A/N: Hello everyone! Well, midterms have passed (thank the Lord!) and unfortunately so has my spring break, but thanks to that vacation I finally found the time to complete this! I've had this idea in the works for a good three months now, but I underestimated the workload for my spring term so I was never able to get around to it. Thank goodness for mandatory breaks! Well anyhoo, this one is set about two years after the end of the show. Hope y'all enjoy!
Oh! And I forgot to mention, it's a twoshot instead of a oneshot mostly because it would be ridiculously long if I combined it. It's still ridiculously long, but at least this way it's more pleasing to the eye. :)
Colorful patterns of the light that poured in through the stained glass windows ran across Brock and his rented tuxedo as he walked down the aisle of the quaint little church, waiting for the wedding to begin. Already a few guests were milling around the sanctum as he was, but none of which he recognized. Thankfully though they were all being entertained by one of his family members, so it put no pressure on him to make small talk. Instead he had free time to walk around and check for any last minute wedding preparations that may have been neglected.
Everything seems to be in order, he thought to himself proudly. When he was first recruited into helping with the wedding plans, he hadn't been sure if he could do it, but it turned out he was actually pretty good at it. Scarily good, in his opinion, and of course his son-in-law didn't miss a beat in teasing him about it. It was all in good fun, though, and as long as Van didn't bring up his less-than-masculine hidden talent in front of his golf buddies, Brock saw no reason to kill him just yet.
After making his way up and down the aisle a couple of more times, Brock was finally convinced that everything was perfect. Now all that was left to do was get the guests situated and then the ceremony could finally begin. He figured that could wait though, as a quick glance at his watch told him they still had about another half an hour until the scheduled time of the ceremony. What should he do with this free time?
Might as well go check on the bride, he reasoned. She had told him yesterday to give her ample warning before the wedding was to start so she could be sure she managed her time wisely; he figured a half an hour was plenty of warning. After one last quick glance at the main sanctum he made his way through a door at the back of the church and into the little hallway where all the dressing rooms were hidden. Knocking on the door to the room that had been specified for the bride, he waited until he heard her say come in before he entered.
He felt his breath hitch a bit when he finally caught sight of Reba, standing in front of a full length mirror studying her wedding dress. The fitted bodice and long flowing gown accentuated her best features, giving the allusion that the designer had had her in mind when they made the dress. She looked beautiful.
"Oh hey Brock," she greeted him through the mirror. "Everything going okay?"
"Uh…" he stammered, still a bit stunned at her appearance, "Uh, yeah! Everything's ready actually. We should be able to start in half an hour."
"Great," she said as she flashed him a smile. "I can't thank you enough for helping out with all this, Brock. I knew if I had left it up to just Van and Cheyenne nothing would get done between the arguing." Brock gave a small laugh but continued to stare, trying to recall if she had also looked this beautiful on their own wedding day. Meanwhile, Reba went on.
"I feel a little silly," she admitted as she adjusted her veil. "This all seems like a bit much for my second wedding. But you know how persistent Brad can be. He said that since he and his first wife had had to elope, he wanted some tradition at his second wedding." He watched as a small dreamy smile appeared on her face at the thought of her soon-to-be husband, and Brock's heart sunk and soared at the same time.
He wanted Reba to be happy; he really did. And part of him was thrilled that she had found happiness again, especially with a guy like Brad. Brock had known him for several years before he and Reba ever even met. They had been casual golf buddies whenever they happened to show up at the club on the same day. Brad was a doctor, a pediatrician to be exact; the most successful pediatrician in all of Houston. He was a widower, nice, funny, and incredibly good looking…not that Brock was attracted to him, he could just see the appeal. And it also helped that he was absolutely crazy about Reba, probably even from the moment they first met.
It was on a Tuesday, Brock recalled well. He had brought Jake with him over to the golf course while Reba was out showing houses, agreeing to wait for her there so she could pick him up when she was done. After a long day of golf, Brock and Jake ran into Brad when they were heading back in to wait for her and asked him to join them for some celebratory ice cream at the club's creamery, to which he agreed. Reba showed up a few minutes later, beaming over what Brock guessed was a very successful house showing. That's probably the moment all their lives changed.
Brock knew right away from the look in his eyes that Brad was smitten. It was probably her smile that did it, he guessed. Over the course of the thirty odd years they had known each other, he had watched Reba drive men absolutely crazy when she flashed that smile, including Brock himself. Brad asked her to join them for some ice cream, which she graciously accepted. They struck up a conversation, and before either one of them knew it (despite Jake's several complaints of boredom) two hours of talking like they had known each other their entire lives flew by. Brock wasn't the least bit surprised when Brad asked Reba if they could continue their conversation at dinner on Friday, nor was he surprised when she agreed.
That one date led to a whole string of continuous dates, and eventually Reba invited him home to meet the rest of the family; she even invited Brock to bring Barbra Jean and Henry over to meet him as well. That in itself was a big, definite sign that things were beginning to get serious. Brad and Brock's daughters hit it off right away; Van though was a little harder to convince, his overly protective nature to blame. Barbra Jean, on the other hand, didn't take much convincing at all; Brock was pretty sure she would approve of any man Reba dated as long as he made her best friend happy, and Brad obviously did.
It only took a couple more dinners after that introductory one for Brad to become another member of the family, and it was pretty obvious to everyone that he wasn't going away any time soon. Sure enough, on their one year anniversary Brad proposed and Reba said later that she had accepted without even a thought. They set the date for June and wedding plans went under way.
Now in the blink of an eye here they were, living the day Brock discovered he had been dreading the most, and he hated himself for it. He knew this was what he had hoped would happen since right after he and Reba's divorce was finalized. She had found love again. She had found someone that thought the world of her; that was willing to give up everything just to be with her. That was the kind of love she deserved. But then why did he have this terrible ache inside of him? There had to be a reason, but before he had been too afraid to explore the possibilities. Now though, seeing Reba standing there in her wedding gown, he knew he had no choice. He was sure he would eventually go crazy if he just kept it all locked away.
He was still in love with her, of course. That much was obvious. But the thing was that it wasn't that constantly present, intense love he had felt for her when they were still married; the kind that he would feel every time he looked at her. Instead this love only appeared every once in a while, at times when they shared a look or a smile or when they would hang out like the best friends they used to be before all the bitterness of divorce. Brock had to admit, that wasn't so terrible. Anyone should expect to feel love for the woman who had been his best friend for twenty years and the mother of his children. What scared him though was how intense that love still remained, even in its most fleeting moment. It was that intensity that made him long for his and Reba's married days again, and what made him wonder, even to this day, if he had made the right decision by leaving her nearly eight years ago.
"Brock," he suddenly heard his ex-wife snap. He blinked his eyes rapidly as if he had just woken up from a dream and stared at her blankly. "Did you hear what I just asked?"
"Uh, sure I did," Brock fibbed. "I was just about to say I don't know." Reba raised a suspicious eyebrow.
"You don't know where our grandkids are right now?"
"Oh, yeah! Kyra is watching them and Henry for Van and Cheyenne! Sorry, I thought you had asked if…you…" he tapered off lamely after not being able to come up with a plausible excuse, staring down at his shoes and hoping she wouldn't ask any further questions. He could feel her eyes bore into the top of his head, but thankfully she let it slide.
"Anyway," she went on, "I'm so glad we figured out a way to get them all involved. Elizabeth is going to be the prettiest little flower girl, and it is going to be so cute watching Henry push little Steve down the aisle in that carriage as he carries the rings. Can you believe how much Steve has grown already? Seems like just yesterday he was born …"
Meanwhile, Brock breathed a sigh of relief and began to wonder how long he had actually been staring at her, with his luck probably with his mouth slightly agape and his eyes as wide and blank as a deer's when it's caught in headlights. Time to put his half-listening skills to use! As Reba continued to speak fondly of their grandchildren, Brock scanned for key words he could repeat back to her in case she paused for him to respond again. Inside though, he continued to wrestle with the turmoil he had been feeling since only God knows when.
He knew it was wrong to love her as strongly as he did, even if it wasn't constantly. But he had grown so used to that feeling; it had been with him probably since the first time he ever laid eyes on her back in college. To be without it…well, it would just be like living without a part of himself; like there would be a hole where his heart should have been. Brock had to smirk a bit at the thought of the eye roll he would have gotten from Reba had he said that aloud, but it was true. She would always be very much a part of him no matter what he did.
"You know the only thing wrong with his wedding is that Lori Ann couldn't be here. I still have yet to meet her fiancée and I'm dying to know what he's like," he heard his ex-wife say when he tuned back in for a minute. She had just put on her veil over her soft red curls and the light casting through the shimmering material gave her a heavenly glow. She looked gorgeous, and although it distracted him for a bit Brock's mind still continued to race.
But what if I'm forced to live without it, a horrible thought occurred to him. Reba was getting married. Another man was taking her from him. Well, of course he knew that she hadn't been his ever since their divorce, but as long as Reba was single he still felt oddly connected to her; like he was still the only man in her life. Sure there had been other men, but he had been able to tell from the beginning that none of them would last. None of them were good enough for her, and as much as he hated to admit it he was glad none of those relationships lasted. It made him a horrible person, he knew, but he just hadn't been ready to let go of her yet. He still wasn't ready.
"I'm so glad Brad chose New York City for the honeymoon," Reba continued to say. "I know it isn't the traditional beach honeymoon, but I've always wanted to go see a real Broadway play! I'm so excited…"
Brad could take her away, Brock went on in his head. What if he got an even better job offer somewhere else, somewhere Reba was willing to move to? That scary notion could easily become a reality in a few years, when all the kids grew up and moved away. What would hold her here after that? Certainly not Brock, after all he had done to her. Barbra Jean might be a bit more convincing, but she still bugged the heck out of Reba half the time so he doubted she would stay around for her. What else could he do but watch her walk away?
"Alright, I think I'm good to go," Brock suddenly heard Reba say. "Although my hair is losing a bit of its curl in the back…maybe I should curl it a bit again…"
I'm losing her, he realized as a few tears stung his eyes. And there's nothing I can do about it! I guess I'll just have to get used to a life without Reba…
"Nah, I don't think I'll have the time to wait for the curling iron to heat."
But I don't want to get used to it! Who's gonna be around to help me with my problems! Who will I turn to when things get rough at home!
"Oh it's alright. The front of my hair is still curly and the veil hides most of the back…"
She's my best friend. What am I gonna do without her in my life? How am I supposed to get by?
"Okay now I'm definitely ready to go! Wait, is my veil on straight?"
"I don't want you to marry him," Brock suddenly blurted out. He hadn't wanted to say that aloud, but it was just torturing him. He was sure if he had just kept it all in he would have eventually exploded. Meanwhile Reba froze in mid-veil adjustment and slowly turned around to face him, her face flooded with astonishment and confusion. Slowly she dropped her arms to her sides and furrowed her brows.
"What did you just say?"
"Reba, I don't want you to marry Brad. Please don't marry Brad," pleaded with her.
"You're crazy," she snapped. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't marry Brad!"
"I'm still in love with you," he answered without hesitation, and for a second he thought he made the right decision. He suddenly felt like a ton of weight had just been lifted off his shoulders….that is, until Reba burst into a fit of giggles. Okay, not exactly the reaction I was looking for…
"What's so funny," he asked, his wounded pride giving an edge to his tone. Reba shook her head and pressed her lips together to try to suppress her laughter, but it was to no avail. The laughter still came and Brock's pride still bruised. She caught the pained look in his eye though, and only then was she able to get it together…for the most part.
"I'm sorry," she said sincerely, though her speech was still a bit broken up with laughter. "It's just…you're insane!"
"Insane! What do you mean I'm insane," Brock demanded to know, now not only embarrassed but incredibly hurt as well.
"Well what else would you call a married man who just told his ex-wife, who coincidently is about to remarry as well, that he still loved her!"
"Incredibly brave is what I would call him," he retorted, prompting a scoff on her part. "Look Reba, I know my timing isn't perfect, but I just had to tell you! I think I would have gone insane if I just kept it to myself any longer! I love you, and I don't want you to marry Brad."
He paused and studied her reactions carefully, hoping for even the slightest sign that she felt the same way. Unfortunately Reba had one of the best poker faces around, which also happened to be the reason why she beat him at the game so often. She folded her arms in front of her and gave him a small sly smile.
"Alright Brock, let's suspend reality for a second and say that I told you I loved you too; that I'm willing to just run away with you right now! What would you do? Are you really willing to walk out on Barbra Jean and Henry to be with me?"
Brock was struck speechless at her words. He was dead sure that he still loved her, but he was also certain that he didn't want to walk out on his current wife either. He did still love her, even if it was slightly different from the way he loved Reba. And true, their marriage may have become a bit strained yet again, but it still didn't mean he wanted to give up on it. Plus there was no way he'd be able to walk out on Henry. The poor boy has already had a rough first few years, watching his parents argue so often; it would kill Brock if he just completely abandoned him. No, he knew there was no way he would be able to run away with Reba. But it still didn't stop him from wanting her so. So what was he supposed to say?
"I-I…" he stammered, hoping something would come to him. Unfortunately it never did, giving meaning to the old saying, "it's better to keep your mouth shut and appear foolish than open it and remove all doubt". Reba expected it though apparently, the way she nodded her head and smiled smugly at him.
"That's what I thought," she said as she uncrossed her arms and took a few steps towards him, until they weren't even a foot apart. Boy, she really knew how to drive him crazy. "Look Brock, I know you love me, alright? I can feel it sometimes. And to be completely honest I still love you too."
"You do," he asked with a hint of relief. At least he knew now that he wasn't the only one living with these feelings.
"Of course! I mean we've been best friends for like what, thirty years? Married for twenty of them, have three beautiful children together. How could I not still have feelings for you?" Brock grinned at her words and looked deep into her soft blue eyes. He loved how much comfort and clarity just looking into those eyes brought into his life. Before he knew it or could even want to stop himself he was leaning in towards her like he used to, just inches away from kissing her. Reba stopped him abruptly however, putting her hand on his chest and gently pushing him back a bit.
"But things are different now, Brock…very different. I'm in love with Brad, and I know you still love Barbra Jean. We can't just toss that aside because of feelings lingering from a relationship that ended eight years go."
She's right, he thought inwardly. She was always right. No matter how hard he and his pride tried to think otherwise, Brock knew Reba always knew what the best thing was to do in any given situation, and brought even the most dismal looking of dilemmas into a light that suddenly made them so much easier to overcome. That was another thing he loved the most about her…along with her kind heart, her charming smile, her exceptional beauty…wait, what was he doing! He had to stop this before he got lost in those feelings again! Instead he tried to remain focused on the rationality of her words.
"I know what you're saying is right, Reba. It's just that," he paused to look deep into her eyes and draw strength from them before continuing, "you're my best friend, and you always will be. I still need you in my life. And I don't know, I guess I'm just afraid that I'm gonna lose you…that I am losing you."
Reba stayed silent for a second and he could sense her searching deep into his own eyes, weighing carefully the sincerity in his confession. She must have sensed it after a second, for he saw the tough, steely look her own eyes held the whole time he spoke dissolve to one of compassion and sympathy.
"Brock," she said quietly, "you may have lost me as a wife, but as long as you live you'll never have to worry about losing me as a friend." He stared at her kind of hurt for a second until she caught the hint. "As a best friend."
Immense joy eclipsed all other feelings as he stared deeply into her eyes, drinking in the sincerity and friendly love shining through them. He wanted to take her in his arms so much, just to feel that warmth a bit more tangibly rather than just feel it in him when he looked at her. But he just admitted some deep feelings to her and such a gesture might be viewed as too much of a romantic one towards someone who was about to get married. Still, the longing remained and he stayed torn.
Fortunately he didn't have to remain that way for long, for Reba took it upon herself to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him in close. Brock closed his eyes and breathed her scent in deep as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in as closely as possible. So many times he had held her like this since they began their on again, off again relationship some thirty years ago, but it never ceased to make him feel like he was home again; like he had rediscovered a piece of himself he never knew he was missing until he found it again.
All of a sudden the door to Reba's dressing room flew open, and for a moment Brock felt his heart freeze. That was all he needed, to be caught in a compromising position with his ex-wife but either her fiancée or his current wife. Fortunately though, he heard Reba, who was the one facing the door, give out an exasperated sigh.
"Van, what in the heck do you think you're doin'," she cried out. Brock reluctantly let her out of his grasp and turned to see his son-in-law stumble into the room, one hand covering his eyes and the other waving about in front of him to insure that he didn't run into anything. It didn't help much though. Van still kicked and stepped on just about any poor object that happened to be in his way.
"Mrs. H., we have a problem," Van announced in an abnormally loud tone, probably to compensate for his temporary blindness. Reba winced and put a finger to her ears.
"Alright, but first would you mind telling me why you have your eyes covered?"
"It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding," he stated loudly, as if it was the most logical explanation in the world. Reba and Brock both rolled their eyes.
"Van, that's only true for the groom! Now open your eyes and tell me what's goin' on," she replied, her tone growing testier and testier by the second. Brock really pitied Van and his nativity. He should know better than to upset a bride just a few minutes before her wedding.
"Oh wow Mrs. H., you look really pretty," he commented once he removed his hand from his eyes. "Is that dress new?"
"Van," Reba snapped, "just tell me what's so important that you had to come barging into my dressing room."
"Oh! Um…" there was a long pause while Reba and Brock waited for Van to recollect, "Oh yeah! Brad's parent's flight was cancelled and they're not gonna be able to make it to the wedding."
"Oh no," Reba said sadly. "Oh poor Brad, he really wanted them to be here. How's he takin' it?"
"Pretty good, he was just worried about who's gonna take his father's place now," Van replied.
"Oh shoot, I completely forgot about that," she admitted. Since Reba's parents both passed away a couple of years ago, Brad's father graciously volunteered to walk her down the aisle. "Now what am I gonna do?"
"I'll do it," Brock piped up. Both Reba and Van turned towards him with looks of astonishment plastered on their faces.
"What," Reba exclaimed.
"I said I'll walk you down the aisle," he stated simply, to which she just scoffed.
"Don't you think it would be a little strange to have the ex-husband walk the bride to her new husband?"
"Reba, the woman who broke up your first marriage is now serving as maid of honor. I think we pretty much threw tradition out the window with that little fact alone," Brock pointed out.
"He kinda has a point there, Mrs. H.," Van agreed. Reba stared between the two of them before rolling her eyes and sighing.
"Fine," she relented. "Only friends and family are out there anyway. If they haven't been living under a rock for the past eight years, nothing this family does should shock them anymore! Van, go tell Brad the new plans."
"Right away, Mrs. Brad," he said with a tiny salute before bounding off. Reba shook her head a bit and turned her attention to Brock.
"Well, looks like you're my new stand-in father," she told him, prompting a grimace on his part.
"I really don't look that old, do I!"
"Well if it wasn't for that bald spot…" she teased with a little pat on his head. Brock assumed a worried expression and fingered his blonde tresses. What it just him or did they seem thinner than a few seconds ago!
"Brock, relax! I was only kidding," she tried to allay his fears. He gave her a weak smile and a scoff.
"I knew that," he told her, but the anxiety still lingering in his eyes told her otherwise. She chuckled a bit and took his hand.
"Come on, I think I hear the music starting to play." She began to lead him out the door, but before she could he gently pulled her back.
"Hey Reba," he said softly.
"Yeah," she asked, a bit of impatience present in her voice.
"I…I just wanted to say thanks."
"For what?"
"For hearing me out. And for not laughing at my feelings….well, not laughing too much anyway," he added with a chuckle. Reba smiled at him.
"There's no need to thank me Brock. It's actually nice that you feel the need to be honest with me. And it only took thirty years to learn how to do so!" The sincere look she had been giving him a second ago quickly transformed to a sarcastic grin. Brock narrowed his eyes at her.
"Still the red-headed mood killer, I see," he retorted. Reba rolled her eyes.
"I was only kiddin'! Now, can I go get married please?"
"You bet! You ready to become Mrs. Bradley McEntire," he asked as he offered her his hand again. Reba grinned.
"Reba McEntire….has a nice ring to it, don't ya think?"
"I think so," he answered with a grin. And with that the two went off to the entrance to the main sanctum of the church, waiting for the music to switch from Pachelbel's Canon in D to the wedding march. Once it did Reba quickly looped her right arm with Brock's left, and he could feel her trembling a little, probably from sheer excitement. Despite himself, he couldn't have been happier for her.
The doors swung open a few moments later to reveal all eyes of the people present upon them, and together they slowly began to make their way down the aisle. Brock tried to keep his eyes fixed in front of him but very now and then he would steal a few quick glances down at Reba, and he could see her just beaming. She looked about as radiant as he had ever seen her, save for their own wedding of course. In his opinion nothing could ever top the way she had looked on that day.
Before he knew it, they had made their way to the head of the altar and it was time to give her away. He wasn't quite sure what he should do, just let go of her arm and go sit down or give her a hug or what, but once again Reba took care of it. She closed the gap between them and gave him a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you," he heard her whisper softly in his ear before looking him straight in the eye and smiling warmly at him. Brock couldn't say a word. Instead he stared intensely at her in return, trying to communicate just how happy he was despite those feelings that still lingered for her. She turned away from him quickly after that, giving her full attention to Brad from then on, but deep down he knew she got the message. She had always had the amazing ability to read him better than anyone, making words unnecessary between them. This was just one of those times when that skill came in handy.
As the minister began to recite the wedding vows, Brock took his seat and spent the remainder of the ceremony studying the happy couple. He could tell immediately that Reba was the happiest she had been in a long time, and with one look at Brad he could see that he was just bursting with joy as well. Anyone could see they really were meant for each other.
"If anyone here has a cause as to why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace," Brock suddenly heard the minister say. Silence followed and Reba took that opportunity to shoot him a secret playful death glare. He chuckled and gave her a smirk in return. When no one spoke up the wedding carried on as planned, but Brock's mind wandered elsewhere.
Of course he had objections, he would always have objections, but none of them could matter anymore. Technically he had moved on when he married Barbra Jean, and now it was finally Reba's turn to do the same. Still his mind kept running through all the milestones of their twenty year marriage together; all the good times they definitely weren't going to get to experience ever again; and as more and more of those memories began to build something inside Brock began to hurt terribly. He wished Barbra Jean had been sitting next to him instead of standing by Reba's side as her maid of honor. He longed to hold her hand at that moment, just so he could feel that he still had someone he could love and that loved him. In his mind he knew everything was going to be alright, but despite his efforts he just couldn't get his heart to feel the same way.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Bradley McEntire." A thunderous applause went up from the guests, startling Brock out of his reverie. As a reflex he stood up and joined in with the clapping, even though he was still experiencing a bit of emotional angst. The bride and groom walked hand in hand down the aisle and out the church, and just like that the wedding was over. Brock and Reba were really over, as he should have believed eight ago. Maybe it would hurt a little less today if he had done so.
Later on at the reception, Brock sat at his table poking absent-mindedly at the chocolate cake Reba and Brad had just cut. Reba always did love chocolate cake, he thought with a hint of woefulness; times that he would come home from work and surprise her with a chocolate cupcake from the corner bakery playing in his head. Across the banquet hall he could see the new Mrs. McEntire giggling as she fed her husband a piece of the very cake he held in his hand, effectively squashing those pretty little daydreams. Things would definitely never be like that between the two of them again.
Like there was any hope before she got remarried, he reminded himself. In addition to being incredibly selfish and wrong, it had been also been ridiculous of him to hope that things would stay the same forever; that Reba would remain single and he could still hold on to her somehow. She had stolen the hearts of many a men since their divorce, it was only a matter of time before one of them stole hers right back. He was a fool to think anything otherwise, and the heartache he was suffering through now just went to show it.
"Well, can't say I don't deserve it," he told himself quietly. He had set himself for this kinda of anguish nine years ago when he started fooling around with Barbra Jean. Being with her had been fun and easy at the time; and it had made him forgot all about what had scared him the most during his and Reba's separation--losing her. Now the past was finally catching up to him. He was aching just as Reba probably ached when she saw him go off with Barbra Jean. It was his turn to be on the end of watching the person you loved for so long be happy with another; the end that seethed with jealous towards the person who had taken them away. This was his cross to bear.
A few minutes later Brock saw Reba and Brad part ways, Reba going off to dance and Brad going off to mingle with a few guests. Brock figured it was the perfect time to go tell Brad what he had been meaning to tell him ever since the pair announced their engagement. Brock got up from his seat and sort of moseyed around a bit until Brad was alone again, only then did he casually stride up to his side and take a stance next to him.
"Hey Brock," he greeted when he felt his presence, though he didn't acknowledge him with his eyes.
"Hey Brad." Brock picked up on his absent-mindedness and followed his gaze, quickly seeing what had his companion so entranced. Reba, Barbra Jean, Van, Cheyenne, and the rest of the kids were all in a large circle in the middle of the dance floor, each taking turns dancing in the middle of it. They all seemed to be having the time of their lives, especially Reba, who with her white dress and dazzling smile just seemed to glow. Brock understood perfectly why Brad had that loving, slightly goofy smile across his face.
"You having fun," Brock asked after a bit of silence.
"Huh? Oh yes! This was a great place to have the reception. You have a great talent for planning weddings, Brock."
"Yeah, well just make sure you keep that little secret to yourself. I've already had to threaten Van's life to keep him from advertising my wedding planning services on the golf course." Brad laughed heartily.
"Your secret's safe with me, don't worry." After his laughter subsided, he grew serious again. "But really, I can't thank you enough for all you've done. You've made Reba so happy." Brad's stare strayed from Brock again as he turned to look at Reba, and Brock could see an intense love shining in his eyes as he did so. A joy over the fact that she finally found someone warmed Brock's heart.
"It was my pleasure, really," Brock assured him. "There, um, is one thing you can do for me though…"
"You name it," Brad agreed cheerily.
"Don't ever hurt Reba." Brad was a bit taken aback at the sudden command, and he shot a confused look at Brock's direction.
"What….?"
"Don't ever hurt her, Brad…especially not the way I hurt her. She's a wonderful person, and she definitely doesn't deserve to ever go through something like that again. Just make sure you love her for the rest of your life."
"Brock, you have my word that that is not going to happen. I would never be able to something so horrible to her! No offense…."
"None taken," Brock assured him.
"I intend to spend the rest of my life with that woman," Brad continued, gesturing to Reba with his eyes, "and I guarantee you I won't do anything to screw that up."
"Good," he replied with a smile. It faded away though and was replaced by a solemn look yet again. "Because she's my best friend, and I still care about her a lot. I know that sounds stupid coming from me, but it's true. Be sure to take care of her, okay?"
"With my life," Brad agreed. Brock studied him for a minute, carefully calculating the sincerity in his eyes before finally being satisfied. He gave him a smile and a manly pat on the arm.
"Besides, if you ever do end up hurting her, I'm going to have no choice but to kill you," he cut with a joke. Brad laughed again.
"Duly noted," he assured him. "Now if you'll excuse me, I think I see my beautiful bride calling me." Brock turned his attention to the dance floor and saw Reba gesturing for her husband to join her as everyone began to pair up for the slow number that had just started up. Brock scanned the crowd for his own wife before finding her sitting at one of the tables with Henry and his grandchildren. Now would probably be a good time to go ask her for a dance.
At the same time, Brad had weaved his way through the crowd and made it over to his new wife's side, immediately taking her into his arms and beginning to sway with the music. Reba said nothing, instead just giving him that beautiful smile that would forever make him go weak in the knees.
"I think I've officially been threatened by every male member of your family now," he told her after a while to make conversation.
"What do you mean?"
"Well Van and Jake cornered me yesterday during the rehearsal dinner to tell me if I hurt you I'd have them to deal with, then Brock tells me the same thing today."
"He told you not to hurt me?"
"Yeah, right before I came over here." Brad immediately picked up on the rage building up in Reba's eyes, and he knew she was about ready to call Brock out on the cruel irony of his statement.
"It really wasn't in a threatening manner though," he added quickly. "He just told me that you don't deserve to be hurt again so to make sure I didn't do so. I think he really still cares about you a lot, Reba."
Brad watched as the fire in her eyes slowly cooled into a look that he couldn't quite read. Of course there was an element of surprise in there, but it was mixed with something he really didn't expect to see--genuine affection. He guessed that Brock must have told her something earlier that made his and Brad's exchange touch something deep down within her. If Brad were a less secure man he supposed he would be jealous, but he knew that Reba loved him with all her heart, not only because she had told him so repeatedly but also because it shined through those very eyes that currently held affection for another man. A bit of lingering emotion for someone she had loved for twenty years was not only understandable, but a bit tragic at the same time. She must have loved him just as much as she loved Brad today, which meant it must have nearly killed her to see him go. At that very moment Brad swore he would keep his word to Brock and never do anything to put that kind of pain in his wife's eyes ever again.
Meanwhile, Brock had led his much delighted current wife by the hand over to the dance floor and took her in his arms. It had been a while since they danced together and if felt good to hold her like that again. He felt the warmth of her body up against him take him far away from their arguments and the pain they caused one another over their short marriage. It was moments like this where he realized how much he truly did love her.
But as they were swaying to the soft romantic music, Brock looked past Barbra Jean's shoulder and caught sight of Reba looking at him. He locked his eyes with hers and saw the affection held within them, immediately becoming confused.
"Thank you," he saw her mouth to him.
"For what," Brock mouthed back, now even more baffled then before. There was a moment where Reba just stared and smiled at him.
"For everything." It took a long moment of Brock just staring at her like a clueless dope before it finally dawned on him. Brad must have told her what they had talked about, and instead of being mad like he thought she would be--well, she probably was to begin with—she was touched. Brock's heart fluttered yet again.
He grinned at her and was about to mouth a "you're welcome" in response, but at that very moment another couple passed by them, temporarily blocking his view of Reba. By the time they were gone Reba had broken eye contact, leaning her head against Brad's shoulders and closing her eyes before sighing with perfect contentment. Brock's spirits deflated as he turned his attention back to the warmth of his wife, who had leaned her head against his shoulder as well, though in a slightly more awkward manner considering her taller stature. He leaned his own head against the top of hers and sighed sadly.
He loved his current wife; he knew he did. So it was still a complete mystery to him why Reba had such an affect on him; why just one look into her eyes made his world turn completely upside down yet brought such stability to it at the same time. They had both moved on now, to other people who loved them just as Reba and Brock had once loved each other, but the doubts and the "what ifs" still remained. Now looking at his ex-wife and the man who now had the right to call her his true love hold each other so close, Brock wondered if things would ever be normal again.