The rest of Patricia's visit went without incident. JR and Sue-Ellen continued to play the model couple and no suspicion was aroused. After she and Kristin had left Sue-Ellen made the decision not to move out of the room she and her husband shared once again. "This doesn't mean that anything has changed, JR" she warned him. "It's only because it is more spacious and comfortable in here." JR had learnt not to push things along too quickly but was secretly very pleased by the development.
In fact, Sue-Ellen's feelings were changing. She was in awe of the ease with which JR had become involved in the care of their daughter. He absolutely adored Ella and in turn she was very settled with her daddy. Furthermore, as Sue-Ellen's body started to get back to normal she began to think more and more about her physical relationship with her husband. She hadn't realised how important sex had been in their relationship before and now she was missing it.
However, she was still anxious about what the future might hold if she reconciled with JR. Therefore she re-made the appointment with the attorney recommended to her by Dr. Scott. She then had to come up with an excuse to go into town. "I've lost a little more weight and I need to have an alteration made to my new gown" she explained to Miss Ellie "would you mind having Ella for the afternoon please?" "I'd be delighted" Miss Ellie replied "however, I sensed that you were having doubts about going to the ball while your mother was here. Don't feel that you have to attend if you don't want to, Sue-Ellen." "I don't. Things are slowly moving in the right direction between me and JR. He is making a massive effort and whilst I can't forgive him completely just yet I think he deserves to have me by his side on Saturday night" Sue-Ellen responded. She was telling the truth, at least in part. Her gown needed no alteration as it fitted perfectly, however her feelings about being seen out with her husband had changed.
Sue-Ellen's attorney turned out to be a no-nonsense yet glamorous woman in her forties. She felt sorry for the young woman after being told what she had been through at the hands of her powerful husband. The name JR Ewing didn't phase her either. She had taken on mightier men than him in the past and won. "It's really quite straightforward, Mrs. Ewing. If you leave your husband he will have to re-house you and pay you a generous amount of alimony and child support on top" she advised. "Yes but what about my daughter?" Sue-Ellen asked anxiously. "That's the more complicated part because you have just told me that he is a wonderful father. You might be looking at joint custody unless..." "Unless what?" Sue-Ellen was horrified. She couldn't be without her baby even if only for part of the week. "Unless we can prove that his moral compass is so skewed that Ella's emotional and psychological development might suffer as a result. He would still be afforded visitation rights even in those circumstances though." Sue-Ellen stood up. "Thank you very much. You have been most helpful and have given me much to think about." " It's my job. Please get in touch again when you have made your decision."
Sue-Ellen didn't wish to appear weak however, in reality, there was no decision for her to make. She couldn't risk being without her baby. She wondered if JR's behaviour towards their daughter was a front designed to keep Ella at Southfork in the event that she decided to leave but dismissed the thought almost immediately. No, he was a wonderful father and there was no way that he would harm his child even if the worst came to the worst in his marriage, she thought.
The balance of the week was taken up with caring for Ella and in between times getting ready for the Oil Barons' Ball. Sue-Ellen stepped up her exercise regime and treated herself to a number of appointments at her favourite hair and beauty salon. JR was delighted that his wife had agreed to accompany him. Bobby was less enthusiastic however. He had a feeling of foreboding and wasn't looking forward to the event in the slightest.
When the night of the ball arrived JR was thrilled to see how beautiful Sue-Ellen looked. The pillar box red of her gown suited her down to the ground and her figure looked amazing. Her outfit was accentuated by a sparkling diamond necklace that JR had given her on their first anniversary. Sue-Ellen had offset them with a pair of diamond drop earrings that had been another gift from her husband, this time at Christmas. "Oh Sue-Ellen!" he exclaimed. "I have never seen you look more beautiful than you do now. Er other than our wedding day, I mean." He felt awkward about complimenting her these days and was anxious not to say the wrong thing. "Thank you JR. You look very handsome" she replied and she meant it. They were quickly joined by the rest of the family. "I can't wait to be able to go" said Lucy. "You will do one day" her grandmother reassured her.
A limousine had been booked to take the family to the ball. When they left the house Sue-Ellen and JR were relieved to know that Ella was fast asleep upstairs in her cot. The nanny had everything under control. As they neared the venue Sue-Ellen suddenly felt nervous. Could she and JR actually pull this off? She pondered. JR sensed his wife's unease and gently patted her hand. He was surprised but delighted by her response as she gently kissed his cheek. Miss Ellie smiled to herself. They are getting back on track, she thought. As ever Jock was all puffed up with pride and excitement. The Ewings were out in force and their fine clothes and jewellery showed the rest of the oil community that they were as successful as ever. They would own that ballroom, he thought.
Bobby stared sullenly out of the window as the car drew up to the red carpet. As the family exited the limo they were spotted. Cliff had been invited to the ball by John Kay and his wife. Mr. Kay was hoping that Cliff would be able to help Grace to secure a position in the District Attorney's office after her graduation and this was his way of ingratiating himself with the man. Cliff stared at Jock and JR. He hated them. However, his spirits were lifted to see Sue-Ellen. She was achingly beautiful, he thought. He had to find a way of getting to speak to her and he didn't care one bit if it incurred the wrath of JR Ewing.
tbc