Chapter 23

Reba spent the night in Vic's arms…her husband's arms. She had nothing but sweet, sweet dreams the whole night of their future, their baby, and their marriage. She saw nothing but good things to come. She awoke in the morning with Vic's sweet face next to hers. She was always the first one to wake up and she liked it that way. She smiled and snuggled closer to him. Her smile went even bigger when she felt his arms tighten around her.

She leaned up and kissed him gently. "Good morning." She said happily.

Vic smiled and slowly opened his eyes. "Do you know how good it is to wake up to you in the morning?" Reba giggled and pulled him into another kiss but deepened it. The kiss sent electricity surging through both of them. "Hmmm." Vic said after they broke apart for air. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked giving her a suggestive smirk.

Reba gave him a smile. "Yeah…" she gave him one last kiss before jumping out of bed. "Breakfast, I'm starving. Let's go downstairs. I am sure the kids are still sleeping. It will be quiet." Reba pulled her blue silk robe on that Vic had bought for her a while back and made her way toward their bedroom door. "Aren't you coming?" she asked sweetly to the man who was still lying in bed.

Vic just smiled. "I'm going to take a shower first."

Reba nodded and smiled. "Okay, I'll be downstairs. I'll make sure breakfast is ready by the time you get down there."

Reba gave him one last smile and left. "A cold shower." Vic mumbled as he walked toward the bathroom.

Reba walked downstairs in a lovely mood. She was married, happy, and she was making her husband breakfast. She quickly got the things she needed for pancakes for Vic. She would eat her normal breakfast of fruit salad and juice. It was killing her to not turn on coffee pot. She would always have coffee with breakfast but since Vic found out about her health from the doctor he had hid the coffee. She knew he was only worried and it wasn't just for the baby, it was for her too.

Reba sighed and flipped a pancake. She tried to remember when her next doctor's appointment was. She knew it was coming up soon and she believed it was next week but she would double check her calendar to make sure. Reba had just set Vic's plate on the table just as Brock and Barbara Jean burst through her kitchen. "Reba!"

She rolled her eyes and reached for the plate of pancakes on the counter to set on the table. "What do you two want this morning?"

"Is someone grumpy this morning?" Barbara Jean said with a frown. "Did someone not get any last night?" she asked bluntly. Reba glared at her. Barbara Jean just grinned and sat down by the plate and started to serve herself pancakes. "We just came back from seeing Van and Cheyenne."

Reba nodded and turned. She rolled her eyes when she saw Barbara Jean eating some pancakes. She really wasn't surprised. She did it all the time. Reba brought another plate from the cupboard and set it on the table. Reba smiled. "How is Daniel doing?"

Barbara Jean smiled and swallowed what little pancake she had in her mouth. "He is doing just fine."

Reba nodded and smiled. "That's good. Maybe I'll go over and visit them today." She said as she sat down with her fruit salad.

Barbara Jean looked at Reba's breakfast. "Is that all you're eating?"

Reba nodded. "I have to. I can't eat pancakes. The doctor said my blood pressure is a little high and she wants my weight to be steady. Vic has had me on a strict diet ever since we've found out."

"I hope you're sticking with it." A voice said walking into the kitchen.

Reba turned to see Vic walking into the kitchen. "I am eating fine, look." She said holding up the bowl of fruit.

Vic gave her a look and nodded while pouring himself a glass of milk. He sat down at the table and helped himself to some pancakes. "If you're eating so healthy where is my left over burger from yesterday that I had in there?"

Reba looked at him confused. "I don't know where any burger is. I didn't eat anything but what you made me last night."

Vic just nodded. Reba could tell he still didn't believe her. "I just wish you would stick with the diet plan once in a while."

Reba rolled her eyes. "I didn't eat any burger."

Barbara Jean, who had been listening to the whole conversation, started giggling nervously. "Was it a double cheese burger with onions, pickles, honey mustard, and tomato?"

Vic nodded. "Yeah, did you see her eat it?" he asked looking toward Reba.

Barbara Jean shook her head. "No…" she said shyly. "I ate it." Vic just stared at her and shook his head. It really didn't surprise him. After meeting Reba's dysfunctional family he has grown accustomed to the surprises that were around every corner. "I'm sorry." Barbara Jean added. "I didn't know it was yours."

Vic shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I am become used to the surprises around this house." Barbara Jean laughed. Meanwhile Reba was sitting there, waiting for her apology. She cleared her throat and Vic turned towards her to find her staring. "What?"

Reba sighed. "I'm waiting for my apology."

Vic smiled sheepishly and took her hand. He kissed it gently, rubbing his thumb across the top. "I'm sorry honey. I'll make it up to you later."

Reba smiled. "You better." She said with a wink. They went back to their food and Reba turned to Brock who hadn't said anything since he arrived and Reba now realized why. He was half asleep at the table. Reba chuckled. "Brock, are you okay?" He didn't respond. "Brock!"

His head shot up. "Huh?" he asked through tired eyes.

Barbara Jean patted his arm in sympathy. "He was up all night with me once we arrived home. I was throwing up and then I got a craving for a Popsicle, which of course we didn't have, and he had to make a five o'clock in the morning run to the store." Suddenly Barbara Jean's tone of voice changed. "Then he didn't get the right kind." She said giving him a look.

Brock groaned. "They were double, they didn't have a singles."

Barbara Jean rolled her eyes. "They are not the same. I wanted the single popsicle, not the ones that are stuck together like there are two of them." She turned to Reba. "You understand right?"

Reba shook her head. "No." Barbara Jean just shrugged and kept right on eating. Reba looked at her curiously. "What I want to know is how you throw up all night and still are able to eat popsicles and pancakes."

Barbara Jean shrugged. "Food is good and I need it. I'm eating for two." She said sweetly and rubbing her stomach but like someone had a remote connected to her, Barbara Jean's sweet voice and demeanor changed in an instant. "What I want to know…" she said glaring at Reba. "Is how YOU are not sick at all." She said stabbing her pancake. Reba was about to answer but Barbara Jean continued. "I also want to know how you don't gain any weight. I've gained five pounds in a week. It's just not fair." She said annunciating on each word.

Reba's eyes widened as she finished the last of her fruit salad. "It just depends on the person Barbara Jean." Reba smiled at Vic as he took her bowl for her.

Barbara Jean rolled her eyes. "From what I know you were sick for months with your other children. Why aren't you sick now?"

Reba didn't know what to say. She just shrugged. "I don't know Barbara Jean. You will be fine. Remember, in the end, it's all worth it." Reba said trying to give her positive feedback.

Barbara Jean sighed and smiled contently. "Yeah, it will be." She then seemed to feel so much better and helped herself to more pancakes.

"So…" Reba said sipping her orange juice. "What are your plans for the day?"

Barbara Jean suddenly got wide eyed and smiled. "Oh yeah, I completely forgot why exactly we came over here."

Reba looked at her completely confused. "Besides to eat my food, why did you two come over here?"

Barbara Jean grinned and actually pushed her plate away. "Well, I was talking with Cheyenne today. She and I have planned for you two to get married in front of the Justice of the Peace…tonight!" Barbara Jean said excitedly.

Reba tried to wrap her head around the words that were just said to her. "What?"

Barbara Jean nodded enthusiastically. "Yup, we found this adorable bed and breakfast just outside of town, Mini's Bed and Breakfast, so cute. It's owned by this little old couple and the husband can marry you two." Reba's eyes widened at Barbara Jean's words. Barbara Jean noticed her uneasiness. "You said you just wanted to get it over with…right? I mean we didn't jump to fast with this did we?"

Okay, now Reba was shocked twice. First she learns that they have arranged for her and Vic to get "married" that very night at the same bed and breakfast they had gotten married just last night and then Barbara Jean actually wants her opinion on whether or not they jumped too fast. "Well, I just thought we would have a little more…time." She said smiling slightly.

Barbara Jean just waved her statement off. "You don't need anymore time." Reba rolled her eyes. That was the Barbara Jean she knew, taking charge of everything. Reba then watched as Barbara Jean pulled out a notepad from her purse. "First thing first is Brock is taking Vic away for the day."

Vic's head shot up at this. "What?" he asked after being silent for a while.

Barbara Jean nodded. "Yup, after breakfast, Brock and Van are taking Vic away for the day so he can't see you until you two get married. I am taking you to get something to wear for the ceremony. Cheyenne wanted to go but she obviously can't because she just had a baby. She will be there tonight though. She said to make you get something nice. You can't wear jeans." Barbara Jean said knowing exactly what Reba was thinking.

Reba frowned. "Why do you have to take Vic away?"

Barbara Jean smiled. "Because it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, besides you'll get him back tonight." She said with a wink. "We're taking Kyra and Jake to our house tonight." Reba rolled her eyes but couldn't help but love that idea. They could finally celebrate their marriage. Reba was brought out of her thoughts by Barbara Jean barking orders at a sleeping Brock. "Brock...you big baby wake up!" Barbara Jean poked his side and he shot up, almost falling out of the chair. Barbara Jean just rolled her eyes. "Brock, it's time for you to take Vic." Brock stood up, still quite tired, and just motioned for Vic to follow him.

Reba chuckled as Brock tried walking out the door before opening it and slammed himself into it. "There's a door there, you have to open it." Brock turned to try and glare at her but he was too tired. He opened the door and walked out. Reba turned to Vic. "A kiss before you leave." She demanded.

Vic smiled. "You're actually going to let them take me away."

Reba giggled. "I still have full custody. I will get you back tonight. See you later." She said leaning close and giving him a peck, which quickly turned into a long lingering kiss.

"That's enough." Barbara Jean said, pushing them apart. Reba looked up frowning. She didn't even notice Barbara Jean move. "Get out." She said pulling up Vic and pushing him toward the door that Brock had just left a minute ago. "You can't see her until right before the ceremony. Brock and Van are going to make sure you get there on time. See ya." Vic chuckled as he was shoved out the door.

Reba blew him one last kiss as he turned and waved goodbye. Barbara Jean shook her head and pulled the blind down so he couldn't be seen anymore. Reba sighed and picked up her juice to be sipped but it was snatched out of her hand by Barbara Jean before she could even put her lips on the glass. "No more juice. You need to go upstairs and get a shower. We are leaving in a few minutes."

Reba groaned as she was forced to get up and go to her room for a shower. She was kind of hoping she and Vic would have some time alone after breakfast but that went out the door, now she was having a second wedding ceremony tonight, at the same place she just got married. What was she going to do? Doris Nelson and her husband would surely remember who they were. There had to be some way she could get to Mrs. Nelson before anyone else did and just explain the situation and beg her and her husband not to say anything.

She took her quick shower and dressed in record time. Those mood swings of Barbara Jean were switching so much. She didn't know when the woman would bite off her head or when she would smile sweetly and be her old goofy self. Reba didn't really want to risk getting yelled at. She used the blow dryer on her hair and then put on very little make-up. She checked herself out in the full length mirror one last time. Ugh, was all she could think. She looked fat or at least she thought so.

Reba was just about to walk out of her room and meet Barbara Jean downstairs when her bedroom door burst open and in walked the woman herself. "What is taking you so long?" Barbara Jean asked impatiently. "Let's go. We only have a few hours to find a nice dress, shoes, accessories, and do something with that hair."

Reba frowned. "What's wrong with my hair?" she asked as she walked out of her room, following Barbara Jean. Barbara Jean never answered her.

Barbara Jean drove straight to the mall and practically dragged Reba inside. She felt her arm almost being pulled out of its socket as Barbara Jean dragged her to almost every store in the mall. Reba was tired of Barbara Jean forcing her into dresses that were just…ugly. Well, to her anyway. Barbara Jean and Reba had very different tastes. Reba wasn't going to wear anything colorful or that made noise.

"Barbara Jean!" Reba finally said after she had tried to pull Reba into yet another loud dress store. Barbara Jean stopped and stared at Reba. "I want to pick out the dress myself okay. The ones you have been showing me are not my style. I'll still ask for you're opinion but let me pick my own out all right."

Barbara Jean nodded and followed Reba away from the store she was going to drag Reba into. She followed Reba into a classier store and followed her around as Reba looked through the racks of gorgeous dresses. Barbara Jean tried giving her opinion but Reba just shushed her when she went a little too far. Barbara Jean sighed. "I wish you would let me help you."

Reba turned to Barbara Jean. "Look, we tried that. You tried getting me into a hot pink gown. I am not wearing hot pink at my own wedding ceremony okay."

Barbara Jean frowned. "But don't you think wearing white is a little risky considering you're kids are going to be there and you're pregnant."

Reba rolled her eyes. "It's not white." She said as she admired a dress she was holding. "It's off white."

Barbara Jean sighed. "Whatever." Reba sighed and grabbed the dress and another she had admired earlier and walked into the dressing room. "Can I at least see it on you?" Barbara Jean yelled through the door.

"I want you to. That's why you're here to help."

Barbara Jean flopped herself in a chair just outside Reba's door. "I just wanted to make sure this night is perfect for you considering you won't be having a big wedding." She said sadly.

Reba gave a chuckle. "I'm happy about that."

Barbara Jean frowned. "I didn't ruin that for you did I? All the planning we tried to do."

"Barbara Jean you didn't ruin it. Granted the Halloween idea was a little much but I am sure you would have planned a wonderful wedding."

Barbara Jean beamed. "You thinking of changing you're mind?"

Reba chuckled again. "I don't think so. I like the idea of just getting this over with. I know that sounds bad but we wouldn't have had a big wedding anyway if we were actually married four months ago." Barbara Jean sighed and Reba opened the door. She stepped out and had Barbara Jean look it over. "What do you think?"

Barbara Jean looked over the long dress. It didn't really show much and it was quite plane. The neckline went all the way up to her neck and the only thing it showed was her arms. Barbara Jean cringed a bit. "I don't think that is really you."

Reba took a look in the mirror and her eyes widened. One look in the mirror was all it took because she immediately went back into the dressing room to change into the other dress she had. "I hope this one looks better. I am getting quite tired already. I love being pregnant but it takes a lot out of you."

Barbara Jean nodded in agreement eve though she knew Reba couldn't see her. "Are you scared?" Barbara Jean asked suddenly out of the blue.

Reba was taken aback a bit when she heard the question. She also heard the fear in Barbara Jean's voice. "Out of my mind." Reba finally admitted. She was scared. She was more scared now than she was with her other pregnancies. She wasn't young and her blood pressure wasn't all that great. What if she just couldn't do it? What if her body couldn't handle it?

"I am glad I am not the only one." Barbara Jean said with a smile. "I shouldn't be scared though, this is my second child. I thought it would get easier but…"

Reba chuckled a bit. "No, it doesn't. This is my fourth and I'm more scared now than I was with my other three. You have an advantage, you're young. I'm not exactly young." Reba said silently. Maybe it would be better if she told someone. She could tell Vic but she just felt she needed someone else to tell, someone who was almost in the same boat. "My blood pressure still isn't where the doctor would like it to be. She told me at my last appointment if at the next one it still doesn't come down she wants to see me every week. I know Dr. Parks is trying to make it seem like nothing but…I am taking a great risk, having this baby, not that there was any other choice for me but I am just…frightened. When you're older and pregnant the baby could develop some disorder or something could happen to me or worse…my child could die." She said with so much emotion.

Barbara Jean could tell Reba was on the edge of bursting into tears. Here she was, worried about really nothing and here Reba was, truly at risk of losing her baby or having something happen to her. What kind of friend was she? Barbara Jean looked up when the door opened. Reba stood there smiling. Barbara Jean could tell by the redness of Reba's eyes that she was fighting back a fountain of tears. "What do you think?" she asked stepping to the mirror.

Barbara Jean smiled as Reba took a look in the mirror. The dress was an off white color just like the other. It showed a little more skin but not too much. It had a sweetheart neckline, giving her chest a little push up and it fit her waist gently. It wasn't too tight to show off the baby weight she had gained and the bottomed flared outward, hitting just above the knee. "I think it's gorgeous." Barbara Jean said and it was gorgeous on Reba.

"I'm going to get it." Reba said excitedly.

Barbara Jean smiled. "Good, now you can help me pick out my dress." She said happily. Reba chuckled slightly and went back into the dressing room to change. Despite the laughter and happiness Reba was giving out Barbara Jean could tell she was still quite shaken up by their previous conversation. Barbara Jean felt she needed to talk with Reba about this if she had it all pent up. She knew Reba never liked to show her feelings too much. She would have to bring it up during lunch, after she gave Reba her surprise.

End of Chapter