Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. Reunion - Facing The Past by Cyberdreamz [MF] [cons] This is a work of fiction. Pursuant to the Berne Convention, all works by this author are copyrighted and the author retains all rights to this story. Re-posting, redistribution, inclusion in another work, linking by another site or any other use of it is strictly prohibited without the express, written permission of the copyright holder except that it may be posted as part of a review. Should you wish permission, please contact cyberdreamz@imabadlittlegirl.com. If you are not of legal age, reside in an area where viewing such material is illegal, or offended by sexual themes, please leave this site now. For the rest of you, please enjoy. If you feel so moved, please drop me a line to let me know what you think. I welcome all thoughtful & constructive criticism. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Why do these things happen to me?", I thought for the hundredth time that day. I stared moodily at the traffic inching toward Norfolk. Glancing at the clock I saw that I still had half an hour to make it. Who would have thought...? It began so innoculously with an email out of the blue from an old friend. Sherry Peters was my best friend all throughout school. Short, petite, blue-eyed and vivacious - she lit up a room. An email, and then a phone call that lasted into the wee hours of the morning. Before I knew it, I'd agreed. So here I sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic headed for Norfolk, VA and my high school reunion. Two days of enforced fun at sea aboard a ship full of people I hadn't seen in fifteen years. Oh ye gods...fifteen years. And what did I have to show for it? A failed marriage. A college degree. Countless moves. A successful business as a freelance web designer. A small apartment and countless solitary dinners...Wasn't there supposed to be more? I was jolted from my reverie by the insistant blare of a car horn. Belatedly, I realized that traffic was moving again. I sped up, sighing with relief as the cars ahead continued to move. I might actually make it. I read the signs carefully as I entered town and continued towards the docks. I sighted the new Nauticus Center, and then the docks for the cruise ships. A quick glance at the clock showed that I'd be able to just make it in time. Ten minutes and one frantic sprint later, I stood in the elevator as it rose toward my stateroom. I hadn't taken any sort of vacation in the past six or seven years, so I'd splurged and gotten a really nice room with a patio on an upper deck of the ship. I nodded pleasantly to passengers who entered and exited as the elevator stopped on each floor. Some were complete strangers and some were people that I only vaguely recognized. Finally arriving at my door, I juggled my suitcase, my laptop bag, my purse and the manila envelope with the trip literature as I clumsily unlocked the door and stepped inside. Dropping everything just inside the door, I sagged into a comfortable chair with the packet of information that I'd been given. Scanning the schedule, I saw that there was a cocktail welcome just beginning in the Seventh Sea Bar. I smiled as I tried to imagine the Sherry that I remembered from Girl Scouts and birthday sleepovers now at a cocktail party. As if in answer to my musings, the phone suddenly shrilled into the silence. I chuckled as I recognized Sherry's voice on the other end. "Heard me thinking about you, hmm?". "Hardly", came her wry reply, "I was beginning to think that you'd missed the boat. Now get off the phone and come down to the party". We chatted for a minute more as I plied her for details. Almost as an afterthought, she said, "You'll never guess who's here". Already digging into the suitcase for my dress, I made a noncommittal sound. I sat down abruptly at her answer. "Eric..." Eric Metcalf. Now there's a name I haven't heard in years. My high school sweetheart. As if it were yesterday, I could see our tearful goodbye at the end of the summer following our graduation. I had gotten a scholarship at a local university, while he was following in his father's footsteps by attending a college in Connecticut. Naively, we vowed to remain true; our love was strong enough to withstand the distance. Or so we thought...But things never turn out as you think, and he'd gone on to date,and later marry, the daughter of a prominent English professor. And I'd gotten Kevin instead. Not a fair trade as it turned out. I abrupty returned to the present and Sherry's voice, "...not with him". "Who's not with who, Sher?" "Debra. She's not here". "Wait - Eric came alone?". Debra Metcalf was Eric's wife, who, besides raising their beautiful perfect daughter, also managed to find the time to become a successful partner in a thriving New Haven law firm. "She's definitely not here. So anyway, just get changed and come down". The telephone clicked abruptly as Sherry broke the connection. Well, nice to see some things didn't change. My friend was never one for goodbyes. I hung up the telephone and sat there staring at my reflection in the mirror, trying to see myself as a stranger would. At five feet, nine inches tall I'd never needed to wear high heels. Pale skin contrasted nicely with shoulder length dark red hair. My large hazel eyes were accentuated with subtle makeup. Years of swimming and horseback riding had done more to keep my figure than dieting. I looked pretty good at 148 pounds, especially considering my generous curves. Certainly my 34 C's had grabbed enough attention over the years. My thoughts were preoccupied as I zipped myself into the rich green silk sheath dress. Bought on impulse over a year ago, I'd never had occasion to wear it until now. I quickly touched up my makeup, slid my feet into shoes and grabbed my purse and nametag. Time to face the past. As I paused on the threshold to scan the room, I spotted Sherry hurrying toward me with Derek in tow. I can't say that she looked exactly like I remembered her. She was still slim even after four children, but there was a maturity...a self-assurance that was new. Her blonde hair was short and curly now, but her smile was infectious as ever. As she threw her arms around me, I smiled over her shoulder at Derek. The years had added some silver to his hair and some inches to his waist but his eyes still twinkled merrily. Sherry guided me to a table and Derek grabbed some drinks for us all. In no time we were giggling like children, gossiping over the 80's music about this person's divorce and that person's drug habits...who'd made it good and who'd ended up behind bars...And then I spotted him. Sherry fell silent as she saw my gaze shift. Eric was at the bar, half-turned away from me with his face in shadow. But I knew it was him. Even as I watched, he turned and caught my gaze. A slow smile spread across his face, genuine and devasting. He strode across the room toward us as I sat there frozen. He smiled at each of us in turn, "Sherry, Derek - great to see you! And Allison...". He indicated the empty seat, "May I...?". I nodded. Bless Sherry - she was to the point as ever. "Hey Eric - I don't see Debra." Eric flinched for a moment, his eyes downcast. "No, you don't. She died. Last year. Cancer". Sherry's hand flew to her mouth and she looked stricken. "Oh. Oh no....Oh Eric". He shook his head. "No, it's ok. You were just a little abrupt there...should've remembered that about you". He smiled half-heartedly. "Really. It's nice to know some things never change". A silence grew...uncomfortably stretching. Desperate, I turned to Sherry, "Hey Sher, did you bring pictures of the kids?". It was a good gamble, because she'd brought dozens of them. In the time it took to pass them around, talk turned to kids and work. Safe topics. A couple refills and several dozen stories later we were laughing hysterically and singing along to the familiar music. Just like old times. Derek glanced at his watch, "Sherry, we'd better be getting back to the room if you expect to talk to the kids before bed". I blinked at her, "Oh, did you bring them?". She laughed, "Oh no - there're at home. This is the first time we've been able to get away alone since our honeymoon". She blew a kiss at Derek. He leaned over and kissed her - long and deep. The kiss broke and Sherry turned to me and winked, "But if we start Baby Five, I'm giving Derek his walking papers. No more!". They bid us good night and drifted off toward the door. I turned back to Eric. He was idly tracing patterns on the table through wet rings left by our glasses. He looked up as if he could feel my gaze. For all I knew - he probably could. He smiled sadly as a new song began. "Do you remember this one?". I nodded. It was one that we'd both loved. He stood and held out a hand. "Dance with me". I looked at him for a long moment and stood. I gently placed my hand in his and let him lead me out onto the floor. There were a few other couples also dancing, so I didn't feel so conspicuous. His arms slid around me and drew me close. I stiffened and he sighed. "If this isn't a good idea...", he began. "No", I interrupted. "I'm sorry...it's just...". I looked up at him. "It's just been a long time". He nodded. "C'mon Ally...it's just a dance". When his arms tightened around me, I pressed close to him and let my arms drift around him, holding him lightly. We danced. I hadn't been lying. Not only had it been a long time since I'd seen him, it had been a long time since I'd danced with ANYONE...or been held. And truth be told, it felt good. Amazingly, frighteningly good. The song ended and I pulled back from him. He leaned down, his breath warm in my ear, "Stay". Just one word. But it sent shivers through me. Another song started and he drew me close again. Almost of their own volition my arms encircled him again. He stroked my back gently, pressing me closer. His fingers gently caressed the back of my neck. I leaned closer still and set my head on his shoulder. I closed my eyes and it was as if I were seventeen again. I drifted in his arms. The song changed twice more but I didn't even think of stopping. I opened my eyes to find him watching me. "What are you thinking about Eric? You look so serious". "I am serious. I seriously want to kiss you". I laughed, surprised for his forthrightness. I felt amazingly light. Almost giddy. And I seriously wanted him to kiss me as well. In answer, I tilted my face up to his and slid my hand up his back. My hand caressed the back of his neck as I pulled his face down to mine. His lips met mine softly...almost hesitantly. His arms tightened as he pressed his body against mine. I sighed softly as the kiss became more insistant. Demanding. Hotter. His arms roamed my back. Circling. Caressing. We were both breathing hard as the kiss broke. I lay my head against his chest, feeling his heart pounding. He was still gently caressing my back. One hand came up and stroked my hair, gently pushing it back from my heated face. Small strands tickled my neck as he breathed. His hand slid down my cheek, cupping my chin and tilting my face up toward his. He caught my eyes and held my gaze. I couldn't have looked away if I wanted to. And oh...I didn't want to. I shivered as he whispered four small words..."I want you. Now". I nodded wordlessly. We walked back to the table and I grabbed my purse. We headed out of the bar and toward the elevator, pushing the button to summon one. He looked and me questioningly and said, "I'm on the Spa Deck", Where are you?". "Closer - on the Empress Deck". He nodded. "Better. Quicker". The elevator arrived and laughing people in elegant dress spilled out. The car was mercifully empty except for us as it rose toward my stateroom. My hand was shaking as I tried to swipe the keycard in my door. Eric took it from me and let us in. He had the presence of mind to take the "Do Not Disturb" sign and hang it outside before closing and locking the door. He followed me as I moved toward the long mirrored counter. I took off nametag and tossed it aside as I felt his hands on me, turning me to face him. He drew me toward him, his face lowering to kiss me. My arms slid around him, tightening convulsively. We kissed passionately. My lips opened against his and his tongue probed deeply. I moaned softly as his hands slid down my back and curved around my hips. Caressing. Exploring. Remembering. His hands cupped my ass and dropped lower, sliding under the skirt and drawing it upward. I impatiently kicked off my heels as his hands teased at the top of my panties, his fingers chill against my heated flesh. He pressed his body against me and I felt his desire growing, an insistant hardness in his elegant slacks. His lips left mine, tracing a trail of light teasing kisses across my jaw. He moaned softly in my ear, "I want you Ally. I want you so bad". He lifted me and set me on the counter, spreading my legs. He flipped back my skirt, caressing my thighs as he took in the sight of my black thong panties, garter belt and stockings. "Beautiful", he breathed as he grasped the elastic of the panties and pulled them roughly down my thighs and tossed them onto the floor. He ran his hand over my mound. "So very beautiful...". His hand teased my sensitive flesh, shaven except for a neat fringe framing my now glistening pink slit. He dipped the fingers of one hand into my warm wetness as the other tugged desperately at his belt. I moved his fingers away from the buckle and made quick work of the belt and trouser fastenings, my hand sliding into his pants and cupping his hardness. I caressed him, squeezing and tugging gently until he gasped. He leaned away from me as he pushed down his trousers and briefs, his hard cock springing forth as the clothing fell away. He reached down and stroked himself, watching me. I could see the precum glistening on the tip. He moved closer, the hot length of his cock grazing my thigh. I reached for him, pulling him closer. His cock nestled between my thighs, probing. "Oh god Ally...you're so wet...". He slid his fingers under my ass, lifting me. I pressed against his cock, my slick flesh sliding against his. Sliding. And then he was there, probing at my entrance. I arched my back, wrapping my legs around his waist. Pulling him into me. He slowly slid the hard length of his cock all the way into me. I moaned as he thrust deeply. His hands supported me as he slid out nearly all the way. Paused. And then rammed deep. In. Then out. Thrusting deep, then pausing before withdrawing. The tip grazing my pink slit teasingly. Then thrusting hard. Again and again. In and out. Faster. My hands clutched his shoulders hard, the nails digging in. In. Out. In. Out. Inandoutandinandout. His hips thrusting deeply...fast...Pounding into me. I was trembling, my body hot...cold...Needing. Wanting. Yearning. I could feel my desire building, like a hot, molten core inside me...Consuming me...I arched my back, pressing hard against him as I threw my head back, panting. Small animal-like moans forced themself from between my lips. "Please...I need...Oh please Eric...". I met him thrust for thrust, grinding myself desperatedly on his hard cock. His breath was coming in rapid gasps. I could feel his cock, hot and pulsing, impossibly seeming to grow even larger within me. Larger. Harder. Hotter. I gasped, trembling. Almost....There! My molten center exploded and I cried aloud. No words, just an animalistic mewling torn from my throat. I ground myself desperately against him, riding his hard cock. His fingers clenched my ass as he trembled, and then I felt a warm wetness within me as his cock spasmed. Again and again he thrust into me as he came, my body spasming along with his. When I could think again, I found myself lying on the bed and Eric nestled behind me, holding me close. He had drawn a sheet over us as the evening breeze stirred the air through the half-open patio door. His breath was warm in my ear and I could feel as much as hear him chuckle. "What's so funny?", I murmured. His voice slurred sleepily as he whispered, "I read the literature. This definitely wasn't on the reunion schedule". c 2004 - Cyberdreamz - All Rights Reserved