Start Living

 Three years ago, I wasn’t Lena. I was Liam, a 28-year-old guy with a pretty average life. I didn’t think much about gender or identity—why would I? But then I went on holiday and caught the TG flu. You’ve probably heard of it. It was all over the news. Some strange virus that, for a handful of unlucky people, didn’t just make you sick. It transformed you—changed your body in ways you couldn’t imagine.

For me, it turned me into a woman.

At first, I thought it was temporary. The changes came slowly—my jawline softening, my muscles shrinking, my voice growing lighter. I stared in the mirror every day, watching my body betray me, turning into something I didn’t recognize. By the time the transformation was complete, Liam was gone. In his place was a woman staring back at me—Lena. My new body felt alien, like I was wearing someone else’s skin. And I had no idea how to live as her.

My sister, Kate, was a godsend. She stood by me through it all, even when I couldn’t stand to look at myself. She helped me pick out clothes, taught me how to style my hair, and encouraged me to go outside and face the world. But as much as I tried to adjust, something always felt off. I wasn’t sure if I could ever really embrace this new version of myself.

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The Push from Kate

“Lena, you’ve got to start living,” Kate said one evening as we sat on the couch. “You’ve been Lena for months now, but you’re still holding back. You deserve to be happy, to live fully as yourself.”

I sighed, staring into my tea. “It’s not that easy, Kate. I don’t know how to date as… this.”

Kate rolled her eyes but smiled warmly. “You’re beautiful, Lena. You’ve always been amazing, but now it’s time to show the world. Actually, I think I have just the person to help you do that.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to set me up?”

“Yes, I am,” she replied confidently. “His name’s Matt. He’s a great guy, and I think you’d really hit it off. One date. That’s all I’m asking.”

I hesitated, but deep down, I knew she was right. I couldn’t keep hiding. I needed to take that leap and live life as Lena. “Alright,” I finally said. “One date.”

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The Date

The café was warm and cozy, but I felt like I was on fire as I walked inside. I had spent way too much time getting ready, trying on what felt like every outfit in my closet. Eventually, I settled on a simple dress that made me feel… pretty. But as I scanned the room for Matt, the nerves kicked in.

I spotted him near the window, a dark-haired guy with a friendly smile. He looked up as I approached, standing to greet me. “Lena, right?” he said, his voice warm and welcoming.

“Yes, hi,” I replied, feeling a little awkward but trying to push through it. “Nice to meet you.”

As we sat down and started talking, something surprising happened—I started to relax. Matt had this easy way about him, making conversation flow naturally. He was charming, thoughtful, and funny in a way that made me laugh without feeling self-conscious. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like I was trying to pretend to be someone I wasn’t.

By the end of the night, I felt… comfortable. When Matt smiled and asked if I wanted to see him again, I surprised myself by saying yes. I wasn’t sure where it would go, but for the first time, I felt like I might actually enjoy letting someone into my life.

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A New Kind of Comfort

Over the next few weeks, Matt and I went on more dates. With each one, I felt a little more like myself—or rather, a version of myself I was getting used to. I started to enjoy dressing up, feeling feminine in a way I hadn’t thought possible before. And Matt, he just made it easy. He never pushed, never made me feel like there was something different about me. He saw me for who I was now: Lena.

On our fourth date, something changed. We were walking through the park, the air cool around us, when Matt reached for my hand. It was such a simple gesture, but it made my heart skip. For the first time, I didn’t second-guess how I looked, how I moved. I just felt… right.

By the fifth date, I knew I was falling for him. He wasn’t just kind and funny—he made me feel safe. He made me feel like Lena, the real Lena, and for the first time, I didn’t want to hide.

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Becoming Intimate

It was after that fifth date, lying on a picnic blanket under the stars, when I realized how far I had come. I wasn’t Liam anymore. I was Lena, fully and completely. And I was ready to take the next step with Matt.

Later that night, back at his apartment, I felt nervous but excited. As we undressed each other slowly, I felt a mix of vulnerability and anticipation. But Matt’s touch was gentle, his gaze full of admiration, not judgment. For the first time, I didn’t feel self-conscious about my body. I wasn’t thinking about the changes, the differences—I was just Lena, with Matt, and it felt right.

We kissed deeply, our tongues sliding together as our hands began to roam over each other's bodies. I could feel my pulse quickening as Matt's hands slid under my shirt, his fingers grazing the soft skin of my waist.

We made our way to his bedroom, clothes being shed along the way. By the time we reached the bed, we were both naked, our bodies flushed with desire.

Matt lowered me onto the mattress and hovered over me, his eyes dark with lust. "You're so beautiful, Lena," he murmured, trailing kisses down my neck and collarbone.

I moaned softly, arching into his touch. "Please, Matt. I need you."

He positioned himself between my thighs and slowly slid his hard length into me. We both gasped at the sensation, me from the slight sting of the initial penetration.

"Are you okay?" Matt asked, stilling his movements to let me adjust.

"Yes," I breathed, marveling at how full I felt. "Please, move."

Matt began to thrust in and out of me, his hips snapping against mine in a steady rhythm. I could feel every inch of him stroking my inner walls with each smooth glide.

It was everything I had hoped for and more. I couldn't wait to see what the future held for us now that we had taken this step. Anything was possible as long as we had each other.

Telling Kate

The next morning, I called Kate, barely able to contain my excitement. “You’ll never guess,” I said, biting my lip as I spoke. “Matt and I… we spent the night together.”

Kate squealed on the other end of the line. “I knew it! I knew you two would hit it off. How do you feel?”

I smiled, warmth filling my chest. “I feel… amazing. Like, I’m finally okay with being me, Kate. I’m Lena, and I think I’m actually happy.”

Kate’s voice softened. “I’m so proud of you, Lena. You’ve come such a long way.”

Tears filled my eyes. “Thanks to you.”

Discovering the Pregnancy

A little over 2 years into our relationship, I started to notice some changes. I felt more tired than usual, and certain foods suddenly made me nauseous. It wasn’t until I missed my period that I began to suspect something bigger was happening.

One morning, I stood in the bathroom staring at a pregnancy test, my heart pounding in my chest. When the positive sign appeared, my mind went blank. I was pregnant. I was going to be a mother.

Telling Matt was nerve-wracking, but his reaction was everything I could have hoped for. He was thrilled, pulling me into his arms and laughing with joy. “We’re going to be parents,” he whispered, and for the first time, I allowed myself to feel excited about the journey ahead.

The Pregnancy

The next few months were a whirlwind. My belly began to grow, a constant reminder of the new life inside me. At first, I couldn’t believe it—seeing the changes in my body, feeling the baby kick for the first time, it all felt surreal. But with each passing day, I grew more connected to the little life inside me.

Kate was there every step of the way. As a mother herself, she knew exactly what I was going through. She helped me with maternity clothes, gave me advice on dealing with morning sickness, and assured me that all the strange new feelings were normal.

“You’re going to be a great mom,” she said one afternoon as we sat on the couch, my belly already showing. “I can’t believe how far you’ve come.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” I said, smiling as I rubbed my growing bump. “You’ve been my rock.”

Throughout my pregnancy, Kate and I became closer than ever. As a mother herself, she was my guide through every step—helping me prepare for the baby, reassuring me when I felt overwhelmed, and sharing stories from her own experience. We spent countless afternoons together, talking about motherhood and planning for the future.

Her support meant everything to me. She had always been my anchor, but now, as I prepared to become a mother, our bond grew even deeper. She wasn’t just my sister—she was my confidante, my best friend, and the person who had believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.

Matt’s Proposal

On our third anniversary, Matt surprised me with a romantic evening. We revisited the park where we’d had our first picnic, the same place where I had begun to feel truly comfortable as Lena. As we sat on the blanket, watching the sunset, he turned to me with a soft smile.

“I’ve been thinking about our future,” he began, reaching into his pocket. “And I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Lena. Will you marry me?”

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at the ring in his hand. “Yes,” I whispered, my heart swelling with love and gratitude. As he slipped the ring onto my finger, I knew I had found my forever.

Telling Kate about the engagement was one of the happiest moments of my life. We were sitting at my kitchen table, and I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. “I have some news,” I said, biting my lip as I held out my hand, showing her the engagement ring.

Eight Months Along

Now, eight months pregnant, I stand in front of the mirror, cradling my swollen belly. My body has changed so much since the early days of my transformation, but for the first time, I feel completely at peace with who I am. I’m Lena—a woman, a fiancée, and soon, a mother.

Matt walks up behind me, placing his hands over my bump, and I smile as our daughter kicks. “She’s active today,” I say, laughing softly.

“She takes after her mom,” he replies, kissing my cheek. I look down at the engagement ring on my finger, thinking back to the woman I was before—the scared, uncertain Lena who didn’t know if she could ever truly live as herself.

Now, I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.