Scrambled Souls

by Julia Manchester

 

Part 6

 

CHAPTER NINETEEN

 

The announcement that Pat had proposed to Danielle, and that she had accepted, came as almost no surprise to anyone after Pat's public apology at the dance. Karen noticed that Danielle now had a smile on her face wherever she went, and her wardrobe also underwent a subtle transformation. Instead of slacks and business suits Danielle began to favor short skirts and sundresses, and when asked about the change she invariably replied that dresses and skirts were cooler. Of course they were cooler, but the ones she wore seemed more revealing, a little sexier than those worn by many other women in the colony. Karen never pressed her on the subject because she was very happy for her friend, and she was also glad Danielle had begun to embrace her femininity.

Besides, she was in no position to criticize. Ever since Larry began showing interest in her she had also begun to wear the same styles – skirts and dresses she hadn't worn in fifteen years, since before she married Jeff. Of course she was now nearly as young as she had been back then, and she didn't look out of place wearing an occasional miniskirt or very short shorts, or a dress with a plunging neckline. In quieter moments Karen admitted that it was fun to dress to please a man, and she realized that she was no different than Danielle.

Well, perhaps she wasn't quite as gorgeous as Danielle, but Karen figured she could hold her own against most of the women on New America. Danielle was in a class by herself, and Karen really didn't begrudge the former middle-aged man his newfound beauty, especially now that she had Larry.

Pat and Danielle decided to hold their wedding in the same setting their daughter had married Ken, and in fact Pat asked Ken to be his best man. Danielle asked Karen to be her Maid Of Honor, and she also asked Denise, Kyla, and Linda to be bridesmaids. Pat asked Jerrud, Larry, and Kyle to balance out the girls as groomsmen.

By that time the colony had developed enough small businesses that Danielle was able to have a real bridal gown and veil made, and the girls actually wore matching dresses. The guys were spared the need to wear tuxedos since there were none to be had, but they managed to find enough black suits and bow ties to make them appear more formal – and uncomfortable. The growing economy meant that Danielle was also able to order a large wedding cake and hire a band for the reception, and Pat was able to secure a large supply of local booze.

On the day of the wedding the ladies met inside the new church, which was adjacent to the park, and set about preparing for the ceremony. Danielle was wearing the same engagement ring she had given Pat many years ago, and she carried the wedding ring her former bride had given her to return during the service. Pat had kept his old wedding band for her, and it was undoubtedly in Ken's pocket Danielle told herself, remembering how she had badgered her own best man to safeguard the simple gold band intended for her bride. It was ironic that she would now wear that same band and make the same vows Pat had once pledged, but Danielle couldn't dwell on that; there was too much to do.

The girls were in the church basement, and a couple of tables and chairs had been set up to use as makeshift vanities. Danielle unzipped her skirt and stepped out of it, then unbuttoned her white blouse and removed that too. She unfastened her bra and replaced it with a daring, lacy strapless bra that revealed a vast amount of her generous cleavage. Then she sat down and removed her taylar stockings and panties, replacing her panties with a tiny white thong that matched her bra. Next she fastened a matching garterbelt around her wait and threaded the garters through her thong. She sat down and slowly and carefully rolled a pair of pure white taylar stockings up her sculpted legs and fastened them to the garters.

The design of the dress would not allow for a slip so Danielle sat down in front of a mirror and began to fix her makeup. After nearly eight months of putting on her own makeup she was an expert, and in a few minutes she was satisfied with the results. As she put her compact and lipstick into the tiny clutch purse that matched her dress she saw the blue and white garter that Pat had given her. It was the same garter she had removed from Pat's then shapely legs over twenty years before, and tonight, at the reception Pat would do the same to her.

That did give her pause. Danielle knew very well that removing the bride's garter in public was a symbolic deflowering of the bride by the groom, and despite all of her resolve to accept her new role as a wife Danielle was truly anxious about surrendering her virginity. Eight short months as a woman had not completely erased Danielle's masculine upbringing. It wasn't Pat – she couldn't use that excuse anymore. Pat had been wonderful to her in the past few months, and Danielle wanted everything to go well, she really did. She was just concerned that, when the time came, she would freeze up or, worse yet, panic. But she kept her fears to herself and put on a brave front as the girls helped her into her dress.

And what a dress it was! The strapless white lace confection hugged her marvelous curves to perfection, and the hemline was one of the new "ascending hemline" styles that just touched the floor in back and rose in a series of soft curling pleats to a few inches above her knees in front. Her legs would be on display with every step she took, yet the back of the dress would mimic an old fashioned dress with a train. When Denise and Linda finished draping the dress over Danielle, Karen zipped it up and Danielle stepped into her pure white high heel sandals while the four attendants stood back and admired the bride.

"Whew!" Kyla whistled. "If that doesn't excite your new hubby he's beyond hope."

Danielle laughed nervously. "I don't think that will be a problem," she replied. "I just hope this dress doesn't cause a scandal."

"I don't think it will," Karen reassured her, "but who cares if it does? The only ones who would be upset are the other women, and most of them will keep their mouths shut."

"It's a cinch the guys won't mind a bit," Linda said with a girlish giggle.

Kyla pointed out that Danielle was blushing from their comments, and Karen retorted that Danielle was a just another blushing bride. When Danielle turned towards her friend Karen winked at her and handed her a diamond pendant to wear. "Here, take this, but you have to give it back after the reception."

"What is this for?" Danielle asked.

"Well, every bride must wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue," Karen replied, adding, "It's just for luck, kid – Now what about the rest of the rhyme?"

"Well, I have something old – Pat's old garter, and it's also blue. The dress and veil are new. Does that sound okay?"

"Sounds good to me," Karen agreed. ""Now, let's get that veil on you and get this show on the road."

The veil consisted of a golden circlet that the girls pinned to Danielle's hair, with sheer, wispy fabric that covered her eyes without impairing her vision. When Karen finished pinning it to her hair with bobby pins she stepped back and had Danielle turn around.

"Perfect," she proclaimed, and the others agreed.

There was no one to give the bride away. The only man Danielle would have chosen for the job was Larry, but when she found out that Pat had asked him to be one of his groomsmen she decided to walk down the aisle alone. When the recorded music began Danielle and the other girls were clustered together near a small tent behind the assembled guests, and one by one the girls processed down the makeshift aisle. They all carried bouquets of flowers that were smaller versions of the bridal bouquet Kyla had made from some of the beautiful flowers she had discovered near the pool on the island.

As each bridesmaid reached the front she turned to the left and formed a line that corresponded with the groomsmen on the other side of the aisle. Finally, when Karen had joined the others, someone switched music and Danielle began to process slowly towards the front. Her knees felt weak and her heart was pounding as she made her way to the altar. Her heels clicked softly on the smooth flagstone walk but the sound was all but drowned out by the music.

Pat stood near the altar looking at his new bride and former husband as Danielle came down the aisle. When he saw her dress Pat was more than a little excited. She was beautiful, and the veil that obscured her eyes with innocent modesty seemed to conflict with the ascending hemline of her dress, which provided a great view of her shapely legs, including the garter, with each step she took. The strapless gown also revealed a tantalizing amount of her magnificent cleavage, and Pat was glad everyone was looking at Danielle since that allowed him to make a quick adjustment without anyone noticing.

The service seemed to move very quickly for the both Pat and Danielle, and after the exchange of vows and rings, and the pronouncement of union by Bishop McCarthy, Pat took his bride into his arms and kissed her with restrained passion. Danielle returned his kiss fervently and smiled up at the tall, handsome man who had once been her wife. "It seems to be we've done this before," she whispered as her spouse ended the kiss reluctantly.

"Yes, but you weren't wearing a dress and heels the first time," he replied softly, adding, "You look much prettier than I did back on Earth."

Danielle blushed and looked down at her bouquet as Bishop McCarthy presented the new couple to the congregation. A moment later Mr. and Mrs. Patrick O'Shea made their way down the aisle together. Danielle clung to her new husband's arm, grateful for the support, and Pat looked supremely proud to have her on his arm. When the bridesmaids and groomsmen joined them Danielle found herself in the center of the wedding party, being hugged by the women and kissed by the men. After the guests filed past to offer congratulations and best wishes on the way to the formal reception the bridal party joined the others at the community center.

A nice dinner had been prepared by one of the new restaurants, and as Danielle and Pat sat at the bridal table with the wedding party the guests occasionally clinked silverware against their glasses, forcing the bride and groom to stand and smooch in public. The first time Pat kissed her Danielle pulled away after a perfunctory touch of the lips. She was embarrassed to kiss her new husband in public, but this did not satisfy the guests, and when they continued to make noise Pat stood and took Danielle in his arms and performed a tonsillectomy in front of half of the colony.

The cheers that arose from the assemblage were deafening, and Danielle blushed furiously as she resumed her seat. Pat had really kissed her and she felt it all the way down to her toes, which was evident to everyone at the reception.

After the dinner the band began serenading the guests and Pat took Danielle's hand and led her to the middle of the dance floor for the first dance. Danielle was a little nervous dancing in her gown and heels, but Pat was a good dancer and easy to follow. He held her firmly yet moved her with a light touch as he gazed down at his new bride. She looked up at him and was captivated by his eyes, and before she knew it the dance was over. As Pat took her arm and led her back to the table Danielle realized she had responded automatically when Pat held her and guided her around the dance floor.

Everything went well after that, and Danielle danced with all of the guys in the wedding party, and a few other guests too. But then Larry made an announcement, calling all of the single men to gather at one end of the dance floor. At first Danielle didn't understand what was happening, then someone brought a high stool to the middle of the floor and Larry announced that the groom would now remove the bride's garter and toss it to the single guys.

Danielle blushed again as she was led to the stool by Pat and lifted up onto the high seat. She looked up at Pat, who was grinning, and reluctantly pulled the hem of her dress up just a bit to give him access to her blue garter. The whistles and catcalls that greeted the exposition of her shapely legs were mortifying, and she hissed at Pat to get it over with quickly. But he took his sweet time and slowly slid the garter down her leg while the band played "The Stripper."

Everyone but Danielle was having a great time as Pat removed her high heel sandal to slide the garter down over her dainty foot. He carefully replaced her shoe then turned around and held the garter over his head to the cheers of the crowd. Danielle remembered doing the same thing to Pat at their first wedding so she couldn't complain, but it felt very different when she was the one exposing her thighs and being ceremoniously deflowered in front of an audience. She was forced to sit and watch as Pat turned his back and tossed her garter over his head to a group of hyper-aggressive males who scrambled to catch it.

After that it was her turn to toss her bouquet to the single women, and dozens of them gathered on the floor where the men had recently stood. Danielle had watched Pat turn his back to the men and toss the garter over his shoulder but she realized that a similar move on her part was likely to cause her breasts to pop right out of her strapless dress, so she faced the girls and threw her bouquet with a very girlish, underhand toss. When she let go of the bouquet the girls reached for it and stood on their toes, hoping to gain a slight advantage, but there was none of the jumping and pushing that marked the men's efforts, and when Kyla caught the bouquet it was with a very awkward and artless movement. In effect she held both arms out in front of her and simply trapped it against her chest.

After all the cake was eaten and the last toast raised Pat touched Danielle's hand and motioned her to lean close to him. "I think we should go – quietly," he told her.

Danielle looked around the room and saw that many people were dancing, while others were seated in groups, talking, laughing, and drinking. "Okay," she agreed, "but I'll need to change first. I don't want to walk all the way home in my wedding gown."

"You won't have to," Pat replied. Just grab your purse and come with me."

"Yes, sir," Danielle replied with a smile and a mocking salute.

"I think I'm going to like being married," Pat quipped, and Danielle punched him in the arm. But she reached for her purse with her other hand and looked up at her husband expectantly.

At Pat's signal Danielle got up from the table and took his hand as he led her to a side door. Then, without a wave or a farewell they left the building. When they stepped outside Danielle saw the sausage shaped profile of a PTV – Personal Transport Vehicle – and turned to Pat. "Did you borrow this from Larry?" She asked.

"No, I got lucky," Pat replied. "When they decided to draw for half of the first month's production I tossed my name in and I won a chance to buy it."

"You bought – How could you afford –"

"The business is doing pretty well," Pat replied with a grin.

"Wow! I never thought it was going that well," Danielle remarked.

"Well, I will need something to stay competitive, but we'll talk about that later," Pat told her.

Pat pressed a button on his remote device and Danielle heard the whine of a small electric motor as the door slid backward into the hull and a single step descended to assist access to the high slung vehicle. Pat held out a hand as Danielle grabbed a support bar with her other hand and put one high heeled sandal on the narrow step. She tried to pull herself up into the PTV, but the narrow step was not made for high heels and she turned to Pat and told him she would have to remove her shoes first.

"No you don't," he replied as he picked her up and, holding her nearly at arms length, gently deposited her in the passenger seat.

"Thank you, kind sir," Danielle said as she gathered her dress and canted her legs to one side in a classically feminine manner. She smiled down at Pat, who bowed. "My pleasure, Mrs. O'Shea," he replied with a wide grin.

While Danielle fastened her seat belt Pat walked around to the driver's side and hopped up behind the controls. He glanced over at his new bride and his eyes fixed on her soft, smooth thighs which were exposed by the ascending hemline of her wedding gown. Her manicured hands rested in her lap, and her magnificent cleavage strained the strapless dress in a remarkable defiance of gravity. He wanted to take her right there, but he also wanted the first time to be perfect, and he had special plans for their wedding night.

The large PTV moved with surprising agility as Pat drove it away from the Community Center and up the road to his, and now their home. When he reached the front door he stopped and carried his bride from the vehicle and over the threshold, into the spacious living room. He set Danielle down, and she reached up and removed her veil, which she had worn since the ceremony, and set it on a small table. Meanwhile Pat shrugged out of his suit coat and pulled off his tie, tossing the coat and tie on a chair. He turned to his new bride and drew her to him and kissed her passionately. She seemed so small and weak, so soft and sexy, and when she lifted her head up to meet his lips he slowly lowered the zipper of her dress. When it was beneath her bust the dress began to slide down, exposing her strapless bra and most of her voluptuous breasts.

"Just a moment," Danielle whispered as she backed away and finished what her husband had begun. She lowered the zipper all the way and slid the dress down over her feminine hips until she was able to step out of it. When she did Pat saw her tiny white panties and lacy garter belt and became fully aroused. Once again he restrained himself, and watched as Danielle carefully folded her dress over the same chair he had draped his coat and tie. As she did the sight of her perfect heart shaped bottom and her shapely legs perched on high heels struck him as a vision of heaven, and he knew it was a sight he would never forget.

When Danielle turned around she couldn't help noticing her new husband's "interest," and she realized there was no going back now. She just hoped she would be able to go through with it. When Pat picked her up she buried her face between his neck and shoulder. Her new husband believed she was merely shy, and she was, but Pat was not aware of the turmoil going on inside.

The next thing Danielle knew Pat had laid her on his large comfortable bed and unfastened his trousers. He gazed at her as he removed the remainder of his clothing, and she returned his stare timidly. Danielle reached behind herself and, with practiced ease, removed her bra. Though the temperature was perfect Danielle felt a sudden chill and her nipples rose from her breasts in magnificent relief. She resisted an instinct to conceal herself with her arms, and instead moved her hands to the thin waistband of her tiny thong. Lifting her bottom slightly, she eased her panties over her hips, leaving her garter belt and stockings in place. When her thong was past her hips she bent her knees and lifted her feet off the bed to remove the lacy garment. When that was accomplished she turned her hips slightly towards Pat, one knee slightly bent, laying on her other in an alluring pose. She looked up at her new husband and steeled her nerves.

Pat had been transformed into a handsome man; Danielle knew that. But seeing his taut muscular body naked for the first time was intimidating. Danielle suddenly realized that her former wife was now more muscular, more powerful, and better endowed than she had ever been – even when she was a young man. Pat looked extremely virile, and his hard work had further developed the physique he had inherited. It was hard for Danielle to believe that the man who gazed down at her had once been her shy, feminine wife. Pat was indisputably masculine now; Even the scent that reached Danielle's nostrils was masculine, and for some reason that excited the beautiful woman on the bed.

As her new husband settled himself beside her Danielle felt her heart begin to pound and her breathing slow. She was unaware that she was looking at Pat with lidded eyes or that her mouth was slightly opened in silent invitation, but she did know that her breasts felt taut and firm, and that a growing need had taken hold of her. Pat looked massive compared to her, and the deep seated fear she felt since she first realized she was female returned. Danielle fought it down and forced herself to relax, and this time she was aided by the native instincts of her new body. Despite her fears her new body was reacting to the presence of a male beside her, and she began to exhibit all the signs of feminine sexual response to an attractive male.

When Pat reached out and brushed his fingers over the contours of her breasts Danielle sighed and her back arched slightly. She savored the light gentle touch, and felt her nipples become even more erect. She felt a gentleness in his touch that was exciting and reassuring at the same time. He cupped her breast softly and kneaded it, sending more delicious feelings through his new wife, and Danielle reached up tentatively and touched the side of his face with one small, dainty hand. He smiled down at her and lowered himself to kiss her tenderly, and Danielle responded eagerly, sensing a glowing warmth in the pit of her stomach. She felt Pat's hard chest pressing down against her supple breasts, and marveled at the way her body seemed to conform to his. Her softness was the perfect complement to his muscular form and for some reason the sensation felt . . . right, natural, and wonderful.

Pat held the kiss for an eternity and Danielle felt the faintest hint of stubble against her own smooth skin, but she actually enjoyed the sensation. The scent of his aftershave was faint, but noticeable, and it mingled with the sweeter bouquet of her perfume to create a unique fragrance. She moved both hands to Pat's muscular shoulders and explored the highly defined physique of her new husband with a growing sense of pride. 'He really is a hunk,' she considered in the moments when she wasn't distracted by his exquisite touch.

A chill went through her as he kissed the base of her neck, and she pressed the side of her face against him as he burrowed his head in the sensitive spot between her collarbone and her ear. At the same time she felt the warmth in her midsection begin to grow, spreading out to her extremities as it grew warmer. She was bewildered – How could something that sent a chill through her also make her feel warmer? It was a mystery she could not resolve, and after a moment she was distracted by another wonderful sensation. Somewhere in the process Danielle decided it didn't matter. What did matter were the amazing feelings Pat was creating in her.

Pat forced himself to go slow and easy, even though his new masculine instincts were telling him to have his way with his woman right NOW. But he couldn't do that. He hadn't yet forgotten what it was like for a woman and how the little things – the gentle touches and caresses – were more than mere prelude to the act of penetration but the golden key to unlocking a woman's passions. He also remembered enough of his former life to know exactly where to touch, to kiss, and to caress. When Danielle responded as he knew she must he felt an amazing sense of satisfaction and power. On their first wedding night Dan had been the aggressor, and Pat remembered lying submissively beneath him. It had been great, but it could have been better. Dan had tried hard to please his wife and had certainly succeeded, but he didn't know, he couldn't know the secret places and particular treatments to drive his wife wild. Only a woman could possibly know those intimate details – Until now.

Danielle felt Pat's hands gliding along her body, outlining her form and spreading a wonderful electric sensation through her whole being. His feather-light touch and soft, lingering kisses ignited her passions and she felt herself moving, responding to his touch automatically. He seemed to know exactly what to do, and she felt herself falling under his control as he continued. Her breasts ached with desire, and her soft empty space grew moist. Her nipples stood at full attention, and her legs seemed to part of their own accord. Her back arched and her knees were flexed to receive her man, and mere sexual desire had been supplanted by an overpowering need for fulfillment. She was completely unaware that Pat was virtually controlling her every move, not to mention her passions, with his skillful touch. All Danielle knew was that he had enkindled a burning desire in her that was rapidly becoming a conflagration.

Pat knew Danielle was ready for him, but he continued to caress her in ways he knew would excite her even more. He wanted her needy, he wanted her desperate, and only then would he take her the way he had planned. Her body shook with delight as the first convulsion came, and after short time he continued. She began calling out to him, calling his name as she lost all control of her own body.

Danielle never dreamed she would so dependent on her Pat for fulfillment, or that she would be so desperate to feel her man inside her, but that was what happened. She didn't understand it at all, but her emotions and her needs overrode all reason and she heard herself begging Pat to take her. When her husband finally mounted her she cried out in joy and searched for his engorged penis with her hands, frantically trying to insert that magnificent staff in her soft void. She was shameless and wanton in her need, and positioned her own body to allow complete access to her innermost regions. When she felt the tip of Pat's stud teasing her labia she moaned and tried to raise herself up to meet it. A moment later she felt Pat's sizeable stud force its way into her, and after a brief moment of pain she marveled at the sensation of her vaginal canal being dilated by the monster.

"Oh, honey, you're so big – and it feels so good!" She cried as Pat drove into her. She felt him going deeper and deeper, amazed that there was still more, and she felt her vaginal muscles contracting around his phallus. She was well lubricated by her own fluids but the friction of his movements set off a convulsion that made her scream with joy. She shuddered as her whole body seemed to pulse with sexual energy, and when Pat drove down again she clung to him, trying to maintain their union. But his strength was far greater than hers, and Pat's masculine needs had finally asserted themselves to the exclusion of all else. He forced her down as he rose up and impaled her again. That one act drove home the simple truth that Pat was in charge now, and Danielle had no choice but to submit to him.

She did not care at that point. Pat had lifted her to the pinnacle of excitement, and she felt as if she had just crested the peak on a roller coaster, and the thrill was enough to take her breath away.

Then, suddenly, she felt a cataclysmic explosion deep within her, and she screamed and lost all control. Her body writhed and shuddered beneath Pat, and she felt his member expand even more and inject her with his warm serum. She moaned as every nerve in her body seemed to overload, and she felt tears come to her eyes. She had never known she could feel like that, and she never felt so completely fulfilled and gloriously happy.

Pat felt supremely powerful as he pumped his seed into the beautiful, petite woman beneath him. Unlike his new wife he had already experienced sex in his new gender, but it was never anything like this. Danielle was incredibly responsive to his touch, and none of the women he had been with since becoming a man excited him half as much as the gorgeous creature he had married. The feeling was so magnificent he was able to manage three repeat performances.

The next morning Danielle's eyes opened slowly, but when she was fully conscious she was aware that she was sleeping on a damp spot, and she sighed softly as she realized that it was something she would have to get used to. Besides, it seemed a small price to pay for an experience like she'd had the previous night. Still, it wasn't very comfortable, and she slipped silently out of the bed and walked across the room to where her bags had been left, prior to the wedding. She opened one of them without a sound, not wishing to disturb her new husband, and withdrew a filmy little dressing gown she had purchased for just this occasion.

She tiptoed to the bathroom and after scrubbing the remnants of makeup off her face she started the water for a shower. As the warm water cascaded over her Danielle felt absolutely wonderful. Her fears that she would be unable to make love to Pat – Or, more accurately, that she would not be able to endure Pat making love to her – had been unfounded. It turned out that her instincts were as feminine as her body now, and she had reacted like any other female, although perhaps more vocally.

She blushed as she recalled some of the things she had said in the heat of passion, but at the same time she shivered when she remembered the sensations Pat had created in her. Just the thought of her new husband's penis penetrating her new vagina and drilling her to the depths of her soul caused her nipples to grow erect again, despite the warmth of the water. She thought of her handsome husband as she soaped herself, and Danielle nearly came again as she finished.

Danielle leaned towards the mirror in the bathroom, clad only in a tiny pair of panties, her short, transparent gown, and a pair of mules, as she finished her makeup. Her hair was down and framed her gorgeous face like a golden aura, and when she finished her makeup she was positively stunning. She sensed that something very profound had occurred the previous evening, and it wasn't merely the loss of her feminine virginity. It was hard to put her finger on it, and she felt it more than knew it, but she was a far different woman than the one who entered the bedroom in the arms of her former wife.

 

CHAPTER TWENTY

 

The southerly breeze was refreshing in the noon sun, and Dani wandered along the base of the dune, gathering a bundle of reddish-orange wildflowers. She was wearing her cute, new one piece swimsuit, a pair of floppy sandals, and straw hat with a wide brim. Meanwhile Vic was playing at the water's edge, building a sand castle just out of reach of the moderate surf. The young boy was wearing nothing but a pair of swim trunks, and he seemed unusually intent on his project though, every so often, he glanced over at Dani as if he was checking up on her.

Mrs. Danielle O'Shea, Mrs. Denise Mills, and Miss Linda McNeil reclined nearby on three chaise lounges, strategically placed at the crest of a small mound of sand from where they could keep an eye on both of the children. They were sunning themselves and gossiping as they enjoyed a family outing, minus the men. Pat was working, as usual, and Ken was off on another of his expeditions, checking for mineral deposits a few hundred miles to the north.

Linda had just observed that she and Dani were the last of the McNeils, the only ones who still retained the surname of the family of five that landed on New America some ten months before.

"You won't be a McNeil forever, and neither will Dani," Denise observed.

"I know, but it's weird all the same," Linda replied. "I expected to lose my maiden name when I got married, but I never dreamed it would happen to my brother – not to mention my father."

"Well, don't let it bother you," Danielle told her daughter. "I rather enjoy being Mrs. O'Shea, if you know what I mean," she added with a wink.

"Oooo, that sounds like mom is keeping you satisfied," Linda giggled. "How is it?"

"That's none of your business, young lady," Danielle replied, but her stern words were accompanied by a smile, and after a moment she sighed. "It's fantastic – of course he had a great teacher," she added.

"The important thing is that you're happy," Denise noted.

"What about you?" Linda asked her sister.

"Oh, I have no complaints at all," Denise replied with a smile. "Ken is a good man, kind and gentle, and though I hate it when he leaves on his little expeditions the homecomings are great!"

"Is it that different – I mean, from when you were a man? Linda asked.

Denise thought about the question for a moment then answered. "Yeah, it's a lot different. It was really scary at first, letting someone else take control, but I knew Ken loved me and I trusted him completely.

"Then I discovered something else," she continued. "I think – and this only a theory – that since Ken was once a woman himself he knows exactly what a woman needs, if you know what I mean."

"I've thought the same thing myself," Danielle piped up, and when the others turned to look at her she blushed furiously. "Well, it's true," she said defensively.

Before Linda could ask her for details Denise sat up and pointed. "Look at that," she told the others, and Danielle and Linda turned towards the beach to see Dani walking over to Vic with the bunch of wildflowers she had picked. When she got to the sand castle she offered the flowers to her friend, and Vic smiled at her and took them. He looked at them for a moment and said something the women couldn't hear. Then he scooped out some sand from the top of his castle and carefully put the flowers in the center of the roof of his palace.

He smiled at Dani again and she sat down beside him and they continued working on the project together.

Those two are amazing," Danielle noted. "They were deeply in love when they were married; so much so that Vicky willingly came along to New America when Dan gave her the chance to back out and stay on Earth. Now, look at them. It doesn't seem to make a bit of difference that they both changed sex, or that they're now small children."

"It really is remarkable," Denise agreed. "Those two love each other just as much now as they did before, and Dani practically worships Vic. I wouldn't be surprised if they got married again when they're older."

"Me either," Danielle agreed.

"Well, I have to get back. I need to get those two changed for Vic's birthday party, and I want to get dinner on the table before all those kids come over."

"How do you like being a housewife?" Linda asked.

"Actually, I enjoy it," Danielle replied. "Pat always kept a neat home for me when she was my wife, and I don't mind doing the same for him now that our roles are reversed."

"That surprises me," Linda told her.

"It shouldn't really," Danielle replied. "When your mother was MY wife she was an old fashioned girl. She was content to let me make the important decisions, and she deferred to my judgment. That seemed to work pretty well, but then I was the man back then and full of confidence. Of course it was easy for me to like that arrangement because I was calling the shots. But, now that I'm a woman – after everything I've been through – I don't have the same attitude anymore. I tried to fake it, as you know, but it just didn't work. It finally occurred to me that the system we had on Earth worked pretty well – why fight it?

"Because you used to be a guy – You were accustomed to making the decisions, and you're the one with the education," Linda reminded her.

"Education gives knowledge, but not necessarily wisdom, as I've proven all too clearly since coming to New America," Danielle replied. "Besides, I'm not the man anymore – He is."

"But –"

"I have different needs now, and a whole new perspective," Danielle continued. "I don't have a fraction of the self confidence I used to have, and I need a sense of security. I need to feel loved, and on this planet I need someone to take care of me and the children. We wouldn't last three days out there." She gestured towards the hills. "How could I expect Pat to look after me – us – while telling him what to do and how to do it? It just wouldn't work, and I wouldn't want to try to boss him around anyway. Being in charge just isn't important to me anymore."

"But you're not out in the hills."

"True, but I also don't feel any need to be the dominant partner or act as the protector – Can you imagine how ludicrous that would be?

"I like it when Pat takes control. He's become a real man in these past nine months, with a real man's outlook and attitudes, and I like that too because I can enjoy being a woman – his woman – and that's all I want to be now."

"I know what you mean," Denise agreed. "I feel the same way about Ken – And remember Linda, if it wasn't for Ken I would have drowned. Like it or not girls – women – need a man on this planet. Our little piece of civilization is just an oasis. It's still a dangerous world and strength does count here."

"I think you two have changed more than just physically," Linda remarked.

"I know we have," Danielle replied with a smile, "and I kind of like the way things have turned out."

"When are you going back to work?" Denise asked.

"I'm not," Danielle replied.

"Why not?"

"Well, I think my students know about as much as I can teach them. Besides, my baby needs me."

"Dani is a little kid, but she's not a baby. I could look after her –"

"I didn't mean Dani," Danielle said, interrupting Denise. "I meant the newest O'Shea."

"You're pregnant!" Linda squealed, and Danielle nodded her head, smiling broadly.

"That's wonderful!" Linda said, hugging her feminine father.

"Are you sure?" Denise asked. "You should come in for tests."

"I'm sure because my period is three weeks late and I've been nauseous every morning for the past week," Danielle told her.

"Sounds like you're pregnant alright," Linda said, adding: "Wow, this is going to take some getting used to. My father is actually pregnant by my mother!"

Danielle laughed. "It IS strange, isn't it? But I'm beginning to get used to the idea."

"Have you told mom, er, Pat yet?"

"No, and to keep things simple why don't you just call him 'dad?'"

"Okay, but I can't get used to calling you 'mom.' You're only a year or two older than me now," Denise pointed out.

"'Danielle' is fine," Danielle told them, "but Dani and Vic both call me 'mom' and I don't mind. In a few months I really will be a mother."

"You're really happy about this, aren't you."

Danielle nodded her head. "Yeah, I am. Back on Earth Pat used to tell me that being a mother was the most fulfilling thing in the world. I don't know if he would say the same thing today, but I believe it is – for a woman. I just hope I can be as good of a mother to my babies as she was to you."

"Babies? Are you planning on having more than one?" Denise asked.

"You never know," Danielle replied with a smile. "It depends on what Pat wants, of course, but I wouldn't mind two or three."

"You sound an awful lot like, ah, 'dad,' when he was a woman," Denise noted, and Danielle smiled at her.

"I guess I'm an old fashioned girl too," she confessed.

 

Danielle leaned back in the beautiful native wood rocking chair Pat had purchased from one of the new craft stores that were cropping up, and gazed contentedly out the sliding glass doors at the southwestern horizon, where an incredible display of stars formed the backdrop for both of New America's moons. Sensing the time was right she shifted her newborn son to her other breast and used a clean diaper to dry the nipple the baby had just vacated. Patrick O'Shea, Jr. was two weeks old and the only male heir (so far) of his father. He was also the darling of his mother.

The new mother felt her baby root around momentarily before latching onto her nipple to continue his 3:00 AM feeding. She felt her milk begin to flow and, eventually, the pressure of the milk in left breast began to ease.

The former man had discovered that nursing her baby was a sublime experience. When little Pat was at her breast she felt peaceful and serene, and knowing that she was nourishing her child in a way only a mother could only increased the already powerful bond she felt with her infant. The helpless baby occasionally stopped and stared at her with his big blue eyes showing absolute trust in her, and the sight of his innocent face melted her heart. Occasionally he would coo contentedly, and Danielle would speak to him softly and lovingly. She knew her baby recognized her voice, and though his eyes couldn't always track her yet his reactions told her he knew his mother. Every so often a small smile lit his face and Danielle could feel tears of joy welling at the corners of her eyes.

A beautiful bouquet of flowers from Jerrud's island sat in a vase, infusing the room with a wonderful fragrance, and Danielle enjoyed the sight and scent of the display. The only sounds she could hear were the baby's suckling and the soft chimes of the clock announcing it was 3:30. The house was dark except for a small lamp that cast a dim glow. Down in the valley a few pinpoints of light were visible from the colony, and one or two lights were barely visible on the hill across the valley, where a few homes had begun to spring up lately.

The new mother actually enjoyed the peace and solitude of the early morning feedings, and she usually rocked her baby until the first glow of morning outlined the trees on the hills up the valley. At that moment she let her mind drift as she gently rocked her baby and sang to him ever so softly . . .

Danielle couldn't believe how lucky she was. Her pregnancy had gone without complications, and even the two small stretch marks she had to show for it were practically invisible. She was still a little tired, but that was to be expected, especially with two other children to look after besides the baby. Denise and Linda had both been a great help to her, and they both loved their little brother.

She was already walking to regain her figure, and though she had a way to go she could already see some progress. Today she would begin a light aerobic program to hasten the process. She was surprised at how important it had become to her and how much she wanted Pat to see her as a desirable woman.

Danielle considered how much she had changed – How much they all had changed – and all the problems they had faced, but as she looked down on her infant son she felt happy and content. They would make it, and now that she was a woman, wife, and mother, well, she wouldn't give it up for the world – any world.

 

EPILOGUE

 

For some reason the new women were unusually fertile, and well over half of the pregnant women showing up at the hospital were former males. As a result the reproductive duties clause was scrapped permanently. Ironically Danielle met what would have been her "quota" anyway, as she and Pat started a whole family. Soon there several new O'Shea children in the colony, and Danielle did quit her job and devoted all her time to her husband and her children. She never regretted that decision.

As the population grew the Colony expanded beyond its original boundaries, and a few small towns were established a few kilometers away. Eventually the cottage industries grew and expanded, and some of them became major companies that offered an increasing variety of goods and services to the colonists.

Jerrud and Kyla got married a few years after Pat and Danielle, and Jerrud set up a vacation resort on the islands off the coast and also ran a boat charter with several of his buddies.

The bond between Vic and Dani was indeed unbreakable, and their love survived through childhood and adolescence, and they eventually married. Dani had four children, and she became an elementary school teacher, while Vic decided to become an engineer.

 

 

Author's Notes: This is the final installment of Scrambled Souls. I would like to thank everyone who has written to comment on the story. I was surprised at the interest it generated, and the number of people who were after my scalp when I failed to finish it promptly. I apologize that it took so long to finish, and I thank you for your patience. This was my only unfinished work, and I have now sworn off serial style stories. From now on anything I post will be a complete story.

Finally, judging from the number of people who have written I suspect there may be some interest in a "Scrambled Souls Universe." If so, I will publish a list of "rules" (hopefully a short one) that other authors may use as a guideline.

  

  

  

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