.......... Content Warning: This work of fiction contains mature subject matter and graphic sexual language including descriptions of consensual sex between men and women. If you think you can't deal with this story, or if it's illegal to possess such material in your locality, please hit the delete button now. If you're a minor as defined by the laws in your locality then you MUST stop now and go no further. As a work of fiction, any similarities to any person(s) dead, alive, or fictional is merely a really weird coincidence.

A NEW CAREER

Tuesday, July 7

.......... As Jo turned the alarm off, the realization that this was the first day of a new career began to register. She got up and headed to her bathroom while Linda tried to get her eyes open. Jo wanted to look her best this morning. She performed her morning toilet with extra care, fussing over her makeup and hair. Her hair was still a problem, “almost long enough to go back to the hair dresser,” she thought. A dab of perfume and that was done. Her new business suit, a quick breakfast, a hug and kiss for Linda who was just coming out of her bathroom and Jo was off for Honeybone Genetic Sciences.

.......... When she entered the parking lot, Jo noticed some new signs in the reserved parking area. She stopped and backed up. One of them had her name on it, J. Bates. Jo smiled and pulled into HER parking space, right beside K. Simpson’s space.

.......... “Good morning Miss Bates, congratulations on your promotion,” greeted the smiling guard.

.......... “Good morning Tom and thank you,” replied Jo, trying to keep a reasonably straight face.

.......... Jo went straight to the conference room they had been using and saw a fresh supply of coffee and donuts.

.......... “Good morning, Jo, better watch that figure,” said Karen as she caught Jo picking up a donut from the small table in the conference room.

.......... “Good morning, Karen,” said Jo, not even turning to look as she filled her cup with coffee and took the donut and coffee to the table. “You better get one before they’re all gone.”

.......... “I can’t resist them in the morning either,” said Karen as she helped herself.

.......... Norma came in and sat across from them. She offered her usual friendly greeting and started in to the days business, one of the traits that would mark her no nonsense but friendly style of management in the days to come.

.......... “There are obviously many things that have to be done in starting a new company. Fortunately, most of the basic things are now being accomplished by the Honeybone accounting and personnel departments. We will only have to review them and make minor changes to suit our specific needs.”

.......... “My immediate concern is to find a suitable building for our needs. It does not have to be a very large structure, probably two stories. Dr. Krell and I have discussed this in some detail and our initial thoughts are to move his clinic to Phoenix. His present building is leased and we can probably lease one here. Jo, if I remember correctly, your fiancee is in the real-estate business. Does her firm handle commercial property”?

.......... “Yes it does. They are one of the largest firms in Phoenix. Would this be an impropriety for me to involve her? After all, this would involve a sizable commission.”

.......... “Not at all, you did not solicit the job, Linda was simply in the right place at the right time. Could you have her meet with us this afternoon”?

.......... “I’m certain she can, I’ll call her at our first break.”

.......... “Fine. Now, lets try to define our needs more closely. We will need space for at least twice the number of patients handled by Dr. Krell’s present facility. In addition, we will need eight staff offices and some as yet undefined office and laboratory space for the research division, Dr. Krell will help us with that. My guess is that the cage, or its replacement, will require less space than it presently occupies.”

.......... “Karen, do you envision a need for any additional space in the clinic”?

.......... “No, if we double the present size of the clinic, we will have enough extra space. Some of the existing areas will not increase with the patient load, fixed overhead I would call it.”

.......... “Good definition. And Joe, your space requirements”?

.......... “I’m not certain Norma. I am not familiar enough with the scope of my department yet to make an intelligent decision.”

.......... “I am glad to hear you say that, it is obvious that you would not be. We will brief you when Dr. Krell arrives. I don’t think it will take long to define. Karen, you will need to be there since Jo will be providing support for your department also. Jo’s department will be responsible for everything from janitorial services to equipment design and manufacture to air transport. I don’t envy Jo her job.”

.......... “Does anyone have any questions”?

.......... “Yes, I do. What type of building are we looking for? Should it be pretentious, located near other medical facilities, in an industrial area, near an airport”?

.......... “Well, a fine set of questions. I do not think we need to be pretentious. Other medical facilities are probably not an issue. We will not be classified as an industrial facility. Airport access is important but not in the flight path. Good Motel and restaurant accommodations will be important. I would think peaceful surroundings would be a consideration. Parking for staff, and some visitors and patients. Access for delivery vehicles would be your call. Enough for a start”?

.......... “Yes, fine.”

.......... “Well, Temporary offices have been setup for us across the hall, lets see if we can get our offices in order and find the restroom and cafeteria. We will meet again when Dr. Krell arrives.”

.......... Jo checked her new office and found her old desk, files and computer had been moved there. Her phone was working so she called Linda. “Linda, I need to lease a two story building with about forty offices and at least a partial basement. It needs to be near a good motel, accessible from the airport and have a pleasant view.” “Linda, are you there”?

.......... “Jo, is that you? Are you serious”?

.......... “Yes and yes. Our new company needs a building and your firm has first pick. Can you be here at Honeybone by eleven this morning with some listings”?

.......... “One way or the other, I’m starting now, bye.”

.......... Jo checked her computer, it was online. A quick check of her file cabinet and everything seemed to be in order. She had setup some computer files for the new company and was compiling ideas and questions about her new position when Dr. Krell came in.

.......... “Good morning, Jo. I understand you are going to be a father, I know you and Linda must be happy.”

.......... “Good morning Dr. Krell, yes, very happy.”

.......... “I will see you in the conference room shortly.” Jo saved her files and went to the conference room. There were still coffee and donuts on the table, someone must have brought in some more, well, one more couldn’t hurt. Norma, Karen and Dr. Krell came in with Jean Cochran, their new secretary, the companies first new employee. Jean would take notes of the meeting. Dr. Krell spoke first.

.......... “I need to cover some items quickly as I have a flight scheduled for one this afternoon.” Norma interrupted Dr. Krell.

.......... “There is no need to rush Dr. Krell. You now have a company plane available to you whenever you need it. Unless you need to return for some other reason you can stay as long as you need to.”

.......... “Well, this is a pleasant surprise, Jean, will you cancel my flight for me please. Now, I have been in touch with my clinic staff this morning and several are willing to relocate to Phoenix. I see no problem in moving my patients here when our new building is ready. I think that my next order of business is to determine my precise needs and find a suitable building.”

.......... “I believe that was the consensus of our earlier meeting this morning,” said Norma, “A real-estate agent will be here at eleven to discuss available commercial property. In fact she is here now. I believe all of you know Linda Mitchell. Please, come in and sit at the table, Linda. What do you have for us”?

.......... “This was a rather rushed job but I may have something for you,” said Linda, “We just acquired this property. It is not actually on the market yet as we are still completing the paperwork.” “It was a new convalescent and managed care facility that was not managed properly and went into receivership. It is not a two story building but then land is not that much of a problem here.” “Here is an architect drawing of the facility. It consists of a central office area with a dining room, kitchen and laundry, and four attached wings. Two of the wings contain private rooms with appropriate medical services, twenty rooms in each I believe. The other two wings have semi-private rooms, fifteen each. The walls in these two wings are non load bearing and can be rearranged if required. Each wing also has two lounge areas.” “The facility is located just off an interstate access road. There are two large motels with conference facilities and several restaurants there. It is within ten miles of the airport, out of the flight path. Several large office complexes are also located there.” “It’s one of those fly in and conduct business at the airport areas.”

.......... “I can’t believe our good fortune,” said Norma, “Could we visit the facility”?

.......... “We could go now, I have the keys.”

.......... “Does anyone see a reason not to go”? asked Norma, “Good, we’ll sample the food at one of those restaurants and then visit the facility.”

.......... “I’ll get a company van and meet you out front,” said Jo.

.......... Jo met them with the van and followed Linda’s directions to the Interstate exit. It was a pleasant area, not totally flat with the typical vegetation for the area. They pulled into a Bob Evans restaurant for lunch. The food was typical Bob Evans, well cooked with adequate portions. After lunch Linda directed Jo the facility. It was visible from the main highway and sat on one of the higher areas. The building looked new and well constructed.

.......... Linda unlocked the door and turned on the lights. It was just as she had described. Dr. Krell led the way, inspecting the various medical offices, nursing stations and the equipment in the patient rooms. Jo was interested in the wings with the larger rooms. She saw that they could indeed be easily reconfigured. The kitchen and laundry were certainly adequate as were the heating and cooling systems. Jo noticed the end of the east wing. It was over a lower section of ground and had a basement under it with an outside entrance at the rear. They went outside to look at the parking areas and the land that went with the building. Norma wanted to go back inside and discuss the facility.

.......... “Well, I have found my office,” smiled Norma, “How do the rest of you feel"?

.......... “The two wings with the private rooms are more than adequate for my needs. I could have them ready to move my clinic in one to two weeks,” said Dr. Krell, “One of the other wings, probably the inner one, would also satisfy the needs of the research institute.”

.......... “I agree with Dr. Krell,” said Karen.

.......... “I think the East wing would satisfy all of my needs, laboratory, storage and office space,” said Jo, "The basement area would be adequate for the light shop requirements I envision.” “The one thing that would require some construction is a place for the cage. But that would be the case for any other building we might find.” “I would like to construct a large shielded room directly behind the outer wing. It would appear to be an extension of the wing except it would be two stories tall inside.”

.......... “Linda, How much land goes with the building,” asked Norma.

.......... “It’s ten acres. The building sits here, on the right rear section,” replied Linda, laying a plot of the property on the table.

.......... “There is more than enough space to build an addition at the front of this building if we need to expand. Is there anyone who thinks we should not acquire this property”? asked Norma.

.......... “Good. When can we complete the acquisition Linda, an outright purchase for the amount stated on this document”? asked Norma, pointing to the sales brochure.

.......... “No longer than your attorneys require, inspections, permits and the like. The agency owns the property outright, we have a staff attorney who can do the agency’s part anytime,” replied Linda.

.......... “Could you bring me the initial documents this afternoon? I would like to seal the agreement as soon as possible.”

.......... “Certainly, within two hours of the time we get back to Honeybone.”

.......... Jo drove the group back to the office, said goodby to Linda and returned to her office. Everyone was in the conference room, smiles every where. Dr. Krell was talking

.......... “I cannot believe the price. The lease fee was less than I am presently paying and the building is almost four times the size of my clinic, not to mention ten acres of land.”

.......... “Real-estate is not high here, and land is plentiful,” said Jo, “also, the property was acquired through receivership.”

.......... “Yes, you are correct Jo, that is why I jumped at the deal,” said Norma, “any conversion costs will be more than covered by the low purchase price.”

.......... Jo made arrangements for Dr. Krell to be flown to San Diego and Linda returned by three with the papers. Norma signed the purchase agreement contingent on local government approval of the intended use.

.......... “I have talked to Dr. Krell and our attorneys about the description of the intended use of the facility,” said Norma. “The advice is to make no mention of the cage in any document. The patent process is still ongoing and there is simply no existing category under which to list it. Governments cannot deal with issues for which they have no established rules. We are dealing with radio waves here, and the emissions from our facility will be far below any values that would require a license.” “I believe Jo’s proposal for a special shielded room for the cage is justified and will protect us from any liability concerns.” “I would advise all of you to not discuss the procedures we will be using until Dr. Krell and I can work our way through the proper medical channels and government bureaucracies.” “I expect that what we are doing will become public knowledge within three to four months.”

.......... “Well, I think we have done quite enough for one day. Shall we meet here at eight tomorrow for our morning briefing? Good day ladies.”

.......... Things were certainly moving rapidly. It was hard for Jo to comprehend what she had accomplished that day as she drove home. Linda was already home when Jo arrived and met her at the door.

.......... “Jo, do you realize how much commission I made today”? She said as she hugged and kissed Jo.

.......... “Yes, do you realize how much money I spent today”?

.......... They both started to laugh.

.......... “My boss couldn’t believe I had sold that property, it wasn’t even on the market yet. He had only picked up on speculation, against the advice of other members of the agency to boot. He was hoping to lease it as a motel and make some long term profit at best."

.......... “I didn’t ask Norma to use your agency, she asked me if you could handle it. Incidently, that building is about as close as you could come to what we needed. The only way we could have done better would have been to have one built.”

.......... “I hate to say this but I have some homework to do to get ready for tomorrow morning’s status meeting.” “I brought a copy of my office computer files home with me so I can work on them here. There’s a program in Windows called My Briefcase that lets you carry files back and forth and keep them up to date in both places.”

.......... “Does that mean we can’t have sex tonight”? pouted Linda.

.......... “No, that means we have to have sex when I finish my work so I can relax and sleep afterwards. Sex is better than any sleeping pill and I prescribe its use regularly.”

.......... “You go ahead and start on your work. I’ll fix supper for us around six. Why don’t you take a swim first? It’ll relax you.”

.......... “Good Idea, you get in with me.”

.......... “Okay, beat you in,” said Linda as she pulled her T shirt, shorts and panties off and jumped in.

.......... “No fair,” said Jo as she struggled to get out of her pantyhose.

.......... “This is nice,” said Jo as they played around in the water.

.......... Jo got out after about fifteen minutes, dried off and put her shorts and T shirt on. It was handy to have her office files on her home computer, her work went quickly and she had a basic outline of what she wanted to do to her end of the new building by supper time. Linda was the agency’s contact with the architectural firm they used for commercial work and had taken some courses in the subject.

.......... She helped Jo layout some proposals for modifying the central area to better suit the new use. Jo detailed what had to be removed from the two east wings before the walls could be rearranged and laid out a tentative design for the shielded room. It was based on proven procedures for shielding secure communication facilities.

.......... Jo also prepared a tentative job description and extent of authority for her position to give to Norma. They were finished by ten and went to bed, or got in bed as Linda said.

.......... Their sex was sweet that night. Both were feeling good about themselves and Jo was comfortable with her role in their relationship. It would be a long time before Linda could change her gender but her happiness over her pregnancy more than overcame concerns over sex, the time would pass quickly. The strange dreams were gone, replaced with recent memories of sex with Linda. Linda spooned in behind Jo, cupping Jo’s breast in her hand again as they went to sleep. Wednesday, July 8

.......... The alarm got both of them up together. Jo was back on a regular eight-to-five schedule with an hour for lunch. Linda’s day started at eight also but the end was not well defined, it depended too much on her client’s requirements.

.......... "Linda, could we have another pool party Saturday afternoon, sort of a ‘coming out’ party for us girls"? asked Jo as they were eating breakfast.

.......... "Sure, that’s right, you’ve just reached puberty haven’t you," laughed Linda. "Next thing you know you’ll be having your first period."

.......... "Yeah, thanks for reminding me."

.......... "You’ll be okay," said Linda as they kissed good bye and walked out to their cars.

.......... Norma, Karen and Jo met at eight for their morning status meeting. Dr. Krell would call at nine with specifics for his clinic wings. He had taken a copy of the facilities plans with him and was comparing them with what he presently had. Karen had some notes on what she wanted in terms of office space and revised nursing stations. She now had accounting and billing to worry about as well as personnel and training. Jo showed her job description to Norma who used it as a guide for everyone to use in preparing theirs. Norma was discussing Jo’s description when Dr. Krell called. He said that there were only a few things he would require and faxed a copy of them to Jane. Eight of his staff of eleven wanted to move to the new facility. He would lose Susan Stevens, his receptionist and his accounts and billing clerk, They were married and couldn’t relocate. Susan would be hard to replace.

.......... Jo studied Dr. Krell’s fax. The changes were minimal and could be accomplished by Honeybone maintenance personnel

.......... “Norma, do you think we could use Honeybone maintenance personnel to work on the new building"? asked Jo as she stuck her head in Norma’s office. "The key people are not all that busy and they bring in extra people they know when they need additional help.”

.......... “I don’t see why not, Jo. Check with their supervisor and see if they can be spared. I think we have enough work identified to get them started. I prefer to use inside personnel when we can, you have better control over the job.”

.......... "Would you like to come to a pool party at Linda’s Saturday after supper? About six o’clock, a ‘coming out’ party for us girls."

.......... "That sounds nice, yes, I enjoyed the last one."

.......... Jo found Bill, the maintenance supervisor, and discussed her plan with him. He liked to keep his people busy, the men preferred to be doing something constructive and this would be interesting work. Jo gave Bill a list of the things they could start on and made arrangements to meet Bill and his men at the new building Friday morning to look at the actual job.

.......... “Back again," said Jo. "The maintenance supervisor will meet me at the site Friday to look over the job, he thinks he can do it. Another thing, we need a sign for the building,”

.......... “We do don’t we ... I prefer to have an architect do such things, the end product looks more professional. Would you engage one, Jo and obtain a proposal? No logo, just the name, Honeybone Genetic Sciences.”

.......... "Ready for lunch"? Asked Karen as she stuck her head in Jo’s office. "I think Norma’s with the lawyers."

.......... "Sure, here at the plant"?

.......... "Okay, the food’s reasonable," said Karen as Jo joined her and headed for the cafeteria.

.......... "How are things with you and Linda"? asked Karen as they placed their food on their table and sat to eat.

.......... "Fine, Your advice about lesbians helped me. Linda never really had a problem with it, she still thinks of me as Joe." "If we can’t be changed back, she has decided that she will ask to be changed to a man after she gives birth and nurses our child."

.......... "Jo, I don’t think there’s much chance of your being changed back, not for at least ten years. We’ll know soon enough when Dr. Krell’s patient tries it, probably in about a month."

.......... "I agree, I don’t think our abnormal X chromosomes can take it." "How’s your new job coming"?

.......... "It’s a challenge. I’m still trying to get up to speed on how Dr. Krell’s clinic was managed. Susan Stevens did most of the general management and all of the training and counseling." "I plan to spend tomorrow and Friday in San Diego conferring with her."

.......... "What does her husband do"?

.......... "I don’t know, why"?

.......... "Just wondering, maybe we could find him a job here in Phoenix."

.......... "I’ll ask. I’ve got to find out about helping the rest of the clinic staff move here also."

.......... "Honeybone has a relocation policy for its employees and Linda’s agency also has a program for relocation." "I think they will even buy your home if you can’t sell it."

.......... "Would you ask Linda about it tonight"?

.......... "Sure, I’ll ask Jane to get you a copy of Honeybone’s policy too," said Jo as they left the cafeteria. "By the way, could you come to a pool party Saturday, after supper, say around six o’clock. We need to have a ‘coming out’ party for us girls."

.......... "Sure, I’d love to."

.......... Jo called Darine, Michelle and Tim and invited them to the party. She spent the rest of the afternoon finalizing her design for the shielded room and making tentative drawings for changes to the east wing. She left at five with Karen and drove home.

.......... "Hi, Jo," said Linda as Jo walked in about five forty-five. "Is this your normal work schedule"?

.......... "Probably, how was your day"? asked Jo as she hugged and kissed Linda.

.......... "It’s fine now, I missed you." "I thought about my new name today, you know, when I change. It’s going to be Lin, short for the male name Lindael."

.......... "Aren’t you rushing things a bit"?

.......... "I don’t know, am I? Look how long it’s taken you to adapt." "Maybe if I start now the trauma wont be so bad."

.......... "When we marry you’ll be Mrs. Jo Ann Mitchell," said Linda with a satisfied smile, "I’m the man and you’ve got to change your name."

.......... "Not until you’ve got something else down here," said Jo as she pressed her hand between Linda’s legs.

.......... "Is that all it takes to be a man, a penis"?

.......... "No, it takes something else up here, something I’m losing," said Jo with a serious look, pointing to her head. "Sit here, with me ... I think you’ll develop a different outlook on life in general, I know I have."

.......... "Does it bother you, your different outlook"?

.......... "No, it seems perfectly normal. My male outlook is sort of a distant memory. Sometimes I catch myself wondering why I thought that way about something."

.......... "I’ve been thinking about your new name too," said Jo, "It’s going to be Mrs. Linda Bates. Linda, lets have our wedding now, a private civil ceremony. I’m still legally a man and our child needs a father." "We can do it over when you change your gender and I’ll become Mrs. Jo Ann Mitchell."

.......... "You’ve already proposed to me and I accepted didn’t I. When can we do it"?

.......... "I’ll check with Jay and Dan McGuire, and I’ll need a letter from Dr. Krell stating that I’m still a male. Tomorrow or the next day, I’ll call Jay now."

.......... "Jay, hi buddy. Linda and I want to get married, how do we do it, a civil ceremony? No, remember, I’m still legally a male. Yeah, a letter from Dr. Krell, okay, I’ll call you in the morning, bye."

.......... "He says a JP can do it, there’s no wait for the licence and he thinks Dan can get someone to issue it without asking any questions about me having breasts and long hair. Jay’s going to talk to a JP he knows so we won’t have to explain every thing."

.......... Linda started to cry, "What’s wrong, Linda"?

.......... "I’m pregnant and I’m getting married and I’m the happiest girl in the world," said Linda. "Hold me Joe."

.......... They held each other until Linda’s smile overcame her tears.

.......... "Do you have any work to do tonight"? asked Linda.

.......... "No, just fix supper and lounge around the pool," "Show me how to fix something for us to eat."

.......... "Your outlook really has changed, how about a salad, lasagna and peas. I’ve got cans of that and it’s easy and quick to fix."

.......... "Sounds good to me. Let’s change first and then fix it. Swim suit"?

.......... "Okay."

.......... They both changed and came back to the kitchen. Jo found the cans and Linda showed her how to season the peas, what the microwave settings were to heat them and the lasagna, and helped her fix the salad. Jo set the table next to the pool, got the drinks and brought the food out when it was ready.

.......... "I guess I did a pretty good job of opening the cans didn’t I, this is good."

.......... "Well, I had to show you how to season the peas."

.......... "That reminds me, I need to find an architect to design a sign for our new building. You know anyone"?

.......... "Yeah, I’ll get you their card after we eat. They’ve done good work for us."

.......... "I also need to talk about relocating some of Dr. Krell’s staff to Phoenix, you do that don’t you"?

.......... "All the time, at least our agency does."

.......... "Could you meet with Karen on Monday when she gets back from San Diego"?

.......... "Sure, it won’t be me though, I’ll have someone call her."

.......... "Enough of that stuff, lets enjoy the evening, swim"?

.......... They played around in the pool for a while and then replaced their suits with robes and sat together on the sofa. The discussion was deep, Linda was determined to make the change after she gave birth and talked about how to best prepare for it. Jo suggested counseling by Dr. Krell’s staff and said she would make arrangements for Linda and Cindy to talk to Dr. Krell as soon as he came back. They went to bed early and made love until they fell asleep. Thursday, July 9

.......... It was nice to eat breakfast together and then leave for work. It was almost like they had always been doing it.

.......... Jo contacted the architect Linda recommended as soon as she got to work and made arrangements to meet him at the site later that morning.

.......... Jo made another call to Jay and agreed to meet him for lunch, he said he had talked to Dan and thought he had things worked out. They could meet the licence clerk and the JP and probably schedule the marriage for Friday.

.......... The last call went to Nelson Pearson and a letter signed by Dr. Krell would be sent to Jo by Fed-Ex Friday morning.

.......... Jo got to Denny’s a little before Jay and had gotten a table.

.......... "Hi, Jay, it seems I’m always asking you for help."

.......... "That’s what friends are for," said Jay, "Why the big rush"?

.......... "Well, I’m supposed to complete my transformation soon, it was scheduled for last Friday, and then I won’t legally be a male and can’t get married in Arizona."

.......... "Lets say you get married tomorrow and then change next Friday," surmised Jay, "what happens then"?

.......... "I don’t think it matters, Linda will have been married to the father of her child, that’s the only significant point," said Jo.

.......... "It may really be that simple," replied Jay, "As long as no one asks any questions, you just keep the papers locked up. If, I guess she says ‘when’, Linda changes her gender, you remarry and that’s that." "You finished"? "Lets go to the license bureau and see how well Dan did, the clerk is Betty Arnold."

.......... Jay was familiar with the building and went straight to the office. Betty was sympathetic toward Jo’s problem and very cooperative. She took down all the required information and said that she would have the licence ready that afternoon, Jo could bring the letter from Dr. Krell and pick the license up first thing tomorrow morning.

.......... The JP’s office was in the same district as the Honeybone plant. Jay knew him and explained the situation to him at some length. The discussion centered around only one issue, did the couple consist of a man and a woman? Linda and Jo’s birth certificates plus Dr. Krell’s letter certifying that Jo was legally still male in spite of the outward appearance was satisfactory. He said that he would be pleased to perform the ceremony and could do it tomorrow afternoon at one o’clock.

.......... Jo thanked Jay and they went back to work.

.......... Jo spent the rest of the afternoon finishing her drawings for remodeling the east wing and discussing them with Norma. Jo suggested faxing them to Dr. Krell for his review and then letting the necessary contracts for the work that the Honeybone people couldn’t do. Norma agreed.

.......... Honeybone management and their lawyers must have known the right people. The permit applications had been filed after lunch Wednesday. That must have been what Norma had been doing at lunch. The permits would be issued late Thursday. The real-estate agency’s attorney brought the final papers out and Norma signed them late Thursday afternoon, the facility was theirs. Jo left after the signing and was home to a loving Linda by six.

.......... "Change to shorts and a T shirt," said Linda, "after I teach you how to cook pork-chops we’re going to rearrange the bedroom."

.......... "We are"?

.......... "Yes, if we’re going to sleep together, we need to use the master bedroom. I’ll show you after we eat."

.......... "If we’re going to sleep together, we need to get married," said Jo.

.......... "What do you mean? That hasn’t stopped you before. Oh" Linda’s face brightened.

.......... "We’re getting married at one o’clock tomorrow afternoon, I’ve got all the paperwork lined up." "You need to meet me tomorrow for lunch. We’ll go to the license bureau, sign the forms, and pick up the license, it’s already made out." "The ceremony will be at the JP’s office near Honeybone."

.......... "I was beginning to think this day would never come," said Linda as she put her arms around Jo’s neck and kissed her. "Things are coming together aren’t they."

.......... The chops were a different story. Linda showed Jo what temperature to use and how to tell when they were done. The mashed potatoes and gravy and the green beans were simple, salad left over from last night and supper was ready. Jo was beginning to feel good about her cooking and they enjoyed the meal.

.......... "Have you been in the master bedroom"?

.......... "Well, I guess I’ve looked in there."

.......... "Come with me. See, it’s bigger and it has a big adjoining bath designed for two people and a dressing room with two sets of closets." "It was too big for just me so I’ve both been using one of the two regular bedrooms. Your office is in the guest room."

.......... "Well, what do you want to do"?

.......... "You didn’t notice that this was a new bed did you. I had it delivered today along with the rest of the bedroom furniture, like it"?

.......... "Yes, it’s nice. I guess I didn’t remember that it was empty before."

.......... "Pick a closet and move all your stuff in it and I’ll do the same with mine," said Linda. "You’ll probably find enough drawer space in the closets for every thing. If you want, you can use half of the drawers in the dresser and chest." "There’s plenty of space for your cosmetics in one of the bathroom vanities."

.......... "Why did you want to do this"? asked Jo.

.......... "Because I want to be as close to you as I can get, I like to watch you undress and dress and I like for us to shower together. Besides, I don’t like the thought of you maybe leaving me and going to your bed after we’ve made love. This way, you have to stay with me all night," pouted Linda. "Besides, we’re man and wife and we’re supposed to sleep together."

.......... "I like it better too, and for the same reasons. Lets get our things moved before I take you over to the bed and try it out, it looks big enough."

.......... "It’s a king size."

.......... It was nine o’clock before they had every thing moved and were satisfied with the arrangement. "I’m going to like this," thought Jo.

.......... "Lets have a glass of wine before we try out the shower," said Jo.

.......... "Can you wait that long"? asked Linda.

.......... "Can you"?

.......... "If you hurry."

.......... The wine was good and they placed another glass full on each night stand for later. Friday, July 10

.......... Linda was right, it was nice watching each other dress in the morning, hard to keep from going back to bed but nice.

.......... Jo met Bill and his crew at the institute first thing before going to Honeybone and discussed the things that needed to be done. All their work was to be concentrated on the clinic wings and the central entrance area. The remainder would be done after the clinic was operational or concurrently by outside contractors.

.......... The letter from Dr. Krell arrived as promised and Jo met Linda for lunch. They picked up the marriage licence and were married by one-thirty using two plane gold rings Linda had picked up, they would have to do for now. She still had the engagement ring Jo had given her. "She would wear that for now and then give it to Jo when she changed," she thought.

.......... "I think I’ll tell the girls at the office I got married on my lunch hour," laughed Linda.

.......... "So we did," replied Jo as they walked out to their cars to go back to work. "See you at home, bye."

.......... Jo had a proposal for the sign by Friday afternoon. It was for large antiqued bronze colored letters on a granite slab wall, located about seventy-five feet from the road and to the left of the center of the building, near the entrance road. It would be lighted by ground mounted floods. Norma liked the proposal and Jo prepared a contract for its construction by the firm the architect recommended.

.......... Jo obtained Norma’s approval and contracted for construction of the sign and the shielded room for the cage. It had been a busy day and Jo was glad to get home to his/her/his wife.

.......... "Welcome home, Joe Bates," said Linda as she held out her arms to Jo, "I love you."

.......... "I love you too, Linda Bates," said Jo as she put her arms around Linda and carried her back into the kitchen. "Where do you want to go on our honeymoon"?

.......... "The bedroom," purred Linda.

.......... "Not yet," smiled Jo, "I’ve made reservations at Valliant’s for dinner, then we go to the bedroom."

.......... "Can we at least sit on the sofa and neck until we have to go"?

.......... "I don’t see why not," said Jo as she pulled Linda down beside her.

.......... "I wish the ceremony had been more formal," said Jo. "For you."

.......... "It was just a formality, Jo, a technicality. We’ll have a real wedding when I change."

.......... "What name will we put on the Baby’s birth certificate"? asked Linda.

.......... "Bates, I guess. Dr. Krell’s lawyer can have it changed to Mitchell along with all the other documents when you change, just like I did."

.......... "I’m going to put on my best dress," said Linda, "You wear what you have on."

.......... This time Jo drove them to Valliant’s. They were seated promptly and ordered wine while they waited for their waiter.

.......... "Do you feel married"? asked Jo.

.......... "Well, I don’t feel pregnant either but I am," said Linda, "How does it ‘feel’ to be married, I guess it was the lack of a formal ceremony."

.......... "I think so, but we did say all of the vows. We committed ourselves to each other, that’s the important thing," said Jo.

.......... The food was excellent as usual, a fitting end to a memorable day.

.......... "The bedroom," said Linda as Jo struggled to carry Linda across the threshold.

.......... "You’ll have to walk," said Jo, "or else I won’t be able to do anything once we get there."

.......... Linda laughed as Jo took her hand and led her to their bedroom. Jo got undressed first and was in bed when Linda came out of the dressing room. She had put on a beautiful negligee she had bought when she was planing their wedding. She walked slowly to the bed, her body scarcely concealed by the sheer fabric, turned out the light and slid in beside Jo.

.......... The wedding ceremony may have been a formality but there was nothing formal about the way they made love on their wedding night. Saturday, July 11

.......... Jo woke first as the morning sun filtered through the window blinds. She had slept well last night, contented with the beginning of a new life with Linda. Jo watched Linda sleeping, usually on her back Jo realized. Was it because of her breasts? Jo quietly rolled over on her stomach and moved around until her breasts were comfortable under her. It felt all right she thought as she drifted back to sleep. Jo woke again, noticing some discomfort in her breasts. She quietly got up and went to the bathroom and shut the door. Jo looked in the mirror as she rubbed her breasts, wondering how they would have felt if she had slept on them all night; probably not good, she would have to ask Linda.

.......... Jo finished her morning toilet and went to the kitchen to fix her breakfast.

.......... "Jo, why are you walking around in the kitchen naked"?

.......... "I’m not going anywhere, why should I dress," responded a blushing Jo as she turned to kiss Linda. "Take your robe off and join me for breakfast."

.......... "Okay silly," smiled Linda as she removed her robe, got her juice and cereal, and sat at the table.

.......... "Do you sleep on your stomach"? asked Jo.

.......... "Sometimes, why"?

.......... "Does it hurt your breasts when you do"?

.......... "No, not really. Sometimes it feels uncomfortable if I lay on them too long." "I guess I don’t sleep in any one position for very long."

.......... "It seems like I always see you on your back. I tried sleeping on my stomach this morning and an uncomfortable feeling in mine woke me." "Maybe mine are still too tender, they do still hurt sometimes."

.......... "I wish mine looked like yours," said Linda as she stared across the table at Jo’s. "Well, I won’t have to worry about them much longer will I"? "I do get to use them though, don’t I. I think I’ll like that," said Linda as she cupped them in her hands and raised them. "I wonder if it’ll feel as good when our baby sucks them as it does when you do it"?

.......... "I don’t know, maybe better."

.......... "Do you think I’ll miss them"?

.......... "Probably not, after your male mind takes over. I really don’t miss having a penis much anymore, except when we’re making love and I realize you want it in you." "I don’t need it for my own sexual satisfaction. You’ll want to play with my breasts then and you won’t need yours anymore."

.......... "It’s complicated isn’t it."

.......... "Not really, just think of the biological function of your reproduction system and accept that your mind will change to support what you have," said Jo, "I know mine has."

.......... They sat there, eating breakfast, talking and laughing as they watched each others breasts bouncing and jiggling.

.......... It wasn’t long before they found themselves back in bed together.

.......... "Do you feel a need to have a penis in you when we’re making love"? asked Linda.

.......... "I guess I do, Jay’s felt good."

.......... "I mean, do you feel ... does your mind ... your vagina want something in it"?

.......... "I think so, does yours"?

.......... "Yes, I miss it. My vagina wants something to clamp down on when I have my orgasm," said Linda. "I saw a dildo with two ends in that store where I got the other one. It has a pubis in the middle and you can strap it onto one person, I guess lesbians use it to screw each other," said Linda. "Would you want to try it"?

.......... "I guess so, the other one felt good didn’t it."

.......... "Yeah, I’ll get one and we can try it. I need to practice screwing you anyway."

.......... "Well, you can practice something else now," said Jo as she rolled over on her back and spread her legs.

.......... They finally got out of bed at noon, showered, dressed and ate a light lunch. Their afternoon was sort of busy, typical day-off things to do. Linda had some shopping she wanted to do and Jo needed to wash her car and fix things up around the pool. Some clothes to wash, things to straighten out in the house, rearrange her office and it was time for supper. Linda had come back from her shopping trip and made the beds and fixed up one of the bedrooms and its bath for people to use to change. Jo went to Wendy’s to get something for their supper and brought it home. After they ate, they put their swim suits on for the party.

.......... Jo had thought about inviting Jay and Barb but decided not to, this was just for the group and their families.

.......... Linda had gotten more food and drinks for this party than the last and had just finished setting the last of it out when she heard the first car come up the drive, it was Darine and Cindy.

.......... "Hi Cindy, Darine," said Linda, "my, you look nice, Darine, have you lost some weight"?

.......... "Yeah, ten pounds already," smiled Darine, "once I got my act together, a lot of my frustration went away and I stopped the binge eating I had been doing. Cindy helped a lot, our love life is much better now." "She makes me like being a woman now," said Darine, putting her arm around Cindy and squeezing her. Cindy just smiled at Linda and winked.

.......... "Hi Jo, I haven’t seen you since your promotion, congratulations."

.......... "Thanks, Darine. I’ve been busy." "I guess the word got to you about applying for a job with us"?

.......... "Yeah, but right now I don’t see where my flying and testing skills would be used." "We’re going to start the GPS program back up and there are more contracts coming in. Jim has assured me that there is a career path open for me with Honeybone Avionics with significant advancement potential."

.......... "You might be better off there," said Jo. "But you’ll still be offered a job with us as soon as we establish our staffing requirements. Enough business talk, come on and enjoy the party."

.......... "Hi everybody," said Michelle as she came through the gate. "I’d like you to meet a friend of mine, Ed Winters." "This is Darine and Cindy Skinner, Jo Bates and Linda Mitchell."

.......... "Oh, and this is Timothea Werner and her sister Becky coming in now."

.......... "Well, here come the last two," said Jo, "welcome to the party Norma, Karen, Norma Peterson, Karen Simpson, this is Ed Winters, a friend of Michelle."

.......... "Everyone! Linda and I have an announcement to make," said Jo.

.......... "Jo and I were married on our lunch hour yesterday and I’m pregnant with our child," announced Linda, "My name is now Linda Bates."

.......... Jo explained the situation, "This is why I didn’t use the cage last week. Legally, I’m still male so we could get married here. Also, Dr. Krell was able to extract sperm from my still functioning testes and impregnate Linda with it. I’ll make the change next week."

.......... "I had planed to change my gender as soon as the cage was ready. But I wanted to experience childbearing too, I wanted to bear Joe’s child," explained Linda. "This way I get to do both. I’ll use the cage as soon as I have our baby if it’s ready."

.......... "There’s some refreshments over there," said Jo, "if anyone needs to change, Linda will show you where, enjoy your selves."

.......... "Michelle, I’m going to need a good technician, stop by my office Monday if you can," said Jo. "Who’s your friend"?

.......... "He’s the one my aunt introduced me to, he’s a really nice guy," smiled Michelle, "He knows all about us."

.......... "Great, enjoy your selves."

.......... "Jo, Ed, I didn’t know there were going to be so many good- looking women here. I’m the only guy here, I feel sort of out of place."

.......... "You’re not as far out of place as you think, there’s only three ‘women’ here, Linda, Becky and Cindy. The rest of us are accidents," laughed Jo.

.......... "Well, you couldn’t prove it by me," said Ed.

.......... "What’s this Timothea stuff"? asked Jo as Tim walked up.

.......... "It’s sort of like what you did, it’s a girl’s name and I’ll still answer to Tim. Do you like it"?

.......... "Sure, the question is, do you like it"?

.......... "Yeah, I do. And so does Becky." "I heard you might be hiring some people."

.......... "We’re not quite ready yet but, yes. And you guys get first choice if you want it."

.......... "Jim has made me a good offer, I’d have to think about it. I can stay in aero with Honeybone Avionics and do some flying too, I’ll talk to you about it when you’re ready."

.......... "Hi Karen, how was your trip"?

.......... "An eye opener. This is going to be a big job. Oh, Susan’s husband is in banking and they have several branches here. He’s been talking to them and he might even get a promotion if he were to transfer here. Their kids could start the fall term if they could move here before September."

.......... "Dr. Krell would take her in a minute wouldn’t he"?

.......... "It’s up to Sid. If the promotion is assured, I think they’ll come."

.......... "That’s good news. One more thing and then lets end this business talk and enjoy the afternoon. Is there some sort of counseling that Linda and Cindy could be going through now, something to help them before they change? Linda might not need it yet but Cindy probably does"?

.......... "Yes, I knew they were planing on doing it. One of Susan’s regular programs, with just a few changes would work. We’ll have to develop one anyway if this female to male thing works." "Isn’t that something about Linda getting pregnant? I never saw anyone so happy."

.......... "She certainly is. That’s all I need for now, thanks, now go get yourself a drink and change before Norma and Michelle splash all the water out of the pool."

.......... The party was a success and everyone had a good time. It was so different from the first one. Everyone had left by ten-thirty except Karen who stayed for a while to help cleanup and talked to Linda about the counseling program. Linda thought she should do it even if it was early and Karen said she would try to schedule it as soon as possible.

.......... "The party was nice," said Linda, "I enjoyed it. I’m glad Karen will be able to help me adjust to my change."

.......... "You’re really into this aren’t you."

.......... "I’ve got to do it right, I don’t want to have bad memories about it."

.......... "What about your job? Are there many men doing what you do"?

.......... "Yes, probably about 40% of our agents are men. You see more women because the smaller agencies let them work part time, a lot of women sell real-estate to supplement their family income."

.......... "What will they say when you show up for work one day in pants and a shirt and tie"?

.......... "I don’t know." Linda started to laugh. "Maybe I won’t tell them about it ahead of time and just see what happens." "Right now I’m wondering what they’re going to say when they see my stomach bulge out."

.......... "That may be part of the counseling program," said Jo, "dealing with your employer is certainly an important item." "I would think that my company would work with your agency since this is a part of the industrial accident, besides, you saved your boss’ butt when you sold us our building."

.......... "It’ll work out," smiled Linda, "ready for bed"?

.......... "Yeah."

.......... "Lets sleep naked."

.......... "Yeah."

.......... Jo got in bed first followed by Linda a few minutes later. Linda got in from the end of the bed and moved up between Jo’s legs. Jo sighed as she felt Linda’s tongue enter her vagina and then lap up to her clitoris to dwell there for a while. Then Linda started working her way up Jo’s body to her breasts, sucking her nipples while she pressed her hand to Jo’s vulva, toying with the entrance to her Vagina with her finger.

.......... Jo felt her finger enter her and tilted her crotch up to meet it. It felt wonderful as it went in, like when Jay had entered her.

.......... "That feels so good, what are you doing"?

.......... "Hush, just lay back and enjoy it," said Linda as she covered Jo’s mouth with hers and slid the dildo slowly all the way in; feeling its other end start to move in her as she began to practice screwing Jo.

.......... "Did that feel as good as when Jay did it"? asked Linda as they were coming down from their climaxes.

.......... "Better."

.......... "Better, how could it be better"?

.......... "Because you were doing it, do it again and then let me screw you, it’ll be like old times."

.......... "Yeah, except you get to screw yourself at the same time," purred Linda as she felt the dildo moving deep in her again.

.......... She had ignored her admonitions about size not being important and gotten a long thick one. It did feel good as it worked around in her while she was thrusting the other end in and out of Jo, pausing to massage their clits at the end of each stroke; slowly building their orgasms to a climax once more, almost together. Linda left it in and rolled over to her back, taking Jo with her and tied the straps around Jo. It felt good to have Joe’s weight on her again, her vagina filled.

.......... Jo started to slowly thrust in and out, all the way out until Linda was empty and then part her lips and slowly fill her, excite her clit and withdraw to fill her again and again; the excitement of her clit finally lingering from stroke to stroke, her orgasm driven to its inevitable joyful climax.

.......... "Did it feel as good as it seemed? You’re still trembling."

.......... "Yesss, and it’s still hard and moving in me, don’t stop, god don’t stop ... faster ... harder against my clit ... keep it deep in me and rub my clit ... aghhh ... that’s enough, just hold it deep in me, don’t move it, kiss me ...."

.......... "Oh, it’s been so long and it was so good ...." "How was your end"?

.......... "It’s hard to describe. I didn’t feel your vagina sliding over my penis but this thing pressed back against my clit when I pushed it in you and that was almost the same. And my orgasm was never this good." "I missed the feeling of my penis sliding into your warm vagina, its contractions during your climax and the feeling of part of me flowing into you during my climax. It’s used to be sort of like I released part of myself into you and then collapsed, my job finished." "Now it’s the opposite, like I’m drawing you into me and then wanting to hold you there, not letting go."

.......... "That’s the way I feel too ... I think I understand the way you used to feel too." "You planted your seed in me and your job was done, but I received your seed and had to hold and nurture it until it blossomed."

.......... "Strange isn’t it, that our feelings would describe what we had just done like that," said Jo.

.......... "Why is it strange? Why shouldn’t our emotions reflect what we had done ... down deep inside"? "You planted a seed in me. I took it deep in me and I’m growing it."

.......... Jo withdrew the dildo from Linda and then from herself, and held Linda until they went to sleep.Sunday, July 12

.......... Linda lay in the bed for a little while after she woke. She smiled as she remembered their sex last night. She could still feel the fullness in her vagina as she rubbed her vulva, "nice" she thought. She felt better about herself after their discussions last night and was looking forward to the counseling sessions.

.......... Linda looked over at Jo and saw that she was watching her. She saw Jo smile and smiled back.

.......... "I like to watch you sleep in the morning, so lovely, peaceful," whispered Jo as she moved over and kissed Linda.

.......... "Your male mind must be working overtime," said Linda.

.......... "Do you mind if it looks at you, at your body"? asked Jo as she slowly pulled the covers down, exposing her nakedness.

.......... "No," purred Linda as she placed one arm at her side and raised the other up beside her head. She turned her head to gaze into Jo’s eyes, spreading her legs ever so slightly as they were uncovered.

.......... Jo sat up and broke their gaze to take in all of her. She lightly swept her hand over Linda’s face and down over her breast, to the soft hair of her vulva, the curve of her hip and thigh. Then lay beside her and pulled Linda over to her to lay with their breasts and legs meshed, their tongues toying with each other as their hands excited their sex. A beautiful morning they thought as they held one another in the ebbing of their orgasms.

.......... "We’ve got to get up," said Jo.

.......... "Why"?

.......... "Because I’m hungry, I want something to eat," "bad choice of words" thought Jo as she watched Linda roll over on her back and spread her legs.

.......... "It’s Sunday, don’t make me get up yet," said Linda as she slowly rubbed her hand over her vulva.

.......... Jo turned and replaced Linda’s hand with her tongue and lips, placing her vulva within reach of Linda’s eager mouth.

.......... "We’ve got to get up," said Linda.

.......... "Why"?

.......... "Because I want a cup of coffee," smiled Linda as she untangled herself and went to the kitchen.

.......... When Jo smelled the coffee, she joined Linda at the table.

.......... "What would you like to do today"? asked Jo.

.......... "Finish breakfast, get in bed, swim, get in bed, eat lunch, get in bed, eat supper, get in bed, go to sleep."

.......... "What’s gotten into you? I’ve never seen you so horny," smiled Jo.

.......... "I don’t know, maybe being pregnant does it. I still remember last night, maybe that’s doing it," replied Linda, a dreamy look on her face as she smiled at Jo. "Don’t you like it"?

.......... "Yeah, but I don’t know if I can get much past ‘swim’."

.......... "We’ll think of something while we’re swimming," said Linda as she got them some juice and cereal. End of Chapter 63

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