When Sara was growing up, her "magic crayons" helped her escape the pain. Now as an adult and the world famous Art Angel, can they help her to find the life she's always dreamed of?

As soon as Sara got home from work that evening she was online with Jenna filling her in on the incredible events of the night before. Jenna's eyes filled with tears of joy as Sara's had earlier. She was so glad that Sara had connected with Prue, and not just because she had made a friend, but because Prue was a very special one indeed. Since Prue was a genetic girl, making her a goddess in the eyes of most TG girls, being able to connect with her would do wonders for Sara's self esteem as a woman, and since Prue was a creative genius like Sara, her praise of the talented young artists work might give Sara some much needed confidence in her own magical gift.

Sara was excited about talking to Prue online, but obviously nervous about meeting her one on one or in Crystal's chatroom. Jenna, already a long time chat partner with Prue, came to the rescue by contacting Prue when she came online late that night and then setting up a three way conference, so that "big sister" could be there while "little sister" got to play with her new friend.

The first meeting went exceptional well and soon the three musketeers late night rendezvous became a regular occurrence. Sara seemed to blossom with Jenna and Prue in the cyber world and at times became positively animated during those long chats that often lasted well into Sara's early morning. Like any other close girlfriends, the three of them would share the details, intimate and otherwise, of their day-to-day lives.

Jenna being the only mother of the three would send regular snaps and updates of Becky and her latest adventure, along with recipes for tasty culinary delights and occasionally, juicy bits on last nights stork hunting with hubby Rick.

Prue would contribute her own recipes, both for kitchen tasty treats, as well as those appropriate for stork hunts. Of course, she would always fill Sara and Jenna in on her latest literary project, often asking for their input when her muse had somehow whispered her into a corner.

Sara would keep them both "abreast" of her still developing feminine attributes, her progress toward sexual reassignment surgery, and the day-to-day drudgery of designing advertisements for laxatives and silver polish. It was boring beyond belief but it kept a roof over her head and put food in the cupboard.

Jenna and Prue were obviously glad that Sara was employed. Finding a work environment that is TG friendly can be almost impossible for the gender challenged, but they also agreed that Sara had far too much artistic talent to be wasting it by making commercial doodles all day. Sara freely admitted her displeasure at such passionless and confining work, but she didn't know what else to do. Despite the fact her self-confidence had grown greatly under Jenna and Prue's praise, she still didn't have the courage to share her original creations with others, nor did she believe anyone would actually pay money for them. In her eyes she was still just a little girl with crayons, who could hustle a few pounds now and then as a street artist.

Sara sister's didn't want her to do anything so bold as quit her job and become the starving artist, but they did want the Art Angel to have more of an opportunity to spread her wings and share her gift with the world. They also knew that it would be up to the two of them to find a way to get Sara's work out to the public as there was no way she had the confidence to go round to art galleries and promote herself.

It was Prue who found the solution, and it had been there under their pretty little noses all along. Sara could work for Prue as an illustrator on her Internet stories. She'd been toying with the idea for quite some time about doing cover art for her stories and then adding a few picture inserts as well. The picture on the cover of a paper back novel has lured many a reader in for a closer look, and Prue saw no reason why that same enticement couldn't work just as well in cyberspace. She also liked the idea of mixing in a few pictures with her story, especially when there was a visual like a breathtaking view or a gorgeous dress where even Prue's magic muse couldn't find the words to do it true justice. It was kind of the idea about a picture being worth a thousand words sometimes.

Prue pitched her idea to Sara and then before the skittish English lass could find an avenue of escape, her sister's cut off every exit. Prue told her that it was just a part time job, so it wouldn't interfere with her regular job. She then added that while Sara wouldn't get rich from it, it would be extra money to salt way toward her surgery, as she might become a blue-haired old lady before the NHS finally paid for it. Prue pointed out with a giggle that Sara would have a very understanding boss.

Jenna brought up another important point for Sara by stating that she would have the chance to reach thousands, possibly even millions of people with her creations and never have to leave her loft. Prue said that she would have to acknowledge Sara's work in her credits, but for her privacy she could list a nickname if she preferred.

If those sound arguments hadn't persuaded her, Prue's final plea did. She simply asked her to work with her, combining their talents to produce creations that could educate, entertain, and make some peoples worlds a little less dark. Sara accepted without another word and the Art Angel was finally given the chance to spread her wings cyber-worldwide.

The late night conferences soon became workshops where Prue and Sara would collaborate on storyline and art. The three girls still enjoyed their usual fun discussions, but at times Jenna would sit back silently and just let the two girls "color".

Shortly after Sara's 26th birthday and about three months after she began collaborating with Prue, the Art Angel made her debut as the heavenly illustrator for the next Prue Production and the results were of course divine. Prue's mailbox was normally filled with enthusiastic comments whenever she posted a new story, but this time she was sharing the spotlight as her readers were heaping words of glowing praise for the work of her gifted illustrator, mysteriously known only as the Art Angel. Prue happily forwarded each of those comments on to Sara, and again, happy tears flowed freely as she read each one in stunned disbelief.

After their first smashing success, they began immediately collaborating on their next labor of love. Prue even went back and pulled some of her previously posted stories off the websites, and then had Sara do cover art and inserts before reposting them. The results were equally incredible as people were rereading the old favorites and enjoying the added magic that Sara's artistic talents were adding.

After two new releases, several successful re-releases, and tons of fan mail for the Art Angel, Prue felt it was time to move Sara up to the big leagues. She asked her to do the cover art and inserts for her next hardbound novel. That meant that Sara's artwork and Prue's reputation would be on display in bookstores all over the world. Thousands had clicked on the story sites to read Prue's TG fiction, but her hardbound novels reached millions and that meant the WORLD would be judging Sara's work and Prue's judgment. That would be enough to scare most any professional illustrator, let alone a glorified crayon wielder, as Sara still considered herself.

Sara was sure she wasn't ready. Prue and Jenna had no doubt she was. Sara's sisters double-teamed her once again and the Art Angel reluctantly agreed to step into the worldwide spotlight with Prue. Sara took a few weeks off work to focus all her energies on the project, but she wasn't strapped for money as Prue sent her a check equal to several MONTHS wages from her regular job. Sara balked when she received the check, telling Prue she must have made a mistake. Prue giggled, and said, "Welcome to the big leagues kid!"

To be sure Sara didn't have to worry about interrupting her creative impulses in order to search for food, Jenna sent her a Canadian special care package chock full of candies, cookies, and countless other delicious delights. When Sara protested, Jenna giggled, and said, "Job perks!"

With her art supplies and cupboard well-stocked Sara set out on her biggest challenge to date. For nearly two weeks, she buried her waste bin in failed efforts. Finally she broke down in frustration during one of the late night conferences and cried. "I'm sorry Prue. I've let you down. I've worked as hard as I can, and I can't create anything."

Jenna sent her hugs and Prue sent her wisdom. She calmly typed, "You haven't let me down. I know you're working as hard as you can, and that's the problem hon. Stop working, stop trying and just be the little girl and her magic crayons. Just relax, have fun and color. Trust me on this, I know what I'm talking about."

Sara took the hugs and the sage advice of her fellow magic weaver. She took an extended brownie break and then grabbed her "big girl" crayons and started having fun. True to Prue's prediction, the muse guided Sara's right hand and the next day she began sending Prue and Jenna her initial sketches for approval.

Prue's latest literary offering, illustrations by the Art Angel, hit the shelves three months later. Prue and Jenna were sure it would be well received. Sara of course feared the worse, preparing the public to burn Prue in effigy and Sara's artwork in reality. Yet none of them were prepared for the tidal wave that ensued when the Art Angel made her big splash.

The critics gave Prue's "The Hugglebugs Collection" rave reviews and she quickly climbed to her customary position atop the fiction bestsellers, but it was the powerful and passionate creations of her new illustrator that had the literary and art world in an uproar. The Literary Review proclaimed, "The Art Angel's divine intervention gave Prue Walker's novel wings and it soared to the heavens." Art World magazine said, "Say 'halo' to a fresh new talent. Prue Walker's got a true Art Angel on her shoulder."

The Art Angel was quickly atop everyone's "Who's New / Who's Hot" list. Prue's publisher was being hammered by not only praise for the mysterious Art Angel, but requests to find out if they had exclusive rights to her.

Of course everything was forwarded to Prue in New Zealand, who promised she'd pass it on to the Art Angel, but flatly refused to divulge the true identity of her amazing new illustrator to anyone. Prue, true to her word gladly stuffed Sara's mailbox, with every magazine review, glowing comment, and request for her services.

At first Sara couldn't believe it, couldn't believe that anyone could think anything she created was really all that good, but Prue kept overloading her inbox with offers and compliments until she had no choice but to believe it. The little girl, who had felt invisible, unloved and unwanted by the world, suddenly realized that she was known, loved and very much wanted now, even if it was only for her crayon magic.

The three musketeers spent night after night wading through offers from authors wanting the Art Angel to bless their books with her cover art, and the demand for her services didn't stop there. Numerous publishing companies were trying to get an Art Angel in their pocket and willing to pay top dollar to do it. Individuals were even throwing out big bucks to be immortalized by the winged wonder.

Incredible as it seemed, the world wanted to be touched by an angel, an art angel that is, and they were willing to pay dearly for it. Several of the offers for single jobs would net her more money for a few weeks work then she could make in six months on her regular job, and the publishing companies who offered her exclusive long term contracts were talking six figures yearly. With the world believing in her artistic abilities, and Prue and Jenna believing in HER, Sara found the courage to take another bold step. She gave notice at the advertising agency and decided to become a full-time Art Angel.

Sara may not have been a Rhodes Scholar but she was smart enough to realize that none of this would have been possible without the help of Prue and Jenna, and she was going to need their help now more than ever if she was going to make this work. As always Prue and Jenna offered their help freely as the three sat down in conference and hammered out the details for Art Angel Inc.

So far the true identity of the Art Angel was unknown and at least for now it was agreed to keep it that way. There were times when a walk to the market was too overwhelming for the excessively shy Sara. There was no way she would be able to handle being under siege from people contacting her by phone, mail and even at her personal residence should her true identity be divulged.

Jenna and Prue agreed to handle all Sara's dealings with the public. They would field all her offers, and then forward them on to Sara for her consideration. If she accepted one, she would do the work and then have it sent special courier to either Prue or Jenna who would forward it on to the customer. Payment would be made out to Art Angel Inc. and deposited into a business account that Sara could draw from as needed and without fear of exposure. With so much misdirection, not even Nancy Drew could find out the true identity of the Art Angel.

It was also agreed that Sara was not going to be the exclusive property of anyone. She had already spent the last few years being told how, what and when to draw and she could never create in that type of atmosphere. She'd already discovered in working with Prue that it couldn't BE WORK, it had to be free and fun or it simply wasn't any good. That little girl within her couldn't use her magic crayons under any other conditions.

It was agreed then that anyone who wanted the Art Angel would have to give her some "creative license" in what she would create. The final decision of what she could do had to be in Sara's coloring hand and that was not negotiable.

Sara also assured Prue that if anyone had exclusive rights to the Art Angel it was her two adopted sisters, and that Prue's work both on the Internet and outside came first beyond any other commitment she would accept.

After everything was agreed upon, Prue called the family solicitor in to draw up proper legal documents and Art Angel Inc. was soon in business. As Sara turned the page on another chapter in her life, she couldn't help but wonder if the Art Angel was really going to fly or was she going to crash and burn as just another one hit wonder.

It didn't take long before Sara found out she was going to be soaring to the heavens, as with each work she turned out, her popularity grew and so did the requests for her services. By the time her 27th birthday rolled around, she had completed a half dozen more projects for Prue, did the cover art for several other authors, was currently working on the illustrations on a series of children's books, and had enough work waiting to keep her busy for a year.

The Art Angel was fast becoming the world's most popular illustrator and while Prue and Jenna were very proud of her, they were also concerned for her as well. She hadn't taken a holiday since Art Angel Inc. had begun. Even when she moved from her flat in London to her country cottage outside Derby, she barely missed more than a day or two getting settled before she was back at her art desk again.

It wasn't as though she couldn't afford to take a break. She was making more than enough money to live comfortably on and had few expenses. Waiting for the NHS to cover her SRS was no longer a problem now. With her bank account she could have her operation as soon as she could find a clinic with an open date. She would definitely be resting for a while after that one, but pain-filled days of self-dilating and learning how to pee again isn't anyone's idea of a proper holiday.

The real reason why Sara hadn't taken any real time off since becoming Art Angel to the world was because of heart problems. The problem being, her heart was just too big and she was terrible at saying no people. Her life had been so full of denials and disappointments; she hated to disappoint anyone else. The children's book series she was working on was a perfect example of that. She really didn't have the time to take on this project, and she was doing it for free, but the proceeds from the sale of the books were being donated to a fund for orphans, and Sara practically being an orphan, couldn't refuse.

Prue and Jenna greatly admired this young woman who as child was given so little, and yet now was able to give of herself so freely, but even angels need time off and they put together a plan to make sure the Art Angel was grounded for awhile.

Telling themselves it was for Sara's own good, they started lightening her work load by contacting some of her clients and postponing a few of her commitments. Since the best is worth waiting for and the Art Angel was the best, most grudgingly agreed to wait until she was available.

Then the pair lovingly applied a little pressure, also known as nagging, on Sara about getting her surgery date set. When she said she wasn't sure where she should go to have it done, Prue grinned from ear to ear and immediately set her up in New Zealand at one of the most prominent SRS clinics in the world. Originally Sara figured to have her surgery in London, and both Jenna and Prue planned to come over for it, as this was one flight they wouldn't let the Art Angel take solo. Moving everything to New Zealand allowed Prue to play hostess and she couldn't be happier. When the three of them meet at the airport it would be a momentous occasion. Sara hadn't seen Jenna in almost six years, and neither had ever seen Prue before. Happy tears and warm hugs would definitely be the order of the day.

Once Sara was finally committed to a surgery date, Prue then eased her into a much-needed holiday. She invited Sara, Jenna, Rick and little Becky to come to New Zealand two weeks prior to Sara's surgery. It would give the Three Musketeers a chance to get out and enjoy Prue's homeland while Sara was still physically able. Prue could set up the itinerary such that they could see some of her countries beautiful sights but avoid those likely to have the big crowds so Sara would feel more at ease. Jenna, Rick and Becky could stay at least until Sara was safely out of surgery. Then after they returned home big sister Prue would get to play Mummy as she could personally supervise Sara's recovery at her home. Sara wouldn't be picking up a crayon until Prue said she could.

Prue pitched her plan first to Jenna and Rick who said they would be absolutely thrilled to come to New Zealand and they knew little Becky would love to be able to finally hug her "Auntie" Prue. The title of Auntie might be honorary, but the love that Prue felt for her "niece" was as true as it comes. Prue had really taken a shine to the bright-eyed little imp who'd help to fill the empty void within her. Jenna who seemed to have a loaded camera in her pocket at all times emailed Becky shots regularly, and Prue was constantly the little princess gifts almost every time the post went out. One of Becky's most cherished snuggle partners was the sheep stuffie that Prue had sent her shortly after Jenna and Rick had picked Becky up in Scotland. Now 5, Becky was becoming quite the little chatterbox and Prue gladly ran up her long distance bill just to hear her favorite pixie tell her about today's adventure.

With Jenna and company on board, Prue then turned her attentions to Sara. Sara of course tried her best to wiggle off the hook by saying she still had so much work to finish up before her surgery, that it would be all she could do to get there a few days early. This holiday for Sara was mandatory, and as Star Trek's the Borg was so fond of saying, "resistance is futile". Prue shamelessly cheated by playing the Becky card. She knew "Auntie Sara" was also quite attached to the strawberry blonde princess, and couldn't resist the chance to share a coloring book with her. The little girl within Sara was true creative genius behind the Art Angel, and Prue knew she couldn't resist a chance to have another little girl to play with. Sara relented and was quickly assimilated into the program. She purchased her plane ticket the next day without further fuss.

With a week to go, Prue was making final preparations for guests at "Chez Walker", while Jenna, Rick and Sara were packing suitcases and Becky was asking her parents each day, "Are we going yet?" All systems were go and then a little thing, actually a very little thing that couldn't be bigger, came along and changed plans and lives forever.

That "little thing" happened to be one Cathleen Elizabeth and the newborn baby girl's emergence into Rick, Jenna, and Becky's life couldn't have been bigger. Rick and Jenna after being blessed with Becky knew they had more than enough love in their hearts to share with another child, and also they didn't want Becky to be an only child if they could help it. Becky was never want for attention from either of them or her extended family, but nothing can replace the joy and sometimes aggravation of having a kid brother or sister to tag along and play with.

The proud parent's had put their names back on the waiting list before Becky's second birthday, and for the last three years they had done exactly that, wait. To Rick and Jenna along with most couples waiting to get children, the adoption system seems to be one of the greatest injustice in the world. On one side you have all these childless couples and single parents with so much love to give, and on the other side you have all the orphans who need that love and a good safe home, yet so often each grows old or grows up without ever being able to reach the other.

Being considered for adopting a child is nothing short of going through a modern day Spanish Inquisition and the smallest blemish on a couple's background often is enough to make them unsuitable parents in the eyes of many adoption agencies. Rick and Jenna were loving, healthy and relatively wealthy but as far as most agencies were concerned, Jenna being a post-op transsexual was a blemish the size of Texas. As a result, the couple hadn't gotten past a first interview for nearly six months.

A lot of couples faced with such an obstacle might just have given up but Rick was a stubborn Scotsman and after what Jenna had been through to become the woman she was, "giving up" wasn't in her vocabulary. Fortunately for them and for Becky they found an agency whose heart and mind was a bit more open and truly understood that a mummy's ability to love has nothing to do with her ability to be a mother or a natural born woman.

Kim at "Play Place International" had been an earth angel with them and it was she who was able to locate Becky in Scotland and unite her with Rick and Jenna. When they called her two years later hoping for a second immaculate conception, she said she'd do the best she could, but as with all stork hunts, it takes a lot of persistence and a lot of luck to catch one.

One week before Jenna and Rick were set to leave for New Zealand, Kim's persistence became their good luck as she called and happily congratulated them on being parents to a newborn baby girl. The latest addition to the family was currently at a foster facility in Dallas, Texas. Kim said their new daughter and all the legal papers would be ready in a week. She was flying in personally to handle everything herself and couldn't wait to see them again. Rick had to say thank you, as Jenna was too busy crying happy tears at the moment and would thank her properly when she saw her next.

That evening Jenna was online sharing the wonderful news with Sara and Prue who couldn't be happier for the two-time mother. As ecstatic as both Jenna and Rick were, they were disappointed that they'd have to miss their holiday with Prue and Sara, and as happy as Becky was to be getting a new sister, she too would be broken-hearted about not getting the chance to be spoiled by twin aunties.

Prue sat drumming her fingers on her computer desk as Sara and Jenna chatted and then her muse whispered softly in her ear, and the pretty pixie interrupted with an idea to save the day. It wasn't an original one, but Prue plagiarized it proudly. If the mountain can't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed goes to the mountain. New Zealand translation: If Jenna and family can't come to meet Sara and Prue, Sara and Prue will go to Canada and meet them. The only downside was that Prue's hubby couldn't get away for the holiday, so that meant Prue had to be sure they're were plenty of frozen, "hubby-friendly" dinners in the freezer, so her beloved wouldn't starve to death until her return.

In no time at all Prue had the new flight plan in order. Sara and her would each fly over and baby-sit Becky while Rick and Jenna flew down to Texas and pick up their new daughter (Cathleen Elizabeth). It would make the trip a little easier for them without a toddler in tow and it would give Prue and Sara a chance to spoil Becky rotten without parental intervention. When Rick, Jenna and Cathleen returned, Prue and Sara would still have at least week to spend with them before they had to return to New Zealand for Sara's surgery.

The only thing that needed to be done was some rearranging of airline tickets and for Prue to buy some new luggage, which of course made her happy, as any excuse to shop was always a good one. Sara had no more anxieties about going to Jenna's than she did Prue's. Rick and Jenna had a beautiful home nestled in the woods outside of Vancouver, British Columbia, or "God's country" as Rick called it, so Sara didn't have to worry about crowds. She wouldn't get a whole lot of quiet with Becky and a new baby around, but she would find a peace being with her "family", that she could find no place else.