Austin, Texas

The next month passed and both Sue Ellen and JR were busy with their commitments, it was Sue Ellen's final semester and she was determined to enjoy every aspect of college life before leaving forever. Her mother would have a fit if she continued to live like a college girl after graduation; no, she was on the path to becoming a wife and society lady and there was no room for mistakes, the plan was carefully crafted and Patricia would not allow Sue Ellen to mess everything up. "Sue Ellen, has JR said anything more about your relationship?" Patricia queried her daughter as they ate dinner, she was anxious about Sue Ellen's future and her own future; they'd invested too much time in JR Ewing for it to all fall apart. Sue Ellen sighed, her mother could never just let things be, she was always interfering; she wouldn't have been surprised if JR broke up with her because her family were too much, he didn't like being told what to do and he wasn't really getting enough reward from Sue Ellen to put up with Patricia's constant nagging. "No mama, I told you, when the time is right for us, not anyone else, he will propose", she was frustrated with having no other line to explain their relationship status, timing was the only thing she could use. "He knows I expect an engagement soon, I just don't understand his hesitation. He's such a determined man and you're perfect wife material, I can't see what the problem is. Maybe I should have a word with him" she spoke and Sue Ellen's eyes widened, the worst thing for them right now would be Patricia's intense personality pressuring JR into something he was undecided about. "No mama, please don't interfere. You could ruin everything" Patricia saw the concern in her daughters eyes, she'd hold off for now, but time was running out, Sue Ellen would not be a career woman, she was set to be a wife and she was going to make it happen.

Dallas, Texas

Julie answered the door and tipped the flower deliveryman, JR had sent her a big bouquet of gardenias for Valentine's Day, she liked that he remembered some small details about her, gardenias were her favourite flower. She felt a little guilty that he was even sending her flowers though, it wasn't a friendly action, it was more than friendly, she held a place in his life that really should have been reserved for Sue Ellen. She hated herself for letting JR get to her, she had much deeper feelings for him than he had for her and she knew it, but she said nothing and did nothing, allowing him to use her both physically and emotionally. He never gave her the same courtesy, he was never there for her when she wanted or needed something. She read the card more than once, 'hope these make up for my absence –JR', it was short and simple, void of real emotion; it annoyed her that she was so upset about his lack of attention when he couldn't care less that she felt neglected and used. She knew that JR would be with Sue Ellen today, she'd get the complete JR Ewing romantic experience and Julie would get nothing except a lonely day with only a bouquet of flowers to remind her that she did matter to someone, even if it was rather one-sided. She could find another man if she wanted to and she did sometimes, but she never felt anything toward those men and she didn't want to become the female version of JR, using men for one thing. What she wanted was love, a husband who loved her and did special things for her, the same way JR acted toward Sue Ellen. Before JR met Sue Ellen, he was more caring toward Julie, never committed enough to actually start a proper relationship with her though. She had two opinions on Sue Ellen, in some ways she was jealous of her because she had JR and he was so caring toward her. But then she remembered how JR acted when he was with her in bed, he regretted it at first, but then he justified it, he needed to be satisfied and Sue Ellen wasn't doing that for him, she wouldn't want to be in Sue Ellen's position if she found out about their relationship.

Austin, Texas

Valentine's Day fell on a Wednesday, but this didn't deter anyone from making big plans, the sorority house was buzzing with activity as flowers were delivered and the girls did nice things for their fellow sorority sisters. Sue Ellen hadn't expected too much, she knew JR had an important job and his life wasn't ruled by fun holidays like Valentine's Day, he wasn't in college anymore, members of the oil community weren't big into handing out cute cards, flowers and chocolates to each other. It surprised Sue Ellen when JR had cleared his calendar to come and spend the day with her, mid-week and he was taking a day off, both her mother and Paula were convinced that his plans were big; Sue Ellen would be engaged by the end of the day. She didn't want to appear too hopeful though, it would only disappoint her if that wasn't his plan.

JR arrived early, he'd planned a full day, it wasn't busy, but there were set times for each event. As Sue Ellen walked down the stairs, he was speechless, he sometimes forgot just how beautiful she was and today, she looked gorgeous, her navy blue dress with button embellishments was perfect for their destination. "Hello darlin'" he kissed her and spoke again, "you look lovely" she got shivers from his tone of voice combined with the way he was looking at her, she was so in love with this man and it made her feel wonderful that he responded in such a way to her. "Thank you, you look very handsome yourself. Am I appropriately dressed for whatever you have planned? I can go and change if I'm not" she always had a need to please and to be proper, "no, you look perfect" he kissed her again and led them out of the house and into his waiting limousine. "I forgot to thank you for the flowers you sent this morning" she moved closer to him, using her forgotten thanks as an excuse, but really just wanting to be close to him. JR had no problem with her closeness, using the driving time between the sorority house and the airfield as the first opportunity of the day to let her know how he felt about her, not using words, but letting physical actions express his emotions.

The limo arrived at the airfield; the Ewing jet was ready and waiting for them. As the car came to a stop, Sue Ellen was saddened to end their kiss, she loved kissing JR, he was so passionate and his vast experience gave him an edge, his kisses were never dull. She hadn't asked what he had planned, he wouldn't have told her anyway; waiting in anticipation was the key to spending time with JR, he always had a plan, but hardly ever verbalised the details, preferring to keep an air of mystery. "We're flying somewhere? Do I get a hint?" she didn't know why she was surprised, he was JR Ewing after all, but she had expected something local, this was more exciting though. "No hints, it's no fun when you figure everything out beforehand" he knew that Sue Ellen wasn't big into surprises, but this wasn't really a surprise, more gentle anticipation for what she knew would be a wonderful day, she would just have to wait to find out why it was so wonderful. They boarded the plane and ate a light breakfast, a few pastries, coffee and some fruit, he knew Sue Ellen would never verbalise that she was uncomfortable because she was hungry and his plans were for a later lunch, so eating now was the best option. Sue Ellen looked out the window as they flew, still unsure of their exact destination, though the scenery told her that they were nearing the Gulf Coast, the plane landed at a small airport about an hour later. Exiting the Ewing jet, Sue Ellen read the sign on the terminal building, 'Welcome to Scholes International Airport at Galveston', she'd been right, they were on the Gulf Coast.

To be continued…