The snow fell silently, snow always did that and I sat on the couch next to my sleeping dog. She was snoring softly but it was the loudest thing in the room. It was the day after the day after christmas and very late after 1 am. I was in a t shirt and pajama pants. I yawned and scratched my greying beard. I should shave it off, but I never get around to it. You would barely know it was christmas, I never put up a tree. I had been snowed in for going on 5 days now, they were callling it the great christmas blizzard of 22. I sat on my couch, and I felt a hole, a pit, something inside like some how my life had not gone right. Christmas always made me feel this way, no matter if it was a good or bad holiday. This year...I just didn't want to be here anymore. My dog stirred and licked her chops as she slept, then she went back to sleep. The snow continued to fall outside my window, the wind still blowing. My mom died 5 months prior, and I had moved into her house. I lived there with my younger brother. He was asleep upstairs, and I sat alone typing a story into my computer. It wasn't anything good and I was barely processing what I was typing. It was still snowing hard enough that no one was out, and even if I wanted to leave there was enough snow blocking my way I wouldn't be able to get out right now. The snow had started to pile up. Now the only light in the room came from my laptop screen. I could barely see my keyboard.

"Merry Christmas..." I said quietly as I typed away. There was no reply, I doubted anyone heard me. I sighed and looked at the time. 3:39 am. I turned on my coffee pot to warm up the water then I went to bed. My dog followed me, we climbed the stairs together. We reached the top and I opened the door. It was dark and cold, the snow storm had cut power all over town. I closed the door, and the two of us crawled in the bed. I was already asleep when my dog nudged me awake. "Woof..." She whispered, that's what she called me. I blinked and looked down. She was licking my face, trying to wake me.

I shook myself and sat up. "Hey girl." I whispered. I grabbed my glasses aware of a light in the room that seemed to be growing in intensity. I put them on and looked around. All the lights were out, yet it seemed to be getting brighter. I rubbed my eyes and looked at the clock again. It was 4:28 am. I yawned and scratched my beard. "What's up?" I asked. "Woof!" My dog yipped again and jumped onto the bed. The light started to form into a shape of a person. It was a woman, wearing a red dress. Her hair was long and red. She had blue eyes and long white gloves. She had a small purse. "Who are you?" I asked. The light began to grow faster and louder. "Who am I? I'm you..." She said. Her voice was beautiful, soft, and sweet.

"what? how are you me? " I asked confused.

She smiled and held up her hands, "Can you stop talking for a moment please?" She said.

I nodded and closed my mouth. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. She walked closer to me, and I could see her better now. She had a nice figure, and she was small. She was about 5 feet if I had to guess. She was thin, and she had long legs. She was also wearing heels. Her face was beautiful, with delicate features. The thing that stuck out most about her was her lips. They were full and red. I ran my hand through my own thick beard.

"So how does this happen?" I asked.

She giggled lightly, "You're a writer, you write stories. You create characters. That is how I can do what I'm doing right now. I am your creation."

"Do you mean me? The guy who wrote this book?" I said looking at my computer.

She nodded, "Yes."

"Then why don't you just go ahead and tell me your name so I can call you something else?" I asked.

"That's not how this works." She said "deep down I'm who you wish you were , you long to be seen like this, a nurturer, a mother, a woman, it just suits you"

"Yes" I said

"You wanted to be a stay at home mom growing up didn't you"

"I did" i replied "I have never admitted that to anyone."

She smiled, "It's ok. So what is this about? Why are you showing yourself to me? Am I dreaming? Is this real?" I asked.

"Of course it is, and yes, you are dreaming." She answered. "I am here because I feel like you need someone to talk to. You are lonely and depressed. I understand this. I've watched you for years. I've been watching you since your mom passed away. I know everything about you. I want to help you, I can take away all this pain. Let me become reality" She said.

I looked at her. She was so pretty. I thought about it. "Ok, fine. But how...?" I asked.

"I'm going to sit on your lap, and we will talk." She said.

"Alright" I said sitting up and reaching for her. She sat on my lap and I embraced her. She was warm and comforting. I could feel her heartbeat against mine. I looked at her, and she smiled. Her hands were on my shoulders as I wrapped my arms around her waist. "This feels so weird" I said.

She nodded, "yes, this is all very strange."

I smiled and kissed her cheek, "but I really like the way you feel." I said. I felt her cheeks turn bright pink.

"Thank you. It's nice to be appreciated." She said and laughed.

We sat there and talked for hours. I told her everything. Everything that I remembered from my childhood, all my fears, my hopes, everything. She listened to every word. She never interrupted me, nor ever spoke unless spoken too. She held my hand throughout our entire conversation. We talked until the sun came up.

At first I was scared. I didn't know what to expect. She was beautiful and kind, and she had my best interests in mind. But I soon realized I didn't care I kept pouring my soul into her. As it went she felt lighter and lighter and i felt smaller. She had started on my la but now she was sitting and I was curled up next to her. I held her tight. She had become my comfort and my strength.

After a while I fell asleep holding her. When I woke up the sun was shining brightly in my windows. I brushed my hair out of my eyes. I looked...Red hair? I stood up and fell on the floor. My feet had been much higher up than i expected. She was gone, and so was my beard. I got up and searched for her everywhere. Where did she go? I looked around the whole house and I saw something. A note. She had written a short message on the wall.

-I love you.

I stared at it. I looked down. i was now a young woman, more than that I was her. I was her. I turned around. I could hear someone walking towards me. I looked down and I was now a woman. I was her. I was her. I was her. I was her.

I screamed and threw my hands up in the air. "Oh my god! This isn't happening! Oh my god!" I yelled. I covered my head and I sobbed. My heart was swelling i was so happy. I was crying so hard I couldn't breathe. I fell to my knees and I tried to scream but no sound came out. I was still screaming and I wasn't sure why. I felt my tears dry up. I wiped the snot from my nose. I stood up and walked to my bathroom mirror. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I whispered to myself. Then I turned and looked at the mirror. She was staring back at me. My reflection stared back in silence. I sighed and reached for my makeup bag. I picked up my brush and I ran it across my face. I opened the drawers in my vanity and grabbed some cosmetics. I got dressed and went downstairs. I found my brother sitting on the couch with his laptop open.

He looked up as i entered the room. "Good Morning Penelope" He said.

"Morning..." I said and sat down beside him. Was that my name now? Or did I have another name? I wondered.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"I feel amazing...thank you" I said.

He smiled, "I'm glad you're ok. Did you sleep well?"

I nodded, "Yes. Thank you."

We both sat there and watched tv. The snow continued to fall outside. We waited for everyone else to wake up. We heard the front door open. My brother looked over and he saw a young man walking in. He was tall, muscular, and handsome. His hair was brown with black streaks, and his eyes were deep green. He had a cute smile and dimples. He wore a grey jacket, a white shirt, and jeans. He looked around the house curiously before sitting down with us.

"Hi babe" He said sitting next to me. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" I said. I didn't recognize him at all but my brother hadn't budged. Was this a new reality did i have a boyfriend now?

He smiled, "you look great by the way." He said and held out his hand. I took it gently. He pulled me up and i stood awkwardly. I looked down and I was wearing pajamas still. "Sorry, I didn't realize." I said.

He laughed, "no worries." He said. He looked at me and he shook his head. "You should probably change." He said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Well I figured you would want to get a shower and dress before the kids wake up it is still christmas morning"

Kids? I thought. I looked at my brother who was smiling, "Yeah where is my niece and nephew at Craig?" He asked.

"They are upstairs sleeping. They'll be down later." the man, Craig said "Come on mama, shower than presents" The man lifted me up and carried me to our bathroom. I screamed in surprise he set me down gently "Merry Christmas Penelope" He leaned in to kiss me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and returned the kiss. After a few minutes we separated. He smiled and nodded toward the shower. I smiled closed the door. I stripped off my clothing and looked at my naked body in the mirror. My body was small and petite. Full breasts and round hips. It was younger than I was going to be maybe 30. I turned on the water and stepped into the shower. I felt the warm spray fall over me and I sighed. I looked at myself in the mirror again. How did this happen?

I looked out the window to see the snow falling outside. It was beautiful. I looked back at myself in the mirror. I was starting to feel refreshed when I heard the knock on the door. I found a robe , a big plushy pink robe and put it on. I opened the door and Craig was standing there. The man smiled and he held out his hand to me again. I took it and he pulled me inside. He led me to the kitchen and I saw my brother and three children, a boy about 9 and two girls about 6 and 3. They all smiled as I walked in.

"Merry Christmas mommy!!" They said in unison and they ran to me. I hugged them all tightly. They were so sweet and adorable. I didn't notice until now that I had become their mother. I was so happy. I cried and I couldn't stop. They were all laughing and smiling at me. I could hear craig making breakfast and he saw me. He smiled and he came over and hugged me. He kissed my forehead. "Merry Christmas wifey" He said.

A mommy and a wife.....I thought.

I smiled "Merry Christmas husband." I said.

He smiled and placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me along with a glass of orange juice. He sat down next to me and he ate his food. I began to eat too and after a while I stopped crying. "I'm sorry" I said wiping my eyes.

Craig reached forward and touched my arm. He knew i was crying. "Don't be sorry. You are happy, enjoy the moment" He kissed my foreheead.

I looked at him "I think I'm dreaming." I said.

He laughed, the youngest came up and wanted on my lap. I grinned at her and picked her up. She had the same bright red hair as me. I felt a strong bond to her and held her close. She giggled and played with my long red hair.

I looked at my husband, "What do you think?" I asked.

He smiled, "I think this is the best Christmas present ever." He said.