Dallas, Texas

Sue Ellen smiled as JR kept his hand firmly around her waist while they socialised with the other guests at the New Year's Eve party; she loved when JR showed his affection for her in small ways like that. "I bet you two are excited for the honeymoon" Punk Anderson spoke and Sue Ellen tried not to giggle, "I mean because February in Dallas isn't exactly tropical", he added as he noticed Sue Ellen blushing at his words. Mavis watched the young couple as her husband spoke; it was obvious that neither had their mind on the weather, "yes, getting out of Dallas for a little while will be perfect. I don't remember whether you ever told me where you are going?" she looked at Sue Ellen for the answer but Sue Ellen redirected her attention. "Your guess is as good as mine; JR is planning the honeymoon" she smirked, JR had been awfully vague with the details he did give her, but she didn't mind, she trusted his planning skills, and even if the location wasn't great, as long as the hotel room was nice, she didn't think she'd mind too much where they went. JR kept quiet throughout the conversation, trying to decide how little information he could get away with spilling, he wanted their honeymoon to be a surprise and he didn't want her to be able to guess too much information before they were actually married. "I can assure you, the weather is nothing like Dallas, and even if it is, all the more reason to stay indoors", he grinned, letting everyone know that he didn't plan to spend too much time exploring the location. Sue Ellen blushed as Punk laughed; it wasn't that she minded JR's plan at all, but he'd just told their family friends and that was a little embarrassing; Mavis decided to save the poor young girl from any further embarrassment by informing Punk that they should go and get another drink, something Punk didn't object to at all.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven…" Sue Ellen looked into his eyes as the crowd chanted the numbers aloud; things were finally good in their relationship and she was on her way to having everything she ever wanted, life couldn't be more perfect right now. "Three, two, one, HAPPY NEW YEAR!", the band started to play Auld Lang Syne as JR pulled her into a passionate kiss, not caring one bit that they were in public, surrounded by half of Dallas' elite; the crowd didn't care about them either, everyone was having too much of a good time to pay attention to them. As they came apart, Sue Ellen leaned toward his ear, "happy new year JR", JR moved and looked her in the eye, whispering "happy new year darlin'" before he kissed her again.

JR awoke with a pounding headache and dry mouth; as he sat up and drank from the glass of water on his bedside table, he was disappointed when he noticed that he was completely alone in his bed. On the rare occasions that he and Sue Ellen did sleep next to each other, he always awoke happier; he still couldn't believe that he, JR Ewing, was getting married in just over a month, and he was actually looking forward to it. He laughed to himself as he got up and moved into the bathroom, maybe his daddy had been right, maybe all he really needed was a good woman in his life, and he'd finally found that woman. Across the hall, Sue Ellen groaned as the brightness invaded her sleep, she'd put a pillow over her face to block out the sunlight, but as the pillow fell to the floor, the sunlight was now directly streaming into her eyes. The bright light made her feel even worse than she usually did after a big party and she cursed herself for taking a new glass of champagne every time a waiter walked past her last night; it had been fun at the time, but she was seriously regretting it now. Looking at the clock and deciding that it was more than past an acceptable time to get up, she walked into her bathroom and started to get ready for the day, though she hoped that everyone felt as bad as she did, because she wasn't sure that she was up to doing anything strenuous today.

"This is nice" Sue Ellen and JR walked around one of the outer fields of Southfork land, away from any distractions, where they could just enjoy each other and not have to worry about the rest of the world. JR agreed and they walked in comfortable silence for another few minutes before Sue Ellen decided to speak again, "JR?" She wanted to bring up a topic that had been on her mind since Jock mentioned it at Thanksgiving; theoretically, it could happen, and she wanted to know how he felt about it. He stopped walking and looked straight at her as he heard her voice change, she was more serious now. Deciding to just come straight out and ask, she spoke, "JR, do you think I'll be a good mother?" he was a little shocked, that wasn't what he'd expected her to say, though he was pleased that she was already thinking about that part of their future, it just confirmed how serious she was about their relationship. "You will be a wonderful mother" he looked her in the eyes as he spoke, wanting to reassure her, "what's brought this on?" he didn't want her to worry herself about that, it wasn't real yet and even when it was, he had no doubt that she would be a good mother, she was already quite maternal toward Lucy. She saw the look in his eyes, he wasn't lying, he really did have confidence in her ability; "well, it was something your daddy said", JR sighed, his father wasn't too tactful when it came to the subject of Ewing grandsons, he'd probably scared her. "Daddy's just excited, don't let his words get to you" he wanted her to know that his father meant well even if he came on a little strong sometimes; "but JR, he's right, the dates match up", she looked scared and he was confused, what exactly was she talking about? "Dates?" she calmed a little as he looked so confused, it was humorous in a strange way, he'd probably given no thought at all toward the process, only the actions required to become pregnant and the end result. "Yes JR. Theoretically, we could have another little Ewing at Southfork by the end of the year, and that terrifies me"; he saw how worried she was and pulled her toward him, wrapping his arms around her, "I promise, when the time comes, you will be a wonderful mother. Nothing else matters". Truthfully, he hadn't even thought about the things she was concerned about, in his mind, John Ross Ewing III was the hypothetical golden-child, his son, his heir, and not much more, he hadn't actually thought about the pregnancy or parenting a child. A Ewing grandson was mostly about the business of having an heir, not the personal enjoyment of being a father and raising a child. "You really think so?" she mumbled into his shoulder, not wanting to break their hug, "I know so", he whispered words of encouragement in her ear, her kindness, patience and maternal actions toward Lucy gave him no doubt that when the time came, she would be ready. She was slightly reassured, but still apprehensive, she didn't want to become anything like her own mother, "thank you", she moved her head away from his shoulder and kissed him, wanting him to know that she did love him and appreciate him, and that he would also be a good father when the time came.

To be continued…