Becoming Danielle free porn video

"Can I help you?" Mark gestured down the hall to the bedroom. "They gave us a brand-new mattress, Daniel. Just come to bed, you're the one complaining about your back." "I'm fine out here on the couch. Good night." "Dude, I know it wasn't you. Remember I had to take classes too? Didn't they tell you that everyone is different and you might have to get your collar adjusted?" Daniel rolled onto his back and looked up at Mark, who was standing at the end of the couch. "You seem to have forgotten when you had your hands all over me. I can't get to the Clinic until Monday so I think it's best for my sanity and our friendship if I don't sleep with you. This is supposed to be a money thing only remember? I do this and my debts get wiped and your mom gets a grandchild." "Yeah, that makes it my child too. And we are married. And you should remember that social services can take the baby and give it to another couple if they find us unfit." Daniel narrowed his eyes. "I don't like the feel of my best friend's dick against my ass, is that okay with you Mark? I know what this body looks like. And as much as you think you understand what I'm dealing with here, you don't. I can barely handle it myself. Now go away, please." Daniel rolled back onto his side in dismissal, and closed his eyes. Leaving Mark to stand defeated for a moment before he himself shuffled down the hall to bed. Daniel's eyes snapped open when he heard the bedroom door close. In the dark of the living room he couldn't see but that didn't matter as it was more to release the pressure behind his eyes. It had taken everything he had to not start crying in front of Mark; an urge that was coming much too fast and frequent as his stomach had begun to swell. He'd thought the morning sickness had been hell. However, he hadn't feared the emotional aspects because the collar was supposed to prevent the hormone wash from over taking him. Daniel had not agreed to the full transformation. It meant about half the money but he only needed enough to wipe his life and criminal debts free. He'd have about twenty thousand leftover once the baby was born and once weaned he'd divorce Mark and vanish into the wind. Of course, Mark didn't know the last part. But from the neck up he was still Daniel, mostly. From the neck down, he was all woman with all the working bits and bobbles. A thick black choker that surrounded his throat and had a small black box that sat on his spine. It was literally the dividing line between the pregnant woman and cis-gender male. If it malfunctioned or was removed without reversing the transformation process he would transform all the way. Which would be permanent. And the collar was not working right. He could feel the body below pushing its way upwards and flooding his brain with conflicting hormones. And Daniel was scared shitless. It hadn't been Mark's fault. Daniel had gone after him, like a kitten in heat. And Mark had tried to hold back, but even at four months pregnant Daniel had a very attractive body. And Daniel had been very insistent, walking naked into the bedroom and pulling Marks clothes off. They had been just moments from copulation when Daniel's eyes had suddenly cleared and he couldn't get away fast enough or far enough. So now two nights later, he laid curled on the couch, his back already hurting as he bawled into his pillow. It kept Mark from hearing him and knowing how bad things were. ***** "But I need you to take me!" "Maybe when I get home from work-" "They'll be closed by then, Mark! I need this taken care of today!" Daniel watched as Mark placed his plate and coffee mug in the sink. Daniel had started making breakfast for him every morning. Something Mark had not asked him to do. It was just something his pregnant friend had started doing. He turned and looked at Daniel, who was dressed in Mark's hoodie and sweatpants. On Daniel's currently smaller frame he practically swam in the clothing. The only thing that stood out were the bright pink tennis shoes for his tiny feet. This was Daniel's uniform for going out in public. Even though Mark's mother had bought Daniel an entire wardrobe of regular and maternity clothing. "Daniel, the Clinic is twenty minutes in the opposite direction of my job." Daniel jumped to his feet and followed Mark down the hall to the bedroom. "But I can't go without you! Something is wrong with the collar...please." Mark glanced from the closet to his friend who was standing in the door, one of his brown eyes was watering. Mark felt bad for him, actually. He could tell Daniel was feeling more emotional than he probably wanted to. He desperately wanted to get to the clinic but in Mark's mind, it wouldn't be a horrible thing if Daniel completely switched over. He was curious what Danielle would look like. "I'll call my mom, she's been wanting to spend time with you-" "No." "Daniel, you can't go out alone. You need to get to the clinic. She's your only option. Now I need to get dressed." Daniel was sitting on the couch and staring at the wall when the doorbell rang. He looked at the door crossly. The woman had a key and Daniel figured it was just her way of warning she was about to walk in. He had changed into a pair of maternity jeans and a simple white pull over maternity top with pink diagonal stripes. She always had something negative to say and as much as he preferred to hide his body, he needed to get to the clinic more. Daniel stood and met the woman halfway as she entered. "I'm ready to go-" "You cut your hair." Leave that to be the first thing that woman would notice. "I cut it every three months and it was getting long." Marcia gave a long appraising look and couldn't keep the sourness off her face as she did so. "Where is it you needed to go?" "The Clinic. My collar needs to be adjusted. Can we go please?" Upon hearing this Marcia rushed to Daniel and brazenly put her hand on his stomach, feeling the slight baby bump. "Are you sick? Is my grandchild okay?" Daniel pushed her hand away and stepped back. "No. I just need to get there; will you take me or not?" They'd never gotten along and things had gotten worse once Daniel had become pregnant. The woman was incredibly overbearing and as the months wore on it was getting harder and harder to tune her out. Especially when he had to deal with her alone. He would never admit it to Mark or anyone else, but somehow, she managed to intimidate the hell out of him. Marcia smiled, which Daniel viewed as a wolfish grin, and stepped forward to look down her nose at him. "The collar is malfunctioning, isn't it?" Daniel swallowed nervously. Marcia had kept no secrets in wanting him to transform all the way. "I'll take that as a yes. Shame you cut your hair, I'd love to have a girls day with my daughter-in-law. Get our hair done," she snatched Daniel's hand and looked at his deeply chewed nails. "Definitely get a mani-pedi. Why don't I just remove that collar for you so you can be the girl my son wants and the mother my grandchild deserves?" Daniel hated the feeling climbing up his throat. This was why he didn't want to ask this woman for help. He tried to steal himself and stood with his arms at his sides and fists clenched. He looked up at Marcia and said, "No. Please take me to the clinic. Mark, said you would take me." Marcia smiled her saccharine smile again. "Sure, Sweetheart. Get your jacket." ***** "So, what brings you in today, Mr. Clay?" Daniel looked up at Marcia, who was sitting opposite him and smiling. The technician was behind him, jacking a cable into the box at the base of his neck. "I don't think it's working correctly. I can't control my emotions anymore. Like I wanna cry all the time or I get so giddy I feel mental. Or..." he glanced up again at Marcia and then away again. She was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Of course, she would be; Marcia had been very vocal about Daniel's decision to remain part male while pregnant. Mostly because she didn't believe either her son or Daniel was gay in the first place. Social Services wouldn't have offered Daniel the money if they didn't buy it but Marcia had never been convinced and was determined to get Daniel to become Danielle. "Can you just fix it please?" "Sure thing Mr. Clay. It looks like you just need some slight adjustment." Daniel remained sitting on the exam table as the technician worked at the computer station behind him. He kept his eyes cast down to avoid Marcia's wolfish grin and piercing eyes that seemed to see and catalog everything. This was why he wanted Mark to bring him to the Clinic. Although Mark could be difficult on some things, like sleeping in the same bed, he wasn't nearly as pushy as his mother. And it had been months since he and Daniel had hung out together and he wanted his friend back. Behind him, he could hear the technician silently humming away as she worked at the computer. Otherwise, there was silence as he focused on the floor refusing to allow Marcia to make him more uncomfortable than he already was. He felt the change almost instantly, a sensation not unlike when the sinuses suddenly clear. "How's that Mr. Clay?" "Much better thank you." The technician set to disconnecting the cable and said, "It looks like your baby is really pushing for a mommy. You'll probably need to start coming in once a week for adjustments okay?" "Okay." Daniel slid off the exam table and turned for the door when both Marcia and the technician stopped him. "I thought you were done?" "I'm sorry," the technician said. "Your OB wants to do a check-up since you're already here. Your file has you down as being difficult to get in for exams so we're going to take advantage of you being here." "But when I set this appointment I told them not to notify him." "Oh..." The technician blinked as her eyes flicked to Marcia then she turned and opened the door. "It'll be just a few minutes." And she was gone. His brain was clear of his weakening emotions and he stood erect as he pointed an accusing finger at Marcia. "You told them!" "Of course, my son, your husband, has told me about how difficult it can be to get you in here for your "well baby" check-ups. But of course, the moment your collar starts to go bad, and god forbid you feel a powerful emotion, you start throwing hissy fits to get Mark to bring you in. So, yes, of course, I told them to fit you in. And we both already know I'll be the one bringing you in next week and the one after...and on until I hold my grandchild in my arms." That was the moment the doctor entered the room, with the same technician entering behind him pushing a sonogram machine on wheels. "Good morning Mr.-" "Noooo!" Daniel backed away until he bumped into the exam table. "I'm not here for that! That's next week!" This day had suddenly gone completely sideways. This clinic used a vaginal probe to perform the sonogram. Daniel had needed to be blackout drunk for conception. He knew he couldn't be inebriated for another five months, but he needed to psych himself up for this. "I h-have an appointment for next week, I'll be here. She'll bring me!" Daniel pointed at Marcia who wasn't even pretending to not enjoy the panic Daniel was showing. "She's my mother- in-law and she hates me. She'll make sure I'm here, I swear." "Of course, I don't hate you, Danielle-" "Don't call me that! I'm not doing this today. It's my body and I don't want to do it." Daniel flicked his eyes between the three people in the room, all of them taller than him. He hadn't expected to lose height when he signed up for the program. Finally, the doctor cleared his throat and spoke softly, "Mr. Clay I should remind you that when you signed on the line you agreed to undergo any and all medical exams your doctor deems necessary. In your case, since you've been so resistant before, I will have to report you to Social Services if you refuse. They will take you into custody, remove your collar, and hold you in a facility until you give birth. Also, you'll forfeit payment." Daniel visibly paled as he raised a hand to his throat, touching the black band that encircled it. "But... Fine," he pointed a finger at Marcia, who noticed his hand took the shape of a pistol. "But she has to leave the room. I don't want her here." The doctor nodded sagely and turned towards Marcia as the technician began setting up the equipment. "Now wait just a minute!" "Ma'am, my patient has stated you aren't welcome here. The law is quite clear about patient confidentiality." ***** The explosion boomed in his ears as his vehicle was rocked by an explosion. A near miss plasma bomb fired by someone on the opposing team. Daniel returned fire and pressed his attack, gambling that he'd clear the short distance to the target before the enemy could turn and make another pass from above. Someone got off a shot from a sniper rifle and drilled the shields down to nothing, but he passed behind a large outcropping of rock and the sniper could not get a following shot. There! Daniel thought. Game winning score is- The screen suddenly went black and all sound ceased. He'd been pulled from the game. Daniel tore off the headset with a loud, "Fuck!" "Hey Honey, back to your old self I see." Mark stood next to the computer, the leads to the VR headset dangling in his hand. "What the hell, Mark? I was about to win the match!" "We need to talk." "About what? You leaving me to your bitch of a mother who told the doctor I was in the clinic and they just had to stick that fucking thing in me again? Or about how if I refused they threatened to remove my collar and send me to some facility?" "First, that is my mother you're talking about and second; yes." "Not interested," Daniel settled the VR headset back on his head. "Would you please reconnect me? I have some anger to excise." Mark dropped the cables and walked towards the kitchen. "Jesus Christ, Danielle, you were easier to deal with yesterday." The headset came back off. "Just what the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Daniel barked at Marks receding back. All his life he'd been teased with the feminization of his name and he'd only gotten more sensitive about since becoming pregnant. And after today he just wasn't having it. "Get back here, you started it, let's finish it!" Daniel challenged as he began to follow Mark. Mark whirled and Daniel had to stop short to not bump into him. "You're being a fucking idiot, Daniel. We're in a sham gay marriage and you're pregnant with a money grab. Have you even thought about what life is going to be like when the baby is born? We can't divorce, we can't give the baby up for adoption. You haven't done anything that you aren't forced into except getting your collar adjusted! Because heaven forbid you actually become a girl! That would be the worst possible thing, right? Because then you won't be able to run off with the money! Right!?" Daniel was stunned into silence. Mark almost never raised his voice. "Don't act surprised, Daniel. I've known you since third grade!" Daniel looked sick to his stomach and reached for the kitchen table to steady himself. "I...It's not like that..." Mark knew the signs by now and turned to lift the trash can, getting it under Daniel with perfect timing. The pregnant young man retched several times as tears flooded his eyes. He hated puking; the first trimester had been absolute hell. Daniel also hated being this weak in front of Mark and he took the trash can to the bathroom to finish puking in the toilet. He emerged a few minutes later. Still looking ill but his face was wet from water, he glanced at Mark and then shifted his eyes down as he walked to the front door. Mark's grip was surprisingly firm on his arm as Daniel found himself being spun. "No, Daniel. We aren't done." "Let go of me, Mark." Daniel tried to wrench his arm free, assuming Mark would let go. But he didn't and Daniel looked up at Mark as a very new feeling settled in his stomach. Normally they were of the same height and build. Daniel had lost close to a foot in height and about eighty pounds and realized in that moment that Mark outclassed him on every metric. And Mark still had anger in his eyes. "Mark, I just wanted to go for fresh air on the roof. Please, let me go." That feeling had morphed into a lead ball as the unspoken thought kept echoing in Daniel's mind. He can hurt me. "No." Mark pulled Daniel back to the living room and forced him to sit on the couch. Daniel decidedly did not like the aspect of his friend. "Half female or not you're carrying my baby and that makes you that baby's mother. I knew you were in it for the money, but that's all you're in it for, isn't it?" Daniel looked up at Mark, trying to deal with the fear he felt without showing it. "I... It's not like that, Mark. I need that money, you know that. My parents didn't have the money to send me to high school I'm never going to be able to do more than work a shovel but the robots are even taking those jobs. I have debts-" "My mom offered to clear those debts-" "To get rid of me, Mark. She's never liked me, remember? She told me I'd have to agree to stop being your friend. I decided I'd rather have my best friend than my life debt cleared-" Mark exploded again, "How does that logic work in your head? You stayed for our friendship but then plan on just leaving me with an infant! I just can't believe you would be so damn selfish!" Daniel got to his feet in preparation to put distance between them, but Mark took it as a challenge. "Sit down!" Daniel held his hands out in a calming gesture. "Mark-" Mark grabbed both of Daniel's arms and forced him back down on the couch then straddled his knees. "Whaddareudoing? Get off me! You're heavy!" Mark slipped a hand behind Daniel's neck and the pregnant boy froze as his eyes became as big as saucers and tears exploded. "Mark..." "I bet I could just pull it off. I wonder how long it'll take for the transformation to finish?" "Why are you doing this?" "Toe the line, Danielle. You do everything you're supposed to do for the health of our baby. If I even think you're still planning on bolting I will cut this off your neck myself. Remember that as your husband the law is fully on my side. You will do as I say." Daniel remained silent. Only minutes ago he had felt like his usual confident self. And Mark had stripped that away as easily as tissue paper. Tears poured down his cheeks. Daniel had placed his hands on Mark's wrists but was too scared to do anything else. "Am I understood?" "Yes." Mark got up and pulled Daniel standing. "Good, it's after ten. Let's go to bed." ***** Daniel turned his head away from the screen only to lock eyes with Marcia, then he turned away from her and just focused on a spot on the ceiling. "Well, Mr. Clay it looks like you're right around 22 weeks." "What's that in months?" "About five and a half months, Sweetheart," Marcia offered. Daniel wanted to tell the bitch to fuck off, to go lick an ashtray, but he couldn't do that. Not now, not with Mark so intensely hovering. Daniel had thought his friend would calm down and lighten up by the end of the first week. But it had been over a month now and there was no relief in sight. The only alone time he had was in the shower. Other than that, he was either under Mark or Marcia. And it was insanely taxing, especially when dealing with Marcia. He looked at the woman as the doctor gently pulled the probe from his vagina. "Thanks, Mom." And that, there's that too. "Do you have any questions?" The doctor asked as he pulled Daniel's feet from the stirrups and he sat up. "No." "Are you taking your neo natal vitamins?" "Yes, doctor. And I've been doing the exercises as well." "Very well. We'll step outside and allow you to change back to your clothes." He looked tiny in the passenger seat and wore the same jeans and top as the week before but since it was raining was wearing one of Marks hoodies, which he swam in. Marcia couldn't even see his perpetually clenched fists hidden in the sleeves. He was gnawing away at his bottom lip as he worked himself up to ask for what he wanted. "Um, Mom, can we stop at the grocery store?" This was new. Daniel had been cooking and tending house like a good little househusband the last few weeks, but he usually refused to be seen in public and used delivery services for groceries and household goods. "What do you need, Sweetheart?" Daniel looked out the window, away from Marcia's glance, but she saw his blush in the reflection of the glass. "Stuff for dinner, I-I forgot to set the pot roast out to defrost this morning." Marcia couldn't contain the smile in her voice. Daniel had become terrible at lying and Mark kept her apprised of new developments. Daniel was having a craving and if she was to judge by how tightly his hands were fidgeting in her lap it was already quite severe. "Well how about I drop you off first and then go get what you need, don't wanna make two trips-" "No. I have cash I can buy what I need." "What are you doing with cash, Daniel?" It wasn't like he'd even make it out of the apartment building without an escort. The doormen were bound by law to never let him leave alone. "Mark gave it to me. So, I have my own money when we're out and I want to buy something... Like now. Can we just go to the store please?" "I don't think you're being honest with me, so no." Marcia watched the pregnant boy deflate from the corner of her eye. And then after a moment, he raised a hand to wipe at something in his eye. "He told you, didn't he?" Marcia could hear the anguish in his voice. "They're cravings, Sweetheart. Every pregnant woman gets them." "I'm not a woman." Marcia gently poked his stomach as they came to a stop sign. "Oh' I'd say about eighty percent of you is." Daniel pushed her hand away. "Please don't do that. Will you take me to the store or not?" "Depends?" "On?" Her smile was malicious as usual. "Let me get rid of all of your boy clothes, including that hoodie you're wearing." "Nevermind. Besides it's Mark's." "Are you sure?" "Yes." Daniel slipped his hands from the sleeves to pull his phone from the front pocket of his hoodie and tapped out a quick message to Mark. "What are you doing, Daniel?" Marcia asked, glancing over as Daniel was slipping the phone back into the pocket. "Nothing." Mark was greeted by a very pensive looking Daniel as he came through the door. "Honey I'm home-" "Did you get it or not!?" Mark actually smiled even though Daniel had just raised his voice. It had cracked, and there was a very feminine lilt to it. He held out the small paper bag and Daniel snatched it from him. Daniel had no shame as he plucked the pint of strawberry ice cream from the bag and quickly pried off the top, he'd already been holding the spoon. "Oh, my fucking god yes!" He exclaimed around a mouth full of frozen dairy. "Language, Daniel. We've talked about that." "Yeah, yeah, meanwhile your mother is still trying to get me to go all the way," Daniel said around another mouth full as he turned and walked to the couch. Mark enjoyed the view as he followed his friend/husband. The once super baggy sweatpants he favored were becoming just loose on his frame as Daniel's body went deeper into pregnancy. For a brief moment, Mark wondered what it would take to get Daniel into a pair of yoga pants. "Still I don't want our kid's first word being fuck, okay? Work on it. How did the day go with my mom? Besides the ice cream thing." Daniel shrugged as he sat and slouched on the couch, resting the pint of ice cream on his swollen stomach. "I dunno, do we really have to talk about it? You guys make me go every week. My stomach gets bigger and my bladder gets smaller and your mother gets meaner." Daniel left the pint of ice cream where it sat and looked up at Mark. "By the way," he said pointing with the spoon. "Do you have to tell her everything about me? I'm doing what you said but it's like she didn't get the memo." "You won't talk to any of our friends who've had kids already. You throw a fit when I try to talk to them about you, so the only person left is my mom." Mark pointed to the kitchen. "For Christ sake, Daniel, I found you bawling your eyes out on the kitchen floor because we didn't have peanut butter and celery. What was I supposed to..."? The pint of ice cream was moving. Both of Daniel's hands were at his sides. "What?" "Is the baby kicking?" There was a lilt of wonder in Mark's voice as he stepped around the coffee table and sat next to Daniel on the couch. For his part, Daniel was looking extremely uncomfortable as he picked up the pint and then tried to sit up. "Wait..." Mark gently placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder, easily keeping him down. Daniel felt the now familiar surge of discomfort and submission to his larger friend. He didn't like it. "Mark, let me up." "Why didn't you tell me the baby had started kicking?" "Because I knew you'd want to feel it." As if to confirm Mark lifted a hand to Daniel's stomach but he pushed it away. "Please don't, Mark. You know I don't like being touched." In response, Mark simply pinned Daniel's offending hand to the couch cushion and reached for the hem of his sweatshirt with the other. This was behavior that Daniel had come to hate. Ever since Mark had established dominance he was unafraid to exert his will on Daniel. And Daniel found himself wilting under it. "Mark, please don't-" "Be quiet, Daniel. I want to feel my baby kick." Daniel bit his lip as he watched his swollen stomach come into view. Then, the pint of ice cream forgotten, he reached with his free hand and tried to pull his sweatshirt back down. "Over my clothes then, please..." Mark saw Daniel's bare stomach roll and he gently placed his hand on Daniel's taught skin. Daniel bit his bottom lip until it turned white and looked up at the ceiling. He really didn't like Mark touching him like this. His body reacted in very feminine ways every time. For a month now they'd been sleeping in the same bed, but Daniel had solved that problem by sleeping facing Mark which prevented him from spooning. But that didn't mean Daniel's body below his neck wasn't horny as hell most of the time. The collar was supposed to be preventing the signals getting to his brain but they were, like a low-frequency hum forcing its way through a cinder block wall. "Daniel?" Daniel looked down to see Mark looking up at him, his hand still on Daniel's belly. "Yeah?" "I want you to start wearing your other clothes." "Your mother won't let me leave the apartment if I don't." Mark smiled again as the baby kicked his hand. "No, I mean even at home. I, uh, like that you're pregnant. And I want to see you as the baby grows. No more hiding under these bulky sweats, okay?" Daniel felt a tear sting his left eye but he managed to keep it in as he said, "Mark, I'm not your wife. I'm your husband and that's only on paper, remember? I'm not female." Mark removed his hand and watched Daniel quickly pull his sweatshirt down then looked to study his face. Daniel had never had an overtly masculine face. Even at twenty-two, his features remained boyish and probably always would. His brown hair was growing faster and thicker due to the neo-natal vitamins and the tips were already brushing his ears again. He'd probably be wanting to shave his head again soon, but that couldn't be allowed. Danielle was pretty cute as it were. Mark stood up and looked Daniel in the eye. "Your ice cream is melting." He turned and went down the hallway, closing the bedroom door behind him. Daniel had just gotten to his feet when Mark came back out of the bedroom, Daniel's other sweats, boxer briefs, and sports bras were bundled in his arms. It wasn't a lot but it was the only clothing he had besides the bras, panties, jeans, shorts, dresses, blouses and skirts, mostly still tagged. Daniel's hands shook as he clenched them into tiny fists. "That's my stuff, Mark! You, can't take my stuff!" Daniel reached for his belongings, but Mark easily brushed him to the side and moved into the kitchen towards the trash chute. "No! Why are you being mean?" Daniel ran around the island and stood in front of the chute, blocking Mark. "I'm not trying to be mean. I just want you to-" "I'm not a female, Mark! And I won't become one!" Mark looked down at Daniel who was looking back at him quite fiercely. It was a look Daniel had developed over the last few months, but Mark had also learned it was a very brittle facade. Daniel was terrified and was showing it by screwing up every ounce of courage to face Mark down. And he'd deflate as soon as Mark pushed him. "Give me my stuff back. You agreed to this, remember?" "Maybe I changed my mind, Danielle." Daniel shook as tears flooded his eyes and he clutched at the hem of his sweatshirt. "Do not call me that! You know I hate that!" "Danielle." "Why are you doing this?" Daniel's face had gone red and his cheeks were awash in tears. The sleeves of his oversize sweatshirt had enveloped his hands. Otherwise, Mark would have seen Daniel's hands clenching and unclenching. "I'm doing everything you want, Mark. And, and I'm not planning on running away anymore. And I go to every appointment and I let them stick that thing up inside of me and your mom gets to gush over this thing growing inside of me. And all I want is to stay a guy!" "Maybe you should let that go, Danielle, maybe I'd prefer a wife." Daniel was stunned into near silence, the only sound of him hiccupping in an effort to stave off the torrent of sobbing. Mark easily moved him to the side and opened the trash chute. "Mark, please don't do this to me. What-what if I just pretend to be a girl until the baby is born? And then-no!" Daniel had taken Mark's last name; this gave Mark final say in their marriage. In the beginning, this didn't seem like such a horrible idea, but now Daniel would do anything to go back six months and make a different choice. Because Mark had made the decision to not have his collar adjusted anymore and Daniel felt like he was slowly losing control of himself. He'd slept in the sweats he had been wearing for two more days. Never taking them off until Monday morning. Daniel had waited for Mark to go to work and had even sat pensively on the couch for another two hours waiting for either Marcia or Daniel to come walking in to catch him in the shower. And still when he emerged his sweats were gone. Replaced by a bra and panties along with a light-yellow maternity t-shirt and a dark gray pair of leggings. No one was in the apartment. His VR system was confiscated and replaced with a tablet that would only show books on pregnancy and child rearing or go to websites for parenting, or fashion and makeup. Even though his hair was now brushing his neck and looked like a shaggy mop, Mark wouldn't take him to a barber. But never failed to mention Marcia wanted to take Daniel to a beauty salon every time he asked. So, he stopped asking. But then there was the worst part. Mark would corner Daniel if he even suspected the baby was active and feel his stomach; shamelessly lifting whatever top he was wearing to do so. Daniel always protested and was always ignored. That was the worst part for Daniel, he felt like all his power had been stripped away. And even when he asked as nicely as possible or begged as hard as possible it seemed not to matter. Daniel was basically becoming submissive to Mark. He could feel it every time Mark put a certain edge in his voice and Daniel's knees turned to jelly. He hated it and the effect it was having on his brain scared him. ***** "...Danielle?" Daniel blinked and looked over at Mark. "Honey, what were you thinking about?" Oh, and Mark had started using pet names. Daniel checked to see if Mark's grip on his hand had loosened; it hadn't. "Can we please get my collar fixed?" "Danielle..." "Please? I'll keep wearing the clothes and I'll sleep in the bed." "Danielle-" "I'll go with your mom to the salon and get my haircut like you want. I'll take care of the baby and-" Mark had pulled into a slot and shut off the motor. "Danielle!" He watched Daniel jump and shrink away as tears formed in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that." He let go of Daniel's hand, who quickly pulled it back into the sleeve of his pink sweater. "Please, Mark you scare me now. And I'm starting to think differently. And I know my face is changing. The nanites are finishing the change. I promise I'll do everything, but I don't want to be a woman." "We'll talk after class, dry your eyes." Mark stepped out of the car and stepped around the hood as Daniel quickly wiped at his eyes. Mark opened the door and allowed Daniel to climb out. Mark took a moment to enjoy Danielle's backside in yoga pants as he turned and reached back into the SUV for his pillow and then took his hand possessively again. Daniel was only allowed to be outside of their apartment building while under escort. That didn't mean they had to hold hands but Mark insisted, and Daniel didn't fight it. They entered the building and Daniel angled for the elevator, but Mark pulled him towards the stairs. "But it's on the third floor, my ankles hurt." "Come on, Danielle. Exercise is good for the baby. And you want to have a strong lower body for labor, right?" Daniel silently let himself be led up the stairs to Lamaze class. It was hours later when Mark had finished his evening shower to find Daniel sitting on the couch with his legs crossed underneath him and his nose buried into the screen of his tablet. "What are you reading?" Daniel looked up and turned his head, his long bangs falling into his eyes as he did so. "Huh?" Mark slid onto the other end of the couch. Usually, he would sit right next to Danielle, but he knew that made her nervous and he didn't want her nervous for this conversation, she wasn't going to like it. "I asked what you were reading?" "You said you want me to breastfeed so I was reading up on it." Mark gave a quizzical look and Daniel pointed to his neck. "My collar is barely working, Mark. I'm trying to show you I can do what you want and still be me. I want my collar fixed-" "Yeah, about that." Daniel looked almost hopeful. "I'm going to remove your collar, Danielle." Mark watched her face fall as the color drained away. She looked at him for a long moment as huge tears filled her eyes. When he finally spoke his voice was thick like he was struggling to breath. "Please don't do this to me, Mark. You said we'd talk about it after class. I'm almost all the way there now. I can hear it in my voice and the way my thoughts are and I know my face is changing and my hair's getting longer and changing colors. I understand you want me to be a mother...just please stop it now and let me be me. I'm doing all the things you want..." Mark just sat patiently and watched her eyes search the room before settling back on his. "Why?" "I think I'm actually falling in love with the woman you're becoming, Danielle." Daniel shifted uncomfortably and looked around the living room, trying to find anything to look at besides Mark. "Mark, I-I am not-" "Look at me, Sweetheart." Daniel looked down at his lap, past his swollen belly. Daniel hated the buzz in his brain he got every time Mark used a pet name. He knew that was because of collar malfunctioning, he hoped. "This isn't fair." "Why not?" "Because I wanted the money and you and your mom wanted a baby. It was supposed to be simple. For the last two months, you've been doing everything to make me become female even though I begged you over and over..." "Did you even hear what I said?" Daniel's mouth twisted as he studied a spot on the back of his hand. "I can make you happy if you let me. You know in five years I'll be making enough money for us to move out of the city and buy a place with a yard. A yard for our child to run and play. I know this isn't what you planned on, Danielle. To be honest neither did I, but you are turning into a girl. The way you talk, the way you move. Some of the things you say when we aren't yelling at each other. I think you'll have a beautiful singing voice when your done changing." Daniel's face turned crimson. "I can't help it. I don't mean to do it out loud...but if you let me get my collar fixed..." Mark slowly shifted a cushion closer. The fact that she wasn't freaking out was a good sign, he hoped. "I know you don't, it's one of the things I think I love about you. When you let yourself go you become this beautiful person that I'm pretty sure I'm falling for. Why would I want her to go away?" "Stop saying that." Daniel shifted so his feet were flat on the floor and hands were balled up in little fists. "I'm not this girl you think I am. I'm still Daniel, I still like VR games and rock climbing with my friends, Mark. And after this thing is out of me I'm looking forward to riding my motorcycle again." Mark decided to ignore the last part, Daniel didn't know he'd probably never ride again. "That thing is our baby, Danielle. And I think if you didn't have that collar you could find your way to loving me." "No." That was an idea that could not be entertained. Daniel's body was already traitorous when it came to looking at Mark. Mark leaned over and took Daniel's hand. Daniel had long since stopped resisting Mark touching him. During the class, sitting on the pillow between Mark's legs and leaning against him, in between bursts of rhythmic breathing, Mark had wrapped his arms around Daniel and given him a gentle hug from behind. For a fraction of a second Daniel had melted into it. It had been the purest, most affectionate contact Daniel had felt in months. But then he had remembered who was holding him. Mark pulled Daniel's hand as he leaned back towards his side of the couch. "Come here, Danielle." Mark saw the twitch of a frown but Daniel didn't resist. Daniel saw that Mark had placed one foot on the cushions against the back of the couch and the other on the floor as he leaned against the armrest. Mark then pulled at Daniel's hand again until Daniel was turned and leaning back against Mark's chest. Much like they were in class just hours before. Daniel wasn't exactly comfortable. The way his body responded when it felt the warmth of Mark's chest sent tingles all the way up into his brain as if the choker wasn't even there. Daniel hadn't known had badly he craved being touched by Mark but even still he remained rigid, refusing to let Mark know he was actually having an effect on him. When Mark had hugged him in Lamaze class it had been a frightening moment. "I know your secret, Danielle." The bass of Mark's voice vibrated against Daniel's neck in a disturbing way. He tried to sit up but Mark's arms snaked around him, keeping him snugly in place. "What are you talking about?" "In bed, after you fall asleep facing me, you always roll over so that you're spooning into me." "I absolutely do not." Daniel had been afraid Mark was somehow aware of the damp heat building under his yoga pants, or that he had figured out how submissive his voice could make Daniel feel. Mark chuckled, "Yes, you do. You just don't know it because I always get up before you and you roll onto your back." "You're lying." "Why would I lie to the mother of my child?" "Because you're turning me into something I don't want to be." Mark chuckled again as he nuzzled Daniel's neck through his hair. This time a bolt of lightning traveled down his spine, branching off first to his nipples and then clitoris leaving what was left to ricochet clear down into his toes. Daniel hoped Mark didn't notice the tiny shiver in his legs. "Please stop doing that," he said trying to shift away again but Mark's hold was rigid. "Why? Because it's getting to you?" Daniel was frustrated and blurted out, "Yes!" Before he caught himself. "I mean no... it's confusing okay? The girl part likes it but I don't, and that's what matters. Please let me go, I need to get dinner started." Mark lifted his head away and thought for a moment. He'd gotten side tracked and she was hardening in his arms because of it. "I think the girl part of you loves me too, Danielle. You're fighting it now, but in class today we were just like this and I felt you open up to me. You felt safe." Daniel's voice sounded choked by the huge frog forming in his throat. "No, I was just tired. The class was boring." "Be honest with me. You forgot about the boy in your head for a second, didn't you?" Mark felt the hot splash of tears on his hands. "Please, Mark... Please don't take my choker off." "But I want to meet the woman you're becoming, Danielle. I really do think I'm falling in love with you." He felt the shiver run up and down her body. But he couldn't tell if it was a good or bad thing. "I'll do anything... I just want to stay me." Did Mark understand how terrified he was? How the feelings currently coming from down below, or the alien thoughts that were growing stronger by the day scared him to the bone? "Kiss me." He felt her tense again. The last time they had kissed had been in a moment of weakness for Daniel before he knew his collar wasn't working correctly. And if Mark was being honest it was probably that night that had set him on this path. The few brief minutes of passionate kissing and the look in Danielle's eyes just before they cleared and she stopped them in a panic; Mark often wondered what would have happened if he had pushed anyway. It's just a kiss. It doesn't mean anything, Daniel thought. It doesn't make me a woman. It doesn't mean anything. Anything except his own lips suddenly felt as if they had swelled in anticipation. His collar definitely wasn't working correctly if he could feel the betrayal of his body as much as he did now. Sometimes you had to hurt to heal... "Will you take me to the Clinic tomorrow morning to get it adjusted?" "Promise." Daniel took a shuddering sigh then turned and craned his head so that he was looking up and back at Mark. His bangs were in his eyes and his lips (which had become much fuller recently) were slightly parted. Mark would have been a fool to question her sincerity and quickly lowered his head to meet her lips. Daniel had placed his hands-on Mark's embracing arms to gain leverage and Mark now felt her nails gently bite his flesh as he firmly pressed his lips to hers. She fidgeted a bit and pushed her feet down into the cushions of the couch. Then suddenly her mouth was pushing against his, hard. He felt her tongue push heavily against his lips as she pushed her backside into his growing erection. Her hands went from digging nails to gripping and squeezing the muscles in Mark's forearms. She was losing control of herself. Mark pulled away and Danielle moaned in frustration then slowly opened her eyes. In the dim lighting of the living room, Mark noticed her eyes were turning from chocolate brown to the color of honey, the two colors swirling like an oil painting. Then she blinked. And Daniel was struggling to get up. Mark let him sit forward and even gently pushed at Daniel's lower back to give him help to stand. Daniel looked back down at Mark as his hands nervously fidgeted. "Tomorrow morning, right? You promised." "Promise." Mark watched as Daniel went into the kitchen, pulled a spoon from the drawer and fished the leftover pint of strawberry ice cream from the freezer. Studiously keeping his head down, Daniel then made a beeline for the bedroom and closed the door behind him. Mark heard the faint click of the lock ,. "Well that went a bit better than I expected," Mark said to himself as he placed his hand on the cushion between his legs to sit up. Instantly it registered that the cushion was damp and he looked down to see a wet patch in the material about three inches wide. He lifted his fingers to his nose and sniffed, then looked down the hallway at the closed bedroom door. Oh, that's interesting. ***** Daniel heard the sound of a chair scraping on the floor and he glanced over to see Mark standing and fishing his keys from his pocket. "Where are you going?" Mark looked at the person he considered his wife. Her hair was unbrushed, she had dark circles under eyes as she obviously hadn't slept and there was current a USB cable jutting from the back of her neck, but she was the most beautiful thing in his world. Even if He refused to acknowledge Herself. "I promised to bring you into the Clinic, but I still need to get to work, Sweetheart." Daniel frowned at the pet name. He didn't like it when his collar wasn't working, he sure as hell hated it now. "But how am I going to get home?" "My mom will be here in a few minutes, I'm meeting her out front," Mark said as he stood between Daniel's open knees. "I know you're already feeling better but try to be civil okay?" Mark gently lifted Daniel's chin with two fingers and leaned in to give him a gentle kiss on the lips. Much to Daniel's chagrin, Mark had reminded him that Daniel had sworn to do what Mark wanted. And what Mark wanted was to continue to treat him as Danielle without any resistance. Or else the collar came off in his sleep. The last thing Daniel wanted was to fall asleep as himself and wake-up as the horny 6 ? month pregnant wife of Mark Clay. So, Daniel kissed Mark back, ignoring the now familiar buzz as he did so. Mark pulled away after a moment and smiled. "Don't forget about this evening." "I won't." He couldn't, but he was really trying not to think about it. Mark had already left an outfit on the bed for him to be wearing by the time he got home. Daniel knew Mark had a plan but so far, he refused to divulge what that was. "But-" "Danielle." Mark's voice had that edge to it and Daniel closed his lips and nodded obediently. Mark pecked him on the lips one more time then turned and left the exam room. As soon as the door closed Daniel glanced over his shoulder at the technician. "Please tell me you can fix it?" "We've discussed this before Mr. Clay. You were given a damaged model, it's only a matter of time before it fails completely. I take it by your conversation you still haven't told your husband?" Daniel ignored the question, something he was doing more and more often. "How far along am I?" "According to the computer, you're at 88%." "Feels like 99% Will I make it to after labor?" The technician unplugged the cable and stepped around. "Probably not. You should let your husband know." "He called me Danielle. He wants me to go all the way, but I don't." The woman looked him in the eyes. "You need to figure out a way to make peace with this. At this point, you're just putting off the inevitable." Daniel cast his eyes to the floor. "Yeah, I know." ***** "Why aren't you dressed?" Daniel didn't look up from his tablet, he was curled up on the couch as tightly as the baby in his stomach would allow. He had seen that outfit, laying on the bed, Mark had even picked his underwear to match the outfit. It was much fancier than the casual stuff he'd been making Daniel wear for the last week. "Danielle?" Daniel nervously tightened his curl, refusing to look at Mark. "Leave me alone. I did everything you wanted all week." "Look at me, Danielle." Mark putting that edge in his voice wasn't nearly as effective if Daniel refused to look at him. And Daniel was convinced Mark had figured out he only had to put a certain inflection in his voice as Daniel had been wearing dresses all week, his nails were painted and his now dishwater blonde hair was fashioned in a pixie cut with flirty bangs that liked to fall in his eyes. "I'm not going." "You don't even know where we're going." "Mark, I've been good and I haven't fought you on anything. Please..." Daniel made the mistake of looking up and at Mark; who was looking quite handsome in a blue button-down shirt and gray slacks. Daniel pushed his feet deeper into the cushions as his mouth suddenly dried out. "I j-just don't want to go anywhere." Daniel looked away but Mark closed the distance and gently lifted Daniel's chin to look up at him. "Danielle, please go put on the outfit I laid out for you. Please hurry or we're going to be late." Mark didn't use his commanding tone. Yes, he had definitely noticed how submissive Danielle could get if used a certain tone of voice but he didn't want to abuse it, less it wear out. "Why do you keep calling me that? You know I hate it." Daniel hoped he could get Mark distracted with a fight about something else; it had worked before. "I'll take this chance to remind you of your promise and what happens if you break it." He watched her mouth twitch into a frown. No dice. "Fine." It's not like at this point it would make a difference if Mark tore the choker from Daniel's neck. It had been an insanely difficult week dealing with the knowledge that he was going to complete the transition whether he wanted it or not. Especially since he absolutely did not want Mark to know about it. Daniel uncurled and put his hand out for Mark to help him up. "Are you sure you should be sitting like that?" "I'm only six and half months, Mark. I promise when I'm nine months this baby of yours won't let me." Mark passed his hand over Daniel's stomach as the smaller of the two slipped past him. "I asked you not to do that, Mark. My body, not yours." Mark watched Daniel cross the living room and turn down the hallway. Personally, he hated the way Daniel acted for roughly a week after getting his choker adjusted. He knew it was the male reasserting himself, and he had noticed the change after a clinic visit becoming less and less severe, but he really just wished Daniel would let go and become the woman everyone else saw. And Mark severely hoped tonight's plans would help with that. "Why a purse?" Mark looked up from his phone and couldn't stop the grin that slid across his face. "I mean, you took the money I was saving and..." Daniel stopped talking and fought the urge to back away from Mark as he jumped from the couch. "I... just have my ID." Mark gently reached and touched Daniel's earlobe. "You even put in the studs I bought you." "Yeah, you said to put on the outfit. I did what you said." Daniel looked upset with himself, he wouldn't have put on the earrings if he had known he didn't have to. It was mere happenstance he had pierced his ears in the first place; long ago in a state of teenage rebellion. "That dress looks great on you." Daniel didn't like the way Mark was touching him, or he did and maybe that was the problem. Either way, Daniel couldn't help himself when he took a halting step backward. "Where are we going?" Mark took in the view before him. His wife was wearing a black dress with a silver starburst woven over her left breast. This flowed into a pattern that circled her body several times before ending at the hem just over her right knee. It had an empire bodice and a voluminous skirt that didn't hide her current state but didn't make it all too obvious either. "Wait right here," Mark said as he slipped past her and ducked into the bedroom, then returned with a black silk shawl. He draped it over her shoulders and then pulled his wife under the dining room lights. "You are absolutely the most beautiful woman in the world." He watched her duck her head as heat rose into her face, turning her cheeks crimson. The technician had been right; as even though he felt better, the damage had been done. Daniel liked the way Mark was gushing over him. A pleasant buzzing was filling his brain...he needed to stop it. "Mark-" "Enough protesting, Danielle. This is for you and we're going." "You should stop that." Daniel blinked and looked back from his window. "Stop what?" "Gnawing at your bottom lip, I can see your jaw flexing, you should stop it. It'll chap your lips really bad." "I know that. I used to bite my nails remember? And before I made a series of stupid decisions I used to smoke cigarettes." Daniel looked back to the window. "You keep taking things from me but you don't give me anything." "That's not true" "Yes, it is! You took my sweats away because you wanted me to wear yoga pants and leggings, and then you took those away to make me wear dresses and skirts! I keep saying I don't want to keep going like this but you ignore me and make me do it anyway! And I had to kiss you just so I could get my collar adjusted! I put on this dress and got my haircut and my nails done like you said but you-" Mark suddenly swerved to the side of the road and slammed on the breaks, causing Daniel to put his hands on the dash to brace himself as the SUV slid on the roadside gravel. Once the vehicle stopped there was no sound but the faint hum of the engine. "You really don't know what today is, do you?" Daniel started gnawing his lip again. He had been building a head of steam until Mark had pulled over so abruptly but now was scared of the cold steel in Mark's voice. "Y-you won't tell me..." Mark just stared at him for a few moments and then his voice softened. "Sweetheart," he whispered. "It's your birthday." Mark watched confusion wash over her face and then in a flurry opened the small purse in her lap and snatched out single plastic card inside. Mark turned on the dome light as Daniel held it up and then suddenly looked sick to his stomach. "Happy birthday, Danielle." "How did I forget my own birthday?" Mark smiled and reached to gently stroke Daniel's cheek, who turned his head away to avoid the gentle touch. "It's easy to understand. You've been focused on other things for awhile now." Mark turned off the dome light but continued to gaze at Daniel in the dark. Daniel, for the most part, avoided Mark's eyes and looked out the windshield. "Where are we going then?" Mark smiled and put the SUV back in drive. "That is still a surprise, my dear." Mark smiled to himself as he saw Daniel sit up a little straighter when she noticed the familiar surroundings. "Mark..." Mark tightened his hold of her hand. "They want to see you, Danielle. Everyone does." "Mark..." "Well I mean they already know what you look like. I've been sending them pictures of you on a weekly basis-" "Mark!" Once a week since Daniel's pregnancy was confirmed, Mark had been taking pictures. Daniel had let him, believing Mark was just putting them into a photo archive for their future child. Daniel glared in alarm at his husband as Mark smiled sheepishly. The SUV slowed and turned into the conspicuously empty driveway; despite the street being filled on both sides with vehicles. Some of which Daniel was starting to recognize. "It's a surprise party?" Daniel looked pale even in the dimness of the SUV. "Take me home, Mark." Mark gave a patient smile as he watched the nervousness slowly consume her. "Now, Sweetheart, you already know that's not going to happen. This party is for you. These are people who love and care about you. Your parents included." "Mark, please..." Daniel's mouth was drying out. "But..." His eyes suddenly flared and Daniel released his seat belt and in a surprising burst of agility spun in his seat so that he was kneeling on the seat and reaching back to the back seat. "Where is it?" "Where is what, Danielle?" "My purple hoody! I left it back here after the last Lamaze class!" Mark chuckled, "That's hanging in the coat closet at home. Come on Danielle, these are your family and friends, that know you're pregnant. They know you're turning into a beautiful young mother, and," Mark pointed out the windscreen, on the porch was a smiling middle-aged couple. "They already know we're here." He put the edge in his voice. "Now, you can get out of the car and try to have a pleasant night or I can drag you out and let you explain to them why you're being so difficult." Daniel slowly turned and sat back down, keeping his knees together as he did so. "Do they know the name you're calling me now?" "Yes. But they think you're okay with it." Daniel's face turned sour and Mark leaned to block the view from the porch. "Feel free to tell the truth, but don't expect me to back you up when you ruin your own birthday party." Mark opened his door and slid out from the vehicle, giving Daniel precious seconds of alone time to center himself and summon up a fake smile. When his door opened he took Mark's offered hand and let him help him from the vehicle. Daniel was nowhere as big as he was going to get, but he was becoming more and more aware of the difficulties to come. He felt Mark's strength as he laced their fingers together. It had taken a while to realize it but there was no way Daniel would be able to extricate his tiny, dainty hand from Mark's massive paw if Mark didn't allow it. And there was a growing part of his brain that enjoyed the idea of being something Mark refused to let go of. As they approached the porch Shannon O'Mally covered her mouth as her eyes watered. "Hi Mom, Dad." "Oh, baby come here!" Daniel found himself suddenly scooped into a giant hug. "We've got a lot to talk about, don't we?" If Mark had suggested a birthday party to Daniel and asked for a list of people he didn't want invited, the list would have been everyone. Because that's pretty much who showed up, everyone. Nearly his entire friends list from Facebook, minus the people who simply lived much too far away. And there was no way he was going to be able to be a wallflower, not as the guest of honor and not at seven months pregnant surrounded by a bunch of women who couldn't have children. Surrounded in the literal sense. As soon as they entered the house Daniel was descended upon by three ex-girlfriends, six platonic female friends, and his two younger sisters. They cleaved him from Mark so smoothly they were in an entirely different room of the house before Daniel knew why his hand had gotten cold. He tried to field their questions as best as possible: yes, he was going to breastfeed, no to cloth diapers, yes to vaccinations, no to circumcision if it's a boy, he wasn't sure it was a boy yet because Mark refused to open the envelope. That last one sent three of them off hunting for Mark and information about said envelope. Daughters of Changlings were highly desired as they were immune to the same virus that had robbed so many women of children. Daniel's anxiety had been building since stepping across the threshold and he managed to excuse himself to use the bathroom. He knew he couldn't stay gone long, but he just needed to breathe. Daniel didn't go to the bathroom, didn't need to yet, but instead went to venture outside where his father, Mark and male friends had congregated. Or tried to, his mother stopped him, gently taking him by the shoulders and turning him back into the kitchen. "Oh, you don't want to go out there, honey." "But my friends are out there." Shannon looked at Daniel in mild concern. "You really aren't socializing, are you?" "What do you mean?" "Well Mark said you don't talk to anyone, ever. I mean it softens the blow that the only child I have capable of having children refuses to talk to me while she's pregnant, but still. Think about it," Shannon pointed out the kitchen window. "Notice no other woman is outside?" Daniel turned and slowly looked, she was right. Another thing he'd lost. "Oh..." "This is the world you live in now. Besides I'm sure your father is taking Mark to the carpet on taking care of you and our grandchild." "Maybe, Cassie, Sharon and Luce went to grill him about the baby's sex." Shannon had been sipping a glass of wine and nearly choked, Daniel chuckled, "You don't know what you're having!?" Dogs four blocks away heard her. Outside all eyes shifted to Mark who had just lifted his beer to lips. Shit, he thought. "Mark Clay! You get your behind in this house this second!" Mark's mother was a bitch, he knew it, everyone knew it. But Shannon O'Mally was a regular June Cleaver. Mark had lost track of the times he'd come over to visit Daniel and there seemed to always be fresh cookies coming out of the oven. She was probably the nicest, sweetest woman he'd ever met. Anyone had ever met. So, when Mrs. O'Mally raised her voice you instantly shrunk to about two inches tall. Even Ted O'Mally looked at him with pity in his eyes. "You twit," a random voice said from the men around him. "You better get in there before she gets the Army out here after us." The other women were already looking out the windows and looking quite cross. A few were heading for the back slider. Mark sighed and sat down his beer before walking the path back to the house. Behind him someone said, "Dead man walking!" Everyone laughed. Inside he found himself ushered into the living room where he found his wife sitting on the couch, flanked by every woman in the house. Daniel shrugged and tried to hide his mirth behind his one allowed glass of wine but Mark could see that Daniel's eyes had that rare spark of happiness to them. Fine, I'll be the sacrificial lamb if she's enjoying herself. "Explain yourself, Mister." "Yeah, why do you refuse to tell the mother of your child what she's having? Don't you understand what she's going through for you?" This from Cassidy, Daniel's most recent ex-girlfriend who had never taken a real liking to Mark anyway. She probably thought she'd lost a good boyfriend to him. Mark looked at Danielle again to see she was supremely focused on her glass, a massive, shit eating grin plastered to her face. Oh, I'm gonna get her for this. "Okay, so what happened was..." And Mark proceeded to gracefully fall upon his own sword. "So, are you going to open the envelope? I promised Mom I'd message her when we got home." Mark glanced over and down at Danielle, who was leaning against the wall of the elevator and had a sleepy half smile on her face. "We'll do it in the morning. Is that okay?" They arrived at their floor and the doors dinged open and Mark took her hand. "Yeah, I guess. I'm pretty tired. Thank you again, Mark. Sorry for being a dick earlier. I had a good time." Mark fished out his keys and unlocked the door. It was different to hear Daniel be so effusive. After sending Mark to the she-wolves Daniel had fully relaxed and found himself having a great time. "It would have been nice to have more wine.." Mark had plans to get her back though. While she had been inside opening gifts that would be dropped off tomorrow he had been outside discussing a game plan to bring Danielle all the way over. Mark had been in constant contact with his and Daniel's friends. They all knew Daniel's collar was failing, even the women and Dan's parents. But they had all agreed to not bring up Danielle's appearance. Everyone could see Mark's growing affection was genuine and all wanted them to stay together. It had been agreed that Mark should actively pursue Danielle romantically over Daniel's objections. It would be hard for the boy to say no when the girl was too busy saying yes. Mark let Daniel change first and came into the room a few minutes later to find him lying on his back in the bed with the covers pushed down. He was back in a pair of yoga pants and old t-shirt he'd confiscated from Mark's drawers. Mark didn't mind so long as it was only worn for sleep. By the way Danielle's breasts sat he knew she'd shucked the bra as well. She had her phone out and plugged in, the screen illuminating her face. She was in the perfect position for what he was about to do. "What are you doing, Sweetheart? You haven't picked up your phone in weeks," Mark observed as he pulled a pair of shorts from his top drawer. "I got kinda yelled at for not paying attention to Facebook. So, I'm...." Daniel heard the unmistakable sound of a belt being unbuckled and glanced to see Mark removing his slacks. "What are you doing?" Mark grinned to himself. His back was turned but he could hear the concern in her voice. "Changing silly, what does it look like?" She didn't answer and when Mark turned he saw that she had rolled onto her side towards the wal