~ Mine ~

Consider Me Gone

"Ten more minutes." Clarence Spalding called from the other side of Reba's dressing room door. She moaned a little to herself as she sat resting against the wall of her dressing room bathroom. Funny how that call was Narvel not even three months ago, and how instead of knocking on her door he would come in with a glass of water, making sure everything was running smoothly before she headed back out. A lot sure had changed in a few months alright. She smoothed the green number she had been changing into for her December leg and slowly rose to her feet. Man was this kid not taking it easy on her, she was almost certain that he or she was allergic to Vegas because if it were even possible her morning sickness had been worse since she'd been here. Checking her mascara in the mirror, she sighed to herself running her hand over a few of her hardly visible wrinkles. When going through the divorce with Charlie she had never questioned herself like she was with this one, she had never once wondered if she wasn't good enough. I guess that was the difference between wanting something and not.

    "Looks like it's show time again little one." She said softly to herself; or her unborn child rather, resting her hand on her stomach. Slowly after telling all of her children about their new sibling, she could feel herself start to grow more and more attached. At first, she feared she wouldn't have the same bond like she'd had with Shelby but as her pregnancy slowly progressed she realized it was just a mute fear. Breathing in and tugging at her dress one last time she turned and headed for the exit.

    "Hey, I was just about to come and get you," Narvel said uneasily as he spotted Reba rounding the corner and heading for center stage, ready to make her entrance. Looking down at her feet, she sighed softly. Did this ever get any easier?

    "Sorry I was just taking an extra minute to freshen up." She mumbled, looking up at him, locking her eyes with his dark brown ones.

    "Not sure why it's not like you needed it." He mused sweetly causing Reba's breath to hitch in her throat. For a second there he sounded like Narvel, her Narvel, the one that gave compliments, and brushed her stray hairs to the side, smiling at her as their eyes locked together lovingly. For a second there, he almost had her fooled.

    "Well, thanks." She replied before excusing herself and rushing off towards the stage. She could feel her heart beating, almost so fast that she was sure it was going to pop right out of her chest.T hat Narvel is gone, Reba. She chastised herself silently. It was easier for her to think that way. Breathing in she plastered on the biggest smile her facial muscles could allow, squinting a bit at the shining lights, and grabbing her microphone, proceeding forward as she did so.

~~~~~

"We sure like to go out with a bang huh?" Kix Brooks laughed as the crew rounded together backstage, each raising a celebratory drink in the air.

"Thank you once again, family, for making this all happen." He finished, applauding everyone in the group as they clinked the glasses together, each taking a sip. Smiling uneasily Reba brought her sparkling cider to her lips, flinching as the bubbly substance began to make her nauseous.

"Hey Reba, we're going to go hit the town one last time, you feeling up to joining us?" Barbara questioned, startling Reba as she quickly set her glass down on the table next to her.

"You know Barb we have a long day of traveling ahead of us and..." Reba trailed off, biting her lip, as she looked off to the side, trying to come up with some sort of an excuse.

"And... I totally get it honey; just make sure you get some rest okay?" Barbara smiled, kissing her cheek and giving Reba's back a small rub. Thank goodness Barbara understood. After she gave her last few thanks to the band and crew, she quickly headed off in the direction of her suite. Narvel, who seemed to have the same idea, accidentally bumped into her, using the back elevator to the entrance of the secluded suites.