Charles & Claire Ch. 23

CHAPTER FIVE

We got back three hours later, and never have I seen so many smiles and heard so many giggles, as I had during their shopping. I did get to see some of their clothes. The girls did something of a fashion show for me, with Claire looking at me like I was an ice cream sundae.

Sarah wasn't content watching the girls do all the shopping, so she got herself, and Annie, some beautiful matching earrings and necklaces. Each of the girls had two full bags of stuff they'd purchased. I did as well. Sarah had a small single bag, full of bling.

Annie greeted us, with a big smile and asked, "Is everything copasetic now, guys?"

"Yeah," I said. "Until the next time, at least." We all laughed.

*********** ***********

"DANCING IN TEN MINUTES, WEAR SOMETHING NEW," I yelled upstairs.

In thirteen minutes, both girls glided down the stairs in matching teal V-neck silk dresses, which were snug at the hip. They both had beautiful new matching 2½-inch heels on with them. They walked down the stairs holding hands, and I couldn't help but tear up a bit.

I gave them both a peck on the cheek, as K went over to the player and Claire wrapped her arms around me, saying "Thank you, Loverboy."

"'Saying Goodbye,' Kalista, please?"

Claire gave me a kiss, and we started with a spin, then as the singing started, we went to closed and started going around the room, using our newest steps. We were both fighting the emotion this dance meant to us. We were looking straight into each other's hearts during this song.

I had a moment when I was remembering the first Waltz we ever danced, and her smile awakened me to the fact that we indeed are destined to be together, in all ways... but, after the tours.

The dance was over, and the girls all applauded, when they weren't dabbing at their eyes. Annie came up to me and said, "That was so nice, you really packed a lot of different new steps in that, didn't you, Charles?"

"Yeah - Was it too busy, too many different steps, I mean?" I asked.

Sarah came up from behind me and said, with her lips right near mine, "That dance was so hot, Charles." I turned around and she was laughing. "So, that's how it's going to be now -- hit and run, Sarah?"

Annie broke the tension by asking, "What time do they want us at the baseball game tomorrow, Sarah?"

"Game starts at 1:00PM, they would like us there no later than noon. My mapping software says its one hundred forty-five miles from here to Cleveland, where the game's being played, so 2½ hours, assuming regular traffic," Sarah said.

"This'll be our first event as Professional Entertainers with an entourage, so why don't we get their sometime this evening, it's still early enough, so it'll be a quick, in and out tomorrow?" I proffered.

Annie said, "That's a real good idea. Everybody get packed for traveling, we leave in thirty minutes, and add two more changes to your go bags."

"Where's our Competition in three days?" I asked.

"Pittsburgh, where you won your second Competition, with the Samba, last year."

"So, Pittsburg Pennsylvania will be the place of our final Amateur Performance. Those people there were so supportive. I'll need to say something, if we win."

"Sarah, send the NDCA a quick blurb that Charles & Claire are retiring from Amateur Dancing after our Competition in Pittsburg in three days. Let's see if we can fill the place up with noise, like last year?" I asked.

"You certainly have become the showman, haven't you Charles?" Claire said.

"Didn't Irving Berlin write, 'There's No Business Like Show Business?'" I said.

"Yes, he did, Charles," Sarah said. "Give me twenty minutes to put this together for your approval, Mr. Newman."

Annie gave me a look, as Sarah said what she said. I smiled at Mom, mouthing, 'It's OK.'

"Everybody - go up and repack, if necessary, we're going from here, to Cleveland, where the baseball game is, to Pittsburgh directly, it's significantly shorter than coming home and going back. We've got a road trip," I said.

The girls looked a little flummoxed, so I explained, "Pack for the game 'and' the Competition; use a suitcase if you need; we won't be back home until after the Competition, so bring your phone chargers with you and we leave in about thirty minutes for Cleveland."

They seemed to understand, so they went back up to their rooms, while I gave a kiss to both Annie and Sarah, before I went to repack. The three of us came down, Sarah had the Release for me to look at, and she and Mom ran up to repack. Kalista and Claire were giggling, as they sounded so very excited about this trip.

I read and approved the Release, so she sent it; and we piled into the Land Rover and we were on our way. Mom started the drive to Cleveland; Sarah used her new smartphone to find us a place for us all to stay. From the front seat, Sarah asked, "We're lopsided with girls, so how many rooms do we get, Charles? Three? Or two?"

"Why not get two rooms, each with a double bed or bigger, add a rollaway to one of them? That would mean I'd either share a bedroom with Claire and Kalista - or with Annie and Sarah. What do you think of that plan, Annie?" I asked.

"So, you sleep with the young girls or the mature women; I believe this is your call, buster," mom said snorting a bit. Sarah laughed as well.

I came back with, "Well, I've slept with Claire a couple of times, and Sarah and I shared my bed for thirty minutes, was that good for you, Sarah; so I guess it's a choice between my Mother and my Princess. I'll have to stew on that for a while."

I must've shocked them, as I expected, because it got real quiet.

Claire came back with, "I did find Kalista in bed with you once, buster, so I guess it's your mother's turn, wouldn't you say?"

"Touché, Claire -- OK ladies, I guess it's Sarah, Annie and me in one room, and Princess and Claire--Bear in the other."

"Got us in a Best Western two miles from the stadium for one night, with an option for a second. I figured right after the game, we could change and head directly to Pittsburgh. How does that sound to you, Charles?"

"Wonderful, Sweet-Lips. We're going to rest back here for a while, now so keep it down up there, OK?" I said.

"You too, Loverboy?" Sarah said. My mother looked over at her and couldn't believe Sarah had just said that. I heard them both chuckling as the rhythm of the road put us to sleep.

*********** ***********

The car coming to a stop, told me we were there. I saw both girls with their heads on my shoulders, slowly come awake. I gave each of them a quick peck on the lips, and we moved into our two rooms. We weren't lucky enough to get connected rooms, being separated by about four other rooms.

I helped CC and K get into their room, telling them to live out of their suitcases, and don't put anything in drawers. I also recommended they immediately get their phones charging.

I left them to take my bag to my room... I decided to knock first, for my own sake. I heard a 'come in,' so I opened up and saw that the rollaway wasn't there yet, so I plopped in the chair and rested for about fifteen minutes.

"Charles, we haven't eaten today, since breakfast. It's only eight-thirty, let's go get something to eat," Annie suggested.

"Mom, I'm not just hungry, I want to dance, could we find a place to eat and dance?"

"Sarah, find them a place to eat and dance, please?" Annie requested.

After only about five minutes, Sarah said, "I found it, Front Street Tavern & Eatery, about ten minutes from us. It's got burgers and a big dance floor."

I gave her a kiss, and went to the girl's room, knocking first. Claire said, "You can come in Charles."

I got in and told them what was happening, and to get ready to go out to eat and dance. They giggled, and shooed me out.

Why did I suddenly think, I'd be doing this exact thing for the next two years? But as I realized it, I couldn't keep from breaking into a great big smile as I knocked on my door, and was allowed in.

Mom and Sarah were wearing matching black dresses that fit them very snugly. They were putting on flat shoes and earrings, as I took my bag into the bathroom and got myself ready.

I came out and both ladies whistled at me, with Sarah growling, which caused Mom to laugh. We all walked to the girl's room, and they were ready, in matching outfits as well. I'm one lucky fella tonight and the rest of my life - with these four hot chicks.

We quickly found the place, and walked in. Claire and I were immediately recognized, and many people came up to us, requesting autographs. I've never refused to do that, so I told Mom to order Claire and I some food as we finished the autographs, then we went over to the DJ, and asked him what he had.

"Since you've danced to it, I've gotten VSQs 'Bad Romance' and Jill Scotts 'Hate on Me,' along with 'Marry You.' What do you want first Mr. Newman?"

"First, call me Charles, and this beautiful young lady is Claire; 'Marry You?'"

"Yes, and I want to dance to it, to," she responded, and giggled.

We went out to the middle of the dance floor, and I got down on one knee.

That was enough for the crowd to go flipping crazy, as they encircled the dance floor. I nodded, and we started the dance. The crowd all knew the song as we danced, so they were all singing, and it gave me a bit of a thrill up my back as we danced together. As usual, all I saw was Claire. Her legs, with the new heels, were on fire.

I couldn't believe the energy she had as we'd smiled to each other. We got to the recessional portion of the routine and everybody around us did our playing of the bells move, which surprised me. I picked her up early, but they were egging me on, and I kissed her, which I knew they'd expected.

They all cheered us and slapped us on the back and let us head back to our table, where our food was just arriving. As we sat down, Mom said, "They loved it, didn't they?"

"Mom," I said. "Did you see how they actually did the bell playing thing, with us? That totally blew my mind. K, after we eat, 'Hate on Me?'"

"You read my mind, X, and that was cool. Claire you were fantastic. How did the higher heels feel?" K asked.

"The same as the two inch, I'm finally in position with Charles so he can enjoy my chest, as much as he enjoys my mother's," said Claire.

I looked at Annie and Sarah to see their reaction to this remark. Annie was at a loss for words, while Sarah was actually blushing.

Sarah had started to say something, but must've decided against it. It seems that Claire is rising to the occasion, regarding being a little shocking in her regular tête-à-tête.

I did see Kalista giggling a little as Claire said this, which meant that she'd planned to say it, as a first strike against Sarah.

We'd all finished eating, and Kalista asked, "Charles, let's dance please?"

I heard the song that was being played, was winding down, so I said, "Sure thing, Kiddo."

We walked over towards the dance floor, and I heard people saying, "That's Kallie?" and "She's only eight?" and "This ought to be good!" They moved from the dance floor, back to around the edges, as we heard some wolf whistles, for K. She giggled.

She was soaking it all up, as I asked the DJ for 'Hate on Me,' and he quickly started it, as K started to move her hips, which seemed to quiet the crowd. As we went through the routine, she was sparkling, her new shoes giving her more confidence. That smile of hers is so infectious, as her hands and arms were perfect, along with those long beautiful legs.

The end was coming, so, I raised my arm in preparation for the final spins. The crowd knew what was coming; I heard 'here comes the spins' and, with five measures to go, she performed four consecutive Natural Spin Turns, in perfect syncopation, and ended with us in each other's arms.

Again, the crowd loved it, as I gave her a kiss on the cheek. We left the dance floor, and I saw Annie tapping at her watch. I walked up behind her and leaned in and asked, "Do we need to leave, hot stuff?"

"Behave, Charles. You need to be well rested for tomorrow, one more dance, and we go?"

"OK, just a minute."

I went up to the DJ and quietly asked him if he carried any Michael Bublé music, and he said he did, so I said, "Hit it." and 'All I Do is Dream of You' came on, and I asked Sarah to come on up.

That brought back the wolf whistles, big time, which I'd expected, and we started to dance 'our song' as the crowd swayed back and forth while we danced, chest to chest.

I pulled her even closer to me; closer then we'd ever danced before. She smiled and said, 'Careful, Loverboy' as we finished our dance together, in each other's arms. She gave me a peck on the cheek, which got the crowd a little crazy.

We walked back to our table, as a guy came up to me and pulled on me, saying, obviously drunk, "You got fffour girls, lleave me one tto dance wiiith."

I saw a bouncer coming up behind him, so I said to Sarah, "Hey Doll, you want to dance with shit-for-brains, or with me?" and I pulled her in real close again.

She gave me a light kiss on the lips to sell it. The bouncer had him in a grip and said, "Sorry folks, he doesn't have a mute button. Thanks for coming. Can we put up a sign that says, 'Charles & Claire danced here?'"

Annie responded, "Sure thing. Charles - you can let Sarah go now." This caused a great deal of laughter at our table. Sarah, still in my arms, said, "Thanks... for everything."

We walked to our vehicle and we quietly all got back in. Claire and K leaned their heads on me for the short trip back to the hotel. I walked the girls to their room and told them to be ready by 10:00AM. I apologized to them for the cursing I did, at the Tavern.

I got a nice kiss from each of them, as I walked back to my room, and I saw Sarah outside, apparently waiting for me.

"Charles, that was awfully brazen of you, but you did save me, so I have this for you."

She planted a kiss on me, which was truly magnificent. She opened her mouth, I opened mine, and it seemed to go on forever and ever. Mom could poke her head out any moment, so I ended the kiss, saying, "Oohhh, Sarah -- how long since you've had a kiss like that with anybody?"

"I know that your mother, and the girls wouldn't approve of that, but I had to get that out of my system, Charles. It's been building up for a while, ever since that morning you woke up - with me in your bed."

"Don't worry, I wasn't going to do any more than kiss you, but Claire knocked, and you saved my virtue that morning. It's been over a year since I got a kiss anything like that, so can we keep that to ourselves, please?"

"Sure, Sweet-Lips... I may need one of those from time to time, if you wouldn't mind?"

I thought 'Maybe every day!'

"Let's clean you up mister," Sarah said.

The door opened and Annie said, "How long... have you two been out here?"

"I just got back from dropping off the girls, and Sarah wanted to bring me up to date on the plans for in the morning."

"Right, come on inside, it's getting brisk out," Annie said, with a big smirk on her face.

"OK, Mom -- oh, Sarah... I told the girls to be ready by 10:00AM, figuring they'd take until eleven, is that OK?"

"Perfect Loverboy, you've learned their inner clock very well," Sarah said.

As I walked in, I saw the rollaway, and took a deep breath; glad that I wasn't going to have to sleep in the chair.

Sarah heard my sigh and asked, "What was that for Charles? Oooh, the rollaway; you wouldn't have had to have slept in the chair, I'm certain your mother and I could've found room for you... between us." Her eyes sparkled a bit.

"That would put me in therapy for years, my dear Sarah," I said.

"What would've put you in therapy?" mom asked as she came out of the bathroom dressed for bed.

"Oh, nothing Mom, just a private joke between Sarah and me. Sarah, go ahead and use the bathroom next?"

She walked in, and Mom came up to me and said, "I hope you realize, how strong Sarah's feelings are for you? From the looks of your lips, I'd say you understand it a bit, but she is as fragile as Claire and Kalista, so be careful and 'don't do nothing stupid.'" She slapped my chest.

"I understand Mom, she said she needed to get it out of her system, so I was more than willing to help?" I said with a cute little grin on my face.

"You're in over your head with her, Loverboy -- be careful," Annie said, with a giggle.

Sarah came out, in a sports bra and sweat pants, showing off her midriff, which was amazingly tight for a woman her age. I quietly went into the bathroom and changed into sweat pants, and no shirt. I came out rubbing my stomach, and there were catcalls coming from the bed, from both Sarah and my own mother.

"Oh, shut-up, you two," I said, "Has somebody set an alarm?"

Rubbing her hands sensually over her upper body, Sarah replied, "The beating of my heart will wake me up, Loverboy. Are you sure you don't want to share this big bed, with your Mom and me? There's... plenty of room in between us?"

"Oh, will you shut-up Sarah, the boy's friable as it is, you might just break him, unless you can learn to behave yourself."

"Great word Mom, friable -- I assume that, by your usage, it means weak and brittle?"

"Yes, honey -- I knew you'd appreciate the word."

"I need to sleep ladies. Oh, I wanted to apologize to you as well as Claire and Kallie, about my language tonight. I kind of overstepped a bit, to PO the drunk. I'm sorry - goodnight Honey-Bug and Sweet-Lips."

Together they said, "Goodnight Loverboy." I saw Sarah blow me a kiss, while Mom mouthed 'I love you, honey' to me.

I've created a two-headed monster.

*********** ***********

When I woke up the next morning, I felt pretty good.

I went into the bathroom and took care of my usual morning routine, and came out and saw the ladies waking up.

I walked over to them, sat on the bed and they were smiling, and I leaned in and gave each of them a kiss, starting with Annie.

"Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?" mom said with a big 'wake up' gesture.

"I love you guys, and kissing is the way to express it, isn't it?" I said, with a great big grin on my face.

Sarah mentioned, "There are... more ways than just kissing to express love, Charles; do you know of any other ways, besides kissing?"

Annie gave her quite a look, but said nothing.

"Quite honestly, ladies -- although I'm aware of the street terms for many sexual... activities, I don't know how to do anything more then kiss? There've been times that my hands seemed to want to be... somewhere they shouldn't, but other than that, maybe I need some hands-on tutoring in this matter? Sarah or maybe you Mom; are you prepared to cross any of those line-in-the-sand taboo events that a mother and son should stay behind?" I winked at them.

Annie replied saying, "OK, Charles -- you got us, that was quite good, using the taboo angle; that's when I knew you were putting us on, though."

"He was? Darn, I was getting all excited about having a Mrs. Robinson moment with Charles," Sarah winked at me, licking her lips.

I saw my mother look at her, like she cursed the worst possible words. Then she slapped at her shoulder and they got into something of a pillow fight, so I climbed up between them and tried to stop it, but they were lying in wait, and started tickling me.

I tried to tickle back, but, just at that moment, Claire and Kalista walked through the door. I looked over at the clock and it was exactly ten o'clock, sharp.

"Mother, what did I say about being in the same bed with my boyfriend?" Claire said, with a slight giggle to her voice.

"Actually, honey -- he climbed into our bed, he's the scoundrel this time, not me," Sarah replied wickedly.