Reba rushed around the kitchen trying to get ready for the day. Jake was in his high chair banging on the tray; while Kyra was following Reba around like a puppy.
"Baby sit down and eat."
"Mama I wanna help you." Kyra protested.
"You can help me by eatin."
"K!" Kyra rushed to the table and climbed onto her chair.
"Mama!"
"Yes Kyra?" Reba asked exasperated while searching for her keys.
"I think Jake went to the bathroom." She groaned at her little brother while plugging her nose.
Reba sighed and looked over at her two year old son. "Jake did you go potty?" Jake giggled and shook his head mischiveously. Reba walked over and picked him up, grimacing. "Yes you did." She lifted him up and headed into the living room and up the stairs, Kyra right behind her.
"Mama why can't Jake use the potty?" Kyra asked while Reba set Jake down on the changing table in his room.
"He's still little. But we're tryin to learn." She began changing his diaper. "Aren't we you little stinker!" Reba exclaimed to her son who giggled and squirmed in response.
Kyra scrunched up her nose. "Well he should learn. Diapers are gross."
Reba laughed while picking Jake up. "You used to wear em."
"Yeah but i was little!" Kyra exclaimed while following Reba down the stairs.
"And right now Jakes little. And he'll learn just like you did." Kyra shrugged and followed Reba back into the kitchen. "Kyra get your back pack. We gotta go."
Kyra grabbed her backpack while Reba got Jake into his coat. "Don't forget your
jacket babe it's cold out." Kyra nodded while slipping on her coat. "Ready?"
"Yup." Kyra nodded.
"K, let's go." She grabbed Kyra's hand and hoisted Jake onto her hip. She made it onto the porch and groaned.
"Raiwn!" Jake exclaimed excitedly, pointing at the rain.
"Yes. Rain." Reba stated frustrated. She gripped Kyra's hand and hurried down the porch stairs and too the car. Kyra quickly got in the car and Reba buckled Jake into his car seat. She quickly made her way around the car and into the drivers seat. She shut the door and put the keys in the ignition. She turned the keys and her eyes widened when the engine stalled. She tried againand groaned. "No, no, no, no!" She tried once more and groaned again when the engine continued to stall. "Crapp!" She banged her head against the steering wheel and left it there.
"Oh!" Reba jumped when someone knocked on her window. "Brock?" She cracked her window down just a bit. "What are you doin?"
Brock grinned from under his umbrella. "Looks like you're havin some car troubles."
Reba sighed. "I don't have time for this. Why is this happening!" She exclaimed.
Brock chuckled a bit and looked over at the kids in the back seat. "Come on, i'll give you a ride."
"Brock you don't have to do that."
"It's no trouble. I want to. I have to drop Cheyenne off at school anyways, same place. After wards i can drop you off where you need to be."
Reba smiled gratefully. "Thank you."
Brock smiled. "It's my pleasure. Come on." He opened the door for her and helped her get the kids out of the car and into his next door.
"Hi Reba!" Cheyenne smiled as Reba got into the car.
Reba smiled and looked over her shoulder. "Hey Cheyenne." Cheyenne smiled and turned her attention back to chatting with Kyra.
"Hey Kyra, after school why don't you wait with Cheyenne and i'll pick you up ok?"
Kyra grinned. "K!"
Reba looked over at Brock and lowered her voice. "Brock you've already done so much, you don't have too."
"I want to." He let his eyes meet hers and grinned before focusing back on the road. He pulled into the school and let the girls out.
"You can just drop us off right here, we can walk. It's not that far." Reba spoke as they pulled out of the parking lot.
"Reba you're crazy for thinking i'd let you walk in this weather. Let alone with Jake. Stop actin like you're a burden."
She looked down at her lap and played with the ends of her hair. "Sorry."
For what?" She shrugged. "where too?"
"I have an appointment at the clinic over on Johnson."
Brock nodded as he began driving. Reba looked over her shoulder and smiled seeing Jake asleep in his car seat. "So how's your day?" Brock teased, lightning the mood.
Reba chuckled and looked over at him. "Oh fantastic."
They both laughed and continued to make small talk. As they pulled into the parking lot of the free medical clinic Reba went to get out, but Brock stopped her. "Hey, why don't I watch Jake for you."
"Oh Brock are you sure?"
"Yeah, yeah. It's no problem. I know how much of a task it can be to take kids with you to the doctors."
Reba smiled. "Thank you Brock."
He grinned back at her. "Don't worry about it."
"No. Brock I mean for everythin. No one's ever been this kind to me, and i really appreciate it."
"What are friends for?" He watched as her eyes teared up. "Hey don't get all mushy on me." He pulled her into a hug. "What time do you think you'll be done? I'll come get you."
"You don't-"
He cut her off. "Reba stop. This isn't the greatest neighborhood. I will pick you up. Just tell me when."
"I should be done in about an hour."
"Great. See you then." Without thinking he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek."
Reba stared at him stunned before mumbling a thank you and getting out of the car. Brock groaned. "What the hell was that Hart?" He mentally kicked himself. "Idiot."
...
Reba sat on the gurney that the clinic provided for beds, a curtain seperating the waiting room from the back room. She sat nervously waiting for a nurse to come and talk to her. As if on que the nurse came in and shut the curtain, giving them privacy. "
Ms. McKinney?
Reba nodded and nervously tugged at her sleeves.
"We got the same results as the home pregnancy test, unclear. Wait a week then take another test." And just like that the nurse was gone. Reba sighed and placed a hand on her stomach. Why did everything have to be so complicated? She quickly hoped off of the gurney and quickly made her way out of the clinic.
And it was still raining. Great. She got done alot sooner then she had expected. She looked at her watch and then looked around the empty parking lot. It was about a mile walk home, she could use the time to think. She began walking, trying to stay closer to the buildings as she did to avoid
the rain.
...
Brock sat on the couch next to Jake as he watched cartoons and played with a toy truck. He thought about Reba and how awkward it must've been for her after he kissed her. God he was such an idiot. Any chances he had with her he probably just blew.
She seemed so bothered when he dropped her off. Come to think of it, she'd been jumpy all morning. He nearly lost it when she was sitting next to him in the car. She was so close, and her scent had him intoxicated. It took all he had not to pull over and just kiss her. Thank God the kids were there. He sighed as he was pulled deeper into his thoughts of Reba McKinney. Every little thing she did drove him nuts! He looked at his watch and turned the tv off. "Time to get your mom buddy." Brock helped Jake off the couch.
"Mama!" Jake shouted excitedley.
Brock laughed and put his shoes on. Jake was the cutest. He grabbed Jake's blankie that he took every where and carried Jake out to the car.
...
Reba shivered and wrapped her arms around herself as she walked down the empty street. The rain had increased and the wind had picked up, she was freezing. She'd been walking for about 25 minutes.
She was thankful for the canopy's that hung off the buildings she walked next to. They didn't offer much protection, but it was better then nothing. Looking ahead, she saw a group of three tough looking guys standing in the middle of the sidewalk.
She wrapped her arms tighter around her body and kept her head down. "Hey cutie." She tensed as one of the men called out to her. She looked up to see them approaching her.
"Excuse me." She tried to walk past them but they had formed somewhat of a circle around her
"Were you goin baby?" One of the guys
cooed out while they walked closer an closer, causing Reba to press her back against the wall of the building behind her. Her heart began racing as they got nearer and nearer.
"Would you please move." She tried to keep her voice steady.
It was as if she hadn't even talked. The guy in the middle, who looked like a homeless Kid Rock, stepped forward and placed his hand on the wall next to her head, leaning into her. "What's your rush sweet heart. Stay for a while."
"Leave me alone."
They all chuckled and the one in the middle leaned even closer. "Oh come on baby, don't be like that."
Reba grimaced in disgust as his eyes moved up and down her body. She tried to push past them but the one in the middle grabbed her arm and yanked her back, forcing her back against the wall. "Where you goin baby."
"Let me go."
They all chuckled and Reba tried to push him away from her. "Come on baby, let's have some fun." She shuddered as he pushed the strap of her shirt off her shoulder.
"Stop it!"
...
Brock looked at his watch for the third time. He'd been in the parking lot of the clinic for twenty minutes, and no sign of Reba. He tapped on the steering wheel and thought for a minute before starting the car. He stopped at a nearby convient store and carried Jake in with him. "Jake do you want a juice?"
"Yeah!" He exclaimed while tugging Brock's hand excitedly. Brock laughed and followed Jake to pick out a drink. He paid for their drinks and gas before getting Jake outside. He went to get Jake in the car but he jumped in a puddle instead.
"Jake." Brock tried not to laugh as Jake smiled up at him with a huge grin on his face as he thrashed around in the puddle. "Come on buddy."
Jake ran away from Brock as he tried to pick him up. Brock chased him around the car before finally catching up to him and picking him up, holding him high up in the air. "Got chya you little butt!"
Jake giggled as Brock carried him to the back seat and put him in his car seat. He wrapped his arms around Brock's neck, hugging him. "Luv yew."
Brock smiled and hugged the little boy back. "Love you too Jakey."
He got into the drivers seat smiling, starting the car. "Let's go back and wait for your mom." He chuckled when Jake screeched happily in response.
Brock started driving back to te clinic. "Mommy!" He stopped the car when Jake excitedley pointed out the window. He squinted through the windshield to see Reba..and a couple guys. He frowned and drove closer. He came to a stop and quickly got out of the car.
"Let me go!" He heard her shout.
"Reba!"
They all turned as Brock called out and approached them angerly. "Leave her alone!"
Reba sighed in relief as they backed away from her but tensed as they turned to Brock. "What chu gonna do about it?"
Brock put up his hands. "Look I don't want any trouble."
"Then leave."
"She asked you to leave her alone. So leave her alone."
"Make me."
Brock laughed in disbelief at the guys immaturity before punching him in the face. "Oh!" Reba gasped as the guy fell to the ground. The other two guys helped him up and scurried off. Brocked looked after them breathing hard, shaking his hand.
"Brock-"
"What were you thinking?" He turned his attention back to Reba.
"What?" She looked at him confused
"Reba I told you to wait for me! This is a crappy neighbor hood, of course this sort of thing is gonna happen!"
She looked at him shocked. "So it's all my fault! Is that it? I just called them right on over?!"
"That's not it! Just.."
"Just what?!"
"Reba i'm sorry. I was just really worried."
"Why?"
"Why was i worried?" Reba nodded. "Why wouldn't I be?" She looked down at her feet. "I'm sorry I yelled I just...when i saw those guys I got scared." He pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on top of her head. "I really care about you Reba. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
Reba stood there for a second before wrapping her own arms around him and pulling him closer.
...
Reba walked into the kitchen where Brock was cutting up vegetables. "Hey."
"Hey, movie over?"
Reba nodded. "Jake's out like a light."
Brock smiled. "No wonder, he's been running around all day." Reba smiled and sat down on the stool at the counter; watching him. "Why don't you, Jake, and Kyra stay for dinner. Have a little movie night."
"Sure. The kids would like that."
"Yeah, the kids." They looked at eachother and Brock smiled while Reba blushed. They broke eye contact and Brock wiped his hands on a nearby towel. "Speaking of the kids, Cheyenne and Kyra are gonna be out in about ten minutes."
"Oh let me get em. You're busy."
"It's ok Reba-"
She cut him off. "Brock it's no problem. I love pickin Kyra up from school."
Brock shrugged. "Alright. You pick them up. I'll keep an eye on Jake."
"Thanks." She grabbed the keys and left, driving the kids's school. By the time she got there school was already out. She parked the car and got out, opening the embrella Brock kept in his car. She made her way over to the parent pick up area and looked around for Cheyenne and Kyra.
"Mommy!"
Reba turned around to see Kyra running towards her. "Hi baby." She crouched down and opened her free arm as Kyra ran into her. She hugged her daughter and kissed the side of her head before standing up straight and grabbing Kyra's hand. She looked around before looking back at her daughter. "Where's Cheyenne?"
"Over there." Kyra pointed to a bench where Cheyenne sat with her head hung down. Reba frowned.
"Kyra stay under the canopy, i don't want you gettin wet. I'll be right back." She left Kyra under the big canopy and made her way over to the bench. She sat down next to Cheyenne. "Hey Cheyenne. What are ya doin?"
"Nothing." The nine year old girl muttered, keeping her head down.
"Honey what's wrong?"
"Everyone makes fun of me."
Reba frowned and pushed Cheyenne's hair out of her face. She gently turned her face towards her. "About what Cheyenne?"
"We had to write a paragraph on our parents and everyone made fun of me because i don't have a mommy."
"Oh honey." Reba wrapped her arm around Cheyenne and pulled her closer to her.
"They always make fun of me! They say that my mommy didn't want me because i'm not worth wanting."
"Cheyenne how long has this been goin on?"
The little girl shrugged. "A while."
"Sweet heart listen to me. I don't know your mommy, but i do know that you have a daddy who loves you more than anything in this world, and all those kids are a bunch of monkey butts." Cheyenne giggled and Reba smiled. "Cheyenne you are a wonderful little girl, and don't you ever think so other wise."
Cheyenne threw her arm around Reba's waist and hugged her. "Thank you Reba."
Reba hugged her back. "Of course. And honey, even though you're daddy loves you a whole lot, i know how frustratin it can be to be the only girl. So if you ever need anythin, or you just wanna talk, you can always come to me. No matter what."
"I love you Reba."
"I love you too baby." She kissed the top of Cheyenne's head and stood up, taking her hand. "Let's get goin, you're daddy's waitin for us at home."
...
"Hey, you don't have to do those." Brock commented seeing Reba at the sink washing the dishes.
"It's the least I can do, dinner was great."
"Thanks. That's a big compliment coming from you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You're a picky eater."
Reba scoffed. "I am not!"
"Are too!"
She flicked water at him and shook her head. "No i'm not."
"What ever you say red."
Reba rolled her eyes and wiped her hands on a dish rag. "Kids watchin a movie?"
"Yup. The Little Mermaid."
"Again?" Brock nodded and Reba groaned. "You can only watch it so many times before your brain explodes."
Brock laughed and grabbed Reba's hand. "Come with me." Before she could respond he tugged her hand and pulled her out to the back yard.
"What are we doin?"
"Come here." He pulled her towards the tree house.
"Brock..."
"Just come on." He nudged her to the steps of the tree house. He stepped behind her and she glanced over her shoulder at him curiously. He nudged her again and she rolled her eyes, climbing the steps to the deck of the tree house. He quickly followed her and stopped her from going into the covered section of the tree house. "Lay down."
"Excuse me?" She looked at him shocked.
"Reba just lay down." He replied urgently.
She put her hands up defensively. "Ok, ok! Yeesh."
Brock chuckled as she mumbled and lowered herself down. "Hey, watch the mouth there, we've got kids around."
Reba rolled her eyes and sat down, looking up at Brock. "Are you gonna make me sit down here all by myself?"
He shook his head and quickly sat down next to her. They both looked at eachother and Brock realized just how close they were. He cleared his throat and looked down at his lap as they shifted away from eachother.
"So what exactly are we doin out here?"
"Lay down." She opened her mouth but Brock cut her off. "No questions, just do it."
"You're bossy."
"Am not. Now lay down." He demanded.
Reba scoffed but laid down on her back. "Oh wow."
Brock grinned and laid down next to her, starring ahead.
"Brock it's beautiful." Reba smiled as they both looked up at the star filled sky.
"I always come out here when i need to just relax and take a breather."
Reba smiled bigger. "It's so pretty."
Brock looked over and chuckled at the excitement on her face. It reminded him
of Jake earlier today. "What, they don't have stars in Oklahoma?"
"I've just never had the time or chance to do stuff like this."
Brock smiled at her and looked back at the sky. "Look over there," he pointed up at a certain spot. "The big dipper."
Reba squinted. "I don't see it."
"Neither do I, I just wanted to seem smart."
Reba laughed and took in a deep breathe. "Gosh this is so nice." She shifted a little and sighed.
He looked over a her. "You ok?"
"Yeah, just a little hard on the head."
"Here, lift your head."
She cautiously lifted her head as he slid his arm under her neck and let her rest her head on him. "Thanks." She spoke softly.
"No problem." They glanced at each other before looking back up at the sky. "When I was little, when my parents would argue, i'd always go out side and lay on the porch, looking up at the sky. Every problem, every little bad thing just seemed to go away." He snorted. "That sounded really corny and stupid."
She looked up at him. "No it's not."
He looked down at her and gave a small grin while shrugging. He looked back up at the sky. "That's why I made this tree house for Cheyenne. In case she ever felt like I did, she would have some place to go."
Reba studied him, not liking the slight sign of uneasiness on his face. "You're doin a wonderful job with her Brock."
"I try, I just feel like she's missing out on stuff, not having a mom around."
"Brock you are an amazing father, don't ever doubt that."
He shrugged and looked down at her. She looked up at him and her heart raced at the little distance between them. He moved his arm he had under her to around her shoulders, stroking her arm with his
thumb. She closed her eyes as his hand reached up and brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. He stroked her hair before sliding his hand down and cupping face. "Brock.."
"Shhh." He moved closer and Reba's heart beat even quicker when she felt his breath on her. He slowly moved closer to her and tilted his head.
Their noses were almost touching and his mouth inched closer to hers. Just as his lips were about to touch hers she bent her head, her forhead against his. "Brock please don't." She whispered.
He let his hand fall from her face and moved his arm out from under her, sitting up. Reba sat up next to him. "I'm sorry. I just can't."
He put his hand up. "I get it. You don't like me."
"Brock it's not that, i just..can't.
"Reba I get it, you don't feel that way. I'm sorry."
"Brock it's not that. I..i like you. I really do, but i just...i can't!"
"What do you mean you can't?"
"I tried so hard not to like you, i really really did! But you're just so nice, and sweet, and i can't get close to you
Brock! I can't!" She stood up, running her hands through her hair; the tears threatning to burst.
He stood up and took a step towards her, her back was facing him. "Why are you so determined not to get close to me!"
"Why do you care!" Reba exclaimed while turning around and facing him.
"I really like you Reba, and i mean really really like you. I can't go one day without thinking of you and i can't keep pretending to be just your friend, i'm crazy about you!"
"You don't know me!"
He scoffed. "I know you Reba. I know that your favorite color is blue, and your favorite singer is Dolly and winter's your favorite season."
"Anyone who spends five minutes with me would know that stuff!"
"I'm not done. I also know that when you're nervous, you tug your sleeves over your hands, just like you're doing right now." Reba looked down at her hands and back up a Brock, un aware she'd been tugging at her sleeves. "I know that you're scared of heights because you got stuck on a ferris wheel when you were eight. When you're sad you like to cuddle with Jake and eat ice cream. When you're scared, you get defensive and act strong." Reba stared at him shocked, her heart racing. "And I know that when something or someone brings up Oklahoma, or your ex, you get scared. So I know that what ever happened must've been bad."
"That's just it Brock! You don't know! You don't know what happened or why I had to get out of there."
"Because you never talk about it Reba!"
She turned away from him and crossed her arms, trying not too cry. "I have baggage Brock, baggage that I can't even carry. The last thing you need is to be involved with someone like me."
"Every body has baggage, i have some of my own." He stepped up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. Reba jumped and closed her eyes as the tears started to fall. "I don't care what kind of baggage you have, or how much of it there is. All I care about is you Reba. You and those three kids in there. I've had my share of problems, you'd be suprised at what i'm
able to handle. And i'd be willing to try and handle it for you."
She wiped her eyes with her sleeves and turned around, she shrugged Brocks hands off of her and crossed her arms. "Brock why are you doin this?"
"Why am I liking you?"
"Yes!" She exclaimed. "You are the most amazing guy i've met, why are you wasting your time likin me? Brock you deserve some one who can be just as amazing as you are, not the trailer trash queen of Oklahoma who pops out a kid every couple years."
"Why would you say that?"
"Everyone else does."
"Reba i don't think you see how much of a good person. You have the biggest heart i have ever seen, and you put others before yourself. Not to mention i have never seen anyone as beautiful as you are. You can't be happy unless you're sure everyone else is ok. So don't stand here and tell me that you're a bad person because you're not. You are more then worth it."
"Brock..." She trailed off as he stepped closer to her.
He slipped his hands around her waist and gently pulled her closer. "Just tell me when you want me to stop."
"Brock." Her voice fell as he pulled her even closer. He took her hands and placed them on his chest, bringing his hands back to her waist. Reba shook her head and pulled away, trying to wipe the tears from her face, but it was no use. "I'm sorry Brock. I can't." She moved around him and headed for the steps.
"Reba-"
"I am so sorry." She cried out and took off, leaving Brock standing there crushed.