I took a deep breath.

The plane landed without incident. In fact, it was even smoother and more comfortable than the last time I had ridden one. Although, I wasn’t sure if that was because of the pilot or the comforting strokes of the wonderful woman beside me.

It had been a while since I had last done something like this. It was a lot easier than I remembered, especially given how much tighter planes were from when I was younger. It made getting off the plane a bit more of a chore than it had been back then. But it wasn’t all…

“Oof.” I flinched. I accidentally rammed my hip into one of the seat’s arm rests, which had been rudely left up. I rubbed it a little before hoisting my bag back over my shoulder and continuing down the aisle, the soft giggle of my partner tickling my ear.

At long last we made it off the plane and into the terminal, quickly making our way down the concourse. I really wanted to just push on, but my companion justly noted how squirmy I had become and practically dragged me to the bathroom. I hesitated for a moment before sighing and going in, relenting to her true words.

After doing my business, I went to wash my hands and throw some water on my face. When I looked up I saw the face of a beautiful elven beauty, with long lavender hair tumbling down her back like perfect silken fibers, clad in a soft pink dress which went well with her brilliant blue eyes. I couldn’t help but smile as I saw her, her smile only comforting me more. I left the bathroom with a smile, choosing to wait outside for my companion.

“Well, hello there, beautiful,” a deep voice crooned. It practically pulled my long pointed ears up as it summoned my attention, regrettably. I imagined that plenty of people would describe him as a lean and attractive man with a body of tight and firm muscles and the cool confidence to match. He gave me a suave grin, dooming my fate as he drew closer. “What’s a sweet thing like you doing in a place like this?”

“Uh…” I tried to speak, but my voice could hardly rise above a whisper. He drew closer, causing me to shrink back, nervously rubbing my right ring finger.

“Oh? Married?” The man laughed as he stared right at my wedding ring. “Well, I bet I can show you a much better time than he ever could.”

“That would be hard considering he doesn’t exist,” a familiar angelic voice mocked. My eyes lit up as Lacey emerged from the restroom and stepped between us. “Now, why are you harassing my lovely sugar plum?”

“Harassing?” The man snorted. “Oh, please, I wasn’t harassing no one. But maybe I could show you both what a real man can…”

“Let me rephrase myself.” Lacey flicked the air, a fireball appearing at the tip of her forefinger. “Fuck off, loser,” she grinned devilishly. The man’s eyes opened wide as he slowly backed off before darting off elsewhere. She sighed. “What kind of creep tries hitting on women in an airport?” She turned to me, a brilliant smile on her face. “How are you doing Galea? He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

“N-no.” I shook my head, unable to pry my eyes from her beauty. I was almost shaking at how cool and beautiful she was. She was much better at it than I ever was. She laughed.

“I’m glad. Now shall we be on our way?”

I gave a giddy nod as I followed her out of the concourse. Getting our bags didn’t take long and headed over to the bus stop. It was almost comical how many times I had seen the bus pass by when I was younger, completely failing to realize it went straight to the airport. Fortunately, it also meant cutting out the awkward back and forth with my family to get us picked up.

Eventually the bus rolled into a very familiar part of town. I couldn’t help but smile as we passed that lovely corner store frequented when I was younger. My stomach seconded the notion with an audible growl as it demanded its standard offering, causing Lacey to laugh and my cheeks to brighten.

“Guess we’ll have to get some of those hoagies you’ve told me so much about later,” she teased. I couldn’t help but chuckle. She really knew how to get me. “So, I take it this is where you used to live?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “I used to come down here all the time when I was a kid. I’d ride my bike down almost every day to get snacks and stuff with my brother. Then I’d go down the street up here to go to the library.”

“Let me guess, that’s where you found that ‘cootie’ book?” She giggled.

“Yeah,” I laughed. I could still see the book in my head. That small brunette boy looking into a mirror to see a cute girl on the other side. It had basically haunted my dreams and memories ever since my little eight-year-old self found it. “Gosh I was dense back then.”

“Sounds like it. It’s not like you were all that better back when college started.”

“I’m still upset Jed could tell back in freshman year,” I groaned. “And he didn’t say anything.”

“He was too busy making bets with Ray.”

“Yeah,” I whimpered.

“S-sorry,” Lacey apologized. “Guess that’s still a sore subject, huh?”

“It’s okay. It just sucked that someone I thought was my friend just wanted me to be his sweet twink,” I grumbled. “Joke’s on him though. I wound up with the best girlfriend instead.”

“Aww.” Lacey lit up with the cutest darndest smile. “Aren’t you just the charmer. You’re still wrong though. I’m the one who wound up with the best girlfriend. Even made her my wife.”

We talked a bit more as we approached our stop before finally, I saw the familiar oak looming at the next street corner. I pulled the cord, alerting the driver so we could get off. We got off, our backpacks nicely secured and our suitcases safely on the street. As the bus pulled away I looked up to the familiar cream and brown colored house. I had done a good job keeping my mind off the subject, but standing here now filled my tum with fluttering butters. I couldn’t help but be a little nervous.

No, that wasn’t true. I was super nervous. I mean, this was going to be the first time since…

My shaky hand was taken by the beautiful siren beside me. She gave me a kind look and a gentle nod. I took a deep breath and nodded back, girding myself with what came next.

We approached the door and I gave it a nice knock… but no one came. I did it again, and nothing. I did it once more and…

“Girl, no one’s going to hear those small things,” Lacey teased. “Here, let me.” She knocked, making an audible bang. She smiled at me as we stood there. It seemed kindhearted, but I could also tell she was hiding a teasing… and there it was. She stuck her tongue out at me to tease me for my poor excuse of a knock.

We could hear feet shuffling about, a woman’s voice, and a deeper voice respond, and then the first responded. The door opened.

From it emerged a small woman with feline features, a pair of cat ears and a long purple split tail, and long purple hair. She looked at me with bright curious eyes and then gave a jubilant smile. “Welcome home, sweetie!” She declared pulling me into a big hug.

“H-hi Mom,” I stuttered. Who could blame me? She was never particularly tall, buts she seemed to trade a couple of inches for some youth and her ears, tails, and her excitable blue eyes. And that all meant that my mom’s famously big hugs landed her right on top of my boob. It probably wasn’t that weird… but it was for me considering…

“Goodness.” Mom giggled. “You’ve certainly filled out nicely, dear.” She smirked. “Guess we know who you inherited from.” She said with pride as she crossed her arms, elevating her own breasts.

“Mooooom,” I protested. “D-do you have to say that in front of Lacey?”

“I’m sure she appreciates it.” Mom smirked.

“Oh, yes. Seeing her blush like this is fun,” Lacey added with glee. “Do it some more, please.”

“Silliness aside.” Mom’s eyes eased, her playful edge retreating to a softer warm gaze. “You really are looking a lot better. Much better than last year.”

“Yeah,” I smiled. “And sorry for not coming sooner. Things have been…”

“You don’t have to say it. We’ve all had a lot of adjusting to do… or at least, most of us have,” she sighed. “Speaking of, he beat you here.” Her frown was almost heartbreaking, and it was pretty obvious why. I couldn’t help but to sigh myself. Guess we wouldn’t have as much happiness as I had wanted, yet. “Well. I guess that’s enough stalling. Let’s get you two inside.”

She guided us in and over to the Living Room where we settled at the long couch against the closer wall, which faced the TV. Mom sat in her rocking chair, although it looked a bit poofier than it used to… or maybe it was because she was smaller.

“So, how was the trip?”

“It was good,” I said. “Not as bad as I was afraid of.”

“I’m glad. I know you can get a little anxious.”

“No kidding,” Lacey chuckled. “I remember when we were coming back last year, she was super nervous the whole time. She was better this summer though.”

“Guess the mist really helped you out then, huh?” Mom smiled at me. “I’m glad.”

“Heh,” I chuckled. “It really did.” I brought my hand to my chest and smiled. “And how about you? You look a lot more energetic than last year.”

“Oh, yes. It’s been really nice. I’m feeling so energetic now. It’s actually hard just sitting and staying in one place for too long.” She bobbed back and forth, her tails swaying opposite her body. “I’ve been able to go out a lot more and make a lot of new friends too. I even tried picking up that game you played as a kid. The card one with all the cute creatures.”

“Have you now?” I chuckled, side eyeing my suddenly more sheepish wife. “Couldn’t guess who got you into that.”

“H-hey. She had fun playing it last year. And beside she wasn’t the only one. You’re…”

“There you all are,” a gruff voice grumbled. I looked over to the hall door to see my brother scowling at me. “Seriously? What the hell are you wearing?”

“A-a dress,” I answered sheepishly.

“Seriously bro? Just because that magic crap changed you doesn’t mean you have to suddenly start pretending to be a girl.”

“Bartholomew!” Mom snapped. “You know that’s not what happened. Now be nice to your sister, and apologize!” Mom scolded.

“He’s my brother! Not my sister!” Bart shouted, making Mom cringe. I shivered a little, the scorn in his voice digging into me.

Lacey took a deep breath, and then grabbed at his shoulder, yanking his gaze to her. “You will not call her that again, punk.” She coldly instructed. Her rage filled voice terrified me a little, but gosh was she hot when she acted so cool.

“Oh, yeah? And what are you going to do about it, bitch?”

“Oh, I’m sure we can come up with something.” Her lips curled into a disturbingly sweet smile, as if challenging him to give in and let her have fun with him.

“H-hey!” I scrambled to find words. “B-Bart, please! Can we not?” I frowned. “Please?”

He grumbled. “What the hell man? When did you start acting all weak like that?”

“Th-that’s not…”

“Whatever. I’m going to the store for stuff.” He turned to head out. “Mom text me if you need anything else.” There was a loud bang as he left. I couldn’t help but sigh, a frown taking my face.

“Hey,” Lacey held my shoulder, “don’t let what he said get to you. We both know that ‘strength’ wasn’t healthy.”

“Yeah. Thanks Lace.” I gave a light smile before looking to Mom pleadingly. “I think I could use a distraction.”

“Sorry,” Mom apologized. “I knew he might still be bad after last year, but… I was really hoping the last year would’ve improved things a little bit for him.”

I briefly recalled last year. I hadn’t changed like I had now, but I had already started to transition. I was debating the whole time whether or not I should come out to my family, and by the end I finally decided to come out to everyone. My parents and grandparents had a strange silence to them, as if trying to find the right words to say. Unfortunately, the one to break the ice at the time was Bart, who soured the mood for everyone. I still felt horrible for ruining the holiday for everyone like that. My ears drooped a little as I thought about how hurt I felt at the time.

“Well, I could use your help in the kitchen.” She smiled and her split tail wiggled excitedly. “Darling should be getting up about now too. Lacey could you go and fetch them for me?” My ears perked back up at mom’s request. Why did she…?

“Huh? Oh sure,” Lacey nodded. “Have fun in there.” She smiled at me.

I followed mom into the kitchen. It was really rather incredible. A beautiful and full kitchen that made me envious. A nice gas stove. A two-door stainless steel fridge and freezer with a futuristic looking ice maker. One of the nicest dishwashers I’d ever seen, and a large oven set in the wall. I practically skipped into the kitchen as I ogled everything.

“I’ve heard you’ve taken up cooking again,” Mom stated.

“Yeah. I really missed it.” Mom giggled as I smiled. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. You just seem so much happier now, and that makes me so glad. You had become so distant as you got older.”

“Thanks, Mom. It got pretty hard for a while there.”

“You don’t have to underplay it, sweetie. I know you had a hard time since you were a kid. I just wish I was more help back then,” she frowned.

“It’s okay. I’m just happy things are better now,” I smiled. “Now what are we starting with?”

“Well, we need to chop the veggies and peel the sweet potatoes,” she started rattling off instructions, one after the other. It was rather enjoyable getting to work alongside her like back when I was a younger teen. I flirted with the idea of being a chef back then. I even wanted to take a home ec class, but my friends talked me out of it… In hindsight, maybe it was more bullied and less convincing. That was before I became a loner in high school and my social life largely collapsed. It was really nice feeling nostalgic and kinda vindicating remembering the little girl I once was. And by mom’s giggling, I think she agreed.

We moved from one job to another, putting several things into the oven to cook. And before we knew it, everything was cooking, with the exception of the few smaller bits that needed to be prepared at the end, like the gravy and Brussel sprouts. But we still had a good couple hours to wait before that. Mom and I headed back to the Living room where Lacey sat in the sofa chatting up another woman sitting at the far end of it.

She was very familiar. Beautiful and elegant, from the points of her long ears to her gentle curves and loving emerald green eyes. Her shoulder length lavender hair was reminiscent of my own. In fact, much of her was, only with a slight bit of extra maturity and wearing a flowing white dress. If I was in my young twenties, then she must’ve been in her later twenties or early thirties. At least, that’s how it seemed by appearance. Above all though, her beautiful smile told me everything I needed to know. After all, I had shared the pleasant feeling filling her lips.

“Hi, momma,” I smiled. She jolted, a nice cute blush overtaking her cheeks as she looked at me with doe-eyed awe. She began smiling giddily, her eyes shimmering with joy.

“Welcome home, Galea,” she replied with a sweet bashfulness. It was obvious she wanted to seem more motherly, doting and considerate, but it was also clear that the euphoria overrode that. “You’re looking good.”

“Of course, I got it from you,” I teased. Her cheeks and ears went crimson, eyes went wide, and her jaw slacked as she failed to form a response. I couldn’t help but giggled as I sat beside Lacey. “You seem to be taking it well too.”

“Y-yes,” she managed to mutter. “I… uh… I’ve been trying… to… uh…”

“It’s okay, dear,” Mom smiled, her tail wrapping around Momma as she curled up to her. “Take your time.” She then looked at me. “She’s been trying her best, but she’s been rather shy since her awakening.”

“I get it. I used to be like that too,” I nodded.

“Oh-ho-ho?” Lacey chortled. “Does that mean you got less shy since this morning, little sugar plum?” She asked as she stroked the tip of my ear, sending a shiver through me. Mom laughed at my blazingly red face. “Like mother, like daughter.”

“You really do take after her,” Mom laughed. “She’s just as cute as you, right dear?”

“I-I’m not that cute,” Momma objected.

“I-I‘m not super cute either,” I countered.

“Sure thing, cutie,” Mom and Lacey said in unison. They stopped and looked at each other before laughing. I almost felt like I was going to die from embarrassment.

“Still, funny that you’re the same as me, Momma,” I giggled.

“Yes, well… to be honest, you coming out last year gave me a bit to think about,” she sighed. “I’m sorry dear, I was… I was never sure how to talk about it with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I… I’ve known I was trans for a long time.” I blinked.

“Y-you did? But then why…?”

“I didn’t want to make things harder for any of us, so I chose to stay in the closet.”

“But… when did you figure it out?” I asked.

“Gosh, you were still really young. Bart was still just a baby. I was talking with one of my friends when I… I finally began to realize the truth,” she sighed, her ears drooping downward.

“Mom, did you know?” I asked her, her feline ears drooping as well.

“Of course, I did. We talked a lot about it. She wasn’t sure what to do, and I wasn’t sure how to best support her. For the longest time I’d just try to help her feel better at night when we were alone.”

I looked to Momma, her low ears and lips made it clear just how painful all those years had been. I hugged her close. “I’m sorry Momma. If I knew, I would’ve… I would’ve…”

“It’s okay,” she said, her ears picking back up a bit. “What’s important is that we’re together now. I realize now that I was just hurting myself, but I’m not going to do that anymore.”

“Yes, you’re right,” I nodded.

“Now, we have a little time before dinner is ready and your grandparents get here, so how about we play a game? We could play Kart,” she looked at me pleadingly. I glanced to Mom and Lacey.

“You two have fun,” Mom smiled. “I want to duel Lacey.” Her tail curled inward as she looked excitedly to my wife, who chuckled.

“You’re on,” Lacey grinned.

We all set upon playing our games with each other for quite some time. After a while, Mom had to go get the final things cooking. I looked to my phone and scowled. Dinner was almost ready, but Bart hadn’t returned. For that matter, my grandparents hadn’t shown up yet either.

Eventually, there was a click at the front door, and then a creak as it opened. Bart emerged and looked at us with an incredulous stare. I wasn’t fully certain what he was thinking, but I could guess it wasn’t nice. Although, he almost looked distraught or in pain. He just shook his head and grumbled under his breath. “Hurry up!” He called to someone behind him. He looked back to Lacey and I then just grumbled to himself. “Get ready for dinner.”

Lacey and I traded a confused look and then looked back to the door. Another elven beauty with lavender hair that descended to the middle of her back walked through the door, another woman with long pointed ears entering beside her, only she was different. Her hair was a deep crimson that was accentuated by streaks of glowing energy laced through it. She had a pair of leathery black wings both upon her head and on her back. While the elven woman had a similar choice in clothing to Momma and I, with a long white dress with a deep v-neck, the demonic looking woman had more of a biker vibe, sporting a leather pilot jacket and sturdy leather pants, which was punctuated by her black lipstick.

“Who are…” I began to question.

“What’s the matter kiddo?” The demonic woman chuckled. “Don’t recognize your old grampy?” I… my jaw dropped. “Eh, I get it. Never thought I’d be such a dame either.”

“People don’t say that anymore,” the new elf sighed.

“Oh, I know. But I gotta tease the kids,” the demoness laughed. “B’sides, if Granny’s gotta come out, she’s doing it in style.”

“Mother, we need to talk about discuss what style means later,” Momma sighed.

“Oh, I don’t know. I found it rather fun,” Mom laughed as she got up and headed towards the foyer where demoness… grandma was. “She’s not as bad as you, though dear.”

“What!? What’s that supposed to mean? Mora!?” Momma argued as she followed her. The group continued to bicker as they began to head into the dinning room.

“Damn.” Lacey was evidently as gob smacked as I was. “Your grandmas are hooot!”

…evidently, not for the same reason I was.

“What? They’re super hot! No wonder you’re so pretty. Although, now I’m wondering what you’d be like as a demoness. A bombshell? A total cutie of a succubus?”

“L-Lacey!” I was definitely blushing furiously, and she was definitely enjoying it.

I could hear my demonic grandma’s laugh from the other room. “You both missed out on that part!” She shouted.

“G-granny!!!”

* * *

At long last we all sat around the dining room table; a delicious spread set out for our holiday supper. A smattering of vegetables littered the table, roasted Brussel sprouts with pancetta, half a cob of corn for each of the seven of us, a bowl of creamed kale, and a salad made up of cabbage, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, and radishes. I felt bad about the salad as it largely went ignored, even by Mom who advocated for it. I could hear Mama tease her about her insistence for it over coleslaw, Granny even saying she’d eat it over the salad. I would’ve taken Mom’s side, it was a good selection of veggies after all, but I was too taken by the other options.

The hot foods were of course the star of the evening. There was a quiche that Mama, Granny, and I all loved. It went well with the sweet potatoes. Then there were of course the meats. A split decision of turkey and ham. Our family could never fully decide on one, until a few years ago it was just decided to have both, which especially paid off this year with Grandma and Granny both having much larger appetites than before. Their transformations hadn’t just made them hotter, which it felt weird to call them considering they were my grandparents, but it also pulled their metabolisms back into prime shape, now that they were closer to younger adults, which made me wonder how old any of us would get. And then there was the real star of the night.

“Can I have some more?” Granny asked giddily, her demonic tail waggling around.

“Seriously, that’s your third helping!?” Bart argued. “Or do you want to get fat?”

“Bart, be nice. No shaming others for eating or weight,” Mom scolded him as I passed her Granny’s plate. She reached out for the large casserole dish and scooped out a glob of the golden Penn-Dutch delight. As mom passed back her plate, I could help but pass her a pleading look. “Would you like some more filling, Galea?”

“Yes please,” I asked a little sheepishly. I probably shouldn’t. It was my third helping too, but it was so good.

“Seriously?” Bart rolled his eyes. “You’re all gonna get fat on that junk. I thought girls are supposed to care about that kind of stuff, unless…”

“Me too, please!” Lacey asked with a smile. She gave Bart a sly grin, as if to challenge him to keep talking. He didn’t. I gave her a smile. “Don’t get me wrong,” she whispered. “It’s funny shutting him up like that. But, geez girl, this stuff is so good. I’m so jealous that you got to grow up with it.”

“I’m glad you enjoy it,” Mom smiled. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s really worth it. And besides, what girl doesn’t like a good tasty meal like this. Right dear?” She looked to Mama who gave her a giddy nod.

“Y-you can’t be serious,” Bart started to object.

“Geez, kiddo,” Granny grumbled. “You don’t gotta get that riled up about this stuff.”

“And I know your mothers taught you better than to act like this,” Grandma commented, breaking her silence. She gave a piercing glare to my brother that seemed to freeze him in place. I couldn’t help but blush at how cool she was. Even my ears were rising in awe of her wonder.

“Hey, Lea,” Lacey whispered. “Do you think you’ll be able to give that chilly elven glare someday?”

“M-maybe? Why do you ask?”

“Mm, just thinking about how fun that would be in bed,” she giggled.

“You’re incorrigible,” I giggled back.

“Sheesh,” Bart groaned. “When the heck did I wind up the only guy in the family.”

“Since the beginning,” Grandma stated bluntly.

“What the hell are you…?” Bart gawked at her.

“Cheyane was always a girl,” Grandma continued. “And so was your mother and sister.”

“Like hell that’s true!” Bart protested. “I mean, last year they were…”

“Sorry to burst your bubble, kiddo,” Granny cut him off, “but I was always like this, I was just a big ol’ closet case,” she chuckled nervously, her tail drooping a bit.

“Wait, really!?” Mama exclaimed. “All this time you…” she frowned. “Now I feel like a jerk.”

“Hmm, what do you mean?” Granny frowned.

“I… I didn’t want to tell you about myself for a long time because I was scared of how you’d react. I mean, you were in the military and always… yknow…”

Granny froze. “I… can see that,” she finally said with a frown. “I was trying real hard to hide it. I felt like I didn’t have a choice to be anything else.”

“Guess we have that in common,” Mama frowned. “If only we talked with each other, maybe we could’ve been together like this sooner. Unfortunately, neither of us were willing to do anything like Galea did.” She chuckled sullenly.

“I… I just… when I started figuring myself out in college, I wanted to do what was best for myself. I feel kinda silly being afraid of coming out last year now, all things considered,” I admitted. But then I began to frown as I looked at my brother. He seemed really upset. I expected it to a degree, but something felt off about him. It was almost like he seemed more crestfallen than angry.

“Bart?” Mama tried to reach out to him, but he turned away. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m going outside to get some fresh air,” he muttered as he rose from the table.

“What am I going to do about that boy?” Mom frowned. She looked to Mama who had a pensive look on her face. “Darling? Is something wrong?”

“Bart… is he…?” Mama looked to me and Granny. Granny frowned with a complicated look in her eyes. I had to imagine I had a similar look in my eyes. How could I not? Bart had always been so close to me, looked up to me and wanted to follow me everywhere. He never had a lot of friends except for a few girls he got along with. Kinda like me, really.

“It is kinda funny though,” Lacey chuckled lightly. “That he’s the only boy now,” she glanced at me. “Makes me wonder how long that’ll last.” Mom and Grandma’s eyes lit up as she asked that. I took a deep breath, gripping Lacey’s hand in thanks, then rose from my chair and darted out of the room. “Go get ‘em, Sugar Plum.”

* * *

It was rather nostalgic really. While it was kind of clear when we had arrived, it had quickly begun to snow, leaving the neighborhood coated with a nice layer of white. I remembered running through our front yard with Bart when we were kids. Laughing, playing, making snow angels, throwing snowballs, and even making snowmen, although we preferred them being snowgals. I remember with all of them, he’d try mimicking me. The way I made snowballs, the way I’d brush the snow off myself. He loved playing with me. He always loved being with me.

Things got a little strained as we got older though. He still tried emulating me, and it got really annoying over time. I came to hate having my habits and tendencies repeated at me. For a long time, I didn’t understand why. I eventually settled on it being because I thought I was being made fun of, but of course he’d never do that. It made a lot more sense that it bugged me because it was another reminder of who I was, and what I wasn’t allowed to be.

I stepped outside, now wearing a fluffy red and white jacket, and approached him. He was standing under the large tree at the corner of the street. He looked up towards the pair of hooks in the branch that we used to use for our swing when we were kids. Looking back, we loved to take turns pushing each other and swinging all day, giggling all the while. I couldn’t help but smile. I took a deep breath and called out to him. “Bart, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” he lied. It was so obviously a lie. He was always terrible at lying like that. His voice would always shake, and he’d always get teary eyed and shrink in place. I walked up to him and grabbed hold of his shoulder.

“I’m here to talk about it, if you want.”

“Just leave me alone.” He pulled himself away and walked over to the tree. He plopped himself down into the snow, sitting against the mighty oak. He groaned as I sat beside him. His morose demeanor was cracked for a moment as released a sudden squeak and shivered in place as the damp cold settled onto my thighs, causing him to chuckle.

I leaned over and pulled him into a gentle side hug. “I’m not the kind of big sister to leave you alone like that.”    He muttered and moaned into his arms, attempting to ignore me. I sighed. “Please talk to me. I care about you, and seeing you hurt like this… it hurts me too.”

“Why did things have to change?” He muttered.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“When we were kids, we were always together. We’d talk about everything and do everything together. But then you changed… you became like this.”

I sighed. “I won’t pretend that I don’t miss that too. But, I was in a lot of pain back then. Being like that… being a boy, it was hurting me. I couldn’t be happy. Not really.”

“I managed…” he muttered.

“What was that?”

He sighed. “I don’t get it. Why am I the only one who has to feel like this? Why am I the only one who has to be alone!?” Bart asked.

“Bart…”

“You got to change. You got to leave it all behind… leave me behind. But I’m still stuck here like this. I’m just the weird boy in the family now. Who am I supposed to be now? Who am I supposed to look up to?”

“I see. That really is what this was all about, isn’t it?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Bart…” I took a deep breath. I wasn’t sure if I should ask it, and part of me hated what I was about to say, but I needed to, for Bart. “What did you see in me? What about me as a boy did you look up to?”

He looked to me, with big sad eyes and then dropped them back to the ground. “You… you were the only one who made me feel like there was some point to all of it. Some point to being a boy. Even if others made fun of us, I always had my big brother to look up to and know that everything was going to be okay. But then… last year, when you came out… it was like that all fell apart. Suddenly, the only reason I had to keep going just disappeared. I couldn’t follow you there, and it hurt. And then Dad… Momma, she changed too. Even Granny changed. I feel so alone… and now I… what am I supposed to do now?”

“That’s up to you,” I said softly. “But I’ll be with you, no matter what you decide. You can’t emulate me forever, but you can be yourself. You can be anything you want, baby bro… even my baby sister, if you wanted.” Bart looked up at me, wide-eyed, a shiver traveling up their back. They looked like they wanted to cry. “It’s okay. You don’t have to keep it in anymore.”

They didn’t say anything. They just cried and cried into my chest.

* * *

The world had changed a lot in the past two years. But things finally seemed to be starting to settle down. There were still a lot of weird and scary things going on in the world, but they could wait for now.

Lacey and I rode on a very familiar bus, and I told her stories both new and old, full of details that had finally begun to click over the past few years. We giggled and teased each other before we came to that familiar street corner and that familiar tree. The ground was covered in snow, just like we had left it a year ago. We smiled at each other and approached the door.

I attempted to knock, but Lacey quickly grabbed my hand, gripping it in hers and knocked on the door with them. I gave a small pout as she stuck her tongue out at me. And then the door opened, a familiar purple cat lady standing there with a smile.

“Hello, dear,” Mom smiled.

“Merry Christmas, Mom.” I hugged her. “How are things.”

“Oh, they’ve been.” She giggled. “Come on, the others are in the Living Room.”

We followed her into the familiar room. Immediately I noticed Grandma sitting on the couch with book in hand with a particularly lewd title. Granny rested in her lap, occasionally teasing her about the book’s contents, Grandma either chuckling or blushing depending on what she said.

Beside them at the other side of the couch was Momma who was playing a racing game with someone beside her. She began to laugh as they completed their race, and the screen showed her come second to the person beside her. It was then that she looked over to me and waved. “Merry Christmas, Galea!” She smiled happily.

“Merry Christmas, Momma,” I smiled back.

“Galea?” An unfamiliar high sweet voice questioned. A tiny cat girl with pink hair peeked out beside Momma, her eyes opening wide with excitement. She hopped to her feet and dashed over to me, ensnaring me in a tight hug. “Galea! You’re home!”

“Y-you’re…” Lacey looked at the girl.

I looked down at her. “Sis?” She looked up beaming, as her single cat tail bobbed back and forth. “When did you change?”

“Earlier this month!” she declared. “You should’ve seen it! There was this big fight downtown. And there was all this magic flying around. And then I started glowing and turned out like this.”

“You make it sound a lot more fun and less scary than it was.” Mom sighed. “I was worried sick that you’d gotten hurt.”

“But it’s so amazing though!” She giggled. “I became like you Mom! And I don’t even have to take medicine anymore!”

“Too bad it happened right after we refilled your prescription though,” Momma laughed.

“I’m glad,” I smiled. “You’re looking a lot happier, Cassie.”

“Thank you, sis! I feel better!”

“Aww, she’s just like a little kitten,” Lacey teased, giving the cat girl good head pat. Cassie smiled gleefully as she sucked up the affection.

“I told you she’d call her that,” Granny laughed.

“Hush you,” Grandma scolded. “Everyone’s here now, and it’s not time for supper yet. Do you want to do presents now?”

“Oh, that’d be fun!” Cassie said excitedly.

“I’m gonna have to disagree,” I said, surprising the others. “I want to play with my gift a little more first," I smiled at Cassie. She looked at me with her big round slit eyes which shimmered with awe. She smiled and nodded as she pulled me into another hug. “Merry Christmas, Cassie.”