Reba drove to Brock's house. It was smaller than her house but was comfortable for four people. Reba parked the car on the street and walked up to the front door. Before she could knock the door swung open and Cara tumbled out. She quickly wrapped her arms around Reba and began crying harder into her chest. Reba hugged Cara and guided her back inside.
"There, there Cara. Why don't you explain to me why Joel would run away," reba suggested as they sat down on the couch. Cara sniffled and began to talk.
"It started a few months ago."
"Joel's been missing for a few months now?" Reba asked trying to think of the last time she saw Joel.
"No, no, no. Daddy got a girlfriend a few months ago. He never told us but we knew he did."
"How did you know that?"
"Because he started to be happy all the time again and sometimes I would catch him just smiling or laughing for no reason."
"Did you ever talk about her?"
"No we never even met her. We weren't sure if Daddy really had a girlfriend. Then one day when Daddy was out Joel went into his room and do you know what he found? A ring! My dad is going to ask someone who we don't know to marry him! How could he not tell us?"
"Maybe it's not an engagement ring. Maybe it's just a pretty ring," Reba suggested.
"Reba this was an engagement ring. It reminded me of your old engagement ring only better looking. This one was newer and bigger. Anyway Joel asked Daddy about it. That's what they were talking about before Joel ran away." Cara began to cry again.
"I don't want my dad to marry a stranger Reba." Reba wrapped her arms around Cara. "I wish my Daddy would marry you Reba. You're so nice and you like us. If my daddy asked you to marry him you'd say yes. Right, Reba?" Cara asked looking up at her wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. Reba smiled at her. Hoe could she tell her that Brock had already proposed. Cara pulled out of the hug.
"You've got a secret too! What aren't you telling me?" Asked Cara. Reba opened her motuh to tell Cara everything when the front door burst open. Joel came running in and ran straight into Reba's arms.
"Don't let him take me," Joel sobbed. Reba and Cara looked at Joel confused.
"Who sweetie?" Reba asked tilting his head up. A security guard came running into the doorway. Reba stood up with Joel still wrapped in her arms. Cara stood behind Reba afraid of who might be at the door.
"I'm Officer Taylor." He extended his hand. Reba shook it but remained quiet. "Do you know this child?" Reba nodded her head. Officer Taylor nodded his head in understanding. "I saw him roaming around the park. I was going to take him to the shelter. How do you know him may I ask?"
"Is that really important?" Reba asked the officer. He simply nodded his head. Reba let out a sigh. She quickly glanced to Cara and Joel. They watched her waiting to hear her answer. "I'm engaged to their father," Reba said holding up her left hand for proof. Officer Taylor apologized and let himself out. Reba closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip.
"You're the person Daddy's been dating?" Cara asked completely shocked. Reba nodded still not opening her eyes. She could feel Joel let go of her and step away. "So you're the person Daddy bought the ring for?"
Reba opened her eyes and looked at Cara. "Yes. Are you upset with me for not telling you?"
Cara's eyes widened. "No way! Oh Reba this is wonderful!" Cara squeeled hugging Reba.
"Careful sweetie I am breakable," Reba managed to get out between hugs.
"Can I see the ring?" Cara asked sitting on the couch next to Reba again.
"What ring?" Hannah asked walking inside.
"Her engagement ring," Cara blurted out.
"You're getting married?" Hannah asked upset. "Cara this ruins everything, you know that right?" Hannah complained collapsing into a nearby chair.
"Hannah relax. She's marrying Dad."
"What? How?" Hannah asked sitting up leaning in to hear everything.
"He asked me this morning," Reba smiled. "And I said yes."
"Are you going to be my mommy now Reba?" Joel asked. Reba pulled Joel onto her lap.
"Would you like me to?" Joel nodded his head excitedly. Hannah and Cara reflected Joel's excitement in their eyes. Reba smiled at them. "You all seem very excited about this." The three children laughed. "Yes I am going to be your new mommy. I just need to find a way to tell your Daddy I said yes."
"He doesn't know?" Hannah asked. Reba shook her head.
"He was so sweet this morning that everything he said overwhelmed me. I told him I need to think about it."
"Did you think about it?" Cara asked.
"Yes, now I just need to think of how to tell him."
"Oh I'm sure he'll found out somehow," Brock said walking into the room. Joel hopped off of Reba's lap. Brock pulled her into a passionate kiss. "I'm so glad you decided to say yes," Brock whispered as they broke apart.
"Me too," Reba whispered back with a smile. Brock wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "How are we going to tell my kids? Do you think they'll be mad?" Reba asked to Brock. Hannah and Cara looked at each other and laughed.
"What's so funny?" Reba asked.
"They'll be happy. Trust me," Hannah encouraged.
"Why should we trust you?" Brock asked.
"Because the girls have been trying to get you and Mommy Reba to date," Joel said proud of his discovery and being able to call Reba his mommy. Reba's heart melted when she heard what Joel said. Brock saw some tears in the corners of her eyes and he hugged her tighter to him.
"So Hannah is this true?" Brock asked.
"Well not so much date but-"
"Hannah they were so dates." Cara interrupted. Brock glared at Hannah and Cara.
"Why don't we head over to my house," Reba said stepping in between them giving Brock a look telling him to just drop. It wasn't important anymore. They were together and that was all that mattered.
"Mommy Reba," Cara said as they walked to the door. Reba smiled at her new name. "Can we trick Dayna and Megan?" Reba looked confused so Cara whispered her plan into Reba's ear.
"Oh that sounds good. Let's do it," Reba laughed. Brock walked up to the two girls laughing together.
"Why do I have the feeling you two are up to something?"
"That may be because we are," Reba smiled wrapping her arm around Brock's back. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"Please just playing along ok dad?" Cara pleaded.
"Ok." Brock knew when he was out numbered.