"Set me free why don't you baby
Get out of my life why don't you baby
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on
You don't really need me
But you keep me hangin' on"
Narvel smiled at his wife, watching her rehearse a new singing and dancing routine, using a lot of legwork and vocal prowess. Reba caught his gaze, smiled at him and continued singing and dancing, almost flying around the stage.
"Why do you keep a comin' around
Playin' with my heart
Why don't you get out of my life
And let me make a new start
Let me get over you
The way you've gotten over... AAH!"
Narvel's head popped up and his heart thudded through the floor as he watched
Reba scream in anguish as she slipped on the stage, collapsing to the ground, her face a mask of pain. "REBA!" Her husband, band, and dancers all yelled in unison, running to her aid. Narvel got there first, frantically trying to assess the damage. "I...I think it's broken. My leg Narvel.." Reba looked up at the faces crowding her, and tried to hide her obvious distress so as not to cause panic. "I'm fine y'all...really...no need to worry", she uttered. Narvel gently touched her leg, causing Reba to flinch. The couple shared a look, then he swiftly picked her up in his muscled arms and carried her out to the car, dismissing the crew for the day and promising updates. Once they were on the way to the ER, he looked at her intently. "Okay baby, now that we're alone, how bad is the pain? On a level of 1 to 10." Glancing up, she returned his caring gaze. Sighing, she replied. "Eleven". Watching her worriedly, he parked and brought her inside the hospital. Narvel paced while they waited for a doctor, and again while they waited for her test results, trying his best to remain calm and not freak out, and not doing a very good job of it. When the doctor finally returned to them, he explained that Reba had fallen directly on bone, and it had caused a break. She would have to use crutches except when on stage. The doctor recommended she not work till she healed, but Reba was fiercely determined, she would sing. The doctor said he would allow it, but she would have to stay seated in a wheelchair when she performed so as not to add pressure to her injured leg.
A few days after the accident caught Reba staring forlornly out the window, while Narvel tended to her every need. He insisted he could give her the best care possible, and he did. Just like in every situation, he assumed the role of protector, caretaker, friend. Now, he walked into the room, capturing the unhappy look on his wife's face. Picking her up, he sat Reba in his lap and nuzzled her neck. "Baby...what is it? What's got you in stuck a funk Red?"
Gazing upwards, Reba chose her words carefully before replying. "I feel...old.
I'll be 57 this month. Years ago a fall like that would have been nothing, I would have jumped right back up and continued singing. Now I'm aging, and my bones are brittle and easily broken, and I hate it! I hate having to sit on that damn chair, I...I..." Narvel cut her off, kissing her tenderly. "You, old? You look like you're in your thirties. You don't act 57. You rock every outfit you wear, and you still turn my head every time you walk into the room. You're sexy, and fun, and hot, and I'm the envy of every man alive. You may be aging, but you do it gracefully. Baby you are beautiful. And I love that we're getting older together. I love every laugh line on that gorgeous face, the twinkle in your eyes, even every gray hair. And when we are both old and completely gray, I'll still think you are the most gorgeous, vivacious woman on this earth. Cause you're all mine. I can't wait to continue to grow old with you, us against the world." Kissing her temple, he picked Reba up and placed a passionate kiss in her pouting lips and wiped away the happy tears currently brimming in her eyes. "I love you" he said, stroking her soft hair. "And I always will". The couple embraced, Reba feeling much better about her accident and her age. Reba returned his kiss, deepening it. Leaning over she kissed his ear and whispered into it. "I love you too Narvel. Forever and Always."
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