Dear Readers-
I have really appreciated the feedback and support that I've received from you. Thanks for continuing to read my story and letting me know that you still want to read more chapters.
Merry Christmas! I'm posting this chapter early as a Christmas gift to my readers.
Now on with the story-
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 characters of Kim Campbell, Sam Holliway, Jenny Miller, Nick Holliway and Josh Holliway from this story are my creation though. The story is just a year off from the way that the seasons of Reba actually aired. The story puts the events of season one from fall 2002-spring 2003 and the events of season two in fall 2003-spring 2004.
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- Lori Ann handed the phone to Reba.
Reba got caught up in a flashback. She remembered that conversation with Brock vividly.
"Okay, I'll come home as soon as I'm released from the hospital. Please don't come here. I don't think that would be good for either of us. I can't handle any stress right now. I don't want this to get out of hand. The kids need us and I don't wanna start fighting again. I love you, too, Brock. I'll call you again as soon as I can."
"Okay, honey, I'll be right here waiting for ya. I don't think that you realize how much I love you. I don't want to make your recovery worse. I'll just stay here with the kids and keep taking care of things like I've been doin'. Night, Reba."
"I do feel better knowin' that the kids have ya there. We'll sit down and talk when I get home. I believe you when you say that you love me. I'm just so mad at ya for everything that's been goin' on for the past year. I'll see you soon. I really do love you, Brock. Goodnight."
Reba's memory of the conversation ended and she began to watch the tape again. She saw Mike entering the hospital room as her conversation with Brock ended. He was holding a bouquet of red roses. Mike's smile faded into a look of dismay.
"What's goin' on here, Reba? Did I just hear you telling Brock that you love him?" he asked."
"Craaap!" she responded.
What will happen to Reba and Mike? Will she walk out on Mike again? Will she get back together with Brock?
It's 2002 in the story. What happens between 2002 and 2008? What happens in the present? Keep reading to find out more!
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 ends up in the hospital in Oklahoma. Brock confronts her about her behavior and begs her to come home. She is very confused. She could be with a man who loves her unconditionally that she also loves very much or she could be with a husband who has set limits to their relationship and cheated on her. If she stays with him, she'll have to accept the mistress and child as part of their lives and part of their family. Reba feels humiliated. She feels even more distressed at the fact that she is still in love with her husband.
Now on with our next chapter-
Reba looks at Mike with tears in her eyes. "I didn't mean for you to hear that."
"Obviously."
"I'm very confused. You shouldn't want to marry me right now. You should want to marry me when you're the only one that I want. I'm still in love with Brock. I do love you. I've loved you for almost my entire life. I just can't marry you without getting rid of these feelings for Brock. Someday I'll be back and I'll be free to love you and only you. I have to go home. I've had some bad things happen in the last few days. I just want to go home and hug my children. I almost died. I would've never had the chance to see them again; now all I want is to see them again. I'm so sorry for leaving you again. You were the first guy that I ever loved, the first guy to kiss me. When I come back to you, I'll want you to be the last. You will always be a part of me."
Reba let go of the tears and let them fall gently down her face. She looked into Mike's eyes for his reaction. He sat down on the edge of her hospital bed and took one of her hands in his.
"Do you honestly think that you'll get rid of me that easily? Did you think that I'd be mad at ya? Life with you is so unpredictable. I can't wait to see what fate has in store for us later on. I'm always gonna love ya. You are the most beautiful, sensitive woman that I have ever known. You go on and do what you have to. I'll be right here when you get back. You're right. I do want you to be over Brock when you marry me. I promise to love you forever. You go back to Houston and remember that. The old saying goes that if you love something, then you set it free. If it comes back, then it is truly yours. In the meantime, I'm gonna stay right here with you until the doctor releases you to go home. I don't want anything else to happen to you. No pressure here. We'll just talk, play cards, and watch TV like we used to. We've always been best friends. I'll be your best friend because I know that's what you need right now."
Reba leaned forward and Mike moved in to wrap his arms around her. He just kept holding her like that for a few minutes, and then he moved to kiss her lips one last time. His lips searched and explored her mouth desperately like it was the last time.
When they parted, Reba broke the silence by laughing. "That definitely was not a kiss between friends, but I do have to admit you've got a talent for making me weak at the knees. That will have to be the last one for now. Thank you for loving me so much. When I'm ready, I'll be right back here."
"In the hospital?" he responded teasingly.
Reba slapped him upside the head gently. "No, you mo-ron, I'll be back in McAlester. I'll walk right into Holliway's just like before."
"They say that you only hurt the ones you love. You must love me a lot because you're always calling me a moron and smacking my head for one thing or another."
"I'm just trying to knock some sense into you. You always throw me off balance. First, you kiss me and then, you tease me. I don't know what to make of it. You're right. Our life together will never be boring. It's always unpredictable. Could you be serious for a second?"
"What do you want from me? Do you want me on my knees, beggin' you to stay? It's easier this way. Anything else would be too hard for me right now."
"Understood. Okay, friend. What do we do now?"
"I'd like to kiss you one more time," Mike replied with a smirk.
"Watch it, Mike. She looks like she wants to smack you again," Lori Ann commented.
"Pull out the cards. It's either that or you can play somethin' on the guitar for me."
"I could do both. Your wish is my command, Sal."
Mike picked up his guitar that was beside his chair and began to play another old song from their younger years, "Hello, It's Me".
Hello, it's me
I've thought about us for a long, long time
Maybe I think too much but something's wrong
There's something here that doesn't last too long
Maybe I shouldn't think of you as mine
Seeing you
Or seeing anything as much as I do you
I take for granted that you're always there
I take for granted that you just don't care
Sometimes I can't help seeing all the way through
It's important to me that you know you are free
'Cause I never want to make you change for me
Think of me
You know that I'd be with you if I could
I'll come around to see you once in a while
Or if I ever need a reason to smile
And spend the night if you think I should
It's important to me that you know you are free
'Cause I never want to make you change for me
Think of me
You know that I'd be with you if I could
I'll come around to see you once in a while
Or if I ever need a reason to smile
And spend the night if you think I should
Think of me, think of me, think of me
When he was finished playing the song, he took her hand. She squeezed it reassuringly. She gave him a little smile.
"I'll be back, Jack. I promise."
Author's note-Reminders- Brock and Reba are divorced. Brock married Barbra Jean and vowed to be a better husband and father this time. This shook Reba to the core. Brock throws his money around with the kids while she struggles to pay the bills. This makes Reba very frustrated. She ends up helping Brock in situations because of her feelings for him. She had to watch Brock marry Barbra Jean. She was also at the hospital with Brock on the day that Barbra Jean give birth to Henry. This really hurt because Reba should've been nine months pregnant with the baby that she lost. Prom night came and reminded Reba of Mike as she watched Cheyenne and Van dancing in her living room. The night that Brock came over to stay the night in the tree house was the night that Barbra Jean came over to get help with baby Henry. Reba had to care for Brock's new child on the night that would've been her due date. Reba struggles each month with her loss. The worse moment for her was when she started having flashbacks on Cheyenne's graduation day. She saw the moments from her past: giving birth to John, marrying Brock, giving birth to Cheyenne, and other moments during Cheyenne's childhood. She has fought to get over the dreams that she has of Brock. She is currently dating Brian. Brock and the kids attend Barbra Jean's family reunion. Reba can't allow herself to be intimate with Brian. At this point, she's thinking of Mike and wishing that she'd never left him. The story picks up from the second season of Reba. It's 2004.
The next scene came on. Reba was sitting in front of a camcorder in this scene.
"Hi, Jack. I bet you're surprised to hear from me this way. I know that it's been over a year and a half since we last saw each other. I don't like the way we ended things last time. I don't blame you if you never wanted to see me again. I keep walking out on you. I can't imagine what I would do if you were to do that to me over and over again. I'm glad that you didn't give up on me in the past. I hope that I'll still be welcomed back with open arms. I'm afraid of rejection. That's why I'm having Lori Ann send this. If you don't want to see me, then please let Lori Ann know. If you do want to see me, please give me a sign, any sign. I'm ready to choose you. I'm over Brock. He's made it quite easy. Believe me. I love you. Right now, I want to introduce you to my family. I want you to know what you're getting into."
Reba took the camcorder and went downstairs where the family was.
"What's with the camcorder, Mom?" Kyra asked.
"I know that we just got done with Elizabeth's time capsule video, but I thought that it would be nice for me to make a video to send to a friend of mine. Just introduce yourselves to the camera."
"Hi. I'm Reba's younger, but smarter daughter, Kyra. Over there stands the couple who are the walking poster children for birth control."
"Kyra!"
"I'm just calling it like I see it. Welcome to the circus."
"Shut up, Kyra!"
Cheyenne pointed the camcorder towards her and Van. Van is holding the baby.
"Hi. I'm Cheyenne. I obviously got the looks in this family. This is my wonderful husband, Van and our baby daughter, Elizabeth." Cheyenne leans over to give Van a passionate kiss.
"Cheyenne, watch it!" Reba says through gritted teeth.
"Hi, I'm Van. I'm a cornerback for the University of Houston. I'm the luckiest guy in the world because I've got a beautiful wife, terrific daughter, and Mrs. H. She is the best. I don't know what we'd do without her."
The camcorder is focused on the exchange between Cheyenne and Kyra.
"That's okay, Mom. She's just jealous that I got all the brains in the family."
"Kyra Eleanor Hart!"
"Hey! What about me?
The camcorder is now on Jake.
"I'm Jake. I'm the oldest son because my dad just got another baby, but I'm the youngest in this house so I'm the one who gets picked on around here."
"That's not true. I pick on Cheyenne all the time."
"Shut up, Kyra!"
"Don't forget about me. I'm part of the family now, too. Right, Brock?"
The camera is now on Barbra Jean and Brock, who are sitting on the couch. Baby Henry was in his baby carrier asleep.
"You're part of my family, but not Reba's."
"Yes, I am. She told that principal lady that I was."
"Barbra Jean, I told Mrs. Hodge that you were my husband's pregnant hygienist/girlfriend. I never said that you were family."
"But you let me in here all the time. I've taken care of the kids and cleaned the house for you while you were at work."
"You're already here anyway. I just figure that you owe me for the disturbance that you cause every time you walk into my house uninvited. You owe me. I spent time working with you in the dental office. I've had to help you and Brock with your sex life, as disturbing as that is. I've helped you with Henry. You really owe me big."
"You do those things because you're my best friend." Barbra Jean goes back to focusing on Brock. She starts kissing him in front of the camera.
Reba points the camera at herself for a minute. "Now do you see why it's so easy to move on? I'm just trying to survive the craziness from day to day."
Just then, Brian walks through the door. Reba is startled and moves the camera away from her and Brian is seen. "Hey Reba, how are you doing on this fine day? What's with the camcorder?"
Reba whispers from behind the camera. "Oh, my Lord!"
"Hi there, everything is fine. Would you just excuse me for a second? I need to check on something in the kitchen. Just wait right here and have a seat."
Reba takes the camcorder into the kitchen and sets it on the kitchen's island countertop. She sits on a kitchen chair.
"Okay, Mike, I can explain this. I tried to move on by dating. I've been very lonely. There was a night where things got really close between Brian and me, but nothing happened. I couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw your face. That's when I figured that I was doing the wrong thing. Apparently, you're the only one that I feel comfortable having ring-a-ding with; obviously not here in my house in Houston, but maybe back in McAlester in our apartment or wherever we can get to really fast in the bar because somehow we don't always make it upstairs." Reba giggles softly.
'The thing is that I promised to come back and love you forever; so here I am with this camera trying to give you the big picture. I do still love you. I just hope that you're okay with all this. This is my life and being with me comes with a package deal. My family is part of the package. We just have to work out when, where, and how it's gonna work out between us. I wouldn't blame ya if you ran for the hills after watchin' this videotape."
Just then, Cheyenne enters the kitchen. "Okay, Mom. What's wrong? Who are you making this tape for anyhow?"
"Cheyenne, I'm making this tape for an old friend."
"Yeah, right! Your face turned white when Brian came in. You're making this tape introducing all of us. Who in your life doesn't know us already?"
"Alright, Cheyenne, I've got a long-distance relationship going with a guy. We're not sure where it's goin'. Right now, we're just friends."
"Just friends, right, Mom? No way! Your face totally gives you away."
"I don't know if I can see Brian anymore. I don't love him."
"But you love this other guy?"
"Yes."
"Is this someone who you're comfortable having ring-a-ding with? Spill it. Will it be safe? Remember you have to know the guy's history."
"You may look like your father, but you definitely act like me when I was your age. It's a blessing and a curse. Yes, Cheyenne, it will be safe. I do know the guy's history very well, intimately in fact."
"Way to go, Mom! You've had ring-a-ding with this guy?"
"Cheyenne, I am not comfortable answering that question or having this discussion with my eighteen year old daughter."
"Mom, we've had a talk like this before. I'm married with a child of my own. Come on. Who else are you gonna talk about this with? Lori Ann isn't around. She's out of town."
"He's been married twice before. He has three sons. He's someone from Oklahoma and we dated before I dated your father."
"Was that before or after Parker Reynolds?"
"It was before Parker. Way before."
"So is he cute? Does he have a hot body? Is he a good kisser? I heard you telling Lori Ann that Parker was a bad kisser."
"Cheyenne! He's very cute, cuter than Brian. He does have a hot body. His kisses could start wildfires."
"Way to go, Mom! But if you haven't seen this guy for awhile, he could have turned out bald and old looking."
"No, Cheyenne, he hasn't. He's still good looking. I ran into him when I took you kids to Oklahoma to see Grandma and Grandpa McKinney."
"When you were separated from Dad?"
"Cheyenne, he was just a good friend at the time. He encouraged me to try to work things out with your father. He really cares about me as a person. He was just being a good friend. I trust him. I've told you before that I don't know where this is headed. We may just end up staying friends."
"Okay, Mom. Sure. You should see your face when you talk about him. You look like a teenager in love."
"Okay, Cheyenne. Stop teasin' me. Please don't say anything to anyone until I say so. There is no need to talk about this if nothin' is gonna happen. I mean it. Don't say anything to Van or anyone else."
"You mean don't say anything to Dad, right?"
"I mean that I don't want anyone to know because I don't want Barbra Jean to find out. She'll start up again with her 'Praise Jesus, Reba's finally found a man' stuff again."
"Got it. Mom, it's okay if you want to be with this guy. I'm totally fine with it. I'm sure that Kyra and Jake will be, too after we get to meet him. We love you, Mom. We just want you to be happy."
Reba hugged Cheyenne. "Thanks, honey. I love you, too. Now get back in there before Brian has to start talkin' to your dad and Barbra Jean."
Cheyenne went back into the living room. Reba started to speak to the camera again.
"That was Cheyenne. She turned out pretty great, huh? Just do me a favor. Please don't ever say anything to her about when I was pregnant with her. She doesn't know that Brock and I got married because I was pregnant with her. She doesn't know much about my past. I've never said anything about John. She has no idea that I almost considered running off to be with you. That should remain just between us. The ball is in your court now. Give me a sign, any sign that you still want to be with me; if so, I'll come right back to you with open arms. I'm ready to be with you and give my heart to you completely. Goodbye for now, Jack. Hopefully I'll see you soon."
The scene was black. Lori Ann's voice came on to narrate.
Lori Ann's Narration-
Reba sent the tape to me. I called Mike and asked him how he still felt about Reba. He said that he still loved her so I sent him the videotape. Reba got her sign from Mike. He called Brock and invited him and Reba to a party with some old friends in McAlester. The two of them had no idea that they were really going to Terry's funeral. Mike didn't think that Reba would come if she knew that Terry had just passed away. Reba invited me to come along so I was blindsided when I got the news. My on-and-off relationship with Terry was over for good now. We had to say goodbye to one of our oldest and dearest friends. Reba first saw Mike at the bar with Brock by her side. She sang one of Terry's favorite songs to him. Mike had tears in his eyes when she was finished singin'. She decided to come back after she dropped Brock off at the hotel.
The next scene began. Reba walked right into the Holliway bar. Mike was working behind the bar. It was evening and there weren't any customers in the bar because the bar was closed for the day. "How's my favorite ex-husband?" Reba greeted.
"Better now that you're here. Hello, darlin'. It's great to see you again." Mike pulled her into his embrace. "I wasn't sure what to think when you came in here with Brock."
"Didn't you get my video? We're divorced. He's remarried. It's completely over. I just didn't know what to do. I've never told Brock much of anything. I want to keep my love life private, which is more consideration than he's ever given me. He parades his in front of me daily."
"I got the video. Sweetheart, I am so sorry that things turned out so badly for you. Terry died two days after I got the video. I called Brock because we were all friends once. I thought that he should have a chance to say goodbye. I figured that you wouldn't come to the funeral. I didn't want you to think that I called just to get you here for the funeral. I really wanted to see you. You're a sight for sore eyes, darlin'. It's so good to see you again."
Reba lifted her head up and kissed him. "Hi there, handsome!"
"Everything is just fine now that you're in my arms. Today has been a rough day. I'm glad that you are finally here. I wasn't sure if you would be coming back. I figured that you would get back together with Brock."
"You know Brock; he's all talk and no action. He's a very convincing liar. I don't want to spend another minute talking about him. Where do we go from here?"
"Well darlin', I figured that we'd dance, talk some more, and then sing together."
"That isn't what I meant."
"Oh well, we could go into my office for the ring-a-ding."
Reba slapped him upside the head gently. "That's not what I meant and you know it. Where do we go from here in the relationship?"
"Wherever you want it to go, darlin'. We can take it slow, if you want to. The last thing that I want is for you to get scared and leave again. How about a drink?"
"Are you trying to get me tipsy, Mr. Holliway?"
"It's been a hell of a day. I don't think that it's such a bad idea to get roarin' drunk. It's what Terry would've done if I'd been the one that died."
She held onto him tighter. "I'm so sorry, honey. You've had to deal with so much loss lately. First, I almost died. We lost the baby and then Terry really does die. It's been a bad year or so."
Reba started drinking shots with Mike and Lori Ann. Lori Ann can barely hold onto the camcorder anymore so she set it down on the bar counter. The mood in the room improves. They are talking and laughing. Reba gets up on stage to sing to Mike. She chooses to sing a Beatles song, "In My Life".
There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends
I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more
When Reba was finished singing the song, Mike took her hand and led her off the stage. He pressed a button on the jukebox and started to slow dance with her.
"Hey you guys, I think that Terry would be really happy that you're together," Lori Ann commented.
Reba lifted her head off Mike's chest. She giggled. "I think so, too."
"Who do you think told me to call you guys? We're supposed to celebrate his life. He told me to stop being stubborn and make a move. That was the last piece of advice that he ever gave me."
Reba felt a rush of emotion. She was feeling the effects of the alcohol. She kissed him with all the passion she had stored up in her heart for the last year and a half. Her tongue started begging for an entrance and he let her in. He moved down to kiss her neck. He pulled away from her suddenly and swore.
"Damn, honey, we're supposed to be takin' things slow."
"You said that it was up to me. I've thought about this moment for a long time. I want you."
She kissed him again fast. He pulled away.
"Let's slow things down and play some pool."
He led her into the pool room. Lori Ann stayed at the bar counter with the whiskey bottle.
The scene goes black. When the next scene comes on, the clock on the wall shows that thirty minutes had passed since the last scene. Kim walks through the door of the bar. She is visibly pregnant. She looks about eight months pregnant. "Where's Mike?"
"In the back in the pool room with Reba, but I wouldn't go in there if I were you," Lori Ann cautioned.
"Are you kidding me? She came here with Brock. What is she doing back there with Mike?" Kim demanded.
She marched off towards the back room. Lori Ann grabbed the camcorder and followed her.
"She looks fightin' mad. I'm not missing this," Lori Ann said behind the camera.
When Lori Ann and Kim entered the pool room in the back, they saw Reba and Mike on the pool table. Their shirts were off. Mike's shirt was on the floor. Reba's shirt was in Mike's hand. He was in the process of trying to remove Reba's bra. They were not aware that anyone had walked into the room. Reba went from kissing Mike on the mouth to leaving a trail of kisses from his neck to his chest.
"Michael Holliway, what in the world is goin' on here?" Kim demanded. She had a scowl on her face and she was tapping her foot in anger.
"I'd like to know the answer to that question myself," Lori Ann remarked. She was trying not to laugh.
Reba just looked from Kim to Mike. She looked embarrassed to be caught in such a compromising situation by Mike's ex. Mike swore and ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
"I'm gonna talk to Kim and then I'll be back to explain things to you. Reba, don't leave, please. Just wait for me with Lori Ann at the bar. This situation is complicated, but it's not what it looks like. I swear that I'm not the biological father of the baby that Kim's havin'."
"I sure hope not, for your sake!"
What will happen to Reba and Mike this time? Will she walk out on Mike again? What's happening with Kim and Mike?
It's 2004. What happens in the year 2008? Stay tuned to find out in the next chapter!
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