The next day I see Nora multiple times, the first time before class and she simply hugs me, saying she needs to talk with me later. In her break she comes back indeed, and she hugs me again, then she tells me she's going to keep the baby. Her mothers will raise the child as their own, making it Nora’s baby sister. But she will need my help in school once she starts showing. 

Two hours later, in the principal's office, I explain the situation, and after her initial shock, she agrees that I did everything right. She sees how Nora is holding on to me, and she promises she will make sure Nora will be in a safe environment. She will prep teachers and students in time, to embrace Nora rather than scold her. I think I see Nora's last worries finally drop from her shoulders. Later, the principal tells me she's proud of me, and happy they hired me.

My visit with the doctor was surprisingly easy. Again, I'm not the first one in this community. But, they have a new solution, if I'm interested, as an alternative to regular injections with estrogen. It's a small, minimal invasive procedure, where they inject an implant under the skin in the lower belly, which will slowly but continually release a dose of female hormones. Easier for the body to get used to, as there are no ups and downs in hormone differential. And good for the next three years. The only disadvantage would be if you get second thoughts about it, as you can't stop it, without a much bigger surgery. 

It's a no-brainer, I don't even need to check with Sunny, and they have room right away. So, two hours later I walk out, on my way to womanhood, in a way that no dress, or heels, or bodysuit can match. A monthly check up will monitor my progress.

Suddenly time seems to go much faster. The girls find five more participants, and Ms Smith starts yoga classes right at school. I get extra classes myself with Zara, as I call her now, and both my mind and body adapt, and I start enjoying the experience. 

It's much tougher practicing martial arts with Liz, due to the sexual tension between us, that only increases with the changes happening inside me. Thank God that Sunny managed to sell the house, and she got everything moved over. Having her back in my bed, in what is officially now our home, as we paid Heather a handsome price. Sunny notices my changes right away, as my skin is getting softer, and I'm losing some body mass.

She joins me in martial arts practice, and the sparks that fly between her and Liz easily trump my own sparks. We have a few threesomes but I can't keep up with the two of them, and simply enjoy watching them go at it.

At school I get a handle on more problem cases, but none as severe as Nora, although she is blooming now. A total swing from considering suicide to the proudest mom-to-be, with the school indeed embracing her, now that she's slowly showing. She treats me as her third mom, and she often shares our table. A table that is more and more shared with Liz and Emma as well.

I do most of the cooking, as the class that I'm in seems to be designed for just me. Never did I get so much satisfaction as seeing my “whole family” cleaning out their plates and asking for more.

Sunny has an idea to generate more income, using the surplus of money we have from selling our old home. We end up buying the home we saw originally here in Amazonia as well, and rent it out to a mother with two children, who otherwise would not have been able to move into our community.

Sunny really embraces the martial art training with Liz, where I, surprisingly, get more and more comfortable with yoga. Zara is happy with my progress, but we keep the personal training classes going. Hailey and Emma are still way ahead of me.

Talking about Hailey… the last time I cleaned my bodysuit I noticed I had grown my own, very small breasts. In a way I'm going through puberty again, together with my daughter. I have decided to let them grow naturally, no longer use that part of the bodysuit. With a smart bra I can still wear most of my dresses.

The week of Thanksgiving John and Carol are visiting, and it will be their first time in Amazonia. I pick them up from the airport in my truck, that I now own, bought from the rental place for a fair price. I will help John transform into a girl, before he meets Hailey, as I don't think she's ready to face another brother for a while.

But, John is not there, I see only Carol, waiting for her luggage to come off the belt. As I walk to her to inquire about her brother, I almost run into a young pretty woman. I apologize, but she looks at me and says, Hi mom. I look into her eyes, never seen her before, until it hits me. John?

She nods, saying, it's Joanie now, at least for the week. Carol helped me, thinking this would be easier on Hailey. Where is she? I'm shocked, even her voice is perfect. I was going to help you first, before you meet her, but as always, the two of you know better. We raised you well. And I hug my new daughter, before I hug my first. Well done on Joanie, I tell her. Oh, she smiles, she's a natural. She wants to go shopping with me and Hailey, and have some sisterly fun. She's already looking forward to Christmas break, a whole month as a girl.

I'm speechless now. My biggest worry dissolved, just like that. Joanie, in three inch heels, points at her suitcase and asks a young man to get it for her. And he complies, smiling, asking if she has more. A minute later he has Carol's bag as well, and Joanie gives him a soft kiss on his cheek, leaving him stunned behind, as the three of us walk to my truck.

Once inside, Carol starts on Joanie. You can't lead them on, sis. Soon they want more from you than a little peck. But Joanie laughs confidently. Nothing I can't handle. And somehow I believe her.

Meeting Hailey goes so easily, it's like they have known her all her life. Sunny isn't shocked at all about Joanie, and the two of them check out her room, as Hailey takes Carol. I look at Heather, who came by for the occasion, and she says, you guys did well with those two. As I know you'll do with Hailey.

It's such fun, seeing the three together, soon four, as Emma loves to have two big sisters around as well. Joanie leads the pack, as they go out of town to the mall. They're gone for hours, although both Hailey and Emma keep us up to date through text messages.

Liz helps me prepare the turkey, as I've never done that before, while Heather makes her “famous” stuffing, and she trusts me with the family recipe. Tomorrow we will have a lot to give thanks for.

I can't believe when the kids finally come back. Both Joanie and Carol have clearly spent time in a salon, as I see new hairstyles, ears pierced and new nails. But Joanie is wearing a leather pencil skirt with a glittery top and four inch boots, and she's carrying multiple shopping bags. Emma and Hailey smile, saying their sister has a girlfriend. That's when Joanie asks if there's room for one more person at dinner tomorrow. I say, of course, before I realize the implications, but Carol tells me later in the kitchen that Shawna is an absolute blast. It may well be the end of John…

Thanksgiving is so much different with women only. In previous years John and I would be watching games all day, until the food was on the table. This year I'm in control of all the food, but everyone is pitching in. It's not like we lost our interest in the games, the TV is on, but the fun is in the kitchen and how we set the table.

We're making plenty of pictures and memories, until Joanie gets a message that Shawna has reached the community. Fifteen minutes later they're walking in, hand in hand, and I see the attraction right away. She's naturally tanned, thanks to her Native American heritage and it looks like a smile is plastered on her face, but it's simply her style. She brought an unusual dish, as she reminds us that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated between the pilgrims and native americans. It made it all the more special. 

She adds more history as she and Joanie disappear for fifteen more minutes, coming back in Native American dress. It is real deerskin leather, the dresses and boots, with feathers in their hair with some interesting braids. And the silver jewelry is exquisitely combined with leather straps. As I pull them both in my arms I can feel how soft their dresses are, and I wish I had a dress like that.

I must have said it out loud, or maybe I hugged them too hard, but Shawna says she brought one more dress that belongs to her mother, and it would be an honor for both of them if I wear it during this day. Obviously I can't refuse.

I can't believe that minutes later I'm all naked in front of her, as she wraps a loincloth around my hips, made from even thinner leather, as is the wrap around my breasts. I find out that the inside of the leather dress feels like a second skin, as I can feel her touch on my new skin, as she tightens the leather straps (no zipper) like it is my own. And I ask her, how can you wear anything else, once you have felt this on your skin?

She's clearly pleased with my reaction, and she explains it is hard indeed to let go of some of these traditions. But they wear traditional clothing on any day of celebration, and if I want to adopt that tradition, then I can keep the dress. Before I can even think about the consequences, I tell her yes. She laughs as she explains that Joanie said the same.

I don't know how much she knows about Joanie and me, so I explain that technically I was born male, but she makes it clear that explains why the attraction she felt right away for Joanie applied to me as well. She knows we're serious, and she invites us over to meet her mother, for a naming ceremony. In her native language she is called “Smiles With Sun And Moon”, and she can't wait to find out what my name will be.

As she looks at my stunned face, she asks, what did I say? Did I upset you? I shake my head as I explain, my wife's name is Sunny and I am Luna. Is this a sign? She nods, it's very well possible, my people are very spiritual, and we don't believe in coincidences. I'm sure my mother can explain it much better, but my guess is that I was destined to meet your son, who is now your daughter. It's only a day that I know her, yet everything seems perfect, including her own mothers. I like the odds.

As we laugh together, she braids some of my hair and adds some feathers. Then she puts some heavy jewelry on me and she makes me promise that I can never separate the jewelry from the dress, and that if I no longer have an interest in either, that I return all to her or her mother. It's an easy promise.

She jokes as she helps me put the boots on my feet, as her own mother had added heels at some point to the original boots, as with her length it made the dress fit better. I'm perfectly fine with it, as it actually gives relief to my ankles, due to permanently wearing heels lately.

We get cheered loudly as we get downstairs again. Both Sunny and Liz can't keep their hands off me, and when I look at Joanie I see both recognition and relief in her eyes. I give her a wink, as we're both in this together. 

We all say our thanks before we eat, and I have tears in my eyes when Hailey is thankful for being saved by Sunny and me, and thankful for her new sisters and her best friend. Joanie is thankful for her new sister, and for her eyes being opened to living as a woman. And finally for meeting Shawna, who so quickly pointed out a new direction in her life.

Shawna herself thanks all of us, for accepting the original meaning of Thanksgiving, and she thanks Joanie and me for adopting her traditional lifestyle.

When it's my turn, I thank the community of Amazonia for opening my eyes and leading me to womanhood. I thank Sunny and my children for standing by my side during this transition. And I thank Hailey for wanting me and Sunny as her mom's, and for the joy she has added to this family. And I thank Heather and Liz and Emma for being the wonderful friends they are. And finally I thank Shawna and her mother for bringing new traditions to our family, and redefining an existing tradition.

The food is all wonderful and everyone eats way too much. We play some yard games to help digest the food better, rather than all settling on the sofa. A few swim. Liz and Sunny give a martial arts demo, and Shawna joins easily in. I propose to do some yoga together, and Hailey and Emma lead that session. Later we do some board games, until Shawna and Joanie leave. Joanie asks me if I'm okay with her staying the night with her, and I kiss her, saying of course. Shawna invites me over to meet her mother on Sunday and of course I agree on that as well. Make sure to wear the dress, she tells me.

That night I don't even get a chance to take the dress off, as Liz and Sunny have their way with me. I feel an unexpected satisfaction, as I can almost feel the spirits of the women who wore this dress before me, and silently I thank them for helping me on the path to womanhood, that I fully embrace by now.

Although on Sunday Sunny is welcome to join Joanie and me as we visit Shawna’s mother, she says she would feel out of line, as the only one not in native dress. So Joanie drives, following the instructions that Shawna had given her. She tells me that somehow Shawna had freed her manhood a few nights ago, and given up her virginity. They were in love and talked about children and marriage after she'd graduate. As a parent I have to ask if they're not moving too fast, but I know the answer already, as we're both moving toward a different lifestyle by accepting her native heritage as our own.