Dallas, Texas

"Excuse me?" standing in the downstairs office after dinner, Sue Ellen stared at her father-in-law in disbelief before mentally repeating his words to herself. Jock Ewing had just said something to her that sounded a lot like an apology, but just hearing the words didn't automatically change her opinion or perspective on the situation. Thinking about it, she knew that it was probably no coincidence that the apology she'd wanted had come after she'd voiced her thoughts, feelings and expectations for the future to both JR and Miss Ellie, and looking over at her mother-in-law and husband, she knew she was right and she knew exactly which one had said something. It was clear from JR's facial expression that he was just as surprised as she was to hear his father offering her an apology, and it was clear from Miss Ellie's facial expression that she was proud and pleased that her husband had said something.

"I said, I'm sorry for upsetting you and I'm sorry for making you feel like you weren't a respected member of the Ewing family", looking at his daughter-in-law and then looking at his wife, it was obvious that Jock wasn't exactly comfortable with what he was saying. It may have been true, he may have been sorry, but the apology he was giving right now was clearly not his idea. "I'll try my hardest to change the way I speak and act from now on, because you are a Ewing and it's not right for you to be made to feel as if you aren't". As he finished repeating his planned apology, Jock paused and waited to see whether his words had been enough or whether he was going to have to say more in order to gain his wife's forgiveness, his daughter-in-law's forgiveness and regain the sure feeling that his family would stay together, and in turn, he would remain in control. It wasn't that he didn't mean what he said, because he did; even before his wife had spoken to him earlier in the evening, he'd understood that he had been out of line when he'd disregarded Sue Ellen's involvement in JR's life and he could see why his attitude could be mistaken for rude and disrespectful. While JR, Sue Ellen and John Ross were away at the lake house the previous weekend, he'd done a lot of thinking and acknowledged his own mistakes and actions, and he'd attempted to right his mistakes when they'd returned; he and JR were in the process of changing his contract and soon, all would be well in the business again. Unfortunately though, he'd underestimated exactly what steps were necessary to repair the cracks in the relationship JR and Sue Ellen had with him and with the Ewing family as a whole. He'd arrogantly assumed that his business efforts would be enough to mend the personal issues too, so he'd skipped over apologising to Sue Ellen personally, even if he'd always known it was the right thing to do. He didn't like apologising, it meant acknowledging that he was wrong, and he didn't like being wrong, however, he'd always told himself that if it was absolutely necessary to apologise, then he would do it, so he was.

Hearing her father-in-law repeat his apology, Sue Ellen felt a wave of relief wash over her. It was possible that he didn't really mean any of what he'd said and that nothing would change, but it was definitely nice to hear him acknowledge that he was wrong and make a commitment to do better in the future, especially since both JR and Miss Ellie were there to witness it. "Thank you Jock", nodding politely, she wondered whether perhaps she should just accept his apology and commitment and wait and see whether things got any better before making any rules or demands of her own, it would probably be easier than starting another argument. Considering what Miss Ellie had told her earlier though, she decided just to go ahead and make her position perfectly clear, that way, there would be no place for boundary confusion and no excuses for future mistreatment. Looking over at JR, she was pleased when he understood her intent and joined her without hesitation. "Thank you", repeating again to Jock that she was appreciative of his apology, she then continued to speak, much to his surprise and confusion. "While we're all here though, there are a couple of things JR and I wanted to discuss with you…" opening the discussion with a very vague comment, she knew he was confused and worried, his facial expression said it all. Looking over at Miss Ellie, she was encouraged by her warm demeanour; they both wanted the same thing, they both wanted to live a happy, peaceful life, and although she wasn't sure Miss Ellie would entirely agree with everything she was about to say, she knew that in general, they were on the same side.

Glancing over at JR, Jock wondered what the hell was going on, however, receiving a small, nervous smile from his son and sensing that he was about to be told anyway, he stayed quiet as he waited for Sue Ellen to continue speaking. "While we're here discussing the Ewing family and the position each of us as individuals hold in the family, JR and I have something we'd like to say… about John Ross". Taking a short pause as she set the scene, Sue Ellen then launched into her explanation, one she was sure Jock wasn't going to be too happy about. "We're aware and very proud and happy that John Ross is the Ewing heir and will be the next generation to carry on the Ewing name, however, first and foremost, he's a person, independent of roles and titles. If we are thinking about titles though, the only ones that are of any real importance right now are 'son' and 'grandson'. John Ross is our son, JR and I are his parents and we will make decisions about what is best for him as a person, as part of our nuclear family and then as part of the wider Ewing family. We know that it's important for him to have a good relationship with his grandparents and we would never discourage that relationship, but we want it to be one that is focused on individuals, not their titles; we want you to spend time thinking about and with John Ross purely as your grandson, let us worry about his future". Pausing for a moment as she allowed Jock to process what she was saying before continuing.

"I'd also like to make it very clear right now that I will not stand for any mistreatment or nasty words toward my son if he does choose to do something other than follow the exact path that is currently hoped for him. There will be all the support in the world for him to get the education he deserves and the work experience that he needs to work at Ewing Oil when he's older, however, if at any point, he does decide that Ewing Oil isn't the future that he wants, I will not allow anyone to shame him for that decision. I've never met Gary and I don't know the details of his life at Southfork or his departure, so I can't judge that situation, however, what I do know is that I don't want to ever experience the pain that Miss Ellie feels every day because one of her sons is a stranger in her life. I love my son and I want the best for him, whatever that may be. In saying that, none of this may be an issue, John Ross may be entirely happy to follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and join Ewing Oil, and in that situation, all is well, as long as he's always treated like a person, not just an idea or a title. JR and I have discussed this at length, haven't we JR?" Looking over at her husband, she waited for him to offer his supporting comments and although he paused for a moment and she grew worried that he was backing out of agreeing with her, she knew she had no reason to worry when he squeezed her hand and spoke, "yes. I'm sorry if it sounds harsh daddy, but I have my own son now and I have to do what's best for him as well as what's best for the Ewing family and Ewing Oil. I have no doubt though that as long as we provide John Ross with a stable, happy childhood, he'll be proud of his daddy and want to be just like you and me, just like how I did when I was a boy, but we have to allow him to make that decision himself. It's the right thing to do". Knowing they were risking a upsetting his father and that if he was truly upset or angered by what they had to say, there was nothing stopping him from not signing the new contract tomorrow, JR held his breath as he waited for a response from his father.

Glancing over at his wife, Jock knew that Sue Ellen's mention of Gary had really sealed the deal for her and he was in a position where he really couldn't win, even if he did have a good argument against Sue Ellen's demands. Considering the situation for a moment, he actually found himself somewhat agreeing with the general ideas his son and daughter-in-law had, he just hated how they'd been presented to him, as if he wouldn't listen to anything other than demands. Of course he wanted John Ross to be happy, but naturally, he wanted him to be happy and working at Ewing Oil; from personal experience though, he couldn't deny that the best way to ensure a Ewing son followed in his footsteps at Ewing Oil, was to create a life for him where he truly wanted to follow the path. Mentally acknowledging and assessing everything, he stayed silent for a little while longer; he couldn't appear too agreeable, it wouldn't look right and it would open the door for many more negotiations, ones he knew he wouldn't be so open to agreeing to. JR and Sue Ellen were playing a game and he was going to participate fully in the negotiation phase of the game, even if he knew that in the end, they would come to a relatively easy and simple agreement.

To be continued…