy said, completely distracted. She gave me a searching look. “I was a bit worried at first, but after this weekend…”

Erin lit up at the prospect of details. “Ooh, what happened?”

“I told you we’re taking things slow,” I said, and she nodded. “Well, it’s the first time we’ve spent the night together. As a couple, I mean.”

Erin’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“Oh, I’m used to the deep end,” Christy said. “I was on the diving team.

Springboard and platform.”

“You know what I mean,” Erin said.

“Yeah, I do.” She grinned at me.