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Click here"Don't toy with me, young lady." Dad sat forward. "Have you defiled yourself with that girl?"
That word made me angry, and my soul steeled inside me. "No, I have not. I have shared a bed with her for the last three years. We have been as intimate as two people can be, and none of it has defiled me. I am moving to Tampa with her, and we are going to start a life and a family together"
"A family!? It's not a family, it's an abomination, young lady. You are going to get your bags and forget this nonsense." He looked past me. "Charlotte! Back to your room!" I turned in time to see my sister vanish down the hall.
"Really. That's what you want? Your openly gay daughter living under your roof? Cause that's what I am, Dad." I put some spite into the word. "I'm not hiding any more. Now we're going to get my things from my room, and we're going to leave."
"We? She's here?"
"She's in her truck. She's going to help me pack. We'll be gone faster that way."
"That person is not allowed in my house! If she steps in the front door I'm calling the police."
"Fine, Dad, you do that, and I'll make sure the officer and everyone on the block knows exactly what's going on. We'll see how long the town rumor mill takes to grow this particular weed."
Dad thought for a second, weighing the unpleasant options. In the end he decided on a different attack. "If you walk out that door you are not welcome back, not until you've repented from this filth. This will take you to hell. You know that."
"If God doesn't want me to be happy, especially in an innocent, mutually healthy relationship, then he's not worth worshipping. "
Mom was crying, and there were tears in my eyes as well. I went to the front door, opening it and beckoning Mitch inside. She nodded and grabbed the flat boxes and the tape gun out of the back and headed my way.
A voice from behind me spoke, but I didn't turn. "You are not my daughter. You have no place in this family. Get your things and leave. Don't darken our doorstep again. I wash my hands of you and your filth." There was no sadness or regret, no trace of pain in his voice, just anger and hatred that made my blood run cold.
By the time Mitch got inside my dad was gone, probably retreating into his study. To be honest, that was as good as I could have hoped for, so I figured we should make hay. Mom was still sitting on the couch, now staring in unabashed horror at the tall butch now standing in her living room.
"Mom, this is Michelle Kirkpatrick. My girlfriend."
Mom didn't acknowledge her, even when Mitch nodded to her and said, "Ma'am."
I decided not to push it, and led Mitch back to my room. We packed quickly. I pulled out my Letterman's jacket and other clothes I hadn't brought to school while Mitch assembled boxes. I moved with a fire in me. I wasn't sure what my dad was planning, if anything, and I wanted to be gone and out of his reach as soon as possible. By some miracle, we didn't see him again. In less than an hour I had my clothes and sundries packed, and we were pulling away from my house. My mother hadn't said goodbye, not that I'd expected it.
As we pulled out of town the emotion of the thing started to catch up to me, and tears were rolling down my face.
"Sweetheart?" There was real concern in my girlfriend's voice, and I made myself look at her and smile.
"I'm okay, sweetie."
"I'm so sorry, baby."
It looked like she had something else to say. So I asked. "What?"
"You, um," she swallowed heavily, "you don't blame me, do you?"
"Blame you? For what?"
"Well, if you hadn't met me, none of this would have happened. I wouldn't be taking you away from your family."
This was very unlike Mitch. She was always confident to the point of cocky, in the most innocent and endearing way, of course. Seeing her vulnerable and scared was disconcerting, so I reached out and took her hand. "Sweetheart, don't. Remember when you told me I wasn't responsible for my parents actions?"
"Yeah."
"Neither are you." My thumb ran over the back of her hand, and I could feel the energy that was always present when we touched.
"I know, but still."
"I know too. I know it shouldn't be like this. I should be able to bring the person I love home to my family, regardless of who they are. I shouldn't have to choose. But I know I chose right. You know how I know?"
She turned her perfect blue eyes to mine, her gentle smile filling my soul. "How?"
"Because of the way that you're looking at me now. Because I know how much you love me." I smiled back at her. "Because I can't wait to start our life together."
A tear formed in Mitch's eye as she looked back to the road. "Our life. Sounds perfect."
It was a long trip, and it was well after ten before we pulled into the Kirkpatricks' driveway. But even though the sun was long down, Jack and Stacy were standing on the porch, and when I climbed down out of the passenger side of Mitch's truck, Stacy's arms were waiting for a much needed hug. I kind of broke down on her shoulder, and she just held me tight and let me cry.
"You always have a family here, dear. You know that, right?"
I nodded, not letting go for what felt like several more minutes. The cold finality of my father's voice still echoed in my mind. But I also knew I'd done the right thing, standing up for who I was, and what Mitch and I were together.
We spent the whole of the next year living with Mitch's parents. I found a job quickly, at a locally owned fiduciary where I had real contact with investor accounts. I had a pretty good idea from before, but it didn't take me long to realize that was what I wanted to do, working with smaller accounts and helping them grow, so that real people could have the retirements they deserved.
Mitch did wonderfully at her student teaching, officially graduating in December and taking over her official teaching duties at the school, including being an assistant coach for the girl's tennis team. We spent, and still do spend, a lot of nights cuddled up on the couch breaking down film of her players and their upcoming opponents.
We moved into our own place that following summer, just renting to start. I'd put almost my entire salary away that first year, and being in the financial game has other perks. I was able to keep my ear to the ground on foreclosures and seizures, and we were able to buy a little place for a great deal.
It was just after two-thirty on a Tuesday afternoon, January 6th, 2015, exactly, when one of the ladies in my office poked her head into my cube.
"Are you excited?"
I looked up from the account I was working on. "About what?"
"You don't know? God, Cindy, look at your phone."
I gave a confused grin and pulled the device out of the drawer where I kept it. I didn't like it on my desk, where it had a tendency to distract me. Sure enough there was a news alert, which I pressed to open.
'Florida Supreme Court strikes down same-sex marriage ban."
My hand went to my mouth, covering it as I drew a shaky breath. "Oh, my god!"
Rachelle nodded. "Yeah, they're already giving out licenses in some counties. They expect all counties to start issuing them tomorrow."
I felt a sob escape my chest, and the commotion drew the attention of many others in the office. I'd never hid my sexuality here, I refused to, and there was a picture of Mitch and me on my desk, so everyone knew what this meant to me. I glanced at the clock. School should have ended for Mitch just a few minutes ago, and I was just about to call when my phone started buzzing in my hand.
"Hello?"
"Hi, sweetheart. Did you hear?"
Her voice was dancing with happiness, and tears were rolling down my face. "Yeah, people in the office just told me."
"So, what do you think? Cindy Spencer, will you marry me?"
"Yes, of course I'll marry you." With that my whole office cheered, and I cried. My boss sent me home for the day, and Mitch and I and her parents all went out for dinner that night to celebrate.
Mitch insisted that she be able to buy me a real ring, so I waited a year while she saved up the money before she proposed again. We got married in April, 2017, on a perfect Saturday afternoon. Carl gave me away, and Carrie and Bridget stood up as my bridesmaids.
Carl and Bridget had gotten married two summers prior, and at their wedding Dad and Mom completely ignored my existence, which left me an emotional mess afterwards. At my own wedding it was so hard, not having my mother or sister there, but I had total confidence in my choice of partner.
I've heard so many people, including Mitch, say that their wedding was a blur. I guess a lot of the day was, but I remember almost every second of the ceremony itself, the beauty of the garden, the color of the flowers, and the beaming gaze of Michelle as I walked towards her.
The minister invited us to speak our promises before he got to the traditional vows, and I can recall almost every word,
Mitch went first.
"Cindy, my love, I'll never forget the first time I met you, and how much you didn't like me." --laughter- "But even then, in those early moments, you were the only thing I could think about. As we got closer, teammates, doubles partners, friends, I kept telling myself not to get too excited, because if I did, if I indulged those fantasies, and they didn't come true, I'm not sure I'd have survived. Not that I listened to myself, of course. I dreamed of this moment so often, that when you told me you wanted to be mine, I didn't believe it was really happening. I still think it's a dream, some crazy, perfect dream that I never want to wake from. Cindy, I'm yours. My heart, body, soul, all yours, forever. I promise to be your best friend, biggest supporter, your wife, for every day God gives us together. I love you, always.
The minister turned to me, and I very much wanted to know how I was supposed to speak with the tears of joy rolling down my face. But all I had to do was look up into Mitch's eyes, those perfect blue eyes, where there was love, and peace.
"Michelle, you challenged everything I ever thought I knew from the first moments. I never told you this, but that first time, in the gym, I couldn't take my eyes off you. Your smile, your eyes, the way you moved, they captivated me in a way I didn't understand. But it wasn't just those things. Your relentless optimism, your passion for life, they brightened my world with colors I didn't know existed, and in your gentle arms, even when they were just the arms of a friend, I felt safe and happy in ways I'd never known. My heart understood it wanted to be yours for so long before my head caught up, but now I know. Every day with you is a joy and a gift, and every sacrifice is worth it if I get to be with you. I promise to be your friend, your lover, your cheerleader, and your critic. But mostly I promise to be your faithful wife and partner in all things. Now and forever. I love you, too."
We went through the traditional vows, and Carl and Stacy lit the tapers we used to light our unity candle. Eventually the minister turned us toward the assembly.
"And now, I present to you, for the first time, Michelle and Cindy Kirkpatrick. Ladies, you may kiss your bride."
We held off on our honeymoon until Mitch was out of school, and then we were gone to Bermuda for a week, a gift from Mitch's grandparents. And that's basically where you met us, when Carrie brought Iryna to meet us that fall.
That's been a few years now. Oh, and I just felt the baby kick. I had some complications, and my OB put me on bed rest three weeks ago. It's driving me nuts, even if it did give me the chance to write this, but I could deliver any day now. I'm definitely ready to not be pregnant anymore, but more than that I just want to hold my daughter. We haven't actually been told the sex, but I remember the dream I had before Mitch and I got together, and I know it's a girl.
Carrie and Iryna helped us financially, as IVF is expensive and it took several attempts to get it right. Biologically Mitch is the mother, and Carl is the donor. I was honestly a little worried that I wouldn't feel connected to the baby, because she wasn't biologically mine, but that fear vanished the first moment I felt her move inside me.
I sent my mom a copy of the sonogram, along with a letter stating I would keep her updated about her granddaughter's life, and that she was always welcome to reach out. Carl says she's asked about me, how I'm doing. I'm hoping someday she'll find the courage to contact me. Charlotte was allowed to attend a small Christian college, but she dropped out after three semesters to get married. I wasn't invited to the wedding. I hope she's happy, and I think about her a lot.
Mitch has been adorable. She reads and talks to my belly every day, saying she wants our baby to know her voice. She's also insistent that she gets to carry next time. She tells everyone it's so that she can send me for pickles and ice cream at two AM (which only happened once, thank you very much), but I know she just wants to experience this. I don't blame her. Feeling your child grow inside you is indescribable.
I can hear the garage door opening, so Mitch is home. It still makes me smile every time. Thank you for reading, and God bless.
Twenty years later
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the ladies final at Wimbledon, 2041. I'm James Blake, here with my partner, Bethanie Matttek-Sands, and Bethanie, this is the day the U.S. has been waiting for."
"Absolutely, James, since bursting onto the scene at Flushing Meadows as an eighteen year old prodigy, we've all been waiting for the day the Great American Hope, Hope Kirkpatrick, would reach a grand-slam final. She faces a stiff test in Russian world number two, Sofia Ivanova, but with the dominance she's shown on the grass this fortnight, James, no one is calling her an underdog."
"So true. As we wait for the player introductions, here's a shot of Hope's box. Her coach, there on the right, needs no introduction, nine time grand slam champion and former world number one Iryna Baraskova."
"Yeah, James, she's been coaching Hope since she was sixteen, and of course sitting next to Iryna is Carrie Mitchell, Iryna's wife and absolute fixture through every one of her major titles. We all remember seeing her cheering and urging Iryna on through every point of every slam, and, as Iryna would say, keeping both her body and mind in top condition for each. Next to them, the couple holding hands, are Hope's parents, Michelle and Cindy Kirkpatrick. I actually got to sit down with them earlier this week, and let me tell you, if anyone wonders where Hope gets both her passionate playing style and the poise and high tennis I.Q. everyone says is beyond her years, look no further.
"Michelle is outgoing, dynamic, but always smiling and friendly, while Cindy is much more reserved and analytical, a brilliant tennis mind. They were both standouts at the University of Georgia, along with Carrie Mitchell, where they all met. But what really struck me, James, was the way the two of them just seem to resonate off each other. The energy between them is palpable, how much a part of each other they are. It's no wonder Hope has been able to reach so high so soon, with that secure foundation at home. Honestly, James, being around them made me want to go home and hug my husband, Justin, and remind him how happy he makes me."
"That's sweet. I probably should shout out to my wife, Emily, back home, too. I love you. Anyway, we also see her brother, John, who competed in the boy's championships this year, making the quarters at age fifteen. A new addition to the box, behind Hope's mothers, is her uncle, Carl Spencer and his wife Bridget. This week Hope revealed to us that Uncle Carl is indeed her biological father, and she was asked after the semifinals about how it would feel to have her father there in the box. This is how she responded:"
"Uncle Carl isn't my father. He's a wonderful Uncle, and I love him and Aunt Bridget and all my cousins, and I'm forever grateful for how he helped my moms have me and my brother, but I already have two wonderful parents, who've shown me not only how to play tennis and chase my dreams, but also how to love without conditions, how to support your partner through everything, and how to be a woman of passion, poise, and grace.
"Even after almost thirty years together, they're still the best of friends, and still deeply in love. They've taught me what I want in a partner someday. But today, I just want to win Wimbledon."
THE END
*******
Thank you all for taking this journey with me! I hope you enjoyed it. Please rate and comment. The comments keep me going. And if you have questions feel free to send feedback. I'll try to answer. Thanks again to rileyworks and ash_legend for editing. You both made the story and the reading so much better.
It may be a while before my next posting. I'm working on 'Unrequited', and starting a new project called 'Beautiful,' It's the story of a woman traded in for a younger, thinner model. Can she accept that someone new in her life loves her just the way she is? They are both highly emotional pieces for me, and I can't wait to share them with you all. It's such a joy writing for this community.
Take care and be safe.
- COMMENTS
This is truly a terrific story and well written. As a straight man, I can't imagine going through what so many queer people have to go through in their lives. This helped me understand it better, and it breaks my heart.
I hope that Cindy's Mom can get away from her husband, and that Charlotte is able to be free of her father eventually. I wanted so badly for Cindy and Mitch to show up when Charlotte turned eighteen to take her away from all that, but that's just me. No one should have live in a household like there. Family should be about love, not obedience.
Again, thank you for this wonderful story and I hope you continue writing for as long as possible. The world needs more stories like this.
What a fantastic story, well written, I like the epilogue at the end, so may don't do that and it leaves the story unresolved for the reader. I have read similar stories about so called "straight girls" coming to grips with their sexuality, and the reasons are virtually all the same, ingrained hatred, toward non hetro relationships, by the church and most religious organizations. As far as I'm concerned there the evil ones. Religion is responsible for most, if not all the worlds conflicts and problems today.
Incredible story which took me through all of the emotions in the past. Thank you so much for sharing your work and helping us who are living this
Second tile here and still the same happiness in the end. It could have been marred by the bigotry of Cindy's parents (which I find myself more and more allergic to with the years), but the purity of their relationship outshines even that.
Thanks you for sharing this with us.
In simple terms Wonderful. Brought tears to my eyes and I'm a 73 year old straight man. What a love story.....❤
Wonderful; I hope you don't mind that I'm male and straight, perhaps a little tg, (but getting old!). I have loved reading this series from this wonderful author; She writes brilliantly, creates a beautiful narratives, with love, compassion, and this story fits those narratives and more. Just goes to show that the best authors are the best authors whatever the category.
Thank you for sharing.
I stayed up waaay past my bedtime to finish reading this series, and it was so worth it. Absolutely wonderful!
Awesome work! Loved the emotion descriptions as they gave characters depth as well vivid images as I read. Thank You!!
Rich
Loved this story! It's magnificent and magical. Now we know how the world should be.
Absolutely magnificent. Works both as a love story and erotica. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Absolutely Outstanding!!! From beginning to end this has been a very worthwhile story to read and enjoy. Thank you for sharing your talent.
Not to compete with Purplefizz, but this is my fourth time, and I had also just finished The Tennis Star for the fourth time, so I just had to go back and experience the Mitch and Cindy story again, fully ready for all the tears and joy and outrage at Cindy's parents. Fifty years ago I grew up in a small conservative town filled with similar bigoted churches, so I understand the entirely NON-Christian views filled with scathing bigotry and ignorance (don't get me started). It was a pleasure and a privilege to again share the delicate dance that Mitch and Cindy went through for almost a year before they finally realized that they both deeply wanted the same things. Once that was "out there," they could surrender each into and unto the other. They were still destined for various trials and tribulations that they survived by being true to themselves and to each other and giving into the power and grace of Love.
Thank you again JC for these two marvelous related stories that are indeed timeless.
So, so, so good. I had tears streaming down my face. Such a wonderful story. Thank you JC, you are simply fantastic.
Purplefizz says it exactly. Like them, this reading is one of several from before. I fully second what purplefizz wrote.
Excellent. Reading the pre-match into it was obvious the bigoted parents never changed and I feel sorry for her younger sister. Probably trapped in a bigoted, loveless marriage.
Fascinating story, Cindy is following her heart and completely changing her life to find a new foundation exclusively in a different subculture. The plot gives the justification that sometimes cutting many family ties is a necessary step to remain sane. The story of Bridget's brother is a great idea how an alternative ending could have looked like, but there, the change apparently came from the good people in his family rather than him driving for it. Could Cindy as such a strong independent woman with great support by her partner and new community not have impacted the whole small-town America environment she was brought up in? And please write a story about someone with less or no academic perspectives in a situation like Cindy's who doesn't have a choice to leave and who successfully transforms a redneck town.
What's wrong with me? I have tears in my eyes! I have to have my sister read this, to give her hope, because this is precisely what she has been seeking in life. Thanks for writing and sharing!
Just reread this for the third (?) time, it loses nothing at all in the rereading, as always with the best stories the secret is in the vivid, living and breathing characters, the setting is the icing on the cake! When reading stories when one characters family ostracises them and treat them as dead, my heart always breaks for them, it’s a terrible thing when a religion that preaches unconditional love can condone hatred for something as innocuous as the gender of the person you love; but as someone far wiser than I once said, “The best revenge is a long life well lived”. Amen.
Many thanks JC McNeilly, for both writing this and leaving it here on Lit for our continued enjoyment. Best wishes, Ppfzz.
Still the best story on the whole site. I've lost track of how many times I've read it.
At least my second time reading this tale. It’s beautiful. I have no trouble seeing and feeling the passion and love in my mind. Thank you for sharing ❤️
You're writing style is truly amazing. I laughed and cried so many times through all your stories. Thank you.
Absolutely beautifully written. A fantastic love story, so detailed and thought through with believable and relatable characters. Thank you!
Great story of true love between 2 people, everyone should enjoy such true love in their lives. I reminds me of my true love for my wife, I love her so much, she is the best thing that ever happened to me and I am so greatful that God brought her into my life, she has made me the happiest man in the world.
This is an AWESOME series!! It made me think about love, true real love and how people should be allowed to be happy no matter what. Thank you for writing this.
As usual, I have re-read this story of Mitch and Cindy so many times. I love it, JC, and I always seem to pick up on so many nuances that I may have missed since the last time I read it.
This is probably one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read on this site, hell, online and offline, and lemme tell ya I've read so much femslash fanfics over on ao3 and sapphic stories on literotica and sapphic books in print over the last ten years.
So when I say this is phenomenal, truly heartwarming, sexy and wholesome, it is all those things and more, it is everything my gay heart wants in a story, it is why I read femslash and sapphic stories. It deserves to be in print, in my bookcase, in a lot of our bookcases❤️
Now excuse me as I cry a lil bit🥺
it is a great pity that the site only allows for 5 stars as i would happily give each part 10 stars it is such a well written storyi informed my son when he was in his mid teens that it makes no difference who he falls in love with. he would have my love and respect always
Absolutely loved this series. I found myself cussing out Cindy's parents especially her father. Love the relationship between Mitch and Cindy.
Simply loved the story, made me smile, made me sad and even made me teary a number of times. It was a tough upbringing for Cindy to have such closed minded parents. A very enjoyable read, 5 stars.
After reading this a few times now, I’m still not quite sure why it resonates so strongly with me. It could be that Mitch is impossible not to fall for. Or maybe it’s Cindy falling in love but not recognizing it for what it is. Perhaps it’s the researching of lesbian sex techniques, which is hilarious and so completely in character. Or, is it I’m just a sucker for a great love story?
In any case, I know when I happen across it again in 3 or 6 or 9 months and read it again, I will still absolutely love it.
Came for my annual re-read of this story. I think Mitch might be one of my favorite characters I’ve ever gotten to know. She’s boisterous, sweet, funny, outrageous, sometimes bashful, outgoing, ride-or-die for her friends and surprisingly vulnerable. Cindy is great, but I can’t get enough Mitch.
Thank you for sharing her with us JC!
I binged this and "The Tennis Star" in about three days. I've grown so attached to all of these characters. Mitch reminds me so much of my wife, that strength of character and presence. When I came out as a transwoman a year and a half into our relationship, she didn't miss a beat. She accepted, supported, and cheered for me from day one, and her family has done the same. My family is... well, they're trying, but whatever happens, I've never felt lonely or unloved. When we got married after five years together, my father and none of my grandparents came, but her family was in the front row. I'm so lucky, I'm surrounded by so much love, and I hope that everyone will one day find their Mitch.
Thank you for this story. I loved every second.
I'm a 53 year old dad and the pain that exists in these beautiful stories breaks my heart. I don't understand how a parent could kick their kids out of their lives because of who they love. I've only ever wanted them to find someone they love as much as I love their mom. I've ugly cried at least once at each of your stories. The way you develope your characters is amazing.
Fifth time through. Still brilliant. Many, many thanks JCMcC. Five super hypernaovas!
I gave a five star, being annoyed that there weren’t more. Being a male 54 year old and happily married, I feel such a dork for sitting here crying. I sort of fell in love in these two wonderful women. It is indeed a beatiful story. What upsets me though, is why on earth there are people who are in a position to label same sex relationship as a sin or an abomination. Both me and my wife have since our son was 10-12 years told him that whether his love of his life is Lisa or Achmed, they will always have our love and blessing, as long as their relationship makes him happy. In recent years I’ve come to think of myself as a feminist. But feminism, in it’s deepest sense, is not just about gender rights. It is in my view, also the right to be who you are and love the person you will. Another thing really don’t understand, is why any man would want a housewife, staying home and merely play the role as a house maid or breeding factory. To me, even the idea appears repulsive. She wouldn’t be my peer, my friend, my equal. I love my wife for being the strong woman she is, being the leader of the national board in quite a large organization in the country in which we live. Obviously, I love her for a dozen of other qualities as well. But my feminism is about that; leaving space to my wife’s success, accepting her qualities which I will never match.
Please! Never stop writing! Simply beatiful. I especially love the way you develop your characters. And the steaming, hot sex scenes, of course. Being a man, I can think of nothing more erotic than two women making out, respecting of course, that for me it only would remain a fantacy. And the issues you raise, all the bigotry you write about, they are important. I consider myself lucky to live in one of Europes most liberal countries with respect to gender eqality and legislation on sexual orientation. I feel equally sorry for what I perceive of as a negative development towards LGBT communities.
I've read this story several times and I have enjoyed it each time. I can relate very much to Cindy's character, so it's always an emotional read for me. Very, very good.
Ironically as I finished this, my second (or third?) time through, was on opening day of the 2023 US Open tennis championships, a bit of real-world synchronicity. It is one of my all-time favorites with a complex plot, rich characters, nerve wracking emotional challenges, and the author's unique way of weaving it all together in a rich story that brings tears of sadness as well as tears of joy. Absolutely brilliant. I urge anyone who like this story to read "The Tennis Star" by the same author which is Carrie's delightful tale of finding and coming together with her soul-mate Iryna, a lovely story also with a tennis backdrop. Enjoy.
Brilliant!
This story is so good! The way you describe and develope you characters, the emotion, the environment, the attitudes, everything has real substance, a real life.
You write so well and it makes reading your stories far more satisfying and enjoyable!
Thank you!
Magnificent writing as always! A heartwarming coming-of-age tale of maturing, evolving and finding oneself — and love — during one’s journey through young adulthood. A very interesting slice of Americana with its highs and its lows; it’s always depressing to see the damage that religion — or traditions in general — can do in the hands of the small-minded, ignorant or malicious.
Even though the CliffsNotes of the tale was already revealed in The Tennis Star the detailed story of Cindy and Michelle’s meeting, circumstances and relationship was still wonderful to follow and experience. After all, it’s rarely the end point but rather the journey there that makes any odyssey worth embarking.
I love all the nods to Buffy interwoven in the story; Hush (where Willow and Tara meet) marking the turning point in Cindy and Michelle’s relationship (I guessed season four would get things moving for them, but I am so glad that Cindy started thinking differently on her own before that point), Michelle channeling Willow to Oz (“some part of me will always be waiting for you”), Carrie reacting exactly like Willow finding out about Xander and Cordelia when she in turn finds out about Cindy and Michelle (“I knew it! Well, not in the sense of having the slightest idea, but I knew there was something I didn’t know!”). Willow has always been one of my absolute favourite characters in Buffy; she is delightful in every way.
I agree with your note about Whedon: I try to continue to enjoy the stories he created — along with excellent actors and production crews — even though he himself turned out to be a less than savoury figure.
Now I need to reread Tennis Star again, while waiting for the remaining chapters of Beautiful to be published.
May your muse always inspire you to continue your fantastic writing! 🙂
P.S.
Holy shit, this series was beyond amazing. The writing, plot, and above all the emotions were incredible and so relatable. I couldn't stop reading it and finished within a day. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!
truely awesome story . Keep up your great writing. Am looking to jots more stories
It's still a joy reading this one again..
Love is the way to live the life in any good matters...
Tears come often in this story, and damn, I love that..
Cheers
Belinda
Wow!!! You really banged that one out of the park right there! That was from start to finish and everything in between, a great story. I really enjoyed it. Thank you 😊 keep up the good work, you have a talent for this story tellin thang for sure!
I have just finished binge reading this story for a second time. I really do like your writing style, involving the reader in the emotional ups and down of the principals. Like others, I subscribe to the view that if this were published book, it would be 'unputdownable' This really is an excellent read, thank you so much for the effort put into creating it.
I reserved making a comment on this series until I finished it. Not because I had reservations, but because I couldn’t stop reading it.
How anyone could think a love like Mitch and Cindy’s could be wrong is just unfathomable.
, thank you.
Now it’s time to start checking out your other work.
Loved it. ❤️
Much love,
Raquel
Thanks for this wonderful story. My wife and I have been together for almost 28 years and have raised 2 boys. I loved reading about Mitch and Cindy are great characters!
Ein alter weißer Mann hat Tränen in den Augen. Na gut, 48 ist nicht alt, aber mir wurden ein Stück die Augen geöffnet um zu sehen wie meine Tochter sich manchmal fühlen muß. Ich bin recht liberal, meine Frau, obwohl sie viel jünger ist, sehr konservativ... .
Ich habe mich oft gefragt wieviel Realität hinter dieser schönen Erzählung steckt. Es ist in Deutschland nicht anders als irgendwo anders "Liebe deinen Nächsten wie dich selbst" ist nur ein Wort und obwohl es oft gepredigt wird, ist es meist nur eine Phrase.
DANKE
Incredible series from Avery talented author. Such emotion and humor in same wrapper. You are brilliant JCM!!!
This was my second time reading the series. It was even better than the first. Great characters immersed in their struggle to be who they are and love who they are, each through the other while overcoming the many obstacles in their path. I had to switch from tissues to paper towels when reading and experiencing their love and passion and courage. Well done; very well done. CS
I just finished this again, concluding my third total reread of the McNeilly-verse. I still laughed, I still cried, I still remained bowled over by the humanity and beauty you showcase.
But, this time, the epilogues stuck in my head. I’m furiously calculating dates. I’m scouring the timeline.
What happens a few decades from now when Hope Kirkpatrick meets Cece Walker?
i will never get tired reading this...nth time still making me weep and mooshy ;)
It’s a beautiful tale of Love. Thank you for sharing this epic journey with us.
Oh so very easily a five star story from start to finish, the characters have depth and personality and the emotions were real enough bring me to the edge of tears on occasion. The story is well paced and well justify's the four part format. At the end I felt I had been a privileged observer to Mitch and Cindy's story.
Just couldn't stop reading and i am so glad you didn't pull the she left her to go back to here parents and then thought better of it
This is an excellent piece and a great credit to the author. I would also like to commend the editor(s) for their help in making this story so easy to read. I very much look forward to reading more from this author and can without hesitation recommend it.
For context, I am a 66,year old straight man!
What a journey
The story was well paced and didn't feel like the sex was gratuitous
The characters had depth and real emotions
The story from start to finish was romantic and when she told her father who she really was it was so triumphant and brave
Magnificent work please keep writing
What a wonderful story. I❤ the characters. They were real people. Please keep writing these great stories.
Loved it so much i skipped through the sex scenes just so i could find out how it ended
This. Is. Absolutely. Beautiful!!!!
I'm from a small town in Georgia that easily could have been Cindy's home town. Racist,bigoted, homophobic. This series, along with your other series, has got to be in the top five series in this site's history!
You have told the story better than ever. Thank you 💖
Wonderful story. The writing and rendering of characters are way up there! Cindy's parents seem two dimensional, but I've encountered some folks like that.
A beautiful story! I've kept coming back and reading a few more pages, loving the writing and how it unfolds. It's a story of love and caring, and so much more than a list of sexual events.
I don't think that I have adequate words to describe how this series and Hero Worship made me feel. I literally have sat at my computer for the past few hours and not put my phone down for a moment. Tears have come to my eyes so many times through the past few hours, and I am humbled and grateful to have read these wonderful stories. I highly recommend them to anyone that wants an enjoyable read..
I really enjoyed the slow burn, and all the realistic and painful moments on both sides of them getting together. Really nice to see the sensitive treatment of Cindy's struggle with trying to be straight, and Carl was a freakin' light, in that family, yeesh... Anyway, lots of feelings, had a good time, thank you for sharing this. <3
This story was fantastic. Not only were the sex scenes well written, but the love story between the two leads was beautiful. I don't see that very often in erotic fiction. Keep up the good work!
I love this story so much, I sat with tears in my eyes when they were at Cindy's parents.
A very warm and wonderful story, I could easily give you 10 stars if I could
Thank you
Wow….great story. Thanks for the awesome read. Really enjoyed the build up to the end. Please keep writing.
Again, thank you.
I don't think I could say enough about this story. I loved it from the very first lines until the end. Well written... I do have one last thought, or question I might add.... ' Where do ghost's play tennis.'
Just read this series for a second time. Enjoyed it just as much S I did the first time around
Your writing style is easy to read and follow, interesting to read and follows joy and inspirational those questions their feelings. I hope in the future you have both time and motivation to continue as you are a great writer.
I didn't want this story to end but end it must eventually. It was moving and beautiful! Good work and I will look for other stories from you.
I love love love this. I've been desperate for real, genuine yuri. I'm an anime and manga fan, especially of yuri (lesbians, in case you don't know haha). I can't tell you how much I wanna see this story as an anime or manga, to see how badass the 2 mc's would be on the court. But aside from that, you made me remember just how much I also love novels and ebooks. You're writing is just so engaging and immersive hehe <3
I have read all of your stories 2 times each ( some more than twice), and have just one problem. How do I choose the best one? They are all so well done and all are very moving in many ways. Thank you for sharing these stories with us. 5*
Second time reading this wonderful story. You make the characters come to life in my head. You are so incredibly blessed with writing and story telling talent.
If I had to pick a favorite of all your stories thus far I'd have to honest and say.... ALL OF THEM!
Hoping to read more of your amazing work soon.
This story was absolutely breathtaking especially at the end the way you drew the readers attention to many years later and how the couple had had 2 children and both were tennis stars as well and one of the most beautiful statements that could've been spoken by a child about their parents...... OMG I hope my children can look at me like that many years from now ❤❤❤❤❤
Oh, thank you for a beautiful story. For the beauty of their love, the joy of their story, the consummation of their love, their commitment and joyous life of love together. My heart lept when I read "Hope Kirkpatrick." I even thank you for the reality of the hatred and abuse so many have suffered. May some of the haters.(especially the ones who say they follow a God of love!), one day all, be "turned from their wicked ways" and welcome love in all its joyfilled, life-giving forms. I even smiled with delight when I read the grammar of the insternships "for which to apply."
Again thank you!
If I could write like that, I would have filed it under "romance". Sweet, affectionate, and gentle. Brava!
Very well done. Thank you for another great story. 5* but it deserves so many more.
Once again, the author has given us both an erotic and romantic tale. One of life, love, and happiness. Keep up the great work.
Absolutely great ending to a great series! I could really connect to a number of things as parents that were very supportive of our daughter’s wedding to her wife. We were all competing together on the same pool team at the time.
I tried to find something in this series to help you improve. I am sorry to say that I didn’t identify anything for you to improve on other than possibly more stories like you have been doing.
Damn, woman, you sure can write. I love your characterizations, especially Cindy's imperviousness to praise about her physical beauty. We should teach our children early in life that attractiveness and repulsiveness have nothing to do with a person's worth.
Barry
Beautiful story, one of my new favorites on here. I binge-read it over the course of only a few days. A lovely tale of love between two women. It’s a shame Cindy’s parents never came around, but it’s sadly realistic.
My only criticism of the story is that I’d like to hear what became of Charlotte, Cindy’s little sister, at least by the epilogue. I also think it would have been nice for Cindy to have said goodbye to Charlotte when she moved out of her parent’s house with Mitch. But other than that, I’m just awed by how sweet this story was.
I finished reading this amazing, beautiful series tonight. I've been sitting here trying and failing to capture all of my feelings into words for this comment. I've finally accepted that it's not possible. Nothing I write here can fully communicate how much it affected me. The characters were painfully real in the best possible way. It was heartbreakingly wonderful taking their journey with them, rooting for them, crying with them, and grinning like a fool at each of their revelations and triumphs. You are such an amazingly brilliant writer. Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing this.
The most beautiful and lovely story, one of the best I’ve ever read. And I love how you mentioned Carrie and Iryna which made me so happy.
I’m an old straight man. I loved this story so much! I’ve lived my life married to one woman who does not understand the nuances of physical intimacy. Your words here either point to the same with your relationships, or that you have found that special person. I couldn’t tell which. You also write with the wisdom of older, wiser, more experienced person. I wish I was a lesbian!
Without a doubt the best story I have read about growth and love, oh and tennis too. This should be a movie.
I feel that I need to register a complaint about the author. I'm sorry you cannot write stories like this one and Tennis Star without posting a warning letting readers know that they are about to embark on a wonderful journey that they won't be able to put down until completed. Your work is just absolutely first class. Seriously professional writing and story telling. I'm in trouble by the way. The dog hasn't been fed and the kitchen still needs painting 😃. My girlfriend is going to be annoyed we didn't read this together. Her fault for having a week away on a training course 😋 Thank you for such a jewel and can't wait for the next story from you. But I'm waiting till all the episodes are there your stories need to be read in one go. In my opinion of course Thank you again JC 😘😘😍
Being late to see your stories means I get to read chapters 1 to 4 on the same day. What a great romantic story of love found and grown.
Just loved this story. It left me with tears in my eyes. I am looking forward to your next story.
I just can’t say enough words to express how much I loved this story. So much about these characters and their plight resonated with me. Thank you for sharing such a wonderfully fulfilling story. It made made hear happy! Can’t wait for the next ones.
Wow. How to start this ..?
First of all, I created this User just because I wanted to be able to comment your stories. They're not the only ones I've been reading throughout the last few years, but they're by far the stories hitting the most right buttons with me. I've always been kind of an emotional person but you get me weeping in front of my screen, which is not an easy feat.
Your characters are both lovable and realistic, with their flaws and worries. I think no normal person reading your stories couldn't be touched, and hope for the each character to find the one and real love they need in life.
Thanks a bunch for the art - yes, I insist, that's what it is, at least to me.
By the way, imho you improved your writing skills between your first story and now, which makes me even more looking forward to your next ones.
Many, many thanks.
I will agree with both 32aa and jacosg36, your stories are exceptional. I have long searched for first class erotic romance and treasure each I find, your works are a literal trove. It is a testament to your pure focus on love and the strength it provides to conquer challenges, your work resonates with romantics, straight like myself, gay, lesbian, bi, transgender or any other descriptor. Because love, caring and devotion are a universal dream.
You write such beautiful stories and characters. This story in particular really moved me. Thank you.
I agree with jacosg36. I too, am a straight guy. I had never really connected with girl-on-girl erotic stories, until i found you. I thoroughly love "Hero Worship", and that's what brought me here. A beautiful story. Many times throughout the story i had lumps in my throat, and a welling up. The characters are so real and so passionate. The love scenes are incredible, and deeply moving.
A well deserved 5 stars. I'd give more if that was possible. Thank you for sharing your talents.
Wow, just Wow. As a straight man I just clicked in for some hot girl-girl story. By the middle of page one, chapter one, I was so thoroughly enmeshed in this story that I couldn't put it down. This ending brought tears to my eyes as it so perfectly displayed the love and trials your two characters lived. Now I'm going to read all your other stories, and this time I won't be looking for the action, but for the stories and characters themselves. Well done, 5 stars throughout and I can't wait to read more.
The love displayed in this story is the love we all want and unfortunately to few find. Thx for the reminder that it is there.
I literally cried, laughed, and awed at this story. If this could be put into a book, I would buy it. I fell in love with the characters and how they were living their lives. I felt bad when she had to lose her bigoted family. Though I felt so much joy when she chose her lover over the family. I will read this again
Wow .. what a great story .. I loved every minute .. I fell in love with the characters, and the story just flowed so easily. If I live to be 100 I will never understand homophobes or any parent that could disown their child. I’d like to think our society is making progress but sometimes I just don’t know. Thank you again and I wish you much love and success. Keep writing .. you truly have a gift … 🥰🥰
So you are a tennis nut. Have you played at Wimbledon? We went through the town on the train once but that's the closest we ever got. I adore your writing and I especially like Cindy and Mitch. We need people like that to look up to. Live your own life and try not to hurt anyone.
Great story with great flow and character development. When a story can enthrall and captivate you, they can also effect your emotions in a way where you have to know what happens next. You feel like you’re there with the characters and really pulling for them. I was captivated, enthralled and taken on an emotional roller coaster. Fantastic story that will read again.
A beautiful story,, lots of emotional scenes through out,. Like other comments here I was brought to tears too.. loved the ending😂❤️❤️🇮🇪,, this is more than good enough to be published and printed off
OMG, absolutely fantastic and wonderful story. The words for each other are just so perfect and express their deep love and devotion that comes through to the reader, I almost cried more than once. Thank you so much for sharing, and thank you for the happy ending, this one was absolutely beyond perfection. One of th few times I wish I could rate a story above 5 stars, thank-you for sharing!
I’d say that was Game Set & Match to JCMcNeilly, well paced, real characters, even the vile Father (and I know one just like that!), love is love, as long as everyone is over over 18 and consenting where’s the harm? Many thanks for writing and posting, cheers Ppfzz.
Extraordinary fabulous
Yeah its time for souls to expand their wisdom ...... Oh i would so wish that this is not a tale and not only happen to one couple or two ....... To the moon and back, unconditional love for a soulmate
Thank you for this piece of Art
You know that I am a sucker for a love story. I hold my comments until the end of a multipage story like this.
I liked the tennis connection shown in the first part. The characters developed through the tennis team. Part two the tennis connection almost disappeared which felt kind of wierd since it was such a main part of their lives in pt#1. I was glad to see it return even in a limited way in pt#3. I am halfway through "buffy" season 3 on hulu right now. Great story, thanks for sharing⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gosh, wow…who’s cutting onions?? Not going to lie, I shed some tears (twice) reading that last page! Wonderful story. I’ve just discovered this site and have spent the last day and a half reading. Think I’m gonna have to backtrack to Carries’ story now 😉
Amazing, amazing job. You are a talented writer and the characters came to life in your story. Please continue writing!
All your stories are just amazing! Thank you so much for all of them 🙂
I felt like I was watching Cindy grow, change, blossom... it touched me.
Still Carrie's story is my favourite one , love this one just as well. I rarely/ never comment, but you deserve to be applauded.
Keep up the good work 👏🏼
Kind regards, Spiritella
I've loved all your stories. There are some writers on this site that write porn without much imagination involved in their stories, but there are some who are writers and write exotic, explicit, stimulating stories. I mean 50 shades of grey isn't exactly fodder for a high school reading list either. You, Brokenspokes and a few others have a real talent for writing complex stories that hold the readers attention and make them disappointed that the story ends.. I look forward to more from you. Regards, Bob
Fantastic story; touching and heart felt, moving and very funny at times. Beautiful.
Wow, what a great, well written story. I forgot all about me just wanting a nice lesbian stroke story when starting on it. Thank you.
Your writing skills are awesome. I loved this story, it felt like as your reader I was taken back in time to experience the narrator's perspective. I hope that this story becomes my reality in the distant future. Thanks in kinds
Thank you!! This is an awesome story. I appreciate you sharing your talent.
Not my usual read, but I got captivated by the characters in the first couple of pages. II felt I was right there in the action , smiling and teary as appropriate. Thank you for a very wonderful story! Mike
WOW, this was absolutely magnificent! The best story that I have ever read. And to have it end at Wimbledon.....oh my.....it couldn't be any better! Bravo! Thank you for writing this masterpiece!
Brilliant story. I would have liked to have seen some kind of regret from her parents but sadly homophobia still exists.
For me this wasn't about sex. it was about being true to yourself and the people you care about. well written and I could feel the deep emotions, the humanity of the characters. keep up the good work! and yes, the writing on sex was excellent too.
If this was a movie, it would be, at least, a two handkerchief film.
I don't know why some people don't like epilogues, it brings a bit of closure to a well written story.
And what a story this is. JC, You should be proud. I wish I could write this good, in fact I am just a little bit jealous. Great story, good character development, and the plot was pretty good too. I know I pulled an all nighter reading it, couldn't put it down. Now I got to the other
Thank you for another story with real characters and issues. I really enjoy your work!
Very nice, but the "decades later, AT WIMBLEDON!" scene is too much. You've done much better.
Beautiful. Can't describe how grateful I am that I've come across this wonderful story.
You just had to make me cry. It reminds me how lucky I am having my partner in my life and just 2 weeks from our own marriage. Thank you for writing this wonderful love story.
This story falls under my "James Bond" rule. It's not particularly believable, but it's beautifully written, and i can choose to believe it anyway, if i damn well please...and I do. It's really only tangentially an erotic story (though the sex is grand). It's a strong love story.
I'm not crying. You're crying.
Nice story.
A series by JCMcNeilly and I knew it would be great. I really liked the connection with the series 'A tennis star'.
You continue to warm my heart and bring out all emotions with every story. You are by far my favorite author and I look forward to whatever you share with us next.
The coming out scene made ma cry so much. The whole story was amazing, I'm so grateful to have found it. Best of luck for the rest !
Outstanding. I cried. I laughed. Also anger at Carrie's parents. Is this as good as The Tennis Star? I can absolutely say yes. Sad it's all over but no doubt I'll be reading this many times as like The Tennis Star. Very well done. 5*s is definitely not enough.
One of the best things I've ever read on Literotica or anywhere else. I wouldn't change a thing.
Once again, you've written a masterpiece that i loved. I love the various characters we get to revisit. And i always look out for your stories. Thank you for taking the time to write them or us.
"If God doesn't want me to be happy, especially in an innocent, mutually healthy relationship, then he's not worth worshipping. " I went through an entire box of kleenex reading that scene, it hit home so very hard for me. So painful, so true, but so proud of Cindy, and Mitch. I loved the epilogue, to have a happily ever after for the family they created just made my heart burst. And also because there just isn't enough happily-ever-afters out there. Thank you JC, truly, just...all the feels for this 💜💜💜
thank you at times i could not read the words fast enough ill be looking for your next stories be happy and safe a fan shayne
As a ally I really felt this. And to be honest I used a few tissues on each section.
Great, Fantastic, outstanding, do not give it justice. You had me hooked after the first few chapters. Well done. I 💘 it
There are quite a lot of things that I could say about this, but I think I'm going to limit myself to: it's a beautiful story; their wedding vows made me cry.
Holy written wonder Batman! I am so happy to have read this and cannot express my gratitude for having been able to experience this amazing story. Thank you immensely. I beg you to never let this gift go and keep writing because your work is beautiful. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for more.
I'm worried about Cindy's mom and sister. I mean Charlotte not inviting her sister to her wedding even though they used to have a good relationship doesn't sound good at all.
Ps. I loved that Iryna made it to no1!
Wow. You are the first writer I've come across who is writing realistic, well-written, plot line driven lesbian romance!! Thank you so much! I love all of your stories. Please please keep posting!
I loved so much about this story. The depth of the relationship you explored between Mitch and Cindy and the fact it is such a healthy relationship are topmost! Thank you for creating stories of healthy relationships and healing. I can't wait for the next one.
I wish I could give this whole series more than five stars. Superb story and writing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Don't know what made me read such a long first chapter ... after having abolished Tennis Start after two chapters.
But this story really fetched me. So much that I also finished Tennis Star and repeated to read chapter 1 of this.
Your conversations are believable, intelligent and - I miss this point in the comments as far as I can see - very funny!
I think the epilogue is as superfluous as the one in Harry Potter. You never know how a relationship wears out after years. But the development of Mitch and Cindy's love will be one of the deepest and dearest memories I will have from reading on Literotica.
Love the story. Would of love to see Cindy and her mom come together I was hoping
i didn’t come on this site to cry, but this had me in tears. i am gay, so gay and i just want the love they have :,)
Thank you for this great story. So happy for how you ended it with the future view of how the kids ended up involved in tennis like their parents, and strong in their relationship with their parents, unlike Cindy's situation. Would have liked to have known if Cindy's parents ever softened up and became rational, but I guess that would be too much to ask.
So many tears shed reading this, both of joy and of sadness. You tell such amazing stories and I feel like I know every one of your characters. Cindy and Mitch's promises were so incredibly beautiful and I loved seeing Carrie and Iryna again. Thank you so much for sharing your stories with us here, you are one of many that make this community what it is!!.
I can't wait to read your next works!
Fantastic. Such a good story teller. Obviously now we have to wait for your next project!
Beautiful (and sexy) romances, lovely characters, drama, and most importantly happy endings!!
Thank you.
Loved the series and reduced to tears again. Sorry not good at analysis just know what I like and want to thank the wonderful people like you who write these stories.
OK, this is probably one of the most beautiful stories I have read so far in Literotica. I can only hope that there are many more from JCMcNeilly that we will be graced with in the future. I used to think that "Hero Worship" could not be topped but, apparently, I was wrong...
Wonderful! I am a straight guy. I really enjoyed reading Cindy and Mitch’s story. Looking forward to reading your other work now.
You are an amazingly talented writer. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Thank you for the hours of entertainment you provided by sharing with us. Your hard work is appreciated by many readers on this site.
WOW! I certainly didn't see that ending coming; it was perfect. Thank you for all of your stories. I am sad that this is the end of Mitch, Cindy, Carrie, and Iryna but I know they will be here waiting for me to read and re-read again and again and I will enjoy them as much as I did the first time.
Pure. Dead. Brilliant. You have shown again that you're one of the best writers on this site. Thank you for the unexpected ending and closing the open question at the end of Tennis Star. Can't wait to read your next work
This was a beautiful series, and I just want to say, as an autistic person, I got an autistic vibe from Cindy at certain points throughout the story, and greatly appreciated and related to her character because of it.
Wow. That was an amazing series, as always. P.S. thank you for the update on Carrie and Iryna.
I absolutely love your stories. I am devastated that this one is over. I cannot wait for what you put out in the future!!!
Great story Always impressed with authors who can create a universe of characters that compel the reader to follow them. This was your first story I read of all you had written and it made me want to read all the others, which I did and do. Five stars for sure only one small item Senior day Cindy’s brother and sister in law should have been there or at least a quick note as to their unavailability. Her being alone without explanation was very disconcerting. Loved the tie up of Carrie and Ivyna story which for me was the follow up to this love story. Your a Great writer thank you for sharing your gift
Can I give it more than 5 stars? Everything you write draws me back to reread over and over. I eagerly await your next project.
A beautiful end to a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing this with the rest of us. We are in your debt.
Truly incredible, heartwarming, puddle upping, erotic to the max, and made me want to hurt a certain someone at times. Proves that many go with what they are taught growing up rather than thinking for themselves, and massive kudos to Cindy for being able to see the light! I appreciated the epilogue as I always wonder how the characters lives evolved over time. I’m only sorry Cindys Mom never contacted her and the younger sister bowed to the pressure. The story made my heart ache for so many gay kids round the world going through hell because so many find hate preferable to love. You never disappoint me
Well you’ve done it, you have me crying. Little teary at the wedding, but the epilogue really did it. I loved this story, thank you so much. Now I better go check out Carrie's story that Cindy has been referring to!
Carrie…. Need to hear about her realizing she’s gay. That would be a good story. I’m disappointed this story has ended. I loved their love for each other.
Well …. The conclusion has outdone even my wildest hopes and dreams… i ask for a happy ending and this surpasses that… thank you very much
Genuinely outstanding from start to finish.
Every aspect of the story rang true and plausible, and made the characters all feel so realistic, it was almost as though the reader had personally been introduced to them individually.
Another triumph for you and I actually think this is your best work so far, and given the quality of your other stories, that is quite an achievement.
Congratulations, and please keep writing for us.
One side note before I forget. I have recently begun to rewatch Buffy on Amazon, and I`d forgotten just how bad Kendras Jamaican/Irish/Scottish accent was!!
What a spectacular ending for Cindy & Mitch's story! The tiny epilogue at the end is everything I was hoping it would be and then some. Your works are always filled with such beautiful, kind, and generous characters, and they are always a joy to read. No doubt I will be re-reading this story dozens of times--as I have all your others!
The sad thing about unpleasant bigots like Cindy's father is that most of them don't recognise that they are unpleasant bigots; whether "Christians", atheists or whatever, they consider themselves to be the righteous occupants of the moral high ground. I wonder how many of them have really taken notice of Christ's teachings about love, tolerance and forgiveness. Another excellent story, JC. Congratulations all round.
Bravo! It has been an awfully long since a story left me so torn between being happy for the characters and the fact that this is it, the inevitable end of a journey we shared to get here. And to make the matter even more complex you added an epilogue that actually makes sense, one that complements the story and ties the whole universe together (I count The Tennis Star as a prequel to this). I am immensely grateful to you for writing this masterpiece, for the involvement of personal growth of characters, for addressing the social questions, for making the loving scenes so real-life-like, for including humour and banter in just the right moments, and finally for staying true to your style.
A clear 5* with high hopes and expectations for your next work.
Wimbledon, huh? Not too much hutzpa there is there. Wonderful story and a great conclusion, bringing every body together again. Give them all my love.
Simply amazing characters, story, and writing! Can't wait for your next project
It is a beautiful series and shows true love as it should be. Just remember if it is worth fighting for it is definetly worth it and Mitch fought hard.
TheDevilyou know
"And now here's a shot of Hope's box" !!!! That's a little racy for coverage of Wimbledon,. innit? Or would that be UNcoverage...what are tennis togs like in the future?
Teasing aside, beautifully done as always. Thank you so much!
Perfect! Simply perfect! The vows they shared were beautiful and encompassed the their whole relationship. The ending was wonderful, with a very creative twist, bringing all the characters together. Although this concludes the Mitch/Cindy story, I know I’ll be back to reread often.
Absolutely loved this story and can’t wait for the next one. I truly am a huge fan. Great job!
I like to comment on stories that I've enjoyed and this is one of the best. Your character building and story telling are great, your sex scenes are almost lyrical in their wording, and you write with emotional depth. But I have to agree with the anonymous comment below in that I felt the 'twenty years later' happy ever after segment just wasn't needed and, if I'm honest detracted a little from the rest of the story. If Hope and John are more than a footnote then perhaps they deserve their own story at some point in the future, but it just felt a bit rushed tacking them onto the end of this story. Cindy had already overcome her challenge and got her future with Mitch and that, I think, would have been the better place to stop. But that's just my feedback. It didn't stop me giving you a well deserved 5 stars.
This was BEAUTIFUL! When she was coming out to her dad, I braced myself for a bittersweet ending. Thank you for making it just a sweet ending!
I am a hopeless romantic so is it any wonder that I love your stories — heartwarming stories not without angst and pain, but also stories that resonate and help us learn/understand/feel — teaching moments if you will. And enjoy the way you interconnect some of your stories, which brings back memories and encourages me to revisit other relationships you’ve crafted. Looking forward to meeting other women from your wonderful imagination not only because of your romantic storylines but also because of the uniqueness of each of the characters you introduce to us.
I actually started crying on the end. One of the best stories that I have read on this site. Thanks
This + Tennis Star are two of my favorite series on this site (even though I HATE how much emotion you can pull from me :) ). I love the authentic feelings of love, loss, anxiety and triumph that you infuse in your characters. I love that they feel as real as they do and that I find myself hoping they have happy lives and imagining those lives. Thank you for being awesome and sharing these with us.
Thank you for telling Cindy and Mitch's story. These characters are so perfectly drawn that they feel like real people. It was such a joy to watch their relationship unfold. I will be eagerly awaiting your next efforts, whenever they arrive.
What a superb series. I am not a super fan of "all wrapped up in a bow future" endings, but I have to say the tie in with Carrie and Iryna make it too sweet not to enjoy. Thank you for sharing this story with us all. And can I also say thank you for feeding my addiction of reading a complete series within such a short time. I don't know if I could have enjoyed it as much if it came over a few months. You gave me just enough time to run back off and read "Tennis Star" again. Again... just so great!
Tissues please. This story was excellent for the fact that we didn't have big dramatic pain, there were small pain points of discovery along the way, but nothing that Cindy and Mitch couldn't overcome just loving each other. I guess I'm trying to say it felt wholesome.
I'm also glad you didn't drag out Cindy's family drama. That hurt is all too real.
I’m in pieces here! Such a beautiful story. You just get better and better. I absolutely cannot wait for your next story. I will wait as long as it takes. You are definitely one of the top lesbian authors on Lit! Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us. Much love and many thanks.
Beautiful story and I love how you developed it. You had part of it in Tampa, where I live and I was hoping for a few glimpses of local color, but still very superbly done.
Such a tremendous story. You captured everything a story needs. Heartache, heartbreak, strength, and a happy ending. I look forward to your next story
Such a lovely story! Such good storytelling, such adorable characters. One of the other commenters complimented you on how you handled the coming out scene with Cindy's parents, and I completely agree. I'm glad to be living in an era when this "married happily ever after" ending is possible. Sometimes the arc does bend toward justice, and all that. Thank you for sharing this delicious, loving story with us and please keep it up!
I was amazed it was beautifully written and shows what real life is like and I would ask what did happen with Cindy's parents did they ever see there grandchildren but Cindy and Mitch have shown there love conquors everything life throws at them pleased they have a person who loves and gives them all there love and receives love in return I am happy for you both and show the world you are strong and able to cope with whatever life throws at you both fantastic stories hope you write more soon. xx
I'm sobbing. I've been religiously looking at this website everyday for updates since i read the first part. I didnt read 'tennis star's prior to this so it felt like tennis star was a sequel to this story. As always you were absolutely phenomenal. The only thing I missed was at least a few paragraphs from Mitch's point of view, specially in the early chapters. But anyway, thank you so much for sharing your talent with us. Excited for the new stories to come!
I've known far to many Stuck up people like the father that refuse to accept their child's sexuality. Something that my own don't have to worry about. They are my children and I love them no matter who they love. Your stories are excellent and deserve the 5* ratings that they get.
Way to 'stick the landing'! JC, I especially loved the post college transition and the highly optimistic twenty year postscript (although I highly doubt extended families get discussed in tennis commentary). It was a lovely way to wrap up both series.
Just in tears atm. Such a great series, heart warming, heart braking, sensual and occasional genuine laugh out loud moments. This story has everything. Thank you!
I've said this before, but again: Thank you so much for taking the time to write, edit (thanks ash_legend and rileyworks!) and publish (for free!) this wonderful story. Loved it :)
To give this comment a little more substance, just two things: My two favorite things about the story and my least favorite thing, starting with the latter. I'm not personally (and I realize this is case of preference where I think the majority of readers here disagrees with me) a big fan of leaving nothing unresolved a story like this and ending on children, professional success and eternal happiness. That is, to be fair, about my only gripe with your story, and it's a minor one, concerning just the last few paragraphs, but still: I felt like their devotion to each other wasn't really in question, and so I didn't feel like it had to be spelled out. Again: Personal preference :)
For two of the things I liked most, I want to point out something that sets this story apart from your other projects - we've already established that you're great at writing both heartache and conflict as well as happiness and bliss, and while I did want to repeat that praise, it's not unique to this story. So I'll go with the perspective instead: I really enjoyed you writing this as a story told in retrospect. It allows you to very occasionally break the fourth wall - acknowledging in passing how a certain worry or the long path to realizing there's more than friendship there seems different or much more obvious in retrospect than in the moment, for instance. And I personally found a connection between my own point of view as reader and Cindy as narrator of the story that deals with what I think is a limitation of stories published on this website; we know or strongly expect the relationship to work out, happy forever after and all, and I found that mirrored in some ways in Cindy telling her story. To a certain extent, my reader perspective is also retrospective, if that makes any sense - I'm assuming a certain ending and read your story in light of it, whether I want to or not.
The second thing is a little more brief: I liked how you decided against what I think of as the "usual structure" of these stories (this is not really different from your other stories, but bears repeating). You could have easily made the conflict with her family the big finale at the end of chapter 3, closed it with a cliffhanger, really lingered on their time apart and then reconciled everything midway through the final chapter, but you didn't, and I'm grateful for it. The way you dealt with the scene between her and her father felt much less forced and much more like an overdue, necessary final step in this way, and I really liked that.
So again: Thanks a lot! Please take some time off, you deserve it, and we'll all be ecstatic when you return with whatever your next project is :)
5 stars only - sadly I'm not allowed to give you more...
You are one of the best writers I found here!
There are many deep and good thoughts in your story, but what really touched me in this chapter was the little sentence: "Making someone earn love is abusive"
Another amazing story full of love and passion. Your characters are great and all the depicted situations and interactions feel real. You can identify yourself to them. Continue writing because you are a great writer. And the fact that you know Robert Jordan and Ticket to Ride is a plus. :-) :-)
God I wish I could give you more than five stars. Now where did I put that box of tissues?