Chapter 10

Reba stood up and stretched her body as much as it would that afternoon. She had sat down that morning and it was her first time ever standing in about four hours. She had been dealing with pushy and desperate clients all morning and she was exhausted. Her legs needed circulation and her stomach needed food. She was happy it was lunch and she wanted a nice big steak. She would normally eat better, like her usual salad at lunch because lately she had been eating some not so good for you foods and she knew she had gained a couple of pounds. She didn't dare step on the scale but she knew after this lunch she needed to start exercising more often and eating better.

Reba made her way out of the office and into the afternoon hot sun. It was scorching hot outside and she needed air. She quickly went to her car and turned up the air conditioner full blast, it still didn't seem to do much good, and she was still a bit warm. She just tried to ignore the heat and drove to a steak house that wasn't far from her work.

Reba parked and walked in, smiling at the waitress. "Hello, table for one." Reba followed the woman, passing tables full of businessmen having lunch together and couples having a nice lunch together. It wasn't until she past a table with one gentleman reading a newspaper at it that received her attention. She had to do a double take before she stopped and turned. "Brock?" she asked curiously.

He looked up and smiled politely. "Hey, what are you doing here?" Reba gave him an amused look. He chuckled. "Right, you're here to eat." Reba nodded. Brock motioned to the chair across from him. "Care to join me?"

Reba nodded and the waitress that was showing Reba to her table smiled and handed her the menu. "So…" Reba said once the waitress left. "How is everything?"

Brock shrugged. "All right I guess."

Reba was about to question his answer and his tone when a waiter came up to the table to take her order. "Can I get you something to drink ma'am?"

Reba smiled. "Water please and with no lemon, I'm allergic."

The waiter nodded and continued to smile. "Do you need some time to decide?"

Reba shook her head. "No, I already know what I want." Her eyes gleamed as she stared at the picture of the juicy steak, it looked great. "I will have the 6 oz. sirloin, very well done, with the seasoned vegetables and a salad please, Italian dressing on the side."

He smiled and handed her menu back to the waiter. "Right away ma'am."

Reba turned back to Brock. He was smiling at her. "What?" she asked

He shook her head. "What happened to the health kick you have been on with Barbara Jean lately? I thought you two were dieting together? You know if she knew you were eating that she would get after you right?"

Reba giggled and nodded yes. "I know, don't tell her. I plan on going back on the health kick soon. I can't keep eating the way I have been. I know I've gained a few pounds. I can tell."

"Could've fooled me." Brock said smiling. "You look great." Reba blushed slightly and turned her head away awkwardly. Brock saw this. "Sorry, I was just saying you do look great. I am saying this as a friend you know. We can still do that, right?"

Reba turned her head back to him and nodded. "Yeah, I'm sorry and thank you. I would feel more comfortable if you weren't my ex-husband but its okay."

Brock chuckled and Reba soon followed. "It's good to hear you laugh a lot more. I mean I've heard you laugh but it's nice to know it's not AT me for once."

"I think laughing at you is getting a little old." Reba smiled as the waiter set her water in front of her. She mumbled a quick thank you and sipped her water. "How is Barbara Jean? I haven't talked to her or seen her for two days. I am getting a little worried."

Brock chuckled and took a sip of his coke. "She's doing all right. She's enjoying her new job at the station. She gets to spend a little bit less time with Henry but I think he understands." Reba nodded and took another sip of her water. "She's talking about babies again." Reba spewed her water straight into Brock's face.

He smiled and Reba started handing him napkins. "I am so sorry, really." Reba dabbed the table that was covered in water. She finished cleaning the table and set aside the wet napkins. Reba swallowed and looked at Brock who had set his napkin aside as well. "I was just a little shocked. She is talking about babies again?"

He nodded. "You know how Barbara Jean isn't good with being subtle." Reba smiled and nodded. "Yeah well, she talked about Henry needing a little sibling to play with and how it's a little too quiet around the house without the crying of a baby. She's really wants another baby."

Reba eyes were wide with wonder. "Wow." She said breathing out a bit. She knew Brock had tried to have another baby with her when he got his vasectomy reversed but Barbara Jean didn't want another baby then. "What do you think about this?"

Brock shrugged. "I don't know. I mean I already have four kids. Do I really want five? It will be hard and with a new baby I wouldn't be able to spend anytime with Jake and he is growing up so fast."

Reba smiled and nodded. "Yeah he is. He will be in high school in a year. Can you believe it, my baby, in high school?" Reba started feeling the tears in her eyes and she had to grab a napkin.

Brock chuckled as he watched Reba dab away the small tears. "I know. It seems like only yesterday you told me you were pregnant with him." Reba nodded and smiled. "You always found different and creative ways to tell me."

Reba smiled and nodded, trying to remember. "With Cheyenne I told you with food, baby corn…"

"Baby shrimp and baby back ribs…" Brock paused and frowned. "I never did quite catch on to that one quick enough."

Reba giggled. "With Kyra I didn't get very creative. I just told you we needed a bigger place and a bigger car. With Jake…"

Brock chuckled. "I could never forget the way you told me you were pregnant with Jake. You held up the pregnancy test and said 'Not again'."

Reba blushed. She admitted she did say that but she didn't mean it the way it sounded. Jake was a surprise but he was a good surprise. She just meant the whole morning sickness and going through the labor of it all. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I just didn't want to go through labor a third time but…" Reba said smiling at the memory of holding her baby boy in her arms for the first time. "It was worth it in the end and now he will soon be in high school, then college, and then maybe married. Time sure does go by fast."

Brock nodded and sighed. "I only wished I had more time to spend with him."

Reba smiled and was about to say something before the waiter brought their food. "Thank you." She waited until the waiter left once again before turning back to Brock. "What are you talking about? You have plenty of time to spend with him. He is still in the stage of wanting to be with his dad. It's when he gets more into high school you might have a harder time getting to agree to go places with you."

Brock scoffed and stabbed at his steak. "I would if Vic didn't take him out so much." He mumbled.

Reba stopped eating her salad and swallowed what small bite she had in her mouth. "What does Vic have anything to do with this?"

Brock shook his head. "Nothing, where is Vic by the way?"

Reba scrunched her eyebrows together. "He is out of town."

Brock nodded and took a bite of his steak. "Good, now maybe I will actually be able to spend some time with Jake." He mumbled again, hoping Reba didn't hear but she did.

Reba sighed and set her fork down nosily. "Okay, what is going on with you? What is wrong with Vic taking Jake out? Vic is going to be his step dad. They need to be able to get along."

Brock shrugged. "I know they need to get along but…do they need to spend so much time together. It's like Jake likes him more than his own father."

Reba took a sip of her water when she heard the familiar words penetrate her ears. Jake had voiced the same concerns just a couple of days ago. Now she knows where he got the idea from. "Did you mention any of this to Jake?"

He looked up from his plate shyly. "I kind of, might have, mentioned it a few times."

Reba sighed. "Know wonder he was so concerned. He's afraid of hurting your feelings."

Brock changed his shy look into completely confused. "He talked to you about this?"

Reba nodded. "Yeah, he was so worried about liking Vic better than you." Brock looked back down to his plate with a sad look on his face. "I am going to tell you the same thing I told Jake. Jake could never love Vic more than he loves you okay. Sure he might like Vic more but let's face it, it's only because he has a lot more in common with Vic. Vic acts like a thirteen year old boy himself." Brock couldn't help but chuckle. "Do you understand what I'm getting at?" Brock nodded but he still had a look about him. Reba sighed. "What is it?" Brock just shook his head. "Just tell me, what is going on now?"

"Well…" Brock said he figured he could discuss this with her. He only hoped she didn't take it the wrong way. "It's just the fact that you're getting married."

Reba nodded, now understanding better. "I thought you liked Vic."

Brock nodded. "I do. He's a great guy and I think he is perfect for you but I stand by what I said six years ago when you dumped Parker…again. I'm jealous as hell but like I said then also, it's just my cross to bear."

Reba gave him a sympathetic look. "Brock…" she started to say.

Brock interrupted her. "I don't mean anything by it. It's just…" Brock sighed, maybe he shouldn't have brought it up but it was too late now. "We were married for twenty years. We've known each other for almost thirty years. I'm just looking out for you and I'm worried about you. Vic is a great guy and I know I shouldn't be worried but I can't help it. Once you marry Vic, everything that happened between us will be truly done for."

Reba smiled. "Brock we were done a long time ago but I understand what you're saying. You now know how I felt when you were marrying Barbara Jean. It took me a long time to accept her as my best friend and in my life. I hope someday you will be able to say the same about Vic but I know how hard it will be for you."

Brock nodded and smiled. Happy she didn't laugh or call him a mo'ron for thinking such thoughts. "Enough talk about that, tell me about his mother."

Reba rolled her eyes. "How did you know she was in town?"

Brock smiled at Reba. "Cheyenne told me when I talked to her earlier. What is she like?"

Reba sneered and stabbed her steak more forcefully than needed. "The woman is a walking nightmare. She hates me."

Brock couldn't help but smile at her frustration. "I am sure she doesn't hate you."

Reba glared. "Oh yes, we get along great. We love each other as much as the cat and mouse Tom and Jerry love each other."

Brock laughed and pushed his empty plate aside and took another sip of his coke. "It will get better with time. My mother used to hate you, now she adores you."

Reba nodded, she couldn't argue with that but Kyra said the same thing. "Yeah but I have to think if she would still love me if we were still married." Brock continued to chuckle and Reba sighed as she sipped her water. She was full but she could still use some dessert, where was that waiter she wondered.

"You finished that meal fast." Brock said eyeing her empty plate. She usually ate at a slow steady pace.

Reba shrugged and was about to reply when the waiter walked up to them. "Will there be any dessert?"

Brock shook his head but Reba smiled and pointed to the yummy looking dessert that she had been eyeing on the card at the table ever since she sat down. "I want the Oreo Cookie Cruncher please." (I just made the Oreo cookie cruncher thing up. I don't mean to steal any name of any pie from anyone.)

The waiter nodded and left the table once again. Brock chuckled. "I thought you weren't a sweet person."

Reba glared but smiled at the same time. "I just feel like something sweet. It sounds like the perfect ending to the perfect meal." The waiter came back shortly with Reba's pie and her eyes sparkled, digging into the sweet dessert. "Hmmm." Reba said after the first bite.

Brock eyed her suspiciously as she continued to eat the dessert at an equally fast pace she ate her steak at. He had never seen her eat like this before, well, he has once. "I don't think the pie is going to disappear Reba."

Reba looked up from her already half eaten pie and raised her eyebrows in question. "What?"

Brock chuckled and shook his head, motioning towards her pie. "You were eating that pie like it was going out of style."

Reba smiled and shrugged. "It's just really that good." Brock just nodded and continued to watch her eat the pie. She seemed to finish it in a matter of seconds and each of their checks soon came.

Reba patted her stomach in satisfaction when they stepped out into the afternoon sun. "That was a wonderful meal. It would have been better if I had some ice cream with that pie."

Brock smiled in disbelief. "How can you still be thinking of food?"

Reba smiled and shrugged. "I've been on a diet for weeks. Besides the burger I had a couple of days ago, that was the first real meal I had in a while." Reba sighed and Brock walked her to her car. "I better hurry and get back to work before I get in trouble for being late." Reba paused. "Today is going to be a long day. Are you and Barbara Jean still coming to dinner?" Brock nodded. "I better warn you then that his mother will be there. The only upside to today is Vic promised to call me once he arrived in New York."

Brock couldn't hold back his scoff. "Yeah, right, well you better get going. The sooner you get done with this day the sooner you can talk to your precious Vic." He didn't mean for it to come out and sound the way it did but it did and it worried Reba.

Reba sighed. "Brock…" she said stopping him from leaving. He turned, looking down at his feet. He was embarrassed the way he said that. They had just talked about his jealousy and now it truly showed. Reba needed to ease his mind. "You have to know every relationship is different. What I had with you is something I could never have with Vic. We have a truly unique past and no man will ever be able to replace you in my heart okay. You are my best friend and you will continue to be one of my best friends. I may love Vic with all my heart but I love you too as one of my best friends that can never be replaced. Do you understand?"

Brock nodded and Reba felt they took a new step in their relationship. She did love Brock and he will never be able to be replaced in her heart but she loved Vic now through and through. Brock was just a friendly love now and that's all they will ever be from now on. Maybe now they both have voiced their concerns they could truly move on from what happened six years ago and they could become the true best friends that they were. Reba smiled at this thought and approached Brock. He wasn't sure what Reba was going to do. He was quite shocked when she pulled him into a friendly hug. Reba thought the hug was the best thing to do at the time but what they both didn't notice was the photographer taking their photograph from a short distance away.

Reba went home that night fully expecting to see Lexi there and her judging self. She was surprised when she found the house completely quiet. That was weird because even if Lexi wasn't there, there was still the rest of her family that was always around, all the time, twenty four seven, never leaving her and Vic alone! She shouldn't really dwell on that now. Vic was away anyway and her family was arriving at six. She needed to start dinner now.

Reba smiled happily as she set down her purse and whistled happily while searching through the mail. She set the bills and junk mail on the side table and went to the kitchen to start dinner. Reba pulled the chicken she had put into the refrigerator yesterday evening and set it on the counter. Reba sighed knowing tonight was going to be one eventful evening. Her family would be meeting her future mother-in-law and Lexi, as you all know, isn't exactly the nicest lady in the world. She only hoped tonight went okay. Reba could deal with okay.

Reba made the chicken over pasta that Vic had made her the first night they were alone together. She had just set the salad on the table when her family came through the door, shortly followed by Lexi who had an armful of shopping bags. Reba was quite surprised of how nice Lexi was. She actually apologized for being late and not being able to help with dinner. Reba thought she would have a heart attack but she wouldn't let her guard down yet. This old woman had something planned.

The actual dinner was pleasant. Lexi kept the whole table going with laughter from stories she was telling about Vic when he was younger. Reba forced herself to laugh but she still kept an eye on the old woman. Lexi complimented Reba on the meal, told Cheyenne she had a beautiful child, told Kyra how talented she was after hearing a verse from her latest song, and even told Jake he seemed to be a nice young man. Reba was quite worried because this woman was trying way too hard.

"I must say…" Lexi said after setting her fork down after finishing her pie. "That was the best meal I have had in a long time. You really are an excellent cook Reba."

Reba smiled. "Thank you Lexi. I am so glad you enjoyed it." Reba knew that smile behind that old woman was fake and Reba gave her an equally fake smile. If the old woman wanted to play she should just bring out the game boards because Reba was ready and willing. Reba stood up and began to gather plates. "I will take care of these now. If you will all excuse me."

"Let me help you." A cheerful Lexi said.

Reba rolled her eyes as she walked into the kitchen setting the plates on the counter. She heard a soft set of footsteps behind her and Reba turned sharply. "What is your game old lady?"

Lexi smiled and set the plates down next to the sink. "You really are paranoid Reba. You need to relax. This can't be good for your blood pressure."

Reba knew the woman was right. This can't be good for her blood pressure but Reba also knew Lexi was just trying to get to her. "What is the deal with you being so nice to my family?"

Lexi's smiled faded and she gave Reba a menacing glare. "I don't know where you grew up but where I come from its called manners dear and if I were you…" she said approaching Reba, her glare still holding, "I would watch my back. I don't care what my son thinks of you. You will be out of his life by the end of next week, I promise you that. I don't want you to be my daughter-in-law and trust me…" Lexi said giving her an evil smile, "I usually get what I want."

Lexi gave her one last smile and stepped out of the kitchen. Reba had to calm herself because she knew it wasn't good for her to get all worked up. The woman could do nothing to her but that didn't mean she still didn't frighten Reba to no end. Maybe it was Lexi's tone of voice or her glare but Reba didn't know what she was going to do. She wasn't going to be able to break her and Vic up. Reba would just have to have a talk with Vic when he called later that night.

After Reba had done the dishes she went into the living room to find her family getting ready to leave. Barbara Jean and Brock had plenty to do tomorrow. They thanked her for dinner and quickly made their way home. Cheyenne and Van had to leave because Cheyenne was getting equally exhausted as Elizabeth who was fast asleep on the couch. Kyra and Jake went to their rooms and that left Reba and Lexi alone. Reba didn't want to be alone with Lexi, especially after the last couple of times she had been.

Reba stood up from the couch and made her way towards the stairs. "I am going upstairs for a bath. I don't know what your nightly routine is but there is the television and plenty of books in the bookshelf. I wish you a goodnight." Reba walked up the stairs without another word. She didn't need Lexi lecturing about her and Vic's wedding.

Reba groaned in relaxation as she sunk into the hot bubble bath she drew for herself. She had a book beside her and her cell phone with her just in case Vic decided to call her tonight. She of course told him not to call her if he was feeling tired. She really wish she could take that back. She needed to talk to him about his insane mother. She understood Vic saw his mother as a saint. For a son, all their mothers are saints but this woman was up to something and she basically told Reba this to her face when she said Reba needed to watch herself.

Reba sighed and sat her head back against the cold shower wall. She had just picked up her book and was about to read when her cell phone went off. She quickly set her book down and picked up her phone to find an out of state number. She smiled, hoping it was Vic. "Hello." She said sweetly.

She smiled even bigger when she heard his voice. "Hello sweetheart."

"Hey...did you get in okay?"

Vic sighed as he sat back against his hotel bed. "Yup…my plane was delayed until noon and then when I finally got to my hotel at six I just flopped on the bed and went to sleep for a couple hours."

Reba frowned. "I told you if you were tired to not call me."

"I said I got a couple hours of sleep. Just relax. I love talking with you. I could never get tired of it."

Reba smiled. "Good, now what are your plans for tomorrow?"

"My father is taking me to this really classy strip club."

Reba's eyes went wide. "Victor Mariano you better be joking."

Vic chuckled. "I'm sorry. Of course I am joking. No, tomorrow I have a big breakfast with some clients of my father's, then a few meetings, early drinks at the hotel bar, and then dinner with more clients of my fathers. Sound like fun? I think not."

Reba smiled and went back to relaxing when she learned he was joking. Sometimes, she just didn't get his humor. "Doesn't sound like much fun to me either."

"Of course its not, it's work, work isn't fun." He then smirked. "Work was fun when I worked with you."

Reba rolled her eyes. "We did nothing but fight."

"Very passionate fights, I loved to see you get mad. Your nostrils flare, your eyes get a sparkle, your cheeks get all flushed, and I swear…"

"My hair turns a darker shade of red." Reba said, interrupting him.

Vic chuckled. "I told you that already, didn't I?"

Reba smiled. "Yeah."

There was silence on the phone until Reba gave a sigh and Vic saw this as frustration. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Reba said innocently.

Vic wished he could see her face. "I know when you're lying. Even if I can't see you I can hear it in your voice. What is wrong?"

"Well…" Reba said trying to find the best way to explain to him that his mother was a certified nutcase. "Your mother is driving me crazy."

Vic sat straight up. "What is going on now?"

Reba moved bubbles away from her face and shifted the phone to her other ear. "I know you love your mother but honey…" Reba paused trying to think of a delicate way to word it, "She's nuts!"

Vic chuckled just a bit. "Don't you think that's a bit harsh?"

"No!" Reba said loudly. "She said I better watch my back. Do you think that sounds like someone who is trying to be my friend?"

Vic was taken aback. "She actually said that?"

"Yeah, she did."

Vic didn't think his mother was that bad. "I will have a talk with her. I don't know what has gotten into her. I'm sorry I made you take her in." he said sweetly.

Reba melted under his voice. He was being so sweet. He was always sweet. "It's okay. I can deal with your mother until you get back but hurry back."

Vic chuckled. "I will." He then got very serious. "I will make sure that I have a serious talk with her. I don't want you two not getting along. I need you two to get along."

"I will try to get along better with her. I appreciate you talking with her but don't make it seem like I need my fiancée to fight my battles for me."

Vic smiled. "All right, I won't make it seem like you need me to fight for you." Vic sighed and sat laid back against the bed. "Enough talk about my mother. What are your plans for tomorrow? What are you doing?"

Reba relaxed a bit more. "Tomorrow I plan on working. I have nothing but work to do." She then smirked. "As of right now I just happen to be in the nice hot bubble bath."

Vic smiled. "Really?"

"Yup…it's really…hot."

Vic smiled and sat straight up. "Well, if I was there right now…"

Reba smiled as he started talking but then her eyes widened when the bathroom door burst open. "Ahhh!" Reba said dropping the phone and immediately covering herself.

Lexi smiled. "Oh! I am so sorry. Is that Vic on the phone?"

Reba frowned and glanced in the water where she had just dropped her phone. "It was."

Lexi frowned. "I'll just have to talk to him later. I am sorry to interrupt your bath, excuse me." Lexi left immediately.

Reba fished her cell phone out of the soapy water and looked at it with a frown. She set the now non-working cell phone aside. Reba really disliked that woman. She sighed knowing she could try harder to get along with Lexi but what could she do? The woman seemed so determined to stop her wedding to Vic. She was so determined for her and Vic to not be happy. She tried the lunch thing but the only time Lexi didn't seem to insult her and wasn't trying to be vindictive was when her family was around. Reba thought about it for a moment. Maybe that was the answer; arrange some family outings or something this week. If it would get Lexi off her back it was surely worth it.

End of Chapter