Words cannot possibly express how sorry I am to you all! I will explain at the end of the chapter.

I would like to say thank you all so much for your support throughout this story! Your support means the world to me and I love you all so much!

From the bottom of my soul, thank you, thank you, thank you all so much!

Love you all, always.

Chapter 15: Fist Full of Firsts

"Oh thank God," a very weary Dave Strider said, taking his first steps into their temporary new home in Rainbow Falls, New York.

Dave was exhausted and his back felt like the backseat of his brother's car had used it as it's own personal punching bag. If the nearest couch in the room wasn't covered in a plastic tarp, Dave swore he would flop right down on it and take a long needed nap.

But, there was things to do, people to call, and a bunch of crap to unpack. That nap would have to wait.

The nearly day and half drive from Texas to New York was tiring, on all of them.

They left Houston at about 10 am and then stopped somewhere in Kentucky at 11 that night, at what Dave would describe as the crappest hotel his brother could find.

Dave didn't hardly catch an hour of sleep on that lumpy bail of hay that they called a bed.

Then bright and early in the morning, they got up and hit the road again. And thanks to the not-so little detour in Virginia, they ended up walking in the door of the Lalondes' at about 4 that evening.

Jane flipped on the lights as she and Dirk made their way into the large home with arm loads of suitcases in hand; causing Dave to turn and face the two.

"You mind helping us a bit, Little Man?" Dirk sounded out of breath, carrying two boxed and two suitcases in his arms.

"Sure thing Bro," Dave said, taking the two suitcases from his brother's arms.

"Just lay those, somewhere," Dirk said, setting the boxes on the floor, "we still have a bunch to get out."

"Please, tell me this is everything," Dave said, setting down what seemed to be the 100th and 101st box or suitcase he managed to heave in from the car.

"I think so Little Man," Dirk said, sitting down on the couch, not caring about the plastic tarp that clothed the furniture.

The other two in the room breathed a few sighs of relief and plopped right down on the couch next to the man.

The three looked at the tower of boxes and suitcases that was in the center of the room and the dread of unpacking all of them swept over them.

Roxy told them that everything in the house, except the furniture, was gone. So they didn't want to take any chances.

The three had somehow managed to cram nearly the entire apartment into those boxes and suitcases. Literally everything except furniture and the Strider brothers' larger equipment were in those boxes. However, due to the length of their stay, they really couldn't afford to leave anything behind. Granted if everything went well, they would be spending the next 6 months here. Why not make it feel home, as much as they could.

"Where do we even start unpacking all this?" Dave asked.

"Let's just get what we need out first and work on the rest whenever," Dirk answered.

"Well, it's not gone get done by itself," Jane said, standing up and stretching, "Come on Dirk, let's get to work."

Dirk patted Dave on the leg, telling him to get up and help them unpack some boxes, when Jane stopped them.

"Dave honey, you just lay down for a bit and take a breather. I don't want you to get too tired and pull something. Me and Dirk will take care of this," Jane said.

Not being able to argue with that logic, Dave just smirked and said, "Yes ma'am," as he stretched out on the couch.

Dave just smirked and laid back as his bro and Jane done all the heavy work; unpacking boxes and suitcases, and then putting things in their proper place.

"I think this will cut it for right now, Janey," Dirk said, frankly unpacking the last box he was going to unpack for the day. They basically set up the kitchen and bathrooms and put the suitcases in the bedrooms; and by the time they got done with that, his back was about to give.

"Yeah, I think you're right," Jane said, wiping her forehead.

Dirk sat back down on the couch next to his baby brother, who was fixing to fall asleep, still all sprawled out on the couch.

Dirk smirked and said, "Don't fall asleep, Little Man," Dirk gently shook him awake, "Remember, you've got to call the Egberts."

"Crap, I forgot," Dave yawned.

"Hello?" John answered his phone.

"Hey man, what's going on?" Dave replied.

"Hey Dave!" John happily said, "Did y'all make it?"

"Finally!" Dave said, not-so sarcastically.

"Rough trip?" John asked, rubbing the back of his head.

"You don't know the half of it," Dave started, "First off, we stop for the night at this shit hole motel somewhere in Kentucky, and I swear they used hay bails as mattresses in our room. And then, we had to take a 'little' detour in Virginia, which lead and took us through West Virginia. And we just now made it. So yes Egbert, we had a rough trip."

"Ouch," was the only thing John could reply.

"Yeah, I almost tripped getting out of the car because my backside had gone numb from sitting in one place so long," Dave told him.

"Wow."

"Yea, not fun."

"So how's Rose's place?" John asked, "Is it big?"

"Is it big?" Dave replied, "Dude, we could fit all our places in this crib and still have room."

"Dang," John said, "Is there still a bunch of stuff in it?"

"No, not much," Dave said, looking around, "Just furniture and that's 'bout it."

"I haven't checked out Rose's room yet. Heh, remind me to find a Sharpie later," Dave smirked.

"She'd kill you dead if you done that," John told him.

"Oh really? I didn't realize you could kill someone alive," Dave sarcastically answered.

"You know what I mean!" John replied.

"John, is that David?" Mr. Egbert said, walking into the room.

"Yeah, Dad, it's Dave."

"Let me talk to him real quick."

"K," John said, handing the phone over to his father.

"Hello David," Mr. Egbert happily said, "How are you? Did you all make it okay?"

"Yes sir, I'm okay," Dave started, "It was as rough trip but we made it okay."

"Oh goodness," Mr. Egbert said, "Where all did you have to go through?"

"Well we stopped in Kentucky for the night, and then we had to take a detour in Virginia that lead us through West Virginia. And we just now made it not too long ago."

"Goodness gracious, I can imagine how tired you must be."

"Yeah, I told John that I tripped getting out of the car cause my backside had gone numb," Dave told Mr. Egbert.

"You poor thing," Mr. Egbert sounded sympathetic, "Well, I'm glad you all made it over there safely."

"I am too, Dad," Dave said.

Mr. Egbert smiled, "Let me talk to your brother for a minute."

"K," Dave said, handing the phone to his bro.

"Dad wants to talk to you," he told Dirk.

"Hey Dad," Dirk said, "What's going on?" Dirk asked.

"Oh nothing much," Mr. Egbert, "Just checking up on you all."

"Well, we're all good," Dirk said, "Tired as hell, but good."

"I can imagine," Mr. Egbert said, "By the way, I have something to ask you."

"Shoot," Dirk simply said.

"Would you mind if we, as in me and John and the others, were to come and visit you all during the kids' Christmas break. I've talked it over with Jacob, Jade's grandfather and Ms. Lalonde and they seem to like the idea. But I told them I would check it up with you before we made any plans."

"But please, don't tell David," Mr. Egbert added, "I'd kinda like it if it were a surprise."

"Hell yeah Dad, that's a great idea!" Dirk excitedly said, "And don't worry, my lips are sealed."

"Wonderful Dirk!" Mr. Egbert happily said, "And thank you. It's been very eventful these past few months, I think we all can use a little break."

"You got that right," Dirk sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair.

"Okay well, you sound really tired and I can imagine you all still have a bunch to unpack; so I'm going to let you go. But before I go, please let me know what David's new doctor says."

"Okay Dad, I sure will," Dirk said, "I'm yet to set up an appointment, but if everything goes well, it should be sometime this week or next. Although, I'm leaning on next week."

"Okay, well the kids get out next week," Mr. Egbert stated, "I suppose you could tell us then."

"Yeah, that works out," Dirk said.

"Alright then, I'll see you all next week then," Mr. Egbert said, "And remember, not a word to David."

"My lips are sealed."

"Good," with that both me hung up.

Dirk then reached into his pocket and pulled out the card that Dave's doctor back in Houston gave them on their last visit.

It said 'Gloria Thomason PH.D Private Obstetrician Phone Number: 607-271-5269'.

"Well Ms. Gloria, I highly doubt anything you've studied is going to prepare you for this," Dirk said, dialing the number.

As it turns out, Ms. Gloria Thomason HAS studied this before. Along with Dave's doctor back in Houston, she's conducted countless hours of research on how it was possible for a man to become pregnant. Sure, their research was laughed at by others in their medical field; she didn't let that deter them. With all the physical abnormalities that was occurring in the birthrates around the world; she knew it was only a matter of time before her research became reality.

And when she received a call from her trusted colleague in Houston, TX, she was euphoric. All their research had finally been proven, in the form of a pregnant 16 year old boy. She wanted to scream it from the roof tops, she wanted to laughed back at all the faces that laughed at hers. But she couldn't, she wouldn't allow herself to.

When her colleague in Houston called and first told her, this boy, a David Strider, became her patient. Due to physician-patient privilege, she would, by law, be unable to rebuke her research; at least until after he was no longer her patient, and that was only if he gave her his consent to publish her findings in the first place. Which, honestly, she highly doubted he would.

Since this was a very 'touchy' and, downright unheard of, case, she knew the best way she could treat this boy was to be a discrete as humanly possibly. For if anyone, intentionally or not, caught wind of this, the case would become a media circus, and this boy's secret would be out. For all to see.

And if keeping something like that a secret meant for 'he' to become a 'she', than so be it.

"Danielle Strider," the nurse of Ms. Gloria's office called out into the small waiting room area.

Yes, in order to keep Dave's secret out from any suspicious eyes; Ms. Gloria, Dirk and Jane all agreed that it would be best if Dave became 'Danielle'. But just to go out in public.

Jane even went and got 'her' some clothes to dress for the occasion. And Dirk almost met his maker when he got Dave his first training bra. And since his hair had grown out just long enough, Jane convinced Dave to let her give him little pig tails to 'pull it off'.

However, needless to say, Dave still did not agree with their decision, at all.

Dave felt his eye twitch when he heard his 'name' being called and he almost punched his brother in the face when he jokingly told him, "Come on, Dani."

However, biting his tongue and holding back his fists, 'Danielle' emotionlessly got up and followed the nurse into the Ms. Gloria's office.

"Dr. Gloria will be right with you honey," the nurse told 'Danielle' .

After the nurse left, Dirk just couldn't contain himself any longer.

"Well what do you know Little Ma'am," Dirk started, sitting in one of the chairs in the room, "I think you pulled that off real nicely," Dirk laughed as he out his hands behind his head.

"Hey Bro, have you ever wondered what the inside of your ass tastes like?" Dave retorted, "Cause I'm fixing to shove my foot so far up your ass that you'll be able to taste your own shit at the end of your tongue!"

Dave's outburst just made the laughing fits coming from his brother get harder and louder.

"Dirk Strider," was all Jane had to say to get Dirk back in line.

That and 'the look'.

When Jane gave you that look and addressed you by your full name, you better be able to do one of two things. Either calm down very quickly, or run, fast and far.

Having felt the firery wrath of a thouroughly pissed of Jane Crocker before, Dirk instantly contained himself.

"Yes ma'am," Dirk said, clearing his throat.

After more than a few minutes of silence in the room, there was a knock on the door.

"Hello, I'm so sorry to keep you all waiting," Dr. Gloria entered the room.

Dr. Gloria turned to Dave and greeted him with a warm and welcoming smile.

"Hello, David," she happily chirped, extending her arm to shake Dave's hand, "It's so great to finally meet you!"

"You're doctor back in Texas told me your 'situation', and I want to let you know that him and I have studied and researched your, for lack of a better term, predicament for years. And we will take the absolute best care of you and your baby," Dr. Gloria told Dave.

"That's really good to hear Dr. Gloria," Dave told the doctor, looking down at his belly.

"And I assure you, we will do it as discretely as possible," Dr. Gloria told the three, "And, when the times comes, with the right equipment and if everything goes well, we can see if a home birth is applicable."

"That's good," Dave said, "But how would we go about doing that? Wouldn't I have to have a C-Section? How would I, you know, not bleed to death?" Dave honestly asked, alittle afraid of the thought of have home delivery via C-Section.

"If what we believe is true, you may not need to have a C-Section," the doctor told them.

"Say wha?" Dave asked, not really believing, or understanding the doctor what the doctor just told him.

"Let me explain," Dr. Gloria continued, "Your doctor in Texas and I have studied on your condition for years, decades even. We have found that if a man becomes pregnant than they have a uterus and, in theory, that they must also have a vagina."

"Excuse me?" was Dave's shocked expression.

"Let me continue," Dr. Gloria said, "When your uterus and ovary was formed, so was a vagina. However, when your Y chromosome finally kicked in, it stopped the formation of those female sex organs and the vagina seemingly closed. It is sealed over by the skin between your scrotum and anus, but however, it didn't close all the way. It is still there, just shut really tight. Think of it as pinching a straw."

"Now, when your uterus begins to expand, the vagina will start to open up. And when that happens, you will start experiencing cramps, possible serve ones. Which I will go ahead and give you medication for," Dr. Gloria continued, "When you go to give birth, if I believe correctly, that skin will have to be cut. It won't open up by itself."

Not one person in the room believed what they just heard.

Jane sat there with her hand over her mouth and Dirk nearly fell out of his chair. If Dave wasn't leaning his back against the wall, he was sure he would be on the floor.

"Now, I know all this sounds shocking and unreal; but it only makes sense," Dr. Gloria told them.

"Wait wait," Dave started, "So basically, you don't really know for sure if what y'all think is true?"

"Well no," Dr. Gloria answered honestly, "We only speculate it because it would only make sense. You're the first pregnant male that we have ever encountered in person before, so we don't know for sure."

"If, if you want David, we could check," Dr. Gloria said.

"NO!" Dave bursted out, "Absolutely no way in fiery depths of hell!"

"Alright," Dr. Gloria said, "Just keep in mind that your uncooperation now will make your treatment that much more difficult down the road when you go to give birth. If we knew for sure that you do have, that, than we can do a home delivery and your secret will be kept safe."

'Damn,' Dave thought.

Dr. Gloria really had him by the balls.

If he didn't let her check and he had to the hospital to have the baby, his secret will be blown. But, if he let her check, and he did have, it, than he could have the baby in the privacy of their temporary home.

The thing is, Dave didn't want this woman, who he just met, looking, and especially touching his junk.

But, in the long run, Dave realized he would much rather face maybe a minute of the most embarrassing thing he's ever had to go through, besides how he ended up here. Than live a nightmare had anyone else found about his little secret in a delivery room.

"Alright fine," Dave gave in, "Get it over with."

"Welp," Dr. Gloria said, lifting her head up from 'examining' Dave, "You've got it."

"Great," Dave said face palming himself.

That was the most awkward thing he's ever done in his life, by far. But at least it only lasted at most 45 seconds. Still, Dave thanked God it was over.

"You're due date is June 21, right?" Dr. Gloria asked Dave.

"Yes ma'am."

"Okay, just making sure so we can get every scheduled and situated, so when your due date arrives we'll have everything ready," Dr. Gloria said.

Dave then situated himself as Dr. Gloria set up the ultrasound equipment.

"So David, have you thought up any names yet?" Dr. Gloria asked as she finished setting everything up.

"No, not really," Dave lied, "I want to let the parents pick out the name."

"Thinking of adoption?"

"Yeah," Dave quietly said.

Both Dirk and Jane knew Dave was lying. The piece of paper they found on the table with a bunch of baby names scribbled on it was evidence of that.

They knew that Dave wanted to keep this baby as badly as they wanted him to. They knew that he knew that he just didn't want to admit that yet.

And so far, the winner on Dave's list of baby names were Dean if it was a boy and Cynthia if it was a girl. After their dearly departed mother.

"Well, I'm sure you'll be able to find a good and loving family for it. There are plenty around here looking for babies to adopt," Dr. Gloria said, squirting the gel on Dave's stomach, trying to be supportive of Dave's decision.

'It already does,' were Dirk, Jane, and Dave simultaneous thoughts.

"Alrighty," Dr. Gloria said, turning the screen to face the three, "there's your baby."

The three stared at the screen in wide eyed adoration.

"It's gotten bigger, since last time," Dave said, almost half way smiling.

"And pretty soon, you should start feeling it kick," Dr. Gloria smiled at Dave.

Dave unwillingly felt himself smile back.

"Can you tell what it is yet?" Dirk asked.

"Not really," Dr. Gloria said, "I can kind of see that everything looks like it is developing like it should. But we won't be able to tell what it is 100% until the fourth month."

Dave let out a sigh of disappointment. He has been anxious for weeks to see what his little bundle of joy is. Looks like he's just have to be patient.

After the ultrasound was over, Dr. Gloria printed out the new ultrasound pictures and gave them to the three.

"Okay David, your next appointment will be scheduled for about three weeks from now. I'll call you when I schedule specific date," Dr. Gloria said as Dave became Danielle again.

"Okay, that sounds great," Jane told the doctor, as neither Dave nor Dirk paid her any mind, "Thank you so much."

"My pleasure my dear," Dr. Gloria smiled, "Take care of David."

"I will," Jane said.

"Come on Dani," Dirk said opening the door for his little 'sister'.

"I swear to God, Bro. You are so dead when we get home," Dave said as he and Dirk walked out the room.

Jane and Dr. Gloria both giggled at the siblings as they left the room.

"Have a good day Ms. Croc.."

"Wait, I have something to ask you," Jane spoke up.

"Okay, shoot," Dr. Gloria said.

"You said that you seen that everything was developing as it should, on the baby. But that you wouldn't be able to make 100% certain what it was until about the fourth month," Jane said, "If you had to guess, what do you think the baby is?"

Dr. Gloria just smiled and whispered in Jane's ear, causing an ear to ear smile make itself at home on Jane's face.

I have some explaining to do.

The reason why this chapter is terribly late, is because I'm feeling burnt out.

I've been growing weary of this story, my heart has been yearning to go on to other things. To expand my horizon so to speak. I've been feeling it for a while.

I've found that I have been pushing myself to cram as much stuff as I can into these chapters to get done with this story as soon as I can. So I can move on. But, by doing so, the flame I had for this story is dying. And I found myself more and more reluctant to work on this chapter. I explained to one of my friends that it's like trying to run with a candle.

I'm sitting here, trying to get to the finish as soon as possible, while still trying to keep that flame lit. I can't do it. If I am going to keep the flame for this story alive, I can't run to the finish as fast as I can. I have to sit down and fan those flames back to shining glory that it was. If I don't, than that flame and this story will die.

So for the time being, I have decided stop working on Unforeseen Consequences.

I need to rekindle the flame before it goes out.

How long will that take? I don't know.

Maybe it will help if I do work on some other stories, just to get that spark back.

I am so, so terrible sorry to you all. And I hope you all can forgive me.

Until further notice for Unforeseen Consequences, this is Autumn Artist signing out.