Extreme Makeover! Baby!

by Meggan Sommers

  

Let me tell you never ever say something you might later regret, especially around a woman who owns her own cosmetic surgery clinic, especially a woman who is aggressive, take charge, and is not afraid of letting people know what's on her mind. I married this type of woman. She was a dream come true.

Kate and I met at about ten thousand feet. I was on a hike with a pal of mine, Steve, in the Rocky Mountains just outside Denver. We were in a remote canyon when Steve lost his footing on a loose rock and fell, tumbling about thirty to forty feet. He broke his left leg, three ribs, his left hip and a few more bones I really don't remember. Kate was working as a volunteer for a couple weeks as a flight surgeon for a mountain rescue unit based outside of Denver. She was on the chopper that came out to fly my friend into the trauma unit in Denver. I took one look at her and fell in love. She really took command of the situation. Something about such a beautiful woman with such control yet still show an unbelievable amount of compassion for my friend.

I was never one to ask out any girl I just meet. Kate and I had a very brief discussion as she was filling out her report once we got to the hospital, but after that I just concentrated on helping my friend get back to a normal life. He finally got out about two weeks after the accident and I accompanied him on the flight back to Chicago. About two days after we got back, I just had gotten back from some grocery shopping and saw I had a message on my answering machine.

"This message is for Mathew Thomas. This is Doctor Kathryn Roberts. I was the flight surgeon out in Denver. I was wondering if you could give me a call at my office. The number is area code is 3-1-2-5-5-5-4-9-3-0. I'll be in the office until seven tonight. Looking forward to talking with you."

That was it. She was very matter a fact. How could I refuse her?

That was five years ago. We were married after only six months. She and I ware total opposites. As I said she is a take-charge type of person. I on the other am an introvert. I like keeping to myself. I am not aggressive at all, but that being said, we were a perfect compliment to each other. After a very romantic honeymoon in Tahiti, I moved into her luxurious apartment, which was in the same building as her clinic in downtown Chicago. This way she never had to go outside to go to work. She even had her own private entrance that lead from the apartment, down a large elevator and right into the clinic. Often times we would have some of her staff up to the apartment for dinner after work. I had always had a knack for cooking and Kate loved it. She hated having to come home from working all day and then try to find something to cook. I worked as an editor for an on-line travel magazine so I could be home all the time if I wanted.

It was at one of these gatherings that things got a little weird, or at least weird for me. We were all sitting around in the living room when the discussion turned to being pregnant. I was woefully out numbered. Her all female staff ganged up on me. Kate had always promoted a family environment in her clinic. Families were free to stop by at any time. The women received extremely generous maternity leave packages. So you can see that not only was I out numbered, but also loyalty played a big part. The whole thing got started when Kim, Kate's head nurse, announced that she was pregnant with her third child. All the ladies started commiserating together. Talking about all the things women go through. Then their attention turned towards me. I most have been making a face or something I wasn't aware of. Kate just sat there and let me dig my own hole. I made the comment that guys could handle all the problems and discomfort of pregnancy but God didn't design us to be pregnant.

The whole group erupted except my wife. She smiled as she got up. I could barely hear her giggling under her breath. That was all that was said for sometime. Kate had been working late many nights a week and had told me she was working on a new procedure that would make all the medical journals and give her and her staff world recognition.

After about a three months of seeing each other in passing, we finally had some time together. Kate told me to be dressed to go out to eat at seven. She had an appointment at the salon and would be home right after.

At seven o'clock sharp, Kate steps out of the elevator dressed to the nines. Her hair was upswept. Her gentle brown color, tinted with subtle dark streaks. The black gown she had on fit her like a glove. It was strapless and tight in the bodes. Small rhinestones adorn the hem above the breasts. The dress ended just above her ankle where she was wearing the diamond ankle bracelet I had given her shortly after we started dating.

She told me we had reservations at the Buckingham, a five star restaurant in the Chicago Hilton. It is well known for its steak and seafood. Everything about the night was working out great. Kate had a limo waiting us, our table was waiting for us at the restaurant, and Kate had prearranged our meals as well. Like I said she is a very take-charge person.

After probably the best meal of my life, the limo took us back home. I asked Kate if she was cutting the night short.

"Oh no sweetie. Why pay for a show when we can entertain each other?"

I was in heaven.

At home, Kate must have had one of her staff come in and set up the apartment. A bottle of wine was chilling with two of our Waterford crystal glass set by it the mist of rose pedals. She must have had twenty candles burning around the room. Almost immediately Kate was on me. She nearly threw me down the couch. She ripped my shirt as she kissed me. Her tongue was tickling my tonsils. I was dumbfounded. She had never been this aggressive. She continued to kiss me in parts of my body I didn't know I had. For over and hour, with our clothes strewn about the apartment, we continued to massage, kiss and explore each other. By this time I was about to explode. Kate sensed this and threw me on my back. She mounted me with ease. She slowly started to gyrate her hips. She rode me for what seemed to be an eternity. Finally I exploded months of built up tension into her. We both collapsed in total exhaustion.

********

 

I must have passed out from sheer exhaustion. I woke up groggy. Fuzzy headed. As I got up, a pain shot through my gut. Just then Kate walked in and helped me back to bed. I then noticed my abdomen was bandaged.

"You aggravated that abdominal hernia last night. I told you should have had that fixed a long time ago. I had to call in Sue to help me fix it. You owe her. She had to give up her own night of passion for you."

"I'll be sure to thank her when I see her."

I was in too much pain to think. Kate gave me a shot of something and soon the room became dark again.

When I woke up again, Kate was at my side removing the bandages.

"Just hold still. I'll be done in a minute. You're going to have to stay in bed for a while. I really had to do some work on you. We were in surgery for 3 hours. I also had to fix an inguinal hernia as well. Here, take these pills. They will help with any infection."

I slowly rolled on to my side to sip some water Kate gave me and then swallowed four pills. I settled back into bed and drifted off to sleep. The next few days were just more of the same. Kate and her staff took really good care of me. I really don't remember too many of the details. What I thought was only a few days turn out to be two weeks. Kate told me that she kept me sedated to prevent me from reopening any of the incisions. If the umbilical hernia were to reopen, my intestines could get pushed out and pinched, cutting off blood supply and doing some real damage. She kept me taking large quantities of pills for about four weeks total. After being in bed for so long, I really had to take it slow to get back to a normal energy level. When I was still complaining of lack of energy, Kate started giving me what she said was vitamin shots every other day. After a couple days I was back to my old self. I went back to work to try to catch up with all the backed up articles waiting for me. I spent weeks reviewing, researching and editing articles submitted to me by would-be travel writers. I spent a lot of time sitting around, either on the couch or at my desk. I wasn't keeping up with my daily routine of exercise I had had prior to my surgery. All this added up to what I thought was just normal weight gain. The only problem was the weight was all developing in my chest and butt. Kate never seemed to notice.

About three months after the surgery, Kate asked me to come down the clinic at around eight in the evening. She said that she wanted to do an ultrasound of my abdomen to make sure the hernias had healed properly. I was a little confused, but she was the doc, who was I to question my own personal doctor. I walked out of the elevator promptly at eight. Sue met me and led me back to one of the examine rooms. She had me change into a gown and left me telling me Kate was on the phone with a supplier out west and would be right in. I sat there staring at the exam table. I wondered if Kate would have me lay there with my feet in those stirrups. I looked around the room at all the stuff hanging on the walls. This room seemed to be better suited for an Ob-Gyn's office. Just then Kate walked in.

"I didn't know you did gynecological stuff." I said.

"Oh I started working with women who wanted to regain their youth figure after giving birth. I have also done some work on some women who have wanted to expand a little in the vaginal are to accommodate their significant others."

"Oh", is all I could say.

"Come on up and sit here. I just need to turn the ultrasound on."

"This really feels weird."

"Oh hush now. It's just you and me, no lay back and relax."

I laid back as she pour the slimy gel on my abdomen. Images appeared on the screen, not a single image could I recognize. How could anyone understand any of this stuff?

"That's what I thought." Kate interrupted my train of thought.

"What do you mean?"

"There is a small opening. What looks like the beginnings of another hernia. We're going have to go in again."

"Again! I just got back to normal. What went wrong?"

"The tear is in a different area. It's small. It won't take long. We can do it tomorrow after the clinic closes."

"That soon?! Why?! Can't it wait? I had plans with Steve. There's a convention out at the Rosemont Convention Center. All the new camping and mountaining gear is being shown off. Our yearly trip is coming up in three months."

"Well you are just have to call him and cancel."

With that she walked out of the room. As I lay there contemplating how I could possible delay the surgery, I could hear Kate down the hall talking to Sue.

"He'll be in tomorrow. Make sure everything is here first thing in the morning, I'll have some things to prepare before the surgery."

Kate's voice drifted off down the hall. How could this be happening? Things really seemed to be changing. I didn't have the body I use to. I had started gaining weight and in some unusual areas I might add. I didn't have the strength I use to. Kate hadn't had time to trim my hair for months and now was getting close to shoulder length.

Kate came back in the room and told me everything was set and that I could go back up to the apartment. As I tried to sleep that night but thoughts of the next day kept crowding my thoughts. I couldn't help but think Kate was up to something but just couldn't put my finger on it. She was the most caring, loving and compassionate woman I had ever met. I just couldn't believe that her motives were not genuine and that she wasn't telling me the truth.

*******

 

"Take it easy Honey." I heard the voice of my wife. As I tried to open my eyes, I noticed the room was very dimly lit. I was back in our bedroom. Kate must have noticed me straining to see. "I have the lights turned down so it is easier on you when you are waking up." I tried to move but my body felt different. There was seemed to be weight on my chest. I felt something strange against my skin. "I'm going to turn up the lights just a bit." I pulled away the covers as the lights came up. My eyes slowly adjusted as I looked down at my body to see that I had on a blue satin nightgown with spaghetti straps. I had given it to Kate on our honeymoon. Then I noticed what was causing the weight on my chest. I had two round perky breasts! I reached up to feel them. I could believe what my eyes where telling me. My hands! My nails were painted! They were painted a soft pink and were at least a half an inch past the tip of my fingers.

"What the heck have you done to me? My voice?" My voice had changed. About an octave higher the best I could tell. "What the heck did you do to me?"

"Honey. Don't worry. You look great." Kate was acting as though nothing was wrong.

"O come on. I wish I looked that good when I was pregnant." Sue chimed in.

"Pregnant! What are you talking about! I'm a guy! I can't be pregnant! What the heck did you do to me?"

"Do you really want the all that now?" All I could do was look at her.

"Well first, over several months, we prepared your body with the proper hormones and also surgically prepared your lower abdomen for the synthetic uterus." My head was spinning with my jaw dragging the floor. "Then we brought you in, implanted the uterus and impregnated it with my fertilized egg, then kept you in a hypnotic induced coma for four months to insure the surgery was a success. In that time we increased you hormone dosage by three hundred percent. This allowed your body to be totally prepared when you we brought you out of the coma. Think of it Honey. When this is completed, we will be famous and millions of women who have been told they can never have children because of a hysterectomy, will now be able to."

"But why me? Why a guy? Why not just have one of those women be your guinea pig?"

"Because the FDA would never have given their approval for this procedure. We have to do this somewhat covertly and you were the perfect choice."

"Perfect choice? What does that mean?"

"You said once that men could go through all the discomfort that goes with pregnancy but God didn't design you that way, so I decided to do a few alterations. By the time the baby is ready to be delivered, your body will be outwardly indistinguishable from any other female. Heck, you're body now is perfectly feminine. By the way, we did you favor. We did a lot of laser hair removal. You will never have to shave again. We did everything from your face to your back, your chest, arms, legs and we shaped you pubic hair more appropriate for a woman. Your breasts, though only B cup now will be C even possibly D cup and fully functional, because I firmly believe that a baby has better chances of staying healthy when not feed by a bottle." This was all too much. What had Kate done to me? I was laying here with an obvious larger belly, two perky breasts, my hips were wider, and my hair now was down to almost cover my breasts.

"Don't worry Honey. We'll take good care of you. Everyone in the office has been pregnant at least once. Now you are one of them. Why don't you rest a little more then we'll get you up and get you dressed."

With that Kate kissed me on the forehead and left. Sue walked over gave my hand a friendly squeeze and smiled. "Don't worry Matty." Matty had been a name Kate started calling me just after we started dating. I never realized how feminine it sounded until now. "Everything will be fine. Being pregnant is the most wonderful experience anyone can go through. My guess. You'll never go back." She squeezed my hand again and left the room

What did she mean never go back? Never be a man again? This was too much. Those thoughts kept my mind busy for the next several hours. Every so often, I would gentle guide my hand over my new body. I discovered how sensitive my breasts were. I began to think about the future. I was gently rubbing my newly forming belly contemplating what the next few months might have in store for me.

"Well I see someone is getting use to their new form." I was ripped out of thought by Kate's words. "Lets get you up and dressed. You have been in this apartment too long."

"Wait a minute. I'm not going out looking like this."

"Looking like what? A young, beautiful woman? Here. Get up. And come over here." She held her hand out to help me up. I pulled away the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed.

"You painted my toenails too?"

"Of course silly." As I stood up, the hem of the nightgown fell down to my ankles. The satin material falling against my now hairless legs sent a shiver up my spine. Kate led me over to our full-length mirror. My brain could not process the image the reflected back at me. Next to Kate stood a beautiful brunette young lady. Her hair gently fell around her face ending just a top her beautifully round breasts. I could not believe it. I turn to the side and my belly obviously had that three to four month pregnant look.

"Come on now. You can admire my work later. We need to get you dressed. You have and appointment at the salon." Kate guided me to our closet. "Take off that nightgown." I lifted it up over my head and it was then I noticed the black silk bikini panties I hand on. "Don't get use to those. Before long you will only be able to wear pregnancy panties. Trust me there is nothing sexy about them. I just thought these made a nice choice for your unveiling." I was still in shock. The last thing I remembered was the operating room and now I was a pregnant man/woman.

"First you need a bra." She handed me a black lacy wonder bra. Somehow As I took it, I knew exactly how to put it on. As I adjusted my breasts in the cups, I noticed how much more cleavage I had now. "You have to wear this. I saw it in the window down at Marshall Field's and thought it would be perfect for you."

"You want me to wear that? I don't know. This is all happening too fast." I finally came to my senses. I rush out of the closet and was stopped by my reflection in the mirror. "Why? Why?" It was all I could say and tears started rolling down my cheek. "Why did you do this?" I sunk into Kate's reading chair. Kate knelt down in front of me.

"Matty. You have to understand I love you. I love you no matter how you look. You have always been a sweet, sensitive loving person. Matty, that's the person I fell in love with. It's the inside I love."

"But why did you do this?"

"When you said that guys could suffer through pregnancy, it got me to thinking. I was already perfecting this procedure. When I was discussing it with Sue, she said that even a guy could have this done if he had the proper hormone balance. That's when I remembered your comment."

"So this is some sort of revenge?"

"No Matty. I wanted you to truly enjoy this, like a normal woman. I didn't want you looking like some freak. I couldn't live with that. You couldn't live in the apartment for nine months. For you to be accepted out in public, you had to look convincingly like a woman. No that's wrong. You had to be a woman."

"I can never be a man again. Did you think about that? Didn't you think of how my life would be changed by this? What about my friends? What about my work?"

"Yes I did. I think you will be just as happy in your new life. Your few friends will accept you. Your job will be there when ever you want to return to it. You did all of your work at home anyway. You can always find another job if you want, but I make more than enough for both of us."

"My best friend won't accept me like this."

"You mean Steve? Don't worry about him. He's a lot more open-minded than you think. And don't you worry about being a man. We haven't removed your male parts yet."

"It sure doesn't look like it." I stood and pointed to my crouch.

"The hormones just made them very small. They are still fully functional."

"What did you mean by 'yet'?"

"Well. I really think by the time you go through all this, you won't want to be a man any more. You will really discover the joys of being a woman and being a mother."

"Mother?"

"Who else will stay home with the baby? I can't, I have to keep the practice going. Besides, I won't be lactating."

"Lactating? You expect me to breast feed?"

"Yes sweetie. Trust me. When the time comes. You won't want to do anything else. It is the most wonderful bonding experience."

"What about us? Two women can't be married. What about us?

"Weren't you listening? I love you no matter what you wear. I love you no matter what you look like. Our friends accept us. You just need to trust me. Enough talk for now. You just have to trust me. I would not put you though anything that will humiliate you. Sue is meeting us downstairs soon. We have to get you dressed. Come now and put this on. I bought it just for you."

She handed me the dress. It was fairly basic. It had thin straps that came down and cut straight across the breasts showing quite a bit of cleavage. It flowed down to just above the knee allowing my belly to subtly show. It actually looked sexy for a pregnant woman.

"Won't I be cold in this?"

"Sweetie. It's July."

I had forgotten several months of my live had pasted me by. Kate handed me a pair of shoes with a low heel, about two inches I guess. The toe was open showing off my painted toes.

"Okay. Here's your purse. Are you all right to go out? I really think you will enjoy yourself. Just let yourself go. I bet things will be more natural for you than you think."

With that said, Kate led me down to the elevator and down to the clinic. Sue and Kim were waiting for us in the reception area. I was surprised to see Kim, but she came up to me and gave me a big hug and what surprised me even more I hugged her back. Though I was nervous to be seen this way, I could help but have the feeling that everything going on was totally natural for me, as though I had done it my whole life.

Sue had her car waiting out front. Kate opened the front passenger door for me.

"Here, there is more room to stretch you legs up front."

Who was I to argue? Everyone was fairly quiet as we made our way through Michigan Avenue traffic to a salon in the Gold Coast. Sue found a parking space about a block away. "Sorry there doesn't seem to be anything closer. Are you okay walking back to the salon, Matty?"

"Sure. I feel fine. The fresh air feels good."

"Okay then. You heard her ladies. Let's go." Kate got out and just as I was turning to get out, she held out her hand to help me up. The added weight to my waist was definitely noticeable as I got out of the car.

The breeze off the lake felt very good on my bare legs. My long hair also felt good as it blew around in the light wind. Kate and I followed Sue and Kim up the block to the salon. Sue and Kim were talking about what they might have done. I got up the courage to ask Kate what she had planed for me here.

Kate wrapped her arm in mine and pulled me close. "Well, I thought you would like a facial, your nails done by a professional, and maybe a little hair cut. I would love to have you lighten your hair color but you can't have any chemicals while you're pregnant. The combination of chemicals and hormones could really ruin your hair. Maybe you could have that done after the baby is born?"

"If you think it would look good." Kim held the door for all of us. No sooner than I was in the door, Sue introduced me to the proprietor. She was not at all what I would have pictured for a salon in the Gold Coast. She could not have been more than twenty-four years old. She was dress in leather, hip hugger pants. Her white lacy top hung off her right shoulder with the sleeves flaring out to her wrists. They looked like beautiful wings.

Sue interrupted my thoughts. "Matty. I want you to meet Elisa."

Elisa stepped up and gave me a big hug and again I found myself hugging her back. "It's so nice to finally meet you Matty. Sue and Kate have told me so much about you."

"I wish I could return the compliment." What have Kate and Sue told her

Elisa turned to Kate and Sue. "Well then I guess I'll just have to charge them double." She them turned back to me. "You on the other hand get the full treatment no charge. Think of it as my baby shower gift." She gently placed her hand on my abdomen and smile. "Now Kate told me that you want a full facial and maybe a little trim."

"Ah sure. Sounds good."

"You have to forgive her Elisa. Matty has never had the salon experience. I have cut her hair for a long time. I just thought she deserved professional treatment."

"Well you brought her to the right place. Matty, why don't you come with me and we'll get you feeling like a real woman." What did she mean by 'a real woman'. Did she know that truth? What did Kate tell her? I barely had time to think. Elisa led me back to a changing room. "Here." She handed me a cotton bathrobe. "You won't want to get anything on that beautiful dress. Marshall Field's right?"

"Oh yes. Kate bought it for me. She said she could resist."

"Well it suits you. You look so good. Have you had much morning sickness?"

"No not really. Kate and Sue have really taken good care of me."

"I bet. They are really good friends. Well. Don't just stand there. Take of the dress and put the robe on so we can get started."

"I'm sorry." I was hoping she would have stepped out of the room. I wasn't keen on someone else seeing me half naked. I slowly took off the dress. I waited for some comment from Elisa. But she said nothing. I still could help to think that she knew, but I wasn't going to push my luck.

"Okay then. First we'll give up a deep facial cleansing, maybe a mud wrap. I think we should shape you eyebrows a little too."

"Well, like Kate said, I have never stepped foot in a salon before, so I'm in your hands."

"Wonderful." Elisa led me to a room where Kate and Kim had already been seated in what reminded my of dentist chairs. Kate already was in the process of getting what I could only assume was a mud wrap. Elisa's assistants were just as young and beautiful has she was. She led me to one of the open chairs. "Just lay back and relax. Would you like to listen to some music or maybe the sounds of the rainforest?"

"Oh that would be lovely."

"Well. What will it be?"

"I don't know. Just surprise me." I could believe the way I was talking. Even though I had only known Elisa for just a few minutes, she and I were getting along like childhood friends. She brought over headphones and gently placed them over my ears. Within moments I was off in another world listening to the relaxing sounds of the Amazon rainforest. I could feel what I thought was some sort of cleansing lotion being applied to my face. It was cool yet I could feel the small granules of volcanic pumas. This was all too weird. I was actually enjoying this. Whatever Kate's motives were, I was a woman now. I had to make the best of it. They were right. For now, I couldn't go back. I was stuck in this body and even more I had a new life growing inside me. Kate did love me, of this I could not deny.

"Okay Matty. Your facial is done." I was snapped back to the present moment.

"I must have fallen asleep."

"It happens all the time. I need you to get up. We need to do you hair next."

"What ever you say." I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of Kate and Sue smiling. "So what kind of cut are you going to give me?"

"Well, I thought we would clean up this ends, maybe even take an inch or so off. I don't think you need anything dramatic; your hair is already gorgeous. Sit here and let's see what I can do." Kim was just finishing her hair cut next to me. "First we need to was your hair so lay back." Elisa gently massaged the shampoo and then the conditioner through my hair. Kate had always insisted that I use her shampoo and conditioner ever since we were married. She said she wanted me looking my best at all times, because I was a reflection of her. Now that all had all new meaning. "Okay. Up you go. I have to say you have taken very good care of you hair. A lot of women beg, borrow and steal for hair like this."

"Well Kate has really guided me on what was best."

"I can tell. Well first define your face a bit." Elisa combed my hair and started trimming. Before long little bits of my hair strewn the floor. When she was done with the scissors, she blow-dried my hair for what seemed like forever. "Okay. Now for your eyebrows." To my surprise, the discomfort of Elisa yanking hairs off my face was much more tolerable than I would have thought. "There. Much better, don't you think Kim?"

"Oh yes. Definitely gives her much more definition."

"Okay go back to the changing room and get dressed. Next a little make-up and we'll be done."

"You aren't going to do my nails?" I could hear Kate snickering behind me.

"Honey. They were done while Elisa was giving you the facial. Girl, you really were in another world." I looked down and saw that the pale pink had been replaced with a deep maroon. The nails looked different too.

"I had Sharon given you acrylic nails. Your nails seem to be a little fragile. That could be from the change in hormones in you body right now."

I went back and put the dress back on, being careful not to mess up my hair. It only took a few minutes for Elisa to apply the make-up. By the time she was done, Sue had finally finished up her treatment and joined us. Elisa turned me around to the mirror. I couldn't believe what I saw. My hair was unbelievable. The bangs were terrific and my hair curled at the ends. I was truly speechless. Elisa had highlighted my eyes with just a little liner and mascara. Subtle blush and lipstick help draw attention to my face.

"Good work Elisa." Kate came over and held my hand. "I think she likes it."

"I do. I never thought I could look so feminine."

"I know. It's amazing what a little pampering can do." Even though I was enthralled with the image before me, I saw Elisa give Kate a quick wink. Did Elisa really know?

"Well I think we need to celebrate this new look. Elisa won't you join us for some dinner?"

"I would love too. Sharon can close up. Let me get by purse."

I turned to Kate, I wasn't sure I was ready for more today. "Dinner?"

"Of course. You have to eat. I thought you would want to go out, especially when you look so good. Besides I have a surprise for you at dinner"

"Surprise. Haven't you given me enough surprises?"

"Oh come on. You're loving this. Don't deny it."

"But Kate . . ."

"What? Don't you trust me?

Oh she had me with that. "Of course." What else could I say?

"We have to hurry. I made reservations at the 95^th. Have you ever been there Elisa?"

"Once. Back in high school, my boy friend at the time took me there. It was wonderful. The food is awesome. The view is breath taking. It was one of the best nights of my life. The next day I dumped the jerk. So are we going or just going to stand here reminiscing?" With that Elisa stood with the door open for the rest of us.

As we walked back to the car, Elisa put her arm around my shoulder and pulled herself close. "So Matty. Did you ever break someone's heart?"

"No. I really didn't date much when I was young. I was too shy." Oh my God.

"Oh don't be modest. I bet you broke your share of hearts."

"No. Really. I really am pretty shy."

"Oh come on. We're getting along great and we just met right?"

"I know. But I feel like I have known you my whole life."

"That's sweet."

Kate, Sue, Kim and Elisa chatted about the guys of there past all the way to the restaurant. I through in stray comments here and there, but really felt out of the loop. This talk about guys was making me feel a little uncomfortable. It made me realize what I was now and feelings that I had missed something

Once we parked, we made our way to the elevator and up to the 95^th floor. Kate stepped forward toward the hostess.

"Kate Thomas."

"Yes Dr Thomas. Table for five correct?"

"Actually can you make that for six. We had a last minute addition."

"Oh that's no problem. Please. Follow me."

"We are expecting one more."

"That's not a problem Dr. Thomas." We all followed her over to a table looking out over the lake. Kate pulled out a chair with the back towards the door. I had the best view of the lake.

"Thank you Kate. I could get use to this." I just smiled at Kate.

Kate bent down and whispered in my ear. "I know." She then kissed my check.

Everyone took seats around the table leaving the empty seat next to me and Kate across the table.

Before long we each had a drink in front of us. I only wish I could have had alcohol to ease my nerves a bit.

"Ah. My surprise is here." Kate stood up and started walking to meet this surprise guest.

I turned in my seat to see and froze. "STEVE?"

  

  

  

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