Ghosts
Chapter 10
J.R. closely gazed at Sue Ellen as their limousine drove through the crowded streets of London, en route to the Landmark Hotel. J.R. had one arm around Sue Ellen's shoulder, while he rested his other hand against his chin. Sue Ellen enjoyed the hustle and bustle of downtown London. She had always loved living in the country, but she continued to be drawn to the bright lights and glamorous boutiques she had visited in some of the world's larger cities. She was unaware of J.R.'s fixation on her, as she continued to view the framework of the city. J.R. stared at her, taking inventory of the woman seated next to him. They had been through so much together, he thought. Their lives had intersected on so many different levels. There were times when J.R. wasn't sure where his life ended and Sue Ellen's life began. He couldn't help reminiscing about the good times, and regrettably, the bad times that they had endured. J.R. owed Sue Ellen his life, on more than one occasion. He still had difficult accepting the fact that they had come this far. For several years after Sue Ellen divorced him and left Dallas, J.R. was overwhelmed with remorse for all the cruelty he had put her through over the years. He felt so ashamed. How could she possibly be in love with me? He needed her so badly, what if he screwed things up for them, again? J.R. tried to shake off the insecurities he could feel rising to the surface, and reached out to touch Sue Ellen's cheek, needing to get her attention. She looked at him and said, "I'm sorry, J.R., you know how easily I'm distracted when I think about shopping." J.R. was instantly reassured by her touch on his hand. J.R. laughed at her comment, knowing that the woman he loved was born to shop. He asked her, "What would you like to do for the rest of the day?" Sue Ellen considered his question and said, "Why don't we take a walk through Piccadilly Circus?" "If that's what you'd like, I'm game," J.R unselfishly replied. "I can think of some other things I wouldn't mind doin' . . . " Sue Ellen looked at him in mock shock and said, "Now, J.R. whatever do you mean?" J.R tipped his head back and laughed. He had never felt so at ease with Sue Ellen than he did at that very moment. They spent the rest of the afternoon strolling arm in arm through some of London's most famous stores. J.R didn't mind London, as long as he knew that Sue Ellen was there with him. J.R. watched as Sue Ellen pointed out some of the various tourist spots. J.R. put his hand in the pocket of his jacket, and fumbled with the box inside, while she held his other hand. J.R.'s stomach growling reminded him that he was hungry. "Are you hungry, Sweetheart?" he asked. "Now that you mention it, I'm starving," she said as she squeezed his hand in agreement.
They ate lunch at the Connaught Grill Room. J.R. ordered the steak platter, while Sue Ellen ordered a seafood salad. J.R. drank bourbon, and Sue Ellen ordered a San Pelligrino. J.R continued to fidget with the box in the pocket of his jacket. He had draped the jacket over his arm as the temperature outside increased. He couldn't take his eyes off Sue Ellen. He wanted to ask her if she would marry him right then and there, but he didn't want her memories of his proposal to be at a diner in London. No, he thought, it's best to wait until the time is right. They finished their meal, and left the restaurant. J.R. phoned the limo driver, requesting a ride back to the Landmark. J.R walked to the limo, protectively holding Sue Ellen's waist. He looked around as he held the door for her, so she could step into the waiting car. J.R. wondered if Miranda would try anything, especially after the way J.R. had humiliated her at the hospital. She deserved that, and more, as far as he was concerned. J.R. knew that he hadn't seen the last of Miranda Barrington. When their paths crossed again, J.R. would be ready. Before he left Dallas to fly to London, J.R. had Harry McSween help him find a Private Investigator in London. J.R. told the P.I. all he needed to know about Miranda Barrington, and how he knew she was responsible for the situation with Don Lockwood. J.R. put his thought aside as he and Sue Ellen walked into their hotel suite. As they both entered the suite, the telephone rang. J.R. answered and was greeted by a dial tone. "Hmm," he said, absently, "Must've been a wrong number." "I had a wonderful day. J.R. I'm so glad you decided to join me," Sue Ellen said. J.R. grabbed her around her waist and pulled her to him. "Me, too, Sugar," he said before kissing her waiting lips. Sue Ellen invited J.R to join her for an evening shower, like they did when she was at Southfork. "You don't have to ask me twice," he said, as she seductively removed her jacket and walked toward the bathroom.
Sue Ellen couldn't sleep. She carefully got out of the bed and put on her nightgown and robe. She walked outside to the balcony of her suite, and was engrossed as she looked out over the city of London. She pulled the robe tightly around her, trying to compensate for the damp, night air. J.R. sat in bed watching the woman he loved. He watched her a lot, lately, he reflected. He was thrilled to have her back in his life. He and John Ross had talked about her eventual return for months, especially after she had told John Ross that she was divorcing Don. J.R. tossed the bed covers aside, and reached for his robe. He walked over to where Sue Ellen was standing. He put his arms around her and kissed the side of her neck. She leaned her head into his kiss and asked, "Did I wake you, J.R.?" "No, of course not, Darlin'. I couldn't sleep, either. I guess I'm still stuck between time zones?" He said as he lifted his head to touch her face with his, and tightened his grip around her waist. "J.R.," she started to say, just as J.R.'s mouth left a blazing hot trail of kisses the length of her neck and over her shoulder. Sue Ellen closed her eyes as he continued his journey. J.R. turned her around, and kissed her waiting mouth.
J.R was startled when the phone rang. He and Sue Ellen had finally fallen asleep just as the sun was coming up. Groggily, he said, "Hello . . .?" John Ross said, "Hi, Daddy, I waited up for your call, but then, I got tired, and fell asleep," J.R. put his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone as Sue Ellen quietly asked who he was talking to. J.R. quietly mouthed the words "John Ross," as Sue Ellen rolled over in bed and rested her arms on J.R.'s chest. "Is Mamma there with you?" John Ross enthusiastically inquired. J.R. knew from the tone of his son's voice that John Ross was scheming to reunite his Mamma and Daddy, at any cost, and J.R. couldn't be happier. J.R. handed the phone to Sue Ellen. "Good Morning, Sweetheart," she said as J.R. toyed with a lock of her hair. Sue Ellen and John Ross talked for a few minutes while J.R playfully tried to "distract" her. Sue Ellen said, "I'll call you soon, John Ross. I love you." She handed the phone back to J.R., as he haphazardly dropped it off the side of the bed, and onto the floor. J.R. pulled Sue Ellen on top of his chest, and asked, "Wasn't there somethin' you wanted to ask me about my reason for coming here?" "Yes," she said. "I wanted to know if it was just to be with me, or if you had another reason?" You know me so well, he thought as he glanced at her expressive eyes. J.R. loved the way the flecks of brown and gold danced in her eyes as they caught the morning light. "Well, to be perfectly honest, I was worried about what that whacko, Miranda might be capable of doin', knowin' that you were here in London, all by yourself," he timidly confessed. J.R knew how strong Sue Ellen had become, both emotionally and mentally, but he still worried about her, and she knew it. "Aww, J.R. you really do worry about me, don't you?" she teasingly asked. J.R. lightly swatted at her butt, as he turned and rolled her off of his chest, he kissed her wicked mouth.
Sue Ellen was applying the finishing touches to her makeup, when the phone rang. J.R answered, "Hello." He was once again greeted with a dial tone. "Damn, I wish these people had the decency to at least say somethin' before they hang up," J.R grumpily barked. Sue Ellen looked at him and reached up to his face and touched the frown lines on his forehead. He playfully grabbed her hand away, knowing that she was teasing him. J.R. opened the door of the suite and waited for Sue Ellen, and then he shut the door and wiggled the handle to make sure the lock had caught. They rode the elevator downstairs, and walked through the lobby, and outside to the waiting limousine. They were going to go to 40 Saville Row to buy J.R. some more clothing items. J.R also wanted Sue Ellen to give him a tour of the Valentine Boutique she had opened on London's West End. Although both J.R. and Sue Ellen shared a history surrounding Valentine Lingerie, neither one of them cared to discuss it. They were both tired of battling ghosts.
Sue Ellen stepped out of the limousine, as J.R. reached for her outstretched hand. They walked into the men's clothier, 40 Saville Row, and looked around. The salesman acknowledged both J.R and Sue Ellen as soon as he saw them. He knew that he had a huge potential for a sale. The salesman greeted both J.R and Sue Ellen as he rapidly eyed J.R., trying to guess his appropriate sizes. J.R. spent thousands more than he cared to, but Sue Ellen kept telling him how much she liked this shirt, those pants, or that suit jacket . . . Sue Ellen stood by the side of the mirror with her arms clasped in front of her as she watched J.R. straighten the tie she had chosen to go with the shirt that he had picked out. Sue Ellen watched closely as his tan fingers effortlessly finished tying the tie. She gazed at him adoringly as she noticed how exquisitely the grey color of the shirt offset the steel blue of his eyes. She walked over to him and stood in front of him, as her long fingers smoothed the collar around his neck. J.R. tenderly kissed her forehead as she quietly told him how very nice he looked. Sue Ellen blushed when she realized they were gathering quite a large audience. J.R. laughed, and handed his selections to the salesman as he pulled out his money clip to pay for his purchases. The salesman properly thanked J.R and Sue Ellen for stopping by, and stood next to the doorway, as his eyes followed the obviously happy couple out of the store.
Their next stop was the 'Valentine Boutique.' Sue Ellen took J.R.'s arm as they walked inside the colorful shop. She gave J.R the grand tour, as she explained her ideas for the new product line of bathing suits she hoped to introduce as soon as the designs had been approved. J.R. watched her in awe, marveling at how much she had changed. She knew the lingerie industry almost as well as felt he knew the oil business. She showed him the line of higher end nightgowns and robes that the boutique offered to some of their more affluent clientele. I'm very impressed, Sue Ellen," J.R. said. "I really believe you mean that, J.R.," she said with a smile. J.R. touched the hemline of a deep rose colored gown and matching robe. J.R. envisioned Sue Ellen wearing the gown. He caught his breath as he could see how the garment would drape over her chest, and hang down her back in a deep-V. Sue Ellen watched him as he asked the nearby salesclerk for the gown and robe in Sue Ellen's size. J.R. paid the salesclerk for the items, and reached for Sue Ellen's hand. He smiled at Sue Ellen and whispered, "Don't you worry, Sugar," he said pointing to the bag in his hand. He continued, "I just want to see you in this for a few minutes, before it falls on the hotel room floor."
The limousine waited as Sue Ellen stepped outside. J.R. told Sue Ellen that he had to run an errand before he joined her in their hotel suite. He instructed the limo driver to take him to the Bethlehem Royal Hospital. J.R. wanted to pay a visit to Miranda Barrington. The investigator J.R. hired before his arrival had informed him when and where Miranda went every day. J.R. knew exactly when she would be at the hospital. J.R. wanted there to be no misinterpretation of the threat he made to her, warning her to stay away from Sue Ellen. J.R. had been instructed by the P.I. to wear a wire and record anything Miranda might have to say about her guilt or innocence where Don was concerned. J.R. held a tape recorder in pocket and was ready for anything as he rode the elevator to Unit 6 and walked out into the hallway as the doors to the elevator opened. J.R. was surprised to see Miranda sitting by herself in Don's hospital room. He pushed the 'record' button on the micro cassette recorder and walked over to Don's room. Miranda was seated with her back to the window, in a chair next to the bed. She was talking aloud and it was the opportunity J.R. had been hoping for. "I never meant for this to happen when I gave you those pills," she said to no one in particular, unaware that J.R stood just outside the door, recording her every word. She continued, "I wanted to make you pay for marrying that American woman. You ruined all of my plans for our future, when you married her, and I wanted to make both of you regret your decision." J.R. stood back, and shrugged his shoulders, exactly what Miranda meant by their future? That comment alone might be worth investigating, he thought. This woman is more twisted and deranged than Clayton's sister, Lady Jessica Montford ever was, J.R. concluded. J.R. was content, knowing that he had Miranda's bedside confession on tape. He stopped the recorder, and quickly left the hospital to turn this new information over the police Inspector. He had his own agenda and it didn't involve staying in London any longer than he and Sue Ellen had to.
The Landmark's concierge brought J.R and Sue Ellen's packages to the room, and thanked Sue Ellen for her generous gratuity. The door of the suite closed behind Sue Ellen just as the telephone rang. It was the Police Inspector. They had arrested Miranda Barrington for the attempted murder of Don Lockwood. "That's just wonderful," Sue Ellen said, thanking the Inspector for letting her know. Sue Ellen impatiently waited for J.R. to return. She wondered what errands he could possibly have had to run after their earlier shopping spree? Several hours had passed, and Sue Ellen started to worry when J.R. still hadn't returned. She wondered if J.R. was haunted by ghosts of their past as much as she was? Sue Ellen was relieved when J.R. opened the door to the suite. Sue Ellen told him she had the most incredible news, the Police Inspector had called and told her that they had Miranda Barrington in custody for her attempt on Don's life. Sue Ellen felt a sigh of relief escape her lips as J.R. reached over and possessively hugged her to him. J.R. said, "If they're smart, they'll give that woman a swift and substantial dose of Texas justice."
