Kristin

I kissed Kristin following that comment and said, “The big decision then is, when.”

“I’ve been trying to decide if I want a big wedding. I’m sure my mother would never forgive me I we just ran off to get married.

How about your parents, what kind of wedding would they like you to have?”

Kristin and I each talked to our parents frequently; Kristin to her mother who was divorced and lived alone in Dearborn,

Michigan. I had both parents still living and still together after 32 years. Dad had recently retired from the railroad and they

had moved to Florida. We had both kept our parents abreast of our lives and our relationship.

“We’ve never discussed it but maybe we can talk all of them into a relatively small wedding held in a special place.”

“For example?”

“I don’t know. I’ve heard of rich families renting am entire cruise ship. We couldn’t afford that, but perhaps something on a

smaller scale.”

“You’re so creative. I never would have thought of anything like that.”

“Let’s give the idea some thought before contacting our parents. We’ll have to look at your schedule and see when we can fit

a wedding in.”

With the wedding talks tabled temporarily we made arrangements with a moving company to move our furniture Friday of that

week. As it was already Tuesday we had a few days to move smaller things and to decide where larger pieces would go.

During the next two days we moved much of our smaller effects to the new apartment. I rented a large van and we made a

half dozen trips transporting stereo sets, my computer, kitchen appliances and such. They were long, tiring days.

The moving company moved everything else on Friday. It then took us two more days to get things straightened out to our

liking. Sometimes we moved a piece of furniture to several different positions in the same room; we also moved a few to

different rooms.

When we were more or less satisfied I started bringing up boxes from the garage. Kristin unpacked them and we found

places for the contents. This took another three days. We went to bed each night too tired to have anything but a quickie. By

October 1st, we had settled on an arrangement we both could live with, at least until we came up with something better.

* * *

Early in October my agent, Lillian Pressman, called to say she had received an offer for me to be a guest author on a PBS

TV show, to discuss my latest book. “It’s an offer you can’t refuse,” she said. “It’s a free promotion for your book. It will be

aired in early November, in time for the Christmas season, and they want to tape it next week. Can you make it?” She gave

me the time and location of the taping, in Hollywood.

“Sounds like a winner to me. Tell them I’ll be there.” I then told her about Kristin’s fabulous success and added the

information that we were getting married. “No date set yet; we’ll let you know.”

When I told Kristin about the call she said, “That’s great, and the timing is right so it doesn’t conflict with my schedule. You’ll

be able t go to Boston with me.”

On the TV show I was interviewed by a well known book critic. He asked for a brief synopsis of my recent book. This took up

the first half of the thirty minute program. The studios had cameras panning over a display of my books while I talked. For the

last half of the program I was asked about previous publications and what was coming in the future.

Two weeks after the taping Kristin and I flew to Boston for her to participate in a three day fashion show. There were several

new designs included in the show in addition to what was shown in Paris. Kristin had two repeats, the deep V gown and the

hip-hugger / blouse combination. Her third main outfit was a beautiful satiny gown that she filled perfectly. She also modeled

other fashions less spectacular than the top of the line items.

I was fortunate this time to be seated close to the runway and had an unobstructed view of all the action. One unexpected

view was a model whose figure was in a class with Kristin’s who had been assigned to model a gown with a see-through top.

Her full breasts jutting out against the diaphanous material gave the photographers another field day. I was glad she was the

one who had to expose herself and not Kristin.

Later, when I commented on the dress to Kristin she said, “I was asked to model it and declined. But that seems to be the

way young fashions are going, many of the young rich like to see how daring they can be, each one trying to outdo the other.

And designers go along with the trends because that’s where the money is. But that model has done so much nude work that

exposing her breasts is old hat to her.”

While we were in Boston Kristin also modeled for the video she had been scheduled to do. I attended the taping and thought

it a very professional job. What Kristin had not been told was that she was the only model. The taping took most of one

morning with changes and re-taping becoming necessary as the morning progressed. Kristin modeled the same main items

as in the Boston fashion show and also the see-through gown we had seen on the other young model. Kristin, at her

insistence, wore a flesh colored camisole under it so there was no overt exposure.

As per her contract, the final form of the tape was made available to Kristin for approval. As it was all done in good taste and

there was nothing objectionable in it Kristin signed a form okaying its release.

November was a busy month. One day early in the month Kristin had to be in Hollywood where a video was taped for

showing later in the month. From what Kristin told me she had never seen so much confusion. Several of the largest fashion

designers had pooled resources and models to produce a fashion show of all their own designs.

“We spent three hours in makeup and having our hair done for a total of about three minutes each on the runway. We had to

move so fast I don’t know how we avoided running into each other. I also don’t know how the audience had time to look at

what we wore.

“One segment was evening fashions, that’s what I appeared in. Another segment was lingerie, all the way from body

warming robes to see-through gowns that revealed everything. And the hip-hop clothes for high school kids were even more

revealing than what you saw in Boston. Wait until you see the show.”

* * *

I didn’t accompany Kristin to the taping. I used the time to search the internet for places to hold our wedding. I was lucky; I

located a manor house about 20 miles from where we lived that specialized in weddings, including catering meals and

overnight accommodations for guests. When Kristin finished telling me about her day I told her what I had discovered.

“It sounds great; let’s go take a look at it.”

The next morning I called the manor and made arrangements to visit the following day.

The manor was a huge old estate house that had been recently renovated and was used exclusively for weddings and other

lavish affairs. There was a large dining room that seated up to 80 people, a large well equipped kitchen, 20 well furnished

guest rooms and several smaller rooms for peripheral activities. There was also an adjacent chapel where wedding

ceremonies were held. The manager contracted with a large catering company to come in and prepare meals using the

manor’s kitchen.

Kristin asked if the catering company ever came in for 2 to 3 consecutive days to prepare meals. We were told we could

make any arrangements we wished. We were given a calendar showing dates in the coming year that were still open and a

book of menus to choose different meals from in any combination we desired.

As we were driving home I asked Kristin about her question. She replied, “If we’re going to have people flying out here from

all over the country for our wedding I thought we could not only house them we could also feed them, at least immediately

before and after the wedding. Supposing the wedding is Saturday, we could have a pre-nuptial supper Friday, breakfast on

Saturday and Sunday in addition to the main reception late Saturday afternoon.”

“Great thinking,” I said. “So, what other arrangements will we need to make? I know we’ll need someone to perform the

service, flowers and music. How about a small jazz combo for Saturday evening? And a limo service to pick people up at

the airport?”

“Let’s go home and write all of these things down,” Kristin said. “Then we can contact Virginia and see what arrangements

she has made for next Spring.”

Kristin called Virginia as soon as we arrived home and discovered Virginia had been about to call her. “Several items have

come up that we need to discuss. I think it would be better to discuss them in the office. Bring Paul along if you want.”

Kristin made an appointment for two days from then, two days before her modeling assignment in Dallas.

Virginia welcomed Kristin with a hug and me with a handshake. When we were seated she said, “First, something that

needs an immediate decision. The company handling your appearances in Dallas and Chicago wants you to go to St. Louis

also. Can you handle that?”

“No problem,” Kristin replied.

“Okay,” Virginia continued. “Let’s look further ahead. In late February I’ve booked you to do summer fashions with the same

designer you worked with in Paris and Boston. They asked for you and offered a much better financial inducement than what

you made previously. You need to put them on your appointment calendar, February 23 through 28 in Atlanta.

“Also, Sports Illustrated wants you in their swimsuit edition which hits the stands in late March. I know you haven’t done

swimsuits but I remember you saying you were interested. One problem is the timing. You would have to go directly from

Atlanta to the Bahamas as their shooting dates are March 2 through March 5. Does that appeal to you?”

“I would love to do swimsuits, and especially with Sports Illustrated,” Kristin replied. “If I can get away from Atlanta

immediately after the show ends that should put me into the Bahamas in time.”

“Good, I’ll send in the contract for you. I’ve also been approached about other appearances later in the Spring but we don’t

have to go into them now.”

“I need to know the dates involved,” Kristin said. “Paul and I are planning to get married in the Spring. We want to set the

date and arrange all the details.”

“Congratulations,” said Virginia. “I suspected as much just seeing you two together.” She keyed up her computer and

added, “New York, May 2 to 5 and Los Angeles, May 12 to 14. The first one is casual wear and the second is lingerie, if

you’re interested.”

“That leaves the rest of May and all of June open,” Kristin replied. “Good, what do you say, Paul, early June? The first

weekend in June is open at the Manor.”

“Let’s go for it,” I replied.

“We’ll send you an invitation, Virginia.”

“Thank you. I’ll be pleased to attend.”

* * *

We flew to Dallas two days later, where Kristin had a two day stint to model evening wear at a large department store chain.

As expected, the gown receiving the most attention was the one with the deep V. In her two days of modeling she wore the

dress at six different sessions. No photographers, but buyers from other branches as well as affluent potential customers.

Both Chicago and St. Louis were more of the same. On our way home from St. Louis I commented, “You’ve worn that gown

so many times they should give it to you.”

“I don’t think I would want to wear it. There’s something about a gown to a woman, after wearing it a few times it loses its

appeal.”

Returning home, we visited the manor again and paid a visit to the catering firm. I paid a down payment to reserve the manor

for the first weekend in June, from Friday noon until late Sunday afternoon. We also made preliminary contacts with a printer

about invitations, a florist, several jazz groups, an organist, a limo company and a photographer.

The rest of November and on through December, except for the holidays, were quiet and laid back for us. Kristin did a lot of

reading, as did I and I finished the novella I had been working on for almost a year. I sent the manuscript to Lillian for her

perusal and possible comments and for forwarding to my editor.

During that time, with no deadlines to meet and no need to rush to go anywhere we made love often and for long periods of

time. On more than one occasion we stayed in bed all morning, loving and cuddling to our hearts’ content.

Early in December Kristin suggested we make a long overdue visit so each of us could meet the other’s parents. She

suggested we visit her mother at Christmas as she still lived in the same house where Kristin was raised and some of her

other relatives, including her sister and family lived nearby.

“You’ll get to meet all of the relatives who will attend the wedding except my brother; he lives in Alaska. We can stay there a

few days then go to Florida. How does that sound?”

“Sounds great.”

We each got on the line to our parents. All of them were overjoyed that they were finally going to meet their offspring’s fiancé.

My mother expressed disappointment that we wouldn’t be with her for Christmas. I promised her, next year.

As we would not be home on Christmas day, Kristin decided to have our own Christmas a week early. This meant doing my

shopping for Kristin’s gift earlier than I had planned. It was something I hadn’t given any thought to.

The idea came to me early one morning when Kristin left our apartment to go to the complex's exercise room. She liked to

exercise vigorously every day and had given up on an old exercise machine of hers that was wearing out. I went out that day

and bought her a new one which I hid in the garage until the right time.

When gift exchange took place on December 18 Kristin presented me with an upgraded version of the computer I used, one

with all the bells and whistles. We were each delighted with the other’s choice of gifts. We got in each other’s way in trying to

surprise the other with a multitude of small gifts. I tried hiding mine in what I thought were out of the way places but every

place I thought of Kristin had already latched onto. We were both ‘sneaky petes’ about it.

It took most of our gift exchange day for us to uncover and unwrap all the gifts; a pair of socks here, sexy underwear there,

etc. One of Kristin’s gifts to me I found only after she led me by the nose directly to it. Both of us giggled when it was finally

unwrapped. It was the ribbon she had made me rescue from her pubic hair in one of her more erotic moments.

"You can pin it back in place any time you want but you’ll have to retrieve it again the same way you did the first time.”

That evening I did just that. We then took turns pinning it in the other’s pubic hair until we were both so aroused it became

impossible to continue the playing. We went on to more passionate pursuits for much of the night.

* * *

Christmas Eve we took an early flight to Detroit where we were met by Kristin’s sister, Celine. I was amazed at the

resemblance between the two sisters. Kristin had told me that

Celine was three years older but it was hard for me to see the three years. She was as gorgeous as Kristin, although

perhaps a little heavier.

“Why aren’t you a model too?” I asked, once we were seated in her car.

“I studied to be a music teacher and was determined nothing would deter me from my goal,” she replied. “Then, something

did deter me, marriage and two kids within three years after getting my degree. But I have started, this Fall I began teaching

in the Dearborn system. I have no regrets; I have a good husband and two beautiful children who are the pride of my life.

“Kristin tells me you are a writer,” Celine continued. “Have you published anything I might have read?”

“Only if you are into children’s literature,” I replied. I briefly described the Pudge series then added, “Kristin has read some of

them and purchased a set for your nephews before she met me. I have a few others out, including a new book that was

published this year.”

Here Kristin interrupted with, “You need to read them, Celine. I know I’m prejudiced about Paul’s writing but, believe me, he’s

good.”

Shortly after this we arrived at their mother’s house. Celine excused herself and said she had to go home to do more

Christmas preparations and would see us later.

Kristin’s mother was at the door with open arms to greet Kristin. When I was introduced I reached out to shake Mrs. Jansen’s

hand but she would have none of that. She reached out and folded me into her embrace with a hug as warm as the one she

had given Kristin. “And I’m not Mrs. Jansen to you, Paul; I’m Kate, short for Kathlyn.”

Kate, now in her early fifties, I presumed, was still a beautiful woman. A little broader with age, but still with an excellent

shape.

“I can see where Kristin got her beauty from,” I said, “and that beautiful smile.”

“Now, listen to the blarney,” said Kate. “Are you part Irish? Is this how he swept you off your feet, Kristin?”

‘That’s part of it,” Kristin replied. “The rest, I guess, is I swept him off his feet too. You have two daughters who have been

very fortunate, Mother. Celine found a very caring, loving person for a husband, and so have I.”

“As for the smile,” Kate added. “If I hadn’t forced her to wear braces she wouldn’t have that beautiful smile. It’s a good thing

her father was an orthodontist, otherwise she would still have crooked teeth. He was good at his work; too bad he had other

faults that were too much to live with.”

Later Kristin told me her father was a compulsive gambler and gambled away most of his business, and almost the house

they lived in before her mother divorced him.

Continue on Page 7 ...