Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Steam billowed into the air above the tub. Hot water sprayed down from the showerhead. Underneath it all, the occupant of the shower went through the motions, scrubbing her arms with a loofah while trying to avoid thinking about last night. The bath sponge was placed to the side, a squeeze of body wash oozed out on two smooth, long legs. The soap lathered, she put one leg under the spray, then the other. Pushing forty years, those legs were the source of considerable admiration around Honey Hollow Medical Center. A point of pride for their owner; she worked hard in maintaining their shape.

Dr. Bridget Tarver, widely respected for her intelligence and wisdom, compassion, and bedside manner, still knew the asset that garnered the most attention had nothing to do with her brain or heart. Genetics, with a tip of the hat to exercise and diet, could be thanked for the pair of breasts that caught the eyes of nearly every man and woman she met. Learning at a young age how to use her buxom bosom for her benefit, Bridget, to this day, would leave an extra button undone in even a professional setting to distract and soothe. Unknown to her admirers, those breasts were also a gateway to a side of the levelheaded woman that she sought to keep buried. A wild side that she's long managed to suppress.

Now, lathering those two orbs with soap, Bridget made sure to be careful. She avoided anything but the slightest of touches to her nipples. Nor did she spend an inordinate amount of time rubbing them into cleanliness. After her well-maintained walls of control crumbled last night, she worried about falling further into sin. The pleasures she found in her ample breasts historically could be blamed for sparking her wildest adventures.

Keeping her mind void of all thoughts of last night and what she did, worked as a second way she sought to maintain control while she rebuilt those walls. All through washing her blonde hair, Bridget distracted her inner turmoil with her upcoming patient schedule. Listing them over and over, she smiled in anticipation of the forthcoming childbirths for her patients. Those moments of joy always brightened up not just her day but her life.

Turning off the water, Bridget lost track of how long she stood in the shower, letting the water drip from her body. Getting out of the tub meant the first step toward dealing with her late-night actions. Finally, knowing she couldn't prolong it any longer, she pulled the shower curtain open. Grabbing a towel, she went through the motions of drying herself. Once finished, she reached for her small, black robe. Fingers touching the thin, soft fabric, Bridget's mind flashed back to earlier in the evening yesterday. She had lent the same robe to a certain shy brunette for her to wear down to the hot tub. Taking several deep breaths, she pulled the robe on, loosely tying the belt around her body.

Moving over to the sink, Bridget wiped some of the fog off the mirror and stared at the woman looking back at her. Where most people would see a respected doctor and mother of two, she saw a terrible person. The sort of person that would take advantage of the girl who lived next door for her own carnal pleasures.

"Look at you," Bridget said to the woman in the mirror. "You're supposed to be a loyal wife, a mother to look up to, and a doctor that the community can be proud of. Instead, you let the slut inside of you out again. You cheated on your husband with your son's best friend. A girl that's looked up to you as a role model." Bridget snorted sarcastically. "Role model? Yeah, teach the innocent, sweet girl to unleash her inner slut. That's a great role model."

Clenching her eyes shut, Bridget wished that when she reopened them, she would be in bed and the whole night before just an awful dream. Knowing it all to be nothing but wishful thinking, she opened her eyes, staring again at herself. Bridget wondered how those she cared for the most would view her now.

JoJo? That poor girl. She's struggling with confidence, and I take advantage of her while she's drunk. I can only hope that she doesn't see me as a predator and run off to tell her parents. Peyton? Will my daughter hate me for doing something she expects from her best friend, not her mother? Peyton just doesn't understand what it's like to deal with these urges. She's got that knack for near-perfect self-control that she inherited from her father. Sean? Oh, the look of shock and disgust on my little boy's face is what's going to hurt the most. Not only did his mother seduce a girl his age, but she's his best friend. Sean's always been the innocent one seeing life through a rose-colored lens. Have I destroyed his optimism?

Wiping the moisture from her eyes, Bridget tried to calm herself down before the tears started to flow. While her children and most of the younger generation would be shocked at her fling with JoJo, many others wouldn't be at all. Two decades can dull a lot of memories, but it's doesn't erase them. Too many people would remember rumors or true tales of the adventures of Bridget Fallon.

Rachel will probably give me a disappointed look that will cut right through me. Kimberly will certainly gloat at seeing my fall. On the other hand, Gabby will likely hug me in joy. Shit, Tinny will probably be the worst. I can just hear over the phone pointing out the irony. My first time with another girl was the girl next door, who happened to be my best friend. Leo will be the worst. He'll give me another one of those emotionless looks, wondering why anyone would let their actions be dictated by any body part other than their brain. It won't cross his mind one bit that maybe he's partly at fault. A woman can't go this long without any passion in her life without having a slipup, can they?

"This will need to be handled as discreetly as possible. I can't let my mistake hurt JoJo's reputation. The poor girl already sounded worried before last night about people thinking she's a lesbian just because she plays soccer. Everything we do now must be to protect JoJo; you got that?" Bridget told the wicked woman in the mirror.

"Don't give me that look! We--I need to buy time and build back up the walls. I can't be you again. I have responsibilities and a reputation to uphold. I had sex with my son's best friend! That's not acceptable. Maybe I can tell myself that because it was with a girl and not another man, it makes it less awful, but we both know that's doesn't make it right. If I let you back out, then what's next? A co-worker? A patient? Sean's still got one best friend to go. Will you seduce Newt next?"

Bridget's distraught face showed a momentarily crack. Then another longer twitch. Finally, she couldn't hold back the laughter any longer. Seducing and screwing Newt? Such an absurd idea gave Bridget a long, hearty laugh that she desperately needed.

Wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes, Bridget felt some of the tension from her body dissipate. A little calmer, she knew now was the time to leave the bathroom and possibly face the ramifications of her actions.

Gripping the doorknob, Bridget leaned her forehead against the wooden door. Taking several deep breaths, she spoke aloud her fear of the moment.

"Please tell me I didn't destroy our relationship for life, JoJo."

Clive Stratton stared at his reflection in the mirror.

For two straight nights, Rachel's libido had been cranked up to full blast. So strong had her sexual needs and wants been that they'd dragged Clive along without much of a fight. Some of their nighttime fun, like in the hot tub two nights ago, could be written off as vacation passion. But last night's events went in a direction they had barely scratched in their younger days. With a few drinks in her, Rachel could get pretty horny, but this time seemed different.

What the hell is going on with this cabin? It's like the debauchery from Harvey's old cabin haunts this new one.

The five-year age gap between himself and Rachel meant they had experienced life on slightly different timeframes. While they had met earlier, it wasn't until the summer after Rachel's freshmen year of college that he noticed her as a potential partner. Already done with his second year of law school, a fun summer with a gorgeous girl helped relieve the pressure of his studies and his family's expectations. Back then, it took him a long time to recognize her split personality. Usually a calm, compassionate girl, Rachel had this sexual side that came out. One that he mostly wrote off to **** since it didn't surface much. It was a common thing to see in college. Still, she wasn't as wild as her friends, especially Gabby. Maybe the company she kept should have clued him in that something was different with her. But when they discovered she was pregnant with Lana that school year, their new responsibilities clamped down on that side of Rachel.

There were definitely some intensely hot times early in their marriage, mostly before his wife graduated from college. Clive knew many of her students' parents would be shocked at a few of the things the sweet, caring teacher had done in the bedroom. Not that they were lewd or tawdry activities, just that school teacher didn't seem capable of being anything but a sweet, motherly woman. Everything about her screamed straight-laced mother.

With both of them in positions of prominence in the community, their marriage settled into a calm marriage. They loved each other deeply, which showed in their lovemaking. Very occasionally did they straight out fuck. Those moments when Rachel let loose were usually saved for special occasions such as anniversaries, weddings, and vacations. Clive gave little thought to his wife's peculiar moments of crazy passion.

Only in recent years did he give much thought to the two sides of Rachel. Some people would say she had a Jekyll and Hyde personality, but as a lifelong bookworm, Clive envisioned her more as a character from the comic books he collected in his younger days. Rose and Thorn, that's the character that came to his mind at times about his wife, not that he would ever tell anyone. A kind, caring woman that turned into a seductive supervillain for brief moments. The comparison seemed right in his mind as Clive considered his two children.

Lana and Lacey seemed like the manifestation of Rachel's two personalities. Lacey was the sweet, kind, and empathic version of Rachel that people saw almost every day. Lana was the crazy, temptress side of her personality that came out only when the circumstances were perfect. Order and chaos were his two girls, with both equally concerning him. Clive's eldest troubled him mightily as he didn't know if she knew where the line was to stop with her sexual impulses. His youngest, his little cupcake, scared him almost more. He feared that she would be corrupted by those around her, like that arrogant boyfriend of hers or by her older sister.

Splashing cold water onto his face, Clive also felt concerned over the images that Rachel's dirty talk and attempted role-playing planted into his mind. A man of strong willpower, Clive felt confident that he could, over time, banish those images from his brain. They were disturbing enough that they might never entirely vanish but could be locked away. The way Lana carried herself probably meant it would enter his mind more often than Lacey until they could be buried deep enough.

Watching his reflection, Clive noticed with guilt the way he absentmindedly licked his lips as he considered his greater concern. Burying the incestuous images away didn't worry him as much as it did when it came to his daughter's best friend. Unlike his two girls, he had tasted Peyton with her kisses. And he knew that the taste of the forbidden fruit could be overwhelming. As district attorney, he saw the temptation people faced all the time with various forbidden activities. Even now, Clive could feel the urge to kiss those delectable lips again or squeeze that breathtakingly tight butt of hers.

Why did she have to do this to me? Clive questioned his wife in his mind. So intense was his anger at Rachel right now that he whipped open the door. He wanted to berate his wife for planting these lecherous feelings into him that stirred his loins. Rachel also needed to be scolded for bringing up Lana and Lacey. She needed a good lecture about right and wrong.

All the fury inside of him evaporated as Clive walked into the bedroom. Rachel sat on the edge of the bed. Saying she was distraught would be an understatement. The red-haired mother of two looked absolutely devastated with a pained face, tears streaming down, and sobs racking her body.

She knew! For the briefest of moments, Clive marveled at how deep of a connection they shared. Immediately upon waking, Rachel knew how badly she hurt her husband and the pain she felt for causing that consumed her.

"I-I'm sorry. So sorry," Rachel moaned in-between sobs.

Racing forward, Clive wrapped his arms around her body, trying to stop her body from violently rocking with each sob.

"Ssh, I know, I know," he said soothingly. "It will be alright. We'll be fine."

"I-I don't know what came over me. The things I said about the girls. I'm horrible."

"No, you're not. You had too much to drink and got a little crazy," Clive stated. Despite his feelings over the matter, he couldn't stand to see his wife in this much pain. "Everything will be fine."

"But, P-Peyton--"

"We'll deal with that when the time comes," Clive said, pulling his wife back down onto the bed. Cuddling Rachel close to him, he continued to whisper soothing comments to her.

Walking out of the bathroom, Bridget moved toward the dresser with a purpose. She wanted to be fully clothed before she woke JoJo to apologize. Pulling open the drawer, Bridget, for once, gave little thought to what underwear she picked to wear. Grabbing a bronze-colored set, she untied her robe, letting it fall to the floor with a slight move of her shoulders. Quickly pulling up her panties, she was in the process of clasping the back hooks of the bra when she felt eyes on her. Looking up into the mirror, she saw JoJo nervously watching her.

Knowing this was the moment she dreaded, Bridget braced herself as she turned around. Her son's shy best friend lay on the bed, covered in a sheet. Knowing the teen would still be naked underneath, Bridget felt a dual jolt of lust and shame. As her eyes scanned the teen's face for any signs of a reaction, she took in the mussed-up brown hair, noting the sexy effect it caused. That proved to be the last straw of shame for the mother of two. JoJo's eyes shot open as she watched Sean's mom break down into tears.

"Mrs. Tarver?"

Hearing JoJo still call her that name out of respect only served to intensify her guilt and tears. Placing her face in her hands, Bridget couldn't recall the last time she felt so horrible a person. The touch of a hand on her arm felt like a hot iron scalding her skin, causing her to jump back, her body hitting the dresser.

"Mrs. Tarver, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"

Did she do something wrong? "Oh, JoJo, you didn't do anything. I'm that one that did!"

"Is it because of...you know?"

Hearing that JoJo seemed embarrassed even to say what they did last night felt like a knife piercing into her skin. Tears still rolling down her face, Bridget continued to cry.

"Oh, Jo. I'msosorry,soverysorry," the blonde-haired mother rambled out.

"Um, maybe you should sit down, Mrs. Tarver. You're kinda scaring me." JoJo gently led her friend's mom to the bed, where they both sat down on the edge.

"I'm sorry, JoJo. So sorry," Bridget repeated, forcing herself to slow down this time. "I'm a horrible person!"

"Why?"

"I took advantage of you. I'm old enough to be your mother, I'm Sean's mom, and I took advantage of you," Bridget said, unable to look at the teenager.

"Um, I'm confused."

"I'm an awful person that acted like a predator last night. You were drunk; I seduced a drunk teenager by having her try on underwear and dresses."

"You seduced me?" JoJo asked with a raised voice of surprise.

"I didn't mean to, but I did."

"No one has ever seduced me before," JoJo said in awe, although Bridget didn't hear it that way.

"That's what makes it worse. You shouldn't have some old woman like me doing that to you, corrupting you. JoJo, you're supposed to do those things with people your own age," Bridget rattled off, staring at the floor. "I've known you since you were a baby. It's so wrong that I hurt you like that."

"Hurt me? You didn't hurt me, Mrs. Tarver. I had fun last night."

"Oh, Jo, honey. You're still half-asleep. Once you wake up more, you'll see just how dirty and terrible a person I am for last night."

"But I have thought about it. I woke up a few hours ago for a little while. I realized that I need to thank you and Whitney for last night."

"Thank me?" Bridget's head swung up and over to finally meet the eyes of her son's best friend. "You can't be serious?"

"Yes, I am." JoJo gave a firm nod. "The two of you pushed me to try to be a new person. I've always been embarrassed by...you know," JoJo said, gesturing down to her sheet-covered bust. "I still am somewhat, I guess. But last night helped. You two were right; I need to be willing to push myself."

"JoJo, I-I--"

"I might not be ready to wear any sexy outfits like Whitney does or wear that dress to the ball. However, I'm ready to start wearing that kind of underwear under my clothes, at least. That's mainly due to you, Mrs. Tarver. My mom would have never encouraged me to try those on as you did."

"T-that's great, but that still doesn't make what I did later right," Bridget stated, confused by the girl's reactions.

"Why? Because I've never done anything like that before?" Seeing Bridget nod, JoJo continued. "I might be a virgin unless I'm not now. Does last night count? Oh, I guess it doesn't matter. What I mean is that while I'm a virgin, and I know I'm shy, I still have fantasies. I want to have a boyfriend and do all the stuff boyfriends and girlfriends do, including having sex."

"That's why I shouldn't have done that to you last night, honey," Bridget remarked.

"I think I did some of it to you too, Mrs. Tarver," JoJo said with a giggle. "I know you regret it and feel bad, but I don't at all. You're like an extra mom to me. I trust you and want to be like you someday. To me, that's why I think it's cool we did that together last night. I don't think there are really that many people I could have trusted to do that with."

Bridget sat on the bed in shock as she tried to comprehend the words JoJo spoke. The girl not only thanked her but seemed happy it happened.

"Maybe this doesn't make any sense, but I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Now, having sex with someone isn't this scary, mysterious event. I've had at least one version of it, and I think I'm ready to have more."

"Whoa, whoa, slow down, JoJo," Bridget hurriedly interrupted. "I don't want you running off and jumping into bed with a guy right away. I already feel bad enough about last night."

"Don't feel bad, Mrs. Tarver. You wanted to help me not be so shy, and it worked at least a little. I'm not going to grab the first guy I see, lose my virginity to him, and turn into some slut. What I meant is that I'm ready--or think I am--to maybe talk to guys without being so worried that they will only want me for my...you know. I know the guy I let--and it will be me letting him, not him making me--have sex with me will be someone who cares for me and respects me."

"Oh, Jo," Bridget said with a sigh of relief while she gave the girl a big hug. "I was so worried I screwed you up for life, and here you are acting more mature than me."

"Um, Mrs. Tarver, while I did have fun having...you know with you last night, I hope you won't feel bad if I want to wait at least before we do something like that again," JoJo started, suddenly looking like the shy and bashful teen she usually came across as. "It's not that I don't think you're beautiful and all, but it would be a little weird as you are Sean's mom. I kinda want my next time to be with a guy."

"Oh, honey," Bridget said with a laugh. "There's no need to feel bad about that. Uh, I probably shouldn't do that with you anyways. I am married, and I do feel bad about that part still. But let's worry about you for now. How about we set about finding you a nice young man to go out on a date with?"

"Really? I kinda already have a list in my head, but I'm not sure if they like me."

"Don't worry, honey, we'll get Whitney to help you be more confident and maybe even get Lacey involved. That girl's such a romantic; I know she'll love to help you get the guy you want," Bridget suggested before pausing. "Uh, JoJo, about last night...you said some things about wanting two guys in you at once. Um, maybe you should wait a little longer to do something like that, okay?"

"Oh, okay. It's just one of the fantasies I have at night. I've got lots more I can think of doing first," JoJo responded cheerfully. "Lots of fantasies."

For a brief moment, Bridget wondered who had seduced who last night but shook away the idea as crazy.