Chapter Twenty Eight – When everything is over and done
Clayton Farlow knocked softly on the door to Sue Ellen's room before walking in. He smiled at the relaxed sleeping form in front of him. He hadn't seen her so relaxed and untroubled in a very long time. In fact he hadn't seen her much at all since she said she was going to remarry J.R.
Clayton sat down next to her but he didn't have the heart to wake her up. Sometimes he found himself wondering why Dusty and Sue Ellen couldn't have married and lived happily on his ranch. For some strange reason and in some twisted way, she would always love J.R Ewing, no matter what he tried to pull. This time, however, it had gone too far.
He had had long conversations with Miss Ellie and the more he heard the more he despised her oldest son. He and J.R would never get along but he didn't really felt sorry for that. It was strange how life could change; he had loved, Sue Ellen as his own daughter, even though he at one time wanted her to be something more. But right now when he sat there studying her, it was not out of love but out of pity and friendship.
He had come to like his evenings with Miss Ellie. Never had he thought he would come to feel affection to Jock's widow but he had. They were only friends but it lightened his days and he was sure it made hers a bit more bearable. However, he feared what would happen to the Ewing family now that Jock had turned J.R and Bobby against each other in their fight for Ewing Oil.
And quite frankly it hadn't started very well, with the blackmailing that had been going on and the accidents, or rather the deliberate violence Bobby, Pam and Sue Ellen had suffered. He wasn't such a friend to the family that he felt he had the right to know what really had happened. Sometimes he doubted that even Miss Ellie knew, but whatever had happened behind the closed doors was over and done with and for that he was glad.
"Clayton?" Sue Ellen whispered, surprised at seeing her old friend.
"Hello, Sue Ellen," he said with a soft smile.
"Clayton, it's so good to see you," she replied delighted.
He reached forward and took her hand into his. "How are you feeling?" he wondered.
"I am doing okay. I have had better days," she admitted.
"Look, I don't want to impose, but I understand that you'll be released tomorrow and I wondered if there was anything I could do?" he said.
Sue Ellen smiled, it was so typical, Clayton, always the gentleman. "Thanks but my things will be moved to Southfork and J.R will come and get me, to take me back where I belong," she explained.
Seeing the look of hurt on his face she hastily added. "I just want to thank you for everything that you have done, you know; supporting me, taking care of my finances, helping me with the house. For that I'll always be grateful,"
"How can you go back to him, Sue Ellen, after everything that he has done?" Clayton asked simply.
She bit her lip, not quite sure on how to explain. "I am not sure I can give you an answer to that, it's just that, he's the right man for me and sometimes I need to get away from him to realize that," she mused.
He nodded sadly. "I will not pretend that I understand, Sue Ellen, but I'll always be there for you if you ever need me," he reassured.
OOOOO
J.R sighed as he unfolded the newspaper. Today was a new day, a new headline. However this time, it wasn't bad publicity or gossip about the family.
"Ewing Oil cleared from the suspicions of foul play in the gulf," Bobby read looking over his brother's shoulder.
"Oh, hello, Bobby," he glanced up at his little brother who was clad in swim wear.
"I have to tell you it's been kind of strange seeing you next to the pool and not in it. Has the wound healed enough?" he asked.
"Yes, Harlan will come by later this afternoon to give me the all clear and check up on Pam," he explained.
"Good for you. Look, Bob, I never meant for it to be like this…" he began apologetically.
Bobby frowned, looking surprised and amused at the same time. "Is that an apology I hear coming?" he wondered.
J.R snorted. "Apology? What do I have to apologize for?"
"You're really something you know that? I bet you're already plotting on some new scheme," Bobby said.
"Okay, this is hard for me but here goes nothing. I meant to say that I regret what happened and I am glad you are okay and that Sue Ellen is okay," he finished.
"What about Pam?" Bobby asked testily.
"You know I've never liked her," he said as if stating the obvious.
"You are all heart, J.R, why don't you go and pick up Sue Ellen from the hospital?" he replied sarcastically.
OOOOO
Lucy glanced out through the restaurants window, into the darkness outside. The rain was threatening to fall over a cloudy Dallas. She followed one of the cars, visible far beneath the high building, with her eyes.
"Lucy?" Mitch asked.
She turned to look at him over the candlelit dinner in the exclusive restaurant.
"It was here everything started," she suddenly said.
"Well, I am glad it's over," Mitch replied.
"Me too," she concurred. "But I can't help but wonder where we did go wrong," she added softly.
"I know what you mean, Lucy, I really do," Mitch said as he looked into her beautiful eyes.
"I mean, we haven't gotten along this well since the beginning of our marriage. I really wish there was another way," she said sadly.
"I guess we weren't really ready to commit to one another. We were too stubborn; too proud of whom we are that we couldn't bend to one another. And, even if I still love you, it wouldn't work," he reasoned.
She felt the tears threatening to spring from her eyes and fought hard to keep them back. "This is really it," Lucy said, it seemed so final, so wrong.
Mitch looked away, not able to look into her eyes any longer and see the pain it was causing her, the pain he was causing her.
"I'll leave first thing tomorrow, for Atlanta. Take care of yourself, Lucy, and see to your family," he said.
She nodded unhappily.
"Do you remember the first time I met your family?" he asked suddenly in a lighter mood.
Lucy couldn't help but smile. "Sure, you hated them," she replied.
"And you told me, you didn't like them either," he reminded her.
"Some of them," she corrected.
"Say hello to Bobby, Pam and Miss Ellie for me," Mitch said. "And don't strangle J.R," he added jokingly.
OOOOO
Harlan Danvers put down his stethoscope and nodded at Pamela. "It's looking good. You are looking good," he said approvingly.
"Thank you doctor", she said happily.
"You are well enough for a little vacation trip," he added surreptitiously.
"You know something I don't?" she asked and broke into dazzling smile.
"Maybe so," he hinted. "Tell me, where is that husband of yours?" he added.
"Right here, Harlan," Bobby said walking into the room.
"Bobby, have you been eavesdropping?" Pam asked astonished.
"No, I just happened to be in the vicinity," he said innocently.
"Is she well enough?" Bobby asked cryptically.
"I'd say so, how are you feeling?" the family doctor asked.
"I am fine," he assured.
"Well then, have a good day, and, take care of yourself you two," Dr. Danvers said as he exited the room.
Bobby turned to look at Pam, seeing the expectant look on her face. "What?" he asked.
She got up from the bed and walked over to stand face to face with her husband. "Bobby Ewing, what have you been planning?" Pam asked suspiciously.
"Oh nothing really, just a little trip to Hawaii, just the two of us. No Ewing Oil, no J.R, nothing really," he said casually.
They embraced each other gently, their bodies mostly healed but the scars on the inside still causing them discomfort. Their lips met with deep affection and they caressed each other as one; like they were meant to be together forever and always. They were stronger now, more seasoned, more prepared for what was to come. She could have lost him and he could have lost her, they could have lost each other, it reminded them about their love for one another, a love that ran so deep, that nothing was strong enough to break them apart.
OOOOO
J.R glanced up from the file he had been studying as there was a knock on his door.
"J.R, Henry Whitfield from the economical department is here to see you," Sly informed.
He rose from his chair and grinned. "Well send him in," he replied.
"Henry," he acknowledged as Sly closed the door behind them.
"Hello, J.R, I have the books you wanted," he said.
"Good, let's see what Bobby has been up to lately. I can't have him passing me in our little contest. I really appreciate that you are doing this for me, Henry," he said.
"Anytime, J.R, I have complete confidence in your leadership," the economical advisor replied.
"Good, because there is no way, that my little brother will take this company away from me, not without a fight. Either I'll have it all or I'll destroy it," he said with a devious smile.
OOOOO
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