Chapter 9

Brock headed up to Reba's door. He couldn't think of anywhere else to go. He could have gone to a cheap motel but to be perfectly honest he really didn't want to. He knocked on the door but he received no answer. "Reba?" he called through the house as he opened the door but still there was no answer. He set down his bag and hung his jacket on the hook by the door and he headed upstairs. He paused at Cheyenne and Van's room to see them sitting at the computer with a notebook writing down a bunch of things. He knocked lightly on the open door. Cheyenne looked up and he could see the anger flash through her eyes.

"What do you want daddy?"

"Just wondering if you've seen your mother?"

Cheyenne rolled her eyes. "Did you try the tramps room?"

Brock's anger flared up. "You do NOT speak about your mother that way!"

Cheyenne jumped up from her chair and got into her father's face. "What am I supposed to think? She slept and got herself pregnant by a married man! Didn't you two think of the consequences? How much it was going to hurt everyone?"

Brock sighed. He knew she was right. They didn't really worry about what would happen after. Brock only thought of how much he loved Reba and how much he had wanted her. Her being in his arms just felt right. "Cheyenne, your mother and I are very sorry for what we have done. We realize how much this is hurting everyone but I love your mother and she is willing to give me another chance and I'm going to take it."

Cheyenne started crying and she went over to sit on her bed. "I don't want to go through this again. You two fighting all the time. What's gonna happen when you get bored and decide to leave...again. Dad...you have no idea how hurt mom was when you left. I heard her crying at night. It broke my heart to see her like that. She tried to act like everything was fine but I know it was killing her inside. I'm still angry at her by all this, getting pregnant and inviting you back in with open arms but I also don't want her to go through all that she went through when you left. I can't stand to see her like that."

Brock walked over to her and sat down. He wrapped an arms around her but Cheyenne only shook it away. "I feel terrible for what I have done to your mother. I hate myself for leaving her. I love your mother and I am going to make it up to her."

Cheyenne shook her head and went back to the computer. "You will have to forgive me if that doesn't make me feel any better. You may say that but you could change your mind. Come on Van." she said grabbing his hand. "Let's go check out these apartments."

Brock left for Reba's room as soon as Van and Cheyenne left. He really wanted to talk to her. Not only about what he said to Cheyenne and to tell Reba he was here for the long run but to ask about all that did happened after he left. He entered her room to find nothing. He was about to leave when he saw the door to her bathroom opened and he heard a little noise coming through it. Walking in he saw Reba enjoying a bubble bath. Her eyes were closed and her head was leaning back against the wall. She looked so peaceful at that moment and so beautiful to Brock. Brock stood there leaning against the door frame just smiling and watching her.

Reba thought she felt someone watching her and she opened her eyes to see Brock standing in the doorway. She smiled and he crossed the room to kneel down next to her. "I would think it would take longer to talk to Barbara Jean."

Brock shook his head. "She didn't want to speak to me at all. I tried but...anyway, she kicked me out."

Reba nodded. "Ah. I suppose you want to stay here?"

Brock shifted so he was sitting cross-legged next to the tub and sighed. "Well I..."

Reba chuckled. "Brock, I don't mind you staying here. Besides, I don't want you staying at some cheap motel anyway. I want you here where I can call you and you can be at my side in moments notice if I needed you."

Brock smiled and took her soupy hand into his and kissed it. "I will be by your side whenever you need me. I will never leave your side if you want."

Reba chuckled awkwardly. "Never leave my side huh? That might get a little annoying."

"Only if you want me there. When you don't want me there just tell me to go away."

Reba smiled. "Go away." Brock sighed and started to act like he was going to leave even though he knew she was kidding. Reba put her hand on his arm to stop him. "I was only messin with ya. Stay."

He sat back down and silence filled the bathroom. Brock really wanted to speak with her about what she felt when he left. This subject was always a sensitive one to bring up. Reba always hated to appear weak to others. She always had to act tough when things went a little crazy around them. "Things with Cheyenne and Van didn't go well?"

She shook her head. A tear escaped her eye and landed in the soapy water. "I yelled at Cheyenne and then she said that Van and her were going to look for a place of their own."

"How they gonna do that with no money?"

Reba shrugged and Brock could see the mask of toughness come back to her face. "Don't know. Not my problem." she said rising up out of the tub and grabbing a towel that hung on the rack.

Brock went up to her and pulled her into his arms. "I know your upset Reba. Everything will be fine. They will come around."

Reba nodded and Brock brought his lips down onto hers. Reba wrapped her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. His kiss always sent shivers from the top of her head all the way down to her toes. She suddenly felt his hands on the top of her towel and was pulling it away from her body. She pushed him away and wrapped the towel back around her. "Not right now."

Brock nodded and followed her into the room. Reba dropped her towel and grabbed her robe off the back of the closet door, then slipped it on. Brock smiled. "Now how do you expect me to just stop when you walk around naked in front of me?"

He wrapped his arms around her and Reba smiled. "You came in here yourself." Reba paused for a moment. Enjoying the feel of his arms. She sighed. "We have to tell Kyra and Jake.

"Tell us what?" Reba and Brock froze when they heard the voice. Brock let go of Reba and they both turned around to see Kyra and Jake in the doorway. Kyra looked angry and Jake just stood there smiling, without a clue. "Does this have anything to do with Van and Cheyenne leaving?"

Reba sighed. Of course they had to tell the kids now. She forced a smile and motioned towards the bed. "Will you two sit down please. Your father and I have something to tell you." Kyra looked to her mother and then her father, who was looking down at his shoes. Kyra was hesitent at first, she was afraid of what they were going to say but she sat down anyway. Jake had no problem. He happily sat next to his sister and looked to his parents.

"Well..." said Kyra a little impatient.

Reba looked to Brock. She had no clue how to start this. She wasn't sure how either of them were going to take it but she was for sure Kyra wasn't going to take it well. "You see, your father and I..." Reba took a breath. She didn't want them to act like Cheyenne. "Were..."

Brock wrapped his arms around Reba. "Your mother and I are getting back together."

Kyra froze and Jake just shrugged and smiled. "Cool. I'm gonna go play my new video game." Reba didn't know what to say. That was a little to calm but then again, this was Jake. Give him a video game, pizza, or something gross to look at and he is a happy boy.

However Kyra just sat there. Collecting her thoughts for a moment. "Dad, can I talk to mom alone for a moment." Confused he nodded and left.

Reba sat down next to Kyra. "What is it you want to talk about sweetie?"

She sighed and she turned to her mother. "Why?"

"What?"

"Why are you and dad getting back together? Why are you going to put yourself through this again? We all saw how you were when he left."

Reba smiled a little. "I love your dad and he loves me. We are going to make this work. He promised me that he was going to try this time. It's different now."

"How can you be so sure?"

Reba hugged her daughter. "I know but it will be different. Just trust me on this. Your dad's not going anywhere this time. I'm not gonna let him." Reba chuckled and Kyra hugged her mom back. Reba bit her lip as she decided in her head whether or not to tell her about the baby. Now was a good a time as any. "Kyra, there's something else I have to tell you." Kyra looked up from her hug. "Your gonna have a new brother or sister soon."

"You're pregnant?" Reba nodded and smiled but Kyra didn't. "Is this the reason dad left Barbara Jean?"

"No honey. I told you we love each other. Even if there wasn't a baby we would still be together."

"I just want you to be happy mom."

"I am happy." Kyra smiled and kissed her mother on the cheek.

Kyra left the room and shortly after that Brock came in. Reba was still sitting on the bed in the same spot. Brock sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I told Jake about the baby."

"I told Kyra."

"How did she take it?"

"Ok. She was worried you might leave again. She said she doesn't want for me to feel that way again and to tell you the truth, I'm not up for it." Reba turned to face him. "I don't want you to leave again Brock. I don't think I could take that."

"I thought we went over this already. I thought everything was fine."

Reba ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. The tears were coming back again. "Brock, I'm sorry but I'm just so afraid. When you left me I couldn't get out of bed for a week. I would cry myself to sleep and then when you told me about Barbara Jean and you marrying her because she's pregnant, it killed me. I may have seemed all right but seeing you and her together in my house would tear me apart inside some more. Just the thought of her with you, you kissing her, and telling her you love her. It tore me up Brock." Reba stood and stood in front of him. "You can't blame me for having doubts."

Brock nodded and stood up to hug her. "I know. I haven't given you any reason to trust me but please believe that I love you. I am sorry I made you feel that way. I promise you I will never make you feel that way again." He took his face in her hands. "I love you Reba Nell Hart and as I told you earlier you have me for life."

He kissed her and then she smiled. Reba backed up against the door shutting it and reaching behind her to lock it. "We don't want any interruptions now do we?" Brock smiled and brought her into a kiss.

End of Chapter