It seems to me he is getting lost in the technical aspects of designing the best treatment options for his patients. He is failing to take into account how his patients feel about what he designing for them.

For her, it seems to be more of an emotional issue dealing with pleasuring herself and pleasing her husband. It isn't necessarily sexual as much as emotional.

Megan's getting into the kinky aspects of having braces. With everything she has going on, it seems as if she is enjoying the 'bondage' part the most.

Chapter Forty Four:

Tara took Jim's hand as they walked across the parking lot towards Fuji Hibachi Grill.  It was Friday night and they had a double date planned with Marc and Alex.  As they walked Tara said "Alex said she had a surprise for us.  She seemed super excited about it, like she was about to burst.  I wonder what it could be?" 

Jim squeezed her hand and said "I have no idea, but we shall soon find out.  Maybe she is bringing a prize to see who can get the most rice stuck in their braces.  I am sure I will win."

Tara released his hand and pinched his rearend as she said "well, I hope you do.  You know how much I like helping you clean them."  She stopped him and leaned in to kiss him.  As they kissed, she ran her tongue into his mouth, and then ran them along his brackets.  When she pulled back she smiled and said "they feel clean.  But I better check later."

As they rounded the corner of the building, they saw Alex and Marc standing out in front of the restaurant's entrance.  It was that time of year that can't decide whether it wants to be winter or spring.  This particular night it wanted to be spring and Alex was wearing a floral print summer dress that ended just below her knees, her leg braces on display.  When Alex saw Tara, she gave a big wave and tugged Marc over in their direction.  Alex gave Tara a hug and said "oh look at you!  So pretty!"  She let go of Tara and looked at Jim and said "so handsome, as always."  Jim gave her a smile, his clear brackets visible.  Alex said "your braces look so good on you.  Somebody did a good job installing them."  Alex said "and I get it now Tara.  Why you acted like you did when I installed them."  She pulled Marc front and center.  Tara then realized Marc had not said a word nor opened his mouth.  Alex said "having a boyfriend, or in my case a fiancé, with braces is just the best.  Baby?"

Marc gave an embarrassed half smile, showing clear ceramic brackets on his upper teeth.  Tara shrieked "you got braces!  Good for you!  I am jealous."

Marc's smile grew a little wider, the metal brackets on his lower teeth just visible.  He said "don't be.  These little bastards hurt."

Jim asked "at least it sounds like you didn't have to get an expander.  How about an extraoral appliance?"

Marc replied "no, thank goodness.  I'm not sure I could handle anything else in my mouth." 

Alex leaned into Marc as she gave Tara a smile and said "my poor baby.  Instead of headgear, Dr. Andi fixed him up with a Mara appliance to fix his bite.  It has buildups, so he can't bite down all the way.  His jaw has been aching, his teeth sore, and eating has been hard for him.  But I have been doing my best to nurse him back to health.  Isn't he so handsome though?"

Tara made eye contact with Jim as she responded "he is.  Braces make a guy just that much sexier.  I feel out of place.  I have the most messed up mouth of anyone, yet I am the only one who doesn't have braces."

Alex said "you are making great progress.  You will be ready for phase 2 soon I know.  So, what do you say we go smell like a hibachi?"

The foursome was seated at one end of the Hibachi station while a family of four, mom and dad and their son and daughter were seated at the other.  The daughter appeared to be 8-10 years old, while the son appeared to be a couple of years older.  When they made their introduction, Alex noticed the boy had metal braces.  When she introduced herself to him, she finished by saying "I like your braces.  They are cool!"  She gave him a big smile displaying her metal brackets and telescopes. 

The mom, Lindsay, blurted out "you have braces too!  How cute."

Alex turned her head towards her and said "I am not the only one!  We all do!  I work in ortho.   So, you know I just had to get them.  And I finally convinced my fiance to join me.  His are brand new and so cute.  The office is how I met these two, Tara and Jim.  And how they met each other.  Braces are in.  And apparently, they are lucky.  At least they were for these two."  They were interrupted by the hibachi chef lighting an onion volcano on fire on the griddle.

After introductions, each group kept to themselves.  The meal was wrapping up when mom Lindsay asked "Alex, where do you work? We have been shopping for an orthodontist for Kylie here.  We aren't super impressed with Matthew's current orthodontist."

Alex said "sure thing!"  She dug into her purse that hung on the back of her chair and pulled out a card.  She handed it over to Lindsay and said "we have a new orthodontist too who is taking new patients.  Her name is Dr. Andrea Bender and she is great.  We would love to have you come in and take a look at Kylie.  Consults are free."

Lindsay looked at the card before asking "and, um, do you also accept adult patients."  She seemed embarrassed as she said "I have been thinking about seeing if I could get invisalign.  I know it is silly and vane but still..."

Her husband cut her off and said "it is not silly and vane.  I have told you if you want to do it then do it, I am completely onboard."

Alex said "well, I don't think it is silly and vane either.  And we actually specialize in adult patients.  You should absolutely bring Kylie in for a consult.  And you should get one yourself."

Lindsay looked at her husband and then back at Alex and asked "would I be a candidate for invisalign?  And how big of a hassle is it?"

Alex said "I don't know if you would be or not.  That would be the reason for a consult.  And I have not personally had clear aligners.  But I do know they take a lot of commitment and discipline.  Plus, in a lot of cases they just don't work as well as traditional braces.  Aligners definitely have limitations.  Almost everyone in our office has traditional braces, that is what we prefer.  And we all work in ortho."

Lindsay said "I don't know if I could do that, get regular braces."

Her husband said "why not?  It seems like half the moms at school have them.  Even some of the teachers.  Hun, your smile is amazing.  I love it.  But, if you want to give it a tune-up, you really should just go ahead and do it.  Plus, I know how much apprehension Kylie has about it."  He turned and said to the group "Matthew's orthodontist has traumatized her some, heck all of us, about getting braces."  He turned his attention back to his wife "why don't you call and schedule a consult for the both of you?  If you don't, I will."

Lindsay hesitantly said "um, okay."  She looked back to Alex and said "thank you.  I guess we will see you soon."

After they had paid their bill, Jim and Marc had fought over it before Jim had simply handed over his credit card, they stood out in front of the restaurant.  Alex said "this was so much fun!  I don't want to just go home though.  How about a couple of drinks?"

Jim said "that would be good.  But, so we don't have to drive, why don't we just go to my house?  I have a full bar.  And if you have a few too many, I have guest rooms."

Tara grabbed Alex' arm and said "say yes!  It will be fun."

Alex said "yes" and laughed.  She added "but we need to swing by the apartment to get my CTO.  Marc honey, would that be ok with you?"

Marc replied "not really.  First he paid the bill and now we are going to drink up his booze."

Jim laughed and said "I have plenty.  And it is my pleasure.  Let's go drink and tell lies."

Thirty minutes later Tara opened the front door of Jim's estate.  Standing there were Alex and Marc.  Marc was holding a duffle bag.  Alex was wearing her CTO brace.  Alex said "yay, you are wearing your's too!  I won't feel out of place."  She leaned over and hugged Tara, their plastic masks audibly banging together.

Jim stood behind Tara.  He was not wearing his CTO.  Jim looked at Alex and said "I may get in trouble with you, but I am not putting mine on until we go to bed."

Alex said "I won't scold you.  We are here to have a good time.  And don't tell Dr. Brad or Dr. Andi this, but you are fine to skip a night here or there.  Now that you are done expanding and your bone is regrowing, you aren't really getting any more active protraction, you are just keeping what you got during expansion.  Kind of like a retainer when you get your braces off.  I am NOT telling you to quit wearing it.  Not at all.  But it won't hurt if you don't put it on right this second."

Marc said "Jim, your home is stunning."

Jim replied "thank you very much.  Speaking of which, why don't you come on in?"

At the bar, Marc sat the duffle bag down and said "I went ahead and brought a change of clothes and towels.  And I brought this."  He unzipped the bag and pulled out a fifth of Patron followed by a bottle of Johnny Walker Black.  He said "you already got me by paying for dinner.  So, these are gifts.  I have no idea what you drink, so hopefully this suffices."

Jim said "well, you didn't have to. But thank you.  And they are perfect.  You must can read minds, because Tara loves Patron."  He took the bottle of tequila and asked "babe, a shot or a margarita?"

Tara said "yes please."

He asked "which one?"

She smiled and said "yes please."

Jim laughed and said "yes ma'am, one shot and one margarita coming up.  What about you Alex?"

She said "yes please!"

Jim laughed and said "ok then, two shots and two margaritas coming right up.  What about you Marc?"

He replied "a glass with some ice in it.  And I can pour my own."

Two hours later, everyone was tipsy, especially the girls.  Tara said "Alex, what are your leg braces like?  You seem to not even notice them anymore."

Alex said "I still hate I have to wear them.  But I am used to them."  She stiffly stood up from the couch and grabbed Tara's hand.  She pulled Tara up to a standing position.  Alex said "we are pretty close to the same size."  Alex then reached down and began unfastening the velcro straps that held them to her legs. 

A few minutes later, Alex exclaimed "what do you think?"

As Tara walked back across the room she said "wow, I feel like I need to relearn how to walk."

Alex said "yes, exactly.  I had to relearn how to walk.  But I haven't had any more sprains since I started wearing them."

Tara said "so, do you want to help me get them off?"

Alex said "no, why don't you wear them awhile.  So you can really see what it is like."

After another hour, Tara was drunk and had nodded off on the couch cuddled up against Jim.  He looked over at Marc and Alex, who despite Alex wearing her CTO were kissing.  Or trying to.  He cleared his throat and said "um, I think someone is ready for bed.  You need to get your braces back." 

Alex said "she isn't the only one ready for bed.  Taking them off will wake her up too much.  Why don't you just leave them on her.  I will be fine.  We can find our way to the guest bed.  And thank you."

Jim said quietly "you are welcome.  It won't hurt her to wear them?"

Alex said "no, get her to bed."

The next morning, Tara woke up with a pounding head.  She knew it was late in the morning by how bright the blinds were.  She could sense Jim was not beside her, she was alone in the bed.  As she had become accustomed to with her CTO, she rolled over on her side to push herself up to a sitting position.  When she did she felt her legs clang together and then noticed the feeling of the leg braces.  She pulled the covers back and cut her eyes down.  She stuck her leg out and saw through her peripheral vision she was wearing Alex' leg braces.  She thought 'what the hell?'  Then she remembered putting them on the night before.  Things got a little blurry after that.

She managed to sit up.  When she bent over to try to unfasten the first velcro strap, her head felt like it might explode.  She leaned back up to a sitting position.  She realized she wanted some help.   It took two tries before she could get to a standing position.  Once she was standing, she saw Jim's CTO brace lying on the bed in his normal sleeping spot.  For some reason, the idea that he had worn it to sleep brightened her mood.  She stiffly walked down the hall and into the kitchen.  There she saw Alex, Marc and Jim sitting at the bistro drinking coffee.  She noticed there was a fourth cup sitting out.  When Jim noticed Tara he said "good morning sunshine!  Let me help you."

He dashed over and put his arm around her waist and helped her over to the table.  Alex said "good morning!  So, did you get all of the leg brace experience you wanted?"

Tara said "yes.  And all the tequila experience I can handle.  My head.  Can you help me get these off?"

After Jim had poured Tara a cup of coffee and Alex and had put her leg braces back on, they all sat around the table.  Alex asked "so what do you think?  Are your legs stiff?  Mine usually are after I take them off."

She flexed her left knee and then her right.  Tara said "not too bad.  My right knee is usually stiff and sore in the morning until I get it stretched out.  But it isn't hurting this morning.  When you first got your leg braces, I thought about calling Dr. Morales.  But I have been putting it off.  To be honest, I was scared when I saw your braces."

Alex said "you were scared?  Think about me.  But if your right knee is bothering you, you should call her.  Wait, even better."  Alex pulled out her phone and started tapping on it.

Tara asked "what are you doing?"

Alex said "texting Dr. Morales.  Telling her I have a good friend who's knee is bothering her."

Tara said "wait, don't do that."

Alex looked up at Tara and smiled and said "too late."  Her phone dinged back at her.  She cut her eyes down at it and then back up at Tara.  Alex said "you have an appointment at 2 pm this Thursday."

Chapter Forty Six:

Tara looked down at the text message on her phone.  It was from Alex and said "EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE!!!"

Tara shot back a quick reply "I am sure it will be."  The truth is, she didn't believe this.  All week, her and Alex had been exchanging messages about Tara's appointment with Dr. Morales.  Tara felt fear and dread.  In response, Alex had been sending her a constant stream of upbeat encouragement. 

A new message popped up on Tara's phone from Alex.  It asked "have you made it there?"

Tara shot back "I just parked." 

Alex said "yay!  Let me know how it goes!"

Tara replied back "I will."  She then took a deep breath and opened her door.

As she walked across the large parking lot, Dr. Morales' office was in a large medical complex, her legs felt shaky.  Visions of Alex' leg braces were at the tip of her brain.  And while Tara realized that Alex acted like they were no big deal, she knew they were.  Or at least had been at first.  And Tara dreaded the idea that the same fate might lie in store for her.

The automatic glass door opened and she entered the large atrium of the complex.  She looked at the list of providers on the wall and the accompanying map and found Dr. Morales' office.  It was near the main entrance.  A short walk brought her to the glass door emblazoned simply "Dr. Morales."  Once again, Tara took a deep breath and opened the door.

Entering the office, she saw a waiting area was to the right and the reception desk straight in front of her.  She used closing the door as an excuse to scan the waiting area.  There were only three other people there.  One was a man wearing a shoulder immobilizer.  He was sitting by himself.  Across the small room were a middle-aged man and woman holding hands.  The woman was seated erectly looking straight ahead.  She had no choice.  She was wearing a CTO brace and facemask, one of Dr. Miller's, that disappeared under the summer dress she was wearing.  And from the hem of her dress emerged two stainless steel and white plastic leg braces like Alex had to wear.  Tara forced herself not to stare and turned towards the reception desk.  As she made the few steps across the lobby she thought the pair looked familiar.  That thought was fleeting however.  Because as she reached the reception desk, she noticed the receptionist, her name tag said Kylie, was also wearing a CTO Sleep Well brace too.

As Tara stopped at the counter, the receptionist leaned back some and gave Tara a big metallic smile.  She then said "hello!  Are you Mrs. Reynolds?"

As Kylie spoke, Tara couldn't help but notice the silver tongue crib that hung down behind her front teeth.  Tara was surprised she had no lisp.  Tara replied nervously "yes, I am Tara Reynolds."

Kylie said "welcome Tara!  We are so glad you are here.  As a new referral, I do have a little paperwork for you.  But not too much, Dr. Miller's office sent over your medical records and I was able to enter a lot of the information from there."  Tara realized Kylie was in a wheelchair when she quickly spun and rolled herself over a few feet and reached for a folder.  As she did, Tara noticed a ridge running across her back under her blouse just below her shoulders.  As Kylie placed the file in her lap Tara noticed a lump beneath her blouse above her right breast at her collar bone.  When Kylie turned and wheeled herself back over Tara noticed a matching bump over her left collar bone.

Arriving back at the reception desk, Kylie stiffly stood and handed the folder to Tara and said "here you go.  Fill these out and get them back to me.  And let me again say how wonderful it is you are here.  We love getting referrals from Dr. Miller.  As you might have guessed, I am a patient there too."  Kylie gave her a big metallic smile and said "I will be right here when you get done with the paperwork."

As Tara made her way to a desk, she was confused.  Her first thought was 'poor girl'.  But her second thought was 'why is she in a wheelchair, she stood up.'  These thoughts were on her mind as she flipped through the paperwork, signing what needed to be signed and filling out any blanks.  It only took Tara a few minutes to complete the paperwork.  She stood and made her way back to reception. 

Kylie said "you are quick!  Thank you!  I will get this entered and we will call you back shortly.  Again, thank you for coming in.  Dr. Morales will take the best care of you, she does all patients.  And I should know."

Tara studied her, the question of the wheelchair still in her mind, and asked "so, you are a patient and an employee of Dr. Morales?" 

Kylie said "yes, she has been a godsend for me.  I have battled crippling Ehlers Danlos since I was a teen.  I went through a whole list of practitioners, yet I just kept getting worse.  Until I found Dr. Morales.  She literally saved my life, or at least gave me a life back.  Before, I was hardly able to leave the house.  College or a job were out of the question.  But thanks to Dr. Morales, I have this job and I am taking online classes."  As if reading Tara's mind Kylie added "obviously, I am not paralyzed.  I just use the wheelchair here as a convenience.  I have a pair of HKAFOs I wear outside of the office.  But the chair lets me get a break from them."

Tara said "well Kylie, I am so happy to hear that.  I just came in because my knee is bothering me.  Well, actually I came in because Alex made me."

Kylie's face lit up and said "Alex from Dr. Millers?  Isn't she just the sweetest and funniest?  And she has the most gentle hands.  She almost makes my ortho appointments fun."  She studied Tara's mouth before asking "so, where are you in treatment?  Are you done?  I don't see a mass of metal in your mouth?"

Tara said "ha, I wish.  I am only at the beginning.  I have a little daytime splint I wear.  And a gigantic nighttime appliance I wear".  She bared her lips so her hooks were visible and continued "and I have these hooks.  That I use with my own CTO."

Kylie said "oh wow, you have one too.  Good for you!  All of us here are in treatment with Dr. Miller and we all have one.  I think it is helping me.  Are you getting a Miller appliance?  It is a beast.  Four of us her have one; me, Mona, Dr. Morales and Peggy."

Tara said "please don't tell me that.  I was excited about moving on to the next phase.  But every day I get more nervous about it."

Kylie smiled and said "I won't lie and tell you it doesn't take some getting used to.  But my TMJ is so much better.  And I am breathing and sleeping so much better since I got it.  And I know it will get even better.  Plus I will finally have a smile to be proud of.  It is tough, but I would totally do it again.  It doesn't hurt that I have the other gals here to lean on when my mouth is hurting.  My treatment is even a little more involved than theirs.  Because of my kyphoscoliosis, my brace is a little bit more restrictive than the standard CTO.  Mine is a full-blown scoliosis brace with clavicle outriggers.  And it attaches to my HKAFOS when I am wearing them.  But again, it is worth it.  Dr. Morales AND Dr. Miller have helped me so much.  If not for them, I would be at my parents home now lying in bed.  Probably crying."

This made Tara think back to the man and woman sitting behind her.  For whatever reason Tara had an epiphany.  Tara realized they were the same husband and wife she had seen in Dr. Miller's office.  Tara even remembered her name was Ellen.  She asked "do you have a lot of patients that also are in treatment with Dr. Miller?"

Kylie said "well, currently us employees are in the majority.  But the number is growing.  You would be number four I believe.  There really does seem to be a huge connection between TMJ and connective tissue disorders."  She gave a laugh and asked "get it?  A connection between connective tissues?"  Tara gave her a polite smile.  Kylie said "maybe EDS jokes aren't too funny.  But sometimes all I can do is laugh about it.  Anyway, again, we are so happy you are here.  Mona, she is Dr. Morales lead, will be out to get you soon."

Before she could turn and leave, the door beside the reception area opened.  Tara watched as a nurse in scrubs wearing a CTO brace stepped into the room.  She said "Mr. Jonesh, would you come on back?  Let'sh shee if we can get you out of the sling."  As he stood, the nurse looked at the couple and said "Ellen, Tim, Dr. Moralesh herself will be out in jusht a minute."

Tara stood out of the way as the man passed by in front of the reception desk and disappeared into the back following the nurse.  Kylie said "that was Mona!  Anyway, get comfortable, it won't be long.  And again, we will take the best care of you."

As Tara made her way to an open seat, she looked in the direction of Tim and Ellen and gave a polite smile and nod.

The man smiled back and gave a slight nod in return.  The woman was unable to move her head and just gave a little smile.  Tara didn't think it was one of actual happiness, simply one of politeness.  Tara sat down and pulled out her phone.  She was checking emails when she heard "Ellen!  Tim!  Hello!"

Tara looked up with see an olive complected woman in a white coat standing in the doorway.  She was wearing a CTO Sleep Well orthosis as well.  Again, Tara recognized her.  Tara realized this was Dr. Morales, the same woman she had seen getting her Miller appliance installed at Dr. Millers.  Until now, she had not put the two together.

Dr. Morales walked across the waiting area, her focus on the couple.  Tim stood and helped Ellen to a standing position.  He then picked up a small pack from the seat beside him and wrapped his arm around Ellen's waist.  Dr. Morales stopped on the other side of the woman and gently placed her hand on her arm.  Dr. Morales saw the look on Ellen's face.  It was one of trepidation.   Tara overheard as Dr. Morales said "Ellen, it will be just fine.  A halo installation is not bad.  It will provide even better cervical support than a CTO.  Between it and your Crane appliance, your cervical region will be completely stabilized.  So no more pain. Plus, no more facemask!"  Dr. Morales reached up and placed her hand on the clear plastic mask she was wearing and said "I know how tiresome it can get wearing it all the time.  Heck, a halo brace for a facemask seems like a pretty good trade off doesn't it?"

Thank you.

I am glad you are enjoying it.  One thing that is missing in this story is music. I didn’t want to impose on the other music story. 

But it is spring time; in life and in the story; and Alex and Tara, both with their legbraces and their fiancé's, might go to a concert.

And that might be a spoiler.

Thank you.

Love this story!

What I'm still wondering about is whether Alex's knees are locked in her KAFOs? Would like to read more about the KAFO fitting and options that might be available, carbon, colors, patterns ...

And also if their wrists are hurting, requiring some casts or permanent wrist braces.

The halo will be hard especially if she's having troubles walking already. But it can also act as a nice tool if patients aren't complient with facemask or CTO weartime.

So many paths to go...