Reunion

Part 5

The next few days at Southfork were peaceful for J.R. and Sue Ellen. Clayton and Miss Ellie had flown down to San Angelo in the Ewing helicopter. Bobby was busy at Ewing Oil, fixing some business deals Cliff had screwed up. John Ross and Christopher went camping with some of the boys on John Ross' soccer team, leaving J.R. and Sue Ellen, alone, at last. Sue Ellen was outside on the patio when J.R. came downstairs. He watched her as he walked through the kitchen, on his way outside. Her back was to the house, and the morning breeze blew her hair about her head. J.R. slowly opened the patio door and walked outside. "Mornin', Darlin'," he said as he leaned over and kissed her. She said "Good Mornin', J.R. Did you sleep well?" J.R. asked, "If you call what we did sleep?" Sue Ellen shook her head, there would be no stopping him, now that they were alone. He watched her as she sipped her coffee, he wanted to ask her a question, but he hesitated. She could see him fidgeting beneath her lashes and sat her coffee mug on the table, and asked, "What is it, J.R.?" He paused, searching for the right words. Things had been going so well between them, he was afraid his question might push her away. Quietly he said, "John Ross told me that Don was hardly ever home when you were in London." She sat back in her chair, "Yes, so . . . " J.R. continued, "Well, I was wonderin' how a man who says that he loves you can ignore a woman like you." Sue Ellen didn't like where the line of questioning might lead to so she decided to cut him to the quick. "J.R. if you want to know something about my life with Don, I'd be very grateful if you would ask me, not our son," her tone was cold and calculated. "Damn it, Sue Ellen," J.R. flared, "That's exactly the reason I didn't want to bring it up." She shot back at him, "Then let it go, J.R." She stood up from the table and walked into the house. J.R. watched as she closed the patio door. He had seen the look in her eyes and he should have known better, but he needed to know why she put up with her ex-husband treating her so poorly. J.R. knew she would never put up with being treated poorly from him again.

Sue Ellen was in her bedroom, staring out the window. J.R. knocked on the door, she didn't say a word. J.R. walked up behind her and touched her shoulders with his hands. He softly said, "Sue Ellen, I never meant to hurt you." Sue Ellen continued to stare out the window. He tried to turn her around to face him but she held her ground. He was almost ready to turn around and walk out of her room when she said, "Do you know how it feels wonderin' what people think when three out of three of your marriages fail?" Did he know? Hell, he had been through three marriages himself. His next marriage would be his last. He wanted to offer her some comfort, but he simply stood behind her as she continued to speak, "When Marilee said her nasty little comment at the Barbeque, I snapped. I've been bottling up all of these emotions inside me, and I know I shouldn't have said anything about your genuine concern. I just had this image of you coercing information from John Ross, and it frightened me. J.R. I know we both would like a clean slate . . . " her voice escaped her, as she put her face in her hands. J.R. hugged her to him. He smoothed her hair as the emotions she'd fought against since before leaving London became too much for her to handle, and she cried against his chest. " Sue Ellen," he said in his most comforting voice, "If I could take back all the bad times, Darlin', I would. I know you've been through a lot with this whole Lockwood thing, and I want you to know that I'm here for you, if you need me. I love you, Sue Ellen. I swear, I never meant to hurt you." Sue Ellen searched his expression. She felt terrible for what she had said to him on the patio. She managed to say, "I'm sorry, too, J.R. I just don't think I could handle it, if you were to neglect me the way Don did. When you held me by the tree, when I first came back to the ranch, that was the first time in four years that I felt a man's touch, four long, lonely years, J.R." J.R. pulled her head back down to his chest and kissed her hair. J.R. closed his eyes, wondering how any man in his right mind could neglect a woman like Sue Ellen? He lifted her chin to allow her eyes to meet his, and said, "I just want you to know that I have vowed to spend the rest of my life catering to your every whim, your every desire." J.R. began to wonder if he had pressured into agreeing to marry him. J.R. softly and politely asked, "Darlin', would you still consider becomin' my wife?" Sue Ellen answered him with a deeply emotional, and intensely satisfying kiss.

John Ross and Christopher arrived home a day before John Ross' soccer team first play-off game. J.R. didn't understand soccer, even after Sue Ellen had tried to explain it to him on several occasions, but he watched every game, because he knew it was what John Ross wanted. J.R. yelled at every goal John Ross' team made and he and Sue Ellen cheered at the top of their lungs every time John Ross controlled the ball. John Ross' team was ahead three games to two at the end of round one. J.R. and Sue Ellen took John Ross out for a celebration dinner. John Ross asked if pizza would be okay. J.R looked at Sue Ellen as she cringed. J.R. said, "How 'bout Italian, you can get a pizza and your Mamma and I can get somethin' else." Once dinner was settled, they headed for the restaurant. They stopped at Scalini's Pizza & Pasta on Abrams Road in Dallas. John Ross was hungry, he ate an entire thirteen-inch combination all by himself. Sue Ellen ordered a small pasta salad, and J.R. ordered the shrimp scampi. They shared a pitcher of iced-tea. John Ross asked his parents, "What did you think of the games we played today?" Sue Ellen smiled and said "You were wonderful, Sweetheart. Your entire team played very well." J.R. said, "Here, here, son. I agree with your Mamma." They finished their meal and walked outside the restaurant. They wound up running into Cliff Barnes on his way inside. J.R. felt like picking a fight and said, "Damn, Barnes, Don't tell me you're not havin' Chinese?" Cliff ignored J.R. as his eyes rested on Sue Ellen. Cliff started to speak to her, but J.R. and John Ross pulled her away. Cliff stood on the sidewalk with his hands in the air, unaware of how what had just happened, had actually happened.

J.R. and John Ross winked at each other and flashed their famous Ewing grins at Sue Ellen. Sue Ellen could only sit in the passenger seat of J.R.'s Cadillac and laugh. Poor Cliff. Once a fool, always a fool. J.R. had always had a knack for besting Cliff at everything. She wasn't sure whether or not to admire Cliff for his determination when confronted by J.R., or to question his sanity. They drove John Ross back to the dormitories at Southern Methodist University. His teammates and his coaches were staying in the dorm rooms, due to the early practice schedules and late games. J.R. and Sue Ellen kissed him goodnight. They told him that they would see him at seven-thirty in the morning, before his eight o'clock game. John Ross called out, "I love you!" as he ran up the stairs of the dorm to meet his friends. J.R. and Sue Ellen drove around Dallas, not wanting the evening to end. They drove to the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. J.R.'s eyes followed Sue Ellen's every move as they walked by the fragrant flowers and tropical plants. J.R. pulled Sue Ellen around a corner, after he made sure that they completely alone and kissed her, his kiss was demanding and uncontrolled. Sue Ellen was breathless when he pulled away. She had to lean against him, for support. When they were both in his car, J.R. teasingly asked Sue Ellen if there was anyplace else she wanted to go. Sue Ellen touched her lips, and said, "Home, I'd like to go home, J.R." J.R. put his foot on the gas pedal and sped off as Sue Ellen laughed at his attempt at humor. They pulled into the driveway at Southfork. Alone, again. J.R. walked over to the passenger side of his car and held the door for Sue Ellen. She said in a sultry voice, "I think you broke a land speed record gettin' home, J.R." J.R. laughed as he put his arm around her, and they walked into the house.

John Ross' soccer team came in second place in the State Soccer Championship. John Ross was disappointed but his Mamma and Daddy reassured him that he would always be first in their eyes. John Ross smiled, even though he still wished that his team had won the State Soccer Championship. They drove through Dallas, on their way back to Southfork. John Ross' attention was quickly diverted to an automobile dealership. John Ross saw a black BMW M3 on the ramp at the front of the dealership. John Ross said, Mamma, looks at that cool car." Sue Ellen turned over her shoulder to see which car her son was referring to. She saw the look of excitement in John Ross' eyes. He was going to be turning sixteen, this was his last summer at summer camp, unless he wanted to be a counselor. He told his parents that he wanted to hang out with his friends next summer. He wasn't getting any younger. Comments like that, always reminded Sue Ellen how much like J.R. her son really was. She couldn't have been more proud. J.R. reached over and gripped Sue Ellen's knee. He knew the car John Ross had told Sue Ellen to look at, it was the same car J.R. had planned to buy for John Ross' birthday, with Sue Ellen's approval, of course. John Ross asked his Mamma and Daddy if he could invite some friends over for his birthday party. Sue Ellen said, "I don't see why not? J.R., what do you think?" J.R. kept his eyes on the surrounding traffic, but said, "If that's what you want, John Ross, that sound find." Sue Ellen glanced down at her knee, J.R.'s hand was still resting on her skin, he was rubbing his fingers back and forth, against her knee. J.R. parked the car in the drive, as John Ross ran inside the house to his room. J.R. opened the door for Sue Ellen. She took his hand as she climbed out of the car. Sue Ellen said, "I know what you're planning, J.R. You've already looked into getting that car for his birthday." J.R. asked her, "Was it that obvious, or only to you? Sue Ellen shook her head in mock disbelief and said, " It was painfully obvious, J.R., but, only to me." J.R. kissed Sue Ellen as he shut the car door. He hugged her to him as they followed John Ross upstairs.

J.R. closed his bedroom door behind him after Sue Ellen was inside the room. She stood with her back to him, waiting for his next move. She was fumbling with her necklace. J.R. grinned and raised an eyebrow, when he realized what she was doing. Sue Ellen wanted J.R. to seduce her. "Careful what you wish for," he said, under his breath. J.R. removed his tie and his jacket, draping both items over the chair. Sue Ellen could hear his breathing as he walked closer to where she was standing. J.R. put his arms around her waist, sliding his arms under hers as he held her. He softly whispered her name into her ear. She turned her head toward his mouth. She moved her head, wanting to feel his kiss against her mouth. He turned her around in his arms and held her tightly to his chest. He had seen this look in her eyes before, but that was years ago. "God, you are so incredible," he said into her mouth as his kiss overtook her. He dragged her over to the bed as she bent her leg underneath her, and sat on the mattress. J.R. teased her with kisses on her neck and her shoulders. He ran his fingers through her hair, pulling her head back as his hands increased their taunting games. He gently pulled at her bottom lip with his teeth, until the look in her eyes pleading with him to make love to her was more than even J.R. could resist. They lay together afterwards. J.R..'s gaze was transfixed on Sue Ellen. She was almost asleep. J.R. kissed her forehead and said, "I can be a tease, too, Honey." Sue Ellen opened her eyes, looked up at him and said, "You knew what I was planning all along, didn't you?" J.R. smiled at her and said, "You forget how well I know you, Darlin'."

Sue Ellen was applying her makeup as J.R. finished showering. She wore a dark rose-colored jacket, and matching skirt. The suit highlighted her bronze skin, and her elegantly styled blond mane. J.R. said, "God, Sugar, you look wonderful." Sue Ellen returned the compliment, "So do you, Darlin'. I've always said how nice you look when you wear blue." J.R. wore a dark blue suit, a crisp, white shirt and a tie with alternating blue and silver stripes. He had to drive into Dallas and take care of some last minute paperwork with Jack Pendleton. J.R. asked Sue Ellen if she'd like to join him, she said she needed to go into Dallas, too. She needed to go to the Valentine Boutique and sign some production orders, if J.R. wouldn't mind dropping her off. J.R. told her that he'd take her to the boutique, while he signed the papers Jack had been waiting for him, then he'd pick Sue Ellen up, and they'd go for a drive. J.R. stopped his car in front of the boutique. Sue Ellen looked at him, as he leaned over and pulled her head to his. His kiss was incredible. It left both of them wanting more. Sue Ellen told him that she'd be ready to go by the time he came back. J.R. watched her walk into the boutique, his eyes watching the movement of her hips as she closed the door of the boutique. J.R. smiled as he watched the door close behind her. He glanced over his shoulder, as he turned his car out into the morning traffic, and headed to the First American National Bank for his meeting with Jack. J.R. made a mental note to himself to stop at the dealership they drove past the night before and talk to a salesman about getting that car for John Ross' birthday.