Brock went to work the next morning with a bounce in his step. Not only because of the night before, but because of earlier that morning when Reba announced she would be working from home and didn't have to get up right away.

He pulled the door to his dental office open with a crooked grin, shaking his head. It felt just like old times. He had wanted that for so long. They had had a movie night with their family, made love, then woke up in each others arms.

Just as he was going over everything that happened last night in minute detail in his head in the X-ray room, someone covered his eyes with their hands.

"Guess who."

"Barbra Jean?"

The hands went away and he turned around, smiling in return when he saw her grin.

"What are you doing here so early?" He asked. "I thought you had some doctor's appointment or something."

She shrugged. "I figured I'd drop by here first for…you know." She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.

His stomach lurched and that was when he realized that, without intending to, he had fallen for Barbra Jean. He so badly wanted to reject her after what him and Reba shared, but he equally wanted to give her whatever she wanted. It killed him to say no to her and he avoided it at all costs.

"I don't know…"

"Come on. Your next patient doesn't arrive for another half hour. That'll give us just enough time and I can make it to my appointment on time."

He tried to ignore her touch and her words, but she had an effect on him that he couldn't resist.

One last time can't hurt…

xXx

The front porch swing creaked as Reba gently swayed back in forth in it. Her daddy's voice sounded in her ear and she couldn't help but smile.

"How are you doin', Daddy?"

J.V. grunted. "I've been better, but I'm doin' okay."

"Been to the doctor lately?"

"Oh, I went last week."

"What did he say?"

"It doesn't really matter. Let's talk about something else."

Reba sighed, frustrated. This was the second time she had tried to figure out what was going on and he shut her up.

"Alright. How's the ranch goin'?"

"Having to hire more help everyday."

"Oh, Daddy, you know I'd help if I could."

"I know. Here. Your mama wants to talk to you."

"Alright."

"Reba?"

"Hi, Mama."

"Hi, honey. Listen, wait just a second. I'm gonna step outside, J.V."

Reba heard the sliding glass door to the backyard open then close.

"Okay." Helen sighed. "Reba, there's something I have to tell you."

"What? Is it about Daddy?"

"Yes. When he went to the doctor's the other day, they diagnosed him with heart disease. They said his heart's failing more and more each day. He refuses to take his medication, and I'm afraid that if things get any worse, we're going to have to sell the ranch."

"Sell the ranch?" Reba's heart started beating faster and faster. Her daddy was withering away day by day and her childhood home was to go to someone who would never appreciate it like the McKinney family did.

"I'm afraid so. Reba, he's not doing good at all. Most times, he just sits in his chair and watches TV. He just doesn't have the strength to do much else. If you can, you really ought to make a trip up here."

"I'll be there next week." She'd take off work and Brock could take care of Jake. "And I'm bringing Elizabeth. So Daddy can meet her."

"Do you really think that's a good idea?"

"I do. I'll get plane tickets first thing tomorrow and call you afterwards to set everything up."

"Shouldn't you talk to Brock first?"

Reba rolled her eyes. "I'm a grown woman, Mama. I don't answer to him."

"Well, you know best, I suppose. Call me tomorrow, honey."

"I will, Mama. Bye."

They both hung up as Brock pulled into the driveway. Reba was about to shove her phone in her pocket when her phone beeped, indicating a text. She glanced at the number then deleted it without reading when she realized it was Jack. She stood as Brock walked up onto the porch.

"I'm going to Oklahoma next week," She told him.

He stood there with his jacket draped over his arm, holding a briefcase and a coffee thermos with a shocked expression. "What for?"

"Daddy isn't doing good and I just talked to Mama. They may have to sell the ranch and I want to get up there just in case he doesn't have much time left."

"Oh. Do you want me to go with you?"

"No. Could you hold down the fort here? I'm going to see if Elizabeth wants to come."

He nodded. "Right. She'd like that."

"Yeah."

Reba played with a stray string on her jeans before taking a deep breath. "I might go to Cheyenne's house and tell her. I'd rather not do it over the phone."

"Okay. Do you want me to start dinner and have it ready when you get back?"

She smiled. "I'd like that." She gave him a kiss goodbye and he held her hand until she walked off the porch with one last glance behind her.

xXx

July 1979

"You still haven't sang for me."

Reba turned around to see Brock come up behind her where she was sitting out back behind the house.

"You haven't asked."

He sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"I have so. The first day we met. You said no."

She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder as they watched the sun go down.

"You really want me to sing for you?"

"Yes."

"Hello, darlin', nice to see ya. It's been a long time. You're just as lovely as you used to be. How's your new love? Are you happy? Hope you're doin' fine just to know it means so much to me."

Brock kissed the side of her head. "Nice song choice."

"What?"

"That's sad!"

"Well, hell, Brock. What do you think country music is? Besides, I think it's a beautiful love song, so you can just go and kiss my-"

"Reba. Okay. No need to get like that."

"Like what?"

"I'm going to stop talking now…"

"Good idea."

They sat in silence for a moment before Brock said, "You did sound beautiful, though."

"Stop tryin' to kiss up."

"Who's Up? Why would I want to kiss them when I could kiss you?"

She turned her head and right into his kiss. She smiled and placed her hand on his cheek. No matter how big of a butt he could be, she knew he knew how to make it better.

"That's not fair," She complained softly when they pulled away, the sun quickly disappearing over the hill.

"What's not fair?"

"You kissing me like that so I won't be mad anymore. Maybe I want to be mad."

He kissed her again, pulling her closer this time. He was determined to make her be quiet about his mistake and put all her focus on his love for her.

"Would you stop?" She asked, pulling away.

"Stop what?"

"Kissing me when I'm right in the middle of tal-"

His lips devoured hers once more and when she finally relaxed into his arms did he know he had won.

"You're mean," She told him when they pulled away. She curled up against him as he wrapped his arms around her.

"You like it." He kissed the top of her head, an idea forming in his brain. She'd most likely kill him for it, but it was certainly worth a try.

xXx

February 2007

She still felt the warmth of Brock's hand as she drove along the road to Cheyenne's house. It was about a half hour drive but she didn't mind. It gave her time to think.

Things were seemingly getting better between her and Brock, but she knew that the baby she carried would soon make an appearance. She still had no idea how to explain or deal with that obstacle.

"I can't lie to him," She whispered to an empty car. "Not when things are looking up."

A single tear escaped from her eye and she wiped it away, angry she had let it fall. She tightened the grip on the steering wheel and cursed herself for not waiting a few months so her and Brock's relationship could mend. If she hadn't have slept with Jack when she was at her weakest, everything would be okay now.

But you did. You were a big slut and slept with another man. Now you get to pay the price.

Her hands began to shake as she unwillingly let more tears fall. Her eyes were blurred as she began full on sobbing. All her problems were catching up to her again, and she became frightened when her heartbeat became fast and she couldn't hear. It was as if she wasn't really there, and she knew she was having another panic attack.

She tried to calm down but knew she had to get off the road as quickly as she could. Slowly turning the wheel to pull into a gas station, she took a deep breath, thinking it would help get more oxygen to her brain so it could tell the rest of her body to get a grip. But in her clouded state of mind, she didn't look before turning. Therefore, she didn't see the oncoming truck or the car pulling out of the gas station.

xXx

July 1979

"Get dressed. We're going out."

Reba looked up from her book to see Brock standing in her doorway.

"Brock!" She stood up. "What are you doing in my bedroom?"

"I told you we're going out." He went to her closet and rummaged around.

"Hey, get out of there!" She ran over to him and pulled on his shoulders. "Brock, get away!"

"Hiding something?" He asked, looking over his shoulder.

"No!"

"You have a dead body in here, don't you?"

"Just stop it." She tried to duck under him and get into her closet, but he prevented her from doing so.

"What is wrong with you?" He asked, pulling clothes to the side, trying to find the dress she had worn on their first date.

"I don't want you in my closet!" She tugged on his shirt and he had to laugh.

"You're not moving me, so just give it up." He located the dress and pulled it off the hanger, but stopped when he spotted a familiar article of clothing. He grabbed the hanger with the button down, plaid shirt and turned around with it. "What is this?"

She bit her lip and stepped back, folding her arms. "I don't know."

"I've been missing this for weeks."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

He smirked. "You stole my shirt?"

"No, I didn't." She snatched her dress from him and shoved him out of the way to hang it back up. "I found it."

"Where?"

"In the barn."

"Yeah. I had taken if off because I was hot. When I came back for it, it was gone."

"I thought I'd wash it for you."

"And not give it back?"

She shrugged and he laughed. "Do you sleep with it or something? Come on, what's the big deal? I don't care if you took it. I'm just teasing."

She wouldn't face him. Instead, she stood in her closet, playing with the buttons on the dress.

"Reba?"

"What?"

"Why did you take it?" When she didn't answer, he asked again. "Come on. Just tell me."

"I wanted it for when you left in August, okay?" She turned around and Brock saw the tears in her eyes. "I wanted something to remember you by."

He stood there, feeling like the biggest idiot. "Reba, I'm sorry-"

"No. You don't understand, do you? You'll leave and forget about me, but I can't forget about you. That's why I took it. I never want to forget you. When we're married to other people and have families, I want to look back and remember this time we shared." She pushed past him. "Just take it back."

She went to sit on her bed and Brock followed.

"You don't have to steal my shirt, Reba," He said, kneeling in front of her. "Don't you know that I never want to leave?"

"So? That doesn't mean you'll stay."

"You know I can't stay." She nodded and he continued. "But you don't have to, either."

"What do you mean?"

"Come with me."

"To Houston?"

"Yeah. We'll both go in August and be together . What do you say?"

"You really want me to come with you?"

"I've never wanted anything more in my whole life. I love you. Why wouldn't I want to be with you? We'll get a little house in the country, make lots of beautiful babies and grow old together. We'll be together so long, we'll have to replace our rocking chairs with wheelchairs."

She smiled through the tears and he wiped them away as they fell.

"I'm scared, Brock." She held onto his shoulders as he caressed her face.

"I know. But it'll be okay. We'll have each other."

They shared a kiss as Reba's heart soared. She had been waiting for this moment for what seemed like forever.

"So, get dressed," Brock told her, pulling away.

"Where are we going?"

He stood. "You'll see." Then he winked and left her room, waiting for her in his uncle's truck.

When she finally finished getting ready and climbed into the truck, Brock started down the road.

"Will you please tell me where we're going?"

"Promise you won't get mad?"

She slowly turned her head to look at him. "What did you do?"

He smiled. "You are going to sing at that little place down the road. They have a house band and my uncle knows the owner."

"Well, you might as well just turn this truck back around 'cause there ain't no way in hell I'm getting up on some stage and singin' in front of a bunch of people."

"Yes, you are. Reba, your voice is amazing. If you don't end up doing that for a living, it'll be a damn shame."

"Brock, I don't want to. I'm not going to." She folded her arms and stared out the window, refusing to talk to him.

The whole way there, he made conversation with her but she didn't reciprocate. She was silent there and she was silent as they pulled into the parking lot.

"Look," He said as he killed the engine and turned towards her. "I didn't mean to make you mad, but I really think you'll have a good time. They're a nice group of people. They're not going to laugh and point or anything."

"I don't care. I ain't never sang in front of anybody but my mama and daddy and you."

"You have to get over that stage-fright if you want to be a singer. I'll be right there watching. You don't have to go in there alone."

She looked at him, fear swimming around in her eyes. "What if they don't like me, though?"

He smiled. "They will. Trust me. Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"Then let's go."

He climbed out of his side and ran around to open her door, holding on to her hand as they both walked inside. Reba felt like her legs were going to give out and her hands were shaking. She held a hand to her head as she walked in behind Brock.

There were a few tables positioned in the small room, a tiny stage with a microphone and a drum set off to the side beside a guitar on a stand. The bar was the main attraction. All the people there sat on one of the stools, drinking some kind of alcohol or another. Brock began talking to someone but Reba stood still, staring at the stage. A second later, Brock came up to her. "You want to sing that song you sang for me the other day?"

"Not particularly."

"Reba…"

She sighed then nodded and Brock told the guitar player who walked up to the stage and sat down on a stool with his guitar. A second later, the drummer joined in and Brock leaned in, saying, "Just go on up and sing, okay? I'll be right here."

She didn't move. Her knees were locked and fear took over.

"Reba, it's okay. Go on." He gave her a gentle nudge and she almost fell over walking to the stage.

"Hi," She told the guitar player.

"Hello," He responded. "Are you the one that's singing?"

"Yes. Do you know 'Hello, Darlin' by Conway Twitty?"

"I do. Just hop up onstage and nod when you're ready."

She slowly moved towards the small stage and stepped up. She walked behind the microphone and gripped it tightly, searching the room for Brock. She located him at the end of the bar closest to her. She breathed a sigh of relief. For some reason, she thought he had left.

He smiled at her and winked before mouthing 'I love you' to calm her nerves.

She closed her eyes and nodded slightly. The music began and she opened her mouth to sing.

"What's that, darlin', how am I doin'? I'm doin' alright, except that I can't sleep. I cry all night till dawn. What I'm tryin' to say is I love you and I miss you and I'm so sorry I did you wrong. Look up, darlin', let me kiss you just for old times sake. Let me hold you in my arms one more time."

The crowd applauded and somebody whistled. When Reba opened her eyes, she noticed everyone was smiling, so she smiled back. When she walked off the stage, Brock went up to her.

"I knew you could do it," He told her as he gave her a hug.

"I did it. And you know what?"

"What?"

"I wanna do it again."

Brock grinned at her smiling face and eyes full of life. He gave her a kiss and said, "Go get 'em."

She ran off towards the stage to sing another song and Brock cheered as if she was the biggest superstar in America. He was so proud of her. He knew she could do it all along and he hoped this wasn't the last time he could help her overcome her fears.

xXx

February 2007

She was freezing cold. The bitter wind flew around her as she blindly reached for someone, something. She knew she had been hurt, but she had no idea where she was. She thought she heard sirens in the distance, but she wasn't sure. All of a sudden, the sound of voices reached her ears.

"Nobody touch her! Stand back!"

The whir of a machine began and then a sawing sound. It was near her and she tried to get away from it when another voice spoke.

"Don't move. It's okay. We're gonna get you out."

She tried to open her eyes but they were so heavy. She just lay still like she was told until she felt several hands on her, pulling her away from her vehicle and onto a stretcher.

A horrifying realization reached her brain as she tried to speak, but no one heard her. She felt a prick in her arm before her world went completely dark.

xXx

Just like a lot of people who wake up in a hospital, Reba wondered where she was and how she got there. She had very little memory of her accident and even less memory of even leaving the house. She opened her eyes and found that she was lying in a hospital bed, halfway propped up with pillows. She had a hospital bracelet on her wrist and she wore a polka-dotted gown. There was a TV bolted in the corner of the room, the volume on low.

"Hey," A voice to her left said.

She turned and through half-open eyes she saw Brock sitting in a chair next to her.

"Brock?" She asked.

He scooted his chair closer to her, grabbing her hand. She looked down to see that her arm was all cut up. It horrified her and she tried to jerk away.

"Reba, honey, what's wrong?" Brock asked in a quiet voice.

"How did this happen? What's going on?" She frantically searched for the remote that was attached to all hospital beds, desperate for a nurse's explanation. She located it and pressed the red call button repeatedly.

"Hey, take it easy," Brock said, grabbing the remote. "Do you remember anything?"

"No. What happened? Why am I here?"

"You were in a three-car collision.. They had to cut you out of your car."

She felt light-headed. A three-car collision? And she made it out alive?

"Was anybody hurt?" She whispered.

"Besides you, yes. The driver of the third car hit his head on the steering wheel. He has a severe concussion. They took him to the hospital on the west side of town."

"What about the other driver?"

Brock looked down briefly. "You know, it doesn't matter. You're okay. Okay?"

She wanted to nod, but felt as if she'd pass out if she moved her head too much. The nurse came in, so their conversation had to end, anyway.

"Mrs. Hart," The nurse with the green scrubs said, walking in. "You pushed your call button fifteen times. Are you alright? We're glad to see you awake."

"I just want to know what happened," Reba responded, trying to focus on the brunette with the long ponytail before her.

"I'll let the doctor come in and tell you later, alright? Right now, just get some rest." She began fiddling around over by the sink, washing her hands, before she leaned out into the hall and pulled a cart in. "I'm just going to get you a sedative, alright?" She picked up a vial and walked to Reba's bedside.

"No," Reba said sternly. "I want to see my doctor. I don't want to sleep."

"Reba-" Brock began.

"Don't even start to argue with me," Reba told him, looking back at the nurse. "Please just go get the doctor."

"I was instructed to give you this."

"Please."

The nurse sighed before agreeing and leaving the room a second later, promising to be back with the doctor.

"It's bad, isn't it?" Reba mumbled after she was gone.

Brock rubbed her hand. "No. Not bad at all." He gave her a reassuring smile, but she didn't notice. She was starting to feel the effects of her accident, and the pain medication was wearing off each second she was coherent.

The doctor, a tall man with black hair, walked in a second later.

"Hello, Mrs. Hart. Glad to see you're awake."

"So I've heard."

The doctor pulled up a chair that was on the right side of the bed and perched on the end of it.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, holding a small, computer like device.

"Achy. My head hurts. My whole body hurts."

"That's understandable. But you're lucky to be here. That was a nasty wreck you were in. If you hadn't have been wearing your seatbelt, you might not have been so lucky." Reba didn't respond, so the doctor went on. "You have a broken wrist, fractured cheek-bone, a few cuts and bruises, a mild concussion and-" He looked up, sighing. "-well, I hate having to do this. I do it more often that you'd think."

"Do what?"

"When you were brought in, we took a blood sample before we could give x-rays just to make sure you weren't pregnant. Well, as you probably know, that test came back positive."

"What?" Brock asked as Reba's blood ran cold.

"There was just too much stress put on the fetus," The doctor continued. "And you were only about sixteen weeks along. She was just too small to make it. I'm sorry, but we lost her."

The tears came instantly. She buried her face in her hands as the doctor stood, patting her knee.

"If there's anything I can do," He said. "Please let me know."

"Are you sure?" She sobbed.

"Reba, what is he talking about?" Brock asked, looking between the two.

"We're sure," He assured her. "I am very sorry, Mrs. Hart. I'll leave you two alone."

He exited quickly and closed the door. Brock looked at Reba who was crying uncontrollably.

"Is there something I should know?" He asked.

"I was pregnant," She told him, her voice rising. "And I lost it. What more do you need to know?"

"I'd like to know how you were sixteen weeks along when last week was the first time we've had sex in seven months."

"Why don't you pull your head out of your ass, Brock? For once in your life, can you just shut up and figure it out on your own without me having to spell it out for you?"

"You're not making any sense."

"I cheated, okay? Are you happy? Want me to say it again? I cheated on you, Brock, with our therapist."

"You did what?"

"Oh, my God. Just shut up and leave me alone."

"You cheated on me? How long has this been going on?"

"Seven months."

He stood up, shoving the chair backwards until it fell over.

"Stop that!"

"You want me to stop? You want me to stop destroying things?" He picked up the chair and chunked it at the wall, the wood splintering. "That's what I want, too! I want you to stop destroying our marriage! Never in a million years would I have thought you would do this!"

"Don't blame me! You had your own part in this!"

"Did I make you cheat on me? No, I didn't. How is it my fault?"

"That's not what I said-"

"I can't even believe you. You just keep screwing up again and again."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. Did I fuck another man?"

"No-"

"Right. So how is this my fault?"

"I didn't say that it was! I'm sorry I got lonely and you weren't there. I'm sorry I was weak. I'm sorry I couldn't be strong day after day after day."

"This isn't about being strong! This is about staying loyal to me!"

"What's going on in here?" The brunette nurse walked in and saw the broken chair against the wall and Brock standing over Reba in a threatening manner. "Sir, would you please calm down and come with me?"

"You probably think I'm the bad one, right?" He asked with an odd laugh. "But I'm not." He pointed at Reba. "It's her. She cheated. She fucked someone else and then, got herself pregnant. Some wife, huh?"

"Sir, come with me or I'll have to call security."

"Call 'em. What do I care? Have 'em shoot me. I'll be better off." He began walking towards the door, anyway. He glanced back at Reba for a split second. "Thanks for that."

Thank you for all the reviews! I'm so happy that you all are enjoying this story! The song is "Hello Darlin'" by Conway Twitty, for those of you who might be wondering. Also, I've been thinking about doing a songfic after this story is over. What are some songs you all like that I could write a songfic for? Review and let me know, and also review about the chapter, of course! (: