Kelly's Journey Chapter 19: Julie's Big Day   By Stanman63   Edited By Nora Adrienne with Special Thanks To Terry Naut and to Heather Rose Brown for the Illustration!   Synopsis:Kelly is asked to be the Maid Of Honor at Julie and Mark's wedding. There, she is paired with Johnny, the Best Man. During this time, both receive signs that their Love is strong again. Yet, Kelly's Heart still remains broken.

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After meeting with my friends, I went home to the Guest House where my family was waiting for me with the Woods and Mark. Julie was wearing a red sports bra and shorts with hose and anklets, momma and Mrs. Woods in black satin pajamas while Mark and Mister Woods wore matching sweats from jogging.

Julie looked a bit different and had a very healthy glow. I had seen that glow before when a new mother was with child. Considering how much they had been intimate, there was only one explanation.

"Hi Kelly, guess what?" she twirled around like a ballerina. ['Kell, you wouldn't believe the complete truth. If only you knew what I've done to honor you.']

"Do you know the sex of Junior yet?" ['The way that she stopped is priceless.']

Mark stared at me flabbergasted, "How did you know, Kelly? We just now told her parents and your mother!" ['Is Kelly some sort of witch? Knowing her, anything is possible with her.]

I blushed, "I saw her pregnancy by her super healthy glow, any pregnant woman has it. I am surprised that not everybody can see it." ['Now I get to be an Auntie.']

She punched him in the arm, "Told ya' Mark! Kell can tell when any girl is pregnant, the lucky Snot," Julie giggled. ['Never thought that I'd enjoy sex after being raped, but carrying Kelly's child seems to have renewed me. Will she ever be surprised to learn that her sperm was collected before she was chemically castrated.']

Momma cleared her throat, "Mark, you have told us, now it's time to tell Kelly," admonished momma.

"You're right, Mrs. Moore," Turning to me, "Kelly, Julie and I are to be married shortly to make an honest woman of her," he sighed and blushed. ['I am the luckiest man in the world! my fiance and her best friend are both girls that I love.']

Julie looked at me with her smiling eyes, "Kelly, will you be my Maid Of Honor?"

I jumped up and squealed and did a little dance, "I'd be honored, Julie. We've been best friends and girl friends all of our lives. Being your Maid Of Honor will give me th chance to properly thank you for being my Sister By Choice!" ['At least one of us is gonna be married. When will Aunt Debbie, momma and I get married?']

Mark gently kissed my forehead, "When Julie told me about you, I could see why she loves you. Ever since then, I have adopted you as my sister. Julie knows that I'd choose you if I wasn't hopelessly in Love with her." ['I see what Johnny must see in her. She deserves to be happy, but it's not up to me.']

I blushed, "Thanks Bro, when she found you, she found a True Gentleman! I hope that I will be as Happy as you two are!" I teared. ['Oh Johnny My Love! When will you be there for me? Or will I be like Aunt Debbie and never marry?']

Momma hugged me, "You will Kelly! With a Heart as big as yours, you'll find your Soul Mate just like we've found ours. Stu was and still is mine, but I have found comfort in other single men when the need became too great." ['Kelly is ready to know.']

"I have, momma, in Johnny! But I don't know if he still Loves me!" I wept. ['I believe that he does, but does he?']

Mister Woods picked me up and held me as if I were a child, "Believe me Kelly, he does! But like me, he is taking forever to get his head to speak to his Heart." ['that is one part of me I wish that he didn't follow.']

"And once he does, you will know our Happiness of our Hearts joined into One under God's Loving Embrace," advised Mrs. Woods as she wiped away my tears. ['Chuck, you were adorable when you finally proposed. My family accepted you and now my siblings and cousins are working for you.']

"That's what I want too Momma Woods, but I also wanna know about momma's flings with other men. I did not know that she could be such a bad girl," I smirked. ['No wonder she came home a bit sore at times.']
 

*          *          *
 
I saw in my mind their Souls as Roses. At first, they were separated, then as they found one another, the rose stems intertwined. Momma's Rose intertwined with daddy's pure white Rose, giving her's a golden halo. But when I saw mine and Johnny's the Roses were just beginning to reach for each other to become Complete.

I knew that they'd never join unless both of us could overcome the hurt between us. Johnny had to forgive himself before he could accept my forgiveness. I wanted him, but his anxiety over hurting me again was hurting me still. He has called me the Girl of his Dreams before his betrayal, and now he feared to hurt me again. He couldn't see that by trying not to hurt me that he was.

I still remember that night when we first sated our passion and each time since then. It was at the cabin that we sated our passion every way possible physically. Taking him in me anally was almost as good as orally. I even bled for him a bit, giving him his Red Wings which is a special way for a woman to love her man as he takes her virginity.

In my case, it was my gaffe's simulation of my menstrual cycle, not popping my cherry as he did in taking my anal cherry. But for me, it was just as good because my boy bits were practically not there after years of hormonal therapy had chemically castrated me. Now my ability to father a child was damned by it.

When that doctor injected me with hormones and gave me blockers and hormones when I was a child, he ended my life as a boy all together. I could take testosterone and become a boy again, but my gonads were removed, so at best I am a sexless eunuch.
 

*          *          *
 
I sighed, "I will be Happy when and if that happens for us, but unfortunately Johnny must also want it and I do not know what he wants," I teared. ['Oh, Johnny, I am waiting for you My Love! Please don't take forever!']

Momma Woods dabbed my eyes dry, "I know my son, Kelly, he Loves you as much as you Love him. But after that tragic night, he needs to find something to show him that it's time."

I smiled, "Thanks, Momma Woods, like my momma, you know your children." ['Wish that I knew her parents, but they died before I was born.']

She smiled at me, "Momma Woods? Does calling me that mean that you believe that you'll marry Johnny???" ['Will they EVER tie the knot? Chuck, Terri, and I have been waiting all this time, and Debbie, Joe, and Liz have too.']

I blushed, "In a way, yes! I am acknowledging that you and Poppa Woods are my Godparents. In doing so, I'm also saying that y'all are my fiance's parents," I sighed. ['Oh Johnny! Is our Love doomed? Or will you finally accept me?']

Poppa Woods started to chuckle, "But Johnny has yet to propose to you! Aren't you getting a wee bit ahead of yourself?" ['Johnny is unfortunately, letting his fear hold him back from his True Love. Will he lose Kelly?']

I stood with my hands on my hips, "True, Poppa Woods, but I want for him to, and in this way, I am letting him know that I am ready to accept. This way I'm not forcing him to do anything, but he WILL think about it," I smirked.

I turned around when I heard someone guffaw, "Watch out, Johnny! These conniving females will have us twisted around their little pinkies, I know one has me and Poppa Woods, and you're next old boy," Mark snickered.

Julie sat in his lap and wriggled seductively, "Well, do you enjoy being twisted around mine?" she purred as she stroked his arm.

"Every minute of it, Julie," he replied as his arousal became evident, leading to their going to her bedroom. Even through the door, we could hear their activities as they sated their passions until we left to give them their privacy.
 

*          *          *
 
As her bridesmaid, it was up to me to throw her bachelorette party. I had the help of both of our mommas to help plan it. It was the next day before I could ask for any help though. Momma and I were having breakfast, I was wearing a red skirt and top with tan hose and momma was wearing a green skirt suit for work.

"Kelly, what are you planning for Julie's party?" she asked as she sat down to eggs, hash browns and biscuits. ['Chuck has a place ready for her and Johnny to use, IF they use it that is. Hopefully Kelly hasn't chosen yet.']

I prepared my coffee with my favorite creamer. Nothing like butter pecan in coffee, "Well, since Poppa Woods has so many restaurants and our old place the new Guest House, I was thinking of one of them. The Playhouse is too small. Too bad, we had fun in there, growing up. Now only we girls can comfortably stand up in there."

She stirred and sipped her coffee, "Chuck has recently acquired the Tri-County Inn and is donating it to the Church as a hostel for the families of hospital patients to go with the Women's Retreat and Men's Retreat he donated."

I started on my breakfast, stirring my eggs and 'browns together, "So you think that Poppa Woods would want to donate it for the party?" ['I wonder what new place he has now? Will he offer it to Mark?']

She started on her's, "Well, the Women's Retreat was launched by hosting the Homecoming Dance and the Men's Retreat by hosting the Prom and Graduation Ceremony during your senior year, so he wants to launch the Hostel in style."

"OK. Those retreats have both helped the homeless and have helped to get them jobs. But what about Mark's Bachelor Party?"

"Same place and time knowing Chuck," she giggled.

"Tell Poppa Woods that "I" am the Prankster around here! He'll need my help to pull it off," I tittered.

She finished her breakfast, "I know that, Kelly. It's been awhile since we've had a good prank pulled, and this is the last chance to pull one on Julie before she marries. They'll be moving into Stu's old place until their home can be built. Will you help to prank her?"

"No." ['She ought to know better than that. There are two to prank.']

"OK, Please don't tell them," she sighed.

I finished mine and placed the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher, "I'll help you and Momma Woods to prank BOTH Julie and Mark! Time he get pranked too," I giggled. ['Heck, I might just prank them all.']
 

*          *          *
 
I didn't know it, but Johnny was asked to be Best Man. Mark went to the college where Johnny was taking taking courses that would exempt him from math, and english, allowing him to concentrate on his college credits. Johnny was wearing his gray sweats, Mark his gold with brown jacket from Battle Star Galactica, his favorite show.

"Hey, Johnny! Thought that you were studying, not out jogging," he huffed as he caught up with him. ['Johnny is one tough cookie. He's barely winded.']

He stopped and sat on a nearby bench, "No, Mark, I spend the morning in the gym, then walk or jog back to my class for the day and clean up and change in the Teacher's Lounge, sorry about your being winded," he smirked.

Mark sniffed and sat, "Well, you need a good soaker. You reek something awful fella!"

He chuckled mirthlessly, "Always have after a workout. Have to bring clean clothes everyday or my dirties will stink up the locker room," he sighed as he remembered growing up. ['Not even Kelly could withstand my pong.']

Mark looked bemused, "Must've cost your parents a small fortune for you to play all of those games and practices. I know it did mine when I played."

He shook his head, "Not really, mom would chuck my stuff into a tub full of soapy water until time for me to wash my stuff."

Mark nodded his head, "Sounds like you helped out with the chores like I did to earn my allowance."

"Yep! Same here. Both Julie and I helped mom, we shared in all the work, no gender specific stuff for us. Our parents didn't believe in that bull. I guess they learned from Miss Debbie."

"I'd say so too. So, you sewed buttons and did needlepoint? I know that quite a few pro football players have."

"Yeah, mom and dad believe in being self sufficient. We even know how to service a car, and do house repairs, thanks to Kelly's grandparents."

"I'm glad, that means that I don't need to worry about your sister, Julie." ['Will he accept my offer?']

"Oh? Why? I know that you two have been dating, but didn't know that you two were so serious," he sighed. ['Looks like my sis is marrying before I do, and I thought for a long time that it'd be me and Kelly.']

Mark placed a hand on Johnny's shoulder, "We're getting married and I want for you to be my Best Man." ['Hope he accepts, because Julie has Kelly as Maid Of Honor.']

He was amazed and showed it by imitating a fish for a moment, "I'd be honored, Mark, but why me? I am not family," he replied.

Mark looked away, "My family lives too far away, and you're the closest one I have to a brother here. Because my dad was Career Army. That's why Mom and I never have had friends until he retired to Florida a few years ago." ['Mom, Dad, I'll NEVER betray my friends for you.']

"OK, But will they be here for the wedding, or reception? Dad will need to know how many to be ready for."

"I don't know, and frankly, I don't care! My family supports Linden's attitude and said that I dishonored them by helping Julie! Until they accept Kelly and Julie, they are not welcome in my house," he sighed.

Johnny threw a bottle into a trash can and shattered, "That's daft!! Julie isn't Kelly! Are they crazy?!"

Mark winced in sympathy, "True, but they see Julie as being just as bad as Kelly is since she is Kelly's friend, not to mention sister." [DAMN! Johnny is really pissed off about this, and with good reason.']

He turned to Mark, "And do they not know that Linden raped her? And what about his OTHER crimes?! Or do they even care!?" he spat.

He looked at him with tears in his eyes, "Johnny, they don't care! As far as they're concerned, linden does no wrong when he goes against the abomination of the hour. I used to listen, but NOW I know better." ['Lord, You have opened my eyes, what of my family?']

Johnny sighed as he released his anger, "And why are you not believing that malarkey? You were a part of that crowd before you met Julie, according to what you just said." ['He learned his lesson about Kelly. Will linden?']

"Yes, I was, I met Julie and Kelly after that ordeal and fell in Love with both of them, but Julie won my Heart. I was there to hurt hurt either one or both of them, but I couldn't," he blushed.

"And what about Kelly being the abomination? Surely Linden told you about that, he sure spouts off about it often enough."

Mark smiled, "He did, but the reality of Kelly's simple being Kelly broke his spell. She is more real than ANY argument can ever be," he sighed.

Johnny smiled back, "Yeah, she has that effect on you. I should know, she captured my heart long ago," he laughed.

['Time to go on the offensive with him about Kelly,] "Then why are you not with her? A double wedding would be great!"

Johny shook his head, "I'm not worthy of her Love any more, not after I destroyed our Love by betraying her," he wept.

Mark held him until the tears stopped, then wiped his eyes, "That was years ago! She's forgiven you!" ['These two Love each other, yet an old hurt keeps them apart.']

He looked at Mark with pleading eyes, "But I can't forgive myself! Because of me, she despaired and almost died! If not for a Miracle, she'd be dead!" ['I'm as bad as linden is, or maybe worse. He never betrayed a Love as I did.']

['Time to give him a shot of Hope.'] "Johnny, that despair has since been used to Bless the Church! Linden's evil has been healed by Kelly."

Johnny looked at him, with eyes full of hope, "Really?!" ['Has my evil been truly erased?']

"Yes, really. You've been at this track avoiding her. If you'd stayed around, you'd know that the evil you did was made a Blessing. That Service where you and Kelly reconciled," he sighed.

Johnny shook his head, "Sorry, Mark, but I can't believe it. That's why I'm going away. I need to find Peace so that I can forgive myself."

"Where to?"

He pointed to his sweat top, "My dad's Alma Mater, University of Alabama. Please don't tell anybody."

"I promise. On the old Alumni Scholarship Program?"

"Yeah, to become a coach. Sports in my blood."

[Got to ask,'] "What about Kelly?"

He sighed, "Right now, I don't know. All that I DO know is that things are not the same, and I don't know how to deal with things. THAT'S why I must leave."

['He needs to admit to his Love for her,'] "Why not? do you still Love her?"

Johny jumped up, "Of course I still Love her! Do you think that I'd be here if I didn't!? THAT'S why I must leave! I can't hurt her anymore!"

['There must be a reason.'] "Then why wait? She wants you."

He sat back down, "I know, but I am waiting for a sign that it is time for me to finally forgive myself. I know that it seems foolish, but I need to know that I am no longer able to hurt Kelly as I did."

"What sign is that?"

Johnny chuckled mirthlessly as a release of the pain in his Heart, "I don't know! If I did, I'd have my answer!"

"Well, I can't help you with that my Brother, I wish that I could, though," he sighed.

"So, you call me your brother, Kelly was my brother at first. We were an unstoppable team on the field, I miss that," he sighed.

Mark placed his hand on Johnny's shoulder, "Well, now you have a brother again."

"Thanks! Knowing that you are there as my Brother is like having Kelly as my Brother again."

"Anytime John, anytime. By the way, about being my Best Man?"

"Don't worry, I'll do it and throw you a Bachelor Party that you'll remember."
 

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Julie's decision on dresses for us Bridesmaids was an off white sundress with matching accessories. She chose to be practical so that we could wear them more than once. Me, I wear mine to Church and garden parties. I've also copied the design and made other dresses for such occasions. I know that soon, I'll be more involved in activities that my wardrobe of my school days just won't fit. Too bad because the school uniforms are cute.

"Hey Julie! Here you have us in our skivvies and freezing. Where are the dresses?"

"Uh, right behind you, Miss Debbie! Sorry about not telling you ladies about the hidden closet," she smirked.

"And here I thought that Kelly was the Prankster. Looks like you have competition, Kelly," laughed Sarah Lynn.

"Who do ya' think put her up to it? This is our old Playhouse, and Poppa Woods did the closets this way to give more room," I giggled.

"I've often wondered where you got your tendency to pull pranks on everybody, now I know," observed Terry Ann.

"Oh? So my shrink doesn't like me pranking?" I pouted.

"Oh, I like them as much as you do, and your not fooling me, young lady," she tittered.

"Darn it all! I wasted a good pout," I giggled which set everybody off.

"Julie, why did you ask us three to be Bridesmaids? We are known to you through Kelly."

"Erin, you three ladies ere there for her when she despaired. And you will be the one to give her her wish to be a woman physically. She is my Soul Sister, I ask you three to honor her," she sighed.

"Oh, Julie! I don't deserve your honor! Not after choosing Johnny over you!" I cried as tears ran down my face.

"Kelly, I know, but you did it after you found that you were more girl than boy thanks to that wacko doctor. It hurt when I lost you as a boyfriend, but you've since then have become my girlfriend and sister."

"Girlfriend, eh? And her I thought that we were Soul Sisters all this time," I smirked.

"You're both, Kelly, and you just wasted a good pout too," she giggled.

"Oh well, you can't win them all. No doubt about my pouts," I tittered.

"Kelly, your daddy would be the first to hug you when you pouted, now you do it as a joke."

"Question is, Terry, who can out-pout Kelly?"

"Oh Granny! You wound me with your doubt," I snickered.

"Then do you need me to talk to Joe for you, Kelly?"

"No need, Mrs. Woods, I can," replied Aunt Debbie, which got all of us to laughing. Then we settled down to business.

"OK, ladies, time to try on the posh," Julie sniggered.

"Posh?"

"That's British for treasure, Mother."

"Well posh, tosh, or whatever you want to call it, let's see if it fits."

"Here, Erin, since you're so poshy," guffawed Julie.

"It fits perfectly! whoever your teacher is, they taught you well."

"Thanks Erin, I've made our clothes for years. Julie and Kelly know as much about crocheting, knitting, quilting, and sewing as I and my mom do."

"And this is my way of thanking you ladies for being there for me. Everybody has a dress, slip, overcoat, hat, and gloves. They're made to breathe with you and adjust for any monthly variations."

"Hmf! Only a lady would think about that. Men don't."
 

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Later that night, I met with Johnny in the manager's office, We were there to arrange for our respective parties. Poppa Woods had Okayed our usage of the facilities, but not set the actual time.

"Kell, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to set up Julie's Bridal Shower, what about you?"

"I'm here to set up Mark's Bachelor Party. I guess that Dad wants both here."

"I have an idea, for the parties," I snickered.

"From your snickering, I'd say that you want to combine them."

"Yep! And after THAT party, separate and have the 'proper parties."

"Sounds good to me. You know, it's great to see and talk again. I've missed you something rotten."

"Same here, My Love. But it's up to you, you're not banned from being here."

"I know Kell, but I'm afraid that I'll hurt you if I'm here."

Then I hauled off and slapped him, "Let the hurt of my slap tell you that you are hurting me by avoiding me!"

"OK, Kelly, no more hiding, next time you might put some 'English' in the slap."

"Oh, Johnny! I Love you with all of my Heart! I don't want to hurt you!"

"Nor I you, but I can't get over what I did to you."

"But why? I've forgiven you."

"It all goes back to when you were Tinkerbell, I fell in love with you then, but you were a boy, and still are between the legs."

"Johnny, back then I was curious about being a girl, but when that quack chemically castrated me, I found that I wanted you instead of Julie."

"So, if not for that, you'd be marrying Julie instead of Mark. This is so confusing to me."

"Not to me, Johnny, I am a guy turning into a girl by choice now. I am hetero in my choice, like you and Julie."

"OH?"

"Yes, I prefer the opposite ex as my sex partner."

"Oh. That's what's confusing me. I still see you as a boy, not a girl and don't want to be seen as gay, not even to myself."

"OK then. Will it matter when I have the surgery to become a woman? Or does it matter that I will no longer be a boy?"

"Oh, Kelly! You have just now given voice to both my doubt and its resolve! NOW I see you as a woman!"

Then we hugged as we wept for the Joy of our reconciliation. I could see Johnny's Heart now shedding the scars of hurt and pain as it healed and started beating again. For years, he was dead inside, but now, his beating Heart returned Life to his wounded Soul.
 

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The next day, we threw the party. Johny and I led out respective parties to opposite doors, and when we opened the door, they saw the banner, WELCOME BRIDAL AND BACHELOR PARTY and knew that we knew.

"Kelly! What is this?"

"Johnny! Why?"

"EVERYBODY, PLEASE BE SEATED IN YOUR RESERVED SEATS AND ALL WILL BE EXPLAINED," I announced over the intercom. Johnny and I led them into the room, but we went to the front where a microphone was.

"Yes, Kelly and I know about the plan to bring us together by her being the Maid Of Honor, and me the Best Man. You might have succeeded in duping if we hadn't both met the manager at the same time."

"Johnny and I met at the manager's office and decided to combine the parties into one. But after dinner, we will have the separate celebrations. Yes, we are back together, in a way. We have reconciled our differences."

"Yes, we have. So please do not try to force us together. I still have issues to deal with, but Kelly knows what they are, and is not worrying about us."
 

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After that, the celebration got under way. The intermingling of the two parties let them mesh and get to know each other better. We all knew each other, but only by face and reputation. Now, thanks to Johnny and me, there was a pairing off as men and women found a bond that either ended in marriage or friendship.

In the Bridal Shower, we had fun watching as a very well endowed male stripper dressed as a football player gyrated to sexy music and slowly disrobed down to a string bikini that barely held his endowments. Looking like a very young black Arnold Schwarzenegger with blue eyes and roman nose made him very exotic. Needless to say, he made quite a haul in tips from us very grateful ladies, even the married among us.

When it came to gifts, Julie did very well. From my Aunt Debbie, she received a set of china with a 'Rose' pattern on the rim, along with matching silverware. From Granny, she got a set of cookware with a rose pattern painted on it. Momma gave her curtains, drapes, and sheets and pillow cases with a rose pattern. Sarah Lynn gave her a complete first aid kit with supplies and instructions on treatment of injuries. From Erin, she got a supply of herbs and spices with a guidebook on herbal medicine, and from Nora-Adrienne, a supply of protein powder in several flavors. Terry Volkirch gave her a supply of incense and equipment to use for aromatherapy, and Sasha Nexus gave her a massaging heat recliner. From Angel O'Hare, she received a therapeutic mattresses, from Maggie, a supply of massaging oils. Joanne gave her a family bible and a Bible study Library, Mary Angelo gave her a set of pictures portraying Jesus in the Bible, and from Teressa Marie, she received a set of pictures portraying Bible Heroes.

Julie really enjoyed receiving her gifts and she gave each lady a hug and kiss in appreciation for them. But it was MY GIFT, that she cried over. I gave her an album of pictures, Church News Letters, and news articles that were about the Three Musketeers. It chronicled our lives up to the present day with my writing my observations on the right hand page while everything else was on the left.

"Kell, where did you ever find the time to make this?"

"I started it in first grade, and kept adding to it. It was only after I went to live with Aunt Debbie that I put it together."

"Thanks, Girlfriend! This is the Best gift of all to me, it brings back memories of old times. But I am half expecting a prank from you."

"Not with something THIS special, Girlfriend! To prank would be to spoil the party, at least right now. Remember, I pranked everybody with Johnny," I smirked.

"True, I guess that you pulled your best prank yet," she wept as we hugged.

It was a week later that Julie married Mark. She looked splendid in her white wedding dress. Everything that she wore was white, and we Bridesmaids wore similar dresses, same as Mrs. Woods, the Mother of the Bride.

Julie had her Bridal Party all fitted with off-white summer dress with matching shoes, hose and intimates. She wanted for us to be able to be comfy and use them after the wedding. Me, I am still wearing mine to Church, and garden parties.
 

*          *          *
 
We were now ready for the wedding. It would be held in Pastor Pat's Church. I was happy for her and Mark, but my Heart still wanted Johnny, and he had yet to decide if he wanted me. I would soon make a choice about my life that would change me forever.

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To Be Continued...