"Ten more minutes." Clarence Spalding called from the other side of Reba's dressing room door. She moaned a little to herself as she sat resting against the wall of her dressing room bathroom. Funny how that call was Narvel not even three months ago, and how instead of knocking on her door he would come in with a glass of water, making sure everything was running smoothly before she headed back out. A lot sure had changed in a few months alright. She smoothed the green number she had been changing into for her December leg and slowly rose to her feet. Man was this kid not taking it easy on her, she was almost certain that he or she was allergic to Vegas because if it were even possible her morning sickness had been worse since she'd been here. Checking her mascara in the mirror, she sighed to herself running her hand over a few of her hardly visible wrinkles. When going through the divorce with Charlie she had never questioned herself like she was with this one, she had never once wondered if she wasn't good enough. I guess that was the difference between wanting something and not.
"Looks like it's show time again little one." She said softly to herself; or her unborn child rather, resting her hand on her stomach. Slowly after telling all of her children about their new sibling, she could feel herself start to grow more and more attached. At first, she feared she wouldn't have the same bond like she'd had with Shelby but as her pregnancy slowly progressed she realized it was just a mute fear. Breathing in and tugging at her dress one last time she turned and headed for the exit.
"Hey, I was just about to come and get you," Narvel said uneasily as he spotted Reba rounding the corner and heading for center stage, ready to make her entrance. Looking down at her feet, she sighed softly. Did this ever get any easier?
"Sorry I was just taking an extra minute to freshen up." She mumbled, looking up at him, locking her eyes with his dark brown ones.
"Not sure why it's not like you needed it." He mused sweetly causing Reba's breath to hitch in her throat. For a second there he sounded like Narvel, her Narvel, the one that gave compliments, and brushed her stray hairs to the side, smiling at her as their eyes locked together lovingly. For a second there, he almost had her fooled.
"Well, thanks." She replied before excusing herself and rushing off towards the stage. She could feel her heart beating, almost so fast that she was sure it was going to pop right out of her chest.T hat Narvel is gone, Reba. She chastised herself silently. It was easier for her to think that way. Breathing in she plastered on the biggest smile her facial muscles could allow, squinting a bit at the shining lights, and grabbing her microphone, proceeding forward as she did so.
"We sure like to go out with a bang huh?" Kix Brooks laughed as the crew rounded together backstage, each raising a celebratory drink in the air.
"Thank you once again, family, for making this all happen." He finished, applauding everyone in the group as they clinked the glasses together, each taking a sip. Smiling uneasily Reba brought her sparkling cider to her lips, flinching as the bubbly substance began to make her nauseous.
"Hey Reba, we're going to go hit the town one last time, you feeling up to joining us?" Barbara questioned, startling Reba as she quickly set her glass down on the table next to her.
"You know Barb we have a long day of traveling ahead of us and..." Reba trailed off, biting her lip, as she looked off to the side, trying to come up with some sort of an excuse.
"And... I totally get it honey; just make sure you get some rest okay?" Barbara smiled, kissing her cheek and giving Reba's back a small rub. Thank goodness Barbara understood. After she gave her last few thanks to the band and crew, she quickly headed off in the direction of her suite. Narvel, who seemed to have the same idea, accidentally bumped into her, using the back elevator to the entrance of the secluded suites.
"Oh, my bad." She mumbled awkwardly as she quickly stepped back, running a hand down her sparkly brown show blouse, which she had decided not to change out of.
"No I wasn't looking ahead, I'm sorry." He breathed, the glimmer reflecting from her ring catching his eye. She still wore the jewelry he gave her? He smiled to himself. It shouldn't have meant anything to him, but it did. Waiting for the elevator patiently, they awkwardly stood in stiff silence until its bing made them both jump in relief.
"After you," Narvel said, motioning with his hand for her to enter the elevator first, Reba silently obeyed as she quickly entered, shuffling to the side furthest away from him.
"So, last December show huh?" He said breaking the silence, clearing his throat as they both looked ahead.
"We've had a pretty good run so far." She replied softly, closing her eyes for a second, as she begged her rapid heartbeat to slow down. She'd made sure to avoid this possibility since they'd arrived two weeks ago and just when she thought she was safe, she had to find herself "trapped" in an elevator with her husband – ex-husband. She still had to remind herself that it was official and had been for almost two months now. Just as the elevator came to a stop, they both stepped forward, this time almost knocking into one another.
"Sor-" They started in unison as they awkwardly fumbled out of the elevator, Narvel's arm accidentally grazing against her thigh, causing Reba's breath to catch in her throat.
"Are we still heading back to Tennessee together?" He randomly questioned, still not making any effort to distance himself from her body.
"Uh, I don't see why not."
"Everyone else is heading through Santa Fe." She shrugged, trying desperately not to look him in the eye. Nodding once more, she turned to the right, ready to head towards her room when she felt him tug at her arm, spinning her around, and bringing her in for a deep kiss. Completely caught off guard, without a chance to pull away, she found herself leaning into him, and allowing the kiss to deepen. It wasn't until they momentarily pulled away, both breathing heavily, that she noticed that his strong arms were now firmly wrapped around her waist.
"What are you doing?" She questioned; her nose still only centimeters from his. Instead of answering her, he leaned in once more, capturing her mouth in a sweet and passionate kiss. This time, she pressed her hands gently against his chest, breaking the kiss.
"Narvel I'm serious what are you doing?" She said the confusion very evident in her voice.
"We're divorced."
"And besides aren't you with Laura?" She continued to mumble, shaking her head and taking the moment to distance herself a bit.
"Laura and I aren't anything serious and besides that didn't stop us before." He casually replied, trying to regain their closeness. Had he just said that? Her face immediately burned with anger as she turned it to the side and tried to catch her breath, quickly jerking away from him.
"I can't."
"I just can't." She choked out, desperately trying to keep her tears from falling. She turned away as quickly as she could, practically running to her room, as she heard him faintly call out to her. Once she was safely inside, she leaned against the door, her shaking body no longer able to hold it's self up as it found its way to the ground. Pulling her knees to her chest and resting her head firmly on them, she wept. It felt like she was losing him all over again. She'd been so good and done so well at not letting him back in. She knew she had to move on but it wasn't until that moment that she realized the Narvel she once blissfully called hers was truly gone. Sniffling a bit and whipping some of her tears away with her arm, she slowly began to stand. Fumbling around the stand beside her lavish circular bed for her phone, she quickly dialed Shawna's number when she found it.
"Hello?" Shawna answered eagerly after two rings. What on earth did her step-mother need at ten thirty at night?
"I'm sorry did I wake you?" Reba questioned softly, it was only then that she realized what time it was.
"Not at all, is everything okay?" Shawna pestered anxiously, Reba's voice sounded so weak and strained.
"Mom?" She questioned softly, when Reba went silent on the other line, momentarily, as she tried terribly to compose herself.
"Uh I was just wondering if you'd be able to pick me up from the airport tomorrow, there's been a change in plans."
"Of course, did something happen?" She continued to fret as she heard Reba muffle what sounded like the beginning of a cry.
"I just need you to do me this favor, okay?" She replied in desperation, her voice cracking at the end.
"Always," Shawna said seriously. She decided then not to push any further. Whatever had happened, Reba wasn't going to tell her over the phone, and she wasn't exactly sure she was prepared to hear just what had brought her step-mother to tears.