Future Holds || Bob's Burgers

2- Bonding

Cassidy

I began treatment today with my entire family supporting me. Obviously, it hasn't made a difference yet.

The doctor says I should be on hormones for at least a year before looking into surgery. And I have to be eighteen first.

I just want to be who I am, so that was frustrating to hear. I am excited though, because this is still a step forward.

Helping Grandpa Bob in the kitchen of his restaurant, I notice him looking at me.

"What?" I ask.

"Sorry. It's nothing. I just...I'm proud of you." He says.

I smile. "Thanks Grandpa."

"I'm still not used to that." He laughs. "I've gotten old, damn it."

We share a laugh, continuing to work. With my practice back home, I make a good chef.

Grandpa Bob is the best though. He always has been and always will be. He's THE Bob Belcher after all. He's got a cookbook with his name on it. They don't just hand those out!

"So you've gotten used to me...not being...Hawk?" I question hesitantly.

He nods. "Of course, kiddo. Like I said before, your gender doesn't matter as long as you're happy. And I'm proud to call you my granddaughter. My Cassidy."

"I didn't know you could be so mushy." I tease.

"Neither did I. But I guess I'm just...happy. Happy that the family is all back together for the first time in years." He replies.

"Yeah. Yeah, it's nice. I missed my cousins. And you, of course." I say.

"I missed you too, Cass." He grins.

"Cass. I like that." I giggle lightly.

He puts an arm around me, hugging my side. "I love you, kid. And you're so brave for going through with all of this. I know it's what you want, but it still can't be easy to adjust. I mean, I can't imagine what you must've felt before coming out..."

I sigh. "Yeah...I didn't want to tell anyone for a while. I was scared nobody would believe me. That everyone would just...think it's a phase."

"We'd never do that to you. Anyone who does is missing out on your friendship. Screw 'em." Grandpa Bob replies.

"Thanks. My friends back home were pretty sweet too. Some didn't get it, but they support me." I say.

"Yeah. I can't say I "get" it, but it's not my place to judge your struggle and your identity. It's not a choice, it's who you are. And I'm sorry you've had to suffer with it in any way, shape, or form." Grandpa Bob looks me in the eyes.

"For an old geezer, you're not so bad." I joke.

"Hey! I'm hip with the kids!" He argues playfully.

"Oh yeah?" I tease.

"Yeah! With your...ripped jeans! And your...dubstep!" He yells triumphantly.

I laugh. "You got it, gramps."

I've always really loved Grandpa. He doesn't play favorites, but I think I'm really close to him.

Despite the distance, I still talk to him as much as I can. And Grammy Lin, of course.

Amelia is his princess. She takes after both him and her father with cooking abilities she's not very confident in. But she's talented.

She's not as much into cooking as she is baking. That's her calling. You can't stop this girl from creating something with food.

Amelia's baking has made Grandpa very proud. Especially since she bakes his birthday cakes every year.

She learned she had a gift in middle school, honing her craft in everything she did.

Every school project, she'd put a spin on it and make it creative. She's an artist with food and she knows how to add flair.

My cousin Amelia is the type of girl who puts stickers on everything. The type of girl who will bake you a pie and eat the whole thing with you when your boyfriend dumps you.

So yeah. Needless to say, she's got gifts. And she knows how to use them. I can't wait until she bakes again. I want to taste her cakes and cookies!

Presley is the other fifteen year old cousin I have. She's most like her adoptive father, Gene.

She's musical and funny, putting a comedic spin on her lyrics. Her life is a musical.

It's like she was born to be Uncle Gene's daughter. They play music together often. She's got a beautiful voice.

My cousin Robbie is an introvert and kind of grumpy. He keeps to himself, and doesn't get along with his sisters as much as his parents want him to.

It's not his fault really. He's just being thirteen. All he does is play video games and wrestle like Uncle Zeke did in middle school.

Delilah is the last of Aunt Tina and Uncle Zeke's kids. And she's most like her mother.

She's a total horse girl, completely obsessed with anything having to do with the animal.

Delilah is a firecracker. Bursting with energy and light, making everyone happy by her presence.

My other cousins are Mitchell, Lindy, Adrian, and Thomas. Let me talk about them.

Mitchell is thirteen like Robbie. He was just adopted into the family with his sister Lindy.

He's had a rough go of things, but I think he's been adjusting well. He plays video games with Robbie a lot.

Lindy is only two weeks old, so there isn't much to say about her. I just met her yesterday.

Adrian likes to play sports. He's an energetic kid, much like Delilah. He plays video games with the other boys too, but always wants to play ball with someone.

He's a really sweet kid. I know that Uncle Gene and Uncle Alex adopted him when he was a baby.

Thomas is five, and is insanely into trains. Maybe because he's named like Thomas the tank engine.

He carries a little train toy everywhere, asking anyone who will listen to play with him. Yet another really sweet kid.

I'm a bit jealous that my cousins all have siblings. But after being pregnant with me, my mom was done. And Mimi is infertile.

Even if she wasn't infertile, I don't know that she'd have a kid. I was the result of an ex boyfriend before my moms even got married. That's what I'm told. Kinda cute that Mimi still wanted to marry Mom.

So that's my family. It's pretty huge. And weird. But it's mine. And I wouldn't change it for the world.