Dinner had been served and the speeches had been made, JR's touchingly heartfelt where his new bride was concerned. It wasn't often that he was open about his feelings so to hear him speak of his pride and amazement at seeing Sue Ellen as she began to walk down the aisle pleased her immensely.

As the band started up JR took his new wife's hand and led her to the dancefloor. The couple had danced together regularly during their courtship and therefore looked comfortable as the assembled guests looked on. At an appropriate juncture JR signalled to his father that it was time. Jock held out his arm for Patricia followed by Bobby for Miss Ellie. Joining the newlyweds on the dancefloor, followed eventually by other guests, the party rapidly fell into full swing.

JR kissed Sue Ellen and drew her closer. "I'm glad we waited" he whispered to her softly. "Tonight, I get to make you mine." Sue Ellen felt a mixture of nerves and excitement as her husband twirled her around the floor. She and Paula had discussed what the first time would be like shortly before the wedding. "Don't expect too much" her friend had warned her. "Once you get to know each other more it gets much better."

Her mother had given her different advice, advice that had made her cringe whenever she thought about it. Patricia had made sex sound like some terrible chore that a wife had to put up with to avoid her husband straying. When the topic of her wedding trousseau had been raised Sue Ellen quickly told her mother that it was all sorted, the thought of going into the city with her mother to make the necessary purchases too awful to contemplate. In the end, it was Paula and one of her other former sorority friends who had gone with her, giggling as they tried to decide what would be appropriate and pleasing to JR.

Her thoughts turned to the content of her suitcases neatly packed and waiting upstairs together with an overnight bag for their first night which was to be spent in a suite at The Mansion. She had begged JR for a clue as to their honeymoon destination only to be brick walled by him. "Pack for warm weather" was all he had to say whenever she attempted to persuade him that if she didn't know where they were going how could she be sure to bring the proper attire.

At six thirty, after dancing and socialising with their guests, the couple made their way inside. "I will see you in half an hour, honey" JR told her. "The car will be here by then." Sue Ellen made her way to the guestroom that had been her usual bedroom whenever she stayed at Southfork and JR entered what would now become their marital bedroom. As she closed the door her eyes fell on the clothing laid out for her on the bed.

Taking one last twirl in the mirror, trying to imprint how she looked in her wedding gown on her memory for all time, she then moved to the centre of the room and began unbuttoning herself at the back. The final few buttons proved to be a stretch for her but, eventually, the gown fell to the floor, a heap of the finest satin, to be packaged up and kept pristine possibly for their daughter one day. She placed it on a hanger to be dealt with later by Miss Ellie and picked up the navy shift dress which, together with matching jacket and ladylike court shoes, constituted her going away outfit.

She emerged dead on seven, looking every inch the wealthy, young married woman she now was. JR was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs with the rest of the family. "Perfect!" Miss Ellie announced, handing Sue Ellen her bridal bouquet. "Your bags are all in the car. It's time." The family came out first with JR and Sue Ellen hand-in- hand behind. As instructed, the female guests were assembled ready for the throwing of the bouquet. Sue Ellen's college friends jostled excitedly for position hoping to be the one to catch it but there was really only one person that deserved the prize and Sue Ellen had a game plan. Eying up where Paula stood to judge the distance Sue Ellen turned her back and tossed the flowers in what she hoped would be the right direction. Cheers went up as she turned to see her best friend clutching the blooms, blushing and giggling as her boyfriend, Roger, looked on.

To rapturous applause the newly married couple, bade the family farewell, waved and got into the limousine. Jock shot JR a meaningful glance as he allowed Sue Ellen to step into the vehicle first. "Yes sir" he responded, feeling the weight of expectation upon him. Not that he felt remotely ready for a child just yet, he was only just married and wanted to enjoy his young bride first, he pondered as he waved cheerily for the last time before the driver set off.

They held hands in the car all the way to the hotel, kissing tenderly every now and again, happy that the day had gone off so well. Once they arrived they were greeted obsequiously by the manager before being taken straight up to the honeymoon suite. Tipping the bell-boy generously JR felt as though he was about to burst, the anticipation almost unbearable. Steady on, he told himself as he and his new wife took in their surroundings.

As ordered there was champagne on ice and two exquisite crystal flutes set on a silver tray on the dresser. The four-poster bed was strewn with yellow rose petals and the suite was infused with the scent of the dozens of lilies and orchids that adorned it. Sue Ellen clasped her hands in delight as JR opened the champagne, figuring that a drink might just take the edge off their nerves.

He handed a glass to her. "Here's to us!" he toasted, clinking his flute gently against hers. Sue Ellen smiled shyly. JR leant against the dresser and beckoned to her to come to him. Nervously she approached him. He pulled her into his body and kissed her passionately before demanding that she go and change. "You will be gentle with me, won't you JR?" she asked anxiously as she set the champagne down and went for her overnight bag. "Trust me sugar, the last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you."

Tbc