As you might expect, this is a very personal story for me. What you might not know is how long it was unfinished.
I wrote the first twenty or so chapters back in 2018. The whole story was plotted out, but I got stalled about the same time that Cayley's "true" identity was unmasked. I left the story with her in her room, unwilling to let anyone see her. She was at her lowest point, and I could not write her out of it.
The reason I couldn't was because I hadn't experienced getting out of it myself. I was at my lowest point, hating myself and feeling completely unworthy of love and acceptance. How could I give my character something I couldn't find for myself?
Three years later, I was in a better place, and found it far easier than I'd ever hoped to finish the story. It was a slightly different ending than I'd plotted out before, but it was the right ending, one I couldn't have written three years ago.
I debated with myself how I should end the story. There was the ending you've just read, but also two others. In one, there was no physical change to Cayley's body; in the other, the change was left ambiguous. Any of these, I think, would have been a suitable way to end the story.
Why did I choose the one I did? Because I could. Because I, as the author, could give my character the happy ending she wanted, even if such an ending is impossible in the real world. I can live vicariously through Cayley, even if that same outcome is not possible for me.
I hope you enjoyed this story. I certainly enjoyed writing it, and maybe some day I'll explore some further adventures set in this universe. Thank you all for reading!
This is an absolutely beautiful story, and I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to read it. Thank you for writing it!
I read your story back in 2018 on tgstorytime and it moved me a lot (I was kinda surprised to see it suddenly here), I'm glad you finally got to finish it and that you are feeling better about yourself :)
Thank you! I'm in the process of transferring stuff over, since this seems like a more active community. I'm super glad to have finished the story too! Thanks again for reading!
@ShannonColby funny thing is, now that I think about it I was kinda in the same place at this time, beginning my transition and reading these stories to have an escape from the harsh moments. Three years later and this escape became a reality as Cayley found her own closure, how poetic! ;P
That story is one of the best i've read.
You should be proud!
I hope everything goes and will go well for you.
This story is... Beautiful. It's breathtaking and sad and so cathartic for all of it and I loved every second of reading it. I'm glad you were able to give her a happy ending. It definitely brought more joy into the world <3 thank you so much for writing it
I don’t fault you one bit for giving her the thing not possible for us. But while magic doesn’t exist and it is harder and longer we will be happy too. Hope you are well.
I loved the happy ending, thank you so much for your choice.
This was such a cathartic read, thank you so much for sharing it with us <3
Thanks for the story! Very touching.
Congratulations on completing the story, and thank you for sharing it with us. :)