Southfork four months later
It was the middle of the night when Sue Ellen was awoken by a sharp stabbing pain in her stomach. JR was snoring beside her so she decided to get up and go down to the kitchen and fix herself a warm mug of milk to try and help her sleep. On entering the kitchen she suddenly felt hungry and looked in the fridge for something to eat. Seeing the tub of vanilla ice cream and tomato ketchup she smiled to herself and took them out and put them on the table. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach; gently she stroked it as she once again felt the tiny kick of life growing within her. In less than two weeks the babies would be born and for her and JR life would never be the same although secretly she felt both of them were looking forward to parenthood this time. She was deep in thought with her back to the door that she didn't see JR creep up behind her.
"And what do you think you're doing Mrs Ewing?" JR said
Sue Ellen swung around and looked at him "JR!... Don't you know it's not a good idea to creep up on a heavily pregnant woman"
"I woke up and you weren't there"
"I felt a sharp pain in my stomach and you were snoring so I came down here and suddenly felt hungry"
"No prizes for guessing what you're eating" JR said as he moved closer to her. JR sat down and Sue Ellen got up moving to sit on his lap.
"Ice Cream, tomato ketchup and a bread roll…do you want to try some?"
JR shook his head and laughed "Not really"
Sue Ellen scooped some ice cream onto the spoon and covered it in tomato ketchup then lifted the spoon to JR's mouth "Here…it's lovely, try it"
JR opened his mouth and let Sue Ellen feed him, grimacing he said "That is disgusting"
Sue Ellen laughed "Can I make you a drink?"
"No I'm fine…I just felt lonely without you"
"Can you believe that in less than two weeks time these babies will be here? Time has gone really quickly"
JR was silent for a while contemplating how life would change once the babies made an appearance.
"You know I've really enjoyed this pregnancy….knowing that this time these were my children" he said
"John Ross is yours…he always has been" Sue Ellen said "But I know what you mean….this time has been perfect…you've been by my side every step of the way…we've shared every kick these babies have made….you've been on every ante natal visit with me…it's been a wonderful time for both of us"
"Yeah…can't wait for the next pregnancy" JR laughed
"Hmmmm that wont be for a few years" Sue Ellen said "We are going to have our work cut out with three babies"
JR watched as she smothered her bread roll with ice cream and tomato ketchup and started to eat. He laughed out loud knowing that in normal circumstances this would be the last thing she would eat"
"Tell me…did you have cravings when you were pregnant with John Ross?"
Sue Ellen thought for a moment "To be honest I can't remember….looking back I don't think I was sober long enough however I do remember early on having a hunger for pickled onions and whipped cream"
"I wish things could have been different" JR said "We both missed out on so much of things with our son….neither of us were there for him in his early days"
"I remember lying in bed listening to him cry and getting up knowing full well that Pamela would already be in the nursery" Sue Ellen said "I remember one conversation she had with Mrs Reeves when the nurse told her that she was all the baby had that I didn't care for him. But that wasn't true….I just didn't want to get hurt"
"You've more than made up for those times Sue Ellen, John Ross knows we both adore him" JR said
"I remember one afternoon I went to a DOA meeting the first meeting since the baby was born and the speaker couldn't make it. The replacement was Cliff…I tried to get out of there as fast as I could….but he cornered me and wanted to meet up. The following day I went to his apartment…he just wanted to know about the baby but I told him he didn't need to play the caring father. He accused me of being a parasite….using him to get back at you and now using John Ross as a weapon. I told him I loved my son but he said I wasn't capable of love. I left there in a state and was still upset when you came home…I remember asking you if I had changed and whether I used people but you said I was just the same as I always had been" Sue Ellen said
JR held her tightly and kissed her cheek "Darlin' at that time I don't think any of us knew the real you…including you! You were brought up to believe that money and power were above everything…the most important things in the whole world...strangely enough I don't think I saw the warm, gentle side of you until I was shot…you could be standoffish…you weren't the easiest person. In fact I look at you now and I don't see the person I originally married…I see a better…more caring and loving person….someone I am so proud to have as my wife, even if you do have strange eating habits at the moment"
"We should make the most of the next few weeks….I mean it's going to be a hectic couple of months with sleepless nights and dirty diapers" Sue Ellen said "I also want to spend as much time with our son as possible"
"I noticed you with him this evening while you were reading to him. You look so comfortable snuggled up together" JR said
"He wanted to feel the babies" Sue Ellen said
"We need to think of baby names or else they're going to be called 1, 2, and 3" JR said
"Hmmm…okay what do you think?" Sue Ellen asked
"How about girls names using you initials" JR said
"You mean like Sophie Eleanor?" Sue Ellen asked "Or Susannah Eleanor, Stephanie Eleanor, Stacey Ellen….and that's all the names I can think of starting with S" she laughed
"Hmmm you really want to use Eleanor as a middle name?" JR said
"Aha…"
"Okay out of all those names I like Sophie Eleanor…it sounds such a pretty name"
"Well that's two names we've got so let's choose another girls name and another's boys name" Sue Ellen said
"Okay…let me see….Girls names first" JR said "Emily, Tamarah, Rosie, Caitlin, Jennifer,…"
"Grace, Aimee, Natalie…" Sue Ellen said
"Okay…how about Emily Rose and Sophie Eleanor?" JR asked
"Hmmm I like it….now we need another boy's name" Sue Ellen said "As we don't know whether what we're having"
"Thinking about it we could have three girls or three boys….damn I should never have torn up that piece of paper" JR laughed
"Boys names…let me see" Sue Ellen said "Benjamin, Joshua, Michael, Luke, Mark, Christian, David, Matthew"
"Robert, James, Peter, Andrew" JR said
"You see I would love to call him Robert James…but Gary got there first" Sue Ellen said
"Hmmm…I know" JR said suddenly an idea came to him "How about James Robert…that way he has Bobby's name and my initials"
Sue Ellen kissed him and hugged him tightly "Okay…and for another boy's name we could have "Benjamin Joshua"
"One more girls name then…just in case we have three girls" JR said
"I can't think anymore" Sue Ellen said "Tamarah Alice"
"Where did that come from?" JR asked
"My grandmother's name was Alice and I also like the name Tamarah" Sue Ellen said
JR smiled "Well we've got that sorted out then..now have you finished eating and we can go back to bed"
Sue Ellen looked at the empty tub of ice cream in front of her "It's empty" she said "Might just have to go back and see what's in the fridge"
JR held her tightly, placing tiny kisses on her neck "You are not going anywhere Mrs Ewing"
Sue Ellen laughed "Thought you wanted to go to bed" she pulled free of him and stood up holding her hands out for JR.
JR sat looking at her, thinking how he had never seen her look more beautiful or radiant.
"You are so beautiful" he said
Sue Ellen laughed "I look like a baby elephant" she said
JR shook his head, stood up and wrapped his arms around her "No you don't…you look gorgeous….in fact momma was saying the other day how healthy you look for someone expecting triplets"
"I feel fine…although I'm a little apprehensive about the birth"
"That's understandable" JR said
"I think having an epidural during the C-section so that I'm still awake and aware of what's happening…is the best idea…I want to be able to hold my babies the minute they're born…something I didn't get the chance to do when John Ross was born" she said
"And I'll be right by your side" JR said
Sue Ellen smiled "I know what you're like…you hate the sight of blood"
"After us…the first person I want to see these babies is John Ross" JR said
Sue Ellen's heart jumped when she thought of her beloved son; lately she felt an overwhelming sense of love for him and wondered if it was because of the events leading up to his birth and a need in her to let him know that he was so special to her. She cringed as she thought about her last pregnancy…the drinking, the loneliness she felt and the desperate need to had to feel loved. This time was so different; her and JR had become so close and the bond they shared with their son was deep…they were all so happy.
"What are you thinking?" JR said interrupting her thoughts.
"About how wonderful these past seven months have been….having you beside me every night, knowing that the only woman you want to make love to is me…watching you play with you son" she said
"I think this past year I've learnt a lot…all the things I once held as important are no longer that important….everything I need is in this house. I know we've been over it several times but when my world fell apart you put it back together again. You've taught me so much about being a family and what it's like to love and trust someone completely. I can't imagine feeling this way about anyone else…I think what scares me most is if something happens during the birth of the babies and I lose you…. I really don't think I could cope" JR said
Sue Ellen looked at him and saw tears in his eyes "JR Ewing…listen to me…nothing is going to go wrong. We've got the best medical care..you've made sure of that….I've looked after myself…gone to every antenatal appointment. Everything is going to be perfect. I love you"
"I love you too…come on let's get back to bed"
Hand in hand they walked out of the kitchen into the hallway. As they reached their room, the stopped and walked to John Ross' room, he was fast asleep with his covers on the floor beside him.
"That's child…what am I going to do with him…from the time he was able to he's always kicked his covers off at the first opportunity" Sue Ellen said as she walked towards him. Pulling the covers around him she noticed that he also had his headphones on, not wanting to wake him she left them, gently kissing him on the forehead.
JR walked over and looked down at his sleeping son "He's perfect…no guessing as to what he's listening to"
Sue Ellen smiled "His mother's voice….maybe you should do the same…tape yourself reading him stories then when he can't' sleep he can listen to you too"
"Hmm…I might just do that"
Going back into their room they crawled into bed and wrapped their arms around each other, finally drifting off to sleep.
Southfork ( A day later)
Sue Ellen and Pam were enjoying coffee in the living room while Christopher and John Ross played upstairs.
"So how are you?" Sue Ellen asked
"Fine" Pam said "I had a doctor's appointment earlier and everything's fine"
"I told you it would be….." Sue Ellen said
"I know but after miscarrying two babies I didn't want to get my hopes up only to lose this one to"
"Pam….there were reasons for those miscarriages" Sue Ellen said "The fall from the barn loft and the snake scaring the horse. On the subject of the barn, something I always wondered did JR push you?"
"What do you think?" Pam asked
Sue Ellen sighed "We both know what JR was like back then….he was in competition with Bobby for his father's affection and he wanted the first son but I'd like to think he didn't push you"
Pam smiled "I wanted some time alone so I went up to the barn loft. JR must have wanted the same because about ten minutes later he was there. He was drunk and just mumbling things…he was barely making sense. I stood up, I began to feel scared but he was blocking my way so I couldn't escape…anyway as he moved closer I moved backwards and before both of us knew it I was at the edge and fell. So no, JR never pushed me"
"Looking back at those years….I hate the people that JR and I were, I remember asking him if he was sorry that you lost the baby, he didn't answer, he didn't need to I saw it in his eyes and to be honest part of me was please that you wouldn't be giving Jock the first grandchild. All the times I was horrible to you, I remember one night after you and Bobby found me passed out when I was pregnant with John Ross, you stayed with me until I fell asleep then after you had looked after John Ross when I couldn't the moment I held him I made sure you knew he wasn't yours and yet when I left JR and needed your help to get John Ross you were there for me" Sue Ellen said
"I'd sooner have him with you than JR" Pam replied "Having said that the past is a foreign country that it's sometimes best not to visit. I seen how both of you have changed this past year….in fact I think I understand why JR behaved the way he did. Always having to win approval it couldn't have been easy especially when Bobby got it without trying"
"I know, now he's devoting his time to his family. He's been so patient and kind during this pregnancy….looking out for me, making sure I'm okay, coming with me to every doctor's appointment and putting up with my eating habits" Sue Ellen said "He's massaged my back when I've got backache and my feet when they're swollen, he's helped John Ross with his homework, decorated the nursery and tried his best to make up for everything that went wrong with my last pregnancy"
"Cliff wants to know what he's up to….he got a cheque the other day to do with the profits from Ewing 23. He mentioned that JR closed them a few years back and wonders why they've been reopened" Pam said
Sue Ellen laughed "What do you think Cliff would say if he knew the truth….that he had a half brother and that brother was the man he hated most in his life"
Pam laughed "I'm not sure but it's best we keep him in the dark"
JR walked into Southfork and into the living room, seeing Sue Ellen and Pam he walked over to Sue Ellen and planted a kiss on her lips.
"Hey you're home early" Sue Ellen said
"Yeah…quiet day at the office so I thought I'd give myself the rest of the day off" JR said "Don't let that stop you talking about me though"
Pam laughed "You've got some ego JR, what makes you think you're the topic of conversation"
"I know you two so well" JR said "Well I'm going upstairs to change. Is Clayton in the nursery?"
"He's just putting some finishing touches to it" Sue Ellen said "The boys are upstairs too"
"See you later" JR said
After he had gone Pam said "Is he going to be present at the birth?"
"Yes…although I can't guarantee he'll be conscious for long. He has such a weak stomach"
"How long now"
"Less than a week" Sue Ellen said "Hopefully we're have the babies home by Thanksgiving"
"Mark has agreed to come to Southfork for Thanksgiving. We've also had a long chat about Christopher he wants to adopt him before the baby comes then both children will have the same surname. You wouldn't have any objection to that"
"Pam…Christopher is your son, he's always been yours I gave up any rights I had to him. As for Mark adopting him I think it's a brilliant idea but the one thing I want you to promise me is that you will never tell him that you and Bobby adopted him. I don't want him to know anything about Kristin and how she used him." Sue Ellen said
"Okay" Pam said
Meanwhile upstairs JR and Clayton inspected the work they had done in the nursery.
"Well we made a really good job of this room even if I do say it myself" Clayton said
"The cribs look brilliant and I love how you managed to paint the same scene on them as what's on the wallpaper" JR said
"Sue Ellen looks well…she's blooming" Clayton said
"I know….we've become so close these past few months. I can talk to her about anything and she'll listen to me." JR said
"Glad you've realize what a wonderful wife you've got"
"Part of this scares me though. What if something goes wrong during the birth. Last night I had a nightmare, I dreamt that one of the babies got stuck in the womb and Sue Ellen lost a lot of blood while the doctors tried to release it. They managed to save the baby but not her and I woke up she wasn't there…I panic…for a moment I thought it was real and that she was gone" JR said "Clayton I don't want to lose her"
"You have got the best medical care money can buy…I'm sure everything will be fine. Try not to worry Clayton said "Don't tell me she was having a midnight feast last night"
"Yeah I found her in the kitchen eating Ice cream, bread roll and tomato ketchup" JR said "She made me taste some….I don't know why she likes it so much"
Clayton laughed "Don't worry only a week to go"
JR smiled "Yeah and just think what it's going to be like with three babies in this house and a noisy six year old running around"
"I've never seen John Ross so settled nor have I ever seen you and Sue Ellen so relaxed" Clayton said
Southfork (A week later)
JR carried Sue Ellen's bags to his car while she said goodbye to John Ross and the rest of the family. Seeing her so look so small she crouched down to his level.
"Hey I'll be back before you know it, beside when the babies are born Grandma and Clayton will bring you to the hospital" she said
"You're not going to leave me…..uncle Bobby went to hospital and never came back"
Sue Ellen looked at Miss Ellie as tears formed in her eyes "No sweetheart…I'm not going anywhere"
John Ross hugged her tightly. After a few minutes she freed herself from his embrace and stood up hugging Clayton and Miss Ellie.
"See you soon" she said
JR came in from the car and placed his hand on her back "Are you ready?"
Sue Ellen nodded, part of her was afraid not knowing what to expect. JR helped her into the car and they drove to Dallas Memorial and took the elevator up to the maternity unit where the doctor and midwife were waiting for them. Having got Sue Ellen comfortable in her room they proceeded to administer the epidural. A while later they took her down to the theater with JR gripping her hand. They placed a screen between them and JR and Sue Ellen so that neither would see any of the surgery. JR sat on a chair by Sue Ellen reassuring her, stroking her face and reminding her how much he loved her. Within 40 minutes they heard the first sound of a baby's cry.
"It's a girl" The midwife said
"Is she okay" Sue Ellen asked
"She's fine…let me get her cleaned up and then you can hold her before I put her in the incubator"
The doctor's continued working to remove the two remaining babies from the womb while Sue Ellen and JR cuddled their first newborn daughter.
"She's perfect" JR said "Just like her momma"
Sue Ellen placed her finger in the baby's mouth and the baby started sucking "She's hungry" Sue Ellen laughed
The nurse took the baby and put her in the incubator.
"She'll be nice and warm in there"
"How long will she have to stay in there?" JR asked
"Until she reaches a normal weight but at the moment she's 4lb which means she's in no danger"
"John Ross was smaller than that" Sue Ellen said
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of another cry. This time it was a baby boy then about ten minutes later another girl was born. The doctors then finished working on Sue Ellen by closing up the wound they had made. After their work was done they left the couple alone for a moment.
"We've done it" JR said "We have three beautiful healthy babies"
"You're not disappointed that there's only one boy" Sue Ellen asked
JR kissed her "Of course not! You are something else do you know that….you are the most amazing person I know"
"Is John Ross outside?" Sue Ellen asked as the doctors came back in the room
"Yes" JR said, he then asked the doctor if it would be okay for him to bring his son into the theatre. Having got the doctor's approval JR went outside where Miss Ellie and Clayton were waiting. On seeing his father John Ross ran to him and JR scooped him up.
"Hey Buddy…your momma wants to see you"
"How is Sue Ellen?" Miss Ellie asked "And the babies"
"They're fine" JR said "Just let me take John Ross in and you con come in a while"
JR turned to go back in when Clayton called him back
"Well what did you have" he laughed
"Two girls and a boy" JR said smiling.
JR carried John Ross into the room and placed him on the bed with his mother. Sue Ellen kissed him and pointed towards the incubators.
"Say hello to your new brother and sisters John Ross" she said
John Ross climbed off the bed and walked over to them. "They're tiny…why are they in here"
JR walked to him and picked him up "You were once like that too" he said "They won't be little for long"
The doctors and midwife then told JR that they would be moving the babies into the Special Care Unit and Sue Ellen to the ward. JR and John Ross went outside to wait with Miss Ellie and Clayton. When the babies were settled into the Special Care Unit JR took them to see them. Miss Ellie cooed at how lovely they were and how healthy they looked. Clayton noticed JR beaming as he held John Ross. Finally they went to see Sue Ellen. The family chatted together for a while, John Ross sat snuggled up to his mother while JR sat on a chair close to her, holding her hand.
"Those babies will be home in no time" Miss Ellie said "They beautiful just like John Ross"
"They're a lot healthier than John Ross was" Sue Ellen said "And we had him home in a fortnight..I guess thanksgiving is going to be a bit lively this year"
"Speaking of Thanksgiving, JR is it still okay if Dusty comes I can put him off if you want" Clayton said
JR looked at Sue Ellen, just at the moment the only thing that mattered in his life was her and his children "No Clayton it's fine….maybe it will be okay if he sees that Sue Ellen is happy"
Clayton looked at Sue Ellen and knew without a doubt that she was happy. Her eyes were sparkling and there was a glow around her. Miss Ellie looked at the clock on the wall.
"I think it's time we let you rest" she said "JR do you want us to take John Ross"
JR looked at his son "No momma…he's fine I'll bring him home with me"
Miss Ellie and Clayton kissed Sue Ellen goodbye and left. After they were gone JR looked at his wife. "Okay what are we going to call these children?"
"Well I thought we decided on Sophie Eleanor and Aaron Southworth for sure" Sue Ellen said
"We need another girl's name" JR said
"Emily Grace" Sue Ellen said
"Didn't you say your grandmother's name was Alice" JR said
"Yeah and it's also my mother's middle name"
"Okay then how about Emily Alice" JR said
"What do you think John Ross?" Sue Ellen said
"I like it momma, when can I hold them" their son asked
"Soon I promise" JR said
As time went by John Ross began to get sleepy; Sue Ellen pulled him closer to her and wrapped him in a warm embrace; JR didn't want to leave this evening and prayed the nurses would let him stay. He watched as his son slept in his wife's arms.
"JR" Sue Ellen said
JR smiled "What"
"I want you" she said "Take off your shoes and climb in here with us….I need you to keep us warm and safe"
JR went to the door of the room to check that noone was around then did as Sue Ellen asked. Although they were squashed on the single bed they were wrapped in a warm and safe cocoon, JR kept watch as the two people he loved most slept then finally he gave into sleep himself.