Dallas, Texas

Making their way back to the house they saw that a long table and outdoor grill had been set up, "JR? I thought you said it was a small barbecue?" the setup was bigger than she'd expected. "Well it is, but us Ewings like to go all out when we entertain, don't worry, everyone already loves you and there really will only be about ten people here. Mama, daddy, Bobby, myself, you, Lucy and a couple of her little friends as well as Punk and Mavis Anderson, mama and daddy's old friends" he explained the situation to her and she relaxed. It wasn't that she didn't like crowds, she was actually very good with public events, but she hadn't expected such a grand event for meeting his family, it was a little startling. Miss Ellie and Jock were standing by the pool talking to a younger man; Sue Ellen assumed that he was JR's brother Bobby, the two didn't look much alike, but were both attractive in their own way. "JR" Bobby shook JR's hand and greeted his brother; turning his attention to Sue Ellen he smiled at her, "you must be Sue Ellen, I've heard all about you today and from what I can see so far, you do not disappoint", he had a pleasant, friendly personality that made Sue Ellen feel comfortable around him. Sue Ellen greeted Bobby and the five of them sat down at the table next to the swimming pool and talked.

"Mr Ewing? There's a Mr Jordan Lee on the phone for you", Teresa directed her comment at Jock, and he motioned JR to go with him into the house. Miss Ellie excused herself to check on the food in the kitchen, leaving Bobby and Sue Ellen sitting together alone. "My mama couldn't stop talking about how great you are, you must be quite a girl for my brother to bring you here and for my parents to have taken to you so quickly. JR isn't usually this forward with his women" he complimented her. "Thank you, everyone in your family is so nice, I don't know what I expected but…" she paused, "what do you mean by your comment about JR?" She was confused, she was under the impression that he was a popular man, he was attractive, charming and wealthy, there was no way he'd have trouble finding a woman. "Oh, uh, how much has my brother told you about his life?" Bobby didn't want to ruin their relationship because she seemed very nice, but she definitely wasn't his usual 'type'. Sue Ellen was confused and worried now, she wondered if Bobby were going to tell her something awful, "well, we discussed our lives and he told me all about you and your family, Southfork and Ewing Oil. Is there more?" Bobby sighed; JR had conveniently left out his womanizing and wayward morality, "all I meant was that I've known my brother my whole life and I've never seen him like this. He doesn't usually have 'girlfriends', he has women. Dates for parties, dinner dates, women that keep him company. But, he never brings those women home to meet our parents and never looks at them the way he looked at you earlier. I don't know what you two have, but it's definitely different to the way my brother usually acts around women. It's actually quite refreshing, usually there isn't much point in getting to know JR's dates, he doesn't keep them around for long, but it does seem different with you and I know he feels differently, otherwise he'd be here alone, you'd be a date at our annual barbecue, but not an invited guest today".

The colour drained from her face as he spoke and she remembered what Paula had told her the first time JR sent flowers, "JR is known for two things, business and women. He's ruthless but gets things done and enjoys the company of many women. It's not necessarily a bad thing, we're surrounded by guys like that right here, but I just can't imagine him being romantic like that card leads you to believe, or even the way he was last night, he was very sweet, I can see why you're so infatuated. Maybe there is another side to him, but it's definitely not a side that he often shows publicly". Sue Ellen wondered if Paula was right in her initial judgement of JR, maybe the side of him that he was showing her wasn't his real personality. "Sue Ellen?" she had been silent and staring into space since Bobby finished speaking, "oh I'm sorry Bobby, I was just surprised, I didn't realise that JR wasn't a public relationship person, he never had a problem with our relationship or being exclusive. He did everything in such a proper way; our first date, he came to my house, met my mother and we went to dinner. Of course, it had a wonderful JR Ewing touch to it, but it was a proper date, not some casual fling. We've been serious for a while, I never realised that he wasn't used to things like this. Of course, I don't really do casual; did he tell you that he pursued me while I had a boyfriend? We're broken up now and I'm with JR, but he knew I didn't want casual and he never pressured me into that. I just find it hard to believe, that's all" she finished speaking, she was intrigued by the other side of JR Ewing, but also a little worried that the other side was his real side. Bobby started to speak again but was interrupted by the sound of a car parking and the occupants walking toward the house.

"Bobby", Punk Anderson and his wife Mavis greeted Bobby, "nice to see you again. Where are your mama and daddy? And who is this gorgeous lady next to you?" Punk acknowledged the absence of Jock, JR and Miss Ellie and noticed Sue Ellen. "Daddy and JR are inside, Jordan Lee called a little while ago, I suppose they'll be done soon, you can just go in", he turned his attention to Mavis, "mama is in the kitchen finishing some of the food". He then placed a hand on Sue Ellen's back and introduced her, "this is Sue Ellen, JR's girlfriend" he emphasised the word girlfriend to make sure he got a reaction, "girlfriend?" Punk sounded surprised, he knew JR well and he wasn't the girlfriend type, maybe Jock's talk with him had had an effect, he knew how much Jock wanted a grandson. "Lovely to meet you Sue Ellen" Mavis warmly greeted the young girl and studied her appearance and manner, she was a lady and if JR married her she would fit in very well with the other DOA ladies. The ranch slider door opened and Jock walked outside followed by JR, "Punk, Mavis, good to see you", Jock shook Punk's hand and Mavis greeted the men before excusing herself to go find Miss Ellie. "JR, I've just met your lovely girlfriend, she must be very special, I don't think I've ever met a girlfriend of yours before" Punk jested JR, he'd known JR all his life and was close enough to joke with him. JR was a little embarrassed by all the attention that everyone was giving his relationship with Sue Ellen, he'd never been this serious with a woman before, but he didn't think everyone would spend time continually pointing it out, he hoped that she was ok with all of the comments. "She is" was all he said as he walked over to Sue Ellen and took her hand, "if you'll excuse us, I promised Sue Ellen I'd show her the house". The two walked off toward the house and Punk, Jock and Bobby made a few comments about JR's new personality and then moved onto discussing football.

Entering the house JR apologised for everyone's continual focus on their relationship status, "it's ok JR, I suppose everyone is just curious. Bobby tells me that you don't have girlfriends often, I'm not mad, it actually makes me feel good, knowing that you chose me to be your girlfriend, not just some girl you have a casual fling with" she reassured him. He was relieved as she spoke, most of the time his reputation worked in his favour, but with Sue Ellen he felt like it was a barrier to her understanding his commitment to her, "good. Now, how about that tour of the house?" he took her hand and guided them through the house.

"…and in here is my bedroom" he opened the door and she entered the room, looking around and taking in the interior design. "You decorated?" she queried, the room was masculine, but had a few adornments that a man probably wouldn't think about when designing a bedroom space. "Well, mama had a decorator come in a few years ago, so really she did most of the work. I picked out the comforter and furniture from a selection of pictures and mama or the decorator chose those framed prints, the lamps, plants and pretty much all of the little things, women are just better at that kind of thing. Do you like it?" he asked sheepishly. "I do, it's very nice, I was just surprised at the small details, but the explanation makes perfect sense," she lightly laughed at his self-consciousness; he was so cute when he looked for her approval. She just couldn't imagine that this was the same man everyone kept describing as a philanderer, he was always so respectful and sweet with her, of course she had seen his persistent side, he'd wanted her and hadn't given up until he had her, but even then he was sweet. "Good" he replied and guided her out onto the balcony above the swimming pool. They silently stood looking out over the ranch and Sue Ellen thought about his bedroom, it was nice, she could definitely live there, maybe adding a few personal touches when they were married. She had to remind herself to forget marriage for right now, they had only been dating for a couple of months and this was her first time at his house, they weren't even close to marriage yet, but she wouldn't mind if they were, she was falling in love with JR Ewing.

Concluding their tour in the kitchen, they met Miss Ellie, Mavis and Teresa who were putting the finishing touches on the side dishes. Noticing the pot of chili on the stove, JR took a spoon from the drawer, "darlin', I've told you about mama's famous chili, you have to try it", he handed her the spoon and she tasted it. "Oh Miss Ellie, JR's words were 'my mama makes the best chili in Texas' and I'd have to agree with him, this is delicious" she smiled genuinely. Mavis and Ellie had been watching as JR and Sue Ellen interacted, he was definitely different with her, Miss Ellie was proud of her son for finding such a good match, she hoped that it would last. "I'm glad you like it" Miss Ellie responded to the compliment and Sue Ellen offered to help with any final food preparation. JR excused himself to go find the other men while the women finished preparing the food. Mavis and Ellie had been talking about JR's new girlfriend before the couple came downstairs, but they now had a little time to speak with her alone. The young girl was a proper lady, she had style and elegance, but also had a charming personality, the two women had quickly warmed to the possible future Ewing.

The rest of the afternoon was spent outside, the food was fantastic and the company was even better, Sue Ellen liked the Ewings and their friends and was once again thinking about what it would be like to have them as her family. JR drove Sue Ellen back to her hotel and was reflected on how the day had gone, "darlin' that went wonderfully don't you think? Everyone loved you and you fit in perfectly with the family. I hope we can arrange our schedules so that you can come out more often, I know mama would love to see you; Lucy too, she was really taken with you earlier. The annual Ewing barbecue is coming up in about a month, it's a big social event around here and I can't wait to show you off". She was happy about the way that he spoke, he was taking their relationship seriously, even inviting her to public events, and she looked forward to their future. Arriving at her hotel, he kissed her goodnight in the doorway to her room, "I'd invite you in, but your parents know exactly how long it takes to drive here and back to Southfork. We wouldn't want them thinking ill of me would we" she smirked as he realised that she was right and he couldn't argue his way out of the situation, "goodnight" he sighed and kissed her again, not breaking it off until they were both breathless, "goodnight" she whispered as she moved inside, closing the door behind her.

To be continued…