"Hey! You're awake!" Chassidy exclaimed in surprise, as she entered the kitchen, her step-mother's early morning presence startling her. She hadn't expected to see anyone else awake at six in the morning.
"I thought I'd get an early start on my breakfast shake." Reba replied with a chipper smile, handing Chassidy a glass full of the thick maroon liquid.
"Berry flavor." Reba added as she watched Chassidy eyeball the drink she had just accepted from her step-mother, apprehensively. Who was this cheerful woman? Hadn't she just been sick the night before?!
"This is great and all but I'm going to need real food." Chassidy mumbled, causing Reba to giggle, before taking a generous gulp of the shake, and heading towards the food press. Grabbing the syrup, she watched intently as Reba opened up what appeared to be vitamins, popping two pills into her mouth."
"I take it you're feeling much better this morning?" Chassidy asked, looking over her shoulder at Reba, before turning her attention back to the freezer, as Reba paused before responding, swallowing the pills with a mouthful of shake.
"Besides a stiff body, I feel as good as new."
"Guess all I needed was a good night's sleep!" Reba said with a forced smile, taking another sip of her shake, and avoiding Chassidy's eye contact. Shaking off the slightly odd behavior, Chassidy smiled back.
"Well I'm glad."
"I'm still not sure if I want the kids staying with you today though." She confessed softly, taking a moment before continuing.
"What if you get sick again? Shan has a meeting in Ashland City and won't be around to help." Chassidy inquired aloud, popping two frozen waffles into the toaster, and twisting the rooster's head on the timer.
"What?!"
"No! Chass I'm fine! I promise ya."
"Please let them stay with me." Reba pleaded, trying to assure Chassidy that she was capable of watching the kids without getting sick. Chass and Scott had been planning a trip to Texas in order to look for a new house. Scott had recently gotten a new job opportunity from his firm in Tenessee, the promotion to Texas came with a huge salary increase, and with the kids getting closer to high school, the family had decided it was just simply an opportunity they couldn't pass up. They had planned on waiting until the school year had finished before officially making their children move.
"I'm only weary because I worry for you." Chassidy said, looking over at Reba, both hands on her hips.
"But as long as you let Kelly stop by with Sav and Seth, I can't say no to such an eager Grandma." She said with an over exaggerated sigh and playful eye roll.
"Especially since Jadyn does like you best." She added sticking her tongue out teasingly. Smiling in appreciation, Reba set her drink down on the marble island, and walked over to Chass, bringing her into a loving hug.
"Why wasn't I invited to this love fest?" Shawna interjected as she walked into the kitchen, slightly startling them, and causing Reba to pull away.
"Because I'm the favorite." Chassidy responded with a sly grin, just as the rooster began to go off next to her, signaling that her waffles were done cooking.
"Finally, real food!" Chassidy said, letting out a relieved sigh, as she rubbed her hands together eagerly before reaching up into the cupboard above her to fetch a plate. Shaking her head at her sister's antics, Shawna headed over to the corner of the counter where Reba's teas and vitamins sat. Grabbing the bottle of multivitamin's, she quickly took the daily dosage, eyeing the small bottle of anti-nausea pills behind it. Thinking nothing of it, she quickly turned around to join her step-mother and sister, who were now seated over at the table.
"Knock, knock!"
"Reba?" Kelly called out as she entered the old Tennessee mansion, her step-kids, Savannah and Seth, close behind.
"They're probably in the game room."
"Gma is always looking for people to play Sorry with." Savannah said taking off her furry brown coat and hanging it in the coat closet, just behind the door.
"She did say to just come right in." Kelly muttered aloud, as she set River down on the floor, peeling off her fluffy pink coat as well.
"Alright we'll meet ya down there Kel." Savannah said before running towards the basement with her brother. Smiling back at them, Kelly took River's hand, slowly following behind.
"Gma!" Seth said rushing over to Reba, who sat snuggly in the big brown leather chair, in the family's home movie theater.
"There's my boy." Reba said, anxiously accepting a hug from her grandson. Kissing her cheek, Seth smiled widely before running over to the other TV, in the corner, where his cousin Mason sat earnestly playing Destiny.
"Hey Red." Kelly called over sweetly as she set River down next to Jadyn and Savannah, who were already busily giggling and talking in the center of the game room.
"How's my favorite mama doin'?" Reba said with a wide smile, as Kelly walked over towards her. Kelly, who couldn't help but blush a little, proceeded to sit down, as Reba motioned to the seat cushion next to her.
"How far along are you now?" Reba asked eagerly, setting her phone in her lap.
"Coming up to about four and a half months." Kelly replied with a radiant smile, resting her hand on her tummy.
"Nausea any better?" Reba asked squinting a little, very aware of the trouble Kelly had endured with both pregnancies.
"Not even a little bit." Kelly laughed, trying to play it off as if it didn't bother her.
"But that's alright, the doctor warned me that it would probably be this way, and it'll all be worth it in the end." She said honestly, laying her free hand on Reba's.
"But enough about me..."
"How have you been?" Kelly asked in a lower tone, her smiling face fading a bit as her tone turned a bit more serious.
"Better." Reba said looking down at her lap, avoiding eye contact.
"Taking it day by day I guess." She continued on, sighing heavily, trying to hold the tears in her throat back. It was the first time Kelly had been over since Narvel and Reba had signed the final divorce papers. The last couple of months had progressively gotten worse for the family as the divorce had become a reality. She still didn't know nor understand what had happened but her heart ached for Reba.
"I'm sorry Red." Kelly whispered comfortingly, engulfing Reba in a hug, allowing her to shed a few tears, both keeping quiet so that they wouldn't catch the attention of the kids on the other side of the room.
"You know Brandon is still your bonus son and if there's anything you ever need, we always have an open ear, you'll always be the matriarch of this family."
"So please don't hesitate." Kelly said when they pulled away, squeezing Reba's limp shoulders lightly. Smiling appreciatively back at Kelly, Reba nodded.
"Thank you Kel."
"You have no idea how much that means to me." She added before whipping away the few tears that had snuck out. It was moments like these and family like this that she truly thanked God for.
"On a happier note, Seth has really been enjoying those wigs you and Shane left at the Halloween party." Kelly chuckled giving Reba a slight nudge, immediately causing Reba to laugh, the both of them suddenly looking over at the boys, who sat happily engrossed in their game.
"I'm glad to know that their good use has yet to be put to rest." Reba said laughing even harder, as she whipped away the tears of laughter this time.
"Jackson was by the other day and I'm not supposed to tell anyone this..." Kelly said leaning in closer to Reba.
"But they even choreographed a dance number." She finished, biting her lip, and holding back a laugh. Snorting a bit, Reba covered her face as she looked off in the opposite direction, trying desperately not to cause too much attention.
"I bet if they had held a "who wore it better" contest, they definitely would have won." Reba stuttered out giggling, as she leaned back towards Kelly.
"I don't know, pink really is your color." Kelly argued back with a stern face, causing them to pause a moment before breaking out into another sneaky fit of laughter.