Dallas, Texas

"You're looking for somewhere to put down roots, somewhere to call your own."

The singular sentence summed up his thoughts well. He had a wife and a daughter, they were a family all on their own, but he wanted more. They lived at Southfork, a home they shared with his father and niece, and previously he'd worked on the ranch, a role he'd shared with Ray. He was seeking something that was completely his, something he didn't have to share, and he'd found it.

Riding Ace along the newly mapped trails, aiming to confirm his assessment of the experience level each was suitable for and the approximate length of time it took to complete a loop, Bobby's mind wandered.

A full year had passed since Pam had broken the news to him that she was expecting, her mood much like how he imagined Jenna's might be if she found out the same thing now, leading him to wonder whether there was something wrong with him.

Did he not ask the right questions of the ladies he made his, assuming that of course they'd want to start a family with him, or was it something about him that made them change their minds when presented with the opportunity?

He wanted to be a husband and father and the loss of his first wife and son had devastated him. The loss of his mother just six weeks later had piled more grief onto that he was already suffering, leading to several months of despair for him.

Now, he was happier, he'd married Jenna and they had a good relationship; she accepted all the things Pam hadn't wanted from him that he'd wanted her to have and she showed him reciprocal love and affection, supporting his business efforts and behaving as they'd always imagined she would as his wife.

Jenna was far higher maintenance than Pam had ever been, she wanted to be doted on, she expected it, however she didn't just take, she gave too, and he was very happy, although there was one thing she refused to give him that he truly wanted, something that if she continued to refuse him might affect his happiness.

Having his family all on his side as far as his marriage to Jenna went made everything easier, although it was a little upsetting that his father and brother liked Jenna so much more than they ever had Pam. Pam hadn't done anything wrong but she'd never been welcomed the way Jenna had. Pam was gone now though and Jenna was his wife, so to have his family warm to her as they had was encouraging.

His daddy was a supporter of his business ventures too. JR's lack of confidence had hurt him at first but after a while he'd gotten over it, realising that dwelling did little to push him forward and only held him back, which could lead to proving his brother right if he wasn't careful.

Southworth Stables was his and his alone. His daddy was around more as he'd asked him to be following Jenna's request, but he had no stake in the business. Southworth Stables would be his Ewing Oil, that was how he saw it and he wanted it to appear to everyone else, and he'd make sure it did. His daddy was his role model, he wanted to be the businessman he was and he wanted to be the father he was, although as things were going, he might need to wait a while before either was an accurate description of him.

Across town, standing beside Diane's desk, Sue Ellen listened to the conversation between secretary and future president.

"Mrs Ewing is here."

"I'll be right out."

"Darlin'," appearing within seconds, JR kissed her softly and ushered her into his office, asking her how things had gone with the doctor as soon as he closed the door behind him.

Four days after the potential morning sickness started, it hadn't stopped, all but confirming the news to her, however she'd been waiting for the series of tests she'd had done on Friday to return positive before she truly let herself believe it was real.

"Jenna will need to host Christmas this year, I'm going to be a little busy looking after a newborn."

"The tests confirmed it? That's wonderful news."

Pulling her into a hug, JR's arms around her made her feel warm and secure. She truly believed it was wonderful news and she was thrilled to know he felt the same way. They'd been on the same page for months, but it was real now and he felt no differently, nor did she; they were about to be parents again and they couldn't be happier.

"I'm delighted; this is exactly what we wanted."

Squeezing him tightly, she let him walk her over to the leather chair in front of his desk, accepting his assistance in sitting down, despite not being anywhere near far enough along to actually need it.

"And you're healthy?"

Waiting for her to settle, he walked over to the bar to pour her a glass of club soda, well aware now that she shouldn't be drinking anything stronger he might have to offer.

"Mhm, Doctor Baker says we're both very healthy. He estimates I'm about six or seven weeks along and so the morning sickness is to be expected and should taper over the next few weeks, the food aversions too, and after our last visit he looked through my records and says there isn't anything of concern to note. Even with the miscarriage and how long it took to conceive John Ross, there's nothing to be overly worried about at this point in time."

She'd mentioned Pam's fate to Doctor Baker and while he'd been sympathetic to her loss, he'd been quick to reassure her that she had few risk factors that would indicate she might succumb to the same condition. Her medical history was her own and from what he could tell, she was in fine health, something she truly believed to be true.

"Good, you're going to stay that way too, I'll make sure of it."

Handing her the glass of club soda, he leaned down and kissed her softly again.

"I'm sure you will."

Trusting that he had her best interests at heart, she had few concerns. Due in December she looked forward to the next few months, the passing of the first trimester illness, decorating and planning the nursery in the second trimester, enjoying the growth and connection she'd feel once the third trimester was well and truly underway, then finally, meeting her new son or daughter and living a life with them. It was all as she'd planned, all as she'd wanted, it was perfect.

To be continued…