The Wedding Weekend: Weeks Three and Four

Marina and I had our “off weekend” the following weekend but continued to talk to each other every single night at eight o’clock. We spoke about long-distance dating, me getting back to California, and us eventually moving to San Diego.

Deep down I had been avoiding one subject with Marina. My hometown of Lodi. Jenny and I would inherit a large wine grape growing business in the future and I knew neither one of us could sell our grandfather’s legacy, Sunset Farms. I knew Jenny and Jeff had no desire to run the business or move to Lodi as Jeff was an “Orange County Surfer Boy” through and through as I used to tease him.

But in the back of my mind, and deep in my heart, I always thought it would be amazing, at some point, to return to Lodi and take over the ranch. I grew up at my grandpa’s knee as a kid, spending tons of time riding around with him, looking at vineyards, checking on crews, and when I got old enough, working on the ranch. I pulled ditches for irrigation (way before today’s drip systems), pruned vines in the winter, and would drive gondolas (trucks) to the wineries during harvest season after school and on weekends.

But I had yet to even mention it to Marina or even discuss the idea with my parents. Knowing I’d be going to Palo Alto in another week I crafted a plan: take Marina to Lodi and spend the weekend at the ranch with my parents. I knew my parents would be overjoyed at the idea of bringing Marina to the ranch and was fairly confident that Marina would like the idea too. I just had to make my pitch to her.

As we talked on Wednesday night, I presented my idea. “I have a crazy idea. How would you like to go to Lodi next weekend, see where I grew up, and stay with my folks?” I said.

Rina exclaimed, “YES! I love that idea. You talk about Lodi all the time. I want to see your hometown and see what shaped you into the man that I love.”

Whew! I took a big sigh of relief. “OK, great. I’ll talk to my folks and give you the details later this week,” I told her. We finished our chat and said goodbye.

I instantly called my parents. Mom answered the phone and I quickly told her to get Dad on the other phone. “I’d like to bring Marina to the ranch next weekend. Do you have plans?” I asked.

At first, there was a moment of silence. I think they each were waiting for the other to say something. Finally, mom said, “We’d love to host Marina this weekend.” Soon the three of us were bouncing ideas off each other on what we could do, where we could go, etc. I hadn’t lived in Lodi for just over ten years but knew things had started to pick up development-wise, especially downtown.

I told them both, “This is a casual weekend. I just want to show her around town and the ranch. Basically, where I grew up.” I continued, “Can you make reservations at the Woodbridge Inn for dinner on Saturday? A table for the four of us.”

“When will you arrive on Friday,” my mom asked.

I did some quick math in my head, “Probably not until 8:00 pm or so. Depends on traffic, I guess.” I then asked dad what the best route would be to take.

“Just take the closest bridge and get on 680. Then take 580 through Pleasanton & Livermore. You know the way,” said Bob.

“I do,” I confirmed, having driven it hundreds of times back and forth to Santa Cruz.

***

Marina was able to work a half day on Friday, so I changed my flight and I landed at 1:30 pm. She picked me up at the airport and then we switched places before getting on the highway. At 4:00 pm we were driving down the asphalt drive of Sunset Farms.

It was the last weekend in September and there were still some late harvest grapes on the vine. As we pulled into the circular drive, I gave a few horn honks to let my folks we had arrived. Before we could get out of the car my parents were coming down the steps.

“Marina!” Christie exclaimed. The two embraced for a long time. Then I heard my mom drop a bomb, “You know, you’re the first girlfriend Scott has brought home.”

“MOOOOOMMM!” I moaned, like a seven-year-old.

Dad was next, enveloping Marina in his big arms and lifting her off the ground.

“Mr. Williams!” she shrieked in laughter.

Before her feet could hit the ground my dad scolded her, “Call us Christie and Bob.”

Rina blushed a bit, “I’m sorry, I just wasn’t expecting that bear hug and lift.” She turned towards me and laughed, “Now I know where you learned it.”

Dad and I grabbed our bags and we all headed inside. Before my parents moved into the ranch house a few years ago they did a huge remodel. They removed walls, moved walls, and added a new master suite. The 1919 farmhouse had been brought into the 1990s. But the biggest change was the backyard. It tripled in size, added a pool and spa, and a large covered outdoor kitchen and dining area.

“Let’s go to the backyard,” mom said. “I have some snacks ready. What would you two like to drink?”

Marina was quick to interject, “Christie, let me help you. But first I want a tour of your incredible home.”

“Scott, I picked up some of that Sierra Nevada beer you like,” Dad said. “Grab a couple of those for us. Mom has some wine ready for the girls.”

Mom gave Marina a tour of the house explaining what it was like when she lived there as a child with her brother Mike. When they made it to the patio Rina commented, “Christie, you thought of everything. And I love all of your art.”

As we chatted outside both mom and dad took a couple of cell phone calls regarding the picking schedule for that night and Saturday. Marina was a bit shocked, “You pick grapes at night? In the dark?”

Dad laughed, “Not exactly. We have giant lights on the tractors. We pick very little by hand these days. If you’d like to watch, the crew is starting at midnight.”

Before we knew it Dad said, “I’m getting hungry. What are we doing for dinner tonight? Scott, where do you want to go?”

“I don’t care. I picked tomorrow’s spot so why don’t you and mom choose,” I said.

“Pizza. He wants pizza, Bob,” said my mom. “Pizza Garden, specifically.” As kids, Jenny and I would beg our parents to take us to Pizza Garden, and it was definitely the gold standard for pizza in my mind.

My mom called in the order and Rina and I headed into town so I could give her a quick mini-tour of town, my old high school, and then we went to get our pizza.

We didn’t get four steps inside before I heard, “Scott! What the hell?” I looked to see one of my old water polo teammates, Troy Edens.

I hadn’t seen Troy in a good five or six years but wasn’t surprised to see he was with his old high school girlfriend Carol, and they had two little kids at their table. I made some quick introductions and apologized that we were getting a pizza to go as we were in town for the weekend to see my parents.

Soon we were back in the car heading towards the ranch. But I did take one small detour, to show her the house I grew up in. “This is 2216 Del Monte Drive. Jenny and I had such a great childhood in this house,” I said fighting back tears.

We returned to the ranch, had dinner, and enjoyed the evening with my parents. Marina and I ended the night taking a thirty-minute dip in the spa before heading off to bed.

In the morning I awoke to something that felt familiar. It took me about three seconds to figure it out.  Marina was sucking my cock and I let out a slight moan. “Oh baby, that feels so good.” I didn’t even open my eyes.

“Cum in my mouth. I need to taste you,” Marina whispered.

“You know my parent’s bedroom is on the other side of the house, right?” I joked.

She stopped briefly, squeezed my cock really hard, and said, “Shut up and cum in my mouth.”

Rina proceeded to give me one of the most sensual blowjobs of my life. I propped up a pillow so I could watch, and I was so turned on. After maybe three minutes I was ready to blow, “I’m really close.”

She then opened her mouth, stuck out her tongue, and slapped my fat six inches on her tongue six or eight times. Next, she flicked her tongue on my head a good dozen times. I pushed her head gently down on my cock as I blasted pearl ropes into her warm wet mouth causing her to gag a bit. Rina looked up at me and smiled. “Thanks, you little vixen,” I teased.

She moved back up next to me and started to kiss me. I opened my mouth awaiting her tongue. When she did start to play tongue hockey with me, I noticed a warm sticky fluid. She did not swallow and was giving me back my own cum. It was so hot and so taboo that I happily accepted it all and swallowed.

“That will stop you from teasing me when I’m blowing you,” she said laughing.

“OK, you got me,” I said. “Let’s put on our running gear and I’ll take you on a run through the vineyards.”

We got dressed and headed towards the kitchen to find my parents having coffee and reading the newspaper. Rina told them that we were going on a quick run through the vines.

“I have a better idea,” said my dad. “Why don’t you come with me Marina and I’ll give you a tour of the ranch in my truck. I’ll show you the mechanical harvesters used to pick grapes.”

Marina was raised to respect her elders, so I was not surprised when she enthusiastically said, “I’d love to Bob!”

“I guess I’m having coffee then,” I said looking at mom.

My dad laughed, “We’ll be back in twenty or thirty minutes. I’ll check on the progress from last night and show Miss Flores around.”

As dad and Rina headed out the door, I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down with my mom. Before I could take my first sip of java mom inquired, “So what is going on with you two?”

I laughed, “Mom, we’re taking it slow. Yes, we’re in love. Yes, we’re making plans to try to move to San Diego in the next year. Other than that, there is no plan.”

“Scott Williams, you always have a plan. Why did you come home this weekend?” she continued. “There is a reason why you are here in Lodi.”

Not knowing if I should spill the beans about the possible idea of me someday returning home and running the ranch I paused, “I just wanted to show her Lodi.”

“No. I’m not buying whatever you’re selling,” she said. “What’s up?”

I looked at my mother and she had that look. She knows me better than anyone. She knew something was up. “I haven’t told anyone this, so please don’t say a word to Dad, Jenny, or especially Marina,” I said. I took a sip of coffee, swallowed, and continued, “I’ve always had the thought in the back of my mind about, someday in the future, returning to take over running the ranch so you two can retire.”

My mother’s face said it all. Her smile was a mile wide as her eyes welled up with tears, “What? Are you serious?” she muttered.

“It is just an idea. A possibility.” I said. After a brief pause, I continued, “You know there is no way Jenny and I could ever sell Grandpa’s ranch. He worked too hard for it. And you and dad have done an amazing job expanding the operation after buying out Uncle Mike. Sure, we could sell it after you two pass on, but this place means too much to us,” I told her.

She had a tear running down her cheek and was speechless. “Your Grandfather always hoped that one of you two would want to be involved in the business. But he never wanted to push it on you. Neither did your father or me,” she whispered.

“It is just an idea,” I told her. After a long five-second pause, “But I’ve been doing some research for the past six months. Grape acreage in the area is increasing every year. Lodi not only has Mondavi and Gallo in the area but there are a handful of small boutique wineries,” I said. “The city is investing in downtown to bring back the business district too. Lodi could be the next Napa if they do things right.”

“Yes, you have done your research,” she said. “You are serious about this idea.”

“Mom, I enjoy my job, I’m good at it, and I make really good money for a kid my age. But I don’t want to live in Seattle much longer. Rina and I have talked about San Diego, or maybe the peninsula, but I’ll need to change jobs,” I told her. “I have no idea if she’d be even remotely interested, but she would be perfect to run the business side of things while I run the vineyards.”

“She would be perfect,” mom agreed. “She has the financial expertise, for sure.”

“I’d have a lot to learn, but between the winery field reps, our crew, and my friends who have grapes I’ll have plenty of resources,” I told her. “Plus, I can take those UC Davis extension classes that Dad took a few years back.”

Jokingly, “See, you should have gone to Cal Poly and studied ag after all.”

I shot back, “I knew you were going to say that!” After I took another sip of coffee, “Just don’t say a word. When we’re out today I’ll feel her out a bit. Maybe talk about my friends who are learning the ‘biz’ and planning on taking over their family’s ranches.”

Soon enough dad and Marina returned, and we made plans for the day. I told my folks we’d be back about 4:00 pm to get ready and go to dinner at 6:30 pm.

“Rina, let’s go into town and get breakfast, and then we’ll start the tour,” I joked.

“That sounds great. Should we change clothes,” she asked.

“No, it’s a great day and we’ll be doing all sorts of things. Besides, you always look great in those shorts and your Stanford tank top,” I teased her sarcastically.

After breakfast at Avenue Grill, we walked several blocks to the downtown area and went up and down several streets as I pointed out businesses and told various stories. While on School Street I told her about “cruising the drag” back in high school like in the classic George Lucas “American Graffiti” movie.

“You’re kidding me, right?” Rina said.

“Nope. That was our entertainment back then,” I told her.

As we got back to her car, I drove out to the cemetery to visit my grandparent’s graves. Marina finally understood the magnitude of how big my mother’s family was years ago when she saw how large the family plot was.

“So, when did your mom’s family arrive in Lodi?” she genuinely asked.

“Two brothers came in 1848 and two more came in 1849,” I told her. “Let’s go out to the Historical Museum at Micki’s Grove. That will give you a better idea of the family.”

When we arrived, I took her straight to the Agriculture Hall of Fame to show her my grandfather’s photo and plaque. As Marina read the plaque, she squeezed my hand. “This is so cool. You never mentioned he worked at a bank too.”

“You’ll have to ask mom about his banking career,” I told Rina.

We continued through the museum, and I stopped when we got to several large maps. They were different maps of the county from 1900, 1910, and so on up to 1970. I pointed out my grandpa’s original 50 acres on the 1930 map and then showed her how he expanded. On the 1970 map, I then showed her where our other properties are located.

“That is a lot of land,” she said looking at me. “And it is all grapes?

“Yep, all grapes. Except for some houses and barns,” I confirmed.

Marina turned and looked at me, “How many acres?”

“Almost one thousand acres total,” I said. “Five hundred at the main ranch and about 500 on the other three ranches.”

“You know me, all I can think about is what it all must be worth?” Marina admitted.

“I have no clue. It depends on what type of grapes are on the land, how old the vines are, and how much they produce per acre,” I told her. “It is a lot of money. My parents took out a loan to buy out my uncle a few years ago, but they’ve been putting every penny into repaying that note.”

“So will you and Jenny inherit everything?” she inquired.

“Yes,” I said.

“And then what? Sell it? I can’t see you selling,” she said looking me deep in the eyes.

I took a deep breath as we walked outside to look at the old tractors, “Well, it’s funny you bring this up. As a kid, I always wanted to follow in my grandpa’s footsteps, but he pushed us to go to college and get an education so we wouldn’t have to work so hard like he did.” I continued, “In fact, he paid for Jenny and me to go to college via a trust fund.”

“Do you want to run the ranch someday?” she asked.

Grabbing both her hands, I looked her in the eyes, “I don’t know. Right now, I want to be with you. It could be in San Diego, Palo Alto, or Lodi. I can always find a decent job. And I also know that I will be fine financially if Jenny and I were to sell the ranch after my folks pass. But a wife and a family are more important to me than farming grapes.”

“Scott Williams, you surprise me every single day we’re together,” she said. “If we do get married, and you want to run the family business, I would  move to Lodi to support your dream and to carry on your grandfather’s legacy.”

My eyes were glassed over with tears from what I just heard, and I had a lump in my throat. “Really? Are you sure?

Marina stepped closer to me and kissed me softly on the lips, “Positive.”

“OK, this is getting way too heavy. Let’s walk over to the zoo,” I told her as I wiped tears from my cheeks.

We made our way through the zoo and back to the museum and Rina’s car. I took the long way back to town pointing out “Willard’s Ranch,” my grandfather’s brother’s old ranch that we now own. It was now just after 1:00 pm and I had yet to take Marina to Lodi Lake, but first I knew I wanted to take her to Sno White Drive-In across from the lake for lunch.

As we pulled in, I explained how one summer I worked at the lake boat house and my co-worker and I would eat lunch there every single day. When we approached the window to order I heard, “Super Cheese, no pickle.” Through the window, I could see the owner, Frank, standing over his infamous flat top grill with a giant smile on his face. “Scott, how the hell are you?”

“How do you still recall my order eight years later?” I quizzed him.

Laughing, “You and Mike ate here every single day that summer. And you continue to stop in when you’re in town. I appreciate that.” After a short pause, he stepped up to the glass and took our order.  And then asked, “Are you going to introduce me to this beautiful woman?”

“Oh, sorry Frank. This is Marina Flores, my girlfriend. She is from San Diego and now lives in Palo Alto,” I told him.

“Did you meet at school in San Diego?” Frank says. “Didn’t you go to school there?”

“Kind of,” I replied. I quickly remind him that I did go to SDSU, but Rina went to Stanford, and how we met last month at a wedding in San Diego.

Laughing his big belly laugh, looking at Marina, “Wait, you two have only known each other for a month? And he brought you to Lodi? Scott, you still have no clue how to woo a woman.”

This made Marina laugh, “You know, that is what his frat boys said too.”

I quickly noted, “Well, I have game now Frank. I’m dating a model gorgeous woman who happens to be a Stanford valedictorian.”

“Very impressive, Williams. OK, give me a few minutes and I’ll call your name,” Frank said.

Marina and I sat down at one of the decades-old wood picnic tables facing Lodi Lake. I told her a bit more about the lake, the old Fourth of July festivities of the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, the boat races, and the nighttime fireworks.

“Lodi sounds like a Norman Rockwell painting,” Rina teased.

“No, more like Mayberry,” I joked sarcastically.

Before we knew it Frank brought our order to the table, something I’d never witnessed before. Looking at Marina he asked, “What do you see in this guy? He was beer drinking college boy while working at the Boat House and lifeguarding. You can do so much better. Does he have a big, uh, you know?”

Without batting an eye Marina fired back, “He does. And he has a magic tongue too!”

Frank laughed, “Scotty, I like this girl. Don’t mess this up!”

Marina and I ate our burgers and shakes and headed across to Lodi Lake for a walk to the back section and down the nature area trail before heading back to the ranch.

***

As my parents, Marina, and I followed the hostess to our table at the Woodbridge Inn we had several tables say hello to us as we passed by. Marina took notice and after we sat down asked, “Geez, do you guys know everyone in town?”

My mom simply replied, “When you’ve lived here your whole life you know a lot of people. Either we went to school with them, they’re other farmers, maybe we go to church together, or the kids know their kids.”

“I’m just loving this small town. It is so different than what I am used to. I mean, my family knew our neighbors on our block, and families from school, but that was about it until Jay and I started playing sports in middle school,” Rina said.

“So, you like what you’ve seen of Lodi?” dad asked.

“I really do. I’m understanding why Scott always talks about Lodi,” she said.

Mom reached across the table taking Rina’s hand, “Perhaps you’d like to live in Lodi someday in the future.”

“MOM!” I declared. “Cart in front of the horse. Please remember that we’ve known each other for a whopping month now.”

Marina, smiling, “Christie, I think I could live in Lodi.” She paused and looked at me, “Scott, I think you should share with your parents our talk today.”

Stunned she would put me on the spot like that I gave her a raised eyebrow look. “This is a discussion we should have at home, in private. Not in a public restaurant. Especially this restaurant. These walls have ears.”

“It’s OK, son. Your mother told me about your chat this morning while Rina and I were out in the truck. But you are correct, this is a discussion to have at home,” said dad.

While I was a bit upset with my mom, I let it slide and said something about enjoying our meal and talking about other things. Over the next hour plus we had a wonderful meal, a couple of bottles of wine, and shared a slice of the Inn’s delicious chocolate cake.

As we returned home, we gathered around the kitchen table, the location for all serious talks in the Williams family. I recapped Dad on my dream of returning home, learning the business, and taking over the operation. “You and mom will want to slow down as you get towards retirement age. If I don’t return you have three choices as I see it. One, you hire a vineyard management company. Two, you sell all the land. Or, three, I come home to run it for Jenny & I. And, in a perfect world, this beautiful smart woman next to me would be my wife and run the business side while I manage the vineyards.”

“You’ve given this some thought,” said my dad. “I’m impressed. And you’re right, those are the three logical options. But you’re assuming Jenny wants to be your partner unless you’ve already talked to her.”

“No, I haven’t talked to her. Jeff is never leaving OC, we all know that. Jenny loves it down there too,” I said.

“Another option is that you keep Sunset Farms and Jenny can sell off the other plots of land,” said dad.

“Or I can buy her out,” I fired back. “But this would be, what, ten plus years down the road. By then I’d have the experience the banks would want to see. Plus, Marina’s experience working at a venture capital firm will be a huge plus.”

Quietly Mom asked Marina, “Do you think you’d be happy running a family business? Can you really see yourself living in Lodi?”

Rina had been very quiet taking in the conversation. “Christie and Bob, your son has swept me off my feet. I’m in love with him. While I love my job and enjoy Palo Alto, and the Bay Area, it is not an ideal place to raise children. My dream, our dream, is to one day get married and start a family. With that said, Scott and I have discussed taking our relationship slow. I don’t see us getting married for at least two years. But, yes, I can see myself here in Lodi and learning your business.”

“What about Jorge and Molly?” asked mom.

“That might be an issue. My dad is so close to his brother, as are my mom and Auntie Jovita. But like yourself, they will be getting towards retirement age soon, and when I have children, I am sure that they will want to be wherever I am living. My mom can’t wait to be an Abuela (grandmother in Spanish),” Marina said.

The smiles on my parent’s faces said it all. There were a few seconds of silence when Mom said, “Two years? Really?”

“MOM!” I said once again.

Now, mom reached across the table holding my hand and Marina’s. Laughing she tells us, “A mother knows.” After some laughter from the table, she continued, “I don’t know your parents that well obviously, but your mother and I seem like similar women. I’m sure you are right; she will want to be living right next door to her grandchildren. But if you tell her two years before you two get married, she will laugh too.”

“I have always thought I’d return to San Diego one day to be near family. My parents, Jeanette, Paul, and Jovita. But something just feels right here in Lodi. But I will need to spoon-feed this idea of moving to Lodi to them,” Rina said.

Dad raised his hand as if in a school classroom, “Why don’t we invite Jorge and Molly to come to spend a long weekend here in Lodi?” There again were a few seconds of silence as we all processed what he proposed. “They can see what you see Rina. They can feel what you feel about Lodi.”

After another twenty minutes of discussion, it was agreed upon that I would call Marina’s parents and invite them to visit Lodi and to stay at my parent’s house.

The next day Marina and I went to brunch with my parents at the Country Club and returned to Palo Alto. We snuck in a nice hour of lovemaking before she dropped me off at the airport. I returned to Seattle and my condo dead tired and mentally drained with all that was discussed, and with the plans to invite the Flores to Lodi.

End Chapter 8.