Encountering James

You didn't know how to react when you saw your father entering the room, whether it would be to act like nothing happened or would it be more likely that your mind and body would disconnect. Saunders had been no help, all he did was shrug his shoulders and say that it really depended on a lot of things that were outside of either your control or ability to influence.

You thought back to what you knew about their relationship. Rebecca and James were childhood friends, she was 2 years younger than he was, and they had grown up together, played together, and both families were really close. So tight were they that it was often joked that they would be perfect for each other.

So perfect, in fact, that they had started dating each other by the time that they discovered girls and boys. Rebecca had become pregnant in high school with your brother Dustin and thy shortly afterwards got married quickly and quietly at the courthouse downtown, both sets of parents having accepted that this was the eventuality between the two of them. You, Jordan, and Mandy came shortly afterwards and mom had gone back to school, got her GED and eventually a bachelor's in library science, having worked at the town library for some 20+ years now.

From what you remember, your parents were very amorous with each other, calling each other cute pet names between them and they were often unafraid of public displays of affection, often reminding the lot of you that they were, first and foremost, man and woman and they deeply loved each other. They also took pains to explain that it was normal for a woman to express her love for her man by kissing, holding, and being feminine for him. It was also normal for a man to be slightly possessive, holding onto his wife's waist and hand, being dominant in their relationship. A bit old-fashioned, they admitted, but it worked for them and it had worked for them all these years.

Now, as you looked at his face from your perspective, you were of two minds.

Don't try to fight it, it will be weird if you did, Pam had advised you when you brought up the potential issues surrounding your father. Remember, he doesn't know about the operation. He's going to look at you and see his wife of 34 years looking back at him. It was a bit weird still to be thinking of yourself as Steve while inside your mother's body. Perhaps this would be something that you would have to work out? Could you work it out?

James made his way over to you with a smile that spoke of relief to see his wife up and walking around in the hospital room. "You okay?"

Not trusting your ability to speak, you just nodded and let out a small gasp as he wrapped his arms around your body and pulled you gently for a hug. You hesitated for a moment, not sure what or even how to respond, before your arms automatically encircled his waist and the two of you exchanged a hug.

"Come on, I signed the discharge paperwork. We can leave whenever you're ready." He handed the bag to your sister-in-law who took it and then turned and helped your brother herd the kids out of the room on the premise that grandma was going to change out of the hospital gown and into clothes to go home.