~ Mine ~

One To One

"Hey! You're awake!" Chassidy exclaimed in surprise, as she entered the kitchen, her step-mother's early morning presence startling her. She hadn't expected to see anyone else awake at six in the morning.

"I thought I'd get an early start on my breakfast shake." Reba replied with a chipper smile, handing Chassidy a glass full of the thick maroon liquid.

"Berry flavor." Reba added as she watched Chassidy eyeball the drink she had just accepted from her step-mother, apprehensively. Who was this cheerful woman? Hadn't she just been sick the night before?!

"This is great and all but I'm going to need real food." Chassidy mumbled, causing Reba to giggle, before taking a generous gulp of the shake, and heading towards the food press. Grabbing the syrup, she watched intently as Reba opened up what appeared to be vitamins, popping two pills into her mouth."

"I take it you're feeling much better this morning?" Chassidy asked, looking over her shoulder at Reba, before turning her attention back to the freezer, as Reba paused before responding, swallowing the pills with a mouthful of shake.

"Besides a stiff body, I feel as good as new."

"Guess all I needed was a good night's sleep!" Reba said with a forced smile, taking another sip of her shake, and avoiding Chassidy's eye contact. Shaking off the slightly odd behavior, Chassidy smiled back.

"Well I'm glad."

"I'm still not sure if I want the kids staying with you today though." She confessed softly, taking a moment before continuing.

"What if you get sick again? Shan has a meeting in Ashland City and won't be around to help." Chassidy inquired aloud, popping two frozen waffles into the toaster, and twisting the rooster's head on the timer.

"What?!"

"No! Chass I'm fine! I promise ya."

"Please let them stay with me." Reba pleaded, trying to assure Chassidy that she was capable of watching the kids without getting sick. Chass and Scott had been planning a trip to Texas in order to look for a new house. Scott had recently gotten a new job opportunity from his firm in Tenessee, the promotion to Texas came with a huge salary increase, and with the kids getting closer to high school, the family had decided it was just simply an opportunity they couldn't pass up. They had planned on waiting until the school year had finished before officially making their children move.

"I'm only weary because I worry for you." Chassidy said, looking over at Reba, both hands on her hips.

"But as long as you let Kelly stop by with Sav and Seth, I can't say no to such an eager Grandma." She said with an over exaggerated sigh and playful eye roll.

"Especially since Jadyn does like you best." She added sticking her tongue out teasingly. Smiling in appreciation Reba set her drink down on the marble island and walked over to Chass, bringing her into a loving hug.

"Why wasn't I invited to this love fest?" Shawna interjected as she walked into the kitchen, slightly startling them, and causing Reba to pull away.

"Because I'm the favorite." Chassidy responded with a sly grin, just as the rooster began to go off next to her, signaling that her waffles were done cooking.

"Finally, real food!" Chassidy said, letting out a relieved sigh, as she rubbed her hands together eagerly before reaching up into the cupboard above her to fetch a plate. Shaking her head at her sister's antics, Shawna headed over to the corner of the counter where Reba's teas and vitamins sat. Grabbing the bottle of multivitamin's, she quickly took the daily dosage, eyeing the small bottle of anti-nausea pills behind it. Thinking nothing of it, she quickly turned around to join her step-mother and sister, who were now seated over at the table.