This choice: They come back inside, to see Ruben and Tommy • Go Back...Chapter #4They come back inside, to see Ruben and Tommy by: TheSwapper   As Lexy and Kristella stepped back into the warmth of the house, the lively buzz of conversation from the living room wrapped around them like a comforting blanket. The scene before Lexy was one of post-dinner relaxation and familial warmth, a stark contrast to the turmoil that churned within her.
Tommy, still in the body that everyone but Lexy recognized as Kristella's, sat comfortably on Ruben's lap, a glass of wine poised elegantly in hand. Ruben, the ever-gracious host, held a beer, his laughter mingling with the soft melodies of background music and the occasional clink of glassware.
Noticing Lexy's return, Tommy looked up with a smile that, to Lexy, seemed to blur the lines of familiarity and strangeness even further. "Everything alright, Lexy?" he asked, his tone laced with the casual concern of a parent sensing that their child might be holding back more than they're sharing.
Lexy paused for a moment, her eyes flitting between Tommy and Kristella. The normalcy of the scene, so at odds with the surreal reality she was experiencing, gave her pause. She wondered, not for the first time, how such a profound secret could be kept from those it most directly affected. Yet, the warmth of the room, the laughter, and the sense of family unity provided her with a momentary anchor.
"Yeah, everything's fine," Lexy replied, mustering a smile that she hoped would dispel any lingering worries. "Just needed some fresh air, that's all. It's been such a lovely evening."
Her answer seemed to satisfy Tommy, who nodded and turned back to the conversation, a move that allowed Lexy a moment to breathe and gather her thoughts. The ease with which the family interacted, oblivious to the anomaly only she was privy to, was both a source of comfort and a reminder of her isolation in this matter.
As Lexy joined Kristella on the couch, she allowed herself to become wrapped up in the familial chatter, the stories being shared, and the gentle teasing that spoke of deep bonds and shared histories. This was her family, unchanged in all the ways that mattered, despite the bizarre secret that Lexy harbored.
As the evening progressed, Tommy, still comfortably sat on Ruben’s lap, began to talk to the family about stories of when he was pregnant with Lexy. As Tommy began to delve into the stories of his pregnancy with Lexy, the room hushed, a testament to the family's eagerness to revisit these cherished memories.
"Remember the time when I was about six months along with Lexy and had that insatiable craving for spicy nachos at midnight?" Tommy started, his eyes twinkling as he recounted the tale. Ruben nodded, a grin spreading across his face at the memory.
"Oh, how could I forget?" Ruben chimed in. "I drove to three different places to find a spot that was open and willing to make the nachos extra spicy, just the way you wanted."
Lexy watched, a smile tugging at her lips as she imagined the scene. "And then?" she prompted, eager to hear more.
"And then," Tommy continued, "when I finally got back home with the nachos, your mom decided that what she really wanted was a fruit salad." The room erupted in laughter, the absurdity of the situation not lost on anyone.
"But it wasn't just any fruit salad," Tommy added, leaning in as if to share a secret. "It had to have mangoes, kiwis, and, for some reason, jalapeños mixed in. I thought it was the strangest thing, but your dad, bless him, went out again to get everything."
Ruben nodded, feigning exasperation. "The things we do for love," he said, earning an affectionate kiss from Tommy.
Lexy, caught up in the warmth of the moment, felt nostalgic for times she couldn't quite remember but deeply cherished nonetheless. "What about when I was born?" she asked, curious to hear more about those first moments.
Tommy's expression softened, the humor giving way to a deeper, more profound sentiment. "Ah, when you were born," he began, "it was the most incredible moment of our lives. The delivery was long, and when you finally arrived, it was as if the world stood still."
Ruben took up the narrative, his voice warm with remembrance. "You were this tiny, perfect little person, and when they placed you in your mom’s arms, I swear, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Tommy was so exhausted but so utterly in love. He looked down at you and said, 'Hello, Lexy, I'm your mom.'"
"And then you peed on me," Tommy interjected, laughter bubbling up again. "That was your very first act of rebellion."
The family laughed together, the story a perfect blend of humor, love, and the deep, unspoken bonds that connected them. For Lexy, hearing these stories from Tommy, stories that belonged to Kristella, was a surreal experience. Yet, in the shared laughter and the warmth of family, the oddity of her situation seemed to fade into the background, if only for a moment. These stories, regardless of who told them, were the threads of her family's history, weaving a tapestry of love, resilience, and shared life that was stronger than any anomaly she faced.  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
| Members who added to this interactive story also contributed to these: |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author