Secret Office Romance (part 16)
With some large companies adopting a liberal policy toward gender expression, this fictional account is quite possible. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I wish it really happened to me!
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I called my mother to plan a visit and had to profusely apologize for not calling much earlier. As expected she was surprised I was getting married and said she didn't know I had a girlfriend. Was this one serious or like all the rest? While I didn't like getting grilled, it was my Mom, so I was nice about it.
They lived out of state, but we agreed that Jessica and I would visit them on Saturday at 1pm. It was about a six hour drive, so we would have to get an early start.
I told Jessica and she asked me endless questions about my family – she was terrified that she might not be received well. I assured her that there wouldn't be any problems – it was just traditional for her to meet the family before the wedding.
Having said that, I was a little concerned. My father wouldn't be a problem, but my mother was very protective, as Jessica had feared. My mother was an old school "stay at home Mom", and Jessica was a working professional – an engineer, which my mother might regard as inappropriate for a woman. The times were changing, and I'm very happy about marrying an engineer.
We had visited the hospital where Jessica had been born and obtained an updated birth certificate. We were still waiting for her updated passport and social security records, but didn't expect any difficulties.
"Where would you like to go for our honeymoon?" I asked Jessica.
"I hadn't thought about it," she replied, "did you have any ideas?"
"I was wondering if you would like to go to the United Kingdom," I said, "since your family is from there, we could see some of the countryside and take in a few of the sites."
"Could we see Stonehenge?" she asked excitedly, "I've always wanted to see that."
"Sure," I said, "I'll check into getting us both international driver's licenses, so we can rent a car and explore."
Jessica liked the sound of that and we both agreed to do a little web surfing to find ideas.
We had not yet set a wedding date, but I expected that we would have plenty of time to get good prices on travel and accommodations. I knew I still had to figure out who I wanted to stand up with me in the wedding. I had friends at work and some relatives to choose from.
We went back to the bridal shop that we had previously visited. This time it was a serious visit, and Jessica asked to see several of the bridal gowns that she had previously liked.
I wasn't much help to her in choosing because I said she looked wonderful in all of them!
Finally I told her that she should invite her mother and sisters to visit and help her choose. Jessica quickly agreed that they would be of more help, and I breathed a sigh of relief!
The next Saturday was our planned visit with my family, and we got started early.
Jessica was strangely quiet and seemed nervous. I asked, "Is something bothering you, dear?"
"What if they read me?" she blurted, bursting into tears.
I pulled off to the side of the road and stopped.
"Jessica dear, you are 200% passable!" I declared.
"But you aren't objective," she protested.
"Ok, I'm not," I agreed, "when I tell you that you are the most beautiful woman in the world, perhaps I am a little biased, but I can tell you very factually, that everything about you looks completely feminine – there is not a trace to the contrary."
"When I look in the mirror," she confessed, "sometimes I see hints of Jeff looking back at me."
"Of course you do," I agreed, "but even when you were Jeff you had soft, feminine features. Now that you are Jessica, those features now belong completely."
"I'm sorry for fussing about it," said Jessica, "I just want everything to be right, and I'm afraid that somehow I might spoil it."
"Just be your loveable self," I said, "and it will all be fine."
I kissed her and we resumed our drive.
We stopped for lunch along the way and Jessica seemed calmer by then. I little after lunch we arrived at my parent's home and were greeted by both my parents. My older sister, Lisa and younger brother Brad were there as well. We were a fun-loving family who would often joke around. But I had not prepared Jessica for that and it caught her by surprise.
When introduced, Lisa surprised Jessica with, "I hope you are ready for your test!"
"Test?" Jessica asked.
"Yes, of course," replied Lisa, "we have to make sure you are the right woman to marry my little brother."
Jessica was speechless and I glared at Lisa, and everyone broke out laughing.
My mother put her arm around Jessica and invited her to help in the kitchen – that probably was something of a test, but one that Jessica was well-prepared for. Lisa joined them in the kitchen while Brad, my father and I got beers and retired to the living room.
My father was an engineer, and commented that at least I had picked a woman who could support me if needed, and we chuckled at the idea of my becoming a "kept man".
"Jessica is the prettiest engineer I've ever seen," said Brad, "we have some where I work and they look kind of butch."
I agreed that the look of engineers had improved over the years, and I was blessed to have a really good one.
Some of dinner was in the oven and the rest could wait until later, so the girls came into the living room and joined us.
My mother began, "When I heard that Jessica was an engineer, I thought she might not know her way around a kitchen, but she seems to be very proficient."
Jessica added, "Bill is very good in the kitchen and we really enjoy cooking together."
"Not like your father!" my mother said to me.
The rest of the conversation went well. In a few hours the girls had to return to the kitchen to make the rest of the dinner preparations. My father's parents lived nearby and would be joining us for dinner, so Jessica would get a thorough inspection – something she was very nervous about."
My grandparents arrived and they both really warmed up to Jessica. My grandmother said that she seemed like a nice, old fashioned girl, even if she was an engineer.
My grandfather said, "You sure got a pretty one – much nicer than in my time." That got him a poke in the ribs from my grandmother, who said, "I heard that, you old fart!"
After another round of laughter we settled in for dinner. The food was excellent and it looked like Jessica was being accepted into the family. My grandmother did ask a question we were not prepared for.
"So how many children do you want?" she asked.
I had no idea what to say, but Jessica was fast to reply, "We really need to get settled first, and then we'll decide. We don't want to rush a family and not be able to afford to make ends meet – there are just so many expenses and decisions ahead of us."
"Smart girl!" my father responded, "too many young couples these days are pregnant even before they are married, and then struggle to survive."
That was a relief. Jessica and I would have to discuss this – we both knew she could not conceive, but if she really wanted children I would be willing to adopt, but for now I was content to just be with her.
My mother followed with, "sure, there is plenty of time to decide, let's not rush them."
We continued to visit, but need to depart, since we had a long drive home.
On the way home I turned to Jessica, and said, "I think you passed."
She smiled and said that she liked my family a lot. She said that she had asked Lisa to be a bridesmaid. That made one more guy I would have to line up for the wedding.
That night we drifted off to sleep in our comfortable spooning position, pleased at how our lives together were proceeding.
–––––––––––––––––––– To be continued ...
Feel free to contact me with your comments or requests. –Bill (oral_guy_2000@yahoo.com)
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