Chapter 29

Reba and Vic had spent the rest of the night showing their love to one another. Reba couldn't ask for a more perfect night. She awoke late in the morning to find herself alone in bed. She was disappointed. This was the first morning since they had been sleeping in the same bed that he had awoken before she did. She stretched her body and yawned as she sat up.

She wrapped the sheets around her body as rubbed her tired eyes. "Vic?" she shouted a bit.

"Just a minute honey." She heard from the bathroom. Reba smiled and lay back down for a moment on the bed, snuggling herself under the warm comfortable sheets. Reba heard the flush of a toilet and the running of the sink for about a minute.

Vic walked out of the bathroom and snuggled back into bed, cuddling with his wife. He kissed the side of her head and smiled. "Good almost afternoon."

Reba giggled and snuggled as close as she could get to him. "I can't believe we slept this long."

Vic smiled. "After last night, I sure can. Are you hungry?"

Reba nodded. "I'm starving."

"Good, I ordered room service. It should be here soo…" Vic smiled when he heard the door knock and a yell of room service through the door. "Now. I'll be right back. Don't move." He said smiling. Reba stayed where she was ordered as Vic put on his robe and went to open the door. He accepted the silver cart of food and tipped the gentleman, sending him away immediately.

Reba sat up when Vic rounded the corner by the bed. "What did you order?" she asked slipping out of bed and grabbing her matching robe.

Vic lifted a couple of silver covers and set them aside, repeating the process with the others. "I didn't know what you would want so I just ordered a variety of things." Reba eyes widened at all the plates of eggs, bacon, sausage, biscotti, toasted Italian bread, and waffles.

Reba's mouth watered. She really was starving and eager to dig in. "Thank you. I think I will have a little bit of everything if that is okay with you. I know how you are about my diet."

Vic smiled. "You've been good lately as far as eating. I can't exactly stop you from eating and of course you know how crucial watching what you eat is."

Reba grinned and began piling her plate. "Good because I am starving." She piled on eggs, bacon, she skipped the waffles knowing that they wouldn't be that good for her or the baby, but she happily took a chocolate, almond biscotti. She grabbed some chocolate sauce that was next to the Italian bread and sat down at their small sitting area.

Vic picked up a couple of waffles and sat down next to her. He watched as she drizzled chocolate sauce all over the eggs, bacon, and biscotti. He made a face and it was hard to watch as she took a big bite of her eggs. "Yummy." She said with a smile.

"Gross." Vic said as he took a bite of his waffle.

Reba frowned. "This isn't gross." She said gesturing towards the eggs. "This is good, try it." She said scooping up some egg and putting it in his face.

Vic pulled away. "No, that's all right. You eat it." Reba just shrugged and kept on eating and grossing Vic out. "So…" Vic said cutting up his waffle. "What did you want to do today?" Reba smirked and was about to say something but Vic stopped her. "Besides that." He said smiling. He shook his head. "I am rubbing off on you too well. Your mind is corrupted. I think I liked it better when you blushed at comments such as the ones you were thinking of saying. Now, what do you want to do today?"

Reba giggled and shrugged. "I don't know. I have never been here. There are so many things that I have read about I wouldn't know where to start."

"How about the Spanish Steps? You're not too tired to try and make it all the way up to the top are you?" he asked smirking.

Reba smiled and shook her head. "I would love to see the Spanish Steps."

"All right but if we do go make sure you only take what you absolutely need. If you can leave your purse here you do that and I will do the same with my wallet." He said taking a sip of his morning coffee.

Reba furrowed her eyebrows together in confusion. "Why can't I take my purse?"

"Well…" Vic said dabbing a napkin on his lips. "Pickpocketers are out. Their usually at higher numbers at night but I don't want to take the chance so if you can leave it here please do."

Reba nodded now in understanding. "Since we know where we are going, can we focus on breakfast now?" She said digging back into her chocolate eggs and causing Vic to make more grossed out faces.

After they ate their breakfast Vic and Reba took their shower together…again. "What is the weather like out there today?" Reba asked as she searched her suitcase for something to wear.

Vic, who was bounding for the bathroom ready to splash on some aftershave, turned around. "It should be warm today but breezy, I checked. If you wear a t-shirt, take a light jacket with you but a light sweater would do just fine if you wanted to not carry anything."

Reba smiled as she continued to search through her suitcase. "It's nice to have a husband who is a fashion consultant."

Vic smiled. "I am only looking out for you. I want you to be comfortable."

Reba shrugged and held up a deep purple silk blouse. "How is this?"

"That is just fabulous darling." He said with a weird accent while holding up one hand to his chest.

Reba laughed and set the blouse on the bed. "I wish I had a video camera when you did that."

Vic cringed. "I am very happy you didn't." he said walking into the bathroom.

Reba gave a small chuckle and went back to get dressed. She dressed herself in jeans and the deep purple blouse. "What do you think?" she asked standing in the bathroom doorway.

Vic smiled at her through the mirror. "You look wonderful."

"And the best part is, it covers up the baby." She said pulling at her shirt, showing how loose it was.

Vic frowned. "Why would you want to hide the fact that we are having a baby?"

Reba shook her head. "I don't want to hide the fact that we're having a baby. I want to hide the fact that I am fat and that my stomach will continue expanding."

"But that is just the baby." Vic said smiling. "If you didn't expand we would have big problems." Reba nodded and walked up to the mirror to apply her make-up. They stood side by side at the sink as they finished getting ready for their day together.

"You know what we forgot to do when we arrived." Reba said glancing as she applied some lip gloss.

Vic looked confused. "What?" he asked

Reba sighed and set her make-up bag aside. "We forgot to call the kids. I need to let them know we made it okay. I think I will do that now."

She was about to walk out of the bathroom when Vic stopped her. "You can't call now. Its early morning there, really early morning, we can call them tonight." Reba smiled and went back to her make-up. She really had to get used to these time changes.

Reba was practically bouncing off the walls when they finally started to make their way downstairs. "I can't wait." She said excitedly when they walked out of the hotel to wait for their ride. Vic chuckled. "I must look like a kid in a candy store." She said smiling.

Vic chuckled. "I love seeing you get excited. It's cute and I am happy to show you these things. I know how much you always wanted to come here and it gives me joy to be able to bring you here."

Reba smiled and kissed his cheek. "I can't wait to see the Spanish Steps but we also need to visit the Vatican City. Maybe we can do that Saturday, unless were doing something more important?" she asked trying to get him to confess his secret.

Vic smiled. "We can see the Vatican City. You're not catholic." He said looking at her curiously.

"So…I hear even if you are not catholic it still has a lot to offer you. I want to visit the Vatican Museum. I want to see Michelangelo's famously painted ceiling and altar wall but I heard there are other beautiful things to see there as well."

Vic smiled. "I would love to take you there but we will have to go tomorrow because I would love to arrange a guided tour."

Reba scrunched up her nose. "Why a guided tour, I hate going in museums and having people tell me about the painting or sculpture or anything that I am seeing. I would much rather just go and tour the museum the way I want."

Vic smiled and shrugged. "We can do that but I still would like to wait until tomorrow. Today we will see the Spanish Steps and walk the city but if you ever get tired I want you to tell me because then I will take you back to the hotel room and make you rest." Reba smiled. He sure did take good care of her.

Reba jumped back in reflex when a car pulled up suddenly to the curb they were standing on. A valet jumped out and handed the keys over to Vic. "Your car, sir."

"Thank you." Vic said as he opened the door for Reba.

She smiled and got into the passenger side and watched as Vic walked around to the other side. She was so excited to be here. Reba was even more excited by the fact she had a surprise coming on Saturday. She wonders what it is. It could be maybe a spa trip? Now her curiosity is getting the better of her. She had to know. A spa trip wouldn't be too much of a surprise. It would be nice but why wouldn't he just tell her if it was that. Maybe he was going to take her for a real night out on the town.

Reba looked at Vic who was smiling. "What is it?" she asked crossing her arms. She hated games.

Vic glanced at her for a moment curiously before turning back to the road. "What do you mean what is it? What is what?"

Reba sighed. "Saturday, what is the surprise you have for me on Saturday?"

Vic smirked. "It's really getting to you isn't it?" Reba frowned and nodded. "If you keep asking I might just have to cancel whatever I have planned for Saturday." Reba pouted and turned her head, looking out the window. Vic smirked. "I bet you can't even go a day without asking what we have planned for Saturday."

Reba turned to him and glared. "Excuse me."

Vic smiled as he pulled over to the curb. "I'll make you a deal. If you don't mention Saturday for the rest of this day I will tell you what we are doing Saturday tomorrow."

Reba rolled her eyes and turned away. "That's not a deal. I'll eventually find out. It doesn't matter."

Vic sighed and thought about it for a minute. He then smirked. "How about we make it interesting? This bet or deal…whatever we have going."

Reba turned to him, now very curious. "Keep talking." She said smiling.

Vic chuckled. "I will add the fact that Halloween is next Tuesday, the day after we return from our honeymoon and so is our Halloween office party." Reba nodded, indicating that she understood. "If you don't mention Saturday for the rest of the day you will not only get to know what's going on Saturday tomorrow, you will also get to pick out my costume I will be wearing to the office party on Tuesday."

Reba thought about it for a moment and couldn't help but think what a wonderful idea that was. She could stop herself from asking about Saturday if she needed to and the thought of seeing Vic in a humiliating yet adorable costume that she picked out would be icing on the cake. She smiled at Vic and nodded. "I agree."

"Before you agree…" he said raising a finger, hoping she would understand the terms. "If you do happen to mention Saturday in anyway, I get to pick out your costume and you will have to wait until Saturday to find out."

Reba nodded. "I understand and I agree."

Vic smirked. "You seem quite confident."

Reba smiled. "I am because I know I will win and I already have so many possibilities of what you can wear on Halloween."

"Okay." He simply said as he got out of the car. He walked around to her side of the door and opened it, helping her out. "I know you will enjoy today."

Reba smiled and let Vic take her hand, leading her to the steps. "It's magnificent." She said when they stepped up to the base of the steps. "I just can't believe I am here." She said smiling and stepping up onto one of the wide steps.

Vic wrapped an arm around her waist. "I am happy to bring you here." He smiled at her as she kept glancing around at all the people. There were a few Americans, she could tell by their attire and there were a few others that were speaking a language she sure was Italian.

"You will have to teach me Italian someday." Reba said smiling at him.

Vic chuckled. "I will be happy to teach you a few phrases."

Reba glared. "Nothing dirty now." She said smirking.

"I wouldn't dream of it." He smirked.

Reba rolled her eyes. "I have to the use the bathroom." Reba said suddenly feeling the urge.

Vic raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just use the bathroom at the hotel before we left?"

Reba nodded and smiled. "Well…your child likes to tap dance on my bladder."

Vic chuckled and nodded. "Come on." Vic led Reba to the bathroom and she ushered him away when he almost walked in with her.

Reba used the bathroom and walked out only to find that Vic had disappeared. Reba glanced around confused and started to head back to the steps. "Vic?" she shouted a bit. She was a little worried. She was in a strange city and now she couldn't find her husband. She arrived back at the steps and didn't see Vic anywhere. Reba bit her lip. She didn't know what to do. Should she keep looking or just stay here?

Reba was about to go back toward the bathrooms when behind her she heard a deep charming voice but with a thick Italian accent. "Beautiful." He said stepping next to Reba.

Reba glanced at him and nodded, giving him a strained smile. She didn't like this stranger talking to her. "Yes it is." She said nervously.

He gave her a charming smile. "Not as beautiful as signora." He said nodding toward her.

Reba gave out a nervous giggle. "Well thank you."

She tried stepping away but he followed her. "You know the steps were built in the 1720s in an effort to connect the Vatican with the Spanish Embassy."

Reba nodded. "I knew that." She said trying to step away again but he continued to follow her. She didn't need him to be her tour guide. She had done a little bit of research on Italy a while ago, hoping one day to visit.

"The building…" the man began to say.

Reba interrupted him. "Is the Trinità dei Monti, a church, which was built in the 16th century." She said with a smile.

The man chuckled. "I see you've done your homework."

Reba shrugged. "I always hoped to visit Rome someday and I figured it was the good thing to do a little research."

"Well, most Americans wouldn't take the time. I'm impressed." Reba smiled and tried to shake him away again but he just didn't seem to be getting the hint. "You should see the steps during Spring time, they display a beautiful floral and during Christmas they are used for a back drop for the nativity scene. It's quite beautiful."

Reba nodded. "I will have to return here again someday."

The man smiled. "Hopefully I will see you then as well." He said looking her over and smiling.

Reba felt quite uncomfortable under his gaze. She knew she should leave and find Vic soon. "I really need to go." She said trying to step away.

Reba's breath caught in her throat and she was read to hit him when she felt his hands pull on her arm. "I am sorry for being so forward but I was wondering if you would join me for dinner this evening?"

She was about to give him a very firm rejection when she felt another yet familiar arm sneak around her waist. "I am sorry but my wife and I will be busy this evening." Vic said glaring at the man who was still holding on to Reba's arm.

He quickly let go and mumbled an apology before disappearing into the crowd. Reba sighed in relief and wrapped herself in Vic's arms. "Thank you so much sweetie. That man wouldn't leave me alone."

Vic rubbed her back and stepped out of the embrace. "You have to be careful. You have to watch on who approaches you. He could have done a lot worse than just hitting on you."

Reba nodded. It was then she noticed that one hand was holding a bouquet of beautiful red roses. "Are those for me?" she asked smiling.

Vic nodded and handed them over. "I went to a vendor, just for a second and I guess I was gone longer than I had anticipated because when I came back you didn't come out. I waited forever and I was tempted to enter the bathroom to look for you but that's when I saw your red hair in the distance." Vic chuckled. "I almost tackled the man when I saw his hands were on you."

Reba smiled and shook her head. "No need to worry about it now." Reba smiled at her flowers. "You give me flowers out of the blue with no plans. I can't wait to see what you have planned on Saturday." Vic chuckled and let a little victory yell that got people's attention. Reba shook her head. "What is wrong with you?"

Vic chuckled. "You mentioned Saturday, I win."

Reba smiled and shook her head. "Nope, I didn't ask you to tell me what you had planned. I just said I can't wait."

"I said if you mentioned Saturday at all. You did. I win." He said smugly.

Reba frowned. "But…"

Vic chuckled. "I'm sorry but I win."

Reba pouted. "You tricked me."

Vic kissed the side of her head. "It will be okay. Let's try and go up the steps now."

"All right old man. Let's see what you've got." She said giggling.

Vic gave her a playful glare. "Old man, you're older than I am." He said smugly. Reba glared and started practically running up the stairs. Vic shook his head and went after her.

Reba and Vic almost made it to the top but Reba got way too tired and collapsed on the step out of pure exhaustion. Vic thought it was a good idea if they went back to the hotel and let her rest for a little while. They could order dinner and have a lovely evening alone. Reba happily agreed. She joked with Vic that he should carry her back to the car because she was so tired and Reba immediately regretted it because she was so embarrassed when he picked her up in his arms. She buried her face in his shoulder and closed her eyes, not wanting to see the amusing glances of everyone around them.

Vic had to chuckle for when he opened the door to step into the car, Reba was already asleep. He had driven back to the hotel, occasionally glancing at a sleeping Reba. They hadn't even been out very long but he could understand. She was pregnant and that caused great exhaustion. He should be happy that she agreed to go back to the hotel. She needed the rest. Once they arrived back, he tossed the keys to the valet and carried a sleeping Reba in his arms and up to their room where he gently laid her down on the comfortable king size bed to sleep.

Reba awoke a few hours later, still quite tired but not wanting to sleep anymore for fear she would not be able to sleep later. 'Not that I would probably get much sleep later.' She thought with a smile. Reba hopped off the bed and walked around the bed to see Vic sitting down in the sitting area, reading. She sat across from him and smiled.

Vic looked up when he noticed Reba sitting there. He smiled. "Hey, have a good nap?"

Reba nodded. "I shouldn't have slept so long. This is our honeymoon. It's not a time to sleep." She said with a smirk.

Vic chuckled and set his book down. Reba got up and sat down in Vic's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I like the way you think but I believe you needed it. You both needed it." He said rubbing her slightly swollen stomach.

Reba smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. "What are we going to order for dinner?"

Vic shrugged. "Whatever you feel like."

"When are we going to order dinner?" she said with a smile.

Vic chuckled. "Getting hungry, are you?" Reba nodded. "We can order it now." Reba got up off his lap and Vic went over to the phone to call for something to eat. "What do you want?" he asked as he asked for room service.

Reba shrugged and sat next to him. "You order whatever is good." Vic nodded and set their order. He set the phone back down when he was finished. "I need to call my family. It's okay I call them now right?"

Vic nodded and glanced at his still on Houston time watch. "Yes, it is only noon there. They should be awake by now."

Reba picked up the phone and asked the front desk for an outside line. She dialed her home number and waited for it to ring…once…twice…three times before someone finally picked it up."Hello?"

Reba crunched her eyebrows in confusion when the familiar voice answered. "What are you doing at my house Barbara Jean?"

"Reba! How are you? How is Rome?"

"I am fine. Rome is great and what are you doing at my home?"

Barbara Jean scoffed. "Well, Reba someone had to take care of your kids since you just up and abandoned them by going to another country."

Reba rolled her eyes. "Barbara Jean I am on my honeymoon and two of my kids are adults that can take care of themselves."

"There's Jake."

Reba shook her head. "And I am sure he is at his dad's house. Now what are you doing in my home?"

"Nothing…" Barbara Jean said pausing a moment. "Well, I kind of got lonely and I thought memorabilia of you would be nice. I had to have coffee with your picture this morning."

Reba rolled her eyes. She then paused for a moment when she realized what Barbara Jean had said. "Barbara Jean, you're not going through my stuff are you?"

"Nooo…" Barbara Jean said.

Reba pursed her lips, knowing she was doing her classic no face. "Barbara Jean, do NOT go through my things, especially my clothes. You tried borrowing my clothes before and you stretched them out."

Barbara Jean rolled her eyes. "I didn't wear any of them. I just had to get some clothes to attach to your picture to make it look like you're really here." She smirked. "By the way, who knew you wore sexy night clothes. Go Reba…"

Reba sighed. She should have expected it. It shouldn't be such a surprise. "Don't do that anymore. Now how are my kids? How is Sophia? Is she still there?"

"The kids are fine and Sophia is fine too. She said she will be going home tomorrow morning. She said there were some things she needed to do. When will you guys be coming home?"

"We will be home Monday afternoon."

"Goody! The end is in sight. In the mean time I will just have to deal with your picture."

Reba sighed. "Tell the kids I will talk to them another time and I thank you for keeping an eye out for them. Now I have to go." Reba said not wanting to keep her on the line too long, plus her stomach was growling and she was hoping the food would arrive soon.

"Well okay. Just make sure you call more."

Reba smiled. "Bye Barbara Jean." She immediately hung up the phone. She turned and smiled to Vic. "She went through my clothes."

Vic chuckled. "You're surprised?"

Reba shrugged and smiled. "I shouldn't be. Anyway, what we need to discuss what we are going to do tomorrow." She said smiling. Vic started to say something but Reba stopped him when she heard a knock at the door. "After we eat." She said jumping up to answer the door. Vic shook his head and followed her. 'Pregnant woman.' He thought with a smile.

End of Chapter