The morning sun gently coaxed Sue Ellen awake. With her labor looming, it was becoming easier and easier to sleep in during the morning, enjoying an extra hour or so of peace before her day began. She gently fingered the area next to her, disappointed to discover that it was cold. J.R. had gone off to the office.

He was going to the Ewing building earlier and earlier each day. Sue Ellen assumed it was because he wanted to beat Bobby to the office, get a head start on the day. Sue Ellen didn't want to admit it – things were going so well between them lately- but it bothered her when J.R. left her without saying goodbye. His intentions were pure – he didn't want to disturb the precious hours of sleep that she found each night – but she couldn't shake the feeling of abandonment, a distance growing between them. She tried to push the sinking feeling away from her as she rose from the bed. He loves me, I know that he loves me. Sue Ellen started towards her mirror, nearly collapsing as a wave of nausea struck her.

She ran for the bathroom, letting herself go, unaware of the extra presence in the room.

"Honey," J.R. said gently, holding her hair back. "Oh, Sue Ellen," he said soothingly, wishing that he could do more to ease her pain. "There you go, Darlin'."

"J.R.," Sue Ellen said hoarsely as he handed her a tissue to blot her mouth with. "When did you get here?"

"Just now." He pulled her into a warm hug. "I just needed to set up a few things before my afternoon meeting."

"You're leaving again?"

A look of concern crossed J.R.'s face, "Is something wrong, Sue Ellen?" He guided her over to the bed. "Do you need to go to the doctor?"

"I feel fine, J.R.," she assured him. "It's just that…."

"Go on, Darlin'," J.R. urged.

"You seem to be spending a lot of mornings at the office," she said quietly.

J.R. gently laughed, kissing Sue Ellen's cheek. "I'm clearly some work out of the way so that I can be here for you when the baby comes. I won't be a very big presence at Ewing Oil for a while, so I just want to take care of some issues."

Sue Ellen beamed when she heard J.R,'s plan. "Oh, J.R., I thought you were turning into your old self again."

"Sue Ellen, I promised you that I would change, and I have. I have too much to lose."

Sue Ellen nuzzled J.R,'s neck. "Things have been going so well for us. I – I don't want anything to change."

J.R. held Sue Ellen against her body. Her scars from his previous treatment of her remained, and J.R. feared that no amount of devotion or love could erase the past. But he would do his very best to try.

Sue Ellen raised her eyes to meet her husband's loving stare. "How much time do you have before you go back to the office?"

"Well that depends on what you had in mind, Darlin'," J.R. said seductively, kissing Sue Ellen's mouth.

Laughter from the bedroom rang throughout the house as Pam sat in the kitchen, slowly nursing her coffee. She had spoken to Maggie earlier that morning, and she said that Cliff had been seen in a bar all night, drowning his sorrows. Cliff could never handle adversity or setbacks without going to the bottle. Cliff wrote it off as a trait passed on by Digger, but Pam believed that there was still hope for her troubled older brother.

Pam was so involved with her thoughts that she didn't notice Miss Ellie come into the room. "How are you feeling, Pam?" she asked, gently touching her shoulder.

"I'm worried about Cliff. Aunt Maggie said he didn't come back to his apartment last night."

"I'm sure Cliff will be fine," Miss Ellie assured. "He knows that you love him very much."

"I really do, Miss Ellie, but he can be so frustrating at times. Always focused on the past, he can't accept the fact that I'm with Bobby."

"Pam, that's Cliff's problem, not yours. This family has supported you in bringing Cliff to the ranch, but he has to be willing to come – you can't make him."

"I don't want to lose him."

"Do you think you will?"

"I feel as if I have to give up something – either Bobby or Cliff – and I don't want to lose either one of them."

"I hate seeing you so unhappy over this argument."

Pam put down her coffee cup. "That's just it, Miss Ellie; this is more than just an argument. It's been going on for three years. I don't know if I can handle it."

"The best thing you can do is wait and see what happens," Miss Ellie said finally.

"I know you're right, Miss Ellie. I just wish Cliff weren't so difficult."

"Why don't we focus on something happier," Miss Ellie urged.

"Like Sue Ellen's baby shower?" Pam smiled, giddy with excitement over Sue Ellen's surprise. The two Ewing women bonded over their need to love a child, and now Sue Ellen was fortunate enough to be blessed with another.

Pam would have never openly admitted it to anyone, but when she first discovered that Sue Ellen was pregnant again, she felt a touch of jealousy. She knew that she should be grateful to be on the priority list for adopting a baby, but there was a nagging feeling within her about Sue Ellen being able to have a child of her own – and her being unable to.

The first miscarriage frightened Pam from trying to conceive a child. She needed time to recuperate physically and emotionally. Just when she felt she was in a good place to start a family again, she heard word from a family doctor that her father Digger carried a genetic disease – neurofibromentosis. Although Pam did not carry the disease, she was considered a carrier who could pass it onto future generations. Pam had lost a brother and sister to the illness, and she had been terrified of passing the disease onto her child.

But Pam did become pregnant a second time, a fact that she neglected to tell Bobby. She had considered aborting the baby, choosing to have the baby suffer an early death before birth, then a later one in life. This way she would not get as attached to the child. However, a horseback riding accident prompted another miscarriage. Pam had been riding the Southfork grounds when her horse was spooked by a snake and threw her off.

Confessing the pregnancy to Bobby brought on new complications. There was the fact that she lied to him about the child, and the fact that Bobby still wanted to try to have a baby, wanting to play the odds that the disease wouldn't be passed on. This sparked several arguments between the couple, driving Pam to work harder at the Store, and neglecting Bobby even more.

Digger Barnes had died a year ago, and he almost took an earth-shattering secret with him. Cliff and Pam's mother – Rebecca Barnes – had had an affair with a Southfork ranchman named Hutch McKinney. The union resulted in a pregnancy and when Digger found out that Rebecca had strayed from him, he became violent, killing McKinney and threatening to kill her. The child from the affair was Pam.

Pam was relieved to know that she was not a carrier of neurofibromentosis but was dealt another heartbreak when her doctor told her that she could not carry a child to term.

It took Pam a few months to come to grips with her feelings, knowing in her heart that she shouldn't begrudge Sue Ellen for something that would bring her so much happiness.

"How is the guest list coming, Miss Ellie?"

The elderly woman let out a short laugh. "It's longer than I thought it would be. This is the first baby shower that I've ever been able to plan, and I want to do it right."

"There's no such thing as too many guests. We're having a celebration."

"You're talking about the baby shower without me!" Lucy shrieked in a whisper as she came down the stairs. "I wanted to be in on it."

"It's not our fault you were sleeping, Lucy," Miss Ellie reprimanded. "It's 10:00 in the morning."

"I couldn't sleep," Lucy shrugged, reaching for a bagel.

"You got in late last night," Pam noted, thinking of her niece's relationship with her cousin. "Did you and Jimmy have car trouble?"

"Not at all. In fact, Jimmy and I are going out this Saturday," Lucy smiled, pouring herself a glass of grape juice.

"Oh," Pam murmured, attempting to hold her disappointment and objection to the friendship. "You two hit it off?"

"Well, I haven't seen him in a long time and I thought it might be nice to get to know him. Besides, if you think about it, Jimmy's a relative."

"So he is."

Lucy glanced quizzically at Pam, noting a change in demeanor. "So what can I do to help with the shower?" Lucy asked, changing the subject.

"We have food, drink, and the guest list taken care of," Miss Ellie said, mentally crossing the items off her list. "The party is being held here and we still need decorations."

"And a gift," Lucy added.

"I know of some baby items Sue Ellen might like in the Store," Pam said. "Why don't you come down with me today and we'll pick something out. Then we'll stop for decorations."

"Sounds great. I could use a break from studying."

-----

The two Ewing women made their way through the crowded entrance of the department store as Pam led Lucy to the back rooms, where inventory and un-stocked items were kept. The women wanted to give Sue Ellen a proper baby shower and there was nothing too extravagant or expensive for the Ewings.

"Pam, look," Lucy said, gesturing at a beautifully crafted bassinet. "Sue Ellen would love it; she can take the baby anywhere." Lucy fingered the beautiful rosewood basket.

Pam said nothing as she thumbed through old catalogues.

"Pam?" Lucy asked impatiently, "do you think Sue Ellen would like it?"

"Hmm?" Pam asked looking at her niece.

"The bassinet!" Lucy said, beginning to lose her patience.

"It's lovely. But I think Sue Ellen still has John Ross'."

"Well she can have two," Lucy said simply. "The baby shouldn't get John Ross' hand-me-downs."

"Um-hum," Pam muttered distractedly.

Lucy eyed her aunt. "Pam, are you angry with me or something?"

Pam placed her book on a nearby coffee table and looked at her niece. "Now why would you ask that?"

"You just don't seem very happy with me. Ever since we got here, all I've been hearing are 'ums' and 'hmms'. What's up?"

Pam cracked a small smile. This girl is a Ewing alright; she knows how to get to the point. "I'm distracted over Cliff."

"I don't think that's the reason," Lucy stated with her hands on her hips. "Fess up."

"It's about you… and Jimmy."

"You're cousin?" Lucy questioned, wondering what she could have possibly done with Jimmy to make Pam upset with her.

"I don't mean to pry, and I know that I'm not your mother, or his mother, but I – I didn't like the fact that you took him to the hayloft."

"Nothing happened in the hayloft," Lucy laughed.

"Lucy, I know what you do in the stables when no one is looking, I've caught you before, and I know that you had some plans for Jimmy."

Lucy's mouth opened wide. No one had ever called her on her behavior before – not even her own grandparents, who had objected to her actions in private – but because both of her parents had abandoned her, and she was an only grandchild, they let it go, giving her cart blanche to do whatever she wanted.

When Pam first moved to Southfork, she had been disgusted with Lucy's immature and bratty attitude – her skipping school, blackmailing teachers, and sneaking off to the hayloft with Ray Krebs of all people. Pam would not stand for Lucy's self-centered behavior, and she wasn't about to change that any time soon.

"What's wrong with me and Jimmy?" Lucy asked icily. She did not appreciate being treated like a little schoolgirl – always being told what to do – especially when it came to the opposite sex.

"He's my cousin, Lucy," Pam explained gently, sensing Lucy's escalating frustration. "I just don't think it'd be right."

"Do me a favor, Pam, don't treat me like some five year-old baby who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar. I don't need your condescending attitude."

"Jimmy is a good man, he has a bright future ahead of him."

Lucy's ears flared as she stood on her toes – still not reaching Pam's height. "And you think that I'm going to corrupt him?"

"I don't want Jimmy getting involved with anyone. I'd rather he focus on going to school or learning a trade. I don't want him distracted.

"Ashamed of your roots, Aunt Pam?" Lucy asked sarcastically.

Pam could have sworn she saw part of J.R. in Lucy, and she didn't like it a bit. "There are other men, Lucy."

"So you're saying Jimmy Monahan is off limits."

"Yes he is," Pam said finally.

"I'm not in high school anymore – you can't tell me what to do."

"Lucy, there could be trouble involved for both of you."

Lucy was ready to scream, and she would have if throwing a fit wouldn't make her seem like a young girl – how everyone still saw her. "I have one mother, I don't need another."

Pam flinched at Lucy's curt statement. She's got the Ewing temper… and the Ewing stubbornness. "Leave Jimmy alone."

"What are you gonna do, make me!" Lucy spun around and walked out of the Store. She would find her own way home.

-----

The Ewing Oil building was unusually quiet that afternoon. Bobby was reading expense reports, getting caught up with paperwork. He knew that J.R. was waiting for him – wanting him – to fail and get out of the business, but he was determined not to let him win. Bobby had earned his place in the company just like J.R. and no one was going to take his position away from him.

Sue Ellen entered the doors of Ewing Oil and was greeted by Louella and Connie.

"How are you feeling today, Mrs. Ewing?" Louella asked brightly.

"Ready to pop," Sue Ellen laughed. "Is J.R. in his office."

"Yes ma'am he is, but he's on an important phone call."

Sue Ellen took a seat in one of the chairs, keeping her eyes on the door. J.R. had promised her a lunch date, and she hoped that he had not become too busy to forget about her.

"Sue Ellen!" Bobby came out of the office and gave her a hug. "How are you? Is the baby alright?"

"The baby and I are fine, Bobby. J.R. and I are going to lunch; I'm just waiting for him to get out."

Bobby frowned, "J.R. has been in there for over an hour talking to our distributors – we're having communication issues with them – and I don't even think he knows what time it is."

Sue Ellen's face fell. She wouldn't be getting to spend the afternoon with J.R. He had promised her a week ago that they would have lunch together, but she was being pushed back. "I suppose I'll leave," Sue Ellen said quietly, trying to mask her disappointment. "There's no point in interrupting J.R.'s work."

Sue Ellen headed for the door, but was stopped by Bobby. "You know, I am up to my eyeballs in senseless paper work and I would love a distraction. Why don't I take you to lunch?"

Sue Ellen smiled at her brother-in-law. "That would be lovely, Bobby. We haven't spent time alone together in a long time."

"There's no time like the present to start," Bobby said as he ushered Sue Ellen out of the office.

Sue Ellen laughed at Bobby as she maneuvered her salad around her plate. "J.R. would never do that."

"I have pictures," Bobby smiled. "J.R. tore through the entire house when one of the little cows got loose and started chasing him. He was terrified, hasn't been able to work the ranch since."

"I always knew J.R. was never a cowboy," Sue Ellen said, "and now I know why."

"J.R. never really had much of a chance to get used to the ranch work. Daddy took him to Ewing Oil at a young age, neither one looked back."

Sue Ellen nodded, knowing that Ewing Oil was one of J.R.'s most prized possessions. He had been so proud when his daddy made him vice president, and now he was president. "J.R. loves his work."

"That he does." Bobby had had several disagreements with his older brother on how to run the company, but he couldn't deny J.R.'s passion or devotion to it.

"I can almost see him taking John Ross down to the office, breeding another executive," Sue Ellen said quietly.

"I won't let J.R. push him," Bobby promised. "There's no guarantee that John Ross has to follow his father's footsteps. Look at Gary."

Sue Ellen pressed her fingers to her forehead. "I'll be happy when the pregnancy is over, and I can go back to normal."

"It's only a few more weeks," Bobby said gently. "Then you'll have a new baby."

"That's the part that I can't wait for. All J.R. talks about is having another child."

Bobby smiled at Sue Ellen, trying to fight the pain that was hurting him from the inside, jealousy that his brother was going to have two natural children, and he could not have one.

Sue Ellen noticed Bobby's uneasiness. "I hope you and Pam haven't given up trying," she said gently.

"No we haven't. But the chances are getting worse and worse. The doctor doesn't think Pam will ever carry a child to term."

"But there are so many medical cures coming out, surely there will be something to help Pam."

"I hope so. But Pam and I should count ourselves lucky, at least we're able to adopt."

Sue Ellen sipped her water, remembering a time not very long ago when adoption seemed like the only option for her and J.R. Sue Ellen and J.R. had been trying for seven years and there was no pregnancy. Her doctor told her that she was fine, the problem was not with her, the problem was with her relationship with her husband – the one who never touched her. How could they conceive a child if J.R. showed no interest in her?

J.R. had been deadest against adoption, leaving Sue Ellen to go through an illegal adoption through the black market under the cover of darkness. She met Rita Briggs, a young pregnant girl without any options. She was willing to give her child to Sue Ellen as long as Sue Ellen took care of her needs until the baby came. This included finding her a home, bringing her food, making sure she had clothing. The plan would have worked perfectly if Lucy hadn't tipped J.R. off to the gentleman calling from the agency. He was furious with her, sending Rita to California and telling her that the child had to be 'theirs and no one else's'. Sue Ellen was heartbroken, her dream of being a mother quickly dashed against the rocks. Little did she know that she was going to become pregnant a few short weeks later.

"Do you know the gender of the baby?" Sue Ellen asked.

"Not yet, we need to meet with the adoption agency and with prospective parents."

"Are the parents choosing who the baby goes to?"

"They have a say in who the parents are. But they also relinquish any right to contact the child. The child can contact the birth parents when he or she turns eighteen."

"I'm sure you and Pam will find a wonderful baby."

-----

"See you in two days," J.R. said hanging up the phone. "Damn distributors can't do anything by themselves," he muttered to himself as he looked at his clock. He jumped up when he saw it read 1:50. He had been in and out of phone calls all day and hadn't stopped to take a break. J.R. smacked his head when he realized he had skipped lunch with Sue Ellen.

"Louella!" J.R. boomed.

"Yes, sir?" Louella said, pad and pen in hand.

"Was my wife here today?"

"Yes sir."

"Damn," J.R. muttered, regretting the fact that he hadn't even stopped to apologize for canceling on her.

"She went out with Bobby."

"Bobby?"

"Yes, sir. Around 12:30."

"Thank-you, Louella," J.R. said, waving her off. He would make this up to Sue Ellen. She had been feeling insecure about herself since the pregnancy, and J.R. had given her every reason in the world to doubt his feelings for her, but he would do whatever it took assure her that she and the children were the number one priority for him. But how was he going to do that while keeping Bobby out of the company?

Ellie Ewing sat in the kitchen, monitoring the turkey that Teresa prepared for dinner. Her sons would be coming home soon, and the evening would soon begin. She was beginning to love the nighttime more and more; it was the one chance in the day for the family to catch up with one another talk about their day.

"Hi-ya, Grandma," Lucy said, kissing her cheek. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Lucy," Ellie said. Lucy picked up a piece of celery and slowly gnawed at it. "How was shopping with Pam?"

Lucy grimaced at the mention of her aunt's name. She went to her room after her argument and hadn't been done since. "Fine," she lied. "I found something really nice for Sue Ellen."

"Oh," Sue Ellen said, entering the kitchen.

"Sue Ellen!" Lucy stammered, "I thought you were with John Ross."

"I just fed him his dinner," she smiled. "I'm sure whatever your something is, I'll love it," she assured, squeezing Lucy's shoulders.

"I wanted to keep the party a secret."

"You should know by now, Lucy, that there are no secrets at Southfork," Miss Ellie grinned. The women shared a laugh as Pam entered the room.

"Hello, Pam," Sue Ellen said cheerily.

Lucy shot Pam an angry glare before leaving the room.

"What was that about?" Ellie asked.

"Lucy and I got into a bit of a disagreement, Miss Ellie," Pam said quietly.

"What happened?" Sue Ellen asked.

"She wants to date Jimmy."

"You're cousin?"

"He's at least two years older than her," Ellie said in shock.

"I know," Pam said. "I told her that I wasn't comfortable with it, but you know Lucy, she doesn't listen to reason."

"Maybe she'll come around," Sue Ellen said. "She could meet another guy at SMU."

"I don't know; when Lucy sets her mind on something – she goes after it."

Ellie placed a reassuring hand on Pam's shoulder. "Lucy is smarter than we think she is; she's grown a great deal in the past few years."

"I know she has, Miss Ellie." Pam closed her eyes, remembering the first time she saw Lucy. She was in the hayloft with Ray Krebs – a former lover of hers and head ranch foreman – spying on Bobby. After that first meeting, Pam knew that Lucy would be a handful, but she never envisioned the bright-eyed beauty going after members of her own family.

J.R. pulled into the house. "Darlin'?" he called. "Sue Ellen?"

Sue Ellen went out to greet her husband. "Hello, J.R.," she said, pulling him into a kiss. "How is my favorite oilman?"

"Sorry," he admitted. "Darlin', I forgot about our lunch date." He gently massaged her shoulders. "But I have every intention of making it up to you."

"And how you plan on doing that, Mister Ewing?" Sue Ellen asked coyly.

J.R. leaned into her, whispering words into her ear.

"J.R.!" Sue Ellen shrieked.

J.R. laughed at his wife. "Aren't you interested?"

Sue Ellen hungrily kissed J.R.'s mouth, recalling the days when he paid no attention to her. He certainly is making it up to me, Sue Ellen thought.

The two remained in a lover's embrace, not noticing Jock and Bobby coming up the road.

"J.R.," Bobby said, acknowledging his older brother. He couldn't help but smile at the way he was carrying on with Sue Ellen. He had almost written their marriage off before J.R. finally came to his senses.

J.R. loosened his grip on Sue Ellen. "Bob, Daddy," he called, ashamed to have been caught in an intimate moment in front of them.

Jock laughed, accustomed to Bobby and Pam's escapades. "You two ready for dinner?"

"Yes, sir," J.R. said, holding Sue Ellen's hand in his as they followed the Ewing men, the couple laughing privately. "Just you wait until tonight, Sugar," J.R. whispered. "I'm not done with you yet."

"I'm yours," Sue Ellen whispered seductively, holding onto her husband's hand.

J.R. gently pushed her chair in from under her as she her belly gently bumped into the table. J.R. smiled at Sue Ellen's attempt to get comfortable, gently kissing her cheek. "I can't wait for the adoption to come through," Pam sighed as she placed a piece of salad on her fork. "Bobby says that we can interview parents any day now."

Lucy grimaced from her seat at the Ewing table. She was getting sick of Pam blathering on and on about the new baby. At least Sue Ellen has the decency to keep her excitement to herself, Lucy muttered bitterly, still angry over Pam's attitude towards Jimmy. Who does Pam think she is anyway, Lucy seethed. I don't see Sue Ellen or Grandma babying me the way she is. I'm in college for crying out loud, and in case she forgot, I already have a mother.

"Lucy?"

Her grandmother's gentle but firm voice stole Lucy's angry thoughts from Pam. "Yes, Grandma?" she asked, chewing a piece of turkey.

"I was just asking how school was going," she smiled.

"Oh," Lucy said quietly. Lucy grimaced at the mention of Southern Methodist University. She hadn't been paying attention to her studies in the past few months, wondering if college was really for her.

"Lucy, your grandma asked you a question," Jock prodded.

"School's great," Lucy lied through her teeth, "I love all my classes."

"In another year, you'll be a college graduate," Pam said.

"Don't hold your breath," Lucy muttered.

Bobby noticed her uneasiness, shooting her a questioning look.

Jock took a swig of his water as his attention turned to his son. "Well, Junior, how did the meeting with the Hammond Industries?" Hammond Industries bought oil from the Ewing refinery and shipped it to their stations. The Ewings had been in business with Michael Hammond for decades.

"Daddy, they're being investigated by the Texas Energy Commission for bad business and they need us to come down to Washington D.C. and testify on their behalf."

Sue Ellen frowned when she heard that her husband was leaving on another business trip so close to the birth of the baby. Why didn't he tell me earlier?

J.R. didn't notice his wife's uneasiness, he was trying to gauge his father's attitude, not wanting to upset him.

"Damn," Jock muttered, "I don't want to go all the way out to Washington D.C."

"Can't J.R. go alone?" Ellie asked.

"No, Mamma, Daddy's been dealing with the Hammonds longer than I have; he's a key witness."

No one anything as they realized the enormity of the situation.

"Is Ewing Oil in trouble?" Lucy asked.

"No, Lucy," J.R. assured. "There was an environmental accident with our oil after it arrived. They were probably just careless, causing an oil spill. Ewing Oil has no connection with them whatsoever."

"Then why are you leaving?" Sue Ellen whispered bitterly.

J.R. was in a deep discussion with Jock, and didn't notice Sue Ellen's complaint.

"I think I should go too," Bobby said finally.

J.R. shot Bobby a look that told him to back off. Bobby met his glance, evenly, and chose to ignore him. "In case you forgot, J.R, I am an executive at Ewing Oil and am involved in all of Ewing Oil affairs." He looked to Jock for conformation. "We should represent the company as a unit."

Pam looked at Bobby. "Is that really necessary?" she asked.

"Yes," Bobby said frustrated, wanting to know why no one in the family took him seriously when it came to business.

"When do you leave?" Sue Ellen asked quietly, her head lowered.

J.R. looked at his young, pregnant wife, realizing what he had just done. "In a few days, Honey."

"Who's going to run the business while you boys are gone?" Ellie asked.

"I hate to close up," Jock muttered, "we'll get behind."

"Why don't I stay behind and run Ewing Oil," J.R. said, grasping for Sue Ellen's hand. She angrily pulled away from him.

"J.R., you've been dealing with him for months – you have to be there," Bobby reasoned.

"Then it's settled," Jock said finally, "the boys and I will take a little vacation down to Washington D.C."

Sue Ellen pulled her chair away and walked up the stairs, ignoring J.R.'s questioning stare. She hated him at that moment, lying to her about leaving, telling her that he was pulling away from the business when in fact he was more gung-ho than ever to work.

Damn him! Sue Ellen silently sobbed as she rested her head on the pillow.

"Darlin'," J.R. called, opening the bedroom door. He eyed her fallen body on the bed. "Sue Ellen, let me explain."

"Shouldn't you be packing for your trip," she said bitterly.

J.R. placed his hands on her shoulders, gently working her muscles. "I was going to tell you."

"When? The day you were leaving?" she hissed, trying to block the tears that were forming. She attempted to scoot away from him, but her belly got in the way.

J.R. sighed, as he sat on the bed. "Now, Sue Ellen.…"

"Don't you touch me," she said evenly turning towards him. "Do you have any idea what I'm going through right now, J.R.! Do you!" Sue Ellen lost her battle with her emotions, tears falling from her tiny cheeks. "Let me tell you something, J.R. Ewing, I am a prisoner trapped in this foreign body, waiting for something to happen. I have never felt this alone."

J.R. looked at her with a mixture of love and hurt. He knew he shouldn't be doing this to her.

"And then you come on your white horse and promise me that you'll be there with me the entire time. J.R., if you were going to be abandon me, I'd rather you told me straight out than make me believe… believe that you really cared."

"I do care, Darlin'," J.R. whispered, taking hold of Sue Ellen's hands. "I love you."

"Stop," she protested.

"Listen to me, Sugar," J.R. said gently, lifting her face up to his. "The reason I didn't tell you about the business trip is because I just found out about it this afternoon. It will only be for a few days – five at the most. I'll be back in time for the delivery." J.R. gently pulled Sue Ellen close to him. "And in regards to your exterior, I wouldn't change a thing."

"Liar," Sue Ellen muttered.

J.R. bent down to kiss her mouth. "I love the motherly glow that I see each morning, I love touching the baby growing inside of you, I love the fact that we're going to have another child in less than a month, but what I love most of all, is telling you that I love you every time you doubt beauty – which you shouldn't – because to me, you are still the most devastatingly beautiful woman in all of Texas."

"J.R.," Sue Ellen murmured, her tears dried, "when you say things like that, you make it hard for me to hate you." She buried her head in J.R.'s neck.

"I know that you're going through a hard time right now, Darlin'; but I have every intention of being there for you, if you'll let me."

"I want to, I really do."

"Then you'll have to trust me, Honey. I know that I've made mistakes with you, but that was in the past."

J.R. received his response in a deep kiss from Sue Ellen. "When do you leave?"

"Next week."

Sue Ellen rested her head next to J.R. "Now tell me, Mister Ewing, how do you repay the women you stand up on lunch dates?" she asked deviously.

"I'm glad you asked, Sugar," J.R. laughed, tickling her belly.

"J.R.!" Sue Ellen laughed, pulling his arms towards hers.

J.R. feverishly kissed her neck as he slowly unbuttoned her blouse, the one barrier between them. Sue Ellen closed her eyes, letting him explore her body. "What am I going to do without you?"

"Darlin'," J.R. said breathless, "rather than think about all the time that we'll be apart, think about how wonderful our reunion will be."

With those final words, J.R. and Sue Ellen plunged into their own little world, blocking out every problem, every complication, and every doubt.

-----

Lucy hung her feet over the living room sofa, trying to look at her psychology textbook.

The sounds from J.R.'s room rang through the house. "Ugh," Lucy muttered, "I miss the days when he ignored her." Lucy slammed the book shut, deciding that studying wasn't in the cards for her tonight, not with two obnoxious family members upstairs.

The sound of the doorbell provided a convenient excuse for Lucy to once again derail her studies.

"I'll get it," she called. Lucy opened the door, a broad smile crossing her face when she saw the visitor.

"Hi, Lucy," Jimmy said.

"Hi, Jimmy, come on in." Lucy ushered in her guest, thrilled by his unplanned occurrence. "What brings you to Southfork?"

"Two things actually. My mom needs a recipe from Pam."

Lucy frowned at the mention of her Aunt's name. "And?" she asked eagerly, hoping there was something in it for her.

"And… I wanted to talk to you about this weekend. I know of a disco that just opened up downtown."

"I love dancing," Lucy said, excited with the choice."

"Well I was thinking…."

"Jimmy!" Pam said, entering the room. "What are you doing here?"

Lucy was ready to scream at Pamela Ewing. It wasn't enough that she had to get on her case for wanting to go out with Jimmy, but she had to come in and interrupt them.

"I came here for the zucchini bread recipe that my mom asked for," he said hurriedly. He got an overwhelming feeling that he was doing something wrong by being her with Lucy.

"Oh, yes," Pam said, slowly recovering. "Why don't you come in the kitchen and I'll find it."

Jimmy followed his Aunt, leaving an agitated Lucy on her own. "I am really starting to hate her," Lucy seethed, stomping into the kitchen. Pam is not going to win this fight.

Lucy entered the kitchen, seeing Pam and Jimmy poring over an old recipe book. This shouldn't be too hard, Lucy thought confidently. I've fought off women my own age tons of times before.

"I never knew you liked discotheques," Lucy said, edging her way between Pam and Jimmy, swiping Pam with her long pale blonde hair in the process.

Pam let out a groan as she was blinded by a sea of gold.

"Oh yeah, my friends and I go all the time," Jimmy said, turning his attention to Lucy.

"Well you just name the time and I'll be there," Lucy nodded. Jimmy smiled at Lucy.

Pam slammed the book shut, making Lucy jump. "Pam!" Lucy shrieked.

"Sorry," Pam said quietly, trying to hide her amusement. "Jimmy, can I talk to you for a minute before you go."

"Sure, Pam." Jimmy turned to Lucy. "Pick you up Friday at eight?"

"It's a date," Lucy nodded, watching Jimmy walk off.

Pam closed the patio door, sitting on one of the chairs.

"What's up, Pam?"

"Well, it's Lucy."

"We're just going to a club. I'll bring her back."

"She's my niece."

"I don't see what that has to do with anything."

"Lucy… Lucy…," Pam wondered how best to phrase her words.

"Pam, I know all about Lucy. I know that she likes to have fun."

"You do?"

"She's dated a few of my friends before, they've talked about her."

"What have they said?"

"Nothing negative, they say she's the life of the party."

"I don't want you getting over your head."

Jimmy stood up. "Pam, I don't mean any disrespect, but Lucy and I are both adults, and we can make our own decisions."

"You're a good guy, Jimmy. I don't want Lucy to change that."

"What kind of a woman do you think Lucy is?" Jimmy asked, slightly annoyed.

"Don't get me wrong – I love her, but she hasn't always made the best decisions when it comes to men."

"I'm not marrying her, Pam. It's one date, maybe it will lead to another."

"I don't want things to get out of hand."

"I can handle myself," Jimmy said, standing up. "Is there anything else you wanted?"

"Jimmy, I wish you wouldn't do this."

"Goodnight, Pam," Jimmy said, leaving the ranch.

Pam turned back into the door, and was greeted by a fuming Lucy.

"What are you trying to do!" Lucy demanded.

"I am looking out for you and Jimmy," Pam said calmly.

"We can take care of ourselves."

"You haven't always shown that, Lucy," Pam said.

"So I've made a few mistakes in the past; so have you," Lucy glared. "You're no saint, Pam."

Pam frowned. "I don't like your tone."

"I don't like the fact that you're trying to control me."

"Lucy…."

"Stay out of my life, Pam!"

Bobby came into hallway, silently surveying the confrontation.

Pam came towards Lucy, reaching out for her. "I will not stay out of your life; I care too much about you to do that."

Lucy angrily brushed Pam's hands away. "You don't care about me. You care about your precious cousin Jimmy. You think that I'm going to corrupt him, don't you?" Lucy stood with her hands on her hips.

Bobby thought about going in and breaking up the fight. He eyed Lucy carefully; she packs a lot of attitude in that little body.

"Or is it because I'm a Ewing?" Lucy questioned, egging Pam on. "It always comes down to the Barnes/Ewing Feud doesn't it? Ever since you came into this family it's all granddaddy and J.R. can think about."

Pam was ready to slap the little girl to high heaven. How did she get that mouth of hers? Too much neglect as a child; Jock and Miss Ellie spoiled her rotten. "You don't know what you're talking about, Lucy," Pam said sharply.

"Don't I?" Lucy challenged. "Everyone in this damn family has me pegged as some little schoolgirl. No one takes me seriously."

"It's a little hard to take you seriously when keep having temper tantrums," Pam scoffed.

Bobby lifted a hand to his mouth to stifle a laugh. Pammy had always been nurturing to Lucy, partly because she wanted children, and partly because she saw that Lucy needed guidance from someone. Pam was willing to call Lucy out on her behavior, something that he couldn't even do. Lucy still didn't realize it, but she needed Pam in her life.

Lucy dug her heels in. "Like I said before, Pam, I already have a mother and father, and they take care of me just fine."

"Really, how can they do that when their thousands of miles away in California?" Pam instantly regretted her comment about Gary and Valene. Lucy had always been sensitive about her folks, hearing an earful of badmouthing from J.R. about both of them. "Lucy…."

Lucy ran towards the stairs. "It's too bad you couldn't have a child of your own, it would have made things easier on me."

Pam stood there in silence, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.

"Lucy Ann Ewing!" Bobby shouted. He had heard enough. Bobby rushed towards Pam, grabbing her shoulders.

Lucy froze on the stairs. Her Uncle Bobby rarely yelled at her unless she had done something horrible, like the time she had done drugs her senior year of high school.

Pam looked at Bobby, knowing that Lucy's words, however unkind they were, were very true. She quietly left Bobby's embrace and headed outside.

Bobby watched, torn, wondering if he should try to console his wife or yell at her wild niece.

"Bobby," Lucy said nervously, knowing that she deserved a tongue-lashing for what she said to Pam.

"I'll deal with you later," Bobby said gruffly. Lucy nodded as she went to her room.

Pam sobbed quietly outside, her face buried in her hands.

"Pammy," Bobby said gently, touching her tiny back. "Lucy didn't mean what she said."

"Yes she did," Pam said turning to Bobby, "and she's right. I tried to help raise that girl because I didn't have a child of my own."

"You helped raise Lucy because you care about her."

"Bobby, I want a child of our own."

"I know you do, Pam."

"I'm happy that we're adopting, but it's not the same as having a child that's really ours. I see Sue Ellen, and she is so lucky to be able to have two children. I can't even have one."

"Oh, Pam," Bobby soothed, "you can't give up hope, not yet."

"The doctors said that I can't carry a baby. They can't even tell me why."

"Pam, that doesn't mean that we won't be able to have a child in another year or two."

"I don't want to wait another year or two, Bobby. I see how those DOA ladies flock to Sue Ellen, gushing over how wonderful it is to be pregnant, and then they come to me and ask if we're planning on having a family… and I don't know what to say."

Bobby kissed Pam's forehead. "All you need to know, is that I love you more than anything in the world, and within a few short months, we'll be able to make a beautiful home for our new baby."

"You're right, Bobby," Pam said gently. "We have a lot to be thankful for."

"Yes we do." Pam kissed Bobby's cheek. "Now what happened between you and Lucy today?" Bobby asked gently.

"She's going on a date with my cousin Jimmy, and I suppose I may have overreacted."

"May have?"

"Bobby, I don't want those two dating each other. This family has enough trouble with the Barnes' and we don't need any more."

"How do you know that things will end badly?"

Pam looked up at her husband. "Come on, Bobby, you know how Lucy's relationships tend to go. Wild and crazy."

"I don't think you're being very fair to her," Bobby reasoned. "She may not have had the best luck with men in the past, but that may be because she hasn't met the right one yet."

"I don't think Jimmy's it."

"But that's not up for us to decide. Lucy needs to make her own choices."

"Are we supposed to let her get hurt while she's making those choices?"

"Lucy is a Ewing, and Ewings have a way of landing on their feet," Bobby reassured her, leading her into the house.

"I still don't like it," Pam muttered.

"I know, Honey, but Lucy had a valid point earlier, she's an adult, and there is no point in trying to control her, because she will just go off and do what she wants anyway."

Pam laughed, "I love that girl very much."

"She knows you do. I think that's why she reacted the way she did, people always take their anger out on their family."

"I love Jimmy too. He has a bright future ahead of him, a future that Cliff and I were never offered."

"You never seemed ashamed of your roots before."

"I'm not ashamed, Bobby. You have to understand that growing up wasn't easy for me – or Cliff. If there's any way that Jimmy can escape that path, I want him to, and Aunt Maggie wants him to."

Bobby kissed his wife's cheek. "You worry too much."

"You worry too little," Pam scoffed.

"You coming inside?"

"I'll be in later, Bobby. I was going to go take a drive."

"To see Cliff?"

"Bobby, you tell me not to worry about him, but I do. He has no one else in the world."

Bobby nodded, "Give my regards."

"I will," Pam promised as she got into her black car and drove off. Bobby watched his wife leave. That woman was born to be a mother, he thought, heading up the stairs to Lucy's room.

Lucy carefully stuffed her magazine under her bed when she heard Bobby's nock. "Come in."

"Lucy," Bobby greeted her, "we need to talk."

"I suppose you've talked to Pam already," Lucy muttered, believing that Bobby would choose Pam over her in the argument.

"Yes I have."

"It's not her job to tell me who I can and cannot go out with."

"I agree."

"You do?" Lucy asked brightly.

"Yes, but you and I both know that Pam is just looking out for your best interests, and if she's concerned about you and Jimmy, you should hear her out."

"The only reason she doesn't want me near Jimmy is because he's her family and she thinks that I'll be a bad influence on him," Lucy frowned. "She's using my bad track record with men against me."

"I think you should talk to her."

"I've said everything I need to say."

Bobby turned towards the door, "I hope you change your mind."

"I won't," Lucy affirmed as Bobby closed the door. This is one right that Pamela Ewing is going to lose.

-----

Pam eyed Cliff's apartment complex as she headed up the stairs. She had called various bars in the Dallas area, no one hearing from Cliff that night, so she was hopeful that Cliff was alright.

Pam's hopes were dashed when she found the door unlocked and Cliff nursing a half-gone bottle of bourbon in a room filled with newspapers, Chinese takeout, clothes, and empty bottles. "Cliff," Pam scolded, coming towards him. "Don't you ever stop drinking?"

Cliff scowled at his sister. "Well if it isn't Mrs. Ewing. I'm surprised Bobby let you off your lease long enough to see the common folk."

"You're drunk," Pam said as she started picking up newspapers.

"And you don't belong here," Cliff staggered up off the couch. "I meant what I said the day of the barbeque. You stopped being a Barnes the day you married Bobby. I'm not your responsibility anymore."

Pam ignored Cliff's rants as she emptied the trashcan. "When was the last time you went to work?"

"The DA is has hit a lull in cases. Why are you hear, Pam?"

"Because, Cliff, whether you like it or not, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, we are still family."

"How do the Ewings feel about that?"

"Leave the Ewing family out of it. I am talking about us. What you did at the barbeque was unjustified and unacceptable."

"When did you start writing the rules of social conduct?"

"Cliff, don't make me choose between you and Bobby. You can't do that."

"And why not?" Cliff laughed.

"Because you'll lose, Cliff! Nothing, and I mean nothing will stand in the way of my marriage to Bobby."

"I already told you Pam, no one is keeping you here. If you want Bobby Ewing, be with Bobby Ewing, but you will lose me."

Tears began to form in Pam's eyes, "Cliff, please don't do this."

Cliff softened his tone. "You have a full life without me, Pammy. You have a husband who seems to love you, and you'll be getting a child soon."

"A child who deserves to know his Uncle."

"I'm sure J.R. would love telling your son or daughter about drunk Cliff Barnes."

Pam lowered her head, wiping her tears. "This is really it then. Twenty years of being a family are being thrown away because you can't accept my marriage."

"You knew what you were getting into when you married him," Cliff spat, going into his room.

"Yes I did," Pam said in silence, "and I was foolish enough to believe that everything would work out in the end."

-----

Upstairs in J.R.'s bedroom, the tiny nightlight shone bright on the two lovers.

Sue Ellen sighed as she turned on her side to her if her husband was awake. "J.R.," she whispered demurely, not wanting to disturb him.

"Hmm," J.R. mumbled, lifting his head to see his wife.

"You know what I love about carrying this child?" she smiled.

"What?" J.R. asked, lacing his fingers with hers.

"This baby was conceived with love, J.R."

J.R. laughed. "Yeah, I suppose he was."

"He?" Sue Ellen questioned.

"It doesn't feel right calling the child 'it', Sue Ellen."

"Well I'm just happy to know that when we created her we were happy."

J.R. turned onto his stomach. "How unhappy were you when you were pregnant with John Ross?"

"That was one of the lowest periods of my life, J.R. My relationship with you was in turmoil, I was drunk all of the time. I'm just so happy that the Lord gave me another chance to do it right."

"He gave us both another chance, Sue Ellen. And I promise you that I am not going to ruin it."

Sue Ellen placed a smooth kiss on J.R.'s mouth. "I don't think I've ever been more content than I am right now."

J.R. nodded, stroking Sue Ellen's hair. "When was the last time I told you I loved you?"

"Hmm, I don't believe you told me since you left for work this morning."

"Well pardon me for that large grievance," J.R. laughed, "I love you, Sue Ellen."

"I know you do," Sue Ellen smiled, turning off the light.

J.R. frowned, "Do you have something you want to say to me, Darlin'?"

"Like what?" Sue Ellen laughed, knowing where the conversation was headed.

"Never mind," J.R. said gruffly, disappointed in her response he turned on his side.

"J.R.," Sue Ellen said in her lilting voice, "I love you.""Thank-you." J.R. smiled as he closed his eyes, dreaming of the wonderful life he was going to have with his wife. It had taken him ten years to get it right, and he had too much at stake to pull out.

-----

It was after midnight when Pam came back from Cliff's. She spent hours driving around the metro area in tears. Years of feuding and bitterness resulted in the breakup of a family.

Bobby spied Pam's car from the balcony. He knew that tonight must have gone poorly for Pam, or she would have been home earlier.

"Pam." Bobby helped her out the car, soothing her shaking body.

"It's over, Bobby. This time, it's really over."

Bobby said nothing, "Come inside," he ushered.

Lucy Ewing watched the scene from her bedroom, a wicked smile forming across her mouth at the sight of Pam finally getting what she had coming.

-----

Sue Ellen slowly trudged into the house after another day of shopping for the baby. She didn't want to admit it, but the Texas heat was beginning to get the better of her. A swift kick from the baby alerted her to the task at hand as she maneuvered her way up the spiral staircase. She smiled thinking of J.R.'s previous warnings to be careful on the stairs. It was only a few years ago that she had fallen down the long steps while pregnant with John Ross. It really is a miracle that noting happened to him, Sue Ellen thought thankfully, opening the door to her empty room.

A small frown crossed her mouth; she had been hoping that J.R. would have been home to greet her. But the preparation for the hearing was more extensive than he once thought, and Ewing Oil commanded his attention.

Sue Ellen sat on the bed, feeling the mattress give a little under her weight.

"Hi, Sue Ellen," Lucy called, "How was shopping?"

"Crowded. There are so many expectant mothers in this town."

Her niece presented her with an envelope. "J.R. left this for you an hour ago."

"He's gone?" Sue Ellen asked quietly.

"He said he had something important to take care of."

I'll bet. "Thank-you, Lucy."

With one swift motion, Sue Ellen opened the envelope.

Darlin',

I'm sorry I wasn't able to meet you at home this afternoon. I can't wait to see you tonight, love of my life.

Love, J.R.

"Very mysterious," Sue Ellen said thoughtfully, tucking the note in her pocket.

Lucy stood outside the hallway, watching Pam's bedroom door. She heard the details from Bobby at breakfast that morning, and wasn't surprised at the event. She was a simp to believe that everyone would live together happily. Lucy knew the firestorm that dating Jimmy Monahan would bring, but at least she was intelligent enough to see it coming. Pam hadn't left her room once that day. J.R. had rushed Bobby to the office, sticking him with useless paperwork all morning and because of the upcoming business trip, Bobby couldn't argue with him and look after Pam. Miss Ellie and Sue Ellen had tried to get through to her all day but it to no avail.

"Lucy?"

The girl spun around at the sound of her Aunt's voice. "Yes, Sue Ellen?"

"Is everything alright?"

Lucy plastered a fake smile on her face. "Why wouldn't it be?"

Sue Ellen grinned at her niece. "I know you, Lucy, you're hovering over your grandma and Aunt Pam, and I think I know why."

"It really doesn't involve you, Sue Ellen." Lucy wasn't trying to be rude, she just wanted to be left alone.

"I know that, Lucy. But I just want you to know that you can talk to me if you ever need to."

"Thanks."

"And I also want to you to know that whatever issue you are having with Pam won't be permanent, so there is no point in holding a grudge." Sue Ellen turned back to her room.

"Sue Ellen?"

"Yes?"

"You said that your mother never approved of J.R."

"She thought he wasn't good enough for me."

"But you ignored her anyway?"

Sue Ellen frowned, feeling a J.R. bashing coming on. "What do my mother and J.R. have to do with you?"

Lucy struggled with her words. "How did you know to ignore your mother and go out with J.R.?"

"I was too interested not to. Your uncle was all I could think about."

Lucy smiled, knowing she felt the same way about Jimmy. "So even though your mother knew what was best, you knew better."

"Lucy, when it comes to major decisions, no one can make them but yourself."

Lucy nodded her head confidently. "That's all I needed to hear, Sue Ellen."

"Glad I could help."

Lucy turned to her room. "Now what will I wear this weekend?"

Sue Ellen gently knocked on Pam's bedroom door. She had heard about her fallout with Cliff from Bobby, and given Pam's previous depression, Sue Ellen was concerned about how Pam was handling her problem.

After waiting a minute, Sue Ellen walked in, finding a stoic Pam lying on the bed. "Hi," Sue Ellen said gently.

"Sue Ellen?" Pam looked up. "I didn't even hear you come in."

"I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Not at all."

Sue Ellen took a seat on the bed. "Bobby told me about you and Cliff."

Pam let out a gasp of air. "Cliff. Every decision I ever made seems to go directly back to him. You know I spent my high school years taking care of him? While he was putting himself through law school, I made sure that he was eating and not living on the streets, that he was happy. Marrying Bobby was one of the first decisions that I ever made for myself. And even then, I was so worried about Cliff – and Digger – that I didn't get to truly enjoy the first few months of my marriage."

"I'm sure J.R. contributed."

"He did. But I could fight J.R., Cliff is different. I could never just up and leave him, he's the only family I had left." Pam swallowed, her eyes beginning to get misty. "I never thought I'd see the day where I actually had to choose between Bobby and Cliff."

"Cliff will come back to you when he is ready," Sue Ellen assured. "I know that he loves you very much."

"I know that Cliff loves me. But sometimes he can be so…"

"Egocentric?"

"Yes," Pam nodded.

"You're forgetting that Cliff and I were once an item. I know all about Cliff's desire to fulfill his own needs."

"At the expense of everyone else. Well I can't live like that anymore."

"You shouldn't have to. And when Cliff realizes that, he will come back."

"You really think he could accept me as a Ewing?"

"If J.R. can make an effort to accept you as a Ewing, why can't Cliff?"

"You really think your husband has accepted me into this family?" Pam asked in disbelief.

"I think that he is making a genuine effort. He knows how important it is to his parents that everyone get along. And he knows that it's important to me. He really has changed you know."

"I know that J.R. has changed his attitude towards you, and I'm very glad that you two can be happy together. No one deserves it more than you." Pam hugged Sue Ellen.

"Just remember, that you still have the Ewing family behind you, no matter what."

"How very comforting," Pam laughed.

-----

Sue Ellen entered the Southfork driveway after an hour of meetings with contributors to a DOA charity. She found it peculiar that Miss Ellie had never mentioned the appointment before, but Sue Ellen could never disappoint her mother-in-law or the Daughters of the Alamo.

The house was empty as Sue Ellen dropped her purse. "Hello?" she gently called. "Miss Ellie? Pam? Bobby? Lucy? J.R.?" Sue Ellen rubbed her temple with her fingers as a red envelope caught her eye.

Darlin',

Come out to the back porch. The rest of the family is out of the house, and it's just you and I.

J.R.

Sue Ellen smiled, my loving husband is up to one of his little schemes. Sue Ellen rushed to the back of the house, caught off guard by the scene before her. The porch was smothered with flowers of all sorts. There was a small round table with two giant candles in the middle. J.R. stood in the middle, anticipating his wife's arrival.

"How are you, Sugar?" he asked, kissing her cheek.

"J.R.," Sue Ellen whispered, examining the scene. "Why did you do this?"

J.R. smiled at his wife. "Well, Darlin', it occurred to me that you and I haven't had dinner alone in a very long time."

"Everything is so lovely."

"Well I wanted tonight to be special."

Sue Ellen shot a confused look at her husband. "Are we celebrating something tonight?"

J.R. pulled Sue Ellen's chair out for her. "You could say that."

"A new oil deal?"

J.R. laughed at his dining partner." Not quite, Sue Ellen. This is more important than a business deal. We are celebrating our new baby."

"J.R.," Sue Ellen gushed.

J.R. dipped into his pocket and produced a small box. "I was nervous about doing this, Honey, if I remember the last time I gave you one of these, you turned me down flat."

"J.R.?" Sue Ellen questioned, highly confused.

J.R. opened the box, producing a silver ring, one that Sue Ellen hadn't seen in a few years.

Tears began to well in her eyes, "J.R. I can't believe you kept it."

"It was a lovely ring, Darlin'. I couldn't part with it."

Sue Ellen lovingly gazed at the maternity ring that J.R. had presented her when she came home with John Ross. He had tried so hard to win her good graces, doing everything in his power to keep her happy. But she wasn't for sale, and it would have taken more than a ring to win her heart those years ago.

Sue Ellen could no longer control her emotions. "J.R., this may be the sweetest, most loving thing you've ever done."

J.R. gently placed the ring on her finger. "I love you, Sue Ellen. I love you just as much now as I did when we first met. I can't imagine being with anyone else."

Sue Ellen couldn't speak. J.R. moved closer to her as he lovingly wiped her tears. "I don't deserve to be this happy, or to have you as my wife." He gently kissed her mouth.

"I love you, J.R.," Sue Ellen whispered, "I always have, and I always will."

J.R. took Sue Ellen's hand in his. "May I have this dance?" he asked.

Sue Ellen shot J.R. a confused look. "There's no music."

J.R. pulled Sue Ellen close to him, "I guess we'll just have to make our own." J.R. J.R. hummed a gentle tune as Sue Ellen rested her head against his chest. With the sun setting in the background, tonight was the perfect final evening for two lovers about to be separated. Sue Ellen closed her eyes, memorizing every little detail about her husband, hoping that she would find the strength to live through the next few days.

"What are you thinking about?" J.R. asked.

Sue Ellen raised her eyes. "I was thinking about you leaving for Washington D.C."

J.R. patted Sue Ellen's long hair. "Let's not spoil tonight with thoughts about the rest of the week. All I want to think about is you." J.R. leaned down to kiss Sue Ellen's quivering lips as he kept her in a protective hold, washing away all of her fears.

-----

Pam was sandwiched between Miss Ellie and Bobby at the Oil Baron's Club. J.R. had convinced the family to give him time alone with Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie readily agreed. Lucy conveniently skipped the family dinner with plans of her own, which was just as well for Pam, still reeling over the past few days.

Bobby noticed her concern and offered to take her home early, gently helping his wife out of her seat. He had tried to be there for Pam as much as he could lately, but work was continuing to get in the way. No matter how bad Pam was feeling, Bobby was not going to let J.R. accuse him of shirking from his responsibilities at the office. He had his father on his side and he had a feeling that with a few more months of hard work, he could prove his worth at Ewing Oil.

Bobby Ewing knew one thing however: he hated Cliff Barnes. In the past Bobby had always run interference, protecting a weak Cliff from a strong Jock and J.R., ready to kill him in one swift move. Bobby had kept the peace for a few years and there had been no immediate problems – until Cliff started putting Pam in the middle. Hating J.R. was one thing, but making life miserable for Pam was not going to be tolerated. Bobby decided that he was through being nice to Cliff for Pam's sake. His first priority was going to be the happiness of his wife and as far as he was concerned, Cliff could go to hell.

"I'm so sorry for everything, Bobby," Pam said tearfully as she buckled her seatbelt.

"Pamela, you have done nothing wrong and you are not accountable for Cliff's actions. Maybe you two need a break from one another."

"Cliff and I have fought, but never like this. He made his intentions clear, he won't accept me as a Ewing, and I cannot live any other way." Pam leaned her head on Bobby's shoulder. "I'm blocked into a corner, and there is no way out."

Bobby let out a frustrated sigh as he smoothed Pam's locks with his free hand. Bobby and Pam had been through so much in the past few years, it seemed as if the fates were willing for them to fail. After finally conquering their quest for a child, Cliff threw himself into the mix, meddling in his sister's life. Bobby shook his head in anger. He would make the situation with Pam right again, he loved her too much to let her go.

-----

Sue Ellen and J.R. moved to the balcony of their bedroom, holding champagne glasses. Sue Ellen closed her eyes, the sparkling water cooling her lips. "I want to remember us exactly as we are."

J.R. came up behind her, kissing her neck.

"J.R.," Sue Ellen giggled, turning to take his hand in hers. "I wonder how many more nights we'll have to spend like this."

"What do you mean, Darlin'?"

"Well – you and I are going to be so busy with the new baby, we may not have as much time for each other."

J.R. grabbed her shoulders, kissing her mouth. "I will always make time for you, Honey."

Sue Ellen batted her eyelashes at her husband. "Is that a promise, Mister Ewing?"

J.R. answered her with another deep kiss, placing Sue Ellen's glass on the edge of the railing as he pulled her onto the bed. "This is a promise worth keeping."