Love Can Build a Bridge
"Is she playing kickball in there or what?"
Reba chuckled as Brock held his hand on her belly where the baby was being quite active. They had gone out for dinner then come back to the hotel for an early night. They were just lying there talking when the baby decided to start kicking around.
"I don't know what she's doing." Reba turned on her side, trying to get her to settle down. She thought a change of position might do the trick. "She'll have to stop soon. I have to get some sleep. I've been so exhausted lately."
Brock reached up to brush her hair out of her eyes. "I know. Only a couple more weeks, though."
She was about to hit the six month mark, and even though she hadn't gotten very big, the whole pregnancy thing was the same as with her other kids. She was tired and moody all the time. And although she didn't have morning sickness, she had other things like weird cravings that Brock nearly became sick over watching her eat.
"I'm just ready to meet her." Reba closed her eyes and sighed, feeling Brock stroke her hair.
"Me, too."
She paused a minute before saying, "Can I tell you something?"
"Sure."
"I saw Jack Morgan today."
Reba felt him stop stroking her hair, but just for a moment. It was almost like a hitch of breath.
"Oh, yeah? Where?"
"At the office. His is just down the hall."
"Really?"
"Yes. And that's why I'm fixing to plead with you to stay in Houston."
Her eyes opened and Brock drew his hand away from her. "Please don't be mad at me."
He rolled on his back and tucked his hands behind his head. "I'm not mad."
"You look mad."
"Mad isn't the word. Upset, maybe."
"Brock, I'm sorry. How was I supposed to know he was going to be here?"
"You didn't. It's just that every time a golden opportunity comes along, something is always there to mess it up."
"That's not true."
"Yes, it is. Seems like this world is only for other people and Brock Hart just gets to halfway live in it."
"If that was true, how would we be where we are today? If that was true, we'd still be apart, living in separate states and living separate lives. Things work out like they're supposed to, and I'm not just saying that because I don't want to move here. I truly believe it."
Brock sighed, rolling back over to face her. "I just wanted something better for us. There would have been a huge salary increase."
"Brock, we don't need the money. We have plenty. We're comfortable and we always have been."
"I guess."
Reba placed her hand on his cheek. "Staying in Houston will be better. I promise. We'll have Jake and our beautiful baby girl in the same house and we have Cheyenne and Van and Elizabeth and Kasey just up the street. This is the kind of family I've always dreamed of, Brock, and I'm so grateful that you gave it to me."
In the darkness, Reba saw Brock smile just a bit. "I should be thanking you. You're the one that carried those kids for nine months." He took her hand off his cheek and kissed it. "You've given me so many great years."
"It doesn't have to end."
Brock nodded. "We'll stay in Houston, then. If that's what you really think is best."
"I do."
"Then I trust you."
He leaned forward and gave her a sweet kiss, running his hand through her hair before pulling away.
"There's just one thing missing."
"What's that?"
"I just really want to call you my wife again."
Nobody was really surprised when Brock and Reba announced that they were engaged. Everyone wanted them to have a big, lavish wedding and Van and Cheyenne even offered to send them on a honeymoon cruise. But they said no. Reba thought that a small, family ceremony in the living room would do just fine. But then there was the pesky dress problem. Her wedding dress didn't fit.
That was when Brock suggested that they head on down to the courthouse. Reba couldn't have thought of a better idea herself. So, she dressed in a pretty lace dress and Brock in a suit, piled the family into two cars and they all went down to watch Brock and Reba wed for the second time.
It wasn't as romantic as a wedding on the beach, or as sweet as a ceremony in a church, but it was their own idea and they thought it was just perfect. When Brock slipped her wedding ring on her hand for the first time in nearly thirty years, tears sprung out in her eyes. She was beyond happy and she couldn't wait to meet this new baby and start a whole new chapter in her life with Brock.
"You are so fat."
Reba looked up from her phone to see Barbra Jean's wide eyes looking down at her.
"You've been here for two days and you're just now realizing this?"
Barbra Jean shrugged. "I hadn't paid much attention, but dang, girl."
Reba rolled her eyes. "Shut it. You were bigger than this when you had Henry."
Barbra Jean had flown down to Houston for a few days so she could visit with Reba before the baby came in two weeks. The two decided to go to the mall so Barbra Jean could buy the new addition some baby clothes and other things. Reba fought her tooth and nail, but finally agreed when Barbra Jean promised ice cream.
Which was what they were doing in the food court when Barbra Jean made the fat comment.
"I think we should head back to the house after this, Barbra Jean."
The blonde whined and pushed away her cup of Marble Slab ice cream. "But it's only..." She checked her watch. "Four o'clock. I haven't even picked out any cute clothes yet."
"We can go tomorrow. My back has been bothering me all day."
Barbra Jean sat up. "It has?"
Reba nodded and tried to rub her lower back. "Just been really achey. Probably from carrying around all this extra weight. I just wish my doctor would induce me already."
"Or you might already be in labor."
"What? No way. I've never gone early. I've always been right on time or with Jake, two weeks late."
"You're having back labor, my friend."
Reba almost started arguing, but Barbra Jean's words made sense.
"You think? I've never had back labor before."
"Only one way to find out." Barbra Jean stood and started collecting their shopping bags. "Let's go."
Reba carefully stood and smoothed her shirt over her belly. She couldn't even see her feet at this point, and she found herself hoping that Barbra Jean was right.
"You call Brock," Barbra Jean told her. "I'll get all the bags."
"Can you carry all that?"
"Yes. Get to callin'. We've got a baby to have."
Reba rolled her eyes but dialed Brock's number anyway. She could almost imagine him leaning on his golf club on the course to answer.
"Hello?"
"Hey, whatcha doin'?"
"Oh, I'm just at the driving range. You having fun shopping? Is Barbra Jean driving you crazy?"
"She's driving me, but not crazy. We're headed to the hospital. She thinks I'm in labor and I'm pretty sure she's right."
"Wait. What?"
"My back's been bothering me all day, and it never occurred to me that it's probably back labor."
"I'll meet you there, alright?"
"Okay. Thank you."
"Alright. See you in a few. I love you."
They hung up and Reba and Barbra Jean managed to make it to the car, bags in hand.
"Are you nervous?" Barbra Jean asked as she started the engine.
Reba felt the baby move around inside her and leaned her head back on the headrest. "Hell, yes."
I realize that I'm dumb for not explaining why the last story was called Red Light. You all are probably like: "I thinks she just picks words and throws them together for a title." Um...no. Red Light meant that there was this big red light (Jack Morgan and Boston) stopping Reba from being one hundred percent happy with her life. But now you guys know it all worked out. So, silly me for forgetting to explain that at the end of Red Light.
But I hope you guys liked this update! Tell me whatcha think, 'cause I think it's pretty boring.