Today was the day.
Taylor Clayton was finally marrying John Ross Ewing.
Ann and Sue Ellen were in one of the guest bedrooms, helping Taylor finish getting ready. Sue Ellen got a little teary at seeing her almost daughter-in-law sitting there, and she reached in her pocket. Pulling out a diamond tennis bracelet, she handed it to Taylor. "I wore this the day I married J.R. It would mean the world to me if you'd wear it today, Taylor." The redhead looked shocked, but she quietly took the jewelry, clasping it around her wrist. "But Sue Ellen, we already have yours and J.R.'s wedding bands, you've been so generous already." The older woman smiled, patting Taylor's shoulders. "I want you and John Ross to have all the pieces of us you can, so that maybe they'll be good luck for the two of you." Taylor's eyes filled with tears, and she stood up to hug Sue Ellen. "Thank you, Sue Ellen. I'm so glad to have you as my mother-in-law." Taylor let Ann finish fixing her veil, and then the three of them headed downstairs, Taylor meeting Bobby at the bottom of the stairs while the two older women went to claim their seats. Bobby regarded her with a soft smile. "You look stunning, Taylor. Are you ready to go?" She nodded, letting him lead her to the patio door and wait for the music to start.
'Wedding March' began playing in the backyard of Southfork Ranch, everyone in the yard turning toward the patio door of the mansion. There was a collective gasp of wonder as Taylor appeared, holding onto Bobby's arm. He had agreed to walk her down the aisle, and she smiled as they began the walk to the altar that had been erected. John Ross waited for her with the minister, watching her with teary eyes and a smile. On a podium beside the flower-covered arch, there was a framed picture of J.R., and Taylor got choked up at how much John Ross looked like his father right now, standing there in his gray suit, with J.R.'s gold and silver belt buckle on his belt. The yellow calla lilies in her hand shone beautifully against her dress, an exquisite creation that had just come in from New York earlier that week. The entire dress was white satin overlaid with lace applique, the back cut out in a heart shape and showing off her tan skin. The skirt cascaded down in flowy layers, a train spreading out behind her. They made their way down the red carpet that had been rolled out, finally reaching the front. Most of the guests were already crying, Ann and Sue Ellen leaning on each other, and even Christopher wiping his eyes. The family feud had been set aside. This was about John Ross getting his happy ending after all the heartache he had suffered the last few months.
Bobby handed Taylor off to him, clapping his nephew on the back with a smile. He was proud of him, finally becoming a family man and growing up. Then he walked to sit beside Ann, Taylor stepping in front of John Ross and smiling as they prepared to say their vows. The minister made sure they were ready, then smiled at the crowd. "John Ross and Taylor have chosen to write their own vows. These words are straight from the heart, and nothing I can say can compare to what they want to say to each other." He then stepped back, letting them have the floor. John Ross started first, taking Taylor's hands. "Taylor, baby, we've been through hell together. But you've always been there for me, always been by my side when I needed you most. You're my best friend in the whole world, you're the mother of my child, and you're the reason I get up in the morning and face the world. If I didn't have you, I wouldn't have anything. You and Ross are my entire world, and I'm so glad that I have you. I love you more than anything in this world, and I want you to be by my side for the rest of my life." Then the preacher handed him the silver band that had been Sue Ellen's, and he slipped it on her hand. Then it was Taylor's turn. Once the band was in place on her finger, she took John Ross's hand. "John Ross, you make my life complete. You're the other half of my heart. You've given me unconditional love, you've given me Ross, and you've made every one of my dreams come true. There's no one that compares to you. I love you so much, I love the way you smirk at me sometimes, the way you hold me, and the way you're always up to listen to me. There's nothing that I wouldn't do for you, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you and our beautiful son." Taylor took the J.R.'s wedding band in her hand, slipping it onto his ring finger. She had to wipe away tears, feeling his hand grip hers a little tighter.
Reverend McClary cleared his throat, a smile on his face at the couple. "Then, by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. John Ross, son, you may now kiss your bride." John Ross reached out and slid an arm around Taylor's waist, the redhead's hands settling on his shoulders. Once they separated, they turned to the crowd, and the reverend raised his arms. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to y'all Mr. and Mrs. John Ross Ewing III!" The entire Ewing clan and friends broke into applause, Taylor gesturing to Sue Ellen to hand Ross to her. The baby reached for his mother as she took him from his grandmother, Taylor kissing Ross's forehead as she held him on her hip. The newly minted Ewing family was then swept into the flurry of commotion, congratulations pouring in from all sides.
They smiled and thanked everyone, both of them fairly bursting with happiness at finally being man and wife.
As the wedding guests filed out, John Ross took Taylor by the hand, the two of them still in tux and gown, and they set out for the tiny family cemetary, Ross now in John Ross's arms. The wind blew Taylor's veil back off of her face, neither of them speaking as they held hands and made their way across the yard. Ross quietly gurgled in his father's arms, still unused to the suit he was in. They finally stopped outside the low iron gate, John Ross unlocking it before escorting Taylor in. Walking over to J.R.'s headstone, he squatted down, Taylor doing the same at his side, John Ross balancing Ross on his knee. His free hand traced the lines that spelled his father's name, tears beginning to slip down his face. "I finally did it, Daddy, I finally completed your masterpiece. Thank you. I know you were watching us today." Taylor comfortingly placed her hand on his knee, taking the picture Ann had snapped of them at the altar and placing it on the headstone. "Thank you, J.R. You're still in control of everything, aren't ya?" The couple stood back up, Taylor taking Ross from John Ross.
As he turned to leave with her, he was struck by the way she looked, the sunshine beaming down on her and his son. Walking over to her, he put his arm around her, kissing her again, sharing a smile with his new wife.
"We did it, Taylor. We won."