Believe in Love Again Chapter 9: Saving Reba to begin again, a reba fanfic

I don't own Reba or any of the character in this story right now. They belong to the writers of the REBA TV show. The character of Kim Campbell from this story is my creation though.

Note to readers: I want you to know that I am a Reba/Brock fan. This story is establishing the history of the couple. He was lucky to get her to marry him in the first place. He'll realize that a little bit more later on when he realizes that Reba may fall for Mike again in the present. For the purposes of the story, the current setting for the story is fall 2008 when the family is watching the video that Lori Ann made for Mike and Reba. Remember at the beginning of the story, Reba wakes up in Vegas after a night that she can't quite remember and the story reveals how she got there. The first thing is establishing the relationships and history. This will bring the skeletons out of the closet for both Brock and Reba, and then you get to see how they deal with it. The story will go forward from the back-story into establishing how Reba got to Vegas and who's with her. Brock needs to have a challenge to face. He's put her through so much in the last six years. Trying to get back together with her won't be easy for him. She deserves a love affair better than she's had so far.

Previously- "Thanks Mike. Thanks for being my best friend and everything else. We have a very strange relationship for being exes. I haven't felt beautiful or sexy in so long. I really appreciate having someone to appreciate me."

"For the record, you are very irresistible. You were in Vegas. You were like a wildfire out of control. You're always ten times more determined when you drink. It's a potent combination."

"I think I'm going to fly back right now and surprise him. I'll leave the kids with my parents and try to spend some time alone with him. We'll see what happens. I should get home in a couple of hours or so."

"Have Lori Ann drive you to the airport. Make sure that she's the designated driver."

Reba put her arms around Mike's neck. She stood there holding him tight. "I love you, Mike Holliway. Someday I'll be back and there will be no other man in my heart except you." Mike placed a kiss on her forehead.

Lori Ann had the camera pointed on Reba's face. She had tears in her eyes. She grabbed her purse and ran out the door.

Author's note-The story picks up from the first season of Reba. Brock has announced that he's going to marry Barbra Jean because she is pregnant with his child. Cheyenne's pregnancy has been revealed. Cheyenne and Van were married just like in the pilot episode. There's just one big problem that Reba has to face so she's going back to get Mike's help. Reba feels humiliated and alone. She doesn't know what to do, except turn to someone who will show her love and support. She is also extremely vengeful toward Barbra Jean.

Now on with our story-

The scene was black. Lori Ann's voice came on to narrate.

Lori Ann's Narration-

The next time that Mike saw Reba again was two months later when she walked back into his bar. She was again counting on his promise that he'd always be there for her. Her efforts to save her marriage to Brock had failed. Reba needed the biggest favor of all so she went back home to Oklahoma and walked right back into Mike's life.

Reba walked right into the Holliway bar. Mike was working behind the bar. It was the middle of the day and there weren't any customers in the bar at the moment. "How's my favorite ex-husband?" Reba greeted.

"You only have one ex-husband, honey and you're looking at him."

"You are so very wrong. Look, I even have papers." Reba tossed her initial divorce papers on the bar in front of Mike.

"What happened? The last thing I knew you were on your way to save your marriage. Do you want to get a drink and talk about it?"

"Sure. Just a Sprite, okay."

"The lady turned down alcohol. Something must be wrong. Don't tell me you're pregnant." Mike teased.

Reba nodded and bent her head down into her folded arms on the bar.

"I had a one-night stand with my husband and ended up walking away with more than a memory. I am the dumbest woman on the planet. I do this too much. This is the third time that I've found myself pregnant without a husband and scared to death."

"It's gonna be okay, Sweetheart. I'm here for you. You don't have to deal with this by yourself. You can lean on me, you know." Mike poured a whiskey for himself and a Sprite for Reba.

"I'm glad that you said that. I have a favor to ask."

"Anything you need, Sal. I'll do whatever I can to help you."

"I need you to let me tell people that the baby is yours." Mike spit out his drink.

"Excuse me. I don't think that I heard you right."

"Brock's mistress has taken my husband, my happiness, my family, my husband's love, and the foundation of my life away. She has the business that I helped Brock to build. She is going to be Mrs. Brock Hart now. She's taken away my identity. She's having his child. She's going to be the stepmother of my children. I have to share my children with this woman. She's got everything. She can't have this. She can't have my baby. This is the one thing that she will never have. I'm not sharing this with them. He doesn't deserve this. I don't care how selfish it sounds. I just want the baby to be mine. It's the only thing that I get to walk away with. I don't even get to walk away with my dignity," Reba explained with tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Yes, honey, I can do that. How are you going to explain to people about your condition?"

"I plan to tell them that I got pregnant when I came up here. We had an affair. I got scared and went home to try to save my marriage. We forgot to use protection. Brock should believe it because he and I did use protection. It didn't do me a lot of good though."

"Are you planning on raising the baby by yourself?"

"Yeah, I can do it. I tried to do it before when I was having John and I'm raising three kids now as a single mom."

"Yes, honey. But Brock is involved with the kids, right? It's not the same thing. How will you face him every day? I could raise the baby with you."

"How will that work? I live Texas and you live in Oklahoma, where your kids live."

"We can work it out. I know that we can do this. We love each other and depend on each other, more than anyone else in our lives. You came here for a reason. I'm giving you the chance to have a real partner to share the whole thing with." Mike took Reba's hands and held them tightly.

"Wow. That is really amazing of you. I just don't know what to do," Reba said softly.

The front door to the bar opened again. A big busted blonde walked in.

"Well, well, if it isn't the ghost of sluts past!"

"All I see is a big busted blonde coming to steal my husband from me again. What's the matter? Did you just realize that he only wanted you because he couldn't have me?"

"He married me. He didn't marry you."

"That's where you are wrong. You didn't just break up a wedding. You broke up a marriage. We got married in a private ceremony the night before the wedding that you walked in on. It's your fault that I ended up leaving town pregnant and alone, you tramp. You took the father of my child from me."

"Is she telling the truth, Mike?" Mike nodded.

"What child are you talkin' about?"

"I got pregnant in Las Vegas. Our son, John was born two months premature. He lived for two days and then he died."

The blonde was quiet for a minute while Reba continued.

"You think that you are so special because you got him to marry you. He only married you to keep you from aborting your pregnancy. He married me because he loved me. You kept him for months after your miscarriage. You kept him away from his true wife and child. He came back to me twice because I'm the first choice. You're just the drunken mistake that he made one night."

The blonde started to form tears in her eyes. Reba wasn't about to let up. She had spent too many lonely nights crying because of women like this.

"You're just jealous because I'm the mother of his three sons."

"Like I'd be jealous of you. The only reason why you have those kids is because I sent him back to you. He came to me when he left you. I did the right thing and married Brock. I told him to try to work out his marriage to you."

"Like I'd believe that from you."

"Believe what you'd like. I'd just like to know why you seem to go after every guy that I've ever dated."

"No, I didn't. I can't believe that you'd believe that about me."

"Really. You dated Tommy, Mike, Terry, Parker, and Brock. I believe that is every guy that I ever dated. I can't believe that I ever thought that you were my friend."

"I didn't date Brock, but Lori Ann did."

"Oh, I know that you did, too. I remember the night of my birthday party when Mike first proposed to me. You were there as Brock's date. So, does Mike know that you slept with him and Brock within a month of each other? Whose baby was it anyway? At least I know who the father of each one of my children is. I guess you were lucky that Brock goes for big busted blonde tramps like you."

"You vicious little witch!"

The blonde dove towards Reba and grabbed her by the hair. Reba responded by struggling to get free and trying to punch her attacker.

Mike ran over and tried to pull the two women apart.

"Kim, you've got to let her go. She's pregnant," Mike shouted.

Kim stopped. "You're pregnant? How far along are you?"

"Two months. Even you can do the math."

"We're having the baby and getting married," Mike interjected.

Reba stood there, stunned by Mike's announcement. Mike pulled a box out of his pocket.

"I bought this right after you left two months ago. I was hoping that you'd be back. Lori Ann called me today to let me know that you two would be coming by. I wanted to surprise you." Mike said, as he opened the box to reveal a diamond engagement ring. "I was hoping that you'd want to marry me again. Give me a chance to show you that I can be the kind of husband that you deserve."

Reba stood there, speechless. Finally Lori Ann spoke. "Girl, you better say somethin'. He just proposed to you in front of his other ex-wife. I think that he's serious."

Reba nodded. Mike picked her up and swung her around. "It's going to be happily ever after this time, right?" Reba asked softly.

"Definitely," he answered.

"What a nightmare! You could've talked to me about this first. This is something serious that going to affect our kids for the rest of their lives," Kim shouted to Mike.

"Shut up, Kim! You are ruining this romantic moment. You can yell at him later," Reba responded.

"I can't believe that I have to deal with you for the rest of my life."

"That's right. I'm going to be your children's stepmother." As soon as Kim heard Reba say this, she turned around and left the bar in a huff.

"Reba, that was great!" Lori Ann cheered from behind the camcorder.

"I know, right? I've been waiting eighteen years to do that. It felt great. It makes me want to do the same thing to BJ."

"BJ?" Mike questioned.

"She's Brock's mistress. BJ is short for Barbra Jean. Did you see me? I wish that Brock were here right now so I could punch him. I haven't felt like this since the first time that I punched Brock."

"You punched Brock?"

"I sure did. He made a pass at me the night before we left for Vegas. I punched him in the stomach and then I kneed him in the groin. That was just before you found him throwing up in the bathroom."

"I remember that. I was mad because he made you cry."

"He promised me that he'd never do anything to make me cry again. The moron is one heck of a good liar," Reba remarked.

"Did he really sleep with Kim?" Mike asked.

"You'd have to ask Brock that question. You remember how he used to get around." Reba answered. "I'm not happy about your proposal. That is not the way that I pictured getting proposed to this time."

"I know. I wanted to do it differently. I just got caught up in the moment. Why don't we try it again? I've still got the clothes from Vegas in the closet upstairs in the apartment. Why don't we go up and try them on for old times' sake? I promise to propose better this time."

"Sure. This ought to be interesting," Reba replied.

Mike scooped Reba up over his shoulder and carried her upstairs. Terry appeared as they were headed upstairs. "What's going on?"

"Mike trying to propose to Reba. I'm gonna watch."

"I'll join you. Maybe later we can go somewhere and talk."

"I'll bet you'll do more than just talk," Reba shouted.

Lori Ann laughed.

Inside the apartment, Reba walked out of the bedroom, dressed in the same long white lace and chiffon Charmeuse satin gown with low criss-cross straps and a sheer robe over her shoulders and a white floral hair crown that she wore almost twenty years ago.

"I'm just as terrified and excited as I was back then. This is so ridiculous." Reba remarked.

Mike came out of the bathroom; dressed in the same tight blue jeans, a white button down shirt with the top two buttons unfastened, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat. Reba took in the sight of him. She sighed.

"You look as good I remembered," Reba remarked.

"So do you. You're so beautiful."

"Stop staring or I'm gonna take this thing off right now!" Reba said nervously.

Mike got down on one knee. "I didn't do this right before so I'm gonna try to get it right now. Reba Nell McKinney-Hart, will you marry me and be my wife?"

Reba closed her eyes for a minute.

Reba remembered the memories that poured over her in that moment.

"Yes, Mike. I will marry you. You're my soul mate and my best friend. You waited almost twenty years to marry me. I can't believe that you still love me. Are you sure this time?" Reba answered.

Mike answered by pulling her to him and captured her lips with his.

"Will you two excuse us?" Reba asked Lori Ann and Terry.

"Sure, but I thought that we'd have dinner together to celebrate," Lori Ann responded.

"She said yes. Let's celebrate!" Mike shouted.

"We have a celebration of our own, darling. I've waited forever for us to finally make love." Reba said, kissing him again.

"Honey, it still counts for the other times, even if we were too drunk to remember. It's not exactly our first time."

Reba took off her glasses, tilted her head to the side, and squinted her eyes. "I don't know why I didn't think of this before. It was you, wasn't it?"

She captured his lips fiercely. "I should be furious with you," she said after the kiss.

"Welcome home, honey." Mike said with a smirk.

"You seem pretty sure of yourself. You're lucky I'm so sentimental. Have you ever had sex with an ex before?"

"You'd be the first for me, babe."

"Good. That makes us even. I heard that sex with an ex is really hot. Care to test out that theory?" she purred.

"No need to ask me twice. Excuse us, folks. We'll see you later." Mike picked Reba up and carried her bridal style over the threshold of the bedroom doorway. Reba's cell phone began to ring. Lori Ann looked at the caller i.d.

"It's Brock."

"Tell him I can't come to the phone because I'm busy having sex." Reba said with laughter. She kissed Mike on the lips again.

Lori Ann set the camcorder down on the kitchen counter, still facing Reba and Mike; then she answered the call.

"Reba, he says that it's about the kids." Lori Ann said.

Reba groaned and Mike set her back down so she could answer the call.

"The joys of being a blended family," Reba remarked. "Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back."

Reba took the phone and went into the living room to sit down on the couch. All that could be heard was her side of the conversation. "Hello, Brock. What do you want?

I don't know when I'm coming back. I'm having a good time.

You left me as the kids' primary caretaker for most of the past year while you went on with your life, free as a bird. Now it's my turn. You can be there and take care of them just like I have.

You're their father. It's your job to be a parent, too.

You spent time finding yourself during your midlife crisis. I need some time to myself.

I'm in Oklahoma and that's all you need to know.

Jake's had a fever before, just get him into the bathtub and give him some Tylenol.

What's the matter, Brock? Is being a parent interfering with your golf game and drinking with your buddies? I'm so tired of hearing it; maybe it's my turn to have the midlife crisis and your turn to be the supportive parent."

At this point, Mike moved over to the couch. He picked up Reba's foot and began massaging it. Reba moaned.

"What? Yes, you heard right. So what? I'm enjoying a foot massage. We are done, history. I'm free to do whatever I want, with whomever I want. I'm not your wife anymore.

Are you kidding me? You are living with BJ, your pregnant mistress. You're fooling around in your office and around town. I saw you, in your office, two months ago.

I was dumb enough to think that I could fix things with you. I'm not that stupid anymore. I'm free to fool around with anyone I want. If I want to have sex all over Oklahoma, I'm going to.

You're not my husband anymore. The kids are free to call me, if they want to talk to me. I don't want to talk to you unless it's an emergency.

You got it. I'm not talking about this anymore. Deal with being a real father, Brock. I'm going to end this call. I mean it!"

Mike's hands began moving up her legs to her thigh. She moaned again. "Stop it, I'm on the phone. Can't you wait until I get off the phone?" Reba complained to Mike.

Mike's hands began massaging her thigh. She tried to wiggle away from him, but they ended up tumbling down off the couch, with Mike on top of her. Reba laughed. He started kissing her neck. She moaned again.

"I swear that you are the most impatient man on the planet. I'll be off the phone in a minute." Reba's voice went sultry. "If you can let me finish this call, I'll make it worth your while, Mike. I'm promise, baby."

Reba turned her attention to the phone call with Brock once again. "I'm otherwise engaged, so I have to go now. I'm moving on just like you have. If you want to make this a big deal, then I'll just call you and interrupt you when you're in bed with BJ.

I'm not your wife. I'm just the girl that you had to marry a long time ago. I got pregnant and you married me because you thought that it was the right thing to do, just like you're doing now with BJ. I'm just the girl who was stupid enough to confuse sex with love on a beach one night. I won't be making that mistake again. Goodbye, Brock."

Reba hung up the phone. "That was pretty harsh, Reba. Even for Brock. And he deserves some misery," Lori Ann commented.

"Thanks for the support, Lori Ann. As for Brock's misery, BJ will take care of that." Reba turned to Mike. "Although my favorite sport is torturing Brock, I really didn't want to do that to him this soon. I just walked out yesterday without a word. I dropped a note off at Brock's office and then left a note at the house for the kids. He was really worried, I guess. I was a vicious little witch, just like Kim said earlier. It felt good, but I shouldn't have done that to the father of my children. Put yourself in his shoes. What if I just did that to you? How would you feel? I feel really bad about it. I'm not in the mood anymore. Let's just go to dinner with Lori Ann and Terry. I'm sorry, honey. I promise to make it up to you later."

Mike put his arms around Reba. "It's okay, babe. I understand. I even understand where he's coming from. You are technically his wife until the divorce is final. Let's not antagonize him. We need the divorce to go smoothly and quickly so we can get married." He kissed the top of her forehead. "It's going to be okay. It does get easier. Divorce is a very hard thing to go through. We'll just learn to be civil with Brock and Kim for the sake of the kids. Kim and I have worked through this already. It will take time, but you and Brock will learn how to get past the resentment for the kids."

"I'm so lucky. What did I ever do to deserve you?"

"You loved me. One day, you put your hand in mine and didn't let go until I pulled away. I'm the one who doesn't deserve you."

"Please don't ever stop loving me, Jack."

"Like I ever could, Sal."

The next scene came on. Lori Ann's laughter was heard from behind the camera.

"Stop laughing! It's not funny." Reba said.

"Come on, Reba. It's so funny. You got caught making out under the McAlester High bleachers with Mike by his son.

"Mike was wondering what Sam was doing there with his girlfriend anyway."

"I think that Sam brought his girlfriend there to do exactly what he caught the two of you doing. The Holliway men think alike."

"Oh, really. Has Terry ever brought you there to fool around?"

"No, but that is a great idea." Lori Ann laughed again.

"It was not a good way to meet Mike's son for the first time. His father was fooling around with his pregnant girlfriend under the McAlester High bleachers. We didn't have all of our clothes on. It was very embarrassing, but I do understand why Van and Cheyenne are always so touchy-feely everywhere. Mike and I are the same way. He's my first love and so very sexy."

There was a knock on the door. Reba opened the door to find Kim standing there.

"Reba, can I come in. I want to talk to you and clear the air."

"Sure. Mike told me that he wants us to work on being civil to each other for the kids' sake."

"I'm sorry about tonight. Mike and I didn't expect that anyone would be there; let alone Sam and his girlfriend."

"It's okay. I think that Sam and Jenny won't be going there to fool around for awhile. It was great birth control; at least I don't have to worry about becoming a grandmother yet."

"Like I do. My oldest, Cheyenne just announced her pregnancy a couple of weeks ago. She got married ten days ago."

"Oh, wow! Just like your mom."

"Don't forget my grandma, too. And me."

"I meant to ask you about that. I swear that I didn't know that you were pregnant."

"It's okay. I didn't want to use the pregnancy to trap him into leaving you. I wanted him to love me for me. I moved to Ada so I wouldn't have to watch him marry you. There were complications when I was seven months pregnant. The baby was born too early and he didn't survive. You had miscarried. He asked me to marry him while I was in labor. Everything was good until the baby was gone. I took my anger and grief out on him when he was the one person that I should've leaned on for support to help me get through it. Everything happens for a reason. My grief led me to lean on Brock. That friendship led to something else. Before I knew it, I was pregnant with Cheyenne. I got three great kids and you got three great kids. Maybe Mike and I needed to grow up a bit before we could get together and really make it work."

"I really just want Mike to be happy. I promise you that we are just friends now."

"Once upon a time, you were my friend, too. You knew that I liked him. Why'd you take him from me? You knew that I was in love with him since the first time he came back from Texas."

"If you really loved him, you wouldn't have dated Tommy Johnson in the ninth grade."

"I had no idea that Mike would ever come back from Texas permanently. Tommy asked me out. You never said anything about liking him. Nothing happened with him. I swear."

"He told the whole school that you two had sex. How was I supposed to know?"

"How about trusting a friend? I'm not like that. You know that."

"Really? How about all the times that you were fooling around at parties with Mike?"

"But only Mike. I never wanted anyone else like that. I only had one date with Tommy Johnson."

"I did you a favor. Honestly, how long were you going to let him string you along with that just friendship and maybe something more while fooling around crap?"

"Okay. He never took me out on a real date, but he took you out on a date as soon as you batted your eyelashes at him. We were very close, best friends. It would've gone somewhere eventually. But you just had to sleep with him. Suddenly, I'm not the one that he's interested in anymore."

"That's Brock's fault."

"Really?"

"Brock told him that he shouldn't date someone so young and inexperienced. He said that he should be dating someone who wouldn't take the relationship so seriously. And I didn't until that spring when I realized that he really wanted to be with you. We dated on and off for over a year and a half. I fell in love with him. I'm not going to apologize for that."

"You shouldn't. You should've talked to me about most of this first. Our friendship was gone because we didn't talk about some really important stuff."

"You're right. I'm sorry, Reba. It's been really hard being in love with a man who's in love with another woman."

"I know that pain. I was married to Brock."

"Ouch. What happened?"

"I drank too much in my younger days and lost too many brain cells. I made a decision to trust a man who was untrustworthy. He ended up cheating on his wife with his dental hygienist. I used to joke about that twenty years old. The sad part is that I was dumb enough to end up being his wife."

"I think that he really loved you, Reba. Honestly, the guy was crazy about you for so long."

"No way! He and I ended up together very quickly, believe me."

"Seriously. That night at the party when I was on a date with him, he wouldn't stop talking about you. That's when I got really mad. I couldn't figure out how you could get both of them to fall in love with you."

"Brock didn't love me then. We couldn't stand each other. He was a pest. He thought that I wasn't good enough for Mike. I did something to teach him a lesson and that was that."

"What did you do?"

Lori Ann interrupted to answer. "She punched him in the gut and then kneed him in the groin."

Kim laughed. "And he still wanted to marry you after that."

"I figured that he knew better that to mess around with a fiery redheaded wife who could literally take him down. I thought that the marriage was safe enough. I'm not going to ask if you slept with Brock because I don't want to know."

"Reba,…" Kim began. Reba held up her hand. "I really don't want to know any more about it, okay? I'm done with Brock. I really don't care."

"How did ole' Brock turn out? He was really something else back then."

"He's still great to look at, but he ruins that illusion the minute that he opens his mouth."

"You wanna go downstairs and have a drink? Mike will be thrilled that we're getting along."

"Sure. I'm supposed to sing tonight. I've got an idea that will freak Mike out though."

"Really? I'm all ears."

"Come on, I'll explain on the way downstairs."

The next scene came on. Reba was drinking a soda slowly.

"Why do I feel like I'm gonna throw up?"

"Because you're pregnant by the great looking moron with the big mouth." Lori Ann asked from behind the camera.

"Shh! Lori Ann, someone might hear you. I'm sure that it's just nerves. You know what I just realized though. This is the first time that I'm getting on stage to sing here without Brock in the audience. He's always been right out here, sitting right by the bar. I'll get nervous like I am right now and he'll say something to annoy me. We'll get into an argument and I'll forget all about being nervous. This is so surreal."

"Here comes Mike. Go on, pick a fight with him, if you need to."

Mike walked up to where Reba was sitting. "Hi, darlin'. Having fun?"

"I really need a cigarette."

"No, you don't. It's bad for the baby." Mike pulled out a picture from his wallet to show Reba. "Can you look at this picture and tell me that you don't want to do everything that you can to have a healthier pregnancy this time? Look at this face. Do you still want a cigarette when you look at him?"

"How dare you make me feel guilty by holding up a picture of our son! That's a low blow, even for you, Holliway! Why do you have John's picture in your wallet anyway?"

"I've had his picture in my wallet since he was born. Sometimes I pull it out, look at it, and remember us."

Reba swallowed hard to move the lump in her throat. Kim walked up to the pair.

"Hey, guys. What's up?" Kim greeted.

"Are you two ready to get along now?" Mike asked.

"Yes, we've agreed to play nice from now on. Right, Reba?" Kim answered.

Reba nodded. Kim looked at the picture.

"Cute kid. Who is it?"

"That's our son, John. Mike keeps the picture in his wallet apparently."

"You've had this in your wallet all this time."

"Yeah, Kim, I have. I didn't think that this was something that you would want to know about."

Kim pulled her wallet out of her pocket. She pulled out a picture of her own.

"He kinda looks like Sam when he was born. See? They both look like Mike."

Reba looked up into Mike's eyes. "I never noticed that before. He does kinda look like you."

"That's because you only see what you want to see, babe."

Kim interrupted this moment. "What do you plan on naming this one?"

"Maggie." They announced in unison.

"That was really weird. How did you know what I wanted to name her?" Reba asked him.

"Because I know you. I remember lots of stuff about you, honey." Mike responded to Reba. He turned toward Kim. "The name is from her favorite soap opera, Another World."

"She had the biggest crush on a guy from that show. I remember. He's the one who played Sandy. He was so dreamy with dark blonde hair and sexy bedroom eyes. He kinda looked like Brock." Kim remarked.

"Funny, real funny. You are so wrong. He didn't look anything like Brock. I think that Mike kinda looks like him." Reba responded.

"Not close enough. Mike's hair is much darker."

"But look at Mike's eyes. It's in the eyes." Reba looked at Mike. "He's got the sexiest eyes that I've ever seen."

"Kim is right, Reba. Sometime we're gonna have to watch an old episode together so I can prove it to you," Lori Ann suggested.

"Fine, but only so I can prove you wrong," Reba responded.

Reba put her hand to her stomach. "Is something wrong, honey?" Mike asked.

"My stomach is doing back flips."

"It's just nerves." Mike put his hand on Reba's abdomen and bent down.

"Hey, kiddo. Take it easy on your mom." Reba put her hand over Mike's and smiled up at him.

The phone rang from behind the bar. Mike went to answer it.

Mike put his hand over the mouthpiece. "It's your dad."

"Oh, boy! I have not been looking forward to this conversation." Reba took the phone from Mike.

"Hi, dad. I'm good.

I just got in today. I'm with Mike at the Holliway's.

Everything is fine. I just felt like visiting. That's all.

That's over, dad. Brock is gone.

There's not much to say. Brock is living with his pregnant mistress.

Yes, the divorce is really happening.

Reba put her hand over the mouthpiece. "He already heard that I'm pregnant, too."

"Yes, dad. I am. Mike and I are really happy about it."

Reba put her hand over the mouthpiece again. "He wants to know what you and I plan to do."

Mike took the phone from Reba. "Hello, sir.

We just found out actually. She came to see me right away.

I really love your daughter and your opinion means a great deal to her.

I would like your permission to date your daughter. I would also like your permission to marry her after her divorce is final.

Sir, we would've been married properly a long time ago if we'd had the support of our family and friends. I should've married her when she got pregnant the first time.

Yes, sir. I do respect her. I have never coerced her into doing anything wrong."

Reba took the phone from Mike.

"Dad, I am a grown woman. I make my own decisions and I have loved him since I was fourteen years old. All we're asking for is your blessing, please.

I plan on going back to Houston in a few days. Yes, I plan on having that conversation with Brock then. Mike and I plan to sit down and have an open and honest conversation with him.

Yes, nothing would make me happier. Thank you."

Reba smiled and handed the phone back to Mike.

"Hello. Yes, I see. I promise. I give you my word. Thank you, sir."

The phone call ended. Mike picked Reba up and swung her around. She laughed.

"Looks like we're gonna have a real wedding. Now all you have to do is talk to Brock," Mike commented.

"I will in a few days. I'm livin' on love right now. I don't want anything to spoil things right now. We're getting married and soon we're gonna have our very own Brady Bunch."

"Cute, real cute. You two are nauseating. I'm just gonna stand over there," Kim remarked.

"Good idea. You wouldn't want to stand here and watch while I make out with your ex-husband. See you later."

Reba smiled and looked into Mike's steel blue-gray eyes.

"Be nice, honey."

"I was being nice. What did you want me to do, invite her to stand there and watch?"

Mike laughed. Reba ran her fingers into his wavy brown locks and pulled him toward her in a kiss.

Terry tapped on Mike's shoulder. "Hey, guys. It's time to get up on stage.

Mike got up on stage. "How're you folks doing tonight? We've got a special treat on stage tonight. Tonight, we are proud to have Reba McKinney-Hart sing for us."

Reba started to walk towards the stage. Terry stops her. "Hey, Reba. Can you sing "So Far Away" for me? I love when you sing that song."

"Sure, Terry."

Reba walked up to the stage slowly, fearfully. Mike held out his hand. Reba gladly accepted his hand and walked across the stage to meet him.

Reba began her set by singing "So Far Away" just for Terry. When the song was over, Mike looked at her and blew her a kiss. She blew one back to him.

That was always their special signal. She was always nervous and he always showed her how proud he was when she was done.

The audience applauded. Reba beamed. "Folks, I'm gonna pick up the pace now. I've got a song to sing to my special guy." She started to sing "Can't Fight the Moonlight", an upbeat LeAnn Rimes tune. She started working the stage, moving to the music, and launching her powerful voice into the microphone. She kept her eyes on Mike as often as possible. Every few minutes, their eyes locked. She was up on the stage, but was really singing especially for him. What she did next completely shocked him.

"Folks, I have a special surprise for you. Please help me welcome Kim Campbell up on stage. We're gonna sing a duet for y'all. Mike, honey, we want you right here sitting in this chair in the middle." Reba remarked.

Reba and Kim each had microphones and started facing away from each other, with their backs to Mike in the chair between them. Kim turned to face Reba and Mike and she began singing.

Kim:
I've known about you for a while now
When he leaves me he wears a smile now
As soon as he's away from me
In your arms is where he wants to be

Reba turned towards Kim and Mike.

Reba:
But you're the one he rushes home to
You're the one he gave his name to
I'll never see his face in the early morning light
You have his mornings, his daytimes
And sometimes I have his nights

Reba and Kim are facing each other. Mike is sitting there, speechless.

Both:
But does he love you (Does he love you)
Like he loves me (Like he loves me)
Does he think of you (Does he think of you)
When he's holding me
And does he whisper (Does he whisper)
All his fantasies
Does he love you (Does he love you)
Like he's been loving me

Reba sings to Mike.

Reba:
But when he's with me
He says he needs me
And that he wants me
That he believes in me

Kim sings to Mike.

Kim:
And when I'm in his arms
Oh he swears there's no one else
Is he deceiving me
Or am I deceiving myself
(Am I deceiving myself)

Reba and Kim each put a hand on Mike's shoulders.

Reba:
Oh and shouldn't I be ashamed?

Kim:
'Cuz I have everything to lose

Reba:
And I, I have nothing to gain

Kim and Reba each take turns sliding Mike's face towards each of them as they sing their part like they really are fighting over him.

Reba holds Mike's gaze as she sings the final part.

Reba:
Oh does he love you

The song ends and Reba starts speaking to Mike in front of the crowd.

"So, honey, what's it gonna be- the blonde or the redhead?"

The crowd laughed.

"What do you think, folks? I know a challenge when I see one. I can't wait to tame the fiery temptress in front of me."

"Would that be because I'm pregnant and my daddy owns a shotgun?" The crowd roared with laughter.

Mike bows to Reba and kisses her hand before leading Kim off the stage.

Her last song was "I'm a Survivor". At the end of the song, the audience cheered and Mike jumped up on stage with Reba.

"Isn't she great, folks? I'm proud to say that this is not a one-night only appearance for Miss Reba. She'll be a regular on this stage before too long. You see, this wonderful woman has finally agreed to marry me after all these years."

Mike bent down and swiftly captured Reba's lips in a kiss. She got caught up in the kiss and deepened it. Their lips parted and she smiled a sweet, shy smile.

She forgot for a minute that they were on stage in front of an audience. She got swept away in the kiss and in their own little world. Then she remembered how public their kiss was.

"We're gonna sing a song together for y'all now," Reba responded.

Reba and Mike sang "The Heart Won't Lie". Reba initiated the kiss at the end of the song this time. She let the kiss linger for just a minute longer when she pulled away.

"Darlin', if you will kindly sit down. I've got a song to sing to you. This song is called Closer To You." Reba sat in the chair on the stage. Mike played his guitar and sang into a microphone. He was positioned to face the audience and Reba. Reba's eyes stayed on Mike as he sang the song.

This curtain blowin' on a river breeze

Slips across the bed and it rustles the sheets

Seems everything I do

Just reminds me of you

Smell of the mornin' in the rainy land

Touch of satin across my hand

Just makes me wish I,

Wish I could be

Closer to you

Wrapped in your lovin' arms

Holding you tight

Closer to you

Whisperin' baby,

Baby

Deep in the night

If I said that I loved you

Would you turn away

'Fraid of what you think you supposed to say

Well that's alright, baby

'Cause I already know

I can see it in your eyes

I can hear it in your voice

Believe me, baby

We've got no choice

Come here, come here

Come here to me

Got to be

Closer to you

Wrapped in your lovin' arms

Holding you tight

Wanna be

Closer to you

Whisperin' baby,

Baby

Deep in the night

Wanna be

Closer to you

Whisperin' baby

Closer to you

At the end of the song, Mike mouthed the words, I love you to Reba. Reba blew him a kiss and walked off stage.

"Well, folks, we're gonna pick up the pace a bit."

Mike performed "Gimme All Your Lovin'" with the band. Reba was moving to the music with the crowd.

Mike announced the next song. "Now we're gonna slow things down again. So grab a partner for a slow dance. This song is called If You Don't Know By Now."

"Reba, can I have this dance?"

"Sure, Terry. It's been awhile. I'll dance with you as long as you don't mind dancing with my two left feet. I'm a bit rusty. I haven't danced much in the last fifteen years or so." Terry smiled at her.

Reba put her left hand on Terry's right shoulder. Terry held her at arm's length. He was careful not to hold her too close. He held his left hand in her right hand to the side. They slowly started to move.

If you don't know by now
I'll never get through
With all of my vows
You still haven't a clue
Of how much I love you
But it's useless to say
If you don't know by now
Then let's go our own way

I don't want to lose you
I guess you never were mine
So there's no use pretending
You fall in love down the line

'Cause if you don't know by now
I'll never get through
With all of my vows
You still haven't a clue
Of how much I love you
But it's useless to say
If you don't know by now
Then I won't try again

The song ended and Mike let another singer in the band take over the vocals.

"Hey, Terry! Do you mind if I dance with my girl?"

"Sure. If I can get Lori Ann to put the camera down, then I just might be able to persuade her to dance with me."

Reba gave Mike a dirty look. "Your girl?"

"What? Would you prefer it if I called you my woman?"

"I can't believe it. You're jealous of Terry. Mike, honestly, I have never been interested in Terry ever."

"You looked pretty interested in him when you were dating him? Just why did you do that anyway? To dig the knife in a little deeper?"

"I think that you need to remember who dumped who in Vegas."

"I think that you need to remember who dumped who in Ada."

"You have no reason to be jealous. There is a very simple explanation for this whole thing. If you'll come upstairs with me, then Terry, Lori Ann, and I will explain it to you. Okay?"

Thanks for the reviews! They make me smile!

I want to express my thanks to the following reviewers who have given me valuable feedback.

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