So... when will Tim be going back into braces?  

That's my question, too.

Great story with lots of different angles.  How will Tina manage to teach if she can't speak. And will constant use of gummis rot her teeth?

I hope Tim loves Liz for herself and not because he is a braces fetishist.

Chapter Seventeen.

Liz, Emily, and Maggie all told Elizabeth their thoughts on their braces.  As Tim listened in, he learned a few things about the girls.  Such as the fact that Maggie had always wanted braces; that she had been jealous of the girls in school that had them.  And it was interesting to hear that Liz had actually come to like her braces; until she got the abominable headgear.  With her raw and ulcerated tongue, Tina didn't speak.  However, she did confirm with a vigorous nod that she too hated the headgear.  As Liz described her time with braces and her thoughts on them she had an idea.  She shot Dr. Martin a text.  Shortly thereafter Dr. Martin was on Facetime with the group. 

Dr. Martin explained her experience, both as a patient and an orthodontist.  Being on Facetime, everyone could see the bright red facemask she wore; it shone like a beacon on the screen of Liz's phone.  Though Elizabeth had a little trouble understanding what Dr. Martin said at times with her thick lisp, and Elizabeth had to ask her to repeat herself several times, she got the gist of it.  And that was that while adult orthodontic treatment was more complex and grueling than treatment for children or adolescents, it was totally worth it.  Before she hung up, Elizabeth had asked about costs and providers.  Dr. Martin had told her she couldn't give her an exact cost but said it would most likely be in the $5,000 - 8,000 range depending on what her treatment entailed and who she chose, though most providers did provide free consultations.  She did mention however that the university was in the process of selected a third and final set of trial participants, with a hopeful start date 6-8 months out, and urged her to consult with them.  She reiterated what a great opportunity it would be to receive treatment at no charge.  Elizabeth thanked her, got all the information on the process, and promised her she would do just that.

Tim then told the story about picking Maggie up.  He left out the very last part.  All the girls thought it was both horrifying and hilarious.  Liz poked fun at Maggie, who swatted her and told her to "shut up!"

Afterwards, they formed into teams and played mirror charades.  It was a very appropriate game since it required little talking.  Of course Tim and Liz teamed up, as did Tina and Elizabeth.  This left Maggie and Emily to form the third team.  They assembled on the couch.  One player on a team would stand behind the couch, out of sight of the other two teams.  This player knew what they were trying to mime, however the player in front of the others did not.  They simply had to try to mimic what their teammate was doing.  It was hilarious to watch at times.  Between the game and the alcohol, by the end all the girls, even Tina, were laughing and smiling.  They had completely given up trying to keep score.  As Tim returned with another round of drinks he sadly told the girls that these were the last of the rum drinks, they had drunk it all.

Elizabeth said "not to be rude, but it is getting late.  And tomorrow is a Monday.  Let's finish these up and wrap it up for the night."  About 20 minutes later, as Tim gathered up his things in the kitchen, he felt an arm on his waist.  He assumed it was Liz, so he was surprised to see Elizabeth when he turned.  She said "thank you so much for this.  I think Tina actually forgot about everything going on in her mouth, at least for an hour or two.  Tomorrow will be a new day, but at least this afternoon she was happy.  Thank you."

As Tim drove Maggie back to her house she said "Tina hash Elizbeth to look after her tonight.  And Liz has you.  And Emily hash her husband Mike.  I wish I had someone.  I guess with this shtupid headgear, I will be alone for a long time."  Liz replied "well, you aren't alone.  You have us.  And you are staying with us tonight.  You grab you a change of clothes for tomorrow.  And again, I won't take no for an answer."  Maggie said "but what about getting to school and back tomorrow?"  Liz said "that is simple silly, you can ride with me and I will drop you off at home afterwards."  Tim interjected "actually, that won't work."  Liz shot him a quizzical look as he continued "because I am going to take you to work tomorrow Liz.  And pick you up.  You too Maggie."

Back at Tim's, Maggie said "I need to take a shower.  Do you mind?"  Tim replied "of course not.  But just out of curiosity, how does that work with the headgear?"  She said "I obviously can't remove the facebow.  But I can take off the straps.  And they gave ush all an extra set jusht in case they do get damp.  Sho, I will shower without the strapsh, let my hair dry a little, and put it back on.  I might need a little help though, this will be my first time doing it by myself."

An hour later, both girls sat on the couch, one on either side of Tim.  Both had their hair wrapped in towels; Liz had decided to take a shower after Maggie.  Liz looked over at Maggie and said "well, I guess play time is over.  I guess we need to put our torture devices back on."  As the two girls stood, Tim asked "do you girls need a hand?"  Liz said "thank you boo, but I think we can figure it out."  Ten minutes later the girls returned, both strapped back into their headgear.  After watching TV for an hour, Maggie asked "so, where do you want me to sleep?"  Tim responded "well, why don't you stay here?  I can stay over at Liz's.  Or I guess you could stay at Liz's.  I don't know, I don't really have a plan".  Liz said "Mags, you have your own apartment for the night.  If that is ok with you Tim?"  Tim squeezed Liz and said "of course." 

After Liz got Maggie tucked into Tim's bed, Tim said "if you need anything at all, just let us know.  We will be right across the way."  Liz gave Maggie a hug and a peck on the check above her facebow.  She told her "we need to hit the road by around 7 in the morning.  Sweet dreams."  Tim echoed "sweet dreams Maggie." 

Back in Liz's apartment Liz and Tim settled on the couch.  Tim leaned over and kissed her.  He said "I know you hate the headgear so much.  But, we had fun today anyway didn't we?"  Liz said "I DO hate it.  But we did have fun.  Thank you."  Tim leaned in and kissed her again and said "no, thank you."  After they made out on the couch for several minutes Liz said "I need to get something out of the bedroom."

Tim was sitting there anxiously wondering what was taking Liz so long.  He then heard Liz's voice from the bedroom say "babe, can you come here and help me with something?"  Tim hopped up and said "sure thing" as he made the short walk down the hall."  He stopped in his tracks when he saw the scene before him.  Liz had lit several candles.  And she was posed seductively on the bed wearing her headgear.  Her headgear and nothing else.  She locked eyes with him and purred "we had fun today.  But today isn't over."

Chapter Eighteen.

Tim waited at the table for Liz, who was in the bathroom getting ready.  After a long wait Liz finally joined him at the cozy dining room table.  As she sat she said "what a nightmare.  I swear it takes 10 times longer to brush and floss with this facebow.  And have you ever tried to do makeup wearing headgear?  Argh!  At least I don't have to worry as much about my hair, it is going to look like a mess regardless under this helmet I have to wear.  This just sucks."  Tim smiled but suppressed a laugh.  He reached over and took Liz's hand and said "I'm sorry baby.  But, it will get better.  And I'm not smiling because of your headgear.  But because you are so cute.  I totally mean that.  And for the record, no, I have not ever tried to apply makeup while wearing headgear."  This drew a little smile from Liz who said "thank you.  You might be the only bright spot in my day.  I am so nervous."  Tim stood and walked behind her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.  He said "you are going to do great.  And everything will be fine."

As Tim pulled up to the school he asked "so, where do the teachers park?"  Liz asked "you aren't just going to just drop us off in front?"  He replied "absolutely not, this isn't some cut rate operation I run.  I even carry your bags."

Before getting out of the truck, both Liz and Maggie looked around to see if anyone was around.  There were several other teachers getting out of their vehicles and walking towards the school.  Both women looked hesitant to open their doors.  Tim got out and opened Liz's door for her.  He looked her in the eyes and said "I promise, it will be ok.  You may get a few looks, but who cares.  You are the prettiest woman in the world."  She exhaled deeply and got out of the truck.  He took her bag, slung it over his shoulder, and then opened the door for Maggie.  He looked at her and said "Maggie, you are going to do just fine too.  I promise.  Today is just another day at school."  She looked at him and said "yeah, easy for you to say."  She remained rooted in her seat.  He took her hand and said "it sucks, I can only imagine. But you are smart, funny, and gorgeous.  You just have a little extra sparkle right now.  Come on, please?"  She let out a "hmpphh" and slid out of the truck.  He slung her bag over his other shoulder and then put his arms around each of the girls.  Once inside the school Liz and Maggie, heads down, led him to their classrooms.  They drew stares from several of the other teachers, but no one said anything.

At the entrance to her classroom Maggie slid out from under Tim's arm.  She took her bag from him and said "thank you Tim.  I know I have been a little bitchy.  But I know you are trying to help.  Thank you."  He leaned in and hugged her and said "you have been nothing of the sort.  And today is going to be just fine."  He next escorted Liz into her classroom.  He sat her bag on her desk and looked around the class and said "so this is where the magic happens.  I love your classroom.  And I wish I'd had a teacher as pretty as you."  She looked at him and said "I am scared."  He wrapped his arms around her and said "I know baby.  But, it will be ok.  I don't want anything more than to stay here with you.  But I think they would frown on that.  You will do fine.  You will do better than fine, you will do great."  He leaned in and gently kissed her and said "I will be thinking about you the whole day.  And I will be here to pick you and Maggie up this afternoon."  As he walked out a security guard stopped him and said "sir, you need a badge to be in here."  Without stopping he looked over and said "I know, my bad, I went and left it my truck. I am going to get it now."

Before the bell rang, Liz slipped into Maggie's classroom.  She looked at Maggie and asked "how are you going to handle it?  Are you going to say anything?  Or just act like everything is normal?"  Maggie said "I don't know.  At least my lishp is a little better.  What are you going to do?"  Liz responded "well, I can't exactly hide this albatross on my face.  I think I will mention it at the beginning of each class.   And beg for mercy.  Similar to what I did that first day with braces."  Liz hugged Maggie and said "good luck.  I will be next door if you need a shoulder to cry on."  Maggie responded "ditto.  And three o'clock can't get here fast enough."

The first half of Liz's day went surprisingly smooth.  She did address her headgear at the beginning of each class, explaining she had just gotten it as part of her orthodontic treatment and would be wearing it to school for the foreseeable future.  She got lots of stares.  And a few questions.  But no one was ugly until her fifth period class let out.  As two of the boys made their way out, she heard one of them say to the other "how many channels does she pick up with that thing?"  Liz's face got red, but she did not say anything.  However, Alyssa Cantrell had heard the boy make the rude comment.  And she took offense to it.  Before Liz could even react, she watched as Alyssa grabbed the boy, spun him around and pinned him against the wall.  She got in his face and said "how dare you!  You apologize to her right now!"  The boy said "or what?" Unfortunately for him, Alyssa's boyfriend Ben was behind her.  He was a star defensive end and tight end who already had multiple D-1 scholarship offers as a junior.  He quickly got in between the two of them.  He stood a head taller than the boy who had made the comment and then mouthed off to Alyssa.  Looking down at him he said "then you will have to deal with me."    Liz quickly ran over and said "BREAK IT UP! RIGHT NOW!  ALL OF YOU!"  The two parties stepped away, though they were still glaring at each other.  Ben said "apologize to her".  The boy that had made the comment said "I'm sorry Miss Stevens".  He looked over at Alyssa and Ben and said "ok?"  Ben said "no, not ok.  DO NOT do that again."  The two boys that had started it slipped out the door.  Alyssa looked at Liz and said "I am sorry Miss Stevens.  But those guys are as**oles."  Liz said "Alyssa Cantrell!  Language."  Alyssa said "I'm sorry, but it is true.  And for the record I think it is great you are wearing your headgear.  You are a great teacher.  And a great example.  Again, I am sorry."  Ben said "I am sorry too Miss Stevens.  But they were completely out of line."  Liz said "well, I'm sure they aren't the only ones that have made comments about me today.  Or will make comments about me."  Ben looked at Miss Stevens and said "they will only do it once if I hear about it."  Liz said "Ben!  Don't say that!  You have too much going for you to get in trouble on my behalf.   But thank you.  Both of you.  Now go, and I will pretend like none of this happened."

That afternoon after the final bell rang, Maggie walked into Liz's classroom and collapsed in a chair in front of her desk.  With a weary sigh she asked "was today the longest day ever?  Since when did we go to an 18 hour school day?"  Liz smiled and said "it was long.  Did you have to break up a fight in your class too?"  Maggie responded "heavens no, what happened."  After she relayed the story, Maggie said "well, as a teacher, Alyssa and Ben were completely out of line.  As a human being, good for them.  So, are we supposed to meet Tim outside or what?"  Tim's voice said "nope, I told you I run a full service operation" as he stepped into the classroom. "Sorry, it took me a couple minutes to dodge your security guard.  But, I can be sneaky when I need to be.  And please tell me you had a great day!"  Maggie laughed and said "well, I can tell you it was a long day.  And Liz almost had a fight in her class when a couple of her students tried to defend her honor."  Tim said "hey, that is my job.  How about we get out of here, and you can tell me all about it?"

That evening, the four teachers commiserated about their day in their group text.  Tina's had been tough as expected.  Emily's had gone smoothly.  While Liz left the names out, all found it a bit humorous she had to almost break up a fight on her first day at school wearing the headgear.  Because of the headgear.  They were all dreading the upcoming Friday.  It was one thing to wear their headgear in class.  But this Friday was homecoming, with all the events surrounding it.  It was all hands on deck for all teachers.  Which for Emily, Liz, Tina and Maggie meant they would have to do it wearing headgear.


The next day Liz's jaw hit the floor at the beginning of her fifth period class.  Alyssa, Ben, Kayleigh, and her boyfriend Ethan all walked into her class together.  This was not unusual, they often arrived together.  What made her jaw drop was that Alyssa was wearing her combination headgear.  And Kayleigh was wearing a pink Petit reverse pull headgear.  Alyssa came up to her desk and said "Miss Stevens, you looked so cool in your headgear yesterday, me and Kayleigh had to get in on the trend.  What do you think?"  Liz said "girls, thank you so much.  But really, you don't have to."  Alyssa said "no, we do.  And we aren't the only ones.  But, I don't want to spoil the surprise."  Ben said "and Miss Stevens, you don't have to worry about Billy making anymore comments for a while.  I talked with him yesterday afternoon.   He won't bother you again.  And he may not be in class for a few days."  Liz said "BEN JARVIS!  What did you do?"  Ben smiled then put his hands up innocently and said "we just talked.  It was a very good talk."  He then winked at her and escorted the two headgear wearing girls to their desks.

Liz got another shock at the beginning of her sixth period class.  As students filed in, Jamie and Steph came in together as they usually did.  But what blew Liz away was that Jamie was wearing a cervical headgear and Steph was wearing a interlandi headgear similar to her own.  Liz called them up to her desk and said "girls, you don't have to do this."   Jamie said "come on Miss Stevens, headgear is cool.  Haven't you heard" and then giggled.  And Steph said "and I thought I was the only one lucky enough to get this huge interlandi headgear.  But all of you teachers have proven me wrong."  Liz was at a loss for words as the two girls made their way down their row and took their seats.

After school ended, Liz went into Maggie's classroom.  She asked Maggie "what in the world has gotten into these kids? I had four of them wearing headgear today."  Maggie said "I had three; Steph, Jamie, and Olivia."  Liz said "so that makes five.  Let's go find Emily."  They knocked on Emily's door and entered to find Emily working on shelving some books.  Emily looked up and said "hey girls!  How goes it?"  Maggie said "did any of your students wear headgear today?  Liz and I both did."  Emily responded "as a matter of fact, I did.  Ava and Chloe were wearing cervical headgear.  And Madison was wearing a reverse pull headgear.  Why, did you?"   They told her their list of students.  Emily's eyes got moist as she said "they are doing it for us aren't they?"

Apparently no one liked the end of this story, but I thought it was sweet. 

Really nice story. I enjoyed a lot reading it and discover all the characters ! A big thank you !

And there is a way for a spinoff with Maggie, Tina or Emily

Great stry really enjoyed it!

I loved this ending!!