Chapter 8
Reba was very nervous the next day all through work and when she arrived home. Brock and herself had discussed that they were actually going to try this dating thing, starting that night at eight o'clock when Brock would arrive to pick her up. It's been so long since she went out with Brock, it made her nervous. Her nervousness only heightened when she arrived home because she had to get ready and she had yet to tell the kids, she didn't know how they would take it. How do you tell kids your divorced parents were going on a date? They had put them through all of that mess of a divorce only to start dating again and maybe to something even more serious down to the road…again.
Reba sighed and set her purse down on the counter. She had an hour and a half before she had to start getting ready for her date. Reba went to the refrigerator to start dinner. She picked out some chicken and rice for her children. She was going to make them dinner and then start getting ready for her date with Brock, boy did that sound weird to her. She could tell the kids while they ate their dinner, that's when they always seemed the most distracted but the more she thought about it the more she figured her kids would hear her tell them she had a date with their father; he was picking her up after all.
She expected Jake to be fine, Cheyenne might be ok, she wasn't so sure, but Kyra was who she was worried about. She had the feeling Kyra was going to be less than happy about her parents dating. After all, during their last two years of marriage it didn't go so well. Reba was a little worried herself. She did love Brock but when she thought about all those arguments they used to have it made her worry. This was why they needed to take this new relationship as slow as possible. They didn't need to put the kids through anything more than they already have.
Reba shook her head of all these negative thoughts. Things were going to be different this time. They had to be different. He promised he wasn't going anywhere. She really hoped he didn't go anywhere. She didn't know if she could take going through all that again. She again tried to shake her head of these thoughts and she noticed she had unconsciously cooked dinner for her family. She quickly set the table and her kids all walked downstairs as she put the dish of chicken on the table.
She smiled. "Dinner's ready, enjoy." She said quickly as she tried to leave to go upstairs and get ready.
Her lovely and very nosy daughter, Cheyenne stopped her. "Mom, aren't you eating?"
Reba nervously played with her hair and shook her head. "Nope, I need you to watch Jake tonight. I have a date." She said very quietly.
She again tried to leave but Kyra stopped her this time. "You have a date?" she asked curiously.
Reba only nodded in respond. Cheyenne wanted to of course know more. Her grin widened and she leaned in towards where her mother was standing as if intrigued and very interested, which she was. "Who is it?'
Reba didn't know how she was going to explain this one. She bit her lip and figured it was now or never. "Well, you actually know him pretty well."
Cheyenne sat straight up a bit, shocked. "Well, who?" asked Cheyenne a moment after Reba didn't say anything. Reba mumbled something but Cheyenne wasn't sure if she had heard her right. Cheyenne shook her head. "I'm sorry mom. I thought you just said Dad there for a minute." Cheyenne chuckled and took a sip of her water.
Reba laughed nervously for a second before replying, "I did."
Cheyenne spit her water she was drinking all over Kyra who was across the table from her. Kyra didn't seem to really notice much, she was staring at the spot where her mother used to be. Reba had decided to make a break for it while she still could. Cheyenne looked to Van who was stuffing his face with chicken. Cheyenne shook her head because he and Jake seem to be totally oblivious to what went down not two minutes ago.
Cheyenne motioned to Kyra and they both ran upstairs to their mother's room. They walked in to find her throwing clothes out of her closet, frantically searching for something. "Mom?" said Cheyenne as she peered into the walk-in closet.
Reba stopped for a moment and turned to her daughters. "Yes?"
This time Kyra stepped forward to say something. "Why are you going out with dad?"
Reba looked down at the blouse she was holding and shrugged. "He asked me."
Cheyenne looked confused. "We figured that mom but why did you say yes? After all he put you through and you feel you can up and forgive him and go on a date. I mean, don't we have a say in this?"
Reba glared at both her children and shook her head. "No." she said flat out. Cheyenne looked like she was about to say something but Reba put a hand up to stop her. "Look, you guys can't say who I can and can't go out with, all right." She then went back to looking for something to wear.
"Were not telling you who to go out with, were telling you not to go out with Dad."
Reba rolled her eyes. "It's the same thing."
Kyra sighed; she didn't want this to happen. She didn't want everything to get all screwed up again. "Mom, this can't happen. Everything around here is finally getting back to normal. Why do you two want to screw it up again?"
Reba sighed and understood how Kyra felt. She was afraid too. "Kyra, I know your concerns. Believe me, I have them."
"Then why give dad another chance?"
"Because I believe things are going to be different this time around. I know there are no guarantees but he promised me he wasn't going anywhere. Now I believe him and trust him. Can you trust me?"
Kyra thought about it for a moment but still didn't like the idea. She shrugged. "I guess but don't expect me to be happy about it. It's going to take some getting used to." After that was said Kyra left, leaving Cheyenne behind.
Cheyenne watched her mother for a moment while she searched around for something to wear. "You need any help mom?" Cheyenne asked about a minute later. Reba was relieved and nodded. She had no idea what she would wear on her date with Brock. "Mom?" Reba turned to her daughter, who was searching on the opposite wall of clothes. "Does he make you happy?"
Reba smiled as she thought of Brock and his promise. "Yes he does." Cheyenne smiled and held up a simple black pants and a beautiful blue silk blouse.
Reba took the clothes and kissed her daughter on the cheek before running into the bathroom to shower. Cheyenne left and that left Reba to get ready. She already felt like she was going to puke her guts out. Once she was dressed she had just enough time to do her hair and make-up.
Meanwhile downstairs they were all in front of the TV when the door bell rang. Van, being the closest to the door, walked backwards to answer it and watch TV at the same time. He opened it and was surprised when he saw Brock behind it. "Mr. H."
Brock looked confused as he stepped through the doorway. "You sound surprised to see me Van."
"You rang the doorbell, you usually just walk in and why are you all dressed up?" Van asked while giving his father-in-law the once over.
Brock was confused now more than ever. "I have a date."
Van smiled. "That's great. Is it with that Stacy chick again? She was h…" He earned a glare from his wife before he even got to finish the sentence.
Brock was shocked to say the least. Did Reba tell the kids? "I'm here to pick up Reba."
Van's face fell. "What?" he asked a bit confused.
"You were there when she said she was going on a date with Dad Van." Cheyenne said from the couch.
Brock relaxed when he heard she had told. Van looked confused. "I don't remember."
Cheyenne rolled her eyes. "That's because you were too busy stuffing your face to hear."
Van turned to Brock and started to say something but Reba walked downstairs just at that moment. Brock smiled and Reba returned it as she grabbed her coat off the hanger.
"You two are going on a date?" Van asked Reba with what looked like an angry expression on his face. Reba was unsure of what Van thought.
She stood her ground. "Yes we are." She said firmly.
Van stood there for a moment, looking all serious, before busting out with a huge grin. He brought them into a big bear like hug. "This is great!" he said.
Reba pulled away from Van and looked to him shocked. "You're ok with this?"
He nodded happily. "It's awesome! You will be Mr. and Mrs. H again."
Reba raised an eyebrow. "Van, its one date."
Van smiled and gave a yeah sure look. "Ok, you two kids get out of her and have a good old time but not to good a time if you know what I mean." He said pushing them towards the door and getting a glare from Reba.
They were almost off the porch when Van stopped them. He had his serious face on again. "Have her home by eleven Mr. H and umm…no freaky stuff." Reba glared at him but Van didn't notice. "You tell me if he tries anything Mrs. H."
Reba ignored his antics as they walked to Brock's car. Reba heard Brock chuckle as he opened the car door for her. "What?" she asked.
Brock closed her door and went around to his. Once he got in he finally explained. "Just Van and what he said."
Reba shook his head. "He's an idiot. It was dumb to say that stuff. He did that with Brian too." Reba immediately regretted mentioning her ex-boyfriend.
Brock didn't seem to notice or he didn't care. "He's only concerned for you Reba." He said starting up the engine.
Reba smiled. "He kind of acts like daddy did." Reba turned her head towards Brock. "You remember how he always talked to you."
Brock chuckled as he drove down the street. "Yeah, he used to tell me he would skin me alive if I tried anything." Reba laughed and Brock smiled. He enjoyed her laugh so much. It was great to hear her laugh again and be able to laugh with her again. He adored her and loved her so much. He was grateful she gave him a second chance.
The rest of the way to the restaurant, they laughed and talked about all their good times. As they were seated at their table Reba couldn't help but think of how great they were getting along. She was happy it was this easy to talk to him. Once settled into their seats there were a few moments of silence when they looked over their menus.
Reba couldn't help but wonder…and she knew she shouldn't ask but she seemed to ask before she could stop herself. "So…how did Stacy take it when you said it was over?" she asked. She said it with more venom in her voice than she intended.
Brock laughed. "She actually took it well. I guess she met a younger man."
Reba smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Younger than herself?" Brock nodded. "Where did she meet him? Camp snoopy?"
Brock laughed so loud he startled the people at the next table and earned a glare from them He lowered his voice to a chuckle.
Reba seemed a bit embarrassed that she was just so quick to make fun of her. She had Brock now yet she still felt intimidated by her. Brock smiled at her jealousy and went back to looking at his menu.
After dinner they drove to a small grassy park area they used to take the kids when they were younger. Reba smiled when Brock grabbed her hand. She couldn't believe how sweet the gesture was. They were married for twenty years and she was surprised her hand was all he tried to grab. On their very first date when they first started dating, Reba thought he was a pig, he tried everything but once he stopped she found him nothing but charming, funny and when he gave in, a great kisser. Reba and Brock walked around the park a bit just talking again and having a wonderful time.
The night ended on Reba's porch. She sighed as she walked up to the door. She turned to Brock. "I had a wonderful time. It's too bad it has to end."
Brock nodded. "I promised Van I would have you home by eleven."
Reba confused, looked at her watch. It was five to eleven. "Still have five minutes before my curfew." She chuckled.
Brock laughed and then got serious when he took her hand. "I know you really well Reba and I know you have your concerns. You don't need to worry though, as I told you before, I'm not going anywhere."
Reba smiled and nodded. She bit her lip and sighed. "I really hate for this evening to end but I do have to get up early for work. I have this boss that is just such a huge butt." She smirked.
Brock smiled too. "Yeah, I understand I have this receptionist that is just so annoying at times."
Reba chuckled a bit. "Really?"
Brock nodded and continued. "Yeah but I keep her around, she's not that bad looking."
Reba nodded and knew he expected something similar in a reply. "Yeah, my boss though, not really good lookin." Brock rolled his eyes and Reba smiled. "I do have to say goodnight though."
Brock nodded and Reba leaned in for a kiss. The kiss was sweet and tender, just as it had been in his office. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a deeper kiss. For a little while they just stood on the porch kissing. Before they knew it lights were flickering.
Reba pulled away from Brock and stared at him confused. "Either the kiss was really that good or Van is behind the door."
Brock chuckled and was about to reply when the front door opened. Van walked out in his robe looking at his watch. "Do you know what time it is young lady?" Reba's eyes shot up at Van. Van turned to Brock. "And you Mr. H. I told you to have her home by eleven, it is now…" He looked at his watch. "Eleven o' five. I also told you to keep them hands to yourself."
Reba chuckled a bit as Van continued to glare at Brock. Brock shook his head and leaned in to give Reba one final kiss on the cheek. He gave her a light peck before darting off to his car. Reba had to stop Van from trying to follow him to his car.
Cheyenne was on the other side of the door. She had a huge grin on her face. She rushed over to her mother. "That was some kiss." She said excitedly.
Reba sighed at her daughter. "You were spying on me?"
Cheyenne looked down at her feet shyly. She then pointed an accusing finger at Van. "He was spying too!"
Reba turned to Van and glared. He backed away a bit. "Well…you two shouldn't be making out on the front porch like a couple of French people!"
Reba shook her head and made her way towards the stairs. "I want to hear all about your date in the morning!" She heard Cheyenne yell as she shut the door of her room. Reba smiled as she got ready for bed. Tonight was a great night for her. She couldn't wait to go out with Brock again. She laid her head down on her pillow and fell asleep with a smile on her face.
End of Chapter
