JR sat by the fire nursing a bourbon and branch, watching his wife as she busied herself with wrapping numerous gifts for the family. It was Christmas Eve. The snow had long since ceased falling but the cold temperature ensured that the ground remained covered with a distinct layer of pristine, white snow which added to the festive atmosphere.

John Ross and Christopher were at a party thrown by one of the girls at school, under strict instructions from their respective parents not to come home the worse for wear. Now was the perfect time for Sue Ellen to wrap their presents ready for transportation to Southfork the following morning.

She paused what she was doing and looked up at her husband, her dark, hazel eyes shining in the firelight. "Aren't you going to help?" she asked, knowing his answer already. "Honey, you know I'm no good at that sort of thing" he responded with a mischievous smile. "So, you're just going to sit and watch, are you?" He nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "Just admiring the view" he answered cheekily, looking pointedly down the front of her shirt as she adjusted herself to a kneeling position on the floor, ready to tackle one of the larger items.

She smiled back at him before resuming what she was doing. "It's going to be so nice having us all together on Christmas Day again. It'll be just like the old days" she commented dreamily. "Well apart from Clayton Farlow being there" JR commented drily, standing up to refresh his drink.

Sue Ellen smiled ruefully. "Even you have to admit that Clayton makes your mama very happy, JR. I know he's not your daddy and he never will be…" "Damn right" JR replied, passing a club soda and ice to his wife before sitting back down on the sofa.

"Oh, come on, my love. Your relationship with Clayton isn't all that bad these days" Sue Ellen cajoled him. JR harrumphed but didn't attempt to contradict her which she interpreted as a good sign. Tying a red velvet bow around a beautifully wrapped gift intended for her mother-in-law she sat back on her heels and gave a sigh of relief. "All done, finally!" she exclaimed. He stood once more and helped her to her feet before grasping her around her waist and pulling her in for a kiss. "Let's go to bed" he suggested seductively, the effect of the bourbon having been somewhat disinhibiting. "We need to put all this lot into sacks ready for the morning" she told him. "Plus, shouldn't we wait for John Ross to come home?"

"Sugar, he won't be home for hours yet. We can't just sit up and wait. He'll be just fine. No doubt he's still chasing after Punk and Mavis's little granddaughter." "He takes after his daddy where the girls are concerned" Sue Ellen responded teasingly. "His daddy's a changed man these days though" JR countered anxiously. "I was joking! I know it's different this time" she reassured him, suddenly conscious of his sensitivity about the topic of his past infidelities. "You do believe that don't you, sugar?" he enquired. She nodded vigorously, keen to leave him in no doubt. "Come on then, let me wish you a happy Christmas in the nicest possible way."

JR followed her upstairs without hesitation. They were still technically newlyweds and they had the whole house to themselves. What better way to spend Christmas Eve than making love to his beautiful new wife, he pondered as he watched her disappear into the bathroom, quickly removing his clothes and placing them in the laundry hamper at the entrance to their dressing room before getting into bed.

She emerged wearing nothing but a short, red, silk robe. "Happy Christmas" she told him as he eyed her up lasciviously. "Happy Christmas, darlin. You look so sexy in that" he complimented her, pulling back the duvet at her side of the bed and patting it to beckon her over. As she reached the bed she untied the robe and let it drop to the floor before sliding in next to him. He growled and then leaned over her so that he was dominant. "What do I get then, for Christmas, I mean?" he asked, kissing and nuzzling the nape of her neck and then her earlobes. "Whatever you want, JR" she murmured, caught up in the pleasure of what he was doing to her.

She giggled sexily as he dived under the bedclothes and wriggled further down the bed. As he set to work she covered her face shyly with her hands as his attentions pushed her closer and closer to the edge with each caress. Only when he was satisfied that she was done did he emerge, this time assuming position on top of her, eager to take her. She moaned gently as he began to make love to her, grasping his back with one hand and the edge of the duvet with the other, caught up in the moment, just as he was.

As they neared climax the telephone suddenly rang. "Leave it" JR growled, too absorbed by what they were doing and how close he now was. She pushed him gently from her and turned to her side of the bed. "No, JR. There must be something wrong for us to get a call at this time of night" she told him firmly.

The telephone continued to ring persistently as she reached over for the handset. "Ewing residence, hello?" she answered worriedly. "Mrs Ewing?" "Yes" she answered gulping nervously. "Who is this?" "It's the sheriff, Mrs Ewing. I'm afraid there has been an accident…"

Tbc

Chapter 45

"Don't be too alarmed, Mrs Ewing" the Sheriff advised her. "Your son has been hurt but it's not something that he won't recover from. He and the girl he was with have been very lucky though." Sue Ellen thanked the man and hung up, deciding that the full explanation could wait until they were at the hospital.

She and JR hurriedly dressed and left the house. Barely speaking en route, their minds racing as to what they would find when they arrived at Braddock County Hospital, JR simply patted his wife's hand in reassurance. Sue Ellen turned into the car park and swung her Bentley into the nearest space. The couple jumped out and rushed into the Emergency Department. Predictably, the building was full of Christmas revellers, most of whom had marked Christmas Eve by too much drink, in a few cases other substances, and were now in need of assistance.

JR quickly pulled his wife out of harm's way as two drunken cowboys began a fight prompting a couple of police officers who were in attendance with another patient to intervene.

"Our son, John Ross Ewing, has been brought here" JR informed the nurse at the reception desk. The nurse nodded. "Of course, Mr Ewing. He's in bay 11 straight down the corridor. He's going to be just fine, don't worry." Sue Ellen smiled gratefully at the woman as JR thanked her and then grabbed her hand leading the way.

As they reached the treatment bay they were met by the Sheriff. "Good evening, Mr Ewing, Mrs Ewing" he greeted them. "What happened?" Sue Ellen asked anxiously. "Your boy was being given a lift home by his girlfriend and it seems that the car hit a patch of black ice and skidded off the road. Apart from some cuts and bruises and the little lady's broken wrist they're going to be just fine."

"There wasn't anything else that contributed to the accident was there?" JR asked, worried that their words of advice earlier that evening may have gone unheeded. The Sheriff shook his head. "No, Sir. They both blew negative at the scene and their blood tests have also come back normal. The young lady has, however, only just got her licence. I put it down to lack of experience that she was unable to bring her vehicle back under control. The good thing though was that both of them had the sense to wear their seatbelts, otherwise it could have been a lot worse. I've taken brief statements from both of them which will do for now bearing in mind the time of year. I may have to take fuller accounts after the holiday."

JR shook the man's hand and wished him a happy Christmas. Sue Ellen nodded in mutual acknowledgment before entering to see her boy. John Ross smiled ruefully at his mama as she gasped at his appearance. "Don't worry mama" he told her. "I'm just fine." Sue Ellen rushed to his side shocked by the extent of the bruising to the side of her son's face where the impact of the accident had obviously been at its fullest.

"Daddy, I can explain. Halley and I didn't do anything wrong" John Ross told JR, misinterpreting the expression on his father's face. "It's alright son, we've spoken to the Sheriff. There will be plenty of time to talk once we get home. Now where's your, er, friend? Have her parents been notified? Her grandma and granddaddy will be beside themselves."

"Her family are here already" John Ross told them. "She's bust her arm pretty badly though. It was the driver's side that hit the tree after we came off the road." Sue Ellen held her hands up to her face, horrified at the close call that the young people had experienced.

Before any more could be said a young doctor, obviously weary from the rigours of his shift, entered. "Are these your folks, John Ross?" he asked, making eye contact with JR and Sue Ellen. John Ross nodded. "Well, this young man has been real lucky. You'll no doubt be glad to hear that he can be discharged home" the doctor informed them, handing Sue Ellen a pamphlet containing advice about observation for signs of concussion or head injury. "Just keep a close eye on him and if you are worried about anything just bring him straight back."

The couple thanked the doctor as he took his leave, rushing to attend to his next patient, desperate for his shift to end and to get home for some sleep. "I'll help him get dressed" JR told his wife. Sue Ellen nodded and left, taking a seat outside the bay, conscious of the fact that the last thing her 17 year- old boy would want was for his mother to assist him.

JR passed John Ross his shirt followed by his pants. "You gave your mama and I a proper fright there, son" he told the young man. "I hope the party was worth it?" John Ross shook his head. "You see, daddy, it wasn't, apart from the fact that I was hoping for a goodnight kiss from Halley and even that didn't happen." JR smiled. "You really like the girl?" His son nodded firmly. "Yes, I do. There's just something about her, something…" "Devastating?" JR interjected, transported back in time momentarily to 1967 when he first met Sue Ellen.

John Ross stared at his father as he tied his laces and reached for his jacket. "Do you think her family would let me see her? To wish her a happy Christmas and that she gets better soon?" he asked. JR winked at his boy. "Let's see what I can do."

He exited the bay with John Ross and reached out to his wife. "We really should pay our respects to the Andersons before we leave" he told her. As they stared in each direction, trying to work out where Halley and her family might be, the young girl emerged from another bay, her worried parents flanking her on both sides, Punk and Mavis taking up the rear.

"Halley!" John Ross cried. "Are you okay?" Halley nodded shyly, looking down at the freshly applied plaster cast on her lower left arm. JR strode over to the family and shook hands with the adults, simultaneously commiserating and expressing relief that their children had not been more seriously hurt.

"Will we see you at new year, at Southfork?" Sue Ellen asked. Mr and Mrs Anderson collectively nodded. "You sure will. It will be just like old times again" Punk commented. "If you're up to it, young lady, you would be most welcome" JR told Halley. The young girl smiled again before mouthing "happy Christmas" to John Ross.

TBC

Sorry I have had to do this- problems with the site for two days running! Thanks to Presea for suggesting this : )