Link: The Wisher's Paradox Title Page and Description

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After a brief recess, Judge Fallon returned to his bench. "Be seated." he stated wearily. Looking out over the assembled people, he blew out a breath. "This case has been full of esoteric questions. Has Christina been abused by being made to live as a boy, even though she didn't seem to mind much? Did the plaintiffs ever have custody of their child, even with no birth record? Thusly, can parental rights be reinstated, even though they were never legally severed to begin with?"

"All of these questions dance around the central question this court is tasked with answering... where is the best place for Christina to live? She's asserted a desire to live with her birth parents. DCS has made their case for the child to remain in their care and in the custody of her grandparents. This court has to also consider the ramifications of either ruling. If I find for the plaintiffs and award them custody, any issues that arise from that judgement will be the responsibility of this court. However, if I deny the petition and remand custody to her grandparents and DCS, it could very well damage future claims biological parents have on their own children."

Taking a moment, he looked at David and Ruth. "After reviewing all the evidence presented, and after reviewing all relevant case law and precedent, this court awards custody of Christina Cocoran to David and Ruth Cocoran, her birth parents. Furthermore, with no claims of abuse of their abducted child, Walter Devon Cocoran, and no indications that they are likely to abuse in the future, this court orders DCS to close its case regarding Christina Joy Cocoran within the next thirty days unless further evidence can be found to substantiate claims of abuse. This court stands adjourned." Slamming the gavel down, he rose and left the room.

Hearing the judge's decision, Ruth Cocoran began to sob tears of utter joy. Wrapping David in a desperate embrace, the two held each other while the court began to clear. After a moment, David felt a tap on his shoulder.

Walter Robbins stood straight and tall, despite his nearly sixty-six years. "Ruth? David? I'd like you to meet Christina, your daughter." Watching the two drop down on their knees and hug their elated child, he turned to Lisa. "Excellent job, Miss! First-rate representation! My God, you're good!"

Blushing slightly, Lisa looked away and began picking up the papers she had spread across her table. "I appreciate that, sir!"

Virginia watched as her daughter hugged Christina and waited patiently while Walter made legal talk with their lawyer. When at last the small family released one another, she cleared her throat to announce her presence.

"Mother!" Ruth sighed, wrapping the woman in a tight embrace. "Thank you so much for taking care of Christina! If you hadn't been there for us, she might have..."

"Yes. I know what might have happened." Virginia stated evenly. Lowering her voice she stepped close. "I just wish it hadn't taken a miracle to make us see her!"

Looking at her mother in astonishment, she whispered, "How do you know?"

"The same way I knew you were seeing that Donaldson boy when you were fifteen, dear. A mother knows!" she smiled wryly.

Walking out of the courtroom with Christina in hand, Ruth shook her head. "But... I mean, how did you know..."

"Later, dearest." Virginia said below her breath. "When we're not someplace we can be overheard."

After stopping at the clerk's office for copies of the order, and presenting a copy to Charlene 'officially', Lisa got a signed release from the caseworker showing that DCS no longer had any custody over Christina and that Ruth and David were her sole guardians.

"I hated fighting this. I didn't have any choice. It's required by regulations. I... I'll have the case closed later this afternoon." the stricken DCS worker stammered. "I'm afraid if I don't, someone might post new allegations to your case. Once it's closed, allegations would need to be logged as to who made them and when, and I don't know if I'll be working for DCS tomorrow."

"What makes you say that?" Ruth asked curiously.

Looking from side to side surreptitiously, Charlene lowered her voice. "I... I was told, in no uncertain terms, that my job rode on keeping Christina in the system! See, every child we handle means a quarter million dollars in federal revenue to the department! They never want a child leaving DCS custody! Since the order is contingent on there being no new evidence, I want to make sure no one invents some, just to keep Christina pumping out cash."

Lisa handed the woman her card. "If they fire you over this, call me. I think you'd have a pretty good civil suit against the state and county! I'll work on a percentage, so don't worry about my fee!" Turning to David, she grinned. "You, on the other hand, will be getting my bill next week after I file to get Christina her delayed birth certificate! She's going to need to go to school after the summer break!"

Laughing together, each of them shook Lisa's hand, Christina being last.

Looking up at the woman, Christina grinned. "Thank you so much, Miss Everett! You saved me!" Hugging her waist, the girl nearly cried with joy.

Hugging the back of her head, Lisa sighed in contentment. "It's the least I could do, Christina! Now... why don't you go home!" Stepping back, the attorney waved goodbye before turning to walk away.

With that, the five family members left the courthouse for home.

Climbing into her parents' car, Christina reveled in the familiarity of it all. Home! I get to go home! To stay! As a girl! Thinking about all the things to come in her life as her parents drove her home, the girl smiled.

Pulling into the driveway, David killed the motor. "We're home, beautiful!"

"Hurray!" she shouted as she practically leapt from the car and ran to her front door. Waiting for her parents to let her in, Christina bounced on the balls of her feet, giddy as a schoolgirl. As soon as the door opened, she ran inside and headed for her room to get her smartphone where she left it the night before her transformation. I gotta call Kathy and tell her!

Entering the room made her come to a screeching halt. Her room no longer was the stark and sterile place it had been the last time she was home. Instead her covers and pillowcases had been changed to white ones with little pink hearts, her bed frame was now a shiny gold instead of the wooden frame it had been, her carpet was now a lovely shade of pale violet, lace curtains had replaced her old venetian blinds, and the room smelled faintly of lilacs. Compared to her room at her grandparents, it was more sedate and had fewer things in it, but it still left her awestruck.

Looking around slowly, Christina took it all in. Going over to her closet, she reached out with a trembling hand and opened it. It wasn't like the one she had back at her grandparents' house, packed with pretty clothes, but there were a few nice outfits for her to chose from and even a couple dresses.

"How do you like it?" Ruth said nervously from the doorway. "I... I mean, if you don't like something, we can see about changing it."

Turning to her mother, Christina's eyes were wide with astonishment and her tongue was so tied, she couldn't speak.

"I... I've been redecorating a little at a time while you were gone." Ruth explained cautiously. "The clothes should be the right size, but if you don't like the style we can return them!" Looking at her daughter. she swallowed hard. "Well? Is it too much? Too girly? I'm sorry, sweetheart! I... I was really trying to listen to all those things you told me when you were growing..."

"Oh, Mother!" Christina cried her own tears of joy. "It... it's perfect! It's... it's... me! You do love me for me! You did see me!" Falling into her mother's arms, she continued to sob. "Thank you, Mother! Not for the things, but for seeing me and loving me as your daughter! It's all I ever wanted!"

Hugging and crying together, Ruth had to restrain herself or risk hurting her child. "Of course I love you, Christina! I've always loved you! Even when we thought you were a boy but acted so feminine, I still loved you! Don't ever doubt it, baby girl!"

Wracked with sobs of relief over fears she dared not even reveal to herself, Christina stayed like that for uncounted minutes until her feelings were once more under control. "Th... that's one of th... the downsides of b... being a girl! I... I can't s... seem to s... stop crying a l... lot of the t... time!"

Ruth laughed gaily. "Welcome to the estrogen club, baby! Wait a few years! I'll think you've gone crazy and you'll think I'm an unreasonable tyrant!"

Laughing together a moment, Christina looked around the room. "Um... where'd you put my phone, Mother? It's not where I left it... charging on my desk. I... um... I wanna call Kathy! I gotta tell her I'm finally home!"

"Why don't you just tell me in person!" Kathy said with a smile.

Turning toward where the voice had come from, Christina saw her best friend standing in her doorway. Wearing a nice top and pretty knee-length skirt, she looked nervous to Christina's eyes, but immediately she felt the same warm butterflies flitting around her stomach, only this time they were much more powerful. "Kathy!" she breathed out like a song. Unable to even move, she stood in her room awestruck at her own feelings.

Looking from one girl to the other, Ruth took a breath, let it out slowly, and walked to the doorway. "I... I'll let you two have a moment alone to... say hello. We'll be in the living room. Don't be too long, sweetheart." At that, she maneuvered around Kathy and left the room.

Slowly stepping into the new bedroom, Kathy swallowed hard. This is my best friend! My Christina! My Walt! The girl I... love. Moving up to stand in front of the petrified girl, Kathy leaned in, wrapped her arms around her, and began to cry. "I... I was so afraid I'd never see you again, Christina!"

Returning the affectionate embrace, Christina relaxed into the moment. "I was afraid I'd never see you again either! I mean, according to the 'official story', you and I have never met!"

Giggling, Kathy hugged the girl even tighter. "Well, we'll have to fix that!" Releasing her, Kathy stepped back and stuck out her hand. "Hi! I'm Kathy! I was best friends with Walt! Now that he's gone, I think I'm going to have you as my best friend from now on!"

The girl giggled with her as she shook Kathy's hand. "Pleased to meet you, Kathy! I'm Christina! I... I'm sorry Walt went away and made you sad. Has anyone ever told you though that you have gorgeous hair and eyes?"

Stepping closer, Kathy was overcome. Her heart near to bursting with love and affection for the best friend she ever had, the thought of nearly having lost her forever drove her to do something she thought impossible just a short time ago. Taking Christina's hands in hers, Kathy sighed. "Christina? I... I want to kiss you. Will you let me? It's OK if you say no! I... I know you... you don't feel the same as me... and that's OK! I'd rather die than hurt you! But... um... if you wouldn't mind so much... I.. um..."

Smiling, Christina stepped even closer. "Kathy? This last month I missed you so much! More than I ever thought I could miss anyone! More maybe than my own parents! I... I don't know what to call what I feel for you, but I don't think I could say no to you if I wanted to... so... um... OK!"

Leaning forward, Kathy closed her eyes just as Christina did. When their lips touched for the first time, a hunger swelled in her that frightened her. Pulling back quickly, her eyes snapped open as she saw Christina slowly open hers.

"Um... what happened?" her best friend asked confusedly. "What's wrong?"

Kathy was dumbfounded to express how shocked she was at her own feelings of attraction to the girl she'd known forever. Trying to give them words, she stammered a moment before closing her eyes to focus. "Um... that was... nice! Very nice! Kinda scary, though!" Opening her eyes again, she had to know. "How about you?"

Similarly perplexed at how to express herself, Christina bit her lower lip. "I don't know. You're right! It was nice! Kinda like a warm feeling all over! It wasn't scary for me though. It made my heart beat and my toes tingle!"

Looking at her arm, Kathy swallowed. "I.. I have goose-bumps all over!" Turning to look at Christina, she giggled. "I... I really liked that, Christina! A whole lot! Can... can we do that again sometime?"

Pulling her into a tight hug, Christina reveled in the pleasant warmness and familiarity of her embrace. "Sure! Anytime you like, Kathy! I liked it a lot, too!" Giggling happily, she stepped back. "Not today, though! Everyone's waiting for us!"

Taking Christina's hand, Kathy sighed lovingly. "I love you, Christina!"

"I... I think I love you too, Kathy!" she blushed. "Come on!"

The two came out of the bedroom holding hands and saw all the adults turn and look at Christina. There was one more here than had been when she got home. Somehow, Agent Stewart had joined them.

Kneeling down and looking at Christina carefully, Lyle couldn't reconcile the girl in front of him with the boy in his many reports. Trying to reconcile his faith with the idea that God had made a miracle to make a little boy into a girl seemed even more impossible than the fact itself. Gathering his wits, he asked what he needed to know.

"Christina? Your father told me something I'm having a hard time believing, but it explains all the problems I had with the case of your missing brother. He... he's not missing... is he?"

Looking at her father, Christina saw him nod. Turning back to the agent that she owed her freedom to, she took a deep breath. "Sorta. Except it's not he... it's she... and I'm not missing. I... I never was."

Hearing it from her own lips, Lyle nodded. "Alright. How?"

Taking him by the hand, she led him to the couch and waited for him to sit next to her. When the other six adults took seats around the room to listen, Christina turned back to look him in the eyes. "Her name's Lisbeth and she's an angel."

Half an hour later, the seven adults sat around the kitchen table while Kathy and Christina watched a movie on TV.

"I still have a hard time believing it." Lyle shook his head. "It's the only thing that fits all the facts, though! No evidence, doors locked, no witnesses!"

"Kathy saw Walt in her right from the start." Linda admitted. "Even though I know an angel saved my life, even I have a hard time accepting it!"

Shrugging, her husband George smiled at her. "You weren't nearly as pig-headed about it as I was, love! It took a ton of convincing for me!"

"I didn't want to see it." Ruth confessed. "I... I was so scared that she would be hurt, I didn't even want to see Christina when she was right in front of me, let alone for the last six years around the house with her growing up."

"Nearly twelve, dear." David corrected her. "She's always been Christina. We just didn't notice it until she made us see it!" Hanging his head, her husband shook it in shame. "At least you saw it eventually. I had to be shown the DNA evidence to believe. What kind of a father does that make me?"

"A rational one." Walter groused. "I still don't know that... Christina... is my namesake! You say she is... that the whole story about her being stillborn was made up to explain her to people that won't believe a miracle right in front of their eyes, but it still won't gel in my head! I'll accept it! I don't have much choice, but..."

"When Christina told me her story, I... I believed her, but I still wanted Walt back." Virginia conceded. "In the short time we had her, I made her feel unwelcome in her own home... that she had to be someone she could never be in order for me to love her." Looking at her daughter, she sat up straight. "I'm sorry, Ruth. I was wrong. You were right. Suggesting you 'fix' Christina with those Conversion Therapy places was wrong! She was always meant to be a girl! You were right to keep her away from me!"

"It's OK, Mother!" Ruth comforted her. "We all made mistakes when it comes to Christina."

Lyle took it all in. "OK. so it seems we have two groups here. Skeptics like Walter, David, and myself... and the rest of you who saw it sooner. I still don't really believe what you all are saying. I have to accept it because you tell me that Walt wasn't a twin... and my gut tells me you're not hiding anything anymore. That leaves a problem hanging, though."

David turned to the man who'd become a good friend to him over the last month. "What problem?"

"Walt." Lyle explained. "The investigation is still open. He's still listed as missing. If anyone starts digging into it, they're going to find one glaring discrepancy."

"What's that?" David worried.

"You stopped pushing to find him." Lyle pointed out. "After Christina was brought in, all your efforts shifted to getting her home. You didn't push to find Walt at all after that. Taken at face value, an investigator could conclude that you willingly gave him up to his abductors in exchange for Christina. I know because I considered it myself. I just knew you well enough to not press the issue."

Thinking about all that they'd done to get Christina home, David sighed. "We also kind of threw poor Dr. Young under the bus. I'm only glad he never had any family."

"Don't feel too bad." Lyle comforted. "Dr. Young was into some shady stuff. He was indicted four times for providing drugs to criminals, but the DAs could never get it to stick. He'd just move to a new area and start again."

"So, what can we do about Walt's case?" Ruth asked. "The only way to close it would be to find him, but he's not out there to find. She's in the living room!" Distraught that all their work might be undone, she began to cry. "Why is all this happening? Why is God punishing us like this?"

Walter considered the issue silently. After a moment, he stood and walked over behind his daughter, massaging her shoulders gently. "If we accept the only conclusion possible, that my namesake was a girl all along, and that He turned her body into a girl, then it stands to reason that He had a plan for it all. Let's look at the facts. What were all of the ramifications of Walt going missing and Christina being left in his place?"

Sniffing back the tears, Ruth thought hard. "Well, the police and FBI started searching for Walt. That's the problem! Now they won't stop!"

"OK." he conceded. "What else?"

"Well, I got credit for busting a child sex ring." Lyle added.

"Ah!" Walter jumped on the suggestion. "So, because my grandchild and all of us had to go through all this, an untold number of children won't be abused anymore! Not just the ones who were freed from it a few days ago, but all the ones that will never end up there to begin with... like my granddaughter." Leaning down next to his daughter, Walter tilted her chin to look at him. "Does that make all this worth it?"

Nodding, Ruth smiled at him. "Yes, Dad. It does, but what do we do now?"

Adding his thoughts, David smiled. "Lyle... I once told you that I had to focus all my efforts on getting Christina home, right? Can I assume you noted that in the file?" Seeing the agent nod, he resumed his thoughts. "OK, so we have to make efforts to find 'Walt' now that we have Christina back! Since the trail's gone cold, even small efforts would be noticeable, right? I'll see to it that we send out missing person flyers all over Arizona! It's a small price to pay to not look guilty of something we never did!"

"That's a good idea, Dave." Lyle acknowledged. "You might want to add New Mexico, Southern California, Utah, and Southern Nevada. I'll be sure to note in the file that I told you that this was the working radius we had for where Christina had to have been growing up."

While the adults made their plans to see to it that no one would know they'd covered up a miracle, Christina slipped into her room and closed the door. With Kathy waiting for her return, she knelt next to her bed and prayed.

Oh, God! Thank you so much! I was so scared when Ms. Boyd tried to get me sent away to Tucson! All the grownups don't know I know, but I saw the news on the internet! I read what was happening to the kids in that house!

I was afraid that I'd have to stay with Grandpa and Grandma Robbins, which they're nice and all, but sooner or later those DCS people would move me to another home like that one and I'd be lost forever! Miss Everett was so nice! Can you do something nice for her? I mean, just something she would like?

So this all must have been what Lisbeth was talking about! My decision did have consequences, but it all worked out, thanks to a lot of people like Miss Everett and Agent Stewart! So... thank you again! I love you, God! Amen!

As she prayed, she was once more being watched. That night when she went to sleep, Christina found herself one last time in the wildflowers. Looking around, she came face to face with Lisbeth again. "Oh! You... you're back!"

Smiling at her, Lisbeth made Christina know her thoughts. Yes, little one! I don't often come back. The Creator sent me back to tell you that your path is now set in front of you... the one the Creator meant for you all along.

Approaching her slowly, Christina needed to know. "Um... why did He have to make it so hard? I mean, I almost ended up in an awful place! Couldn't you have, like, made it so I was always a girl, or at least warn me?"

Your difficulties were not the Creator's doing. Lisbeth clarified. They were the free decisions of people. As for the rest, if you had always had a female body, you would never have prayed for one, so you wouldn't have gotten one. That is the paradox of wishes people like you often make. I could not even warn you of the dangers, lest it dissuade you from your path. Instead you are here, events followed the Creator's plan, and you learned what you needed to follow your path. It will be long and difficult, but you will do so much good!

Looking at her curiously, Christina puzzled over the ideas filling her mind. "I... I'm supposed to help kids like me? The ones who're taken away from their parents? No... not just kids like me that way. Kids like I used to be that are in the system! Am I right? I'm supposed to help kids that're taken away from their parents that are trans? Why? I mean, how many could there be?"

Taking Christina's hand, Lisbeth made her see. With eyes wide, the girl saw that every flower in the field was a child taken from parents who had done nothing wrong, but someone had alleged abuse... millions of them. After looking at them in awe, she noticed something. While most of them were yellow, one in seven was pink. Looking at Lisbeth, her voice became soft.

"The... the pink ones are like me and Dawn... aren't they?"

Yes. she thought at the girl. You must help them. That is your path. Releasing her hand, Lisbeth stepped back.

"But how?" Christina whined. "I'm just a kid!"

You won't always be. she answered with a smile.

Thinking hard, Christina looked at the flowers. "Oh. So when I grow up, I can help them." Trying to think how she could help, she turned back to the angel with a smile. "I know! I could be a lawyer like Grandpa Robbins and Miss Everett! She helped me, and I can help others the way she did!"

Whatever you choose, Christina Cocoran, just remember that they're there. Never forget them! They are you!

As the dream faded away, Christina stirred in her bed and settled down. One thing was for certain, she would never forget the field of wildflowers.

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Roberta Elder