Dallas, Texas

After half an hour of reassuring Lucy that nothing was her fault and there was absolutely no way anyone would leave her behind or cease caring about her, even if things did change within the Ewing family, Sue Ellen then began to gently redirect the conversation. She needed Lucy to let go of the anger she was directing toward JR, because not only was it unhealthy and unfair for her to be so intently focused on demonizing him for something she didn't even really understand and that didn't actually involve her, it was also rude and unhelpful. Sue Ellen wouldn't lie to herself and pretend JR was always kind and polite to his niece, but in his own way, she knew he did want the best for her and he did treat her well, so it was completely uncalled for for her to carry around some grudge against him and treat him in a nasty way. Lucy and JR had to make nice with each other, otherwise things just wouldn't work. Sue Ellen was sure she could get JR to understand what she meant and could get his cooperation, because for the most part, she knew he was sick of the petty drama he had been involved in in the past and he had no desire to participate in some silly fight over nothing. She wasn't so sure Lucy was going to cooperate so easily though; Lucy was obviously emotionally damaged and looking for someone to blame for things, and JR was an easy target, because in her experience, a lot of things in the past had been his fault. There had been times where the relationship between uncle and niece had been good and without issue, mostly due to Sue Ellen's continued effort to give Lucy the love and attention she so desperately needed, though also at times where they both acted like human beings rather than bratty children, even if Lucy had been one at the time. Sue Ellen hoped that with a little talk to each of them, they could call a truce and return to being civil with each other; JR wouldn't like the idea of making nice when in this case, he hadn't actually done anything wrong, but she knew that she could convince him to appear to be the bigger person. In some ways, it was ridiculous that JR, a grown man, had to put so much effort into finding an equal level with a child, but Sue Ellen was adamant that that was what was necessary for the greater good, and as long as it was done, everything would be ok.

Not realising the time, Sue Ellen's thoughts and her heart-to-heart with Lucy was interrupted by a loud screeching sound, and looking at each other, they both stood and ran down the hallway. Opening the door to the nursery and picking up her now screaming son, Sue Ellen whispered in his ear lovingly and gently bounced him up and down in hopes of reassuring him he was safe and loved. From the way he squirmed and screamed though, it was clear he had awoken a little while ago, because he was usually content to just look around his nursery for a few minutes after waking if no one was there immediately. That state of contentment only lasted so long before his human instinct kicked in and he called out to make sure he hadn't been forgotten about or abandoned though, and unfortunately for Sue Ellen and Lucy, it appeared they had arrived too late for him to calm down just because he recognized their presence in the room with him.

After attempting to calm John Ross and having no luck, Sue Ellen made an executive decision, motioning to Lucy to follow her and then carrying John Ross out of the nursery and carefully walking downstairs. She hated to see her son cry and she hated that her presence alone wasn't enough to reassure him that everything was ok and his life hadn't crumbled, but she somewhat understood the way he felt. It wasn't enough to just tell him things were fine, especially when she wasn't sure whether he truly understood everything she said; she had to show him, and the best way to show him was to actually physically show him that everything was the same. It wasn't exactly helpful that JR, Jock, Bobby and Miss Ellie were missing from Southfork at present, but even just the familiarity of seeing Teresa in the kitchen preparing for family lunch, and watching the horses running around in the field outside was reassuring to him. Sensing a change in her young son, Sue Ellen then turned around and noticed Jock and JR standing in the foyer; it seemed as if they had appeared out of nowhere and it was a little odd that they were on such good terms, considering what Lucy had described as happening the previous evening, however, she wasn't at all disappointed. She was also thoroughly pleased that John Ross appeared to be calming with the familiarity around him, and as JR walked toward them, kissed her on the cheek, whispered in her ear in a calm, composed tone that they needed to talk and then took his whimpering son out of her arms, she somehow knew everything would be ok.

Saying a few quick words to Lucy about continuing their conversation later, Sue Ellen then turned toward her father-in-law, husband and now calm son and made a comment about heading upstairs to ready herself for lunch. As far as she was aware, Bobby and Miss Ellie were still absent from Southfork, but it wasn't like either of them to just not turn up to a family event, so she was confident that come midday, family lunch would commence as usual, albeit a little more tense than usual, but she had no doubts everyone would be present.

As JR watched his wife disappearing up the stairs, he wondered what exactly he had just walked into. John Ross was usually fairly calm and relaxed, but he'd been all worked up when he had entered the house; then there was Sue Ellen, it wasn't like her to just head upstairs without offering to take John Ross with her; something had obviously happened during his absence, though as with many other things today, he didn't know exactly what. Additionally, whatever Sue Ellen had said to Lucy appeared to have worked, because although she hadn't really smiled at him, there hadn't been any glare directed at him either. What really struck him as strange about the present situation at Southfork though was his mother's absence; he still had absolutely no idea why an argument had supposedly occurred between her and his father, in fact, if it hadn't been for her absence and Lucy's outburst earlier, he wouldn't have even known there had been an argument. During his conversation with his father outside the stables and then on the drive back to Southfork, there hadn't been one mention of either of their wives or any argument, just a proposed business deal, one that on a very basic economic level, made a lot of sense, though he couldn't and wouldn't just commit to. Many other things had to go into making a decision about his father's proposal, including that the land being discussed wasn't just his, it was Sue Ellen's too; that in all of their house hunting, they had purposely avoided properties that included a working ranch; and that a huge part of their reason for moving was to gain some independence.

Looking at the grandfather clock in the foyer, JR then turned his attention back toward his father who was looking at him expectantly as prior to walking into the chaos with John Ross, he had been waiting for an answer. "I think I'll go get ready for lunch too. I haven't forgotten what you said though, I'll speak to Sue Ellen this afternoon and see what she thinks and we'll decide together whether we even want to see a proposal". He didn't go too into detail, because he already had and he didn't want to get into a discussion about it being a business decision, i.e. a decision for men to discuss and negotiate, not women, however, he knew his father knew what he meant and even if he didn't really understand it, he could respect it, at least for now. JR and Sue Ellen were more than just a married couple, they were trying hard to be equals, in most areas, including making decisions that would affect their family's life, and this was a decision that required that effort.

Holding his son and making his way upstairs, JR was suddenly struck with a thought; perhaps the reason for his parents supposed fight had to do with all the ways their marriage was different to his and Sue Ellen's. Of course his father hadn't mentioned any argument, because in his mind, he was right and his wife was being silly by demanding to be a part of the decision. Sighing to himself as he realised how much he and Sue Ellen had to talk about after lunch, he then looked down at his son who was now contently snuggled against his chest and shoulder. Even in a somewhat negative and definitely dramatic situation, the simplicity of John Ross' actions and pureness of his love and affection was heart-warming and instantly brightened his day. It would have been nice if everything in life were as easy to fix as whatever he had done to calm John Ross, but unfortunately, the issues adults had were a lot more complex. The relationship he had with his son was nothing to take for granted though, and he knew not to; entering their bedroom, he knew Sue Ellen didn't either, because although she had 'left' her son earlier, her expression upon seeing him now told JR everything he needed to know to feel reassured that all would be ok.

To be continued…