Red Light

They scheduled an emergency therapy session with Dr. Robert Pace that afternoon. He was a nice older man with silver hair and blue eyes that were almost purple. He sat in his chair behind a desk while Reba and Brock sat chairs beside each other.

"I'd like to start off," Dr. Pace began. "By saying that you two are not the first divorced couple to try and mend a broken down marriage. Thousands of couples do it every year."

"How many end up back together?" Brock asked.

"That's just a statistic. Focus on your love for one another and fixing things. That's all. I'm assuming you two are at that point where you're in love with one another."

"Oh, yeah," Brock said. "I love her. Very much."

Dr. Pace turned from Brock. "Reba?"

"Yes," She responded. "I...love him."

"Why the hesitation?"

"Because that's a big step for me."

"Is that the first time since you've gotten back together that you've said that?"

"No."

"Then why did you hesitate?"

"Because it just feels weird to say it out loud."

"Why does she feel that way, Doc?" Brock asked.

"I don't need him to decode my feelings," Reba snapped. "I know why I feel that way."

"Why do you?" Dr. Pace asked.

"Because we've been divorced for six years."

"That long?"

"Yes, and I'm just hesitant to be in a relationship with him again because he cheated on me."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because I want to fix things."

"Why do you want to fix things?"

"Because I love him!"

The room was quiet for a minute before Dr. Pace asked, "Not so hard to say now, is it?"

Reba put her head down. "No."

"That's what I thought. It's very hard to quit loving someone completely. Even after six years."

"Then what do we do to fix things?" Brock asked. "I mean, we both love each other, but I feel that she's having second thoughts."

"Can you expect someone to stay positive and trusting when there was infidelity in the relationship?"

"Yes, because I stayed with my second wife until she ran off."

"So you know what it's like?"

"Yes."

"You understand how Reba feels?"

"I do understand."

"Then tell her." Dr. Pace pointed to Reba. "Tell her, not me."

Brock turned to Reba who still had her head down.

"Reba," He began. "I know exactly how you feel and I am so sorry I cheated on you. I'll be sorry until the day I die. I just love you so much and it kills me to know that I hurt you so bad that you can't trust me. I'll do whatever it takes to make you believe I'm here to stay this time."

Reba blinked back tears, not really wanting to say the words that were on her mind. But she knew she had to set ground rules and make sure he understood where she was at.

"Please understand that your words have little meaning."

"I know they do," He told her. "But it's all I have. You won't let me show you."

"I'm scared to let you. I don't want to get hurt."

"You won't. I swear you'll never get hurt like that again."

"Please, Brock. Please keep your word 'cause I need you. I really, really need you."

He leaned over and gave her a hug as a few tears slipped down her cheeks.

"I know you need me. I need you too."

Dr. Pace nodded as the two continued to whisper and hug each other.

"Now we're getting somewhere."

When the two got back to Reba's house after their emotional therapy session, they noticed Kyra's car in the driveway.

"Her doctor's appointment was today," Reba said as she remembered her conversation with her daughter earlier that morning.

"Oh, yeah?" Brock turned off the motor but neither got out of the vehicle.

"I'm scared to go in and find out," Reba admitted as she played with her house keys, trying to bide her time until she had to go in.

Brock unbuckled his seat-belt. "I'll be right there. You don't have to handle this alone."

Reba took a deep breath and opened her car door just as Brock did. Her legs were weak as Brock grabbed her hand when they arrived at the door together. He squeezed once as if to say 'I'm right here' before Reba twisted the doorknob.

"Kyra!" Brock yelled as the two entered the house. The door shut almost silently.

The teenager appeared at the top of the stairs as Reba looked up.

"Well?" Brock asked.

Kyra folded her arms. "I'm not pregnant."

Reba closed her eyes and sighed. "Thank God."

Beginning her descent down the stairs, Kyra looked at her mother. "I appreciate all your support," She said in a bitter tone.

Reba opened her mouth to speak but Brock butted in. "Don't talk to her like that."

Kyra rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I have to go to band practice."

"You're going to go to band practice after all that happened today?" Reba asked as she turned to see her daughter head for the door.

Kyra stopped before she walked out the door and turned to face her mother. "Yeah, because my life goes on. When something gets me down, I don't sit and sulk about it like some people."

Then she left. But not without slamming the door. Reba winced as the wind from the swing hit her face. She heard Brock sigh as he put his hand on the small of her back.

"You helped every way you knew how," He told her, pulling her to his side.

She nodded, although not convinced. She was pretty concerned about her daughter and how she would react once her and Brock told the family about their plan to try to make their relationship work once more. If her reaction was anything like Reba thought it would, everyone should plan for World War III.

It's fifty-two minutes until midnight, so technically I got this posted today like I said I would. ;D