CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

ALL STORY LIST

Author - Valeria Garza

Axel and Eric played basketball in the backyard of their house while their parents prepared the barbecue. At the beginning of December, it was a surprisingly warm and sunny day, a condition that her mother took advantage of to try to improve the family atmosphere with a view to the upcoming Christmas holidays.

The Smiths had been a happy family for years, Robert and Connie having been married seventeen years ago, deeply in love when Roberto was 23 and Connie 20. The arrival of their first son, Axel, was for both of them the most important event of their life, and it came at the best moment; but in recent years, the routine, Robert's focus on his work, and especially the boys' adolescence had complicated things.

Connie had been trying to improve family relations for months, she had planned a vacation to Florida for the summer, but Axel refused to go because he didn't want to get away from his friends and video games and Robert ended up supporting him so he wouldn't have to ask for permission at his work, then they had Thanksgiving dinner which turned out to be little more than a fiasco in which everyone sat down to fulfill the event and got up from the table as soon as they could.

The barbecues had always given good moments in the family and such a beautiful day could not be wasted, so Connie suggested that they take out the barbecue and asked the children to help their father prepare the food while she put a dessert in it. the oven.

Axel was 15 years old, he was tall, strong and handsome, he had always been the pride of his parents and without much effort, he was good at sports. Erick, on the other hand, had always been thin and short at twelve and a half years old, barely 4.9 and only weighed 77 pounds for his age, with big eyes, a small nose, and well-defined lips, he was very pretty for a man; he was surprisingly good at sports, but unlike his older brother, he was good based on effort, training, and technique, it was not natural for him, it was a matter of competitiveness for survival.

Axel was leading Erick by a couple of baskets and began to make fun of his brother's height: he shot to the backboard and without any effort received the rebound to try the shot at the basket. Erick had to jump to reach Axel's height and try to take the ball from him, it wasn't easy, but when he did, Erick scored more easily, because his technique was better; still, Axel was winning.

Every time Axel caught a board bounce he made a mocking comment.

Jump higher shorty. You will never beat me like this!

That bothered Erick, but his potato seemed to enjoy it, even though he knew it wasn't right and Connie had asked him not to reinforce that attitude in Axel, Robert couldn't help but laugh at Axel's jokes. Connie noticed her and she stared at him in a silent request to stop the teasing.

What's wrong with it? They are just playing! Robert told her justifying himself.

On one of the shots, Erick actually managed to jump at the right moment and block Axel's shot, the ball bounced right into Axel's face, at which point Erick recovered the ball, shot, and scored, tying the game.

Is that how you want me to jump? Erick asked in a mocking tone at the same time that he received the ball from the basket and put it on the ground for Axel to start the next play.

Angrily, Axel picked up the ball and threw it hard in Erick's face. Erick fell to the ground with his hands on his face. When he looked at his hands they were full of blood from his mouth and nose but he immediately got up to hit his older brother.

Connie ran to see if Erick was okay, but when he got to them, what she had to do was stop them so they wouldn't continue fighting, by that time, Erick had already hit Axel in the mouth and made him bleed.

What's wrong with you, shorty? I wanted to hit you in the chest, but your face is at that height. Axel kept taunting with his mouth full of blood.

Shut up Axel, it's enough! Calm down both of you! Connie yelled at them, getting between them to avoid any more blows.

Robert laughed again without going over to separate them.

What are you laughing at? Is it funny? This is what you get for celebrating everything with Axel, Connie yelled at Robert. While Axel covered himself behind Connie, from Erick who kept wanting to hit him.

Now it's my fault? Erick hit him first! Robert said. I just laughed at the joke!

Hearing that, Erick went to his room, frustrated.

Seriously? Connie asked. You are blind? Don't you realize the damage you do to both of them with your stupid preference? I'm fed up!

Connie also walked towards the house, Robert trying to avoid the problem enters behind her and Axel stays outside wiping the blood from his mouth with a wry smile.

In his bedroom, Erick wiped the blood from his mouth and nose, took off his stained shirt, and looked at himself in the mirror. He kept listening to his brother's taunts. “Jump higher shorty” he hated being called that, but on the other hand, he didn't want to grow up to be like his brother or his dad. He had never felt like them, in fact, he had never felt like he fit in, not with his brother, not with any group of children, not even with himself.

It's not that he didn't have friends, he had a very good friend, Jason, they had been friends since first grade and he lived a couple of blocks from his house. With him he played basketball at school, he went riding his bike, they played video games and laughed about anything. He also had a few other friends on the team and a group of girlfriends at school.

He put on a shirt and sat on the bed. He was very angry with what had happened, but at the same time, he was worried and felt guilty for ruining the family barbecue. Through the door, he could hear his parents arguing and the ball that Axel kept dribbling outside.

I'm sick of this Robert! Axel is abusive and you celebrate everything! yelled Connie

Do not exaggerate! It's normal for them to get along like this, it's age!

Erick couldn't help but cry, suddenly he became aware that he wasn't happy, he didn't feel like part of his family and he wasn't even happy with himself or with his body, maybe that's why he was going to end up causing the separation from his parents.

I laughed because I did the same to my younger brother! It's just a stage! Robert said from his room.

Only one stage? How many years has your brother not spoken to you? Is that what you want for your children? That they are like your brother and you when we are no longer here?

All Erick wanted was to stop listening to them. A little depressed, he began to think about the last time he felt happy as a family. Mentally going through his last months and years, he was able to stop at happy moments with his friend Jason, and with the girls from his school, but they were no more than small moments and none of them was family.

He took an old photo album from his bookshelf. It wasn't the family album, it was one that he had made with his photos and some of the family photos that weren't chosen for the family album.

On the first page was a photo of his parents, when they were dating, they were young and full of hope. He had just finished university and got a scholarship to study for a master's degree in business administration in Essen, Germany, she was studying Political Science, but she left the university to marry Roberto, they had been formally engaged for just over a year and could not imagine spending two years apart while he went off to study for his master's degree.

The next one was in Germany in a small student apartment in which they lived with the limited budget that student life allows, but it was enough for everything they needed, and even had the money to buy a used Volkswagen Golf with which they were able to travel a long way. part of Europe taking advantage of every available weekend or vacation day.

In the next one, his mother was pregnant. In the midst of so much love, inevitably, only eight months after arriving in Germany, they were expecting their first child. Those months of pregnancy were wonderful, they imagined traveling the world with their baby and watching him grow until he became a man who would change the future of the world. Robert got a part-time job with which he was able to cover the expenses that the arrival of the new baby implied and although Connie spent the last months of her pregnancy in relative solitude due to being so far from her family, as long as they had each other, they did need nothing more.

The next photo was of the three of them, at the entrance of the great cathedral of Cologne. They were coming out of Axel's baptism. A few months after that, Robert finished his master's degree, and with the intention that Connie would not be so alone and in a far country raising her baby, they decided to return to America.

Observing them carefully, Erick could see how until that moment, they looked totally happy and in love. The next one was leaving the hospital with Robert holding two-year-old Axel and Connie holding newborn Erick.

Next to that, there was a photo of Connie with Erick asleep in her arms, in front of them, Axel made a fighter's pose, with his arm covering almost the entire face of the baby in the photo. The next one was Erick's fifth birthday, there were some of his friends, behind a table with the cake, all the decoration was Spiderman on one side was his friend Jason and on the other was his brother Axel cuckolding with his hand in Eric's head.

In the next photo, it was on vacation when he was seven years old, they went camping at Lake Conroe, near Houston Texas to celebrate the new year. One of the days they were there, they rented a boat to row and fish in the lake, they caught some fish and they spent a very pleasant afternoon. On their way back, when they got out of the boat, Axel pushed him from the pier. The water in the first days of January was freezing. In the photo, they were all posing with the rods and the fish. Erick was wet and wrapped under the arms with a towel.

Erick stared at that photo for a few minutes, with his hair slightly long and wavy as he had it and wrapped like that in a towel, he looked like a girl. He remembered feeling cold, but he also remembered feeling fine at the time and keeping the towel like that until just before bedtime.

Something caught his attention, he heard the car's engine and he leaned out the window. His mom was coming out. Erick worried that the fight had gotten to the point that his mom would leave, but he didn't know if there was anything he could do.

Another photo was of the school basketball team, it was the typical team photo, the group of players, with the shortest ones in front and the tallest ones in the back. Up front, the cheerleaders seated with the pom-poms in their hands.

The next photo was from sixth grade. Erick participated in the Christmas school play, his role was as an angel; Actually, for the role they had bought him a white dress with a knee-length skirt, white leggings, and white flat shoes. His mother had added some wings made with a metallic structure and silver glitter. His slightly long hair and a halo also made with a metallic structure and silver glitter completed the costume.

Seeing that photo, Erick remembered that that day, after finishing the presentation, they were allowed to leave school early with their parents, but his mother had many things to do and she had forgotten the suitcase with Erick's clothes. in the house, so he had to stay in the costume all day. They only removed the wings and the halo, so he kept the dress, tights, and white sneakers. Upon seeing the photo, Erick remembered perfectly how he felt super embarrassed at first, but his mother assured him that they would be in a part of the city where no one knew them and that for that day they were going to pretend that he was her daughter. After going to breakfast they went to the mall to buy things their mom needed and in the afternoon they went to a Peter Piper Pizza as a form of compensation for enduring the day without complaining. That's where Robert and Axel came to eat pizza with them and play in the arcade.

The idea was that they would bring him his suitcase to change into, before going inside, but by the time they got there, Connie had convinced him to go inside and just pretend he was a girl for a while.

Sure enough, there was also a picture of the four of them together at the Peter Piper. Erick in front of his dad, in the white dress, Axel to one side, hugging him on the shoulder, and Connie behind Axel. Everyone looked happy in that photo.

Looking at the photo, Erick remembered something that had been blocked or at least forgotten: that day, while they were eating pizza, Robert told Connie:

We finally have the girl we wanted. Do you remember when he was going to be born?

Connie stared at him as if asking him not to continue, but Robert was not the most prudent.

What happened when I was born? Eric asked.

Nothing nothing. Conny said. Don't listen to your dad.

Did you want him to be a girl? Axel asked, referring to Erick.

Well, it's not that we wanted to, for us it was always the same and we were going to love them the same as boys or girls, Connie said.

Then? Eric asked interested.

We thought that I mean, the doctor had told us that you were a girl, we had even chosen the name in honor of the best of your mother's childhood: Erika.

Seriously? Eric asked surprised. Is that why my name is Erick?

Well, Connie said nervously. When you were born you gave us the beautiful surprise of being a child and the good thing is that we didn't have to think of another name.

Erick remembered the entire conversation and for a moment wondered how different his life would have been.

He kept looking at photos, there were some more recent ones, one in which Axel and Erick were walking together at the end of a football game. Axel with his uniform, shoulder pads, covers, and helmet, and Erick next to him with the shirt of the basketball team from the same school. That day the two had played and both had won, Erick had scored several times and his team had won the interscholastic championship, but Axel's touchdown made him the star of the day even though his team didn't make it to the postseason.

Looking at the photos, Erick was beginning to realize that he was fed up with always being his brother's shadow, no matter how hard he tried, no matter how he was better at sports, no matter whether he got better grades in school or always He was the one who was willing to help in whatever they asked, his brother was clearly the favorite of his parents, especially Robert.

By that time, the screaming in his parents' room had stopped for more than half an hour, Axel had entered and was playing with his Playstation. Erick leaned out the window and saw that his father was rekindling the fire in the barbecue. At that moment his mother parked in front of the house and got out of the car with four large balloons and a shopping bag.

Erick sat back down and continued looking through the album with a strange combination of restlessness, sadness, anger, and the need to fix things. His thought was interrupted by Connie knocking on the door.

I can enter? Connie asked from outside.

Yes, come in mom. Eric said.

How are you? Did your brother hurt you a lot? His mom asked him while looking at his face.

Erick stepped back to prevent his mom from touching his nose or mouth which still hurt.

No, he didn't do anything to me, better ask him how his mouth is.

I already asked him, and he had to put ice to reduce inflammation, but he's fine.

He's stupid! You can't play with him because he can't stand me beating him, and since he's my dad's favorite, he celebrates everything. It is unfair! How could he say that I hit him first?

It's not that he's your dad's favorite, parents don't have spoiled, Connie tried to explain.

Erick looked at her totally incredulous.

Mom: you really don't see it? It's you too!

It's not that, it's just that your dad identifies a lot with him, it reminds him of when he was a child and how your grandparents raised him, he thinks that's how it's normal for siblings to get along, but he also loves you very much! Connie told him trying to smooth over the situation.

Erick just looked down and not believing much of what he was hearing, he preferred to change the subject.

Where did you go?

Just to buy some things that we are going to need. Connie answered.

Need? For what?

I had planned to do something special before Christmas, to help us as a family start next year better. Would you help me?

Yes, mom, I would do anything, but I think the one who has to change is Axel.

Don't worry about it, I talked to him a while ago and he also wants the family to be well again, only sometimes, for others to change, we have to change ourselves.

Okay, Mom. Whatever is best for the family. Eric said.

Well, let's eat and try to be happy. It's okay?

They got up and left. Outside, his father and his brother were already putting what was necessary on a garden table. Axel's lip was swollen and he was still in a bad mood. Erick helped his mom get some fries to put in the center of the table and everything necessary to prepare the hamburgers that were starting to come out of the grill.

Finally, they sat down to eat and although everyone was showing goodwill, the atmosphere was tense between them. They talked about the weather and the NFL games that were being played that day, Axel told a couple of jokes and they all laughed a little, but more than a happy family, they seemed like a group of strangers sharing a table.

When they finished eating, Connie went into the house and came out with the balloons, a notebook, and some colored pencils. He gave each one a sheet and a balloon with the instruction to tie the balloon so it wouldn't go away.

I wanted to do this precisely today, December 12, firstly because the day is especially beautiful, but above all, because today we celebrate the Virgin Mary and I want each one of us to send her a message on these little pages asking her to come with us or to take care of us or what everyone thinks they can ask for in preparation for this Christmas.

The family wasn't particularly religious, but everyone understood that regardless of faith, Connie wanted to do something that would bring them together as a family so no one questioned.

Here are colors in case you want to draw something or decorate your message and when they are ready, we are going to tie them to the balloons and we are going to send them to heaven so that the Virgin can read them.

Like a letter to Santa Clause? Axel asked

Something like that, said Connie, but instead of asking for a gift, we are going to ask for something more personal, something that will help us to be better people, better parents, brothers, or simply happier.

Axel raised his eyes as a sign of weariness.

And are we going to read them before sending them?

No, what everyone wants to ask or even offer, is personal. Nobody is going to read it.

Each one took a sheet and they stayed thinking about what they were going to write. Robert started to write, stopped, balled up the paper, started again, and balled up again.

Axel just didn't write anything, he spent the next 15 minutes sitting in front of the paper. Connie was the only one who started writing almost immediately, for her this dynamic was not a surprise and she surely had thought about what she wanted to write.

Erick reflected a little on what had happened in the afternoon, on his concern that his parents would end up divorcing, and on what he had seen and felt with the photos before starting to write.

After throwing more than five papers on the grill, Robert wrote: “I have never believed that things come from heaven, I believe in the results of work and daily effort. I only ask for the strength and intelligence to win the promotion for which I have worked so hard for the last 3 years. With that income and the benefits that position would bring, I could give this family more time and peace of mind.”

Axel, after seeing that everyone else was writing and he had no idea what to put, wrote: "The only thing that would make me happy and maybe even avoid conflicts with my brother, would be a Play Station 5" he folded the paper so that no one would see it and I tied it to the balloon.

Connie apparently had more thought about it. She just balled up a piece of paper and later wrote: “This family was born of love, I know we are not perfect, we constantly fail as people and as parents. Please help me keep this family together, show me the way and let me know that we can change so that our children are happy."

After thinking about it, Erick wrote: “Santa María: Before asking you for anything, I want to thank you for the family you gave me and I want to offer you any changes that are necessary for this family to stay together and be happy; whatever, as you said: be done to me according to your word"

He folded the paper and placed it in front of him. Once everyone was ready, they tied the papers to the balloons and released them at the same time. The adults opened a beer and the teenagers a soft drink, everyone toasted as they watched the balloons fly off into the sky.

It seemed silly at the time, but Erick had to hold back tears as, with a warm sense of hope, he watched the balloons fly away.

The day ended and after lifting everything, they went to sleep. The next few days were normal, the teenagers at school, Robert and Connie at work. As often happens, the routine caught up with them again, and soon you could see Robert stressed with work issues and rather absent from family matters.

During the week, the brothers didn't get along too much, at school each one spent time with their group and if they ran into each other in the corridors they didn't even look at each other. In the afternoons, sports activities were on pause and for some reason, Erick was still restless, remembering what he had written in the message and looking for signs that would tell him what he had to change.

In those weeks, I avoid responding to more than one provocation from his brother. Far from fighting, he began to offer his help in everything he could, it was his way of showing commitment to what he had written, he thought that if no help fell from heaven, at least his attitude would have to change for things to improve.

When his mom came home from work at night, Erick would offer to help her prepare or serve dinner, if his dad was working overtime in his office, Erick would offer to bring him a coffee. As always, with his brother things were not so simple, he offered to help him with his math homework, but the response he received was not positive.

How are you going to help me if you have no idea what they are teaching me? You think you're very good because you get good grades, but it's only because what they see in your grade is the easiest. Anyone can do that.

Erick decided not to listen and try again another time.

As the days passed, everyone seemed to forget the subject. Only Connie kept thinking about the preparation of the dinner that they were going to offer on Christmas night. They had guests from her family and from Robert's family, Axel and Erick had also invited their friends, but since everyone had dinner that night with their family, Erick didn't expect Jason to really show up.

The night of December 23, arrived like any other, Connie's nerves had been increasing as Christmas approached, but so far she had been able to handle them relatively well and she had especially noticed how collaborative Erick had been these days.

They all went to sleep. During the night, Erick had a super vivid dream. One of those dreams where you dream you're asleep and wake up, but actually you're still asleep. he saw himself asleep in his bed, but he saw himself from above, he saw himself moving in bed and eventually waking up, the window was open and the curtains moved as if there was wind, but he didn't feel cold at all.

In the dream he changed to first person, Erick got out of bed and looked out the window. The night was completely calm, there were traces of the last snowfall in the garden and on the roofs of the houses, but the sky was clear and the temperature was just perfect.

The sky was clear and especially starry, there was no moon, but the stars seemed to be enough to illuminate the city. One of the stars looked especially big and bright. Erick thought it was Venus, but it was too high up in the celestial dome to be Venus. Suddenly he noticed that the star was getting closer, it was getting brighter and bigger, he didn't know if it was a plane or a UFO, but for some reason, he didn't feel afraid. He saw the light getting closer and closer, it was completely white and brilliant, like an absolutely pure presence, for some reason, it seemed like a feminine presence, like a fairy. Erick took a couple of steps back until he reached the bed and sat on it.

Light came in through the window and lit up the whole room. In some strange way, without sound, he heard, or rather, felt a voice that told him: “Calm down, everything will be fine; Am I not here, I, who am your mother? ” “go back to sleep”.

At that moment he felt great calm, and went back to sleep, but now he was looking at everything from above. Everything in the room was almost invisible in the brilliance of that light. Then, the center of the light approached his body, and it began to enter through his breathing, little by little the light entered him and it became smaller at the same time that his body began to shine. With each breath, his body shone more, it was as if he were all a being of light, and no detail could be recognized. For some reason, Erick felt like he was flying, he felt absolute tranquility and happiness, and he couldn't even try to explain it.

After a few minutes, the light came out, this time through his mouth, all in an instant, as if a super bright spotlight came out of his mouth. He heard-felt the voice again. "The changes have been made. Your wish will be fulfilled"

The light came out the window and for a moment illuminated the whole house, then it quickly moved away towards the sky until it became one of the stars. At that moment Erick woke up with a jump and was sitting on the bed. He looked around and saw that his room was normal and the window was closed.

It was just a dream, he told himself as he brushed a long lock of hair from his face.

He looked around again and calmer he went back to sleep quickly. For the next few hours he dreamed of the day he went with his mom to the mall and they ended up at Peter Piper Pizza dressed as a girl. He saw himself playing with other boys and girls in the arcade. He secretly enjoyed that dream.

December 24 dawned cold but sunny, Erick was completely asleep when the alarm on his phone rang, he took his hand out of bed and pressed the snooze button to sleep a little more, and closed his eyes again.

Accustomed as he was at almost 13 years old to morning erections, he instinctively lowered his hand to his crotch and tugged at his shirt so he could reach into his underwear. For a moment it seemed strange to him that the shirt was so long, it seemed to reach almost to his knees, but he thought that it had gotten tangled in the sheets and he didn't give it much importance; he was too sleepy to think about it, he simply reached his target and reached into his underwear.

With his hand, he found nothing there, but the contact of his fingers gave him immediate satisfaction that made him smile for a moment, and as usual, leave his hand there while he dozed those last few minutes.

The phone alarm rang again and resignedly he opened his eyes, reached out, and turned off the alarm clock. Just at that moment, from outside his bedroom, he heard his mother's voice:

Good morning princess! It's time to get up, today we have a lot to do!

"Princess"? Erick thought, still making an effort to wake up. How odd! Who could she be talking to? Trying to focus, he closed his eyes and at that moment a sequence of images from his dreams appeared in his mind: the open window, the stars, the bright light, his body shining with that light, and the voice: "the changes are done.", your wish will be fulfilled” after that, the dreams of him playing in the arcade as a girl in the angel dress. Finally her mom's voice. "Good morning princess!"

Scared and incredulous, he put his hands to his face, scratched his eyes to finish waking up, and looked around. The window was closed and yes, it was the same room, but there were different things: the curtains were not smooth; they were semi-transparent, made of white gauze, and embroidered with flowers. The wall by the door was painted a pale pink and in place of his desk was a dresser with a lighted mirror and a pasted photo of Asher Dov Angel.

He didn't understand anything; he closed his eyes again and tried to understand. "The changes have been made"

It was not possible! The changes have been made? What does that mean? Even with his hands on his face, he remembered the feeling he had when he put his hand in his crotch, but he didn't want to believe it. He lowered his hands to his chest and then he felt it for the first time: Clearly, they were breasts! Not very big, but they certainly filled his hands and they were very sensitive!

This was not possible! Eric thought. He lowered his hands a little more over his body, felt the shape of his waist, and then dared to look down. He wasn't wearing the shirt he normally wore to sleep, but a pink nightgown, his hips still covered by the blankets. Terrified, he took a hand to explore between his legs, but indeed, he found nothing there. Then, with the other hand, he threw back the covers only to see his half hip covered by the pink commission and definitely feminine legs.

He lifted the nightgown and what he saw confirmed his greatest terror. He was wearing cotton panties and clearly, his body was that of a girl. He jumped up and went to the mirror. He could not believe what he was seeing. It was him, I mean, it was the same person, she recognized herself, but she was a girl! Her hair was wavy and reached a little below her shoulders, her face and her whole body screamed girl! Then she felt this strange sensation.

- What's happening? What's this? Thought. But she immediately understood that she had to go to the bathroom.

She didn't even take the time to look at the bathroom; she had to get there now! For a second she stood in front of the toilet and then she understood that she needed to sit down, while that was happening, she began to become aware that the sensation was different, she took the opportunity to observe her body a bit, there was no doubt, but how had that happened? What was she going to tell his parents?

She got out and went to the closet. All the clothes in there were girls. She had a drawer full of pantyhose, some bras, socks, leggings, and stockings; nothing fancy, everything suitable for an almost 13-year-old girl.

At that moment there was a knock on the door and she heard her mother's voice.

How are you, my girl? I can pass? Without waiting for an answer, her mom opened the door and stuck her head out.

Erick felt totally exposed, she couldn't even move.

Erika, hurry up! Breakfast is almost ready and you still have years to be ready!

But it's just that... Erika answered, hearing her feminine voice for the first time. I don't know…

Her mom walked into the room as if everything was totally normal.

Now wear whatever!

She took out a blue pleated skirt and a sleeveless top and put them on the bed.

We can't be late for our appointment, when we return in the afternoon we get ready for the party.

Erika was terrified, but all she could do was go with the flow. Apparently, for her mom, it was normal for her to be a girl. How was that possible, she wondered. She looked at her room and went back to the bathroom to realize that everything, also in the bathroom, was clearly a girl's, and everything looked normal, as if in constant use.

I'm dreaming? She thought her. Is this all just a dream?

From the kitchen, she heard her mother: “Breakfast is served! It's going to get cold!" She knew she couldn't take any longer, so she decided to go with the flow. She sat on the bed and looked at the skirt, found a button and a zipper, on the side was a tag, so she guessed that was the back of the skirt. She took off her nightgown and panties, she observed herself for a moment, and in a hurry, she put on new panties and a skirt. It was a totally new sensation for her, the texture of the fabrics, her bare legs, all very strange, but at the same time very pleasant. She took the shirt and went into the bathroom, before putting it on, she looked in the mirror, her breasts were clearly developing, they were perfectly firm but still small, like most of her schoolmates or the cheerleaders on the team. She put on the shirt but looking in the mirror she realized that she definitely needed a bra.

She quickly went to take one from the drawer, and with an almost natural movement, she put it on, fastened it on the back, and put her blouse back on. This got her attention.

Why could I make it so easy? She wondered. Have I always been a girl? So am I crazy?

At that moment Axel knocked on the door.

Little sister. Are you visible? He unlocked it, stepped inside, and walked over to her.

Good morning sister!

He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, a little rough but definitely loving.

My mom sent me for you and you know: she is about to start to get desperate, so don't be late anymore. Okay?

Erika was more surprised than ever. "little sister"? from when to here he was so affectionate? She looked quickly in the mirror, ran the brush through her hair a couple of times, put on some sandals that were next to her bed, and still very afraid, she left her room.

The house was the same, but it also had something different, before reaching the stairs, she met her dad, she didn't even know what to do, she froze and looked down.

And if he knows? She thought her. What I am going to do? how shall I explain?

Her father, without hesitation for a moment, hugged her affectionately and kissed her on her forehead.

How did you wake up my princess? As always, prettier than yesterday?

Erika couldn't help but feel good about the hug and the comment. A big smile spread across her face. Her father offered her his hand to help her down the stairs and so they went down hand in hand. That too was new and unexpected.

They sat down to have breakfast together and to Erika's surprise, everyone seemed happy, of course, it could just be because it was Christmas Eve, but something was different in the family dynamic. The most notorious thing was Axel, instead of bothering her or making fun of anything she did or said, he was attentive and spoke to her well. Her father also behaved differently, he seemed less stressed and without a doubt, much more affectionate. She couldn't even remember the last time her dad had hugged him being a boy like he did that morning, and she couldn't even imagine that her dad would say something so nice to him.

When breakfast was over, everyone picked up their plate and put them in the washing machine. Roberto asked Connie:

So you already have things to do, right?

Yes, we have to go now, answered Connie. What are you going to do?

Nothing special, maybe some shopping for the night and see you here. Do you want me to bring a pizza?

Yes, so as not to get to cook before the guests arrive. Thanks.

Robert kissed Connie and went to the room.

Are you ready? Connie asked Erika.

Erika wasn't sure what to answer. I only stared at her.

Yes, you look very pretty. I'm going to change my shoes and we'll go.

Connie went upstairs and left Erika waiting for her in the living room. While she went up, her mother asked her:

Don't you prefer that I make you a ponytail? If you want right now I bring a hair tie.

Erika just nodded her head. Once she was left alone, she looked at the window and saw her reflection in the glass, she still didn't understand it, there she was, a lady, wearing a skirt and for everyone, everything seemed to be normal. She thought about the photos and quickly pulled out her family album. She opened it and began to leaf through it. Everything was changed!

In the photos of her fifth birthday, the decoration was not Spiderman but Frozen and she had an Elsa dress. There was a picture almost the same as the one she had of her in her room, there was her friend Jason of hers, but Axel wasn't making a sign of the horns with his hand over her head, he was hugging her.

She scrolled through and found the photos of the camp at Lake Conroe. She was on the pier in a full pink swimsuit and her brother helped her load a fish that they caught together. They all looked happy.

She flipped through the pages looking for the basketball team photo until she found it. There were the other boys on the team, but she couldn't find Erick, there were only his teammates. So why did they have those photos? She paid more attention and realized that there, in the center, in front of the whole group was her with her cheerleader uniform. She just couldn't believe it. She took the photo and ran to her room.

When she was coming in, her mom was coming out.

Where are you going, my girl? We have to go,

Yes, I won't be a long mom. I'm just going for my phone.

She entered the room, put the photo of her in a drawer of her dresser, and took her phone. Until that moment she realized that it had a pink case with the image of Bubbles, from the Powerpuff Girls. She also noticed that she had no pocket on her skirt. Where was she going to put the phone? She looked around her and there on the dresser was a denim purse, she peeked out and inside it was a lip gloss, a clear mascara, some keys, and her school ID. She put her phone inside the bag and looked at herself in the mirror before leaving. She couldn't help but feel pretty. She smiled and found in the corner of the mirror the Asher Dov Angel magazine clipping, she placed a kiss on her fingers and brought it to the face in the photo in the most natural and feminine movement anyone could imagine.

When she realized what she had done, she freaked out.

Why did I do that? She thought. If I am a man, well, a boy… the fact is that I don't like men!

She stopped before opening the door and looked at the photo.

Or do I like them?

She went out and found her mom already waiting for her at the door. Before leaving the house, Connie took a brush out of her bag and quickly brushed Erika's hair into a ponytail with a hair band.

Ready, let's go!

On their way out, instead of getting into the old Dodge Journey that her mom normally drove, they got into a new luxury Nissan Pathfinder. Erika was very surprised but she didn't know how to ask. She could more or less understand that her relationship with Axel was different now, being a girl, so they wouldn't have competed all their lives, but even the car they drove had changed?

Since they were circulating She ask her mom. Trying to sound as natural as possible.

How much time do we have with this?

With the Pathfinder? Let me think, Connie said, about four months, because 6 months ago your dad was promoted to the area manager he was looking for and we bought it a little later. Why do you ask?

It's just, it still looks as new.

I know! The same thing happens to me, I loved it since I saw it! But you know, the new position also brings new commitments and that's why we have so many guests today.

Erika kept thinking about the new position, throughout the year her father had been super stressed looking for that promotion, and for the last few months he had been frustrated, he hadn't said anything, but everyone suspected that they had given the position to someone else.

But I think that in part, we owe that to you. Did you know?

Me? Because? I ask Erika surprised.

Who would have thought that the girl you helped to get into the cheerleading team would be the daughter of your dad's boss! I don't know, but I think that gave your dad the last push.

Do you think she had something to do with it?

Don't you see it in your dad? Men are capable of anything to see their girls happy. So, whatever you do, keep a good relationship with Michelle!

Of course, I get along very well with her! Erika replied that for some reason, although she couldn't think of Michelle's face, she knew that she was her friend.

They arrived at the mall and for Erika, everything was new, but at the same time, she had this strange sensation of being able to do it as if she had done it all her life. However, when she opened the door of the SUV and stuck out a leg, she noticed that her skirt had risen all the way up to her belly button!

Oh, Lord! They already saw me all! she told her mom. Her mom saw that no one was really looking at her and she laughed.

Did you forget you were wearing a skirt?

Erika, a little red, just nodded while she adjusted her skirt and thought about how to get off. It wasn't too difficult, she just turned with both legs together and everything worked out. While she was walking towards the mall, her nerves were increasing, what would happen if she ran into someone she knew? Was it possible that someone else remembered that she was actually Erick? At the same time, she began to become aware of everything, the air in her legs, her skirt moving, her sandals, her chest! She felt so different!

She looked down to see her body, she could see hers, her blouse, her boobs, her waist, her skirt, and her legs, she paid attention for a moment to the movement of her legs and her feet.

Am I walking okay? She wondered, remembering a couple of tomboys at her school who walked like orangutans. God! I can't become like them!

Right my girl! Her mom told her at that moment putting a finger on her back to make her straighten up immediately.

The feeling of the finger on her back ran through her entire body, not only made her straighten her back, she almost jumped!

Why are you so nervous? I ask her mother.

I don't know, she answered, knowing that she couldn't explain everything that was going through her head.

Don't worry, the dress will fit you perfectly and you'll look beautiful.

Yes, thanks mommy, she said with a smile,

At that moment, she saw the reflection of the two of them walking in one of the mall's windows. She hardly recognized herself, she had to turn to her mother to make sure they were the ones in the mirror, she looked completely normal and far from walking like the tomboys at her school, her movements were natural, fluid, and feminine. That made her smile proudly.

At that moment she realized what she was thinking and feeling and the fear returned.

What is happening to me? she wondered. I am man! I have to see how to return to my body! If I get another balloon and ask Santa Maria to please return my body? Yes, that's what I'm going to do before we go, I'm going to ask my mom to buy me another balloon so… I don't know. I'll think of something

They arrived at the Boutique where they had bought their dresses for the night's party, Erika didn't know what to expect, she couldn't remember the dress, but she understood that they had already been bought and that the boutique had only made the last adjustments.

The manager took them to the dressing room area and handed them their dresses. I each go into a cubicle to change.

See you now, said her mother before closing the door.

Erika's was a short, strapless, sleeveless red satin dress, slightly above the knee, with a full, round skirt and a zipper at the back. Ever since she saw it, she thought it was beautiful, she had never been interested in a dress before if it wasn't because the girl who wore it looked pretty, but now when she saw the dress, Erika trembled with the excitement of putting it on. She couldn't understand what was happening to her, but she closed the door of her cubicle, took off her clothes, and carefully put on her dress, the feeling of that fabric on her skin was indescribable.

This is what all girls feel when they wear a dress like this? she wondered herself. Wonderful! Now I understand why they like buying clothes so much, I never imagined something like that!

She still didn't close it when it became clear that this dress had to be worn without a bra. She took it off and finished putting on the dress. Curiously, it was not so difficult for her to zip up her back, although according to her, she had never done it before.

She saw herself in the mirror and was fascinated by what she saw, for the first time in her life she was proud of her image in her mirror.

Ready? Asked her mom from outside.

Erika left the dressing room. Her mother had a black dress with a straight skirt to the ankles, elegant and sober, but very pretty.

Wonderful! I fit you perfectly! You look beautiful! Her mother told her.

Thank you, she answered, proud and a little embarrassed. You are also a very pretty mommy.

Hmm, let me see.

Her mom took the brush out of her bag and walked over to Erika. With the agility of a mother, in a minute she had exchanged her ponytail for a fringed bun with loose strands of hair on the sides that framed her face and fell over her shoulders.

Let's see what you think?

Erika looked in the mirror and she just couldn't believe how pretty she looked. She stared open-mouthed for a moment.

Do you like how you look?

Yes. I like it a lot! She said surprised by the very fact of saying it and feeling that way.

Very well, get changed and we are going to choose shoes, we still need to go to the beauty salon.

They left the boutique with the bags of dresses and went to the shoe area of Macy's. They immediately asked for two or three pairs each in their number, Erika was surprised to see that she was a women's size six, apparently, her feet had gotten a little smaller, but she didn't give much importance to the issue because after all, her whole body had changed.

The first ones that Erika tried on were the ones that she liked the most from the beginning, they were traditional red Nine West sneakers with a 3.5-inch heel. When she put them on she loved how they looked on her feet, but she didn't know if she was going to be able to walk or at least stand up in those heels. She very carefully got up and to her surprise, from the first steps, it was as if she had walked in heels all her life! She saw herself in the mirror and she couldn't believe how her legs looked and how they stylized her entire figure. She no longer needed to search further.

Her mother also chose very quickly, but since they had time before the appointment in the salon, they stayed trying on all kinds of shoes; some very pretty, but just for fun they tried on some super flashy or with very high heels and platforms.

They modeled them and laughed.

Those only need to have live fish inside! Her mom said when Erika was modeling super high transparent platform heels.

The two laughed a lot with the different models. Erika realized that she hadn't laughed like that with her mom in about 5 years. In her life as a child, Connie had become the one who scolded him or protected him from his brother, but their relationship had grown increasingly distant. , there was no communication or trust between them, instead as a child, her mother seemed to like her friend, she understood her much better and they could share this type of activity.

They went from there to the beauty salon where they were already waiting for them. they sat them down and gave them all the treatment. From washing their hair, they combed their hair, put makeup on them, and painted their fingernails and toenails. When they finished and Erika looked at herself in the mirror, she could hardly recognize herself. Her makeup was understated and correct for a thirteen-year-old girl, but her eyes looked big, her mouth sexy, and even her hands looked so different with long, painted nails. She looked beautiful and she couldn't even think about what her face was like before she was a woman.

They returned home to finish the final preparations for dinner and the guests. Robert and Axel had already moved the necessary furniture to make room for the large table and in the kitchen, there was a pizza from which each one took pieces while together they put, plates, decorated or arranged the drinks that were going to be served at the bar at the night.

Erika realized that the whole family was living together much happier than she remembered. She wasn't sure how it was possible that being a woman had changed the family so much, but she remembered her mother's words. "sometimes for everything to change, we first have to change ourselves"

It's time to prepare to receive the guests. Everyone went to their room to change. Robert came out with a light gray suit, formal but modern, Axel put on blue duckers type pants with a white shirt and a gray blazer.

In her room, before changing, Erika took out the photo from the drawer in which she was dressed as a cheerleader sitting in front of the basketball team. For a moment, she doubted if she had actually always been a girl and had only dreamed of being a boy. she was so confused.

She took out her album and looked for the photos that she had seen the day she made her wish to the virgin. There they were! In her album were all the old photos from when I was a boy! So it was real! she tried to remember what she had written in the message she sent to heaven that day. “I offer you to change what is necessary for the family to be happy." Did I write that?

She looked at herself in the mirror, unable to believe it. It really was a miracle, but was it necessary to be a woman? Was he really willing to give up his life as a man to make the family happier? And what if it didn't last? And what if they fought the same?

He kept looking at the photos until he found one of the Basketball team. It was almost the same as the one he had in his hand; they were all in the exact same position, but in one, Erick was in the center of the Basketball team, and in the other, Erika was in the center of the cheer team. That was the answer! It was as if someone whispered in his ear: he just needed to tear up the photo in which he appeared as Erika, and everything would return to normal. He could be Erick again!

At that moment they rang the doorbell and from outside she heard her father calling her.

Princess visits are coming, don't be late.

When Erika saw herself in the mirror with everything: hair, makeup, dress, and heels, it was as if she saw another person, she was the girl he had never imagined having by his side when he was a boy. She couldn't help but feel proud of herself and at the same time a little guilty, to feel it, because she kept thinking that she should find a way to recover her original body.

She left the room and when Axel saw her he said:

I can't believe it little sister, every day you look prettier! How am I going to take care of you if you keep getting this pretty?

Erika felt her turn red and smiled.

Thank you, you also look very handsome!

I can help? Axel offered his hand to help her down the stairs. Erika for the first time felt protected and loved by her brother. She couldn't believe everything that was happening.

Among the guests was her father's boss and her friend Michelle, from the cheerleading team, a couple of pairs of her father's workmates also arrived, her uncles, with Anne, a cousin her age with whom she had never had a relationship. , but now they could talk as if they were lifelong friends.

Dinner was especially joyful, everyone was talking and laughing while enjoying dinner. In the end, there was a simple exchange of gifts. During the night, every time Erika opened her bag, she saw the two photos there, and although she was enjoying the moment a lot, each time she doubted if she should go back to being Erick, even, on two occasions, when she went into the bathroom to touch up her makeup, she was about to tear the photo.

She didn't know what to do because she felt so happy, but she was afraid of enjoying all this and that it wouldn't turn out as good as it seemed, she was afraid of the idea of leaving everything she had known in life and regretting it in the future when she already couldn't do anything. Every time she was reminded of her past life, she was pensive, she reached into the bag and felt the photo of her.

When they had finished dinner and everyone was talking happily, the doorbell rang. Axel got up only to see through the window who was outside and approached Erika.

He did come, little sister! He's here, he said excitedly.

Who is here? Erika asked

Well, your boyfriend! Go meet him.

Erika didn't know what they were talking about. Was it a mockery of Axel? How was she going to have a boyfriend? She got up all nervous and went to the door. She opened it to find Jason wearing a modern dark gray suit with a polo shirt with no tie and white tennis shoes. Even in his heels, Jason was about three inches taller than her and he couldn't help but notice that he looked gorgeous!

Jason greeted her with a small kiss on the lips that made her feel an electric current throughout her body. Jason took her hand and they went to sit at the table. Everyone knew him from childhood, and everyone greeted him kindly. They sat down and continued talking. At some point, Axel walked up to Erika, hugged her, and a little jokingly, Axel told Jason.

- You know I really like you Jason, after so many years, you're like family, but as Dean Brody says: "I'd go to jail over her" So don't even think of hurting my little sister. Okay?

Erika couldn't believe that her brother treated her like that, let alone said that he was willing to go to jail for defending her. She smiled and for a moment she was thoughtful.

- Are you ok sweetie? Asked her mother. You suddenly became serious. Are you OK?

Erika looked around her, resting her head on the arm of her brother who was still hugging her, and laced her fingers with Jason's before answering.

I'm very well mom. Better than ever.

That night, when she was getting ready to sleep, Erika tore up the photo of Erick and put the photo of Erika dressed as a cheerleader in her album. At that moment she saw how all the other photos in her album were transformed before her eyes. She knelt down by her bed and said:

Thank you, Holly Mary. You gave me much more than I expected.

The end.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Valeria Garza.