Chapter 13

After Reba hung up the phone from talking with Vic and calming down a bit she went downstairs. Barbara Jean had calmed down herself and apologized for jumping to conclusions. Brock said he didn't have many people come up to him but the people who did said they had sympathy for him and they wouldn't even listen to him when he tried to explain that the article wasn't true. Reba explained to everyone what Vic had basically told her, there was really nothing they could do. They would just have to wait it out until everyone decides to stop talking about them. They just hoped there weren't any more negative articles that would come out but their hopes were drowned come Monday.

Reba had made a stop after work on Monday to get nice cup of coffee at Starbucks. She was almost over the article but she was just happy her family and Vic had understood that it wasn't true. Then there was Lexi. She swears she had nothing to do with the printing of the article but Reba wasn't so sure. She was confused because Lexi wasn't as vindictive as before. She stopped making the comments, even when there wasn't anyone around. This concerned Reba a bit because it just made her think it was just the calm before the storm.

Reba had just received her double almond mocha latte with extra whip cream when she just happened to pass the magazine rack that stood next to the counter to persuade people to buy them. It wasn't the local newspapers that got her attention. It was the trashy magazines, three of which had a picture of her on the cover. She picked up one of each of them and purchased them quickly. She had doubled timed it home so she could read the articles and find out what their all about.

Reba arrived home and was grateful no one was there. She sat down with her coffee and immediately took the first magazine on the top. It had a picture of her and Vic on the cover. It read A Not So Happy Ending? It seemed to be an article about their marriage. Reba immediately read it and decided it wasn't bad. It was actually the truth. It was just about their marriage not being legal. There was an interview with the bartender of the bar they went to and an interview with the owner, who was in jail, of the chapel/hotel chain that, supposedly, married them.

Reba read it and threw it aside. It wasn't bad. She would feel better if the article wasn't printed at all but what could she do? The next one was just beyond ridiculous. It claimed the only reason he married her was because she was pregnant. Reba just rolled her eyes as she read an interview with the supposed doctor that examined her. She tossed that one aside without a second glance.

The next one Reba was a little confused. It was a picture of her with Jake that was taken when she was shopping for back to school clothes. The title read, Mother of the Year? Reba opened the article and started to read. As she continued to read her breath was becoming difficult, her eyes were glazing over with tears and her head became quite cloudy with hurt and confusion. Did these people have no soul? Did they actually care that they were hurting someone? Of course they didn't, as long as they made their money they didn't care.

Reba let the tears fall and she stood up, walking sadly into the living room, staring at the magazine. The door burst open and walked in her family just as she flopped down in the chair. Everyone was happily talking about great things going on in their lives. They didn't even notice Reba crying in the chair. Kyra and Jake immediately went into the kitchen to find a snack. Cheyenne, Van, Barbara Jean, and Brock parked themselves on the couch and the other empty chair.

They were talking and laughing about something. Reba wasn't really paying any attention. "What do you think Mom?" Cheyenne asked turning to her mother. It was then Cheyenne finally noticed the tears in her mother's eyes. She gasped, "Mom, what is wrong?" Reba sniffed a bit and handed over the magazine she had been staring at for the past ten minutes. She couldn't say a word. She didn't want to say anything. Cheyenne looked up after reading the article. "You don't actually believe this do you mom? They are just looking to make money, none of this is true."

Reba shook her head. "I know none of it can be true. It just hurts that they would print something like that. It's like they don't care who they hurt."

Brock took the magazine from his daughter and cringed once he read it. "Reba, this is completely untrue. Like Cheyenne said they are just looking to make money. It's just like when they did the story on you and me…"

Reba interrupted him by shaking her head. "No, it isn't just like that one. This is different. This hurts."

Cheyenne sighed sadly and walked over to her mother the best she could and wrapped an arm around her. They sat like that for a few minutes before the door burst open again. In walked Lexi, all smiles. "Hello everyone." Reba stood up and gave the woman the coldest look. Lexi seemed taken aback by Reba's look. "What is wrong?"

"You!" she screamed.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to Reba. Her face was completely red and her fists were clenched. "Reba, whatever it is I think you should calm down. It can't be good for your blood pressure." Lexi seemed to have genuine concern and it showed in her voice but Reba didn't see it that way.

Reba rolled her eyes. "Like you care about my blood pressure, I can't believe you would go this far. You are the lowest life form I ever met!"

Lexi seemed quite confused. "What have I done?" she asked innocently.

Reba continued to give the old woman the coldest glare. "You know very well what you did!" Reba yelled and she thrust the magazine into Lexi's hands.

Lexi took one last confused look at an angry Reba before focusing her attention to the magazine in her hands. Lexi's eyes widened as she read the title and flipped mindlessly through the article. She finally looked up at Reba again who was waiting for some sort of explanation or for Lexi to say at least something. Lexi was at sort of a loss for words.

"Well…" Reba said waiting.

Lexi shook her head. "You don't think I did this do you?"

Reba had to laugh and scoff. "Don't act so innocent. Ever since you came here to Houston you've done nothing but insult me! You've told me time and time again of how much you detest me and how my wedding wasn't going to happen! What else could I think? You have the money and power to do anything you want to me!"

Lexi shook her head and handed the magazine back to Reba who snatched it back. "I didn't do this. I…"

The door bell rang and Reba glared at Lexi one last time before opening the door. She was greeted by a dozen roses. Reba was quite confused and for a moment she forgot about the magazine. The roses moved aside to reveal Vic's face. "Surprise!" he said with a big smile. Reba didn't say a word. She just threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in tight. Vic chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I really do need to go away more often if I keep getting greeted like this." Reba pulled away from his shoulder and Vic's smile turned into a frown when he saw her red face, puffy eyes, and damp cheeks. He took her face in his hands and wiped away the remaining tears with his thumbs. "Honey, what's wrong?"

Reba shook her head and brought him inside. She still hadn't said anything, she just handed the magazine over to him. Vic was confused until he looked at the magazine and his eyes widened when he began to read.

We all know the lovely bride of Victor Mariano, Ms. Reba Hart. It seems she's a devoted wife, mother, she's active in her community, she works at a local real estate agent ten hours a day, and she still has time to help her children with her homework and make sure they have a nice home cooked meal but sometimes things are not always as they seem. We have learned that Mr. Mariano and Ms. Hart are not even legally married. They thought they were married after one drunken encounter. Sources say they are legalizing their marriage but only because they have learned Ms. Hart is pregnant. But is this the right woman for Victor? Ms. Reba Las Vegas, as she is known to her friends, has been known for her nights out on the town, her love affairs with married men, and drunken parties held at her place of residence. It's no wonder her children move out, have drinking problems, get pregnant at such a young age and engage in fights in school. I don't think she will be making mother of the year anytime soon.

It said continued onto the next page but Vic didn't want to read anymore. Vic looked up to Reba who was looking sadly down at her feet. He could understand why she would be so sad. This article was just plan cruel. Vic walked over to Reba and held her close. "Honey I'm sorry. I didn't think they would go this far but there really is nothing you can do…"

Reba scoffed and pushed Vic away. "That's all you say. There is nothing we can do about it. There is something we can do. We can go after the person who made this happen."

Vic shook his head. "Honey, the author…"

"I'm not talking about the author! I'm talking about your mother!"

Vic eyes widened and turned to his mother who shook her head. "I didn't do anyth…"

Reba rolled her eyes. "Don't lie! Tell Vic about all the times you told me the wedding wasn't going to happen! You are a cruel vindictive bi…"

Vic eyes widened and his hand covered Reba's mouth. "Do not talk about my mother that way okay. She has been nothing but nice and considerate to you this whole trip. I am tired of hearing about my mother trying to supposedly sabotage our wedding. You need to calm down. I am worried about you and fretting on about my mother isn't good for your blood pressure."

Reba pushed his hand away and stepped away angrily. "I am so sick of you defending your mother! You act like she's a saint! She isn't! She's done nothing but cause so much trouble for me. She hates me! She hates that we are getting married! She's cruel and you just don't see that! Why don't you ask her huh? Ask her!"

Vic sighed and turned to his mother. Lexi sighed. "I'll admit that when I first came here I didn't like the idea of you two marrying but that's changed now."

Reba rolled her eyes. "Yeah right, I don't want to hear it really. You should trust me and my judgment." She said while pointing to Vic. "But then again we've only known each other for five months. Maybe we should take your mothers advice."

Vic's eyes widened. "What are you saying?" he asked afraid of the answer.

Reba shrugged. "I don't know..." she paused for a moment. "I need a drink." She said walking towards the kitchen. Everyone followed her but Reba didn't make it to the refrigerator before she was suddenly quite dizzy. "Whoa." She said grabbing the end of the counter.

Vic quickly went to her side. "Maybe you should sit down."

Reba smacked his hands away when she felt them wrap around her waist to help her. "I can do it myself." She said turning towards him. She rolled her eyes when she saw her whole family in the kitchen. "You all can leave. I am fine. Please…" she said to Vic who was standing quite close to her incase something should happen. "Just go into the living room. We can talk in there in a minute."

Vic nodded but was still unsure if he should leave her alone. He went against his better judgment and followed everyone else into the living room. Vic sat down on the couch next to his mother. They all sat in silence as they heard Reba moving around in the kitchen. Vic sighed and turned to his mother. "Were you really that cruel to her while you were here?"

Lexi looked down at her hands shyly. "I admit I might have been somewhat…cruel to her."

Vic shook his head. "I can't believe you did that. You know she has high blood pressure. I told you that and yet you think it's wise to get her going like that?" he asked shocked by her actions.

"I'm sorry but…"

Vic shook his head. "No buts…I don't want to have to choose between the two of you but mother you are forcing me. Here I have been thinking Reba was just being irrational about you and then I find out it's the truth! I have never in my life been…" Vic stopped and they all jumped when they heard a crash coming from the kitchen. Vic was the first to jump up and run to the kitchen only to find Reba passed out on the tile floor.

End of Chapter