The truth, mostly

The tense silence could be cut with a knife as they were all looking at Vyki for some sort of answer. Finally, it was Molly who broke the silence, “sweetie, stop tormenting your father. Hun, I told them to expect… this from you.”

“Oh,” Vyki said only slightly relieved as she wasn’t sure what encompassed ‘this’ other than apparently that she was Paul.

“What?” Jessica said scoffing, “did you think I would assume you actually had a sister we never met?”

“I have to admit, I was a little surprised that you didn’t look like some flamboyant drag queen, but instead come across very convincingly,” complemented Matthew as he rubbed her shoulder, “I’m impressed.”

“I had no idea my dad would be such a MILF,” Jessica said as she stood up and walked towards the kitchen. “Now, I’ll have to watch dates around my mom and my aunt,” she said with a giggle.

“Oh, please!” Molly scoffed at the slight complement, “the last thing I need is to be someone else’s ‘Mommy’; you two are still a handful.”

“How long have you been doing… this?” Colin inquired leaning in.

“She did it initially for a Halloween party I was throwing,” Molly interjected to keep the story simple. “She was such a hit making an impression with Heather that when she needed a short notice fill in, Vyki was on a short list she reached out to.”

“I thought that party fell through,” Matthew questioned causing Vyki to panic and almost curse her son’s excellent memory.

“Ya, how was she a big hit if no one came?” Jessica asked walking back in with a tray of hors d'oeuvres and glass of red wine. “The vino is from Colin, I put together the hors d'oeuvres in the back of his beast (excuse the messy finish), and Mattie & I had put together the cookies earlier before the weather turned South,” Jessica explained handing the plate a d glass to Vyki before she plopped down next to her. “You look like you could use something on your stomach.”

Vyki didn’t want to think about the only thing on her stomach at the moment and when Colin complimented, “the ones with the little ham cubes and red powder on top are great!” Vyki needed no more encouragement and had the bite size morsel. While the rich taste with the savior and bitter flavors was not unappealing, Vyki was not expecting the heat and quickly swigged some wine to try to quell the burn.

“Ya, didn’t expect you to start with that one,” Jessica said apologetically.

Swishing down a bit more red, Vyki choked out a giggle as she said, “tastes great, just didn’t expect the heat.”

Jessica giggled a bit recognizing some familiarity in her response, “ya, it’s called ‘the Devils bit.'”

“Oohhhh, Bit,” Colin said surprised, “that is not what I heard when said that in the truck,” he explained with a chuckle.

With suddenly having food, Vyki’s apparent hunger revealed itself as she began eating more of the offered snacks, albeit one cautionary bite at the time.

Seeing her enjoy them, Jessica commented, “glad to seeing you enjoy them; I had hoped you would.” Earning an embarrassed but enthusiastic nod from a chewing Vyki as she returned to the skated question. “So, how were you a big hit if ya’ll had to cancel the party?”

Vyki stopped mid-chew as she tried to contemplate not telling her kids falling into situations where she was **** to act like a slut to prevent being outed or even avoid mentioning the transparent dress at the sex dungeon. Again, Vyki’s panicked eyes looked to Molly for saving.

“Well, we had canceled that night because I had an episode, but Katie had done such an amazing job with her hair & makeup, and poor Vyki had put so much effort into training, that after spending some time together during the next day, we decided to hit up an event at the club so as not to waste all that work.” Molly said tap dancing around many facts and episodes. “We had expected to only make an appearance just to see, but she was such a big hit, stayed all the way to closing.”

“Well, that probably took a lot of courage and fortitude even though she does look great” Matthew said. “Proud of y’all.”

Molly and Vyki shared an embarrassing glance as their cheeks flushed knowing the parts she left out is not something a son should be proud of their parents for doing.

“Oh, shoot!” Matthew exclaimed looking at his watch. “It’s getting late. If we’re going to do the Eve present exchange, we better do it so we can get to our rooms before midnight.”

“Oh, right!” Molly said jumping up, heading for presents under the tree. “Excuse me for a moment, Colin dear, this a yearly tradition we’ve done with the kids since they were little. I didn’t think we would this year,” Molly explained as she grabbed three identical shape boxes with wrapping that differed from everything else on the pile.

“It’s not a huge surprise what item it is, just what style,” Jessica continued as her mother handed her a box.

“For years, I always hoped it was going to be some sort of game system or something,” Matthew added. “But there is definitely something nostalgic about it at this point.”

“Well, it was always something we could do even in the leaner years and just always turned out cute,” Molly said as she placed a box in front of where she had sat, well out of Vyki’s reach.

Then turned back with biting her lip with a mischievous grin, “well, wasn’t sure about this one, but since you’re here,” Molly said with a nervous chuckle return to reach behind the tree, she retrieved another package hidden away with the same wrapping. “Just glad I had paper left over,” giving the last identical box to Vyki.

Looking at the tag, Vyki saw it said:

To: Vyki

From: M with Love

She found it odd she had a present addressed to her and not Paul, but figured that’s why it was hidden.

Molly sat down and said, “OK, kids, you start.”

In near unison, paper rips on both sides of Vyki as the two young adults become litter kids on Christmas tearing into their presents like it’s a race. Vyki knew exactly what to expect as Molly had shared the site with Paul when she was ordering it to make sure he was okay with the price, but he found the idea perfect. About the same time, they open shirt boxes and reveal matching red garments with little green Christmas trees.

Lifting his up out of the box, Matthew announced, “oh my God, Mom, onsies?”

Which immediately got Molly giggling as she watched them discover their pieces.

“Footed no less,” Jessica pointed out displaying the end of the legs melding right into sock like structures with rubber like applicas on the bottom. Garnering even more emphatic nods from Molly as her smile widened even further.

“With a rear flap?!” Matthew observed as he twisted it around sending Molly into a fit of laughter. “Where in the world did you find these, Mom?? They’re like from the 1900s.”

Vyki couldn’t help but slap her sons leg for that, “hey! We’re from the 1900’s!”

“Sorry, ma’am,” Matthew said politely, “I meant the early 1900s.”

Noticing how her son addressed her felt oddly respectful; not joking, teasing, or insulting. Vyki was surprised at how warm it made her feel.

“It was an online specialty store,” Molly finally got out between breaths.

“Well every year you manage to find new or weird pajamas for us to wear Christmas morning, Mom, and you did not disappoint,” Jessica commenting boxing hers back up. “Now you two.”

Reviling at the idea of finally getting into something warm and cozy, Vyki started ripping into her package. “No, wait!” Molly said suddenly having reservations.

“Come on, Mom,” Jessica admonished. “Y’all are part of this, too.”

“If we’re going to have to do ridiculous outfits, it's only fair y’all join in the fun,” Matthew supported.

“It’s not like I haven’t already worn something ridiculous around here,” Vyki says motioning at her current attire.

Molly looked nervously at Vyki and then at their kids. “Okay,” Molly said cautiously as she slowly started opening her own box.

Vyki continued opening hers up revealing the same non-descript box. She was worried about the material of the outfit as the box seemed much lighter than most pajamas she’s ever had in the past. However, she knew it was mostly for looks anyway, and opened the box.... her eyes going wide.

Looking up to Molly who finished revealing the contents of her own box as a matching onesie, Molly locked eyes at Vyki seeing she saw what Vyki’s Christmas night outfit was. Molly sheepishly said, “Merry Christmas,” with a very worried smile.

“Oh my God!” Jessica gasped, covering her mouth in surprise as she looked at what was in Vyki’s gift box.

“Well, that is something,” Matthew said with a smirk looking at it.

“What?” Colin said from a distance looking on and unable to see the contents, and feeling left out. Molly’s face went to nearly complete shock almost forgetting her kids’ friend was even here. “What is it?”

Seeing that Vyki wasn’t moving and excited to see it for herself, Jessica reached over and pulled up the night dress, “ohhhh! It’s so pretty!”

Molly then sheepishly said, “I just saw it when I was out earlier doing last minute shopping and just thought I’d get it on a lark since I didn’t have a onesie for Vyki.” Molly finished it with a nervous giggle, “but you don’t really have to.”

Vyki felt momentary relief and even giggled herself a bit, but it was quickly dashed. “Oh, come on, Mom,” Matthew said, “Dad has gotten you waaaaay worse than that for the Christmas PJs.”

“Ya, but...” Molly started.

“Come on,” Jessica said in a near whine, “I’ve never gotten to do anything with Auntie Vyki before and she would look soooooo cute in this!!” Jessica then turned to Vyki and said, “you said last time you got done up for the party but then went to the club the next night, so you could hang around until tomorrow and spend Christmas with us.”

Paul had always had a soft spot for their oldest daughter. They had taken a shine together when he first met Molly when Jessica was almost 3. They had been thick as thieves when she was little, but like most Daddy’s girls, she grew more distant as she matured and got into womanhood. He was always supportive of her, and while they did but heads, they were always happy to reconnect; it was just fewer and far between. For Vyki to suddenly have an enthusiastic connection with her after all these years, she wanted to practically leap at that. However, she wasn’t too sure about walking around in sexy lingerie in front of her kids after months of training to pass like a teasing slut; that was never in the realm of possibilities.

“Let me think about it,” Vyki said much to Molly’s surprise and Jessica’s excitement as she practically screamed, “that’s not a NO!” & wrapped her arms around her ‘aunt’s’ neck as she bounced and giggled.

“Sounds good,” Matthew said as he stood up, “unfortunately we really should be getting to the hotel if we’re going to make it to our rooms before midnight.”

“I still hate that y’all had to go stay at hotel instead of just here,” Molly said as she stood up to hug her youngest big child.

“I told you, Mom, we got a great deal when we booked it during the height of the lock down and no one was traveling,” Matthew said as he hugged his shorter mother, “besides, we don’t need to be bickering in the same small room.”

"Gotta get to bed before her hubbie shows up and decides we don’t get our presents,” Jessica says lightly slapping Vyki’s exposed thigh as she stood up and gingerly stepped over the trash to give her mom a hug.

Seeing her daughter just step over trash as usual, Vyki bent down to pick up the discarded paper and grabbing some of the plates to start heading to the kitchen when Colin asked, “bathroom’s down there, right?” Vyki just nodded her head as she continued to clean things up while the kids talked to their mom about schedule and expectations.

Vyki had just stuffed things in the trash bin and put plates in the sink when she was hugged firmly from behind, “so glad to finally get to meet you,” Jessica said as Vyki patted her arm while she tried to hold her balance.

“Well, I have to admit, I didn’t expect to, but...” Vyki started as she turned around to face her and then wrapped her arms around her to try to not let her daughter see her tears, “I’m glad it didn’t freak you out.”

“You look amazing,” Jessica said. Then she whispered into Vyki’s ear, “I appreciate the whole commando thing and how freeing it is.” She then leaned back with her arms still around Vyki’s waist in a mutual grasp, “very bold in a skirt that short by the way.” Which caused Vyki’s face to turn near crimson as she hung her head. “But you really should be careful about that. I think you gave Colin an eye full.”

Vyki’s eyes shot up in total shock as she looked at her daughter knowing the implications of what she meant.

“You’re still new to it,” Jessica said knowingly, “just keep your legs together & your skirt down, and you’ll keep away most pervs.”

“Oh God,” Vyki said dying of embarrassment as she hid her face in her hands while her daughter kept her close.

“It's okay,” Jessica said with a giggle, “we can enjoy these girl-talk moments now.” As she pulled her in for a big hug again, “Merry Christmas, Aunt Vyki.”

Holding back tears, Vyki responded, “Merry Christmas, pumpkin.”

“Hey, let me into this love fest,” Matthew said as his towering figure came walking in before hugging them. As they pulled back, he said, “hey, it's okay that we take your car, right? All the rental places will be closed.”

“Ya, ya, that’s fine,” Vyki says as she tries to discreetly wipe the sides of her eye as they break their hug. “The keys should be in the dish by the door.”

“Alright, kiddos,” Molly said from the doorway with a suitcase, “if you’re going to head out, you probably should go now, as much as I hate y'all driving this late,” she said as she dragged the luggage to the front door.

Vyki waved from the kitchen sink as the kids walked to the entry way. Hearing them bicker over who would drive reminded her of many Christmases long ago when they would argue about much smaller things (she just hoped it was Matthew who won; it still has dents from the last time Jessica drove it).

Trying not to get lost in the nostalgia and end up balling, Vyki turned to the pile of dirty dishes that had accumulated today and busied herself with handwashing them.

Vyki was about halfway through the load when she felt a wiggling of her plug and whisper in her ear, “sounds like their gone; guess it's just you and me now, babe.”