Chapter Nine- Reba Falls In Love

"I love you."

Reba kept saying those three little words over and over again in her head, trying to get up the courage to say them back. She really did love him, and even though he told her there was nothing to worry about, she was still afraid of getting her heart broken again.

Jack could sense that she was still a little unsure. "Listen... I am going to give everything I have for you. I'm going to make sure I do everything to make this work. I don't want to be with anyone else... I want to be with you. I love you."

Reba leaned in and pressed his lips against his, letting her hands roam through his hair. Jack deepened the kiss and laid her down on her back. Reba moaned deep in her throat, then pulled her lips away from his.

"I... I love you, too."

Jack smiled and pulled her closer, and just held her in his arms. They both laid there for a while just enjoying the feeling of being close to one another. "I should go," Jack whispered a few minutes later. "It's getting late and I have to work tomorrow."

Reba's heart sank when Jack's warm body left hers. She grabbed his hand and pulled him back down on the couch, kissing him with all the passion she had. She didn't want him to go, but didn't know how to tell him she wanted him to stay.

"I really do have an early morning tomorrow..." Jack started but Reba silenced him with another kiss. He knew he had to go but couldn't find the strength to leave. After another passionate kiss, Jack put all defences aside and pulled her upstairs...

It was the inconsistent buzzing at eight o'clock that awoke Reba the next morning. She reached her arm around Jack and slammed her fist down on the alarm clock, causing him to stir awake.

"Morning." He greeted, and pulled her into his arms.

Reba smiled and pulled his face down to meet hers, giving him a passionate kiss. "I love you."

Jack chuckled slightly and grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers together. Reba didn't do or say anything, she just enjoyed the chance to finally have someone to hold, that was going to be there for her no matter what. She was starting to believe that his love for her was real. He sent flowers for no reason at all, left little notes in her purse, called just to say hi and last night he proved it by making love to her.

Reba giggled at her thoughts, which caused Jack to turn his head and look at her. "What?"

"You're amazing." She said as she pulled him closer for another kiss.

"No, Reba. You are."

They shared another kiss before Jack got up and started dressing. "Now I really have to go." He smiled.

"Yeah," Reba chuckled. "I should start making breakfast now." She climbed out of bed and looked around the room for her clothes. Once she found them, she dressed as quickly as she could. Jack finished dressing, gave her a kiss goodbye, and told her he'd see her for lunch.

Lunch was all Reba could think about as she made breakfast for the kids. She couldn't get Jack off her mind and the love she shared with him. She was starting to believe that Jack was going to be the one. The one she had waited for all her life.

"Mrs. H?" Van asked, and snapped her out of her thoughts. She realized she was handing him a plate, but wasn't letting go.

"Are you okay, Mom? You seem distracted." Cheyenne asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine... Just thinking, that's all."

"What are you thinking about?" Van asked, grabbing the plate from her hands.

Reba dismissed the question and decided it was time to talk about her relationship to the kids. "Listen guys... Jack and I are getting pretty serious. I want to make sure you guys are okay with us."

Cheyenne was the first to speak up. "Yeah, Mom. I want you to be happy."

Kyra and Jake nodded their approval as well. "You've been so much happier since you met him."

"I have alot to be happy about... a wonderful man, great kids, a beautiful granddaughter. I'm the luckiest woman in the world."

"Yeah, Mrs H.. You're the best mom ever."

"Well thanks, Van. You kids go on and get ready now.. the bus'll be here soon."

Reba said goodbye to all her kids as they left for school and various other activites.. then sat down and ate her breakfast. After breakfast she cleaned up the dishes, then went to go soak in a hot bath. The warm water soothed and relaxed her and she was now ready to take on the day.

Once she was dried off and changed, she headed downstairs to grab a cup of coffee, not realizing the time had flown past and it was now time to get ready for her lunch date.

She glanced at the clock and started to make her way back upstairs when the doorbell rang. She opened the door to find Jack standing there, smelling great and holding a yellow rose...