Surprise!

Chapter fifteen

"What do you mean 'you don't wanna know the sex' ?" Narvel questioned and he laid his hand flat on her stomach "I think that statement only has one meaning, I don't want to know the sex of the baby." Reba restated and shrugged "Well I do." Narvel sassed and attacked her with kisses. "Narvel stop!" She giggled and tried to pry him away. "You're gonna have to try harder than that." Narvel snickered. "Oh I'll think of somethin-believe me I will." She said, smiling coyly at him. "I don't think so miss. Look, we're goin to the ultra-sound regardless just to make sure they're healthy but I wanna know what it is!" He kept on, relentless. He wasn't about to give up that easily. "How bout I find out and you don't?" He suggested. "You're terrible at keeping secrets." Reba replied, trying to catch her breath after her laughing fit from the tickling session. He was hovered over her, a look in his eye as if he were about to say or do something that would reflect the action of a four-year-old.She just giggled when all he did was stare at her. She continued to smile and finally spoke. "What are you lookin at?" She asked. Narvel shrugged "Nothin" he grinned and laid down beside her. She laughed. "Oh it's not nothin. You gave up WAY too easily on that one." He sighed. "Couldn't help it. Your cuteness distracted me." She giggled. "Well... How bout another topic?" She suggested, turning to look at him.
"What's that?"
"I have been thinkin... And what are we gonna do... Once the baby's here?" He propped himself up on his elbows and looked down at her-eyebrows raised questioningly. "What do you mean?" She sighed. "Well.... Will we stay here? Should I get a job? Will we get.. married?" He sighed deeply before answering. "I want to marry you, you know that. I'll get a better job, so you don't have to do anything but stay home." Narvel replied as he rubbed her arm. She smiled but looked down a little sheepishly. "Well yeah. I mean I know you love me.. And I love you too. I was just wonderin... And you know I don't mind work'in if I need to." "There no need for you to work." he kissed her forehead and smiled. She smiled back at him. "Okay."
There was a slightly awkward silence for a moment before they heard a gentle knock on the door."Come in." Reba said timidly as he wrapped her arms around Narvels waist.

Jackie walked in slowly and Reba sat up quickly-surprised by her mother's presence. They had lunch, and talked.. But she never really came over. "Mama. What are you doin here? I'm so glad to see you!" She struggled a bit to hop outta bed but not much, considering she wasn't too far along yet, and hugged her mother.

"The girls begged me to come see you! They couldn't stop talking about your lunch together, Pake was even happy!" Jackie hugged Reba back. When the two finally pulled back Reba was smiling brightly. "Well I enjoyed it myself. And I'm glad they did too. I've kinda been a little worried about how everyone was dealin with this..." Reba trailed off
"We're doin fine honey. Granted, we'd never promote it. But, you're trying to handle things the most responsible way you know how, and me and your daddy respect that. Whether he'll admit or not, we're proud of you hon." Jackie gave her daughter a soft smiled.
Reba had tears in her eyes, wiping them away with the back of her hands "Stupid hormones!" Reba giggled and looked back at Narvel who was still laying on the bed.

Jackie took a few steps forward and studied the room a bit more closely. Reba got a little nervous at what her mother's opinion might be. But she said nothing. Finally-a little weary of the silence-Narvel stood up and cleared his throat, in result, collecting Jackie's attention. "Mrs. McEntire, how've you been?" He asked politely. "Fine, I miss my Reba." She said, not taking her attention off of the room as she answered his question. He sighed-but just barely noticeable. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that mam, Reba, we'll have to start visiting more often." Reba nodded as he walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Jackie finally looked at him and spoke, "Do you stay only in here? Or do you stay in the rest of the home as well?" Jackie asked "and where will the um...baby sleep?"

This took them by surprise a bit. "Um... Well, we're able to go anywhere in the house really... But we mainly stay in here. And...... Well..... I guess we hadn't thought about the baby.... I guess it'll stay in here.." Jackie shook her head before speaking, "You won't get to decorate the nursery, that was my favorite part of having kids!" Jackie said. Reba wasn't exactly sure what to say. "Um... Well.. I don't really know..." Jackie sighed.
"Okay Reba. I'll get right to the point-I know I'm being incredibly cryptic. But, do y'all need a house? Of your own?" "Yes!" Narvel sighed in relief, he slumped his shoulders and smiled. Jackie smiled a little at his enthusiasm. "Reba? Do you remember your daddy's friend Bill?" She thought for a moment then finally recalled a few memories and nodded. "Well, he's a realtor and your daddy worked out a deal with him to where you two could live there for only three hundred a month.. I know it's probably still gonna be a little tough... But if you want it. It's yours." Their jaws dropped and Reba quickly pulled her mama into another hug. "Oh! Mama, really?? Oh my-this was so nice of y'all!" Narvel just stood back and grinned at them both. Jackie laughed a little. "So I take that as a yes?" Reba nodded vigorously. "Oh of course-I just can't get over this. Really this is so sweet of y'all. We appreciate it so much. You know I kinda thought you were still a little mad at me.." Jackie stopped her. "Reba. You're our daughter. We love you so much and we always will. No matter what you get into-and I know you'll be a great mama. You just need the opportunity and that's what we're tryin to do. We wanna help you anyway we can." Reba smiled and was on the verge of tears again. "Narvel? What do you think?" "I think that what you two are doing for us is incredible. I don't know how we can repay you. I'll sleep better at night knowing that we'll have our own roof over our heads." Narvel have Jackie a teary smile and pulled her into a tight hug. She was reluctant at first-I mean considering the situation, but she had to try. So she hugged him back tightly then smiled when she pulled away. Reba watching the scene play out was so completely touched.
"Well-I best be gettin back to the house. Your daddy's gonna be home soon and he's always hungry after he works." Reba laughed a little and then walked her mama through the house and out to the front porch, with Narvel following close behind. "Aw, well come around anytime. I miss ya mama." Jackie smiled sweetly, "I miss you too honey-hey why don't y'all come over for dinner tomorrow? After church me, daddy, and the kids are all goin out to eat in town. Wanna come?" Reba jumped at the opportunity excitedly. "Sure! Sounds great!" Her mama gave her all the details then finally left. Reba watched as her car left the driveway then turned to face Narvel. "I hope that was okay... Agreeing to all that?" She asked with a slightly nervous expression. He nodded quickly. "Oh yeah, of course! I think it's very nice. They're finally comin around." "I think that they were a little skeptical at first, but I think that they are seeing that our little family will turn out just fine." He kissed the side of her head. She smiled and lightly leaned into him. Content but tired. They just stood there for awhile enjoying each other's company until the sun began to set. "Reba?" Narvel whispered, wondering why they hadn't really moved for almost thirty minutes. "Yeah?"
"You ready to head inside yet? Take a nap?" She sighed dramatically. "Do I gotta walk?" He laughed. "Nope. Hold on." He quickly bent down and swooped her off her feet, she squealed a little, laughing all the way to their room.