The 12 Seasons of Christmas

[Justine]

The 12 seasons of Christmas because I didn't bother to watch beyond Linda's exit.

Chapter 1- Baby, It's Cold Outside
Bobby and Pam privately celebrate their first Christmas as a couple.

Chapter 2- It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
The Ewing's transform Southfork into their very own winter wonderland.

Chapter 3- Who Would Imagine A King?
Sue Ellen's struggle with postpartum depression continues for baby John's first Christmas.

Chapter 4- Little Drummer Boy
Ray celebrates his first Christmas with the Ewing family as 'the fourth son'.

Chapter 5- Blue Christmas
Sue Ellen experiences a less-than-festive Christmas away from Southfork and the Southern Cross.

Chapter 6- Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
The Ewing's celebrate a seasonal ceasefire in the battle for Ewing Oil.

Chapter 7- Wrapped In Red
Katherine embraces the Christmas spirit and confesses her hearts desire.

Chapter 8- Silver Bells
Pam and Sue Ellen fly Christopher and John Ross to New York for seasonal festivities.

Chapter 9- The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)
The Ewing's celebrate their first Christmas without Bobby.

Chapter 10- Santa Clause Is Comin' To Town
The Ewing men cause midnight mischief on Christmas Eve.

Chapter 11- Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)
Bobby endures a miserable Christmas in the aftermath of Pam's disappearance.

Chapter 12- Auld Lang Syne
Sue Ellen receives three surprise guests for her New Year's Eve celebration.

 

[Justine]

Baby, It's Cold Outside
Season 1 (Pre-Series)​

Pamela squirmed underneath the tender touch of Bobby’s hand to her waist. “Bobby, stop.” Her voice was firm, “I really can’t stay.”

Bobby propelled her backward, until she was in his full possession and his lips were seductively positioned behind her ear, “Pamela,” he replied, equally firm but his playfulness doubled. “It’s cold out there. The roads are real icy ‘round here.”

“… which is all the more reason for me to leave now,” she bartered, as she freed herself and flashed him a serious look. “It’s been a wonderful weekend, but daddy will be worried if I’m not home before dark.” The unhappy reality that her father’s addled brain more than likely had little care for her whereabouts was not one Bobby wished to alert Pamela to so early in their newfound relationship.

“One more drink,” he proposed, and clicked the turntable back into play-mode. “You, me and Mr. Dean Martin. What d’you say?”

“The answer is no.” Pamela’s resolve was practically unshakeable, in spite of her favourite Christmas record. “Bobby, turn it down.” She pleaded the order when the volume increased and the seasonal music filled the air. “What if Ray or any one of the ranch hands heard? You’re supposed to be in Austin, remember?” The paranoia overwhelmed her and Pamela peered between the curtains to survey the empty land at the border of Southfork; it was so peaceful, it could have been the ends of the earth. “Besides, I can’t stay. Cliff’s already suspicious about exactly where it is I sneak off to every week.” She frantically searched the heap of bedsheets and clothes, “Where’s my coat?”

“You can’t be out in this weather without a coat, now, can you?”

Pamela noticed his hands hidden behind his back. Her expression was dead-pan, “Maybe you should just lend me yours, if you’re so worried.”

He chuckled heartily, “Then, brother Cliff really would be suspicious.”

“That’s not funny, Bobby,” she warned, as she attempted to reach for the coat that he held in the air and out of her reach. “Give me the coat.” She checked the time on her wristwatch; she would already be home later than she promised her aunt.

“What coat?” Bobby played dumb and swiftly outsmarted her unsuccessful retrieval of the coat. “You need a coat, Pamela. You’ll catch your death in this weather.” He threw her coat across the cabin and entrapped Pamela into his compact embrace. “Think of my eternal sorrow, if you were to die before I called you Mrs. Bobby -” Pamela interrupted his sentence, when her hand covered his open mouth. Their eyes locked and Bobby’s speech became muffled, “I love you, Pamela, and, one day, I will make you my wife.” Their relationship had been a whirlwind and they hardly knew one another well, yet Bobby had never met anyone he trusted more. Still, Pamela appeared underwhelmed by the momentous promise. Her lips twisted, in silent response, and Bobby reluctantly returned the coat.

“Would you really marry me… a Barnes?” Bobby earnestly nodded his head and Pamela kissed him, hard. “Looks to me like there’s a storm on the way in. Maybe I should stay here and ride it out with you.” She barely completed her sentence, before Bobby lifted her into his arms and reeled her back onto the bed with him.

​

 

[Karin Schill]

I am glad to see that you are back to writing. Nice with a Christmas theme. I wish the Ewings would have celebrated that holiday at least once on TV.
Cute Bobby and Pam scene. They seemed so young in it.

 

[Justine]

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Season 2 (Between 'Fallen Idol' and 'Kidnapped')​

In the few hours J.R. had driven into Dallas and schemed another fool out of his well-deserved inheritance, Southfork had been transformed to a winter wonderland. A blanket of snow had settled over the ranch and the annual decorations were up to celebrate the start of years end. Golden bulbs were carefully entwined in the shrubs and trees planted up and down the drive.

Musical vibrations practically shook the walls of Southfork, as J.R. entered his family home and removed his Stetson. He was welcomed by the vision of Lucy halfway up the step-ladder to decorate the ten-foot Christmas tree beside the fireplace. “Welcome home, J.R..”

The cheerful smile Lucy afforded him was in stark contrast to her usual sour mood within their interaction and J.R. was monumentally thrown by her affect but responded with a hearty chuckle. “Well, well, well. You certainly are in the Christmas spirit, aren’t you?”

“I’d say we all are.” Lucy tartly replied. Her eyes mischievously directed his attention to the other side of the room, where Sue Ellen delicately sipped from her freshened drink and portrayed her best effort to read the blurred lines on the book in her hand. The corner of J.R.’s mouth instantly drooped and Pamela playfully slapped Lucy’s behind for her intentionally insensitive remark. J.R.’s elevated mood had visibly plummeted at the vision of his wife in a haze. “What?” Lucy played dumb for her newest aunt and newfound confidante.

“Here, Lucy,” Miss Ellie breezed over the moment and passed the blonde teen a silver-painted bauble. “Put this one on there. Your mama painted the reindeer on it.” Lucy rolled her eyes and stifled the bitterness she didn’t usually bother to suppress. “She and I created a lot of these decorations the Christmas before you were born.” Pamela held the step-ladder firm, for Lucy to reach the bare branches at the top.

“Sue Ellen,” J.R. left the other three women to the tree decoration and approached his wife with caution. “How’s your day, darlin’?”

She swirled the seductive liquid round and round. “Just fine.”

“You feelin’ okay?” He double-checked, another question fired point-blank with speed. “No more mornin’ sickness?”

“I said I’m fine, J.R.,” Sue Ellen’s reply indicated a loss of patience. His sudden peaked interest in her simply because he suspected another man had fathered her unborn child riled her more than she could articulate. Still, it satisfied her that J.R. played the jealous party in their relationship, for once. “Excuse me?” She rose from the chair and departed the room with the blatant intent to escape any further examination.

Before he could traipse behind in her wake, Jock and Bobby appeared. “Good God woman.” Jock’s voice boomed, as he plucked a Holly leaf from the wreath Miss Ellie had positioned on the front door of their home. “Did you buy out the whole store?”

Bobby cracked a wide smile and tripped over the fifth half-empty box of Christmas decorations retrieved from the basement. Miss Ellie smiled at her husband; he loved Christmas more than he would ever dare admit. “No, Jock. Just the Christmas department.”

Her husband scoffed, “Well, you women sure do make a pretty picture. Ain’t that so, Junior?”

J.R.’s eyes were transfixed on Sue Ellen, as she ascended the stairs to their bedroom. He snapped his attention to his father and replied, “Yes, sir.”

“And, just think, J.R.. This time next year, we’ll be able to celebrate your baby’s very first Christmas here on Southfork.” J.R. enthusiastically nodded at his fathers idealistic hope for the future. In fact, the promise of a new baby had thrown the entire family into a manic excitement that he and Sue Ellen would finally be blessed with their own child. Little did any of them realise his very real doubt as to whether Sue Ellen had been as faithful as he had always assumed she would be. “Yeah, it sure is beginning to look like Christmas,” Jock happily patted J.R.’s back.

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

Nice idea

Hoping for something a little happier for JR and Sue Ellen next time...

 

[Justine]

Who Would Imagine A King?
Season 3 (Between "Return Engagement" and "Love and Marriage")​

Sue Ellen twisted the oval diamond band relentlessly. She ached for the ability to reach out and lift baby John from his crib but her body resisted. The sessions with Dr. Elby had been helpful but she still held a sense of resentment toward her son; he was the physical reminder of all the pain she had suffered at the hands of J.R. and Cliff.

“Sue Ellen.” Pamela’s tone conveyed her surprise to discover Sue Ellen in the nursery. Sue Ellen instantly retreated from the crib, her bottle of undiscovered emotions firmly capped. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.” Sue Ellen’s neutral, numbed expression prompted more from Pamela, as she settled down another box of presents she had purchased at The Store. “We had another delivery of children’s toys this afternoon, and I couldn’t resist.” She positioned the pre-wrapped toys underneath the mini Christmas tree she had also decorated the nursery with. “Isn’t that sweet?” Pamela retrieved a teddy bear with a Stetson from the Santa’s boot.

“It’s lovely, Pamela.” Sue Ellen offered mild approval, “But I do think this is all a little overboard. I do not want that baby spoiled.”

Pamela’s face fell at Sue Ellen’s lack of affection toward baby John. It seemed so unfair that she and Bobby had so much love to raise a baby with and couldn’t have their own, yet Sue Ellen had been blessed with a baby she refused to even hold. “Well, it’s no trouble. After all, it’s his first Christmas. He deserves to be spoilt,” she persuaded, her tone sweet as could be.

“Pamela, I realise it’s a difficult time for you.” Her sister-in-law alluded to the recent loss of her unborn child, “I sympathise, I really do. But baby John is no replacement for the child you lost.” The way in which Pamela pined over baby John only distanced Sue Ellen further from the infant; it pinpointed her failure as a mother for the entire family to see. “I don’t think your behaviour toward the child is healthy for him or you.” Pamela appeared to shrink inside herself, and silently departed the nursery with the multitude of presents she had offered.

Sue Ellen remained alone with baby John for quite some time, until his interested in the mobile above faded and he fell asleep. Sue Ellen tucked herself away into a dark corner of the room, where she rocked in the chair and admired the baby from a safe distance. It was almost 9pm, when the footsteps up the stairs indicated J.R.’s return and Sue Ellen stiffened at his entrance. Oblivious to Sue Ellen’s presence, her husband knelt beside the children’s size Christmas tree next to the crib and presented a small wrapped box. Like Sue Ellen, he had isolated himself from his namesake and shirked any parental responsibility he wasn’t one-hundred-percent certain he held. J.R. had waited for a son, so hard and so patiently that it felt as if the whole world waited with him. It would be one of life’s cruellest ironies, if his patience went unrewarded.

“J.R.,” her voice in the dark caused him to shiver.

For once, her husband's eyes didn't darken to the shade of stone. "Sue Ellen..." He swiftly rose to his feet, curious as to why she was alone in the nursery and embarrassed, too, that she had witnessed his private show of affection toward her son. "Well, I'm happy to see even you won't deprive your own child at Christmas." J.R. chided, to counter the humanity she could manipulate into vulnerability. "Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men."

J.R. promptly exited, and Sue Ellen returned to stand beside the crib. The infant stared up at his mother with red eyes, tearful and at an unease. She could only hope his future was destined to be miles happier than his present circumstance, even if it was already mapped out for him; the future king of the Ewing empire. Sue Ellen braved the first time she had ever touched her son and softly stroked the sleep-suit material at his foot. “Merry Christmas, baby John.”

 

[ilovesoaps100]

Not to bad, I hope sue ellen and Jr get a little romance

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

Such a vulnerable time for them both, very nice

 

[Justine]

Little Drummer Boy
Season 4 (Between "Trouble at Ewing 23" and "The Prodigal Mother")​

In the aftermath of Christmas day at Southfork, Ray stepped outside. He inhaled the winter air and a wave of calm finally washed over him. That family - his family - were a headache at the best of times but at Christmas, their volume increased tenfold.

He leaned upon the fence that acted as a barrier between the family private property and the workers’ section of the ranch. The rustle of leaves beneath footsteps behind him informed Ray and he didn’t even have to turn around, in order to converse with his newfound step-sister-in-law. “When did you start to feel like one of ‘em?”

“I’m not sure I ever really did.” Pamela didn’t hide her amusement well and Ray chuckled in depreciation. “Which isn’t necessarily a bad way to feel. When you start to feel like you fit in, that’s when you should be worried.” He chuckled a second time but with more heart than before. Pamela’s playfulness had put him at somewhat of an ease. It was in stark contrast to the sickly smile J.R. hid behind, or even Bobby’s effort to pretend Ray’s presence was the absolute norm. Sue Ellen performed small-talk to the best of her ability but Jock’s newfound son and his very first Christmas at Southfork went down like a led balloon.

“It was real nice of Miss Ellie to invite me to spend Christmas day with the family,” Ray’s neutral tone tailored off for a very clear but.

“But, they do have the tendency to overwhelm.” Pamela finished his sentence. She had experienced that exact phenomenon. All of a sudden, the entire family pressed pause and embraced one another with holiday cheer. Ray received an abundance of presents, each one worth more than his weekly salary alone, and Pamela sensed the discomfort as his smile became wider, with every one he unwrapped. “They mean well.”

“Ray?” Jock’s fatherly voice boomed and had suddenly became all the more paternal. Her father-in-law’s arrival was Pamela’s exit cue. She empathetically patted Ray on his arm, in display of support before she fled inside to the warmth. Father and son were side-by-side in silence and Ray lowered his eyes to the cold, hard dirt. “Did you enjoy Christmas, Ray?”

“Best one I’ve had, sir.” Ray enthusiastically nodded, with a smile. His childhood Christmas celebrations had been cheap, to say the least.

Jock beamed from ear to ear; he and Miss Ellie had been determined the Christmas would be the best one yet, since it was Ray’s very first as a real member of the family. “Good.” He was evidently unaware that Ray identified more with a trophy in the cabinet than either one of Jock’s sons. “Miss Ellie already sent out the invitations for the New Year and it would make me real proud if you’d celebrate that with us, too.” Jock requested, “Punk and his family will all be here. It’s a real full house.” Undoubtedly, it would be a massive turn out; all to see the newfound son.

“No disrespect, Jock,” Ray forced himself to be assertive. “But time spent with your family is best done in small doses.”

Jock accepted the rejection well, to Ray’s surprise. “I understand. Just remember they’re your family, too, now.” His comical tone underplayed the sentiment, but Ray appreciated the words all the same. “Come on back inside. You should see your brother try to play Charades.”

 

[Karin Schill]

Great updates. I enjoyed the one with Ray and Jock since it's more unusual that we get to see them together and their father-son dynamics. It's easy to imagine that Ray's first and I guess only Christmas with his family before his father died would have been an overwhelming experience. So well done you!

One thought though, where is Donna in all this?
If memory serves me right she and Ray got married almost at once after he was revealed to be a Ewing.

The JR/SE one with baby John was angsty but also excellent since it captured the complexity of JR/SE's relationship to a T.

I enjoyed the family one too with everyone being all cheerful and decorating.

 

[Justine]

One thought though, where is Donna in all this?
If memory serves me right she and Ray got married almost at once after he was revealed to be a Ewing.

Thank you, Karin! Actually, at this point in time, Cliff and Donna were an item. In the episode "Trouble at Ewing 23" Donna visited Ray to tell him so, and you could tell they were very much in love but had yet to work it out. I do promise Donna will be feature in one of the next chapters, however.

 

[Karin Schill]

Thanks Justine. Yikes Cliff and Donna. You are right. They were an item back then. Somehow I thought it was earlier. It just proves that it's been way too long since I rewatched Dallas properly.

I'll look forward to the chapter with Donna later on.

 

[Justine]

Blue Christmas
Season 5 (Between "Waterloo at Southfork" and "Barbecue Two")​

Sue Ellen carefully placed the red-coloured bauble on the Christmas tree she had purchased at the very last minute. At least, her Sheraton Dallas Hotel suite was semi-festive. It wasn’t the perfect first Christmas away from Southfork she had pictured by any means, but it would suffice.

“Ma-ma,” John Ross haphazardly toddled toward his mother with another bauble from the small collection.

“Another one for the tree?” Sue Ellen dramatically declared, the same way all parents reacted in amazement to their infant children, and lifted him into the air to help him add the decoration to the tree. “Isn’t that pretty, John Ross?” Sue Ellen tenderly cradled her son close to her chest and inhaled his sweet smell. He was the only one who could fill the empty void. Still, she had started to wonder if she should have waited until after the holiday season to depart the Southern Cross Ranch, or even if she should return to Southfork.

With one cup and one bottle of warm, hot chocolate in their tummies, Sue Ellen curled up in the double bed with her son and recited A Visit from Saint Nicholas the way her father had done when she and Kristin were small children. Once he fell asleep, Sue Ellen resettled John Ross into his crib and she nestled into the armchair near the window that overlooked the Dallas city centre. Snowflakes had already started to fall from the sky and festive decorations adorned the streets below; yet, Sue Ellen had never felt quite so detached from the joy that ordinary people revelled in.

The abrupt noise of the telephone disrupted her contemplation and Sue Ellen reluctantly reached to answer the call. “Hello?”

There was a momentary pause and Sue Ellen almost replaced the receiver, until she heard the sound of his breath. He was so familiar to her, he didn’t even have to say a word. Her body stiffened, when he finally addressed her by name. “Sue Ellen.” It was the first time she truly missed J.R.. She didn't realise it, until she heard his voice.

“J.R..” They had last encountered one another in divorce court and, with their circumstance still so fresh, she had yet to decipher how to manoeuvre around any problems with her ex-husband, without the provocation of world war 111. “How did you -”

“Mama told me you left the Southern Cross. You weren’t too hard to find, without Farlow’s protection.” J.R. bluntly informed her and his choice of words confirmed the threat that fuelled Sue Ellen’s fear of him; he had the means and motive to be two steps ahead of her at every turn. His words were soaked in recent defeat for custody of their son and Bourbon. “Sue Ellen, it’s Christmas Eve.” His tone reprimanded her and it was as if he were in the room. “I’d like to speak to my boy.” Southfork may have been home but it was also the place that hurt his heart most; his father in South America, Bobby surrounded by his wife and new son… J.R. had never experienced such loneliness before. It was an affliction that no amount of money or women could cure.

“He’s asleep, J.R.,” she softly replied, sympathetic to his melancholy. It could easily have been her without their son on Christmas and she didn’t doubt that her sobriety would have trickled down the drain, had that been the case. Sue Ellen heard his desolation and clutched the phone in her hand. “Why don’t you call back tomorrow? Clayton and I have reservations for lunch, but John Ross and I will be here until then.” J.R. cleared his throat and the sound was one of acceptance. Desperate to end the conversation, as soon as possible, Sue Ellen cautiously wished him well, “Merry Christmas, J.R..”

J.R. resisted the compulsion to bite back. “Yeah... Merry Christmas.” It would certainly be a blue Christmas without her and John Ross to celebrate with him.

 

[Justine]

Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Season 6 (Between "Mama Dearest" and "The Ewing Blues")​

“Film… four words… third word…”

Miss Ellie snuck out of the room, which overflowed with excitement as her family battled it out in a round of Charades. Guesses were thrown out from everyone, as Ray motioned his arms wildly, in display of awe until Sue Ellen’s brain clicked. “Wonderful.”

“It’s A Wonderful Life,” Pamela rapidly recalled the title and the entire family applauded, when Ray confirmed she was correct.

Ever the kid, Bobby leapt to his feet and snatched the next instruction card from J.R.’s hand. “My turn.” Everyone in the room expressed their amusement, as J.R. accepted the defeat pretty well with Sue Ellen sat upon his knee.

No one, but Donna, noticed Miss Ellie’s discrete departure and she softly patted Ray’s shoulder, before she followed her step-mother-in-law into the kitchen. It was her first Christmas since without Jock. Almost an entire year had passed; nevertheless, Donna didn’t doubt Miss Ellie had dreaded the winter holiday for quite some time. “Got any more of that mulled cider left?” She plopped her empty cup onto the kitchen surface and the noise summoned Miss Ellie from the distant memories she had fallen into.

“I certainly do,” Miss Ellie broke into a wide smile.

“It’s nice to see everybody so at peace with one another, isn’t it?” Donna innocently noted, as if she hadn’t personally confronted each and every member of the family to ensure Christmas would be business-free for her sake. The battle of Jock’s will had divided the family and the painful effects were experienced on a daily basis, in particular for the family matriarch, who had even contemplated destruction of the will in its entirety. Pamela and Sue Ellen were easy to win over. Sue Ellen co-ordinated a photoshoot for the family Christmas card; Pamela structured in activities for Miss Ellie with John Ross and Christopher. J.R. and Bobby shook hands and promised that there would be zilch discussion of the company until the New Year arrived, and it appeared to be as much a relief for them as it was for Miss Ellie.

“I don’t think I’ve seen them quite so happy,” Miss Ellie conceded, with a quick nod of her head. “J.R. and Sue Ellen, especially.” For what must have been the first time ever, her eldest son and his wife had reached a happier state of affairs than Bobby and Pamela.

“Makes it all the more sad that Jock isn’t here to see it, doesn’t it?” Donna so eloquently read her mind. The older woman battled fresh tears she had promised would not make an appearance on such a happy occasion. “I can understand exactly how you feel, Miss Ellie. The first year after Sam died was the hardest. I was lucky to have Ray…” she admitted.

Miss Ellie softly smiled, “…and I’m lucky to have all of you.”

Donna twisted her lips and her eyes twinkled, “I think, we’re the lucky ones. Without you, this family would have fallen apart by now.”

“I’m not so sure it hasn’t already,” Miss Ellie crowed, a semblance of bitterness behind her tone. In the New Year, she would be faced with the ultimate decision - whether to contest Jock's will, his desires of sound-mind, and end the competition; end the pain, the heartache, the divide.

“No. You and Jock raised your family to be better than that.” She declared with such assurance that Miss Ellie almost accepted her word as gospel. “One day in the not-too-distant future, we will all be sat around that table and we will be a real family unit. You just need to have hope. That’s what Christmas is all about, isn’t it?” Donna curled an arm around Miss Ellie’s narrow shoulders and pecked her on the cheek. “John Lennon said it best;… the war is over, if you want it.”

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

I forgot that Donna could really empathise with Miss Ellie in that situation. Nice story

 

[Justine]

Wrapped In Red
Season 7 (Between "Past Imperfect" and "Peter's Principles")​

Katherine parked her car in the empty multi-storey attached to the Ewing Oil office. It was that time of year that happiness seemed all the more elusive. It was the time of year she had come to despise. Families united for the holiday season, and she was reminded that her parents were both dead and buried. It drove her determination to attain her deepest desire.

The click of her heels echoed within the walls, as she stalked to the nearest elevator shaft and pressed the button to call for the nearest. But for Bobby and the floor-level security office, there were no other souls present. Katherine entered the elevator with a forced kind of confidence she had sank a couple drinks to achieve and directed it to floor number 9. The serene tickles of a piano chord serenaded her ears, as the elevator rose to the desired floor. 4, 5, 6… every time the number increased, Katherine doubted herself a little more.

The doors slowly slid open and Phyliss’ sly, unsurprised smile welcomed Katherine. “Hello, Katherine.”

“I’m here to see Bobby,” Katherine clutched the belt that secured the trench coat to her waist.

“Of course, you are.” Phyliss replied, unfazed by Katherine’s sharp tone of voice. She adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder and swapped places with Katherine.“I was just on my way home,” she exhaled, softly, “Merry Christmas, Katherine.”

“Merry Christmas,” Katherine parroted, with no true emotion behind the phrase. Finally on her own, Katherine strode toward Bobby’s office. In the short time she had known him, it had become crystal clear that Bobby was the man for her. He possessed a kind heart and a wilful sense of adventure, which reminded Katherine very much of her father. Pamela had failed to appreciate him for the man he was but Katherine could rectify all of that, if only he would open his arms to her.

“Katherine.” Bobby’s surprise was blatant, when she arrived in his office.

“Hello, Bobby.” She walked purposefully toward his desk. She held her cool, poised directly in his line of vision. It was Christmas, the time to risk it all. No other woman could love him the way she could.

The lateness of the hour and her unannounced social call had thrown Bobby for six. He set his pen downward, “Katherine -”

“I hope you don’t mind that I dropped in,” she talked above him. “I wanted you to have your Christmas present.” He frowned and cluelessly searched her empty hands for evidence. Katherine radiated a beauty-queen smile and untied her trench coat to reveal an abundance of porcelain skin wrapped in a velvet red, bow-shaped bodysuit. “Merry Christmas, Bobby.”

Bobby’s lips quivered open but, before words could escape them, Katherine awoke in her bed… alone.

 

[Justine]

Silver Bells
Season 8 (Between "Deja Vu" and "Odd Man Out")​

Silver bells chimed on the streets of New York, almost as if in celebration of the last weekend before Christmas Day arrived.

“Mom, look… way cool.” John Ross exclaimed, even more hyperactive than he normally would be. He pulled on his mothers shirt sleeve and led her toward the ice-skate rink beneath the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Glee and wonder flickered upon his expression, so reminiscent of his father that Sue Ellen found herself unable to deny his excitable request. “Mom, can Christopher and I skate? Please…” His plea was drawn out and his palms joined in prayer-style.

Sue Ellen scrunched her nose in amusement at John Ross naïveté. “Well, I don’t know about Christopher -” she smiled at Pamela, who held the small bundle in her arms and protected him from the December chill. “But you certainly can, sweetheart.”

While Sue Ellen tied John Ross’ skates, Pamela placed Christopher in the toddler play area; and the mothers reunited over two plastic cups of hot tea. “Thank you so much for this weekend, Sue Ellen. I didn’t realise how much I needed the break.” In the hustle and bustle of New York, Pamela was blessed by a calm that she hadn’t experienced in Dallas for many months. The four of them shared the finest suite at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where they exhausted the room service menu and fell asleep after their Christmas movie marathon. Sue Ellen had shopped until Pamela was ready to drop, the boys had been enchanted by Santa’s Grotto; the entire weekend was scheduled down to the very second, so that Pamela didn’t have a moment to wonder about Mark.

“We all needed a break,” Sue Ellen conceded. As always, Southfork had been the epicentre of chaos: Bobby’s attempt to marry Jenna had been an epic failure; Jamie’s letter had thrown the company into disarray; and J.R. spent very little time at home. “Besides, I would really like the boys to spend as much time with one another as possible. They are cousins, after all.”

John Ross’ voice drowned out all other noise. “Mama, check this out.”

Sue Ellen’s body tensed, as her wonder-boy skimmed the ice. He was fearless, a trait he had certainly inherited from J.R.. “Be careful, John Ross,” she implored him, to very little avail. “That kid,” Sue Ellen rolled her eyes and smiled, as John Ross playfully danced to the carollers that serenaded the skaters on the rink. Her attention returned to Pamela, who suddenly had that same look on her face - the one Sue Ellen had worked so hard to keep away. “Pamela, why don’t you and Christopher have Christmas lunch at Southfork?”

Pamela hesitated, but shook her head, “I don’t think so, Sue Ellen.” Jenna may have ditched Bobby at the alter and married Marchetta, but Mark was still out there somewhere. “Thank you, but you already have a full house, and Cliff invited me to spend Christmas with him and Mandy.”

“Ah… Chinese for Christmas dinner then.” For the first time in weeks, Pamela burst into deep, uncontrolled laughter.

 

[Karin Schill]

Great updates. I loved them all.
The JR/SE one when John Ross was a child and they were apart was sad. I guess it's a situation many divorced parents can recognize as they only get to have their children every second Christmas. Unless they are still friendly and can spend time together as a family. But I guess most divorced couples don't do that.

I enjoyed the fluffier Christmas piece in the middle of the Ewing Oil battle when they put their differences aside and played charades. It was nice to see Donna comfort Miss Ellie too. The first holiday after the death of a loved one is always so hard to get through.

I enjoyed Pam and Sue Ellen's friendship on the show. So it was nice to see them and the cousins spend some time together.

Oh and Katherine's Bobby fantasy was priceless. It was just a dream!

I'll look forward to read the rest of the Christmas stories.

I forgot that Donna could really empathise with Miss Ellie in that situation. Nice story

Yeah great story. Also although Donna also knew what it felt like to lose a husband her situation was very different from Miss Ellie's since Miss Ellie was closer to Jock in age, had been married to him since the 1930s, which was 40 + years when he died, ahd three sons with him and she took his death very hard.

Donna and Sam Culver had a may-december marriage and she cheated on him with Ray and would have left him and divorced him so she could be with Ray if Sam hadn't gotten cancer so she returned to him and stayed with him until he died. So it's not really the same situation after all IMHO.

 

[Justine]

The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)
Season 9 (Between "Curiosity Killed the Cat" and "The Missing Link")​

Sue Ellen leaned upon the doorway to the foyer of the house. In the calm after the storm, that was the aftermath of Christmas Day, she was utterly exhausted. She had worked around-the-clock to ensure the first Christmas without Bobby was one of Southfork’s finest and she was humble in her conclusion that it had been just that.

“You must be pretty wiped,” Clayton candidly remarked, once he stalked her into the kitchen. Sue Ellen quietly wiped dry the plates removed from the dishwasher and handed them to Clayton, who returned the fine China to the cupboard. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you run ‘round like a damn lunatic this past week.” Sue Ellen smiled, bashful. She hadn’t done so for the acclaim, but it was nice to be appreciated. “I don’t know what we would have done without you here. Not just at Christmas, all year round,” he remarked, in reference to her recent return to Southfork.

Sue Ellen shook her head, as if it had been no chore. “Well, it was important to me that the family were able to celebrate the holidays.” Her notable absence - justified, as it may have been - in the weeks that followed Bobby’s death still bothered Sue Ellen. She hoped that she was able work toward rectification of that, and Christmas was only the first step in her master-plan. “Especially you,” she added and stroked his back. Clayton expressed his obvious confusion at her sentiment. “You carried the weight of this family’s grief and you did it alone.” He had bore the brunt of their fury and sadness, which was no easy task, and certainly not one Sue Ellen felt confident to achieve.

They eventually returned to the family room, where the family had collected after their brunch. Almost everybody was present, but for Donna, who Sue Ellen had tasked the responsibility to drive Jenna and Charlie to the day-after-Christmas sales at the mall, so that Pamela didn’t feel unwelcome, when she and Christopher drove by for an hour or two. Everybody chatted happily, as if the loss of Bobby had been temporarily erased from their heart and mind; and Sue Ellen almost allowed herself to relax, until J.R.’s absence alerted her attention.

“J.R.,” she finally tracked her husband down to the balcony that overlooked Southfork’s pool. Their relationship was far from perfect but it had been cordial since she returned to Southfork, pleasant even for the Christmas week. It was his uncharacteristic quietness that informed Sue Ellen how much he missed his little brother. He had held his emotions in-check so well, that no one else noticed.

“Yeah,” he replied, barely audible.

“I just wanted to say thank you.” His wife pressed her palms into one clammy mess, “It’s been a difficult few days for everyone. It’s been a difficult year.” Bobby’s accident, the loss of Ray and Donna’s unborn child, her rehabilitation… the list went on and on. “I’m sure you would have preferred to spend the day with Mandy -”

“Sue Ellen,” J.R. stopped her short, emotionally unprepared for one of their usual confrontations about his fidelity - or lack of fidelity. “I am not in the mood for this discussion. It’s Christmas. My mama and our son are downstairs. At least, try to behave appropriately for them.”

“J.R., what I meant was…” Sue Ellen exhaled, uncertain exactly how to phrase her sentence. “I appreciate how hard this first Christmas without Bobby must have been for you and I’m thankful that you decided to spend it with John Ross and me.” He had been the ultimate family man all week; he had stayed home from the office and dismissed all work-related calls; he helped Miss Ellie decorate the house; he played with John Ross and his new toys; he had even avoided any confrontation, especially with Clayton. The diamond-studded bracelet he had kindly presented Sue Ellen with was the cherry on top.

J.R. swivelled on the spot and Sue Ellen steeled herself for his inevitably cruel remark that would bite into her skin. “It’s what Bobby would have wanted.” He conceded, with the easy fallback notion that any sense of kindness was not his personal nature. J.R. bypassed Sue Ellen but, as he walked beyond, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Sue Ellen… and a Happy New Year.”

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

Yeah great story. Also although Donna also knew what it felt like to lose a husband her situation was very different from Miss Ellie's since Miss Ellie was closer to Jock in age, had been married to him since the 1930s, which was 40 + years when he died, ahd three sons with him and she took his death very hard.

Donna and Sam Culver had a may-december marriage and she cheated on him with Ray and would have left him and divorced him so she could be with Ray if Sam hadn't gotten cancer so she returned to him and stayed with him until he died. So it's not really the same situation after all IMHO.

This proves I am in desperate need of a rewatch