Chapter 10: Barbra Jean
Days at the Hart household passed quickly, although it felt like years to Reba. She had been on bed since she was back home. Minutes felt like hours and hours felt like days. Her family tried to keep her company as much as they could, but in the mornings Reba got quite bored, because everyone was at work or school.
She was happy that her family cared so much about her and kept her company during the day, telling her all kinds of stories. Elizabeth got the biggest benefit out of it, because she spent even more time with Reba and she enjoyed the attention a lot.
Even things between Brock and Reba were going smoothly. The two of them talked a lot without fighting, forgetting about what happened. Brock avoided every conversation about what was going to happen between them in the future, so he was able to keep peace between him and Reba. Things were going great, better than Brock ever imagined.
Reba explained to him that she was hurt and all, but she also had to get along with him, because she was carrying his child. Inside, Brock was glad that they weren't fighting nor not talking and he hoped it would stay like that. What Brock didn't know was, that Reba actually enjoyed his company. She was already getting used to him being around her most of the time during the day.
She was glad that Brock decided to move back to Houston. He sold his dental practice in San Antonio and was slowly working on opening a new one in Houston again. He had enough money saved up to come around for a few months without work. Reba admired his afford to make this work and making it as easy for her as he could. It took a lot of pressure and stress of her shoulders.
The only thing that upset Reba a bit was the fact that Barbra Jean was around less. She didn't know why. nor did Barbra Jean really talk to her about it. She seemed like she wanted to avoid Brock, because it still wasn't easy for her to be around him. On the other hand Barbra Jean was glad that Reba and Brock got along so well. She expected Reba to kick him out and tell him to stay out of her life, but apparently she was glad he was back.
The kids were more confused about the situation than the adults. Especially Van had problems with Brock being back and coming back into the family. He hurted Reba and he didn't understand why Reba would forgive him that quickly. Cheyenne was the same and she wanted to talk to her mother about it, but she thought that it might shake up things again and she really didn't want to change anything.
Kyra was all distant to both of her parents. She hardly talked to them, nor did she stay long with her mother during a day. She was still mad at her dad for what he did and how irresponsible he was. He hurted her mother all over again, which made Kyra really mad. She was the one who stayed all the way with her mom during the divorce, while Cheyenne was off with Van and Jake too small to understand.
Kyra was already distant to her mother, after Brock left her a few months ago. She didn't want things to happen over and over again. The worst was, that Kyra helped her mother through the roughest time of her life, yet she turned away from her to support her older sister. She had to cut back on things to let Cheyenne get what she wanted and needed.
Reba noticed all that, yet she didn't wanna push Kyra into talking. She knew very well that it wouldn't help much, because Kyra was very stubborn. But she secretly hoped Barbra Jean would be able to talk to her. Reba knew the two of them are getting along well, even after the divorce of Brock and Barbra Jean.
Jake was probably the only one, who was really happy that his dad was back in Houston. Now he was able to hang out with him more and do things with hiw dad he wasn't able to do while he lived further away. Jake was the only one who secretly hoped that they'd be a family again, as soon as his baby brother was born. He was very excited over the whole thing and was glad that things were going great.
Brock walked up the stairs to Reba's room and knocked at her door with his free hand. He waited for a response, before he opened the door. When he heard a slight yes from Reba he opened the door and walked into her room. Reba was slowly walking back to her bed, trying to climb in it with all the strength she had. Her belly was huge by now, so Brock let out a chuckle when Reba was finally sitting on the bed, patting her stomach.
"Don't laugh...I feel like i gained 50 pounds. I never thought i'd get that fat again." Brock let out giggle and walked over to the bed.
"You are not fat..You are pregnant with a Baby...and i made you chocolate pudding...Thought a little treat wouldn't hurt." He winked at her and set a tray with a huge bowl of chocolate pudding next to Reba. Reba smiled at him and immediately tried to reach out for the bowl, but couldn't because she couldn't bend over enough with her belly. She sighed and Brock started to laugh, handing her the bowl and a napkin.
"Stop ittttttttt," she pouted and threw the napkin at him, slowly starting to eat. "Hmmm...ya have carrots and pickles?...oh and Ketchup?!" Brock grimaced at the thought and let out a moan in disgust.
"You wanna eat ketchup, carrots and pickles with chocolate pudding?...That is gross!" Reba scrunched her nose and looked up.
"Nooo...it's amazin'...trust me..." She giggled and Brock joined her.
"That remembers me of the cravings you had during Kyras pregnancy...all you wanted to eat were chili dogs with honey..." Now Reba grimaced and and stuck a spoon full of pudding into her mouth.
"Hey don't gimme that look..you ate them..a lot..." Brock laughed and Reba pulled the spoon out of her mouth.
"Well...back than it was good..but now i'd probably get sick of it..." Reba giggled and leaned back a bit, letting out a sigh of discomfort.
"Something wrong?!" Brock asked and looked at her, putting the tray away so he could sit down right next to her on the bed.
"Back pain...and the lil one is kickin' like heck...Someones goin' to be soccer player.." Reba chuckled and Brock looked down at her belly. He wanted to touch her belly to feel his baby kick, but he never dared to ask Reba. He kept looking at her belly and smiled, until Reba cleared her throat.
"Feel free to touch my belly..." She smiled and set down the bowl. She grabbed his hand and pulled her shirt up a bit, placing his hand on her bare belly, where their son was kicking. Brock's face lit up and he grinned brightly, concentrating on the baby's kick.
"Woow..." He smiled amazed, not quite believing what was happening. There was his son. His son, the second son he always wanted. "That is awesome...and he has such a strong kick...Soccer player it is.."
Reba smiled at him and moved his hand to another spot on her belly, where their son was kicking. Her face lit up a bit, when she looked into Brock's eyes. For the first time she saw a glimpse of happiness in his eyes and she was sure he knew she felt the same. Brock slowly pulled his hand away, still grinning from ear to ear. Reba pulled her shirt down and leaned back, trying to relax a bit. Neither of them spoke a word and they silently enjoyed each others company. Their moment was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Yes?" Reba said and Brock got up from the bed, picking up the tray. Barbra Jean came into the room and Reba's face lit up.
"Hey there...Am I interrupting?" She asked and stepped into the room. Brock gave her a slight smile and left the room.
"Hey...No you are not..." Reba smiled at her and sat up again. Barbra Jean walked over to the bed and gave Reba a hug.
"Haven't seen you in days so i thought i'd drop by and say hi..."
"I am glad you decided to do that...Honestly..I missed you...So what is new in your life?" Reba asked curious and leaned against the headboard again.
"Oh...erm..nothing..." Barbra Jean said nervously, playing around with her purse. Reba immediately knew something was going on.
"Spill...what happened!?" Barbra Jean knew she couldn't keep a secret from Reba, so she "spilled".
"Well...I think...erm..well..I think i might be..well...in love again." Reba's eyes grew big and she smiled excitedly.
"Really? Who is it? Tell me all about it." Barbra Jean chuckled and rolled her eyes.
"You are turning a bit into me..." Reba's eyes grew big and she giggled.
"Could be...now tell me..."
"Well it is this guy i met at the movie theater. He was sitting next to me and well...afterwards we started talk and stuff...We have been dating for 2 months now..." Reba's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe her ears.
"2 months?...and you didn't tell me?" Reba said in disbelieve. It was new to her that Barbra Jean was able to keep a secret.
"Well..i didn't tell you..I mean with Brock being back and stuff...I don't know..." Barbra Jean looked down again and started to play with her purse.
"You think, you really love him?" Reba asked and Barbra Jean moved her head up and nodded.
"Yes...and i think he likes me too...I mean he stayed with me...although...Well i told him i wouldn't take the next step until i am really sure that this is going to work out...and he is still around...waiting for me..."
"Barbra Jean i bet he likes you...tell me more about him." Barbra Jeans face lit up a bit and she smiled.
"Well his name is James...but people call him Jamie...he is 38...well he has a daughter called Rachel...she is in the same age as Henry...his wife died 3 years ago in a car crash...well ermm...He is an architect...well and he is really cute...dark hair, brown eyes and tall..." Barbra Jean blushed a bit and smiled. Reba couldn't believe that her best friend was finally growing up.
"That is great...I am really happy for you Barbra Jean..and I think you should take the next step...It seems you two get along well.." Reba gave her a reassuring smile and Barbra Jean grinned.
"Well...first i want you to meet him...and...there is another thing..I mean Brock...i don't know..." Her grin disappeared again and Reba laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry...Brock will be happy for you Barbra Jean...he wants you to be happy and obviously the guy does that...Don't be afraid to tell him.." Barbra Jean pulled Reba into another hug and smiled.
"Thanks Reba...Oh and...i told him about our...well friendship and thing with Brock...He thinks it is weird, but yet he thinks it is great we make it work for the kids...And he wants to meet you...because you are my best friend."
"I'd like to meet him too...How about we talk to Brock and arrange a little dinner with him and the kids?...It is slowly gettin' time the kids move back in with us, so you can start over your life and start your new relationship."
"Thanks Reba...i like that idea...really...and I am glad...i bet you guys will like him...I will go get Brock.." Barbra Jean jumped up, but Reba stopped her and made her turn around.
"One question first...Is that why you didn't come around much?" Barbra Jean smiled a bit and sighed.
"Well that..and i didn't want Brock to notice anything..I am glad he is here...and i don't mind...I am just afraid to tell him..."
"Well i will be here...so don't worry." Reba smiled to herself and waited for Barbra Jean to come back with Brock. She was happy for Barbra Jean ad she hoped she'd get along great with her new boyfriend.
"What is it you want to tell me?" Brock asked when he entered the room with Barbra Jean.
"Well we wanted to ask you..if you want to have dinner with the family...and...erm..a guy..i'd like to invite.." Barbra Jean stammered and Brock raised an eyebrow.
"A guy?" He asked, unsure how to take that.
"Well a guy...I have been dating..for a while now...He wants to get to know you guys.." Barbra Jean looked at him, waiting for an reaction. Brock lowered his eyebrow again and looked at her.
"Do you like him?" Brock asked, still not sure what he should feel.
"I...I...i think i love him..I...we've been dating for 2 months now..and finally i am happy again..." Barbra Jean looked down, being afraid of what would come next.
"That is great Barbra Jean...i want you to be happy...if he makes you happy...that's fine..." Brock took a step closer to her and gave her a hug. Barbra Jean returned it and smiled with relieve.
"I am glad Brock..." Barbra Jean stepped away and looked at Reba, who winked at her.
"Barbra Jean...I want you to know that we might not worked as husband and wife...but i want us to stay friends...especially with Henry and all." Barbra Jean nodded. She hoped they could stay friends.
"I'd like that...Well i gotta go now...Jamie is waiting for me...We wanted to meet up and pick up the kids...See you later." Barbra Jean rushed out of the room and left Reba and Brock alone.
"I am glad you want to stay friends with Barbra Jean..she was afraid you'd be mad.." Brock turned around and sat down next to Reba.
"I want her to be happy...i wasn't able to keep her happy...and if that guy does it..I am glad...She deserves it...Barbra Jean is a good person deep down in her heart." Reba gave him a warm smile and put a hand on his shoulder.
"She is...I am really happy for her and i can't wait to meet this guy...Oh and...is there any chance you can help the kids move back here...It is getting time for them to come back." Brock nodded and smiled at Reba.
It seemed everyone was moving one and he slowly felt like there might be a little bit hope left for him and Reba.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
yep that is chapter 10...i might need to take a lil break now because i'll have my internship but iwill try to put up the new chapter as soon as i can ;)
Please read and review :)
would love you forever ..