Reunion
Part 7
J.R. and Sue Ellen walked into the house to get ready for supper with the family. J.R. watched as Sue Ellen removed the sarong she had tied around her waist. He stopped her from removing her bathing suit and said, "Sue Ellen, if you take that suit off, I'll be forced to make love to you." Sue Ellen looked over her shoulder at J.R., and turned to walk toward him. She grinned at him, mischievously, and asked, "Is that a threat, J.R.?" J.R. simply said, "Hell, Darlin', that's a promise." Their lovemaking left both J.R. and Sue Ellen breathless. Sue Ellen leaned over, and looked down at J.R. He was smiling his most dazzling grin, and she asked, "Are you going to grow tired of making love to me?" J.R. grumbled and said, "Good Lord, Sue Ellen, what the hell kind of question is that?" Sue Ellen looked at him in disbelief and said, "J.R., it's a serious question, and I'd appreciate a serious answer." J.R. looked directly in her eyes and said, "If I only have the chance to make love to one woman, one more time, that woman would be you, Sue Ellen." Sue Ellen searched his eyes, gauging his comment for sincerity. The color of his eyes darkened as he held Sue Ellen's gaze, taking her breath away, as his eyed held her. She swallowed the emotional response she could feel rising up in her throat. J.R. kissed her mouth, as his kiss mirrored the passion reflected in his eyes. Their intensifying need for each other was interrupted by a phone call. It was Don's neurologist, calling from London. J.R. handed the phone to Sue Ellen. She said, "Hello, yes Dr. Carroll, how is Don doing?" J.R. studied Sue Ellen's face, searching for any indication that she might still have some feelings for her ex-husband. J.R. was spared the indication. Sue Ellen listened to what the doctor had to say, thanked him for letting her know how Don was doing, and hung up the phone.
Teresa had prepared an excellent evening meal, followed by a sumptuous dessert of Black Forest cake. When the family had finished their meal, they left the dining room table and convened in the parlor for drinks. John Ross asked his Mamma what she'd like to drink, catching her off guard. She replied, "Club soda, please, Sweetheart, thank you for asking." John Ross poured a glass of club soda for his Mamma and a cola for himself. J.R. smiled at John Ross generosity. J.R. poured himself a double-bourbon, and walked across the room to where Sue Ellen was seated in a chair. J.R. looked down at her while he sat on the arm of her chair. She looked resplendent in a dark blue form-fitting gown with a sweetheart neckline, and off the shoulder sleeves. She wore a simple pair of diamond earrings and her favorite bracelet - the platinum cuff from John Ross. J.R. was in awe of her beauty. John Ross watched the looks his parents exchanged through the course of the evening. He watched as his Daddy kept touching his Mamma's hair, or her shoulders. He watched as his Mamma would lean into his Daddy, or hold his Daddy's hand as they talked. He had never known his parents to seem happier, or more taken with each other than they were at that moment. John Ross wasn't quite sure if the rush of excitement he felt was due to his impending birthday party, or the satisfaction of knowing his Mamma and Daddy were in love. It had taken nine years for him to see his parents getting along so well. It was worth the wait, he prayed it would last.
Sue Ellen awoke very early the next morning. She kissed J.R.'s cheek as she carefully got out of bed and showered. She applied a small amount of makeup to her face and dressed in a pair of jeans, and a tan tank top, and a pair of tennis shoes. She walked downstairs to call a local pizza restaurant and order pizzas for thirty-five, thirteen to sixteen-year old kids. She couldn't resist laughing when she imagined the look on J.R.'s face as thirty-three of John Ross' friends ran around the pool and patio at Southfork. She made arrangements for the pizzas to be delivered to the ranch, then she called one of the finest bakeries in Dallas and ordered two full sheet chocolate cakes with a soccer motif complete with soccer figurines for each cake. She would drive into the grocery store and buy all of the soda pop, ice and cups. She and Miss Ellie and Teresa would prepare several snack trays for the kids in attendance. When Sue Ellen had finished her phone calls, she walked upstairs to see if J.R. was awake. John Ross met her at the top of the stairs. It was his last day at summer camp until next week, after his birthday. Sue Ellen asked him if he needed a ride, but he said his Uncle Bobby would drop him off at camp. Sue Ellen said, "Bye, Sweetheart. I love you." John Ross called out as he ran down the stairs, "By Mom, I love you, too." Sue Ellen slowly opened the door to J.R.'s bedroom. He was still sleeping. Now, it was her turn to watch him sleep. She walked over to the side of the bed and touched his hand. The even rise and fall of his chest told her that he was sleeping very deeply. Sue Ellen used to dream of her relationship with J.R. being as close and intimate as it had become. She was saddened that it had taken both her and J.R. years to realize what they wanted out of life, to learn what they wanted in their relationship.
J.R. rolled over in bed and smiled as he saw Sue Ellen standing by the bed, next to him. He stretched his arms out in front of him, and said, "Mornin' Sugar. How long have you been up?" Sue Ellen told him that she had arranged for pizza and cake for John Ross' birthday party. J.R. muttered, "My God, Sue Ellen, I don't think I can handle thirty plus kids runnin' around the ranch." Sue Ellen shook her head as she looked at him, and said, "J.R., it won't be as bad as you're thinkin'. I'd be surprised if twenty kids show up." J.R. muttered as he covered his eyes and said, "If I have to put up with all those kids, maybe you could sweet talk Bobby into helpin' to look after them, too?" Sue Ellen said, "Why do I have to be the one sweet talkin' your brother?" She playfully tugged at his lower jaw, and asked, "Have your lips stopped working?" J.R. pulled her on top of him and said, "You tell me, Darlin'." He kissed Sue Ellen until she had to push him away for air. She looked at him as he played with her hair. His voice was serious when he asked her if last night's phone call from Don's neurologist revealed any change in Don's condition. J.R. rubbed her shoulders as she lay on his chest. Sue Ellen gently kissed J.R.'s lips. She said, "Don is still unconscious, but he's breathing without a respirator. I'm not sure what impact that will have on his recovery, but the doctor assured me that his prognosis looked good." J.R. watched her mouth as Sue Ellen relayed the doctors' news to him. He kissed her lips with each word she spoke. He pulled her hands behind her back when she had finished talking, and rolled her over onto her back. J.R. started to kiss Sue Ellen's neck. Sue Ellen said, "J.R., I'm hungry. I want to get breakfast downstairs." J.R. Ewing had his own agenda.
Miss Ellie and Mavis Anderson were at a DOA meeting when J.R. and Sue Ellen joined Clayton for breakfast. Clayton said, "Mornin' J.R, Sue Ellen. How are you today?" J.R. handed Sue Ellen a plate Teresa had filled with food and said, "Doin' fine Clayton. How are you, today?" Sue Ellen asked, "Clayton, did my eyes deceive me, or are there more horses here than before I left for London?" Clayton took a sip of his coffee, and said, Yep, Miss Ellie and I brought twenty-five of my own stock up from San Angelo, before I sold the Southern Cross. Sue Ellen looked at J.R. and said, "Darlin', would you care to join me for a ride later on?" J.R. didn't like to ride, he didn't really care for horses, but since it was something he knew Sue Ellen enjoyed, he agreed. Clayton dismissed himself. He was going to ride out to the back nine with a couple of hands and fix a fence some passing vehicle drove into. J.R. and Sue Ellen were left alone at the patio table. J.R. had been mulling over what Sue Ellen had told him about Lockwood's condition. J.R. said, "Sue Ellen, if you have to go back to England, I don't want you going alone." Sue Ellen put her fork down on her plate and reached across the table to touch J.R.'s hand. She said, "That's very sweet J.R., but I don't see why I'd have to go back. Don and I are divorced, he's got medical coverage. It's his deal, now." J.R. looked at her and said, "You're forgettin' about Lockwood's nuthatch sister, Miranda. What about her trial?" Sue Ellen said in her sweetest voice, "Darlin', that's where all your connections come in. I was hopin' you could talk to Harv Smithfield, at Smithfield and Bennett, and see if there is any way I could get out of goin' back to London." Sue Ellen's mind worked much like J.R.'s did now, devious, and underhanded - just the way he liked it.
Sue Ellen invited J.R. to go for a drive in her new car. J.R. said, "Give me just a minute, I'll go get my sunglasses." Sue Ellen climbed into the convertible roadster, fastened her seatbelt, and placed the key into the ignition. J.R. closed the patio door as Sue Ellen started the ignition. The car purred like a kitten. Sue Ellen waited for J.R. to fasten his seatbelt. She put the car in' reverse' and backed out of the driveway. She quickly drove the rest of the length of the drive, leaving the ranch behind as they sped off. J.R. glanced as the wind blew Sue Ellen's hair in her face. She didn't seem to care. The breeze felt cool as they drove around the ranch, on their way to the highway. Sue Ellen drove her car to Lake o' the Pines. She enjoyed the time she and J.R. had spent there, before she left for London. Now that her head was free from the ghosts of her past, she wanted to enjoy J.R.'s company. She even thought, if they stayed long enough, they might have to rent one of the cabins by the lake. Sue Ellen and J.R. held hands as they walked around the perimeter of the lake. J.R. would hold Sue Ellen's hips if they had to climb up or down from one level to another. Sue Ellen went to step off of a rock, down to a lower level of the beach when J.R. stopped her. He said in a low voice, "Sue Ellen, don't move." Sue Ellen felt herself panic, she wondered why J.R. had told her not to move. J.R. placed his finger in front of her eyes and pointed to an American Eagle in a nest, in a pine tree a few yards in front of them. She looked up at J.R. as he quietly said, "That is nature at her best, Darlin'." Sue Ellen touched J.R.'s neck as he watched the eagle. Sue Ellen knew that J.R. had a soft side, but he had never shared it with anyone, until now. They watched the sunset as J.R. held Sue Ellen in his arms.
They started to walk back to Sue Ellen's car when J.R. said, "Darlin', why don't we stay here tonight? It's a three-hour drive back to Southfork." Sue Ellen said, "Brilliant idea, Darlin'." J.R. rented the nicest cabin the lake had to offer. The cabin's master suite had a jacuzzi, a fully stocked bar, and all the amenities of a five star hotel. J.R. looked around the spacious bedroom as Sue Ellen walked over to the jacuzzi. She felt the water with her hand. She shivered at the difference in temperature. J.R. walked up behind her, and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her neck as his arms went around her waist. Sue Ellen closed her eyes as his mouth skillfully kissed her shoulder. Sue Ellen turned her head to meet J.R.'s mouth with her lips. She shivered again, as his hands pulled the strap of her tank top over her shoulder. Sue Ellen said in a husky voice, "Whatever will we do about bathin' suits?" J.R. said, If you think a skimpy little bathing suit is gonna offer you protection from me Darlin, you'd better think again." Sue Ellen laughed out loud as J.R. quickly removed his clothes and climbed into the jacuzzi. Sue Ellen slowly removed her clothing. She was teasing him as she slowly untied her shoes, one at a time. J.R. walked over to the opposite side of the jacuzzi, closer to Sue Ellen, and said, "Sugar, if you don't hurry, I'll pull you in here with me, clothes and all." Sue Ellen defiantly said, "You wouldn't dare . . . " as his hands pulled her hand and she fell into the jacuzzi. Sue Ellen came up out of the hot, effervescent water and slugged J.R.'s chest. He laughed at her as he pulled her wet hair away from her face and kissed her. Sue Ellen sat in the jacuzzi, in front of J.R. She leaned her head against his chest as the water bubbled and splashed around them. Sue Ellen glanced at the side of the jacuzzi, at a pile of wet clothes. She smiled as she recalled how they got wet in the first place. She kissed the side of J.R.'s neck as a low sigh escaped him. Sue Ellen could spend the rest of her life getting to know the livelier side of J.R. Ewing. That's exactly what she planned to do.
