Dear Readers-
Welcome to my latest story! This is not part of the "Love Again" series. It is a standalone story. I'm not sure if it's going to be a one-shot or not. I got this idea from watching the Drop Dead Diva marathon on Lifetime, the current home of the "Reba" show. I am still working on my other story, Believe in Love Again, but I got this story into my head and it just wouldn't let go. I got writers' block on "Believe" so I know that I have to get this written so I can continue back on "Believe".
I am wishing all of you a Happy Fourth of July early! Chapter 38 of Believe in Love Again will be posted by tomorrow, July 4th at the very latest.
I love Drop Dead Diva. It airs on Lifetime on Sunday nights. It is currently in season three. The show is a comedy with dramatic plots. It centers on the relationship between two soul mates and those around them. Deb died and got sent back in Jane's body. Deb now works side by side with Grayson, her fiancé/soul mate as Jane in a law firm.
The series revolves around vapid blonde and aspiring model, Debbie (Deb) Dobkins (played by Brooke D'Orsay in the pilot and in flashbacks), who is killed in a car crash. As her soul enters the gates of Heaven, she finds herself declared a self-centered "zero" (meaning she has performed zero good deeds and zero bad deeds during her time on earth; she is simply shallow) by the gatekeeper, Fred. After not liking what she hears, she presses for a return to her former body, hoping to get back to Earth. Deb gets her wish (by willfully pressing a computer key she should not have), only to be brought back to life in the body of a recently deceased, brilliant, hardworking, overweight lawyer named Jane Bingum.
Initially horrified, Deb – in her new human form – discovers the meaning of inner beauty as she finds the ability to juggle legal cases, aided by her assistant Teri, while attempting to reconnect incognito with her still-grieving boyfriend, Grayson Kent, who just started working at Jane's law firm. At the same time, Deb begins to rediscover her past while learning more about her inherited body's current life, and how Jane was treated when she was alive. In addition to Fred (who was demoted to guardian angel and had been assigned to watch over her at the law firm), only Deb's long-time mortal friend Stacy knows Jane's true identity.
Thanks for continuing to read my stories and letting me know that you still want to read more chapters. Keep leaving me comments and reviews. I love reading them. Your reviews make me smile. It keeps me writing. Here it goes…
Title: Drop Dead Hero
Episode 1: Do Over
Characters I don't own: Reba McKinney-Hart, Brock Hart, Kyra Hart, Jake Hart, Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery, Van Montgomery, Elizabeth Montgomery, Barbra Jean Booker, Henry Hart, and any other characters from the Reba cast.
Characters I do own: Anyone not part of the Reba cast – original characters developed for this story include: Parker Harrison, Timothy, Faye, Daniel Hammond, the mysterious gunman, and Kevin.
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Now on with the story-
I don't own the TV shows of Reba or Drop Dead Diva. I also don't own any of the characters in this story from Reba or Drop Dead Diva. They belong to the writers of the REBA TV show and DROP DEAD DIVA TV show. I also do not own the rights to any of the songs and lyrics that I use in this story. Those are the property of the artists involved. I also do not own the rights to any television show or movie reference that I use in this story. Those are the property of the Hollywood creative teams involved in their production. I will be changing some release/airing dates of the titles used to fit in with the story.
This story takes place in the fall of 2007 when the Reba show would be in season seven. All of the characters from Reba are the same ages that they are in my other stories in the "Love Again" series.
This chapter will consist of scenes that will be in regular font, not italicized font. I use the italicized font to distinguish between author's notes and regular scenes. I use bold font when things need special emphasis.
Previously- There is no previous installment of this story because this is the beginning of the story.
Summary: Brock is hit by a car and killed while crossing the street. He was walking from his dental office to get a cup of coffee at a restaurant across the street. Brock has led a shallow life and he has unresolved life issues. His soul cannot rest because he still feels that he has to fix the things that went wrong in his life. He is divorced from Barbra Jean. After the divorce, Barbra Jean and Brock stayed friends. He wanted to get back together with Reba, but he didn't get a chance to before he died. After arguing with heaven's gatekeeper named Faye, he presses for a return to his former body, hoping to get back to Earth. Brock gets his wish (by willing pressing a computer key he should not have), only to be brought back to life in the body of a recently decreased, brilliant, hardworking real estate agent named Daniel Hammond.
Initially horrified, Brock-in his new body-discovers the meaning of inner strength of character as he finds the ability to juggle his new career in real estate with trying fix his old life and become a better man. He wants to win back the love of his life, Reba. He is aided by his assistant Timothy, while attempting to reconnect incognito with his still-grieving ex-wife, Reba, who works at the same real estate office as Daniel. Daniel just started working at Reba's real estate office. At the same time, Brock has to discover who Daniel was and learn more about his current life. In addition to Faye (who was demoted to guardian angel and had been assigned to watch over him at the real estate office), only Barbra Jean knows Brock's true identity.
How will this story begin? How will Reba meet Brock as Daniel? How will Barbra Jean react to Brock coming back from the dead? How will Brock react to having to live his life as another person? How will Brock live as Daniel without being able to be a father to his kids? What is Reba's reaction to all of this? Will she ever find out that Daniel is really Brock?
What happens next? Stay tuned to find out! Keep reading to find out more!
Author's note- Note to readers: This chapter will deal with how these characters meet. This chapter will begin to set up who, why, when, where, and how of the story.The first thing is establishing the relationships and history.
Here are some things to remember as you read this story:
You have to be very careful sometimes when reading details because new chapters will refer back to previous chapters in my stories. I like making lots of twists and turns in my writing to keep people guessing.
Barbra Jean is afraid of anything spooky. It will be fun to see her reaction to finding out that her ex-husband has come back from the dead in another body.
It will be fun to see Reba react to being pursued by the new Daniel (Brock).
I love the reviews that have been sent on my other stories. Thank you!
The answers to the questions above will be revealed as you read the story. Here is Drop Dead Hero!
Now on with our story-
Brock woke up to find Reba in the kitchen fixing breakfast. He moved in during his divorce from Barbra Jean got underway. He and Reba were working on their relationship. Brock was staying in Cheyenne and Van's old bedroom. It was a big day because Brock was being considered to join a new prestigious dental practice.
"Babe, how do I look?"
"Brock, for heaven's sakes, for the thousandth time I'm tellin' ya that you look great! Those guys are nuts if they don't pick you to join their practice."
"I'm sorry. I'm just nervous. We really need the money. My old practice isn't doin' as well as it used to."
Reba came up to Brock and wrapped her arms around him. "You look very handsome. If I weren't running late, I'd take you upstairs and show you how much. Now sit down and have some breakfast, I made some waffles just for you."
Daniel Hammond was pulling a cinnamon roll out of the refrigerator at the real estate office. He was walking back to his office when he was stopped by his assistant, Timothy.
"Morning, Timothy."
"Dan, you didn't go home last night again."
The pair was approached by Kevin Thomas. "Dan, we have a big client to meet with this afternoon."
"I know. I've been working on his file and developing a full range of properties for him to see today."
"Daniel, it's your suit. The client was here yesterday." Timothy remarked.
Daniel looks over his suit. Kevin continued. "This is a very important client to this company. We don't want to lose him to Dolly Majors. You need to wear something more wrinkle free and you might want to reconsider the tie also. It's got a stain."
"It looks like Kevin's is off his meds again. Don't worry about it. The meeting will go well today."
Back at Reba's, Reba was kissing Brock goodbye. "I've got two open houses today and three new client appointments so I have to go now. Knock 'em dead, Brock. I know that you'll be great. I love you."
"Thanks. We'll celebrate with a special dinner tonight. I'm takin' you out."
"Great! Are we just celebratin' the new practice or is there somethin' else?"
"There is somethin' else. I'll talk to ya about it tonight. I love you, Reba honey."
Reba gave him another quick kiss before grabbing her briefcase to head out the door. Brock's fingers went over the ring box in his pocket. The new job wasn't the only thing he was nervous about today.
Daniel was busy going over some paperwork when he spilled some coffee all over his suit. "D-n it!" He went looking for Timothy. He saw him crouched on the ground. There wasn't any time to react! There was a man in the real estate office with a gun.
"Get down on the ground!" the man ordered.
"This man has an issue with the boss." Timothy revealed.
"Your boss slept with my wife!" the man declared.
Daniel looked around to see Kevin hiding under a desk. The boss came out in the open to talk to the gunman.
"I didn't know that she was married!" he insisted, trying to reason with the man.
"Look, man..." Daniel tried to reason with the gunman also. He stepped forward, tripping over an extension cord. This spooked the gunman, who fired a shot. Daniel fell to the ground.
Brock was getting ready to walk across the street from his office to grab a cup of coffee before his meeting. His cell phone rang. It was Barbra Jean, his second ex-wife. "My boyfriend broke up with me. Why, Brock? Am I such a bad person?"
"No, of course not, sweetie. You just haven't found the right guy yet. I'll come by and we'll talk before Reba and I go to dinner tonight, okay?"
"Thank you, Brock. You are such a nice guy. Is tonight the night that you're gonna propose to Reba?"
"Yeah, I've got reservations at the new Italian restaurant downtown."
"Oh, she'll love that! I've heard that it's really romantic."
"Yeah, it's got candlelight and everything."
Brock was walking across the street to get that cup of coffee that he desperately needed when a truck came out of nowhere.
"Brock, hello? Can you hear me?" Barbra Jean asked.
Brock was lying in the street, bleeding. The truck was driving too fast as Brock was walking across the street. The truck hit Brock head-on. The next thing Brock knew, he was traveling up an escalator in a white high rise building, dressed in a white suit. He was greeted by woman dressed in white.
"Mr. Hart, I'm Faye. I'm the gatekeeper. My apologies for your untimely demise."
"Demise?"
"It's a lot to process. Follow me." Faye led Brock down another escalator.
"This is not what I thought heaven would be like." Brock commented. Faye took Brock back to her desk. "I really need to get back to Earth now." Brock tried to flirt with the woman to get his way. It was his usual move, using his charm to get what he wanted from women. It didn't work. The woman was unfazed and proceeded to offer Brock a chair to sit down. The woman typed away at her computer.
"Mr. Hart, you haven't done very many good deeds, have you?"
"Hey, I am a good person!"
"You're not a bad person, but you aren't a good person either. Based on our brief time together, I think that you're just basically shallow."
Brock was clearly offended by the woman's remark. "I'm not gonna sit here and take that!"
"What are you going to do about it?" Faye responded.
Brock noticed a sign that read "RETURN BUTTON shall NOT be pressed without authorization".
"Let's find out." Brock challenged Faye, pressing the return button on her computer keyboard. Suddenly, there was a bright light surrounding him. The next thing he knew, he woke up on a gurney in a hospital. Doctors were preparing to shock his heart. He looked around, confused. He saw his new face in the reflection on the metal lamp above him. "What the heck!"
The doctors admitted him to a room. The doctors came in to speak to him. "You are a very lucky man, Mr. Hammond. It appears that the bullet did not significant damage. There must have been a short in the heart monitor." Just then, Faye appeared in the hospital room to see Brock.
"Are you a friend?"
"Yeah."
"We're keeping him overnight for observation. There's no significant trauma." The doctor explained and left the room.
Brock was asleep in the hospital bed. Faye walked over to the bed. She leaned over and yelled, "Wake up!"
Brock jolted himself awake. "I just had the strangest dream." he commented.
"That wasn't a dream, sugar." Faye revealed.
"Faye?" he said as he looked over his new body. "You sent me to hell?" he asked.
"Relax. We sent you into a recently vacated body. Your old body..." Faye tried to explain, but Brock interrupted her. "No, this cannot be happening. I am supposed to be proposing to my girlfriend tonight."
"Not anymore, you're not. Your name is Daniel Hammond. You are not Brock Hart anymore. You should be happy. You got lucky. You got into a gorgeous new body. Daniel is physically fit with an IQ that off the charts. You get all of that."
Brock tried one last time to flirt with her to get his way back to being Brock Hart with no luck.
"You are Daniel Hammond, now and forever. All you need to know about him, now you, is in here." Faye handed Brock a briefcase. "There's a wallet, driver's license, and business cards. Now there's a rule. You can't tell anyone about this. You got it."
"Why?"
"Because people will think that you're insane and I'll have to send you back. You won't be going upstairs this time."
"Okay if I'm Daniel, then why do I still remember being Brock? I know everything about being Brock, but I don't know anything about this Daniel. Shouldn't I know about Daniel?"
Faye was sympathetic with Brock's plight. Her face carried a look of sadness. "Memories remain with the soul."
Just then, Reba and the kids passed by the hospital room as they walked down the hall. Van had his arm around Reba, trying to comfort her. The redhead was sobbing uncontrollably. That sight alone sent Brock over the edge.
"No, no! This isn't fair! There has to be somethin' I can do about this. I'm outta here!" Brock grabbed the clothes that he found and prepared to leave.
Brock took a taxi back to Reba's house. He used the spare key under the doormat to get in. He went upstairs to Reba's bedroom. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. That's when it hit him. He wasn't Brock Hart anymore. He was staring at his reflection in the mirror. He really was this Daniel Hammond guy.
He was also wearing blood-stained, torn clothing. This prompted him to go into the closet in his bedroom to change into something more suitable. He quickly put on jeans and a t-shirt. He heard the sound of the front door opening and shutting. He went into Reba's bathroom and hid behind the door. Reba entered her bedroom and sat down on the bed. Despair was spread over her face. Brock watched as Reba wept aloud, rocking back and forth.
He leaned against the bathroom sink, knocking over a bottle of Reba's nail polish. Reba quickly jumped off the bed and hurried to see what the noise was. She feared that someone had broken into the house. What she saw was the bottle of spilled nail polish on the floor. The bathroom window was open and the curtain blowing in the breeze. Brock took a look at one of Daniel's business cards. He took a cab to the Parker Harrison Real Estate office. People were looking at him funny as he entered the office.
Faye entered the office shortly afterwards. "Nice outfit." she commented.
"What are you doin' here?" he asked.
"I heard that the company is hiring for an office assistant. I'm here to apply for the job."
"Shouldn't you be back up there?" Brock hissed.
Faye pulled him to the side. "Daniel..." she warned.
"Stop it! I hate everythin' about this. I hate his name! I hate his face! I hate his voice!.."
"Shut up! I'm here because of you, alright? I got demoted from gatekeeper to guardian angel because of you."
"You're my guardian angel?"
"Yeah, I'm afraid so."
"Please give me a different body."
"No can do, Danny boy. Between you and me, I'm not really thrilled about being your babysitter."
"How did you find me here?"
"You're in Daniel's body."
"So?"
"Everybody's body has its own needs, its cravings, and its comfort zones. This place is where Daniel's body feels at ease. This is where Daniel's intellect shines. The man is a workaholic."
Just then, Timothy ran up to the pair. "Daniel, oh my God! Are you okay, buddy?"
Faye whispered, "That's Timothy, your assistant."
"Thank God, you're okay. You look good for just being shot. Let's get you to your office." Timothy led Brock/Daniel to his office. As they walked by, everyone stood up and started clapping.
"Why are they clappin'?"
"You took a bullet for the boss. That's a pretty big deal around here."
Brock/Daniel walked around shaking hands with everyone. He smiled and winked at a woman who was flirting with him. Not enough death was enough to cure him of being such an outrageous flirt with women right now. Timothy handed Brock/Daniel another suit to wear from his office closet. Apparently Daniel was a top seller at the company despite being new. Brock was confused by his surroundings. Daniel was nothing like the man that Brock was.
Timothy noticed that Brock/Daniel was ill at ease. "The doctor said that you might have some amnesia. Don't worry about it. Just get dressed."
Mr. Parker Harrison was the owner of the real estate company. He was grinning big. He went up to talk to Brock/Daniel. The boss shook his hand. "Daniel, hey! You gave us all quite a scare. The gunman has been apprehended and everybody's fine. I promise to inquire about the marital status about all future dates. Thank you, pal. Thank you. How are you feeling?"
"Not quite myself..."
Mr. Harrison interrupted. "Mr. Martin is on his way up here. Given the circumstances, Kevin has offered to take this client off your hands."
"Of course, he did." Timothy commented. "Daniel brought Mr. Martin in as a client."
Mr. Harrison ignored Timothy's comments. "Daniel, if you need anything at all, let me know."
"Kevin ditched his last two open houses this week." Timothy revealed to Mr. Harrison.
"Who's Mr. Martin?" Brock/Daniel asked Timothy after Mr. Harrison had already walked away.
Timothy did a mock laugh. "That's a good one, Daniel." Then he took a look at Brock/Daniel's face and realized that he wasn't kidding. "Oh, man!" he groaned. Timothy led Brock/Daniel into his office again. Timothy proceeded to fully brief Brock/Daniel on Mr. Martin's file.
"Does any of this ring a bell?" he asked.
"Nope." Brock/Daniel answered. Then suddenly he began to rattle off real estate facts that were important for a client like Mr. Martin. "Wow, that was intense!" he responded. "Ask me somethin' else, somethin' a great real estate agent would know." He started pacing. He recited more facts.
"Are you okay?" Timothy asked.
"I actually know things about real estate and finance."
"Yes, you do. Now march into that conference room and show Kevin that you are ready, willing, and able to handle that client. Everything you need to know is in this folder. You've had a rough day, but you can do this! Go get 'em!" Timothy said as a pep talk. Timothy then gave him a high five before he left the office.
Timothy led Brock/Daniel to the meeting. He greeted the client. After pleasantries were exchanged, they got down to business. Mr. Martin was a recent widower looking for a new house. He couldn't stand living in the house that he shared with his late wife. He was haunted by the memories. Brock/Daniel knew how it felt to lose the love of his life, even if Kevin didn't. Reba may have still been alive, but they were actually parted by death. Brock/Daniel talked with the client and connected with the man's sense of loss. Kevin was seething. After the meeting, Timothy sent Brock/Daniel to a dinner meeting with another client. Timothy briefed him on the next meeting and then handed him a set of car keys.
"I had your Porsche washed and waxed. You're welcome." Timothy informed him cheerfully.
Brock got into the Porsche. It was thrilling to be able to drive something so luxurious after the mess that he and Reba went through with the IRS. It appeared that Daniel got to enjoy the finer things in life. Brock got to enjoy dining at the finest restaurant in Houston with his next client. Later that evening, Brock/Daniel was knocking on Barbra Jean's door.
Barbra Jean answered the door hesitantly. Her face was lined with smeared mascara and dried tears. "Can I help you?"
"Barbra Jean, it's me Brock."
"My ex-husband was named Brock. He died this morning."
"I know. We were on the phone."
"This isn't funny." Barbra Jean interrupted. "Leave me alone, okay?"
"No, Barbra Jean. It's me. I promise. Please let me explain. I don't have anywhere else to go."
"Listen, mister. I'm callin' the cops."
"Wait! You got pregnant with Henry in the dental office x-ray room on July 26, 2001 around 7:30 p.m."
"Anyone can find out that information."
Brock was desperate to convince her. "Only someone who was there would know the actual date and time of conception. We were alone in the office that night. It was the only time that we'd ever had sex until we got married. You have over 625 Beanie Babies. Binky and Lulu have a history. You have a mole on your right thigh. You're very sexual aggressive and you are very loud in bed. You had postpartum depression when Henry was born. I missed the birth because I went campin' with Ralph. You delivered three weeks early. My nickname for you was Sassy Shorts."
"Brock?"
"Yeah, BJ honey, it's me."
Barbra Jean invited Brock/Daniel inside the house. They sat down on the couch and he tried to explain what had happened to him.
"Let me get this straight. You died, pressed a button, and got sent back in this body?"
"Pretty much."
"That is so unfair. You were supposed to propose to Reba. You two were supposed to get married and live happily ever after. I wanted to see you two get the fairytale ending."
Brock/Daniel looked at the picture of him and Reba on the end table. Barbra Jean looked at it as well. "Oh, Brock! Are you goin' to tell Reba?"
"No, I can't. I'm Daniel now. She loved Brock. How can I convince her that Brock is in here? She'd say that I'm crazy and run from me."
"Come here," Barbra Jean put her arms around him. "Well, on the other hand, you've got yourself a much improved body. Hey, there cowboy!" she whispered into his ear.
Brock/Daniel jumped back. "Barbra Jean, we are divorced. I am not interested in dating you again. I'm in love with Reba. We've already been over this. Do you really want a man who's in love with another woman?"
"Sure. Just friends. I'm clear on that. Want a drink?"
"Yeah, but I don't wanna get drunk so let's have some food too. It's bad to drink on an empty stomach." His eyes settled on the picture of him and Reba again.
The next morning, Faye confronted Brock/Daniel about going to Barbra Jean's house.
"We're friends. She knows me better than anyone. I trust her. She's all I've got right now."
"Did you tell her that you're actually Brock?"
"Yes. I'm movin' in with her. I'm gonna help her with the bills and Henry."
"Darn it, Brock. I'm gonna have to report this."
"If you report me, won't you get in trouble too?"
"You have no idea."
"So keep your mouth shut. Don't take the blame when it's my fault. I trust her with my life. Okay?"
"I'll think about it."
"So, I thought about the real estate thing. I don't wanna sell real estate. I'm a dentist."
"No, you were a dentist. There are people counting on you here."
"I've never sold a house in my whole life!"
"Stop being so selfish and self-absorbed! I'm looking at Daniel and all I see is Brock. Brock was not a quality human being. If he was, then he wouldn't have lost the love of his life. Brock was a twice divorced man with four children that he hurt repeatedly by fighting with their mothers and then abandoning them to run off after his own wants and needs because he always put himself first."
Brock/Daniel got mad and tried to leave the building. Faye stopped him. "Wait! What's with the black suit?"
"I'm off to a funeral. My own."
Reba delivered Brock's eulogy. Brock stood there with the other mourners, watching as Reba tried to be brave and stoically deliver the eulogy. "People say there are five stages of grief- denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I can't get past my anger. Standing here today, I can't help but remember Brock's first words to me- Sweetheart, you wear those jeans better than any woman I know. How about a date?" Reba smiled slightly as she said that.
Barbra Jean had tears flowing down her face. She had Henry in her lap. Cheyenne and Kyra were clutched together, crying. Van stood with Jake, letting him know that it was okay to cry. The kids seem to laugh slightly at their mother's story.
Reba continued. "He changed my life. Gave me something to look forward to at the end of each day." Tears were flowing on her cheeks now. "Brock taught me to listen to my heart."
"Dad taught me how to shoot a basketball," Jake said.
"Daddy gave the best hugs," Cheyenne remembered.
"Our dad loved us so much. He always wanted to ask us about our day every night, no matter how tired he was." Kyra said.
"Mr. H was more than just a father-in-law to me. He was a friend." Van declared.
"Grampy liked to play golf a lot." Elizabeth said.
"My daddy was the best dentist in the whole world." Henry said.
The cell phone in Brock/Daniel's jacket pocket rang in the middle of the funeral. Barbra Jean looked over at him with kindness, but other mourners were sending him looks of scorn. Barbra Jean smiled and waved at him. He made eye contact with her, trying to send her a silent message to play it cool. She began to fake cry. He just rolled his eyes. That was typical Barbra Jean.
Timothy was calling to get Brock/Daniel back to work. He had houses to show to the healthy grieving widower, Mr. Martin. Reba continued talking. "Brock was sweet, kind, and unselfish."
"Did she just say that Brock was unselfish? What a crock!" one of Brock's golfing buddies remarked quietly.
Brock heard this remark and it made his reflect on the type of person that he actually was. He asked Timothy about what type of person that Daniel was. Timothy revealed how many good deeds that Daniel always did for others. He did volunteer work and lived to help others. Brock thought about the grieving widower who was waiting on him. He knew that the man was still grieving and didn't have too many loved ones around him. He knew that it was important to help this man through losing his wife by getting him into a new home so he could move on with his life. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to have to live in the home that he shared with Reba after she passed away.
He heard the last words of Reba's eulogy. "In the worst of times, he could make me laugh. Without him, life will never be the same." Brock/Daniel took one last look at Reba before walking away. At the office, Kevin tried to undermine Brock/Daniel's work with clients. He welcomed the competition. There was nothing that this guy could do that Brock/Daniel couldn't handle. The only thing that mattered was how well he did his job. He had to do something to help support his family right now and Barbra Jean needed the financial help.
He heard a knock on his office door, followed by the voice of an angel. "Hello. It's me, Reba." Brock/Daniel was stunned to see his beloved redhead in his office. Brock/Daniel stood on his feet from the chair, silently staring at her. He was stunned and speechless.
"Are you okay?" she asked. She gave me a small smile of encouragement.
"You remember me?"
"How could I forget? I helped you get this job." Brock/Daniel's face fell for a moment when he realized that she was talking about Daniel. "I recommended you to Parker. Your reputation in real estate speaks for itself."
Brock/Daniel smiled. "Thank you."
Reba returned the smile. "You're welcome. I saw you at my boyfriend's funeral."
"I..." He didn't know what to say.
"It was kind of you to represent the company."
"Are you sure that you're ready to start back to work so soon after...?" he questioned.
"I appreciate your concern, but everything at home reminds me of Brock. Besides my kids need me to keep things normal. Bills have to be paid, you know." Her face clouded over with sadness for a moment. "I haven't told anyone this, but he was going to propose to me at dinner that night." Reba's face lit up with a smile at the thought. "He was trying to keep it a secret, but I've known him for almost thirty years. He can't put nothin' past me. He had the ring in his pocket when he died." Reba was crying and she had Brock crying too. "I'm sorry," she responded when she saw that she caused him to cry. "I didn't mean to lay this on you." He gave her a small chuckle. "That's why I need to stay busy," she said with firm determination. Brock/Daniel nodded.
Just then, Kevin entered the office. "Hello. Welcome back, honey. I'm so glad that you're here. You look great. Everything will get better. Let's go talk in your office. I'm here for you," he said, hugging Reba. Kevin checked out Reba's backside as she walked into the hallway. Kevin gave Brock a triumphant look. It was clear that the man desired Reba. After they were gone, Brock fell apart. Did he really come all the way back from the dead, just to spend the rest of his life without her?
The room was suddenly so hot. He needed air. The office window didn't open. He picked up a small statue and threw through the window. He went to the window, desperate to breathe in the fresh cool air. "This window needs a latch." Barbra Jean came into the office to see him. Mr. Harrison escorted her to Brock/Daniel's office. He was admiring Barbra Jean's slim new figure.
"We could use some privacy." Brock/Daniel told the boss.
"Thanks for showing me the way." Barbra Jean said with a hint of flirt in her voice. She checked him out as he walked away.
"Hello, Barbra Jean. Well, I see that some things never change."
"I think that I can help you with Mr. Martin. You mentioned that he's lonely. I'd like you to introduce me to him."
"Really, Barbra Jean?" He was happy for her. He wanted to see his ex-wife move on and be happy. He just didn't want to see his other ex-wife do the same thing. That thought pierced his heart like a knife.
After Barbra Jean left, Faye came to see him. Brock/Daniel was working on some paperwork.
"I thought that you were going to quit."
"Well, I changed my mind, for now."
"I have to get this paperwork ready because I have a closing on a house in an hour, but I can't stop thinkin' about Reba. Was that some kind of cosmic joke, having us work together?"
"No, we don't have that kind of control."
"Well, it's hard and it seems unfair to watch her like this every day. To know that I can't be with her like I want to be. I want to be her husband and I want to be a father to our children." He continued. "Reba can grieve for Brock, but I can't grieve for her."
"But I think that you're on the right track."
Brock's mind filled with memories of him and Reba together. Almost thirty years of memories flashed through his mind. He went to seek out Reba.
"Hey, I know that you're having a hard time. I've lost someone I loved recently. I just wanted you to know that I'm here for you. It's hard to know what to do. You've lost the life that you shared together. He was everything to you just like my wife was to me." He smiled at her as he looked into her eyes. I know about the five stages of grief. I'm going through it myself. I have a hard time getting past my own anger. I heard you speak about yours. I think that we can help each other get past the anger. I think that we can help each other through the grieving process."
Kevin approached the pair as they were talking.
"I think that we really can help each other," Brock/Daniel said to her.
"Daniel, I think that I might have to take you up on that," Reba responded.
Brock/Daniel was caressing her hand lightly with his fingers just like Brock used to. The feeling unnerved Reba. "Brock used to do that to my hand." Their eyes locked. Reba was looking to understand the meaning of the look that she saw in his eyes.
Kevin cleared his throat. "We each sold a house today. Let's go out and celebrate. Parker wants to buy us dinner."
"Not me. It's been a long day." Brock/Daniel responded.
"How about you, Reba? Are you gonna turn down a free meal, especially when the invitation is coming from our boss?" Kevin turned to walk away, hoping that Reba would follow.
Reba locked eyes with Brock/Daniel again. "You should go." he urged. If he were truly unselfish, then he'd want to see her happy no matter what. Reba couldn't figure out what she was missing. She could tell that he was trying to tell her something, but she didn't know what that was. There was something so kind and gentle in his eyes, something so familiar.
She smiled at him. "All right. I'll see you tomorrow." He smiled back at her. She turned and walked out of the office. His face clouded over with sadness as he watched her walk away.
Later, Faye went to find Brock/Daniel. He was standing by the window, looking out at the view.
"What are you still doing here?" she asked.
"Where else would I be?" he responded.
"At home, with Barbra Jean."
"I'll get there. Like you said, I'm comfortable here."
"I miss him, Faye. Brock was not the best person in the world, but I still miss being him. I miss that life. I know that I'm Daniel now. Brock is gone and I know that I have to let go. I just don't know how."
"You're grieving."
"For myself. Does that make me self-absorbed and selfish?"
"No. It makes you human," he smiled at her and she hugged him.
"I guess I'm not such a bad guy after all."
"Maybe. You do have potential," she quipped back.
Okay, so the story ends here for now. Brock is learning how to become Daniel. He wants Reba back and he's going to have to work hard to become a better person and hopefully win her love all over again. Barbra Jean is moving on with a date with the wealthy widower. Cheyenne is bonding with Kyra over their mutual grief. Van is helping Jake through his grief by being a positive male role model in Brock's absence. Jake is dealing with the loss of his dad so soon after his parents got back together. Reba is confused. Kevin is trying to make a play for Reba. She sees something in Daniel's eyes that she can't quite understand. She is drawn to him. He's decided to keep working at the office. He sees the benefits of being so close to Reba, working with her day after day.
To be continued? Maybe ….
What happens next? Stay tuned to find out! Remember, this may or may not be a one-shot. I want to see how much reader support I get in reaction to this story. I'm just not sure because writing Believe in Love Again takes up a lot of my time already. If I did continue this story, it would be in small chapters.
I know that this chapter is a lot like the pilot to Drop Dead Diva, which gave me the inspiration for this story. If I do continue the rest of the story, it will not follow that show at all. This is just a story idea that I couldn't get out of my head.
Thanks for the reviews, make sure you review this story and give me your thoughts and comments….
If anyone has any suggestions on them I'd love to hear! Review or Send me a P.M with your suggestions! Please feel free to make any comments that you wish. I may just decide to include it in the stories. If I do include one of your suggestions, then I will give you full credit.
If you like this story, you might like to watch Drop Dead Diva, it plays on Lifetime on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. central time.
I want to express my special thanks to the following people who have given me valuable support. These are the wonderful readers who have added me to their author alerts.
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I thank all my readers for your continued support. Your support really keeps me writing! Without you, my stories wouldn't be continued every week.