Ghosts

Chapter 12

Daylight filtered through the drawn curtains of the hotel suite. J.R. and Sue Ellen held each other, not willing to let the events of the night before escape. Sue Ellen languidly stretched, and moved against J.R.'s leg. J.R. could feel the warmth of Sue Ellen's skin, and he stirred. Sleep hung thick in his voice as he said, "Mornin', Darlin'." He pulled her closer to him, and traced the curve of her neck with delicate kisses. Sue Ellen kept her eyes closed to the light of day, as she said, "Mmm, that feels so nice." J.R. moved his hand from her hip and gently caressed her shoulder. His focus on her was intense as his eyes followed the streaming beams of light that highlighted her tendrils of blond hair. J.R. inhaled, and his senses were filled with the seductive combination of her perfume and their night of lovemaking. Sue Ellen looked over her shoulder, and met his enraptured gaze as he touched her hair with his hand. J.R. kissed her and whispered her name as their lips met.

All the doubts from their past departed as they kissed. Any reservations that J.R. might have had about her feelings for him were abandoned as she rolled over and pulled his face to her own. The look in Sue Ellen's eyes revealed every ounce of affection and devotion she had, or ever would feel for him. Any questions either of them ever had about tomorrow melted away as their eyes united. J.R.'s fingers wiped at his eyes in disbelief. He had never felt emotion like this before. He had loved, and lost Sue Ellen, only to find her again, and there had been times when he would have given his last breath to know how she truly felt about him. Sue Ellen tenderly lifted a finger to wipe away the moisture forming in his eyes. J.R. could feel a rush of embarrassment, as he saw the compassion reflected on her face. He cleared his throat, not wanting to appear any more vulnerable than he already felt. J.R. whispered, "God, I love you, Sue Ellen. I love you more than I dare." Sue Ellen responded by touching his lips with her outstretched finger. "I love you, too, J.R.," she said as she exhaled, her breathing matching J.R.'s own increasing rhythm. They were once again swept away by the intensifying wave.

Sue Ellen dressed in a white crepe, sleeveless dress and a pair of wedged, espadrille sandals. She wore her hair loosely piled on top of her head and a pair of silver hoop earrings hung from her ears. She wore the cuff bracelet that John Ross had given to her on her wrist. J.R. smiled in approval when he saw how radiant she looked. She wanted to apply some more makeup to her already glowing face, but J.R. said, "You look exquisite just like that, Sweetheart." She returned his compliment with a gracious, "Thank you, J.R. Thank you for everything." She winked at him and knew immediately that he understood. They left their suite, and rode the elevator down to the lobby. J.R. planned a surprise picnic for Sue Ellen in a park, a few blocks away from the Landmark Hotel. He had made all the necessary arrangements that morning, while Sue Ellen was in the shower. A local delicatessen would cater their lunch when they were scheduled to arrive at the park. J.R. and Sue Ellen walked hand in hand through the crowded streets on their way to the park. J.R lifted her hand to his lips, and kissed the back of her hand. Sue Ellen gasped as they turned the corner and saw what J.R. had in store for her.

The entrance to the park was flanked with bouquets of roses. Yellow, red, pink and white roses overflowing their planters, lined the pathway to a giant elm tree in the middle of the park. Sue Ellen smiled at J.R. and asked, "When did you find the time to do all of this?" J.R. was delighted. Knowing that she was pleased meant more to him than he ever imagined. "I made the arrangements while you were showerin'," he confessed. After they finished their lunch, they sat back against the tree. J.R. removed his jacket and put it over Sue Ellen's shoulders while she sat against the tree. Sue Ellen suggested that J.R. lay his head in her lap as they watched the people coming and going in the park. J.R. closed his eyes as Sue Ellen ran her fingers through his hair. She noticed how distinguished his grey hair made him look. J.R. had always managed to stand out in the crowd, but his grey hair was a stark contrast to his tan skin. Sue Ellen had never felt so attracted to him. A sigh escaped her lips as she felt herself wanting him to take her all over again. J.R. opened his eyes and caught her gaze. She blushed, wondering if he could tell what she had been thinking about. J.R. pulled her face down to his and kissed her.

J.R. asked,"What are you thinkin' about, Sugar?" Sue Ellen looked away, fearing that she was being far too obvious. J.R. sat up and gently cupped her chin in his hand as he turned her to face him. "God, Sue Ellen, you are so beautiful," he said. Sue Ellen opened her mouth to speak, but her voice was caught as the wind started to blow in a storm. J.R. pulled his jacket around her shoulders as the temperature quickly started to drop. They ran back to their hotel as the large drops of rain started pelting the ground. Sue Ellen absently reached into the pockets of J.R.'s jacket as they entered the hotel lobby. Sue Ellen felt a small velvet box inside one of the pockets. She pulled it out and asked, "What's this?" J.R. reached out to try and pull the box from her hand, before she could see its contents. Sue Ellen turned away, causing him to trip over one of the chairs in the lobby. Sue Ellen burst out laughing, then sobered and asked, "Are you okay, Darlin'?" J.R. was quickly taken in by her laughter, as he too, saw the humor in the situation. Sue Ellen helped him up as he snatched the box from her hand. "What's in the box, J.R.," she said, trying desperately to sound serious. J.R. didn't want his proposal of marriage to be like this, but she could be so damn stubborn. He said, I'll show ya upstairs, after we get out of these wet clothes." Sue Ellen said, "I'll hold you to that, J.R." He smiled and said,"I'm countin' on it, Darlin'."

J.R. and Sue Ellen removed their rain-drenched clothes and quickly showered. Sue Ellen pinned her hair up, and slipped into a peach colored silk nightgown with a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit on one side. The gown was similar to one of the gowns she had shown J.R. when they were at the Valentine Boutique. The bronze color of her skin was perfectly accentuated by the pale color of the gown. J.R picked up the blue velvet box. He walked over to her and held out his hand. Sue Ellen opened the box as J.R lightly held her by her shoulders. Sue Ellen was speechless when she saw the contents of the box. J.R said, "Sue Ellen, I love you. I love you more than I ever imagined I could love anyone. These past few weeks we've spent together reminded me of how much I missed having you in my life . . . " Tears were falling down Sue Ellen's cheeks, as J.R. continued, "I took you for granted before, I won't make that mistake again, I promise. I never realized how much you meant to me until you weren't there anymore. I've regretted every minute I've lived without you in my life, and I'd be the happiest man alive if you'd agree to marry me, and spend your life with me and our son at Southfork." Softly, Sue Ellen started to speak, "J.R. what about - What if . . . ?" J.R. didn't want to push her, so he said, "You don't have to give me an answer right away. I just wanted you to know that you were right. I'm tired of living in the past and I'm not afraid of ghosts, Sue Ellen." Sue Ellen's gaze was fixated on the ten Carat diamond solitaire, set atop the platinum band. J.R continued to speak, "You and I are so alike, we are better together than we could ever be apart. I need you, Sue Ellen. I'm a better man because of you, and I'd be the luckiest man alive knowin' that I could spend the rest of my days with you." J.R. slowly slid the ring onto her finger. Sue Ellen's voice overcame her fears as she lifted her eyes and said, "Yes, Oh God, yes, J.R." J.R. kissed her fervently as he wiped the tears from her eyes.

J.R. called the reservation desk at Heathrow, and arranged for two first-class, one-way tickets to Dallas, Texas. Sue Ellen carefully packed their luggage as J.R. talked on the phone. He called the hotel desk and requested a bellman to collect their suitcases, and a limousine to take them to the airport. She was lost in thought as J.R. hung up the phone and stood behind Sue Ellen. He put his arms around her waist, and said, "Our plane leaves in a couple of hours, Darlin'." Sue Ellen asked, "I was wonderin', am I bein' selfish, J.R.? Am I bein' selfish for leavin' Don all alone like this?" J.R considered her question, then said, "Hell no, Sweetheart. For all we know, Don doesn't even know you're here. That neurologist told you there wasn't anything anyone could do for Don until he regains consciousness, or keels over..." Sue Ellen poked his ribs with her elbow, then laughed as she realized that J.R. was right. She couldn't do anything more for Don, unless there was a change in his condition. Sue Ellen leaned her head against his chest and softly said, "You're right, J.R. Let's go home."

Sue Ellen tightly held J.R.'s arm as they waited for the boarding call. J.R. could tell that she was distracted. He looked at her and asked, "What's wrong, Honey?" She shyly confessed,"I'm nervous, J.R." He incredulously asked, "What in the world could you possibly be nervous about?" Sue Ellen looked at him, and said, 'I'm worried about goin' back to Southfork." Her thoughts traveled back in time, to when she and J.R. were married. All of her fears and insecurities that she was certain that she had buried resurfaced. She could come up with only one reason why she should stay in London. She had several reasons for going back to Dallas. She looked at J.R., searching for the answer she already knew. J.R. kissed her cheek, and said, "Sue Ellen, Southfork will always be your home. Mamma and Clayton love you very much. Bobby and Christopher love you, too. You know John Ross loves you. Hell, this reconciliation was partly his idea." Sue Ellen flashed him a knowing grin and said, "I had a feeling the two of you were up to somethin'." J.R. stood up from the chair and hugged her to his chest, he tenderly kissed her forehead as the boarding announcement was made for the flight leaving for Dallas, Texas. J.R. put his Stetson on his head and tipped the brim. He reached for Sue Ellen's hand as they walked from the concourse to the jetwalk, and boarded the plane. They had struggled with the ghosts from their past, and exercised their demons. It had taken them years, but they finally won the battle. J.R. and Sue Ellen smiled at each other, consoled by the fact that this time, the plane was taking both of them back to Southfork.

The plane taxied down the runway as the dense, evening fog enveloped the city of London.

Continued in "Reunion" …