Dallas, Texas

"…so you see, we don't want to cause problems in this family, but even without saying yes to anything, it feels like problems are already brewing because of this situation. For now, Sue Ellen and I aren't interested in living on a working ranch, but maybe in the future, once we're settled and know exactly which parts of our land we do and don't use in our everyday lives, maybe then we'll consider it. We're not making any promises though, it's a firm 'never say never', but for now it's a no and will stay a no for the foreseeable future, until a point where Sue Ellen and I decide otherwise. What we really want to emphasise now though is that just because we're saying no to this proposal doesn't mean we're rejecting the Ewing family or anything like that. It's purely a personal decision that Sue Ellen and I have to make for ourselves and when and where we make that decision is our business and our business only. There's no need for either of you to take such a personal interest in what we choose to do with our own personal and joint assets and there's certainly no need for this to cause an argument like I've been told it did…" Standing in the living room explaining his and Sue Ellen's decision and perspective, JR was then interrupted by Sue Ellen herself.

"We love you both very much and it's upsetting for us to see you so upset with each other over something that doesn't need to be upsetting. Please believe us when we say that; this really isn't a personal attack or rejection, it's just us standing tall in our joint position. JR and I are adults and we don't deny that it has taken us a little while to actually settle into living like mature individuals and a mature couple, but I truly believe we're ready to do so now and we're ready to make our own decisions. If we want or need advice, then we'll ask for it, and I'm sure there will be a lot of things we do need to ask for advice about, because we're still young and inexperienced and you are older and wiser, but just in general, we'd like a little space to make our own decisions, and possibly mistakes. Just as you are married to each other and have your own lives, JR and I are married and wish to also have our own lives. We hate seeing our issues affecting other people so greatly, especially when it's two people we care do deeply about". Clasping JR's hand tightly as she spoke, Sue Ellen then waited for a response, any response, from her in-laws.

Torn between pride and devastation, but eventually settling on feeling proud, Miss Ellie nodded as her son and daughter-in-law spoke. In a strange way, she had achieved what she wanted, because both JR and Sue Ellen were agreeing with her side in the argument she and Jock had been having. She deeply regretted that her even having an opinion had caused them so much trouble though, because that hadn't been her intention at all. All she had wanted to do was prevent Jock from railroading JR into a deal he didn't actually wish to be a part of, simply because he felt some familial obligation to do so. It appeared that her worries had been valid, but also a little overblown, because despite JR and Sue Ellen not completely shutting down the idea, they had politely declined and stood their ground when it came to wanting their independence. Walking toward Sue Ellen, she gave her a hug and whispered a few apologetic and thankful words in her ear, before then turning her attention to JR and doing the same, though with JR, everything was just a little bit more stiff and formal. Looking over at her husband, she waited for him to show some similar gesture of understanding, though from his facial expression, she didn't anticipate one to be quite as forthcoming as hers had been. Jock didn't like to lose, and even though JR and Sue Ellen had valid, logical reasons for turning down his proposal, she had a strong feeling he'd bypass the logical and head straight for the illogical, assuming that despite being told it wasn't a personal attack, that's exactly what it was.

"Boy, are you really turning down a good business deal you haven't even examined yet? You said you would consult with your wife about it, but you never said you would be making any final decisions just yet, especially not about the whole deal. Come with me, we'll go and look at the files together, I'm sure once you look at the numbers, you'll reconsider it". Directing his attention solely at JR when it came to talking about looking at the files and discussing numbers, Jock waited for a moment for JR to follow him. Surely once they got away from the overly emotional women, had a drink and sat down to discuss hard facts and negotiate a mutually beneficial deal, everything would run more smoothly.

Unfortunately, he underestimated Sue Ellen's hold on her husband and JR's perspective on the situation as a whole. They didn't need the money ranching would provide them, but they did desire the independence living on their own property would bring them, and they were in some kind of 'modern' marriage where equality of the sexes was emphasised, so for JR and Sue Ellen, the decision was easy.

Seeing JR whispering something in Sue Ellen's ear and then kissing her on the cheek, Jock knew he had lost, even if JR was doing as he said. The meeting would be to humour him, nothing more; he knew it, he didn't know how he knew it, but he did. If Southfork ranch was going to expand anytime in the near future, it would be because the business purchased more land for itself, not because he and JR were about to settle on a deal.

"Let me speak to daddy alone. He's a traditionalist, he understands things better man-to-man, I'm sorry if that's upsetting, but that's how it is. I'll be back in half an hour, then we can resume our relationship where we left off before we walked into this mess this morning", whispering in Sue Ellen's ear and then kissing her on the cheek, JR was pleased when she looked up at him, kissed him on the cheek too and then leaned toward his ear to respond. "You say traditionalist, I say male chauvinist. I don't like it, but I can live with it. I need to speak to your mama about Lucy anyway. You go ahead and I'll see you in half an hour, because I would love to resume what we had to put on pause this morning". Sneaking in a small jibe about her father-in-law's irritating attitude, Sue Ellen quickly switched her own attitude, speaking the end of her sentence in a more sultry tone than she had started with, letting JR know that she wasn't upset with him in the slightest. She then turned her attention to her father-in-law and switching over to a more serious, formal tone, she acknowledged him, "Jock", before nodding and waiting for he and JR to leave the room.

Impressed by her daughter-in-law's tact and composure, Miss Ellie was about to apologise again for causing so much upset, before she was silenced by Sue Ellen's concerned look. "I meant what I said earlier Miss Ellie, I promise, JR and I completely respect you and Jock, but we need to make our own decisions, even if some of them are mistakes. We don't want to cause any problems between you and Jock either; I really hope you understand that, because I truly value our relationship". Hearing the sincerity in Sue Ellen's voice, Miss Ellie responded again in an accepting and apologetic manner. Things had been blown way out of proportion and if JR and Sue Ellen were ready to move on, she had no problem with that.

As they walked out of the living room and upstairs to check on John Ross, Sue Ellen decided the present was as good a time as any to approach her other concern. "Miss Ellie?" speaking her mother-in-law's name to get her attention again, she continued to speak, "there was one more thing I wanted to talk to you about. It's about Lucy…"

To be continued…