Bebe in LaLa Land: 7

 

Deeper and deeper into the femininity of a young teenager, Bebe deals with a lot.
A successful debute of the TV show, a conniving teacher, meeting his boyfriend's mother,
shopping with girlfriends and a Halloween party at St Mark's Boy's School.
Oh, the busy schedule of a pretty girl!

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Author's Note: As always, I love to read your comments. ~Clara.
 
This version of Bebe in LaLa Land: 7 has been updated with many corrections towards spelling and grammar.~Sephrena.
 
Image Credit: Image created through the use of ai at https://perchance.org/beautiful-people .~Sephrena.

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MEETING EVERYONE'S EXPECTATIONS-or- I KNEW WHO I WAS THIS MORNING, BUT IVE CHANGED A FEW TIMES SINCE THEN
 

"We're with Don Ferry's party," Ed told the Maitre'd at the posh country club. Ed was looking dashing in his dark blue suit, crisp white shirt and red tie. Behind him, in pretty, flowered dresses, Rose and John looked lovely.

"Ah, yes, this way, sir, ladies." The thin, dapper, middle aged man said as he led them into the elaborately decorated dinning room. Dark wood, coffered ceilings and photos of presidents and celebrities who'd golfed or eaten there decorating the walls. Don felt that this was the perfect place for a 'Decompression Brunch;' the opportunity to sit and talk and reflect after a week of travel and promotion - a chance to relax and prepare for a new round of filming.

Don was sitting with a stunningly pretty woman at a table in an alcove which overlooked the deep green golf course - which, considering this area of the world had been in a horrible drought for more than a decade, seemed awfully indulgent against the dull brown hills beyond. A man was talking to Don and shaking his hand, while Don smiled his best 'I'm your buddy' smile, when they arrived at the table.

"Ah! Excuse me, Larry, but the kids are here!" Don stood and patted Larry on the shoulder. "Kids, this is my good friend, Larry Rosen. He is, among other things, President of this club. He also runs everything else in LA, Beverly Hills, Palm Springs and anywhere else that matters in California." Don winked at Larry, who smiled and chuckled. "You ever need anything, you call Larry. If he can't help you, he knows who can."

Larry shook Ed's hand, "A pleasure to meet you," he grinned. He kissed the hands of both Rose and John. "I was just telling Don that I saw your show last night and I enjoyed it tremendously. Congratulations. As a matter of fact, your brunch, today, is on me."

"Now, That is a true miracle!" Don teased.

He patted Larry's shoulders once more and the man departed, but on his way by, he stopped and took one of John's hands and cupped it in both of his. "You, young lady," he kissed John's cheek, "are a revelation. Congratulations."

John smiled. "Thank you, sir."

"I'm not a 'sir,'" he smiled. "I'm just 'Larry.' Enjoy your breakfast." He left.

Don clapped his hands, "Ok, kids, take a seat. This is my lovely wife, Vivian. Viv, this is Ed, Rose and, of course, Bebe."

Each said hello to her and took their seats.

"So, have you read any of the overnight reviews?" Don asked.

"Nope," Ed poured three glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice into the glasses that were waiting in front of the place-settings where John, Rose and he had taken seats. "We didn't watch the show at all, either. We went to bed early and came straight here, this morning."

"We have gotten texts and emails from family and friends, though," Rose said. "They all seemed to love it!"

Don snickered. "Of course they did. They love you. What you really need to hear is the brutal truth from an unbiased view. That's why I invited you to breakfast and why Viv is here. Viv is not just my wife, she's my worst critic."

"But she is your wife, Don, and, no offense, Vivian, but as his wife, you're hardly an unbiased viewer." Ed smiled at the older woman.

"You're right, Ed," she smiled back. "I'm much worse than an unbiased viewer. I hate to see Don in anything in which he gives less than his all. I'm really the reason he took a hiatus from film and TV."

"Are you guys ready? She's pretty brutal." Don winked at them.

"Sure," Ed finished his juice and crossed his arms. "Have at us, Mrs Ferry."

Vivian smiled and considered her words. "Ok, well, first, I think that the scripts and storylines are all pretty great for a TV show. They're not predictable and the dialog, that dialog which is actually written, I mean, is strong and doesn't pander to the audience. It's definitely too early to make true comparisons, but the way that I immediately locked in to the characters really reminded me of The Sopranos or Boardwalk Empire."

"Wow," Rose raised her eyebrows. "That's pretty auspicious company to be in."

"Now, as for each of you," Vivian continued. "Ed, I love the way that you and Don interact. You guys have a really nice chemistry and you don't just nod at everything Don says. You have a real range of emotions and Don has to work a bit harder than he usually does to get you on board. I like that. I also like how you melt when you see Rose. That's really sweet."

Ed smiled at Rose. "It's easy. Just look at her."

Vivian did, "Rose, your scenes with Ed are tremendous, but you kind of disappear in scenes with Marion, Don or Bebe. I think you need to be a little less accepting of every word that comes out of the mouth of your father or grandmother. With Bebe, though, there's something almost motherly about how you treat her. I really like that, but you need to do more of it. You guys need to touch each other more. Hug. Kiss each other's cheeks. Little touches will make a big difference. Just be more sisterly while your being motherly. Know what I mean?"

"I do," Rose smiled. "Thanks."

Then, Vivian looked at John, crossed her arms and shook her head. "Bebe... what can I say?"

John looked at her, then glanced at the rest of the party. No one said anything. "Well?" He finally asked. "Did I do anything right?"

Vivian leaned back and thought for a moment. "It's Bianca, right?"

"Well, yes, but I prefer Bebe."

"Honestly, Bebe, I think that you need to go with Bianca. See... I have been an acting and dialect coach for nearly thirty years and when I first met Don, I couldn't believe he was throwing away his talent on foolish action films. He was one of the most naturally talented guys I ever met and I convinced him to give up film and TV to become a real actor. Over the last decade, he has become one of the most respected stage actors in America and I was not in favor of him coming back to TV."

Don laughed. "That's an understatement! We nearly divorced over this."

Now, Vivian laughed. "Well, that's not true, but I wasn't happy."

She continued, "My biggest concern with Don and TV was that no one would stand up to him and challenge him, emotionally. I was afraid he'd look too broad, emotionally, and come off as staid or overbearing, but, you, young lady... I see a depth in your character that is
overwhelming. When he's on screen with you, he has to fight to gain the attention of the audience - even me, Bianca. I couldn't keep my eyes off of you. And the scenes that two of you improvised... dear God, Bianca, your dialog was better than the writers'! That scene when you said you hated your mother for dying... I've watched that scene at least a dozen times since last night and I can't see a hint of anything but sincerity on your face or in your body language, Bianca. Honestly, you are the first leading lady who has ever offered Don an emotional challenge. Whatever you're doing, you're doing it right, dear. Please, honey, never, never stop doing it."

There was silence around the table, till Ed put his arm around John and kissed his cheek. "What do you say to Vivian, Beebs?"

John breathed for the first time in what seemed like an hour. "Wow, Mrs Ferry..."

"Viv, honey."

"... Viv... I'm speechless, I think. Thank you. That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"She's right, Bebe," Don leaned back and took in the group he referred to as 'The Massachusetts Mafia.' "The three of you are amazing individually, and as a group, the four of us can be a sensation. And Bebe, no matter what happens, you're destined to do huge things. Just stay clear of drugs, sex and scandals and remain true to your art and I promise you, you will own this town in less than a decade."

Although he enjoyed the compliments, these predictions scared the heck out of John. There was a lot to consider and he didn't really have the means to process all of this. "Thanks, Don." John huffed a little air, then shook his head. "I really don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything, angel," Don reached over and took John's hand in his, "just let us ride your coattails for awhile, ok?"

John shrugged. "Ok, I guess."

"Alright," Don clapped his hands and pulled an iPad out. "We've heard from the harshest critic, now let's see what the press has to say about out little show."

For the most part, all of the reviews were positive and in every case, the newcomers were given warm welcomes. Don got hit hard by a few reviewers who felt that he was just an action-star that was trying to become a legit-actor. None of that seemed to phase him, though. In fact, he seemed amused by them.

The brunch stretched to over three hours of relaxed conversation and discussions about where the show should be headed, until, finally, as 1:30 rolled around, Ed said, "Well, Don, Vivian, I'm afraid that we need to get going. Bebe has a dance lesson at the studio in a half an hour."

Don stood and shook Ed's hand, "Ed, congratulations on your first big hit. You have a big future in this business, buddy. Are you happy you decided to give it a shot?"

"More than I can say," he laughed and gave Vivian, who had also stood to say goodbye, a kiss on the cheek. "It was nice to finally meet you, Viv."

"Rosie, Rosie, Rosie," Don said as he gave her a hug, "my grownup girl. Congratulations to you, too. Oh, you're going to be such a big star! So pretty! So talented."

"Thanks, Don. Thanks for everything, including brunch! Thank you, too, Viv. I really appreciate the constructive criticism." They embraced as well.

"And Bebe." He squeezed John in a crushing hug. "I swear, you are an answer to my prayers, sweetheart! You elevated this show more than you can understand."

John's New England humbleness was making him feel a bit embarrassed by the amount of compliments he'd been receiving, lately, but Don seemed very sincere. "Thanks, Don. I can't tell you how much I'm learning from you."

"Oh, pfft," Don scoffed. "I'm just an old hack, baby. You're the future. Stay focused, angel, and you'll be the next Meryl. I can feel it."

John laughed at that as he turned to Vivian. "Thank you for lunch, Mrs Ferry."

Viv laughed. "I guess I'm not going to get you to call me by my first name, am I?"

John smiled and shrugged.

"Think about what I said, Bebe," Vivian examined John's face and moved some stray hairs in a very maternal manner. "Bebe is almost too-cute for an actress of your abilities. Bianca is a good, strong name. Consider using it."

John giggled a bit, "I hate that name. It seems so... old lady-ish."

"Really?" Vivian laughed. "See, I think it's exotic and sexy. Makes me think of Bianca Jagger."

Don laughed. "Honey, Bianca Jagger IS an old lady, now! Besides, I doubt that Bebe has any idea who Mick Jagger is, let alone Bianca. They've been divorced for, what, forty years!? I think 'Bebe' suits her just fine."

Vivian completed her examination of John's face. "I suppose it does," she smiled. "You're almost too cute to be as talented as you are. Cute girls usually just rely on being cute. You're something very different."

"You've said a mouthful," Don joked as he put a hand on John's shoulder and guided him towards Ed. They said their final goodbyes.

"No, no, no!" Chloe stopped dance routine. "I swear to God, Bianca, I am going to cut those hands off of your arms if you can't make them move more delicately!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" John took deep breaths. Chloe had been running him ragged for over three hours and she had not smiled once. John felt miserable. He hated failing and that's what he was doing now.

He was surprised when he looked up and saw his instructor with a bemused smile on her face. "Alright, honey, let's call it a day. You've actually done quite well, today. I can tell you've been practicing the exercises I gave you, which is a good thing, and your foot work is very good, considering this is only your third lesson, but, honey, PLEASE go onto YouTube and look at some of the dancers I listed for you. Look at their arms and hands, and try to emulate their actions."

"Yes, ma'm," John nodded and reached for a towel to wipe his face.

"By the way, Bebe," Chloe said as she moved to her desk, "I watched your show."

John pulled on the little dance skirt. "Oh? Thank you for watching it, Miss. I hope you enjoyed it."

The teacher smiled and indicated that John should sit. "Bebe, I enjoyed every second of it. It was wonderful! Don Ferry was wonderful and you, young lady, were absolutely wonderful! Bebe, I am so impressed with you! You were just... well, wonderful."

John smiled humbly and blushed. "Thank you, Miss. That's very nice of you to say."

"And it is true, dear," the teacher smiled, but, suddenly, a cloud came over her face. "Bebe... I probably shouldn't say this to you, but... well... I was in your position once and I... well, to be honest, I threw it all away because I was stupid and, well... maybe if I tell you this, you can avoid the same problems."

John sat silently and waited.

"Bianca... Bebe... I came out here from Arkansas when I was eighteen. Besides being a very good dancer, I could sing and act, a little - certainly not as well as you, but as well as most people. Anyway, I got a few walk-ons and some commercials and, after about a year, I got onto an established sitcom. I was a weekly-recurring character and I thought that I'd made it. From here on out, I was living on Easy Street. You see where I'm headed with this?"

John nodded. "Yes, Miss. I think I do. You're saying that, even though I lucked into this show, that can go away and maintaining a career is hard."

Chloe shook her head and smiled. "No, honey, although you are correct, my career ended because I'm an idiot. I was in my early twenties, making, if you'll excuse the expression, a shit-ton of money playing a hardworking college student in a top rated show, but I also started spending more than I made, drinking and taking drugs... lots of drugs. I got pregnant and got thrown off the show. I went from making more every week than my father made in a year, to selling everything I had just to stay alive."

John gasped. "Miss... I'm so sorry."

She scoffed, "Don't be, Bebe. I did it to myself, and I've reconciled to that. I'm clean and sober, now, but it's a struggle and we don't all have a redemptive second act, like Robert Downey Jr did. Some of us just disappear and that's hard."

There was silence.

"Bebe, about two, two and a half years ago, I fell off the wagon and I fell hard. Really hard. I lost my son, who has developmental problems, for a while and I nearly lost my job here. If they'd found out, they definitely would have fired me - they'd probably fire me, still. It was a really bad time for me. There were police and courts involved, Bebe. It was a real nightmare and I hope it's all behind me."

Oh, Miss... I don't know what to say... I'm... well, if I can help in any way..."

"Bebe, Bebe," the teacher laughed sadly at the misunderstanding, "I am not asking for help. I'm offering some. See, when you have a secret, someone is, eventually, going to find out what it is and that's what happened to me. Your Theater teacher at Notre Dame, in fact, knows that I had a relapse and this has given her some power over me, but it's time to put an end to all that. Later today, I'm going to my supervisor and I'm going to tell her everything and I'll see what happens from there. Maybe they'll understand... probably, they won't, but, at least, it'll all be over."

She looked sad and nervous as she finished. "I'm sorry, Bianca, I shouldn't have told you all of this. Please, forgive me, but I just hope that you may be able to learn how to protect yourself. It's a tough, tough business, Bianca, and you need to always have a defense plan."

"Miss Chloe," John said, "I don't know exactly what to say, but... well... does you decision to talk to your supervisor have anything to do with me and Miss Stephanie."

Chloe breathed a heavy sigh, "Well, yes and no. What I mean is, Stephanie seems to have it in for you, dear. I don't know why, but she's out to get you and, yes, she tried to enlist me in dredging up information she could use against you, and, to be perfectly honest, I considered it. I know how that sounds, Bianca, but I have a son with special needs to consider..." tears gathered in Chloe's eyes and emotion choked her voice. "Oh, Bebe, I have made a mess of my life and my son's, but I can't help her to destroy yours, too, so... I've made up my mind - This all ends, today." She stood, but the fit, strong dancer looked broken and frail.

John came around the desk, slowly, and, tentatively embraced his dance teacher. "No, Miss, please. Let me talk to Don. He's been in the business for decades. He'll know what to do."

Chloe hugged him tightly. "I don't think so, Bebe. Why would Don Ferry help me. I've never even met him, and he's known to be squeaky-clean. I'm just a junky who can't keep her life together."

"No, that's not true. Don's a sympathetic guy and you're a person who's lived a tough life and, I don't know, stumbled, I guess, along the way. Don will help you if I ask him. I know he will. Let me call him."

An hour and a half later, Don, Ed, Rose and a woman named Kim had joined John and Chloe in the studio. Kim, who was Chloe's immediate supervisor in the Talent Development Department, said, "So, let me get this straight... this woman," she checked her notes, "Stephanie, from the tutorial service, has threatened to tell us that you had a relapse, what, three years ago?"

"Nearly, yes," Chloe said.

"And in return for her silence she wanted you to do what?"

"Well, pass on any information I could find out about Bebe, or her uncle or cousin, and she even suggested that I offer her pain killers if she complained about any soreness from dancing."

Kim wrote a few notes, then she looked at John. "And why, exactly, would this woman want to get information about you, Bianca?"

"I don't know," John said. "I don't know why, but she has never liked me."

"I think I may have an answer for you," a voice came from the other side of the room. The man who'd spoken the words was a fifty-ish man in a smart, dark blue suit.

"This is Hank Miller," Don stood and shook the man's hand. "Thanks for coming, Hank. Hank is probably the best private investigator in LA. I asked him to take a look at Miss Stephanie's life to see if he could fine out anything."

"And you've found something this quickly?" Rose asked.

"Well, to be honest, your 'Miss Stephanie' is not a very skilled criminal - she has been prolific, but she's pretty sloppy." Hank explained. "Evidently, she's been making a nice extra-income blackmailing a number of people, most of whom are second and third tier actors working regularly in television. Judging by the buzz around Bianca, here, if she could have gotten her hooks into her, this early in her career, then she could have had a very long and profitable payday. Here's a list of the people we currently know of who are paying her hush money." He handed the list to Kim.

"Good God!" She said as she read the list, "at least a third of these people are under contract to this studio! Why is this the first I've heard of this!?"

"Blackmail's a very personal crime," Hank shrugged. "Most people would rather pay than explain that they have something to hide."

"Well, Chloe, you did the right thing, letting me know," Kim took out her cell phone and called the studio's attorney.

After she spoke for a good five minutes of more, she turned to Hank and said, "Our legal department is going to look into all of this. What do you suggest we do, now?"

Hank shrugged. "I'd suggest that we get LAPD involved and then, we wait."

"Wait for what?" Ed asked.

"For them to move forward or for Miss Stephanie to make a mistake. One way or another, though, I expect that she will be taking to a policeman pretty damned soon."

"Try this one. Blue looks nice on you," MK handed yet another dress into the fitting room. This one had an Asian design. Very tight with a notched collar and high slits on the side.

"I can't wear this," John handed the dress back out, "I don't have the boobs, butt or hips for this style."

"I have a dress like this and I look fine in it," MK pushed it back towards him.

"She's right," Ella took the dress away. "She'd look like a little boy in that. You've got, like, the third biggest boobs in our grade. Besides, that's way too formal to wear to a lacrosse game."

"I'd wear it to a game," MK considered the dress on the hanger.

"You'd wear a prom dress to burger joint. The rest of us dress appropriately." Ella laughed at her friend.

"I like the second one I tried on. I'm going to try that one, again." John called out. "Besides, the debit card my mom gave me will only let me spend three hundred dollars a day. Most of these dresses are really pricey and I still need to get shoes and a bag. The second one I tried on is only eighty-five dollars."

"No," MK protested from outside the fitting room, "you look like a child in that. You need to look sexy. You're going steady, now! You don't want him to lose interest!"

"I'm meeting his mother for the first time, MK! I don't want her to think I'm trying to seduce her son!"

"But you are, Bebe, and he needs to know it! You're not even planning on wearing a sexy costume to the St Matthew's Halloween party!"

"She's got a point there, Bebe," Ella contributed. "I've never heard of the boy's mother picking out the costumes before. She might have you dressed like a nun."

"Argh!" John growled from the fitting room. "You guys aren't helping!"

"Come on, girl," MK persisted, "at least try this one on. The slits are nice and high. He'll love it."

"Are you having any problems, girls?" Rose asked as she approached with a small bag in her hand.

"Kinda," Ella shook her head. "MK wants Bebe to dress like a Rodeo Drive hooker and Bebe wants to dress like Holly Hobbie. That's all."

"Besides," MK said, looking at the dress John had just rejected, "she needs to be sexy at the lacrosse game. She has no idea what costumes his mother picked out for the Halloween Dance, but she know HIS MOTHER picked them out, so... there's that to consider."

Rose laughed. "I'm sure that she's picked out lovely costumes. She wouldn't want Blaine to be embarrassed." Then, knocking on the door, she said, "Honey, I'm coming in, ok?"

As she opened the door, John called back, "Ok."

He was standing in his purple bra and panty set, fussing with the second dress he'd tried on. It was an off white, Rose called it 'tea stained,' cotton sheath that had little, beige polka dots on it and a small, braided, leather belt sat at its high waist.

"Ok, honey," Rose said, "I got you something to wear underneath." She held out a new bra, with less padding than what he'd normally worn.

"What's this for?" John asked.

The bra had soft, molded cups, but no extra padding. "I noticed last night, that your breasts are coming in nicely. I think you're up to at least an 'A' cup now. Let's try it on and see. It's going to be more comfortable and natural looking than the padded one."

It had been months since John had felt anything erotic about wearing women's clothing. At this point, they weren't 'women's clothes' at all; they were just 'clothes,' but something about this particular change in bra style was giving him butterflies in his tummy.

Rose must have seen it and said, "Here. Let me help you."

She undid the hook and eyes at the back of the bra he was wearing and slid it down his arms, then turned him towards the mirror. "A girl's first grown up bra is a big day for her, honey. Look, you're becoming a real young woman."

John looked at himself in the mirror. He'd become very used to the budding growths on his chest, but had not paid an awful lot of attention to them, lately. Now, there was no denying that he had breasts. Actual, unavoidably noticeable breasts that sat pert and pretty on his chest.

Rose held the new bra open for him and he slid his arms in and she pulled it up and into place. She fastened it in the rear, then reached into the cups to settle them in correctly. The bra held him firmly and shaped him perfectly. His breasts were still smaller than the prosthetics he'd worn as Bianca, but this was different - very different. These were his. He could feel the softness and lovely, hugging support of the garment and it created a very modest, but very real cleavage that he found extraordinary. Obviously, he knew that this would eventually happen, but it was quite a surprise that it'd happened so quickly.

Then something odd happened. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a reflection in a mirror on the side wall of the fitting room. It was just the soft curve of the underside of his breast as it curved back towards his chest. The bra held it so perfectly and the breast filled the bra so femininely. It was a sight he'd glimpsed through gapped shirts a million times before, but this was different. Incredibly different.

"Bebe," Rose whispered worriedly, waking him from his trance, "You're not wearing your gaff."

"Huh? What? No. It's not always comfortable, so I don't wear it when I don't have too."

"Well, I've got news for you, little girl... you have to!"

John followed her gaze to see his purple panties with the pretty lace on them being stretched in a very unfeminine manner.

"Oh, shit!" He whispered.

"Well, push it down, or something! Quickly!"

"Hey guys," Ella I knocked on the door.

John's hand slapped over his mouth, "Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Oh, shit!" He whispered in a total panic.

Rose held up her hands indicating that he should relax.

"What is it, Ella?" Rose called out.

"Are you going with the Holly Hobbie dress, 'cause if you are, MK and I will go look for a nice bag to go with it."

"Um, yes," Rose sounded relieved. "She's taking the tea-stained one. See if you can find a bag that is brown and has some braiding on it, like the belt on the dress, ok?"

"Ok. We're going to Crawford's. It's a few doors down, on the left. We'll meet you there."

"Perfect. Thanks, hon!"

She returned her gaze to John, who's erection had, if anything, gotten even more noticeable. Now, there was a gap at the waistband and his penis could be see in the silky panties.

"Can't you, you know, soften it, again?"

John shook his head. "I'm sorry, but... no."

"Oh, geez," Rose shook her head like a disgusted mother, then reached into her pocketbook and pulled out a small poach of tissues. "I never thought I'd need theses for this... especially in a fitting room. Thank God these are full sized doors, but you're going to need to be quiet, do you understand me?"

John nodded.

"Then, take off your panties. I don't want you to mess those up."

He stepped out of the panties, a blossoming woman on top, a grown man on the bottom. "I swear to God, Bebe, if you ever leave the house without a gaff on again, I'll pull you over my knee and spank you till you can't sit for a month."

That just made matters worse.

Rose began to run her hand up and down his shaft, but the noises from the store were startling and frightening John. The fear of getting caught was very exciting, but it was a very real and palpable fear that interrupted his concentration.

"Come on, sweetheart," Rose whispered, "we need to do this quickly."

"I know," he closed his eyes and tried to concentrate, "but the noise is distracting me."

Rose moved closer and kissed his cheek while she continued to stroke him. "Just listen to my voice," she cooed into his ear. "Just be a good girl and cum for Rosie."

It was no use, though. He was excited and wanted to explode, but each time he came close, he was distracted by a cough, or laugh, or a loud voice, just outside the door to the fitting room.

"I can't," John whispered through his heavy breathing.

Rose moved even closer, enveloping him in her presence. "Yes, you can, my little one. Don't listen to anything, but me. There's no sound, but my voice. Concentrate on how big and strong my hand feels on your dinky." She gave his shaft a quick, slightly more aggressive, pull to get his attention. "Doesn't my big, strong, soft hand feel nice on you?"

He panted and nodded.

"You've gotten so small, Bebe. So, so small. Do I feel bigger to you?"

"Yes," his voice barely audible.

"Yeah?" She felt him stiffen a bit. "You like being a pretty, little thing, though, don't you? You like being Blaine's little girlfriend."

He stiffened more and she thought she felt a twitch as well.

"That's right. Think about Blaine. Imagine my hand is his hand. Imaging how much bigger his tool would be than your dinky. Being such a pretty, little girl, you'd love to be with a big, handsome boy like Blaine, wouldn't you?"

John's breaths became deeper and more strained.

"Have him hold you and play with your nipples and dinky."

His round, new breasts heaved in his pretty, lacy, new bra.

"Then you'd kneel in front of him; get down on your knees and lick your lips and you'd see his big, young, powerful tool, staring at you."

He pumped his hips to increase the friction from her hand.

"Then you'd be a really good girl, wouldn't you, and good girls make their men happy, don't they?"

John's skin was hot, damp and reddening.

"What do good girls do to make their men happy? Huh? What do they do?"

He could not have spoken a coherent word if he'd wanted to.

"They open their mouths and accept the gift the man offers. Open your mouth, little girl. Open wide."

Eyes closed and hips bucking, John let his mouth fall open, allowing Rose access. She leaned down and used her tongue to penetrate past John's lips, filling his mouth with herself.

Suddenly, John's hips slammed against Roses hand one last time and he came with so much force that he nearly passed out. Had his mouth not been filled with Rose's tongue, he would have shrieked like a woman in a thrill of sexual rapture.

Slowly, Rose withdrew from him and, as she loosened her grip and John sank onto the bench, she straightened herself and looked down at the spent child in front of her. Bebe's eyes were closed and she was struggling to gain control of her breathing.

And SHE was definitely Bebe.

Despite the very masculine discharge, John was gone - forever. Rose knew that the fame that had already been showered on them because of their work on a show, which had already gained a following, a real relationship with John was going to be difficult, but now she knew that John was gone. At one time, she could bring John nearly to orgasm with a smile. Now, she had to indulge his girlish fantasies about his boyfriend to get him off.

The whole event hadn't been a girlfriend giving her boyfriend a hand-job. It had been an older cousin helping her younger, female, cousin with an embarrassing, female-problem.

She was sad that John was gone, but happy that she had the relationship she had with her little cousin and that made her smile. She stilled loved this little girl. Just differently.

The door bell rang at EXACTLY 11:00 on Saturday morning. Ed checked the video monitor and saw Blaine's image Looking back at him.

"Morning, Blaine. Come on up."

"Is she almost ready?" He asked Rose.

Rose shrugged and laughed, "I think so. Honestly, I've never seen her so nervous. I mean, she's been through auditions, opening, going to school, homecoming dances, but meeting his mom seems to have her ready to cry."

Ed laughed in sympathy. "Do you suppose that's partially the hormones?"

"I'm sure, but she needs to tone it down or she'll make herself sick. Believe me, I know. I've been there. I've met several boyfriend-mothers and each has been a horror show."

There was a knock on the door.

"Blaine," Ed smiled as he opened the door, "Good to see you! You must be Joanne." He extended his hand as the woman entered the room.

"Oh, yes, hi, I'm Blaine's mom, Joanne, and I know who you are! Hi, Mr. McNeal. I just loved your show the other night. Oh, you were so good."

"Oh, well, thank you... and this is Bebe's cousin, Rose."

"Hi, Joanne, nice to meet you," Rose extended her hand as well, but Joanne hugged her instead.

"Oh, my, you are even more beautiful in real life."

"Well..." both the hug and the compliment threw Rose a bit off balance. "Thank you."

"Sorry, guys," Blaine grinned, "but my mom is a little star-struck. I recorded your show and she's watched it, like, a dozen times. She really loved it."

"Oh, I did, I did." Joanne laughed and smiled.

"Well, that's very nice of you," Ed chuckled. This really was the first time anyone had ever been star-struck to see them. "Won't you have a seat? I'll go see how our girl is doing."

"Yes, please relax, but, Ed, why don't you get them a drink and I'll check on Beebs." She looked at Joanne, "She's a little stressed about meeting you. You know how it is - meeting the boyfriend's mom. I'll be right back."

Oh, please," Joanne laughed. "She's a star, for crying out loud. I'm nervous about meeting her!" She laughed louder.

"All set, Beebs?" Rose asked as she looked into the bedroom, but John was not ready. His dress was laid neatly on his bed and his shoes sitting below it. "Beebs?" She called as she closed the door behind her.

"In here," John called from the bathroom.

Rose looked in to see him sitting on the toilet seat cover. "Honey, Blaine and his mom are here. What are you doing?"

"My hair looks awful and the girls were right, my dress makes me look like Holly Hobbie." His eyes were red-rimmed. He'd obviously been crying.

Rose leaned against the sink and waited for John to say more, but he just looked at the floor.

"Honey," Rose said as soothingly as possible, "what's wrong?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm just feeling... off. And to make matters worse, I have a pimple."

Rose chocked back the giggle she felt. "Well, as for feeling 'off,' the doctor said that you might have days like that because of your hormone treatments. Believe me, baby, I feel 'off' for a bunch of days every month. She says that the best thing to do on those days is to look your best and carry on. She says you'll feel better later in the day. And as for the pimple, where is it."

"Right here. It's huge." John pointed to his hair line on the right side of his face.

Rose inspected and found a moderately small, white-head. "This is nothing. I'll pop it for you."

"No, you'll make it all red and... OUCH!!!"

"Oh, hush, you big baby. It's all gone, now. Come on, let's get you ready."

Rose took his hand and led him back into the bedroom, then held the tea-stained, polka-dot dress open so John could insert his arms and head. Then she buttoned the small buttons up his back. "I think this is an adorable dress, and you look very pretty in in. Don't let the girls get into your head."

"Rose?" John sounded concerned.

"Yes, baby?"

"What if the costume is, like, too 'womanly' for me?"

"'Womanly?' What do you mean by that?"

"You know... too... busty or revealing... too... womanly."

This time she couldn't hold back the giggle. "Honey, Blaine's mom didn't pick out a 'sexy nurse' costume for you. She picked out something that you and Blaine will look nice in, together. And as for being 'womanly,' honey, you have the same curves as any other girl your age."

John looked at her and rolled his eyes.

"You know what I mean. The same curves as any other fourteen year old. You are wearing a gaff, though, right?"

John nodded.

Rose ran his hair through a beige head band and grabbed a brush and began brushing his wavy, black hair down his neck and back. "Good. Now, look in the mirror. You know what I see? I see a very pretty girl, who's smart and talented and ready to go out and meet her boyfriend's mom." She finished brushing and kissed his cheek. "Ready?"

"I guess," he huffed.

"Joanne," Rose said as she entered the living room with John in tow, "this is my cousin, Bebe."

"Hi," John waved and smiled, a bit embarrassed.

"Oh, my dear," Blaine's mother stood and crossed to John, "You're even more beautiful in real life than you are on TV!" She hugged John tightly. "Oh, I've heard so much about you from Blaine! No wonder he's so taken with you!"

"Mom! Come on!" Blaine protested.

"Oh, stop it, Blaine." She waved him off and took a step back to take in John completely, but she held each of his hands in each of hers and spread his arms so she could complete her inspection. "All I've heard since homecoming is 'Bebe this,' and 'Bebe that...' I'm telling you, dear, that boy is in love with you!"

"Mom!" Blaine put on elbow on the arm of the chair he was sitting in and dropped his forehead down in the classic, teenager body language for, 'I can't believe my mother is saying these things.'

Ed patted his shoulder, "Tough it out, big guy. Moms are moms. Mine was the same way."

Blaine sighed and, on Ed's cue, stood and followed him to where his mother was praising John.

"She's just perfect, Blaine," Joanne said, never taking her eyes off of John. "Treat her well. This one's a keeper."

Finally she released John's hands. Blaine, immediately, took John's left hand in his right and whispered, "Sorry."

John just shrugged and smiled. He'd met Blaine's mom and she seemed to like him, so - phase one was complete.

The ride to Blaine's game was a bit awkward. Joanne, and she insisted that John call her Joanne, asked John a million questions about home and school and the TV show and Ed and Rose, while Blaine, strong, confident Blaine sat in the back seat with John and just smiled and shook his head at his mom's exuberance.

"Not Boston, ma'm, Worcester. It's about 35 miles west of Boston. Right in the middle of the state."

"I'm a freshman."

"I've been acting my whole life. There's lots of theater troupes in Massachusetts."

"Ed's a family friend, not my real uncle."

"Don's very nice. I don't know if I could arrange for you to meet him, though. I'll see what I can do."

"We all got really lucky. We were all in the same production and Don saw it."

Blaine just rolled his eyes.

Finally, when there was a break in the questioning, Blaine said, "Look, Bebe, when we get to the field, I gotta grab my stuff and get into the locker room. You're going to be ok with my mom, though, right?"

"Of course she'll be ok with me, Blaine." His mother answered for John. "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to your precious girl." She 'tsk-ed' at him and shook her head.

Again, he just rolled his eyes.

"I'll be fine," John smiled. "Your mom's very nice."

"Thank you, Bebe!" Joanne laughed.

"Yeah? Wait till you get to know her, better," Blaine said, very loudly.

"Oh, you!"

John had never seen a lacrosse game before. It was really just for prep school guys back in Massachusetts. Well, of course, Blaine was a prep school boy, but John wasn't really a part of the preppie life back home. It didn't take long to figure out the rules, though, and it was very clear that Blaine played very well - better than most, in fact. John soon found himself engrossed with the game and impressed with Blaine's abilities.

During a break in the action, John and Joanne walked down to the concession stand and got bottles of water and hot dogs.

"Oh, this hotdog is SO GOOD!" John said, a bit too enthusiastically.

Joanne laughed. "It's ok, I guess."

"Oh, but I haven't had a hotdog in months."

"On a diet for the show?"

"On a diet for life, I think."

"But you're so small, dear. Are they really that strict?"

"Not them as much as me. I was bigger. I feel better when I'm smaller."

Joanne had no response, so they walked along.

"Blaine's really good at lacrosse," John made small talk.

"He is, but he's showing off a little for you, today, too," Joanne confided. "I'm not kidding, Bebe, I think that Blaine is head-over-heels in love with you. You've stolen that boy's heart. Have you had a lot of boyfriends?"

"No," he said, honestly, "Blaine is the first boy I ever dated."

"Oh, my. That does surprise me."

"Really? Why?"

"Well, because you're so pretty, I guess. I assumed you'd had boyfriends back home, too."

John blushed. "You're very nice, but I'm not nearly as pretty as Rose or my sister, Nancy. As a matter of fact, until last summer, I don't think anyone ever called be pretty. I was just a plain tomboy. Things changed fast, though."

"Well, they musty have," Joanne guided John back to his seat, "because you are gorgeous, Bebe. I mean it. Now, later, when I show you my costume choices for you, I hope that you'll let me fuss over you a little. I never had a girl to help get ready."

John smiled. He remembered how his mother had enjoyed being able to fawn all over him when he'd first become Bianca. Must be a mother thing. "I'll be very grateful for any help you can give me, Mrs... I mean, Joanne. Thank you."

Joanne noticed the little round ball hanging from the chain around John's neck and she smiled. "Do you like the necklace that Blaine gave you?"

"Oh," John held the chain, allowing the ball to be displayed, "I love it! I haven't had it off since he gave it to me. There's even a scene in the first episode where you can see it."

Joanne took a nibble of her hotdog. "I tried to talk him into something bigger, but the moment he saw that, he said, "No. This is what Bebe likes.' I guess he's right."

"Yeah," John shrugged. "I guess he is."

St Marks won by several points. Honestly, John had lost track, but he'd enjoyed watching Blaine play and seeing his muscular legs in the uniform shorts had been exciting, too. More than once, he'd found himself concentrating on Blaine's legs and rear end, rather than the game.

When the game ended, Joanne and John waited by the locker room entrance until Blaine came out. Then, they both applauded for their favorite player, but Blaine surprised John when, without any warning, he picked him up, swung him around and planted a long, passionate kiss on his lips."

"Blaine! You mom!" John chastised the boy even as he giggled at Blaine's impetuousness.

"Don't worry, I'll kiss her, too," Blaine smiled that big, handsome smile. "Did you like the game?"

"I did," John laughed, his boyfriend's arms still wrapped tightly around his upper legs, supporting him in the air.

"And did you watch me play?"

"Yes, of course I did, Blaine. Please put me down."

"Nope. Not until I get another kiss."

"Blaine..."

"Nope. No kiss, no walking. I'll carry you everywhere." He started running around the area, recklessly.

"Alright, Alright!" John leaned down and kissed Blaine, full on the lips. It was a nice kiss. It made him shiver.

"Nice game, dude!" Another player called, as Blaine was lowering John to the ground.

"Thanks, Deke!" Blaine waved. "Hey, this is her. The girl I told you about."

"She's hot, dude. See ya at the dance!"

"Cool!" Blaine waved to his friend.

"I'm hot?" John asked as he straightened his dress

"You are," Blaine beamed with pride. "I hope that didn't embarrass you."

"I guess not," John shrugged.

"Good, cause I have to kiss my mom, now."

Blaine turned to his mother and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"You played very well, Blaine, but don't tease Bebe. It's rude." Joanne scolded.

"Oh, she likes it," he smiled. He had one of those smiles that God gave to some people to keep them from ever getting into trouble, and Blaine obviously used it on his mother every day. She knew it, but what could she do. He was a good boy and had a good heart.

They drove to the home that Blaine and his mother shared with Joanne's husband. It was a very opulent home. As nice as Ella's House, possibly nicer, certainly more tasteful.

"I'm going to take a quick swim before I shower," Blaine smiled as he led John into the house, "wanna join me?"

"Oh," John stuttered over his words for a moment, "Umm... I wish you'd told me. I would have brought a swim suit, but..."

"There's plenty of bathing suits, come on," Blaine grabbed John's hand and started jogging towards the pool, with John in tow.

The pool enclosure was as opulent as the house. It was, essentially, a large oval comprised of sliding doors and a steeply pitched roof. Inside, there was a huge pool with at least fifteen feet of patio area surrounding it on all sides. At one end, there was a restroom with changing rooms on each side and a huge bar with a well stocked, locked liquor cabinet mounted on the wall.

"Wow!" John gasped as he entered. He knew that Blaine was rich, but... wow!

"Here," Blaine showed John the chest of drawers in one of the dressing rooms. "Just pick one that fits. I'll get changed in the next room and I'll meet you in the pool!" He kissed John's cheek and bounced out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"Wait!" John pulled the door open and called after him. "I need your help."

Blaine came back, "Sure. What can I do?"

John turned, then pulled his long, wavy, dark hair to the side. "I... um... could you... would you mind unbuttoning the buttons? I can't really do it myself. Well... I could, but it'd take forever..."

"Oh..." Blaine muttered. "Sure, I guess."

He was as gentle as he could be with the delicate, little buttons, but he was slower than Rose would have been. John could feel the boy's hands begin to shake as he worked the buttons through the holes and more of John's pale, perfumed skin appeared.

When he'd reached the seventh or eighth button, John said, "Thanks. I can manage from there."

He turned and looked at Blaine, who stood still with his face flushed and a little bit sweaty. "Oh... ok... Are you sure?"

John smiled and looked more coquettish than he could have ever imagined that he could, as he said, "I'm sure. I'm a big girl. I can undress myself. I just couldn't work the buttons that high. They're very small."

"Yeah... and flowers."

"What?" John asked.

"Oh, Umm... they're shaped like flowers. The buttons, I mean. They're... very... pretty."

"Oh," john waited for a moment, but Blaine didn't budge. "I think, maybe, you should go, now, so that I can get changed."

"Oh... sure... yeah, ok." Blaine laughed as he moved clumsily to the door, not quite sure what to do or say. He'd just touched Bebe in a more intimate way than he'd ever touched her before and his stomach was suddenly filled with butterflies. More than anything, he wanted to touch her more. To unbutton more of those cute little buttons. To completely undress her and worship her beautiful little body. "Ok..." he muttered again. "I'll be be taking my clothes off... Oh!... I mean getting changed in... umm... in that room over there, if you need any... Well, you won't need... umm... yeah... I'll just go now." And he turned and walked to the other changing room in the most awkward manner imaginable.

John smiled as he watched Blaine close the door to the other room. He'd never had this kind of impact on another person, before, and he found it... appealing. He liked that Blaine found him attractive. It made him feel... pretty.

John had gone swimming with Annie and Cassie back on the Cape, but that suit had a gaff sewn into it. He figured he'd have to wear his gaff under the suit, but that didn't work. When he tried on a nice, pink and blue one piece suit, he could see the outline of the undergarment through the thin material of the suit. No good.

When he tried the suit without the gaff, it looked like he had a massive camel-toe happening. No good, either.

In desperation, he returned to the drawer and pulled out another one piece suit he'd not seen before. This one was pink and white, but it also had a little swim-skirt sewn onto it. Nothing overly noticeable, but enough to cover his groin. Perfect!

He pulled it on and checked himself in the mirror. The suit was more revealing around the bust than John would have preferred, but, upon inspection, he liked the way that he looked, there. Son of a gun, he actually had pretty breasts!

When Blaine saw him walking out into the pool area, he stopped and looked at him. God, Bebe was a pretty girl. Her thighs were thin and shapely, her rear end was small, but tight and nicely curved, but her breasts, small and perfect, made his heart leap!

"You look... amazing," Blaine said.

"So do you," John smiled. Blaine's fit body looked very striking in his board shorts.

Blaine took John's hand and led him to the large, beautiful pool, but, just before they reached the steps, Blaine bent, quickly and pulled John up in the classic carrying-a-bride-across-the-threshold manner, causing John to let out a giggled squeal and to throw his arms around Blaine's neck to keep from falling.

"Holy cow, Blaine!" John giggled. "You were so quiet earlier. What's gotten into you?"

He smiled. "I know, sorry. I'm always wound up tight before a game, but I really get a buzz from winning! It makes me feel... powerful." He started down the stairs into the warm water of the pool.

Once John's bottom half was covered in water, he expected to be let go, but Blaine held him tight and continued to move him through the water. It was nice. John enjoyed it.

"Do you mind getting your hair wet?" Blaine asked.

"Do you have a hair dryer?"

"Of course."

"Then I don't mind."

Then, without warning, Blaine plunged the two of them under water. When they resurfaced, both were gasping and laughing.

"I like carrying you," Blaine smiled. "You're very light."

"I like being carried," and he did. It was nice to surrender to Blaine's strength. To be, in a way, taken.

They looked into each other's eyes for a long moment, until Blaine leaned forward and planted a very warm, gentle kiss on John's lips. Again, he felt a shiver run down his spine.

"I love you, you know," Blaine said, very quietly.

It made John smile. "I know." The soft, passionate statement of Blaine's affection made John feel warm and loved, but there was an undercurrent of guilt mixed in, too. John liked this boy - REALLY liked this boy - and that meant that, at some point, he needed to tell him some things.

Everything, in fact.

He felt a churning in his stomach. Now was as good a time as any.

"Blaine..."

"Yes?"

"There's somethings that... well... I think we should probably talk about..."

"I know, Bebe. You're only fourteen and maybe I'm rushing things on you, but it's true - I really do love you."

John searched for the right words. "I know, and I really feel strongly about you, too. I've never really dated a boy before and I've certainly never felt this way about a boy before and, well, it's all, just a lot for someone like me."

"I know, Bebe. I'm sorry. I'll back off - give you some space. I don't expect you to say it just because I do. I'm sorry. I'll be patient."

"Oh, Blaine," John sighed. "You're great, you know that, right? A girl couldn't ask for a nicer or more handsome guy. This is all just a lot for me to take in and process, though, because..."

John was interrupted by another soft kiss. This time it lingered and he felt himself melting in Blaine's arms.

"Alright, you two," Joanne's voice echoed in the pool enclosure. "Come on out and have some lunch. It's getting late. You won't have dinner till after eight. Come on." She placed a platter of cold meat, whole grain breads and salad fixings on a patio table near the pool, then took a seat herself, as John and Blaine climbed out of the pool.

"This looks great, mom. Thanks." Blaine grabbed some bread and meat, created a turkey sandwich in seconds and took a big, healthy bit of it.

"Thank you, Joanne. It looks delicious." John placed some romaine lettuce, spinach and some tomatoes on his plate and took small bites.

"Oh, that's a cute suit on you, Bebe," Joanne complimented. "I'm surprised you picked one with a skirt. Usually girls choose the skirt to cover up a little belly fat, but you certainly don't have to worry about that!"

John smiled and blushed a little. He glanced at Blaine who was shining a big smile back at him.

"I'm very excited to get to see you two in your costumes, later. I hope you like them. I have a friend who works in a costume supply house and she helped me pick out a couples-costume that I think is just perfect for you two."

"So when do we get to see what you've picked out?" Blaine asked through a bite of turkey sandwich.

"After lunch, you two dry off and then you can get into them. I'm so excited!" Joanne clapped her hands.

After lunch, John returned to the changing room where there was a shower. He rinsed off, then changed back into his gaff, panties and bra and began brushing hair, using a blow dryer and a barrel-brush to dry his hair.

"Excuse me, Bebe," John jumped when he heard Joanne's voice as she peaked in through the doorway.

"Oh! You scared me!" He laughed. He was so used to being in front of Rose or members of the costume department while he was just wearing his under things, that he didn't even feel the need to be shy.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I brought you a robe." She handed him a short, white, nylon robe. "No need to get dressed, dear. You don't have to get your hair perfect, either. I have a wig for you."

He pulled on the robe and tied the belt. "Ok. I guess I'm ready, then."

"Wonderful," Joanne smiled. "Come with me." She took John's hand and led him through the house, stopping at photos of Blaine, or at trophies to explain the significance of each. She was very proud of her son and she enjoyed showing off his accomplishments.

When Joanne reached her bed room, she guided John to the chair in front of the vanity. "Just sit, dear. I'll tell you what, why don't you do your eyes? Your dress is blue, so keep that in mind."

While John did his eye makeup, Joanne twisted his hair and pinned it to his head as tightly as she could. She slipped a white wig-cap onto his head and smoothed it out.

Then, Joanne worked on his face for a while. "I'm not a pro, like you're used to," she said as she worked, "but I can do something simple, like this."

The end result was a nearly un-made-up Look with a good deal of girlish, pink blush on his cheeks. With his hair up under the wig-cap, he looked very young.

"Now, let's get this wig onto you," she said as she brought out a wighead bearing a human-hair wig with a similar cut to the style that John wore, but the wig was a honey-blonde. Joanne bobby-pinned the wig into place and said, "isn't that pretty? Now, you know how you'd look as a blonde."

John smiled. "I look like I could be Rose's sister instead of her cousin." He examined himself in the mirror. He definitely looked different, probably a little more of a classic-beauty, but he still preferred his dark hair. It made him more distinctive.

"Mom!" Blaine said as he walked into the open door of the bedroom. He was wearing a Victorian style maroon suit with a large, matching top hat. "I'm not sure I get what your concept is..."

He spotted John as a blonde and stopped dead. "Oh, Wow..." he mumbled.

"Isn't she pretty this way? Maybe you should consider changing to blonde hair, Bebe."

Just as John started to say, "No, the studio wouldn't allow it," he heard Blaine say, "No, she's much pretty with dark hair."

John smiled broadly. What a sweet thing to have said.

"You think so?" Joanne asked.

"Yes," Blaine answered, "but I see what your concept is, now. Good choice. I'll go finish getting ready."

As he left, Joanne looked at John again and said, "I don't know. I think you make a cure blonde. Stand up, angel."

Joanne held a pair of white tights open and guided them on to John's feet, then assisted as they worked them up John's body to sit just below his breasts. "Step over here, sweetheart."

John followed her instructions and she laid a full, but fairly short petticoat slip on the bed. "Here, honey, step into this so it doesn't ruin your hair."

Again, he followed directions and Joanne helped him into the garment, which sat with narrow, lacy straps on his shoulders and ended just at his knees. "Oh, that's perfect," Joanne smiled as she adjusted the slip on his body.

Next came a pair of ankle high, high heeled, white, Victorian boots. The two inch heel was very manageable and they were surprisingly comfortable. "Thank goodness those fit. They were my only concern." Joanne said.

"They fit fine. They're very comfortable."

"Excellent."

Next came a baby blue, cotton dress with a white satin, Peter-Pancollar. Joanne lowered it carefully over John and smoothed it over the petticoat slip. It sat just below his knees, about two inches lower than the petticoats. "Oh, perfect!" The puffy sleeves were trimmed in a very feminine, white lace and came just above his elbows. She buttoned the row of tiny buttons up his back.

"One last item," Joanne moved around to John's front and raised a very beautiful, pinafore style apron up his arms, then returned to behind him and tied a big, floppy knot in the back.

"There," Joanne pronounced him done. "Now, let's look in the mirror."

She walked him to the mirrored door of her closet and let him take it all in. The classic costume of a blue dress with a spreading skirt, the puffy, childish sleeves, the pristine white pinafore apron and little boots. He was perfect, but no matter where he put his hands, they were engulfed in skirts, so he folded them daintily in front of him.

He felt oddly little and little-girlish, too - but not in a bad way. In a very, very pleasant way.

"What do you think?" Joanne asked as she fussed with every detail.

"Oh, Joanne, it's just beautiful."

"Oh, I'm so happy that you like it. Alice has always been one of my favorite characters. I've always wanted to have a daughter that I could dress up like this and I cannot imagine a more beautiful Alice than you are, my dear."

John stared at himself. He really was Alice. Just a pretty, silly, little girl.

"Come on, Alice," Joanne put her arm around John's tiny shoulders, "let's go see if your Mad Hatter is ready."
 
 
To Be Continued...