Chapter 26

The moment Lexi stepped into their home Reba could definitely feel the tension between the two women. It was just like when Liz and Reba used to fight. Reba supposed it was just mother-in-law/daughter-in-law type thing and just let it pass. She couldn't really concentrate on that now. She had to concentrate on the fact that she was getting married…again…that very night. For the third time that week she would be getting married and more than likely they would be going to the bed and breakfast. Now she had to explain to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson again to why she would be back. She wasn't exactly looking forward to that.

Reba sat down at the table with a cup of juice between Lexi and Sophia. You could cut the tension with a knife and Reba wasn't sure what to do. Vic had left her alone to go with Brock and Van somewhere after they mentioned to the family they had to get married again but they had to keep it a secret that they were already married. It was a secret on top of a secret because her family still didn't know they married two days ago. Reba didn't know what to do. She was here alone with two women who appeared not to like each other.

Reba smiled at Lexi. "Are you sure you don't want a cup of coffee?" Lexi shook her head. Sophia just rolled her eyes and sipped her cup of coffee. They both hadn't said anything to each other. They only talked to Reba and this put her in a delicate situation. "So…" Reba said smiling. "What brings you here Lexi?"

Lexi smiled. "I was hoping to see my son and talk with him. I also came here to visit you and check how things are going with the wedding plans."

Reba sighed and braced herself to tell Lexi the news. "We are getting married tonight."

Lexi's eyes widened. "Tonight?"

Reba nodded. "Yes, there is this cute little bed and breakfast where a Justice of the Peace is at and…"

"So…" Lexi said interrupting her. "You're not getting married in a church?"

Reba shook her head. "It's just with me being four months pregnant we thought getting married now and quickly would be better. I don't want to walk down the isle with a huge stomach in the way. Plus the planning would be way too much and Vic feels I need to relax as much as possible. Planning a big wedding would be too stressful for me right now."

Lexi tried to smile as best as possible. "I could help you. I could stay here in Houston. In a couple of weeks we could have a beautiful yet small wedding. It doesn't have to be big."

Reba didn't want to hurt Lexi's feelings but she really didn't want a big wedding. Reba shook her head. "I really feel that this is for the best. I like the idea of just getting it over with."

Lexi still wouldn't let it go. "A wedding is something you're not supposed to just get over with. If you're worried about not getting it planned on time before the baby comes…"

Sophia rolled her eyes. "Lexi just let the kids have the wedding they want. They want to get married tonight let them get married."

Lexi glared. "I am just trying to talk some sense into her. I don't see how you're okay with this Sophia. I know how you threw a fit when Max and I almost didn't get married in a church."

"If it makes them happy I don't see why not. Let Victor do what he wants." Sophia said taking a casual sip of her coffee.

Reba didn't really want to be in the middle of this argument. She was quite surprised Lexi was more against them getting married that night than Sophia was. Older people tended to be more set in their ways but this was not the case here. Lexi seemed almost determined to get them married in a church. Reba was beginning to get stress again. This wasn't any better than when Barbara Jean and Cheyenne were trying to give them a big wedding. Everyone wanted a say and was trying to tell her and Vic what to do but the more everyone yelled and pushed the more she just wanted to shout to them all that they were already married and it was their fault they had missed it.

Lexi continued to glare at Sophia. Sophia seemed unfazed by her glare. "I am just saying it's her special day. She should have a proper wedding. I am sure she will want to look back on this day and remember it fondly."

"I am sure whatever she chooses to do she will be happy with it and I am sure she will look back on it fondly." Reba smiled at Sophia's kind words. It was true though. That night they were married, even though they were interrupted, was special to her. It was a beautiful moment they shared between just the two of them and she would always look back on that day and smile. She didn't need a big wedding nor did she want one. All she needed was Vic and she had him.

Lexi ignored Sophia and turned back to Reba. "I really think you should have a big wedding. I told you I can help."

Reba smiled and just shook her head. She stood up and took her cup to the sink. "I really appreciate the idea of you helping Lexi but I really think this is the best thing for Vic and me." Reba thought Lexi was pushing it but she didn't want to say anything to upset Lexi too much. She was Vic's mother and there were still a little bit of hard feelings from a month ago when she was trying to get rid of Reba but Reba was trying, for the benefit of Vic and her unborn child, to get along with her.

Lexi was about to say something when Vic burst through the back door. He had a huge smile on his face. "Grandma, how are…" Vic stopped when he saw his mother sitting at the kitchen table. He smiled big. "Mom!" he said walking over. Lexi stood and brought her son into a big hug. Vic broke the hug and continued smiling. "This is quite a surprise. Two visits so close to together."

"I am just here to visit my future daughter-in-law and my son."

Vic smiled and turned to his Grandmother only to catch her rolling her eyes. "Well, it's good to have you here." Vic gave her a smile and quickly walked over to Reba, who was standing at the sink. "You have these two in the same room together? And there isn't any blood on the walls?" he whispered into her ear.

Reba giggled. "Why would there be?"

"I am sure by now you can tell they don't get along very well. They can't stay in the same room without yelling at each other for something." He whispered again. Reba just rolled her eyes.

"What are you two whispering about?" Lexi asked curiously.

Sophia rolled her eyes. "If they want to whisper to each other let them whisper. You are so nosy."

Lexi gritted her teeth. "Can I see you in the living room Vic?" Vic and Reba looked at each other and shrugged. Vic followed his mother into the living room while Reba went to sit back down with Sophia.

Reba smiled. "Will she let the big wedding thing go?"

Sophia sighed and shook her head. "I don't know honey but you don't worry about her. Now, what do you plan on wearing tonight?"

Reba smiled. "I plan on wearing that dress you saw me in yesterday night."

Sophia beamed. "That was a beautiful dress and you made it look wonderful." Sophia set her coffee cup down and took Reba's hands. "I am really looking forward to seeing you two marry. You are perfect for my grandson. I never thought I would see the day when he got married." Reba smiled sympathetically and as Sophia continued Reba was glad they didn't tell Sophia they were already married. It seemed to mean a lot to her. "I was so afraid he would be like his father. My son…isn't exactly the best role model. I thought Lexi was going to finally settle him down but…" Sophia rolled her eyes and scoffed. "That went away quite fast. I am surprised it lasted ten years." Sophia turned her face back into a bright smile. "I know you will make my grandson happy and you are making me happy by letting me be there."

Reba chuckled. "You are family. It's not a matter of letting you be there. I am just happy you will be there." Sophia smiled right along with her but their good time was soon taken away when they heard a front door slam. Reba jumped and turned around just in time to see Vic coming into the kitchen looking stressed. Reba looked to him in concern. "What is wrong?"

Vic threw his hands in the air. "I talked to her. I told her this is what we want. I told her the address and how to get there but she still won't change her mind."

Reba furrowed her eyebrows together. "What? What did she say?"

Vic sighed. "She is not coming to the wedding tonight." Reba's eyes widened. Vic saw Reba's look and nodded. "Yup, she thinks were making a big mistake by rushing into this again."

Sophia was quite confused. "What do you mean again?"

Reba opened her mouth to speak but she stopped herself and looked to Vic. Maybe she wasn't the best one to explain how they really got together. Vic nodded in understanding and sat down next to his grandmother. "We didn't plan Reba getting pregnant." He said starting off.

Sophia chuckled. "I didn't plan on getting pregnant with your father either but things happen."

Vic shook his head. "No, I mean. Reba and I did meet at work but we really didn't get together until about three months ago when I came to visit you in Italy." Sophia looked confused and Vic continued on with how they truly had gotten together. He explained their night, without too much detail, waking up thinking they were married, and then their month together before they truly decided to be together.

Vic didn't know what Sophia was going to say once he was finished. He sat there in silence as he waited for Sophia to say something. She just sat there with her arms cross listening. "So…" she finally said after a couple of minutes. "You put the Italian charm on her huh?" Sophia said with a smile.

Reba and Vic chuckled and they were so relieved. "What can I say…?" Vic said leaning back in his chair and pulling at his collar. "She couldn't resist me."

Reba and Sophia both rolled their eyes. "He definitely acts like his grandfather."

Reba laughed and then turned to Sophia. "So…you're not mad. I mean I know I can't tell my father because he would more than likely come after Vic with a shotgun but…"

Sophia smiled and shook her head. "Do you love him?"

Reba smiled and reached for Vic's hand. "More than anything."

"Then that's all that matters." Sophia said patting their hands that were held together.

Reba frowned. "But what about Lexi?"

Sophia rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about her. She will come around eventually. She just wants what is best for you and Vic."

Vic looked at his grandmother in shock. "I have never heard you talk about my mother that way before. I am quite surprised."

Sophia chuckled. "What can I say…?" she said leaning back in her chair and pulling at her blouse collar. "I am just full of surprises." They all chuckled at that and went on to discuss that night's plans.

Reba was a little stressed by the fact she had to get married that night once more. It was about a couple of hours before she and Vic were supposed to go to the bed and breakfast and get married for the third time in three days. It didn't help that Vic was gone all day either. He did come back after he spent the morning with Van and Brock but then he left again. Reba had to wonder what he was doing. She was worried because she had heard him on the phone talking with Dr. Parks, this concerned her deeply.

He had left and so that left Reba with Sophia. Reba loved to spend time with Sophia but her mind couldn't stray from the fact that Lexi said she wasn't going to be at their "wedding". So much for Reba thinking she has changed much. Lexi still wanted things her way. When she told her family she was having another wedding they agreed to it and said it would be a little romantic. Their "real" wedding could be private and their wedding that was taking place that night could be the family celebration. If they only knew how stressful it really all was, lying never helped and Reba was ready to wash her hands of the whole wedding thing and just tell everyone already.

"Reba!" Barbara Jean said as she walked through the front door. Reba groaned. She was just about to take a nap. Sophia had decided to go upstairs and take her own nap. Reba thought she would finally have some time to rest more but she didn't know why she even thought that. Barbara Jean flopped herself right on the couch next to a drossy Reba. "How are you?"

Reba rubbed her tired eyes. "Tired, I was hoping to get a nap but someone interrupted it." She said glaring at Barbara Jean.

She looked down shyly. "Sorry but I just wanted to come over and help you get ready, you only have two hours until your "wedding." She said adding quotations to the wedding. She giggled and looked around. "Where is his grandmother?"

Reba pointed to the stairs. "She is taking a nap."

Barbara Jean smiled. "Are you excited about the second wedding?"

Reba smiled. "I was."

Barbara Jean frowned. "What do you mean you were?"

Reba sighed and flopped back to lying down on the couch. "Lexi refuses to be there. She wants us to have a big church wedding. She doesn't understand why we would just want to get it over with."

Barbara Jean shrugged. "I don't understand why you wouldn't want a big wedding either. I had a big wedding and I didn't look bad with my big stomach in the way."

Reba shook her head. "Well, that's great for you but I just decided I didn't want a big wedding. Everyone was saying what they wanted. No one ever asked what Vic and I wanted. We just wanted to get married. We didn't need nor want some big elaborate affair with deciding on flowers, colors, food, guests, invitations, it was just too stressful and I didn't need that."

Barbara Jean patted Reba's arm and smiled sympathetically. "I'm sorry."

Reba looked at Barbara Jean in shock. "What?"

"I'm sorry." She said quietly. "Cheyenne and I were pushing. We knew about your high blood pressure. We should have asked you first what you wanted."

Reba smiled. "Your heart was in the right place but it doesn't matter anymore. Vic and I are already married. This wedding is for his grandmother. I couldn't bear to break her heart and have her know we were married without her."

Barbara Jean smiled and looked around. "Where is Vic?"

Reba frowned and shrugged. "I don't know. He has been gone most of the day. He came home for a brief moment and then left again."

"Maybe he has a surprise for you." Barbara Jean said excitedly.

Reba rolled her eyes and moved to sit up on the couch. "I doubt it." Just then Vic decided to walk through the door. "There he is." Reba said standing up and crossing her arms over her chest. "Where have you been?"

Vic smiled and shook his head. "I haven't been anywhere."

"I have been worried sick about you and you come back with that lame excuse!" she yelled.

Vic cringed. 'And here comes the mood swings.' He thought to himself. "I was just out."

"Out where?" she asked

Vic just shook it off and waved his hand. He didn't want to tell her, not now. "I was just out okay."

Barbara Jean who was sitting on the couch decided maybe it was best she left and she gave a quick goodbye to Reba who didn't seem to notice her leaving. Reba was too concerned with where Vic was or who he was with. "Who were you with?"

Vic turned to her confused. "What do you mean who was I with?"

"Why are you avoiding my question with a question?" she asked moving in front of him and looking straight into his eyes.

Vic rolled his eyes. "I am not avoiding your question. I wasn't with anybody. You're acting irrational. Now just relax. This isn't good for the baby." He said walking away and toward the kitchen.

Reba followed him. "Baby, baby, baby, that's all you're worried about lately. What about me? Now I want you know who you were with?"

"I wasn't with anyone." He said taking a beer out of the refrigerator. "And I am not only worried about the baby. I am worried about you too. Dr. Parks said…"

Reba scoffed. "Dr. Parks…ugh." She flopped herself into the chair.

"What do you have against Dr. Parks? She is a wonderful doctor. She takes care of you very well." He said rubbing her arm.

Reba pulled away and glared at him. "What else has Dr. Parks been taking care of?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

Vic couldn't help but laugh. "What?"

Reba nodded. "Yeah, I want to know what else or rather who she has been doing lately."

Vic shook his head, still trying to understand. "I haven't been doing anything with Dr. Parks."

Reba scoffed and stood up, walking away from Vic. "Likely story."

Vic walked up to her and tried to wrap his arms around her waist, Reba just pulled away. "Honey…"

Reba glared. "Don't call me honey, not with you being out all day doing God only knows what. I heard you talking with Dr. Parks this morning." She said revealing what she had heard right before he left. "What if I went out with someone else? How would you like that?"

Vic stood there shocked. "Reba…I didn't go out with anyone and what are YOU talking about. Who have YOU been going out with?"

Reba stood in front of him smugly looking at him. "Well, my ex Jack Morgan…excuse me…" she said smiling. "I mean Dr. Jack Morgan asked me out yesterday. Barbara Jean and I ran into him at the mall. How would you feel if I went out with him?" Vic had to chuckle. It was so funny when she was jealous and now she was trying to get him jealous. Reba took his chuckle the wrong way. "You know what…just get out." Reba said pointing to the door.

Vic's eyes widened. This was definitely not how he planned things to go. "Reba…"

Tears were now flowing down her cheeks. "Just get out." She said pointing to the back door again.

Vic made it about half way to the door when he stopped. Why should he leave? Reba forcing him to leave wasn't going to have them work anything out. He turned around. "I am not leaving." He said firmly.

Reba glared. "I want you out!"

"Well that's too bad." He said walking toward her. "What is wrong with you Reba?" Reba didn't even respond she just stomped out of the kitchen and into the living room. Sophia was just coming down the stairs. "Stop walking away from."

Sophia yawned. "What is all the yelling about?"

"He's cheating on me!" Reba yelled just as her family decided to walk through the door. They all stopped and stared at Vic, wondering what in the world was going on.

Sophia looked to her grandson. "What is she talking about?"

Vic shrugged. "I have no idea."

Reba glared. "I think you do. Go on, tell your grandmother what or rather who you have been doing all day."

"What?" A voice said coming from the door.

Reba turned to see Lexi standing in the doorway of her home next to the rest of her family, this was all she needed right now. "Reba I haven't been cheating on you. Why are you acting so irrational?"

"I am not acting irrational. You have been gone with Dr. Parks all day, haven't you?"

Vic approached Reba but she just stepped away. "I haven't been with Dr. Parks all day. I haven't been with anyone all day. I was by myself."

Reba scoffed and walked away. "I should have never married you!" she yelled turning around.

Sophia stood there wide eyed. "What?"

Vic turned to his grandmother and sighed. "I'm sorry grandma but we are already married."

Sophia frowned. "You are?"

Barbara Jean decided to step up and she placed a gentle arm on Sophia. "Yeah, they were married last night. Right before you came here actually."

Reba rolled her eyes. "We were married before that and I wish we didn't elope because it was the biggest mistake I ever made, marrying this adulterer!"

Cheyenne eyes widened. "Wait, you really did elope that night you two left, the night I went into labor?"

Vic nodded. "Yeah, we were going to keep it a secret because we felt bad that you weren't there and you seemed so hurt. We just thought it would be better if we just had our own little private celebration and then celebrate with you guys."

"Well, now you don't have to worry about missing it." Reba said still glaring at Vic. "Because are getting an annulment, so that ceremony didn't matter."

"Reba…I didn't spend the afternoon with anyone. It was a surprise for you!" he said frustrated. He didn't want to tell her now but since she seriously didn't believe him he thought it would be better to just tell her. "I was going to take you away after the ceremony tonight. I wanted to take you for a real honeymoon. The only thing is we wouldn't have been able to leave until tomorrow so I got us the presidential suite at the beautiful Four Seasons hotel in downtown Houston. I was talking with Dr. Parks because I wanted to make sure it was okay for you to travel before I bought the tickets. She said as long as we saw a Doctor wherever we went it should be fine considering you're only in your fourth month." He pulled out something from his back pocket and held it out for Reba to take.

Reba hesitated but took the pieces of paper from his hand. She glanced at them and she suddenly felt like an idiot. The papers were tickets, first class tickets to Italy. Reba suddenly felt the need to apologize but her pride was still getting in the way. She quickly handed back the tickets. "No one asked you to get the tickets."

Vic sighed and just turned away. "I don't understand you Reba. I wasn't cheating on you. I just wanted to do something special for you and for me. We didn't get a real honeymoon the first time. I thought this would be a great time to spend together." He said sadly.

Reba suddenly changed her attitude and rushed up to Vic to pull him into a hug. "I'm sorry honey. I know I've been crazy. It's the baby, not me. He or she is making me nuts." She said into his shoulder.

Vic chuckled and pulled her close. "It's all right. I know you're just crazy."

Reba chuckled and they both stood there not letting go of one another. "Wait a minute." Sophia said making everyone turn towards her. "You two were already married two nights ago?" she asked, a little hurt.

Reba nodded sadly. "We really wanted to tell you but…"

Sophia just nodded and pushed Barbara Jean away, walking towards the door. She opened it and stepped aside, turning to Vic and Reba. "Then why aren't you on your honeymoon?"

Reba and Vic smiled. Vic took Reba by the hand and they each gave Sophia a kiss on the cheek. They both left and Vic was pulling Reba away from the house and to his car. "Honey…" Reba said once they were driving down the street. "I don't have any clothes."

Vic just shook his head. "I already have a suitcase packed for you in the trunk."

"You have thought of everything haven't you?" she said taking his hand.

Vic smiled. "Yup, you're going to love Italy."

Reba smiled. "I'm sure I will." Reba sighed and shook her head. What could she have been thinking? Vic would never cheat on her and now they were going to enjoy a night alone for once at the lovely Four Seasons.

They arrived at their hotel and were given VIP treatment as they were escorted to their room. Vic tipped the bellboy generously and told him to get lost before they even opened the door. Reba giggled as Vic opened the door but didn't step through it. "Aren't you going to carry me in?" she asked sweetly.

Vic shook his head. "No because the last time I did that someone interrupted us."

Reba giggled. "Let's just go in then." She said walking towards the entrance.

Vic stopped her and shook his head again. "No, that would break tradition."

"What do you want to do then? Have me carry you in?"

Vic opened his arms wide and smiled. "I'm light as a feather really."

Reba laughed and shook her head. "Honey, no offense but I cannot carry you. Now stop this nonsense, were wasting valuable alone time." She said suggestively.

Vic grinned and immediately picked her up and carried her in the room, shutting the door with his foot. Reba giggled as he lightly tossed her on the bed. He ripped his shirt off and Reba was surprised. "Vic, what is the rush? Haven't you ever heard of foreplay?"

Vic shook his head. "You've had three months of it! How much more do you need?"

Reba laughed and pulled him down to a kiss. She broke apart only for a moment. "This is perfect. Thank you and again I'm so sorry."

Vic shook his head. "Don't you worry about it, now, less talking more removal of clothing." Reba giggled and let him remove her blouse, tossing it to the floor and her jeans soon followed. "Now this is perfect." He said looking Reba over as she lay before him half naked.

Reba smiled shyly and brought him back down into a kiss. Just as they were about to get past second base, there was a knock on their hotel room door. "Are you serious!" Vic yelled getting up. He walked to the door and roughly opened it, glaring at the person behind it. Luckily Vic still at least had his jeans on. "What can I help you with?" he said coldly.

The bellboy seemed quite shaken by Vic's attitude. He nervously showed Vic the cart. "You forgot the complimentary champagne sir."

"Didn't you see the do not disturb sign?" he said pointing to the door knob. The bell boy shook his head and Vic looked down. The sign was not there. Vic immediately switched the sign to the outside of the door. "Now do you see it?" The bell boy nodded.

Vic started to shut the door but the bell boy stopped him again. "The champagne sir?"

Vic glared at the boy and shook his head. "Listen kid I have my gorgeous half naked wife laying in the bed behind this door do you REALLY think I care about champagne?"

"Vic." A voice said they both suddenly heard. Reba stepped out of the shadows in a short black nightgown and matching robe. Both of their jaws dropped. "Honey, he is just doing his job, now shut the door and come back to bed." She said in a husky tone.

The bell boy couldn't shake the image of Reba and he couldn't stop his grin. "You're my new hero man." He said as Vic shut the door and locked it.

Vic smiled and approached her. "I see you went through your suitcase."

Reba nodded. "I think it's safe to continue where we left off." She said guiding him to the bed. Vic eased himself over Reba and kissed her lips lightly. "I love you." She said smiling.

"I love you too." He smiled back and he kissed her passionately. This time there were no interruptions. This time they were able to go past second base and their love was consumed throughout the night.

End of Chapter