Dear Readers-
Congratulations to Reba. She had a really awesome day! It must feel so incredible to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
It's finally September 2008 in the story! Spoiler: Lori Ann is the next to find love, but with which guy? This is a woman who hasn't had the best experience with relationships. Most of her relationships haven't been healthy ones. Will a new relationship change that for her?
Let me know that you want me to keep this story going! It would be great to have plenty of feedback for this chapter. 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 own 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 own 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 (Maddi), Greg Brooks, Jason Holliway, Emma Holliway, 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 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- Brock smiled and continued the drive into the city. The days flew by and Reba was busy preparing for her date with Mike. She talked about it with LovinCowboy84. It was Friday and Reba was in the computer lab studying when she noticed that Lovin Cowboy84 was online. It was an hour before lunchtime. She was supposed to meet Mike for lunch after studying.
LovinCowboy84: So let me get this straight, you bought a special dress for your anniversary dinner in Oklahoma and then wore it for a special dinner with your ex-husband. Now you're going to wear it for a date with your Oklahoma boyfriend and you're double dating with the ex-husband. This has disaster written all over it.
RamblinRedRose: It doesn't have to be. This is going to be a fun evening. I bought the dress for a date with Mike and I'm wearing it for a date with Mike. Brock and Mike are friends. I am friends with Brock's wife so this will be a nice night out with friends. Brock is not the most romantic guy. He wants a chance to patch things up with his wife so at least he'll learn a thing or two from Mike.
LovinCowboy84: I hate to break it to you, honey, but that's not how it works. You might be able to get these guys to be civil to each other, but you are not going to get them to be buddies in one night. No guy is going to like the guy who's dating his ex-wife.
RamblinRedRose: It's been six years since the divorce. I've dated since the divorce. This is someone that I dated long before I ever dated Brock. It'll be fine. Brock was at our wedding. This isn't anything new for him.
LovinCowboy84: Have you asked him about how he feels about this?
RamblinRedRose: No. I don't need to. We have an understanding. I'm helping him save his marriage. He promised to be nice to Mike and become friends with him again. If he doesn't, then he'll be forced to live elsewhere and that's how it's done.
LovinCowboy84: By forcing his cooperation. You're a gem of a friend, aren't you? I'll bet that you're a really scary ex-wife.
RamblinRedRose: Only when I have to be. He asked for my help so I offered my help with some conditions. That's the only way that it will work out. This is one time when I will force Brock to behave himself. At least his behavior should impress his wife. We both need this night to work out so it will. I don't want to talk to him anymore about it. I'm nervous enough about my date to add Brock's feelings to it. He'll have to deal with his own nerves by himself.
LovinCowboy84: So you'd be okay if your ex showed up for the double date wearing the same outfit that he wore when he took you out for your date.
RamblinRedRose: Sure. It wasn't a date. It was just a birthday dinner between friends.
LovinCowboy84: Sure it was. I'm a guy. I know that something more went on between you two than you're telling me.
RamblinRedRose: No, it did not! He's married. Don't be ridiculous! We're just friends. I've known him for twenty-eight years. It's easy for us to continue to be good friends because we're known each other for so long.
LovinCowboy84: Fine. Everything is perfectly innocent. But I have a feeling that this whole thing is going to blow up right in your face.
RamblinRedRose: Everything is going to be fine. Just you wait and see.
Reba was determined to make this evening special. She wanted everything to be perfect. She was envisioning the date to be just as special as the anniversary date they had planned, except for the fact that Brock and Barbra Jean were tagging along. Reba felt the added pressure to help Brock make the evening special for Barbra Jean as well. She had enough trouble with her own love life to be expected to help Brock with his. She wanted to see Brock happy and she hoped that this date wasn't too uncomfortable for him. She wanted a love life, but she didn't want to rub it in Brock's face. By this time, Reba had settled on a nickname for LovinCowboy84.
She had to give him a name, even if she didn't know what his real name was. Paige and Lori Ann teased her about that. She came up with Luke as her nickname for him. At first, she used the initials LC for LovinCowboy, and then she came up with Luke from LC. She was amazed at how well he could read her by now. He'd known that something else had happened, but that could've been because he was a guy and he knew that guys always think about a date ending in an invitation into a woman's bed. She'd hoped that Brock wouldn't be too uncomfortable with seeing her on a date with Mike, but the double date was his idea. She wondered what the evening would hold for the four of them. She also wondered if Lori Ann would be able to pull off their plan. Dr. Jack Morgan had to be taught a lesson. Reba wondered if she was the one who was about to learn a lesson herself...
What happens next? Stay tuned to find out this chapter!
We left the story in chapter 31 in the present year of the story- September 2008 with Reba facing major changes in her life. Things between Reba and Brock returned to normal. She was settling into college life. Lori Ann moved back to Houston. Jack Morgan was still bothering Reba. Lori Ann set Reba up with a blind date with Mike Holliway. He showed up with a video that Lori Ann made for them. The end of the video revealed a secret conspiracy against Reba and Mike.
Kim got Brock and Terry involved in a plot to stop Reba and Mike's wedding twenty-five years ago. Brock broke up the couple so he could have Reba for himself. Terry had been in an on and off relationship with Lori Ann through the years, but she didn't know the secret until Terry revealed it on the video before his death. Surprisingly enough, it seems that Lori Ann did know about Terry's relationship with Kim and she wasn't too angry about it. Reba's previous attempts to shield Lori Ann from that news were futile. In Vegas, there were two men who wanted Reba: Mike and Brock. Brock plotted to ruin her wedding and relationship in order to get her alone in the hotel suite. Reba planned to get Mike in that hotel suite herself.
The question is which man ended up with Reba after she got drunk? Who was the man who was in bed with Reba that morning?
What will happen to Reba and Brock after this double date? What will happen between Brock and Barbra Jean on the date? What else does the future hold for Reba and Brock now that Mike is in the picture? What is Lori Ann and Reba's plan for Dr. Morgan? Who will Lori Ann end up with? Who will Reba end up with in Vegas?
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 Brock backs off on pursuing Reba at her request. He is waiting for his divorce to be final. Reba starts college. Mike Holliway comes back into their lives. Reba and Mike get to know each other again. Reba and Mike go on a double date with Brock and Barbra Jean. Lori Ann helps Reba get Dr. Jack Morgan off her back. Dr. Jack Morgan was in a relationship with his ex-wife, Cheryl again while pursuing Reba. Reba and Lori Ann plan for Lori Ann to seduce Jack and be caught by Cheryl. Stay tuned for Cheryl's reaction to Jack's infidelity.
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 through her closet to find that special dress that she last wore three months ago. Mike just dropped her off from school and went back to his apartment to get ready for their date. Reba only had an hour or so before he would be back to pick her up. Reba was nervous. Things didn't go so well last time when she was in McAlester. Things were going really well between them here in Houston now so she wasn't as nervous as she was back in June when she was preparing for her trip to Oklahoma. Reba still wanted to settle her nerves.
She also wanted to be the knockout that he deserved, the knockout image that she presented to Brock before. 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 thirty minutes luxuriating in the water, soaping, rinsing, and shampooing, and when she emerged from the tub she felt like a new person again. As she towel-dried her hair, she glanced into the closet. That was when she saw the dress.
It was the same Indian/Gypsy dress that she wore on the date with Brock. 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 felt desirable, sensual, and even beautiful all over again.
The thought that Brock would see her this way again unnerved her. She bought the dress for her trip to Oklahoma. She'd intended to wear it for Mike. She shouldn't have worn it for Brock in the first place. She pushed those unwanted memories of that night from her mind, but a nagging question entered her mind. Why did she wear 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 face. She shook off the eerily similar way that she had felt before. She couldn't be excited about wearing this again in front of Brock. That was not allowed. She silently prayed that tonight would go well.
She felt like Reba McKinney again, the girl with hope¸ promise¸ and a heart full of love. That girl would've cherished this night. Darn Brock, he's always getting in the way when she tries to move on with her life. She was willing to take responsibility for part of what happened between them. After all, it takes two to tango, so to speak. Reba reviewed the facts in her mind. She ordered the margaritas. She set the DVR for the movie so they wouldn't have to rush home. She'd flirted with Brock.
She hugged him during karaoke. Her lips lingered during their accidental kiss. She'd led him into the Rain Latin Lounge to dance. She let him kiss her outside of the nightclub. She kissed him back. They were standing there in front of the nightclub making out in the rain where anyone could see them. Reba didn't even care at the time.
She'd let Brock see her naked when she wasn't even comfortable looking at herself naked in her full length mirror. She let him make love to her in her bed, and then she came up with that ridiculous idea of a fantasy weekend. She was wrong to tempt fate and force Brock into betraying his own wife. Tonight, she would fix all of her problems. She'd help get Brock and Barbra Jean's marriage back on the right track. She'd get Dr. Jack Morgan off her back forever and she'd finally get Mike Holliway to make the next move. They were just a little more than friends at the moment.
She was ready for a real relationship with him at last. This relationship would be one that Kim and Brock wouldn't ruin for them. She paused on the stairs as she saw Brock standing at the bottom of the stairs. Her breath caught in her chest for a moment and her hand flew up over her heart. He was wearing the same white cotton shirt, blue-gray silk tie, white sharkskin pants, and white shoes that he wore on their date three months ago. She felt a pang in her heart. She tried not to reveal how shaken she was by his appearance.
After all, this was what she wanted. She wanted him to patch things up with Barbra Jean. She wanted Mike Holliway back. They had to forget about that night and move on. She just didn't know that moving on would actually feel like this. She felt jealous and resentful while also feeling a strange longing for him at the same time. She shook off these feelings when she saw Kyra enter the living room. Reba casually walked down the stairs past Brock to hug her.
"Hi, Kyra. I'm glad to see you, but what are you doin' here?"
"My parents are going out on a double date with other people. Do you think that I'm gonna miss this? Besides Dad asked me to watch Henry and Barbra Jean wanted her house empty tonight."
"Oh well, I guess that makes sense. If these two are goin' on one of their famous divorce dates, then I guess they'll need privacy for that."
"I don't even like thinking about it. The idea of my parents having sex lives really creeps me out."
"Honey, when you're in your forties, then you won't find it so odd. That's when you'll understand."
"That brings me to my next topic of conversation. I know that you're having a midlife crisis, but could you not have it at school? People are talking about what you did in Professor Crews' class today."
"It wasn't that big of a deal. It was part of Lori Ann's plan to get Dr. Morgan off my back."
Brock took a sip of his beer. "What did your mother do that was so bad? You need to be more respectful of her¸ you know? She worked hard to get back into school." He responded and then took another sip of his beer.
"What part of the plan was it to be making out in the back row of the lecture hall? Dr. Crews asked me if Reba McKinney-Hart was related to me. It was the first time that I'd ever wished I wasn't."
Brock was so shocked at what Kyra said that he spit his drink out at Reba. Reba sat there wiping the liquid off her face while Brock struggled to conceal a laugh. "So the shoe is on the other foot now." He turned to Kyra. "You shouldn't ever say things like that to your mother."
"It's okay, Brock. It was a pretty embarrassing scene. I found out that Dr. Crews is friends with Dr. Morgan. Mike wanted to make it perfectly clear that I was off limits to Jack Morgan. It had to look genuine. We took it a little too far, but we achieved our objective."
"I heard that his hands were all over you and your lips were glued to his for practically an hour this morning."
Brock and Kyra stood there with their arms crossed, looking mad at Reba.
"Excuse me, but my parents live in Oklahoma. I can do whatever I want, anytime I want. Just so you know- Mike and I do not normally act like that. We are taking our relationship slow."
"I'm glad that my money isn't paying for that type of thing. You wanted a college education."
"And I'm getting one. I appreciate the help with the money, but you can't tell me what to do. Anyway, look who I'm talkin' to, the original drunken frat boy. You got accepted into dental school here, but you failed your spring classes and your other grades from Oklahoma were so bad that you fell a year behind. I worked hard to put you through your last year of college so you could go to dental school. I worked to pay your tuition and the bills while having a baby. I even studied with you so you could pass your classes. I can't believe that I'm talkin' to ya about this. You spent so much time getting high, partyin' with your friends, and sleepin' around while you were in college in Oklahoma. I don't even know how you had the time to ruin my life while you were so busy ruinin' yours."
"There she goes. Now we're gonna talk about it. I wondered when that was gonna happen."
"I'm gonna go now."
"No, you stay right where you are. You are almost nineteen years old. You are old enough to hear this. I want a witness. Your mother only likes to see things her way."
"Great parenting, Brock. Putting Kyra right in the middle like this."
"She's an adult. Sometimes she's the only adult in this family."
"What are you trying to say about me, Brock?"
"That you act like all of this just happened to ya. Your life is ruined? Would you consider this ruined? Take some responsibility for the choices that you made. You chose a life with me. I didn't force ya to be with me. Take a look around. This doesn't look ruined to me. It looks like a pretty great life that you've got goin' here."
"I'm grateful for the life that you worked hard to provide all those years ago. I really am, but if I'd made different choices, then I'd be a lot happier. I'll admit that. That is my fault, but you haven't even taken responsibility for what you've done." Reba turned towards Kyra. "Kyra honey, I'm gonna ask ya a personal question. Pretend that I'm not your mother and give me the truth. I promise not to judge ya. Have ya had sex yet?"
Kyra's cheeks flushed. "Wow, Mom! Way to be direct. You always told me to wait for love and marriage. I'm trying to wait."
A satisfied smirk was on Reba's face. "See I did a good job on my own all these years. She waited."
"With Cheyenne and Van as examples of teen sex, who wouldn't? Look at them."
Reba smiled and hugged Kyra. "Have I told ya that you're my favorite? Now honey, I waited, too. I was waiting for my wedding night. I planned a beautiful wedding with a perfect wedding night. Mike and I had planned on startin' a family. Your father lied to ruin my wedding." She turned to face Brock. "You knew how much it all meant to me, but you didn't care. You have always only cared about your own selfish needs first. That night was supposed to be somethin' that I'd remember for the rest of my life. I can't even remember that night. I only remember the nightmare of being pregnant and alone. My baby deserved a much better life than the one that he got."
Kyra interjected. "I think that this is the first time that you two have spoken about him in front of any of us kids. This is actually looking to be a pretty good day. Princess Cheyenne is not the oldest anymore. We have another brother." Kyra smiled.
"John was your half-brother like Henry is. I'm glad that you're takin' this so well."
"Sure. This family always has room for more. We let Barbra Jean into our family, didn't we?" Kyra quipped.
Reba smiled and hugged Kyra again. "We're got some pretty terrific kids, don't we?"
"Yeah, we do." Brock responded, moving to hug Reba and Kyra.
Barbra Jean walked in through the front door. "Knock, knock."
Barbra Jean was wearing a royal blue polyester sleeveless chiffon dress with a satin neckline and shirred waist. It had a lightly molded bust, mid-length hem, and back zipper closure. She also had a pair of strappy silver open-toed high heels to match the dress.
Reba pulled away from the two. "Barbra Jean, you look very nice."
"Thank you, Reba."
Reba nudged Brock with an elbow to his side. "I have some flowers for you, Barbra Jean." He began.
Brock handed Barbra Jean a large assortment of sunflowers and spray roses in yellow tones. "This was really sweet. Thank you, Brock."
Mike arrived at the door next. He handed Reba an assortment of twelve soft lavender roses with calming baby blue eucalyptus in a rectangular glass vase and trimmed with a pretty lavender ribbon bow. Reba put her hand to his cheek. "These are beautiful. Thank you."
"I've got more presents."
"More presents?"
"Yeah, this was the date to replace our anniversary date, right?"
Mike was wearing a black suit with a three-button, single-breasted jacket with natural shoulders, fronts without darts, flap pockets, a center vent and trousers with plain fronts. He also wore a black Ottoman tie and black shoes. Reba looked over Mike's look and smiled.
"I guess. I'd better go get mine." Reba ran upstairs to get her anniversary gifts for Mike. She went to her bedroom closet to grab her gifts quickly. She returned downstairs in record time.
Mike opened the first box. It was a royal blue t-shirt. Mike read the message on the shirt. "Look but don't touch." He turned the shirt over and read the message on the back. "Property of a jealous redhead." He laughed.
"It wasn't meant to be a joke gift, you know." Reba said with her hands on her hips.
"It's funny because of the fight that we had three months ago. I'm supposed to be the jealous one, but I guess you're jealous, too."
"I wanted to stake my claim on you. I wanted everyone to know that you were taken. I wanted it to say jealous wife, but I wasn't sure if we were getting married that night or not."
Brock and Barbra Jean turned to stare at Reba with complete surprise on their faces. Reba heard Brock's sharp intake of breath. She pretended not to understand the look on Brock's face. She continued the exchange with Mike.
"My turn." Mike handed Reba a jewelry box.
She opened it and gasped. "My grandmother's locket. How did you get this?"
"She gave it to me. Open it." Mike urged Reba to look inside the locket where she found a picture of her baby, John. "Your grandmother calls him 'the blessed O'Hara', whatever that means."
"I'll explain that to you sometime, I swear, but not tonight. I love this so much!" She brushed her lips against his as he spoke. It was quick because she realized that they had an audience. "Well, I got one of your gifts from my grandmother also." She handed him a small rectangular box.
Mike opened the box and was instantly surprised. "Your grandfather's watch."
Reba smiled and nodded. "I gave that to Papa for his birthday when I was eight."
"I remember. He always wore it and never took it off."
"Read the inscription on the back."
"With Love, Little Red."
"He was the only one to call me Little Red, except you. As soon as you found out that it bugged me, you ran around callin' me Little Red. You were so annoying when you were ten." Reba said and gently shoved him in the shoulder.
"And you were always beautiful, even back then. You are even more beautiful when you're mad."
Reba rolled her eyes at the compliment. "Is sweet talkin' gonna be the theme of the evening? If so, I'll let ya know now that it won't impress me. Please just be yourself. You're nervous and I'm nervous and that's okay. Put on your watch and then help me get the locket on."
Mike quickly got the watch on his wrist before helping Reba put the locket on. Once Reba had the locket on, the front door opened on its own and wind flew around Mike and Reba. Reba's ruby red locks started glowing. The wind kicked at her curls. She suddenly had a wild and reckless look of beauty about her. A smile of enchantment touched her lips. She raised her hand up. With a brief wave, the door shut quickly. Reba touched Mike's cheek to get him to focus on her and not the sudden movement of the door or the fact that the wind had stopped.
"This reminds me of the time when we were little and you threatened to turn me into a frog," Mike said jokingly.
Reba was filled with panic when she realized how he could put two and two together to find out the one small detail that she left out about herself from everyone. She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Like I could really do that. Should I put ya in the same category with all of the other frogs that I've dated? Kim said it once too. It must be the effect that you had on girls back then. Well, aren't you gonna kiss me? After I said that the first time, you kissed me. It only lasted about a minute, but I remember it very well."
Mike cut off her words with a kiss. It was very brief. She literally felt a feeling of electricity surging through them. Mike pulled away, startled. "You shocked me. Wow, that hasn't happened in awhile. That was some kiss."
Reba's fingers ran over her lips. "It's been about twenty-five years. It's an interesting coincidence on a night like this."
Before anyone else could say anything, their cell phones rang. Paige was calling Reba's cell phone and Kim was calling Mike's cell phone. "Another romantic moment ruined by our phones ringing. Can I please answer your phone? You can answer mine. I want to talk to Kim." Reba responded. She wasn't going to take no for an answer. She held her hand out and they exchanged phones.
"Hello, Kim. Mike can't come to the phone right now because I'm wearing the Victoria's Secret lingerie and we're about to have sex. You'll have to call him back tomorrow because we'll be busy all night long." Reba had to hold the phone away from her ear because Kim was squealing in delight. Reba was puzzled by Kim's reaction. "Bye." Reba ended the call. "I said it once and I'll say it again. Your ex-wife is completely looney toons."
"Which one?" Mike answered with a smirk.
"Ha, ha. Very funny, Holliway. You have to understand how weird it is for the woman who stole my husband to want to suddenly do everything in her power to help us get back together. What type of ex-wife helps him win back the love of another woman? It's creepy and unnatural."
"I don't know. I think that it sounds sweet to me. She's only tryin' to be a friend and help you out." Barbra Jean interjected.
"Look who's talkin'. You're just as crazy as she is, BJ. Have fun helping Brock find his next wife."
Brock's expression clouded with anger. "That was completely uncalled for, Reba!"
At this point, Reba was very confused and frustrated. "I hate Kim Holliway! She's nothin' but a tramp and a she-devil!" she shouted at Mike.
Suddenly the back door starts opening and closing on its own, banging against the hinges. Icy fear twisted around her heart. She tried to keep her fragile control. Reba couldn't stop herself from jumping into Mike's arms for a brief moment. Then she regained control of her emotions and took actions. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I shouted. I don't hate Kim anymore! She's not a tramp or a she-devil!" Reba spoke loudly. The back door closed and remained closed. The house was quiet.
"What was that? Is your house haunted, Reba?" Barbra Jean asked in a choked voice.
"Yes, Barbra Jean. It appears as if my house is haunted." Reba replied, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice.
"I can't stay here. You know how I feel about ghosts. Brock, come and get me at my house when it's time to go." Barbra Jean was shaking as she spoke. She turned and ran out of Reba's house.
Reba and Mike forgot about Paige's call on her cell phone until that moment. "Will someone please answer me? What is going on over there?"
Reba took the call. "Hi, Paige. I've felt Terry's presence in my house for awhile now. I insulted Kim and he took offense to it. I get to be the lucky one because Terry has unfinished business with me. Mike and I were exchanging gifts and we got interrupted by phone calls from you and Kim. We're about to go out now. What do you want?"
"I'll get all the juicy details later. Right now, I'm not the one who wants to talk to ya. Kyra called here this afternoon to talk to Dad. You're in big trouble."
Reba turned to face Kyra. "Kyra, did ya call your grandpa today in McAlester?"
"Yeah, I figured that someone should talk to you about the way that you've been acting." There was defiance in Kyra's tone as well as subtle challenge.
Brock's mouth quirked with humor. Brock threw his head back and roared with laughter. Reba's eyes were stony with anger.
"You are so lucky that you don't live in this house right now." Reba said to Kyra.
Reba didn't have time to react further because she suddenly heard her father's voice coming through the phone.
"Hi, daddy! It's nice to hear your voice."
"Yes, Mike is right here. We're gettin' ready to go out on a date. In fact, we're goin' out with Brock and his wife. Everything is fine. Everyone is gettin' along fine."
Reba handed the phone to Mike. "He wants to talk to you. He wants to know what your intentions are towards me."
"Hello, sir."
"I really love your daughter and your opinion means a great deal to her. I've told you that before."
"I would like your permission to date your daughter. I would also like your permission to marry her when we're ready."
"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 twenty-five years ago."
"Yes, sir. I do respect her. I have never coerced her into doing anything wrong. We do plan on having a family together, but we're waiting until we get married. We might even be married as early as December."
Reba took the phone from Mike. "Dad, I am a grown woman. I make my own decisions and I have loved him my whole life. Please try to understand."
"Brock is fine with this. I swear everyone is getting along well. What happened today was just a trick on someone. It was really more innocent than it sounded. School is goin' really great!"
"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. "We are in the clear. He's happy and we're happy." He put her back down on her feet again.
Reba looked at Kyra again. "Young lady, we are gonna have a long talk tomorrow. You are never gonna interfere like that again." Reba linked arms with Mike and walked outside.
"You wanna make a bet." Kyra commented.
"That's my girl! Keep up the good work!" Brock responded, placing a kiss on her cheek.
"How much longer are you gonna keep playing along with what Mom wants? This has got to be hard on you. You and Barbra Jean are over. Why don't ya just tell Mom the truth?"
"Your mother has a clear idea of what's right and what's wrong. She does not want me to divorce Barbra Jean and she's not gonna change her mind about that. There's nothing more that I can do, honey."
"Then why don't ya just attack Mom already and get it over with?"
"I've done everything that I can possibly do. If I don't go along with what she says, then she'll kick me out of here. I can't let that happen. As long as I am here, I've got a better chance than if she kicks me out."
"I forgave you a long time ago and so has everyone else, Dad. You just have to give her time and figure out new ways to get through to her. You can count on the rest of us to help you as much as we can."
"You mean that everyone else is in on this, too."
"We figured that something was up when you paid us to go to Six Flags for an entire weekend. You wanted to be alone with her. I'm sorry that it didn't work. We'll figure something else out. We have to. I figure that if she actually marries this guy, then she'll end up moving to Oklahoma. I don't want her to go. If she leaves, we won't be a family anymore. Dad, you've got to fix this."
"I'm trying, honey. I really am. I'm doing anything and everything that I can think of. If you kids come up with anything else, then I'm all ears." Brock said, hugging his daughter.
Brock drove both couples to the restaurant in his SUV. Mike had selected Ruth's Chris Steak House for dinner and the Wild West club for karaoke and dancing afterwards. Brock and Mike both appreciated a good Texas steak and Mike chosen a country western bar for Reba. He wanted the evening to be good for her. He definitely had a more intimate evening in mind for their June date back in Oklahoma, but this was what Reba wanted so he was prepared to make sure that everyone had a good time. He was intrigued by Brock's wife. He looked at Barbra Jean and Reba side by side. He didn't understand how Brock could have possibly chosen her over Reba, but Barbra Jean was sweet and obviously adored Brock and Reba.
They seemed to make the odd situation work for everyone. He loved how Reba put the kids first. That was something lacking in his other ex-wife, Kim. When he compared Barbra Jean to the fiery redhead, the differences were striking. The blonde just didn't seem to sparkle like Reba did. Reba wasn't afraid to show emotion. She had a colorful personality that could sometimes be challenging to deal with, but he wouldn't trade her for anything. The way that Mike saw it, Brock was an idiot, plain and simple. There was no other explanation for why he let Reba get away, especially after he'd work so hard to separate her from Mike.
Mike looked at Reba and kissed her hand. She put her hand over his during the meal. Brock alternated between looking at Reba and looking at Barbra Jean. He was supposed to be focusing on Barbra Jean, but he couldn't help to glance at Reba when he could. He didn't want to be caught openly eyeing her with Mike. He noticed that Reba had a smile that seemed painted on her face when she looked at Brock and Barbra Jean, but had a genuine smile for Mike. This made Brock feel conflicted. He was jealous because he wanted Reba's smiles to be for him, but he was glad that Reba wasn't happy to watch Brock with Barbra Jean. She got what she said that she wanted, but she didn't seem too happy about it.
Despite the conflicting silent emotions within Brock and Reba, conversation between the two couples flowed smoothly. Reba was shocked to find how easy it was to fit into this relationship dynamic again with Brock. She was with Mike and Brock was just a friend. This seemed to work well. The guys were getting along well. Still she felt emotions of jealousy rising within her as she watched Brock interacting with Barbra Jean. He was doing what she told him to do. He seemed to be genuinely trying to make a relationship with Barbra Jean work.
Reba fought the impulse to stare daggers into Brock every time he touched Barbra Jean- putting his arm(s) around her, touching her hand, holding her close. Reba didn't know what she'd do if she had to watch him kiss her. She'd heard about their divorce dates. She knew that displays of public affection between the couple would happen any time now. She just didn't want a front row seat for it. She was confused about why Brock would tell her that he wanted her and then make a sudden change in affection from intimacy with her to intimacy with Barbra Jean. He wouldn't be home tonight. He wouldn't be sleeping on the other side of her wall. She didn't know how to feel about that.
She was happy when dinner was over so they could get to the Wild West bar. She wanted to sing and dance. She wanted to execute her plan and get the hunky doctor busted. She wanted a distraction from having to watch Brock and Barbra Jean out on a date. Barbra Jean was openly affectionate. She adored her husband. Brock actually seemed to be the husband that she'd always hoped that he'd be. It was too late for her, but not too late for Barbra Jean. She wanted to be happy for her friend, so why did she feel so hurt?
It felt like a betrayal even though it wasn't. She told him to make up with his wife. It was the right thing to do. The right thing to do was never easy. She'd been doing it for most of her life, but she never found much happiness in it. She had been raised with these firm beliefs. She'd raised her children on these beliefs. She would not turn her back on them now. She was the role model and the one who held this family together.
She would not be the one who tore it apart. Henry deserved to grow up in a happy home with two loving parents. It would not be a good example for Van and Cheyenne if they saw the adults going through two divorces in such a short time. Marriage was a sacred bond. Brock had to learn that sometimes. If Reba could help him become a better man, then she would. She would be his best friend. She'd hoped that they'd stay friends for the rest of their lives. She didn't want to lose that connection with him too.
Reba spotted Lori Ann next to Jack Morgan at the bar as soon as they entered the nightclub. The plan was for all of them not to acknowledge Lori Ann as a friend. She was a stranger who happened to be hitting on Dr. Jack Morgan. The man in question approached their table soon as they arrived.
"Good evening, Reba. How are you?"
"I'm fine. This is my boyfriend, Mike Holliway. Mike, this is Dr. Jack Morgan. He used to be Brock and Barbra Jean's marriage counselor."
"I also used to date Reba. In fact, we've been dating recently." Jack replied smugly.
"That's not exactly true. We've dated before, but we broke up six months ago." Reba explained to Mike. "Jack, this is Mike. He's my ex from Oklahoma, John's father."
Jack's face changes as he processes this information. "This is that guy. He's the one that you've been seen around town with lately?"
"Yes. We're getting married in December and we're planning on havin' a baby together. I understand that we have you to thank for our reunion. Reba tells me that you helped her through some of her issues with the death of our son. Thank you for being there for her when she needed someone." Mike answered.
"Believe me, it was not a problem. She is a wonderful, caring woman. She just needed someone to talk to. I'm a therapist so it was easy to help her talk things out." Jack commented.
His face had fallen because he'd realized that he would never be able to win Reba's heart. It had always belonged to this mysterious ex of hers. Now he had the proof with his own eyes. The man didn't seem to be able to keep his hands off Reba right in front of Brock. He had been Brock's therapist before. He knew of Brock's lingering feelings for his ex-wife. He knew that if Reba was in a committed relationship with another man with Brock's blessing, then it must be the real thing. He knew from what Reba told him that this man was her first love and the love of her life.
"Hi, Dr. Morgan. Do you wanna dance?" Barbra Jean asked.
"Barbra Jean, you are with Brock and Dr. Morgan seems to be on a date himself." Reba said to Barbra Jean before addressing Jack Morgan. "Where's Cheryl? Does she know that you're out with your latest floozy?"
"Yeah, that one looks like some desperate middle-aged tramp." Brock remarked. He was thoroughly enjoying this plan of Reba's.
"Ignore them. How about a dance for old time's sake?" Barbra Jean asked him again.
"Okay, Barbra Jean. Just a quick one. I don't want to leave my new lady too long."
Barbra Jean took Jack's hand and led him out on the dance floor.
"Watch out, Brock! It looks like you have some competition." Reba teased.
"Is she actually interested in that guy?" Mike queried.
"Yeah, she gets crushes on different men all the time. Brock has learned to put up with a lot from her over the years."
Mike was puzzled by this. He knew Brock well for many years. Why would he put up with behavior like that from his own wife?"
"What can I say? She's a complex woman. I never know what she's gonna do next. We're on a break right now so I'm givin' her space."
"Mike, Brock is not a jealous man. You could learn something from that."
"Are we gonna go there tonight, Sal?"
Reba folded her arms. "Yeah, why not? You have no reason to be jealous. I love ya, you mo-ron." She slapped him in the back of the head.
"You came out to Oklahoma to be with me. You went out with Paige, Kim, and Lori Ann for your birthday and went wild. You went to Thornton's club in Ada. How could you not know that he wouldn't be there? The guy is nuts about ya. He's the richest man in Oklahoma and you've slept with him. We were separated for almost three years that time. I thought that we were gonna get married. You were kissin' another man two days before we were supposed to get married."
"I was drunk on a dare. I was out havin' fun. I had no idea that he'd be there. It's been twenty-four years. I didn't even remember that he owned the club. I didn't even think that he'd remember me."
"How could any man forget about sleepin' with you? That would not be somethin' that a man forgets. Right, Brock?"
"Reba, he's got a point. No man would ever forget takin' you to bed."
Reba shot Brock a look of fury. "It was one night. It's not like I've never had casual sex before. I've even had casual sex while we've been broken up, Mike."
"That's great, Reba. Just rub it in."
"You went on a date with your ex-wife. How did that night end up for ya? That woman is a revolving door."
Brock snickered.
"Don't laugh, Brock. You went through that revolving door back in the day yourself."
Brock retained his affability, but there was a distinct hardening of his eyes.
"Reba, I swear nothing happened."
Reba held her hand up. "That's okay. I don't want ya to tell me what you think that I want to hear. I don't wanna get into this with ya. How about we adopt a don't ask, don't tell policy for this. We were broken up so it doesn't matter."
"No way. I know about things like this with ya. You are gonna let this fester until you can't take it anymore. You are just as jealous as I am."
"Okay. We were broken up so I felt free to do whatever I wanted. I am going through a midlife crisis. I've had casual sex a few times in the past three months. So let me have it."
Mike took Reba's hands in his. "You have commitment issues. I knew this. I also know that it wouldn't have happened if we hadn't fought three months ago. If we hadn't fought, we'd be married right now. If I made a federal case outta this, then we'd have to go through our sexual histories for every time we've had sex with other people for the past six years. I don't wanna do that. I don't want to argue about this."
"I agree. Why don't you get up there and sing to me?"
Mike stepped up to the stage to sing.
You're a lady; you're an angel,
Bringin' sunshine to my life.
You're closest thing to Heaven that I've ever had.
Oh, but sometimes, you're a devil,
When you reach out and dim the lights,
An' mmm mmm, you're so good when you're bad.
You would never hurt anybody.
You're too gentle, sweet, and kind,
Still I keep on doin' things that make you sad.
But you don't hold out on your feelin's,
When there's lovin' on your mind.
An' mmm mmm, you're so good when you're bad.
I could say that you're the perfect woman,
if you're not, it's just because of me.
'Cause I'm hung up on the perfect woman,
An' I don't know how I deserve to be.
I see other pretty women.
Lord, they still look good to me.
An' there are some ladies that can drive some men mad.
But when an angel lets her hair down,
oh, that's something else to see.
An' I say, mmm mmm, you're so good when you're bad.
An' I say, mmm mmm, you're so good when you're bad.
While Mike was singing, Reba kept her eyes on him. Brock wanted to talk to Reba while they had a minute alone.
"So three months ago, you were gonna get married? When were you plannin' on telling me? Were you just gonna come home married? What was supposed to happen?"
"I'm gonna keep my eyes on Mike so he doesn't know that anythin' is wrong. I also don't want him to know who I had casual sex with. I don't want Mike or Barbra Jean to find out and give them a reason to distrust us together because nothin' like that is ever gonna happen again. It was a surprise decision, a romantic impulse for Mike and me. We hadn't made any decisions about where we were gonna live or anythin' like that. I didn't know that he was plannin' on moving to Houston. It didn't happen so I didn't tell ya. If it happened, I would've come home and said 'Surprise, I'm married'. You should be happy because it didn't happen, instead somethin' happened between us that shouldn't have happened. You got lucky when we were both vulnerable. I don't wanna talk about this anymore."
"What if I don't regret it? What if I wanna remember it? You are a wonderful woman, Reba."
"Okay. Fine. We can remember it. Whatever you want. But it doesn't have to ruin our relationships with other people. I like bein' friends with you. I don't want ya to lose your wife and I don't want to lose Mike. We are plannin' on havin' a child and a life together. I don't know how that is gonna work yet. You have a life with Barbra Jean to get back to. You don't want anythin' else. I sat down and talked with ya a few years ago.
You and I have moved in different directions. I really want this. I am connected to Mike in the same way that I am connected to you. Mike and I had a child together. We were a family and that life got taken from me. I can't move on. I haven't been able to for the last twenty-four years. I wanna move on from John's death in a positive way. I wanna raise a family with someone who loves me and can be a partner for me in every way. So I'm gonna tell ya what I told Terry all those years ago- I love him. I'm sorry, but I love him.
And now we've come full circle. If anything was gonna happen between us, it would've happen that night at the motel when we went back for Terry's funeral. I chose Mike that night because I love him. Love is a risk. It requires a leap of faith and I've been running scared. I'm not doin' that anymore. I'm ready to take the risk. My heart is ready to take the risk. Runnin' hasn't done me any good. All I've been doin' is wasting time by datin' losers like Brian and Jack Morgan when I've got the perfect guy waitin' for me."
Brock didn't have time to respond. Reba kept her eyes on Mike and her ears on the words that he was singing. When he was finished, Mike walked up to Reba. She hugged him and another wave of electricity flew through her. Her mind suddenly got a flash of memory.
Flashback-"Shut up, Sal. Stop overanalyzing everything. Try focusing on what's right in front of you right now. I love you and I'm going to spend all night convincing you to follow your heart."
He seized her mouth in a fiery kiss. He backed her up against the wall near the bedroom.
Reba took a breath. "What in the heck do you think you're doing?"
"Driving you up the wall. Isn't that what you said that you wanted? You said that you wanted fierce, intense, and passionate lovemaking right up against the wall." Flashback ended.
Reba seized Mike's lips by surprise. The kiss was quick and Reba put lots of passion into it. She pulled away and excused herself to the ladies' room. She turned around and saw Barbra Jean's lips locked on Jack Morgan. Lori Ann was no longer sitting at the bar. She pulled Barbra Jean off of Jack Morgan.
"Amazing Grace!" Barbra Jean began singing.
"Barbra Jean, let's go powder our noses." Reba pulled Barbra Jean away to the bathroom.
"Barbra Jean, are you crazy? Look who I'm talkin' to. Of course, you are. We have a plan of action here. You are on a date with Brock, your husband. Lori Ann is out with Jack Morgan tonight. She's gonna go with him back to his house. They're gonna go to bed together and get caught by Jack's ex-wife/girlfriend, Cheryl. Unless you'd like to become the w- of Babylon again."
"Hey, I'm not some kind of floozy. I'm just available and he's really hot." Lori Ann remarked.
"Lori Ann, you seduced a priest. You are a desperate, desperate woman. But you are right. He is lookin' so hot!"
"Hotter than Mike?"
"Mike is hot, maybe not as hot as Jack Morgan, but what he lacks in ultimate hotness, he makes up for in skill. He is very talented. He is better than Jack Morgan in the bedroom and that what counts."
"Is Jack Morgan better in the bedroom than Brock?" Barbra Jean asked excitedly.
"No. Believe me, it's all about him. He's not that good in my experience. At least, Brock pays attention to the other person's needs in bed."
"Don't you two have a rule? Is this breaking that rule?" Barbra Jean wondered.
"I didn't actually have intercourse with Jack. So that doesn't count and Lori Ann is free to have him."
"He's not a piece of meat." Barbra Jean responded.
"Says the woman who throws herself at him every chance she gets." Reba interjected.
"BJ, he is a very fine piece of meat. It's how he's treated women, so why shouldn't we treat him the same way?" Lori Ann explained.
"Everyone is gettin' lucky tonight, except me."
"Why, Reba?"
"Mike and I are takin' things slow. He wants to until we make some firm decisions about our future. We'll eventually get married and have babies. I just don't know when. He doesn't want us to get pregnant before we get married. We've done that too many times before. He wants everything to be special for us and it will be."
"What do you mean?"
"Brock gets married because he has to because there's a baby on the way."
"Are you serious? He did that to you too?"
"Yeah, with Cheyenne. We'd dated for just a couple of months when I got pregnant. Not exactly the best way to start a marriage. Brock doesn't make lifetime commitments because he wants to."
"He really loved you, Reba. When I first started working at the dental office, you were all that he would talk about."
"Ugh, I don't wanna hear that. You are killin' my mood here. I'm in the mood for meaningless sex with a hot guy. I dated Brock and there's a reason why we didn't have sex. Brock is a jerk. He's not sweet or hot, so consider yourself lucky that you got out while you still could, Reba."
"Well, I wanna get back out there. I wanna dance, drink, and sing. At the end of the night, I've got an awesome guy to make out with on my couch."
"That's a little high school via 1983, you know?" Lori Ann teased.
"Hey, 1983 was a very good year. Hey, Lori Ann! You could pretend that the hot jerk is Terry. Just close your eyes and think of Terry. When I was with him, I just closed my eyes and I thought of Mike after awhile. It works and he never knew that when I was callin' out Jack it wasn't for him."
Lori Ann and Reba laughed.
Lori Ann went back to join Jack at the bar. Reba wouldn't hear from Lori Ann again until the next day. Barbra Jean and Reba went back to join the guys at their table. Barbra Jean got Reba up on stage to sing karaoke with her. Reba danced and laughed. Barbra Jean asked Mike to dance, which left Reba to ask Brock to dance. Reba danced with Brock in awkward silence. Brock didn't mind that Reba didn't really want to dance with him. He was just grateful that he got to dance with Reba at least once that night, thanks to Barbra Jean.
Brock knew that persistence would work. He just had to stand by and take whatever opportunities opened up for him with Reba. He would be a friend and give her every chance to think about when they were together so she would second guess her decision to be with Mike. Barbra Jean told him about the conversation in the ladies' room. Brock had to smile. Reba said that he was better in bed than Jack Morgan. That was something to help him to stay in a good mood, despite having to watch Reba with Mike. He hated double dating with the two of them, but he wanted to impress Reba and make her uncomfortable at the same time. The plan was for Brock and Barbra Jean to keep on double dating with them. He wondered how long it would take to win Reba back...
What will happen to Reba and Brock after this double date? What will happen between Lori Ann and Jack on their date? What else does the future hold for Reba and Brock now that Mike is in the picture? Will Dr. Morgan realize that he was set up by Lori Ann and Reba? Who will Lori Ann end up with? Who will Reba end up with in Vegas?
What happens next? Stay tuned to find out in the next chapter!
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