Katherine felt both excited and nervous as she drove to Southfork. After her fight with JR, Katherine really hadn't expected an apology from him. Even though she believed that she was right for refusing to put up with JR's jealousy, Katherine could understand JR's frustration with the state of their relationship. He had to be tired of playing this waiting game by now. Even though Katherine was still afraid of being with JR, another part of her was afraid of him deciding that he did not want to be with her anymore. Now that Katherine knew that she was in love with JR, it was becoming harder for her to keep turning him down. JR's promise to stop acting jealous and pressuring her meant a lot to Katherine. She wouldn't feel as rushed or guilty about things now. But it wasn't just that that was important to her. Katherine was genuinely touched by JR's invitation for her to visit Southfork today. Since JR wanted her to spend time with his family in his own home, that must mean that she was very important to him and that he was serious about having a real future with her.
As soon as Katherine had pulled into the driveway and gotten out of her car, she found JR waiting for her next to the front door.
"Hi, Katherine! I'm so glad you came!" JR said.
"I'm glad, too. I feel like I never even really got a chance to see this place when I was here before. So much has changed since then." Katherine said thoughtfully.
"I know what you mean. Back then, I never would have guessed that everything would change so much for me…" JR said with a faraway look in his eyes.
"But I'm glad that you convinced me to stay back then. If you hadn't, I would probably just be back in New York. All alone…" Katherine trailed off.
"Well, you don't know that for sure. But I'm glad you stayed, Katherine…" JR said softly. For a moment, neither one of them spoke. Then, JR finally broke the silence. "Why don't we go inside now? Everyone's anxious to see you again! He said cheerfully.
"Okay." Katherine replied somewhat nervously. Even though she had met everyone before, it still made Katherine feel a bit self-conscious to know that the whole family seemed to be awaiting her arrival.
"Hey, everyone! Look who's here!" JR said casually as he and Katherine entered the living room.
Everyone seated in the living room turned their gaze towards Katherine. There were seven people altogether. Katherine felt a bit overwhelmed for a moment. She hadn't expected to see so many people today.
"It's so nice to see you again, Katherine! It's been so long since you were here. You look wonderful!" Miss Ellie said warmly as she gave Katherine a brief hug.
Katherine couldn't help feeling a bit uncomfortable. While it was true that Miss Ellie had always been kind to her, Katherine sort of hated her. Behind the kind, motherly demeanor was the woman who had abandoned JR. Katherine could not understand how someone could be so nice to everyone else while she had neglected her own son so much over the years.
"Thank you, Miss Ellie. It's really nice of you to let me come for a visit today. I'm sorry that it was so last minute." Katherine said politely.
"Not at all! There's always room for one more at the dinner table! Make yourself at home." Miss Ellie said kindly.
"Thank you." Katherine replied.
"Katherine, it's good to see you again. I hear that you have done wonders for Wentworth Tool and Dye!" Clayton said.
"Oh, not at all! There are still tons of things that I need to work out yet! And it's not even time for my first board meeting in Houston yet!" Katherine said.
"Your parents would be very proud of you… I know that managing a company takes a lot of time; but don't forget to have some time for yourself, too." Clayton said seriously.
"Don't worry. I haven't forgotten. But thank you for your concern, Clayton." Katherine said. She wondered vaguely if Clayton was worried that she would end up overworking herself as much as her father had.
"Hi, Katherine! I'm glad you came today! I know that you didn't get a chance to see much of Southfork last time given the circumstances. But wait till you see how great the grounds look! Especially around this time of year!" Bobby said excitedly.
Katherine smiled at Bobby. "That sounds nice. I'll have to take a look around later." She said.
"It's good to see you again, Katherine." Ray said with a friendly smile. Katherine was fervently glad that he chose not to say anything about the last time she had seen him. Ray and Bobby had been completely drunk, and it was not something that Katherine wanted to remember.
"It's good to see you too, Ray." Katherine said. She wasn't sure what else she could say since she didn't know anything about ranching and didn't really know anything else about what Ray did with his time.
"I don't believe you've met my wife yet. Katherine, I'd like you to meet Donna." Ray said proudly. Katherine could tell from the tone of his voice just how much he loved his wife.
"Hi, Katherine. It's nice to finally meet you. I've seen some of the stories you covered back when you were still a reporter here in Dallas. I was very impressed with the topics you chose and how you presented them." Donna complimented her seriously.
"Thank you, Donna. I tried my best to have stories that were out of the ordinary from what most viewers would typically expect. It wasn't always easy, though. But now that you've brought it up, I remember your name from before. One of my colleagues had told me how she interviewed you about your latest book. I remember how jealous I was because I've read it myself, and it was great! Your late husband's political career was fascinating!" Katherine said excitedly.
"Thank you so much! It's flattering to find out that I have a fan!" Donna said.
"Come on, Donna! You have tons of fans, and you know it!" Ray said with a smile.
"That's certainly more than I can say for myself! I didn't even know that I had any fans before this!" Katherine said.
JR looked slightly offended. "That's not true! I've always been your fan, too!" He insisted.
"Of her actual work, or her looks?" Donna teased JR.
"Both, of course." JR said with a smile that made Katherine's heart beat faster.
"I know you are, JR. I guess I just got excited to find that someone I didn't know was, too. Sorry about that." Katherine apologized sheepishly.
"I know. I was just teasing you." JR said gently.
"Katherine, I know we haven't really talked much, but I hope that we can be friends now." Lucy said kindly.
"Thank you, Lucy. I'd like that, too." Katherine said sincerely. She wasn't entirely sure if she would be able to keep up with Lucy's level of energy. But Katherine was touched by the gesture.
"I gotta admit, I'm kind of sad that you're out of the journalism business now. Since I'm a model, I know what it's like to be in front of a camera every day. It's exciting, but at the same time, it's also a lot for work, too!" Lucy said.
"I feel the same way. But more than anything else, I love my job now. My father's company is very close to my heart, and I know it's where I truly belong." Katherine said.
"Huh. You sound like JR. In a good way, though!" Lucy said. JR raised his eyebrows in suspicion at Lucy's comment.
"But putting JR aside, there's someone I'd like you to meet. Katherine, this is my boyfriend, Mickey Trotter!" Lucy said with a big smile as she gestured to the young man who was sitting on the couch.
Mickey got up from the couch and shook hands with Katherine. "It's nice to meet you, Katherine. Any friend of Lucy's is a friend of mine!" Mickey said with a friendly smile.
"It's nice to meet you too, Mickey." Katherine said politely.
"I'm in the construction business. If you or a friend ever does need work done on a house, feel free to let me know!" Mickey said.
"Thanks, that's really nice of you. I know that I would never be able to do something that challenging! I've always been somewhat clumsy with my hands." Katherine admitted sheepishly.
"It's hard work, but it also feels rewarding in a way. But eventually, I'd like to be able to design and build houses myself. I would start with something like Ray's house. But with a bit more…class." Mickey said with a teasing grin in Ray and Donna's direction. They both rolled their eyes, but Katherine saw that they were smiling as well.
"That's very ambitious. I would love to see it once you're finished." Katherine said.
"Thanks! It always helps to have some feedback!" Mickey said gratefully.
After a few more minutes of conversation, everyone had gone their separate ways to wait until dinner was prepared. JR had taken Katherine on a short tour of the house, which she had enjoyed immensely. After that, there was still some time to kill before dinner, and Katherine had somehow gotten caught up in the hardest game of Monopoly that she had ever played.
"Jail!? Again!?" Katherine said in disbelief after landing on the same spot for what was probably the tenth time now.
When Katherine had agreed to a game of Monopoly, she had had no idea what she would really be getting herself into. JR was winning by a landslide. He had tons of properties with hotels built on them; as well as all four of the railroads. Bobby had been knocked out of the game earlier and was acting solely as the banker for them. Katherine thought that she might have an easier time against less competition, but apparently she had been wrong. The real problem was that every time she got close to Go so that she could start regaining some money, she almost always ended up right back in jail again. But being incarcerated didn't stop her from being included in deals, which was what JR was trying for right now.
"I don't know why you won't sell me St. James Place. It can't hurt you to lose one title. I mean, let's face it. You don't have a prayer of winning now, Katherine." JR taunted her.
"You don't know that. After all, everything in this game ultimately depends on a roll of the dice." Katherine said.
"Oh, come on! You're finished and you know it! All you have left are a few measly properties with nothing built on them. And some of them are already mortgaged! The only thing that has been keeping you from losing so far is how much time you've been stuck in jail!" JR said. He was clearly enjoying himself.
"I'm not selling St. James Place to you, JR." Katherine said seriously.
Bobby gave them an odd look. He probably couldn't believe how serious JR and Katherine were taking this silly game. They both seemed to be locked in some weird little showdown against each other.
"Okay. Suit yourself." JR said casually.
A few minutes later, Katherine knew that it was all over for her. She had just landed on the Boardwalk space with JR's hotel on it.
"Damn it!" Katherine said with frustration.
"Um, should we try to mortgage-" Bobby started to say hesitantly before Katherine interrupted him.
"No, it's fine. I know when I'm beat." Katherine said tiredly.
"You played a good game despite your bad luck, Katherine." JR said.
"Well, next time it won't be so easy for you, JR." Katherine said with a grin.
"I look forward to it." JR said with a grin that mirrored Katherine's.
"Remind me never to play with you guys again!" Bobby said jokingly.
Not long after the game had ended, it was finally time for dinner. Katherine couldn't help feeling delighted when JR pulled out her chair for her. He really knew how to be charming when he wanted to be. The conversation between everyone flowed easily. Katherine realized just how much she had missed this kind of warm and relaxed family environment.
It was during dessert when the trouble started. Katherine had just finished having a serious discussion with JR about the oil business, and things had hit a lull around the table.
"I just realized that this was probably the most peaceful dinner we've had in months! You really need to come here more often, Katherine! Although I'm sure that will happen a lot more now, with you being JR's girlfriend and all!" Lucy said casually.
What? Katherine thought nervously.
Eight pairs of eyes were staring at her. JR looked apologetic, but everyone else had an expectant smile on their face.
Uh-oh. What have I gotten myself into!? Katherine thought to herself helplessly.
To be continued…
Author's note: This chapter ended up being a lot longer than I thought it would be, so I had to split it into two parts. It will still be from Katherine's point of view in the continuation. I REALLY wanted to finish it all at once, especially since part two is a favorite of mine! But it's just not possible. Everyone will have to wait until next Sunday/Monday. The next two chapters are what I call some of the "fun chapters"! You'll see why once they are here! Thanks for reading!