Plans

Plans are talked about and a good amount of wishful thinking fills the air. It feels good just to sit and talk about future dreams and possibilities, it was damn near intoxicating. You move so that your mother and aunt can sit next to each other and you go to sit on the floor in front of El's chair, she plays with the back of your hair as you sit there.

As you talk you learn that your mother is absolutely convinced that she is pregnant. "I can just tell." She would say, though Peg would laugh that off and respond. "We'll see." According to your aunt the child will have over a 99% chance of being like the others. You were truly a rarity coming out like you did. They start to talk about what kind of house they would like, in what area of the city, how many rooms they should look at, Peggy mentions she needs space for a gym, and the like. Though with you, your siblings, and Chloe all being adults the likelihood of everyone living there for long is slim. But everyone is pretty energized by the idea of a big Bailey household even if it just turns out to be a fantasy. Your mother did okay for herself and Peg was comfortably well off, plus they would likely both sell their existing houses, so price wasn't much of a factor.

Eventually the topic of your procedure comes around. Peg tells you that it all has to happen in secret. She says her lab is closed for the weekend and that you should be able to get in and out without being noticed. She says her assistant Lucy will be there too and your mother says they'll have Dr Tremblay on call for when you get home. You would be lying if you said you weren't scared, but you were far more excited than fearful. Everyone starts to wonder what you'll look like. They talk about how you already looked so good, which causes you to blush. Peg says that while the process will be over quickly it will be a radical change to your body and that it might take some time to get used to it.

They then begin talking about the particularities of life as a woman and the challenges you will face. You listen with rapt attention as the three of them give you a sort of 'birds and bees' talk about what you will become.

One thing you notice during your evening talk is Peggy having to correct herself constantly. She had to remind herself that she'd soon be a part of this household, she was as much a part of the plans and your lives as anyone else. It was real and it was happening. She talks about how cold and empty her house, nice as it was, felt when she came home. Each time she did this your mom and her would look at each other lovingly and kiss or give one another little touches of affection. Each time those feelings would carry over and you and El would give each other a little squeeze. It was heartwarming seeing the two sisters on the couch, they were so cute together and their true feelings just shone through.

At one point your mother stands and announces. "Forget cooking, I'm going to order something." You all nod in agreement and she stands up and heads to the kitchen where she kept ads and coupons for her favorite restaurants.

"Peg." You say. "I'm glad you're coming to live with us. I think it will be a good thing, especially for Mom."

Peg smiles and lets out a sigh. "I've been waiting for this day for so long. I tried dating and stuff but it's not the same. Once you've met the person you're meant to be with...no one else compares." You were surprised by your aunt's romantic notions given how analytical she often is. She looks at you. "I have you to thank for it by the way. It was the possibility of another baby on the way that made your mother reevaluate everything...that and the courage you've shown these past few days."

You smile, you do wish you hadn't accidentally creampied your mother that morning but it seemed a lot of good was coming from it. You then ask. "Aunt Peg. You didn't like dating that much. Neither did Mom, except for Dad of course. I just broke up with my girlfriend." You feel as El lightly grips your shoulder in support, this was news to them though not surprising after what Allie did to you the day before. "I liked her but I never loved her. El and Fiona don't really... Peg, is the **** part of the mutation too? Is it genetic?"

Peggy actually laughs. "Observant girl. No, I've thought about that and looked into it. No I don't think so, to put it bluntly, I think we're just a really really fucked up family." You all laugh, who could argue with that? She adds. "If we keep inbreeding like we are though I'm going to have give all of our genes a permanent little tweak." She suddenly get a distant but intense sort of look to her. She takes off her glasses and holds them in front of her, she rubs the right arm of the glasses with her thumb as she thinks. "Actually...it wouldn't be so hard...If I just...yes with the nucleotide...yeah, yeah, I'll have to look into that." Her mind was lost in scientist mode.

Your mother walks back in smiling. "Pizza is on the way. Fiona's picking it up on the way home."