Miss Ellie turned her head in the direction of the vehicle approaching the house. She excused herself, politely, from the team of caterers that she had been addressing and made for the driveway. She waved to the occupants as the car drew to a stop. John Ross was the first to get out. "Grandma!" he greeted her. "Hello, John Ross. Theresa has just made some chocolate chip cookies. Why don't you go and find her?"

The little boy looked to his mother for approval. "Yes, that's fine sweetheart but only one, right?" Sue Ellen opened the trunk and took out her son's bag before handing it to her former mother-in-law. Miss Ellie noted that she looked tired and careworn. "Are you alright?" she asked her. Sue Ellen sighed. "I know I said I would come, for John Ross's sake, but I've changed my mind. Something has happened and it would be too difficult to see it through now."

Miss Ellie held out her hand. "Come and sit with me, just for a few minutes?" Sue Ellen glanced up to her old bedroom window, the one she shared with JR, and shook her head. "I don't want to risk seeing the happy couple."

Miss Ellie smiled sadly. "This wedding, you know that it's only because JR feels he has to do the right thing by Cally and the baby, don't you? He doesn't love her, Sue Ellen. Anyone with eyes can see that." Sue Ellen shrugged her shoulders. "It's ironic, isn't it? JR doing the right thing, I mean? It's not as if he ever did the right thing by me."

Miss Ellie stared at her, perplexed. "Why do you still care? You have Don. I thought you were happy?" "I am happy, it's just…" Sue Ellen backed away. "I just can't be here today, in these circumstances. I'm sorry. I've told John Ross that I'm not feeling too good. He's fine, well as fine as he can be given the circumstances.

Miss Ellie walked quickly to the car, suddenly realising what was happening. "If I don't say it now, I will never say it" she began. Sue Ellen glanced at her quizzically. "It's my opinion and, as his mother, I should know. JR has never stopped loving you and now I know that you feel exactly the same about him." Sue Ellen's eyes started to brim with tears. "If you're right then sadly it's too late, isn't it? We have both taken different paths and there's no going back now."

JR moved the curtain back into position and sat down on the bed. He glanced at the cravat neatly laid out and sighed deeply. If only Cally weren't pregnant, he mused. He could end the relationship, pay her off and pursue the only woman he ever really wanted. Granted, it might not be easy. Their separation had been even more bitter and acrimonious this time than it had been the last. However, he knew he was the one to blame, having placed his pursuit of West Star before his marriage. Sue Ellen was no longer the pushover she used to be. She was different these days, stronger, more resilient and astute and she had wreaked her revenge cruelly and uniquely by depriving him of the one thing that, right then, mattered the most to him.

He knew, deep down, that Don Lockwood wasn't right for her. He also knew that she didn't feel about the man the way she had felt about him. There was still the unmistakeable spark between them, even when they fought, that told him that she still loved him. Suddenly he was decided.

He leapt up from the bed and grabbed his keys. Taking the stairs two at a time, he dashed out to his car. "JR?" his mama asked as he ran past her. "Mama, there's something I have to do. I'll explain later." Miss Ellie looked at her watch. "The ceremony is due to start in just under two hours. Do I take it that you're going after her?" JR nodded as he slammed the door of his car shut and started the engine. "I'm sorry mama. I just have to do this. I'll be back in time to explain, I promise."

As he reached the highway and turned left, he put his foot down hard on the accelerator. If I hurry, I can probably stop her before she gets back, to him, the English fella, he resolved. As the highway took a bend, he spotted her car in the distance heading towards the city. Weaving in and out of the traffic, overtaking at high speed he finally reached her. As he drew alongside, he honked his horn and gesticulated for her to pull over. Shocked by his sudden appearance she indicated and took the next exit.

Good girl, he thought as he followed her. She came to a halt in a parking lot belonging to a diner and got out waiting for him to do the same. They looked at each other, he in his wedding suit and she, casual, in jeans and a shirt. "JR? What is it?" she asked. "Is John Ross okay?" Her heart was pounding so hard at the sight of him that she felt almost faint. This is what he did to her, every time, she pondered as she tried to regain her composure.

"He's just fine, darlin. It was you I needed to see." "What for? It's your wedding day, JR. Surely you don't need to be reminded of that fact." She folded her arms ready for the next trick he was no doubt going to try to play. "The wedding, to Cally, it's a massive mistake. You're the one I want. You're the one I always wanted. Sue Ellen, it has always been you. I need to know if you feel the same."

Tbc