Denison, Texas

"All done?" standing to greet his wife as she re-entered the lake house living room, without John Ross in her arms, JR looked forward to what the rest of the evening held for them. The past month and a half had consisted of a rollercoaster of emotions but finally she seemed to be feeling back to normal, and he could attest that she definitely looked back to her old self again, just in time too, because he had something to say that she might like to hear.

Nodding yes, Sue Ellen answered his question, admitting, "he fought me and tested my patience but he's finally asleep". Circling her arms around her neck, she leaned in and hugged him, silently standing in his arms for a few moments before pulling away and tilting her head up to look at him, enquiring about whether he'd finished everything he'd set out to do when they separated earlier.

"Mhm, the doors and windows are all locked and there's plenty of wine should we wish to open another bottle, so short of the someone coming to find us to tell us news of a crisis back at Southfork, we're all set", confirming his list of easy tasks were complete, he ushered her over to the couch. Remembering the last weekend they'd spent at the lake house, he'd made sure to take the phone off the hook temporarily to prevent his parents, Bobby, or Bobby's clumsy new bride interrupting what was his and Sue Ellen's time together.

"To good health and good circumstances this weekend", accepting and holding up the glass of red wine he handed to her, she took a seat at one end of the couch, draping her legs over his as he joined her.

"I'll drink to that", delighted to be alone with her again, he held his glass up to toast her. They had their own home and spent every night together regardless of where they were, so physically they were no more alone now than usual, but symbolically the extra distance between them and Southfork was nice, being at the lake house felt like being on vacation and unless something was really, truly important, there was no risk of interruption.

Taking a drink, Sue Ellen set her glass down and leaned forward to kiss him, an action he accepted with pleasure, especially when she slid his glass out of his hand with ease.

Thoroughly enjoying their embrace, he was in no rush to pull away from her, but when they did briefly separate he took the opportunity to address a couple of things that were weighing on his mind, things they ought to discuss before the evening was over, especially since they concerned where her kiss indicated things were heading.

Pulling her to lay her head against his chest, he approached the subject of more children jokingly, though at the heart of it he was quite serious, "so darlin', you say our boy tested your patience, are you sure you want another one?"

"Right at this very minute, no, but in theory, yes", raising her head a couple of inches to look at him, her tone of voice conveyed the same message as her words; times could be tough when John Ross was less than agreeable and parenting wasn't easy, but she loved it.

"Good, because I wanted to let you know that I've done some thinking and I agree", dropping his change of heart on her, he delighted in the surprised look she gave him as she sat up to face him at eyelevel.

"You do?" staring at him with wide eyes, she didn't smile, but she didn't frown either, mostly she just appeared amazed that she'd heard him say what he had.

"Yes, I think we should see what happens", nodding, he confirmed to her that she'd hear him right. He had a few caveats in mind as far as the process of trying to have another baby was concerned, but generally, his answer was yes.

Sitting up, she suddenly became serious, looking at him with concern as she rapidly voiced her thoughts, "I don't understand. What about what you said in the Caribbean? About John Ross turning out so well that it'd almost be jinxing it to try again with a second child because nothing could be better than what we have now".

"That's not quite what I said", thinking back on their weekend in the sun, he was sure he'd voiced his thoughts more tactfully than how she was making him sound.

"No, but you did say you were undecided", a little fairer this time, she used a word they'd actually spoken at the time, though it didn't apply any longer, which was what he was trying to tell her. It was true he'd had his concerns about a potential sibling relationship, after all neither he nor Sue Ellen had grown up close with their siblings, and he'd been conflicted about adding another baby to their family when they were perfectly happy and quite confident raising their boy, but that was before and he was allowed to change his mind.

"Are you trying to talk me out of it?" chuckling, he didn't argue that he'd been undecided, just that she suddenly seemed determined to keep him that way.

"No, I'm very happy to hear you've changed your mind, I'm just curious why. What happened? What changed? Why now?" still not convinced, she quizzed him again, asking him questions he was getting around to answering anyway.

Making a shushing sound, he spoke calmly and quietly, saying, "relax darlin', nothing happened", then, picking up her glass of wine, handing it to her, he explained where he was coming from. "Think back to all of our previous conversations, I was always on the schedule we're on now. John Ross' birthday has passed, you're physically recovered, you seem to be in a better place emotionally, and it's time to revisit the topic, like we always said we would".

Having considered it, he was open to more children. He didn't feel drawn to having a family of more than three the way she seemed to be, but he didn't see the harm in seeing what happened and if she did find herself pregnant again, giving John Ross a sibling, but if for some reason she couldn't have more children, he wouldn't be heartbroken. He had what he wanted, he had John Ross; he loved John Ross, his son, his namesake, his heir; John Ross was a loving, darling little boy, he loved seeing him grow and learn and he couldn't wait for the future where he had the positive elements of the relationship he had with his own daddy. Considering that, as much as they loved John Ross, he expected another child would be just as loved.

"I don't need to revisit anything, I already know how I feel", reiterating that time and recovery hadn't changed her mind, she was quite clear in what she wanted.

"Then let me say one thing and we'll not dissect it further then, ok?" respecting that she knew what she wanted, he had a more grounded view of the situation, one he wanted her to understand before they moved ahead any further.

Visibly tense, she ran her finger around the rim of her glass, "I'm listening".

"I don't want there to be any pressure. I am very happy being John Ross' daddy and if he's the only child we ever have then I won't be disappointed. I'm happy to try again, to expand our family if that's how things work out for us, but I never want you to feel the way you did in the months leading up to finding out you were pregnant the first time, and if you do start to feel that way, I think we should reconsider". Seeing no reason to draw his answer out further, he was straight with her, telling her exactly how he felt, how he wanted her to feel, and what he wanted to happen if things didn't go the way they wanted them to.

Sitting quietly, she listened to everything he had to say, nodding, smiling and frowning where appropriate, before summarising his thoughts herself, "so, you want to just see what happens?"

Chuckling at the tone she used as reminded him that she overthought things sometimes and couldn't grasp that he hadn't planned every aspect of their future, he answered her jokingly, "it's more fun that way, isn't it?"

"It's always fun", grinning, she agreed with him. While the last few weeks had been difficult both physically and emotionally, in general they had a very satisfying intimate relationship.

"I can't argue with that", shaking his head, he looked her up and down; dressed for dinner, her long legs were hidden from sight, but he didn't need a visual to remind him of the fun they had together, he had a good memory and an even better imagination.

"Then I agree, no pressure", smiling, she returned to his original point.

"Forever?" hoping her commitment would be forever, he wasn't completely sure she actually had it in her to guarantee she'd ease up on the blame and guilt she'd put herself through the first time around if it came to that again.

"I can't promise forever on an emotional thing like this, but I do feel I'm better equipped this time, we already have John Ross and he's perfect, and I know to speak to you or Doctor Williams before everything becomes too much", evaluating the situation honestly, she admitted she couldn't commit to reacting a certain way, but she'd try.

"That's all I ask", smiling, he thought it best not to push her any further. They weren't in control of much more than whether they were preventing or not, and discussing it at length was redundant beyond an initial agreement, at least until something happened, or didn't, so he left it at that for now.

"I'll try my best", appearing to read his change in mood, she grinned and took a sip of her wine, silently communicating with him.

Mirroring her actions, he held her eye contact. They'd set themselves up nicely; their position was comfortable, their drinks were poured, and their serious discussion was out of the way, everything was as it should be and now their evening was open to whatever they wanted it to be.

To be continued…