Reba had just lay Katie down for a nap when she heard the kitchen door open.
"Van, do you even hear yourself talk." Reba rushes to tell them not to wake the baby.
"Will you two be quiet."
"What's up Mrs H."
"The baby is sleeping."
"Baby? What are you talking about mom."
"Cheyenne, you can talk to your father first, but it's his child. I am babysitting her while he is at work."
"This is a joke, right mom?"
"No." Cheyenne laughed.
"Good one mom. Now me and Van came over to have dinner.What did you fix today?"
"I haven't had time to cook. I have been busy with Katie."
"Who's Katie?" Ask Van.
"The baby you moron." Reba got a little too loud. When a tiny cry was heard Cheyenne and Van rushes in behind Reba.
"Mrs H, there is a baby in here."
"That's What I've been trying to tell you two." Reba reach down and picked up Katie, calming the infant.
"Who's kid though mom. You were just joking about it being dads right?"
"No I was not joking. Now get me her bottle out of her bag." Cheyenne reach her the bottle and looked stunned as all the information began to sink in.
"Wow. So why do you have to take care of her."
"I offered for your father. He's trying to figure the whole single parent thing out."
"Mrs H. That was very nice of you. Next you and Mr H will be doing the mattress tango. Like on that one movie with Katherine Heigl. You know the one Cheyenne. Where those 2 hate each other and they begin raising the kid."
"We definitely will not be doing that Van. We are divorced."
"Yeah, your not dead though."
"Will you shut up. I don't even see Brock in that way anymore." She blushed.
"Then why is your face turning red mother."
"It's hot in here. Now let's drop it. It's time for your father anyway. " She took the bottle and set it on the table. Placing a burp cloth on her shoulder she gently patted Katie's back until she heard the tiniest of baby burps.
" You know mom, dad is available, and so are you."
"Did you not hear me Cheyenne. "
"Oh I heard you. I am just teasing you." The door opening caused them all to hush and look towards the door.
"Did I miss a family meeting or something?"
"Dad, why didn't you tell me we had a little sister?"
"Because I didn't know until yesterday."
"So who's her mother, and why ain't she taking care of her instead of mom."
"Because her mother signed her rights away. Two, your mother is the only person I can trust with her. Before you ask, I'm not discussing how she came about, and no I will not give you the mother's name. "
" ok. Well, mom since you didn't cook, I guess me and Van will go out. I really hate to run but we are starved." Cheyenne hugged her mother and headed toward the front door.
"See you Mrs H." He hugged Reba and followed Cheyenne out.
"You didn't cook?"
"I haven't really had time."
"You want to go out to eat? Or would you rather order in and watch a movie?"
"Order in. Pizza ok?"
"Pizza is great. "
" I'll call while you find us a movie."
"What do you want to watch?"
"I don't care as long as it is interesting." She walked into the kitchen to place the order while Brock searched for a movie. She stood near the kitchen door looking out the window. It had started to rain and from the looks of it, it was going to be a bad storm. She hurried with her pizza order and walked back into the living room. "I believe it is going to come one hell of a thunderstorm outside. It's already started to rain,but the sky is nothing but black clouds."
" I saw on the weather report this morning we would get some rain, hopefully the power stays on. That's all we need is another blackout."
Reba walked over to the living room window and gazed out."I think it would be best if you two crashed here tonight if this rain doesn't let up. It looks really bad outside. We can put Katie in Elizabeth's room. I'll get her bassinet out of the closet." He walked over and stood beside her, putting his hand on the small of her back. She stood still, relishing the sensations just a simple touch brought.He looked out the window.
"I don't think this rain will be stopping anytime soon. I'd say you are right. We had better crash here tonight."
"I wouldn't want anything happening to you and Katie on your way home. Speaking of Katie, I'll go get her bottle ready. She should be waking any moment now. " She turned breaking the contact between them. As soon as she passed by Katie's carrier, the baby began to stir. She let out a small wail all at once.
"I'll get her, while you get her bottle."
"I'll be back in a second." She hurriedly got the baby's bottle fixed and came back. When she came back, she reach out to get the baby.
"I'll feed her Reba. You have had her all day, I know you must be tired." He took the bottle from her hand, giving it to Katie. Reba looked at the two of them and smiled."what?"
"Nothing. I was just admiring the way you are with her."
"I still can't believe I'm a father, again."
"Yeah. It was a shock to me to. Just think, you got grandchildren older than her." She laughed. "You'll be 63 going to her graduation."
"Yeah yeah. Real funny Reba.Make fun of me, but you'll be 60 going to her graduation." She stopped laughing.
"What makes you so sure I'll still be around. After all, you may get remarried and find her another mother."
"I don't want another woman Reba. I'm content as I am right now. Besides, we have a good thing going. This makes the 4th week in a row you haven't called me a moron yet."
"True."
"Anyways, that was always the plan for us, remember. We were going to grow old together. We may not be lovers, but at least we still have our friendship."
"Yes. We have somehow managed to stay civil. Thank Barbara Jean for that."
"I do. You wonder what she will say when she finds out about Katie."
" She will probably want pics." The lights flickered and dimmed. " I better find some candles. I'd say the power will be out before the night is through." The thunder roared, causing Reba to jump." I also better get that bassinet out of the closet."
"Let me put Katie in her car seat and I will help."
He took the bottle from her and lay it on the table. He burped the tiny baby and lay her in her car seat. The baby was sleeping in seconds. Meanwhile Reba had grabbed the candles from the kitchen and lay them on the coffee table.
"The bassinet is in my closet."
"Lead the way." He followed her up the stairs and into her room. Walking into the closet he saw the bassinet along the back wall.
"I can remember when I put this together for Elizabeth."
"Me too. Now let's get this thing out before the power.." at that moment the power went out. " goes out. I can't see a thing."
"Me either Reba." He reach out to grab what he thought was the bassinet but connected with something else instead.
"Brock. Your hand is on my ass." He moved his hand quickly.
"I thought it was the bassinet."
"You thought?"
"How was I to know you had moved directly in front of me."
"Let's just move on. Now help me grab this thing. This time move your hand to the left."
They retrieved the bassinet and slowly made their way out of the closet. Dim light was coming through the window, as it had not completely gotten dark outside.
"I better grab the candles."
"I'll check on Katie."
...
The candles were lit illuminating the room.
The door bell sounded through the house.
"I'll get it." Brock opened the door with Katie in his arms. Reba emerged with her wallet but Brock had already paid.
"That is such a cute baby sir." The pizza delivery girl cooed at Katie." She reminds me of my baby sister. She is so adorable."
"thank you. She must take her looks from her mother."
"No way. She looks just like you." He laughed. Reba stood watching the exchange and could help but feel jealousy. "She looks just like you." Reba mocked the girl and shook her head. Emerging from in the doorway to the kitchen she called out.
"Brock honey, is the pizza here?" Brock looked shocked. Did she just call him honey?
"Yes babe. The pizza is here."
"I must get going.i have loads of deliveries to make. If you ever need a baby sitter just give me a call." Reba looked at the young girl and stopped her just as she went to hand her number to Brock.
"That won't be necessary sweetie. I'm the full time baby sitter."
"Oh. Well. You two have a nice night. "
"Thank you. You do the same." Brock said."she was kind of sweet don't you think Reba.
"That's one way of putting it."
"What was wrong with her. "
"She was a walking hormone. She was just dying to hook you."
"What would be so wrong in that. It's not like I'm married." He replied, taking Katie over to her car seat and laying her down.
"No your not, but she was young enough to be your daughter."
"Your jealous Reba."
"No I'm not. Your twisting it."
"No. You are. I can tell."
"Brock honey, is the pizza here?" He mocked her. "You did that on purpose. Then saying you were the full time babysitter?"
"Well I am. I don't trust her with Katie. I need a job and you pay good. "
"So you will be Katie's full time nanny?"
"Not a nanny. Surrogate mother. She needs a mother figure."
"No better one than you. "
"Yeah yeah. Pass the pizza and let's shelve this discussion for now."
"Ok, but you were jealous."
She groaned as she took the pizza.