London Rain - Epilogue
Sue Ellen sat down in the chair near the fire, ready to savor the peace and quiet of Christmas Eve. Most of the day had been spent out in the busy city in search of several last-minute gifts. What a nightmare. The impatient shoppers and harassed clerks reminded her of why she usually purchased gifts long before the madness of the final week before Christmas. She silently vowed next year would be different. But this year … well, it had been unavoidable. The past two weeks had been anything but ordinary.
Nothing that had happened was anything she would have ever requested from Santa Claus or Father Christmas, that was for sure. Her seemingly stable marriage had become tenuous at best. She had met one of London's most notorious crime bosses. And to top it all off, her formerly despicable ex-husband reappeared and swept her off her feet. And now she would be spending Christmas without either Don or J.R.
Being apart from both men was the right choice. She didn't doubt that. She needed time to figure out what had happened and where to go next. But having both of them so far away during Christmas and not knowing which one she missed most was a difficult and an unexpected repercussion from all that had happened.
She smiled, though. At least there was one man who was still there. John Ross was hiding out in his room, secretly wrapping presents he thought she didn't know about. And she was looking forward to unwrapping them for him in the morning. Even though John Ross no longer believed in Santa Claus, he still loved Christmas. It was a heritage passed on from his grandmother.
Miss Ellie adored everything about Christmas from decorating the ranch and baking cookies and cakes for the neighbors to taking great pride in personally overseeing the shopping for every family member. Even Teresa and Raul joined in by wearing silly Santa hats that always delighted Miss Ellie and the grandchildren. But Sue Ellen's favorite memories were of Christmas Eve on Southfork, when the Ewings gathered together to exchange one present.
The tradition had started during Jock's wildcatting days. He was usually gone on Christmas Day and didn't want to miss a moment of his family's reactions to the gifts he had purchased for them. So Christmas Eve had became a very special time for the Ewings. Even if it wasn't very apparent the rest of the year, the love they felt for each other was always warmly exchanged that one special night of the year.
A soft knock on the door followed by the doorbell chime brought Sue Ellen back to the present and she was grateful for the distraction. As she stood up to go to the door, the steadfast determination she had relied on the past few years kicked back in. She was in London now and would make the best of it here. Besides, Christmas wasn't about a place, it was the feeling and spirit that mattered. And she knew Miss Ellie would have told her the same thing.
It wasn't long before Sue Ellen was at the door and opened it to a small, smiling army all wearing the furry red and white Americanized version of Santa hats on their head.
"Mrs. Ewing-Lockwood?" Called out the sweet-faced older lady leading the group of several handsome young men, all with their arms full of bags and boxes.
"Marian!" Sue Ellen said with a grin, remembering the night butler who had served J.R. at the Lanesborough Hotel.
"Yes, madam … how kind of you to remember," the older lady sweetly replied with her usual primness. "Forgive our intrusion but we are here on a very special mission." She gestured back to the young men behind her. "Mr. Ewing called from Saudi Arabia and employed us to bring gifts and food for the holiday. May we come in for a moment?"
"Oh, of course! Please come in!" Sue Ellen laughed as she opened the door, somewhat embarrassed at forgetting her manners but also charmed by the very British group before her in Santa hats. What a picture they made. So much like Teresa and Raul.
With the elegant precision they were so well known for, the staff entered and carefully followed directions from the butler. Within moments, the living room was full of beautifully wrapped presents and containers of food that smelled deliciously familiar.
John Ross soon appeared in the hallway and quickly went to his mother's side. "What's going on, Mom?"
Sue Ellen looked down at her son and smiled. "I think your father is trying to give us the closest thing possible to a Southfork Christmas Eve."
"He is indeed, madam," Marian grinned. "Those were his specific instructions. And now that we have carried them out," she signaled to the staff behind her who all turned and left on command, "we shall leave you to your celebration."
Sue Ellen knew the older lady had been compensated very well for her dedication to detail yet the warmth she lent to the task was priceless. It finally occurred to Sue Ellen how much Marian reminded her of Miss Ellie and wondered if J.R. felt the same connection.
"Thank you, Marian," Sue Ellen grinned. "You'll never know how much this means to me … to us." She hugged John Ross across his shoulders.
"Thank you, Mrs. Ewing … that is the best present of all then," Marian grinned. "And have no doubt that is exactly what Mr. Ewing wished to accomplish tonight. Especially with this." Marian then handed her a long white envelope and gift box she had been concealing in her coat pocket. Sue Ellen took both then nodded gratefully to the older lady. "Goodnight, Mrs. Ewing."
"Goodnight, Marian," Sue Ellen replied as she watched the butler and her band of elves exit and approach the waiting van borrowed from the hotel. "Thank you again … and Merry Christmas!"
"And a very Happy Christmas to you and young Mr. Ewing!" Marian replied as she turned back to them and waved then slid into the van. She disappeared as one of her helpers closed the door behind her.
When the van pulled out and drove off, Sue Ellen closed the door and turned back to John Ross who was eyeing the group of presents and boxes with wide-eyed glee.
"Wow, Mom!" John Ross grinned.
"Yeah … wow." Sue Ellen laughed. "Which one would you like to open?"
"All of them!" John Ross exclaimed as he ran to the group of presents.
Sue Ellen laughed. "You know the rules … only one tonight, the rest for tomorrow."
John Ross examined each package and began sorting them out as Sue Ellen opened the containers of food. The food was distinctly southwestern, obviously a special ordered from the Texas Embassy, and the smells once again reminded her of the things about Texas she loved. However, the food would have to wait.
As John Ross eagerly eyed and compared each present, Sue Ellen sat down on the couch and opened the envelope Marian had handed her. Inside were the signed documents that gave her back control of Lockwood Entertainment. Written across the top on a square sticky note in J.R.'s handwriting was, "Merry Christmas, darlin'."
Her attention then shifted to the box. Inside the delicate wrapping was a velvet box firmly guarding a delicate antique crystal perfume bottle with a star cut into the stopper. Her eyes blurred with tears at the meaning.
A star. Such an exquisite choice for the holiday they were celebrating, a symbol of that special state back in America she missed so much, and a gentle reminder of the endearing comment J.R. had made to her that morning after their night together … "it's good to have my lucky star back."
The man could be such a bastard yet there was no longer any doubt about how much he cared for both her and their son. No matter what had happened in the past, no matter where the future would take them even if it included Don, she knew J.R. would somehow find a way to look after them now, especially while they were all so far from home.
This is the conclusion of "London Rain" but the story will continue as "Paris Lights."