Synopsis: Everyone is excited about the coming of Christmas and the new year, with Adam and Hoss getting married and possibly a new Cartwright child, but something horrible happens and the family must pull themselves together to get through this. This jumps around a bit, but I think I made it decently easy to read.
Rating: PG-13
Words: 8,600
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Bonanza the Next Generation
Through Thick and Thin
By: Stephy L.
~ Prologue ~
Joe and Vicky had greeted most of their guests and finally when everyone was gone the two went up to bed so they could get an early start to New Orleans and San Francisco. Ben and Hoss helped clean up. Katie and Adam slowly crept outside for some peace and quite. Katie sighed as she walked over to a tree and looked up at the beautiful stars.
“It’s so beautiful here Adam,” Katie whispered
“I know I love this ranch more than anything, you can look up at the stars and see all of them.”
“Daddy and Steve use to tell me about how the stars could show you the way.”
“They can. My pa use to teach me and my brothers how to find out way by the North Star.”
“Adam, I’m glad I came.”
“I’m glad you came too. Katie I didn’t ask you out here to talk to you about the stars.”
“Adam what’s wrong?” Adam smiled at her.
“Nothing is wrong, I just wanted to do this the right way,” Adam slid to his knee and pulled out a tiny velvet black box.
“You have become my life, my soul. Katherine, would you do me the great honor and consent to be my wife?”
~Chapter One~
Katie sat beside him stunned; she smiled and gazed up at Adam.
“Of course I’ll marry you, I love you so much Adam, I thought you’d never ask,” he smiled at her and leaned forward kissing her on the lips.
Two weeks later, they announced their engagement. The entire family knew that Thanksgiving and Christmas was on its way. While the women prepared for Katie’s wedding; Steve, Adam and Hoss and the old friend of the Cartwrights Charlie worked on Joe and Vicky’s Christmas present. Meanwhile Joe continued working with a new string of horses for the army. He hadn’t suspected anything until he overheard his brother Adam talking to their father about needing more lumber for the second story, however quickly forgetting the statement when he was told there were horses to be broke Joe never caught on that Adam was talking about his present.
Thanksgiving came on a nice, clear crisp day. Everyone was in a good mood, Adam and Hoss would be finishing the house this week with Steve and Charlie’s help, meanwhile the women folk could continue taking his mind off the wedding by making their own plans, which would eventually get ran past Ben who had always approved of them.
The women helped Hop Sing in the kitchen, he had been very happy to hear that his Cartwright boys were going to get married. He had been very accepting of any help the three would offer.
Steve, his wife and their 2 children would be coming to the dinner. Mike, Paul and his wife would also be joining in of the festivities. Jenny and her brother were coming for dinner; Jenny’s brother would be joining later, because he didn’t really want to spend the entire day with Joe, who was around his age. The two had never really gotten along when they were younger and often they were the cause of any spankings the other got.
The reality of the wedding began to hit Adam about mid afternoon, it was really the first day he hadn’t been keeping his mind on building Joe and Vicky’s house.
“Hey pa, can I ask you a question,” Adam began. He looked back over to Joe and Hoss who, like always, were playing checkers. Ben was sitting at his desk finishing some last minute paper work before everyone started to arrive.
“Sure son,” Ben said not looking up. Adam sat down across from his father.
“Were you nervous?” Adam asked. Ben looked up and instead of his thirty some year old son he saw the ten year old boy sitting in front of him again with those big dark wondering eyes and the raven black hair that out lined his well tanned but lanky body.
“Nervous about what son?” Ben asked, unsure what his son meant.
“About marrying ma,” Adam finally managed. Ben again looked at his serious son and smiled slightly.
“Terrified, just like Joe before his wedding. Only I had to go through it three times. Would she come, would she say I do, would she really love me, but you know when I knew for sure that I loved your mothers?”
“When?” Adam asked. Ben smiled at the slightly hint of excitement in his voice.
“When I saw them, it was love at first sight, with you ma it was easy to admit, I knew I was in love, no use denying it. When she began walking down that isle, I was sure we would have a wonderful life and dozens of children. Then you came along, my medium baby I called you after Joe was born. The only one that seemed the perfect size. Like your brothers, you never cried. Then your mother died and I knew that I had to go on, because I had something to remind me of your ma everyday for the next thirty years. Then I met Inger, I knew I was in love with her too, but I wouldn’t admit it, because I was afraid to be hurt again, however once again I knew for sure when I saw her sitting beside you on the bed feeding you and talking to you, just like a real mother would do, you remember that son?” Adam quickly nodded smiling at the fond memory. “I knew that I wanted her for the rest of my life, however it was you that really convinced me to ask her. Then she gave me Hoss, and he was my big baby. My big boy. Finally, I met Marie and although I wasn’t sure at first it didn’t take long to love her either, she gave me Joseph, my third pride and joy. That’s how I knew son, by looking into those eyes of all of them. I knew, and like me I think you know too Adam. I realize that this is really the first time you haven’t had something on your mind son, but remember you wouldn’t have asked her if you didn’t know,” Ben finished. Adam looked down at the pictures in his father’s hands and smiled.
“They knew too pa,” Adam whispered. Ben nodded.
“They did, that they did boy.” With that, Adam turned and walked into the kitchen. Katie was surprised to feel a pair of strong loving arms wrap around her waist.
“Hi,” he whispered in her ear. She smiled and turned around.
“Hi yourself,” she whispered back.
“I love you,” he told her.
“I love you too,” she said smiling.
Finally dinner arrived. Ben sat at the head of the table, to his left sat Adam, Katie, Steve then his 2 children and wife. On Ben’s right was Joseph, Vicky, Jenny and Hoss. Then sat Mike, Paul, Mrs. Martin, and last but not least Jenny’s younger brother.
“All right everyone, as my boys already know, this family had a little tridition, we go around the table and give thanks to God for what we’re thankful for this year. Who would like to start?” Adam looked up and smiled.
“I will pa,” Adam chipped in. Ben nodded.
“Dear God, Thank you for my healthy and loving family, my beautiful fiancée and my new sister in law. Watch over us in the next year,” he said.
“Dear God, thank you for all the Cartwright men, they are a wonderful loving family, thank you for giving me the chance to be part of this wonderful family, and my own family. Bless us and help us through any good or bad times,” Katie said.
“Dear God thank you for the food you’ve put in front of us, for my new friends the Cartwrights, and Paul, for my adopted sister Vicky, and my two beautiful children and wife,” Steve said squeezing his daughter’s hand. She looked up and met his big blue eyes with hers.
“Dear God, thank you for my mama and daddy, thank you for all the blessings you’ve given us and each day we get to live in this world you gave to us, keep us safe and loved.”
“Dear God, fank you fer my mama and papa, fanks fer all our bessings and da food you put in front of us. Bless us all and let Aunt Katie have a wonderful life with Uncle Adam,” the five-year-old boy said. Adam smiled at him and winked, he was pleased to see a smile in return.
“Dear God, thank you so much for everything you’ve given us, for my two children and my family, both new and old, and please bless us all,” Nancy said.
“God thank you for all our blessings, and for my sister’s happiness, and for the Cartwright family, yes even Joe,” Will said as he looked up at his sister Jenny. She mouthed thank you and he simply nodded.
“Dear God thank you for all this wonderful food, and for the wonderful Cartwright family and the Parkers, and thank you for taking care of us all,” Mrs. Martin prayed.
“God, thank you for all the healthy people this year, and thank you for giving me the wonderful chance to watch three boys grow into strong young men who I see more like my sons than just my patients. Thank you for giving them a strong father and please take care of their wives and girlfriends in the coming years,” Paul prayed, he smiled at Ben who smiled back.
“Dear God thank you for making both my girls happy and my son. Thank you for all the gifts I’ve had, thank you for the Cartwrights and my job with Paul, my long time friend. Please watch over Billy, Seth and Suzie,” Michael finished, he looked up to see Katie and Vicky both had tears in their eyes.
“Dear God, thank ya fer my healthy and happy family, thank ya fer my two brothers, and my pa, and Jenny, and Katie and Vicky. Thank ya fer their families and the new chances they got down here,” Hoss said. Joe smiled at his older brother, as did Adam; words never really had to be said between the three brothers no matter what happened they would always know the love they had for each other.
“Dear God, thank you so much for bring me and Hoss back together and thank you for my brother and our chance at having a new family.”
“Dear God, thank you so much for Joe and all his family and all my family, please bless us with many children and help us through thick and thin,” Vicky prayed. Joe smiled slightly when it came to him.
“God, guess I got a lot to be thankful for. Let’s begin with the most obvious thank you for giving me a second chance at life, I could have died on the table and I didn’t. Thank you for my loving father who never has to tell us that we’re loved because we can see it when he looks at us, even when he’s powerful angry. Thanks fer my brother Adam, who helped me get through some of them tough years, I know we don’t always get along but I pray he knows I’ve always loved and adored him. Thanks fer Hoss, who’s more than just my brother but my best friend. Thanks for Vicky, Katie, Jenny and their family. They had been there when we needed them and now its time for us to help them back. Thank you for a doctor as good Paul, who has watched me grow from a tiny sickling baby to a twenty-four year old married man. Finally thanks for the three most important people in my father and brother’s lives. Our mothers. We each loved them with all our hearts and souls and I pray they knew that,” Joe finished. He looked up to see tears in his brothers and father’s eyes.
“That was good Joseph,” Ben whispered squeezing the young man’s hand.
“Dear God thank you for blessing me with three sons as wonderful as my boys. Please help them each understand no matter how old they get they will always be my little boys and that even if I treat them like boys sometimes they have my confidence and trust in them. I’m proud of all of them. Please keep my sons and daughters safe. Keep my new family safe. Thank you God for my three wives because without them I wouldn’t be sitting at this table right now enjoying the time I have with my three sons,” Ben finished. They each smiled, then recited the Lord’s Prayer then dug in.
The chat continued through most of dinner and into the night. Finally near ten Steve announced he had to get home,” he quietly lifted his sleeping five-year-old son into his arms and bid the family a farewell for the night and left with his wife and two children. The Martins were next to leave, with Mike not far behind them. Finally, Jenny and Will headed out.
“Well, I’m going to sleep, goodnight everyone,” Katie said kissing the three men goodnight she headed upstairs. Adam smiled.
“I can’t wait to marry her,” he said.
“She’s spunky,” Joe said.
“Oh yeah,” Vicky chimed in.
“Well I’m heading in for the night too, goodnight guys. Goodnight Joe I’ll be waiting for you,” he nodded and kissed her lightly.
“Goodnight Pa, I love ya,” Joe said heading upstairs himself.
“Goodnight Joseph, I love you too son,” he smiled.
“We’re going too, goodnight pa, Love you,” Adam and Hoss chimed in.
“Goodnight boys, I love ya too,” he said. Yes, without those three boys he wouldn’t be here, they were his life lines, the final threads to each of his wives, until they were gone he would still live with the memory of each one. He looked at the pictures of his three wives and smiled.
“Thank you God, thank you.”
~Chapter Two~
Joe and Vicky were laying next to each other in bed on Christmas Eve. Joe had an arm behind her head as she held on to him, one arm under him and the other draped across his chest.
“Joe, what time do you think it is?”
“Probably about eleven maybe twelve.”
“Joe, I have a Christmas surprise for ya.”
“Oh really, what might that be my love,” Joe whispered to his wife as he turned over. She smiled at him.
“That wasn’t the surprise, although if you’re good you might get that too,” she whispered as he kissed her. He leaned down and kissed her longer.
“Joe,” she said between kisses.
“Yes?” He asked kissing her again.
“What would do you think of the names Joseph Jr. and Margaret Anne,” Vicky spit out. Joe stopped about halfway from another kiss.
“Are you pregnant?” He asked surprised.
“Yes,” he smiled.
“How long?” He asked.
“About a month and a half,” she said.
“Are you sure?” He asked full of worry.
“Yes I’m sure, are you happy,” he smiled.
“Happy, baby I’m thrilled, I’m going to be a daddy,” he whispered with excitement. She smiled at the look on his face; it was more pride than happiness.
“Please tell me you’re not going to get that face every time we have a child.”
“What face?” He asked his voice full of innocence.
“The face that makes you look like you could strut.” He smiled.
“Oh no my dear, this is the face of a man who wants his wife so very bad,” he said laying on top of her he began to kiss her face, then neck and continued down. She brought her lips to his mouth finally and their kiss lingered.
“So when do we tell everyone?”
“Tomorrow, however until then you are all mine. They continued into most of the night just making love to each other.
Joe jumped slightly at the sound of the knock on the door. As always, he turned over onto his stomach and buried his head deeper in the pillow. His wife had heard it clearly and smiled when her husband simply turned over. He would never change.
“Just a minute,” she called knowing it was probably Ben behind the door. She got up and pulled on her robe, when she opened the door she smiled to see her father-in-law.
“Breakfast will be ready soon, it’s about eleven, we all slept in some. Adam and Katie are getting up and Hoss is already up getting Jenny,” she nodded and kissed his cheek.
“Merry Christmas daddy,” she whispered. He smiled and kissed her cheek back.
“Marry Christmas Vicky,” Ben smiled as he looked in the room and saw Joe sleeping with his head buried in the pillow and the blankets covering everything but the tip of his head. With that, he closed the door again. Vicky walked over and lay down next to her husband again.
“Let’s go daddy,” Joe murmured something about no school today and rolled onto his side. She smiled and began to tickle him. At first, he just tried to move away then he began his high infectious laughter.
“Please, stop!” He cried out finally with laughter in his voice. She smiled at him.
“Good morning sleepy head,” she whispered. He looked at her.
“You can’t tickle a man who’s sleeping, especially when he’s got to go the bathroom!” He said. She smiled and kissed him. She then turned to get changed while he pulled out the chamber pot.
Twenty minutes later the couples went downstairs and were met by Katie and Adam’s smiling faces. Ben was sitting at the table. Hoss and Jenny entered as the two made it to the sofa.
“Good morning baby brother,” Adam smirked; even now, Joe would always be a slow riser.
“Merry Christmas Adam,” Joe whispered as he sat down at the kitchen table. Ben smiled.
“All right everyone why don’t we do presents now then food, I think Joe needs a reason to stay awake,” Ben said chuckling. Joe glared at his father then slowly walked over and sat down next to the tall tree that he and his brothers had picked out.
“Youngest first, that’s you Vicky,” Joe said smiling. It wasn’t very often that Joe got to say someone was younger than him. She smiled at him. After they were finished, opening the gifts Adam and Hoss looked at each other and smiled.
“Ah, there’s one more present, but we’ve got to actually go somewhere to see it,” Adam said.
“Can we eat first?” Joe asked.
“Sure can, it ain’t going anywhere little brother,” Hoss said. Shortly after breakfast they all rode down to Joe’s land that he had clamed as a five year old
******************
Joe and his older brother Adam stood looking out at the lake. Joe sighed.
“I miss mama,” the boy whispered. Adam looked at his younger brother. He had wished countless times that their father would stop leaving them alone. The boy needed his father as much as his brothers and it wasn’t fair to leave him alone.
“Your mama use to love this place Joe,” Adam said trying to help the boy feel better. Only a few weeks ago and Adam knew that he and Hoss would be very much on their own with Joe for a while, until Ben realized he hadn’t lost all of his wife, only part of her.
“She use to tell you stories about her love of the lake, do you remember?” Adam asked. The boy looked up and nodded, tears sliding down his face. Joe slowly walked over and climbed into Adam’s lap. Adam wrapped his arms around the small sullen child.
“She loved you so very much Joe,” Adam whispered.
“Adam, when I growd up, can I claim this land as mine?” Joe asked. Adam smiled slightly.
“You can claim it now Little Joe. Tell you what, Hoss and I will watch this land until you get married, and then we’ll build you a house for your wife and kids,” Joe smiled for the first time in weeks.
“I’d like that,” Joe whispered as he sat back against Adam and together the two enjoyed the other’s company.
******************************
Joe smiled as he looked at the grand house his brother’s had built. He felt his eyes well with tears. Just then, Steve and Charlie came out. Charlie walked over to Joe, who was now standing between his two brothers, and handed him a card with Adam’s writing.
“Read it,” Adam said. Vicky stood beside Ben and the others.
Dear Joe and Vicky,
Ever since mama died you wanted his land Little Joe, well here it is nearly twenty years after you said you wanted it, Hoss and I watched it for ya all these years. Inside you will find decent sized packages on the mantle, inside are two things for each of you. Steve was told about your dreams Joe and he shared Vicky’s with us. We decided about a day after you left this would be your Christmas present. I hope you like it. We love you two and will love your children.
Love forever,
Pa, Mike, Steve, Adam, Hoss, Charlie, mama and Seth
Joe handed the letter to his father as they all walked inside. Joe and Vicky both found the packages, one addressed to Joe and the other to Vicky. Vicky slowly opened hers and smiled. Inside was a picture of the Parker family and the other was a picture of her family. Her mother, brother, father and herself. She covered her mouth. Joe was opened his and gasped at them. He too had pictures. One was a picture of Marie hold him as a toddler. The other was a picture of his him and his brothers and father. He starred at the picture of him and his mother. Marie was smiling wide, as she held her two-year-old son tight. Joe was smiling widely with his titled as his mother kissed his cheek. Tears filled his eyes as he turned towards his brothers and father. He carefully set them down on the mantle and walked over to his father.
*******************
There was a knock on Ben’s door; he smiled as he saw his son walk into the room. Before Marie’s death, he would often come in and together they would solve all the problems of a child. Now at sixteen the boy no longer asked the same questions. The questions of a child like ‘why is the grass green’ or ‘will you always love me even when I’m really bad’. Now they were more like ‘what was mama like’ or ‘why can’t Adam and I get along no more, is it my fault’. As Ben watched his son walked over and pick up the picture of him and his mother Joe sighed, he wondered what was on the child’s mind today.
“Pa, why can’t I remember my ma?” Joe asked as he gazed at the picture of his mother. Ben sat down next to his son on the bed. He wrapped an arm around Joe’s slim shoulders and gazed at the picture.
“Our little baby. You were her little boy; no one could ever take that away from her. She died when you were just a child. Joe you were only five when she died, no one’s memory is so good that can remember everything, but I know you’ve got some pleasant memories of her don’t you,” Joe nodded, a tear trailing down his cheek.
“I miss her pa,” he whispered. Ben gently took the picture and put it down on the bed. He then pulled his youngest to his chest and the two sat in a tight embrace, Joe crying softly as Ben tried to calm him down.
“Someday I’ll give you this picture I promise,” Ben whispered.
******************************
Joe stood in front of his father; he then threw his arms around Ben’s neck.
“Oh pa, it’s wonderful thank you so much fer the picture,” Joe said between gulps of air. Ben wrapped both arms around Joe’s middle.
“You’re welcome son,” Ben whispered. When Joe looked up, he saw his two brothers. Like he had as a child, again, Joe reached out and grabbed his older brother in a hug, Adam needed no second invitation, he tightly wrapped his brother in a loving hug. Hoss stood by his side and gently rubbed his back.
“We love ya short shanks,” Hoss whispered.
“That’s why we gave this to ya little buddy,” Adam whispered. Joe looked up at Adam.
“Thank you so much for making my dream come true. I love you both,” he whispered. Adam smiled and for the first time in a really long time he kissed his brother’s forehead.
Vicky walked over to Steve and Mike.
“Thank you so very much,” she whispered. Mike smiled and kissed her forehead.
“We’ll never forget your ma or pa, and we’ve always taken care of you, well now you’re on your own, you’ve still got us to help, but now it’s you and Joe.” She nodded and remained in Steve’s embrace.
Finally, after a few minutes with their family Vicky and Joe decided it was time for their little surprise. Joe walked over to her and quickly hugged.
“I love you so very much,” he whispered. She smiled at him.
“I love you to honey, are you ready to give the announcement?” He nodded.
“Everyone, we’ve got our own little surprise, Vicky and I are going to be parents,” Joe finally announced. The two smiled. Yes, this was the perfect Christmas.
~Chapter Three~
They spent the next day moving things from one house to another. Finally, towards the end of the day Joe sat down in the over stuffed chair and sighed; his wife came over to him and sat down in his lap. Joe pulled her tightly to him and smiled.
“Just think, our first night in our own house,” she whispered as she ran a hand down his cheek.
“Our first night alone, without having to worry about waking up too early,” he smiled.
“What time did daddy say we had to be there by?”
“Seven,” he whispered. She smiled to him and hugged him.
“I love you,” she said. She felt her eyes becoming heavier as the two soon fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Ben sat in his own room thinking about the thought of an empty house, for the first time in all of his life Joe wasn’t going to be sleeping in his room tonight. Granted Joe had slept in other places but before now it was because of work or because he was sick or something, but now it was because he had his own house. Adam knocked on the door then opened it.
“Hey, what are you still doing up,” Ben asked knowing that Adam was sleeping with Katie.
“Couldn’t sleep, before now the idea of Joe not sleeping in his bed didn’t bother, only because I knew he would return to sleeping in it again.”
“I know son, but your brother is a big boy now and is happily married, as you will be soon. I know you won’t be living here the rest of your life either, neither will Hoss.”
“I know, but what if he has nightmares?”
“Vicky will be there, but I don’t think he will. Don’t worry son, Vicky can take care of him now.”
“I suppose, aren’t you even the least bit worried?”
“Of course I am, I always will be about all you boys. Now why don’t you go get some rest, we’ve got a long day ahead of use tomorrow, got get more of those cattle down from the pasture before it gets any colder,” nodding Adam left the room with a final ‘good night’ to his father. Ben sighed ‘yes son, I will worry about all of you, and you will all worry about each other and me, that’s part of being family,’ Ben thought.
Early the next morning Joe and Vicky arrived at the ranch. Joe gave Vicky a quick kiss and headed towards the corral, letting one of the hands take the buggy as Vicky entered the house. It was about halfway through the day, Vicky walked out of kitchen when suddenly pain ripped through her abdomen. She fell to the ground, she couldn’t stifle a scream. Ben, who was sitting at his desk got up and ran to see what was going on. He found Vicky on the floor crying out in pain. Ben opened the door and yelled for Adam and Joe. Both came to the house quickly.
“Pa what’s…? Vicky!” Joe yelled as he rushed to her side. He picked her up and held her in his arms. Adam took one look and ran outside, Ben watched him jump on his horse and race towards town.
“Vicky, you’re going to be fine baby,” he whispered to her, as he saw his shirt and pants becoming crimson red.
“Take her upstairs Joseph,” Joe nodded and carried his wife towards the room. He laid her down on the bed as she continued to cry and lay down next to her.
“Joe, it hurts, what’s happening?” She cried. He gently ran his hand down her cheek trying to calm her. He squeezed her hand.
“Shh, It’s going to be fine, I promise you baby.”
Finally, Paul and Mike arrived, both raced upstairs. Joe was quickly pushed out of the room. Joe sat downstairs pacing the floor as the girls, Adam, Hoss and Ben watching.
“Joe, why don’t you come sit down son, pacing isn’t going to help her, or you,” Ben said.
“What the hell am I suppose to do! Just sit there and not care! She’s my wife pa, and I love her, God I need her pa, I need her more than I need life, I’m nothing without her!” He yelled, and quickly turned towards the fire to stare into it. He felt the hot tears running down his face. He felt his father’s hands on his shoulders; he tried to keep in the tears.
“I can’t lose her pa, I can’t,” Joe whispered in a cracked voice. Ben leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Joe’s head.
“I know son, I know.” He didn’t want his son to have to go through the same things he had so long ago, Joe didn’t deserve that. Suddenly the sound of footsteps on the stairs caused Joe’s head to snap in the direction of the stairs. Paul came down the stairs attempting to smile.
“Paul?” He asked.
“Mike is in with her right now; she’s asking for you, but needs to rest for a few minutes, you can go up then. She’s going to need to rest for awhile, keep her in bed for awhile.”
“What happened?” Joe asked.
“Joe, she had a miscarriage, she lost the baby Joe, I’m very sorry.” Joe turned his face back to the flames. He was starting to feel dizzy himself.
“Will she be okay?” He asked, not taking his eyes away from the flames.
“With time and love yes.”
“Will she be able to have any children?”
“I don’t see why not, just because she lost one child doesn’t mean you can’t go on having as many healthy children as you want,” Paul explained. He watched as he could see Joe’s expressions from the side.
“Why don’t you go upstairs and see her, she’s going to need you,” Joe immediately ran past him up the stairs to the room. Joe slowly opened the door; Mike looked up and slowly got up.
“She’s sleeping right now, but she should be awake soon, why don’t you stay with her, I’ll leave you two alone for awhile. She’s going to be all right son, in time.”
“This is my entire fault, we should have waited till the baby was born to move into the house,” Joe whispered.
“None of this is your fault son, it just happens sometimes, you can’t blame yourself. I can promise you that for a while you’re going to feel a little forgotten, she lost a child, and people are going to feel bad for her, not remembering that it was your baby as much as it was hers.”
“You sound like you know.”
“Suzie lost two before Steve was born, then another one before Katie. I know it’s going to be hard for you and for her. There will be more though, and in time you’ll both be okay again, and Joe, don’t wait too long to try again, she wants children as much as you do,” with a final nod Mike left Joe and Vicky alone.
As Vicky slowly opened her eyes all she could remember was feeling very dizzy then the pain. She slowly opened her eyes and softly began calling out for Joe.
“Joe,” she called. She felt her hand in his and looked up to see his handsome face.
“I’m here angel.”
“I lost the baby Joe, our baby, sorry,” she cried. Joe shook his head and nuzzled her cheek gently.
“No baby, I’m sorry, it’s not your fault baby, as long as you’re okay then I’m okay. With you by my side, I can do anything. I love you so very much angel,” he whispered to her. She gazed up at him with sorrowful eyes. She searched his eyes for anger but all she found was love and worry. He continued to stroke her face and hair.
“I wanted it so bad Joe, more than anything, and I know you did too,” Joe smiled at her.
“It doesn’t matter to me how many kids we have Vicky, I could live the rest of my life with just you and be happy. I won’t deny for a second that I wanted this baby, but I want you above all else,” Joe whispered to her. She looked at him and slowly began to cry again. Joe slowly climbed into the bed and wrapped his arms around her. Together the two cried and soon fell asleep in a tight embrace. Ben slowly opened the door to see his son and daughter-in-law holding each other. Ben sighed, yes, it would be a bumpy ride but those two were headstrong and hopelessly in love with each other, they would make it.
Ben walked over to the dresser and blew out the light, then left the room.
Joe woke up in his bed a week later and looked next to him and found where his wife usually lay was empty. He cursed silently and quickly got up, not bothering to put on his shirt. He walked downstairs and saw his wife sitting in the rocking chair Adam had built for them.
“Vicky?” He called to her. She was staring at the flames.
“Maybe I’ll never have my baby to hold. Oh God Joe,” she cried. Joe saw that she was one the verge of hysteria and gently lifted her into his lap as they sat in the rocking chair. He pulled her close to him and began to rock back and forth, humming a light lullaby that Adam used to hum to him.
“I love you Vicky, I love you more than life itself, and we will have children that I promise you,” he whispered.
~Chapter Four~
It was a beautiful and crisp early morning, Adam stood in front of the mirror trying to fix his hair, Joe came up behind him, a large smirk on his face.
“What?” Adam asked.
“Nothing, just never thought I’d see you nervous older brother,” Joe said.
“You know something, there are plenty of times when I’m nervous, I just hide it well.”
“Uh huh,” Joe said. Adam playfully smacked him in the back of the head.
“Hey Adam, do you remember when I was seven and I came in and asked you about marriage?” Adam smiled at his younger brother.
***********
Adam watched his baby brother slowly creep through the door.
“Hey little buddy, ready for church?”
“I guess. Hey Adam, do you have to live with someone if’n ya marry ‘em?” Adam looked at his seven-year-old brother.
“Usually, otherwise it really isn’t marriage.”
“Oh,” Joe said.
“Why buddy, you thinkin’ bout getting married?” Joe looked up at him.
“Well, there’s this girl at school, and I think she likes me, but I don’t like her like that, anyways she was talkin’ ‘bout marryin’ someone and how they had to stop livin’ with their papas before they gets married,” Joe began, Adam watched him trying to stifle a laugh.
“Joe, buddy, don’t worry none, it’s going to be along time before either one of us decides to get married, and by then you’ll want to move out.”
“Aw, gee wiz Adam, I could never want to leave pa,” Joe said. Adam smiled.
“Not yet, just you wait till your eighteen and can’t leave the house late at night because your pa’s baby boy,” Adam said laughing gently.
“Do you wanna move out Adam? Is that why yer goin’ ta college?” Joe asked. Adam sighed.
“No Joe, I’m going to college because I want to learn more, not because I want to get away from pa or you. I love all three of you guys and will be happy when I come home. Now let’s go get ready to leave for church,” Joe nodded and grabbed Adam’s outstretched hand.
*********************
“Seems like just yesterday we were those High n’ Mighty Cartwrights,” Joe said smiling. Adam nodded.
“Seems like just yesterday my baby brother was nothin’ but a runt, now look at you. I’m proud to call you Brother Joe, real proud.” Joe smiled at him.
“Me too Adam, me too, now let’s go get you hitched,” Smiling the two brothers made their way out the door.
Katie stood in front of the mirror, Vicky and Jenny by her side.
“You’re beautiful,” Jenny whispered.
“Won’t be much longer till you’re wearing a dress yourself Jen,” Vicky pointed out. The three had become very close since Joe and Vicky’s wedding. They went everywhere now.
As expected, the weeks after Vicky had lost the baby had been tough. Many things had been tried, but for a long time Vicky refused to do very much, before finally, she and Joe really got into it, yelling and screaming at each other.
*****************************
“You need to get out; Paul says it’s not good for you to continued keeping yourself from people.”
“I said I need to be alone!” Vicky yelled.
“You don’t need to be anything! You need to wake up! We love you and want to help you! Adam and Katie have tried to take you places; all you keep doing is pushing them away! All of us, you push us all away.”
“I’m sick!” She yelled back. Joe’s temper was rising to a high, so was Vicky’s temper
“You’re not sick; you’re just making yourself sick. You don’t go out anymore!”
“I lost a child!” She yelled.
“SO DID I, and you don’t see me grieving, it’s been over a month! You can’t just sit here for the rest of your life crying about something we’ve already lost. It hurts I know, I’m still hurting, but I’m hurting even more when I wake up and don’t find you by my side! I hear you cry all the time, don’t you think I’m crying too!” Joe yelled.
“You didn’t carry the baby!” She yelled, instantly knowing it was a mistake.
“Oh so because I didn’t carry the baby for two months, then lose it all of a sudden, then I wouldn’t know what it’s like to lose things. I lost a mother; I lost more friends then I can count; I lost girlfriends; I almost lost you, and I did lose a child. So if you think I don’t know loss, then fine you continue thinking that; but I’ll tell you something, you may have lost a brother and a baby, but until you’ve really lost the two most important people in your life you will never understand real loss!” With that, Joe walked upstairs and slammed the bedroom door. He sat down on the bed and gazed at the picture of his mother.
“God mama I made a mistake, and I know it. Why did this have to happen? I just want my wife back,” Joe cried for what seemed like hours. Over the loss of everyone, he loved. Finally, he heard the door open.
“Joe,” he heard her soft loving voice. Joe squeezed his eyes shut.
“Joe, I’m sorry, I keep forgetting that we’ve all lost something, not just me. I’m sorry Joe, if you don’t love me anymore I understand, and I’ll leave you alone. Joe slowly got up.
“No, don’t leave me, I love you Vicky, I will always love you,” he whispered as he walked over to her. He reached out and grabbed both of her hands.
“Please don’t ever leave me alone. I can’t live a day without you, and I wouldn’t dream of it, I don’t know how I lived this long without you in my life,” he said caressing her cheek. She leaned into his touch. He gently pulled her to him.
“We’re going to get better, I promise.”
***************************
There was a knock on the door, which drew the three girls’ attention. Michael slowly opened the door and smiled.
“They’re ready ladies,” He said.
“Okay, you’ll do wonderfully honey,” Vicky said kissing Katie’s cheek, with that the two girls left Mike and Katie alone.
“Well seems like my little girl is growing up,” Katie smiled.
“Daddy, I think I’ve been grown up for a few years now, don’t you?” He smiled at her.
“I was never ready to admit. Your mama would be proud, oh here, this is from your mother,” Mike said handing her a letter with her name on it. She quickly opened it.
Dear Katherine,
My baby girl, my angel is so many ways. I’ve always loved you, I’m very proud of you. If you’re getting this then I have died and you are getting married. I want you to realize now that you are a grown woman and will have a family soon, I made many mistakes as a mother and wife, I’m sure you remember some of the from when you were six and seven, I know that you will honor your husband and children in every possible way. I love you.
Love forever
Your mama
Katie looked up and smiled at her father.
“Well, I guess we should probably go, I don’t want Adam to have a heart attack,” she said as they walked out of the room.
Adam watched as his soon to be wife and her father came down the isle. He stood beside his two brothers, Hoss then Joe. Vicky and Jenny were on the other side.
Katie smiled at as she stood beside him at the altar.
“Adam please recite your vows and put this ring on her finger and say with this ring I thee wed,” Adam nodded and took the ring from the preacher.
“Katie, when I first met you on that train back in June I was sure I would never see you again, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for any type of relationship. Then I saw you interact with my brother and your nephew and niece, and now I know you are a wonderful woman with a heart of gold, I also know that I was ready and willing to do anything to never have to leave your side again. I love you more than anything in this world, if I could I would stop the world for you. You have a kind heart and a gentle soul, that’s why I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be beside you forever. With this ring I thee wed,” he finished.
“Adam, you father once told me you were named after someone in a book that your mother really liked. I want nothing more than to have the chance to do the same with our child. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and together we can do anything. When I met you, I was sure you would be a little rude, but you were nothing of the sort, you cared for your brother more than anyone I knew. You refused to leave his side unless you had to. You love your family and I know you will love your children. With this ring I thee wed,” she said slipping the ring on his finger.
“Do you Katherine Anne Parker take Adam James Cartwright to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and told hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer till deaths do you part, if so say I do.”
“I do,” Katie, said gazing into Adam’s hazel eyes.
“Do you Adam James Cartwright take Katherine Anne Parker to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and told hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer till deaths do you part, if so say I do.”
“I do,” Adam, said smiling at her.
“With the power invested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride,” Adam smiled and reached for her. When they parted, the two turned towards everyone and smiled.
“Mr. and Mrs. Adam Cartwright,” with a final cheer the led everyone down the isle.
Ben smiled as he watched Adam and Katie drive off that night for their honeymoon. He smiled; well Hoss was his last boy to get married. He smiled at the thought, his boys were finally growing up, there had been times when he wasn’t sure he was ready to watch his boys grow up and leave him alone in a big house. He smiled and turned to look at the big house. There were many memories of the house. Some good some bad, but all worth while.
**************
“Why you little varmint!” Adam yelled as he chased past his mother and father to grab his three-year-old brother. Ben smiled, there were days he was sure the boy hated Marie, but when Joe had been born three years ago all that had changed. Adam was now a loving fifteen-year-old brother to both Joe and Hoss. Nine-year-old Hoss was running after them, for the first time they realized why the two boys were running after Joe, he was only wearing his dipper. Ben laughed heartedly, as did Marie. When Adam finally caught up to the boy, he lifted him into the air.
“Joe, you have to put clothes on little buddy,” Adam said. Joe wasn’t the size of most three year old boys and weighed only half of what most would have weighed.
“Why?” The toddler asked.
“Because ya look goofy running aroun’ half nekkid,” Hoss said. Adam laughed at his two brothers.
“Come one, let’s go get ya dressed,” Adam said. Joe nodded and grabbed his big brother around his neck and together the three walked into the house.
***************
Yes those had been the good days, Ben thought to himself. Now the house was nearly empty. Adam, Joe and Hoss were working on Adam’s house and then would begin on Hoss’; by next Christmas, they would all be living in their own house. Sighing he walked into the house and sat down at the desk, thinking about building this house and he realized he was starting to have the empty nest feeling. He smiled ‘Oh look at ya Ben, turning into an old fool, your boys are growing up, not leaving ya all together,’ Ben scolded himself.
~Chapter Five~
Spring came and went by quickly, by early May, Adam and his wife were living in their new house; finally summer arrived with the arrival of Hoss’ wedding. Jenny and Hoss hadn’t planned anything special like their brothers. It was a nice wedding at the ranch in the living room, with her family and his family and close friends, and a preacher.
“Do you Hoss Cartwright take Jennifer Aims to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold till deaths do you part?”
“I do.”
“Do you Jenny Aims take Hoss Cartwright to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold till deaths do you part?”
“I do,” she said smiling at him.
It had been a simple wedding; their house had already been built so they would move in once they came back from San Diego. Hoss had said he did not want vows just wanted to be able to tell his wife everyday how much he loved her.
Joe stood beside his father smiling at him. Ben looked over at his son.
“What son?”
“Well pa, it’s just I never really thought there would come a day when I wouldn’t be living in this house anymore, when I would wake up every morning to the sound of Hoss or Adam laughing or waking me up, when I wouldn’t see you sitting at my breakfast table anymore.”
“Son, you’re a grown man now, and I would never want to take that from you, but we’ve always got those memories. All of them. Besides you still work on the ranch, and we’ll see each other if not everyday at least every few days.”
“I know, I guess I just wish I knew we were leaving and you had a companion.”
“You mean you wish I wasn’t alone?”
“Yeah, pa, other than Hop Sing you’re all alone in this big ol’ house.”
“Joe, I was alone before you three boys came.”
“Back then that was normal for you, this is different now, much different.”
“I suppose you’re right. There comes a time in a man’s life when he must realize that his children aren’t children anymore, and no matter how I will always see you three boys I know deep down inside that you have all become strong, smart young men. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks pa. We won’t be able to have any more of those talks that we use to have so very often.”
“Which ones? You mean the ones I always gave you when you misbehaved?”
“Not just those. Talks, all the talks we’ve had.”
“Joe, as my youngest son you will always be more clingy and maybe a little more loyal than your brothers, and no matter what happens we can always have those little talks.”
************************
“Papa,” five-year-old Joe called as he walked into his father’s room.
“Yes baby?”
“Do you wove me?” Joe asked suddenly. Ben looked back at the boy and smiled at him.
“Joseph, I love you more than anything in this world, nothing is more important to me than you and your brothers.”
“Will you always love me?”
“Of course I will son.”
“Even when I’m a growd up?” He asked. Ben scooped him up into his lap.
“Even when you’re grown up.”
**************************
Joe turned towards his father and wrapped an arm around him.
“I love ya pa,” Joe whispered.
“I love you too son, I always will.”
THE END
