A VERY SPECIAL
CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS
By
Pet Baby Amy
Pet Baby Amy
C 2010
Prologue
Mr Tomas Buttercup was a happy man with no family ties and was married to a woman called Lisa, she only had her mother and father on her side of her family line, which for Tomas was perfect, but of course he did not marry her for those exact reasons, he truly loved Lisa with all of his heart and soul.
Lisa loved him just as much, they both did not want to marry someone with a large family, mostly because of family break ups do one thing or another, casing too much hurt on all sides of all the families involved. Even in the start of the early 70's the traditions of families being together, supporting one another was slowly fading away, not by much, but the future was not looking promising, but over all, the 70's onwards was not too bad and between the two lovely pair, they had given birth to a beautiful baby boy that they were sure would be a girl. Both Mr and Mrs Buttercup were at first a little disappointed to learn that their baby was a boy, because they really wanted a baby girl so much.
"Congratulations, you have a baby boy.” Remarked The midwife with glee as she brought the baby wrapped in a towel towards Mrs Buttercup who lay in a hospital bed and Tomas was there right beside her, holding her hand.
“Are you sure it's a boy?” Asked Lisa in a confused manner. "Yes I am positive, but do not take my word for it, look for your self Mrs Buttercup.” The midwife handed over the baby now to Lisa, she stopped holding Tomas's hand so she could take hold of the baby, which was remarkably tiny, but not dangerously tiny like a premature baby, but it was near close to it, the bay seem to be fine for the moment.
Lisa was almost afraid to hold the baby, but she soon took it and examine the baby her self.
"I... I don't understand! He's too small! I mean, he is as I was when I was born and my height deficiency is only passed on through onto the females of my family line.”
Lisa you see was only 5 foot exactly in height. It was a mild growth defect, her mother Susan was only 5 foot and 1 inch tall, hers mothers Mother was small and all of the other females in the family line have always been small too.
"Yes I am aware of your history Mrs Buttercup and sometimes a growth defect like yours can either skip a generation and in rare cases such as with your son here, its sort of skipped and passed onto him, it can happen you know, even inherent born defects found only in girls for example, can sometimes be passed onto a boy and the same goes for any inherent defect only found boys can be passed onto a girl. Now if you do not mind, although your son seems to be in good health, I will need to as a precaution place him into intensive care until the head Doctor of this hospital takes a look at your baby son's growth defect results.”
"What does this mean Martha?” Lisa knew the Midwife by her first name and has always called her by it, they have been the best of friends and almost like sisters to each other, but being a Midwife by profession, she followed protocol with how she addressed and referred to Lisa, hence why she kept on calling her Mrs Buttercup and not by her first name, but when she was being just Lisa's friend, she would call Lisa by her first name. Martha tried to put a brave face on things, she did not really want to give any bad news to Lisa, she knew how much she wanted to have a baby, more so specifically a girl, not that there was anything wrong in having a boy.
But girls on the whole are not only easier to bring up, but also you can buy some of the best prettiest clothes any girl would love to have and wear, where as for boys.
Clothes for boys, some nice ones that can look cute, they are however, not in any way the same as the type of clothes one can get for girls. "It means Mrs Buttercup that your son will most likely not grow to anything past 5ft, that he will remain small for his age no matter how much older he gets, he wont get any taller, though I can not be certain of that as yet, tests will be needed to be done so that way we can be certain and know of any other defects your son may or may not have. I know how much you and your husband had both hoped so much for a girl, but please do not shut him out because of that, he's really going to need you a lot more, than most babies need their parents.”
Martha, then took the baby away from Mrs Buttercup who was 20 years old with long blond hair, blue eyes, Tomas was the tallest of all, he was 6 foot, but he had a heart of gold and loved Lisa, not for her size, but as a person.
He had short dark brown hair and had hazel brown eyes , and he was 22 years old. Both of them were young, where as Lisa's parents, they were both in their 40's, Lisa's mother was 42 and her father was 44 years old.
Lisa cried, she was upset at both having a son and the fact that he had inherited the defective gene that so many girls of her mothers generation had suffered from all of their lives.
She knew and was aware that the defect could possibly skip maybe a generation of her own children if she was lucky, but she had no idea that in the most extreme cases could that defect pass onto a boy. Should it really matter what gender the baby is? A defect is a defect. The baby looked so frail and fragile, it broke Lisa's heart to see her baby that way.
Lisa had so many mixed emotions, she could not take it, she broke down emotionally, it had taken her a long time to recover, her parents had been told of the child's gender and conditions, they too were surprised to learn of the baby's defect. Ken Slater, though his his full name was Kenneth, but he preferred the name Ken and he was 5 foot 6 inches tall.
They were shocked, but at least glad to hear that Lisa's son had no other defects, other than be slow in learning, other than that, he would be as near to like normal, apart from his growth in height.
He would grow to be approximately no bigger than a small 9 year old, sadly for him, that is where his height would stay for the rest of his adult life and be branded with being called a midget. It was hard and bad enough just being only 5 foot tall and that was nearly considered to be of midget size, nature had played a cruel trick on Lisa's son, it at least felt that way, she had soon gotten over her shock and disappointment, so had Tomas.
They had both been helped very much by Lisa's parents to get through and accept that they at least had a son and that not all boys grow up bad.A name had been chosen for their son and it was Mat, his full name being of course Matthew, Tomas liked the way so much Lisa's parents had grown accustomed so much to having their names in their shortened form, that he wanted to honor that little quaint tradition, as it became and did the same for their son.
Lisa's mother was called Kim, which was the shortened form of Kimberly. Mat, when he grows up to be old enough to decided which he will like the best, Matt, or Matthew.
Tomas did not being called Tom from time to time, but did prefer his full name of Tomas.
Lisa's parents loved Mat and they came over as they always did at Christmas and New Year time, every year, to celebrate both Christmas and the New Year, the perfect good old family get together.
It was Mat's first Christmas Time to spend with his mother, his father his grand parents. He was not too sure of what to make of everything that was going on around him, after all, he was only just a baby and he would not be a whole 1 year old until the 26 of February.
Though, anyone would have thought that at least any baby on Christmas day would be happy, Mat, was not. “I wonder if he is aware somehow that something is wrong with him and that's why he is unhappy?”
Remarked Ken. Lisa shook her head... “It can't be that, he is just a baby...” Just then Kim wisely added. “Oh babies can be remarkably sensitive to things, you would be amaze of what they can be capable of being aware of, even though they do not fully understand that which they sense, give him time... he'll get the meaning of Christmas eventually...”
Christmas 1980
It had by now, been several Christmases after and there was had been during the years of Mat's life a new addition to the family in the form of a pretty little girl who had by a shear miracle that she had escaped what seemed like a long traditional family curse, she was born with no growth defects what so ever and no learning difficulties either.
She would grow up to be at least 5 foot 5 inches tall, considered to be the perfect height for most girls once they are in their 20's. She would have a well developed mind as she grows older, she had everything going for her as well as having her mother's looks too, where as Mat, took more after his father, which was OK, for as far as Lisa was concerned.
She had given birth to another baby at the good age of 26, Tomas by then was 28 years old, Kim was 48 and Ken was 50 years old. Now of course, Lisa was 29, Tomas was 31, Kim was 51, Ken was 53 and Mat was now 9 years old. The girl and sister in the family was by now 3 years old and her name was Katie, she was the most happiest and prettiest little girl that Lisa and Tomas could have ever asked for.
But Matt for some strange and very much unknown reason was not happy, he in fact on ever other Christmas that had gone before and before Katie had come along, Mat had and still was not happy at Christmas time and it was really starting to break Lisa's and Tomas's hearts to see their son so unhappy.
Even at the young and tender age of of 3, even Katie could tell that Mat was sad, he would cry at nights just before the run up to Christmas, nearly almost Spoiling Christmas Day itself.
It got to a point that they had to take Mat to see a Psychiatrist to find out what was wrong with him, but the Psychiatrist could not get anything out of Mat and he had for a while now stopped crying nearly almost all together.
Sometimes he would cry, but not so much as he once used to, he would not let anyone know why he was so sad, especially more so at Christmas time. If Mat's condition did not change, the Psychiatrist was wanting to have Mat be referred and transferred as soon as possible to a Psychiatric Hospital on the Children's Ward.
Both Lisa and Tomas did not want that and though that young Katie did not quite fully understand what a mental hospital was for young children, she had a pretty good idea that it did not mean to well for her older brother, though he did not look older. That fact only reminded Matt of of how small and near infant like, he was, which only made Mat cry a lot. Mat had not cried so much, but he was still so very sad, he temped to smile each time he opened a present as they all took it in turns.
Katie would open one first being the youngest, that certainly had its advantages, then Matt was next to open his present, then it was Lisa's turn to open one, then Tomas and then it will go right back to Katie again. And that was how it was, Lisa's parents often arrived the later on in the day, long after everyone had opened their presents, of course they always brought extra presents for all as they loved spoiling their family and that too had become if you will a bit of a tradition too.
Kim and ken both had a sudden thought and talked to both Lisa and Tomas about it."Say Lisa, Tomas...” They both said together at the same time. “Yes, what do you want Mum and Dad?”
Lisa had never stopped calling her mother Mum and her father Dad, they both loved that really, it was as though she was still like their little girl and better still. They had a little grand daughter to spoil rotten, just like the way they spoiled her rotten to.
Only because they loved their little girl so much. Even Tomas did not mind sometimes calling Lisa's parents by just Mum and Dad, it sort of made him feel young, not that he was way too old, far from it.
It nearly mead him feel like a kid again and so he could completely understand and see how, and why Lisa loved her parents so much, because they always made her feel like a child, no matter how much older she got and that helped to keep her young at heart. "Well... We both been thinking about what could be making Mat be so sad.” both Kim and Ken had said together at the same time almost sounding like twins.
But they did it so well, that they almost got Lisa and Tomas replying in same way back to them, it was almost like watching a pair of twins talking to each other with their all talking and saying the same thing at the same time as each other.
Though that got a little creepy at times.
"Mum, Dad, one of you speak or speak one at a time please..., what is about Mat now?” Replied Lisa sounding a little annoyed, a bit frustrated with a hint of being somewhat upset too, there was always something wrong or something to do with Mat.
As much as they did not like the aspect of it, having Mat taken to a Children's Psychiatric Ward may be the only best thing for him, since they can not get out of him in any way of what is wrong with him and why he's so much more sadder when it comes to Christmas."
Don't be mad or cross Lisa...” Replied Kim softly... “Your father and I think maybe Mat is beginning to feel left out, though he shouldn't, but we both do agree that Katie does seem to get that just a little more attention and spoiled at each Christmas time, maybe that is what is eating him up so much inside. Maybe, just maybe he wants to be treated in the same way, we do not mean as a girl of course, just mean spoil him the same way, in some way.”
"That's a tough one Kim.” Remarked Tomas while Lisa tried to think over what had been said. “I mean boys are a bit more harder to spoil, not saying it can't be done. It's just a little harder and you can not quite be as affectionate with boys as you can with little girls, so it leaves a lot to what you can't do and you are pretty much stuck with want we can do and we have done all of that for Mat, so he should be happy.”
"We are not saying that you and Lisa have not done enough for your son, Tomas...” Replied Ken, in a calm passive voice. “What we are trying to say is that Mat may seem to think otherwise, for reasons as yet we do not know, but it could be all because of the way we all treat Katie.”
"I wish it was that simple Dad.” Lisa suddenly remarked. Both Kim and ken looked surprised at Lisa. “What makes you say that poppet?” Ken loved calling his daughter that and he never stopped calling her by that affectionate pet name, the sort most little girls are called when they are sweet and young then it all changes as they all get older.
It seems age really does changes everything, it is no surprise then, that in some children, why they sometimes do not want to grow up, because growing up means that they are no longer special any more.
Most families stop treating their children as being so special by the time they reach a certain age, which results to some extent in bad teen behavior, it's not the total reason why they behave so bad.
A lot if it is down to their raging hormones, but other things also contribute to that and that only spirals things to get out of control. "We both know that Mat has been sad more so at Christmas Time way before Katie had been born. I just want him to be happy and wish I knew what would make him be happy.”
Remarked Lisa at long last. “Well... this maybe a bit of a stab in the dark, but... Maybe because since you originally wanted to have a baby girl so much and did show how disappointed you was when your baby turned out be be a boy and not a girl. Maybe it could be that which Mat has picked up on somehow...” Remarked Ken in thought. Lisa gave Ken a worried look.
“What are you trying to say Dad?” "I am trying to say that maybe Mat feels he has or needs to be a girl and because he's not being treated and brought up that way and now has a sister that gets special treatment, maybe he desires to be treated that way too...”
Lisa gave Ken an even more worried look. “Dad... are you suggesting that I bring up Mat as a girl instead?”"No, not exactly, I am just giving you my opinion on the matter and I know that most parents would object to such a thing. However, I am a lot more open minded than most other people, so is your mother here. I can only tell you how I see things to be and that may make sense as to why Mat is so sad, but ultimately its down to both you and Tomas of what you do with your son. It is at least something for you both to think about.”
Replied Ken and think about it, Lisa, and Tomas did. “We have both decided that we are very blessed to have both a boy and a girl, therefore Mat does not need to be one...”
Christmas 1983
It was practically every couples dream to have one of each or two of each making all things fair rather than have so many sons and a few daughters or so many daughters and only a few sons.
This fact alone was a most common dilemma amongst most couples and it was the common cause in some break ups in most families, like the girls got better treated, or on rare moments where the sons got more favored than the girls in the families. Ken and Kim had both respected Lisa's and Tomas's decision, but felt that they were not really giving Mat any say on the matter, probably because they felt he was too young to understand.
Katie was not quite so perfect, she still needed to wear nappies and plastic pants because of having a weak bladder and weak bowels, Mat was not so bad, he at least could use the potty, but he hated using it, which was something else both Tomas and Lisa could not understand.
Which this was something they were worried about too.Mat was starting to somewhat be OK at the past few Christmas times, though he still seemed to be sad, he would still cry sometimes in his sleep waking up his sister and his parents.
But not as much as he once used to, so both Lisa and Tomas thought that maybe Mat was slowly getting better, but that was far from the truth. Mat was keeping his true feelings well hidden, so he thought.
More about that later. Mat had by now had out grown the idea of a Father Christmas as he was now old enough to know the truth, he had been told the day he reached 10 years old that Father Christmas was not a real person, that he was in fact his parents being the one responsible for bringing him his Christmas Presents each and every time at Christmas.
And like most children that get told that Father Christmas is not a real person, Mat was heart broken and disillusioned about Christmas.
Everything that had made Christmas once special and magical, no longer was that any more for Mat who was by now 12 years old, but he was no bigger than a small 9 year old, even Katie who was by now 6 years old. Although she was not as yet taller than him yet, she knew that one day she would be and by the time she is at his age, he will look to be more like the baby of the family and not her.
Katie however loved her bother very much and it was getting to her too to see her brother to be so sad, even more so each and every Christmas time.
Each Christmas time seemed to maybe get better, but there would be moments where he would cry in his sleep. No amount of comfort seem to be able to fully settle him down, he would start crying again until eventually he would stop crying all together.
Lisa and Tomas did not seem to worry too much and were confident that Mat was near to the end of what ever phase he had been going through all of those years since his birth.
Christmas day had come and it was the early hours of the morning when Mat was woken up by his sister. Of course it goes without saying that Mat and Katie had their own separate bedrooms and of course Katie had the most prettiest bedroom any girl could ever ask for it was all pink etc.
Mat's bedroom was a typical boys bedroom of his age, football posters pasted all over the wall paper, various shades of blue with a hint of white, some posters of WWF Wrestling as it was called that back then.Mat was into monster trucks, wrestling and football, action men dolls of the times, to which he seemed happy to get a new action man doll each Christmas, there was no signs of stuffed toys anywhere in his room.
It was all very much sort of macho like in orientation, nothing remotely girl like, which was what both Tomas and Lisa had gone out of their way to encourage in Mat, in every way possible. But that seemed to make Mat seem to be sometimes even more sadder than usual, but sometimes not. There had in fact only been one moment when Mat had been disturbingly upset on the fifth of December.
But that had soon passed and no one looked back. Everyone was all looking forward to this particular Christmas time apart from Mat, who as usual, tried very hard not to show it. Mat had been excitedly pulled out of his bed by Katie, and he tried to look happy as she took him by his hand down to the kitchen where it was traditional to have breakfast first, before anyone could open their presents first.
Tomas as usual had his camera out, as he loved nothing more to take photos at Christmas time. Everyone had finished their breakfast. Katie as usual was very exited as both Lisa and Tomas began sorting out the Christmas presents, passing them all out then from left to right it would be Katie to open one of her presents first, then Mat, then Lisa and lastly Tomas.
Lisa had noticed a sort of sadness in Mat's face. “Is there something wrong Mat?” Mat had decided that he did like Mat, instead of Matthew, but deep down he really did not like his name either way at all.
He wanted to be able to tell his parents why he was so sad, but feared that they just would never be able to understand. How could they? When he could not really understand it himself.All that he knew was that he had this deep need, which meant more to him than anything else. “No Mum, nothing is wrong.” Replied Mat, gritting his teeth knowing that was a lie.
And he hated it every time he had to lie, but he was just way too frightened of telling his parents the truth, he even believed they would do something terrible if he told them.
That they may have made him see a Psychiatrist before now and that did not help matters, Mat certainly did not want to see another shrink ever again. "Are you sure? You do not seem so exited about Christmas.” "I'm sorry Mum, I can not get as excited about Christmas, as I used to...” Katie looked at him wanting to know why, but she did not want to upset her brother.
Lisa knew full well the reason why, she smiled. “You maybe exited once you see what you have for your Christmas Presents this year.” Her words and her voice sounded so cheerful it mildly at least made Mat smile. That was more than what Lisa and Tomas could hope for. Katie's first present was a very lovely thick red crushed velvet dress with short puffy sleeves, it had white lace trim and two tie backs at the back, it was the sort of dress you would see any little girl wearing at Christmas time or a satin one. Katie's face lit up.
“Oh Mummy, Daddy, the dress is beautiful, thank you.” Katie had never stopped calling Lisa and Tomas, Mummy and Daddy, she did not want to stop calling them that. Katie gave both Lisa and Tomas a big hug and a kiss each. Mat looked on, a tear came down his cheek and he so hoped that no one saw it and he quickly wiped it away. He tried to compose himself and look as though nothing was wrong, when clearly something actually was.
Mat opened his present and it was a Super deluxe Monster Truck, it was huge, it was a dye-cast model that came right up to his knees, it was red with a sort of flame like pattern on the sides and a name emblazoned on the sides in big fiery letters 'BLAZE'
Mat sort of smiled, “Thanks Mum, thanks dad for the Monster Truck, its... Awesome.” Mat had hoped that sentence had sounded as enthusiastic as he hoped it would. Both Lisa and Tomas smiled, not giving anything away.
“You're welcome Mat, We are glad that you like it.” They both said together at the same time, Mat was not one for hugs or kisses, Lisa opened her present next.
It was a red crushed velvet dress, short like Katie's dress, but this one was more in the style for an adult and it had long sleeves with a touch of white lace. Other than that though, it was practically an identical dress, it had two tie backs and it was the same color of red, the same red as Santa Claus's red and white coat.
Tomas opened his present next and he got a lovely dark red jacket, it looked however, very smart and it had black lapels. It was Katie's turn again to open up her second present.
She opened it and her eyes lit up. “Oh Mummy, Daddy, these are so pretty, thank you.” Katie went over to hug and kiss, Lisa and Tomas. The present had been a lovely pair of red frilly plastic pants with 6 rows of very pretty white lace ruffles on the back, there was also at top a dainty red bow with two small ribbons on either side.
Mat looked on and another tear fell down his cheek, again... he quickly wiped it away and opened his next present. It was a limited Edition Action Man figure, Mat had said thank you to his parents in the same way had thanked them before, but it did seem to come across in half hearted sort of way.
Nut again Lisa and Tomas did not react or show any signs that they had noticed or was too bothered about their son's behavior and mood. Lisa was next and she got a pair of red and white knickers with lots of white lace, but not frilly. Tomas had got a waistcoat to match the suit jacket that he had gotten. Then it was Katie's turn again to open a present, this time it was a pair of white woolen tights with red lace frills on the rear.
“Oh Mommy, Daddy, these are wonderful too and will go so nicely over my frilly plastic pants, thank you.” "You're welcome sweetie.” Replied Lisa with a happy smile. "You're very welcome Poppet.” Tomas replied also with a smile. Again, Katie hugged and kissed her Mummy and her Daddy. Mat looked as though he was going to burst out crying. Before he could open his next present Lisa gave him a concerned look.
“Mat... are you sure you are OK, you seem to look a little upset.” Mat tried so hard not to let anything show. “I... I'm fine Mum... honest, guess I am touched by my little sisters happiness.” "Awe... that is so very nice and sweet of you, but we want you to be just as happy too.” "Oh, I am Mum, guess I'm too overwhelmed to show it.” "Ah... that's sweet.” Replied Lisa with a smile, Mat sighed in relief and proceeded to open his next present.
It was a WWF Wrestling set with a stage and there was two Wrestler type Action Figures too, the most popular type Like Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior, which were a very much sort after item for most boys. "Thank you Mum, thank you Dad.” Replied Mat, he looked as though he was practically heart broken, but Lisa and Tomas did not react and Lisa proceeded to open her present next.
It was a pair of thick white tights with a pair of white Opera like gloves. Tomas opened his present and it was a pair of trousers to match the waistcoat and suit jacket. Katie was now eager at opening her next present and it was a pair of ruby red patent shoes. “Oh Mommy, Daddy these are lovely and they go perfectly with my new red dress.”
Katie ran over to hug and kiss both Lisa, and Tomas. They were so happy to see Katie being so happy and smiled at Mat who tried to look as though he was happy, but the real truth of the matter was that he was not happy. It was killing him, hurting him inside not being able to tell his parents he was so sad and more importantly... why?
Mat gritted his teeth, he was not sure how much longer he could hold it all.
He opened his present and it was a Limited Edition Football poster, he said a quick and most unemotional thank you to both Lisa and Tomas, yet they still did not do or say anything.
'Surely they must have noticed by now.' Mat thought to himself, even though he did not want them to know that he was so deeply upset right now. Lisa opened her present and she got a sensible 2 inch high heal red shoe that was the same color of red as Katie's shoes and they were a strap shoe too that nearly looked like a pair of patent shoes.
Tomas opened his presents which was a red Panama hat and a satin white tie. Katie was opening her next present which was a big satin red bow with two long ribbons at either side, it was a hair clip bow. "Oh Mummy, Daddy, thank you.”Katie hugged and kissed Lisa, and Tomas. “Mum, Dad, can I leave the rest of my presents until later on please... I'm suddenly not feeling so well” Replied Mat who could not bring himself to open up another present.
All of the nice pretty things Katie was getting, had become too much for him to bare, he could not take it any more. Lisa and Tomas this time looked concerned... “Are you sure Mat, I mean leave opening up the rest of your presents later?” Asked Lisa looking worried. “Yes Mum, I am very sure, I'll go to my room and lay down...” "Do you want a call later on Mat for when we are about to watch the family Movie together, that is on later today?”
Asked Tomas in equal concern. “No Dad, I promise to come down way before then.” "OK, so long as you are sure Mat?” "Yeah... I... I'm sure...” Replied Mat and he slowly went off and up to his bedroom, he wanted to run there, but was afraid, that, that would only draw the wrong kind of attention to himself and he really did not want that.
Mat went up the stairs, up to the landing, he turned around to make sure that his parents had not followed him. They had not, he reached his bedroom door, entered into his bedroom, closing the door behind him. Mat walked over towards his bed and then he jumped onto it, laid out on it face down and broke down into tears, drenching his pillow. Oh how much his heart ached, Mat thought his chest was going to burst open, his heart ached that much.
Mat cried bitter tears, he cried so much that his tears stung his eyes, but he kept on crying anyway. Just then the door to his bedroom suddenly opened. Mat turned over to see who had entered into his bedroom.It was Lisa and she held a large present in her hands, but she put it down at the bottom of his bed after coming into his bedroom and closing the door behind her. “Oh Mat, please... please don't cry like this...”
“I'm, I'm so, so, so, sorry Mummy....” Mat cried, his body was shaking and his sobs were so heavy that even Lisa could not help but cry too. "What..., what did you call me?” She asked in astonishment. "Oh, sorry...” "No, there's no need to be sorry about that Mat. Please tell me what's wrong Mat. Please, it hurts me to see you so sad like this.”
"You... you wouldn't understand.” "I may not, but I would do my best to try and understand Mat if you would only just tell me, PLEASE...” "You will have me see another shrink if I do...”
"Mat...” Said Lisa tearfully as she suddenly held her son's face with both hands, getting him to face her.”"Mat, what me and your father did to you before, was wrong of us and we are both very deeply sorry for that. I promise you, we wont do that ever again.”
Mat was not too sure what to say, he was crying so much... “Mum.... I...” "It's OK sweetie, I actually know.” Mat cried even more, Lisa now had wrapped her arms around her son, hugging him tightly, but in a very loving way and not too tight. "KNOW! Know what?” Lisa smiled, she gently pulled away from her embrace, she looked at Mat between his eyes, giving him a warm loving smile. “Open this present and you will see what I mean. Go on... please... open it.”
Lisa had managed to lean back a little to reach for the present she had brought in with her and picked it up from where she had put it at the bottom of Mat's bed. Mat looked at it, the box was covered in a typical Christmas themed sheet of wrapping paper, like all of the other presents he had already opened. Katie's presents had been a bit more obvious that they had been for her, as the design although it was very heavily Christmas themed.
It was however very much a girlie like design. The Ribbons tied around each present were pink, where as Mat's presents had been wrapped in a near boyish style tied with red ribbons. Mat trembled as he unwrapped and opened the present, there was white crape paper inside, but as he began to open that up, his expression was a mix of confusion and wonder, he could only see the top half of it, since it was neatly folded, the item looked red.
Mat took it out slowly and by now his hands had stopped trembling. The item in question dropped down now to full length as he held it before himself. Mat could not understand or believe what he was seeing... "Mum...” "Yes sweetie? Don't you like your present?”
"I... But this is Katie's present.” Lisa smiled. “Take a real good look Mat, then I want you to open that red envelope that is at the bottom of the parcel.”
Mat had been so shocked and confused by what he held before him, that he had not until now, noticed that there was a large red envelope at the bottom of the box that his present had been placed into. The item in question that Mat held in his hands almost in disbelief, was a crushed velvet red dress with short puffy sleeves and trimmed with white lace, it was identical to the dress that Katie had gotten.
Mat not knowing what to say who had noticed the card, placed the dress down on top of his bed. He took up the red envelope and opened it.
The card was all covered in glitter, there was the most beautiful snowy backdrop of fairy tail like snow covered street, all done to immaculate detail, each shop or house had been painstakingly painted of the most tiniest of details.
From the window displays, a sweet shop decked with displays of sweet jars filled with all kinds of sweets, candy bars of every shape and size, an old fashioned till, the sort that never get seen apart from in fantasy Movies etc.
There was Christmas Trees in every house and in the shops, there was every shop too from a butchers to a toy store with displays of toy cars, boats, dolls, cuddly toys, little lampshades hung from decorative ceilings.
Each Christmas tree had a different set of fairy lights, some were topped with a traditional Fairy like doll or with a nice large golden or silver star, people were sat around log fires, some children were out in the snow building snowmen, some were in the toy shop getting their Christmas presents.
The design and lay out of the card was Victorian, yet the landscape etc down to the frozen pond, the red breasted Robins perched upon snow covered old fashioned lamp-posts, all of this had a fantasy like quality to it all, and in pink glitter fancy writing were the words.
'For A Very Special Girl.' Mat blinked, he could not believe his eyes, he looked at Lisa as though this had to be a mistake or some sort of dream. "What does it say on the card sweetie?” She had called him this now several times, this had to be a dream, if it was, Mat did not want to wake up from it, but at the same time he did not want it to be a dream either.
“This has to be a dream.” He said and in a very tearful voice, Lisa sat real close next to her son, then placed on his forehead a tender kiss. “I promise you sweetie, that this is no dream. So what does it say on the card?”
She knew of course what was on it, but she wanted to hear Mat read the words out loud, he took a deep breath and in a trembling and crying voice, Mat read out loud.
"It says: For A Very Special Girl...” Lisa gave Mat a warm loving smile. She had a handkerchief with her, and she dried his tears.
“I... I don't understand.” Mat cried. Lisa was in tears too and was drying away at her eyes also. “Please open up the card and read what it says inside.” Mat still confused and almost lost for words, opened this very mysterious, yet beautiful card. Inside it had in fancy writing, yet it was remarkably clear and easy to read. Mat looked at the words in utter disbelief. He looked past the card to look at Lisa, she gave him another warm loving smile.
“Go on... read what it says...” Her voice was sweet, gentle, if a little croaked from emotion. “Merry Christmas to our Baby Girl Missy...” Mat began to tremble and cry again. Lisa held her son tightly, in that loving and gentle way. "Its OK sweetie, please... do continue to read the card.” Remarked Lisa, as she held Mat in her arms now, somehow she could feel his heartache, his sorrow, she cried too.
“We want you to know that we did not realize how important it was for you to be our baby girl, we did not want to see it. Please forgive us, it took another and lovely girl to help us see that you was a girl too and not only that, our baby too...” Mat found it so hard to read, he nearly chocked as he cried so much and so hard, it was nearly hard to breathe. He took a slow big inhale of breath before continuing to read the rest of the message on the card.
“It was so, so very wrong of us to make you live out your life to something you clearly was not. Even though Grandpa Ken and Grandma Kim had some inclination to you wanting to be a girl, even they had not realized that it was more than just that...”Again, Mat had to stop and take another intake of air, Lisa cried with him and their tears mingled and seeped into one another, as Lisa leaned her head so it touched her son's head, their faces touched and their tears became as one stream of tears.
“All along you was our baby girl, you could not be anything else, by making you other than what you were supposed to be. That tore you apart, breaking your heart and tearing your soul in two, causing you so much harm inside. This we can not forgive our selves for what we have done to you, but if you can find it in your heart to forgive us, then in time we can forgive our selves too...” Mat was not sure if he could read any more, he was trembling so much now and crying so hard and so was Lisa... “Please... please read the last bit on the card...” Lisa cried...
Mat was so overwhelmed with tears, but finally he managed to finish reading what it had said on the Christmas Card, though it was hardly that really.
“We have done you a great and terrible wrong, we can only hope and prey that we can now correct that, the only way we know how, please accept our most humbled apologies and these gifts that we have for you. With much love to you from us both, hugs and kisses, Mummy and Daddy.” "Sweetie, we... I am, so, so, so sorry, can you ever find it in your heart to ever forgive me?” Mat was crying so much he did not know what to say... Lisa could understand, but was desperate for him to say something to her, anything...
“I... I don't understand, how...” Lisa tried very hard to stop crying and wipe both hers and her sons tears away. “Missy, please don't say anything, I promise, all shall be explained to you, but first... please open up the rest of your presents.”"O... O...OK...” Replied Mat tearfully, his mind was full of confusion, but he was at least now grateful of Lisa being there for him, even though he still did not fully understand what was going on or why, he wanted to know what was inside those other presents that he had not opened...
Lisa got up off the bed and opened the door and there stood waiting and in a line was Tomas and Katie. Tomas entered into Mat's bedroom. “She has read our card dear...” Said Lisa, Tomas nodded and as he looked at Mats wet and red raw face from so much crying and still tears coming from his eyes.
Tomas cried too, even as Mat was dressed as he was in his Pajamas, his hair short and curly, Tomas saw not a boy of 12 years old, but a baby girl in clothes clearly not meant for her, a baby girl so torn up with hurt, because she was being something she was not. "Oh Missy, my sweet, sweet baby girl...” Mat looked at Tomas in a daze... “What? I... I don't understand, what's going on?” Lisa answered her son. “It's OK sweetie, I promised you all will be explained, please, relax... and open the presents that we have gotten for you... Please?”
Lisa pleaded... Mat, who was still trembling a little nodded his head. “Yes Mum.” Tomas held out his present now for Mat. “Please forgive me and Merry Christmas, my sweet, sweet baby girl.”
Mat in an emotional and confused state opened up the next present, to his disbelief, there inside of the box was a pair of red satin frilly plastic pants exactly identical to the ones that Katie had. “Don't worry, you have your own set of fluffy Terry Toweling nappies too in a very special box.”
Tomas added and placed a kiss on Mat's left cheek. Katie was next and she was already crying, she had heard everything from behind the door, but that was not all she had heard, which was what Mat was soon to find out what that was.
“Merry Christmas Baby Missy.” She said half happy, half sad. She handed to Matt her Christmas present from her.
Mat opened it up, nearly half expecting the to see a pair of tights, but to his surprise, the present was an assortment of frilly plastic pants all kept inside individual pretty designed packages, made of plastic all of top quality brand names. Lisa took hold of Mat's hand “The rest of your presents are down stairs, please come along with us and open the rest down there.”
He looked at her worriedly. “Don't worry sweetie, we will help you to bring these presents you have now, with you.” She began to take up the crushed velvet dress, being careful as not to crease it too much.
Katie took the box full of beautifully packed assortment of plastic frilly pants and Tomas was happy to take his present fro Missy with him and they all went downstairs. Katie had other items like a few dolls, some cuddly toys and one more crushed velvet dress, it was black, but it had a lovely pink satin sash on it and tie-backs and a pink clip hair bow, a pair of white tights with pink lace ruffles on the back, a pair of pink patent shoes and a pair of black and pink lace frilly plastic pants to complete the entire outfit. Tomas sat next to Katie and Katie sat next to Lisa, Lisa sat Mat down in a position in which he was sat facing all three of them as they were sort of sat in a semicircle facing him.
Lisa had the rest of the presents set out so they could all take one in at a time and in turn. Lisa took up the present nearest to her and gave it to Mat, he had not as yet said thank you for the presents that had already been given to him, but he was in shock and was still confused as to what was going on.
Lisa, Tomas and even Katie understood this. They were willing to wait until Matt was ready to give his thanks. He opened the present and this time it was the pair of woolen white tights he had been hoping to see, they too had the same pink lace frills on the rear as Katie's tights had.
Katie was next and she gave her next present to Mat, he was again surprised to see a collection of dolls, all like the ones also Katie had. Tomas was next and his present to Mat was the ruby red patent shoes and the bow and ribbon hair clip. Lisa was next again, her present to Mat was an Identical black crushed velvet dress with a pink satin sash, like what Katie had.
Turn after turn Mat soon had Christmas presents all identical to what Katie had. Now Lisa was ready to explain all to Mat who could hardly believe that all of this was actually happening to him. But Lisa, Katie and Tomas, all in turn gave Mat not only reassuring smiles, but lots of hugs and kisses that helped prove to Mat, that this... was no dream...
"Missy, on the fifth of December you had gone to bed and you had one of your emotional out bursts, but that is OK, because now we know why. It was Katie that had heard you first, not just crying in your sleep, you also talked in your sleep too, sort of, it was talking, but with heavy sobs." Said Lisa, who felt it was now time to tell her baby girl of how she knew everything. "We heard it too and Katie who felt for you so much rushed to to get a cassette player recorder, she got a microphone and made sure to have a ninety minute tape, in which to ensure to capture on it what you was saying as she felt it to be very important and she was right. What you had to say, though it was in your sleep, it was very important...”
Lisa paused for a moment and nodded to Katie, who got up and went to get the cassette tape player recorder. She came back with a small tape deck, it had a microphone socket in the side, one speaker at the top, a volume control switch and the power switch on the same side panel of the player recorder system.
Katie pressed play, as the tape was already in, the player recorder was one of those mains and battery operated ones also with a small sliding handle at the front so you could carry it.
The play, record fast forward and rewind buttons were of those big clunky types you do not see much of now in today's society. Lots of things have obviously changed over the years. Anyway... Katie adjusted the volume control and Matt listened in shock.
(The following is from the prospective of the tape recording)...
"I want to be a baby girl... why can't I be a baby girl... I want to have and wear pretty dresses like the ones my sister Katie wears, she is almost like a baby since she wears nappies and frilly plastic pants. Why Can't I have and wear such things? I don't want to be a twelve year old boy, I am not happy as one. I want to be a baby girl and be called Missy, not Matt or Matthew. If there is a God in Heaven... then please, please, make me be a Baby Girl... PLEASE...”
The rest of the tape recording was that of Mat crying so hard and so much, it was though he was in terrible pain. Katie then stopped the rest of the recording, even the tearful cries of Mt on tape was too much to bare and listen too, those cries matched how badly he had been crying only a few moments ago up in his bedroom.
“Missy...” Said Lisa little in tears after hearing that tape, Matt now looked more shocked than confused. But he soon looked up at her. As he had his head down in shame the moment he had heard himself on tape.
“Yes Mum?” "Oh please do call me Mummy... You did before and I know it will help you be happy by doing so.”
"I still do not understand Mummy?” Replied Mat and nearly almost sounding like a girl now.
"It's OK sweetie, it will take time for you to be able to fully understand everything, but I, your daddy and your sister Katie will help you to understand.”
"Yes... that's right Poppet, my sweet baby girl we shall.” Replied Tomas with a reassuring smile. “I agree with Mummy and Daddy.” Replied Katie almost in tears her self.
"Now then...” Said Lisa suddenly... “I was there and so was your daddy when you said all of that on tape and we were both surprised to see Katie taping it, so we asked her why she was doing that.”
(The following scene is from the night of December the fifth 1983)
Lisa had to wake Mat up who had no idea he had been crying and talking in his sleep, Lisa just told Mat at the time he had been crying in his sleep to which he said sorry for.
Lisa wanted to say something then, but did not know what to do or say, eventually, she just simply told Mat that everything was OK and got him to get back off to sleep.
Katie had been rushed out of his bedroom with the tape recorder player in one hand and the microphone in the other, she was crying her self and saying sorry to Tomas.
“I'm sorry daddy...”
"It's OK Poppet we can talk about this once Mommy gets here.”
"Did I do wrong daddy?”
"No Poppet, we can talk about this when Mommy gets here, OK Sweetie?”
"Yes Daddy.” Replied Katie a little tearfully, soon Lisa had found Tomas with Katie in her bedroom, Lisa looked at Katie. “Katie, why did you record your brother? I mean what possessed you to do that sweetie?”
Lisa said that in a kind and concerned way and hoped that Katie took it that way, she did, she was one remarkably smart little girl.
“I don't know Mummy, but I felt that it was something important, is it important Mommy?”
"I think it could be sweetie, we shall listen to it sometime tomorrow, its quite late and you need to get back to bed sweetie.”
"OK Mummy.”
"Lisa wait!”
"What is it dear?”
"I think Mat may start to think something is either wrong or he's in some sort of trouble if we all suddenly decide to ask him to go off and do something by himself whilst we talk about something and that will make him think we are excluding him from something.”
Lisa sighed... “You're right, but how else are we going to get around listening to the whole tape?”
"We listen to it now and discus as much as we can before getting tired and then find a way to talk about it more when he's asleep again, its the only way I can think of.”
Replied Tomas, hoping that he was making some sense. “OK, but I do not think the now part of your plan is such a good idea, we can wait until tomorrow night, then discus about the tape recording.”
"If that is what you want honey, but I do not think I could get back off to sleep until I fully have heard that tape and had at least a bit of a talk about it, I would certainly rest more easier, that's for sure.”
"That maybe, but it's a little late for Katie here don't you think?”
"Actually Mummy, I don't think I could sleep too well either until I too can fully understand what I just heard and have a little talk about it.”
Lisa sighed again, that was two against one. “OK, we will all listen to the tape now talk about a little and then we all go off to bed. OK?”
"Yes Mummy.” Replied Katie.
"Yes Mummy...” Replied Tomas mimicking Katie which made her giggle a little, Lisa smiled. “Cute.” So Lisa closed the door of Katie's bedroom and she played the tape.
All of them were in tears themselves by the time the tape had finished. Lisa spoke first... “I do not know what made you want to tape that Katie, but I am sure glad that you did. But I am at a lost of what to do.”
"Mommy, maybe my brother is not my brother at all...” "Don't be silly Katie, of course he is your brother and he was born a boy.”
"I know that Mummy, but that is not what I meant.” Replied Katie, then she began to cry more...
“Honey, please let Katie say what she needs to say and please do not be too harsh on her, I do believe she really does care about Mat.”
"Of course I care about him daddy and I no want to see my brother so upset like that...” Katie cried.
Lisa was deeply touched by Katie's concern for her brother. "I'm sorry sweetie, your daddy is right and I do not want to see my son upset like that any more than you do. OK, go ahead sweetie, say what you need to say, I'll listen, we both will.”
"Yes poppet we will, you have our word on that.”
"Thank you daddy, thank you Mummy, but please promise me that neither of you will get upset, cross or angry with me.”
"Why would we do that sweetie?” Lisa asked all concerned. “Because you got upset and a little angry with grandpa Ken once...”
"I did? What was that about sweetie? I can't remember.”
"Promise me first please Mommy and you too daddy... Please?” Both Lisa and Tomas looked at each other, Tomas gave Lisa a reassuring nod. “OK Sweetie, we promise.” They both said together at the same time.
“Mummy, Daddy, Grandpa was right, sort of... Mat wants to be a girl, but a baby girl at that...” Both Lisa and Tomas had both heard the tape recording.
“I think Mat is a bit too young to know what he is really talking about, I mean he is just twelve years old Katie, maybe when Mat is older if he still feels the same way by then. Well... that is when we can talk about the matter and do something about it.”
Katie seemed to get upset by this sudden news. “But Mummy, you said you do not want to see Mat be that upset.”
"Yes I did and I meant it sweetie. But I still believe that Mat is just too young to understand what he says in his sleep, I am sure he does not mean really means what he said. Sweetie when most people get upset they do say things they do not mean to say.”
Katie still seemed upset. “Mummy, I believe though that he does mean everything he has said, can't you tell that he does Mommy? That's why he is so sad...”
"I'm sorry Katie, but I can't accept that.”
"Why not Mummy?” Katie cried. "I told you sweetie and trust me, Mummies know best and Mat is truly too young to understand and does not really mean that he wants to be a baby girl.”
That had upset Katie a lot and Lisa told Mat this... He was still crying a bit, but Katie went over to hug and kiss him and sweetly told him. “Mummy saw to reason in the end, I love you my sweet baby sister.”
Lisa smiled. “Yes that's right Missy, so now you see, we do at last truly understand and I think its about time you really do look like the baby girl you really should be.”
Mat was too lost for words, he cried, but this time Lisa could tell that it was tears of joy this time, not sadness. He hugged her tightly and she hugged him tightly back.
Lisa was able to pick Mat up into her arms since he was the height and build of a small nine year old. He was not that heavy either, she carried Mat out of the living room and up the stairs, and into the bathroom, Lisa began to run a bath, Katie helped until the bath was ready.
“Katie go down stairs and wait with your daddy please, I want Missy's transformation to be a surprise for you too, is that OK sweetie?” Katie jumped up and down with joy and clapped her hands.
"Goody... I love surprises...” She skipped and hopped along out of the bathroom, walked down the stairs, but hopped and skipped into the living room with a big smile on her face. “Mummy wants to surprise me too Daddy with Missy's transformation.”
Tomas smiled. He cuddled up with Katie and she was so happy, soon she was going to see her new found sister for the very first time. Matt was happy too, this was a dream come true, he was going to be treated and dressed like a baby girl, the one thing he always wanted and needed in his life.
True he was still very young to fully be able to understand, and as much as that is the truth, there is one truth far more grater and important above all things else. No matter how young or how old, who and what a person is on the inside is truly more important and vital to a person as to of, who and what they are on the outside.
This is a lesion so easily forgotten and not fully understood by human society, sadly there is a price for not learning such a lesion, among ignorance, there is the hard cold heart of being judge-mental.
There is prejudice and there is being blind to the truth when it is there for all to clearly see. Lisa was glad that she had Katie help her see her way, though she also had some extra bit of help in that area, as you all shall find out soon enough.
Lisa bathed Mat and toweled him dry, she took him him to hers and Tomas's bedroom, there was a mat over the bed and a box down by the side of the bed, there was on the vanity table baby oil and baby powder, folded and placed on top of the bedside cabinet was a thick white towel, or what Mat thought to be a towel.
Lisa gently placed Mat down onto the changing mat, there was a change table, but that was downstairs and in a spare room that has its own wash basin etc.
It was almost like another bathroom, but just a bit smaller, but big enough for Lisa to change Katie with on a proper changing table, the spare room was a little bit like a ladies rest room of a restaurant, only it was just slightly bigger than that, but still not big enough to be a bathroom.
But it was perfect to be a nappy changing room. Mat did not seem to mind however being on top of a plastic changing mat, the bed was of good height and did well and a mock changing table, Lisa rubbed in the baby oil first, then sprinkled on the baby powder and rubbed that in too, then she reached for the big thickly folded fluffy white towel, when she began to unfold it and rearrange it to get it to be the right shape.
Mat then realized that the towel was of course a Terry Toweling nappy and it was so lovely and thick once Lisa had pinned it into place around him.
The nappy felt warm too. Lisa then got out the frilly red plastic pants with the white lace, his eyes grew wide as Lisa carefully worked them up his legs and over the thick nappy.
Then she began to put and pull on the white woolen tights until they were all nicely snug over the plastic pants, making Mat's bottom look nearly big, Lisa smiled, as she then placed the patent ruby red shoes on next.
Mat really loved those with their, Lisa strapped the shoes snugly onto his feet, then Lisa placed the crushed velvet dress over Mat's head, it was the heavy thick type of crushed velvet that had an inlay that helped keep the body nice and warm.
The skirt of the dress to Mat's surprise had a lovely petticoat sewn into it underneath that puffed out the skirt of the dress nicely. Lisa had made sure to wash Mat's short curly hair.
Which she knew would eventually grow to a nice good long length over time, she placed on the back of his head after brushing it just right, the slip on hair bow that looked perfect and Mat's transformation was complete...
Epilogue
Lisa smiled, as Mat
t looked at himself in utter disbelief and astonishment, looking back at him in the reflection of the mirror was what nearly almost looked like a baby girl looking back in equal disbelief and astonishment, something was missing, two things in fact were missing.
All was not complete yet, Lisa knew what was missing, she took out of the top drawer of her bedside cabinet a pair of red mittens she did not put these on Mat's hands, but tied them around his wrists so that they hung down and cud be put on when needed.
Then Lisa reached for something else, it was of medium size, made of plastic and it was red with a rubber teat at the end, Mat smiled, as he instantly knew right away that the item in question was in fact a dummy and tied in the end ring of the dummy was two silk white ribbons, Lisa tied the dummy around Mat's neck and it hung now like a necklace.
Mat looked again in the mirror and this time there was no doubt this time, even though he was the size of a small 9 year old, looking back at him now really was a baby girl, even though she was much bigger than your average baby.
Suddenly, Mat flung his arms around Lisa and kisses her all over her face. “Oh Mummy, thank you.”
"You're welcome sweetie and if you really are serious about wanting to be a baby, most babies do not speak, however, if you were to be an eighteen month old baby, then you will know how to talk and form basic sentences, but it wont be proper speech, it will be baby talk, which I, your Daddy and your sister Katie are willing and want to help you with. So long you are wiling and wanting to learn, are you Baby Missy?”
"Oh yes Mommy... I am willing, with all of my heart I truly want to learn baby talk.” Lisa cried, but this time it was with tears of happiness. “Oh sweetie.”
She hugged and kissed Baby Missy all over her face, Mat/Matthew Buttercup was no more, as Lisa looked into her daughters eyes, she could truly see now the baby girl that Baby Missy had been all along.
“From this day forth and for the rest of your life I promise you Baby Missy to treat and keep you as a baby girl, that is what you are and what you are meant to be for the rest of your life... I can see that now... Come... your Daddy and your sister are waiting to see you.” Said Lisa overfilled with joy.
Missy was so happy, she wanted nothing more than to be a baby girl and did not want to be anything else, in her heart and soul she was a baby girl too.
That not even her physical true gender could not change and that fact would not change either what Missy truly was on the inside, she will always be in the body of a small 9 year old and be a boy, since she will not in the truest sense become a real girl, but she did not need to be one.
Both Lisa and Tomas had come to realize that Missy because of her defect, wont be able to have her actual gender changed, that fact would be hard on Missy.
But so long as she looked, dressed and lived her life as a baby girl, that was all that mattered. Both Katie and even Tomas waited in eager excitement to see Baby Missy for the first time.
Lisa held her baby girl's hand and lead her down stairs. The nappy had not only been so nice and thick, but also because Baby Missy's bottom was clad in a pair of frilly plastic pants and a pair of thick woolen tights all over those two things her walk was now a cute little waddle as she entered into the living room.
Tomas looked on and blinked in disbelief, Katie looked on blinking she hardly could believe her own eyes too. Lisa smiled. “Say hello to Baby Missy.”
"Hello Baby Missy, my sweet little baby girl.” Missy waddled over as best as she could towards Tomas. “You look so pretty my sweet little baby girl.” Baby Missy was crying, but it was tears of joy. “Thank you Daddy, I love you so, so much.”
Tomas and even Lisa were taken back, so was Katie, Baby Missy sounded so much like a baby girl, her voice was so cutely high pitched, just the right pitch too. Tomas cried with tears of joy too.
“Oh I love you too my sweet, sweet baby girl.” He hugged Baby Missy tightly in that warm loving kind of hug that Lisa had given her. Tomas gently broke the embrace.
“We have both agreed that Baby Missy to be treated as an eighteen month old baby girl from now on and to always be that way and I told her that we would all help to learn baby talk.”
Said Lisa suddenly, Tomas looked at her with a big smile on his face... “Of course we will honey and that's a wonderful idea.”
"Oh yes Mummy it is and I will be happy to help my baby sister too.” Remarked Katie with also tears of joy.
Baby Missy now waddled over towards Katie, she gave her a big hug and lots of kisses on her face, Katie happily returned the hug and the kisses.
“Now then my sweet baby girl, stand up as best as you can, I want to get a good look at you, if that is OK?” Baby Missy gave Tomas the most sweetest smile he had ever seen.
“Oh yes Daddy...” It was truly remarkable, it was as though Baby Missy was a completely different person to Mat, even though Lisa, Tomas and Katie knew that this was Mat.
However, Tomas and Katie could see the baby girl Mat had been all along, Tomas like Lisa felt bad that he had not noticed that before.
Katie though she never said anything could see it, she wanted so much to let Mat know that, it hurt her not being able to do so. But none of all of that mattered now, Mat was now Baby Missy and rightfully so.
She was so happy and they could see that, a beautiful but a big baby girl stood before them, the dress was nice and short on Baby Missy, the skirt of the dress had sewn underneath a several layered petticoat, that puffed out the skirt of the dress so nicely.
The white tights were a perfect compliment to the crushed red velvet dress and added to the white lace trim of the dress.
The red patent shoes were just perfect on Baby Missy's feet. She stood absolutely still, as best as she could. “Could you now turn around so that we can see how the dress looks on you from behind, poppet?”
Said Tomas in delight. “Yes Daddy.” Replied Baby Missy happily. Baby Missy turned around slowly for Tomas, both ribbons of the hair bow and of the tie backs were just at the right lengths, not to long and not too short.
They were, just right. The ruffles of the tights could be seen and there was a very pronounced bulge, Katie's eyes lit up. “Are you wearing frilly plastic pants like mine Baby Missy and a thick nappy?”
"Yes I am Katie.” Replied Missy happily with her back still facing Tomas and Katie. “May I have a look at them please?”
Lisa gave Katie a concerned look. "This had better be an attempt to make fun of your brother, now new sister Katie?”
"Oh no Mummy it isn't, promise.”
"It's OK Mummy, I would like Katie to see them, they are so pretty I would be happy to show them.” Replied Missy in the most happiest tone of voice that Lisa, Tomas and Katie had ever heard.
Lisa smiled, she planed to give her baby girl a very special hug for being so brave and so good towards her sister Katie, she pulled down the tights as best she could, Lisa helped whilst Missy held up the skirt of her dress.
Katie got off the sofa and came closer to Missy to get a better look, she smiled as she saw the red velvet outer cover of the plastic pants 6 pretty white lace ruffles ran across the seat of the plastic pants.
As Lisa pulled them down they made a distinct crinkly sound revealing the thick white fluffy nappy underneath. Katie's face was one of shear delight.
“Thank you for letting me see your nappy and most of all your pretty frilly plastic pants Baby Missy, they do look so cute on you.” "Thank you Katie.”
Lisa pulled the plastic pants back up over the thick Terry Toweling nappy, then pulled up over the frilly plastic pants the woolen tights. Lisa then gave her baby girl that special hug. “What was that for Mummy?”
"That was for being such a good girl and letting your sister see you in your plastic pants and nappy.” "I was happy to show them to her.” "Yes I know sweetie and that was wonderful of you.” "Thank you Mummy.”
"You're welcome my sweet baby girl.” Just then, the door bell rang, Missy nearly jumped. “Mummy... are you expecting someone?” Lisa smiled.
“I do not think so, would you answer the door for me sweetie?”
"Who me? Dressed like this?” "Yes sweetie you, dressed as you are, go on, I'm sure whom ever is at the door will not even recognize you.”
Lisa gave a little gentle reassuring pat on Missy's bottom and she waddled off towards the door, she looked ever so cute as she waddled. Even Tomas had to take a picture of that moment.
Katie had an idea who could be at the front door, Lisa placed two fingers on her lips indicating that she did not want Katie to say anything, meaning there was a wonderful surprise waiting for Baby Missy at the front door.
Baby Missy opened it, somewhat nervously and there stood at the doorway were... "Grandpa Ken, Grandma Kim...” Cried Baby Missy with joy...
They both looked at each other, blinked as they both looked at Baby Missy... “Could this be our new Granddaughter? Baby Missy?” The both said together in gasps of utter amazement.
“Yes it is Grandpa Ken and Grandma Kim...” Replied Baby Missy with tears of joy, she hugged and kissed both of them, Kim first and then Ken.
Kim was by now 54 years old and Ken was 56, they had arrived somewhat earlier than they usually arrive at the Buttercup's house, but then Baby Missy would have known it was them, hence why they had been asked to arrive early, just this once, so they could come and surprise Baby Missy and surprised she was.
They both stepped away, smiling. “We brought some extra presents with us...” Lisa smiled. “I'll help you with those.”
"So shall I.” Replied Tomas who was just as happy as Lisa was, everything was going so well and Baby Missy was truly the happiest they had ever seen her be. “Thank you.” Replied Ken...
Katie took hold of her baby sisters hands and went to sit down by the Christmas tree while they waited. “Oh Lisa, Baby Missy is just simply adorable... I am so glad you came and told us about her...”
Said Kim as she placed a few parcels under the Christmas Tree... “As so am I Lisa.” Remarked Ken, who had been practically right all along. Baby Missy gave Lisa a curious look. “What do Grandpa and Grandma mean Mummy?”
"Well sweetie, once I and your father had discovered the truth about you, we felt it was only right to let Grandpa Ken and Grandma Kim know about it...”
"When was this Mummy?”
"Do you remember sweetie your Daddy and I going out to see your grandparents on the sixth of this month, then we left you with Katie and Ken for a couple of hours?”
"Yes Mummy, I remember, I was wondering what was going on, I asked Katie, but she would not tell me., she said it was a surprise.”
"That's right sweetie, we just told you that there was something important we needed to do, we could not tell you we were going to go shopping that day for your true Christmas presents, or that would have spoiled everything.” Replied Lisa with a smile.
(The following scene is at Mr and Mrs Slater's House, the sixth of December 1983)
It was the day after hearing the tape of Mat's inner conflict and the one thing that was making him so unhappy.
Lisa and Tomas could not let on that they knew, but they wanted so, so much to tell him there and then, but they had a bit of an idea and did not want to spoil things, if all goes well Christmas of 1983 will be the best Christmas Mat will ever know and have.
Whilst Mat was having breakfast with Katie, Tomas was with Lisa. "I think we need to tell Ken and Kim about Mat and play the that tape for them...”
"I know, that is going to be difficult without Mat suspecting that something might be wrong.”
"I doubt it and it we get Katie and Mat to play some games with each other long enough, we can chose that moment to talk to Ken and Kim.”
"OK, I think that will work, we have to act fast and get in some presents for our soon to be baby girl.”
"Having Ken's opinion on that too will help.”
"Well... he was nearly practically right, so I think he will pretty much support our actions.”
"I'm sure he will Lisa, even so bringing them in on all of this will help a lot.” Lisa smiled, then gave Tomas a big hug. “I agree.”
"Good.” Tomas smiled back at Lisa, they both soon entered into the kitchen, the children had just finished having their breakfasts.
“Kids your mother and I have good news, today we are going to pay a visit to Grandpa Ken and Grandma Kim.”
Katie looked positively delighted, but Matt looked confused and a little worried. “But Dad, Mum, we don't usually go and see Grandpa Ken and Grandma Kim on this day each year...”
"Yes we know, which is why we both thought it would be a nice surprise for them too.” Katie was absolutely delighted with the idea, where as Mat seemed a little unhappy, but said nothing and he got ready to go out.
Ken and Kim Slater did not live too far away and soon the Buttercups were at their house, Kim was happy cleaning up the carpet of the living room floor, whilst Ken was just polishing ornaments in the hallway when there came a sudden ring at the door bell.
Kim had managed to hear it and had stopped hoovering the carpet, she looked up at Ken in a puzzled way. “Ken have you invited someone around today and forgotten to let me know about it?”
"Of course not my sweet Petal.” This was Ken's affectionate pet name for Kim, which she loved hearing him call her that.” The who is it at the front door?”
"I honestly do not know, lets find out together shall we Petal?” He offered Kim his arm, she gave him a big smile and she took his arm as he lead her to the front door and opened it. “Tomas, Lisa.. This is a surprise... what brings you both here?”
“Oh just one those spur of the moment things...” Said Tomas with a smile.” Ken and Kim although they were not expecting a visit from them were happy to see them all the same.
"Well, just don't stand there getting cold, come on in.” Said Ken in a joyful tone of voice. “Yes, come on in, go into the living room, sit near to the fire and get your selves nice and warm.”
Remarked Kim in an equal cheerful tone. Tomas, Lisa, Katie and Matt went into the living room, between them Ken and Kim took everyone's coats and hung them up.
Kim had brought in toys and a few board games for the children to play with, which was perfect, as they got playing Tomas got up and left, then so did Lisa, Ken had a feeling there was some other reason for their visit.
"So... what brings you hear really you two?”
"Please do not be cross or angry with us Ken... We should have listened to you.” "What's this all about Tomas, Lisa?” Asked Kim in a worried tone.
"Yes Lisa, Tomas, what is this all about? I promise not to be cross or angry with you, I have no reason to be.”
"It's about Mat, we have Katie to thank for having the idea to record what is on this tape cassette. We urge you both to listen to it carefully, it will explain everything for you both.”
Replied Tomas in a serious tone of voice. “Tomas is right it will, please listen to the tape.” Pleaded Lisa in an equal serious tone of voice. Both Ken and Kim looked at each other worriedly, as Tomas held up the tape for them to see.
"I shall go and get the tape cassette player, recorder.” Said Lisa, she left the Kitchen and was back in no time. She put the tap into the tape deck and pressed the play button.
Both Ken and Kim listened to the tape and by the time they had finished it, both of them were in tears, surprisingly, so were Tomas and Lisa, even listening to the tape again, so sad and upsetting Mat had been.
That no matter how many times they could listen to that tape, it would always make them cry. The tape and Mat's sadness and pain that came through that recording was of such a level, it would make anyone cry who heard it, no matter how many times they heard it play.
That tape recording truly had that effect, both Ken and Kim looked at each other and then at Tomas and Lisa. “OH MY GOD! The poor child... I never would have known Mat was that torn up inside...”
Said Kim tearfully... “Neither would have I...” Said Ken also in tears... Both Katie and Mat were so happy playing away together, they did not hear their parents and their grandparents crying and the kitchen was further away from the front room.
Tomas had made sure the kitchen door had been well shut, so nothing could be heard coming from the kitchen. "You was almost right though about Mat.”
Said Lisa just as tearfully. Ken looked at her... “No..., this, this goes way beyond that.” "We know... which is why we would like your opinion about our plan to bring up Mat on Christmas day and from then on as a baby girl, dress him, treat him in every way as a baby girl... Even though he his in truth... just twelve years old. Are we right to do so?”
Asked Tomas just as tearfully too. Ken looked at him with shock. "How can you possibly question that? That recording is self evident to me, not to a shrink, but they would not understand... Mat is not a boy, twelve in age he maybe... But what I have heard and I believe I can now see that in him. Mat is a baby girl, there is no doubt of that.”
Quickly, and suddenly Ken left the Kitchen, Kim, Lisa and Tomas, followed him, he went into the dining room, which had a little hatchway that opened on two sliding door, left and right, they were so silent, that Katie and Mat did not hear them open.
Mat was trying so hard to be happy, that you could even see the strain in his face and the way he looked at Katie, it was obvious he was wishing that he was more like her, wearing clothes like her etc. Kim even had noticed that, Ken drew back the sliding hatchway doors, he returned back to the Kitchen, so did Kim, Tomas and Lisa.
"I had to make sure and what I saw settles the matter, that is not a boy in there, its a baby girl, one... stuck in a boys body. How can you think what you plan to do, to be wrong? Keeping her dressed and living a life to that of boy, that would be the real wrong.”
Ken nearly almost sounded angry. “We just needed to be certain that we would be doing the right thing.” Remarked Lisa.
"There is no question of that, Mat is not a boy or really strictly speaking twelve years old. I see the baby girl he really is too.” Remarked Kim in tears...
"Though it is quite understandable why you both should be concerned and not sure if you are doing the right thing.” Ken said rather suddenly, sounding calm.
“Mat may not be able to fully understand, but believe me, you will be doing the right thing and he will be grateful to you both for it, this matter I know sure does complicate things because the boy will never grow physically in height and he wont look any older than a nine year old. His body will be forever stuck. And he could not go through a gender change operation, that would be wrong to have him undergo such an operation...”
Ken sounded to be very serious about the matter.
"Yes, we are well aware of that.” Replied Tomas somberly. Ken walked over to hug him and Kim walked over to hug Lisa.
“Yes unfortunately his defect prevents that, I was going to say his age prevent that, but even if you both consent to him having the operation, it would be too much a risk. Mat, sadly will never be able to be a true real girl. So the only one thing you both can do is to at least give him the life to that of a baby girl... That of which Mat will be... for the rest... of his... life...”
Kens words hung heavy, but there were the truth, Lisa and Tomas fully understood this very well, they both cried, Ken and Lisa cried with them... It was not when Katie had come looking for them...
She had entered into the kitchen. “What's going on?” Tomas and Lisa made sure that Mat was not with her, they closed the kitchen door and briefly outlined what they had told Ken and Kim, of the tape they had heard and what both had to say about the matter.
"Do you think you can help my baby sister Grandpa Ken, Grandma Kim?”
"We will do what we can Katie, but Missy is your sister and your Mummy's and Daddy's baby girl. The matter is in their hands, but we promise to do all we can do to help too.”
Replied Kim with a tearful smile. "Ken, Kim, I have an idea... I think me and Lisa should go out to every store where we bought presents for Katie and buy if possible the same exact presents she has, so Katie, that means you can not come with us, or that will spoil Christmas for you.”
"That's OK Daddy, I understand...”
"What a smart little girl you are...”
"What about Mat?” Asked Kim concerned...
“We all can't go out.”
"It's OK, I shall stay with Katie and look after Mat.” Ken replied. "Are you sure?”
"Yes, very sure... besides, me and Kim can go out and do a bit of extra special shopping of our own together...”
"That's grate Ken.” Remarked Tomas who gave Ken a hug, he hugged Tomas back, then Lisa hugged him, Ken returned the hug. Tomas and Lisa were so happy and lucky that the presents they had bought for Katie, there was enough identical sets left just right for Matt to have on Christmas Day and they had arranged later on with Ken and Kim about them arriving at their house early on Christmas day.
Christmas Day 1983:
Lisa had finished telling Baby Missy her tale and Baby Missy was glad that Mummy and Daddy had talked with Grandpa Ken and Grandma Kim, she did not fully understand the part where Ken had said she was a baby girl stuck in a boy's body, but both Lisa and Tomas reassured Baby Missy that she need not worry about it, that it was nothing bad, that she did not understand, they told her that she would most likely not be able to ever fully understand.
But that was not important, what was important, was that she was and forever remain so, and that was to be happy, happy for the rest of the days of her life, which she was.
Baby Missy did not ever grow any taller or any older physically, though she did age, she remained exactly the same. However, she was the most happiest baby girl that ever lived and that was more than what Tomas, Lisa, Ken, Kim and even Katie, could ever ask for.Oh and one last thing... each and every Christmas Day became and forever remained... A Very Special Christmas.
THE END.
