Love by Love - 45

Reba was talking to Dolly about how they can improve their business. She didn't notice Brock step outside for fresh air, until a romantic song started to play and Reba was looking for him to take her to the dance floor.

"Tracy, did you see Brock?" Asked Reba to one of her co-workers. She was asking almost every one now with no luck.

"I saw him go outside, maybe for a smoke?"

"Brock doesn't smoke." Reba mustered walking outside to find him sitting all by himself at the courtyard. "Honey... Why are you out here?"

"Oh, I just need some fresh air." He replied twirling the stem of his champagne glass.

"You're not having fun?"

"I'm just a little bit tired."

"We'll go home as soon as Dolly gives her speech, okay?" Reba said putting her hands on his.

"Hey, it's your party. You go in and have fun. Don't worry about me."

"Reba, Dolly's looking for you!" Yelled Tracy from the door.

"She's ready for her speech. Come on, let's go in. And When she's done, we can go home." Reba hurried back inside, Brock lazily followed her. Dolly gave her speech about Reba and how she looked forward to working with her new partner to expanding the firm. Reba too gave her speech, telling them how thrilled and honored she was for this opportunity. She too was looking forward to the growth of the firm. When she was done with her speech, she went and said good bye to everyone. Brock felt guilty that because of him she had to cut her party short. He was quiet on the way back home. Reba decided not to bother him, maybe he was just tired.

"Hi Barbra Jean, we're back."

Glancing at the clock, Barbra Jean remarked "Already? It's not even 10."

"Well, Brock's getting too old for partying late," kidded Reba snickering. She didn't realize she accidentally hurt Brock's ego. Reba told her roughly about how the party went, then she asked about her daughter.

"Are you sure you don't have a ghost in this house? Elizabeth was talking to her 'friend' when I was trying to read her a story book." Barbra Jean quivered.

"It's normal for a child this age to have an imaginary friend. Nothing to be concerned about."

"Yeah, sure. Alright, I'm going home now where is not haunted." Barbra Jean mumbled saying good night and told the ghost not to follow her as she was leaving.

"She's crazy." Reba murmured laughingly. "Anyway, Elizabeth is in bed and it's not even 10..." Reba seductively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'll watch the TV for a while before I go to bed." Brock politely brushed her off. Reba pouted but let go of his neck.

Turning her back at him, she requested, "I'll go get changed. Can you please unzip me?" He did as requested. Reba looked at him a little confused. Usually when she asked him to unzip her dress, he would do it slowly, making sure he brushed his finger along her spine. He then would sneak his hands under the material to her front cupping her full in his hands. It was a cute little pervert thing he always did, taking every advantage he could. Not tonight. Brock silently unzipped the back of her dress and sat down on the sofa turning on the TV. She sighed making her way to their bedroom and a took shower. When she was done, Brock was still glued on the couch. "Honey, something bothering you?"

"Huh? No, I'm just watching golf?"

"Are you sure? You been a little too quiet tonight."

"Nothing okay? Please let me just watch the TV." Brock turned the volume up a little hoping to silence her.

"Fine!" Reba stomped to their room. 'Maybe he was just tired, maybe he will talk to me tomorrow.' She thought.

Reba was getting ready for her little baby that was turning three years old today. Cheyenne came back from Mexico, Jake came back from his camp. However, Kyra was still in England for another two months, but she mailed her the gift in advance. It had been two weeks now since the night of her party, although Brock seemed to be a little better, but he never told her what bothered him. Reba was too busy managing her new company to really sit down and talk with him. Some evening, she had to work a little later than usual, but since Elizabeth's daycare was near her work, Reba could pick her daughter up and have dinner at her office. Brock had to have dinner by himself.

"I'm back!" Called Brock from the kitchen entrance.

"Where the heck were you? I sent you out to get some ice, I didn't mean from the arctic!"

"I got you ice, but come here, take a look!" Brock dragged her hand taking her to the driveway. "Isn't she beautiful?"

"A bike? I sent you out for some ice, not bike!" Reba exclaimed hitting his shoulder. "And how could you buy this expensive thing without consulting me?"

"I did! I told you I was getting a Harley, I even told you I would pick it up today!"

"Don't you think I'd have objected if you told me?"

"See that's why I didn't tell you, because I know you would object!" He argued.

"Forget it, we'll deal with this stupid thing later, we have Elizabeth's party to take care off!" Reba grumbled.

"Hey, hey, you don't call a man's vehicle a 'stupid thing', you know."

"You want to sleep with it tonight?" Reba piped up with her hands resting on her waist ready to attack.

Putting his hands up in defense, Brock waited until she disappeared back into the house before he murmured. "At least it wouldn't yell at me"

"Excuse me?" Reba poked her head out glaring at him. Brock immediately shut up.

Elizabeth was happily telling everyone that she's now three years old. She could even put up her three little fingers to prove it too. Eric and Jen were also invited to her party. Barbra Jean baked the cake. After the girl blew out her three little candles, she opened her presents. She got a doll house from her favorite big sister, Cheyenne. A Paddington bear along with a little story book from her other favorite sister, Kyra. Jake gave her a little necklace he made with seashells.

"Ready for your present from mommy and daddy?"

"Yay!" The girl jumped up and down. Reba took her hand and everyone followed to the driveway.

"A Motorcycle? Isn't it a bit big for a three year old?" Comment Barbra Jean.

"No, that's mine. That little tricycle is for Elizabeth." Brock corrected pointing to the little tricycle next to his motorbike. While Reba was teaching Elizabeth to ride her little tricycle, Brock bragged about his bike to Eric and Barbra Jean.

She turned her head sharply at Barbra Jean when she said, "You know what's funny? Blake used to have a bike when he was having some kind of midlife crisis."

"I don't have a midlife crisis!" Brock denied when Reba said maybe he should see a therapist. She felt like he acted a little strange lately. He spent less time with the family and more time at the golf course. Even Kyra noticed after she came back that Brock was a little distant. Reba tried to talk to him, but he thought she was nagging. He started to come home late at night, to avoid the confrontation with the family. Reba decided to let him be, hopefully he would get over it and return to his normal self.

"Brock where are you going?" Questioned Reba putting on her earrings.

"To the golf course."

"Oh no you don't! I have seminar this evening and you promised you would stay home with the kids."

"Oh, now you're out working while I'm taking care of the kids? What am I? A pimp?"

"Brock!" Reba swallowed a lump in her throat watching Brock walk away from the house. She called Barbra Jean and asked her to help her babysit while she was out. When she returned Brock wasn't back. She said good bye to Barbra Jean and checked on the kids. Cheyenne wasn't in bed, she asked Reba what was going on. Reba didn't know what to tell her. But she assured her that everything would be all right. It was close to 1AM, and Brock still wasn't back. Reba couldn't sleep in the big lonely bed. She put on her robe and sat on the sofa. She hated the sound of silence, she put on a cd and let it play. There was a song that hit her hard. She pressed the repeat button, listening to it over and over. She burried her face in the palm of her hands. How did it happen? It was just less than six months ago that they were very much in love. Now they didn't talk, they didn't touch, they almost became a stranger in each other's eyes.

Brock came home at almost 4AM. He stopped in his tracks seeing Reba asleep on the sofa. He sat on the coffee table looking at her. The music was still playing, Brock grabbed the remote to stop the machine. He paused his action, listening.

My life is changing so fast now
Leaves me lonely and afraid

Can't we try just a little bit harder
Can't we give just a little bit more
Can't we try to understand
That it's love we're fighting for
Can't we try just a little more passion
Can't we try just a little less pride

I love you so much baby
That it tears me up inside
Don't let our love fade away
No matter what people say
I need you more and more each day

Can't we try just a little bit harder
Can't we give just a little bit more
Can't we try just a little bit harder
Can't we give just a little bit more
Can't we try just a little more passion
Can't we try just a little less pride
Love you so much baby
Tears me up inside

Brock let the music repeat itself and he paid attention to every word. He glanced at Reba. He looked around, he had a beautiful house. He looked at the display, Reba displayed the family pictures on the shelf. He smiled, he had a beautiful family. He looked at Reba, he had a beautiful wife. He had everything a man could ever want. How could he not be happy? He stared at her face and something caught his attention. His heart broke in two seeing a tear roll down her face. He made her cry even in her sleep. He didn't mean to "I love you so much baby, that it tears me up inside." He mumbled wiping her tear off with his thumb.

"Brock..." Reba jerked awake.

"Sorry I'm late. I went to the park that we went picnic together. I accidentally fell asleep." Brock spoke trying not to bumble. But he finally let a few tears escape. "Reba, I don't know why I feel this way. But I'm not happy. I feel like there's a lot of things in my life that I've been missing out. I know I should be happy. I have great job, I have a house, I have my family. But..." Reba wrapped her arms around him. "You are my only accomplishment, Reba. I don't want to loose you. I'll go see a therapist. I'll do anything. Please don't give up on me."

"I won't, baby. I won't." She promised holding him tight, making him known that she would not let him go.

I love you so much baby,
that it tears me up inside...

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Song: Can't we try - DAN HILL & VONDA SHEPARD