| Grester Teenage Kid AU |
Grace is packing away her tripod and lights, ready to return them to their normal spot until filming again. She puts them away and as she's walking back to the kitchen, she passes her daughter Maddi's bedroom. The teen's room is quite messy, and Grace makes a mental note to remind her daughter to clean it when she gets home from school.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Grace rushes to pick up the phone. "Hello?" She says into the receiver.
"Mrs. See, I presume?" A voice returns.
"Yes? Who is this?"
"It's Mr. Frances, I'm calling on behalf of the school regarding a concern with your daughter, Madeline See."
"Wait what? What did Maddi do?"
"I would prefer you and your husband come and discuss it with her, in our school's office."
"Of course." Grace hangs up and goes upstairs to Chester's music room. He's playing, the melody drifitng through the upstairs level. Grace knocks on the door and steps inside. Chester notices her and stops playing, standing and going over to his wife.
"What's wrong, Grace?" He asks straight off.
"Maddi's principal called, said there was a concern." Grace explains. Chester looks confused at this; Maddi isn't one to get in trouble. The pair drives up to their daughter's school and are lead to the principal's office. Maddi is sitting in one chair, her head down, bangs in her face.
"Mr. and Mrs. See?" Mr. Frances asks. They nod and are directed to sit down. Grace takes her daughter's hand.
"Maddi, what happened?" Grace murmurs. Maddi looks up at her mother, a pained expression on her face.
"I don't want to talk about it." She mumbles. Grace looks to Chester, who in turn looks at the principal. The principal clears his throat and explains.
"Miss See was caught by a teacher trying to use the boys' restroom. When directed to the ladies' room, she refused to use it." He says.
"Madeline Christina See, what in the world were you thinking?" Chester asks, not thinking what Grace is thinking. He's not comprehending any of it. But Grace had guessed long before this.
"Maddi, you can't just defy your teachers rules like that." Grace says gently. "It's something we need to talk about, which we are doing when we get home."
"Fine." Maddi mutters. The last bell of the day rings and Maddi goes to her locker to get her things. She meets her parents at the front entrance. The silence that fills the drive home is almost excruciating.
"Maddi, can I talk to you for a second?" Grace asks when they arrive home, before her daughter can escape upstairs. Maddi groans and Chester just pats her on the back, almost wishing her good luck. He kisses Grace's cheeks and goes back to songwriting upstairs, knowing Grace wants to be alone with their child. "You have some explaining to do kid, and I don't want you to bullshit me." Grace says firmly.
"I was going to use the boys' bathroom and they wouldn't let me. End of story." Maddi mumbles.
"Why did you want to use the boys' bathroom?" Grace pushes. Maddi doesn't answer. She looks away, tugging anxiously at the the hem of her loose sweater. "Come on, Maddi. You know you can tell me anything, right sweetheart? I'll love you no matter what." Grace reminds her.
"Because," Maddi starts, loosing her nerve. "because I am a boy." Grace isn't shocked or bewildered. Her mind takes a minute to process things, but all in all, the only thing that happens is her son's pronouns change. Grace does hug her son, pulling him close and kissing the top of his head.
"You know, I told your father when I was pregnant with you I was having a boy. I guess I was right." Grace admits, trying to cheer up her son. He looks up at her and smiles, tears in his eyes.
"Really?" He asks. "And what were you going to name that boy?" Grace smiles too, remembering back to the many weeks of poring over baby name books and trying to find the perfect one.
"Dad and I had decided on Mason for a boy, but you tell me the name you want." Grace answers.
"I like Mason. Then I can still say my parents named me, and I think it suits me." Mason says, pushing his hair behind his ear.
"I think it suits you too bud." Grace agrees. "Alright, you've gotten over the hard part with me, now you've got to tell your dad." Mason looks to the stairs, where music is floating quietly down.
"I'm scared." He admits.
"Don't be. Your dad will be very proud of you." Grace insists. Mason nods and goes up the stairs, one step at a time, a nervous wreck. He knocks on the music room door and steps inside.
"Hey, what's up kiddo? Did you and mom's talk go alright?" Chester asks, making room for Mason on the piano bench. Mason sits down, nodding in response to his question.
"I-uh-I have something to tell you." Mason mentions quietly. "Or more ask you."
"Go ahead, I'm all ears." Chester remarks. Mason takes a deep breath.
"Do-do you think you could start calling me Mason? And using he/him pronouns for me?" Chester looks surprisedly at his son, but a smile reaches his face.
"Of course I can, son. Of course I can." Chester says, kissing the top of Mason's head. Mason smiles, calming down.
"Can I get my hair cut short soon? And maybe re paint my room from pink to blue?" Mason asks. Chester nods, beyond proud of his child.
"Maybe we should let your mom know, so she can start scheduling a hair appointment with Wendy." Chester mentions. Mason agrees enthusiastically. They go downstairs and find Grace starting dinner.
"Well how did it go?" She asks.
"It went great." Mason replies, happy and comfortable in his own home again; finally.
"I'm glad you told us, honey. It was very brave of you." Grace says.
"You know we're proud of you, so long as you are yourself." Chester adds.
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{ a/n- this one shot is dedicated to a couple people; first, Leelah Alcorn, who is one of the bravest young ladies I've seen. second, Zander Mahaffey, who's suicide note I read the entirety of and still cannot bare to think such an amazing young man is gone. third, Jazz Jennings, who is living proof trans kids can be happy and healthy. and finally, Caitlyn Jenner. you're an inspiration }
