Time passed - and Emily, or the Daniel within Emily, assimilated more to his, or shall we say her world.

On a quiet Saturday morning, Emily stood in front of the bathroom mirror, attempting to carefully brush her long hair. The strands slipped through her fingers—a sensation still both foreign and fascinating. Daniel had never needed more than a quick comb-through of his short, coarse hair. At most, a miniscule amount of hair-gel was required to provide a minimal degree of control. Repeat attempts to grow long hair had been unsuccessful.

Now, Emily found a sort of meditative peace in the routine, although the tangles still tested her patience. The tactile feeling of running her fingers through them was oddly calming.

As she dressed for the day, the Daniel within Emily found himself less frustrated over the complexities of girls' clothing. The intricacies of jumpers, stocking, skirts and the myriad options in the world of female clothing skirts were beginning to grate less - although they were admittedly still a stark contrast to Daniel’s practical sneakers and loafers. After all, Daniel had lived a life in jeans and straightforward shirts. At most, he deigned to wear a suit and tie during formal events.

Now, the variety and vibrancy of Emily’s options were both overwhelming, frustrating and yet intriguing. Sarah, noticing her struggle, had shown her how to pair outfits together with each piece adding to a canvas. Since that moment, Emily felt a little spark of creativity, perhaps even enjoying the process in a way Daniel couldn’t place. Admittedly Sarah, no, his mom - made it look so easy…

—

Later, Emily joined her parents for breakfast, the smell of pancakes filling the kitchen. The sound of the sizzling stovetop and clatter of dishes created a comforting, homey atmosphere. Her father, already at the table with a cup of coffee, smiled at her. "Good morning, Emily. Ready for a fun day?"

As Emily devoured her meal, sneaking glances towards her parents’ coffees, she paused and looked at her plate thoughtfully. She felt an urge deep within her to utterly demolish this carby goodness that almost seemed to protest this unfair pause in her culinary journey. Instead, Daniel’s adult sensibilities stepped in for a second and Emily couldn’t help but hesitantly blurt out "Dad, do you think we could have more protein and fewer carbs for breakfast sometimes? More eggs? Yogurt and berries maybe?"

Her father raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why do you ask, Emily?"

"Well," Emily began, choosing her words carefully quite aware of the protest echoing even more deeply within "I heard that protein is important for growing children and builds muscle. Too many carbohydrates can make people fall sick when they get older. Something about blood sugar?"

Her father nodded, considering her words. "That's an interesting thought, Emily. It’s true that protein can help with building muscle and keeping you full longer. As a growing girl, you don’t need to worry too much about carbs, but it’s never too early to learn good habits. We could certainly incorporate more eggs, lean meats, and even some dairy into our breakfasts. What do you think, Sarah?"

Sarah smiled, clearly impressed by Emily's curiosity. "I think that's a great idea. We can experiment with different recipes and see what works best for us."

Emily was pleased with the outcome of this conversation and found herself wondering if perhaps at a later time she could also persuade her parents to allow an occasional cup of coffee, a pleasure she often missed. She noted again that a part of her screamed at the injustice of skipping pancakes for eggs - but by now she had learned to live with this dichotomy.

–

Living in a smaller, lighter body also meant relearning spatial relations. Light switches that once required no thought now demanded a hop or the aid of a stool. Cupboards she used to access with ease as Daniel now required climbing, which her parents discouraged with gentle reminders about safety. Moving heavier objects was often impossible or rendered her sweaty and exhausted. More than once Emily had to stop herself from dropping an Daniel grade obscenity as she hopped like a gerbil on caffeine trying desperately to turn a light switch on.

Yet, there were benefits too. Emily discovered a resilience in her young body that Daniel had long forgotten. Scratches and bruises from playful afternoons healed within days, leaving no evident trace of pain or damage. Her vision, once assisted by glasses, was now perfectly clear, revealing a world in sharp, vivid detail that Daniel had viewed through the distortion inherent to corrective lenses.

Reflecting on Daniel’s past, marked by poor dietary choices and subsequent health complications, Emily was determined not to follow the same path. She was thoughtful about the foods she ate, the activities she engaged in, and how she could use her knowledge to forge a healthier path than Daniel. "I need to take better care of myself," Emily whispered to herself in her bed on a particularly still night. "For Daniel, and for me."

Emily realized that most miraculously, she was feeling the freedom to feel joy at the smallest things - something Daniel had completely forgotten as he fought his chronic conditions and isolation daily. Something quieter, lighter inside her was coming back. It wasn’t Daniel’s logic, but a sense of playfulness, of being more present.

—

Not all days were as incident free - on occasion Emily would still forget that she inhabited the body of a girl. One day, Emily and her parents went to a busy shopping mall. As they walked through the crowds, Emily abruptly felt the need to use the restroom. Instinctively, she headed towards the men's restroom, only to be paused and gently reoriented in the right direction by her father.

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"Emily, that's the men's room," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Blushing, Emily mumbled under her breath, "Oh for Pete’s sake - still getting used to this," as she hurried into the women's restroom.

Later, Emily and her mother went shopping for new clothes. As they browsed the racks, Emily found herself wandering into the boys' section out of habit. Sarah found her and laughed, guiding her back to the girls' section.

"Why were you in the boys' section?" Sarah asked, amused.

Emily, embarrassed but smiling, said, "Oh I don’t know…boys' clothes are so much simpler," and they both laughed although Emily felt an embarrassed giggle deep within, almost mocking her choices.

–

Other days, Emily would often sit with her mother, learning to cook healthier meals. Sarah taught her how to prepare vegetables, make homemade soups, and bake bread from scratch. Daniel had always been intimidated by making soups, and gluten allergies had made bread irrelevant but Emily neither task was as challenging as she feared. These sessions were not only educational but also bonding moments that helped Emily feel more connected to her new life. “Maybe one day, I can share Daniel’s recipes too - he made a mean stuffed pepper…”

One sunny afternoon, Emily joined her friends, Lucy and Lily, for a game of hopscotch on the sidewalk. Emily found herself laughing and jumping, her new body agile and quick. The simple joy of playing a child's game felt liberating, a stark contrast to the sedentary life Daniel had led.

"You're really good at this!" Lucy exclaimed, hopping alongside Emily. "Have you played before?"

"Maybe…not really..I don’t remember," Emily admitted, smiling. "But it's a lot of fun!"

Lily, more reserved, watched with a shy smile. "You move so fast, Emily."

Emily felt a surge of pride and happiness. These moments of play, of connecting with friends, were healing parts of her that Daniel had long neglected.

After hopscotch, Lucy suggested they have a race. Emily hesitated for a moment, remembering Daniel's chronic health issues that had prevented him from running - each step agonizing. But now, feeling the strength and energy in her young body, she eagerly agreed.

The three girls lined up at the starting point, and with a shout from Lucy, they took off. Emily felt the wind in her hair, the ground moving swiftly under her feet, her heart pounding and most importantly - no pain. There was a sense of exhilaration she hadn't experienced in years. Running was liberating, a joy that Daniel had missed deeply.

Lucy won the race, but Emily was close behind, laughing breathlessly. "You're fast, Lucy!"

"You're pretty fast yourself, Emily!" Lucy replied, grinning. "I didn’t know you had it in you!"

Later, they played hide-and-seek, another game that Daniel's health had kept him from enjoying. Emily reveled in the thrill of hiding and the excitement of being found. For this moment she was a child again, free from the physical and emotional burdens that had weighed Daniel down.

As these days came to a close, Emily felt a sense of accomplishment. The new habits she was forming and the connections she was building with her family and friends were slowly helping her navigate this new world. Each victory, no matter how small - whether mastering a new recipe or adjusting to her new body, was a step towards embracing her new life and leaving the shadows of Daniel's past behind.

–

The biggest change Emily, or the Daniel within Emily felt was the pull she felt toward both Sarah and Thomas. The pull came from Emily, Daniel and whatever was awakening within her.

Later, Emily noticed something that hadn't hit her before. As she looked at Thomas and Sarah, laughing and sharing stories, it struck Daniel how much more comfortable this family dynamic had become. It wasn’t the kind of stiff, formal relationship Daniel had once imagined for himself. This was different—there was a warmth and acceptance here - and even though Daniel wasn’t their original child, Emily found herself wanting to fit in, wanting to belong in this family.

Sarah had been warm and supportive in the short time Emily knew her, her gentle guidance and reassuring words a constant source of comfort. As Sarah placed her hand on Emily's shoulder, something stirred within— a quiet flutter of warmth that Daniel couldn’t fully explain, a sense of love deeper than logic. It was moments like these when Emily felt a glimmer of belonging— as if a part of her already understood this bond, even before Daniel could rationalize it. The smile that had lit up Sarah’s face when she returned home made something inside Emily —something softer, more instinctive— feel deeply wanted.

Thomas, too, had played a role in easing Emily's transition. His easygoing manner and playful banter had helped lighten the atmosphere at home. Sometimes, Emily found herself giggling at his jokes before Daniel’s mind could even process them, as though the laughter came from somewhere else entirely. It was almost as if she had gained an older friend overnight—a thought that both excited and unnerved her. But somewhere deeper, in a place beyond words, Emily felt safe—Thomas’s warmth making her feel secure in a way that Daniel hadn’t experienced in years. It felt odd, as if something more natural, more childlike was responding to Thomas’s fatherly gestures.

Emily realized that as Daniel, he had not been this close to anyone in years, yet here were these people, laughing together, treating him like their own child. The transition into Emily's life was still a mystery, but one thing was becoming clearer—her bond with Sarah and Thomas - indeed this universe appeared to be deepening.

However, there were moments of guilt - of feeling like an interloper who had barged into their lives. As she stared at the framed family photo on Sarah's nightstand, Emily traced the contours of Sarah and Thomas's smiling faces with her finger. They looked so happy, so complete. Yet, Emily knew she was the way she currently was - she was not truly their daughter, not in the way she had once been Daniel. The weight of that knowledge tugged at her heart, a constant reminder of the web of secrets she now navigated.

She could feel that a change was in the vicinity - something within her was close to awakening and that her relationship with this family would evolve in ways she couldn’t predict. Oddly enough, despite a lingering sense of nervousness, she felt no dread - but a calm acceptance of this gift that she had been given.

That night, at bedtime, Emily hugged Sarah and Thomas goodnight, her voice soft as she whispered, "Thank you for everything, Mom and Dad." This simple statement was a prayer, a plea and a sense of thanks to the universe for giving her this chance at a family. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, she felt a glimmer of hope. But for now, as sleep claimed her once more - in the warmth of Sarah and Thomas's home, she felt a sense of safety and belonging that Daniel hadn't felt in a long time.