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A note from Bob - While this is a very good story it really isn't based on science fiction since it uses magic. To be fair to the other authors in the contest I really can't accept this as a contest entry.

Lady Lionel

This is not a fan fiction for the Whateley Academy series. This is my last minute entry in Bob’s Stardust R Us first anniversary story contest. This story has nothing to do with my Whateley serial period – no really, I mean it!

Lady Lionel

By John from Wauwatosa

Proofed entirely by me I’m afraid. So it’s a bit rough, sorry.

Tap, tap … Is anyone out there. I’m trapped in this monitor, send help!

* * * *

It was Christmas Eve, my wife and I had finished setting up the tree and arranging the presents. No *fake* tree for us, we had a real, live evergreen. We justified killing a tree because after New Years it would be tied to a post in our garden to provide shelter for the visitors to our birdfeeders. They were otherwise known as our cat entertainment center, so our four year-old Humane Society special seems to think. We let him look but nothing else. Come spring the tree would be broken up and put on a brush pile to slowly compost.

All was well with our family except for our son. Tommy turned five on the 21^st of December; he’d been born at the very moment of the solstice. He was a more miserable five year-old than any kid has a right to be. Seeing any child hurting tugged at my heart, being my son it was killing me. He’d been a happy child until he started morning kindergarten in late August. Every day he came home crying, I learned of this many weeks later. My wife worked from home so she saw it all and was trying to shield the knowledge from me. She knew I’d not take it well. But then Lynn was no ordinary woman. For one, she still looked as good in a bikini – or out of it -- as the day I met her. It was uncanny how well she fought off the signs of aging.

Let me explain about Lynn and me. I work in a bank, nothing glamorous, but its a steady check and good benefits. My wife is a brilliant woman, not that I’m a slouch but I wonder what she saw in me to want to marry me. Than Lynn was drop-dead gorgeous confused me even more than her intelligence. We met by accident at the beach ten years before. I’d broken up with my girlfriend of three months, a record for me. I rarely got second dates. I’m reasonably fit and handsome but no muscleman and I’m shy. I wasn’t manly enough for most women, yet this goddess chose me. I remember our meeting vividly. I was fresh out of college and had just started with the bank as a teller.

* * * *

"Sir, I don’t want to seem rude but are you here by yourself?" this angel’s voice spoke from on top a pair of long-legs that led up to the cutest …Let’s say it was lust at first sight and leave it there.

"I-ah … I should say something clever but that wouldn’t be me. I ‘m alone and not by preference. Why do you ask?"

She sat down on the sand next to me. I now saw what was above that cute behind -- female perfection. I felt things stirring embarrassingly in my swim trunks.

"My *date* abandoned me for a pair of teenage bimbos and I lost my ride. Could you?" I thought I saw tears in her eyes.

I wasn’t going to say no to her despite some disbelief at her story. ~~ No male in or out of his right mind would dump *her*.~~ I didn’t see anyone looking our way like they were jealous either. I decided to be a gentleman.

"My cars over this way, the green Focus just across from the changing rooms. Meet me by it in twenty minutes?"

"I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Chris."

Something about her bothered me but for the life of me I couldn’t figure it out.

* * * *

We met by my car, me in jeans, t-shirt and tennis shoes, her in skin-tight Capri’s, a crop-top and sandals. ~~My god, she looks like my dream woman!~~ or so I thought.

"You’ll find I’m very real, Chris."

It hit me. "I never gave you my name. How did you...?"

"Would you believe me if I say I come from a long line of witches on my mother’s side?"

I stared at her for a moment and suppressed a laugh. "Excuse me; this is too much for me. I know enough to know I know very little about this world. Rationally I dismiss magic but I must admit it may be possible. I suspect if it does exist, it’s not like in popular literature. I will say this, witch or not you are bewitching, Miss …?"

"I’m sorry, Lynn. Amanda Lynn Harris but everyone call me Lynn as Mom is Amanda. I know your name because I sat near you in accounting way back in our sophomore year in college. I was impressed by you. You worked hard, asked good questions, were polite and well mannered. And I loved to hear you laugh. I’ve kept an eye on you for some time and though now was a good time for us to meet. The stuff about the boyfriend was made up." She smiled at me and I was hers. I knew then I would marry her some day.

"I don’t remember seeing you. I would have remembered someone like you, Lynn."

"I … I was in an awkward phase and hid my appearance as much as I could. Oh, I’m real. This is all me, no silicone or surgery. I was the proverbial late bloomer you might say – very late. I was in a study group with you in business administration but you wouldn’t recognize me," she said and smiled that smile again. We drove off and a month later we were engaged. A year to the day we met, we wed.

* * * *

Well back to the present or is it the presents? Lynn and I had everything up and Tommy to bed when she gave me *that look *, the look that meant she had something serious to discuss. She had only used it once before, almost six years back when we visited her family. They lived across the country on the Oregon coast and she warned me to be my polite self and then some. It was very important to *us* that I do this.

* * * *

"My family is upset at me for marring outside of my faith. I have talked at length with Mom and dad on the phone; they admit you are an honorable and caring man. It’s that they would have preferred I’d married someone in our church. My Auntie Elizabeth is all for us, but then she is the romantic one in Mom’s family. I know if you start out slowly, they will come to like you, maybe love you. Do it for me dear?"

I didn’t know then that *we* were three weeks pregnant with Tommy. She didn’t tell me until after the visit in case it didn’t go well. That way I’d have some happy news, she later explained. For that *look* I would charge a machine-gun nest naked armed with a feather pillow. It was a long week. Difficult at first but by the end I was family. Even her Dad told me I was a good man.

"You make her happy and I can tell you will never knowingly harm her. You’re a hard worker and were willing to be run through *the gauntlet* this I week. You have my blessing, Son."

We have an open invitation to move out to the coast and live with them. They say they have connections and can get me a good job. We may move someday, who knows? I do know Lynn love her Auntie Elizabeth almost more than her Mom. There is this bond between them that speaks of a shared secret and great trust. I know I like *Auntie* and she’s the one we call most often to keep up on the family.

* * * *

I’m sorry, I wandered again. So, Lynn gives me *the look* and we go to the kitchen to talk.

"Chris, you’ve been with me to the doctors. You heard what they said." She was crying.

"That Tommy is becoming aware that he is not like most other boys and they think he might be transgendered? I agree, I always thought he was too gentle a child to be a boy but then I was a quiet boy too. I wish we could do something for him but what is there other than to support him for now. When he’s older if he’s like this, I have no problems with him transitioning. I’d hate to lose a son but when I read about how many transsexuals kill themselves ... A live daughter beats a dead son hands down."

Lynn stopped crying and smiled that million-watt smile again. My *embarrassment* returned with a vengeance. Lynn noticed and smiled all the more.

"Chris, there maybe another way we can help our son. Remember the day we met and as we walked to your car at the beach I said, ‘You’ll find I’m very real, Chris.’"

"I remember it well. That was when I fell in love with you."

"Did you think just before that, ’My god, she looks like my dream woman!’?"

"Of course I did I told … I didn’t tell you, certainly not until long after.. . Are you saying you read minds?"

"What else did I say then?" She gently held my hand and squeezed it. Lynn has always been a touchy-feely woman.

"You said something about your coming from a long line of witches on … your … You’re a witch!"

"Don’t shout, Dear, you’ll wake Tommy. Yes I’m a witch and I can read minds. That’s why I married you. I knew without a doubt you were an honest man. I have not used it on you since the moment we reached your car.

"Ever wonder why our garden is so productive or why the wildlife likes our yard so much? My talents as a witch favor things to do with the promotion of life and fertility. It’s been a struggle not to have been pregnant continuously since we first, a … I’ve only been able to keep that in check by using my power on the yard and thus drain it down to a tolerable level. As soon as our finances permit it …: she winked and I got very uncomfortable below."

"Lynn, I believe you. I shouldn’t but I do. As to more children, I can get a part-time job. I’d love to have more kids. So what does this have to do with Tommy?"

She led me to the garage and a box I recognized yet didn’t. "I had toy trains as a child. Is that a Lady Lionel? They are rare today because no one would buy their kid a pink pastel train."

"It’s a gift from Auntie Elizabeth. That train is magic. It can give Tommy his greatest wish as easy as throwing a switch."

"It will make him into a girl?"

"Yes, temporarily at first but permanently if he wishes. And don’t worry about ID and school records. My family can fix that. That’s in part why they have offered to help us move to Oregon. They know about him. That way Tommy can start fresh. He’ll remember who he was but the pain of not being what his soul screams she is will be gone."

"He, I mean she will be able to make a free choice. The magic won’t corrupt hi/her either way?"

"No. I fact I will insist he try out being a boy and staying a girl for several weeks at a time. Morning kindergarten is voluntary anyway, so his absence will not cause problems. Please Chris, for your son?"

Christmas morning – six o’clock sharp -- Tommy woke us from our bed. Lynn and I were very tired. We were up until one setting up the train and were very sore as well. We got to bed shortly after one but didn’t sleep until five. That’s why we were so sore. Lynn told me as I nodded off, she was certain Tommy’s brother or sister was fertilized and on the way. Apparently my witch can sense these things. We got out of bed, surprisingly alert – Lynn told me later she used a *refresh* spell on us so we could be there when Tommy found the train.

Tommy tore into his presents and was quite happy. We’d taken pains to keep the toys creative and gender neutral. Crayons, paper, craft supplies, picture books and such.

"Tommy, we have a special present," I called out. I was about to run the train myself when Lynn got a worried look on her face. She whispered to me. "I like you as you are Chris, as much fun as we could have with you as Chrissie. I’d best handle it until Tommy is ready but if you want to play naughty cheerleaders some day …"

"Tommy, this is a special train. It was mine long ago and it is yours now. Auntie Elizabeth kept is safe for me until we needed it," My wife said. I looked at her and my eyes went wide.

"You were a boy?" I mouthed.

"We’ll talk about it later, Hon," she mouthed back.

"Mommy why were you and Daddy making faces like that?"

"Mommy was telling Daddy an extra special secret. Would you like a special secret just between the three of us?"

Tommy nodded.

"This is a special train. I’m going to start it so it’s running okay. When I tell you to, take the remote control for the switch and push the lever it until the light on it changes colors. Can you do it?"

"Sure mommy."

She started the train and the pink engine and cars came around from behind the tree – we’d aid the track around it.

"It’s pretty mommy, like you!" Tommy called out.

The train neared the switch that would put it on a different loop of track around the tree.

"Throw the switch Tommy." She said. He threw the switch, the train started down the other track and Tommy glowed. In seconds a cute, bewildered girl sat where my Tommy had been, She was dressed in PJ’s like Tommy had but these had Hello Kitty on them an a little lace trim.

"I’m a girl?" Tommy said in a slightly different voice.

"Yes and you can stay a girl for as little or as long as you want, Dear."

"I’M A GIRL!" Tommy shouted and spun around like a ballerina until she got dizzy.

"What would you like to be called? Daddy and I had Rachel picked out if you were a girl but it’s your choice," Lynn said.

"Tammy, like that silly film we say last week," Tammy said and giggled happily.

We’d watch one of the old Debbie Reynolds Tammy films on TV and Tommy, I mean Tammy loved it.

"Okay, Tammy it is. To be fair to you, we want you to live as Tammy for a few weeks then as Tommy again. You can try this as many times as you need to be sure. Don’t worry Mom and I will fix it so no one knows but us. When you are sure and that is any time from this spring to until you are in college." I turned and winked at Lynn and mouthed "William?" She grinned at me and gave me thumbs up. "You can choose to stay a boy or to stay as Tammy. Mommy and I will love you whichever way you choose."

* * * *

The period from Christmas on until the second week of January was like a fairy tail. Tammy was so happy. Lynn was so randy. I was exhausted and happy. The relatives called us almost every knight after we told Auntie Elizabeth about Tammy and the new baby. It broke our hearts to set up the train and transform her back. Tommy was happier than he’d been but that soon faded and he was his sad self again. He stuck it out a full month, feeling more and more miserable.

"Mommy, Daddy! Tommy called. We came and sat down nxt to him in the kitchen. "I tried and tried. I really did. I want to be Tammy, for ever-and-ever, please?"

Lynn and I looked in each other’s eyes. We were both crying. We nodded our heads and Tommy giggled. That’s when we both were amazed. Tommy started to glow but the train was in the box.

"Lynn?" I asked.

"It’s not me. I think it’s Tom ... Tammy," she said. " I had to take out the lamps from the switch after I changed and smash them to make it permanent."

Tammy returned in all her cuteness.

"How did you do that, Tammy?" I asked.

"I wished it," Tammy said smiling.

"Tammy, do you know what magic is?" Lynn asked.

"It’s what made me a girl. Oh, Mommy you were a boy too. I see it. I see a bit of boy in you. I’m sorry you hurt. You’re all better like me now though," Tammy said and hugged her.

"Lynn, call your Aunt. I think we’re moving, I said then I good a good look a our cat. "Honey, didn’t our cat used to be male? I think yesterday wouldn’t be too soon to move."

"I’ll call the movers, Chris. You are still Chris?"

* * * *

That’s how we ended up in Oregon living down the block from my in-laws and Aunt Elizabeth. Thank god for them both. Tammy was the youngest in 400 years to achieve her powers and I’m told Tammy will be one of the most powerful witches in ages. She is happy, working hard at learning her *craft* and the alphabet and numbers. Lynn is due any day now and everyone in her family thinks I’m the greatest to have accepted all this and that my wife was once a man. Oh, I still am very much a man. Though our cat remains a girl, she doesn’t seem to mind. She sure is popular with the local tomcats. But he was fixed so she … Oh, oh!

When ever it gets to be too much I simply say," Love is all the magic I ever needed."

The end.

Your constructive criticism and advice is appreciated though it doesn’t deter me from writing this fluff. This is an exercise in the joys of creativity and in appreciation of the wonderful Whatel … BC … in appreciation of Bob’s generous spirit in hosting this contest. Any violations of copyright, trademark or use of real people or incidents are purely for purposes of humor or parody and done solely for the free enjoyment of the reading public. All rights reserved in perpetuity, John from Wauwatosa WI, 2007.

Adult content advisory: this chapter, er story may contain situations and topics unsuitable for children. It’s usually mild stuff, but you were warned. And if it didn’t have any who would read this cotton-candy literature?