This story was written for the 2017 Advent Calendar – Day 23

Summary:  The start of a new life is a joyous occasion.

Rating:  G   1,380 words

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Baby from the Forrest, Baby from the Heart
~~by mumu74

December 1866

The snow was still falling down, so much snow falling down that nobody could have counted the snowflakes… More than 1,000 snowflakes had fallen and they were like seeds of hope, like fabulous smiles. The snow was falling and covering the man and the woman as if someone was covering their shoulders with a comfortable coat. The snow was falling and after snow springtime would come. The snow would melt and the water would feed the ground to let Life and Nature be renewed.  Each drop from each snowflake would fertilize each part of the Earth. It was cold but men and women, husbands and wives in love didn’t feel it.

On the morning, Adam’s wife opened her eyes early and immediately she had that nice feeling of having had a very good night, she had slept deeply. And now there was that very bright glint of light covering the whole room. She walked towards her window and she saw the plaine covered by a white coat. Sheexchanged her nightgown for a dress. She chose her favorite winter dress to wear over her woolen petticoats. She buttoned up her shoes … With her hands on her head, finishing to stuck some pins in the bun, she made her way down the stairs and into the living room and kitchen of the big ranch house.

Amelia helped her mother, they tied scarves, put pairs of gloves on kids’ hands, buttoned coats. Oh boy, the kids were excited. Francesca threatened to keep them inside, so they calmed a bit for their mother to finish.

“Now, little, you’re allowed to go outside”.

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Adam Cartwright was hidden behind a tree and he could feel his heart beating. He didn’t move, he was there, he could feel the wind and he was waiting for someone to be touched with a snowball.  A little bit further away Joe was making other snowballs. There were ice pearls on his thick coat and on his gloves, he could feel his nose bitten by the cold, so he put his scarf on his mouth. Plonk, he turned his head, surprised, he had been cowardly  attacked. He was dazed and looked at the white vastness and he was trying to find who had thrown the ball. How it was possible? He had Joe in his sight but he had been hit from behind. Then he had his explanation: an army of kids with woollen-hats came out from behind some thickets. Hoss had taken all the kids under his command, he had been able to make them go on stealthily, and that had not been easy but they had managed to snipe their uncle. One of the snowballs had hit Adam and that wasthe one which had been thrown by one of his nephews.

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And the stars and the moon cover you tonight, my love!” “That’s beautiful, Adam ; good night, I loveyou.” Adam and his wife cuddled up close to each other andwent to sleep.  They had had a very nice day, with games in the snow and chores to do. The day after, Francesca went to the ranch stoop after having finished her chores and having put their son youngest born to bed. Ponderosa was wearing a winter coat and the plain in front of her was so beautiful. She was waiting forAdam to come home. Once again he had left the ranch to go hunting again, that wild cat was a big threat. They had already tried to kill it but they had failed. Around her there were trees covered with snow, there was a frozen drinking trough and it looked like a majestic swan, a frozen cascade of lace was hanging from its iron spout. The brilliant white floor was sparkling in the last ray of sun and that made the place more stunning than ever. Small birds were jumping in the snow, leaving their prints.

**********

“I missed you!”

She walked toward him and pressed herself against him. Adam smiled; he made her happy when he came back. He kissed her passionately and held her tightly in his arms and put his hand on her back in a tender gesture.

“I missed you too, darling. It’s so good to be in your arms ».

She kissed him, bubbly, his breath warmed her, she had missed that feeling too and she put her hand on his neck.

“I hope, you’re not cold!”

“No, not at all. When I’m with you, everything is fine », he replied and smiled. She smiled back, it was so good to be in his arms, she felt so good being hugged by her so protective and so handsome husband. She had enjoyed being in Henry’s arms. As he moved slowly away from her,  he took her hand.

“So, what did you do today? »he asked while walking towards the barn to take care of Sport. In winter Adam used a second drinking trough. As he had learnt from his father. On this one he  had put some pieces of wood in order to avoid the water turning into ice and so the animals could drink. The other one was kept as an ornament in front of the yard. 

“Nothing more than what I had to do. I was with Hoss, payday, you know. Men don’t like the idea of me giving them money; they prefer to deal with you or with your brothers. And then I have a few minutes to think about you, after having taken care of the kitchen and of Jason. The hours are long without you but I had so much to do ».

Adam kissed her again; she was softly caressing his face.

“What did you do? »

“I had business in town with some men about a contract. It was quickly handled. So I tried to hunt that wild cat again. But don’t worry; I’m very careful. I’m cautious but stubborn; I know I’ll get it sooner or later”.

He was happy to be with her. The snow on her cloak made her look  more beautiful.

“I love the snow! »she replied to him.

Adam took some snow in his hand and blew on it. It made the snowflakes fly. He put his hand around her waist and they both started to walk.

«I have a surprise for you ». He walked with her behind the barn. He was still holding her hand, the wind was blowing and she was shivering a bit.  He told her to look at this corner, close to the barn, there was a small deer.

«I didn’t manage to kill the wild cat, but I was able to steal what he was about to kill ».

He managed to put a blanket on the small animal, which he had put in that corner, near the barn.

“She is a pretty young deer isn’t she?” Adam Cartwright said.

‘The forrest is a dangerous place for it, now that its mother is probably dead.” He said, reaching his hand to touch the little animal; which seemed to be petrified with cold and fear. Adam and Francesca looked at each other. Francesca knew, what the young animal did need. She walked towards the kitchen and brought a bottle full with warm milk. Adam took the warm bottle in his hands and came close to the animal. The young deer raised its head and  the eight young deer practically pounced on the teets and began drinking furiously and soon her mouth was filled with delicious milk that warmed her inwardly.

Then he stood up and came close to Francesca.

« Oh I’m sorry, you’re frozen! Come, let’s go home , she’ll be fine here».

 «It’s alright! And that one under my apron isn’t in danger. »

Francesca kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  He put his arm around her waist again and guided her inside. She was with child. It made her smile because she realized, Adam would nurse that baby deer, while they’d expect their own child. That would keep him busy instead of feeling nervous for her during 9 long months.

Link to the 2017 Advent Calendar – Day 24 – Angels, In Spite of it All by Questfan

Tags:  Adam Cartwright