New Orleans, Louisiana

"Oh Pammy, everything is going to be just fine now", lying in bed next to his new wife, Bobby brushed a few loose strands of hair off her face as he spoke, confident and relaxed now that there was no longer a decision to make. He and Pam hadn't been together very long, but when faced with a situation in which he had to make a decision which would affect their relationship forever, he had realised quickly that the length of their relationship in weeks or months mattered little and changed nothing, because he loved her and he didn't want to lose her.

Making a decision a few days ago, their weekend away had been a surprise for her, though not the biggest surprise he had planned, their engagement and subsequent elopement held that title. Arriving in New Orleans just hours ago and having both been at work just hours before that, the two significant events had happened quickly that evening. With that in mind, and considering they'd only just declared their relationship exclusive the previous weekend, it was strange, but wonderful, to think that what they'd previously expected to just be a regular Friday night was now so much more. Now, March 9th was significant, it was their wedding date, and every year from now on, it would be their wedding anniversary.

"Bobby, I love you and I love your optimism", taking his hand and kissing it as she replied, something about the tone of Pam's voice told him she didn't share his optimism. Using their linked hands to pull her toward him, he kissed her before questioning her comments, "meaning what exactly?" As far as he was concerned everything was good, they had a bright future ahead of them as Mr and Mrs Ewing, from his change in career and continued education to her complete change in lifestyle. Finally, he'd be able to give her everything she never had, everything she deserved, everything he'd refrained from sharing with her because of her sensitivity about their difference in social status. No longer was she Pamela Barnes, now she was Pamela Ewing and as far as he and the rest of the family were concerned, a Ewing wife deserved only the best.

"I mean, everything is wonderful here and now, but have you forgotten our families in all of this? I just can't imagine them accepting the news lightly", answering him in a tone that told him she was genuinely concerned, he thought about her point seriously for a second before trying to cheer her up. "Well they'll have to, we love each other and we're married, consummated and everything", grinning at her cheekily, he felt he'd achieved what he'd set out to when she blushed, saying his name, "Bobby", and bowing her face, leaning further into the pillow and onto his chest as they lay together.

"What? I can't help it if I enjoy spending time with my wife", kissing the top of her head, he tilted her face back up to look at him, relishing the way she was looking at him. "Wife, I like that", staring at him adoringly, they both said nothing for a few seconds before he found his voice again, "so do I, and you'd better get used to it Mrs Ewing because I'm going to show you off to anyone and everyone". Grinning as he spoke, he meant every word of what he said; she was stunning, sweet, and all his and he wanted everyone to know it, even his family, who he'd hesitated in telling before now purposely because he didn't want to deal with their reactions. His parents would be stunned at first, he knew that, but once they got to know Pam they'd soon get used to the idea and grow to love her as much as he did, he was sure of it, his parents were rarely the source of problems in his life, at least not long term.

"I bet that'll shock some people", giving him a look to remind him that the first people they told were unlikely to share in their complete joy, he looked to the bright side again, their new life, "in Dallas maybe, in College Station, probably not". Socially, they had a wonderful opportunity ahead of them with his return to education because while he believed their families would eventually embrace their coupling, he knew that talk of the Barnes/Ewing feud would always precede them in social situations in Dallas, but in College Station they had a chance to build a brand new life, away from gossip.

"College Station?" looking at him perplexedly, her tone of voice once again emphasised her thoughts, she sounded confused, as if she didn't know what he was talking about. "That's where A&M is and where we'll be, part-time at least", clarifying his comment, it was his turn to look confused when instead of nodding and remembering their past conversation, she sat up, pulled the sheet around her and propped her pillow up behind her, questioning him again, "I'm sorry, just rewind the story a bit there".

"Grad school, I told you, remember?" knowing he'd definitely told her of his plans, plans which were their plans now that they were married, he didn't really understand what she seemed so confused about, though her quick response gave him some idea, "grad school, yes, moving out of Dallas part-time, no". Joining her in sitting up in bed, he thought back to their previous conversations; it did occur to him that he'd never mentioned exactly where he had applied, except perhaps in general terms that he'd applied to universities all over the state, so that's likely where her confusion was coming from.

"Well honey, it's too far to drive on days I have class, so we'll get an apartment there, and on the days I'm working at the ranch we'll fly back to Dallas and live there, hence the part-time comment", explaining himself, he thought their misunderstanding was resolved, however, it soon became clear that she didn't. "We? Bobby, did you even think about my life when you were concocting this plan?" seemingly offended by his comments instead of just confused this time, she gave him a look that reinforced that she was surprised, which continued to surprise him as he was sure that this wasn't brand new information to her.

He'd told her about his plans for grad school and he was sure he'd mentioned that he'd been taking chances with his late applications, so his choices were limited, or so he imagined; academically he was very capable of doing what needed to be done, it was really just a timing issue. Applications were irrelevant now, acceptances were trickling through and he'd received a few more letters in the days following his first one, a few rejections amongst them, however, the overall meaning of the letters didn't change between them. No matter what he did, he was going to have to travel for the type of course he was looking at because none of the universities in Dallas offered exactly what he needed, he thought he'd told her that. She wasn't asking about he'd made his application choices though, she was asking whether he'd considered how it affected them and the answer was, he absolutely had. He'd thought about what to do about his relationship with Pamela a lot and he'd thought she'd be happy with the choice he'd made, clearly she wasn't though. Life changes were impending for him and he hoped they were for them too, he'd made his decision already, they were married, she was his wife, and come the start of the semester, Dallas would no longer be his permanent home, he hoped she could say the same thing.

"Of course I did, I thought about it a lot", replying, he paused for a moment debating whether to explain to her that his grad school plans had been the catalyst for his surprise trip, engagement, and suggestion that they elope, however, before he made a decision either way, she was responding to what he'd said. "Really? Because you don't seem to have considered at all that I have a job, one that doesn't allow for an erratic schedule like you're suggesting. Another thing, what about my family? When am I supposed to see them if I'm off living hours away from home? They might not need me day-to-day but they do need me". Finally understanding her position, he felt he could rest her mind easier now, because his plan wasn't a bad plan at all, he knew it, he just needed to update her so she understood it too. The plan wasn't the issue, the miscommunication was, clearly he hadn't communicated his thoughts very well, but now that he knew that, he could fix it, because he had answers for all her concerns.

To be continued…