Dallas, Texas

"Aren't you happy you didn't invite Jenna now?"

Returning to the couch after stoking the fire, JR sat down and gently pulled her back to him.

"Very." Agreeing, she kissed him softly and then laid her head on his shoulder.

She'd initially misinterpreted him when he'd invited her out for the evening, assuming he was suggesting group plans rather than spending time together just the two of them, but when he'd clarified and now that they were in the midst of their evening, she certainly wasn't missing Jenna.

"Remember last year when we committed to doing this more?"

"This?" lifting her head, she looked at him, a little confused about what he was referring to; they were half-dressed following a passionate encounter, which she had a feeling wasn't what he was talking about.

"Dating."

"Oh", laughing, it all made sense now, "yes."

"We had goals, even had them written down."

1973 had started with a list, a list that they'd had every intention of following but hadn't quite succeeded.

"And then life got in the way."

Feeling sad rather than happy like she had a few moments ago, she gratefully accepted the kiss he placed on her forehead. He could be ruthless and underhanded in business, and at times he could be cold personally, but in their recent history he was exactly what she needed, comforting, loving, and open with her.

"It was a long year, this one will be better."

"I hope so."

They were only a few days into 1974 but so far it wasn't bad at all, in fact, their marriage was excellent and any concerns she had were mostly about the other people in their lives. Bobby, Jenna and Jack were involved in a love triangle of sorts, one where someone might end up hurt; Jock was learning to live again but she could never be sure of where his mind was; and although it was none of her business, she did wonder what was to come when Bobby discovered Pam's maternal family.

"I know it will."

Considering the past, it occurred that they could want and work for things, but there was no guarantee that anything they wanted would happen or that anything tragic was truly preventable.

"This time last year we were still trying to figure out how to communicate. We were just about to move into this house. We didn't know Jenna, or Pam, or Jack, Bobby hadn't left Ewing Oil and Miss Ellie was still with us. So much has changed."

Things were better now, but they were also worse. They would have had a second baby now had she not miscarried, and had Pam, Will and Miss Ellie not all left the world sooner than necessary the family would have looked quite different.

"Change happens all the time; it's just noticeable around the new year. Remember, you were a college girl once."

Shifting, he skilfully moved her onto his lap, immediately changing the tone of their interaction.

"And you were the handsome oilman courting me."

Thinking about their past always made her feel wonderful, there had been difficult times, but mostly it had been exciting. She'd thought she'd been in love with Clint but after meeting JR she'd realised that in love meant something quite different. JR was exactly who she wanted, who she was meant to be with, and their position now was an excellent reminder of the long period of time in their relationship where the little things felt huge. She'd refused to let him take her to bed before they were married so they'd spent many a night focused on what they could do together, and his lap had been one place she'd spent an extended amount of time over those years.

"Mhm, I remember it fondly, but I don't want to go back."

Running his hand through her hair, down her neck, then letting it rest on her shoulder, his words made her think.

"No?"

"No. What we have now is… exceptional."

Smiling, she knew what he meant. Even just last year they'd still had a tough time communicating, it was something they'd always have to work on, but other than that their relationship really was stronger than ever. She had no doubts about his commitment or his feelings for her, she loved the life they'd built together and were living together, and she was starting to come around again to the idea of not strictly preventing John Ross from becoming a brother; she wasn't there yet, but the thought was on her mind.

"It is."

Bringing her to him, he kissed her, leaving her with no questions about his feelings.

Pulling away, he reassured her again, "I have no plans to change things between us for the worse, so you can put that out of your mind if the concern is still there."

Their past had been a wave of new, exciting emotions and discoveries, their present was the same, but it included comfort and security. There were things that they couldn't predict, but those couldn't be prevented either, so as Doctor Williams had spent so much time telling her, it was fruitless to concern herself with maybes.

Shaking her head, she confirmed to him, "it isn't. There's so much we can't control whether we worry or not, so let's not."

Initially appearing a little surprised by her sudden lack of unease and anxiety, he soon warmed, "I think that's an excellent idea."

Life was so much easier when she wasn't needlessly worried, and she genuinely did believe they were in a position now that there was more to be happy about than sad about. JR had business concerns, and she had personal ones, but as far as their relationship went, things were pleasant and wonderful.

"I love you, and I trust you. This year will be better."

"Starting now", agreeing, he ran his hand from her shoulder down her back, the light pressure of his actions telling her what he wanted.

Meeting his lips, they resumed what was inevitable after a date night, something they both very much enjoyed and hoped not to lose any time soon.

To be continued…