Mini-Family Reunion

Andrea woke up alone as Akiko had gone back to the hotel to get ready for the family's arrival that day. Andrea had decided to dress more like her original self and had picked up the clothing she'd ordered from the seamstress in town. Since it was the first time seeing the family as her new self, Andi picked out one of the new suits in a deep green skirt and jacket. To the suit she added a cream-colored camisole for under the jacket. She chose a matching bra and panty set in black lace with stocking and garter belt with a pair of four-inch heels. Andrea decided she was going to look her best when meeting with the family, besides she felt better for herself when she made herself attractive. Klaudia had been right about that, looking better and taking care of yourself did in fact make her feel healthier. After a relaxing shower and other hygienic concerns Andrea proceeded to dress in the chosen outfit. Once dressed and standing in front of the mirror, Andi braided her hair the way Akiko showed her letting it fall down the middle of her back. Reaching into the small box of jewelry that Akiko loaned her, Andrea put the diamond studs in her ears before draping the Diamond solitaire necklace around her neck resting just above her cleavage. Looking herself over in the mirror gave Andrea a surge of confidence, this is the best she'd looked since waking in the clinic. Andi slipped a pair of black flats on her feet, grabbed the heels and header for the Mustang to go meet with Akiko and the rest of the family.

On the way towards the entrance Andi came across Klaudia, she stopped to talk to her. Klaudia looked Andrea over from head to toe, noticing the pair of shoes in her hands, "I see Akiko or some woman in your life told you about not trying to drive in heels." Klaudia smiled before asking, "You ready to see the family?"

Andrea took a moment to actually think about it, "No, not really, but I need to do it. It's not like I'm going to be here much longer so it's better that I see them and know their reactions before getting blindsided when I don't have you readily available to speak with me." After a couple of deep breaths she continued, "at least here I'll have Akiko with me for moral and emotional support. You were right about talking to her, it's made everything a lot," thinking a moment for the right words Andi continues, "let's say smoother, because easier doesn't seem right. Akiko has been a rock and I've enjoyed getting to know sides of her I never would have if I'd remained her much older half-brother."

"That sounds like you've got a good grasp of your emotional state. I'd usually advise about rushing into things, but it sounds like you've thoroughly thought this situation out. That leaves the only thing for me to do is wish you good luck," Klaudia replied with a smile. "Have a good day, see you later."

"You as well Klaudia, I'll come see you if I need to talk later. Thanks again for the support," Andi said as she left to go meet the family as Andrea.

Hopping into the Mustang, Andi tossed her heels onto the passenger seat and headed for town. The drive was pleasant with the top down in the spring morning, she simply enjoyed the solitude and the fresh air. The drive passed quickly and before she realized Andrea was pulling into the hotel valet. She stopped at the Valet stand, carefully got out of the car, placing the heels on the ground so she could change into them. After doing so quickly, Andrea saw the valet staring at her neckline as she stood up, Andrea blushed as she watched the young man do so as well. She handed over the keys as she took the valet ticket from the embarrassed young attendant before striding confidently into the hotel lobby.

Upon entering the lobby Andrea spotted the mob that she called family looking like a controlled chaos near the registration desk. Andi spotted Akiko working along with Grace and Allison to herd the kids and younger adults while JD was getting them all checked in. Deciding that dealing with them all once they were settled in some, Andrea grabbed a seat at a table near the coffee cart after ordering an iced chai latte. She sat there watching, remembering the many times as Andrew that he had been the one getting the paperwork done instead of JD. Looking at everyone who showed up was a bit of surprise to Andrea. Graces eldest was her daughter Anita who was 24 and in medical school was here. Her younger brothers, Jason and Marcus, both just turning 17 were in their senior in high school, spotted Andrea across the room and looked her up and down. Andi laughed to himself at the surprise they were going to get when they found out who she was. JD's twins were behaving, standing with Aunt Akiko, having just turned thirteen while the transplant team were waiting for him to wake. They were cuties about to turn into heartbreakers in another year or so. Andrew already told JD if he needed help scaring any potential suiters to call him, or her now. JD looked a little tired and worried, it appeared that his wife was unable to get leave for this trip. Andrea loved her sister-in-law, Jaqueline Torres, now Captain Graves was a perfect fit for JD, and they loved each other like few others in the world. JD was made to be a stay-at-home dad and Jaq was a career naval officer and lawyer. His son Johnathan wasn't here, but there wasn't a surprise there, he had gotten an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland as he was following his mom into the Navy. However, John was hoping to join the Navy SeALs. Allison was also a little frazzled as she, Akiko, and JD's girls, Emma and Erica, were helping her to wrangle her two little ones, the boys were 10 and 8 and rambunctious as normal for those ages. They were Kyle and Lucas and were two smart and funny little boys. Akiko spotted Andrea sitting there and looked over at her, Andi just gave an evil little grin while watching the chaos. Akiko flashed a small smile and got back to chasing the bows. It took about another 20 minutes for JD to get them all checked in and key cards handed out before they all went upstairs with Akiko telling them she'd meet them up there in a few minutes. After they all piled into the elevators and were on their way, Akiko walked over to Andrea.

"I owe you for leaving me alone in the chaos Andi," Akiko accused with a mocking hurt tone of voice.

"Hey now, I'm just getting you back for all those times I had to wrangle you in with the other kids. Besides," Andrea smiled, "I'm the poor woman in the hospital after going through a traumatic experience and need to recover. Would you really have wanted to introduce me during that chaos and make everything worse?"

"Okay, you've got me there. You know, I forgot how exhausting having so much of the family together can be, and that's not even all of them," Akiko said in an exasperated tone.

"Yeah, so did I, until I got here today. You ready for this?' Andrea asked.

Akiko smiled, "That's my line!! I'm ready as all I have to do is take you to see them. The question is, are you ready?"

"You're the second, or third person if I count myself to ask me that today," Andrea replied.

"Really, tell me who the other was then quit stalling and answer the question already"

"Klaudia asked me as I was exiting the clinic, and I'll tell you what I told her. No, I'm not ready, but I should do it now while I've still got Klaudia to talk to and any other medical support I might need in case I panic," Andrea answered. "She we go up together and meet them up there. We can go room by room or invite them to your room. We could gather the Adults then see the kids. There's so many of them though, maybe I should put this off," Andrea started to ramble as Akiko reach out and took her hand. Andrea stopped talking and took a few deep breaths, "Okay, so this body apparently has the occasional panic attack."

Akiko just smiled at Andi and waited for her to calm a little more, "Andi, how about we give them a few more minutes to settle. I'll go up and get them and we can take their rental cars and your Mustang back up to the clinic. You call Klaudia and see if she and if they have any other councilors or psychiatry staff can meet us in the picnic area. I'll call a couple of the local places and order so food that we can pick up and we'll introduce them all to you over a nice family meal. It will be in the fresh air, a nice setting and there will be help for anyone who may be shocked or panicked. They'll even get a quick glimpse of you when I get into your car so we can pick up the food I order."

Feeling a lot calmer Andrea squeezed Akiko's hand, "I miss my ability to remain calm in almost any situation. That sounds like a workable plan and just what we should do. I'll call Klaudia now while you order the food, then I'll go get the Mustang from valet and pull forward a bit." The two of them made their phone calls and parted ways for the moment. Andrea walked back out to the valet stand and handed the ticket to the blushing young man once again. He quickly ran to get Andrea's car. Andi slipped the valet a twenty, she felt bad for embarrassing his on her arrival. She sat sideways on the driver's seat and swapped her shoes before carefully pulling her legs into the car in order to not flash anyone. Andrea pulled away from the Valet stand and waited for Akiko.

It was about fifteen to twenty minutes later that Andi could see the family piling into two SUVs that the valet brought up. Once everyone was loaded in, Akiko told them she'd meet them at the hospital shortly after they got there as she had to pick some items up. She quickly strolled over to the Mustang showing off her nerdy side by wearing an R2D2 Sundress that fell just above her knees. Andrea laughed as she slipped into the car and felt better for Akiko's fun-loving behavior. They made several quick stops using curbside pick-up to get the picnic supplied before heading to the clinic. Akiko called ahead and let Klaudia know the rest of the family was on the way and asked her to get them to the picnic area in order that Andi wasn't swarmed on arrival to which Andrea flashed a grateful smile to at Akiko.

Andrea felt like the drive back to the clinic went even faster than when she drove out that morning, a wright settling heavy in her chest at the prospect of his family's reaction. She knew her fears were mostly groundless as they were not only a tight knit family, but they were also some of the most open-minded individuals one could ever meet. The fears were just her own nerves getting the better of her, and the idea that while the adults would easily accept this, the kids may be freaked out that Uncle Andrew was now Aunt Andrea. She sat in the car trying to catch her breath when one of the kitchen staff came out with a cart for all the food they'd brought. Akiko asked an orderly to call Klaudia before walking around to the driver's side, leaned over the door and started rubbing Andi's back in a comforting gesture.

"Hello Andrea, Akiko," Klaudia greeted as she came out to the car.

Akiko looked up from Andrea and flashed a smile to Klaudia, "Hello Klaudia, we may have a small problem." Akiko nodded her head towards Andrea, "Andi had a bit of a panic attack in the hotel lobby, which is why I thought of the picnic here, however she now can't seem to work up the courage to get out of the car. I don't want to let her park it as she might just keep driving. Andrew was the most emotionally controlled individual you'd have met so Andrea's not used to all the emotional fluctuations she'd going through. I know in time she'll gain that control back, but that doesn't help her now."

"I see," Klaudia stated as she looked thoughtfully at Andrea. She turned and looked at the security guard by the entrance, "Do not let anyone tow this car, we'll get it moved later." Turning back to Andrea, "Andi, take the key out of the ignition and hand it to Akiko." She waited while Andrea mechanically followed those instructions. "Now, get out of the car and Akiko and I will escort you to see your family. I promise I will stay at the picnic for as long as you need and want me there. You can get through this, remember that just this morning you were nervous but looking forward to seeing them." Akiko and Klaudia guided Andrea towards the picnic area.

Andrea walked slowly through the halls, her heart pounding in her chest so hard that it felt as though it could burst out at any moment. Why was she so nervous? This was her family, they'd accept her. Still, it felt like her shoes were made of lead every time she took a step. I'm never this nervous or scared she thought, hearing the words in Andrew's mental voice. Andrea focused on that idea, that strength of will he'd always displayed as Andrew. I may be Andrea in name and body but I'm still me where it counts. Andrea stopped walking for a moment, Akiko and Klaudia stopping as well. Andrea took a few breaths, stood straighter and focused the feeling of confidence she had when she looked in the mirror that morning. She started walking at her own pace, a bit faster than Akiko and Klaudia were guiding her. That confidence carried her right up to the door exiting to the picnic area where Andrea stopped dead in her tracks. Standing there, looking out the windows at the family gathered beyond the tinted glass. She stood remembering all the family gatherings from the past whereas Uncle Andrew she kept the focus on everyone else. He was the oldest and spent most of his time organizing and acting as host. Andrew had always tried to keep to the sideline, keep things going without bringing the attention to himself. That's what he like so much about acting as an angel investor, he met only with the clients for the pitch and maybe a second time if he didn't make the decision at the first meeting. He never really had to be at the center, and Andrea knew that when she walked out those doors, she would be the focus of all the attention. Akiko stepped up behind her, placed her hand on Andi's shoulder and whispered, "It's alright. Wait in here a few minutes. I'll talk to them about not swarming you. I know you don't like being at center of attention. You'll need to get used to it as you are now a strikingly gorgeous woman, but for now we'll be with family and I'm sure they'll handle themselves as you need them to." With that said, Akiko slipped past Andrea, stepped out into the picnic area and headed over to everyone gathered out there. Andrea could see her gesturing and speaking but couldn't hear a word through the closed door. She stood there for five minutes or so before Akiko waved at her with a come here motion.

Klaudia stepped up behind Andrea, "Andi, it's okay, I'm right here with you," she said as she placed her hand on the middle of her back, escorting Andrea out to her family.

Out through the doors Andrea stepped, slowly picking up her pace as she closed with Akiko and the rest of the family. Andrea looked everyone over, reading the expressions of shock, surprise, love and other emotions flitting through their features. Apparently, they were all feeling the same emotions she herself was. Andrea tried to smile, and she partially succeeded with a small shy smile as she closed the last few feet to where Akiko stood with Grace, JD and Allison. Andrea took Akiko's hand for a moment, just for the confidence boost she'd get from the brief touch before she stepped up to Grace and pulled the shorter woman into a hug. Andrea held it for only a few seconds before stepping back with tears forming in her eyes, trying to keep the smile on her face. Feeling more nervous than at any time in his/her life, Andi felt the first tear slip from her eye and slide gently down her cheek.

Seeing the tear fall, Grace stepped forward and wrapped Andrea into the tightest hug, "I've missed you and was worried that I'd never see you again. You may look a whole lot different, but I can see brother in those eyes." Grace laughed at herself for a moment, "I guess I should say sister now." Allison, JD and Akiko piled in creating a group hug of the siblings. A good 30 seconds later the hug broke up, but everyone still stood in a small group together.

JD looked Andrea in the eye, gave her the up and down, then looked back into Andrea's eyes, "You know that Jaqueline is going to love the new you right? You were her favorite to begin with and now there'll be more for you to do together," JD said between laughs. "Honestly though, you look amazing and I'm glad you're still with us."

Allison had the biggest smile on her face, "The strangest thing for me Andrea was you walking out here in four-inch heels, besides the obvious of course." Allison smiled and continued, "Before you ask as you always do, the Bakery is running fine, business is good. I put the assistant manager in charge for the duration of my visit here."

Andrea calmed some after the hug and the jokes from his siblings. Replying to Grace first, "How does it feel for you now being the oldest sibling, at least physically?" Grace's eyes popped wide before Andrea continued, "If you really want to laugh Akiko made sure to point out that she was my older sister the first day she got here." Andrea flashed a mischievous smile at the group, "Grace, if you want to really laugh call your boys over here," Andrea said as she stepped behind JD to keep the boys from spotting her. "When they get over here, I'll step into view so you can introduce them to the new me."

Grace called Jason and Marcus over, they took their time as they were in no rush to hang with the old people. Once they were into the group and facing Grace, Andrea stepped out past JD and behind the boys. Grace smiled and said, "Jason, Marcus, we wanted you to see your Aunt Andrea no that the transplant is done," she grabbed the boys' shoulders and turned them to face Andi. As soon as they turned around and saw Andrea, they both flushed a little red and started to cough.

Andrea gave them her biggest and best smile, "Well Jason and Marcus, I have a piece of advice for you. The next time you're going to check out a lady in public, try for more subtlety and try not to stare." Andrea chuckled a little before giving them each a quick hug, being mindful not to press her body against the teens, "It's good to see you boys are growing up." All the rest of the adults were laughing at the bright red flush and embarrassed body language the boys displayed from being called out on checking Andrea out.

Over the rest of the afternoon all the children were brought over in small groups to meet Aunt Andrea. By doing it that way it seemed to help with the anxiety that Andrea was feeling and gave everyone time to speak. Andrea fielded all the basic questions from the family, with the more personal questions she deflected the children from them. When JD asked a question that could be considered crossing the line a little Grace and Akiko Gibbs slapped him at the same time. That was the end to those kinds of questions. Most of the questioning came when Anita walked over to sit with Andrea while she was taking a break from the crowd. While some of them could have been seen as crossing the line, Anita asked them in a manner that screamed clinical curiosity for her med school studies so Andrea gave her some leeway with the caveat that what they discussed stayed between them. All in all, the picnic, the family reunion and generally the day went well. Andrea's case of nerves cleared up quickly. Akiko took a few minutes to park the Mustang before bringing Andrea's keys back to her. Andrea was still a little tense in this situation which he reasoned could be something from his nerves or the body's subconscious, either way she handled the day and made plans to meet the family at the hotel and spend the day in town with them the next day. After a few hours everyone piled back into the SUVs and headed back to the hotel with one notable exception. Akiko stayed to spend the evening relaxing and watching movies with Andrea to aid her in decompressing. They once again fell asleep watching a movie.