Chapter 44

"I did it!" Vic answered as he walked into the kitchen one morning while Reba was fixing breakfast.

Reba turned around from the refrigerator with a packet of bacon in her hand. "What did you do?"

Vic held up the baby in his arms and smiled. "I was finally able to change her diaper and look…" He said showing Reba the diaper. "It's staying on." He said proudly.

"And it only took you a month to get it right." Reba said with a giggle and kissed his cheek when he walked over. "I am very proud of you. Now get her away from here, put her down for her nap."

Vic frowned. "But she just woke up."

Reba placed a few bacon strips in the pan and turned to her husband that was cooing at Sophia. "She woke up a seven this morning. She hasn't been back to bed yet. She's a baby. She needs plenty of rest. Now go put her down."

Vic sighed and held Sophia close as he walked toward the living room. "Come on sweetheart, warden says its nap time."

Reba shook her head and continued to make Saturday morning breakfast for her family that were still in bed, hoping the smell of waffles and bacon cooking would wake them up. She thought making them a good breakfast would be a good way to say thank you. It's been a month since they first brought Sophia home and Reba couldn't ask for a better support system since she had the baby. The family knew what kind of nights they would have once she did arrive…sleepless ones.

Vic did as much as he could to help during the night but with Reba breastfeeding there wasn't much he could do except stand there. Reba would always force him to go to bed because he did have to work in the morning. Reba, however, was still on maternity leave for another month. Kyra and Jake did what they could to help but Jake had school and Kyra was always busy with her band and trying to make a name for themselves, Reba hated asking them for help.

Barbara Jean and Brock were doing okay. Barbara Jean always came over for "play dates", even though their babies were only a month old and just sat there in their little bouncy while Reba and Barbara Jean chatted. Barbara Jean was so happy to have her baby boy and Brock could never be prouder to have another son to give wisdom to.

Reba smiled as Kyra and Jake walked tiredly into the kitchen. "Smelled breakfast?" she asked in amusement. They both nodded and flopped themselves into chairs. Reba chuckled and set a platter of bacon strips and waffles on the table of front of them. "Enjoy." She said heading to the refrigerator to make her own breakfast.

"You're not having any mom?" Jake asked as he munched a perfectly cooked crisp piece of bacon.

Reba shook her head and pulled out the necessary fruit for a salad. "Nope, can't, I am twenty pounds on the good side. I am not about to gain it all back. I only have ten pounds more to lose, maybe even a little more."

Kyra frowned. "Are you sure you're not moving a little fast mom?"

Reba shook her head. "No, I'm doing fine. It's not like I am starving myself. I've been running with Vic every evening and I eat well. I am not over doing it. There is no need to worry."

Kyra shrugged. "Okay but these waffles are really good." She said smirking. "Their cinnamon with butter and syrup with crispy yummy bacon on the side."

Reba smiled and shook her head. "I know I made them and I only made enough for you, Jake, and Vic, so I won't be tempted." She said smugly.

Jake nudged his sister and smiled at his mom. "I would be happy to give you one of my waffles mom if you really want one."

Reba glared at her children and stuffed an apple slice in her mouth. "Stop it." Kyra and Jake laughed and they continued on eating. Reba shook her head as she sliced a banana into her bowl of fruit.

Suddenly Reba heard a yell from upstairs. "Reba!" Vic screamed.

Reba immediately dropped her knife and banana and ran upstairs. She was only thinking the worst as she got closer to her daughter's room. Sophia could have fallen. She could have broken her little baby arm, or leg, or body. She could have busted her head. She could be unconscious! Reba doubled timed it to her baby's room and stopped when she arrived in the doorway out of breath. "What happened?" she asked bending at the waist, trying to catch her breath.

Vic turned and smiled as he held Sophia in his arms. "She giggled!" he said excitedly.

"What?" Reba asked, moving forward into the room.

Vic nodded and stepped toward Reba. "She giggled. I was making faces at her when she smiled and then she let out a small cute little baby giggle. It was adorable!" Reba stopped and smiled as she watched Vic coo over his baby's small giggle. She then walked up and smacked him across the arm. Vic looked at his wife and his eyes widened. "You would hit me while I hold our child?" he asked shocked.

She glared at him and took Sophia away. "You scared me. I thought something serious had happened." Reba frowned and looked down at Sophia who was smiling. Reba grinned and squealed as she watched her daughter giggle. "Yeah, he scared your mommy. He can be so mean sometimes."

Vic frowned. "Why are you telling her that?"

Reba smiled and sat down in the rocking chair. "Because you are mean sometimes, you really scared me. I thought something had happened to her."

Vic shrugged and smiled shyly. "Sorry, I was just so excited to see her giggle. I can't wait to see what other things she can do."

Reba smiled. "I can't wait until she starts crawling, then walking; in four short years she will be in pre-school, then kindergarten, then before you know it she will be in high school and then college. Were losing her already Vic!" Reba said sadly.

Vic chuckled and shook his head. "Honey we have about eighteen years before she will be gone off to college. By then…" he said walking up behind her and massaging her shoulders. "We will want her to leave and…" He said with a smirk forming on his face. "We will have the whole house to ourselves, no interruptions, nothing…" he said leaning down to kiss her neck.

Reba giggled and stood up to avoid his kiss. "You better be careful, that's how we got this one." She said placing the baby in the crib.

Vic smirked and walked up behind Reba, wrapping his arms around her. "I thought she came along as a result of you pushing me to go out with you and a bottle of tequila?"

Reba chuckled and turned around to face him. "Excuse me? I was pushy? You were the one who asked me out."

"You were the one who got the bottle of tequila." He said with a twinkle in his eye.

Reba smiled. "I know but honestly…" she said pausing for a moment. "I am happy that I did get drunk that night and I know that sounds a little strange but I don't think we would have gotten together if that hadn't have happened."

"I would have put my charm on some how." He said with a smirk.

Reba chuckled. "Oh really?"

"Yup." He said pulling her close. Reba smiled and felt a jolt of excitement hit her as he leaned down and kissed her gently. Reba held him close and he immediately responded by deepening the kiss.

Reba was really enjoying what was happening but it was better if they just broke it off before they started something they both knew they couldn't finish. "Honey…" Reba said breaking away. "You know we can't."

Vic groaned. "Why not?"

Reba chuckled. She knew the month had been killing him. "Well Jake and Kyra are right downstairs, there is a month old baby next to us, and we still have to wait two more weeks before it would be safe to proceed."

Vic frowned and nodded, knowing she was right. "Okay…sorry…I got a little carried away."

"No need to apologize. I got carried away too."

Vic chuckled and pulled her close once more, nuzzling her neck. "Can't resist my charm huh?"

Reba smiled and closed her eyes, taking in the few moments they had alone. Reba knew she was getting carried away but she just couldn't help it. The last few weeks have been driving her completely insane as well. She missed the feeling of holding him and kissing him. They had both tried to avoid kissing one another the past few weeks, just a few pecks every now and then because they knew if they got to into it they wouldn't be able to stop.

She knew she had to stop what was happening now because Vic's hands started to roam. "Vic…" she said pushing him away. He frowned but he understood. Reba had to recover and he didn't want to hurt her. "Just two more weeks." She said reassuring him the end was in sight. She stepped up to the crib and looked over her baby girl who was starting to look quite tired.

Vic nodded and smiled. "I better go cross a day off the calendar."

Reba picked up her daughter once more and looked at him with amusement. "You've been counting down the days?"

Vic nodded. "Of course, it's been driving me crazy not to touch you."

Reba giggled. "You're allowed to touch me."

"Yeah but then I have to stop before we get anywhere."

Reba smiled in sympathy and sat back in the rocking chair. "You'll survive."

"I don't know." Vic said, not sounding convinced. "The cold showers have increased to three or four a day." Reba chuckled and rocked her baby girl to sleep. "Speaking of two weeks from now…" he said walking over to her, "I was wondering have you given to anything thought about the possibly of another baby."

Reba sighed and stood up to put Sophia in the crib because she was asleep. She turned on the baby monitor and motioned Vic to follow her out the door. Reba didn't know how to proceed with this question. This was a serious step if they were to decide to take it but did they really want another baby? She wasn't exactly young and in the greatest health. Did she want to risk it? Did she want two children so close in age?

Reba walked into their bedroom and Vic followed closely behind her. He shut the door and Reba sat on the bed. "Vic…"

"Now before you say anything just think about it. It would be nice to have another little baby around. One that Sophia would be able to play with when she gets older and I know there's Adam she could play with but I just always thought a little boy would be nice. I do love Sophia but…"

"You want someone you can share things with, teach things." Reba said smiling.

Vic nodded and sat next to her. "Yeah and I know your taking a great risk here but look at Sophia. She had no complications. She is a beautiful healthy baby. If we take every necessary precaution like we did with Sophia I think we can do it. What do you think?"

Reba smiled. How could she tell him she wasn't sure if she wanted another baby? "Vic…" Reba bit her lip nervously. How was she to start this? Maybe she could just began with Sophia, telling him how if she hadn't gotten pregnant with Sophia she wasn't sure if she would have had a baby with him at all. "Okay…you know I love Sophia. I don't know what I would do if she wasn't here but I am going to be honest with you." Reba paused for a moment to get her thoughts together. "I don't know if I would have had another baby if we hadn't…"

"But it did happen and you're happy that have her." Vic said with a smile. "I am not going to force you to have a baby but can we at least discuss the possibility."

"Vic…even discussing it…its stupid Vic. I'm sorry but I don't…" Vic stood up and walked toward the door. He opened the bedroom door roughly and walked out. Reba sighed. She didn't mean to say it like that but having another baby could be a lot. Why did she have to be so mean to him? She should have never dismissed the idea like that.

Through the next couple of days Vic didn't seem to want to talk with Reba very much, except for a mumbled goodnight when they were going to sleep and when they were taking care of Sophia. Reba didn't like them not talking. She didn't like it at all. She knew it was her fault. She had hurt Vic when she said that the idea of having another baby was stupid. She wanted to talk to him so much but she just couldn't bring herself to do it.

She had been thinking about having another baby. The more she thought about it the more the idea stuck in her head and the more she liked it. She hated the fact that it took her so long to love the idea of having another baby. It just meant she was in a fight with Vic for nothing. She wanted to talk with him so bad but she couldn't until she met with Dr. Parks. She had made an appointment with Dr. Parks for the next day to talk with her about the possibility of having another child. Reba had to weigh all her options and explain them to Vic before they officially decide to try and have another baby.

Reba awoke in the early morning to find Vic already gone and to her baby crying. She immediately got up to walk to her baby's room to feed Sophia, change her diaper, and get her ready for a day at the doctor's office. She felt bad because it was day three of her and Vic not really talking but she wanted to wait and see what the doctor said before she would discuss the possibility of having a baby with Vic.

"Don't worry sweetie…" Reba said as she sprinkled some powder on her bottom. "Everything between me and your daddy is going great." Reba says this to Sophia because it was quite strange when the tension began to build up Sophia seemed to sense something was wrong between her parents because she was a lot crankier and she wouldn't stop unless she saw Vic and Reba standing next to one another. She knew her parents were fighting and she made sure they knew she didn't like it.

Sophia giggled as Reba tickled her belly lightly and Reba smiled at her daughter's laughter. There was no doubt about it that she wouldn't mind another baby, a planned baby. Sophia may not have been planned but she sure was loved and Reba was happy this sweet soul of a baby girl was here. "Come on." Reba said picking her up gently. "Time to eat and then…" Reba said trying to make it sound exciting. "You get to make your first trip out into the world." She said smiling.

Sophia giggled and stopped immediately once Reba began to feed her. Reba caressed her baby's soft head of hair. Her baby was growing so fast. Reba knows it only has been a month since she gave birth but Sophia was growing so fast. Sophia wasn't even a month old and Reba was thinking sadly about the moment when she would have to give her up.

Sophia was soon asleep and Reba gently laid her on her changing table to put her into brand new clothes. She changed her sweet baby girl into jeans over her small diaper and put her in a cute little pink baby sweater. Reba was happy she didn't wake up. She set her baby down in her crib, got the diaper bag together, and then ran to her room to get changed. She definitely couldn't go in her pajamas.

Reba knew well enough to pack extra clothes, diapers, extra bottles of milk because that would be highly embarrassing if she had to end up feeding her in the middle of a doctor's office…extras of everything because she didn't know how long she would be out and she didn't know what she was going to need. Once she had all of that together she took Sophia out of her crib and bundled her up.

Reba smiled when she saw her daughter was still asleep. Even after she dressed her and bundled her up for the cold weather they would face outside. She gently set her baby in the car seat and doubled check the lock to make sure she was secure. Reba grabbed some blankets, grabbed the diaper bag, and gently picked up the car seat.

She walked downstairs to the quiet and empty living room to grab her coat. "All right Sophia..." Reba said slipping on her coat. "It's time to go. I bet you're excited." Reba glanced at the sleeping baby and chuckled. "Yeah, real excited." Reba grabbed her purse and picked up her sweet little baby, ready to make the adventure to the doctor's. "Let's go see if you're going to have a baby sibling."

Reba made sure Sophia's little coat and blankets were secure before placing another blanket over the entire car seat to block out the air. Reba locked the door and held the car seat close to her, trying to block any air from getting to Sophia. She didn't want her baby to be cold. She normally would have someone watch her but she didn't know anyone who was available so…it would be Sophia's first outing and Reba's first real outing too…since she had the baby.

Reba arrived at the doctor's office with flushed cheeks from the cold and quite tired. Sophia decided to wake up in the middle of the ride and want comfort. Reba hated to hear her baby cry but there wasn't anything she could do. She tried talking with her and reaching around with one hand to hold hers but she couldn't do that for long. Once inside the office Reba immediately took Sophia out of her car seat. Sophia quieted down almost instantly and Reba walked up to the receptionist.

Reba smiled. "Hi, Reba Mariano…I have an eleven o'clock appointment with Dr. Parks."

She smiled and nodded. "She will be with you in a moment."

"Thank you."

Reba sat down and started to loosen the coat, scarf, and hat she had on her daughter. She didn't want to take it completely off because she knew she shouldn't be here that long. She wouldn't have to take any tests or anything. She just needed to have a few questions. Reba smiled and played with Sophia until her name was called and she was led back into a room. She set Sophia up on the cushioned tabled and let her take in her surroundings. She seemed to be okay for the moment.

There was a sudden knock at the door and Dr. Parks walked it. "Hello Reba, wow you look great and only a month out of child birth but as your doctor I have to advise you to take it easy…no need to rush."

Reba smiled big. "Hello Anne and thanks but there is no need to worry. I am not pushing it with the losing weight." Reba was so comfortable with Dr. Parks she began to call her Anne shortly after she realized that Anne was not after her husband. Anne was already happily married with a baby of her own.

"This can't be Sophia." She said walking over to the baby in the car seat. "I haven't seen her since the hospital. She has gotten so big and she's only a month old." Anne tickled Sophia on the cheeks and she giggled at the sensation of the Doctor's soft nails against her skin. "So…" Anne said picking up her clip board and sitting down on the stool. "What brings you in here today? There aren't any problems are there?"

Reba smiled and shook her head. "No…it's…well…" Reba paused and smiled as she glanced at her baby who was still giving Reba an adorable toothless smile. "Vic wants to have another baby and I was just wondering if that was possible with me?"

Anne looked at Reba quite shocked. "Well, I would have to say I am shocked. You just had baby."

Reba nodded. "I know but with menopause shortly around the corner I just…"

Anne nodded. "I have to tell you Reba, you're not in the best of health to have another baby. You were barely in the best of health to have Sophia. I have to say that I was quite surprised there were no complications with Sophia, you're not young, and the fact that you just had a baby, that's a lot to take on your body."

Reba nodded. "I know I am not in the best of health but I just had to know what you thought."

"As your doctor I would strongly advise to think about it and weigh all of your options before you two started trying again. I just think it would be best if you didn't have another baby but I can't force you not to."

Reba sighed. She was still staring at her baby. Now that the option of having another baby was slim, she was so sure she wanted one now. You always want what you can't have. "What if I did become pregnant? How would we proceed?"

"We would run tests to check on the baby, make sure it's healthy because of your age there is a big chance of him or her having down syndrome or autism and such. Then if everything checks out I would see you every week this time, just to check your blood pressure and once you've past the first trimester it would become every two weeks again but then we would go back to every week when you were closer to your due date."

Reba nodded. So they would take every necessary precaution they could to make sure she delivered a healthy baby. She had a chance but that's all it was…a chance. "Thank you Anne. That's really all I wanted to know today. I am sorry for wasting your time."

Anne smiled and stood. "You didn't waste my time. I am happy you came in. I got to see Sophia and…" Anne stepped forward with concern etched across her face. "I would strongly advise you two to really think before you had another baby. I am only worried about you." Reba nodded and quickly bundled up Sophia, leaving the office with all the new found information.

Reba walked through her front door of her home, cuddling the car seat that held Sophia to her chest. She set her down and took off her coat, shivering as she did so. "Where have you been?" A voice asked, coming in from the kitchen.

Reba turned to see her husband walking to the couch. Reba smiled and picked up the car seat, taking her to the couch. "I had gone to see Dr. Parks. I had to talk with her."

Vic nodded. "I had hoped to come home and talk with you. I had rescheduled my appointments so we could talk. I hate the tension that has been going on between us and…"

"I shouldn't have said that." Reba said interrupting.

Vic looked at her in confusion. "Said what?"

"I shouldn't have said that your idea to have another baby was stupid."

Vic waved it off. "That doesn't matter."

"Yes it does because it's important to you and I love you and I shouldn't have dismissed it. I want to talk about it now."

Vic smiled. "Okay, let's talk."

Reba grinned and took his hands into hers. "I went to Dr. Parks and I talked to her. Basically she advised not to have a baby. She also said she was surprised I had Sophia without any complications. She said all the same things I did. My age and my health, she just said it wouldn't be a good idea."

Vic nodded. "I know I have been thinking too and I think it was a dumb idea."

Reba shook her head. "No it wasn't. I want another baby. I have been thinking about it too and I think we should try. We were lucky once and I think we can get lucky again. I don't think God would allow anything to happen that's not supposed to happen. I really do want another baby." She said smiling.

Vic stopped and looked at her with a grin. "Really?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

"But what about what Dr. Parks said."

"We can take every necessary precaution. I will quit my job if it would make me less stressful. I really want this. I want a family with you."

Vic grinned and picked her up as he stood up. "This is great!" Reba laughed as he twirled her around. "We're going to have another baby. Let's get started." He said picking her up.

"Umm…honey…" She pointed over his shoulder and he smiled when he saw his daughter Sophia giggling and laughing right along with them.

Vic set her down. "Sorry."

"And we have to wait another two weeks."

Vic frowned. "Yeah, I know. I got carried."

Reba smirked as she walked over to the couch. "Don't worry I will make worth the wait when the two weeks are up, trust me." She said smiling suggestively.

Vic smiled. "I am looking forward to that."

End of Chapter