Brock glanced around with a baffled look on his face. Surely, there was a burglar in the house and she had gone to hide. That was the most sensible solution to the issue at hand. There was no way she'd just ignore him.

He knocked again, hoping to see her come back into the kitchen to unlock the door. Several minutes passed and she still did not return.

What is going on with her, he wondered, kneeling down to move the brick that was lying on the step to reveal the key that would unlock the back door. He had put that key there when they first moved into the house, many people using it over the years, always remembering to put it back in its proper place. It made him smile to know that Reba still had it there.

Quietly, he slipped in the house, closing the door gently behind him. He briefly looked around the space. It was very lonely. The place was spotless. The floors had swept and mopped, the counters had been washed with a pile of clean dishes lying on a towel beside the sink. The plants on the windowsill had been arranged just so with neatness in mind, the placemats sat at the table waiting for someone, anyone, to use them.

Escaping into the living room, he noticed that it was spotless as well. Sighing, he walked up the stairs and stopped outside the room that he once shared with Reba. He knocked gently.

A moment later, she opened the door and he could see that her face was red.

Has she been crying?

"Hi," She said softly, not looking at him.

"Hi," He responded. "Why did you leave me outside?" He chuckled but she did not return it.

"I didn't want to talk to you, but thanks for coming in anyway." She turned to walk into her room, leaving the door open so he could walk in after her. Which he did.

"If you didn't want to talk to me, why did you come over the other night?"

"I changed my mind, okay? Am I allowed to do that?" She began picking up her bedroom, which really didn't need picking up in the first place. Brock figured she was just looking for an excuse to not to look at him.

He wasn't a hundred percent sure why she was ticked at him, but he figured he'd find out soon enough.

"Well, since you never called me or anything like that," He said. "I figured I'd drop by and see how you were."

"I'm perfectly fine, Brock, thank you."

"You don't seem fine."

"Well, I am."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"That depends."

"Why did you come to my condo the other night?"

She stopped rearranging her nightstand and sighed. "I hadn't talked to you in a year, Brock."

"Four months."

She spun around. "Four months, my foot! We saw each other at Jake's graduation four months ago, we didn't speak."

"And that's the only reason you came over?"

"What other reason would I have?"

"It wasn't to get a glimpse of Ari, was it?"

Reba stopped arranging once again, sitting on the edge of her bed. "So, that's her name?"

He nodded, sitting down beside her. "Yeah. And she wouldn't be very happy if she knew I was in another woman's bedroom right now." He placed his hands in his lap, a smile gracing his lips. "You came over to check her out, huh? Make sure she was good enough, if she was better than you?"

"No."

"Reba, I know you. I know how you work. I know your little schemes."

"I do not scheme." She stood from the bed. "So what if I was trying to see what she was all about?"

"I'm just trying to show you that you can't fool me. And please don't get all weird now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I know exactly what you're thinking."

"Oh, yeah? What's that?"

"This: he's a fifty-eight year old man with a twenty-year old girlfriend. Somebody left the doors to the daycare open a little too long." Reba rolled her eyes as Brock said, "Something along those lines."

"Whatever."

"You just hate the fact that I'm happy."

"That makes you happy?"

"She makes me happy, yes."

Reba stood up tall. "Alright, then. Go be happy with her."

xXx

Eight months later…

"I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm crazy. This is crazy. I can't do it. This is ridiculous, pointless, stupid, a big mistake."

"Reba, for the love of God, calm down."

Sighing, Reba sat down on the edge of her bed, bent over with her head in her hands. "What if it's wrong, Barbra Jean? What if it's not what's supposed to happen?"

Barbra Jen knelt in front of her friend, trying to ignore all the packed boxes around the room. "Do you want to go through with it?"

Reba slowly lifted her head. "Yeah."

"Then why all the doubts?"

"I'm scared!"

Barbra Jean sighed. "Reba, you know Ford loves you."

"Yes."

"Do you love him?"

"Of course."

"Do you want to marry him?"

"Yes."

"Then get out there and marry him!"

Reba held up her left hand where I giant engagement ring sat. "Do you see this? Do you? It means no turning back!"

"Do you think you'll want to turn back?"

"I don't know. It's just-"

Before she could finish, there was a knock on the door. Reba told whoever to come in as Barbra Jean stood.

"Hey," Ford said, walking in. "What are you two doing?"

"You're not supposed to see me!" Reba yelled, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at his face.

He dodged the pillow by ducking and rolled his eyes. "I know what you look like, Reba."

"It's bad luck."

He looked at Barbra Jean. "Can I talk to her for a minute, alone?"

Barbra Jean left the room, closing the door behind her, and Ford turned to Reba.

"Are you alright? You don't look so good."

"I'm fine."

"Everybody's waiting downstairs." He grabbed her hand and she reluctantly stood.

Ford observed her for a moment. She wore an off white gown with a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt. Flowers were scattered throughout her hair, which was up, instead of a veil. He thought she was absolutely beautiful and he couldn't help but notice how amazing his ring looked on her finger. He couldn't wait to give her the other one.

"I know," She responded.

"You ready to marry me?"

She smiled, finally able to, and looked up at him, seeing all the love he had for her in his eyes. Nodding, she said, "Yes, I am."

He smiled and leaned forward to bring her into a kiss. When they pulled away, Reba didn't let him go too far before she tugged him back to her, laying her head on his chest as her arms went around his middle.

"Ready to start our beautiful life?" He whispered, holding her close.

After eight months, Reba had finally convinced herself he was the one she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with. Brock might have been the one for her years ago, but Ford was her soul mate now. And that was all that really mattered. She forgot about all the hurt Brock had caused her, including their last conversation which had happened steps away from where she stood with Ford. She jumped headfirst into Ford's arms and loved him with all her might. He was a good man, an honest man. Her daddy absolutely loved him.

"I'm ready."