Steve woke up from his nap to the sound of shouting downstairs, shortly followed by footsteps thundering up the stairs. He looked around confused at first.
“Where…?” He began, “oh yeah, musta falled asleep” he mumbled as he climbed out of bed and slowly made his way downstairs where he found Jason in the kitchen angrily preparing dinner.
“Hey Monster!” He said with a sigh, “dinner won’t be long, why don’t you go outside. Emma’s out there already” he added nodding toward the open door.
“Kay!” Steve replied and he bounded outside where he found his masculine looking sister setting up a sunshade over a garden table.
“There he is!” She beamed, “we thought we’d have dinner outside today, would you like that?”
“Outside dinner?” Steve replied, “yeah!” He added excitedly.
“Well you go play, then when M-Daddy brings out the food coke and sit down ok!” Emma said as she popped the umbrella open with ease and slipped it into the centre hole of the table. Steve nodded and skipped over to the sandbox in the corner of the garden where he grabbed a bucket and spade and started to make sandcastles. It was t long before Jason emerged from the kitchen, followed by a sullen looking Anne, both carrying some plates.
“Foods ready Stevie!” Emma calked as she jogged over to Jason and took one of the plates. Steve happily ran over and took a seat at the table. Jason set down his plate in front of him.
“Tacos?” Steve said turning his nose up.
“You love tacos!” Jason replied.
“I want those!” Steve said pointing at the plate of chicken nuggets in Emma’s hand.
“Those are Emma’s nuggets Monster, she doesn’t like spicy food” Jason said kindly.
“It’s ok” Emma replied swapping Steve’s plate for hers, “I think I’ve grown to like a little spice” she added with a wink as she slapped Jason playfully on the ass. Jason giggled and blushed a little, batting her away playfully as he sat down.
“Eww gross!” Anne grumbled as she looked away and started to devour the food in front of her. Emma took her seats, and happily started eating the food on her new plate. Jason headed back inside and returned with a glass of wine and a bottle of beer. He placed the beer next to Emma, sat down and started picking at his side salad. Steve grabbed the bottle of ketchup and squeezed it hard, spraying sauce all over his plate, then down his front.
“Oopsie” he muttered, looking a little nervous.
“It’s ok Stevie, we’ll get you cleaned up afterwards” Jason smiled back at him. Steve breathed a sigh of relief and scooped up a nugget in his hand. He shoved it into the sauce and stuffed it into his mouth, not caring that the ketchup was now over his finger and around his mouth. They are their meal in relative silence, Jason filling them in on what Dr Harris had covered with him earlier, and when they were finished Anne was the first to get up.
“I’m going back to my room then” she grumbled, and quickly left.
“That girl!” Jason sighed, “sometimes I just don’t know what’s wrong with her” he added taking a sip of his wine.
“It’s the hormones” Emma shrugged, “remember what Evelyn told us” she added kindly, placing a hand gently on his thigh. Jason felt a mixed rush of comfort and excitement at her touch. He blushed again and smiled back her.
“Yeah I guess.” He said softly, “right Monster, let’s get you cleaned up and ready for bed!” He said turning to Steve.
“Aww, but it’s still early!” Steve replied.
“Yes, but you need your rest kiddo” Emma replied, “your little body seems to get tired quickly” she added.
“Fine” Steve pouted, “will you come pway… play with me again?” He asked hopefully.
“Not today, I’ve got to clear up. Why don’t you ask Daddy?” Emma replied.
“Sure, why not?” Jason replied with a smile, “c’mon Monster” he said as he got up and held out his hand. Steve hopped down from his chair and took it, allowing Jason to lead him into the house and upstairs. He sat patiently while they waited for the bath to fill up, then allowed Jason to remove his dirty clothes. They took the ties out of his hair, and were surprised to see it now fell down past his shoulder blades. Jason lifted him into the water and quickly washed his hair, face and hands.
“Can we pway now?” Steve asked, the childish inflection sounding strange in his normal voice.
“You get started, I’m just going to change first. Don’t want this getting wet” Jason said sweetly. He left the room and returned after a moment in a pair of grey jogging bottoms and a black tank top. He’d also removed his earring and tied his hair up in a messy bun. Steve was already underway with his game of duckies, and he knelt down by the tub. After a brief explain of which duck was what, they were playing away happily.
“Oh no!” Steve cried as he held one duck aloft and slammed it back down into the water, sending a big spray over the side of the tub. Jason pulled back out the way, but it still sprayed over his top.
“This is why I changed you little Monster!” He chuckled. He pulled the damp top off over his head, revealing his full bra underneath. Steve stared at him for a moment.
“Daddy, you have boobies” he said the last word in a whisper as though it was a forbidden word. Jason looked down at his burgeoning cleavage and smiled.
“Yeah, I guess I do” he said softly.
“Does that mean your a girl?” Steve asked quietly, “only girls have boobies”
“A woman,” Jason corrected without thinking, “and I don’t know Monster. I still feel like a man, just with ladies parts”
“Am I a girl?” Steve continued, his bottom lip quivering, “I don’t want to be a girl! I’m a boy!” He added sadly. Jason leaned over and pulled him into a tight cuddle, not caring that his bra was getting wet.
“Listen Stevie, they’ve got some very smart people working on this” he said as he let go and sat back.
“Like Dr Hawwis?”
“Exactly, and hopefully they’ll come up with some way to reverse all this and get us back to normal” Jason continued, offering him a weak smile, “until then we just need to try and carry on as best we can. Do you think you can do that?” He added. Steve nodded slowly, then let out a large yawn.
“Ok, time to get you out of there” Jason said, more than happy to change the subject.
