Why can't I be happy?
Chapter 15
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Reba awoke the next morning, feeling aggravated and annoyed by Brock and his unyielding persistence. Because of him, Brad questioned Reba's loyalty which hurt her to the core. Reba was truly in love with Brad and the thought of their relationship being in jeopardy hurt worse than anything else. But Brock couldn't take all the blame, Brad should have known better. It wasn't fair for him to want Reba to trust him, when his trust in her wasn't as strong as it should be.
Reba felt as if she had come to a crossroad. Old feelings of betrayal and rejection began to roam her mind. She again began questioning if Brad's love was real. Or was it just his way of getting her to sleep with him. Thoughts of her marriage to Brock and his affair filled her mind. Reba was confused. She wondered whether or not she should just end her relationship with Brad before he hurt her or should she trust him with her already fragile heart?
As the sun made itself more present, Reba decided she needed to get a nice shower before heading home. She hoped that the shower would wash away her troubles and take her back to a point when every thing seemed so simple. As she attempted to make her way out of bed, Reba noticed that Brad had his arm securely around her. Reba eased her way out of his grip, making sure not to wake him.
After a while Brad shifted in the bed, feeling a cool breeze where Reba lay. He looked about the room, wondering where she was. Then he heard movements in the bathroom. He could tell that Reba was still upset about last night because she always woke him up after she had woken up. He got himself out of bed and put on his pajama pants that lay sprawled out on the floor.
Reba was wrapping a towel around herself when Brad entered the bathroom. She stopped and looked at him for a moment, only to resume her routine of getting ready. She didn't give a smile or any look of emotion for that matter. Not even a good morning escaped her lips. Brad just wondered what he could say to make her forgive him. He figured actions spoke louder than words. So instead of saying anything he walked behind her, wrapping his arms around her. Though she wouldn't admit it, her heart had melted. She still wouldn't look at him. Brad held onto her, looking at her. God only knew how much he loved this woman. She was every thing he always wanted and he wasn't about to lose her. No words were spoken between the two.
"Reba look at me."
Though reluctant, she slowly looked into the mirror, forever lost in his brown-eyed gaze.
"Reba, I love you more than anything else in this world. You are the best thing that has ever happen to me. I am so sorry about what I said. Baby please don't let this be the end of us because I don't know if I can let you go without a fight."
"Brad, I love you too. But I need to know that you will learn to trust me, just like you want me to trust you. I've put my heart on the line and I need to know that you won't break it. I need you to prove to me that you won't hurt me," as she ended her sentence, her voice started to slightly break-up. Brad turned her around so that she faced him. He looked deep into her blue-eyes. He could see forever in her eyes. He could see her innocence, vulnerability, pain, and longing. At that very moment, Brad realized that this woman that stood before him was one in a million. He couldn't let her get away, because a woman like this was rare.
Without saying any words, he gently kissed her. Reba was confused but found herself falling into the kiss more and more. After the kiss broke, Reba looked deeply at him.
"What are you doing?" she asked him.
"Showing you the love I have for you."
With that said, he removed the towel that covered her body and placed her on the bathroom sink counter. He soon took off his pajama pants and approached her. Reba could see in his eyes; love, lust, desire and passion. All the things she ever wanted in a man. Brad slowly thrust into her. Their bodies moved in perfect harmony with each other. Reba could feel his love for her so strongly. The way he looked at her and touched her proved his devotion. Nothing else matter, because for them, they were the only two people in the world.
His touch was so gentle and soft. Both of them engulfed in the passion that each body gave the other. Both of them taking their time to feel the other, not wanting to miss an inch. As they approached their climax in unison, they both looked into each others eyes, seeing only the things they've ever wanted and longed for. As the pleasure subsided, they both just lay in each others embrace, not caring about anything except for this moment. At this moment, they both realized that they both held the key to each others heart and were happy to let it happen.
The ride back from their romantic weekend was a silent one. No words were needed because they took this time to soak in the love that they had for each other. When they finally made it to Reba's house, they brought her things into the house, happy to just be together. It was as if they had a mystical and spiritual understanding. Neither of them had ever felt this way before. Reba and Brad had brought all of her things and were standing in each others embrace, smiling at each other.
"Do you feel better?" Brad asked.
"Yes sweetheart. I was just being insecure but I now know that I have no reason to feel insecure because I know you love me." Reba said confidently.
"Don't ever forget that either. You're my every thing Reba and if you ever need to be reminded of that just think about this weekend we spent together."
"Okay."
"I have to get going and prepare for the week. I'll call you later tonight."
"Alright, have a great week and I will talk to you later." They gave each other a simple, yet passionate kiss.
As Reba closed the door she couldn't help smiling to herself. They had spent a whole weekend together but she started missing him already. As she turned around she jumped ten feet in the air.
"Oh my gosh Cheyenne. Why didn't you tell me you were standing behind me?"
"Forget that, tell me every thing."
Reba should have saw this coming. So she walked over and plopped down on the couch, preparing herself for the thousands of questions Cheyenne would have.
"Cheyenne I had a wonderful weekend with Brad. He really showed me what it feels like to be in love."
"Oh Mom this is great. So you guys are in love with each other?"
"Yes we are. You know I never thought in a million years I could feel or would feel love for another man. But I guess I've been proven wrong."
Cheyenne was on the verge of tears hearing the way her mom talk about Brad.
"I'm so happy for you. Its been so long that I used to pray that you find someone and now you have."
"Thanks Cheyenne. So what's been going on around here since I've been away?"
"Well its been pretty interesting. Dad and Barbra Jean have been falling by the waist side."
It was then Reba remembered all the messages that Brock had left on her cell phone.
"What happened?" she asked curiously.
"Apparently they've been pretty strained since the dinner a week ago. Dad has been like a ticking time bomb. Barbra Jean hasn't been her usual goofy self."
"Has your father said anything about me?" Reba hesitated when asking this question. She didn't want Cheyenne to know about the tension between her and Brock.
"Actually he did ask about you. Van said he nearly freaked out when he found out you went with Brad for the weekend. I don't know mom, I think you need to have a talk with him."
"Cheyenne I don't think I should get in the middle of this."
"Well you seem to be the one he goes to when things are going wrong."
Reba just looked at her daughter. Cheyenne didn't know that Reba was the reason behind Brock's odd demeanor lately. Reba just hoped that the drama would soon pass and everyone could get on with their lives.
"Cheyenne all we can do is just hope that every thing works itself out."
"Yeah I guess your right. I better get going, Elizabeth is over her friend Mindy's house."
"Alright, see you later sweetheart."
Some time had passed and Reba was in the kitchen making herself a snack when Barbra Jean walked through the door. She didn't seem like her normal self. Reba saw a look of distress and a hint of anger in her eyes.
"Reba I need you to end this."
"End what Barbra Jean?"
"This thing going on between you and Brock. I want you to stay the hell away from my husband." Barbra Jean's temper began to rise. Reba was becoming upset too. How dare this woman talk to her like she had done something wrong.
"First of all I've done nothing to you or Brock. I don't know what you think is going on between us but I can assure you that there is nothing."
"Yeah right Reba. Every time my husband is stressed or angry about something you seem to be the reason for it. Look I know you've had a hard time getting over Brock but you need to quit these mind games and realize that he is my husband now, not yours."
Reba's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe what Barbra Jean just said. Before Reba could calm herself she had already began slamming back at Barbra Jean.
"Who the hell do you think you are? If it hadn't been for you, my marriage would not have been destroyed. You walk around here as if your so Godly and Christian-like when in reality your nothing more than an adulterous. I had the down right decency to allow you in my life and my children's lives. He was my husband and best friend for twenty years before you came along. So don't you dare accuse me of cheating with Brock."
"Reba get over it. Your marriage was over before I came along. Brock was unhappy and when he met me I gave him the happiness that he longed for. But that doesn't give you the right to try and destroy my marriage."
"Why would I waste my time trying to destroy your marriage. And for your information Brock and I were attempting to work on our marriage when you came skipping along. Just like I told Brock, I am over him. I will always feel love towards him because believe it or not he was happy in the earlier years of our marriage. But I've found someone new and I love him with all my heart and soul. So if you want to wear yourself out thinking me and Brock are fooling around, then go right on ahead. Because I love Brad and I care what he thinks about me, not you or Brock. Now I've said this to you over a million times but this time I'm serious, get out of my house."
Reba looked at Barbra Jean with much intensity in her eyes. Even after every thing that happened, Reba never truly confronted Barbra Jean. Barbra Jean was a bit shocked by Reba. She could tell that her love for Brad was real and that the only person she should be confronting was Brock. But she was so hung up on him leaving her that she allowed herself to believe that Reba was the evil one in this situation, when she knew fully well that Reba was not at fault.
The two women stared at each other. Barbra Jean turned around walked out the door. Once gone, Reba couldn't believe that this exchange had taken place. But she wouldn't allow herself to become consumed in this drama. She had a new life now and she wasn't going to let anyone take her new found happiness away from her.