JR blinked and she was gone, just as suddenly as she had arrived. He looked around him. He was back where he had started- at the elevator to the Oil Barons' Club. He glanced at his watch to find that not a minute had passed since he first encountered his mysterious companion. The iciest of shivers ran down his spine as he recalled what he had told her just before they had parted. He knew what he had to do.

Turning on his heels, he marched back to his car, opened the door and got in. As he placed the key into the ignition his hand shook, a sign of his brain processing the enormity of the experience. Cursing under his breath, he willed himself to recover his composure before placing the gear shift into reverse and leaving the parking space. Seconds later he was driving towards the exit, determined to do the one thing that he knew was right.

As he sped down the now almost deserted roads, back towards Braddock County, his mind raced. There was so much that he needed to say, so much that he had to put right. He reflected on all that he had put her through and how, in many ways, her life with him had not been that different to the alternative that he had just been shown. He had treated her cruelly, disrespectfully and without regard for her wants and needs. He recognised that now but, more than that, he acknowledged that there was only so much that a woman like her could take. He shuddered and cringed inwardly at the idea of her taking her own life, desperation taking stronghold over the need to survive, to live, to raise her son.

Turning into the driveway of Southfork, he arrived at a screeching halt in front of the garage doors. The Christmas lights twinkled but the lights inside the house were off, signalling that the family had retired for the evening. He closed the car door carefully, not wishing to awaken anyone other than the one he had to talk to, and walked into the house where he was greeted by the serenity that always seemed to characterise the late hours of Christmas Eve.

Taking the stairs two at a time in his haste to see her, he entered their bedroom but she wasn't there. Panicked slightly by her absence, afraid that she might have left, taking their son with her, he came out and made for the only other room that she might be in. The nursery door was ajar and the customary night light, the one that seemed to offer their baby comfort from the darkness, shone through into the hallway. All was silent. His heart rate quickened as he entered. Exhaling quietly in relief he saw them, together, Sue Ellen holding John Ross securely to her body as they slept in the rocking chair.

He bent over and gingerly removed his son from her arms, taking care not to wake either of them. Placing him in his crib, he covered him over and gently stroked his face. Keen not to startle her, he placed his hand on her arm. "Sue Ellen" he whispered. She murmured quietly, unable to be roused. He studied her face in the lamplight and noted, to his shame, that her cheeks were tear-stained. He paused for several seconds unsure what to do, afraid that his actions had the potential to disturb the entire family.

Having decided on the best course of action he picked her up and carried her out of the room. "JR?" she moaned as she started to come to, realising with surprise that she was in his arms. "Is everything alright?" "It will be, darlin, it will be" he reassured her as they entered the bedroom, using his foot to close the door behind them.

He placed her on the bed and sat beside her. Relieved to note no trace of alcohol on her breath, he stared at her, waiting for her to wake properly. "What time is it?" she asked, sitting up, alarmed. "A little after midnight" he answered. "How can it be?" she asked. "You only left an hour ago?" Unwilling to take his word for it, she glanced at her bedside clock before making eye contact with him, waiting for an explanation. "I went but I came back, honey. I came back because I need to apologise for what I said and did. Sue Ellen, I didn't mean a word of it, I promise." She stared at him unconvinced. "Is this a new game that you're playing, JR?" she asked suspiciously. "Because if it is…" "No!" he exclaimed. "Something happened to me after I left, something I can't explain, at least not without sounding as if I've taken leave of my senses. I came home to tell you that I love you. I always have and I always will, sugar." She shook her head incredulously. "I've heard all that before, JR, let's face it. Don't let the advent of Christmas make you feel guilty. We both know that it won't last beyond the new year."

He took hold of her hands in his and moved his face closer to hers. "It's different this time, Sue Ellen. Now, I see it all very clearly, too clearly. I am going to prove to you that I can be the husband and father that you and our little boy deserve. Please, I beg you, just give me the chance?"

Epilogue

Sue Ellen moved to the window and looked out. "It's snowing, JR" she told him. "Just in time for Christmas." She turned her head and smiled radiantly amidst the shimmering lights of the Christmas tree. He returned the smile and approached her. Kissing the nape of her neck gently, his hand wandered instinctively to her neat but now distinct abdominal bump. Resting there, they watched the snow swirl before settling determinedly on the ground outside. "Happy Christmas, darlin" he told her. "Happy Christmas, JR" she responded, turning her head to kiss him softly. Holding her closely to him, as if he would never let her go, he glanced up at the night sky noting one particular star that seemed to shine more brightly than the others. "Thank you" he mouthed silently, convinced that his mysterious companion was with him once more.

Happy new year everyone : )