Dear Readers-
I hope that all of you had a Happy Easter! I'm sorry that this chapter is being posted so late! This weekend was rough on me. My daughter was in the hospital and my computer has been on its last legs for awhile now. It finally died with my story chapters in it, including this week's chapter. I have a new computer now and I have to type up chapter 28 again from scratch so it may be a little shorter than what readers are used to.
I'm still grieving the end of One Life to Live, especially since it happened just three days after the cancellation of Working Class. Reba appeared as herself for two days on the show. She also got to sing "Is There Life Out There" on the show. I hope that Reba gets to be on One Life to Live one last time before it gets canceled. When will Saturday Night Live get Reba to host their show? There needs to be petitions for this. That would be so great. Reba would be an awesome host on SNL!
Let me know that you want me to keep this story going! My birthday is in a week, May 3rd. It would be great to have plenty of feedback by then. It would be such a nice gift. Remember your responses keep me writing. Here it goes…
Now on with the story-
I don't own Reba or any of the characters in this story from Reba. They belong to the writers of the REBA TV show. I also do not owe the rights to any of the songs and lyrics that I use in this story. Those are the property of the artists involved. I also do not owe the rights to any television show or movie reference that I use in this story. Those are the property of the Hollywood creative teams involved in their production. I will be changing some release/airing dates of the titles used to fit in with the story.
The characters of Max Thornton, Cheyenne McEntire-Smith (Nana), Vince McEntire (Papa), Kenneth Smith (Gramps), Paige McKinney, Michael Davis, John McKinney, Barbara Ann Grant, Kim Campbell-Holliway, Sam Holliway, Jenny Miller, Nick Holliway, Terry Holliway, Jr., Josh Holliway, Madeline Mitchell, Greg Brooks and Maggie 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 picks up from after the sixth season of Reba and beyond from summer-fall 2008.
This chapter will consist of scenes that will be in regular font, not italicized font. I use the italicized font to distinguish between author's notes and regular scenes. I use bold font when things need special emphasis.
Previously- LovinCowboy84: I will. Take your own advice. Take baby steps to get over your guilt. Try to enjoy your dinner on Friday night. I need to go get ready for work now. It was nice talking to you again. I can't wait to talk to you this weekend after Romancing the Stone. I can't wait to talk to you about it. It'll give us a chance to talk about something fun. Thanks for everything. I've been having a tough time, too. It's been nice having you to talk to. See you later.
RamblinRedRose: Thanks for lending me your ear, too. It really helps me to have you to talk to. Bye.
Reba ended the conversation and got off her computer. Brock was right earlier that morning. Reading seemed like a good way to pass the time right now. She vowed to take things one day at a time for awhile like LovinCowboy84 said. She felt the guilt still swirling within her. She took a deep breath and grabbed a book from her nightstand. She didn't want to think about anything big right now. She still had five days or so left until the dinner with Brock. That was plenty of time to get comfortable with the idea. She wondered what Brock had planned for Friday….
What happens next? Stay tuned to find out this chapter!
We left the story in chapter 27 in the present year of the story- June 2008 with Reba dealing with her guilt. She gave in again to her feelings for Brock with a deep kiss. She struggled with giving in to the kiss when she should be pushing Brock away. Brock tries to explain his situation in order to calm Reba down, but she refuses to listen. He wants to relieve her guilt because they are able to be together. She doesn't know that yet. Even if she did, she would still try to get him to work things out with Barbra Jean.
Reba is finding out that she still has some residual hostility towards Barbra Jean for breaking up her marriage in the first place. Brock tells Reba how much he needs and wants her in his life. Barbra Jean tells Reba that it's okay if Brock takes Reba out on Friday night. Barbra Jean also has a date on Friday night with Eugene Fisher. Reba still feels tired and thinks of an excuse for getting out of the date with Brock. Brock tells her that he will spend Friday night with her, even if they have to stay at home. Brock also tells Reba that if they can't go out on Friday night that she still has to go out with him another time.
Reba got online to talk to LovinCowboy84. She talks to him about her feelings for Mike and Brock. He urges her to communicate her feelings more. He lets her know that he understands her problems. She lets him know that she is there for him whenever he needs to talk to someone because she knows what he's going through. She didn't want to think about anything big just then. She still had five days or so left until the dinner with Brock.
That was plenty of time to get comfortable with the idea. She wondered what Brock had planned for Friday. What will happen to Reba and Brock on Friday's date? Will Barbra Jean have a nice date with Eugene Fisher? Was Reba's morning with Brock more than just an encounter? Will she talk with Brock about their encounter?
What happens now? What happens in the present when Reba wakes up in Vegas? How did she end up in Vegas? Keep reading to find out more!
Author's note- Note to readers: This chapter will deal with Reba's date with Brock. He has arranged for a romantic dinner, dancing, and karaoke. They will watch Romancing the Stone and the evening will continue from there.
Remember the most important thing that you can do to keep this story going is to Read and Review! Any comments and feedback is appreciated. I may consider using one of your suggestions and giving you full credit. I need feedback so I know if I should keep the story going. Please let me know if you like this story and want it to continue.
The answers to the questions above will be revealed as you read the story. Here is the latest installment of Believe in Love Again.
Now on with our next chapter-
Reba went back and forth in her mind all week long about whether or not to go out on Friday with Brock. Part of her wanted to draw the boundaries that they both clearly needed right away, before they started down a road that Reba knew that she would regret. The other part of her was curious about what Brock had planned. Didn't she have enough self-control to go out for a birthday dinner with Brock without anything inappropriate happening between them? They had been in a nice, comfortable friendship for almost six years now. Nothing had happened to cross the line until recently, with the exception of the night of Terry's funeral. If she had enough control that night, then she had enough control tonight.
Who was she kidding? The only reason that she had self-control that night was because she had Mike. At that time, Brock was with Barbra Jean and she was trying to reunite with Mike. Things were clearly defined. He was married and off-limits. The hurt and feelings of loss were still fresh. She lost her marriage, her identity, her child, and everything that was important in her life because of Brock and his selfishness. That was enough to keep her in control then.
Over time, she'd gone over the what-might-have-beens hundreds of times in the scenario of her relationship with Mike. Now the what-might-have-beens were swirling around in her head about Brock. You'd think after six years that she'd be over that type of wishful thinking. Every night this week, she talked online with LovinCowboy84 about her anxiety, thoughts, and feelings. He encouraged her to explore her thoughts and really understand where they were coming from. He encouraged her to let go of her anxiety and face her fears. She deserved to have some peace in her life. She didn't want to go on with these thoughts haunting her forever.
Friday seemed to arrive faster than Reba had expected. This date was not something that she could put off anymore. She looked in the full length mirror in her bedroom. She was trying to pick out an outfit. Reba went downstairs to make herself a cup of chamomile tea to sooth her nerves. She'd never been this nervous before a date before. Of course, she'd hardly had much dating experience in the last six years since the divorce.
In fact, she hadn't had much dating experience before the divorce either. She hadn't dated much before she married Brock. Once she'd set her sights on Mike Holliway, she didn't want to date anyone else. Brock just swooped in at a time when she was alone and vulnerable. How she ended up being attracted to such a vain, egotistical man was beyond her comprehension! They say that opposites attract. For once, she wanted to be attracted to a man who wasn't her complete opposite. Jack Morgan fooled her with his sensitive front. Under that exterior was a man who was after only one thing and he used his looks to get it.
Finally, she thought of the perfect solution to calm her nerves. Reba didn't waste a minute in stripping off her clothes while the tub filled with steamy water. She dumped a half a bottle of perfumed bath salts into the tub. Reba spent forty-five minutes luxuriating in the water, soaping, rinsing, and shampooing, and when she emerged from the tub she felt like a new person. As she towel-dried her hair, she glanced into the closet. That was when she saw the dress. It was the most extravagant thing she allowed herself to purchase lately. Her usual wardrobe consisted of casual clothing like jeans and blouses.
It was an Indian/Gypsy dress that was similar to one that she'd seen in a couple of romantic movies. The square-cut, strapless bodice was made of lavender silk and the three tiered skirt was fashioned of row upon row of different bands of silk ranging in color from lavender to mauve to palest pink. A huge black chiffon rose with lavender and gold center was nestled at the waist. She also had a pair of high-heeled, strappy black sandals to match the dress. She held the dress in front of her as she stood in front of her full length mirror. She felt desirable, sensual, and even beautiful.
The thought that Brock would see her this way unnerved her. She bought the dress for her trip to Oklahoma. She'd wanted her anniversary dinner to turn out perfectly. That was far from what really happened. She pushed those unwanted memories from her mind, but a nagging question entered her mind. Why was she wearing such a thing to go out with Brock? As she put the final touches on her look for the evening, she gazed at the dress, her damp, curling hair, and the spellbound smile on her life. For the first time in awhile, all she wanted was to think of tonight as special.
Brock was also preparing for the evening. He'd gone to the barber and gotten a shave and a haircut. It wasn't what he was used to. He usually went to a stylist, but tonight he was going for a more rugged look. He could've shaved at home, but he figured that covering his face in bandages with any possible nicks wouldn't be as attractive for Reba. He put on musk-scented cologne before he took one last look in the mirror. He inspected his new white shoes and the cuffs on his white sharkskin pants. He adjusted his blue-gray silk tie and buttoned the cuffs of his white cotton shirt. He tilted his head and smiled at the reflection of a very sharp-looking guy. It was worth every penny he'd spent.
He waited in his bedroom for the delivery from Breen's Florist. He wanted to see the look on her face when the delivery arrived. The whole order cost more than he'd ever spent on one flower arrangement in his life. He'd spent over a hundred dollars including the delivery charge. His mission for the evening was to impress Reba. The doorbell rang.
"Reba, could you get that? I'm still getting ready. None of the kids are here to answer the door."
Reba sighed disapprovingly. "How much of this evening would even be fun?" she wondered, "He can't even answer the door while I finish getting ready myself."
Reba slowly made her way downstairs in her new high heeled shoes. This was the first time that she'd worn them. As she opened the door, Brock made his way downstairs. Reba was surprised to see a delivery man at her front door. She was first handed a bouquet of balloons. The bouquet arrives with a sweet bear holding six latex balloons in pink and lavender that were tied together with a ribbon. A soft gasp escaped her as she was handed a large assortment of pastel and hot pink roses and peach toned spray roses. She went to tip the delivery man.
"No tip needed. The gentleman that ordered these already paid for the tip with the order."
"Thank you." Reba went to shut the door after the delivery man left. Brock stood there unnoticed while Reba sat the bouquet down on a small table next to the front door. She picked up the card and read it aloud. "For every birthday and anniversary that I ever got wrong. Love, Brock."
"I meant that you know." The warmth of Brock's smile echoed in his voice.
She turned with a start at the sound of his voice. He walked forward, stopping in front of her. She remained absolutely motionless for a moment. Her eyebrows rose in amazement. Nervously, she moistened her dry lips. He strolled forward and extended a hand. She met the smile and the hand that was offered. His smile sent her pulse racing.
Her smile was eager and alive with affection and delight. There was a depth to her smile that had been missing for too long. Her eyes brightened with pleasure. He felt as if he had been transported back to the first time that they met. Her alabaster face had a musk-rose flush on her cheekbones. He drank in the sight of her. Her bright copper hair gleamed with shadows of rich red, which hung in long graceful curves over her shoulders. Wispy bangs fell across her forehead.
He was momentarily speechless as he looked at her gentle, overwhelming beauty. While Brock held his gaze on Reba, Reba couldn't help but take in the sight of Brock. There was a glint of humor in his eyes. Reba saw something else in his eyes that she couldn't quite identify. He stood there, devilishly handsome. She took in his tempting, attractive male physique. His smile was wide, his teeth strikingly white in his tanned face. He had thick goldenrod hair. She took in the tantalizing smell of his cologne. Lightly, he fingered a loose tendril of hair on her cheek.
"They're lovely. Thank you, Brock." Reba said softly.
They heard the sound of a car pulling up in front of the house. "That is my other surprise for you." Brock whispered. He walked to the front door and opened it slowly. Reba's eyes widened when she saw the shiny limousine parked in front of their house.
"What is that for? Are we going to the prom?" Reba quipped.
Brock smiled mischievously. "We just might, my dear."
"Well, I just need to go upstairs and get my purse so we can go."
Reba rushed upstairs as fast as she could in her new high heels. She grabbed her purse, added some lipstick with some shiny gloss over her lips, and added some of her special floral perfume. Brock watched as Reba approached the top of the stairs again, gliding as she walked gracefully down each stair. She stopped in front of him. He offered her his arm. She linked her arm in his and they walked arm in arm to the limousine waiting outside.
Reba forgot her nerves as they walked. She vowed to enjoy the evening without anxiety or guilt. Brock opened the limo door for her. She took a deep breath before getting inside. She didn't want to think about anything else right now, other than living in the moment. She felt surprisingly comfortable. She was impressed by Brock's display of extravagance with the bouquet and the limousine. She wondered what the evening would hold for them...
What will happen to Reba and Brock on their date? Will Barbra Jean have a nice date with Eugene Fisher? What else does the evening hold for Reba and Brock? What will Brock and Reba talk about during their date? Will readers get to find out what's happening with Lori Ann soon? Who will Reba end up with in Vegas?
What happens next? Stay tuned to find out in the next chapter!
Thanks for the reviews, make sure you review this chapter and give me your thoughts and comments….
If anyone has any suggestions on them I'd love to hear! Review or Send me a P.M with your suggestions! Please feel free to make any comments that you wish. I may just decide to include it in the story. If I do include one of your suggestions, then I will give you full credit.
Working Class is not on CMT on Friday nights anymore. The first twelve episodes of Season one have already aired. If you want to see any episodes that you have missed, you can still watch them on the CMT website. Working Class was canceled by CMT on Monday. It is being shopped around to other networks, including TV Land. I'm so sad to find out that Working Class was canceled by CMT!
Please sign the petition for TV Land to pick up Working Class for season two at: .org/petitions/we-want-a-season-2-of-the-hilarious-sitcom-working-class.
Sometimes the url's get messed up when a story is posted on FF so here is the address:
http: / www. Change .org/ petitions / we-want-a-season-2-of-the-hilarious-sitcom-working-class. Just type it in without the spaces.
Please let TV Land know that you want them to keep Working Class on the air for another season!
Here are the YouTube links for Reba on One Life to Live. The first one is from A Daytime to Remember where Reba talks about waiting to come back on One Life to Live.
Link 1: http:/ www .youtube. com/watch?v=1B1Y-a7gRbk- just type it in without the spaces.
.com/watch?v=1B1Y-a7gRbk - direct link- not printable on FF
Link 2: http:/ www. youtube. com/watch?v=NlWLdGA-3ug-just type it in without the spaces.
.com/watch?v=NlWLdGA-3ug – direct link- not printable on FF
The first time that I actually got to see Reba McEntire sing was when she appeared on One Life to Live. "Is There Life Out There" is my favorite Reba song.
I want to express my special thanks to the following people who have given me valuable support.
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I thank all of you readers for your continued support. Your support really keeps me writing!
Without you, the story wouldn't be continued every week.
Remember read and review, please!
Thanks for reading my stories. These are my usernames for each fan fiction site. The poll is on my profile on the FF site. I hope that you vote soon.
.net/~rebabrockfan
Reba-Brockfan— on FF
Rebafan72—on ExtremeReba