Denison, Texas
Looking around the lake house dinner table in anxious anticipation as everyone took their first bite of the meal she'd just spent the last couple of hours preparing, Sue Ellen was delighted when Lucy complimented her culinary skills. "Sue Ellen, this is delicious, what is it?"
Gathering from the nods and murmurs that the rest of the family felt the same, she answered Lucy's question with a smile, "thank you Lucy, it's coq au vin, it's a French chicken dish".
"I never knew you could cook so well", sounding genuinely surprised, it wasn't really a that shocking that Bobby knew little of her talents; she'd hosted him for dinner countless times but rarely actually prepared anything herself.
"My mother made sure I knew my way around the kitchen", explaining her hidden talent, she knew that as far as her mother went, there was no further detail required.
"Well, you've certainly proven that with this dish, hasn't she JR?" looking between her and JR, Jock's pleasant comment was unexpected; it wasn't often he was forthcoming with praise. She'd pleased him greatly by giving him his first grandson, she was a good wife to JR, and in comparison to Pamela's independent streak she knew she ranked higher on the preferred daughter-in-law table, but rarely did he come out and actually compliment her.
"That she has daddy, of course I've known for years that when she puts an apron on it's not just for show", grinning, JR was quick to bring up old memories, ones she wasn't so sure everyone else needed to know.
"JR", feeling her cheeks burning at the reminder of how much he enjoyed her domestic side, she was glad when everyone chuckled but no one pushed that particular discussion any further.
Smiling warmly, appearing to appreciate that their marriage was on the right track, Miss Ellie turned her attention to her other daughter-in-law, asking, "Pamela, do you cook?"
"I do, but nothing quite this fancy", having offered to help her earlier and knowing the life she'd lived before Bobby, Pam's reply came as no surprise to her.
"That's not true honey, you made some Chinese dish once", interjecting, Bobby reminded his wife of her own talents.
"Oh, chow mein, that's Cliff's favourite", mentioning her brother, there was an audible drop in ambient noise around the dinner table.
"Whatever it was, it was good", skipping over any discussion of her family, Bobby reiterated his opinion.
"Thank you", smiling, Pam appeared brighter than she had all day. Although she'd offered to help with the dinner preparations earlier, it had felt like she'd said it more out of politeness than genuine interest, and when she'd pressed her about how she was feeling it had come to light that although she looked to be carrying small for how far along she was in her pregnancy, it still wasn't easy.
"I take it Teresa makes all meals at Southfork, not just the ones I've attended", making conversation, Jack's observation was accurate.
"Most of them, yes. I suppose we shouldn't really be surprised we didn't know much of Sue Ellen and Pam's culinary skills, there isn't much of an opportunity to show them off at Southfork", acknowledging their social situation, Miss Ellie sounded thoughtful, as if it had never occurred to her before that being a Ewing wife didn't require many traditional homemaking skills.
"We're not complaining Miss Ellie", remembering her mother's lessons, she knew she was living the life she'd been told she deserved and was working towards, and although she'd butted heads with her mother at times, she had to admit it was a nice life to live. Her mother had taught her all of the things that a good wife should be able to do, but the expectation was that she would marry well and never have to actually use many of those skills. If ever required, she could cook, clean, sew, garden, host, and mingle, all while looking effortlessly graceful, and she did, sometimes, other times she had much less on her mind; with domestic help she could focus on being a wife, a mother, and herself, which was a privilege she was happy to have.
"I know", nodding, Miss Ellie's slight smile and kind tone told her they were on the same page. They had different experiences being Mrs Ewing, but they were both very content with the way things were.
"You know mama, I can think of one thing everyone likes that Teresa wouldn't dare make herself", looking over at his mother, JR sounded confident about what he had in mind.
"What's that?" curious, Miss Ellie asked him to continue.
"Your chili", stating his thoughts matter-of-factly, no one could argue with him, because he was right. They hired caterers and had Teresa working overtime in the lead up to barbecues and rodeos, but there was one thing that only Miss Ellie prepared and that was her chili.
Chuckling at his comment, the attention in the room quickly turned from JR and Miss Ellie to John Ross as he softly mumbled, "chi".
"What was that sweetheart?" looking down at her son, she encouraged him to repeat the word again. As far as his development went, he had some speech, but he was far more comfortable with walking than talking.
"Chi", attempting again to say the word chili, just like his daddy, he didn't quite get there, but his effort and excitable nature was still endearing.
"That's my boy, a real Ewing", grinning, JR leaned over and reached his arm behind her to ruffle John Ross' hair, his pride clear; he loved his son, and his son loved him.
"John Ross Ewing III", saying his grandson's name, Jock sounded proud and fulfilled; he had what he'd always said he wanted and their weekend plans made things even better. Not only did Jock Ewing have a son and a grandson who bore his name, he also had his family in one place, committed to spending time with each other, and enjoying it.
To be continued…