Dallas, Texas

Sitting close to JR, resting her hand loosely in his, Sue Ellen didn't need to consider Doctor Williams' question regarding her wellbeing before answering, she knew exactly how to respond.

"I'm still feeling a bit off, physically I mean; the morning sickness and food aversions are constant and the tiredness is like nothing I remember feeling before, but I'm so grateful to be experiencing it all again, it's all so real and so wonderful."

The tiredness had started weeks ago and the very clear morning sickness not too long after that, neither showing any sign of slowing yet, not that she minded though, they were clear signs that her body was well aware of its job.

"The doctor assures us that that's all normal."

Squeezing her hand as he added to her comment, JR's pride and protectiveness pleased her, he loved her and he loved their family, she had no doubt about that.

"That's excellent news."

Smiling, appearing genuinely happy for them, Doctor Williams' support was also pleasing to her. Plenty of times in their sessions, his responses to her statements had made her think twice about what she thought or felt or intended to do next, but not this time.

"Thank you. We're very happy, and so very relieved. Emotionally this is the best thing that could have happened to us, it's what we were hoping would happen and it happened without all the unhappiness of our previous experiences."

"Your previous experiences aren't weighing on your mind?"

Considering the question, something she was very used to doing now, she had a strong opinion on the subject in question.

"No, I've made peace with the reality of the past. We've managed to conceive quickly this time compared to with John Ross which is positive, I'm being cautious with my health and activities to do as much to prevent accidents like what happened to Pam twice during her pregnancy, and I understand that I cannot control outside forces like what happened with my miscarriage, or even what happened to Pam. I don't want to lose my baby and I don't want to lose my own life, but I understand that there's a higher chance of harm from the anxiety I develop thinking about those options than there is from those events occurring."

A lot had happened in the past and she'd spent almost as much time dwelling on her problems than living them, but no more. She had an excellent life and to pretend otherwise would be dishonest and unproductive. He'd helped her to come to terms with what life was and wasn't, what was in her control and what wasn't, and how to make changes where the power lay in her hands, and that was something she would always be grateful to him for.

Smiling as he listened, he nodded and then spoke again, addressing her directly, "if I haven't said it already, congratulations."

"On my pregnancy?"

"That, and on your insight and growth. I think you're being very sensible and very rational."

Chuckling as she heard what he had to say, she had to acknowledge the obvious, "unlike when you first met me."

Feeling the movement of JR laughing silently beside her, she knew how he felt about her tendency to overthink and worry, and how much happier they were now that they'd both grown as people. Doctor Williams was a little more tactful, not laughing, just smiling and nodding, acknowledging her comment without making light of her previous propensity toward emotionally feeling everything whether it was for her to concern herself with or not.

"You've said it yourself, worrying yourself sick is counterproductive. We cannot control anything or anyone but ourselves and you've managed to strike the right balance between being concerned about your wellbeing and living your life. You've been faced with adversity and it has made you stronger. I think you should be proud of yourself."

Taking a few moments to let it sink in, when she comprehended what he was saying she did feel how he thought she should. She'd come a long way and that was not something to shy away from congratulations on.

"So doc, you think our time here is done?"

Speaking before she could, JR's comment came as a surprise to her. She'd come to depend on Doctor Williams for his input into her life and it hadn't occurred to her that at some point they would cease their professional relationship.

"I think it might be time to scale back the regularity of our check-ins."

"Really?"

Speaking up, her tone was surely a little panicky. She was handling her life just fine, but would it last when she wasn't receiving regular prompts to keep her on the right path?

"So long as you feel comfortable with that. You are about to enter a period in your life that could be emotionally challenging, but day-to-day you're living your life and you don't need me to guide you through every decision anymore, do you?"

"I… maybe."

Doctor Williams' expression kind, she knew he wasn't going to let her leave it at that, indecision was something they'd worked on and something she knew how to work through.

"I'm not going anywhere. If you really do not feel comfortable scaling back our time together then we don't have to, however I don't believe that's a rationally made decision, I believe that's your fear talking, fear you know you can eliminate if you just take a step back and look at the issue without so much emotion attached to it. You and JR have come a long way and you did that together, you've each done a lot of learning and growing and you have to trust that at some point you can be self-sufficient with your decision-making."

Patting her knee comfortingly, JR showed his support for her, although his words showed he was firmly on Doctor Williams' side. "Darlin', do you really not trust yourself to continue without this sort of handholding?"

"It's not that, it's just…" starting to answer, wanting to defend herself, she stopped as she realised she didn't have the words to do it.

They were both right, she was strong, she'd just moments ago accepted that as fact and to push back against the trait now seemed silly. It would be a change, but she was perfectly capable of dealing with change and in fact, the purpose of their sessions had always been to achieve the gains they had with the goal of being discharged with the ability to assess situations and make the right decisions on how to react.

"No actually, you're right." Addressing JR, she turned to Doctor Williams, speaking to him directly, saying it again, "thank you."

She and JR had so much to look forward to over the coming weeks and months with John Ross' birthday, JR's move into the role of president of Ewing Oil, enjoying the summer and then preparing for the arrival of their next baby, she had a path for happiness ahead of her and it was time to embrace that completely.

To be continued…