Dallas, Texas

"Thank you for doing this with me. I know you don't really enjoy riding, but I wanted us to do something together, something quiet and relaxing, just the two of us", it was the day after Christmas and she wanted to unwind after their busy day yesterday, it had been enjoyable, but with that many people around, it was hard to really relax, and she was exhausted. What she really wanted was to spend a little time getting reacquainted with her husband; it wasn't that their marriage had been bad lately, bad wasn't the word, it was just a little distant, he had been busy with work and they'd neglected to really focus on anything other than the surface of their marriage. They had dated for almost three years before they actually got married, and they used to spend a lot more time just being together as a couple rather than acting their roles as husband and wife. All Sue Ellen wanted was a little reminder that they hadn't changed so much that they were no longer the same people that they were in the beginning. They could definitely use a little extra boost, something to remind them of just how deep their feelings for each other actually were and why they fell in love in the first place and this week seemed like the perfect time to start that process. JR only had a limited amount of days where he was free to just enjoy himself without having to think about Ewing Oil all the time, and Sue Ellen intended on taking advantage of that; not that JR minded, he did love his wife, and he knew that he hadn't been the best husband lately. "It's fine darlin', I know you like riding and I'd much rather be here with you than battling the crowds of people out there today", he knew that most public places would be busy, he wasn't the only one that took the days between Christmas and New Year as a break. The normally relaxing parks and recreation areas would be overrun with people, and the stores would be full of shoppers looking for a bargain. He didn't see any reason to join the chaos, he was rich, he didn't have to wait for a sale to buy nice things, and Dallas wasn't going anywhere, he could enjoy the attractions anytime he wanted. He'd never admit it, but she was right, it was actually rather relaxing to just slowly ride around the ranch on horseback, it was peaceful and they were finally getting to spend some time alone together as a couple. It was nice to get away from the house for a few hours, he liked his family, and he tolerated Sue Ellen's family, but that didn't mean he wanted to spend all day with them or that he didn't appreciate a little peace and quiet. He liked when he and Sue Ellen had time together to just enjoy being husband and wife without having to attend to other people too, so when she suggested riding their horses down to the pond for a picnic, he only protested a little bit, he had to keep up appearances, but he wanted to please her too.

"I missed this", they walked hand in hand around the pond, talking about everything and nothing as they just enjoyed each other's company. It was exactly the relaxed feeling that Sue Ellen had been looking for when she suggested spending the day together and she was pleased that they'd fallen straight back into their behaviour from when they were dating and first married, before he got busy with work; it wasn't awkward to be together, it was nice. JR sighed as she spoke, she'd just confirmed his thoughts from a few days ago, she'd acknowledged that their relationship had been missing something the past few months; it wasn't intentional, but that didn't matter, she still felt it, and he knew that he should have put more of an effort into being a husband. He didn't want to hurt her with his actions, but it happened anyway, and it annoyed him that it had taken so long for him to notice the way things had become; he'd been so caught up in work and everything that concerned the oil business that he didn't really notice the way things were between them. It was an asset to have a wife who hung on his every word and was always there to serve him, but it was also a problem; she never voiced any complaints about his behaviour, she just sat by and accepted things as they were, because a good wife never complained about her husband's work. "So did I…" he stopped walking and turned toward her, pausing as he tried to think of the right way to apologise for his lack of attention lately. He wasn't usually a remorseful man, but there was something about his young, innocent wife that made him want to do right by her, she really tried to be a good wife and the least he could do was put a little effort into being a good husband. "Sue Ellen… I'm sorry that this is such a big deal, something simple like a picnic date shouldn't be complicated or rare, but unfortunately it is, and I take full responsibility for that. It's my fault that we haven't spent much time together lately, I let everything else get in the way of our relationship and I'm sorry about that, I didn't even realise I was doing it until a few days ago. I love you and I want you to know that I will always love you, even when I'm busy with work, or I'm tired, or I don't show as much interest in something as I should; it's not an attack against you, it's just me being preoccupied with everything else. I promise, I will try and make sure that we don't get to this point again, you're my wife and we should spend more time together, but unfortunately things don't always work on a marriage-friendly schedule, there are things that need to be done and there's no way around them. I need you to understand that, please, I might not always show it, but I do love you", he looked at her and suddenly felt vulnerable, he was never this open with his feelings and even though they were the only two people around, he still felt exposed, like he'd said too much.

Sue Ellen listened to her husband as he acknowledged and explained his actions from the past few months, she wasn't mad at him, she understood that his work had to come first, but it was still nice to hear that he was sorry about the way things had been and that he was committed to trying to improve them. "Thank you, I love you too. When we said those vows to each other on our wedding day, I meant it, I love you and I will do anything for you. I know that marriage isn't always romantic and I'm not upset with you for making that a reality; all I want is for our marriage to be the best that it can be, but I understand that you can't always be here with me, I understand that Ewing Oil has to take priority sometimes, and I will always support you. You're my husband and I'm your wife, it's my duty to be here for you when you're down or stressed about something, it's not my place to nag you or tell you what to do; I just want to be the best wife I can be, and if that means waiting for you, then I will. But thank you, thank you for acknowledging and committing to try and improve things, I couldn't ask for anything more. I love you JR Ewing, and I don't intend on giving you up", she smiled at him as she finished speaking, she didn't want their day to be too serious and she didn't want to dwell on their problems any longer. All she wanted was to have a nice day with her husband, no problems or worries, just a good time for them as a couple, and if helping him work through his guilt was the way to get there, then she would do just that. JR was relieved as she finished speaking, she really was an understanding woman, he wasn't so sure he could be as understanding if he were in her position, but he was grateful that she took everything in her stride and was committed to being a good wife. That's all he could really ask for, he wasn't in control of all of the variables, but he could somewhat control his wife, though he was pleased that he didn't need to, she was already on his side. "Good, because I don't intend to give you up either, you're stuck with me, forever", he grinned at her facial expression as he spoke, glad that the mood was no longer heavy; "it's a burden, but I suppose someone has to do it", she responded and it was her turn to laugh as his expression changed. JR was just pleased to see her laugh, he loved when they were casual with each other and there was no pressure; moving closer to her and closing the gap between them, he kissed her, deeply and passionately, without a care for anything else but their relationship right at that moment. A few minutes later, Sue Ellen pulled away, there was only one direction that their actions were heading and she feared the consequences of anyone seeing them if they continued for much longer; they were in an open area, and anyone could pass by. As much as she wanted to go there, she wouldn't compromise her privacy or dignity like that, though that didn't mean they were cancelling their activities, they were just postponed until they got back to Southfork; "come on, let's eat. I made sure that Teresa packed all of your favourites". JR was a little disappointed when she pulled away from him, but he understood why she did, he wouldn't want anyone seeing his wife like that anyway, and with the way things were going between them right now, he wouldn't have to wait long before he got his satisfaction.

To be continued…