Chapter One

“Mom, what are you doing here?”
“You wanted to talk Robert. So, I’m here.”
“Am I doing the right thing?"
"That’s a simple question with a very complex answer. And I’m not sure I have the right answer.”
“That doesn’t matter, as much as you’re letting me talk about it.”
“Then, why don’t you know this is the right thing?"
"I... look, I’m your son. But... I should have been your daughter. I know it my heart and mind, I’m a woman. That, this way, I’m living a lie.”
“Then why didn’t you tell us? We would love you either way.”
“Because I didn’t want to hurt you. Dad’s position, career, what would having a transgendered daughter have done to him?"
"He’d survive. And before you start mentioning my reputation, screw it. You come first."
"Thanks. But it doesn’t change what I’ve done in the past. Have I wasted too much time?”
“No. Go do what your heart tells you is right."
"What about Anne?"
"She’ll understand.” She smiled. “Besides, you think she doesn’t know about Jennifer?”
“She... no... I’ve been so careful...”
“Not careful enough.”
“She must hate me."
"No. She loves you. She loves you even more. And if you weren’t so wrapped up in your ‘problems’ you’d have read all her signs. She’d prefer you as a woman.”
“That’s comforting if I decide not to go down the road I’m on now. I either be true to myself or lose my wife.”
“You won’t lose her.”
“All right. So, in summation, what the hell do I do Mom?”
“Change. Everyone here thinks it right for you. And, who knows, maybe things will work out all around.”
“Everyone?”
“Sure, all your Grandparents, Uncle Steve, Aunt Aurora. Even Cousin Billy.”
“Cousin Billy’s not an objective observer."
"Why? Because he’s gay?”
“Because he was always mad at me for one thing or another. I had to walk on eggshells around him.”
“He was mad at you because he was the first one of us to see what you really were. And that you weren’t doing anything about it. He hated to see you waste your life.”
“Was I wasting it?"
"No. Some people are just more cautious than others. Billy had an advantage, he was out there to begin with.”
“Ok. I’ll start the process tomorrow. But I have to talk to Anne first. No promises to Cousin Billy.”
“He understands.”
“Thanks Mom. You’re the best.”
“You’re the best daughter I could ever have.” She kissed my forehead. “Now, go back to sleep and enjoy your life.”
“I will Mom. Say hi to Dad and everyone. I miss you all.”
“We know.”

*-*-*

“Anne?"
"What honey?"
"We need to talk.”

*-*-*

Robert and Anne stood hugging each other. The wind was picking up, scudding the few clouds across the blue sky. It was a terrific morning. They’d talked. Anne had blessed his decision. He’d called Doctor Halpern for an appointment.
“I can’t believe it’s been a year.” Anne said. She reached down and touched the gravestone.
Robert put his hand on top of hers. “She talked to me last night. Told me to do what I thought was best.”
“How is she?"
"Happy I guess. I was so wrapped up in my problem I didn’t ask.” His eyes were filling with tears. “I hope she is. And Dad.”
“Things always work out for the best Honey.”
He looked down at the writing. It had been a year since the drunk had killed his parents. It didn’t help that they died instantly. Or that the drunk had lingered for three weeks with 3rd degree burns over eighty percent of his body, in agony despite the drugs. None of it mattered.
She’d give up her new found freedom to have them back.
But history is just that, old news. Her love for Anne, her love of her new life. That was future history.

Chapter Two

Anne was frantic. Robert was in agony, sweating, curled up in the smallest space his body could fit. “I don’t know Doctor Halpern. It started ten minutes ago, just a stomach ache. He had me help him into the shower. He’s sweating like a race horse. Damn, he’s peeing like a fire hose too. What do I do? I called 911.”
“Ok. I’ll meet you at St. Suplice.”
“Robert, can you hear me? The ambulance is coming. Hang on honey I love you.”
“Hello, Fire Department.” A voice called out from the other end of the apartment.
“In here!” Anne call back. “Hurry! Please.”
Two firefighters with paramedic patches on their turnout coats entered the bathroom. “Ma’am?”
“About ten minutes ago my husband started to sweat and complained of a stomach ache. Two minutes later, as I was helping him into the shower he doubled over in pain. He’s been in this position since then. He’s unresponsive. He has a strong pulse and his breathing is normal for when he’s running. His pupils are equal and reactive."
"Thanks, we’ll take it from here.”
Robert groaned. “Honey, if you poisoned me...”
“You shouldn’t have eaten two day old Chinese dummy.”
“The pain’s lessening. Hi, guys.”
“How do you feel sir?”
“Much better. Weak, I’ve lost a lot of fluids”
“We’re going to transport you to St. Suplice as soon as the ambulance arrives. Do you think you can walk across to the bedroom when we’re ready?”
“Sure. I don’t know how well though.”
“Don’t worry, we’re not going to judge style points.”
“Mac, the gurney’s here.” A voice called from the bedroom.
“Ok, tell them we’re on our way out.”
“All right. Before we move you, tell us if you get dizzy or if you’re nauseous. We’ll take as much time as you need.”
“Thanks.”
The two firefighters helped Robert to his feet.
“Wait!” Anne cried out. “How tall are you?” She looked at Mac.
“Six-two, why?”
“So’s Robert. Honey, can you stand up straight?"
"I think so... damn.”
“What the hell’s happened?” Anne looked at Robert. He was no more than five-ten now. And if she had to guess he’d lost a lot of weight.
“Scale.” She pushed the digital scale across the floor Robert got on it.
“Holy... if this is right I’ve lost sixty-three pounds.”
“Well that would explain why you feel weak sir.”
They got Robert onto the gurney, after letting him put on some sweats and a tee shirt.
“Hey, I’m not into bondage.” He joked as they strapped him down.
“Be quiet or we’ll tow you to the hospital.” The other paramedic said. “I can’t believe how people complain about the service.
Mac laughed. “Because your bedside manner sucks Al.”
“It does not. Just because I used to work for the ME’s office.”
Mac looked at Anne and then Robert. “Hauling stiffs was perfect for his sense of humor.”

*-*-*

By the time the ambulance arrived at the ER Robert was itching to get off the gurney. He felt fine, his vitals were all good and stable.
Doctor Halpern met them and had Robert moved to the MICU, bypassing the ER since he wasn’t in any distress.
“So, that’s all that happened.” Robert finished explaining what had happened.
“’All’ Robert? You lose four inches in height, sixty plus pounds and you say ‘all’ as if you had a headache.”
“But I feel fine.”
The Doctor had Robert take off his clothes. He’d had Robert’s blood drawn and sent down to the lab for testing.
He palpated Robert’s abdomen and then had him roll over onto his stomach.
“Robert. Tell me if you feel this.” He used one hand to spread Robert’s ass and then ran one finger through his crotch.
“Whoa. What did you just do?"
"In a minute. Anne would you please help me to keep his crotch exposed."
"Doctor?"
"Please.”
Anne leaned over and parted Robert’s cheeks. There was an angry red patch towards the front, under where his balls ended.
Doctor Halpern pressed gently against the red area. Robert gasped.
“That felt... good.”
“All right, that’s enough.” He picked up the call button. A nurse came in. “Allison, would you call down to the imaging lab and see if there’s an opening for a CT, no contrast, now, please."
"Yes Doctor.”
“Doctor, what’s going on?"
"I don’t know. But I suspect something really weird. And the CT should answer the questions.” ‘I hope.’ He thought.
Three hours later Robert and Anne were sitting in Dr. Halpern’s office.
“Ok. The short form is you’re now almost one hundred percent female. All you have left is a non-functional penis, your scrotal sac is empty, and your breasts are just starting to bud.”
“And the long form?” Anne asked.
“We don’t have a clue why.” He sat back in his chair. “Bob, there’s just nothing anywhere in the literature about spontaneous gender change. And unless you really feel like becoming a lab rat and a poster girl for the Transgendered community, I’d suggest laying low for a while. Take a long vacation. And you might give serious consideration to changing your name."
"I’ll have to, Robert isn’t a female name.”
“No, your last name. Get off the grid for a while. At least until your change is complete.”
“My job?"
"I’ll send them a letter explaining your problem and that you need bed rest. I just won’t say where the bed has to be.”
“Ok. When will the rest happen?”
“Like I know? Seriously. The major parts happened within three hours. It could be now, tomorrow. I just don’t know. But it will happen.”

*-*-*

“So, now what?”
“Anne, I think Doctor Halpern is right. I don’t think either of us want to become tabliod celebs."
"But where would we go?”
“Wherever we want. We can afford it.”
“I thought we’d agreed that was going to be our rainy day fund.”
“And it’s not raining now? I’m not suggesting getting the royal suite at the Ritz and spending ten grand a day, even fifteen million won’t last that long. No, I’m suggesting we rent a house somewhere where no one knows us and see what happens.”
“Ok. Where?”
*-*-*
They went to bed having narrowed their choices down to Maui or Vancouver. Both places had their pluses and minuses. Neither was cheap living and Vancouver was Canada but it had more to offer than Maui. But the weather and the diving in Maui was so much better.
*-*-*
“Well, that’s that.” Robert said as he woke up. He’d rolled over onto his stomach, almost. His breasts got in the way. His hand went to his crotch. “Farewell old friend.” It was gone. But someone, the vagina fairy?, had left a present in it’s place.
“Huh?” Anne wasn’t a morning person.
“Welcome to gay marriage honey.” He leaned over and kissed his... wife? Her wife? “I guess I need to shift pronouns.”
Anne rolled over, perfect placement of mouth on nipple. No sense in wasting the moment. Lick suck nip lick suck nip.
Her hand met Jennifer’s and wormed its way past and into the new pleasure center. Jennifer came almost immediately.
“You are such a slut.” Anne said before kissing her new... wife?
“If this is the way we wake up every morning, fine with me.” She kissed Anne with more passion than she could remember. No, more love.
“But will you love me in the morning?”
“We’ll see.” Anne went back to work.

*-*-*

Somewhere, a mother was smiling. “You're welcome honey.”

The End