The Inheritor

by: Prudence Walker
© 2001

Finally knowing there was nothing more to accomplish that night, she went to bed.

Chapter 3

The next morning Phoebe woke suddenly, wondering where she was until she moved and felt the sensations of the nightgown against her breasts then the previous day’s events flooded back. Jumping out of bed she checked on the children, opening the door quietly she saw them cuddled together still asleep. Closing the door she went and had another shower revelling in the way the spray felt against her nipples, it was mildly erotic. As she used one of the perfumed, shower gels, rubbing it gently all over her body the feelings from caressing her breasts started something she didn’t want to stop.

Using one hand on her nipples, she slowly started exploring her new sex, her fingers entering the folds and slipping into the opening. Going further she stiffened as her fingers felt .....? What! At the electric shock-like sensation she felt when touching that small bump, a surge of an oncoming orgasm threatened to overwhelm all rational thought. Rubbing at breasts and teasing at her joy button, Phoebe could only gasp as the waves of her first ever orgasm flooded her body. Sensations which, similar to her male orgasm, felt better as they filled her whole body. Slowly coming down from the natural high she thought this was something she could live with.

She finished and walked out from the bathroom rubbing at her hair, unmindful that to an observer, she looked like any typical girl doing a normal everyday task. She then walked into the room with the girls, stirring them with her foot as they lay on the floor, she told them to find some clothes and get dressed. Going to her bedroom, she started doing the same, selecting a smart suit combination with a white blouse, knowing that she needed to look mature and responsible for the hearing.

Drying her hair using a hair dyer and brush she managed to get her hair looking reasonably neat, then looking at jewellery she selected some rings and a gold necklace with a locket that contained photos of her mum and dad. Looking at the makeup on the vanity, she decided that until she knew more about it she would only use lipstick and go for the clean natural look.

Just as she finished her breakfast of orange juice and cereal the two children came out of the room looking like two patchwork dolls. Having even less of an idea of how to dress they had grabbed the first things that fit. As they were only in 5-yr old bodies they were dependent on Phoebe to get them something to eat, not being able to reach the cupboards were the food was.

As they were picked up and seated, bowls of cereal sitting before them, they started complaining. Phoebe looked at them and laughed at their antics saying.

"Get used to it girls, you are going to be reliant on others for some time yet, until you grow up into young girls. You’ll eat what I say you eat or you can go hungry." Phoebe made as if she was going to take the bowls away, but a chorus of plea’s stopped her, and she walked back into the kitchen leaving them to their breakfast.

Checking the time Phoebe decided to ring the Hugglebug Company to see what answers she could get. When the receptionist answered, she explained about finding a can of their spray and asked what was in it. After a short delay another person came on the line and asked for the serial number of the can, explaining it could be found at the top of the can under the lid. Phoebe read it out and was told to wait while they looked up the records. After waiting for about 5 minutes, she came back and said that it was a normal batch of clothes adapting nanites.

When asked what they did and if they could duplicate someone else, she laughed, and said "no way." That would only take place if a blood sample had been taken for the DNA. Thinking of the blood on the murdered woman’s clothes Phoebe insisted that it might be possible. The woman came back with the fact that the can in question had been sold two years ago and should not be used, especially if it had been lying outdoors. She said the nanites may have undergone unforeseen changes and might not be safe, in fact, she said they would check up on the original recipients of the can and get back to her.

Phoebe told her to tell them she needed the people’s name so she could contact them herself, but she refused saying it was against company policy. Phoebe begged saying she had accidentally used it and need some information. The woman relented, saying she would tell them her story and let them decide if they wanted to contact her, so giving the woman her phone number she hung up.

Going back into the dinning area, she saw the two girls had finished and were arguing with each other.

"Quiet! There will no arguing here. If you can’t get on without blaming each other for the fix your in, I’ll send you to the orphanage." Phoebe said bluntly. Just as she was going to add more, the phone rang, picking it up, she asked who was calling.

"Hello, this is Michelle calling, I hear you found a can of HB spray that we threw away two years ago."

"Boy that was quick, I wasn’t expecting a call today," Phoebe replied, surprised.

"Oh the company rang me right after your call luckily, I was here. I thought I’d best ring you, as it sounded as if you were In need of information rather quickly. I felt sort of responsible for having just thrown away the spray where any one could find it." Came the reply over the phone.

Phoebe explained that she had found the can and had sprayed herself with it, leaving out the fact of her being male before using it. She then asked what sort of spray it was and how long the effects lasted, having found out more about the product from the company.

"Well it was the fit to clothing type." Came Michelle’s voice, "and it was only for a three day period. How long ago did you use it?" came a concerned sounding Michelle.

"This is the third day," said a dejected Phoebe. Was she going to revert back? She felt let down that it wasn’t going to be permanent, now her plans of living the rich life had gone out the window.

"What’s wrong Phoebe?" Michelle asked, sensing that she wasn’t telling her the whole story. "Has the spray done something to you that you’re not telling me?"

"It’s not something I can say over the phone." Sniffled Phoebe, her emotions overcoming her as the upsetting news of possibly losing this new lease of life, all, but dashed her hopes.

Sensing that something was terribly amiss with the girl on the phone Michelle asked for Phoebes address, saying she would come over.

"I live with my husband in Celoron, so I can be there in 5 minutes," Michelle said, when Phoebe told her the address.

A little while later, Phoebe opened the door to see an attractive woman standing there, dressed in a lovely figure hugging dress in pale lavender. Phoebe was admiring it when the unexpected thought of ‘what would I look like in that’ crossed her mind. Then the reality of the situation and her imminent return to her old form washed over her flooding her eyes with tears.

Michelle with that innate ability of women everywhere, just stepped forward hugging Phoebe, knowing she needed her. Holding onto Phoebe, Michelle steered her inside and seeing the two girls in the dinning room, stopped, and asked their names. Getting a rather subdued ‘Tammy’ and ‘Danielle’ then took Phoebe into her bedroom, after telling the children to stay where they were, as some privacy was needed.

Michelle was shocked, when after much coaxing she found out that Phoebe was once a man and that the children in the other room were once killers. She was puzzled as to how the can had made Phoebe into an exact duplicate of the dead Phoebe saying it wasn’t that type of nanite.

Maybe she should call the company, she suggested. Phoebe shook her head not trusting her voice until she calmed. Finally, Phoebe explained the inheritance and the uncle’s plans in getting it for himself. Phoebe told how her old body was dying and how she was hoping to start afresh by stepping into Phoebe’s life.

Michelle thought a minute about the nanites, and then said to Phoebe.

"I think the nanites must have altered their programming over time and used the dead girls blood for a DNA sample and then changed you into her, I’m wondering if anything else about the nanite programming has changed. Maybe the change is permanent, have you noticed and signs of reversion to your old body?"

"No, I don’t think so, at least nothing obvious," replied Phoebe, brightening a little. "Do you think this might be permanent?"

"Well seeing the way the nanites have exceeded their original programming, anything’s possible. You’ll just have to wait till tomorrow at least. My husband took more than the three days to revert back from being a little girl. Mind you, it was delayed from a lack of calcium in the diet."

"Your husband was a little girl?" Phoebe gasped in surprise.

"It’s a long story, but essentially he became a little girl because I can’t have children of my own." Michelle sighed at the recollection of that time." we have been waiting to adopt a child for over two years, but there’s such a demand and the process takes ages."

"Take those two out there in the living room," Phoebe joked.

Michelle got a thoughtful look in her eyes, "That's not such a bad idea."

"Oh! I couldn’t burden you with them, that wouldn’t be fair." Phoebe said wistfully.

Michelle could see that the idea was taking root, so she added a further incentive. "Look you need to go to the lawyers about this inheritance thing, why not let me take them off your hands for now. You see to that business, and I can check with Bill and see what he says."

Phoebe could see the logic in Michelle’s argument so she agreed, saying, "Okay, but only if you think you can handle them."

Just as she was going to add more, they heard two voices raised and the sound of little fists banging on the door alerted them to trouble brewing in the other room. They both got up and opening the door saw the two girls pressing their hands between their legs and complaining loudly that they needed to go to the toilet. Danielle was so embarrassed as she had wet her panties. Michelle promptly took over the task of helping them, opening the toilet door for them after learning it’s whereabouts from a gesture from Phoebe.

Tammy and Danielle had never felt so vulnerable and embarrassed as when they needed someone else to help them go to the toilet and having them explain how to hold their skirts clear while they sat down to do something that had been doing all their lives. Michelle gave them their first lesson in feminine hygiene on how to wipe themselves dry afterwards. The former men cringed inwardly at having to finally touch their altered sex, mentally denying it had happened couldn’t stand up to the physical sensations they felt while patting themselves dry. It wasn’t until then that it finally sank in. This was their life from now on...to be female...emotions that until now had been held in check suddenly burst forth in a floor of tears. Michelle’s heart melted at the sight, and sound of two very distressed girls, she knelt down, and holding out her arms, she grasped them to her bosom.

Phoebe walked in to see what all the noise was about, was stunned to see both girls sobbing in Michelle’s arms. Hiding a grin she looked at Michelle with an eyebrow raised, Michelle, unseen by the girls winked back at Phoebe. As if to say ‘see I can take care of them.’ The girls strangely enough found an odd sort of comfort in Michelle’s arms and seeing there was no censure from acting like the children they were, felt like the tears were washing their fears away. Tammy and Danielle settled down and Michelle dabbed at their eyes with her hanky, telling them to go play out in the living room while Auntie Michelle talked to their Aunt Phoebe.

Turning the television on for the girls, Phoebe drew Michelle into the bedroom for another private talk,

"I have to see about my inheritance in a couple of hours. I need help getting dressed in suitable clothing and I know nothing about makeup or even what to expect when I get there."

"Well the suit your have on is fine, but you do need earrings and some makeup. Here, let me show you." So, while they kept a watchful eye out on the two girls, Michelle started Phoebe’s first lesson in makeup. Phoebe was very attentive as she was hoping that the lesson would still be necessary in a few days time, if she didn’t revert to her old form.

Finally she was ready, looking into the mirror she was stunned to see how beautiful a young lady she was. Thanking Michelle who just waved off the thanks, saying it was her pleasure. Feeling very nervous about going out all dressed up as well as knowing her every move would be under scrutiny at the hearing, she hugged Michelle before going out to the garage to get in her battered looking Buick.

Knowing that Michelle would be looking after the two girls was a relief for Phoebe, as she didn’t need the added complication of explaining why she had two children with her at the hearing. If things went well then maybe, she could think about Michelle’s idea of taking them off her hands.

15-minutes later she was seated in a spacious office, which was tastefully fitted out in teak panelling. The man sitting behind an old well-worn desk, greeted her with enthusiasm saying, what a pleasure it was to meet her at last. Shaking her hand in a friendly manner he introduced himself as the family lawyer, saying his name was John Thomson.

"I’m going to be representing you on your behalf as there seems to be another claimant present, but he hasn’t a chance, as you are the next descending relative in this matter." He said, as he smiled at her.

Phoebe shivered, knowing who the other claimant was---‘her uncle.’ Wondering if she was supposed to recognise him on sight, she decided to ignore him and concentrate on keeping her cool.

"You brought the papers I asked for over the phone?" John asked.

"Yes I did, here’s my birth certificate and current drivers license," answered Phoebe nervously handing them over.

"Oh—one more thing if you don’t mind, I’d like to take your fingerprints just for the record."

Phoebe was feeling rather trapped, ‘what if they had a record of them somewhere, would they match? Too late now do anything,’ she thought, as she applied her fingers to the inkpad and then had her fingers placed on the paper provided.

John then led the way into another room where three more men were seated. Phoebe looked at each of them, seeking the uncle that had given her a death sentence. Her eyes caught a flash of something in the eyes of an oldish man that was quickly veiled. Looking him over more carefully she noted the expensive looking suit and the air of power about him.

John came and pulled a chair out for her. Remembering the tips Michelle had given her. She swept her dress as she sat, smiling her thanks at him. John sat to her left and nodded to the man with a pile of papers sitting in front of him.

"We’ll begin with saying that the estates in question have been bequeathed to the direct descendants of Catherine Johnson who passed away last month. Her estate plus monies come to a total of 20 million dollars." At this, he looked at both Phoebe and her Uncle.

"Now as I understand it, as her first descendants, your parents," he said looking at Phoebe. "Were killed just the other day, so that means you are they sole beneficiary of her estate." At this her Uncle stood up and said,

"I dispute her claim, I say this is not the Phoebe Wilson named in those papers."

"Oh you have evidence to show that this is not the person named here?" The executor of the will demanded.

"I DEMAND PROOF!" Shouted her Uncle, "no child is going to just waltz in here and take it all from me."

"Calm down, we can verify everything in a minute if you’ll take your seat." said John, looking shocked at his outburst. Continuing he said, "I just took Phoebe’s prints not 5 minutes ago," sliding the forms across the table to the executor.

"I took the steps of asking a friend of mine in the police department, who specialises in fingerprints to be here today. In addition, he will be bringing Phoebes prints from the records kept there. She reported a burglary not two months ago, and the police needed her prints then to eliminate them from the crime scene.

Going to the door, John opened it and called for the man waiting outside. A man bearing that unmistakable stamp of authority entered introducing himself as Sergeant Kowalski of the local precinct. After been given the set of prints that John had taken and comparing them with a set, he produced from a folder he carried. He set them both down and turned to Phoebe and said with a smile,

"It’s nice to meet you Miss Wilson, congratulations are in order I believe?"

"Ah--- yes," stammered Phoebe, blushing at all the attention. Glancing over at her Uncle, she saw such a glare of hatred and frustration, that she thought that if she’d been alone with him just then, he may have attacked her himself.

"Well I see no reason to delay passing the property over to you Miss Wilson." The executor said, pulling out some forms. "If you’ll just sign here and here," he continued, marking the appropriate places with a pen.

Phoebe signed the papers, then asked how long before she could see the house and property.

The executor coughed and remarked that the house as she called it could be visited anytime, seeing as there was no problem with her identification. He explained that the estate was mostly in shares that was still providing a sizeable yearly income and there was about 3 million in Catherine’s bank account that would be transferred.

John interrupted, saying, "The inheritance taxes and transfers would be handled by him, and that she needed to give him power of attorney, so he could draw funds to settle everything on her behalf."

The executor, after John had finished, continued saying, "The deeds she signed would be registered, and then she could pick them up anytime after that. In the meantime she was free to move in at anytime," handing her a bunch of keys.

In a semi-daze that everything had gone so smoothly, Phoebe was escorted back out into John’s office, where he offered her a drink.

"Ah… no thanks" she replied, "I have to drive back, and anyway I’m too excited for anymore stimulants."

"Well anytime you need me for anything concerning your estate, just call me or my office." Shaking her hand again and escorting her back to her car.

Driving home she noticed a black car with tinted windows following at a discreet distance, wondering if this was her uncle she drove deliberately in a roundabout route back to her home. It stayed with her and as she neared the turning off to her house, she saw it slow then do a U-turn and speed away.

Only partly relieved, she continued towards the house. Then turning up her drive, she drove the car back into the garage. Michelle was there at the door, an expectant look on her face.

"Well what happened?" she said looking at Phoebe’s face for a clue.

"I’m rich" was all she said, as she hugged Michelle. "I can’t believe how rich I am."

"I’m really glad for you," returned Michelle, smiling at her.

"Look I think I was followed, I don’t think it’s safe here anymore."

"Hmm… I have a suggestion, why not pack up what you need and we’ll drive to my place, you can stay there with us till you get sorted. We have plenty of room even with the girls, and there’s no connection between us that they will find out."

Phoebe, after a few moments thought, agreed, and started to pile a few clothes into a suitcase. Michelle helped, telling her the things she should take with her. As Phoebe looked around at her bedroom, she felt a little sad at the thought of leaving, she had begun to like this most feminine of rooms. Spying the can on the dresser she lifted it up thinking this saved my life twice, I’m not abandoning it now, shaking it gently, she could still tell that it wasn’t empty yet.

Grabbing some extra clothes for the girls from the storage boxes, they then packed everything into micelles car. Bringing the girls out they seated them in the car, while Phoebe lay out of sight on the back seat fortunately the journey only took 15 minutes, Michelle going the long way while checking her mirrors, satisfied no-one was following. She drove straight into the garage, the door closing behind them automatically. Using the connecting door from the garage to the house, they soon had everything moved into a spare room.

Sitting around the table, nursing a cup of coffee, Michelle, and Phoebe discussed their next move. The girls having explored the house in search of something to do soon settled in front of the TV.

Just then, the front door opened startling Phoebe, thinking it was her uncle or his minions, but Michelle laughed saying it was only Bill home from work. He looked a little startled himself seeing not only Phoebe, but also two young girls sitting in the living room. Phoebe could see the curiosity showing in his eyes, but he said nothing, waiting as Michelle made the introductions. She liked the open friendly way Bill had, not condescending or impolite. After getting a fresh coffee, he sat down as Michelle told him the whole story.

Phoebe watched his face as the story unfolded, waiting for derision or disbelief, but all she saw was concern and wonder. He looked up at her when Michelle mentioned she had been a male surprise in his eyes, but as Michelle continued, she saw anger and worry war across his face. Finally after Michelle had finished he turned to Phoebe and said,

"Damnit! You should have voiced your suspicions to the police, even if you have no proof, there’s plenty of motive and seeing the way he was at the hearing it wouldn’t have taken a rocket scientist to see the a connection."

Bill... hold on, she’s only just come to terms of being a woman, she still doesn’t know if she’s going to revert back yet." Interjected Michelle, don’t go so hard on her."

Sorry...it’s just those sorts of people get me angry. I’m only concerned with your safety," he said looking at Phoebe, and yours two, looking at Michelle.

"You took a risk too, you know? Not that I blame you." He said smiling, "I would have done the same."

"What we need is a plan dear, to help her with her uncle," Michelle said.

"Well, I’m not too busy at work. I could take a day off and take Phoebe to see her new place at Lakewood. That way there’s less likelihood of anything happening."

Michelle hugged her husband and said, "that makes me feel better, I can stay here and look after our two girls, maybe I can teach them something that will help them later in life."

"Mothering them already? Laughed Bill, "okay it’s settled then. Now what’s for dinner? I’m starved."

Michelle gave Phoebe that look that said ‘men’ and then laughed, thinking of the incongruity of giving Phoebe, (a former man) that look.

Phoebe, on the other understood the look, and felt oddly pleased in the fact that Michelle felt she belonged alongside her on the man/woman equation. It was as though there was a sense of joining an exclusive clique or club. It gave her a warm feeling inside, a feeling of acceptance.

Phoebe helped Michelle in the kitchen preparing a quick meal while Bill watched over the girls. The two women talked about the inheritance, wondering what sort of place it was and whether Phoebe was going to live there or sell it.

Danielle and Tammy had been bored out of their skulls and resorted to watching some shows on the TV. Strangely they found the cartoon channel took their minds off their predicament and as they got absorbed they would start to giggle at the antics of the characters. At first this would shock them into silence at the very feminine sounds issuing from their mouths and they would glance at each other, but then it was as they got used to it and soon t didn’t seem to matter. It was as if with the shedding of their adult bodies, they had shed all the cares and responsibilities as well. Knowing that in their present form they had escaped the threat of being caught or prosecuted for any past crimes.

So it was with a sort of release that knowing they were stuck as young girls they began to enjoy being without responsibility an just tried to be the people they appeared outwardly to be. Not knowing the nature of the relationship between the people, whose house they now found themselves in and Phoebe, or whether they knew who they had been before. They decided to act as if they had always been girls and when the man had asked their names, they responded with the new names Phoebe had christened them with.

Bill was quietly amused as he tried to draw the two girls out, asking them their names and what did they like to eat. They didn’t act like men, less that they were now ex-killers he wouldn’t have guessed as they came to him asking for ice cream. He promised them that if they behaved themselves and ate their dinner nicely then ice cream would be for desert. Squealing with girlish delight they gave him a quick hug and went back to watching cartoons.

Bill wandered back into the kitchen to see what the women were doing, satisfied that the two girls were okay. Entering the kitchen and seeing them working and talking together, he smiled, thinking that Phoebe seemed to be adjusting very well to her change. Thinking about his own reactions to becoming female plus the fact that Phoebe had a good probability of living a full life now, he felt that she would accept being a woman and enjoy living as a female.

After dinner, Phoebe decided to exercise, so going out in the backyard, she started her Tai chi going though all her routines. So involved in her exercises she didn’t see both Bill and Michelle come out to watch her. The thoughts went though both their minds as they watched the graceful movements of the k’ata, that she looked extraordinarily beautiful. As Phoebe finished she was surprised and a little embarrassed to hear soft clapping, turning she saw both Bill and Michelle smiling at her.

"Oh god that was beautiful," Michelle said, awe-struck. "I wish I could do that, it seems a graceful way to exercise."

"Well I’ll trade you, if you teach me all about makeup and the other necessities that being female entail, and I’ll teach you Tai chi," said Phoebe, smiling at Michelle’s elated expression.

To be continued