Dallas, Texas
"Mama… baby… mama… baby."
Holding his son's hand as they walked the long corridor, JR smiled in amusement at the repetition in John Ross' words.
Months of preparing John Ross for the baby Sue Ellen was carrying had led them here, Dallas Memorial Hospital, on their way to meet the newest little Ewing, however he knew he'd be naïve to expect that the excitement John Ross presently felt would remain after he realised who and what the baby was.
Books, toys and talks teaching their young son about the role of a big brother likely had about as much relevance to him as tales of Santa Claus did. He could see the animals on the ranch, at the zoo or aquarium, he could play with toy trains and trucks, and he could feel the crunch of autumn leaves or freezing wetness of snow, but until he met his newborn sister and saw her fit into their lives at home, he wouldn't really grasp the concept of siblinghood.
"Mama… baby… mama… baby."
Continuing, by the time they reached the door to the maternity ward, neither mama nor baby sounded like real words to him anymore and he was sure John Ross was making sounds that mimicked words rather than speaking.
Stopping to check in as visitors, he balanced the flowers and gift box with one arm and scooped John Ross up with his other arm, carrying him down the hallway to Sue Ellen's room, uncertain of what they'd find.
His wife's discomfort had started in the late afternoon, post-thanksgiving dinner and carried on for days, through the weekend and into the following week. Insistent it was just her third trimester getting to her, the sharp pains nothing to worry about, things suddenly changed during the night of Tuesday going into Wednesday.
Unable to relax much himself with Sue Ellen's restlessness, it wasn't until she flipped the light on in the middle of the night and told him it was time that he realised something different was occurring, that whatever she'd been experiencing before had been practice for the real thing.
He'd been at John Ross' birth, he'd held Sue Ellen's hand and watched her suffering through the contractions, begging him not to leave her side, however that experience had done little to prepare him for what was to follow.
Getting to Dallas Memorial in no time, it seemed they'd arrived just in time, Doctor Wilson making the call in place of Doctor Baker that due to the baby's position and dropping heartrate an emergency caesarean was required.
Standing in the waiting room he'd felt fearful and alone, scared that something was going to go wrong but eventually the good news had been delivered and he'd been able to breathe freely again.
Pushing the door to Sue Ellen's room open, he spotted his wife sitting up in bed, alone.
"Mama!"
Raising his voice, John Ross squirmed in his arms, clearly desperate to run and hug his mama, something that might not be in Sue Ellen's best interest as she'd just had abdominal surgery.
"John Ross," appearing tired, but warm in tone and demeanour, Sue Ellen opened her arms to her son, accepting the wet kisses he offered to her as he hovered, held in place over her bed.
Allowing mother and son a period to reunite, he stretched his other arm out and set the bouquet of yellow roses and gift-wrapped knitted blanket down on the wheeled table.
His arms freer, he repositioned John Ross on the end of the bed by Sue Ellen's feet, leaning down himself to kiss her on the forehead, receiving a smile in return.
"How are you feeling?"
He'd been at the hospital all night, leaving only when they'd checked Sue Ellen into the private room and their brand new daughter had been cleared to go to the nursery, heading home to shower, get a couple of hours rest and now returning with John Ross, as per their original plan.
John Ross' birth had taught them that they wanted time to themselves to enjoy their own little family immediately following the event, so Bobby, Jenna, and the rest of their family members would come later after he phoned to say all was well.
"Had you asked me an hour ago I would have said it's agony, they come in here and poke and prod you like a science experiment. Now though, they've given me something to numb the pain so I can barely feel anything."
"Baby?"
Leaning over to set his hand on the blanket covering Sue Ellen's abdomen, John Ross addressed about the next topic he'd had in mind. Capable of full sentences, the situation was likely overwhelming for their son and a one-word question conveyed the message clearly.
"The baby isn't in mama's tummy anymore; the doctors helped take the baby out last night. You have a little sister and I can't wait for the nurse to bring her back from the nursery so you can meet her."
Redirecting John Ross' hand with her own, likely able to feel some sensation even if it wasn't painful, Sue Ellen answered the question he'd had.
Still without a name, they referred to their daughter as 'the baby' as they had since they'd found out about her existence, however that would change soon, especially now that they knew they only had half a list of names to choose from. They'd decided long ago that choosing Eleanor over Patricia might unintentionally hurt feelings, not to mention having a John Ross and Eleanor Ewing that were a married couple and a John Ross and Eleanor Ewing that were siblings might one day cause confusion for a genealogist. Despite that, they both still liked the idea of a family name, perhaps even one that occurred on both sides, the question was, which name would it be?
Noticing Sue Ellen brighten, he turned around at the sound of a knock at the door, delighted himself when he saw the nurse wheeling their tiny newborn daughter into the room.
Speaking in a calm and quiet voice, she announced the delivery from the nursery now that their daughter was awake again. Verbally checking Sue Ellen's details matched the baby she'd brought in, it wasn't long at all before she handed her over into Sue Ellen's waiting arms.
"John Ross, I want you to meet your baby sister."
Protective in the way she held the tiny newborn, Sue Ellen's maternal care extended to their son too as she looked John Ross in the eye, spoke to him, and then took his hand to assist him to gently stroke the baby's cheek.
Doing as he was shown, John Ross' interest in continuing didn't last very long, his uncertainty clear on his face as he looked between each of them.
Noticeably less excitable, he held his arms up, "daddy?"
Stepping forward, he complied with John Ross' wishes, picking him up and holding him close as he clung to him, nuzzling his face against his shoulder.
They'd prepared for the exact situation that was happening now, both aware that the bond between siblings was not instant and it was unrealistic to expect it to be, but also both hopeful that they'd do better with their family than their own parents had done.
A proud father of a son and a daughter now, and a delighted husband, in awe of his wife and more in love with her every day, he wanted to show everyone he cared for how much he loved them, and he would, in time.
Making eye contact with Sue Ellen as he held John Ross close, Sue Ellen doing the same with their daughter, he smiled, "I love you."
Returning his smile, her eyes revealing her exhaustion but also her joy, Sue Ellen reciprocated his feelings, "I love you too."