Dallas, Texas

It was now mid-April and Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie sat in the Southfork living room, surrounded by little bits of paper with various wedding details written on them. "Ok, so let me just list everything and we can check off the ones we've done, venue, check; date, check; band, check; photographer, check; flowers, check. Guest list, almost confirmed, I just need you to get those final addresses for me and then I'll send the list to the printers. Catering, almost confirmed, we just need JR to do a final tasting. What's next, oh yes, the dress and bridesmaids. Now, I know you'll want to take your mama with you when you go to try on dresses, but if you wouldn't mind, I'd love to come too, but only if its ok with you, I would never want to intrude on your time with your own mother". Sue Ellen looked at Miss Ellie, flattered that she was so thoughtful and respectful; her own mother would have just invited herself, no matter whether Sue Ellen wanted her there or not. "Oh Miss Ellie, I'd love you to be there", Miss Ellie smiled at her, "you're going to be a Ewing; family help each other". The two women hugged before moving on to the topic of bridesmaids and flower girls.

"JR, I need you to fly to San Angelo this afternoon to sort out those refinery contracts, it'll be easier in person", Jock walked into JR's office and started giving him orders. JR didn't think it would be wise to mention that Sue Ellen was waiting for him at Southfork; Jock was happy now that they were engaged, but in his mind, Sue Ellen was now in the wife role, business always came first, especially when his wife was happily waiting at home, she didn't need him right now, Ewing Oil did. "Yes daddy", he started to gather the documents he would need and hoped that it wouldn't be a long trip. It was an unusual feeling, one that had become more and more frequent after their engagement, but he felt like he wanted to spend as much time with Sue Ellen as possible. He never thought it was possible, but he was actually looking forward to having a wife waiting for him at home after a long day at the office, someone to share his problems and successes with. JR Ewing really was in love.

Sue Ellen felt a little strange eating dinner at Southfork without JR by her side, but everyone had been very kind and welcoming, it wasn't awkward after a little while and she'd been reassured by Jock that JR was due back from San Angelo in coming hours, he'd just had to sort out a few business problems. Lucy insisted that Sue Ellen spend the whole night with her and Sue Ellen was glad to have some distraction from the slight discomfort of being a stranger in another family's home. Without JR and without a wedding ring, she wasn't really a Ewing and she didn't feel entirely comfortable making herself at home, not yet anyway. After Lucy went to bed, Sue Ellen retreated to her bedroom, reading a book before getting lonely and wandering across the hall into JR's bedroom.

JR arrived back in Dallas just before midnight, cursing himself for being so late; he probably could have sealed the deal without having dinner and drinks afterwards, but at the time, it seemed like the polite thing to do. Quietly walking up the stairs, he opened the door to Sue Ellen's room and slight panic set in as he saw her bed was empty, but he reassured himself that she was probably just downstairs getting a drink or something; at least he hoped she was, he would go and look for her soon. Walking across the hall and into his bedroom, he almost laughed aloud as he saw her; she looked so young and pretty as she lay on top of his bed asleep, her book still in her hand. He quietly changed into his pajamas and got ready for bed before taking the book out of her hand and gently positioning the blankets on top of her. She looked too peaceful to move and he didn't think she'd mind sleeping next to him, she had come into his bedroom after all.

Sue Ellen rolled over in her sleep and woke herself up as she bumped into something, she gasped as her sleep disorientation confused her mind, not knowing where she was, why she was there and who was next to her. JR heard her gasp, waking herself up, "shh, it's ok", he turned over and pulled her to him, still surprised about how good it felt to have her next to him just like this, nothing sexual at all, just comforting to be close to her. Sue Ellen relaxed, mumbling a few words before falling asleep in his arms; "lonely… bedroom… reading… fallen asleep", JR smiled to himself, this was exactly what he wanted and exactly where he wanted to be.

Austin, Texas

The next few weeks passed quickly, between planning small wedding details, doing her usual leisure activities and travelling to Dallas more frequently, she felt wonderful, happy to have a full life again. It was finally coming up to the second weekend in May, the weekend JR had asked her to go away with him. She giggled to herself as she remembered her conversation with Paula, she couldn't believe that she'd been that open with her friend, it was the alcohol consumption that caused her to spill so many details, but that didn't make it any less embarrassing. Packing her things for the trip, she couldn't help but laugh at herself when she thought about JR's reaction to each piece of clothing she selected; she knew it was a little crazy to care so much about what he thought of her, but she did anyway. She wanted him to love her as much as she loved him. There was a knock on her bedroom door followed by her mother entering, impatient about having to wait more than a few seconds for a response, "Sue Ellen, I think we need to have a little refresher talk… about boundaries…" Sue Ellen sighed, she was sensible and had more self-control than anyone seemed to think possible, but she still managed to get frequent speeches from her mother about what was appropriate behaviour; the sooner she was married, the better.

Corpus Christi, Texas

"Oh JR, come and look at the view", Sue Ellen stood on the balcony of their hotel room, well technically it was her hotel room, he had arranged for adjoining rooms, but she had a feeling that he didn't plan on them spending too much time separately. "It is beautiful, just like you darlin'" he stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, waiting for her to turn around and kiss him like he predicted she would. Sue Ellen knew she should be used to his small compliments by now, but every time he said anything nice, she fell more deeply in love with him. "JR…" she turned and kissed him passionately and JR smiled to himself, both because he was happy to be with her and because he was hopeful that that wasn't his only prediction that would come true.

To be continued…