-- 41 --

"Dad! What the heck are you doing?" said Kyra rushing out to the backyard.

"Is he your father?" asked the police.

"Yes he is."

"Well, we saw him digging the hole on your backyard, so we just have to check to see if he isn't doing anything illegal." said the police.

"Dad, I know we're having a pool, but do you have to dig the ground yourself? And shouldn't that be where the tree house used to be?" Kyra questioned her dad.

"I'm planting the surprise for your mom," told Brock to his daughter. "And can you please turn of your lights I don't want my wife to wake up until I'm done." he scolded the man in uniform. The police left him a few moments later.

"Need help?" Kyra volunteered. She looked around the area and started to see what her dad was up to.

"Sure, if you don't mind." Brock continued what he was doing before the police showed up. "Did she miss me?"

"Like crazy, she cried herself to sleep every night, she listened to the song you sang for her, and spent most of her free time in her bedroom talking to herself. I'm starting to worry about her you know, but then she said she was talking to the baby."

"Your mom did that to all of you, she'd talk to you all the time, she said the baby needed to get use to the mother's voice. She made me talk to you guys too, at first it was a little awkward talking to her tummy, but then it got easier, by the time we had Jake, I pretty much sang."

"Where did you go? Don't you miss her?"

"Of course I do miss her, I almost drove back the moment I receive her first text message saying that she missed me. But I had to wait for these." he motioned to the surprise he prepared for her. "I just hope that after she sees what I did, she would stop wondering if I really loved her."

"Why didn't you pick up the phone when she called you? You know when her iPod was broken, I saw her trying to call you and just listen to your voice mail. I really felt like hunting you down and punching you until you realized how much you made her cry."

"God, Kyra, you wouldn't believe how many times I wanted to call her or even pick up the phone when she called, especially every time she called, our picture displayed. It made me miss her even more. But I knew if I talked to her, I'd forget about these and rush back immediately. Never mind that, one time she sent me the message to come back to her, I started to pack up and jumped into the car. But I want to do this, I want to do it for her. So I stayed and waited. And when I got what I went for, I drove back immediately and only stopped for gas. I haven't eaten, I haven't slept. I'm dead tired, but I want to have this done before she wakes up."

"Ok, this is taking forever; you wouldn't have it done before mom wakes up. Wait here I'll go get Jake!" Kyra went back to the house and dragged her brother who was half asleep out to help.

Reba woke up with his pillow still in her arms. She took a shower to get rid of her tiredness. When she came down the stairs, she saw Kyra on the couch and Jake was asleep, looking very tired.

"You're up early."

"I haven't slept yet." Kyra was way beyond tired now.

"And why not? Don't tell me you took your brother out to the night club." said Reba jokingly, but a little worried too.

"Go take a look in your vegetable garden mom, where Jake used to plant his Skittles. It looks like some magic happened over night."

"Why? The Skittles finally grew out of the ground?" said Reba walking to the garden via the kitchen. She was stunned for what she saw. Her un-successful vegetable garden had been converted to a flowerbed: Roses, red roses everywhere.

"Dad said their called 'Spirit of Hope', he went to Fisheye Bottom to get them. He had to wait for them because he ordered like 30 of them. He only planted 29 though"

"29?"

"Yep, dad said each one of them represents every year that he known and loved you, counting the first time your eyes met. Man, I almost cried when I heard him say that. And look." she showed her mom her hands with band-aids "Roses have thorns mom, dad gave me the only pair of gloves he prepared. Jake used your oven mitts, and he also has a few cuts. Dad didn't have gloves; you should have seen his hands, bloody mess, no wonder why the police questioned him. He thought dad was trying to bury a body." Kyra may have 'almost cried', but Reba was already in tears. "He said you didn't trust him when he said he loves you. He said you accused him of the fear of being alone, but he said he doesn't have a fear of being alone, his fear is to be here without you. All night all he talked about was you. Man, I can't believe how sentimental he could be, if he weren't my dad, I'll marry him."

"Where is he?" Reba asked with her voice trembled

"He's in his house." with that answered Reba rushed over to see him, she missed him. The urge to hold him was so much it ached. She rang the doorbell and the love of her life opened the door. As soon as she saw him again, the wall, the curtain, whatever she had, that hindered his love from hers just came crashing down. Nothing was left, but heart to heart. He loved her and she loved him, that's all it matters. Reba saw his hands were covered in band-aids, and few scratched along his arms too. He must have been in pain from those thorns, planting those roses for her in the dark couldn't be an easy task. She flew into his arms, kissed him with all her heart, passion and desire. She was badly defeated, yet it felt like such a wonderful victory.

"Yes." she said between kisses

"Huh?" Brock was confused and overwhelmed.

"I said yes you mo-ron! Yes! I love you, and I'll marry you!" as they were deeply kissing and holding on to each other tight, the baby kicked, even Brock could feel the kick on his tummy that was pressing against hers. They broke the kiss with laughter. "Looks like the baby knows you're here." she petted her belly where the baby just kicked. "I told ya, he's one heck of a kisser, his kiss woke you up, didn't it?" Brock had a huge grin from ear to ear hearing her comment to the baby. He bent down and talked to the bump.

"Mommy told you, I'm a good kisser? Did she tell you something else I'm also good at?"

"Oh you mo-ron!" she playfully pushed his head away from her tummy. "C'mon, let's get your stuff and go home." Brock grabbed his suitcase and walked hand in hand with Reba back to their home. Jake was still asleep on the couch, and Kyra probably back to her room. "I have something to show you, let's go talk upstairs." said Reba leading him to the bedroom.

"Hmm.. You have something to show me and a pillow talk? I can't wait!" said Brock with a crazy grin. Reba lightly smacked his shoulder. Brock locked the door behind him, just in case. "Before you change your mind about marrying me, let me give you this first." Brock pulled out a velvet box, Reba took it and instead of finding her wedding band, she found a beautiful engagement ring; a rose-cut diamond solitaire. He got down on one knee and asked the question, a proper proposal.

"Reba, honey, will you marry me?" he kept it short, just in case he accidentally upset her again.

"Yes, I'll marry you again." Reba accepted his proposal with happy tears as he slipped the ring on her finger followed by the wedding band. "Shouldn't the wedding band be in first?" asked Reba curiously.

"Yes when we get married properly. Now all we are missing is a piece of paper that states 'certificate of marriage'." said Brock before planted a sweet kiss on her lips.

"Can we get married on the Hope Island?" requested Reba "We'll go back on the full moon, and get married again but make it legal this time." Brock smiled

"I thought you'd like that. I made a reservation for our honeymoon suite next week and we'll stay for a week, how's that sound?"

"So sweet" answered Reba wrapping her arms around his neck and kissed him to made up for all these times they were apart. "Now, I have something to show you." said Reba after braking the kiss, but it seemed like Brock still didn't have enough.

"After the pillow talk." said Brock while maneuvering their way to the bed, trying not to break the kiss. She missed him badly; she missed his broad shoulders, his hug and his kiss. She missed falling asleep in his arms after making love. Brock was dead tired and Reba hadn't had a good night sleep since he left. They immediately fell into a deep sleep with pleasant thoughts of each other. They got up at almost noon. She showed him the picture she fixed and promised that she would not doubt his love to her ever again.

"Maybe I should do less talking and more kissing because I seem to somehow put my foot in my mouth every time I open it and it wasn't touching yours." said Brock with a huge grin.

"Yeah, maybe you should try that." she gave him a smile; her eyes twinkled, encouraging him to do what he just said. Brock took the hint and kissed her so passionately, he pleased himself while fulfilling her silent request.

They announced the news that they would finally make their marriage legal and have a wedding at the Hope Island. Barbra Jean couldn't wait to be maid of honor, but as soon as she found out where the wedding would take place, she almost changed her mind. However, it was for her best friend and she promised she'd be there. Since the baby hadn't been giving Reba a hard time, her doctor said she could travel. It looked like everything was well planned and finally falling into place.

"Okay, I'm ready." said Reba buckling up and ready to go. "And I forgot to give you this." she handed him his own GPS. "I pre-programmed our home in this, so promise me you'll not get lost again."

"I promise." Brock gave her a quick kiss, well intended to give her just a quick peck, but it lingered longer than he planned.

"Oh Brother!" gripped Kyra, sinking herself into the seat

"My eyes!" cried Jake, rubbing his eyes

Brock and Reba glanced to the backseat; they almost forgot that the kids were traveling with them. They broke out in laughter as Brock started to drive. When they arrived, Jake and Kyra were invited to stay with Barbra Jean and her husband. But Reba and Brock would stay at their favorite honeymoon suite. Once the full moon arrived, they all took the ferry to the Island. Reba used her own garland that the old man made; she didn't want the store bought ones. After they exchanged their wedding vows and kisses, they walked around the Island, enjoying the pow wow ceremony, waiting for the ferry to pick them up.

"By the way, do you know that 'Spirit of hope' rose has another name that's named after you?" Brock wanted to share the information he learned.

"Really?" Reba was surprised

"Well, not really after you, but after a singer named 'Reba McEntire'. Have you heard of her?"

"Nope, I know Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell. But the name rings a bell though, she must be singer for the younger generation." Reba smirked

"Maybe, it's funny how co-incident that is though. When I came here to get the roses and I overheard they were looking for 'Reba McEntire' roses, I almost wanted that one instead, but luckily it turned out to be the same one. 'Spirit of Hope' a.k.a. 'Reba' what a co-incidence! It was almost like this rose was growing just for you" Brock wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed on the top of her head.

"It's very sweet of you to plant them for me. I'll admire them forever." said Reba planting a sweetest kiss on her husband lips. The newly legally wed couple walked arm in arm back to the tree. The old man still sat nearby, playing his wooden flute with the girl still by his side. Reba stood and stared at the shadow for a while.

"There's something about this tree" said Reba, still staring.

"It must be, you've been staring at it for like an hour now." said Brock snapping her out of her deep thought. Reba jumped a little, she was startled, it was daytime. She looked at herself still in the dark blue short dress instead of maternity clothes.

"I'm not pregnant?" asked a rather confused Reba, rubbing her hand on her belly.

"With who?" Brock gave her a funny look. "It'll take more than standing under the tree for an hour to get you pregnant, babe. Are you okay?" Brock got worried, Reba had isolated herself from the rest of the group for a while now, and it looked like she was in the different world.

"How long have I stood here?" she was still dazed about what happen. Didn't they just get married again? She looked at her left hand, no rings.

"About an hour or so, someone tried to get you back in the group and you told them to take a hike. Are you alright?"

"I'm not sure... did the guide say anything about this tree?" she wondered if she just saw her future.

"Yes, he said this tree was right in the center of the divider between the two tribes. No one dare to come around this area for the risk of being skinned alive."

"That's it? No spirits? No lovers?"

"What spirits? Reba are you drunk? Or was it the heat stroke?" she smacked him. She wasn't sure what happened, was it just her imagination? But it felt so real, almost as if she was there. Or did she just see her own future, but if the guide didn't say anything special about the tree, then she couldn't be seeing her future. What the heck just happened?

"No two lovers hanged them self?"

"No, it's just a tree" Brock wasn't sure where she was going with this. Reba sighed. Weird. She rubbed her tummy again to ensure that she wasn't pregnant.

"Are you hungry?" asked Brock seeing her constantly petting her belly.

"Huh? No, not really. But now that you mention it... " Reba looked at the tree again, no shadow: just an old willow tree. She sighed and started to walk away. Still tried to think what the heck just happened. A dream? An imagination? An illusion? Whatever it was, it felt so real. "Brock..."

"Yeah?"

"When was the last time we kissed?" Brock was almost stunned by her question

"Must be about seven years ago, why do you want to?" answer Brock teasingly

"I'll kick your butt!" okay now she's back.

"What was in your mind when you staring at that tree anyway?" asked Brock curiously, Reba really looked like she was deep in her thoughts and her mind was disappearing into the different world.

"I'm still not sure what happened." she admitted. "Oh well, it could be just my crazy imagination." yeah, that must be it. "Anyway, let's go back to the group then, I might have to come back here to catch up what I missed, when you go and look for Barbra Jean tomorrow."

"Do I really have to?" whined Brock.

"You don't want her back, really?" asked Reba, she didn't feel like pushing him anymore, whatever will be, will be. Just let it be in the hand of their destiny.

"They are legally married, I don't feel right about braking their marriage." commented Brock

"Do you still love her?" asked Reba. Brock thought hard to see if he still love her.

"Yes and no" answered Brock "Yes I still love her, we have a son together and have wonderful times together, but no, I don't think I'm 'in-love' with her. I just couldn't see myself being with her again, and I'm not sure why."

"Okay then, at least call her and wish her luck, don't just walk away from each other." Brock nodded in agreement. "If you're not going to see her, we can go back to Houston tomorrow then."

"Sound like a good idea" Brock agreed, "save some money on hotel room, it's not like there's many things to do at Fisheye Bottom anyway." Reba chuckled at his comment, yeah he was cheap, no way he would have bought her the rose-cut diamond solitaire ring. That definitely was her crazy imagination.

As they were walking to join the rest of the group, she looked down at herself again just one last check to see if she really wasn't pregnant. She wore that short blue dress, and she remembered that she was in the middle of trying to prove to him that she was indeed hot and sexy!

"You really think I'm not hot nor sexy?"

"You look great, and I admit you look stunning in this dress, and only if you want to, you can be hot and sexy too, but it isn't really you. You can get kind of spunky or you can get tough, that kind of tough sexy look. But sexy? Nha, I don't think so. I won't change anything though, you could easily take one's breath away by just being the way you are, and that's what I always admire about you." Brock admitted. And she was satisfied with his answer.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Beside, this short dress make me feel a little exposed." she laughed as Brock snapped a few more picture of her she tried to pose sexy. They were having a good time. Brock wasn't sure what happened when she stood under that tree, but her attitude was now friendlier toward him, and he was surprised, but presently surprised. He'd always missed the friendship between them.

"I wonder if they have a Karaoke bar downtown." mumbled Reba

"They might have, why you feel like singing?"

"I feel like hearing you sing actually" she still couldn't get rid of the song he sang for her in her weird imagination out of her head.

"Me? Gosh Reba, who do you think Cheyenne got her singing talent from? I can't sing!" Brock whined.

"I know, but you sang to me once, long time ago. I thought you were cute." Reba smirked

"I was half drunk and tried to impress you, and made a fool out of myself when I couldn't carry the tune, and you laughed so hard." Brock chuckled thinking at the old memory

"I also fell for you didn't I? Let's see... I remember the song vaguely." and she tried to hum the tune "You are the answer to my lonely prayer... You are... " Reba tapped her chin trying to think "You are... something I couldn't remember." she pouted putting her eyebrows together "Do you remember the rest?"

"You are an angel from above, I was so lonely till you came to me, With the wonder of your love" Brock sheepishly finished the first part of the song he sang to her almost thirty years ago. He had to take a few drinks to muster the courage to sing to her when she was still his best friend's girlfriend.

"Yeah, that's the one!" Reba giggled, she recalled he was looking at her the whole song, she almost forgot she was dating Terri at that time. And she remembered let out an amusing laugh when he couldn't hit the high note and sang off key. But she fell for him right then and there. "So hold me close and never let me go, and say our love will always be" she continued to sing the parts that she remembered, trading the verses with Brock, while slowly walking around the island, almost forgetting the rest of the group.

"Oh, my..." Brock stopped "I couldn't hit the high note, can you continue?"

"Oh, my darling, I love you so. You mean everything to me" Reba finished of the song with a little laugh and a little blush.

"Brock..." Reba stopped walking and moved closer to him. "I'm going to try something, just don't take this the wrong way and don't think anything out of this okay? Just an experiment." he nodded confusingly, and became in total shock when she pulled his head down and crashed her lips on his. A moment later, she let go. They both grasped and she let out a heavy sigh "CRRAAPPP!" exclaimed Reba turning red.

"What was that for?" asked Brock still dazed from her action.

"Nothing, just checking something" said Reba still flushed, she couldn't believe what she had just done, and even more surprised learning the result of her little experiment.

"Checking for a wildfire?" Brock teased her, and by seeing Reba turning even more red that just confirmed his remark. "Still there isn't it?"

"Oh shut up, it was just a little firefly." she wouldn't admit. As she was trying to walk away, he pulled her back against his chest.

"Just a firefly? Well honey, you took me by surprise, now try this." and he completely captured her lips. Yep! Definitely a wildfire!

"The only reason why I'm not going to kill you because I did it first." Reba gritted through her teeth, still panting from trying to escape the wildfire. "But if you ever do that again I will-" her sentence disappeared in his mouth.

"You will what? Kiss me back? Because that's what you just did you know? OUCH!" cried Brock when Reba stomping on his toes and quickly walked away trying to look for the rest of the group.

"I felt it..." Brock confessed, catching up to Reba. She stopped at her track. Not just from his comment, but also from something else she heard.

"Are you hearing that too or it's just me?" she asked Brock

"Yeah, sound like some one's playing some type of instrument." said Brock as Reba mindlessly took his arm and walked toward the sound. She heard this sound before. Her eyes widen when she saw the two people who were supposed to be just in her weird imagination. The old native man stop playing his wooden flute, he smiled and said something. Reba just felt the chill running down her spine when she heard the girl who had a garland around her neck translate.

"The spirits got your message, they saw your true love."

-- End --

Confused? Read chapter 3 again ;-)

Thanks for reading. All reviews are greatly appreciated.

(Stay tuned for sequel)