The Price Of Success free porn video

The Price of Success by Ginny Wolf "You have got to be kidding me!" That is exactly what I said to my oldest friend Isabel Becker. I have known Isabel since we were freshmen in high school. At that time her name, or rather, his name was Dante Moretti. "I certainly am not kidding, Quentin Donne, not about something so serious. Remember, 'The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand and....'" "'... and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.' Yeah, yeah, I know," I said as I finished the quotation. The words came from the great football coach Vince Lombardi and were the oft repeated mantra of Tommy "Sarge" Harrison, our high school coach. Neither Dante nor I were great players. We played for enjoyment in a mid-size high school with an average team and felt we had a great season if we won five or more of our ten games. He and I both went to a state university, were roommates, both on campus and later in an off-campus apartment, the best of friends and earned our way through school. My mother became a widow at age 31 and worked hard to provide a decent life and good education for me and my sister Darrene, two years older than me. To get through college I worked summers in a large factory and part-time in the campus library during the school year. People told me that I'm a pretty decent piano player and could write a nice song once in awhile but music as a career was out of the question. I wanted a job that could make money, a lot of money, with certainty, so I majored in accounting, got a decent job in an accounting firm and after three years partnered with my friend Wanda Taylor to start an accounting and financial planning firm. Wanda, a slim brunette, had majored in electrical engineering but found the old-boys-network hard to break into. She has a high IQ and is a wizard at math so we did well in our own boutique little firm, both of us good with numbers and at helping people make money. We were increasingly attracted to each other but we both felt the need of financial security before we would consider marriage and family, even though we began living together. We spent long hours at work each week and made money yet neither of us felt secure, or at least I did not feel secure. At least not just yet. Dante came from a big and trouble-filled family. His alcoholic father was abusive. His mother, worn out by caring for seven kids with little money and enduring her husband's abuse, had several nervous breakdowns and ended her own life just when we were starting our junior year in high school. Sarge Harrison took Dante into his house for those last two years of high school. Dante seemed to be a naturally good cook, baker and bartender but, like me, majored in something more certain, earning a degree with a double major in economics and business management. I mean what guy would major in home ec and expect to make a decent living? We had fun times in college when he would cook up food for a group of our friends and I would put together a trio or quartet and bang out some music. Good times which we fondly remembered. After graduation Dante headed for metropolitan Washington, D.C. and in the Maryland suburbs met a Dr Athena Remes. The next thing I knew Dante had become Isabel, married a nice guy named Owen Becker, a successful journalist and novelist who apparently had once been as much a woman as Dante had been a man, and in short order they had two children. Wanda and I considered the whole thing kind of creepy and did not ask many questions. Nor did we want to have more information. The whole thing was just weird, that's all there was to it. But he, or rather she, was a friend. We stayed in touch, visited and even vacationed together several times. That was why, in part, we were spending a week with Isabel and Owen. We needed a break and at a downtime left our excellent office manager to handle things while Wanda and I took three weeks vacation. The plan was to spend a week with our friend and her family, a few days touring D.C. and eating in some of our favorite restaurants, then on to Florida to see my mother. My sister, now a tenured professor at a women's college, and I had put together a comfortable retirement for mom. Mother loved the warmth and the ocean much more than the cold and snow of Minnesota winters. Owen inherited some family money and his five novels on the New York Times best seller list over six years insured a comfortable life for the Becker family. They lived in a beautiful roomy house with a swimming pool, had a housekeeper who cleaned and cooked for them and a nanny to help with the care of pretty 9 year old Kaelyn and active 6 year old Tommy. Isabel ran a part-time catering service, taking care of select clients for top dollar but working at her convenience and keeping her husband and children as her priority. By whatever manner the stars ordain such things, Isabel, Wanda and I shared birthdays within weeks of each other. Our time together on this trip began with a slightly belated party for the three of us, who recently had turned 33. After a fun-filled dinner party by the side of the pool, the children went to bed. Wanda went with Owen into his study to talk politics while Isabel and I relaxed and sipped wine poolside in the quiet dusk. It was then that Isabel blew my mind by suggesting that Wanda and I visit with Dr Athena Remes who could arrange for us to spend a week or so in bodies of the opposite sex. I dismissed the idea out of hand as the stuff of mythology or science fiction. Even if it could be done, I asked, why would I want to try it? In response, Isabel sweetly and softly suggested that I needed to make an effort to apply the best of myself to the task at hand, namely, living a creative and productive life rather than just making money. "When is the last time you sat down at the piano and just let the music come out of you? You still have a beautiful singing voice. When did you last sing just for fun? You know Wanda wants to marry you and have a couple of babies. When, oh when, Quentin, are you ever going to get down on your knees and ask for her hand?" "And a week or two in a woman's body is going to help me how? Will that give me answers to your questions?" I asked rather testily. Still speaking sweetly, Isabel responded. "It might and it might not give you answers. I sense that if you and Wanda spent a few days living in the sex of the other, you'd both understand each other a lot more. And maybe you would find a way, afterwards, that would release that creative genius that's inside of you, my dear friend. Dr Athena gave me that experience. It just happened that I found that I wanted to remain a woman to tap my creativity. Sure, having monthly periods is damn inconvenient and going through labor and delivery are hard work. But as a wife, a mother and a small business owner I'm certain that I do my best with the tasks at hand. I think ten or fourteen days as a woman would give you a whole new outlook. You can find a better way to apply yourself and use your talents. All of your talents, Quentin." Later Wanda and I snuggled in bed in the guest room and talked well into the wee hours of the morning. She had a similar conversation with Owen and favored the idea. "I think that ten days or two weeks or whatever for you to experience life from a woman's prospective would help you and me both." She kissed me with a long, slow, deep and passionate kiss that aroused me. "And I'd like to experience having a hard-on just like you are right now," she giggled. "Oh, all right, all right! Let's try it. But this is not permanent, understand? I like my body as it is. I think we are doing well enough." "In the business, yeah, sure we are, honey. But I want to be married and have a family. Wouldn't you like to have a couple of children like theirs? I guess more than any thing I'll try this to arose maternal feelings in you so you can understand mine." "Darling, if it is that important to you, I'll try it. You must agree that it is only a two week trial. Agreed?" "Agreed. Unless..." "Unless what?" I asked. "Unless both of us, from the bottom of our hearts, would decide together to keep the change on a permanent basis. I like the idea of experiencing a tall, muscular body like yours but it would take a total change of heart for me to stay in a masculine body such as Owen chose." "Yes. I agree with you there. I'm in no way interested in being pregnant and going through labor. Or the inconvenience of wearing tampons every month." "You are such a guy, sweetie. Now let's get some sleep. We're seeing Dr Remes at 10 tomorrow morning." "We're what?" I gasped. "I told Owen to call and schedule us. He said we could cancel if I could not convince you to give her a try. Close your eyes and sleep, dear." To my surprise I fell immediately into a deep and peaceful sleep. In the morning Owen went into Washington to interview a professor at Georgetown University. Isabel drove us over to Dr Remes office. The building was a non-descript two-storey structure set back from the road, hidden by trees, approached by a long driveway which wound past bubbling fountains and carefully arranged flower beds. The deluxe interior exuded feelings of quiet power and a soul-resting tranquility. Wanda and I were immediately ushered into the presence of Dr Athena Remes. Dr Remes wore an expensive business suit, sheer hose and high heels. Despite the modern dress I easily could see her as the personification of the ancient Greek goddess whose name she bore, wearing armor and helmet and carrying a spear. Her hair was of the deepest black, shining almost blue when the sunlight caught it in certain ways, and the thick, dark and long waves rested on her shoulders. The face was a perfect oval with high, elegant cheek-bones and grey eyes which smiled and reassured. Her nose was thin and delicate, her mouth voluptuous, her manicured fingers slim and graceful. The skin of her perfect body was smooth and naturally bronze. While about 5' 6" in height she moved in a way that suggested a tall and almost military bearing. From her slender neck to her well-curved breasts to her narrow waist and wide hips she exuded womanly grace and a powerful sexuality. We sat around a small table and over cups of excellent tea, Dr Remes asked us about ourselves. After listening carefully she explained, "I am the forty-second generation of women in my family who practice ancient arts and do so only for the good of humanity. Yes, I can, as your friends suggested, arrange this experience for you, a learning experience for a period of up to seventy-seven days. At any time before that you can tell me to change you back and I will immediately do so, or, should you find you like your life in your new bodies, I can make it permanent for you. If you make no choice by day seventy-seven you shall return to your present form automatically on day seventy-eight. Always my proteges enter the experience perfectly well-equipped. For example, you Wanda, will find that you can perfectly tie a necktie even if you have never done it before. You will shave with manly expertise and have skills in any masculine sports which you would like to play. Quentin, you will find that you walk as naturally and gracefully in high heels as if you had done so since junior high. When you apply your makeup in the morning you will do so with an experienced hand. Other parts of your personalities remain the same. Same IQ. Same age. Wanda, the same math abilities. Quentin, the same musical abilities. But Wanda will be a handsome and masculine male. Quentin will be a beautiful and feminine female." I laughed out loud at the thought of myself wearing heels and putting on lipstick. The practical Wanda asked, "Dr Remes, what about appropriate clothes?" "You will find that the items in your suitcases are appropriately changed as well. Of course, Wanda, do not be surprised if the new Quentin decides to go shopping with Isabel and returns with a new dress and several new pairs of shoes." Wanda and I both laughed. "Now my dears, I am going to ask each of you to spend an hour or so separately with my staff psychologists. Mere routine, you understand. My inner sense is that both of you are fine candidates and ready to try new life. After your evaluations, the three of us shall luncheon together. You will experience the magic which will cause to enter a deep sleep. My staff will assist Isabel in returning you to her house. You shall awaken in the morning quite refreshed and fully aware of your new personhood. Let me ask, how do you wish to be called in your transformed bodies? Wanda, what about you? A favorite man's name?" Wanda looked thoughtful. "You know, I always liked the name Gavin." "Excellent! Tomorrow you shall live as Gavin Taylor. And you, Quentin? Ever thought about a woman's name that you might like to be called?" "My mother encouraged me and my sister to read a lot. There was a novel I read as a teenager. I don't remember the title or the author but the heroine was Elinore and her friends called her Ellie. For some reason that struck me as really cool." Athena Remes smiled sweetly. "Fine choice. You will automatically introduce yourself as Elinore Donne and people such as Isabel will call you Ellie. Oh, one other question. Quentin, are there any blondes in your family line? Would you like to be a natural blonde?" "As a matter of fact, my maternal grandmother was blonde. My mother always said it was a shame that her sister, my Aunt Hetty, got the gene and mom did not. She wished it might crop up in either me or my sister but missed us too. Yes, I think I'd like to see what I look like as a blonde." Wanda interjected, "Yeah, he'll look cute as a blonde." Dr Remes added, "Yes, Elinore will be a natural blonde. And you, my dear, what color hair would Gavin like to have?" "Mmmm, I'm not sure. I've always admired men and women with red hair, not the real scarlet stuff but like something a reddish brown." "Fine. So it shall be. Gavin will have reddish brown hair." She smiled at us again. "I can advise you that in this test period Elinore can not become pregnant. Should you eventually decide to remain a woman, Elinore, you will be as fertile as any woman your age." I blushed. Wanda giggled. "Any other questions? About anything?" The ever practical Wanda said, "Doctor, I have a question. If, and it is very big 'if' at this point, as Quentin and I agreed to a test period with a big condition between us, but if we should decide to remain in our new personhood, what about things like school records, our families, our business clients?" "The magic is complete. School and government records will bear your new names should you select to continue in new lives. Family, friends, colleagues and clients will remember you only by your new names, even if only one of you should elect to change. I do make provision for each prot?g? to select persons who remember them in prior life. For example, your dear friend Isabel loves the two of you so much she selected only you two and her old coach, Sarge Harrison, to remember Dante. Should you return to the high school, Quentin, you would find only school records of Isabel Moretti, not Dante. Isabel's husband loves her so much that he agreed that you two could know of his past. Had he not done so you would know him only in his masculine life. If you come to that decision, I will give you two the same choices. Any other questions? If not, I shall summon two of my staff to interview you. Ready?" Dr Remes' administrative assistant took me to an office to meet with a psychologist named Dr Venus Rizzo while Wanda met with Dr Martin Gallo. Like Dr Remes, Dr Rizzo was beautiful and professionally dressed. Her office was comfortable and nicely decorated. She insisted that I call her Venus. For an hour and a half she tested me with some written forms as well as oral questioning, finishing with a casual and friendly chat. Finally she looked at her watch. "Excellent! Quentin you are a fine candidate and will have a good experience. Are you ready?" I sighed. "I think so but I'm a little nervous." "Most all our proteges are. That's healthy and normal. Let me take to Athena's private dining area." Taking me by the arm, she guided down another hall and into a cozy, light-filled dining area. Wanda already sat at Dr Athena's right hand. I took the chair to her left. A uniformed maid served us a luncheon consisting of chicken and rice soup, classic Greek salad and the best baklava I had ever tasted. The meal finished with iced Greek coffee. During the meal we chatted casually and Dr Athena put us at ease. As we finished our coffee, she asked, "Are you ready to try new lives, my dears?" Wanda eagerly exclaimed, "Absolutely!" I merely quietly nodded. The maid appeared with two cups of a steaming potion which emitted a strange, almost bitter odor but tasted extremely sweet so it was easy to finish in one long gulp as Dr Athena directed. Craziness ensued. The room seemed to fill with a kind of smoke or incense. Beautiful music came from somewhere. The walls looked like they were moving. I could hear Dr Athena singing in some unknown language. I thought I saw an owl sitting on the window ledge and an olive tree sprouting up in the corner. I remembered enough mythology to recall that both the owl and the olive tree are sacred to the Goddess Athena. Suddenly my eyes rolled back in my head and I remembered nothing else. Just as suddenly I was fully awake and thinking clearly, as when I had a long and restful sleep. I realized that I was alone in bed and not in the guest room. I looked at the bedside digital clock and saw it was 5:36 a.m. Looking around I quickly discovered that I was in the extra bedroom near Isabel and Owen's master-bedroom. I rose, went into the bathroom, lifted my pale yellow nightie- where did that come from?- and sat to pee as if I had done it that way all my life. That done, I stood and looked at myself in the mirror. Elinore Donne stared back at me. Long, blonde hair with a bit of a natural wave, 5' 4" tall instead of my former 5' 10", bright blue eyes in place of my brown ones, a buxom chest, slim and narrow waist, derriere with a bit of padding, womanly hips, slim fingers, petite toes, a face with a perky little nose, round cheeks showing a cute pair of dimples when I smiled, and a pair of sensuous lips that amazed me. My awareness of time and space and sense of self as a woman were sharp and clear. I padded back to the bed but knew I would not sleep anymore. After all it was early afternoon yesterday when we drank the potion at Dr Athena's office so I had slept more than 14 hours. I wondered where Wanda, whom I found myself instinctively referring to Gavin, was sleeping. I did not hear any activity in the house so I decided to just relax until I heard Isabel and Owen stirring. As I lay there I looked at my own shape. The two round mounds of my new breasts drew my attention. They looked so pretty I naturally rubbed them through the fabric of my night gown and almost instantly my nipples grew erect. I sat up long enough to remove my nightie and resumed rubbing my nipples. An increasing, warm pleasure moved across my chest and into my brain. A growing wetness between my thighs drew my attention to my vagina. I had to have more. First I simply stroked the flesh around my opening. Each time I stroked I felt little shocks of pleasure. I put a finger then two inside my opening. I amazed myself at how much wetter I became. The feelings were exquisite. My pace slowly increased. Soon I felt a sensation building within me, starting in my head and my toes at the same time and moving into my middle. I grabbed a pillow and bit it to avoid screaming out loud as I felt my first female orgasm. The thought hit me: when Gavin takes me I'm going to come loudly. In my mind I envisioned wiggling and squirming under him- already, even without yet seeing him, it was Gavin, not Wanda- while he thrust deeply into me. I found myself growing wet again and orgasmed a second time as I rubbed myself vigorously, my mind filled with the very thought of sex with "my man." Wow! Dr Athena had done as she promised. I was all woman, a very feminine woman. Unable to stop myself I put my fingers to my face and the smell of female sex filled my nostrils. I licked my own honey off of fingers and found it a rather pleasant taste. Smiling happily I slowly began massaging my clitoris again, taking my time, enjoying the increasing pleasure coursing through my body. After my third orgasm I lay there, relaxed and extremely satisfied. So this is what women mean by multiple orgasms, I thought to myself. Sweet! In time I got up and went back to the bathroom. Once again, as on auto- pilot, I covered my long hair with a pink plastic shower cap and took a comfortably warm shower. Afterwards, I put on my night gown, a matching yellow robe and a pair of mules with a low heel. Here too, Dr Athena had performed her magic. Isabel, or someone, had brought one of my suitcases into this room and it contained lovely, feminine things. Without a second thought I grabbed my handbag- where did that come from?- and stood before the mirror to apply some foundation, mascara and lipstick. As I applied it to my lips, I laughed as I had yesterday but this time I actually was putting on my own lipstick. In another moment Isabel knocked at the door. "Hey girl friend! Are you decent?" I invited her in. For the first time since she had become a woman we were once again the same height as we had been in high school, though now 6" shorter. We hugged and kissed and she admired my new body. "Come on, Ellie. A quick breakfast and then I'm taking you to my day spa for hours of girly pampering." Inside myself that sounded like great fun and I giggled. "Wonderful. But where is Gavin?" "Owen took him out for breakfast at the club and then they are playing golf. We deliberately put you two in separate rooms last night. I didn't want you to see each other until after the spa staff glams you up. I plan to make sure that you are totally sumptuous before he sees you. Your man will get a hard-on just looking at you, honey. After our beauty treatments I'm taking you shopping for a dress and shoes because you and your sweetheart are going to dinner with me and my husband. Come on! Cook has breakfast ready for us. Nanny is giving the children breakfast and taking them to the playground." Before we left the room, I grabbed Isabel. "Tell me, please, dear, what does he look like?" "My God, Ellie! You've got yourself a hunk! He's gorgeous. Tall. Muscular. The kind of hair a girl wants to run her fingers through, over and over. This sexy bass voice. Which reminds me, how do you like sounding soprano? Have you sung your scales yet to hear yourself?" Shortly before 9 o'clock Isabel guided me into Seventh Heaven Day Spa and Beauty Salon. At the desk the receptionist greeted us. "Hi Mrs Becker. Nice to see you today. And you must be her friend, Ms Donne. Welcome to Seventh Heaven. Are your ready to be pampered?" My first treatment did not feel like pampering as I lay in a state of near nakedness and quivered as I underwent my first ever bikini wax while Isabel sat watching, sipping coffee and directing the torture. "Madeline, just leave a little strip on her, you know where, just like you do on me. Her man will love it." As I winced, Madeline asked sympathetically, "Your first bikini wax, Miss Elinore? You know we ladies pay a price for beauty but Miss Isabel is right. Your man will love you this smooth. And that one little cluster of hair right above your sweet spot, that always turns a man on. You are fortunate because your pubic hair matches your blonde head. This will drive your man wild." Fortunately the rest of the time was much more enjoyable. Session in the sauna. Full body massage. Three different facial treatments, one while having my manicure, another while receiving a pedicure and the third while in a seaweed body wrap. Shampoo and hairstyling. A makeup artist finished us with a lovely day-time look after which I spent a small fortune on recommended cosmetics. We stopped for a healthy and sensible late lunch then moved on to shopping. While going from store to store I realized that I was expertly walking in a cute pair of sandals with 3" heels. The magic worked! With Isabel's help I bought a pretty red, sleeveless cocktail dress, a purple dress that was really short, and a basic little black dress that she assured me "looks just darling on you" and mysteriously asserted that I might soon need. Of course, the dresses required shoes and a few accessories. As I selected several pairs of earrings I discovered that my new body came equipped with pierced ears. Isabel drove us home at a pace a bit over the speed limit so we could get upstairs and change before "our guys" arrived home. I dressed in the red cocktail dress with sheer black pantyhose, peep-toe black pumps with 4" heels, long and slender silver earrings and a very upscale handbag. Holding hands, Isabel walked me to the top of the steps. "Gentlemen, are your ready for the ladies?" she called out. I heard Owen and another deep male voice which I did not recognize answer "Yes." We started down the stairs and I caught my breath as I had my first look at Gavin. There stood a truly handsome man, 5' 10", lean, muscular, a head of thick reddish-brown hair, merry brown eyes and a smile that made my new female hormones surge. He in turn devoured me with his eyes, making me blush. "My God, Ellie! You look spectacular," he declared. When I reached the bottom of the steps Gavin wrapped his arms firmly around me and delivered a fire- filled kiss. I felt the beginning of a wet spot in my brand new panties. Owen watched us for a few moments before declaring, "All right, love birds, get a room later. I'm hungry. And we have reservations at one of the finest restaurants in town." Isabel gave him a love swat. "Hey, man of mine, they are having the first look. Let them enjoy it." Turning to me, she said "But we should get going. Our reservation is for 8 o'clock." Gavin held the rear car door for me and assisted me to sit. As the men went around to the other side of the car to enter, Isabel giggled. "Isn't that just the sweetest feeling when they do that for us?" I had to admit that I enjoyed the sensation. As we walked to our table at the restaurant I noticed how many men looked only at the legs or the breasts on me and Isabel. I felt annoyed and made a mental note to ask Gavin if I did that to Wanda or if she saw me look that lustfully at other women. A learning experience, indeed when one is on the receiving end of such looks. Our waitress did a very fine job and I made sure that Gavin left a generous tip. While I was enjoying my female body I noticed distinct differences in the way I ate and drank. I ordered a small steak and still felt satisfied and gave Gavin my third glass of wine as two glasses were quite enough for me. He and I split a rich desert, as I allowed him to take 2/3 of it. Before desert Isabel and I went to the ladies room and I learned a bit about why women seem to take longer. While it was luxurious and comfortable, there simply were not enough stalls to accommodate a large number of women. Taking a pee requires more time when one has to arrange skirt, pantyhose and panty, then sit to relieve one's self. Of course, she and I took a minute to freshen our lipstick. "How are you doing, honey? Are you okay?" she asked me as we walked back to rejoin our men at the table. "I'm doing fine, dear. Dr Athena promised that I would be 'perfectly well-equipped' and she was right. I felt like a pro doing my lipstick back there," I answered. "Good! Enjoy these experiences. And remember, I'm your oldest and best girl friend. I've always got time to talk." Next we went to a club where there was live dance music. I danced with Gavin and with Owen and surprised myself at how well I followed my male partner and did it gracefully in high heels. Being in Gavin's arms and resting my head against him felt natural. And very comfortable. I hoped that Wanda felt the same when she danced with Quentin. During one number Owen whispered in my ear. "You're a lovely woman. And you've got a great man. Enjoy yourselves the next two weeks. I pray that all works out well for you two, whatever you decide to do." As we headed back to the house, I sat snuggled up to Gavin in the back seat, his arms around my waist, my head resting against him. In his strong arms, I felt safe, secure, satisfied and increasingly ready to give myself to my lover. Wanda and I had been lovers for seven years and living together for the last five. We enjoyed sex. I realized that I was about to experience our "bedroom play-time" from her perspective. I had often wondered if she enjoyed it as much as she said she did. I was about to discover the truth. We arrived at the house. Owen and Isabel bade us good-night. As we headed for the guest room, Owen turned back and said, "Gavin, I'm working here in the morning but in the afternoon I'm covering a Senate sub-committee hearing. I can get you in if you're interested in coming with me." Before Gavin could respond, Isabel interjected, "Oh, by the by, the guest room is fairly sound-proof. The children can't hear you. Enjoy yourselves, kids!" She laughed and gave us a naughty wink. Gavin and I both blushed. As soon as we entered the room Gavin pulled me close and kissed me. When he kissed my soft lips, slick with my new lipstick, I kissed him just as hard in return. If I was going to be a blonde bombshell for a week or two, I figured I might as well enjoy all the benefits that came along with my sexy appearance. I sensed Gavin's strong desire as he put a hand on my dress over my left bra cup and squeezed my shapely breast. I did not stop him. I knew he was winding up for a long session of love making. When he met no resistance, he moved his hand up above the bodice of my dress, slipped his fingers into the cups of my bra and began to toy with my nipples, which promptly became erect. I gasped, put my left hand on his crotch and squeezed his cock which was growing erect. He grunted and smiled. "How are you liking your hard-on, Gavin?" I asked provocatively. "I'm liking it just fine, Ellie, but I'll like it even more when I'm rock hard and slide into you. I'm going to screw you so long and hard I'll make your brains pop of through your cute little ears." I laughed. He had just used one of my old lines. "Well, you're welcome to try, big boy, if you're man enough to keep it up that long." He grinned because I had returned one of her lines right back at her, er him. I kicked off my heels and turned around, inviting him to undo my dress. He unzipped it and let it fall to my ankles. I turned around, unbuttoned his shirt, removed it, undid his belt and let his trousers fall to his ankles. He laughed and stooped to remove his shoes and stepped out of pants. I saw his manhood poking against his briefs. Without hesitation he pulled me close, thrust his tongue into my mouth, pressed his increasingly firm protrusion against my crotch and slid his hands under my pantyhose and panty to massage my bottom. As soon as we broke the kiss, his skilled hands unfastened my bra and dropped it to the floor, leaving both of my erect nipples exposed. He shifted his hungry lips to my very excited breasts with both nipples firm and projecting straight out. I breathed more heavily as he passionately licked and kissed my breasts. It felt even better than when I had rubbed them myself in the morning. Was that really just hours ago? I sensed that I was growing wetter by the minute. I needed to be on the bed and have my lover inside of me. "Sweetheart, can you give me time to remove my hose and panties? I want you. Now. On top of me. In bed." "Of course, my precious." I expected him to remove his underwear. Instead he stared lustfully at me as I peeled of my pantyhose and rolled my panty down my legs. His eyes practically bugged out of his head when he saw my freshly waxed crotch. "Wow! What did you do?" "It's called a bikini wax, honey. If you like me like this you can thank Isabel. She didn't give a choice at the spa this morning. Oh, she and the cosmetologist both said it would drive my man wild. I see it is having that effect." "You are a brave damsel. I've never had the courage to try that." "As I said, my best girl friend gave me no choice. You just going to stand there and drool or are you going to drop your BVD's and do something?" I sprawled on the bed and seductively spread my legs a bit to give him a view. My darling Gavin dropped his briefs and pulled off his undershirt. He was handsome. Firm. Muscular. Powerful. As well- endowed as I had been when I played football for Sarge. His manliness projecting straight out, rigid, hard, ready. Gavin eased himself gently on top of me, going slowly, easily. Suddenly it dawned on me what he was doing. As Isabel had said, I could learn lessons from a few days or weeks in a womanly body. As a man my instinct at seeing Wanda, looking lovely and full of obvious anticipation, would be to proceed with the greatest possible speed, to have my way with my woman immediately. But Gavin wouldn't, couldn't do that. In the matter of those few hours he had not forgotten what it was like for a woman. Although genuinely enjoying his strong body, his male hormones surging, his powerful erection, he determined to exercise a measure of control to increase my pleasure as his female lover. Clearly he was in the lead, taking the dominant male role yet he commenced a long, slow series of gentle touches, lingering kisses, soft caresses, sweet sucking, tender licking. It was as though we could read each other's mind. More than mere prelude to the act of penetration Gavin used a magic key to unlock all of my womanly passions. And I wanted him to do just that. I sensed that he was making me needy, making me desperate to have him. When he decided that the time was right he would enter me. He was in control. I happily grew hotter, wetter, more eager and willing to let him have his way, knowing it would give us both great pleasure. In my heart I thanked Dr Athena and my friend Isabel. Yes, Isabel and I would have some very personal girl talk. The hardness of my lover's muscular body pressing against my feminine softness gave me a fabulous sensory experience, a new and totally wonderful sensation. As Gavin moved into position between my thighs I naturally moved them farther apart giving him more room to maneuver. A passionate gasp escaped my lips as I felt the head of his determined penis nuzzling against my moist entrance. Clearly he had determined that this was the right moment. I felt totally ready. Yet again I recognized how fully prepared Dr Athena made me. I was not a virgin, losing my maidenhood. I was an experienced lover and the joyful anticipation of the pleasure coming my way made me tremble with excitement. I let out a soft moan. Gavin shifted his weight, forcing his erect member to enter my wet and willing body. In his considerate manner, and in spite of the demands of his fully engorged cock, he eased in a fraction of an inch at a time, making my moist, sensitive tissues tingle. "My God, you feel so good!" I whispered. "I told you. Didn't you believe me?" "If I didn't, I do now. What a feeling!" "There's more to come. Remember, I'm going to do you until your brains pop out." With that he thrust forward, entering me completely. "You are mine, all mine, you sexy blonde vixen." The amazing combination of velvety smoothness and steely hardness of his manliness moving within me, penetrating and expanding my own feminine flesh amazed me, made me wrap my legs around his waist. I moaned loudly. I felt so wonderfully full, so excited, so very womanly that I could barely whisper, "Yes, darling, I'm all yours, yours for the taking." Gavin accelerated his pace, thrusting forward, partially pulling back, thrusting again while emitting a soft sexy growl. The range of delicious sensations amazed me. He felt so large inside of me, yet the sensation was that of a pleasant fullness. "Gavin, I have I ever told you, oh, God, that is good, have I ever told you feel so big? My God, are you big!" He laughed. "No, you haven't told me recently." He seemed to be inspired. I felt his warmth, his masculine power literally expanding. I clung yet tighter to my lover as he invaded my most womanly inner sanctum. By instinct my hips and pelvis moved to his rhythm. A sudden pulsing contraction shook my entire body, and I gasped as his pace accelerated to climax. "Oh yes, darling! Yes!" The next moment I felt his tool make a strange, wonderful wiggle and for the first time in my new life I knew that I was on the receiving end of a man's seed. Not just any man. My man. My wonderful Gavin. For a mere second I wondered what it would be like to make a baby. However, the thought passed as quickly as it came. My sweet and sensitive Gavin did not pull out of me. Instead, while keeping his love-maker inside of me, he resumed passionate kissing of my mouth and cheeks and eyes and a vigorous massing of my breasts. As in the morning a wonderful sensation began to spread through my body, this time from my middle both to my head and down to my toes until something like a bolt of electricity surged through me, immediately followed by an even more powerful bolt which pushed me over the edge. My cry would have been even louder except that Gavin, sensing I was about to scream in ecstasy, filled my mouth with his honeyed tongue and my scream turned into a stifled rather sexy moan. My body shook with uncontrollable pleasure. When it stopped I felt both happily drained and completely satisfied. Dear sweet Gavin had not withdrawn his relaxed love tool from inside of me. With a smile he gently rubbed my right ear, then my left. "Very cute ears, honey, but no grey matter seeping out yet so I guess I must keep going." I looked up at his adorable face. "Well, tiger, if you think you're man enough, go right ahead because I sure am woman enough." He raised himself up just a bit, his manliness still partly in me, and began to stroke my smooth mons. "Quite lovely! Your girl friend was right. It's very exciting." After some minutes of this wonderful massage he leaned forward and began to suck, lick and kiss my breasts. Soon I purred like a kitten. I wrapped my legs across his bottom and pulled him closer while I rubbed his back. In an instant I felt his tool enlarging again. Soon we were both grunting between hot kisses, rubbing each other every place we could reach and he began again thrusting. I tightened my muscles around manhood and squealed with pleasure as he again ejaculated into me. In response to my begging him to keep going I soon felt the electricity again and another wonderful orgasm. We rested and caught our breath. In hushed whispers we agreed to sleep. I went into the bathroom to wipe myself a bit and dressed in a short, slinky little black nightie. Gavin's eyes sparkled when I came back to bed but I made him agree to only cuddle. I fell asleep in his arms almost immediately. In the morning I awoke to Gavin nibbling on my ears, then kissing, licking and petting me. "Don't, please. It's too early..." I started to say but before I could finish, he wrapped his muscular arms around me and drew me close. With great passion he kissed me full on the lips. Partly, I wanted to resist, but he felt so good. Having another one of those womanly orgasms seemed a highly desirable way to start the day. He softly kissed and licked his way down my belly. An expert lover, he knew just what to do because he knew what felt good to a woman. I melted into his arms and grew warm and wet inside. By the time Gavin reached my sex, I thought I might float away. He began kissing and licking around my clit. Suddenly, my hips jerked uncontrollably and I felt waves of warm pleasure roll through my body. Seeing the look on my face and hearing my soft moans, he mounted me and prepared to enter again. He moved between my legs, positioning himself just at the entrance of my slit. I could feel the head of his penis against my opening. I smiled at him. "You sure like being hard, don't you, big boy?" "Yes, my fair lady, I do and I think you like me like this way as well. Ready?" I simply nodded. Slowly he parted the lips of my opening with the head of his penis. My toes curled at his entrance, in anticipation of what was coming. As last night he let himself gently descend into me. My opening was so slick that his manly tool met no resistence. A high squeak and a little grunt escaped my mouth. The feeling of his hardness within me was totally delightful. In a slow steady rhythm, Gavin began to gently, repeatedly slide in and out. I met his thrusts. He grabbed my butt cheeks and pushed from front and behind as his fully erect and quite rigid manhood drilled deep within me. "I've often wondered what is was like to do this," he whispered as he grew firmer and warmer inside me. "How does it feel, dear?" At that moment, I could barely answer, "Fine, darling." My totally female body was experiencing pleasure such as I had never known as a man. I held to him tightly, arching my back and pulling him into me. Soon I was squirming, moaning, alive with pleasure. The bed shook. Suddenly I felt him ejaculate his potent love. He continued kissing my face and lips, massaging my bottom, pushing his deflated but strong manhood inside me. In another moment I shook with my orgasm. We laid in each other's arms, panting hard. I still felt him inside me and it was wonderful laying in his arms with him still buried in me. I liked feeling his muscles and skin next to me and noticing that he needed to shave. Eventually I went to the bathroom, relieved myself in a lady-like manner, covered my hairdo with the plastic cap and turned on the shower. Just as I had the water flowing with the warmth and direction I liked, Gavin joined me in the shower, a pleasure we had shared for the last couple of years on the weekends when we had time. Only this morning I was the slim, pretty woman and he was the tall, handsome man. I began soaping his back with one hand while rubbing his chest with my other. "Nice chest there, big boy," I joked. Gavin grabbed my hand and put it right where he wanted it, on his increasingly hard erection. "Do you mean this 'big boy'?" he asked as he turned to face me. I took a look at Gavin standing up and fully erect. "Oh my God," I gasped in surprise. "You really are so very big! Are you sure that monster really fit into me?" "Well you did say that I felt really big and I fit into you nicely last night and again just a while ago. But there's one way to know for sure, darling," he laughed as he gently pinned me against the opposite wall of the shower. In response I felt like I wanted him. Again. "Prove it to me, big boy," I whispered seductively. Using his athletic strength, he silently lifted me a few inches off the floor and gently lowered me onto his erection. My new channel seemed exquisitely sensitive to the increasing pressure of his hard manhood. Gavin slowly pumped away while I wrapped my arms tightly around him. "Oh, this is wonderful," I whispered as he kissed my neck. With obvious enjoyment he began to throb inside me and I squealed softly as another orgasmic wave swept through me. Eventually we calmed down and returned to the task of washing each other's bodies in the shower. After our shower, Gavin shaved, quickly dressed, and headed to breakfast. I took my time, first selecting clothes. I decided on a black top, pink slacks with a glittery belt and high heeled sandals with an ankle strap. As I applied my makeup I again laughed to myself. Here I was putting on mascara and lipstick with an expert hand, thanks to Dr Athena. Going downstairs I admired my polished toes. The children greeted us as "Uncle Gavin" and "Aunt Ellie". Their mother winked at me and nodded as if to say, "See how easy it can be?" "Did you sleep well, Ellie?" Isabel asked with a naughty and knowing grin. That afternoon Gavin went into Washington with Owen. Mid-afternoon, with the children out playing under the nanny's supervision, Isabel and I had time for some quality girl talk. In answer to her questions I admitted the sex was wonderful. Additionally I had to admit that so far it was all a good experience and I was enjoying myself. I ventured to tell her about the thought, the wondering about making a baby. With her usual sweetness, Isabel responded. "Those are the questions and thoughts Wanda must be having. Honey, she wants to marry you and have a couple of babies." "Isabel, we're not ready for that. I feel too financially insecure. And I worry, quite frankly, about my ability to be a good father." "Really, you worry about the money? Really? Didn't you tell me that last year you had the third year in a row of record profits? Come on friend." While I silently nodded, she merrily added, "Well, if you don't want to father children, you could always mother two or three." "Whoa, girl! I'm not into that," I replied. Yet in the very back, far corner of my mind, I could almost hear my mother saying, "you'd be as good a mother as I was." "Have you thought about what you might do if you return to your life as Quentin and Wanda decides to keep her life as Gavin? Are you willing to sacrifice your romantic relationship with that person?" I confessed that I had not considered that possibility. Isabel looked at me with sympathy. "My female intuition tells me that you had better think about it. Seems to me that Gavin is discovering his real self and likes it. He came downstairs whistling and I knew he had a good night and a good morning. He and Owen are getting along fine. My husband told me that they had a great man-to-man time yesterday." She paused, looked wistful, then added, "Ellie, honey, you've got some time yet to think about things but if you are still going to Florida to see your mom, you'll have to decide within the next thirteen or fourteen days." For a moment I felt choked up and did not say a word. Sensing my discomfort, Isabel changed the conversation to lighter topics. At dinner that night, after the children had left the table and the four adults were enjoying coffee, Owen looked at Isabel with a twinkle in his eyes. "Did you tell her yet?" "Tell me what?" I asked. Isabel scowled at Owen. "Men! Sometimes when you should open your mouth you don't and when you ought to keep it shut you just blab. No, I didn't say anything yet. I was waiting until we left the table and relaxed in the den." "Tell me what?" I repeated. From the bashful look that came over Gavin's face I sensed that he knew whatever this was about. "Would someone please clue me in?" Isabel laughed. "Don't hate me, Ellie honey. Tomorrow is Friday and at times on Friday nights we go to a club we like. They have an open mike and talent show kind of thing and..." "You didn't?" I gasped. "Yes, I did. I signed you up to sing tomorrow night. That's why I insisted that you buy that black dress." "Oh my God! Some friend you are Isabel Becker!" "It's for old times' sake, Ellie. One or two songs in a really safe and welcoming place. And the audience will love you, believe me." Strangely I found myself saying, "Well you better make an appointment for me at Seventh Heaven so I can have my hair done before I'm forced onto stage." I could not believe that those words had just come out of my mouth. "Already done, Ellie. You're scheduled for 3 o'clock with Jackie who did your hair yesterday." "Oh, you are impossible! Maybe I'll get laryngitis and can't say a word," I teased. The others laughed. I returned from the salon the next afternoon with a fashionable updo. The little black dress with short sleeves and short skirt hugged my figure. I put sheer black pantyhose on my legs. The shoes Isabel had convinced me to splurge on were black satin and suede peep-toe heels with 4 and ?" heels and chic bows on the side, right below my ankles. I felt too nervous to apply my own makeup so Isabel did my face in a rather dramatic evening look. Our foursome arrived at the club about 8:15 and it turned out that Owen had reserved a table fairly close to the stage which only added to my anxiety. The house quintet played until the talent show began at 9 o'clock. The first act was a young male singer who was decent, just not well-trained. Second came a middle-aged woman comedian who had us all in stitches. The master of ceremonies, the club owner, came back on stage to introduce the next act. "My dear friends Owen and Isabel Becker brought an old friend of their's to perform for us tonight, a singer-songwriter. Would you give a warm welcome, please, to Miss Ellie Donne?" I had found the music to two of my favorite original compositions and carried it to the stage with me, taking over the piano bench from the house man. Somehow as soon as I started to play I felt calm. By the second verse the guy on the string bass and the acoustic guitar player picked right up on the score and joined in. The woman on the acoustic guitar did a riff between the third and the final verse that was perfect and I felt like I was back doing a college gig. The mojo was working between me and other musicians. The crowd gave me a lot of genuinely appreciative applause. I saw Isabel clapping like mad and Gavin gave me a big, big smile. For the second piece I invited the bass and the guitar player to stand by me at the piano so they could read the music. When we finished the second song we received a standing ovation. I bowed repeatedly, picked up my music and headed back to the table. Suddenly from somewhere in the back, in a voice that sounded a lot like Athena Remes, I heard, "Encore! Encore!" Others took up the call. The master of ceremonies called to me. "Come on back up here, Ellie. Give us one more, would you? This lady has talent, doesn't she?" I doodled on the piano for a few seconds before a brain storm hit me. "Here's a cover of a great piece by Carole King. I haven't played it for a good while but we can improvise a bit if necessary. You ladies all know the chorus so I'd love it if all the women would stand and do the chorus with me when we get there. You fellows will just have to be quiet and hear us roar!" To the band I mouthed "Natural Woman" and they all nodded. I always loved the song but as a man I felt funny singing it so I'd play it at our parties and have the women sing it. As I played the intro every woman in the club stood and applauded. The quintet's leader couldn't play the piano because I was there but he grabbed a keyboard. The sax player and the clarinet player joined in as well with the guitar and string bass and we made the place jump. Four or five dozen women belting out "You make me feel///You make me feel///You make me feel like///A natural woman" gave me chills. I could see Isabel grinning while singing at the top of her lungs. Gavin just glowed. I received all kind of thumbs-up and "atta girl" as I went back to the table. The master of ceremonies said, "Thank you, Ellie. That lady is just great, isn't she?" There was violinist and a poet who performed after I finished. No one else stepped forward so the master of ceremonies turned it back over to the house musicians. One of the waiters approached our table with a bottle of fine champaign and four glasses. Owen raised his eyebrows. "Frank, I didn't order that." "I know, Mr Becker. It's with the compliments of the lady over there as a tribute to Ms Donne." Frank nodded in the direction of a distinguished redhead staring at us. Gavin proposed a toast to me. We all sipped, after which I raised my glass to the giver and mouthed the words "thank you." She took that as a cue and came over. The four of us stood to welcome her and she hugged me. Owen invited her to sit with us. "Just for a minute, thank you. I love your books, Mr Becker, but it's your friend here I wanted to meet." She handed me her business card. "My name is Linda Stein-Hathaway. I'm a record producer in New York. I'm here in the Washington area for a few days on business. Looking for something to do tonight, I saw a notice about the talent show. Since I'm at a hotel just up the road I came over. I had no expectation about hearing such a singer. Ms Donne, you are a truly gifted talent, a fine voice and a creative and original lyricist." She scribbled something on the back of her card. "When you decide to make a recording I want to produce it. That is my direct private line. Call me when you're ready to record. Good night!" She kissed me on both cheeks and breezed away. Back in the guest room, Gavin and I went at like sex-starved escaped prisoners. My man expertly kissed, rubbed, licked, massaged and stimulated me. In my turn I used my lips, tongue and fingers with a womanly skill which I knew was a gift from Dr Athena. Eventually my moans and his grunts grew louder until I begged him to enter. "Darling, I am so wet and ready. Please, please, now!" I said in a hoarse whisper. With a happy grin, he began to nudge into me. I was more than ready, and he easily slid completely into my welcoming channel. His warm and rigid love tool felt wonderful and I sighed softly while smiling up at my man. I hugged him as tightly as I could while wrapping my legs around him. When I felt him moving inside of me, giving me his manly love juice, I gave him a deep, passionate kiss, my tongue trying to reach his tonsils. He returned the favor while squeezing my bottom and my insides quaked with a delicious orgasm. Barely had I returned to normal breathing before Gavin grabbed hold of me and rolled over, pulling me on top of him, without withdrawing from me. He tenderly reached up and rubbed my breasts. I savored the wonderful sensation as my nipples grew hard. "God, you are beautiful, Ellie," he whispered. "Ride me, darling. You know how I would do it for you." Cautiously at first I began to move up and down, being careful not to let his firm, lovely manliness out of myself. As I repeated my motions I felt him grow bigger, wider and myself growing aroused again. I rode him hard until he grunted. "I'm coming, Ellie! Oh goodness, that is good," and he throbbed and vibrated inside of me. Something inside my head seemed to say that his loving ejaculation was worth more than silver and gold. I felt my own orgasm building. As best I could I used my interior muscles to squeeze his tool and pressed my lips to his lips as pleasurable wave after pleasurable wave swept through me. I sighed "aaaaahhhhhh." Gavin tightened his arms around me as he felt me shake. "What a wonderful lover you are, Ellie," he murmured softly. The two couples had a fun weekend, including good times with the children. Several times Isabel gave me a look that said "Wouldn't you like two or three of your own?" Gavin paid me a lot of attention, sweetly holding my hand or cuddling with me as much as possible. It felt good. We made love every night with a passion that never diminished. For me, part of my passion came from a determination to have as much fun as I could in my womanly body for I sensed that I would change back before we went to Florida, regardless of what Wanda/Gavin decided. I could not find the courage which Dante had shown when he chose to remain as Isabel. During the next week Gavin and Owen spent a lot of time together as Isabel and I did. One morning she and I went shopping. She took me to a lingerie shop and convinced me to buy a garter belt and stockings and two very filmy, very short, quite naughty night gowns. Needless to say that night and on the next two nights I drove Gavin wild. The evening of my tenth full day as a woman, Isabel and I celebrated a girls night out, leaving the guys with the children. Gavin told me later how much he loved the experience and wanted children of his own. Over our leisurely dinner Isabel and I talked very intensely. She pressed me hard. Finally I said, "Isabel, ever since high school you have been my best friend. I can't, I won't lie to you. This whole experience is a bit weird. And when push comes to shove, I just don't have the courage or whatever it takes to decide as you did. I'm not ready. Probably never will be. I don't know if I could either explain or just force such a change on my mother. Already I'm concerned that we've been away from the business too long." Sweetly, in a soft but extremely firm tone, Isabel said, "That's bull, dear, and you know it. You or Gavin have checked in every day and all is well, isn't it?" I did have to laugh for when I called, the office manager or the secretary automatically took me for Wanda and if Gavin called, they thought it was me. She continued. "From what I know of your mother, I think she'd love to have two daughters. And a couple of grandchildren. As far as Gavin is concerned I sense more strongly than ever he will remain Gavin for the rest of his life. He is having a great time. He has discovered his real self. He's not going to change back to Wanda. So, do you want to lose this person you have loved for years?" I practically teared up. "I don't know, Isabel, I just don't know what to do. Yes, I'm having a good experience. But is this the way to live the rest of my life? I'm not sure." Isabel took my hands in hers. "Look honey, think about what you lose and about what you gain. Not only taking a chance on the loss of a person who loves you madly but the loss of a career in music. Think about how much that meant to you at one time. Think about what you felt last week when you performed. You can have that, along with marriage and family." From deep in my gut, I let out a sigh. "Yes, I do think about all that. I guess that some part of me is still that proud, macho young football player. I'm not sure that I can or want to let go of him." In a determined and yet sweet tone of voice, Isabel replied, "There is a price for success and it takes the application of the best of yourselves. Ellie, when I look at you I know, deep down inside myself, that the best of you is that woman you are right now. The football player was fun but we were kids then. Let the boy go and become the woman you rightly are. It's not all Dr Athena's magic. It's you. The magic works well because deep inside you want it to work. My dear friend, I am praying hard, storming the heavens for you, asking the powers that be to help you. Above all I pray that love prevails. I shall ask that in the next forty-eight hours you will receive some sign about what I know is the right choice. Whatever you chose, I will still love you as my best friend." That night in the guestroom I was moody, a bit sad, a jumble of conflicting emotions. My sensitive Gavin seemed to understand. Our love- making was quiet, gentle and long. I fell asleep at a late hour, his arms tightly wrapped around me. I wondered: could I really pay the price for success? The night of the twelfth full day of our new lives, Gavin took me out to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the Washington area. We had a quiet table in a corner to ourselves. Inside myself my heart and mind were in turmoil. I felt torn in two, totally undecided about what to do with my life. I knew that Gavin wanted to talk as we soon had to make decisions, particularly if we were still going to go to Florida to see my mother for a few days. However, when he began talking I was not prepared for all that he had say. Starting by taking both of my hands in his, he looked at me with great love. "I understand that you are still undecided, Ellie. But I have reached a decision. For the remainder of my life I will live as Gavin. Yesterday afternoon? While I was gone so long? I had a meeting with one of the best firms of architects and engineers in this area, indeed, in the eastern United States. Owen provided me with a contact and an introduction to one of the senior partners. Based upon the conversation and some testing I did with them, they have offered me a job." "Oh, Gavin! That's wonderful." "Thank you. They would like me to start within the next two weeks. I need to send them my transcripts. I must have them read as the records of Gavin Taylor, not Wanda. Tomorrow I will call Dr Athena and tell her my choice. But there is another choice to make. Yours, not mine. They offered me an incredibly fine starting salary. Enough, more than enough, to support a wife and family." He reached into his suitcoat pocket and produced a little black velvet box. Upon opening it he revealed a gorgeous diamond engagement ring. "Elinore Donne, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" "Good God, Gavin, I don't know what to say." "Just say 'yes.' Please. Please say 'yes.'" *********** Five years later. I grabbed the phone on the second ring and knew it was my sister Darrene without even looking at the caller ID. Her bubbly voice came through before I could say a word. "Hey sis, did that new niece of mine put in an appearance yet?" "Not yet, sis. I have seven more weeks to go unless she decides to grace us with an early appearance." "How are you feeling, sis?" "Fat," I moaned. "Fat, tired of being pregnant, my back aches, my swollen ankles bother me. I'm just glad the baby will be here before the summer heat. My sweet husband promised to take me away to a cooler climate for two weeks after the baby is here." "And how is that wonderful hunk of a man?" "Gavin is fine. Busy. Happy. They just made him a partner, which after barely five years is amazing but they've never seen anyone with his talent." "Great! Congratulate him for me, will you? I'm sure you'll find some proper wifely way to do that." She giggled. "And what of that little dynamo, Wanda?" She meant my three year old first child. "She's napping, otherwise the little magpie would be pestering me to talk to her aunt. Fortunately having mom here for a few months is a big help. Wanda adores her grandmother." "I gather the feeling must be mutual, the way mom raves about that little angel. Well, after the semester is over, Sally and I will come down for a visit." She was referring to her partner Sally Frazier. "That will be good. By then you can play with the new baby as well. And while you're here, you two could get married. It's legal now in D. C. I know a preacher who will gladly officiate." "Would you be my matron of honor?" "You bet, sis. I'd be honored." "Will you write a song for us? And by the way, my friends up here want to know when there will be a new Ellie Taylor album coming." I have had two best-selling recordings in the last four years. "Sometime after the baby," I laughed. "One of the good things about being pregnant is that this baby has inspired me. I've written a lot of new songs. Linda, my producer, is talking about a two-record set this time. But I'll have to lose my pregnancy fat so I can sing comfortably when I'm in the studio." "Don't make me laugh, sis. It's not fair, the figure you've got. How long did it take you to regain your shape after Wanda was born? Two months? Three, max? I hate slender women like you, even if you are my one and only sister." "Honey, you've always looked better in a bikini than I do." Darrene laughed in her turn. "Just because I've always had a bigger bust than you but you got the blonde hair. You're sweet, sis, but my bikini days are past. Good to talk to you. Tell mom I'll call her tomorrow. Give lots of love to your hubby and my nieces. Tell that new one to hatch and come on out." There was a moment of silence. "I love you, sis. You know I always have. Bye now." "Goodbye, sis. I love you too. You and Sally take care of yourselves." A few minutes later, my mother and I shared cups of tea in the kitchen. "Wanda is stil