Chapter 16

Reba sat on the couch facing Barbara Jean as she explained what was going on between her and Brock. She started with how she had found out a little while ago that she was pregnant and that she had been hinting around that another baby might be nice but Brock didn't seem to take the bait. He just shrugged it off or changed the subject. Barbara Jean didn't understand why he wouldn't want another baby. He seemed so happy to give her another child when they were trying to work on their marriage but maybe he changed his mind now that Barbara Jean wasn't going anywhere.

"He just stood there!" Barbara Jean said dipping a cheeto into the ice cream.

Reba frowned. "He didn't say anything?"

Barbara Jean sighed. "Yeah he said can we afford another baby."

Reba's mouth dropped. "He didn't."

Barbara Jean nodded. "He did, instead of hugging me or kissing me or being happy or anything he was worried about if we had enough money for the baby. I can't believe that man."

Reba patted Barbara Jean's back sympathetically. "Men are pigs." Reba said. Barbara Jean nodded in agreement. The door bell rang and Reba immediately grabbed the money off the coffee table. Reba paid for the pizza and set it down on the coffee table. "Let's have some pizza. I'll get the ranch." Barbara Jean made a face and just took a slice of pizza. She didn't need ranch. Reba came back with a bowl and a bottle of ranch dressing. She poured a generous amount into the bowl, grabbed a slice, and dipped it in the ranch. After Reba took the first bite she noticed Barbara Jean was staring at her. "What?"

Barbara Jean just shook her head and smiled for the first time since she arrived. "Ranch dressing?"

Reba shrugged. "It's good. You should try it." Reba said trying to shove the bowl toward Barbara Jean.

She just shook her head and pushed the bowl away. "That's okay. I'll stick with just the pizza."

Reba giggled and dipped the pizza again into the ranch. "So…" Reba said after swallowing her pizza. "What do you plan to do about Brock?"

Barbara Jean shrugged. "I don't know. I know he will soon realize what he said and how insensitive it was." Reba gave Barbara Jean a 'you've got to be kidding me look.' "Or at least I hope he will." She said after she saw Reba's look.

Reba nodded. "I am sure he will come around soon. It's a shock for a guy to find out he's having a baby."

Barbara Jean frowned. "Vic was happy about you guys having a baby."

Reba frowned. She was hoping Barbara Jean wouldn't bring up Vic. Reba shrugged. "Maybe he was just trying to be nice for once. I mean he wasn't that great of a guy."

Barbara Jean rolled her eyes. "Please, he could cook, he cleaned your house while you were sick, took care of you while you were sick, he took you out for romantic evenings every weekend, and to top it off…he's hot!" Reba smiled just a bit. He was a great guy. Sure he could be a little immature at times but when it was time to be serious he was. He was strong, loving, caring, and he took care of her so well. Barbara Jean saw the conflict going on in Reba's eyes. Barbara Jean set down her pizza. "What happened with him? You haven't talked about it since you came home from the hospital."

Reba sighed. It would be best if she could get it out. She did need to talk to someone and who better to talk with than her best friend. "I am guessing you know by now I called off the engagement." Barbara Jean nodded. "I just told him we haven't really known each other that long. I think we rushed maybe a little too fast into this. We should have dated for a while."

Barbara Jean sighed. "You two loved each other."

Reba set down her pizza and shook her head. "We barely know each other."

Barbara Jean rolled her eyes. "Then get to know each other but don't push him away. You know you love him. I don't understand. He seems like a great guy."

"Yeah but his mother…"

"Forget his mother." Barbara Jean interrupted. "If she is the reason you called off the wedding that is a stupid reason. Brock's mom didn't like you and you still married him." Barbara Jean stared at Reba. She still seemed hesitant. "Are you still afraid?" she asked bluntly.

Reba sat straight up. "Of course not." Reba said, trying to make herself believe it too. She saw Barbara Jean's face and sighed. "Maybe a little."

Barbara Jean shook her head. "You can't be afraid because of what Brock did."

"You don't get it. I am cursed when it comes to relationships. Something always happens to break it up. I think it is just best that I step away now before anything happens."

Barbara Jean rolled her eyes. "Are you crazy? You are not cursed. Sure it didn't work out with Brock but to be honest who knows where you two would be if I hadn't gotten pregnant." Reba eyed Barbara Jean in shock. Barbara Jean nodded. "Yeah, if I hadn't gotten pregnant I am sure you two would have worked it out. You two had twenty great years together. I wouldn't exactly call that a curse."

Reba frowned. "What about my other relationships."

Barbara Jean smiled. "Did you ever think God had someone else in mind for you, like Vic? I mean you didn't love Brian and Jack was just a jerk who should have told you he was married." Barbara Jean paused for a moment. "If you think about it, they are the ones who ruined their chances with a wonderful woman like you." Reba scoffed. Barbara Jean just smiled. "No, just think about it. Brian was a wimp, if he truly loved you he wouldn't have given up on you. Jack was a butt who should have told you he was married and if he really liked you he would have divorced his wife and come back to you." Barbara Jean stopped and then smiled. "He was too in love with himself too."

Reba giggled slightly but then got serious once more. She knew Barbara Jean was just trying to make her feel better with saying it was the males fault but she still couldn't help but feel a little nervous about what would happen if they were to get married. "But…" Reba said. "How do I know if we will make it?"

"You don't." Barbara Jean said casually while grabbing another slice of pizza. "When I first married Brock I never thought we would go through those rough spots. I thought we would be together forever. I still think that but who knows, in thirty years we could split but that doesn't take away from what we have now. It doesn't matter if you go through rough spots though because every couple does but how you deal with it matters. You of all people should know that."

Reba smiled at Barbara Jean's words. She never thought Barbara Jean of all people would make her feel better about taking Vic back or at least talking with him about their relationship. The woman made sense and she should have understood that every couple goes through rough spots but if you don't deal with them, just set them aside, you end up like her and Brock, divorced.

Reba looked up at Barbara Jean. "You think Vic would forgive me for acting like that?"

Barbara Jean smiled wide and nodded. "I am sure he will. Give him a call."

Reba shook her head. "Not right now. I still need to think of what I should say to him."

Barbara Jean smiled. "You say, 'I love you, forgive me, come to me, I need you.'"

Reba laughed and hit Barbara Jean lightly on the arm. "I have to say more than that."

Barbara Jean nodded. "I know, now lets finish this pizza." Reba laughed as Barbara Jean took another slice. Reba shrugged and followed her example.

They sat and finished the large pizza they ordered. They didn't talk anymore about Brock or Vic. They just watched a bunch of comedy movies. They munched more on ice cream and cheetos as well. They were both just happy to have each other's company and understanding what the other was going through at that moment.

They were both completely relaxed and completely full, almost passed out on the couch. They were just about ready to fall asleep while watching Now I Pronounce You Chuck and Larry when the door bell rang. (I know the movie they are watching probably isn't released yet if I am calculating this story right but you all don't mind I am sure, let's just pretend it was released and already out on DVD okay. It's a great movie by the way.) Reba groaned and slowly got up to answer. "If its Brock…" Barbara Jean said with a yawn. "Tell him I don't want to talk to him."

Reba shook her head and slowly made it way to the door. It rang again and Reba sighed. "Keep your shirt on!" She yelled. She then smiled, "Unless you're Brad Pitt." Barbara Jean giggled and Reba laughed right along with her. She opened her door and the smile faded from her face. "Lexi." She said a little annoyed to see the woman.

Lexi smiled slightly. "I will understand if you don't want to talk with me but I would really appreciate it if you would."

Reba sighed and stepped aside, letting the woman in. Lexi cautiously walked through the doorway and Reba shut the door behind her. Reba turned and stood in front of Lexi with her arms crossed, waiting for her to continue. Lexi glanced around and saw Barbara Jean asleep on the couch. "Can we take this in the kitchen, so we don't disturb her?" She said pointing to the woman past out.

Reba nodded and walked into the kitchen. Reba felt she shouldn't be totally rude so she walked over to the coffee pot. "Would you like any coffee?"

Lexi shook her head. "No thank you."

Reba put the pot back into its spot and sat down in the chair opposite Lexi. Lexi seemed silent and this annoyed Reba because she was having a good time until she decided to show up and spoil her good mood. "What did you come here for, just to stare at me?"

Lexi looked up and Reba thought she was about to get yelled at but Lexi's face softened. "I suppose I deserve your coldness." Lexi paused for a moment, looking down at her hands. Reba has never seen Lexi so shy. "I understand if you hate me. I am actually surprised by my actions at times." Lexi paused again, trying to get her words together inside her head so they made sense. "I didn't like the idea of someone taking my son away from me. I only wanted him to be happy."

Reba glared at her. "He couldn't be happy with me?"

Lexi shrugged. "I guess I didn't want him to be happy with anyone. He was single for so long I didn't think he would ever get married. I didn't think you were the right woman but now I understand that you are the perfect woman for him. You made my son truly happy. It scared me a little that he was so serious about a woman because his past relationships never lasted."

Reba nodded. "Okay, I can understand that but it still doesn't give cause for the articles."

Lexi shook her head. "I didn't have those articles printed."

Reba still stared her down as if she didn't believe her. "Then who did?"

"My ex-husband." She seen Reba sat straight up and Lexi looked back down in shame. "I knew about it but I didn't say anything or try to stop it, like I could stop him anyway but I didn't really do anything because I thought if maybe it would drive a wedge between you two but I didn't expect him to have the writers write such cruel things. I really didn't expect the articles to send you into the hospital either."

Reba was quite shocked to hear that even though Lexi didn't have anything to do with the articles she still knew about them. She didn't do anything to stop them. "I thank you for being honest with me but I can't believe you didn't say anything. Vic told you about my high blood pressure and yet you still did nothing, knowing it could possibly cause a bigger problem for me than just fainting."

Lexi nodded shamefully. "I am truly sorry. I hope you can forgive me."

Reba shrugged. "It will take some time."

Lexi nodded, understanding Reba's position. "I have to get going but before I do I want to tell you to forgive Vic. I have never seen my son happier than when he is with you. I have never seen my son act more like an adult than when he is with you. He has changed more than you know." She said smiling. She then frowned. "He hasn't talked to me since the day you were in the hospital. He hasn't forgiven me either." Lexi sighed and stood up. Reba followed in suit and followed Lexi to the door. Lexi stepped outside but turned before completely leaving. "I hope to be able to see my grandchild someday."

Reba nodded and smiled. "I told you it would take some time to forgive you. I didn't say we would disown you."

Lexi smiled big. "Take care of that baby. I'll see you later I guess?" she said hopefully.

Reba just nodded and shut the door after Lexi left. Reba walked over to the couch and flopped down. Barbara Jean shot up from where she was leaning and looked around. "Wha…?"

Reba smiled and shook her head. "That was Lexi at the door. We had a nice talk while you were past out."

Barbara Jean nodded and rubbed her eyes. "I can't believe I fell asleep."

Reba shrugged and grabbed her water bottle from the table. "Pregnancy will do that to you." Barbara Jean nodded.

They had just turned on a new movie when Brock burst in through the door. He immediately went to Barbara Jean's side. "I'm sorry." He said, slowly kneeling in front of her. "I shouldn't have asked if we could afford another baby. I am happy were having another child. This is great!" Brock said with a big smile on his face.

Reba smiled and shook her head, quite amused. She had never seen Brock cave so easily. Barbara Jean, being the sensitive woman that she was, forgave him immediately and brought him into a passionate kiss. "Ahhh!" Reba said turning her head away. "Not in my living room or in front of me. I would like to keep the pizza I had down."

Barbara Jean smiled and turned to Reba. "Thanks for the talk but now I have to go home and take care of my husband." She said with a smile.

Reba shivered and gagged, completely grossed out. Barbara Jean and Brock went immediately to the front door to go home. Reba was happy for them but extra happy that they were leaving. They opened the door though to find none other than Vic on the other side, ready to knock. Reba wanted to run into his arms when she saw him but decided against it.

Barbara Jean's eyes widened and she smiled. She immediately took Vic by the arm and brought him in. "Come on in. Reba is just anxious to see you." Reba glared at Barbara Jean. Sure, she was anxious to see him but she didn't want him to know that just yet.

Brock saw the glare from his ex-wife and took Barbara Jean by the arm. "Honey, lets go home. Let them have some time to themselves." Barbara Jean ignored her husband and yanked her arm away from him.

Reba saw that Barbara Jean making no efforts to leave so she did what she knew would work, as it had many times in the past. "Who's watching Henry?" Brock and Barbara Jean's eyes immediately widened and they both rushed their way out the door and to their house.

Reba chuckled and Vic laughed right along with her. Reba then realized she was alone with Vic and her laughter slowly died. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. Reba wanted him to be here but then again she said she would call him. Why was he here? "Hi." She said softly, finally getting tired of silence and needed to break it.

"Hi." He said just as softly. Reba shyly messed with the end of her sweat shirt. Vic smiled. "You look great."

Reba scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, a regular beauty queen."

Vic smiled. "To me you are."

Reba sighed and shifted her position on the couch. "Why are you here Vic?"

Vic sighed and slowly walked over to sit next to her. He waited to see if he was pushed away or ordered out but when he wasn't he took that as hope and he continued. "I quit my job."

Reba raised an eyebrow. "You couldn't have tried to call me to tell me that? And why do I need to know?"

Vic shook his head. "You wouldn't have picked up would you?" Reba looked down shyly and shook her head. "I didn't think so. And you need to know because the reason I quit was you." He took a deep breathe in. "My father was the one who…"

"Paid for the articles to be written." She said, finishing for him.

Vic nodded. "How did you know?"

"Your mother came by to tell me."

Vic nodded and then looked up with a smile on his face. "She isn't buried in the backyard is she?" he asked jokingly.

Reba chuckled just a bit and shook her head. "No, she just came over to apologize."

"That's why I came over as well." He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "You were right."

Reba smiled and nodded. "Okay."

"Don't you want to know why?"

Reba shook her head. "Nope, don't need to."

Vic chuckled and took her hand. She didn't refuse it and she actually intertwined her fingers with his. He grinned at this. "You do need to know. I have thought about it and I think we did move a little fast. Maybe we need to take this slow. I was wrong and…"

Reba put a finger to his lips and shook her head. "I was wrong. I was wrong for thinking that we went too fast. I love you so much and I was so worried because your mother seemed so against the wedding and I was still afraid that we weren't going to work but someone helped me see that every couple has their moments, we just have to learn how to deal with them."

Vic smiled. "This person sounds very smart. When can I meet them?"

Reba raised an eyebrow and laughed, shaking her head. "It doesn't matter who it was. All that matters is I want to marry you. I don't want to wait. I don't want to take it slow."

Vic smiled and pulled her close. His hands slipped inside his pocket and pulled out the ring. "Do you think you can put this on your finger without taking it off again?" Reba nodded and held out her hand. Vic slipped the ring back on and kissed her hand lovingly before pulling her into his arms. "I missed holding you these last two weeks."

Reba smiled. "I missed you holding me too." She giggled.

Vic sighed leaning his head against the back of the couch enjoying the feeling of Reba laying her head on his chest. "I punched my father." He said breaking the silence.

Reba pulled away and looked into his eyes with a shocked expression. "Why did you do that?" Vic was taken aback. He would think she would want him to punch his father out after what he did and especially after what his father said. "What if I wanted to punch him out?" she said showing her fist.

Vic chuckled. "How about for your Christmas present?"

Reba smiled. "I'll take it." She sighed and gave him a smile. "Did you make his nose bleed?"

"Like a fountain."

Reba laughed and kissed his lips. She pulled away and smiled, caressing his cheeks. "Thank you for standing up for me." (I know Reba would never really be happy about any type of violence but just go with it, please.)

Vic shook his head. "You don't need to thank me. I was happy to do it. My father is a jerk." Reba nodded in agreement. Vic smiled and his hands slipped to her waist. It was then he remembered the baby. "How is the baby?"

Reba smiled. "From what I know, the baby is great."

"The doctor says everything is okay then?" he asked with a smile.

Reba's smiled faded and she looked down in shame. "I haven't been to the doctor yet." Vic's eyes widened and he immediately pulled out his cell phone. "Who are you calling?"

"A friend of mine, his wife had a baby not too long ago, from what he told me her doctor was the best. We can see if we can fit you in soon." Reba smiled. "And the best part is…" he said grinning big as he put the cell phone up to his ear. "The doctor is female. I don't need any other males going anywhere near…well…where they don't need to be."

Reba giggled. He really did take real good care of her. What was she so worried about? They were the perfect match for one another. Barbara Jean helped her see that. If they had tough times they would just have to get through it together because they were survivors.

End of Chapter