Reunion
Part 2
Sue Ellen rolled over to get out of bed. J.R. touched her hand, and asked, "Where ya goin', Sugar?" Sue Ellen looked at him and smiled. "I thought you wanted to go into Dallas and celebrate, J.R.?" she asked. J.R said, "Who said we're done celebratin', here?" he grinned as he pulled her next to him on the bed. J.R. sensed Sue Ellen's resistance and asked her what was wrong. She told him about the confrontation that she had with Clayton. She felt terrible about arguing with Clayton, but she was tired of hearing how terrible J.R. was, and how he would never change, in spite of what had happened between them. J.R. said, "I'm grateful that you defended me, Darlin'." J.R. looked down at Sue Ellen. His eyes followed the outline of her shoulders against the pillow. J.R. remembered when he and Sue Ellen were together before their divorce. He had loved her, but he just had a terrible way of showing it. Those times were behind them. They had both changed, and he vowed that this time would be the last time. There had been so many other women, but he always went back to Sue Ellen. He shook, finally understanding what he suspected all along. There was a magic between them, a magic neither one of them could nor would ever find with anyone else. He knew at that very moment that he would never cheat on this woman again. There would be no reason to stray outside his marriage vows. She was his, and no other woman could hold a candle to Sue Ellen. He would never be that cruel to the only woman he had ever really loved. Sue Ellen touched his cheek and turned his face toward her. His thoughts returned to their lovemaking.
Sue Ellen walked out of the bathroom in J.R.'s bedroom just as he was hanging up the phone. He turned to look at her. She wore an elegant black dress with a draped neckline and a low-cut back, black hose and heels. She also wore the cuff bracelet John Ross had given to her. She was breathtaking, he thought. He was so proud of the woman standing before him. She was at long last, his equal, in every way imaginable. His eyes followed her pose from the ground to the top of her exquisite blond hair, then back again. Sue Ellen titled her head to one side and asked, "Is anything wrong, J.R.?" J.R. snapped out of his daydream and walked over to Sue Ellen. He put one arm around her back, and the other arm pulled her face to his. He kissed her with a fiery intensity that caught them unaware. Sue Ellen's breathing was ragged when he had finished his kiss. She held her hand around the knot of his black tie with the thin silver stripe, and said in a barely audible voice, "I thought we were going to celebrate your new business, J.R?" J.R. pulled her head onto his shoulder and kissed the back of her neck. He ran his hand up the skin of he exposed back and she shivered. He said in an equally low tone, "There's a time to celebrate, and then there's a time to celebrate." J.R. knew instantly that Sue Ellen understood what he meant. She pushed him over to the side of the bed. J.R. had always dreamed of Sue Ellen being the aggressor, but this went way beyond anything J.R. had ever imagined.
The telephone ring woke J.R. up out of a blissfully happy dream. He and Sue Ellen were working side by side as business partners. Who knew, he dreamed, stranger business liaisons had been formed before? Sue Ellen reached over and answered the phone. "Hello," she said. The sound of her voice caused J.R. to stir. He rolled over and kissed her shoulder. The sheet that was draped around her torso barely covered the outline of her breast. J.R. wanted to touch her, take her, make love to her until they were delirious from exhaustion. He paid no attention to the telephone conversation Sue Ellen was having. His attention was devoted solely to his once, twice, and future bride. When she finished talking, she dropped the phone as J.R. tore away the sheet. His eyes devoured her, "God, Sue Ellen, you are so stunning..." He kissed her as if they were the last two people on earth. The sound of Sue Ellen's rapidly increasing heartbeat fueled J.R.'s need for her. His eyes were wild with desire for her as they once again gave in to their uncontrollable mutual desire. An hour later, as J.R. held Sue Ellen, he asked, "Are you hungry, Sugar?" Sue Ellen laughed aloud and teasingly said, "Same old J.R. Always thinkin' of food." J.R. laughed at her comment. It was a hearty laugh and it brought a glowing smile to Sue Ellen's face. J.R. sat up and kissed Sue Ellen, biting at her bottom lip and whispered, "Not always, Sue Ellen."
J.R. and Sue Ellen showered together, and dressed. J.R. wore a white cotton, button down shirt and a pair of denim jeans, and black cowboy boots. Sue Ellen dressed in a form-fitting white knit top and a white, crocheted Coco Chanel skirt and a pair of simple white sandals. She completed the look with a pair of silver chandelier earrings and her platinum cuff bracelet. The bracelet had become her favorite, since it was a gift from John Ross. They walked arm in arm out of J.R.'s bedroom and were greeted with the obvious closing of John Ross' bedroom door. John Ross had been outside their door, listening, hoping that they were together. Sue Ellen blushed and J.R. laughed out loud. That's my boy, he thought. They walked downstairs for breakfast. The family was already out on the patio, except John Ross. Sue Ellen said, "Good Mornin'." Clayton glanced at her over the newspaper, fearful that she was still angry with him. Sue Ellen patted his hand and winked at him. She had always been defensive of J.R., through good and bad times, and she wasn't going to let anyone stand in the way of the good times she and J.R. was experiencing now, not even the man she had come to know as close to a father as anyone could ever be. Teresa poured coffee for J.R and Sue Ellen, as J.R. bent over and kissed Miss Ellie on the cheek. "Mornin' Mamma, Clayton." Clayton said, "Mornin' J.R. You seem to be in a good mood, what are you up to?" Miss Ellie chided Clayton. Sue Ellen clicked her tongue and said, Clayton, this is a lovely mornin', don't spoil it." Bobby and Christopher offered to take John Ross into summer camp, but they hadn't seen him yet. John Ross finally came out of the house and ran up to J.R. He threw his arms around J.R.'s neck, almost causing him to spill his coffee. Sue Ellen laughed aloud when it was her turn for her son's overzealous greeting. She promptly sat her coffee mug down on the table.
J.R. and Sue Ellen finished eating breakfast and J.R. excused them. He wanted to take a walk around the ranch, like he and Sue Ellen did before her trip back to London. Sue Ellen reached for his outstretched hand. Miss Ellie didn't see the shimmering diamond on the third finger of Sue Ellen's left hand. Clayton hadn't said anything about what he suspected to Miss Ellie. He figured that J.R. and Sue Ellen would let everyone know when the time was right. J.R. put on his white Stetson as he held his other arm around Sue Ellen's waist. The breeze blew Sue Ellen's hair into her face, and it also blew the fragrance of her perfume into J.R.'s heightened senses. He inhaled, closing his eyes as he did. The combination was inviting. Sue Ellen rested her head against J.R.'s shoulder as they walked. J.R. leaned his head against hers. They wound up standing by the tree near Garrison's grave. Sue Ellen vividly remembered the last time she and J.R. were there. They had kissed each other, and the kiss had been incredible for both of them. J.R. sat down on the ground, next to the tree. He patted at the ground by his side, inviting Sue Ellen to join him. She held her skirt close to her as she knelt down to sit by his side. She leaned into him, and he removed his hat. They sat against the tree, not talking. They didn't need to talk. They gradually drifted off to sleep, and were awakened by the sound of John Ross running out to meet them. John Ross had always been a perceptive child, especially where his parents were concerned. He eyed them suspiciously and asked, "What were you two doin'?" John Ross prayed that the scene he witnessed earlier that morning had meant that they had finally reconciled.
The entire family enjoyed an excellent evening meal and retired to the parlor for after dinner cocktails. J.R. handed Sue Ellen a club soda, and poured himself a bourbon. He walked over to the chair she had chosen and stood by her side. He placed his warm hand on her shoulder, and it seared her skin. She looked up at him with an inviting expression and he winked. God, I love this woman, he thought. After an hour or two of pleasant conversation, absolutely no talk of business, Sue Ellen said, "Thank you all for a delightful evenin'. If y'all would please excuse me, I think that I'll go get ready for bed." She stood up and J.R.'s eyes followed her as she left the room. He finished the last swallow of his drink and said, "I think I'm gonna go to bed, too. See y'all in the mornin'." The entire family eyed J.R. as he called out for Sue Ellen to wait for him. Knowing glances were exchanged by those remaining in the parlor, especially John Ross. He was so excited. He crossed his fingers of both hands behind his back. His plan appeared to be working, and he was ecstatic. J.R. reached the top of the stairs as Sue Ellen smiled at him. She reached out her hand to take his own. She led him down the hallway to his bedroom, and closed the door once they were inside. She wound her slender fingers around the knot in his tie and threw the tie over the back of a chair. She ripped open the buttons of his shirt and kissed his chest, breathing in his cologne. J.R.'s pulse increased as she expertly seduced him. She removed his belt, never taking her eyes away from his fixed gaze. When she had removed his trousers, he lunged at her as she quickly backed up to the bed, and threw the belt on the floor. J.R. pulled her gown up over her head to reveal her delicately bronzed skin. "Sue Ellen..." he hoarsely whispered as he yielded to her enticements.
The next few days at Southfork were filled with planning and preparations for the Annual Ewing Barbeque. Sue Ellen had arranged for all of the invitations and everyone had accepted via R.S.V.P. Miss Ellie and Teresa had arranged for the caterer, and Miss Ellie would also serve her famous chili to all of the guests. Anyone who was anyone in Dallas, and Texas, for that matter had been invited to the festivities. Senators, Congressmen, even the Governor of Texas had accepted the invitation. It was a chance to mingle with men and women of power, and wheel and deal, if the deal was right. Sue Ellen supervised the men as they set up the yellow and white striped fabric pavilion cover. When everything was in place, later that evening, J.R. walked up and stood behind Sue Ellen. She was standing next to the pool, double-checking the appearance of the flowers and place settings. J.R. placed his arms around her waist, just above her hips and whispered, "I am so proud of you, Darlin'. It was very sweet of you to help Mamma get everything ready for the Barbeque." He kissed her neck as he tightened his grip around her. Sue Ellen let a low sigh escape her lips. She turned her head to meet his mouth. He kissed her, exploring her tempting mouth. She lifted her hand to the side of his face. Their kiss was interrupted by Bobby clearing his throat. A look of shock was apparent on his face when he managed to say, "Good Evening." Sue Ellen covered her mouth as an insecure laugh escaped her. J.R. straightened his stance and said, "Evenin', Bob." Bobby tried to discern what he thought he saw between them and simply shook his head as he walked into the house.
The morning of the Annual Ewing Barbeque had arrived. Everyone awoke early for the day's festivities. J.R dressed in a pale blue western shirt with and a bolo tie around his neck. The tie had a pearl stone in the center of it. He wore dark blue jeans and dark-brown cowboy boots. He topped off the ensemble with a beige colored Stetson. Sue Ellen wore a matching pale blue sundress with a low-slung brown leather belt around her waist. She piled her wavy hair on top of her head and applied some make-up to her radiant face. J.R. nodded approvingly, as she came out form the bathroom into his bedroom. "Damn, you look wonderful," he said as he walked over to her. He grabbed her hands and kissed her fingers. "I am the luckiest man in the whole world, Sue Ellen." Sue Ellen stood on her toes and kissed his forehead. They walked downstairs to meet the rest of the family for a light breakfast. They were the last one's to arrive on the patio. The family wished them 'Good Morning,' as they walked outside. Teresa had prepared a continental breakfast and a delectable platter of fresh fruit, the best that money could buy for the Ewing family. J.R. dished up a tray of fruit for him and Sue Ellen, while Teresa poured coffee for them at their places at the patio table. The morning was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky and a light breeze. The breeze wafted the aroma of the flowers strewn about the tables, and the flowers from Miss Ellie's garden toward the table. Miss Ellie glanced around the table at her family. She beamed with pride. It had taken years, but she felt that they had finally found the strength and perseverance to treat one another like a family.
