*How are you even thinking about this Reba, no one deserves to know more than Narvel, you need to tell him first, before anyone else. You know he would never keep anything like this from you, and if he is anything like the man you think he is, he will help you to work through it together.*

Reba and Alice both enjoyed spending time with their baby sis, they all caught up with each others lives, and had a great time helping Susie fix up her house. "Gosh Susie, you would never even know you have three children now, look at this place, spotless." "Your right Baw! Just how I like it!" Sitting down Reba huffed. "Oh Lord my legs are killing me, you know I haven't run in forever, and today I ran all the way here from that down there stream." "Well you sure were pretty riled up when you got here" "Oh Susie that was nothing, trust me, she was ready to put a bullet through his head when I told her, you only got the aftermath, I had mostly calmed her down by then" "You two are crazy" "Yes but mess with our baby sister and we become the definition of crazy, right Alice?" "You got it!" "Susie why didn't you tell me before?" "Oh you were just so happy and had so much to share…. That, and I kinder didn't want anyone to know." She gave Alice a deathly stare. "Martha Susan, I'm not just anyone, I'm your big sister, and I have loved you from the moment you were born. Us little girls have to stick together!" Susie smiled. "Little girls, Baw I haven't heard that term in years... I love you!"

"Well darlin, I best get outa here before that husband of yours comes home, I just don't think I am ready to stomach him right now, also I kinder wonder what my man is up to. Alice and I kinder just left and didn't say anything." "Haha, nothing's changed has it Baw? You're still that independent woman who can't stand people hanging off her arm." "Yes I am, lucky he doesn't mind, and get this, in our relationship I'm the needy one." "Oh gosh you are funny, You staying Alice or you two red heads going together?" "Umm I think I'll go and see what Mama is up to."

While Reba was out Narvel found time to sit down with both Clark and Jackie. "Mr and Mrs McEntire I know Reba and I have only been dating two months, and she is just recently divorced, but I would really love to marry your daughter. I aim to receive your blessing before Christmas morning so that I may ask her Christmas day. If for some reason I don't receive it by then I promise you I will work the rest of my life until I do." Jackie smiled "And what do you suppose to do with our daughter? Can we trust you?" "Of course ma'am I am more than trustworthy, I promise I will love her, and cherish her for as long as I live. I hope to one day give her a house she can call a home, and share in beautiful children that, will with any luck look just like their Mama." "You promise you will bring her home to us every so often so we don't miss her too much?" "Yes ma'am, I promise, I know she wouldn't have it any other way, you all mean the world to her." "Well you have my blessing, Clark?" "Well if her mothers happy then that's the main thing.. Just don't give me any reason not to like you boy... And if you ever, ever lay a hand on her you can count yourself dead, because you sure as hell will be after I deal to you" "Yes sir, I promise I won't let you down." "Good now I'm off to change the oil in the pick-up, give us a hand won't you?" "Sure thing. Thank you both." Narvel tried to hide his grin as he walked outside, he was just so darn happy he couldn't help it.

Dinner time Susie and the kids turned up to ask Mama what the plans were for Christmas day. "Mama, shall we have it in the barn, it's warm enough in there, we can all sit on the hay, the kids can run around inside and if they drop food it won't matter. Paul can bring up the gas heaters and it will be super toasty." "That sounds like a good idea, go in and ask your sister what she thinks, she really wanted to make this Christmas special with all of us." "Narvel where is she?" "Oh I think she was taking a shower, she ought to be out by now, go check the room" Susie knocked on the door "Baw are you in here?" "Yes I'm not quite dressed, but you can come in if it's just you." Susie opened the door and closed it quickly. Reba had managed her pants but was just fastening her bra as Susie walked in. "Talk about my bruises, look at yours, haha" "Haha yes but mine were made in a completely different way.. One I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear about" She pulled her shirt on. "Yeah, nah, no thank you. I'm just fine." "I was just wondering, Christmas day how would you feel about having it in the barn. We can all party on the hay bales, chill out, eat, and the kids can run around. Then if they drop things like food on the ground it doesn't matter… We can bring the heaters up and it will be lovely and warm. I talked to Mama she thinks it's a good idea, but I had to ask you." "That's a great idea, love it. You know how much I love cleaning up… Not! This will be perfect." "Cool, lets go let em know." "That's the only reason we came up." "So Mama what shall I bring? Or shall we just come here early and prep everything here." "Come here, I wanna spend all the time I can with you all, and the prep is part of it." "Well there you go, that's what your sister wants"

That night Reba had decided she would tell Narvel. She climbed into bed and waited for him to finish watching the tele with Daddy. Her tummy hadn't gotten sick again and she was happy, but right now it was so full of nerves, she was excited, but scared all at the same time. She seemed convinced that he would be okay with it. But she just didn't know. She had stopped taking her contraceptive pills, and had even passed on the beer with dinner. She was hoping no one noticed before her and Narvel could announce it. She didn't know what to do so she picked her Bible back up and gave it another read.

Narvel came in the door and she tried to contain herself. What was going on? She had been fine right up until now. Now she was practically a mess, a mess that no one could see. It was all internal, and he seemed to take forever to change and brush his teeth ready for bed. She focused on what she was reading and waited. He climbed into bed and expected to get the same treatment as the night before.

But he could sense she was in a happier mood, she was smiling, and her face looked soft. "Read me a verse, would you please baby? he snuggled down and got comfortable. "Hey baby, how would you feel about having a baby?" "Pardon?" She stayed silent for a moment staring at the pages before she put the book down on the nightstand and looked into his eyes." "Reba?" "Yes?" "Are we talking like in the future, or?" "Well technically yes, the future, but less than 9 months for sure." He smiled big. "Are you serious right now? Because if you are kidding I am going to look like the biggest fool as I dance around this room" "No baby, I'm not kidding, I'm pregnant, and I'm sorry I haven't told you sooner. I only just found out when we got here, and I didn't know how you were going to react." "You mean there is a little Reba inside of you? Inside of here?" He quickly pulled her close, lifted her top, threw off the blankets and kissed her tummy." "Haha you are too cute, well hun, there is a little us inside there, a little bit of you and a little bit of me all mixed together"

"Oh honey, I'm thrilled. I really am. I hope this baby looks exactly like you,, just maybe with a little less of the attitude" "But baby, the attitude is the best part." "You're right, I wouldn't want you any other way." "Well as time goes by you may have to deal with a bigger me, and apparently a more emotional one. Mama said I may even end up with cravings for strange food, and.. well, you." He laughed but tried to stay quiet so he didn't disturb anyone else in the house. He kissed her on the forehead. "This is going to be fun Red! So who else knows apart from Mama?" "Just you baby. Mama was the one that convinced me to get a test after I got sick, that's why we went and got her blood pressure pills. I didn't want anyone else to know before you because I wasn't sure how things would go with our relationship being so young."

Narvel sunk back down into the bed and pulled Reba with him. They pulled the blankets over and snuggled up together with his hand protectively over her tummy. "Well at least it's not like we don't know each other. We have known each other a fair while. And if you're up for it I want us to raise this baby together the best we can. I want to give our baby the world, and teach them everything I know."

"How many babies do you want Narvel, are you happy with just one?" "With you darling I would have enough to run a school, as long as they all look as beautiful as their mother. But seriously Reba as many as you want is fine with me. I always wanted children. I just never found anyone who I would want as their mother. What about you? How are you feeling about all this? Are you happy you are pregnant? Would you want to raise a child with me?" "Oh I'm okay totally scared to death, but feeling much better after witnessing your reaction. I am over the moon now, and am so excited. And honey." "Yes" "I most certainly do want to raise this child with you, and any other children that we may have. I think you will be a wonderful Daddy to our kids, you are unlike any other man I have ever known. She kissed him deeply and then relaxed into a deep slumber with his hand drawing soothing patterns over her tummy.

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