A Simple Life: Chapter 177

In my room aboard the Anna Bella I stand staring down at the pretty green sun dress laid across my bunk. I was nude except for my panties and every inch of my bare skin tingled in the slightly cool air. A shiver runs through me.

This was so different than up at Winona’s suite. Up there there was always at least a hint, or a whole heaping dollop, of kinky play associated when I would embrace my baby girl. When I was with her Winona’s sexual appetites and my own were all mixed in with my other impulses when I would dress as a woman. It was all sexy and fun and liberating. Intoxicating in a way. But here it was different. Here I was stone sober.

While I may have spent more actual time at ‘home’ with my parents and siblings it was here that I considered the place I’d grown up. I’d grown more in those evenings, weekends, and precious weeks in the summer than all the grueling years outside of them. As I stared at the bed I could see a phantom of my past self. I could see him there laying on his tummy with a crayon in his hand and his favorite coloring book, The Birds and Butterflies of Ehkolie Island, opened in front of him as his little feet kicked in the air. That scared, confused little boy looking so happy to be under his grandpa’s care where he could finally let his guard down and be himself. How I wished I could reach through time and tell that Avery that things were going to get better.

In a weird way I felt like this moment was a culmination of that growth even as it was a new beginning.

I was already shaved and smooth but I give myself a thorough going over again just to make sure. After that I stand in front of the little mirror I had here and do my makeup. Right away I am impressed by the difference that my new makeup made. Winona had excellent taste of course but her make up was for someone with a much darker complexion than mine and with far more boldly striking features. For me it was soft pinks and neutral shades that really made my blue eyes and blond hair pop. Not only were the pigments different I also apply them differently than either Winona or I had done on me before. This time I use the most delicate of delicate touches only to accentuate my naturally effeminate features. Today of all days I didn’t want to come across as some trollop. It meant everything to me that I was a granddaughter to be proud of.

With my cheeks lightly blushed, my eyes just subtly highlighted, and my lips pastel pink I step back from the mirror to take myself in afresh. I cannot help but giggle when I see how pretty I am. Those bullies back in high school used to call me a femboy like it was a bad thing. Right now I wouldn’t have traded my naturally delicate features, slender physique, bubble butt, and yes even my cute little bulge for any man alive. I was SO LUCKY to be born the way I was!

I then comb and tease my hair, which was staring to get a bit long now, so that it lay in the most naturally feminine way that I could make it. It looked good as it was but is really put over the top was the little green hair clip I’d bought on a whim when I was getting the makeup. It had turned out to be a good whim.

Forgoing a bra as I thought it would work against the easy, breezy style of the sun dress I slip into it and smooth it down my lithe body. The dress looked even better today than it had when I tried it on last night. Although, for a dress like this to really shine it needed to be seen under a warm sunny sky. Again I pause to give myself a final inspection. Though I was hardly some butch manly man like Joshua when I walked in here I was nevertheless transformed. That soft spoken young man that entered this room was nowhere to be seen.

At the door I pause and take a deep breath. Butterflies tickle my insides as the nerves really begin to rise. My courage nearly wavers until I look back toward the bunk to see that happy boy coloring in his book then look back to the door to see Grandpa with his arms crossed and a smile on his face leaned against the frame of the door watching over his Buttercup. Unlatching the door I step through.

I find Grandpa in the galley where he said he would be just putting the finishing touches on our lunches.

On bare feet I step quietly into the room and in my most politest and softest girl voice I say. “Hi Grandpa.”

He looks around with that warm, wonderful smile of his about to say something when the sight of me freezes him mid-turn. The grin fades as his blue eyes widen then squint, his bushy brows furrowing as he does. A tremble runs through me as I stand under his pale gaze feeling more exposed than I’d ever been. Five excruciatingly silent seconds become ten.

“Hah!” His gasp breaks the still followed by his stunned expression melting into one of pure love. “Oh, Buttercup.” He sniffles and wipes a tear from his eye! He hurries around the counter and waves me closer. “Come here, my girl. Let me see you.”

I am fight back tears myself as I step forward and cross my arms behind my back to let him see all of me.

“Oh my…” His smile grows and grows, his eyes glimmering, as he shakes his head at my transformation. Beaming in that way of a grandparent seeing their newborn grandchild for the first time he looked so proud of me! “Look at you. Oh, Althea. My beautiful granddaughter.”

“Oh Grandpa!”

I couldn’t hold back any longer. I throw myself into his arms and I am instantly wrapped in a big Grandpa hug. He kisses the side of my head then hugs me even tighter. I hug him back with all I had.

Stepping away again he looks me up and down all over again. “My granddaughter.”

“You like it, Grandpa?” I say, not really sure what else to say. “You r-really like it?”

“I love you.” He says as he holds me by the shoulders. “And if this is a part of you, then I love it too. Althea, my dear, you are lovely!”

“Thank you.” I coo, my heart bursting.

Turning me to my left he puts his arm around me and look up on the wall. “Anna. You seein this? Are you seein our girl? Have you ever seen such a pretty thing?”

Half giggling, half holding back the tears I give Grandma a little wave. “Hi Grandma.”

“Ha ha!” His arms squeezes me and he kisses my head again. “She says you are gorgeous. A real classy young lady.”

“He he he. Th-Thank you, Grandma.” I blow her a kiss. “I l-love you too.”

For the next few minutes I am fawned over by a couple of very proud grandparents. I soak it all up with glee. I just knew that this was going to be a happy moment but it exceeds even my wildest imagination. At last he gives my hand a squeeze and says. “This calls for some celebratory spicy salmon sandwiches. Hope you brought your appetite, Althea.”

“I did, Grandpa.” I titter.

“I’ve already got a kettle steeping.” He says as he walks back to the counter. “Mind taking these plates to the table for me, darlin?”

“Darlin!?”

“Oh. Is that bad? I don’t know how I’m supposed to…”

“No!” I laugh. “It’s n-not bad. It’s just…new.”

He smiles. “Okay.”

Feeling as light as a feather I flutter to the counter and take a plate in each hand. With a twirl, my skirt swirling up a couple of inches, I head back to the cramped little table here in the galley.

“It’s a lovely day.” Grandpa says as he looks out the nearest porthole. “A fine sunny day.”

“Oh.” I stop and slowly look down at myself. He wanted to go outdoors? Now? “Um…”

“Below deck is good too.” He says while beginning to rummage for some honey. “Whatever you’re in the mood for.”

“S-Someone m-might…see me.”

“True.”

“Um…w-wouldn’t you b-b-be…um…”

“As proud as an old sea dog could be to be seen with his perfect granddaughter?” He finishes my sentence. “Yeah. I might embarrass ya, but that’s Grandpas for ya. We’re kinda cringy and not known for hidin our feelings too good. ’Specially when it comes to our grandkids.” He peers back at me with a smile and a wink. “Whatever ya want, Buttercup.”

Chapter 178