John Ross looked at her, she saw him thinking things through, and he was so like his father. “Okay” he said

JR appeared at the door and said “Is there any breakfast left for me?”

John Ross ran to his father and hugged him “I love you and we want you to stay with us” he said

JR was relieved he looked at Sue Ellen and she saw that he had tears in his eyes, she went to the two men she loved most in the world and hugged them both, she felt as though her life was complete.

“I guess we should finish breakfast, especially as you’ve got to go to school” JR said to John Ross

They sat back down at the breakfast table and finished eating; John Ross then got up and went to get ready for school.

“That was relatively easy” JR said “Do you really have to go to work today?” he asked “I wanted to spend some more time with you”

“I’m sorry, I’ve got to go in, as John Ross is off school next week, so I’m taking a weeks’ holiday, which means I’ve got to make sure that all my work is completed before I leave, but I’ll be home by three thirty after I’ve picked John Ross up from school. In the meantime I’ll drop you off at the hotel and you can pack your suitcases, unless you’ve changed your mind about staying here”

JR went over to her and kissed her “What do you think?” he said, “Now that I’ve found you again, I’m never letting you go”

“Okay” she said “I’ll pick you up from the hotel at lunchtime and we can come back here for something to eat”

At half-past eight, they all got into the car and prepared for the day ahead.

After Sue Ellen had dropped John Ross at school and JR back at the hotel, she made her way into the office. She had quite a bit to do before she finished for the day, and didn’t really want to stay any longer than was necessary.

Michael McDervitt appeared at her door, he was the last person she really wanted to see, but she was also aware of the fact that he was her boss.

“Hi Michael” she said, “What can I do for you?”

“Nothing, I just wondered how you were”

“I’m fine” she said “but I want to make sure I’ve got all my work up-to- date, before I go on holiday”

“I’m just curious about JR,” he said

“What about him?” she asked

“How can you let him back in your life after the way he has treated you in the past” he said

“That is none of your business,” she said

“I’m not prying, I’m just curious,” he said

“I never have been able to explain my feelings for JR, I don’t know, call it fate, maybe we’re just meant to be together, but no matter how far we are from each other there’s something that always pulls us together again. I’ve never felt for anyone the way I felt for him, that is why my marriage to Don never worked.”

Michael looked at her “Are you talking soul mates”

Sue Ellen laughed she had never thought of JR as her soul mate, but maybe that was what he was “Could be,” she said

Michael looked at her and said, “Well, he’s one lucky guy, I just hope he realises that” He then left the office

At 12 o clock Sue Ellen went to pick JR up from the hotel, he was waiting for her in his room. He smiled as she entered the room “Well I better not let my wife catch me in my hotel room with a beautiful woman, she’ll get so mad” he said

Sue Ellen laughed, “You better believe it JR, however just in case you’ve forgotten I’m not your wife!”

JR thought for a moment “Don’t remind me,” he said, “You’re still married to that Lockwood guy, and not for much longer I hope”

“The divorce should be through in another couple of months hopefully,” she said

They were silent for a while, neither really knowing what to say. JR wanted her back as his wife, he wanted more children but he knew that she might not want that.

“After the divorce, what does that mean for us” he said

“What do you mean?” she asked

“Sue Ellen, I want you back as my wife, I want you to have the Ewing name again, but this time our marriage will be perfect, there’s so much I want us to do together”

“Is that a proposal?” she asked

“I guess so,” he said “What do you think?”

Sue Ellen thought for a minute, her mind went back to the last time she remarried JR, she had so many hopes and dreams for their future together but JR has ripped them to pieces by his affairs, but then maybe this time JR had really changed, he wasn’t asking her to go back to Dallas, he was putting her and John Ross before what he wanted.

She looked him in the eye and said, “I would love to be your wife again, but this time we do things right, we make a proper commitment to each other.”

JR kissed her “Of course” he said and he meant it.

“Let’s go home JR, I’ve got to get back to work soon”

They drove back to the house and JR took his suitcases upstairs. Sue Ellen went to make them some lunch.

“Where do you want me to put my cases, in the spare room or your room” he called down to her

“Where do you think JR?” she asked

“Okay the spare room it is then,” he said

After he finished unpacking he went back downstairs to find Sue Ellen. She was at the kitchen table.

“So is the spare room to your liking?” she asked

“No, your room is much more comfortable” He said

“JR, what do you propose to do, now that there is no Ewing Oil to run?” she asked him

“I don’t know, but I’m going to have a look around, I can’t have my wife supporting me,” he said

She looked at him and laughed

“What’s so funny?” he asked

“I haven’t been your wife in such a long time JR, in fact Cally has more rights to that title than me” she said

“The funny thing is that in my heart, you never stopped being my wife” he said

The continued eating in silence, Sue Ellen then started to clear away the dishes and remarked that she had to go back to work.

“I have a much better idea of how we could spend the rest of the day,” he said

“I bet you have,” she said “but that is going to have to wait, beside I’ll be back at three thirty after I’ve picked up our son, then we have the whole of next week to spend together, just the three of us” she said

“Have you any plans?” he asked

“No, just to spend it with the two people I love most in this world” she replied “now I really must get back to work” she kissed him then left.

JR was happy at the thought of spending the next week with the two people he loved without school or work getting in the way.

The rest of the afternoon past slowly for Sue Ellen, she wanted to pick up her son from school and get back to JR. These past few months with him in London had made her realise how much she had missed him. She knew that she never wanted to be away from him again. Maybe they were soul mates, they belonged together, it was just a pity it had taken so long for them to realise that.

Sue Ellen and John Ross arrived home at three thirty; JR was waiting for them and suggested that as it was a lovely day they should go for a walk in the park. Sue Ellen and John Ross got changed and John Ross decided he needed his football especially as he needed to teach his dad how to play English Football.

As JR and John Ross kicked the ball around Sue Ellen sat on the bench watching them, there were lots of people walking around the park, but it felt as though they were the only three there. She had never seen JR behave like this with his son, he had missed out on so much of his son growing up. Now she believed he wanted to spend time with him, get to know him properly and be a real father to him. She’d always known that he had loved his son but she also knew that JR had difficulty in expressing his feelings, he had a lot to learn, but time was on his side.

At five o clock they went home and had something to eat. John Ross had some homework to do, but didn’t mind doing it as he had both his parents to help him. Today had been great for him, he loved playing football with his dad, and now his dad had decided that he loved his mom and wanted to be with them both. Now he had the family he had always wanted, his parents had promised that they weren’t going to fight anymore. He was happy and who knows maybe one day he would have the brother and sister he wanted.

Later on in the evening after watching a couple of video’s together John Ross went to bed, after tucking their son in Sue Ellen and JR went back downstairs.

Both curled up together on the sofa and the music centre played softly in the background.

“How did we manage to have such a great son” JR asked

Sue Ellen laughed “I don’t know, we must have done something right”

“Did you really mean it when you said you knew who his father was from the moment you saw him?” JR asked

Sue Ellen looked him in the eye and said, “Never doubted it”

“Do you think he remembers his early months, we both rejected him?” JR asked

“No, thank goodness, I desperately wanted to hold him when he cried but I just couldn’t. Every time I looked at him, I saw you and all the hurt you had caused me, but that didn’t mean I didn’t love him” she said

“All I saw was Cliff Barnes, knowing that you cheated on me with him, the one person I hated most” JR said

“I know, but he was there when I needed someone but I never stopped loving you, not really” Sue Ellen said

JR held her tightly and she cuddled into him. “You know what John Ross wants most in this world don’t you?” he asked.

“His parents back together” Sue Ellen answered

“He wants a brother and sister” JR said

Sue Ellen was quiet for a while “And that’s what you want too JR, isn’t it, another child”

“Yes” he answered “but I remember you telling me ages ago that we would never have another child”

“That was then” she said “At the time I couldn’t face bringing another child into this world and subjecting it to what John Ross had to put up with from us”

“What about now?” JR asked

“Now, I would love another child, but I let’s see what happens, I don’t want to spoil our relationship by putting too much effort into trying for a baby, it didn’t work when we were trying at the beginning of our first marriage, but when we stopped trying, we had John Ross” she said

“Is that a yes then?” he asked

“Yes” She said “But this time I want things to be different, I want you with me every step of the way”

“I want that too, more than anything, I will be there for you always, I truly love you” he said

“I love you too JR and you better never forget it”

They remained on the sofa, holding each other and enjoying each other’s company. Sue Ellen didn’t want this time to end, she finally had the man she loved most in the world and this time she believed he meant it when he said he loved her and only her.

“JR, I think it’s time for bed, John Ross will be up early in the morning and you’re taking him to football again” she said

“Who says?” he asked

“He did, you going to upset your son and tell him you can’t, beside I can catch up with Sarah and do some shopping,” she said

“You mean you can talk about me,” he said

“Don’t flatter yourself JR,” she laughed “Are you coming to bed, or are you staying down here all night”

JR got up and put his arm around Sue Ellen, they walked upstairs arm in arm. They were both happy; all they needed was in that house. They had already wasted so much time, but they both knew that they would do everything in their power to make their future and that of their son’s a happy one. Tomorrow was the beginning of a new life for them the past was behind them. JR thought about how Sue Ellen’s love for him had survived all the pain he had caused her and now he knew that there was no other person he wanted to spend his life with more than her. She was his soul mate. Sue Ellen felt the same, at last they had realised what was important to them.

Saturday Morning and John Ross was up early, he was excited that his mom and dad were back together and that they promised him they were going to be a real family this time. He was feeling hungry but noone was up yet, so he went into the kitchen and decided he would get his own breakfast.

Sue Ellen and JR were still in bed although they heard John Ross get up and go downstairs. Neither of them wanted to get up, both were contented to stay where they were.

“What time is it?” JR asked

“It’s just after 8 o’clock” Sue Ellen said

“So why is our son up so early at the weekend” JR said

“That’s children for you, they can wake up full of life at 6 o’clock in the morning and still not be tired at 10 o’clock at night.”

JR looked at Sue Ellen, he still couldn’t believe that they were back together. He realised that he was so lucky that she was able to forgive him for all the heartache he had caused her. He kissed her tenderly on the cheek.

“What was that for?” she said

“Nothing” he said “I just love you so much, I’m just happy that we’re together”

“So am I” she said “But this is your last chance, if I ever find you cheating on me again you’ll lose me forever”

“That isn’t going to happen” he said “I can’t risk losing you or John Ross for that matter.”

Sue Ellen made a move to get out of bed, JR tried to pull her back, but she resisted.

“I’m heading for the shower then I’m going to check on our son,” she said.

JR laid back thinking about the past and then thought about the future. His future was here with his family. Southfork or Ewing Oil no longer mattered to him, but he realised that he still needed to find some form of work, he couldn’t stay in the house all day while Sue Ellen went out to work, but what he would do he didn’t know. He made an attempt to get out of bed and join Sue Ellen in the shower; he didn’t want to waste a single moment of being with her. Sue Ellen heard the bathroom door open, JR placed his hands on her shoulders and she leant back against him, he started to kiss her and she turned to face him.

“I love you,” he said

“I know, I love you too,” she answered; she held him tighter and kissed him. She had to admit that she had never felt for anyone what she felt for JR, she had missed him so much and now he had travelled half way across the world to be with her. For the first time in ages she felt truly happy, she wanted this feeling to last. She pulled away from his embrace and looked at him.

“JR, it’s time to check on our son, and I think it’s time you had a cold shower” she laughed as she switched off the hot water leaving JR with only cold. She then walked out of the bathroom and heard JR muttering something about revenge.

Ten minutes later she walked into the kitchen and found her son eating his breakfast. She kissed him on the forehead and started to prepare her and JR’s breakfast.

“Have you had enough to eat?” she asked John Ross

“Yes momma, is daddy still taking me to football?” he asked

“Of course he is,” she answered “And I’m going shopping”

JR walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table.

“Hey John Ross, what are you doing today” he asked

“You’re taking me to football training this afternoon” he said

“Am I really, first I heard of that, I was going shopping with your mom” He said

John Ross looked at his father, was he joking or did he really not want to take him. Maybe his dad only really wanted to be with his mom and not with him. JR saw the hurt in his young son’s eyes

“John Ross, I was joking, of course I’m going to take you” he said, he got up from his seat and hugged his son. Sue Ellen watched them.

“John Ross, why don’t you take your dad to the park for a while and show him how to play real football” she said

“Okay, I’ll just get the ball” He said and got up from the table.

“I meant after you finished your breakfast,” she said.

They finished their breakfast, and then John Ross went to find his football.

“JR be careful what you say to him, he’s still vulnerable, it’s going to take time before he’ll trust you completely,” she said

“Sue Ellen I was joking, I love that child, I want to do the things with him that my father never did with me and that includes taking him to football” he said

“I know that” she said “all I’m saying I saw the look in his eyes when you said you were going shopping, he was hurt”

“You don’t mind me taking him to the park now?” he asked “No” she said “I want you to rebuild your relationship with him, I know you love him but you have to prove that to him”

John Ross walked back into the kitchen with his football “Are you ready then?” he asked

“Of course” JR answered, he kissed Sue Ellen on the cheek then walked towards his son.

“See you later” they called as they walked out the door.

JR and John Ross kicked the ball around the park for a while then they sat on the park bench and had a rest, John Ross looked at the hot dog van parked opposite them.

“Dad can I have a hot dog please?” he asked

“You’ve just had your breakfast an hour ago, you can’t be hungry yet,” JR said

“But I am, football is hungry work” John Ross replied

JR laughed, “Not now John Ross maybe later on this afternoon we can go for a burger”

“Promise” his son asked

“Okay, promise”

“Are we really going to stay here?” John Ross asked

“I guess so” JR replied “Your momma doesn’t want to go back to Dallas and neither do you, so that means we’re staying here”

“Do you want to go back?” John Ross asked

“No” JR said “Everything I want is right here, there’s nothing left for me in Dallas”

“What about Ewing Oil” John Ross asked

“I don’t own Ewing Oil anymore beside I made the mistake of putting the business before the people I love and I lost you, I’m not going to do that again” JR said

“Momma never stopped loving you” John Ross said

JR looked at his son, didn’t John Ross understand that he wanted to be there for him as well as Sue Ellen, didn’t he know how much JR loved him.

“John Ross, I’m not here just for your momma, I also want to be with you, you’re my son, I want to watch you grow up, I want to enjoy spending time with you, I love you” he said

“I love you too daddy” John Ross said, and hugged his father. “But I still want a hot dog!”

Sue Ellen took advantage of having the house to herself and started to look at some work that she had brought home with her, when the telephone rang. She picked it up and was surprised to hear Miss Ellie on the other end.

Sue Ellen, how are you? Miss Ellie said

“Fine” Sue Ellen answered, “How are you and where are you?

“I’m fine, Clayton and I have just finished travelling around Europe and we thought we would come and visit you in London before heading back to Dallas, is that okay with you?” Miss Ellie asked

“That will be fine, when will you arrive?” Sue Ellen asked

“Not for a couple of weeks actually” Ellie replied “By the way how is John Ross”

“He’s fine, he’s growing all the time, it’s been ages since you’ve seen him” Sue Ellen said

“I’ve missed him” Ellie said “I wish you consider coming back to Dallas with us, Bobby told me that you and Don had separated”

Sue Ellen was silent for a minute before answering, “Just at the moment I like being here and John Ross had settled down at school, made new friends and he really doesn’t want to leave”

“Bobby also told me that JR’s in London, is he causing trouble for you?” Ellie asked

Sue Ellen didn’t know what to say, she didn’t want to tell Miss Ellie that her and JR were back together yet, she wanted JR to be with her when that happened.

“No JR’s fine actually” she said

“I guess he’ll be heading back to Dallas shortly anyway, I just hope he doesn’t snatch John Ross from you” Ellie said

“I don’t think he will” Sue Ellen replied “Beside he’d have a fight on his hands if he tried to”

Sue Ellen hated lying, she knew JR was not going back to Dallas, she knew he would never snatch John Ross from her, these last few days that they had spent together had shown her how serious JR was about getting his family back. She wanted to tell Miss Ellie how much she loved him but she couldn’t, not yet.

“I better let you go, say hello to John Ross and I phone you when we get to London” Miss Ellie said

“Okay” Sue Ellen said “Take care and say hello to Clayton for me, bye”

“Bye Sue Ellen” Miss Ellie said

Sue Ellen put the phone down and looked out the window, she saw JR and John Ross walking back from the park and went to the door to greet them.

“Have you two had fun then?” she asked

“Yes” John Ross said “But daddy wouldn’t buy me a hot dog”

“Quite right too” Sue Ellen said “You don’t want a hot dog before you played football”

John Ross went upstairs and JR followed Sue Ellen into the living room.

“I just had your mother on the phone” she said

“Oh, what did she want?” JR asked

“To see her grandson,” Sue Ellen replied “they’ve been travelling around Europe and they’re coming to London before going back to Dallas”

“When?” JR asked

“Not for another couple of weeks” Sue Ellen answered

“Does she know I’m here? JR asked

“She knows you’re in London, but that’s all, she thinks you’re be going back to Dallas shortly and is a bit worried that you might try to snatch John Ross” Sue Ellen said

“Nice to know my mother thinks so highly of me,” JR said “You know that I’m never going back to Dallas without you and it’s important that John Ross has two parents who love him and each other, tell me you believe that”

Sue Ellen put her arms around him and kissed him “I trust you”

Really?” JR asked

“Absolutely” Sue Ellen said, “I think it’s time to think about the future”

“I agree” JR replied, “So after your divorce comes through will you marry me? “Yes” she said “And I’m going to say yes to more children, I don’t want John Ross to be an only child”

JR’s eyes lit up, he was truly happy “I can’t wait” He said

“You’re going to have too,” Sue Ellen said “Just a little bit longer”

He took her in his arms and kissed her. Now his life was complete, he had his son and his wife back and now perhaps there would be more children. He held Sue Ellen tighter and thought to himself that he would never let her go again. Dallas and everything associated with it felt so far away and unimportant, everything that was important was in this house, the two people who would never let him down, if only he had realised that years ago.

Sue Ellen pulled away from his embrace and looked at him “JR I love you, I’ve always loved you, please let’s not make anymore mistakes”

“Okay” JR said softly

After lunch John Ross and JR prepared to go to John Ross’s football game, Sue Ellen looked at them and said.

“Can I come?”

“I thought you were going shopping momma” John Ross said

“I was” She replied “but then I thought that I would sooner be with my two favourite men”

“You don’t mind watching me play football,” John Ross asked

“No” Sue Ellen laughed

“Okay I think we should let her come” JR said

Sue Ellen smiled and followed them out of the door, she held JR back for a moment and said

“By the way, the next child we have is going to be a girl okay”

“I’ve got a better idea” JR said

“What’s that?” she asked

“Twins” he replied “two for the price of one”

“We’ll see” Sue Ellen laughed

They then got into the car, each one of them looking forward to the afternoon and the time they would spend together.

After John Ross’ soccer game, JR took him and Sue Ellen out for dinner, where John Ross finally got the hot dog he’d be waiting on since a few days before.

“That good son?” JR asked the boy as he munched his way through the mixture of sausage, tomato ketchup, onions and mustard.

“MMM” John Ross nodded.

Sue Ellen laughed. John Ross’ appetite was just like his fathers – huge.

“I feel sorry for the girl that gets to kiss you after that!” Sue Ellen said

“What girl?” John Ross grimaced “I’m not kissing any girl!”

“Not even Amy from school?” Sue Ellen asked

“Oh?” JR said “You got something going on there son?”

“NO, Momma just teases me about her. I’m never going to kiss her” John Ross said

“Ever?” JR asked with a smile

“Ooo, no!” John Ross shook his head “No thanks”

JR looked at Sue Ellen and said “It’s fun”

“Yeah, you two seem to enjoy it!” John Ross said with a smile

Sue Ellen blushed as JR laughed and said “We do, we definitely do!”

That evening as the three of them watched television, JR told Sue Ellen that he would like a beer.

“Can’t help you there” she smiled “Never touch the stuff”

He leaned over to her and kissed her on the cheek “I’ll go and get some – is there a store nearby?”, he asked.

”Just at the end of the street, take a right and there’s one there” Sue Ellen told him

“Can I bring you back anything?” JR asked

“Just you” she smiled, looking into his eyes.

He smiled at her, his heart skipping a beat at her words. He felt so loved and wanted that he never wanted to let go of that feeling.

“I think I can manage that” he said, reaching down and kissing her.

“You guys!” John Ross said

Breaking off from the kiss, they laughed. Sue Ellen grabbed hold of John Ross, picking him up “Oh Amy! Amy!” she teased.

“MOM!” John Ross laughed.

JR watched them both, realising how lucky he was and finally appreciating the fact too.

Stepping out into the cool London night, he brought the collar of his jacket up around his neck. As much as he liked London now, it felt strange to him to have to put up with this sort of weather. Still, he wasn’t complaining. He only had to look at Sue Ellen and he felt warm.

Turning the corner where Sue Ellen had told him to go, he saw a figure, a man, approaching him. Moving out of the way on the narrow street, JR attempted to let him past. The figure stopped in front of him and said,

“Hello JR”

JR recognised the voice, but in the darkness of the street couldn’t quite work out who it was. Until the figure stepped under the light of the shop door. Don Lockwood.

“Don Lockwood” JR said surprised. “Well, I never thought I’d see you again”

“The feeling is mutual” Don replied “I especially never expected you to be in this neck of the woods again – if you get my meaning”

“I get your meaning, but I’m not sure what you’re doing following me around in the dark”, JR said.

“I would appreciate a moment of your time” Don told JR

“Well I’m not sure I feel comfortable standing with my wife’s ex husband in a dark alleyway” JR said, looking round him.

“I think you’ve got that backwards” Don said with a smile

“Huh?” JR said

“YOUR wife’s EX husband?” Don laughed “That refers to yourself. Sue Ellen is MY wife, and YOU are the ex husband in this scenario”

“Now wait a minute” JR said “What are you getting at?”

“Like I said”, Don told him “I would appreciate a little chat”

“OK when and where?” JR said, curiosity getting the better of him

“What’s wrong with now?” Don asked

“Sue Ellen and John Ross are waiting for me” JR told him.

“I see. That’s nice for you. Tomorrow afternoon – 12.30 at St Paul’s Cathedral”

JR wondered how he was going to manage that without Sue Ellen questioning him, let alone how he would find St Paul’s Cathedral, but he agreed and waited until Don was out of sight before slipping into the store for the beer he had gone for. Perplexed and concerned he didn’t know what he was about to find out. Could it be that Don wanted Sue Ellen back? Was Don going to tell him something about Sue Ellen that he didn’t know? He hated even thinking it, but what if it had all been a big set up, like the movie she had made, and Sue Ellen wasn’t serious about him at all?

JR felt sick. No, he thought to himself, Sue Ellen loved him, and he knew that. He had to believe it, otherwise he just couldn’t live.

“What took you so long?” Sue Ellen said as JR came back in through the door.

“Just deciding what beer to have” JR said, trying to sound convincing.

“Can I have some?” John Ross asked looking up at his father from his place on the floor.

“John Ross!” Sue Ellen scolded.

“You can have one sip....just to show you how disgusting it is!” JR said

”Then why do you drink it?” John Ross asked.

”Habit. Bad habit” JR said.

JR went into the kitchen to find a bottle opener and Sue Ellen followed him. Creeping up behind him, she put her arms around his waist, giving him a hug.

“Mmm...that feels so good” JR said,

“Are you ok?” Sue Ellen asked.

JR should have known that Sue Ellen could read his every thought, but he didn’t know whether to tell her about his meeting with Don now, or wait to see what he wanted the next day. If he didn’t tell her now,what would he tell her tomorrow when he was leaving? Tomorrow was Sunday, she’d want to know where he was going. After all the lies and deceit of the past, he knew that she was sensitive and liable to suspicion if she thought he wasn’t being totally above board with her. He turned around.

“No” he said looking into her eyes.

“What is it?” she asked with concern.

He hesitated before saying “I need to talk to you”

“What is JR?” she said, almost with panic. She hoped he wasn’t about to drop one of his bombshells.

“Can we leave John Ross alone for a minute?” he asked.

Sue Ellen went to John Ross, explaining to him that they were just going to have a talk and could he stay watching television for a while. Promising she wouldn’t be long, John Ross seemed more than content to be left alone with his chips and an action movie.

Sue Ellen closed the kitchen door over and summoned for JR to sit down. Noticing she was still standing, he took her hand and said “Don’t be so nervous. Come here” and pulled her towards him. She sat on his lap and he held her tightly.

“The reason I took so long at the store...was because I bumped into someone” JR said

”Who?” Sue Ellen said, expecting him to tell her of a business acquaintance or even Miss Ellie and Clayton, by coincedence.

“Don Lockwood” JR said looking her in the eyes.

“WHAT?” Sue Ellen exclaimed “Oh my god”

JR sensed an almost overwhelming feeling of relief. Sue Ellen’s reaction told him what he needed to hear – that she didn’t want Don anymore.

“He wants to meet me tomorrow – for a “little chat” “JR told her.

Sue Ellen stood up. “I don’t think so”, she said, going for the phone.

JR stood up too. “What are you doing?” he asked

“I’m calling him – why does he want to meet you? And what is he doing showing up so near to my house?” Sue Ellen said. JR knew that reasoning with Sue Ellen at this present time was next to pointless. She had one fiery temperament and in his vast experience, he knew that virtually the only way to stop her was to take the phone out of her hand.

Which he did. After a minor struggle. Taking the phone from her, and hanging it back on the wall he put his arms around her, pulled her close to him and said,

“I want to meet with him. I want to know what he has to say”

“There is nothing he can’t say to you without me there too” Sue Ellen said

“No, I want to meet him alone” JR told her “It’s best if you aren’t there. I want him to be able to say what he wants to say”

”I don’t understand what he could want with you” Sue Ellen said, afraid.

“I think I’m about to come in for a warning” JR told her

“What do you mean?” Sue Ellen asked

“I think he wants you back...I mean it must be that” JR said, turning away from her and going to the nearby window.

“JR...” Sue Ellen followed him “It’s over. I’m in love with you. Don knows that. That is why our marriage never worked. I’ve only ever loved you and he knew it”

JR turned to face her. “Maybe this is my punishment” he said “Maybe the happiness I’m feeling right now has come all too easily. Maybe this is a test.”

Sue Ellen took JR’s face in her hands. He closed his eyes, then opened them, looking at her as she said,

“No...what’s in the past is long over. We’ve both suffered enough. We’ve been apart for long enough. This is our time now, and no one is going to take that away from us. No one is going to take you away from me”. She kissed him tenderly.

“I love you so much” JR said, holding her “Please don’t leave me”

“I never will” she promised “Whatever it is that he wants, we’ll get through it. Whatever it is, nothing is going to stop us being together again”

“So you want me to meet him?” JR said

“No...but I know you will anyway” she attempted a smile.

“If I have to fight for you, I will” JR told her

She kissed him again “You’ve never really had to fight for me. You would always win anyway”

For a few minutes, JR lost himself in her arms. But he couldn’t shake the horrible feeling that this might be the last time he’d share this closeness with her.

The next day, JR rose early. He knew it would take him about 45 minutes to reach the Cathedral, and showing up late certainly wasn’t his style.

Sue Ellen was sleeping as he dressed. She’d been awake for half of the night, tossing and turning. She’d only settled when he held her still. Watching her from the side of the bed he was once again amazed by her beauty. She had always been the woman he could have happily watched all day, regardless of what she was doing, she had always been a source of fascination to him.

Deciding if he woke her she may once again become agitated, he decided on a different approach. Taking a piece of paper from beside the landing telephone, he wrote her a note. It simply read “Don’t worry. I love you”. He took a rose from the vase on the windowsill and put it beside the note. He bent down to kiss her cheek, anticipating being with her again.

Being Sunday, the City was deserted. Apart from the pigeons in the street, which JR disliked with a vengeance.

On the steps he saw Don. JR looked at his watch. He was right on time.

“Good morning” Don said

JR said nothing. “Well, what is this all about?” he asked.

“You mean you haven’t guessed?” Don queried.

“Well, I ‘m not going to play stupid Lockwood, I’m assuming this has something to do with Sue Ellen, I’m just not sure what”

“Spot on. But then you always were astute” Don said

“Can we just get on with it please?” JR said.

”Certainly” Don said

Don began walking down the steps, but JR, not walking in the shadow of any man, stood his ground.

“I’m not moving another step until you tell me what you want” JR said

“Sue Ellen”

“Excuse me?” JR laughed

“Sue Ellen. I want Sue Ellen back” Don said

“Well that’s not going to happen” JR said “Not without one hell of a fight that is”

“Well then that’s just what you’ll get” Don told him “Because I have no intentions of divorcing MY wife. So she can never really be yours”

After leaving Don, JR walked back to the house. He realised Don had all the power, he had lost Sue Ellen she would never truly be his again. Why had he been so stupid? He should never of let her go, but he had and now she was Don’s wife and he wasn’t gong to let go of her.

As he approached the house, he felt sick, he couldn’t face Sue Ellen, not at this moment, so he went and sat in the park. The park was full of people enjoying the warm weather, but JR felt totally alone, this was an even worse feeling than when he lost Ewing Oil, where did he go from here?

Meanwhile inside the house Sue Ellen began to worry. JR had been gone ages, what had happened. John Ross had gone to visit a friend and she was alone in the house, she felt unsettled, something was wrong. She decided to go out, as she walked towards the park, she saw JR sitting on a bench. She quietly went up to him and sat down. Neither of them spoke for a while, when Sue Ellen decided she couldn’t bear the silence anymore.

“JR, what’s wrong?” she asked

He looked up at her and she saw tears in his eyes “I’ve lost you, Don told me he wants you back and that he will never give you a divorce”

“JR, you will never lose me, I love you” Sue Ellen said

“Sue Ellen, I should never of let you go in the first place, I’ve made so many mistakes where you’re concern. If I hadn’t...cheated on you, or hurt you we would still be married, but we’re not, you’re married to Don” JR replied

“That’s in the past, you, John Ross and I are the future, Don doesn’t even count” Sue Ellen said

“You’re still married to him!” JR said

“But I’m in love with you, nothing is going to change that” She said

She got up from the bench

“Where are you going?” JR asked

“I’m going to phone Don and arrange to meet him,” She said

“It wont do any good, he’s won!” JR said

“JR, you said you would fight for me, that you wouldn’t let anything stop us being together, what’s change?”

JR looked at her, her eyes were so full of love and concern. He may have given up the fight for Ewing Oil, but he wouldn’t lose her. If there was one thing he would put up a fight for it was her. He stood up and held her close to him.

“I’m never going to lose you again, you’re right I will move heaven and earth to get you back, you’re the love of my life and noone is going to stop me from making you my wife again” JR said.

Sue Ellen kissed him “Then let’s go and make that phone call”

He took hold of her hand and they walked back to the house. Sue Ellen phoned Don while JR went into the kitchen and made a drink. JR then took two mugs of coffee into the living room and sat down. After Sue Ellen hung up she looked at JR and said.

“He’s going to meet me in the park in an hour”

“What are you going to say to him?” JR asked

“I’m not sure at the moment, but I want a divorce and he’s not going to stop me getting one” she said

JR reached out his arms for her and she went and cuddled up to him.

“How long is John Ross going to be out for?” JR asked

“He said he would be back at lunchtime, why?” she asked

“Because I want you all to myself for a while, we’ve got an hour before Don turns up at the park” JR said

Sue Ellen smiled and kissed him, she felt warm and safe in his arms and knew that there was nowhere else she wanted to be.

“JR I love you so much, I’m never going to leave you,” she said

“I know” he replied

They lay cuddled up together on the sofa, both enjoying the closeness. Silence filled the room as neither one needed to speak; they had become so close these past few weeks that they knew what the other was thinking. JR felt happy and contented, he was so lucky, he realised that no other woman he had been involved with loved him more than Sue Ellen, he thought back to the time when they first met, she had been so shy and yet she always made him feel so special, he could talk to her about anything. She once told him that she always wanted to be there for him, and she had meant it, whenever he felt down, the one person he had wanted was her and most of the time she was there with arms outstretched waiting for him except for the times that he pushed her too far. Sue Ellen looked at him.

“What are you thinking?” she asked

“Just how lucky I am, I was just thinking about when we first met, do you remember all the times we spent exploring Southfork, it felt as though we were the only two people in the world” JR said “I felt so at ease with you, I could talk to you about anything”

“I know, the times we were apart I just wanted to be back with you, back in the tree house, where noone could disturb us” She said “You made me feel so happy, I wish things had always stayed like that”

“So do I, then we wouldn’t be in the mess we are now” JR said.

Sue Ellen looked at the clock; it was time for her to go although she didn’t want to. She kissed JR and got up off the sofa. JR reached for her hand to pull her back.

“JR, I’ve got to go” she said “But remember I love you and only you”

JR stayed where he was, listening for the sound of the front door closing as Sue Ellen walked out.

Sue Ellen crossed the road and walked into the park, where Don was waiting for her.

“Sue Ellen, how nice to see you” He said

“I wish I could say the same, but unfortunately I can’t” Sue Ellen replied

“We need to talk” Don said

“What about, It’s over” Sue Ellen said, “I want a divorce and nothing you say will change that”

Don looked at her, he knew deep down that their marriage was over, but the last person he wanted to see her with was JR, but then again, she had never truly got over JR in the first place.

“I thought we could give our relationship one more go,” He said

“Don, you walked out of my life seven months ago, now suddenly you found out that JR’s back and you want us to give our relationship another chance, why?” she asked

“Maybe I just don’t want to see you make another mistake by falling for JR’s lies again, he’s hurt you so often, why let him back into your life now” Don said

“Because I love him, I always have and I always will, he also happens to be the father of my child” Sue Ellen replied

“You never did love me, did you Sue Ellen!” Don said

“I thought I did, but not in the way I love JR” Sue Ellen said “Whether you give me a divorce or not, I’m staying with him, we belong together, nothing is going to separate us this time”

“You’re crazy!” Don replied “JR can’t be faithful to you for more than ten minutes, he’ll hurt you again and again if you stay with him”

“Don, I don’t love you, I love him and nothing you say will change that,” She said “Please let’s just end this farce of a marriage and move on”

Don looked into her eyes, he knew she didn’t love him, but he never truly realised the depth of her love for JR. He wished she could love him the same way.

“Sue Ellen, I love you,” He said

“I don’t feel the same and do you really want to stay married to someone who loves someone else?” she asked, “If you love me, you’ll let me go”

“I don’t want to see you make the biggest mistake of your life by going back to him” Don said

“JR and I made the biggest mistake of our lives when we let each other go, now we want a chance to put things right, please Don just let me have the divorce”

Don knew that it was pointless trying to convince her that JR was not the right man for her, he also knew if he didn’t give her the divorce that she would hate him forever. He stood in silence for a while thinking about his next move.

“Okay” Don said, “There’s no point being married to someone who doesn’t love you”

“Don, I did love you once” Sue Ellen said “But.....

“I know” He said “Not in the way you love JR”

“Yes” she replied

“Sue Ellen, if I ever hear that he’s hurt you again, I will make his life hell, believe me” Don said

“It won’t happen” Sue Ellen replied

Don walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek.

“I guess this really is goodbye, just take care of yourself,” he said

“You too” she replied, as he turned to walk away “And Don, thank you”

Sue Ellen watched him walk away, she hated the way she had hurt him, but she couldn’t help her feelings. This time JR had better mean what he said. If she ever found out that he had been cheating on her again, he would never see her or John Ross for the rest of his life. She walked back into the house JR was waiting for her.

“Well, what did he say” JR asked

“He doesn’t want me to make the biggest mistake of my life by marrying you” she said

“So he wont give you a divorce” JR said

“Not at first, but then I convinced him that it was the right thing to do” she said

“You mean, he said yes!”

“Yes, but he promised that if you ever hurt me again, he will make your life hell” She said

“Sue Ellen, that’s not going to happen” JR said, he stretched out his arms and said, “Come here”

Sue Ellen fell into his embrace, she felt so happy and so in love.

“I love you” JR said

“I love you too, we can’t change the past but we can look towards the future and make it right, with John Ross and how ever many more children we decide to have” she said

They went back into the living room; John Ross would be back soon but for the moment they were content to lay on the sofa together.

“JR, I’ve been thinking” Sue Ellen said

“What about?” he asked

“Southfork”

“Why?” he asked

“It’s just that it’s where you belong, it has the rest of the family there and it’s a great place to bring up kids” she said

“But you and John Ross want to stay here” JR said

“I know, going back to Dallas scares me, it’s so full of pain and I would be so scared of you going back to your old ways, but on the other hand, Southfork is home, It always felt like that from the moment I first saw it and I miss it” she said “Okay, listen to me, whether we live in London or Southfork, I am not going to cheat on you ever, I love you so much, I can’t afford to lose you. I would love to have our children brought up at Southfork, but that is up to you and our son” he said

“John Ross wants to stay here, and I don’t know that we will ever convince him to move” Sue Ellen said

“Then let’s stay here for now, we can go back to Southfork for holidays” JR said beside from what I hear, Southfork is a pretty lonely place these days”

“Pretty quiet without you there!” Sue Ellen laughed

“Thankyou!” JR said, “Do you think I should go back and liven things up there”

“What and leave me alone” Sue Ellen said “No way!”

JR took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately, he felt confident about the future and was so pleased that Sue Ellen seemed to be warming to the idea of having more children.

“However I’ve been thinking about if I ever go back and reclaim Ewing Oil” JR said “I want you to come in with me as my partner”

“You’re joking” She said, “I know nothing about the oil business”

“Yes but you can learn, I’m a really good teacher” JR said

“Okay, one day, but just at this precise moment, I’m more interested in getting to know you again, John Ross will be back soon, so let’s not waste anymore time talking about Southfork and Ewing Oil.” Sue Ellen said

“What should we talk about then?” JR asked

Sue Ellen kissed him, “nothing” she said, and she took him by the hand and led him upstairs.

JR thought he had come so close to losing her today, but now she was his, she truly loved him and he truly loved her. He couldn’t wait to marry her and he would prove to her and everyone else just how much he loved her.

Later that day, Sue Ellen was in the kitchen preparing a meal, when JR came up behind her and put his arms around her.

“Hi, how are you now?” she asked

“Fine” he said, “Did I hear John Ross come in?”

“Yes, he’s in the living room” Sue Ellen answered

“Funny, I thought you said he was coming back after tea” JR said

“He was, but he decided to come home early” Sue Ellen said

Both were silent for a while, JR held Sue Ellen tighter.

“How are we going to spend this week?” he asked

“I don’t really know, but as long as we’re together I honestly don’t care” Sue Ellen answered

“What about a romantic week in Paris” JR joked

“What with a ten year old boy” Sue Ellen laughed “Very romantic!”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right, John Ross wouldn’t approve!” JR said

“Funny, how in five years time, he will probably changed his point of view about the idea of kissing a girl” Sue Ellen said

“He’ll probably be kissing every girl who will let him,” JR said

Sue Ellen went quiet, thinking about what JR had just said. As much as she loved him, she didn’t want her son growing up to be like him. JR sensed the mood change.

“Hey, I was just joking!” he said

“I know, it’s just.... oh I don’t know” she said

“You don’t want John Ross growing up like me,” JR said

“No, I don’t want him to hurt any woman the way you hurt me, I’m sorry JR” she said

“It’s okay, I know it’s going to take time for you to forgive and forget the way I’ve treated you, but we’ve made a start. These past few days with you and John Ross have been great, I’ve never felt happier” JR said “From this moment on John Ross has got two parents who love him and each other and we will teach him right from wrong, I promise you he will never hurt anyone in the way I hurt you”

Sue Ellen turned and kissed him. She was amazed at how comfortable she felt with him now, how easy it was for her to forgive him. It had only been a couple of months since he arrived in London and now he was living with her. She was pleased that they were staying on London for the time being, Dallas held too many painful memories for her and although she missed Southfork, she wanted time alone with him and their son.

“I was thinking why don’t we invited Miss Ellie and Clayton to stay for Christmas, we could also ask Bobby and Christopher” Sue Ellen said

“Christmas that must be about five months away, you might have thrown me out by then!” JR laughed “Actually its four months away, and I’ll only throw you out if you go back to you old ways,” She said

“Guess I’ll be staying here a while then” He replied

“You haven’t answered me, do we invite the family for Christmas?” Sue Ellen asked

“If you want to, but wouldn’t you want it to be just the three of us?” He asked

“Yes, but I just think it would be nice to have the family here as well, John Ross hasn’t seen Christopher in a while” she answered

“Okay, if that’s what you really want” JR said

“Yes” she said

JR looked at her, this would be the first Christmas he had really spent with her. At Southfork there had always been other women or Ewing Oil to take up his time, now things were so different Ewing Oil was gone and Sue Ellen was the only woman in his life, the only woman he wanted. He still needed to find himself some kind of employment, but he didn’t know what, especially if they were going to have more children.

“I’m going to see my son, I’ll talk to you later” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

JR walked into the living room, John Ross was sat in front of the television watching an action movie.

“Hi John Ross, where have you been all day” JR said

“Having fun,” John Ross answered

JR sat next to his son and pulled him closer to him.

“Dad, I’m not a baby anymore” the boy said

JR tickled him “You still are to me, I don’t want you to grow up too quick”

John Ross laughed, “If you and momma have another baby will you still love me” he asked

“John Ross Ewing, how could you even ask that, of course we will. You’ve always been special to us, we waited so long for you” JR answered

“You love momma now but when I was born, you didn’t love her” John Ross said

“No, John Ross that’s not true, I’ve always loved your momma, it’s just that I didn’t realise how much until now. No baby is ever going to change how we feel about you” JR said and hugged his son closer to him.

“I want a brother or sister” John Ross said

“I know, but you’re going to have to be patient, these things take time” JR said

“What do you want to do next week” JR asked

“I don’t know, spend some time with you and momma” John Ross answered, “I want us to be a real family”

“We are a real family and nothing is gong to change that” JR replied JR stayed sitting close to his son watching the film. He remembered the first time he had held his son, the relief he felt when he found out that the child was his. He didn’t want to think about what would have happen if John Ross had of been Cliff Barnes’ son he would of lost Sue Ellen for good. He kissed John Ross on the forehead

“What was that for” his son asked

“I love you” JR replied

“I love you too daddy, I don’t ever want you to leave me again” John Ross said

“I’m not going anywhere” JR replied

Sue Ellen walked into the living room and told them that tea was ready; she looked at the pair of them cuddled up on the sofa and smiled.

“Are you two hungry?” she asked

“Yes” they both said in unison

“Okay, then let’s eat” Sue Ellen said

While they were seated at the table JR asked John Ross if he wanted to spend Christmas with Christopher.

“What at Southfork?” he asked, “You promised me that we were never going back there”

“No” Sue Ellen said “We thought that we would ask Uncle Bobby, Christopher, Grandma and Clayton to come and have Christmas here with us, what do you think”

“Yeah, that would be okay” John Ross said

“Okay that settles it, we will have the whole family here then!” Sue Ellen said

They continued eating their meal, John Ross told them of his day and what he had been up to. Sue Ellen thought how happy John Ross seemed now that they were all together again, but she also realised that they wouldn’t be going back to Southfork any time soon. John Ross clearly thought that they could only be happy living away from Southfork, but then all he had ever seen from a very early age was his parents tearing each other apart. Things were gong to be so different this time, she looked at JR, she felt he had changed, earlier today she had seen the hurt in his eyes when he had thought he had lost her, although JR could never truly lose her, she loved him too much.

When they finished eating Sue Ellen began to clear away the dishes, JR offered to help her wash up.

“The great JR Ewing helping to do the dishes, whatever next! She laughed

“Ha, ha” JR said, “I told you I’m a changed man, I’ve given up all my bad habits”

John Ross asked if he could go and finish watching the video, but walked out of the kitchen before either Sue Ellen or JR could answer.

“Sue Ellen, why don’t you get a live-in housekeeper?” JR asked

“Mainly because I want to look after my family myself, Kate comes in to help me, but after living at Southfork all those years and being waited on, it’s just nice to have the opportunity to do things myself.” She replied

“Does that mean I have to help you?” He asked

“Yes” She laughed “And just in case you don’t know what this is, it’s a tea towel and you use it to dry the dishes”

JR stated to dry the dishes “John Ross hates Southfork doesn’t he” JR said

“It’s not Southfork, he just remembers that when we all lived there, his parents hated each other” Sue Ellen replied

“We did not!” JR said “Well not all the time, we had some good times too”

“Yes, but John Ross remembers the bad times more than the good” She said

“Well we’ll have to make sure there are no more bad times” JR said

Well darlin’ that is up to you” she said

“I want my son to grow up happy and know that his parents love each other no matter where they are” JR said

“It’s a shame it’s taken you so long to come to that decision” Sue Ellen said “We’ve have wasted so much time”

JR kissed her “Not anymore though”

After clearing away all the dishes they joined John Ross in the living room, Sue Ellen switched the television off”

”Hey momma, I was watching that” He said

“I know but you spend too much time in front of that box, you’re going to get square eyes.” She replied

“So what do you think we should do” JR asked

“Yes Mom, what are we going to do” John Ross joined in.

“I thought we would go for a walk around London, it’s still light” She replied

John Ross and JR looked at each other “She wants to go out for a walk this time of night” John Ross said

“I think we better do what she says son or we’re both be in trouble” JR said

They put their coats on and stepped out into the night.

“Why is London so cold?” JR asked

“You’ll get use to it” Sue Ellen said “Beside you’ve got John Ross and me to warm you up”

“Can we walk through the park and get an ice cream?” John Ross asked

Sue Ellen laughed, “John Ross Ewing, do you ever think about anything but food!” John Ross looked at her “No!” he said

“You’ve just eaten, I’m sure you don’t need an ice cream yet” JR said

“Oh well, it was worth a try” John Ross remarked

JR and Sue Ellen laughed. John Ross could wrap them round his finger, but they didn’t want him ending up spoilt.

“Let’s go through the park anyway,” JR said “But no ice cream”

“So John Ross, what do you want to do while you’re on holiday” JR asked

“I haven’t really thought about it” John Ross answered

They kept walking, JR was looking forward to the prospect of spending the whole week with Sue Ellen and John Ross, he had missed both of them and was just glad to have them back. He decided London wasn’t such a bad place to live anyhow he would have to get use to it. His thoughts turned to the family, what would they say about him getting back with Sue Ellen, they probably wouldn’t approve especially with his track record.

When they got back to the house, John Ross had a bedtime drink and then got ready for bed.

“Momma can I read in bed” He asked

“For half an hour, no more okay” Sue Ellen replied

“Okay” and he kissed his mom and dad goodnight.

Sue Ellen and JR settled onto the sofa in the living room.

“He’s just growing up so fast, he no longer needs us to read him bedtime stories” JR said

“I know I miss that actually. Sometimes he let me read him a story and then other days he decides he wants to be independent,” Sue Ellen said

“I’ve missed out on so much with him,” JR said

“It’s never too late, you can put things right” Sue Ellen answered.

“I was thinking earlier, how do you think the family will react to us getting married again?” JR asked

I don’t know” Sue Ellen said “The problem is they’ve heard it all before, we were forever splitting up and getting back together.”

“This time is different though” JR said “I’m planning on making this marriage last forever”

“You’ll just have to prove that to them then won’t you” Sue Ellen replied.

“Let’s make this week special” JR said “Our first week of being a real family, a new start for all of us”

“You wont get any argument from me” Sue Ellen said “I just hope you’re not fed up with us by the end of it”

JR kissed her “What do you mean, fed up with the two people I love most in the world, Never” He said “I just hope that Don keeps his word and this divorce goes through soon”

Sue Ellen snuggled into him. She wanted to remarry him again and have more children. She just hoped that this time he kept his word. She realised that she needed to put all her doubts behind her and start trusting him.

“What are you thinking” JR asked

“Nothing!” Sue Ellen answered, “I just want this feeling of happiness to last forever”

“It will” JR said “I promise, don’t worry you are the only woman I want from this moment on, I’m never going to lose you again”

They stayed snuggled up on the sofa together, neither one wanting to move, both looking forward to the future and putting the past behind them.

The next morning JR received a call on his cell phone.

“JR Ewing here”

“JR? It’s Mamma” came the voice on the other end.

JR smiled with delight “Mamma! Where are you?”

“I’m in London. Clayton and I are on a trip. Didn’t Sue Ellen tell you?” Miss Ellie asked.

“Eh...yeah, yeah she did actually...eh, the last time I spoke to her....” JR didn’t want to give too much away. He couldn’t tell Miss Ellie about he and Sue Ellen over the phone.

“I’d love to see you JR, and Sue Ellen and John Ross of course” Miss Ellie went on.

“Oh absolutely Mamma, they’d love to see you too. Where are you staying?” JR asked, hoping he wasn’t giving the game away.

“The Ritz Hotel” Miss Ellie said

“Well, I assume...” he said, trying to sound convincing “that will be fine...I mean I can get in touch with Sue Ellen and let her know”

“That’ll be just fine JR. Call me when you’ve spoken to her” Miss Ellie said

“I will Mamma. Good to speak to you. See you later” JR pushed the “End Call” button and took a deep breath.

“Who was that?” Sue Ellen asked, coming out of the shower wrapped in a white cotton towel.

JR looked at her and smiled. Her hair was wet and with no makeup yet on, he was reminded of the natural beauty that she was.

“Mamma” he told her “I feel like a naughty school boy” JR laughed.

”Why?” Sue Ellen smiled

“She was asking about you, and if I could get in touch with you. Little did she know I could see you standing naked in the shower....” JR winked at her and giggled. He pulled her towards him. Not yet up and ready himself, he figured, why bother moving.

“JR...” Sue Ellen tried to struggle away but he was too strong. Putting his finger in the joining of the towel, he gave a slight tug and the towel dropped to the floor.

“Now don’t tell me you didn’t plan for that to happen” JR teased “Look how easy that was”

“You calling me easy Ewing?” she smiled

“Oh no...” JR said “Difficult” he smiled, pulling her into a kiss “Tremendously difficult”

They fell into a passionate kiss. “Hope your Mamma doesn’t arrive now” Sue Ellen said.

JR laughed, and as they made love, he wished that his life would just be like this from now on.

Later on that day, a very excited John Ross Ewing ran up the steps to the Ritz Hotel. He hadn’t seen Miss Ellie and Clayton in a long time, and he was full of anticipation.

So as not to be suspicious, JR and Sue Ellen had arranged to arrive at the hotel at different times. Sue Ellen told John Ross to go to the reception desk and wait for her whilst she answered her mobile phone.

“What do you want?” she said fiestily to JR’s call.

“Some more of you please” he said “Isn’t this hotel lovely? Wonder what the beds are like?”

She smiled “Where are you?” She looked around her. She knew he was watching her, but couldn’t see him anywhere.

“I’m on my way. Be around 10 minutes” he said, “I love you” and hung up. Sue Ellen was in a daze for a second then went over to John Ross.

“Grandma and Clayton are on their way down” he said,

“Well...aren’t you a smart guy?” Sue Ellen stroked his face. “You asked for their room and everything?”

“Sure Mamma” John Ross said. “I remember Daddy saying that if you couldn’t get the information you wanted, just slip them a $20”

“John Ross!” Sue Ellen exclaimed, shocked. She couldn’t help but laugh. At least he wasn’t serious, but she did wonder how much of JR had rubbed off on his son.

“Sue Ellen!”

Sue Ellen turned around immediately to the sound of a very familiar voice. “Miss Ellie!” she said with excitement and rushed to embrace her former mother-in-law. John Ross beat her to it, jumping into Clayton’s arms. “Hello my darling” Miss Ellie said with delight.

“You look so beautiful Sue Ellen” Miss Ellie said, holding Sue Ellen’s hand.

“Thank you Miss Ellie, so do you”, Sue Ellen smiled

“Where’s my girl?” Clayton teased

“Clayton” Sue Ellen hugged him tightly. “Oh how wonderful to see you both.”

”Sue Ellen, where’s JR?” Miss Ellie asked.

“Oh, he’s on his way. You know JR, always busy with something!” Sue Ellen said.

“There he is!” John Ross exclaimed and ran to the doors to greet his father.

JR picked him up. Waving from the door at his family, JR whispered in John Ross’ ear “Now remember son, it’s still a secret about your Momma and me, we have to pick the right time to tell Grandma” JR said.

“It’ll be our secret Daddy” John Ross promised.

JR set him down, and still holding his hand approached the small group who were waiting for him.

“JR!” Miss Ellie said, clearly delighted to see her eldest child.

“Mamma, it’s so good to see you” JR said, embracing her.

“JR” Clayton attempted a smile. JR extended his hand and gave Clayton a firm shake.

“Nice to see you Clayton. You look well”, JR was sincerely making an effort with Clayton. He knew how he had felt towards him in the past.

“And you JR” Clayton said.

JR then turned to Sue Ellen and smiled. “Hi” he said

“Hi” she replied. Both of them looked at each other with such an intensity that they almost gave it away.

“Well” said Miss Ellie “We’d like to take you all out for lunch, how does that sound?”

“Great Grandma!” John Ross said “Can we go to MacDonalds?”

Sue Ellen and JR laughed. “No we cannot young man” Sue Ellen said “No more junk food for at least a year!”

“MOM!” John Ross exclaimed.

“Has your daddy been spoiling you?” Miss Ellie asked.

John Ross nodded.

They decided on lunch at The Ivy and as they left the hotel lobby, with Miss Ellie and Clayton linking arms, John Ross gave his parents a cheeky grin as they tried desperately not to touch each other.

After enjoying a spectacular meal, Clayton, after some dispute from JR, settled the bill. They all thanked him and discussed what their plans would be for the rest of the time that Miss Ellie and Clayton were in the country.

As Sue Ellen spoke to Clayton, JR leaned to his mother and said “Momma, I need to talk to you..in private some time”

Miss Ellie looked concerned and said “What is it JR? Is everything ok?”

“Yes, Momma everything’s fine, but I’d appreciate if you and I could maybe..you know, play hooky someplace”

JR managed to talk Sue Ellen into taking Clayton for a walk around some of the sights whilst he and Miss Ellie separated from them and took and quiet stroll through the West End. Stopping in Leicester Square, JR found a bench for them to rest on.

He looked at Miss Ellie, she looked into his eyes. “You look happy JR”, Miss Ellie said.

“I am happy Momma” JR replied with a smile.

“All that tension and bitterness seems to have left you”, she said.

“It’s gone. Long gone” JR continued.

“She looks happy too” Miss Ellie said

“Who?” JR said, as if he didn’t know, but pretending his mother was referring to a woman that had just walked by.

“You know who!” Miss Ellie laughed “Sue Ellen”

“Oh...HER” JR laughed.

Nudging him playfully,his mother asked “So how long has it been going on?”

“Huh?” JR asked, puzzled.

“Oh come on JR!” Miss Ellie laughed, “I didn’t come down in the last rain shower! I’m your mother – I can read you like a book. Do you seriously expect me to think that you and Sue Ellen could be in the same town – practically alone – and not be together? Besides...the way you looked at each other today...I knew”

“Knew what?” JR smiled.

Miss Ellie hit her son on the arm, before cuddling him. “You and Sue Ellen – it’ll never really be over, we all know that”

JR took his mother’s hand, wanting her to know how serious he was.

“I love her so much Mamma”, JR said “I always have...but with all the fighting and obsessing over Ewing Oil, I never realised how much. She means everything to me...she’s all I want”

Miss Ellie smiled “Sue Ellen is a wonderful woman. I would be so happy to have her as a daugher in law again but....”

“But what?” JR asked

“She’s married to someone else now isn’t she?”

“The divorce is coming through. And as soon as that’s done Mamma, we’re getting married...for keeps this time”

Miss Ellie looked deep into JR’s eyes. Her eldest son had been full of devilment from the moment he was born. But now, she saw a difference in JR’s eyes. The clouds of the past had lifted, the sadness he had always carried caused by the pain at not being Jock’s number one boy; it had all gone. All she saw now was love. Love for Sue Ellen and hope, hope for the future.

She kissed him on the cheek and said “All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. Sue Ellen loves you JR...don’t let her down again”

“I never will Mamma... on Daddy’s grave, I never will”.

The next day, JR and Sue Ellen left John Ross with Miss Ellie and Clayton and spent the day together. As day turned to night, JR said,

“Do you know what I want to do?”

“I can guess” Sue Ellen said, smiling at him cheekily.

He laughed “Well, yes” he said, kissing her on the cheek as they strolled along the Thames, “At some point! But I want to go up there”.

JR pointed at the London Eye

“JR, I don’t like heights, you know that”, Sue Ellen said

“What if” he said, turning her to face him “I hold on to you really tightly”

She looked up at it. Sue Ellen had an adventurous spirit, and, pleased that this new JR had found his, decided to give it a go.

“OK” she said nervously “But you don’t let go of me”

“Oh I won’t” he smiled kissing her “Who knows what we could get away with up there!”

She hit him playfully. Hand in hand they began the walk towards the building where the tickets were sold. It wasn’t too busy. JR said that he would go and get the tickets, whilst Sue Ellen went to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, JR returned with the tickets and they joined the queue. He stood behind her, just as he said he would, hugging her tightly around her waist, occasionally kissing her ear.

When the time came for them to board the Eye, JR stepped forward to the ticket collector and handed him a book of tickets.

“And where is the rest of your party sir?” the young man asked, looking behind Sue Ellen, who herself looked confused.

“Oh it’s just myself and the lady” JR told him

“But you have 20 tickets sir”

“That’s right” JR said “I bought the ball out, it’s just us if you please”

The young man smiled “Absolutely sir” and showed Sue Ellen and JR into the carriage. As the door shut behind them, Sue Ellen smiled at JR and said “You are, without a doubt, the most unpredictable, romantic man I have ever known” and kissed him.

“I wanted you all to myself” he said, leading her to the centre of the carriage. He felt her body tensing as the Eye started to move, and their carriage climbed higher. He placed his hands on her shoulders saying, “Relax, it’s ok. You’re safe”.

Sue Ellen took a deep breath and walked over to the North window. JR stood tightly behind her.

”So” he said “You tell me what everything is”

Sue Ellen pointed out some of the most prominent buildings and before she knew it, the Eye had climbed right to the top and was stationary.

“Why have we stopped?” Sue Ellen looked at JR.

JR didn’t speak. Instead he put his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled out a box. Sue Ellen looked at it and felt her heart skip several beats.

“This time” he said “There’s no Miss Texas crown, no outside influences, no one else in either of our lives. It’s just you and me” he said, and stretched out his arms to reflect where they were “On top of the world”

Sue Ellen smiled, tears in her beautiful eyes.

He went on “No other reason to do this except that I love you” He stepped closer to her “I love you Sue Ellen, so much it hurts”

The tear which had been on the brink of her eyelid, finally dropped.

He came closer again. Looking into her eyes, touching her face with his hand he wiped the tear away and said “I want to do the things we never did, I want to have the children that we never had, I want to be with you, grow old with you, love you...for the rest of my life”

Sue Ellen looked out at the night sky over London, lit up, every historic building so clearly defined. She thought her heart was going to melt.

Clasping his face in her hands she kissed him. “There’s never been anybody but you” she whispered.

JR felt tears in his own eyes and, opening the box to reveal the most spectacular white gold band with magnificent pink stone, he said “Will you marry me..for keeps this time?”

Sue Ellen admired the beautiful ring, and hardly believing what was happening, she wept “Yes” then louder, so that other people in the Eye looked up “YES!!!” she exclaimed and threw her arms around him. He lifted her off the ground in a hug, then as her feet touched the floor he passionately kissed her. Around the Eye, applause echoed.

JR slipped the ring onto Sue Ellen’s finger. “It’s beautiful” she said, and kissed him again.

Leaving their own special carriage that night, Sue Ellen felt like Cinderella. After the hell she had been through for so many years, she finally, FINALLY, felt like she was walking on air. As they held hands, Sue Ellen showing off her ring to observers in the crowd, and walked into the night to the sound of everyone clapping, they both felt nothing could ever hurt them again.

Their weeks’ holiday past quickly, Miss Ellie and Clayton were still staying in London, so they hadn’t exactly been on their own, but neither Sue Ellen nor JR really minded. It was Friday afternoon and Miss Ellie and Clayton had taken John Ross out for the day, to give JR and Sue Ellen some time on their own.

“We’ve got the whole house to ourselves” JR said, after they had finished lunch “John Ross wont be back for ages, what do you fancy doing?”

Sue Ellen looked at him, she knew exactly what was on his mind, “I think you could do with taking a long cold shower,” she said

“Care to join me?” He asked

“JR Ewing, you’re incorrigible!” she smiled

“What did I say?” JR asked. He walked up to her and put his arms around her “I’m alone in the house with the most beautiful woman in the world, and I can’t think of any better way to spend the afternoon then making love to her, do you have any objections?” he smiled

She kissed in tenderly and said, “I thought we could go and see a movie or go for a walk,” she teased

“Think again!” he said, pulling her even closer towards him, “let’s go upstairs unless of course you sooner we stayed down here”

“Okay, you win!” she said

“Talk about easy” JR laughed.

“Watch it JR, I might just change my mind,” she teased

They walked upstairs towards the bedroom, neither one letting go of the other for a second. They both fell onto the bed laughing. JR looked into her eyes and said

“Have I told you lately I love you”

“Not for the past hour and a half” Sue Ellen laughed

“That long!” JR said, “I’ll have to do something about that” he kept kissing her.

“How much do you love me, JR?” she asked

“Shut up and I’ll show you,” he said.

Sue Ellen felt loved JR had changed and he was finally treating her the way she wanted him to when they were married. Yes, they did have some good times, but she had always been aware that they would soon come to an end, but right now she knew this time was forever. They had never been so close. After making love, they laid wrapped in a tight embrace, neither one speaking, just enjoying the closeness. JR broke the silence.

“Okay, what are you thinking?” he asked

“Nothing” she answered “I’m just enjoying the moment, being with you and wishing time would stop still”

JR kissed her “No one has ever made me feel the way I feel right now, I wished I realised how much I love you sooner”

“I’ve always loved you, you were and still are the only man I ever truly wanted” she said “these past few weeks have been brilliant and I don’t want them to end”

“They wont, I promise,” he said. He looked at the ring on her finger.

“How long is this divorce going to take?” he asked, “I want us to remarry as soon as possible”

“JR, just be patient, in a couple of months I’ll be free again” she replied “free and single and able to chose whatever man I want”

“As long as it’s me,” JR said

Sue Ellen kissed him, “That goes without saying JR”

“What time will John Ross be back?” JR asked

“I said that I would cook dinner for six o’clock, so any time before that” she replied

“I’m sorry darlin’, I know you wanted for this week to be just the three of us” JR said

“I haven’t got a problem with Miss Ellie and Clayton being here, but it has made me think about Southfork more” she replied

“Do you want to go back?” JR asked

“Yes, although the idea scares me a little, but it’s home, it’s where the rest of the family is, but I have the same feelings that John Ross has, Dallas is still full of painful memories” she replied

“I know, but nothing bad is ever going to happen again, no matter where we are,” JR said

JR meant ever word he said, he was going to make this relationship perfect. The only people that mattered to him were Sue Ellen and John Ross; he couldn’t bear to be apart from either of them. He knew how badly he had treated Sue Ellen, but she always managed to forgive him. Time after time she had shown him how much she loved him, yet he chose to ignore it, always putting Ewing Oil and other women before her. Now was different, he couldn’t even imagine being this close to anyone but Sue Ellen.

“Like I told you before Sue Ellen, let’s stay here for a while, there’s no hurry to go back to Southfork.” JR said

“So you don’t mind if our children are born over here?” she asked

“No!” he said, “How many are we going to have?”

“I really don’t know, but we better start doing something about it soon” Sue Ellen replied

“Funny” JR said “I thought that what we spent this afternoon doing!” he laughed

After a while Sue Ellen made a move to get up “It’s time to go back to reality” she said.

JR grabbed hold of her hand and she turned to face him “I love you Sue Ellen” he reached over and kissed her.

“I know” she said, “I love you too” JR lay back in bed; he wasn’t in a hurry to move. Sue Ellen looked at him and smiled

“JR, get up the others will be home soon and I haven’t even thought about dinner,” she said

“That’s what we had servants at Southfork for “He replied

“I know, but I’m just happy having a part-time housekeeper” she said

JR got up and headed for the shower, he turned and looked at Sue Ellen, “Well, are you coming to keep me company or what?” he asked

Sue Ellen laughed some things never change.

After finally getting out of the shower and dressed they went back downstairs and started to prepare a meal. Sue Ellen hoped that John Ross hadn’t persuaded his grandmother to allow him too much junk food.

John Ross was excited when he got home and during dinner told his parents of his day. Miss Ellie and Clayton remarked that Saturday would be there last day in London as they were leaving for Dallas on Sunday. Sue Ellen looked at JR, then turned to Miss Ellie and said

“You will come back for Christmas wont you”

“We would love too, but you sure you don’t want to come to Southfork” Miss Elle asked

JR looked at his son before answering.

“Actually, we want to stay here this year momma, but we want you, Clayton, Bobby and Christopher to join us”

Okay, so an English Christmas it is!” Miss Ellie said

“Not much different from a Texan one, except colder!” Sue Ellen laughed

“Yeah, much colder” JR added

After dinner they went and sat in the living room and started making plans for the following day.

“Momma, can I still go to football practice?” John Ross asked

“Of course, I thought daddy and Clayton could take you while your grandmother and I go shopping” she said

“Shopping is soooo boring” he said “I don’t know why you like it so much”

“I could say the same thing about football” Sue Ellen laughed

“Football is cool” John Ross said

As the evening got later Miss Ellie and Clayton decided it was time to go back to the hotel and made arrangement for the following day. John Ross went to bed leaving Sue Ellen and JR alone again. They went into the kitchen and started to pile the dishes into the dishwasher, then made themselves a drink.

JR followed Sue Ellen back into the living room and they cuddled up on the sofa.

“I just had a thought” JR said “What about?” Sue Ellen asked

JR held her tighter and said “We’ve asked my family to join us for Christmas but what about your mother, it’s been ages since you last saw her”

Sue Ellen was silent, she hadn’t seen her mother since Kristin’s funeral, at which her mother made it perfectly clear that she didn’t want anything more to do with her.

“JR I’ve lost touch with her, I have no idea where she is, but I know she blames me for Kristin’s death” Sue Ellen said

“But why, you had nothing to do with it” JR replied

“Yes, but I was her older sister, I was supposed to look after her, I failed” Sue Ellen said with tears in her eyes “Momma can’t forgive me for that, she hasn’t seen her own grandson for so long, she didn’t come to our last wedding, even though I invited her, the Ewings are the only family I have”

JR kissed her “I’m sorry, I never realised, I just presume to was off on one of her travels”

Sue Ellen stood up and moved towards the fireplace with her back to JR, the tears were beginning to flow and she didn’t want JR to see.

“Sue Ellen, what happened to Kristin was not your fault, she gave you every reason to hate her, she set you up to take the blame after she shot me” JR said

“JR, I don’t hate Kristin, she was my sister, I just didn’t like her at times” Sue Ellen said

“How do you feel about Christopher” he asked

“Christopher is her son, he’s all there is left of her and one day when he wants to know about his real mother, I can tell him about her” Sue Ellen said “Well only the good things, I love Christopher and I want him and John Ross to know each other and one day when they’re old enough to understand, we’ll tell them that they aren’t adopted cousins, but real cousins, Christopher not only has his adopted family but his blood family too”

JR stood up and went towards her; he placed his hands upon her shoulders. “I love you more than life itself, nothing or noone is ever going to hurt you again. If your mother doesn’t want to know you or her grandchildren then that’s her problem, the Ewings are the only family you will ever need” he turned her to face him, she looked deeply into his eyes and saw that he meant everything he said

“I love you JR” she put her arms around him and kissed him.

Saturday afternoon, Sue Ellen dropped JR, Clayton and John Ross at the football ground, before going into town with Miss Ellie. They spent the afternoon in and out of shops and spent quite a bit of money. When they had finished they decided to stop at a coffee shop for a drink.

“Sue Ellen, you and JR look so happy” Miss Ellie said

“We are, I’ve seen so much change in him over the last few months, he’s putting his family first before himself, I love him. I always have and always will” Sue Ellen replied

“I wish it hadn’t taken him so long to realise what he had with you” Miss Ellie said “He’s wasted so much time”

“I know, but believe me we’re making up for it now” Sue Ellen laughed “I really hope it works out this time” Miss Ellie said

“It will, I promise, beside I’m not prepared to put John Ross through anymore pain” Sue Ellen said “We’ve talked and opened up to each other in ways that we’ve never done before, he’s told me things that I know he hasn’t talked to anyone about”

Miss Ellie looked at her “We always thought that it was Bobby and Pam who were the strongest and could never be parted but we were wrong” she said

“I missed him so much when I came over here, even though he was so far away he was always in my thoughts.” Sue Ellen said “and then when things in Dallas fell apart for him, he came to me, maybe we’re just supposed to be together”

“Why wont you come back to Southfork?” Miss Ellie asked.

“The real problem is John Ross, every time we mentioned it, he gets upset. The truth is he feels that his parents can only be together away from there, he’s convinced that if we go home the JR will return to his old ways and end up hurting me, then the arguments will happen again” Sue Ellen said

“You know that’s not going to happen” Miss Ellie said

“Of course I do, I wouldn’t have taken him back if I thought that was a chance of that, but John Ross is still a child and all he remembers about Southfork is pain” She answered

“It’s a shame, I would love to have you back there” Miss Ellie said

“We will one day, Southfork is a great place and I want my children to grow up there, but it may be a little while longer before we come back” Sue Ellen said

“Are you and JR planning on having more children?” Miss Ellie asked

“Yes” Sue Ellen replied “If we haven’t left it too late that is”

“I’m glad” Miss Ellie said “At least John Ross wont be an only child”

“John Ross has two parents who love him and who love each other and that is the way it’s going to stay and we want to extend our family, I just can’t wait to marry JR again and start our future.” Sue Ellen said

They finished their coffees and went to pick up the others from the football game. Everyone was happy and content. JR thought his heart was going to burst, whenever he looked at Sue Ellen all he saw in her eyes was her love for him. She felt the same, JR’s eyes always told him a lot and now all she could see was love. Everything was perfect.

The following day they took Miss Ellie and Clayton to the airport.

“Take care of yourselves” Miss Ellie and Clayton said

“You too” they replied “Don’t forget we will see you at Christmas”

When they had left JR turned to Sue Ellen and said Alone again” he then kissed her

“Do you guys mind, this is a public place” John Ross piped up

“Well not quite alone” JR laughed and picked his son up “Boy are you getting heavy, no more junk food for you for a while that’s for sure”

John Ross hugged his father and they made their way back to the car.

Two months later and Christmas was just around the corner. JR had persuaded Michael Mcdervitt to let him join his firm and put his business talents to good use. JR was so happy, not only was he living with Sue Ellen but working with her as well. He thought life couldn’t get any better.

That evening when they got home Sue Ellen found she had some mail waiting for her. She looked at one envelope and opened it. A smile crossed her lips, her divorce had finally come through, her and JR were now free to get married and start a new life together. JR came up and asked her if she was alright.

“JR, I’m fine” She handed him the letter.

“I don’t believe it, at last we can get married” JR said “Please say you still want to marry me”

“Of course I do JR, I can’t wait to start our future together” She said and kissed him

“I love you Sue Ellen, you are truly the only woman I want to be with” JR said

“We better tell our son that his parents are getting married again,” Sue Ellen said

John Ross was happy at the news that his parents were going to remarry, and that they promised that this time it was forever. JR made a promise to his family that he would never break, Sue Ellen and John Ross were the most important things in his life and nothing was gong to change that. Everything was going to be perfect, he still had time to make up for the past and that was what he intended to do, he was going to be the best husband and father, he so wanted them to know how much they meant to him.

With Christmas fast approaching, Sue Ellen was doing one of things she loved best – shopping. She had wanted to get JR something extra special and had chosen a new watch which she was going to have engraved.

“What would you like the inscription to read Madam?” asked the girl behind the jewellery counter.

“All my love forever, Sue Ellen”

“That’s beautiful” said the girl with a smile “Someone is a very lucky man”

Sue Ellen smiled. As she looked out at the busy shopping street crammed full with people she knew that this Christmas was going to be extra perfect.

At around the same time that Sue Ellen was in the jewellers JR and John Ross were doing a little shopping of their own.

“John Ross, I can’t buy everything, how are we supposed to get it home?” JR laughed.

“Well” began John Ross “Santa will be taking care of my presents, so I’m not worried about that....”

JR raised an eyebrow as his son continued

“So now you just need to worry about Mamma”

“What do you buy someone who has everything?” JR joked.

“Something from both of us” came the reply

JR looked at him. He couldn’t believe how blessed he was to be with them both. He loved Sue Ellen so much that everytime he thought about her, his heart leapt. He wanted to plaster it all over London that she was his.

“Well now, what do you suggest?” asked JR folding his arms and waiting for John Ross to speak.

“How about a picture of us both – her two favourite men?” John Ross said

JR smiled “You know, that is a great idea!” JR said, patting his son on the head.

After having a portrait taken, JR commenting on how lucky it was that they both looked smart that day, JR told John Ross that he had to buy Sue Ellen something else, something that was just from him. Leaving the boy supervised in a children’s play area of Harrods, JR amused himself by walking through the ladies underwear department.

“Can I help you with sizes sir?” an assistant said

“Yes please...I would like something for my wife. Something nice” JR said

“May I show you our latest range?” the assistant said.

”Please do” JR replied

“Do you know her approximate size?”

“Yes” JR told her

“Small? Medium? Large?”

“Perfect” said JR, breaking into a smile which left the assistant feeling very amused and they shared a joke or two before JR made his final decision.

He then bought some expensive perfume, and made his way to the jewellery section. He saw what he wanted almost immediately. In the glass cabinet in front of him was a beautiful eternity ring; a thick band laced with sparkling diamonds. JR asked the supervisor of the department about it and was told that the ring was called The Neverending Love ring. That sold it for him. After having it perfectly packaged and with a card to tell Sue Ellen what it meant, he went to find John Ross.

“Daddy” John Ross said “I’m thinking – we need to get Mamma a card. She loves cards”

“Good thinking my boy” JR smiled

In the stationary department there was a card for every occasion. JR was faced with a small problem. All the cards which were appropriate for his relationship with his wife were all very, what he would term “definite”. There was “Merry Christmas to My Wife”, which, as he noted, she wasn’t – not yet anyway, “My Girlfriend”, which he figured was a tad “too many years ago” for them, My Lover, which he wouldn’t have considered buying in front of John Ross, and, unbelievably “My Ex Wife”, which just made him laugh out loud. In the end he settled for “To the One I Love”, thinking it to be the most appropriate of all.

John Ross picked one which was addressed to “The Best Mom in the World”, and without JR seeing, used his own money to pay for one which was addressed to “The Best Daddy in the World”. He was very proud of himself.

Satisfied with their days’ shopping, the two men in Sue Ellen’s life headed for home. And her.

Sue Ellen wasn’t home by the time JR and John Ross arrived, so they did their best job of hiding her presents. Not long after JR finished tucking her gifts away where he was sure she’d never find them, he heard her key go into the lock. Excitedly he started down the stairs to meet her.

“Mommy!” John Ross said and ran to her

“Hi sweetheart! Where’s your daddy?” Sue Ellen said.

“I’m here” JR said with a smile as he got to the foot of the stairs.

After hugging John Ross tightly, she put down her shopping bags and went to JR.

“Hi” she said smiling, greeting him with a kiss.

JR was so glad to see her he held her tightly, kissing her before giggling “Your nose is cold”

She laughed “It’s about 3 degrees outside”

“Come on, take your coat off and I’ll fix you a hot drink” JR said

John Ross lifted the cat and said “Momma can we give Lucy something to eat now?”

“Sure” Sue Ellen said “I got her some new stuff. I think she’ll really like it”

“I forgot to ask” JR said “Why is the cat called LUCY?”

“Because she’s small” John Ross said “And spoilt rotten”

JR erupted into a big belly laugh. Lucy the Cat of course had been named after their own family member, Lucy.

JR poured some coffee for them and a soda for John Ross.

“So how was your day?” he asked Sue Ellen

“Great. You know me...shopping” she smiled

JR laughed “Oh yes, spend all our money today did you?”

“I spent all mine. I’ll work on yours tomorrow” she smiled and kissed him.

This put a thought in JR’s mind. Since he and Sue Ellen had been divorced, his will had changed. He knew that it wasn’t a huge problem as they were remarrying anyway, but it was something he needed to look at.

The little family spent the rest of the night tucked away from the cold and watching television. That night as Sue Ellen slept, JR watched her, holding her tightly in his arms. Every moment he was with her was so precious, sometimes he didn’t want to sleep at all for fear he would find the last few months had all been a dream. Just as he watched her, she opened her eyes.

“Can’t you sleep?” she asked quietly.

“Don’t want to” he said

“What’s wrong?” she asked

“Absolutely nothing” he said and kissed the top of her head “I’m just enjoying watching you”

Sue Ellen smiled sleepily. She snuggled into him even more, kissing him on the side of his face.

“I love you” she said

“I love you too” he replied, holding her and never wanting to let her go.

The next morning, JR woke to the sound of a noise in the en suite bathroom. Noticing Sue Ellen wasn’t beside him, he called to her “Sue Ellen?”

A few seconds later she appeared in the doorway, looking whiter than the snow which had begun to fall outside.

“Uhhhhhh” she mumbled holding her stomach.

“Oh baby, are you sick?” JR said, getting out of bed.

She nodded. “All of a sudden, I wasn’t feeling well. I don’t know what has done it”

“Get back into bed” JR ordered “I’ll let them know you won’t be in today”

“No” she said, shaking her head “I have to go in, I have so much to do”

JR sighed, feeling her head for her temperature. “You’re not too warm...tell you what I’ll get you something to drink”

She smiled, thanking him. As he left the room, Sue Ellen sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the calendar on the wall.

“Oh dear” she said to herself. “Oops”.

Sitting at her desk, going through her work for the day, Sue Ellen felt slightly better. She knew it wasn’t anything that she had eaten that had made her sick and she had felt fine up until this morning. She hadn’t wanted to say anything to JR immediately, but she had her suspicions as to what might be wrong.

She picked up the phone and, looking at her address book, dialled the number.

“Hi this is Sue Ellen Ew..Lockwood”, she said rolling her eyes at her near mistake. Ewing had always just ran off her tongue, she constantly forgot about her change of name.

“Yes Mrs Lockwood” said the voice on the other end of the line “How may I help you?”

“Does Dr Bowditch have any free appointments this afternoon?”

“Let me check....she has one at 4.45 Mrs Lockwood, would that suit?”

Sue Ellen thought for a minute. If she left work early, JR would notice. Not that she was keeping anything from him, but she had to be sure herself.

“That’s fine, thanks”

“See you then”

Placing her hand on her stomach, she closed her eyes and said “Please.....”

JR sat in his new office and thought to himself. He liked working at the same place as Sue Ellen, but it was slowly dawning on him that he liked it because of just that. He was with Sue Ellen. JR was an oilman. Not that oil meant so much to him anymore, but it was what he knew best. He wondered what the possibilities were of setting up an oil company here in London, perhaps using resources he had in Europe. It was something he would have to think carefully about. The last thing he wanted was for Sue Ellen to think that Ewing Oil would ever be as important to him as it once had been – more important than her. He knew how sensitive she was about the issue, so he decided it might be best just to talk it through with her before making a decision.

Just at that his door knocked.

“Come in Sue Ellen” he smiled.

“Damn these footsteps” she laughed “I’d never get away with a crime”

JR laughed, standing to greet her. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better” she said and kissed him on the cheek. “I have to leave early though”

“Oh?” JR asked

“Just an appointment downtown” she said

“What sort of an appointment? Is it with a man?” JR faked his best insecure- man impression

“Nothing for you to worry about” she laughed

JR looked at her. What was she hiding?

Kissing him again, this time on the lips, she said “I won’t be long. See you back at the house?”

“Well that depends” JR said “Maybe I have an appointment” he joked

She smiled her best smile saying “Cute. Very cute”, winked and left him standing there.

JR felt slightly uneasy. Why wouldn’t she tell him where she was going?

“Well Sue Ellen” said Dr Bowditch “I just need you to answer a couple of questions”

Sue Ellen was nervous, sitting there beside the doctor. The doctor was young, nice and welcoming, and Sue Ellen just hoped she would be leaving the surgery with happy news.

The young doctor asked Sue Ellen a few routine questions, then asked her if she could do a couple of tests.

As Sue Ellen sat anxiously waiting for the results, she looked at the pictures on the doctors wall. Posters about cancer, AIDS, babies and travelling abroad.

The door opened and Dr Bowditch returned.

“I’m pleased to tell you that you’re not sick” she said

Sue Ellen breathed a sigh of relief “You are remarkably healthy, you’re keeping up to date with all your check ups, and are in really good condition. How long have you been sober now?”

“Nearly 8 years” Sue Ellen smiled

“That’s fantastic” the doctor said “Well then, this little one should grow up to be just as fit and healthy as his brother”

“What?” Sue Ellen said

“You’re suspicions were correct. Congratulations” Dr Bowditch said with a smile “You’re pregnant”

Sue Ellen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry with happiness. So she did both. And Dr Bowditch did too.

JR had been strangely anxious since Sue Ellen left him. Sometimes he thought that certain things in his life were sent as punishment for years gone by. What if Sue Ellen was with Don, sorting out the divorce, what if she had met someone else?

He shook his head as he climbed the stairs to the house. “Stop it” he thought, “She loves me. She’s always loved me” he reassured himself – for the most part anyway. He noticed the lights were on. She’d got home before him.

He entered the hallway and she appeared from the kitchen. She looked incredibly serious, and JR’s heart sank. She didn’t move, but stood where she was. He got a flashback of years ago, when Sue Ellen was angry and upset. The way she could fire out looks was edged permanently on his mind – he could read each and every one.

“What’s wrong?” he said immediately.

“JR, I have something to tell you” she said.

His heart began to race. His life flashed before him. Mentally he had his suitcases back. She wanted out?

JR couldn’t speak. Sue Ellen walked towards him and said, “Could you come in and sit down?”

“Sue Ellen, whatever it is, tell me here”

“No” she said and took him by the hand into the living room. “This is good” he thought “Physical contact”

As she flicked the light to the living room on; JR noticed a large box sitting on the sofa. It was wrapped with a pink and blue ribbon.

Sue Ellen couldn’t hide her smile.

JR let out a huge sigh of relief and placing one hand around her neck, pretended to strangle her.

She laughed. “Did I scare you?”

“My heart is in my boots right now” he told her.

She went to the couch and lifted the box. “Come here” she said “You have to sit down”

JR did as he was told and took the box from her. She didn’t take her eyes off him as he pulled the lid off. He couldn’t believe what was inside. Two of the smallest cowboy boots he had ever seen. He could get just two fingers inside them.

“These are lovely darlin but I don’t think they’ll fit!” he joked

Sue Ellen kept looking at him, waiting for the penny to drop. He kept his left handed fingers inside the boots and opened the card.

It read “Hi Daddy, I’m really looking forward to meeting you”

JR felt tears immediately come into his eyes. For a second he held his breath and looked at Sue Ellen, who seeing the realisation on his face, was now crying herself.

JR pushed the box out of the way, jumped to his feet and lifted Sue Ellen of the sofa. He laughed and shouted and laughed and cried and after about 5 minutes of hysterics, he pulled her to him and kissed her.

“I’m going to be a daddy....” He whispered

“Again” she smiled

He looked into her beautiful eyes and said “You are...you’re everything. I love you so much.”

“I know” she replied,

“I’m the happiest, luckiest man in the world”, he said, taking her face in his hands and kissing her.

As they both wiped away each other’s tears, snow fell outside. They fell down in front of the open log fire and kissed and hugged and talked about their future. Two people who were always meant to be together.

The next morning, JR woke early. Not that he’d slept much. He was afraid that if he slept too deeply he would wake and find that the wonderful news Sue Ellen had given him yesterday had all been a dream. Lifting his head off the pillow, he propped himself up with his elbow and just lay watching her. Her auburn hair spread across the pillow, he could hear her breathing softly. She looked so content. He placed his hand on her stomach and rubbed it gently. She was pregnant. After so many years of wanting this, JR was finally going to have another child with the woman he’d always loved.

After a few minutes, Sue Ellen opened her eyes. Seeing JR smiling at her, she smiled back saying, almost in a whisper, “Morning”. She felt tired, but in a good way. She had everything she wanted too. She had John Ross, a good career, she had developed a strong sense of independence, and she had JR. And she was having his baby. She thought things couldn’t be more perfect.

“Morning beautiful” JR said, kissing the top of her head. Nuzzling into him she said “What time is it?”

JR looked at the clock on the bedside table. “8.15” he said.

“What day is it?” she asked with a smile.

“Saturday” he told her.

She smiled again, closing her eyes and pulling him to her. “Then we don’t have to do ANYTHING” she giggled.

JR grinned. They kissed. JR began working his way down her body, and, reaching her tummy, she smiled and said “What are you doing?”

“Just saying good morning to my son,” he said.

“Son?” Sue Ellen raised an eyebrow.

“Yes” JR said, “His name is Jock”

Sue Ellen was speechless.

JR couldn’t hold his amusement and started to laugh “Gotcha” he smiled.

Lifting the pillow, Sue Ellen hit him over the head with it. After a not- too-rough pillow fight, Sue Ellen said,

“You know, there’s a possibility that it’s a girl”

“Darlin’ I don’t care what it is.”

“Really?” she smiled

“Did you think I would?” JR asked, resting his chin on her chest.

“No...but I know you always had a dream to pass things on to a boy and....”

He placed a finger on her lips. “That’s in the past. And besides, we have a boy”

Sue Ellen smiled, kissing his finger.

“Is the baby asleep?” he asked her.

Sue Ellen laughed, then, pretending to be serious said “I think so. Why?”

“Cos Daddy ain’t” JR smiled and kissed her. As she felt him close to her, Sue Ellen thanked God for the weekends.

Two hours and a bit later, Sue Ellen heard the mail coming through the box. Lucy the cat made it drop to the floor with one clean swoop of the paw.

“Thank you Lucy” Sue Ellen said, stroking the cats head. Lucy licked her hand and tottered off in the direction of the kitchen.

“JR do you want something to eat?” Sue Ellen shouted up the stairs.

The reply came from the shower “I think I’ve worked up an appetite don’t you?”

She smiled, hoping John Ross didn’t hear him. Sifting through the mail, she noticed a letter, addressed to her, with a US postmark. The postmark read California, but it had went to Southfork first. Was it from her mother? Sue Ellen was more than intrigued by this. She hadn’t received any mail from the States – well apart from the odd letter from Miss Ellie – in quite a while.

She decided to go into the living room and sat down to read it. Tearing the envelope open, her eyes almost immediately fell to the name at the bottom. Her heart nearly stopped, but she continued to read......

“Dear Sue Ellen,

I know it must come as a shock hearing from me after all this time, and I hope you won’t object to me writing to you. I am not even sure this letter will reach you, but writing it has helped me put some of the guilt I feel behind me.

I want you to know that it was never my intention to hurt you. You were the innocent party in what happened between myself and JR. I was so caught up in what I wanted that I never gave any thought to you, your feelings or your marriage. I was as shocked as you were that I got involved with a married man, and if I could turn the clock back and change things, then I would.

Having met you and seeing what a beautiful woman you are and what a nice person too, made me realise that I was blinded to a lot of things. At that time JR clearly didn’t appreciate what he had. I know that the two of you stayed together for some time after I left. I knew deep in my heart that he would never marry me. You were always the woman for him, and it’s only with time that I have come to realise that. Although I am not sure of the situation between you now, I can guess that you and he will never be very far apart. I knew his marriage to Cally wouldn’t last, as I knew he only truly has eyes for you.

Thank you for everything that you did for me, Sue Ellen. Although I no longer act or model, I am happier with myself now. You see, it happened to me too. And it wasn’t until it did that I realised the pain that I must have caused you. I met a man after I left Dallas and I fell deeply in love. We were married and at first everything was wonderful, but a few months down the line he started spending nights away and things just changed. I found out he was cheating on me. It broke my heart. The only difference is, that he left me completely for the other woman.

As strange as it may sound, it’s made me face up to a lot. It made me put things to rest. I accept now that JR only ever loved you and there was nothing I could do to change that. But what I can try to fix is how I treated you. I’m truly sorry and although I don’t ever expect you to forgive me, I want to wish you every happiness. I’m sure JR is with you now and that’s how it should be. The only love that’s true is love that can never be broken. I hope I find it one day.

With best wishes

Mandy Winger

Sue Ellen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Now that she hadn’t expected. She took a deep breath. It wasn’t a nasty letter, certainly not the type she would have expected from Mandy Winger. Although it had been so long ago, Sue Ellen did still harbour anger towards that whole, horrible time. Maybe this would help her put it behind her and let go.....

“You ok darlin?” JR said entering the room. “You look a little peaky”, he said, coming to sit beside her.

Deciding not to hide it from him, she handed him the letter.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“Read it” she said, looking him straight in the eye.

JR’s gaze fell to the bottom just as Sue Ellen’s had done. “What the hell....?” JR said, almost with anger.

“It’s ok..” Sue Ellen touched his hand. “Just read it”.

As JR read, Sue Ellen looked out the window, still trying to absorb what had just happened.

JR reached for Sue Ellen’s hand and held it as he continued to read. He didn’t realise, but she was watching him for reactions. He looked somewhere between furious and shocked.

A couple of minutes later, he folded the letter and said “Well, she’s right”.

Sue Ellen looked confused, so JR said “She’s right about what I felt”

“Even then?” Sue Ellen asked.

“Even then. And you know that” he said

Sue Ellen didn’t speak. “Don’t you?” he said. “Tell me you do”

She nodded. “I do...I just didn’t expect to be having a conversation about...her...after so long.”

“I know” JR squeezed her hand. He looked at her and for a split second saw the Sue Ellen he had known years ago, the Sue Ellen that had been filled with pain and insecurities. It was only a split second, but whatever way she looked at him, brought a memory flooding back into his mind. Moving closer to her, he set the letter down on the coffee table and took her in his arms. Letting out a sigh of relief, she said, “It scared me for a minute...I thought..”

JR looked at her and kissed her. “I love you. And only you”

She kissed him right back. JR looked at the letter again and said, “Don’t even let it cross your mind that this affects me in any way...hearing from her. In a way, I think it’s good that she wrote. I know how much it hurt you..maybe this will let you bury all of that. It’s dead Sue Ellen. And as I said, she’s right. You’ve always been the only one for me.”

Sue Ellen smiled, “Well, let that be the end of it then” she said. JR nodded. She lifted the letter and JR asked,

“What are you going to do with it?”

“I don’t know” she said.

He took it from her and said, “Come here”.

Wrapping her warm jacket around her, he took her hand and led her down the steps and across to the park. “Where are we going?” she laughed, as the wind swept them along.

“You’ll see” he said.

A curious John Ross had wakened and was watching his parents from his bedroom window.

JR lifted Sue Ellen on to the highest point on the small wall that surrounded the park. Still laughing, she watched him. He took the letter out of his pocket and began to tear it into small pieces. When it was done, he took her hand, opened it and placed the small pieces of paper in her palm, then closed her hand over.

“Let it go Sue Ellen” he said, standing at her feet, looking up into her eyes.

She held her fist up into the strong wind and opened her hand. Almost like magic, the wind took the paper from her hand, and bit by bit, just like her past, the letter blew away. The couple watched as each piece of paper disappeared from sight. Then Sue Ellen’s gaze turned to JR.

“I love you” she said.

He grasped her ankles, and let his hands move up to her waist, and she slid down into his arms.

“I love you more” he smiled and kissed her.

“No, I love you more” she laughed.

“I love you more” he said.

They kissed again as Lucy and a very happy John Ross watched from the window.

“Other side of the road JR” Sue Ellen pointed out as JR drove John Ross to soccer practice. JR quickly swerved back in, pointing out how calm Sue Ellen was about his near fatal mistake!

“Don’t forget John Ross, to tell Rory that you won’t be there next week...Grandma is coming to stay”, Sue Ellen said to her son in the back seat.

“I won’t Momma”

They arrived at the training ground, and John Ross hopped out. Sue Ellen wound the window down and John Ross gave his mother a kiss on the cheek.

“Be careful sweetheart. See you later” she said.

”Bye momma. Bye daddy”

“Bye son”

“Will you drive now?” JR joked

“Awww...” Sue Ellen smiled, stroking his face “Having to play tough in front of your son...now you see when we have a daughter you don’t have to be all macho anymore”

“Yes I do..” JR said “Even more so in front of women” he laughed

“I know you’re a softie really” she said, leaning in for a kiss.

He kissed her before saying “Seriously, will you drive?”

Sue Ellen laughed out loud and got out to change places with him. Foot on the pedal, she reached 50 miles an hour in under 30 seconds.

“Pregnant! Pregnant!” JR reminded her, as she pulled her foot back “Stop showing off Shepard” he said.

She smiled. She would prefer to be known as Shepard now, rather than Lockwood. Ewing anyday certainly, but as she wasn’t married to JR yet, technically she wasn’t really a Ewing yet either.

They stopped for lunch in the West End, JR still pointing out things that he hadn’t seen before, and Sue Ellen being his tour guide.

JR indicated that he wanted lunch from a Texas-style steakhouse, so Sue Ellen went along with his wish.

As she studied the menu, JR looked at her. She was so radiant. He actually thought he could see a glow around her.

She looked up and smiled at him. “What?” she asked.

“You’re beautiful” JR said

“Why thank you” she smiled. He took her hand and played with her engagement ring.

Just then, the waitress, an older woman in her 60’s came over to them.

“Now darlin’s” she said in her Cockney accent “What can I do for ya?”

JR ordered the biggest steak known to man, and Sue Ellen settled for a slightly more discreet order of the most bizarre combination JR had heard of.

“Cravings” she said with a smile.

“Ah..expectin a happy event sweetheart?” the waitress asked. “Congratulations”

JR and Sue Ellen both thanked her. “Aw look at her” the waitress said, stroking the side of Sue Ellen’s face “She’s lovely.” Then the waitress whispered, in a not very subtle way “He loves ya darlin. It’s shinin right out of him”.

This made Sue Ellen smile even more, and JR squeezed her hand.

“Onion rings, grapes, potato skins and milkshake?” JR asked with a smile.

“Sounds good to me!” she laughed.

“Well then” JR said, “When are we getting married?”

Sue Ellen’s heart leapt. “When do you want to get married?” she asked.

“Tomorrow” JR said.

Sue Ellen smiled. She wanted it to be soon too, but she knew that the period before Christmas wasn’t really viable.

“What sort of wedding are we going to have?” she asked.

“Any sort of wedding you want” he told her.

She held his hand tightly. “I want it to be a decision we both make. Together” she told him.

“Yes, me too...so...tell me what you’d like and then I will tell you what I’d like” JR said.

“Well” Sue Ellen began, “I don’t want a big wedding. We’ve done that before. Twice” she smiled.

He laughed “OK, but I want to tell everyone we’re back together”

“I think the media will take care of that” Sue Ellen said.

JR nodded.

“Where will it be?” JR asked

“Somewhere hot where I can wear something nice and...”

“Revealing” JR smiled.

“I’ll only have so much time to be revealing you know” she told him.

“Hey darlin’ you can reveal anything to me for as long as you want, you know that” he smiled wickedly.

She laughed “What I mean is..I want my dress to fit. I don’t want to be getting married with a big pregnant belly. My mother is a Catholic for goodness sake”

“Your mother is coming?” JR looked surprised.

”Well, I don’t know, but she might....” Sue Ellen said.

“So where then?” JR asked.

He could see her thinking so he said “If it helps...we can go anywhere you want. Where would you like to go?”

“The Seychelles” Sue Ellen said.

“Done” JR said

”JR I’m kidding....I don’t need anything. I’d be happy if we were married in a registry office in the city centre of London”

“Nothing but the best for you my love” he smiled. Then he stopped talking about it. Little did Sue Ellen know but JR had it all already worked out.

Sue Ellen had taken the next week off work to prepare for Miss Ellie and Clayton’s visit. JR had told her he was going to work just for a few hours, but would be home in time to help her decorate the house and sort out the arrangements for Christmas.

At around 10am, Sue Ellen was sitting wrapping some of John Ross’ presents when the doorbell rang. She shouted to Kate that she would answer it. She pulled open the door and to her surprise a limousine driver was looking back at her.

“Hello Madam. My name is David. I’m here to collect you”

“Em...I think you must have the wrong house, sorry” Sue Ellen told him.

“Mrs Ewing?” David said

“Soon to be, yes” Sue Ellen said

“I’ve been sent by Mr JR Ewing to collect you”

Sue Ellen felt a knowing smile creep over her face. What was he up to now? Knowing better than to protest, she said,

“Could you just give me a minute David?”

“Certainly Madam”

Sue Ellen went to see Kate upstairs. Kate was smiling.

“Kate, I don’t know what is going on..but I have to go in this limousine”

Kate was thrilled. “How exciting! Oh I do envy you!”

Sue Ellen hugged her. “I have no idea what is going on....”

But Kate knew.

Sue Ellen went to the door and said “OK David, let’s go!” She grabbed her jacket and purse and followed David down the stairs.

“It’s just going to be you and me for a bit Lucy” Kate smiled, and stroked the pretty white cat on the head.

From the back of the limousine, Sue Ellen asked, “David, where are we going?”

“It’s a secret Madam” David said.

Sue Ellen smiled, touching the beautiful yellow roses which had been left in the back seat with a note that read “Just do what David says. I love you”

After being in the limousine for a good half an hour, Sue Ellen’s curiosity was getting the better of her. She had been reading road signs and so far nothing jumped out at her. Well, until now.

They had just passed the sign for Heathrow Airport. “No...” she thought “It couldn’t be...”

But it was. David turned the car in the direction of the entrance to Heathrow Airport.

Sue Ellen pushed the button to the driver’s window down. “David are we going to the Airport?” she asked.

“Now now madam,” David smiled “That would be telling”

Sue Ellen took out her cell phone and texted “This had better be good Ewing J” to JR

Within seconds her phone beeped “Hurry up Shepard J xxx “

She pushed 1 for her house phone. Kate answered.

“Kate it would appear I’m on the way to the airport” Sue Ellen said.

“Yes I know” Kate laughed.

Sue Ellen smiled and shook her head “OH VERY GOOD! Where am I going?”

“Can’t say!” Kate laughed.

“WHERE’S JOHN ROSS?” Sue Ellen mildly panicked, but knew in her heart JR would have that sorted out.

”John Ross is fine” Kate said reassuringly.

“Oh Kate, can you look after Lucy?” Sue Ellen asked, realising everything that had been left up in the air.

“Of course I will. Me and Lucy are going to have fun, aren’t we girl?” she said, smiling at the little cat.

“OK Kate thanks so much” Sue Ellen said.

“It’s a pleasure.”

David opened the door to the limousine and stretched out his hand to help Sue Ellen out.

“My flowers...” she said.

“I will tend to them immediately Madam. I shall return them to your home and have them placed in water without delay”

David was great. Sue Ellen really liked him. She kissed him on the cheek and thanked him. He was delighted to have been part of such a wonderful surprise.

“Where do I go now?” she asked.

“Terminal 3 madam, straight ahead.”

After watching her enter the building and waving, David left on his floral duties. The large doors to the terminal opened and Sue Ellen walked inside. It was huge. She didn’t know where to go next. Luckily she soon saw a face she recognised.

“Hello Sue Ellen” said the voice.

“Miss Ellie?!” Sue Ellen said, surprised beyond belief.

The two women hugged. Miss Ellie took Sue Ellen by the hand and said “Come with me”

This was getting more and more exciting by the minute. Part of Sue Ellen wondered was she going to Dallas, although she was so excited she couldn’t think straight.

Miss Ellie led Sue Ellen to a nearby Executive Lounge, and the door opened. On the other side stood Clayton. Sue Ellen nearly cried. She embraced him.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but this is wonderful” she said,wiping away a tear. Clayton led her into the Lounge area, which was virtually empty, except for another familiar face. “BOBBY?!!”

“Hello Sue Ellen” Bobby smiled and hugged her. “Eh, I think you know Sarah?”

Sue Ellen reached out and hugged her friend.

As Sue Ellen and Sarah laughed and hugged, Sue Ellen felt hands around her waist. She turned around.

JR.

“There you are!” she smiled, and another tear fell. He wiped it away with his thumb and she kissed him.

“What is going on?” she laughed.

“Hi momma!” John Ross piped up.

“Sweetheart!” she hugged him. “Why aren’t you at school?” she joked.

“Because he’s coming to our wedding” JR told her.

“Wedding?!” Sue Ellen gasped. “But JR, my dress, my hair....” Sue Ellen looked at Sarah in a panic.

JR touched her face. “It’s all sorted out”

“Did he see my dress?!” Sue Ellen looked at Sarah.

“No! No! Honestly! I’m taking care of that” Sarah said.

JR laughed. “So,” he said “Shall we?” and indicated with his eyes towards the Jumbo Jet outside the window.

“Where are we going?” she asked excitedly.

JR raised his eyebrows and looked at her.

“THE SEYCHELLES?” she screamed. He nodded and winked at her.

Sue Ellen threw her arms around him. They hugged each other tightly. Bobby said lightheartedly,

“I think we’d better get on the plane now”

“You’re all coming too?” Sue Ellen smiled.

“Sure are!” Clayton smiled. “We’re going to be your witnesses”

Sue Ellen was thrilled. JR took her hand and led her to the plane. They let their guests on first, and just as they were about to step on, Sue Ellen stopped JR and kissed him.

“I can’t wait to be Mrs JR Ewing again” she said.

JR kissed her. “You always were darlin...you always were”.