Two weeks had gone by and baby Susie had been cremated, her ashes were buried with Narvel's family. All the family had gone home and Reba was out of hospital. She had to take things slow. She wasn't allowed to lift anything because of her back, and the possibility of busting her stitches in the front. Moving around for Reba was still very painful, and because of this Narvel had been sleeping in the guest bedroom.

As time went by Reba was trying her hardest to do all of her exercises to re-build her muscles in her back and lower abdomen, but everything seemed to be taking too long. She really just wanted to get out and work, but because she was supposed to be heavily pregnant she didn't have any shows booked anyway.

Reba had been so focused on getting herself well again that she didn't even notice the depression her husband had slipped into. He had stopped talking so much, and went from a very rare drinker to a man who drank himself to sleep every night. Reba barely noticed, she always went to bed earlier than him, and now they weren't even sharing a bedroom.

She was, in a way lucky she had something to focus on. It kept her from thinking about the baby girl they had lost. Narvel on the other hand had very little. Reba wasn't working so he didn't have a whole lot to organize, and she had also been trying to take care of herself.

Each morning he woke and Reba had already made breakfast. He kept trying to convince her to stay in bed a while so that he could make her breakfast, but she was too determined to look after herself. He felt as if he no longer fit with her, that there was no place for him in her life.

Baby Susie's footprints lay not only etched in his heart, but as prints on canvas in their living room. Narvel nearly broke every time he saw them, and asked if he could have the hanging in their bedroom.

"Why? Are you ashamed to have our daughters prints out here in the living room?" "Ashamed? Reba, never would I be ashamed of the love we made. I just can't help but feel a tug at my heart every time I look at them. Our bedroom is our sanctuary, and at least if I see them in there I don't feel as if I have to hide my feelings." Reba walked up to her husband, laid a hand on his shoulder and rubbed his back. She wanted so desperately to engulf him in a hug, but she knew it may end up too painful. Her back was mostly better, but the slightest movement could send shock waves through her body.

"I'm sorry honey, of course they can hang in our room. I didn't know how upset they made you. And please don't call me Reba." He looked down at his wife and rested his forehead on hers. "Sorry, thank you baby."

She went and got the hanging down and took her husband's hand into their bedroom. On the drawers right at the end of their bed would be the perfect place. Reba and Narvel settled it gently and then just looked for a little while sharing the space in silence. Reba grabbed Narvel's hand and led him to sit down on the chest to the side. She sat on the chair in front of him "Look honey I think we need to talk." "What about?" "About how you're feeling. I can see now that you have been bottling some things up. I want you to let them out and share with me what's going on." "I'm fine darling, don't worry." "Narvel Wayne Blackstock don't you lie to me!" She snapped, then quickly went back to her calm tone. "I'm sorry. I just know you're not 'fine' and it saddens me to think you won't tell me what's going on." He stayed silent. "Please baby, I want to help you get through this. We're a team remember?" He looked down and tears started falling. She rubbed his back, and handed him some tissues for his nose. He finally broke and it all came spilling out.

"I was just so happy, I couldn't wait to hold her, I couldn't wait to snuggle her, and teach her, protect her, and fight for her. I just couldn't wait to be a father, I wanted to give her the world you know, and do all the things a father is supposed to do with his baby girl."

Reba felt terrible, she couldn't help but feel that it was her fault he missed out on all these opportunities. She felt as if she had robbed him of the one thing she could have given him after all he had done for her. She just stayed silent and let him go for it.

"And before you get to thinking that I blame you, I don't. I guess I wish I had of kept an eye on you so that you didn't go up the stairs that day, but I know everything happens for a reason. But why? Why did he have to take her so soon? We were so ready for her. I loved her."

Reba's emotions took over and she forgot all about her back. She grabbed her husband and pulled him into a hug, rubbing his back. "Reba do you really think we are still a team?" "Whaddo ya even mean Narvel? Of course I do. You're my husband, my lover, and my very best friend."

"Reba I haven't been able to care for you like a husband, I haven't been able to lay with you since before the incident, and I haven't even confided in you like a best friend. I have been keeping everything to myself. What does that leave us?" "It just means that we have been through something traumatic and we are just finding our feet, and our way back to each other. Also there were very good reasons as to why you couldn't do some of those things.

"I feel like I don't fit here anymore, like there isn't a place for me in your life. You're just so independent, and seem to be getting on with your life so well. Something that should have brought us closer together, I feel has torn us apart." She took his head in her hands.

"Listen to me. We aren't torn baby, we're just making room to get stronger. If we can get through this together, we can take whatever life throws at us. Maybe that is the lesson we need to take from this. Maybe that's his plan for us. There is plenty of room in my life for you, you are one of the biggest parts of my life. You are the reason I seem like I can go on with my life so well, you ground me. And you wanna know why? Because we have built this life for us to spend it together, not to apart. You fit in the place in my heart that is reserved only for you. Nothing else can fill that spot, and I wouldn't ever want it to. I love you." She kissed him deeply and wiped away his tears.

He gently hugged her. "Thank you. I love you too, and I'm sorry for ever doubting us." "Narv?" He lifted his head and looked into her eyes." "Yes?" "Do you think you could lie with me tonight?" "Mmmm, what if I hurt you while we're sleeping?" "My body does still hurt, but I think the warmth of my husband, and his arms around me for the night may help." He smiled and kissed her cheek. "And baby? I'm making breakfast in the morning, no but's.." She giggled and nodded her head.

The next morning felt like the sun had suddenly started to shine. How beautiful, peaceful, and clear things become when they are brought into the light. Reba and Narvel's new journey together was just beginning.

On the other side of town Susie had also found new warmth and light. It seemed like she had found an old friend on her travels back to Texas.