Awakenings Ch. 23

This story is the twenty-third episode in a series entitled "Awakenings". If you have not read the previous twenty-two episodes of this series, I encourage you do so before beginning this chapter.

I remind you again that I write cuckold stories. While I try to make them loving cuckold stories, they do depict an alternative life style. If you're offended or upset by stories about sexual attitudes and behaviors that are different from your own I strongly suggest that you find something else to read.

I spent the night at a Motel 6 in Fort Stockton, Texas. It had been a full day of driving. I got in late. The Motel 6 had a bed and shower. I bought a Whopper with cheese at a Burger King and a quart of Tecate beer and a bottle of orange juice at a convenience store. I drank the beer before I went to bed. The orange juice was for the next morning. Motel 6's don't serve breakfast, but they do have a pot of good coffee in the office. They let you fill your go mug. Orange juice and a big cup of coffee are all I really need to get started in the morning.

San Antonio is only a half day's drive from Fort Stockton. It was a little after 2:00 when I pulled up to the Liberty Hotel's front entrance. The Liberty is a magnificent old hotel on San Antonio's River Walk.

The city of San Antonio was built along the banks of the San Antonio River. In the early 20th Century a group of forward thinking city officials began working to develop the river into a first class tourist attraction. Over time, bars, restaurants and hotels were constructed along the banks and tourist barges featuring mariachi bands began plying their way up and down the river. Gradually the River Walk became a major attraction.

The Liberty is one of San Antonio's most prominent hotels. When Presidents and movie stars visit San Antonio, they stay at the Liberty. I'd booked a suite for Jeanne and myself, a room for Tricia and Paul and another room for Jodie. It was expensive, but that's why I spent so many nights in Motel 6's. When the occasion arose I wanted to be able to enjoy first class accommodations. This was one of those occasions.

The bell man took my bags and the valet parked my Escape in the hotel garage. I wouldn't use the Escape again until I returned from taking my family to the airport for their flight home. There were going to be five of us, all adults. We need something much more spacious. After I was settled in our suite I took a cab to the downtown Hertz office. They had a white Cadillac Escalade. It was exactly what we needed. I rented it.

After leaving the car rental agency I drove the Escalade out to La Cantera. La Cantera is an upscale development featuring a luxury resort, golf courses and shopping. The shopping complex has a Nordstrom's Department Store. I bought gift certificates for Jeanne, Tricia, Jodie and Paul. I knew my wife and my daughters. They could happily spend an entire day shopping at Nordstroms.

A sign in the window of a gift shop near Nordstrom's advertised Christmas decorations at 50% off. It was the day before Christmas Eve, they were trying to get rid of their stock. I went inside. There was a clearance table across from the cash register. A lone artificial Christmas tree eighteen inches tall with lights stood amidst an array of ornaments, figurines and candle holders. Marked down from $39.95 to $16.95, it was perfect. I bought it.

That night I had dinner at the hotel. As I was walking into the restaurant I noticed a sign. It read, "Make your reservations for our gala New Years Eve Party, the grandest party in San Antonio." After I finished dinner I stopped at the concierge desk and made reservations for five.

When I returned to my hotel room I called Mel and Amy. They were looking forward to having both Christmas eve and Christmas day off. Mel laughingly told me that while they loved to fuck and dance naked in front of men, they occasionally needed a break. I told them I understood. Regardless of what Mae West might have said, too much of a good thing will eventually wear you down. Next I called Jeanne. Excited, she talked nonstop. I couldn't blame her. I was excited too. We were going to get to see each other the next day.

The following morning, Christmas Eve, I had breakfast in the hotel coffee shop. After breakfast I took a stroll on the River Walk. Jeanne, Tricia, Jodie and Paul's plane wasn't due to arrive until 2:30. I had to kill some time.

I left the River Walk and hiked across downtown to Market Square. The locals called it El Mercado. It's an outdoor plaza filled with restaurants, fruit and vegetable stands and shops. Realizing that Jeanne and the girls would love it, I made a mental note to bring them there after Christmas.

On my way back to the hotel I decided to try to find the Alamo. It wasn't difficult. It's located on the edge of downtown San Antonio only two blocks from River Walk. It's surprisingly small. I went inside. It was crowded. Everyone was whispering. Reverence and respect permeated the atmosphere.

As I left the Alamo, I took out my cell phone. It was one o'clock. At 11:30 I'd received a text from Jeanne. "All four of us are on the plane. Thank you for the first class seats. They're wonderful. See you soon. Love Jeanne."

I hurried back to the hotel, brushed my teeth, combed my thinning hair and put on a clean shirt. At 1:30 I was in the Escalade on my way to the airport. At 2:10 I was parked in the cell phone waiting lot. I'd scouted the passenger arrival doors and was playing solitaire on my cell phone.

At 2:35 I received a new text from Jeanne. "We're here, just got off the plane. We still have to get our bags." I wrote back, "I'm in the cell phone waiting lot. Text me when you have your bags. I'll pick you up at the arrival doors."

Twenty minutes later I received another text. "We have our bags." I replied, "On my way. See you in a few minutes. Driving a white Cadillac Escalade."

Overwhelmed with excitement, I backed the Escalade out of the parking space, shifted it into gear and drove to the arrival doors.

It was crowded, but I immediately spotted Jeanne. The girls and Paul stood at the

curb waiting with her. True to her word Jeanne wasn't a brunette anymore. She was

now a blond bombshell reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe and Jane Mansfield. Wearing

skin tight black capri slacks, a leopard print crop top with a deep v neck that

barely contained her large breasts and a pair of spike heeled platform sandals,

Jeanne's outfit was the perfect compliment for her new hair color.

Jodie saw the Escalade and waved. I double parked and jumped out of the SUV.

Jeanne ran to me, threw her arms around my shoulders and kissed me hard on the lips. "Michael, I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too Jeanne." We kissed again.

Next to me, Jodie said, "Hi daddy."

I let go of Jeanne and hugged Jodie and then I hugged Tricia. After hugging Tricia I turned to Paul and said, "Hello Paul, I'm glad you were able to join us."

"Thank you for including me Mr. Nolan."

"Paul, please call me Michael."

Shaking her head, Tricia said, "No daddy, he should call you Mr. Nolan. It's appropriate. You are my father."

I stared at Tricia. Jeanne squeezed my hand. I looked at her. She mouthed the words, "Let it go."

Understanding, I nodded and said, "Come on Paul, let's get the bags into the car."

After loading the bags we all got into the Escalade, Jeanne in the front with me, Paul, Tricia and Jodie in the back. As we left the airport Jodie asked, "Daddy, do you like mom's new hair color?"

Smiling, I said, "Yes Jodie, I do."

"I had it done yesterday, just for you. I also bought a new outfit." Jeanne was grinning at me.

Remembering how devastated I felt when I saw Jeanne with a new hair do, wearing a brand new dress for her date with Derek Fischer, I said, "Thank you, thank you very much."

Jeanne said, "No one has ever been or ever will be more important to me than you are."

"I think I now understand that."

In the back seat the girls and Paul were silent, but the silence was short lived. Jodie, my younger and more precocious daughter asked, "Daddy we want to hear about the hookers you lived with in Tucson."

"Didn't your mother tell you about them?"

Tricia said, "Of course she did, but we want to hear about them from you."

"Okay, their names are Amy Cooper and Melody Adams. They're now very close friends."

And so began the process of catching up. The girls listened and then they asked questions. They were particularly interested in Danny's Lounge and were amazed to hear that I was now the accountant of record for two dozen exotic dancers.

They asked about the cottage and listened with rapt attention as I described how it operated. At one point Jodie giggled, "Daddy, you were their pimp."

Jeanne immediately intervened. "Jodie honey, you're dad wasn't their pimp, he was their friend. He didn't profit from their business, but he did help them with it."

Suddenly serious, Jodie said, "I know that mom. I was just teasing dad. Daddy, you knew that, didn't you?"

"Yes Jodie, I did, but remember, your mother and I are recovering from a serious dispute. I think she's still concerned about protecting my feelings."

Jeanne said, "Michael, if I'd been a little more concerned about your feelings last summer we might not have had go through this serious dispute."

"Jeanne, we've put that behind us. Now were just trying to adapt to a new life. Frankly, I'm enjoying it. I love the new Jeanne."

Smiling, Jeanne patted my thigh.

Behind us, Jodie quietly said, "I was at least partially responsible for that serious dispute."

Shaking my head, I said, "No Jodie, your mother and I are adults. We're responsible for the choices we..."

Jeanne interrupted. "No, I was responsible. Michael, I was the one who chose to hide my burgeoning sexual desires from you."

"Mom, you wanted to tell dad. I asked you not to do it. Dad, I was ashamed. I didn't want you to know how adventurous I'd become."

Tricia laughed. "Adventurous, that's a euphemism if I've ever heard one."

"Shut up Tricia, you're even worse than I am."

"Girls, neither of you are bad and Tricia I think adventurous is a good way to describe our lifestyles." Jeanne was trying to keep the conversation civil.

There was an awkward silence. After a moment Jeanne whispered, "Michael, don't leave them hanging. You need to say something."

I wasn't deliberately evading the issue, I was just trying to figure out what to say. Realizing that Jeanne was right, I took a deep breath and said, "Girls, I'm not sure how I would have reacted if I'd learned about all of this last summer." Chuckling, I quickly added, "No that's not true. I do know how I would have reacted. I remember how devastated I felt after I talked to the two of you on the telephone the morning after your mother's date with Derek Fischer."

Tricia said, "Daddy, we're both sorry about how callously we handled that conversation. We should have tried to understand how you were feeling. We didn't. Instead we just expected you to accept what was happening."

"I'm not sure there's much either of you could have said to me that day that would have helped me understand. I needed time. That's why I went away."

Jodie said, "We know that, but we still feel like we made you go away."

"Jodie, this has been a major change for both your mother and me."

"Dad, we know that too. That's why we feel like we should have tried harder to help you understand."

"Many people, especially older people don't adapt to change easily. The process can be difficult, even painful. I needed the time. I think your mother did too. I was also fortunate. I met Amy and Mel. You're my daughters. Sex is a difficult subject for fathers and daughters. When I met Amy and Mel I didn't have an emotional connection with them. That made it much easier for me to learn from them."

"Your father is right. Amy and Mel were a godsend for us. We were starting to work things out in San Francisco, but Amy and Mel definitely helped speed the process."

"They did help me. Now I'm ready to accept all of your lifestyles. You're still my daughters. I don't think I'll ever want to hear the details of your adventures, but you don't have to hide them from me."

Jodie said, "Thank you daddy."

Tricia said, "Daddy, a friend of mine told me there's an air force base in San Antonio. She said that this week the city is going to be crawling with horny air force guys on passes. Would you mind if Jodie and I hooked up with a couple of them?"

"You're adults. You don't need my permission, but I do hope we'll get to spend some time together sight seeing."

"Don't worry daddy, Tricia and I want to spend lots of time with you. If we go out it will be after dinner."

Jeanne said, "It's Christmas Eve. We should be together tonight."

Jodie said, "Don't worry mom, we won't go out tonight."

Tricia nodded in agreement.

I said, "If you do go out you should invite your mother to join you. I'll bet she'd enjoy meeting a horny airman too."

"Michael!"

"What?"

"Would you be okay with that?"

"Sure, why not?"

Jeanne thought for a moment and then she said, "No way buster, this week I'm all yours and only yours."

Smiling I said, "Okay." And then, taking a quick glance over my shoulder, I asked, "What about you Paul, do you mind if Tricia hooks up with a couple of horny airmen this week?"

There was a moment of awkward silence. I sensed that everyone was amazed that I'd asked Paul that question.

After a moment he answered, "Sir, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to mind. Mistress Patricia is my superior. I'm her servant. What she chooses to do with other men is none of my business."

Tricia said, "That's a commendable answer Paul. It shows you know your place. You've become a loyal servant. I'm proud of you."

Not being able to see Paul's face without taking my eyes off the road, I couldn't tell how he was reacting to Trisha's comments, but I knew how I was reacting. Anger was welling up inside me.

Sensing my mounting ire, Jeanne placed her hand on my knee and once again mouthed the words, "Let it go."

Realizing that she was right, I took several deep breaths and calmed myself.

As I was doing that, Jeanne turned to Tricia and said, "I understand that you and Paul are choosing to lead an alternative lifestyle, but it's Christmas Eve. We haven't been together for months. I really would like it if we could just be a family tonight. Also Tricia, your dad has had to deal with a lot of changes lately. I think it would be nice if you'd try to be subtle about your new lifestyle this week."

"Yes mom, of course. Dad we're not trying to upset you, we really aren't. Paul and I have chosen to adopt a different lifestyle. We're both enjoying it, but we realize that it's different and you're still adapting to some major changes, so we'll try to be discreet."

"Thank you Tricia. This week I'd appreciate that."

Everyone was quiet for a moment. Jodie finally broke the silence. "Dad have you been to the River Walk?"

"I was there this morning. It's charming and exciting. I'm sure it's even more beautiful at night, especially since its decorated for Christmas."

Jeanne said, "It sounds wonderful. How far is it from our hotel?"

"The liberty is on the River Walk. They have a patio bar adjacent to the river."

"Can we have a drink there before dinner?"

"I think that's an excellent idea."

I exited the freeway. We passed through an older part of the city and then suddenly we were surrounded by hotels, souvenir shops and a park.

"That's Alamo Plaza on our left."

Jodie asked, "Dad is that the Alamo on the other side of the plaza?"

"Yes."

Everyone stared.

I turned the corner, pulled up to the main entrance of the Liberty Hotel and stopped. Two bellmen converged on our Escalade. One of them opened Jeanne's door. The other one met me as I opened my door. He asked, "Are you checking in?"

"My wife and I are already checked in. My daughters and my son-in-law still have to check in. We have a reservations for them." While Paul wasn't actually my son-in-law, I didn't see any reason to complicate the situation.

As I stepped out of the Escalade, he said, "Very good sir. We'll take care of your bags. As soon as everyone is checked in stop at the bell desk and give us your room numbers. We'll bring your bags to your rooms. Are you using valet parking?"

"Yes."

"Leave your keys. The valet will take care of your car. We'll have your ticket at the bell desk."

"Thank you." I pressed a folded twenty dollar bill into his hand.

"Thank you very much sir. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you."

As we walked into the hotel Jeanne whispered, "Michael, this is a really nice hotel. Can we afford this?"

"Yes Jeanne, we can."

Smiling, she said, "This is going to be the best Christmas ever."

After getting the girls and Paul checked into their rooms we stopped at the bell desk and gave the head bell man our room numbers. As he was taking care of our bags I slipped a ten dollar bill to both Jodie and Tricia. "After the bell man brings your bags to your rooms, give him this tip."

Tricia said, "Daddy that's too much. Two dollars should be plenty."

Shaking my head, I said, "Tricia, tips are important to people in the service industry. They represent a large portion of their income. We've been fortunate, we can afford to be generous."

"But dad..."

"If it makes you feel better, look at it this way. Do you remember Uncle Eddie?"

"Sure at Thanksgiving he used to smoke cigars, drink too much whiskey and tell dirty jokes. He was a lot of fun."

Laughing, Jeanne said, "That was Uncle Eddie. Edna, his wife, was always mortified."

Jodie asked, "Wasn't he the guy who stood up during dinner, dropped his trousers and pointed at his wiener?"

"Yes dear, that was Eddie. He didn't like George W. Bush. He was trying to make a point. Edna was so embarrassed that I was afraid she was going to slump so far down in her chair that she'd end up on the floor under the table." Jeanne was shaking her head.

Giggling, Jodie said, "It almost put me off sex."

Tricia laughed. "Well you certainly made a full recovery."

"As did you slut sister." Jodie was laughing too.

I said, "Before this conversation goes too far adrift I'd like to finish what I was trying to explain."

Jodie said, "Okay daddy, we're listening."

"Before he retired, Eddie was a traveling salesman. He sold tractor parts. He once told me that if you're staying in a new hotel, a place where you've never stayed before, when you first arrive it's always a good idea to spread a little money around."

Nodding, Tricia said, "Now I get it." And then she laughed. "Even if he did like to flash his shriveled old dick, Eddie was a pretty smart man."

"Yes he was."

As we walked to the elevators, Jodie asked, "So what's the schedule?"

Jeanne said, "Your father and I need a little private time."

Wiggling her eyebrows, Tricia said, "I'll bet you do."

Jeanne winked at Tricia and said, "Yes, you understand." She took out her cell phone and checked the time. "It's 4:15. Micheal do we have a dinner reservation?"

"Yes, 7:00 pm."

"Let's meet at the bar on the River Walk at 6:30."

Jodie turned to Tricia. "We have two hours. Let's explore the River Walk."

Tricia said, "That sounds wonderful. We'll meet you in the bar in 30 minutes."

I took out my money clip and peeled off five twenty dollar bills. As I handed them to Paul, I said, "You're responsible for my girls. Make sure that all three of you have a good time."

He took the money and said, "Yes sir, I will."

Exasperated, Tricia looked at me and said, "Daddy!"

Shrugging, I said, "It's Christmas Eve. Tonight we're all equals."