Dallas, Texas

"Oh, if your mama and daddy could see you now."

Listening to Punk's compliment, Bobby felt good. Surrounded by hundreds of guests, the sound of the band playing, the smell of all of their favourite foods, and with Jenna close at his side, everything was looking up.

"I know they'd be happy."

Of course he wished his parents were still around to enjoy the annual event, one he hadn't attended a year earlier because he was still deeply grieving Pam and Will, but as far as their present circumstances went, he was happy, and he knew his parents would like that for him.

Slapping his hand on his shoulder, Punk smiled, adding, "and proud."

Nodding, Mavis agreed with her husband, "it's a wonderful thing you're all doing here, carrying on traditions after those who set them are gone."

"Jock and Miss Ellie set a lovely example. We're honoured to keep their memories alive." As Punk and Mavis had been like a second set of parents to him, his mama and daddy had been that for Jenna, he knew that and he loved that she was quick to make her feelings known.

"I think it's a wonderful what you're doing for Lucy too."

Shifting focus slightly, Mavis' comment cemented that his decision to honour his parents' wishes was the right one. Lucy needed stability and Southfork provided that in a way neither Gary nor Valene could at this time in her life. Sending her to live away from the family she'd always known would be a mistake, which was why he'd filed the paperwork to keep her conditions as close as possible to what they had been for the last twelve or more years.

"Thank you."

Supported by Jenna's comforting presence and the complimentary words of old family friends, he felt secure in his decisions.

Not far from her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, a club soda in hand, Sue Ellen stood in the shade of the patio, seeking respite from the hot sun, heat she was sure she was feeling more as she carried more weight.

"So the rumours are true."

Turning her head as she heard someone speaking, she was completely surprised to find Marilee Stone approaching her.

"Rumours?"

"You know the whisperings at DOA meetings."

Gathering from the way Marilee was looking at her, her eyes fixed on her abdomen rather than her face, that she was referring to her and JR's good news, she didn't immediately acknowledge it, unsure whether Marilee was about to congratulate her or say something nasty.

"Oh, I haven't been to one of those in a long time."

"Don't I know it", contemptuous in tone, Marilee shot her a smile, completely messing with her perception of what was going on.

"Do you miss me?"

She and Marilee had never been friends, in fact she'd go as far as to say they actively disliked each other, but they hadn't interacted in a long time and things suddenly felt different between them.

"Hardly", smirking, Marilee could barely hide that she meant the opposite of what she'd said, if not at least just for the company of someone under fifty at the weekly meetings.

"Didn't think so."

Meeting each other's eye, they both laughed, connecting in a way they rarely, if ever, had before.

Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she turned around, finding her husband behind her.

"JR."

"Marilee."

Sliding his hand from her shoulder to her waist, JR's attention was partly on her however his eyes were fixed on Marilee's, seemingly waiting for her to say something to explain the strange situation he'd walked into.

"As much as I'd like to stay and chat I must be going. Congratulations."

Giving no such explanation, the moment between them over, Marilee nodded at them both and then slipped away just as quickly as she'd appeared.

"What was that about?"

Watching Marilee disappear into the crowd, JR waited a few seconds before asking the question, one she couldn't really answer.

"I think we just called a truce."

Unable to give a better explanation, she worded what she'd felt, even if it wasn't a completely accurate description.

"I didn't know you were at odds."

Chuckling, she decided against getting any deeper into the subject, their interaction had been brief and not unpleasant, so there wasn't much to tell.

"Shall we dance?"

Redirecting their conversation, she could see he wasn't completely done with the Marilee subject, however an invitation to dance at a barbecue never went unanswered and now was no different.

Taking her hand, he led her out onto the dancefloor, whispering, "let's stay well away from the pool; I don't plan on being the one who ends up dripping wet this year."

A few yards away, Jack slid his hand down Marcia's back, bringing her closer to him as the band transitioned from an upbeat song to a slower one. They didn't know each other well, having met just an hour earlier at the dessert table, so he didn't risk moving his hand any lower than it was now, however her body language indicated she might not mind if he did.

"Those two girls, are either of them yours?"

Referring to Lucy and Charlie, their interactions with him separate but both witnessed by Marcia, he understood why she was curious. It was a stretch to think Lucy could be his but Charlie on the other hand was definitely possible, and if that was the case then he was a lot more attached than many women were looking for.

"No."

"Oh, well you're very good with them."

Complimenting him, Marcia looked relieved. He had a feeling he knew where her mind was; she wanted to have fun with him and parenting responsibilities didn't factor into that.

"What can I say? I'm naturally charming, and it's not that difficult to be the fun one when they're not yours."

Laughing, she was enthusiastic in her response, "I think you're both of those things."

Not well acquainted, he was sure now they were in agreement about changing that, "I'd like to show you."

Nodding, she didn't say anything, instead leaning up and bringing her lips to his, indicating she'd like that too.

To be continued…