I Never Was A Girl - Part 3 ( Last Part )

OTHER PARTS - ALL STORY LIST

Once we were settled in to the school routine, and Jerry had completed the paperwork to force the school to accept me as either Samuel or Samantha, I discovered that when I wore boy's clothes, people still treated me like a girl. When I looked like a girl, I was treated like a girl. But if I mixed the appearances, I got treated like I was contaminated. Dr. Nagel said that it just proved I was now more girl than boy in my actions.

Jody had been dropping around from time to time, but was working twelve-hour shifts. When Tia asked how to contact her, she said she was staying with Monty. That made both our eyebrows go up.

Tia wanted me to stay in skirts. Dad wanted me to wear nothing but the boy's stuff. The skirts were more comfortable, and I felt more, well, whole in the skirts.

Which caused me a lot of stress, and occupied much of the next couple of sessions I had with Dr. Nagel.

The god squad turned out to be my biggest problem, and it finally took Jeremiah to put an end to their overt harassment. Several of the worst tried to pull down my skirt and undies to "Show the world what an abomination I was." Jeremiah put two of them in the hospital with broken ribs, and the other two couldn't do much harassing with their jaws wired shut, and missing most of their teeth. There were plenty of witnesses, so the police said he was just defending me from an assault. All he got was a warning about unnecessary roughness.

Jerry sent several letters to the school, and soon the principal made it very clear that harassment of anyone for any reason would result in immediate suspension or expulsion. He sounded really unhappy, as he was one of the adults that had been trying their best to make my life miserable. So I got the occasional "freak, fag, or sicko" comment, which was easy to ignore, and as time wore on I guess most everyone forgot that I wasn't really a girl. No, make that I wasn't physically a girl. Even Dad had started to treat me like his daughter, at least when he didn't think about it.

Christmas was great. I guess Mom and Dad had carefully briefed all the relatives, but I got hugs from my aunt and uncle, and Grandpa gave me a beautiful silver necklace. My cousins said I was weird, and made disgusted noises when Tia and I spent a lot of time kissing. But what do you expect from a couple of tweeny-boppers anyway?

Tia and I celebrated our sixteenth birthdays in January. It was a great little party. We got only one present. All four parents pooled their money and bought us a car. Which had the seat modified so I could drive in my heels. And we both managed to pass our driving tests by the end of the month. Jody brought Monty, and gave me a leather skirt. Jody was wearing a full-coverage leather dress, and Monty his biker's leathers. Which got some funny looks from our parents.

There was a second present I was not expecting. My driver's license said Samantha. Anne turned eighteen in March, and two days later she and Chuck rented a cabin for the weekend. I guess he finally convinced her to spend the night with him. Mom fussed over her when she returned, with a contented smile and a funny walk. And Chuck's class ring. I can guarantee she had plenty of protection. Tia and I gave her a whole box just before she left.

Tia and I were pretty much treated like sisters by our friends. And I guess most of our relationship was kinda like really close sisters. Except that we dated each other. There wasn't a lot happening in our lives, school was easy, and I was rarely bothered about being a girl any more. I guess most people forgot. Or just didn't care.

Anne announced just before graduation that she and Chuck were going to room together at college. They both had academic scholarships to the state university. Mom and Dad were able to provide enough money for her half of the apartment, and some expenses. Chuck's parents covered the rest.

At the same time the insurance company finally settled with us over the accident. Most of the money went to a bonded medical fund that guaranteed I would never pay a cent for medical care the rest of my life. And neither would any member of my future family, if any. There was enough left over to set up a really nice college fund, and fill a bank account for me to use as I saw fit. I did some calculations, and realized how much it really was worth. Wow. But it still didn't make up for what the doctors finally concluded.

Even with the stretching, a trip to the University's medical center came back with bad news. There was no way I could grow enough new tendon to walk normally. They could somewhat extend what I had, but the result would be weak. What I had now was super-strong, just short. Tia and I spent a lot of time discussing this with both sets of parents, and Dr Nagel.

And I cried a lot. But Dad was the one that finally got me straightened out. He pointed out that if he could learn to live with me as his daughter, I needed to quit throwing a pity party for myself, and be happy that as a girl I now had an excuse to wear kinky heels. I munched crow for a couple of days, and then visited Monty to order a couple of new pairs. And one for Tia.

She complained they were way too high, and I pointed out that her feet could be stretched the opposite direction from mine. And since her feet were really ticklish...

We spent a lot of that summer with our friends at the park. I no longer needed the crutches, except when it was slippery or I had to spend too long on my feet. And everyone agreed I had the most wicked walk of any girl in the school. Tia was jealous. One reason she agreed to getting herself a set of super-high heeled boots. Jody was due to finish off her work at the mall in September, which really bothered Tia.

I was really surprised when Dr. Nagel and our family physician, Dr. Morrison, set up a joint appointment for Tia, me, and my parents just before school started. I was shocked to find the endocrinologist that had done a lot of blood-work on me during that incredibly detailed physical was also present.

"Samantha, you have spent almost an entire year as a girl, and I think everyone here agrees that you really have no desire to return to being Samuel."

"I'm happy as Samantha. Besides, I really do fit in better, and my girlfriend would be really unhappy if I changed back." Tia gave me a hug.

"Do you remember the paperwork we did to get the school to allow you to attend as Samantha?" I nodded. "Part of what we started back then was called a real life test. In official terms, that means that you were going to test-drive being a full-time female for a year. A test you will, in a few weeks, have successfully completed. And you are now sixteen, which makes several more options available to you."

Dr. Morrison took the lead. "During that special physical your parents requested last year, we measured your hormone levels. And I have been tracking them during those quarterly physicals your parents have been making you get. Have you ever wondered why you still don't have a noticeable beard? Tia and I both nodded. "You have a slight hormone imbalance. No enough to cause you any major problems, but enough to inhibit some of the effects of having a male puberty. The imbalance is definitely not enough to have any noticeable effect on your psychological makeup.

But you are now old enough to consider whether want to begin the process of physically changing into a girl." I could feel Tia tense. Dad looked really unhappy. "But only if you want to. Dr. Nagel says that she does not recommend that you undergo a sex change, but does not rule out other options."

Tia was clinging to me. "I don't want to become a girl, at least not where it counts. That I'm sure of." Tia tried to crush me with a hug. "Someday we may want to have children, and that's, well, kinda impossible if things get cut off." The idea made me shiver. "Besides, we both like what I have." I hugged Tia back, and watched as both mothers made disapproving faces.

"So what other options do I have?"

The endocrinologist took over. "Samantha, it is possible, by changing your hormone balance, to keep you from ever maturing further as a male. And if carefully monitored, we can ensure you remain fertile. The effects of hormone manipulation are very individual, but it may be possible for you to develop small, feminine breasts and change your fat distribution so you have a more defined waist, and larger thighs, hips, and bottom." Tia made some happy noises, and my father looked sad. "If you were ever to decide to change back, the fat would re-distribute itself naturally, but the breast and nipple changes would require surgical attention."

Dr. Nagel broke in. "Samantha, you don't need to decide immediately, but Dr. Morrison says you are showing signs that a late male puberty is beginning. And things like beards and heavy body hair are difficult and painful to permanently remove."

Tia whispered something in my ear. "Um..." I turned red "If I develop breasts will they be as sensitive as a real girls?"

"Of course they will. It is even possible, in some cases, that you could lactate if additional hormones are administered." Dad turned sort of green, but Mom was nodding. She'd said nursing my sister and me was something she'd really enjoyed.

Tia commented aloud "You keep complaining that the breast forms are just excess baggage on your chest, and that you wished they were all natural, and as sensitive as mine." Her mom snickered, and her dad mumbled something that got her mom to whack him.

"How long would it take to, well, grow my own?" Tia hugged me tighter.

"Somewhere between a year and never. You would almost certainly grow feminine nipples, but breast size is impossible to guess. Depending on your genetics, and responses to the hormones, probably a size or two smaller than if you had been born a genetic female. I understand that your sister is rather well endowed." I nodded. "But a lot hinges on your family history."

Mom suddenly giggled. "I'm bigger than Anne, and my sister and my mother, before she passed away, were downright huge." I thought of Aunt Susie. Dad had made comments about her typing a paragraph every time she bent over her keyboard. Which had got him slugged by Mom.

"Then Samantha could wind up with a rather, well, striking figure."

Tia whispered in my ear "Think about my doing to you what I like so much when you do it to me." Things got awfully tight in my undies.

"What are the side effects?" Dad seemed to want to find an argument against the idea.

"At Samantha's age, very few. A somewhat diminished sex drive, some initial mood swings, and a tendency to be more emotional. Thinner and more sensitive skin. Later an increased risk of breast cancer. So she would need breast examinations just like any other woman. But this risk may be offset by a significant reduction in her chance to develop prostate problems, including cancer, or heart trouble" Mom and Dad looked at each other, then at me.

"Um, a reduction in sex drive?" Tia managed to get it out softly. "Like you mean she won't want to..." The endochronologist chuckled.

"If she chooses to go on hormones, she will probably experience a lot fewer unwanted erections. But with the proper stimulation, she will be able to achieve orgasm, it will probably just take a lot longer. Which may or may not be a problem."

Tia wiggled her eyebrows at me. "You mean no more of her falling asleep too soon?"

I turned bright red, and there was a general gurgling sound from our parents.

I stood and pulled Tia to her feet. "Unless someone can give me a better reason than it would be hard for me to return to being a boy, I want to take that option."

Tia kissed me, and all four parents went into conference. Dr. Nagel took me and Tia aside. "Samantha, this is what I would have recommended, but I wanted you to make the decision entirely on your own. I think you will be happy with the results, even if you only grow a little."

It was a few minutes, and a lot of questions from the parents to the different doctor's later, that Dad finally decided it was really up to me. And I had already made my decision.

I had, however, forgotten to ask how they administered the hormones. It was hard to walk or sit for quite a while.

I got a bunch of harassment, again, from the school when I tried to register. Dad called Jerry, and we all went in the next day. The threat of a lawsuit, and other dire consequences won. I felt great when a couple of other registering students, and their parents, told the school types to get a plunger and pull their collective heads out.

And Jody didn't leave when the job was finished. She and Monty announced that they were going to get married. And that their first was due in February. They were both glowing, and Tia cried herself silly.

Tia and I were now in straight honor's classes, which meant a lot more studying. I found I didn't mind not being horny all the time. And Tia didn't seem to mind having to provide the proper stimulation when appropriate. But I had to give blood every month, and a much more personal sample. Tia helped. But it was still embarrassing.

By Thanksgiving, my nipples were so sensitive that I had to get different breast forms to keep from getting irritated. We attended the Christmas prom together. And drew a lot of attention. See, Tia was wearing her new boots, which gave her this incredible sway when she walked. Almost as good as mine. We caused a lot of neck-wrenching among the participants as we wriggled our way across the floor.

Dad still couldn't accept what I had become, but he gave me his support and love, and we realized that some things just would never be perfect.

By March I no longer needed the breast forms, opting for a smaller chest that was all mine. And I was finally noticing I was growing a figure. When my skirts got a little loose in the waist and really tight in the hips. Tia loved how I looked, and I started to enjoy being a pretty teenage girl. And we both got tapped by Jody for baby-sitting. Tia loved it. And pointed out it was good training for me. Oh Joy and diapers.

Tia and I received our honor society memberships just before school let out. So we threw a party at the park for all our friends. And that meant it was a big party. Oh, there were quite a few kids that refused to associate with Tia or me, and the god squad was still a problem. But the more feminine I became, the fewer people seemed to consider me weird.

For some reason, as soon as the summer hit, I hit a growth spurt. I was glad I hadn't yet bought many new clothes. Before, Tia and I were almost the same height. And were working on the same measurements. Over the summer I grew three inches, and put on fifteen pounds. Most of it muscle. The endocrinologist said my hormone levels were fine, and it probably meant I was just catching up on my growth. My chest was not getting bigger, but I was developing killer legs. Tia started to complain she was jealous.

This time registration was much easier. The old principal had retired, and the new one was big into what he called diversity. The god squad started in early, and he gave them one lecture, and the next time they caused trouble, he suspended the whole batch of them for a week. I was not the only one being harassed, the gay kids were also being pestered, and it felt good to have some support from the school.

It was on a Friday night early in October when Tia and I were awakened by a loud pounding on our front door. "Samantha, please, for God's sake let us in. Please, it's Jill, my brother and I are hurt and..." Dad came running down the stairs, and stopped at my room.

"Do you know..?"

"She's one of the girls in our math class at school." He dashed out as Tia hurried to put my boots on so I could maneuver. I heard the door open, and Dad hollered for Mom to help him and get the first aid kit. When we reached the living room Dad was helping a small, weird looking girl to a chair. Jill was standing there, holding her arm at a funny angle and whimpering.

"Close and lock the door, and get me the portable phone." I headed for the door, and Tia went to the kitchen for the telephone. One the door was closed I went and held Jill, who was shaking uncontrollably.

"Jill, what happened, and who is..." I was looking at the other girl. And realized the girl was her younger brother in a dress, with his hair hacked off and his face swollen and scraped.

"Mom and Dad came home and found Art dressed in my stuff, and started screaming and beating on him, and cut off his hair with a knife, and when I tried to stop them Mom hit me with something and my arm went snap and then Art kicked Dad in the face and managed to get the door open and we've been trying to hide from them and they're looking all over for us and I remembered you were really a boy and might not throw us out and..."

"And no one will hurt you here." Dad sounded really angry. "I'm calling the police right now. Are your parents on foot or..."

"They're in Dad's minivan."

Five minutes later Dad was off the telephone, and helping Mom and Tia splint Jill's arm. I was holding her brother, who was sobbing, and babbling that he should be dead because his dressing up got his sister hurt. "Art, there's nothing wrong with wanting to look like a girl, or be a girl."

"Mom and Dad said I'm a freak and a pervert and should never have been born and..."

"And nothing. They can't hurt you now. Not everyone thinks we're sick or strange. Please, let someone help you."

"No one can help me. I'm really a girl and I'm stuck in this awful boy's body and I hate my life and..."

"And you can become a real girl if you really want to, it just takes time." Tia came over and hugged us both. "Sam is both a boy and a girl." Art looked strangely at me, and I nodded.

There were flashing lights outside, and a moment later a police officer was pounding on our door. Mom let him in, and one look at Jill and her sort-of brother had him on the radio requesting an additional unit. "They need to be taken to the hospital. Can you take them, or should I call an ambulance?" Dad agreed to take them both, and Tia suggested I get dressed and go along.

"Your mother and I can follow in our car." I needed Tia's help, but was ready by the time Dad was dressed. Just as we were heading out the door the policeman pulled back up and said he would escort us to the hospital..

Dad took it fast but carefully as he drove to the emergency room. We were expected, but Art refused to let go of me, and they doctors finally agreed to let me stay with him all the way through their examinations. It turned out that he had nothing but a lot of nasty bruises. The orthopedic surgeon they called in to set Jill's shattered arm was Dr. Sutton. Which made it easy for me to assure Jill that she was going to me okay.

The police officer that came by to get Jill and Art's statements, and verify their condition turned out to be Erica's father, who knew all about me from Erica. When Art found that the officer wasn't overtly disgusted with his wearing a dress, Art broke down, then told a tale of abuse that made me sick to my stomach. I wondered how he had managed to survive this long.

Tia wound up driving our car to the hospital, and we convinced Dad that we wanted to stay with Art and Jill, and he should go home and get some rest. Erica's dad took Dad's statement, and Dad headed home. The hospital put Art in a room, and said that Jill would be moved there after surgery. So we camped with Art, and gave him what he needed most. Hugs.

Jill was really out of it when they wheeled her in, and I buttonholed Dr. Sutton in the hall. "Is she going to be okay?" He nodded.

"She will have a couple of scars where we had to go in, and some permanent metal pins, but everything went back together properly. As long as there is no infection, she shouldn't have any lasting problems or disabilities." He looked inquiringly at me. "Is her brother like you?"

I shook my head. "He really wants to be a girl, way down deep inside. I like who I am, but I can be Samuel or Samantha and be happy. But with my feet like they are, I prefer to be Samantha." He nodded, and said he needed to get some sleep.

When the police and the person from the Social Services office came by late in the morning, I was snuggled up to Art in his bed. I was holding him like a stuffed animal, and we were both sound asleep. Tia was curled up in a corner, with a blanket and pillow. Jill was sleeping, and the nurse, before she left around six in the morning, had said Jill was given a sleeping pill and would be out for at least five hours.

So it took a while for everyone to wake up and get coherent, and I called the nurse to get Jill some pain medications. Soon the four of us were looking at the person from Social Services, who seemed, well, disgusted and upset about something. Tia muttered in my ear "She's a first class holier-than-thou asshole. Mom and Dad had to deal with her a few times before Dad threw her out of the house and called the Governor's hot-line to get her off my case."

The officer, who I had never seen before, introduced himself as Detective Collins. "Mrs. Delong, from Social Services" he motioned to the woman" has been assigned as the caseworker for the McGregor children and is going to try and find them a temporary foster home, but she doesn't think anyone will take the boy, Art, if he insists on dressing like a girl."

"It is difficult enough to find placements for older children, and when one is severely mentally ill it..." My hackles rose fast.

"You idiot. She is NOT mentally ill!" I got right in her face. "Her problem is people like you, bigots and bureaucrats who don't know any better." She backed off quickly and Detective Collins was watching me warily. "All she needs is some love and understanding and she will be fine."

"Excuse me young lady, but according to the paperwork and doctors, Art McGregor is a ten-year old boy." Detective Collins was giving me a "keep out of this" look. "And I find it difficult to believe that you are qualified to make a diagnosis about his mental health."

"She is far more qualified that either of you, and perhaps most of the physicians here, to diagnose Art's problems." They jumped when a voice came from the open door. It was Dr. Nagle, who came into the room uninvited. "I am Dr. Cynthia Nagle, a board-certified children's Psychiatrist and a friend of Samantha, the girl you were addressing." I went and gave her a hug. "It was by pure chance I was here today, as I was visiting a friend who just had gallbladder surgery When I heard about what had transpired, I decided to drop in and see if there was anything I could do to help."

Mrs. Delong looked really disgusted. "Do not butt in where you are not wanted, Doctor. These two children are now wards of the state, and you are specifically invited not to participate in their care."

I had never seen Dr. Nagle mad, but she seemed to grow three inches and fangs. "Detective, this miserable excuse for a waste of our tax money, who claims to be protecting their interests, is dangerous to the mental health of these two children. She is incapable of being non-judgmental in dealing with the younger child's problems and will psychologically abuse the child if given the chance." Mrs. Delong started to say something and Tia kicked her in the shin. "And I will bring charges of child abuse against you if you allow her to take these children from this hospital."

"Why you..." Mrs. Delong looked like she was about to punch Dr. Nagel when the officer got between them.

"Enough. Both of you. Mrs. Delong, is there any truth in what the Doctor is saying?

"Of course not. I treat all children the same. Mentally ill or perverted young people, homosexuals and children like the younger McGregor child of course require a stronger hand, but that is my area of expertise." Art started to cry and I went to hold him. When I looked back at the officer, I swore there was smoke coming out of his ears. He turned to face the woman from Social Services. His voice was cold, and extremely tense.

"Mrs. Delong, these children are still under the protective custody of the police department. Until such time as that changes, I am officially directing you to avoid any contact with them or I will arrest you for interfering with police activities." She stepped back like she had been slapped.

"Doctor, do you have sufficient evidence to substantiate your claims she is guilty of child abuse in this or previous cases?"

"I am reasonably certain that if a detailed examination of case records is conducted, and the affected children are interviewed by qualified children's psychologists or psychiatrists, it will be possible to establish a pattern of overt and covert psychological abuse of children who are homosexual, or who have other psychological variations that may be considered by the narrow-minded as abnormal."

"Are you willing to file a complaint in a professional capacity to that effect?" Dr. Nagle took a slow, deep breath.

"Yes."

He turned back to the woman from Social Services. "You are hereby notified that you are being placed under investigation for possible child abuse. I am issuing you a verbal police protective restraining order, effective immediately, which will be followed by a full court restraining order within the required seventy-two hour time period, barring you from contact with any juveniles, other than you own children, if any, in an official or unofficial capacity, until such time as this matter has been investigated to the satisfaction of the police and the Attorney General's office. Because this is a potential criminal matter, I am advising you of your rights." He pulled a card from his wallet. "You have the right to remain silent..."

Mrs. Delong screamed, "I'll kill you for this, you fag-loving bitch!" as she launched herself at Doctor Nagel. And slammed face-first into the floor when Tia tripped her. Detective Collins sat on her and managed to handcuff her while she screamed obscenities. One of the nurses ran in to find out what all the screaming was about, and pushed a panic alarm. And then pinned Mrs. Delong's legs so she couldn't kick anyone.

One thing about hospitals, they have interesting ways of keeping people restrained. The doctor who responded to the alarm went and got a big roll of tape, and soon Mrs. Delong was barely able to twitch. Dr. Nagel was shaking, and Tia held her while the detective called back to his office. He got off the phone and managed a weak smile. "I am charging her with felony assault. The chief wants her placed in the psychiatric unit for evaluation, and if they say she is fit, we will transport her to the jail." He looked really stressed. Two orderlies came in, put her on a gurney, and strapped her down. When she started to scream louder, they did something with a roll of gauze and all that came out were muffled grunts as they wheeled her down the hall.

Art was still shaking as Dr. Nagel thanked Tia, and came over to us. "I take it this is the young person that wants to be a girl?" I nodded. "I haven't done much pro-bono work of late. So if the detective here doesn't mind, I would like to provide a free evaluation and perhaps some counseling to both children." That took a second call, and a consultation with the hospital's staff psychiatrist for approval. The detective again apologized for the problems created by Mrs. Delong, and said the local Social Services Director was in route.

"I have been assured that he is very willing to work with Dr. Nagel to help both children." Dr. Nagel nodded.

"I know of him, and he is said to be a good person." She gave the detective an inquisitive look. "That was a rather fast decision on giving her the boot. Have you dealt with her before?" He shook his head, and whispered something in her ear. She laughed quietly. "Just doing you civic duty to protect the downtrodden, right?" He smiled and nodded.

Art was finally back in control when an older gentleman came in, and introduced himself as Mr. Ritlerki, from Social Services. He and Dr. Nagel and the detective went outside and chatted for a while. When they returned, no one was smiling. He addressed Jill and Art. "I wish to apologize personally, and for my department, for the deplorable actions of Mrs. Delong. As an assist to the police investigation, I am going to personally review all of her cases over the past few years, and do my best to resolve any questions relating to her activities." He took a breath, and continued.

"Unfortunately, she was right in one aspect. Finding placements for children with special needs is very difficult. Before I left my office I checked our listing of available placements, and there are none for Jill and Art together. Or for that matter for Art alone. So I am authorizing the hospital to keep Art under observation until Monday, which will give my office time to contact other offices, and the main office in the capital, to try and locate a placement for you. I wish I had better news. We will try to place you together, but I can make no promises." Art whimpered and Jill started to cry.

"There is one good piece of news." We looked at the detective. "I just received word that their parents were caught retrieving things from their house, and are now in custody. There appears to be sufficient evidence from what was found earlier with a search warrant that the judge is unlikely to let them free on bail unsupervised. And I doubt they will have much luck finding someone willing to take that responsibility when that person hears the charges against the two of them." He stretched. "So I have to go back to my office and start the paperwork to charge Mrs. Delong with assault, and to request the Attorney Ggeneral to convene a grand jury to investigate the child abuse charges." He handed each of us one of his cards, and left.

"Does this mean I won't get beaten any more?" I hugged Art tighter, and nodded. He started to cry, but there was a tiny smile behind his swollen face.

"I will come by tomorrow to talk with Art and Jill. Sam, you and Tia need to go home and let your parents know what happened, and get some rest. Jill should be able to call and tell you want is happening tomorrow." Jill managed to nod at Dr. Nagel, who departed.

As we were saying goodby, something clicked. "Art, when you are not trying to be a boy, what do you call yourself?" He smiled a real smile.

"Ariel. Ariel Megan McGregor."

"Then we will look forward to seeing Jill and Ariel as soon as we know what is happening." Tia and I made it out the door before she started to cry again. When we got home we briefed Mom and Dad, and then went to Tia's to tell her parents what had happened. They were appalled that Mrs. Delong was still a case worker, and wished her the worst of luck in jail. Tia and I were exhausted and upset, and decided to spend the night at her house. We both cried a little as we came to grips with the reality that Art, no, make that Ariel, was going to have a terrible time trying to cope without the support of her family. And poignantly realized how important was the support we received from our parents.

Sunday was a quiet day for both of us. I drove home and collected our homework, and we mostly spent the day writing and snuggling. Jill called us late in the day, and said she and Ariel were both feeling better, but the state still had not found them a place to stay. She sounded really worried. "They have so few approved foster parents that are willing to take on someone like Ariel, and those all have as many children in their care as they can handle." We gave them both verbal hugs and told them to keep us informed.

We discussed what we learned with her parents at dinner. Tia's mom had a strange, thoughtful look in her eyes when she suddenly dragged Tia's dad off for a private conversation. When they returned there was a tenseness that seemed to scare Tia.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

"We just finished talking to Samantha's parents." They never called me Samantha any more, which scared me. "And they agree with us that this situation involves you both intimately." Tia grabbed me. "So when I suggested that we should petition for Tia's emancipation so she could leave our care, they agreed."

"Mom, no, don't, I love you and Dad and..."

"And you can then move in with Samantha, at her house, with her parents blessings." Tia stopped in mid-tear and stared at them. "Which means that we would then be eligible to take on a couple of new foster children..."

Tia and I grabbed each other "Yes, Oh God Yes! Thank you, thank you." I had to silence her with a kiss, and she pulled away and tried to hug both her parents as she cried.

I hugged then with her, and added my tears of happiness to the puddle.

They finally got us calmed down and made us sit quietly for a couple of minutes. "This assumes the state will agree that we are suitable foster parents for your two friends. So don't go getting their hopes up until we actually have the approval from Social Services."

We wanted to call Jill and Ariel immediately, but promised to wait. "And you two have school tomorrow. So we will come by the school if there is any news. Now off to bed. And remember, no grandchildren. Yet."

Tia and I discussed the idea of yet for a few minutes, then fell into an exhausted sleep in each other's arms.

Monday we got a lot of questions about Jill and her brother, because there were a lot of people who knew a little about what had happened, and about her parents being tossed in jail. We didn't say much other than that they had been pretty badly beaten up, and Jill's arm had to be put back together with screws, which grossed out most of the kids.

We were both called to the office just before our last class, and found Tia's parents waiting for us. They were smiling. "Mom, did they?"

"As of an hour ago you are the foster sister of Jill and Arthur McGregor." Tia jumped into her parents arms, and started to cry. "And we didn't have to let you go. The Social Services people said that if you and Jill share a bedroom, and Arthur has his own, they can approve three children. Although I highly doubt that Jill will have a roommate very often." Tia let go of them and grabbed me. Her parents reminded her that we were in a public place, and she reluctantly let go.

"We need to get back on the road. Your room needs bunk beds, and some empty dresser space, and we're picking up Arthur at the hospital at five. So there will be a list for you two to get done before we get back with him." A couple of more hugs and they left. We managed to mostly pay attention during the last period.

When we got to Tia's house after school, the list said to prepare their guest room for Arthur, because Jill was going to stay in the hospital until the next weekend. It took us only a couple of minutes. "Hey, I just got an idea..." Tia looked at me strangely. "Don't you have all sorts of clothes that don't fit you anymore?" The light above her head flickered and them got really bright.

"You mean we should?" I nodded.

"Ariel is about the same size you were when you were ten, and I remember us finding boxes of your old clothes in your crawlspace." We almost ran down the stairs.

We finished loading the dresser and closet just as her parents car pulled into the driveway. On the bed was an old, soft flannel nightgown and one of Tia's many stuffed animals. We hurried downstairs to meet them at the door. Ariel's face was a weird yellow and purple mix, but the swelling was going down. She was wearing a pair of oversize jeans, a shirt, and a pair of new tennis shoes that looked silly. But she was smiling and grabbed us and started babbling her thanks.

"Hey, everybody deserves a home and parents that love them." Tia grabbed her Mom and Dad and snuggled against them. I was holding Ariel. "So are you ready to see your new room?" She nodded, and we headed upstairs. I saw Tia whisper something in her parents ears, and they hung back a little. When Ariel saw the nightgown on the bed she spun around and grabbed me and started to bawl like a little kid. Tia's parents, make that Ariel's new parents nodded at me and smiled.

Tia and her Mom made dinner, and I helped Ariel with dressing as a girl. The pleated skirt and blouse fit, as did the ankle socks and silly-looking little girl heels. She almost came apart when she realized how awful her hair looked. I pulled out a scissors, and after seating her on a chair and wrapping her in a towel, told her to close her eyes and trust me.

Tia and I had discussed Ariel's hair, and Tia suggested a radical short cut from one of her teen magazines. So I got things reasonably even, and played with a comb and some styling gel until her hair was all sorts of little spikes. I added some of Tia's old clip-on earrings and a necklace, and told her to stand. I moved her to the mirror. "Remember, you've got a lot of bruises, so you'll look sort of weird anyway.

When she opened her eyes she stared at herself for at least a minute, and softly hugged me as tears leaked out. "You mean I don't have to pretend I'm a girl any longer?"

"Not here, and not when you're dressed up and with us. You need to work with Dr. Nagel about how you will go to school. Can you live with pretending to be a boy at school until you learn how to be a girl?"

"I think so, but I don't ever again want to be something I'm not." I wiped off her tears, and a couple of mine that somehow had appeared, and escorted her down to dinner.

At Tia's suggestion, after we had managed out homework, I spent the night with Ariel. It was a good, warm feeling to watch her as she put on her own panties and nightgown, and hugged herself. She was asleep, holding on to the stuffed animal before I climbed in next to her.

By Wednesday night she was fine sleeping alone, and her face was beginning to look a lot better. Which meant that Tia and I could do some much-needed snuggling of our own. Tia's Mom took the week off work, and kept an eye on her. When we got home Thursday, Ariel was bouncing and happy as she showed us her newly pierced ears. Tia's Mom said that Dr. Nagel believed Ariel, which she was now calling the little boy-girl, should probably go back to school as a girl, and was already setting the paperwork mill in motion. "It's going to be hard for her, but if she survived the awful treatment she received from her biological parents, the worst she will encounter at school will be easy." Tia and I agreed.

Mom and Dad seemed impressed with how I was handling things, but remarked that they were suffering empty house syndrome. So we promised that we would be moving back into my room in the near future.

On Saturday morning Tia's dad picked up Jill at the hospital, and brought her home. She looked sad, but seemed to perk up when she saw her and Tia's room. When we had some private time, we asked, and she explained that even as mean as her parents had been to her, they were her parents and she felt lonely. So I wound up spending the weekend sleeping with Ariel and Tia stayed with Jill, which seemed to help her a lot.

Going back to school on Monday was traumatic for everyone. Jill's friends swamped her with sympathy, and others with stupid questions. I took the day off and accompanied Ariel to her grade-school, where Mr. Allen and Dr. Nagel paved the way for her returning as a girl. Her teacher seemed to be okay with the change, and the kids that gave her a hard time had to survive both me and the principal. I think I was scarier. But when the day was over Ariel said she was the happiest she had ever been, and would be okay on her own. So it was back to high school for me.

Jill had some real problems with depression for a couple of months, and wound up on medication. But she slowly got her life together, and soon was able to quit taking the happy pills and get on with her life. She was really a good kid, much less, well, sharp than Tia. But Tia's Mom was really happy that she had a new daughter, and Tia liked having a sister, even if she only saw her occasionally.

Ariel was another matter. She was all energy and happiness at being able to be herself. At school she got beat up a couple of times, and was teased unmercifully, but always came home smiling though the tears. She said that being a girl was worth any price. It sort of sounded like my being able to walk being so important in my deciding to become a girl. So we shared some tears and hugs. And like any kid who was different, as time went on she was less noticed as the boy who became a girl, and was accepted by a lot of kids as Ariel.

Their parents never went to trial. They took a plea bargain that canceled all their parental rights, and gave them a sentence of ten years each. All of their assets were sold, and the money put in a trust account for Jill' and Ariel's future. I continued to grow. Tia now was my permanent roommate, which made logistics a lot simpler. And really increased our together time.

At Christmas I was almost six feet tall without my new boots, and had what everyone called an "athletic" figure. Which meant I was still a bit flat, and had too much muscle. But Tia had also done some growing, and was now really soft and curvy. We spent Christmas eve at Tia's with her new siblings, along with her brother and family. Jody, Monty, Anne, Chuck, and Jeremiah all joined us for Christmas dinner at our house. Anne slugged Chuck when he almost tripped watching Tia.

I was no longer seeing Dr. Nagel. Tia and I were inseparable, and I was happy with myself. I guess it was strange, but Dr. Nagel said I was really one of the lucky ones. My parents didn't throw me out, and were trying to accept me for who I was, and I had found a place for myself in school, with friends that didn't care what I was under my clothes. So I had a lot of things to be thankful for over the holidays.

In late January Dr. Nagel obtained permission from the court that oversees foster children to start Ariel on her medical way to being a girl. As young as she was, the endocrinologist said she would develop fully as a girl, with much of the proper bone structure and everything. Ariel was looking forward to when she could start dating boys, which raised several eyebrows and became a major topic between her and Dr. Nagel. I guess she wasn't really gay, since girls normally did want to go out with boys. And she was a girl, regardless of her shell.

By the beginning of our senior year I had quit growing. Tia was a bombshell in a compact package. I was the tall, dark and muscular type. I never did get big on top, but good God they were sensitive. And I think Tia knew every nerve ending. Personally.

The biggest problem we had during our senior year was the way we now looked. Tia was attracting boys like a magnet. She's really stacked, and looks a lot like the old pictures of Loni Anderson, if Loni was only five-four with the same measurements. And had long brown hair. I looked like a female volleyball player who was into weight lifting. But I felt like a tall guy with long hair and small breasts. The hormones, according to the endocrinologist, did what they were supposed to do. Dad said his family were known as late bloomers. But Dad was only five-ten and fairly thin. Mom's father's family apparently had some big, tall women way back when. So that must be where I got the weird genes.

I would have liked staying a twin to Tia, although I was not sure I wanted to have to look around my breasts to see my feet. But at six-one (measured at my heel) and almost one-sixty-five, much of it muscle, I thought I no longer looked feminine. And I wanted to look feminine. Tia said she was perfectly happy with my appearance, and started calling me her princess charming. Our friends said I had turned out awesome. But it still bothered me.

The main reason I didn't get really depressed was I was too busy. Tia and I were both competing for admission to a couple of really good universities. Which meant that our final grades and admission testing were really important. And we were taking mostly advanced placement courses. Both sets of parents made us take two days off during spring break, and party with our friends. We didn't argue loudly. And took a third day to recover from the partying.

Dad finally helped me pull my head out. "Samantha, quit complaining that you no longer look like a girl. Because you no longer are a girl." I almost dropped my soda on the carpet. "You look like a tall, happy young woman who is in charge of her life." I gawked at him. Compliments on my appearance were not something he provided. "And damnit, you are a young woman. I didn't want to admit it, but you're my daughter now, and I'm proud of you." He held me when I started to cry.

"But you said you could never accept..."

"Never is a long time. I still get some pangs that I won't have a son to watch as he finishes growing to be a man." He held me at arm's length. "But you sure make a pretty sight as you grow to be a woman." That got us both crying.

I made quite a sight at graduation. Since my feet had grown as fast as me, I was now wearing over seven inch heels. So I towered above my classmates as I, in my almost patented and most sensual strut, went up the stairs and across the stage to collect my diploma. Tia was wearing her highest heels, so even in the shapeless robes her bounce, jiggle, and wiggle got a lot of whistles. Including mine.

Afterwards, it was party time. I was now a really good dancer, and so was Tia. So we took a chunk of the floor and almost got tossed out of the dance for excessive body contact. By the time we got home, we were thoroughly mussed, and even more thoroughly exhausted. And I guess I looked plenty feminine to the guys from our class. I had to fight them off in droves. Tia had a similar problem. We agreed it was wonderful.

We are packing to leave for college. Mom is complaining about having empty nest syndrome. Dad says he is really looking forward to the peace and quiet. Tia's parents have told Mom they are willing to loan her Jill and Ariel for a few months. The university had some real problems with our rooming together, since I am still legally male, but we solved that by getting an apartment off-campus. Having the insurance money did help happiness along a bit.

It turned out that we both earned complete scholarships, so our accounts are in really good shape. Tia finally decided to study engineering, and I'm working on a pre-med plan, with a specialty goal of abnormal psychology. I want to learn about kids like me and Ariel. And how to help them.

The End.