"When did easy become the new slang for move faster?" Brandon questioned with a strained chuckle as he readjusted his grip on Reba, who he and Shelby were currently trying to guide into the living room.
"I told you they should have just sedated her if they wanted her to actually relax." Shelby mumbled, hinting at the fact that his mother didn't seem to grasp the idea of "take it easy."
"Or us." Brandon continued to retort softly as he referred to the fact that he now not only had his eight-month pregnant wife's health to worry about but his step-mother and sister's wellbeing as well. Why was it that all the women in this family were so stubborn?
"I can hear you, ya know?" Reba grunted a bit as they eased her slowly onto the plush couch, both sympathetically mimicking the wince she made once she hit the cousins.
"Okay Queen Bee what else do you and the Princess need?" Brandon questioned with a slight huff, completely ignoring her comment in regards to their conversation.
"A glass of wine and less worry some sons." She replied with a cheekily smile causing Brandon to shake his head softly.
"No can do." He said with a smile as both he and Shelby leaned in and pecked her lightly on opposite cheeks.
"Kelly wants to stop by later after the appointment so we'll pick up some grub and bring it over with us." Brandon added as he shifted through his pockets for his keys, nodding in their direction when he found them.
"See you in a while." He said continuing towards the exit, Shelby halting behind him once they'd reached the living room entryway.
"Love you." Reba called out after him once he'd left the room, taking a moment to shift through the various couch cushions that were piled around her.
"Love you both." Brandon hollered back from the front door in response, which in return caused Shelby to chuckle a bit. Even Brandon couldn't escape her smothering nature.
"Okay Ma I have to get ready for my flight, Shawn is on her way but is there anything I can get you at the moment?" Shelby questioned, a hint of worry in his voice.
"I'm fine honey, but thank you I really do appreciate all this help," Reba said sincerely as smiled up at Shelby. Just as he was about to respond they heard the front door of the house open once again.
"Shelby?!" Shawna called out from the corridor, the sound of her footsteps getting closer and closer to the living room.
"In here," Shelby responded with a bit of a yell so that she could hear him, indicating that they were in what used to be the family's main living room.
"I brought you a surprise," Shawna sang with a smile as soon as she rounded the corner, her daughter Chelsea at her heels.
"Chels!" Reba exclaimed in delight before she quickly opened her arms wide motioning for her granddaughter to come over and give her a hug.
"She's not exactly the surprise," Shawna mumbled with a chuckle as she held up a bag with McFarlan Bakery written across the front.
"What are you talking about, I'm always the surprise." Chelsea teased as she eased in to give Reba a gentle hug, nestling her head on her shoulder as they both sighed in content. For living in the same state they sure didn't see each other enough, or at least not enough for Reba's sake.
"As much as I love you, I also love cupcakes," Reba said with a giggle once they pulled away, indicating for Shawna to bring over whatever she had picked up from the bakery.
"They're red velvet and I even picked up some raspberry ice tea."
"Shelby do you want to have some with us before you head out?" Shawna questioned as she walked over to the coffee table in front of Reba and set the various bags of goodies down.
"I'm gonna pack and then I'll join you guys for a few."
"Visit for a while, I'm sure she has loads to tell you." Shelby joked as he touched his sister's shoulder lightly before heading off to his old bedroom to prepare for his trip back home. Turning back to Reba and her daughter Shawna just shook her head softly.
"Alright I'm gonna go get some cups and plates, don't start without me." She warned as she pointed in their direction. If any two people were more alike it was Chelsea and Reba. They both loved their sugar and tea; that was for sure.
"So how is work? Do you have any plans for your next semester of college?" Reba questioned as she shifted her body a bit so that she could face her granddaughter, who had just done the same.
"Lacey and I both got raises so we finally found an apartment of our own and I think I'm gonna start school again this fall." Chelsea happily informed as she swung both of her legs up into the couch, snuggling further into the cushions.
"I'm so happy to hear that!"
"You girls have worked so hard," Reba said with a smile as she touched Chelsea's hand lovingly.
"When is Lacey gonna stop by for another visit?" Reba questioned intently. She'd met her granddaughter's girlfriend only a handful of times before and had grown really fond of the young woman.
"Actually she was going to tag along today but the boss called her in last minute, she'd love to come by for a visit too," Chelsea added. She was so pleased with how loving and accepting her entire family had been with the decision she'd made the last couple of years. Everyone just kept on commenting on how happy she was and how she deserved nothing less.
"Gosh, I almost forgot!" Chelsea added abruptly with a small smile.
"We also went puppy hunting the other day."
"Really? Did you find one to call your own?" Reba questioned intently.
"I didn't even know you were looking."
"We did, a puppy named Star had a litter about three weeks ago and we bring home ours tomorrow," Chelsea said the excitement very evident in her voice.
"Boy or a girl?" Reba quizzed eagerly. She too had dabbled with the idea of getting a puppy or kitten after the divorce but with a baby on the way she thought it might just be best to wait.
"Boy!" Chelsea said with a small laugh.
"We thought we needed a little testosterone in the house." She added, causing both her and Reba to laugh together.
"What kind of puppy is it?" Reba continued to question through her laughter.
"My grandchild is a corgi," Shawna informed proudly, startling them a bit as she re-entered the room with a few plates and some glasses.
"Awe Shelby loves corgis too!" Reba said in awe as she went to stand and help her daughter with the utensils out of habit.
"Hey, that's not relaxing," Shawna said as she softly motioned for Reba to sit back down, Chelsea grabbing the plate from Reba's hand as she did so.
"I'll get it for you Gma." Chelsea sweetly added as she went straight for the bag on the table, bringing out a large box of various cupcakes.
"What kind?"
"There's more than red velvet?" Reba asked in shock as she watched Shawna pour raspberry tea into each one of the glasses on the table.
"Lemon and chocolate, just in case you didn't want red velvet," Shawna said with a small wink.
"Lemon it is then!" Reba answered anxiously as she unknowingly licked her bottom lip. She hadn't eaten anything yet today and a big lemon cupcake was starting to sound really good. Once everything had been prepared and Chelsea had arranged three cupcakes along with the bagels Shawna had also bought on their plates they all snuggled into the couch ready to indulge in their afternoon snack.
Later that evening after Brandon had finally taken Kelly home Reba eased her way down a Trader Joe's aisle. She knew she really shouldn't be on her feet so soon after her surgery but she just needed some time alone, acting like a normal person, and this normal person really wanted ice tea. Once she'd grabbed the few things she'd come in for and a few extra snacks that had caught her eye she made her way to the checkout, smiling sweetly at the young cashier.
"Haven't seen you in a while." The girl said, her eyebrow piercing catching the light of the register.
"Yeah, life's been quite busy, to say the least," Reba mumbled softly, taking note of the desolate store. She didn't expect many people to be out at eight forty-five but other than her it was basically barren.
"How have you been?" Reba inquired softly as she watched the girl quickly scan the banana nut muffins and place them in the brown paper bag in front of her.
"Pretty good actually, almost have my bachelor's degree, and then it's off to Alaska." She replied enthusiastically as she pushed her dark auburn bangs out of her eyes.
"Alaska?!"
"You're much braver than I am." Reba chuckled softly. She'd been shopping here since before Jerilyn had gotten a position as a cashier, so over the last couple of years, she'd really kind of gotten to know her. She was always ambitious, working hard with the local shelters, and training to become a veterinarian.
"I wouldn't say that." She replied humbly before placing the last item in the bag.
"Alrighty, your total for tonight is fifty-three eighty-seven." She informed as she watched Reba place her debit card in the chip reader. Handing Reba her receipt and bag she smiled one last time.
"Really good to see you again and I couldn't help but notice that you're glowing." She added with a small wink. Reba thanked the young girl once again, not really catching her comment until she was on her way out the door. Was she really starting to show that much? It was amazing how fast news seemed to travel but she was happy people new. After all, it was a joyous thing. Walking quietly to her vehicle in the night air Reba let her mind wonder a bit, only to be startled by a woman trying to get her attention not far from her car.
"Reba?" The women called out squinting a bit in the dark, making sure that it really was her.
"Laura?!" Reba exclaimed, her throat suddenly growing quite dry.
"What, uh, what are you doing?" She stuttered out, completely at a loss for words.
"I was just picking up some milk from Target, you?" She said as she pointed to the large Target right next to the Trader Joe's.
"Pretty much the same," Reba mumbled in response, nodding her head slightly as she looked around the empty parking lot awkwardly. Of all the places this woman could be, she was out shopping at the store next to Reba's. Why did she live in such a small town again?
"Can we talk for a second?" Laura blurted out, shifting the small bag in her hand from one to the other.
"Aren't we already?" Reba asked rhetorically as she leaned lightly up against her SUV, pulling her gray sweater around her as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"I just wanted you to know that Narvel feels really bad, that he - "
"Would have made different choices had he known," Reba said cutting Laura off.
"I've heard it all before." She said raising her eyes a bit as she watched Laura take in a deep breath, trying to maintain her pristine composure.
"Right then, so you know that he never meant to hurt you - that I never meant to hurt you." She carried on, stepping a little closer in Reba's direction.
"Look, I wish him well, I really do, I wish you both well, but I said what I said and I meant it."
"I don't need him to raise my child." She continued sternly. No heart to heart in the middle of a parking lot at nine o'clock was going to change that, did this woman just not get it?
"I just hope you reconsider letting him be a part of his daughter's life."
"And I hope you'd learn to mind your own business, I appreciate you taking this opportunity to stand up for him but I don't need to be told what's best for my child," Reba added again, obviously growing a bit impatient. Breathing out she calmed herself once more, remembering the doctor's firm instructions.
"I didn't mean it like that," Laura said honestly. She could tell that this conversation wasn't going as she'd hoped.
"Do you think we'll ever be friends again?" She blurted out once again out of pure curiosity.
"No," Reba responded without missing a beat.
"I said I wished you well, I never said I wanted you in my life." She continued to explain. She'd actually already been asked this question by her own kids. She'd given them the same speech when it came to their father.
"I never intended to hurt you," Laura confessed once again, her tone becoming rather raw. For a moment there Reba almost felt sorry for her. For a moment but just as quickly as it had come, that moment had passed.
"And I appreciate that."
"But sometimes actions overshadow intentions." She informed. She needed Laura to understand that no matter what she said or did her feelings wouldn't change. She wished her nothing but happiness but that's about as far as it went.
"Anyway I have ice cream melting, so I'm going to head on home," Reba mumbled again, unlocking her SUV door and causing the backlights to blink brightly.
"Have a good night," Laura said with a sad sigh. She didn't think she'd be able to change Reba's mind but that still didn't make the rejection any easier.
"You too," Reba responded, giving her a small smile. It was really too bad, once upon a time she'd really liked Laura but just like everything else she felt for her, that was long gone.