Dallas, Texas
"You have to see this", following her mother-in-law upstairs, Sue Ellen's mind went into overdrive as they walked down the hallway, past her and JR's old room and stopped outside of John Ross' Southfork nursery; Miss Ellie was being cryptic, but she also seemed very happy, so whatever she had to show them was clearly not a bad thing. Watching her put a finger to her lips and then slowly turn the door handle, she looked at JR quizzically for a moment before turning back to the nursery, her confusion turning to surprise and happiness as she studied the picture before her. She had been telling JR for months that his father needed to take more of an interest in John Ross, the grandson he had wanted so badly, but neither she nor JR had actually told Jock to change his attitude or deal with the consequences later in life. Now though, although she couldn't judge too deeply, from what she was seeing, that wasn't as big of an issue anymore as it once had been. She had never thought she would see the day, but clearly she had been wrong, because right in front of her eyes was her father-in-law, Jock Ewing, reclined in the nursery glider with his granddaughter on one side of him and his grandson nestled comfortably on his lap. From what she could tell, all three Ewings were comfortably and happily asleep and seeing that made her genuinely happy.
Looking up at JR, she could tell from his facial expression and the way he looked at her that he was conflicted. He wanted his father to have a good relationship with John Ross and seeing him showing that he loved him was a very nice thing to witness, but she knew the pain of his own childhood and lack of emotional moments in his life had had a lasting negative effect on him and he did wonder what could have been. The Ewing men weren't known for their soft sides, but from the way Jock had spoiled Bobby and the more informal relationship he and Bobby had compared to the relationship he had with JR, it was clear that he wasn't all serious all the time. JR wasn't completely left out, he went hunting and camping with Jock, Bobby and occasionally Ray; he was Jock's equal match and preferred conversation partner when it came to discussing and debating business, economics and politics; and Jock was entrusting him with Ewing Oil for more reasons than because he was the eldest son; but emotionally, they weren't close. She knew JR though, he didn't like to talk about his emotions, at least not with anyone but her, and as long as he held that attitude, little would change. She also knew it touched him deeply to see his own son so close to his grandfather, because although he and John Ross were separate people, the emotional softness his father showed to his son was enough to tell him that he had done well and his father was proud of him.
Gently closing the door, Miss Ellie waved her son and daughter-in-law down the hall so they could speak without disturbing the lovely scene in the nursery. "As you've seen for yourself, a few things have changed around here while you've been away", smiling as she spoke, she thought about the four days that had just passed. She didn't know exactly what Lucy had said to Jock, but it was clear to her that she had said something because a few times this weekend she had caught the two of them talking in hushed tones, and for whatever reason, her husband had finally started doing the things she'd been trying to get him to do for months. She suspected that Lucy had an advantage she didn't; where she was strong, she was also cautious when it came to honouring her marriage, but her granddaughter was different, she was a little girl who wasn't afraid to use her girlish charm on people, and she was a strong young woman that had little time for excuses. She knew she had allowed Jock to brush off her concerns more than once and she wished she hadn't, but at the time it had seemed like the best choice if she didn't want to cause too much friction in her marriage. Lucy on the other hand was in direct contact with a therapist who promoted discussing her thoughts openly, but even before she had ever been in therapy, she hadn't been afraid to say what she thought and argue her way into getting what she wanted. She was very much a Ewing, she was smart and headstrong, though those characteristics weren't always appreciated; she was also just a young girl who wanted a normal family life though, she had felt pain, loss and uncertainty much too early in life and she was interested in manipulating and taking advantage of any opportunity for happiness available to her. Building good relationships with her family was something she wanted to do and it was something she wanted John Ross to have automatically, without having to struggle the way she had and did, so she wasn't going to let silly excuses from her grandfather squash her efforts. Miss Ellie didn't know the exact details of what went on in her granddaughter's life or what had actually occurred between her and Jock, but she was happy something had happened, it was about time.
"Ha, you can say that again. Mama, what happened? Not that I'm not happy, but since when is daddy interested in reading bedtime stories and cuddling? Even with Lucy; I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the girl in the past, but even I know it's been years since daddy played the hands-on grandfather role". Torn between confusion, happiness and thoughts of what could have been, JR questioned his mother and looked to his wife for any hint of an answer, even though she was just as in the dark as he was. "I don't know the details but I'd say Lucy put her foot down and insisted your father act like the grandfather he is. You know how determined she can be, she's just like you and your daddy, she doesn't like it when her requests are denied; and Sue Ellen, you know how she adores John Ross, I think with you away she saw potential for loneliness but she also saw an opportunity to do something that should've been done a long time ago. If you want to know what happened, I'd ask Lucy; for me personally though, I'm just enjoying seeing my two grandchildren spending time with their grandfather and I'm enjoying seeing my husband finally realising what he's been missing out on". Listening to his mother's answer, JR knew instantly that she had no interest in further dissecting and analysing the events leading up to what he had just witnessed, she was clearly happy with the way things had changed and was happy with simply assuming the reasons why those changes had occurred. For him, he was more curious, but looking at Sue Ellen, he knew that tonight was not the time to be asking lengthy questions and if she did want answers, she would do exactly as his mother had suggested, she would ask Lucy at an appropriate time.
"Whatever the reason, I'm happy to see that everyone is happy. Thank you for looking after John Ross while we were away, it's really a huge weight lifted to know he's happy, healthy and comfortable here in Dallas with his family when we're not here". Happy, but growing wearier by the minute, Sue Ellen responded to her mother-in-law sincerely before looking up at her husband to indicate that she was ready to go home. She was thrilled to see John Ross looking so peaceful, but she had missed him over the past few days and she was tired, it was time to collect her son, return home and go to bed. There would be plenty of time tomorrow to discuss the details of their vacation and the happenings in Dallas while they were gone.
"Mm, thank you mama, and I guess daddy and Lucy too. We're Ewings, we're family; like Sue Ellen said, it's nice to know we can trust our family to care for our son while we're away", pausing for a moment, he hoped his mother knew he meant what he was saying and he wasn't just saying it to soften the blow of his next point. "It's getting late though; it's time for us to collect John Ross and go home", looking at Sue Ellen after he finished speaking to his mother, he was happy and relieved to see her relaxed and happy demeanour and he relaxed himself as she whispered a few words and quietly walked back down the hall to collect John Ross. They weren't home just yet, but as far as he was concerned, tonight, all was well. Tomorrow was a different story, but tomorrow was also a new day; tonight, what mattered most was his family and right now, his family was happy.
To be continued…