Summary: Sorting through a box of mementos, Ben finds a gift Little Joe made when he was five and recalls how it helped the Cartwrights through their first Christmas without Marie. Rating T, WC 12,520

Someday Soon

*** Someday soon, we all will be together if the fates allow.  Until then, we’ll have to muddle through somehow.  So have yourself a merry little Christmas now. *** (excerpt from song: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane)

 

“Just set those boxes down here next to the fireplace, Joseph,” Ben directed as his youngest came into view heading his way.  A smiled played upon Pa’s lips watching the seventeen-year-old whose head could barely be seen from in between all the boxes held precariously in his arms.

Hop Sing had insisted that the family go through the numerous packages which had accumulated in the supply shed.  The Cartwrights had let it get way out of hand and the cook had put his foot down threatening that there would be no Christmas treats until Ben and his sons decided what was to be saved and what was to be placed into the burn bin.

Joe juggled the armload of boxes and bags and attempted to get down to his knees with them all before they ended up inside the fireplace and not next to it.

“Finally!” Joe exclaimed as he managed to set them down before looking up at his father. “Pa, I’d much rather be out with Adam and Hoss than to be dealing with all this junk!”

Ben settled his hand on his son’s shoulder, giving it a good squeeze to remind the boy that he was still in charge of who did which chore.

“Now your brothers have enough to do with getting the tree this year.  And besides, Joseph, you heard what Doc said about your cold.  He doesn’t want it to get any worse, so you’ve got to stay inside a few more days.”

Joe frowned and remarked, “Doc’s an old worry wart.”

Ben raised his eyebrows and stared at his wayward son.  “And just WHO made him that way?  It wouldn’t have been YOU, would it?  You’ve kept that man in business for a lot of years, Joseph.”

Directing his attention to the packages on the floor next to where he still knelt, Joe changed the topic of discussion knowing that he’d never win whenever his pa went on a roll about his many injuries and illnesses that Doctor Paul Martin had tended.

“What are we gonna do with all this stuff, Pa?” Joe sighed and then grabbed his handkerchief and blotted his runny nose.  He had been fighting a cold for days and had tried to pretend he was doing fine but Pa had seen through his deception and had made him stay in his nightshirt and robe all day to make sure he didn’t try to escape the house.

Ben grinned knowing why Joe had given up on complaining about Doc.  “We won’t know whether there’s anything that we want to keep until we go through it, Son.  So, we’ll just take it one package at a time.”

“Okay, let me get comfortable and I’ll hand them over,” Joe relented and sat cross-legged next to the hearth.  “Which one first?”

Ben reached over and took a big brown bag out from amid the large pile in front of Joe.  “Let’s start with this I guess – it’ll keep us busy until your brothers get in with the tree anyway.”

*************

Little by little, bag by bag and box by box both Ben and Joe dug through old mementos and letters along with ornaments which had been put away due to their rather shabby condition.  Ben had made three piles, one for things he wanted to store and save, one to throw away and one to set out for Christmas.

“All that’s left, Pa, is just this old shoe box,” Joe called out and handed it to his father.

“It’s pretty well smashed by the looks of it,” Ben began as he lifted the crushed cardboard lid.  Opening it, his eyes misted up and a sentimental smile pulled up the corners of his lips.  He stared over at his youngest who still held onto one end of the shoebox with his left hand.

*** Joseph— that hand of yours was so tiny that it seemed to disappear into mine — back when you made this.  Now look at you! *** Pa thought to himself as he wondered where the years had gone.

“What the heck is that?” Joe asked raising his eyebrows as he scooted closer to where his father sat in the blue winged back chair.

“Surely you remember this, Joseph!”

Shrugging his shoulders Joe replied, “No, Pa – what is it exactly – other than a big mess?”

“You REALLY don’t remember?”

Joe just shook his head “no”.

“Come on let’s go and hand the things we want to give back to Hop Sing to return to the shed and throw out what we don’t want to save,” Ben announced as he stood and reached down and pulled his son up from the floor.

“You gonna throw that out?” Joe pointed to the shoebox and its contents which Pa had set down on the right side of the chair.

Ben grinned and shook his head.  “As soon as the two of us take care of all these piles on the floor I’ll tell you all about what’s in that box.  It’s something very special, Son.  I’d wondered what had happened to it over the years.  Oh, I’ll admit that it needs a bit of work to spruce it up.  But I think you’ll understand why it’s so special after I refresh your memory a bit.  Come on let’s clean up this mess.”

*************

A short while later, with their task completed, Ben and Joe moved back into the living room.  Hop Sing, who was happy that he now had room again in the supply shed rewarded the two of them with coffee for Ben and herbal tea for Joe.

“I’d sooner have coffee,” Joe frowned after he watched to make sure that the cook wasn’t within earshot of his complaint.

Ben chuckled and returned, “You’d better do as Hop Sing says, Joseph, or he’ll go slap one of those mustard plasters on your chest whether you need it or not!  Now you go light over there on the settee while I get that fire built up and then I’ll tell you about the treasure the two of us found a little while ago.”

“Yes, Sir,” Joe nodded and set the tea in front of him onto the coffee table.

Pa went to work building the fire into a roaring blaze to combat the increasing cold pouring in from outside.  He then turned to look over at his youngest.

“Are you curious yet?” He smiled over at his son and reached down and retrieved the box and brought it over to the settee, settling down next to Joe.

Joe blotted his nose again and stifled a sneeze.  “I guess I’m supposed to know what it is, huh?”

Ben reached over and grabbed the Indian blanket which rested on the arm of the sofa.

“Here,” he said and handed it over to his son.  “It’s going to take a while until it’s warm enough in here – so go ahead and wrap this around you.  Doc will have a pure fit if he’s got to come out here on Christmas Eve tomorrow just to tend to you!”

“You’re both worry warts!” Joe grinned and covered his shoulders with the blanket.

Ben raised his eyebrows and answered, “Do you want to spend Christmas up in your room with a cold that’s turned into something worse?”

“Okay, Pa,” Joe surrendered.  “Now how about telling me what that thing is and why you’d want to keep it?” He happily changed the subject again.

Draping his arm across Joe’s shoulders Pa smiled, “I’ll let you put your feet up on the table since you’ve got your slippers on and I’m feeling jolly.”

Joe laughed and gratefully put his feet up on the sacred coffee table.  “Thanks, Pa.  Okay tell me all about what’s in the box.”

Gingerly Ben lifted the careworn item up out of its resting place in the crushed cardboard box where it had apparently stayed hidden for quite a few years.  He held it out so his son could take a good look before he launched into the history of the present from long ago.

“Is it a doll?” Joe asked raising his eyebrows and looking directly into Pa’s eyes.

Ben laughed and patted his son’s arm, “Now THAT brings back memories, Joseph!”

“Huh?”

“Okay – let me explain – it’s going to take a while so listen up.  I’ll have to go back twelve years ago to the Christmas when you were five years old.”

Ben closed his eyes, and the memories came flooding back to him.  It was a bittersweet Christmas.  He was blessed to have his three boys; Adam who was eighteen, Hoss who was about to turn twelve and Joseph who had turned five two months earlier.  But it was the first Christmas without Marie.

***************

***Grain bills, bills from the mercantile and here’s one from the blacksmith!  How are you supposed to have a merry Christmas when all the bills come in the third week in December? *** Ben thought to himself as he sat at his desk and began to write the tally into one of his ledger books.  He had tried his best to do what he could to make the holidays as bright as possible, but it was only for his sons.  He wouldn’t care if Christmas got cancelled that year, in fact, it would suit him just fine!  Ben stared over at the picture of his third wife, Marie.  His heart ached to be with her, but he knew he was needed to be there for his three sons.  Adam would be starting college the following fall and Hoss, big as he was getting, was just coming into his own.  Then there was Joseph.  The little five-year-old was a handful and he needed his pa even more now that his mother was gone.

*** I hope the boys can’t tell that I’m just muddling through this Christmas.  I think Adam knows I’m still grieving but then again, he went through some of this with me when I lost Inger.  Lord knows I’ve had experience in losing women who I’ve loved — but how will I ever be able to get over losing Marie?   Not a day goes by – that I don’t think I hear her voice or feel her hand here on my neck – the way she used to rub it to ease the tension as I wrote out bills or struggled through reading one of these blamed contracts like I’ve got in front of me now! *** Ben eyed the brandy decanter and had to will away the urge to get into it that early in the morning.  *** For my sons— for them – that’s why I’ll go on.  Now back to these blasted bills and this ledger which hasn’t added up in the three months since Marie died. ***

Ben heard the rush of small feet coming down the staircase and he looked up to see his youngest making it down to the first landing like a lightning bolt.  *** Joseph only has two speeds — fast and a dead stop!  What’s he up to now? *** Spying the impish grin that the little boy shot over to his father, Joe climbed up on the banister and slid the final four stair’s length down into the living room.  It was then that laughter came pouring out of Little Joe and he smiled triumphantly over at his pa.

“Now, Joseph – haven’t I told you that you’re not to slide down that banister?” Ben called across the room, fighting his mirth, as he did think the boy was very amusing in all of his antics.

“Oh, Papa!  I didn’t go ALL the way — you said I cants slide ALL the way!” The boy sang out and then scurried like a wild squirrel over to his pa’s desk.

Ben swung his chair around in preparation for what he knew would be the launch up into his lap by the curly headed little boy.

“Up, up!” Joe announced and with a hop landed into his father’s lap.

Ben held onto the reminder of Marie who now wrapped his little arms around Pa’s neck and hugged him.

“Now, no more sliding, Young Man,” Ben had to pretend to be angry though his eyes reflected the love he held for his youngest.

“Nots even a little bit?” Joe’s eyes sought to get his way, as was usual.

“No,” Ben announced sternly and then swung his chair back to its former position.  “Now, aren’t you supposed to go to town with Hop Sing today, Joseph?”

“Yep,” Joe smiled and then scooted onto the other side of his father’s lap and faced him.  “Papa, I need monies –,”

Ben raised his eyebrows and stared into the hazel eyes and returned, “You need money?”

“Yep,” Joe nodded.

“Oh, I see – well what happened to those two pennies you’ve been saving, Joseph?”

“I gots them, Papa – I need one more pennies.”

“Penny – if it’s one,” Ben corrected.

Little Joe looked confused by what his father had said.  “I need pennies, Papa, I gots two I need one more.”

“Okay, now tell me what you need a penny for?”

Little Joe held his left index finger to his lips and whispered, “It’s a secret – I can’t say secrets, Papa.  Cans I get a pennies?”

Ben cleared his throat and addressed the situation.  “You’re not going to get more candy with that penny, are you?”

“Uh uh, I need three,” Little Joe said and held up three fingers.  “I gots two that means one more, Papa.”

“You HAVE two, not “gots” two, Son,” Ben tried again to correct Joe.

“Okay,” the boy nodded.  “Cans I look in there, Papa?  Maybe you gots a pennies there?” Joe asked pointing to the desk drawer.

***This boy is going to be playing me for the rest of my life! *** Ben thought to himself as he tried to hide his amusement over how adorable the kid was.  His curls were all over the place that morning and Ben knew darn well that Hop Sing had already brushed the boy’s hair earlier.  Little Joe was too cute, and his father was starting to believe that the child knew it.

“Alright, Young Man, you go and have a look see then your Pa has to get back to his work!” Ben sighed and pushed the chair back some as Little Joe went about digging into his desk drawer.  With a big grin on his face, his father watched the little left-hand rummaging through everything that was inside that struck his fancy.  Ben thought of his own father, the man who the little boy was named after, who had also been a southpaw.

“Find anything, Joseph?”

“Nope – papers and keys but no monies, Papa,” Little Joe frowned and turned back around in the chair so that now one of his bony knees had planted itself into his father’s thigh.

“Hold it, Boy – stop the wiggling,” Ben insisted and shifted the boy’s position on his lap so that he looked at him straight in the eyes.  “Now are you SURE you need a penny and that it’s not for candy or a toy for you, Joseph?”

“No, Papa – I promise!” Joe said with such emphasis that his father was beginning to believe the child’s story.  “Papa?”

“Yes, Boy?”

“Cans I look there?” The boy pointed at his father’s vest pockets.

Ben grinned and shook his head and for the first time all day he wasn’t thinking of bills that were due or the fact that he didn’t want to have anything to do with Christmas.  He was just enjoying spending time with his little boy which helped him to forget everything else.  Ben wished it could last but he knew it wouldn’t.  Joseph couldn’t be his whole world no more than his other sons could be, but he could spend time with him since he doubted he’d have a little child around too much longer.  With Adam going away to college and Hoss almost as tall as his father, it reminded Ben that children grow up all too fast.

“Go ahead.”

Little Joe gave a gleeful smile which revealed a couple of missing teeth which had yet to come in and it made the whole encounter that much more endearing to his pa.  The boy’s little fingers dug around in both pockets of his vest and finally came out with a solitary penny.

“Papa I gots it!”

“You HAVE it,” Ben corrected.

“I cans have it?” Little Joe asked, thinking that his father had said it was okay, but he wanted to be sure.

“I tell you what, Joseph – since Hop Sing is about ready to leave for town – I will advance you that penny.”

Little Joe’s face was the picture of confusion, and the look wasn’t lost on his father.

“That means that I give you that penny right now and when you come home in a little while you will do something to earn it.  Do you understand, Son?”

Little Joe nodded eagerly and replied, “What cans I do, Papa?  What’s a pennies of work?”

Ben leaned back and thought a moment and then returned, “Well, Hop Sing is going to bring me back a newspaper and you can bring it in when you get home and put it right here on my desk.”

Little Joe frowned and shook his head.  “No, Papa – not hard enough for a pennies.  I needs to work harder for a pennies or you can’t vance it.”

“Advance it,” Ben nodded to the boy.

“Yep,” Joe grinned.

Ben stared down at his boots and pointed, “Your Pa’s old boots sure could use a good cleaning.  But that’s a pretty tough job, Son.”

“I cans do it!  I can, Papa!” Joe insisted bobbing his head up and down.

Ben smiled at the little boy’s enthusiasm.  “Alright – now how about one half of a penny for each boot.  Now how much would that be, Son?”

Little Joe shrugged his shoulders and frowned.  He had no idea what the answer was.

Ben thought for a moment trying to help the boy with his figuring.  “If I take an apple and cut it in half I have two halves, right?”

“Yep.”

“Well consider each boot one half of that penny.  And now what happens when you take two halves of an apple and put it together.  What do you have?”

The boy thought for a few seconds and asked, “An apple?”

Ben laughed and hugged his son.  “That’ll do for now,” He nodded and closed his son’s hand around the penny.  “Now go find Hop Sing and be a good boy for him, Joseph.  You can clean my boots when you get home.”

Little Joe hugged his father’s neck and said, “I will put spit on them like Hoss does, Papa!”

Ben cleared his throat and replied as he lifted his son down to the floor.  “I’ll show you how to do it when you get back, Young Man.  Now scoot!” Ben patted the boy on his backside and Little Joe gleefully took off at full speed into the kitchen to meet up with the cook.

Leaning back in his chair Ben just shook his head and grinned.  There were still bills on his desk and ledger books that were a mess, but he’d had a very necessary interruption by the little boy who was the apple of his eye.

**************

Late that afternoon Hop Sing made it home with Little Joe at his side.  He insisted that the little boy get a nap in before supper and reluctantly Joe settled down in his bed.  Afterwards the cook and caregiver spoke with Ben.

“Was the boy a handful this time?” Ben grinned knowingly as he sat down in the living room and sipped the coffee Hop Sing had just brought in for him.

“Always handful,” Hop Sing nodded but there was a big smile on his face because he loved the little boy very much.  “Boy spend money but not let Hop Sing see what buy.  Little Joe spend all money none left.”

Ben peered over at Hop Sing and returned, “You don’t have any idea what the boy bought with his three pennies?”

Hop Sing shook his head adamantly.  “He tell Mister Keller he need keep secret.  He put all he buy in brown paper bag for Little Joe.  Little Joe tell Hop Sing it big secret for Christmas.”

*** The boy is sure in the spirit this year.  Wish I could be as excited as a five-year-old.  If only Marie was here – she would make it mean so much more. It just won’t be Christmas without her.  I don’t know how I’m going to pull this off without you with me, my love. *** Ben sighed and fought back his sorrow as best he could.  But as for what was going on with his youngest, Joseph was apparently going to keep his secret until Christmas.

*************

“Hey there, Short Shanks!” Hoss called over to Little Joe as he took his seat at the dinner table opposite Adam.

The little boy who was seated at the table with a large pillow placed underneath him so he could reach everything, stared over at Hoss curious over what he had called him.  “What’s a shank, Hoss?”

Hoss and Adam busted out laughing and Little Joe frowned and then cast a glance over to his father.  “Papa, am I a shank?”

Ben chuckled and answered, “Hoss called you short shanks, that just means that you’re a little short – that’s all, Joseph.”

“I don’t mean nothing by that, Little Joe, you’ll get taller once you’re old like me,” Hoss apologized.

“You ain’t old, Hoss,” Little Joe corrected.

“I’m older than you are,” Hoss insisted.

“I’m older than you both so be quiet,” Adam frowned and began to pass around the platters of food.

Ben cleared his throat and said, “I’m older than the three of you so let’s have some peace around here.  Now, Adam, did you get with the new hand, Fletcher?  He’s supposed to help you and Hoss go and get the tree we chose last week.”

“Yes, Sir, he’s coming out first thing in the morning,” Adam nodded.

“Papa, cans I bring tree too?”

Ben reached over and patted Little Joe’s hand and shook his head.  “Not this year, Son, maybe next.  Besides you’ve got work to do, don’t you?”

Joe frowned and nodded.  “I gots to feed Hop Sing’s old chickens in the morning and fetch kindling.  Papa, I gots to clean your boots to pay for the vance you gave me!”

“Advance,” Ben corrected.  “You can do it after we eat, Joseph, then we’ll be squared up with that loan, okay?”

“Hey, Hoss?  Tell Papa how you’re posed to spit to clean boots,” Joe said and turned his eyes on his brother for confirmation.

Hoss laughed and shook his head.  “You don’t have to spit, Little Joe, Pa’s got some cleaning stuff.  Just save your spit for when you need it,” Hoss replied and winked over to his father.

“Thank you,” Pa smiled over at Hoss.

“Do we really have to talk about spit at the table?” Adam asked.

Little Joe giggled over what Adam had said.  “You ain’t gots to go to college to learn to spit, Adam!”

“I’m not going to college to learn to spit, Little Joe, I’m going there to get away from people who talk about it at the table.”

Little Joe shook his head that he didn’t understand what his oldest brother had said.  “If I don’t say nothing ‘bout spitting you ain’t gots to go?  I won’t talk about spitting no more, Adam, so stay here, okay?”

Pa and Adam exchanged glances and they both sighed.  ***Out of the mouths of babes! *** Ben thought to himself.

“If that’s the case, I won’t talk about spitting either, Adam, so you can stay,” Ben teased.

Adam decided he’d better get a handle on the whole “going away to college thing” for his little brother’s sake.  “Little Joe, I’m going away to learn things and then I’ll be back, okay?”

“Okay, but if you don’t learn nothing come home,” Little Joe insisted.

“Eat your supper, Joseph, you have boots to clean,” Ben announced hoping to get Adam off the hook about his reasons for going away to college.

“Hey, Little Joe, what did you buy in town?”

“Can’t tell you, Hoss – it’s my secret,” Joe whispered over to him.

“Is it for me?” Hoss continued.

Joe nodded.  “It’s for you – and for Adam – and for Papa – and Hop Sing too.  But I canst tell nobodys right now.  Papa, I’m done give me your boots.”

Ben sighed and shook his head at his youngest.  “Joseph, do you mind if I finish eating before I have to stand around in my stocking feet?”

“I’ll go get your slippers!” Little Joe exclaimed and before Pa could say another word the kid took off from the table at full speed as usual.

“The kid’s sure excited about whatever his secret is.  Any idea, Pa?”

“I have no clue, Adam.  But tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so we don’t have long to wait.  Are you boys done with all your shopping?”

Hoss and Adam grinned over at each other and nodded.  “Adam and I went in together on our gifts to make it easier, so we’re all done.  How about you, Pa?”

“I think I’ve about got all my shopping done.  Of course, I don’t have a clue what Santa will bring you three boys,” Ben grinned over at his sons.

“I hope “Santa” was paying attention when I pointed out that drafting table,” Adam winked over at his pa.

“Yeah, and I hope he was paying attention when I pointed out that fishing pole at the mercantile,” Hoss added.

“I guess it will depend on if you both were good,” Ben announced, fighting a grin.

“If them’s the rules then I guess Little Joe ain’t going to get nothing this year,” Hoss laughed.

“Oh, come on, Hoss, the boy’s not that bad – he’s just – well — rambunctious,” Ben corrected.

“Good luck, Hoss, when I’m away at college.  Better put up anything you don’t want that rambunctious kid to get his hands on,” Adam warned.

“Eat your dinner, both of you,” Ben returned attempting to show that he was still in control of the household.  He was aware that Joseph was a handful, he didn’t need to hear it during supper.

*************

After they ate Ben and his two older boys sat in the living room and talked about upcoming plans concerning Christmas.  Pa had waited patiently for Joe to make his way back down the stairs, but he hadn’t showed.

“Maybe go check on the boy, Hoss,” Ben called across the room.

“Okay,”

As soon as Hoss made it halfway up the staircase Little Joe came running down with his father’s slippers in his hands.  He breezed past Hoss and was soon there on the last landing.  He climbed up onto the railing when he heard Pa’s voice.

“Joseph! Don’t you dare do it!” Ben sounded out loudly.

“Just a little bit?” Little Joe asked innocently, hoping for another short ride down the banister.

“No,” Pa returned sternly.

Joe frowned and climbed back down and headed over to his father.

“I gots your slippers, Papa,” Joe announced holding them up.

“Joseph?  What have you been doing?  It’s been almost an hour since you left the dinner table.”

“It’s a secret, Papa,” Joe answered and held an index finger up to his lips again.

“Oh – so you were working on your secret, is that right?”

“Yep,” Joe nodded and set the slippers right next to his father’s feet.  “I stop for now ‘cause I need to earn my vance.”

“Advance,” Ben corrected once again pulling off his boots.  “Adam’s going to show you what to do, Son.  Go on and take these over to the hearth, Joseph.”

“I don’t need no ‘splaining, Papa,” Joe remarked defiance in his tone.

“Joseph,” Ben called over to the boy.

Joe set the slippers next to his father’s chair and lifted his boots into his arms.  He carried them over to where Adam waited with rags and boot wax.

“This is going to help, Little Joe, you see boots are made from hide – and they can get all dried out, so this is like saddle soap, you know?  You just put a little on there and rub it around with the cloth.  Now, do you think you’ve got it? Adam instructed.

Joe nodded and stuck his right hand into one of the boots and Pa had to fight off his laughter as the kids’ arm was swallowed up due to the size of the boot.  Then the boy diligently rubbed the wax over the boot and traded for the other one and did the same.  Finally, he took the shoe brush and swept it back and forth until each boot was shiny.

“Papa this good?” the boy asked as he presented the boots over to his pa for inspection.

Ben patted his son’s head and nodded.  “Wonderful job, Joseph!  You more than earned your “vance.” He grinned as he gave in to what the little boy had called the advance all day long.

“Papa, cans I have big scissors?” Little Joe asked hopefully.  He’d never used them before without supervision, but he couldn’t let others see what he was doing with his secret project.

Ben eyed the boy and could tell that he was serious.  “Joseph – we’ve talked about things that could hurt you – and maybe those might not be such a good thing to use right now especially without supervision.”

“I be careful I promise.  I gots to have for my secret.” Joe persisted his eyes seeking his father’s understanding.

“Son, I’m not even sure where they are.”

Little Joe looked down at the floor and responded quietly, “Mama’s sew box, Papa.”

And that was all that it had taken for Ben Cartwright to pull on his boots and stand up.  “I have to go and check on the firewood.  We’ll talk about this later, Joseph,” Pa announced.  He headed outside to be alone with his grief.

Hoss and Adam had witnessed the sadness spreading across their father’s face just as soon as the little boy had mentioned his mother.  They were all upset with it being the first Christmas without Marie, all that is, but apparently Joe.

“What wrong with Papa?” Little Joe asked turning to stare over at his brothers.

Adam neared the boy and put his hand on his shoulder.  “Nothing, Little Joe, Pa just wants to make sure we all stay warm tonight.”

“Adam?  You gots any scissors?  Please?”

“I have some but I’m not sure that Pa wants you to mess with sharp things as young as you are.  Is there something you want to cut?  I’ll do it for you, Kid.”

Joe frowned and shook his head.  “I gots to do this ‘cause it’s my secret.  Please, Adam, I promise – I promise I won’t gets cut or do nothing bad.”

Adam sighed and tried to figure out how he’d handle the dilemma.  He didn’t want Little Joe to pester their father right now because he could see how much he was hurting over his loss, especially now at Christmas.  But he didn’t want to be responsible if Joe were to get hurt.

“Do you have to do it tonight, Little Joe?  Can’t it wait?”

Joe shook his head, and his eyes began to tear up.  His voice quavered as he replied, “It’s gots to be tonight – I gots lots to do, Adam.  I promise – cross my heart I be careful.”

Adam stared over at Hoss and saw him shrug his shoulders noncommittally.  “Okay, Kid, but you’d better hold true to that promise!  You better not play around with them and point them down whenever you’re carrying them.  Understand?”

Joe bobbed his head up and down as he wiped his shirtsleeve over his eyes.  “I will, I promise.  Can you give ‘em to me now, I gots to do something?”

“Follow me up to my room.  Let’s go,” Adam gave in and walked with his little brother up to his bedroom.

**************

Ben stared up at the stars in the sky and tried to fight back his grief, but it had suddenly become overwhelming.  He could still see Little Joe and hear his innocent voice which had only mentioned Marie’s sewing box and yet the reminder had sent a stabbing pain into his father’s heart.  There were only two days left, Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Ben fought to control the depths of despair he felt and how he just wanted to forget all about celebrating this year.  But his boys, they were what mattered.  He had to try and pretend that all was well, though nothing could be furthest from the truth.

“Pa?” Hoss’ voice came up from behind where his father was standing near the front hitching post.

Ben turned for just a moment and pushed aside the few fallen tears.  He coughed to clear his throat before looking over at his middle boy.  For only around twelve Hoss was a giant and with a heart to match his stature.

“Yes, Boy?”

“Pa – well me and Adam know how hard this Christmas is for you.  I mean it’s hard on the two of us missing Ma and all – so we sure know that you’re hurting even more.  We just wish that we could help you.”

Ben put his arm across his son’s shoulder and attempted a reassuring smile cast his way.   “It’s okay, Son, I just have my moments.  I know that you two boys are trying to hold in your feelings for me – and for Joseph.  I’m sorry if I haven’t said it enough – how much I appreciate the both of you.”

Hoss patted his pa’s back and smiled, “Pa, you are always there for us.  We know.”

Ben drew in a deep breath and then stared up at Hoss and said, “I’m just so surprised about Little Joe.  For the last three months he’s been acting up and crying over his ma and now suddenly he appears to be just fine.  Has he said anything to you, Hoss?”

“No, Sir – maybe it’s because his mind is on this secret of his?  I expected him to be crying for Ma too – I just can’t figure it out, Pa.”

Ben patted Hoss’ back and turned him for the house.  “Let’s go in – it’s getting cold.  And – well thanks, Boy.”

Hoss nodded over to his father and walked inside with his arm slung over his shoulder.

Adam met both Hoss and his pa as they entered the house.  He handed his father a small shot of brandy as he made it over to his chair by the fireplace.

“Thank you, Son,” Ben nodded appreciatively over at his eldest.  “Hoss told me that the two of you are having a time of it – I’m sorry if I haven’t made myself more available to you both.”

“Pa – we understand, and we all miss Ma,” Adam returned and sat down on the settee.

“Where’s Little Joe?”

Adam frowned not knowing if his father would approve of what he had done.  “Pa, Little Joe needed the scissors to work on whatever he’s doing up in his room.  I loaned him mine, but I showed him how to use them and carry them.  I hope that was okay?  The kid was adamant that he needed them, and I didn’t want him to worry you.”

“Well, hopefully the boy won’t hurt himself.  I’m glad he’s got something to do so he won’t be mourning over his ma.  And the two of you — if you need to talk about it—well I’m here for you.”

Hoss and Adam nodded over at their father.  “We know, Pa – and we’ll all get through this year and maybe next year will be better,” Adam nodded.

***I hope so. *** Ben thought to himself.  The room just seemed so empty without Marie there smiling over at all of them.  Ben sipped his brandy and tried to pull from deep within himself so he could make it through until Christmas was finally over.

*************

“Joseph?” Ben called through the boy’s bedroom door.  He usually just walked inside but he knew that his son was working on something that was a surprise, and Pa didn’t want to spoil it for him.  “Can I come in now?”

“Just a second, Papa!” Little Joe exclaimed and hurried to gather the many pieces of the project he had been diligently working on.  He shoved all of it inside of his bureau and then sang out.  “Come in, Papa!”

Ben walked inside the room and once again put on a brave face for the little boy.  “Well now, you ready to get tucked in?” He smiled as he approached his son.

“I gots to say my prayers, Papa,” Joe returned and knelt there next to the bed.  He waited for his father to kneel next to him.  “Papa – you gots to close your eyes them’s the rules.”

Pa shook his head and grinned over at the five-year-old who evidently had praying down to a science.  Ben closed his eyes and listened for the child to begin.

“God bless Papa, God bless Adam, God bless Hoss, God bless Hop Sing, God bless my mama who is with you right now and let her know that I been good.  And God bless everybody, and God bless me.”

Ben had to brush aside a few tears and gather himself before opening his eyes.

“You gots to say amen, Papa – them’s the rules,” Joe whispered.

“Amen,” Ben said quietly and then lifted the little boy into his arms and placed him up on the bed.  He pulled the sheet and quilt down and settled his son underneath.  He pulled them up over the boy’s shoulders and tucked him in at all sides.  Brushing a hand across the boy’s head full of curls Pa sat next to him.  “Are you excited that Santa is coming tomorrow night, Joseph?”

“Well – a little bit.”

“Just a little bit?” Ben asked raising his eyebrows.  Joe never held back when it came to his wants and in past years he had a long list for Saint Nicholas.

“I’m cited about my secret most of all, Papa!”

“Oh – I see.  Now just when will we know about your secret, Son?  Christmas morning?” Ben smiled down at the little boy.

“No, Papa – tomorrow night – it’s portant,” Joe stated insistently.

“Oh, it is, is it?  Well then tomorrow night I’ll sure be looking forward to seeing what you’ve been so excited about.”

“Papa?  It ain’t nothing store bought is that okay?  I boughts it with my monies from the store but I’m making it all by myself.”

“Then it will be even better,” Pa grinned leaning forward as he kissed the little boy’s cheek.  “Now you get some sleep.”

Little Joe pulled himself up in the bed and hugged his father’s neck and whispered, “Tomorrow night you will be surprised, Papa – surprised and happy.”

“I’m sure I will.  Now close those eyes, Young Man, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I love you, Papa,” Little Joe whispered as his father stood from the bed.

Ben ruffled the boy’s curly hair.  “I love you more,” Pa returned and nodded over to his son.  “Goodnight, Joseph.  Pleasant dreams.”

Little Joe snuggled down deep into the quilt and smiled to himself thinking about the big surprise he had for his family.  He imagined how their faces would look when he unveiled his present.  With that his final thought, the little boy fell off to sleep.

**************

***Well, I made it to Christmas Eve *** Ben thought to himself as he sat at the dining table and sipped his coffee.  *** Only one more day after this and then we can forget all about Christmas. ***

Adam came in from the porch and headed over to greet his pa.  “Hey, Hoss and I already ate, Pa.  We’re heading out right now to meet up with Fletcher and go get the tree!”

Ben smiled over at his eldest and nodded.  “You two got up awfully early, didn’t you?”

“Yes, Sir, we figured we had to haul it back here so we can get it all decorated for tonight.  We shouldn’t be long – see you, Pa!”

“You boys be careful!” Ben called as Adam hurried back out of the front door.  *** Sometimes that boy is in just as much of a hurry as Little Joe! *** Ben mused.  He looked over at the staircase where he spied his youngest.  Little Joe made it down to the first landing and shot a quick glance across the room to see if his father was paying any attention to him.

Ben grinned over at his son and waited to see if the boy was going to attempt to launch himself down the banister again.  He could tell that Joseph was mulling over whether he should make the move or not.

“Just for Christmas, Papa?” Joe called over to the dining room.

Sighing to himself, Ben frowned and shook his head.  He just couldn’t say no.  “Alright— just for Christmas, Joseph.  Go ahead but be careful!”

Joe smiled gleefully and climbed up onto the banister and sailed down into the living room.  Ben shook his head and tried to hide his amusement once again.

“Thanks, Papa!” the little boy called to his pa as he headed over his way.  “Morning,” he said and climbed up onto the pillow there on his chair.

“Good morning, Young Man,” He replied and patted the boy’s arm.  “Did you sleep well?”

“Yep!  It’s day before Christmas now, Papa!”

“Yes, Joseph, it’s Christmas Eve.  Now what are you going to do after you get those chores done?”

“I gots to finish my secret – then tonight I gets to show you and Adam and Hoss and Hop Sing.”

“You sure do have a busy day ahead of you.  Now you eat a big breakfast and then head on out and help Hop Sing.”

“Whatcha gonna do today, Papa?”

“Oh, I have some chores of my own to tend to.  Then your brothers are going to bring that tree for you all to decorate.”

Joe stared over at his pa and replied, “Papa, you gots to help hang things too – them’s the rules!”

Ben laughed and ruffled his son’s hair.  “Oh?  There are rules for Christmas Eve like there are for praying?”

“Yep!” Joe grinned.  “Mama’s and Papa’s gots to help hang things.”

Ben looked down at the table and fought his sadness due to what Joe had said.

Little Joe hopped down from his chair and moved over to his pa.
“Up up!” He called and watched as his father turned briefly in his chair and wiped at his eyes with his napkin before turning back.

Ben held out his arms and Little Joe launched himself into Pa’s lap.  He gave his father a hug and whispered in his ear, “Papa, you ain’t supposed to be sad on Christmas – them’s the rules.”

Ben shook his head as he stared into the little boy’s eyes and for just a moment, he saw Marie’s eyes looking back at him.  He pulled Joe into his arms and just held onto him fighting with all he had left inside to hide his grief and his tears.

Finally coughing into his fist to clear his throat and release his pent-up emotions he pulled the little boy back and said, “Joseph, you certainly know a lot about rules for a little boy who rarely follows those that his father tells him.”

Little Joe laughed and replied, “Those rules ain’t the same kinds, Papa.  Christmas rules are portant.”

The boy had done what he had intended to do as his father was finally smiling over at him and no longer looked sad.

“I see – I’ll have to remember that,” Ben nodded.  “Now you best eat so you can get to the chores and your secret.”

“Papa?”

“Yes, Son?”

Little Joe gave his father one more hug and whispered in his ear.  “Don’t be sad, Papa – my secret will make you happy again,” Joe assured his pa.

Ben watched as his son climbed down from his lap and retook his seat.  He wished with all of his heart that the little boy could make the sadness go away, but Ben knew that wasn’t something that was in his power.  But he would try his best to pretend to be happy once Joseph finally showed him what his little secret was.  Ben wouldn’t ruin it for the boy and would play along as best he could.  *** Joseph, you don’t need Ben Cartwright as a father – no, you need a real actor like Edwin Booth!  This is going to be hard – but lately everything is. *** He thought to himself.

**************

Later that afternoon Hop Sing stood in the kitchen and worked diligently on the many pies and cookies he was making for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  He felt like the rest of the Cartwrights and had missed the presence of Marie Cartwright.  She would stand alongside of him and help him prepare all the meals and the woman loved the holidays so much that she’d work from sunup to get everything just perfect for her family.  He had loved the woman and she had loved him right back.  She had even learned to speak some Chinese over the six years that she had known Hop Sing.  Sometimes he thought that he could still feel her there in the kitchen and hear her humming just a few inches from where he stood at the stove.  He knew that he’d have to put on a brave face in order to help his surrogate family through the first Christmas without the beautiful woman that they all had loved so much.

“Hop Sing?” Little Joe called as he stepped closer to where the cook was rolling out some cookie dough.

“Not ready yet Little Joe – you come back in little while – then Hop Sing give you first cookie.”

“Nope – need help,” Joe announced and moved closer to the man.

“What you need?  Hop Sing vely busy Little Joe.”

“I gots the thread and I gots the needle but I cants figure it out,” Little Joe replied as he held both items in his hands.

“Where you get?”

“Mama’s sew box.  Don’t tell Papa, it makes him sad,” Joe insisted.

“You need something sewed, Little Joe?  Hop Sing do.”

“Nope – I gots to do it’s my secret.  Canst you put them together for me?”

Hop Sing finally looked at the boy carefully and noticed how urgent his request seemed.  He figured that it must have something to do with Joe’s secret that he had been working on all day.  The cook wiped his hands off on his apron and grabbed up the thread and the needle. Hop Sing smiled when he realized that Little Joe’s length of thread was much too long.  “Where Mama sew box?”

“I gots it hid – Papa’s sad about it – don’t tell him.”

“Bring to Hop Sing, maybe you need two needles for this.”

Joe ran out of the kitchen and was soon back with his mother’s sewing box.  Hop Sing searched for the needles and drew out an extra one.  He broke the thread into two pieces and threaded both needles.

“Now you not stick self, Little Joe,” Hop Sing cautioned.  “Better let Hop Sing keep sew box for now.”

“Did ya knot it like you’re posed to?” Joe asked.

Hop Sing smiled and nodded over at the boy.  “All ready – now take slow – or you have troubles.”

“I cans do it myself,” Joe nodded.  “Thank you, Hop Sing,” he said and began to run out of the kitchen.

Hop Sing caught the little boy’s arm and pulled him back.  “Needle sharp!  No run!  Never run with needle.  You bring back when Little Joe done.”

Joe nodded once more and then turned out of the kitchen going slower than usual.

*************

“It’s a nice one, Boys,” Pa called over to Adam and Hoss as they set up the ten-foot-tall fir tree next to the staircase.

Adam and Hoss stood back and looked up at the tree.

“It was a bear to load, Pa – but it is the nicest one on the ranch,” Hoss agreed.

“You want to wait until after supper to decorate it, Pa?” Adam asked.

“Might as well – it will take most of the evening to do but Hop Sing is making an early dinner so why don’t you boys go wash up.  Oh, and tell Joseph to wash his hands and get ready to come down.”

“Has he been working on his secret, Pa?”

“Yes, Hoss – all day long.  I couldn’t even talk him into coming down for lunch.”

Adam sighed as he stared over at his brother.  He could read a touch of sadness on his face along with that of his father’s.  “I know it’s going to be a tough night – and tomorrow too for all three of us.  But we’ll somehow get through it.”

“Hop Sing looked a bit misty eyed when I walked into the kitchen earlier too, Adam.  So, I guess that makes four of us who will have to pretend to be jolly tonight.  Only Little Joe is in the spirit this year – so we’ll all just have to get through it for that boy’s sake.”

“I wonder what he’s working on as his present?” Hoss asked.

“I’ve no earthly idea, but no matter how rough it looks – we all need to pretend it’s nice, so we don’t hurt the kid,” Ben returned.

“We will, Pa,” Adam agreed and then he walked up the stairs with Hoss to get washed up and to tell Little Joe to do the same.

Ben stood and stared up at the Christmas tree and closed his eyes.  He could still remember Marie standing there next to the tree a year ago and how she laughed as she helped Joseph tie the ornaments onto the low hanging branches while Hoss and Adam hung the ones on the higher boughs.  He wished he could have captured that moment and held onto it for all eternity.  Ben prayed it would remain vivid in his mind forever.  Sighing to himself and fighting back tears he walked away.

*************

Ben brought out the four boxes of decorations and set them on the hearth.  He watched as his three sons gathered around.

“Okay, Boys, get to it!”

“You too, Papa!” Joe reminded his father.

“I’ll watch the three of you for a bit, Joseph, and then I’ll help too,” Ben replied and sat down in the red leather chair.

“Here you go, Short Shanks,” Hoss called down to Little Joe and handed the boy an ornament to hang.  “That one’s got a string, so you just put it over one of those lower branches, okay?”

Joe frowned as he looked up at his brother and said, “Hoss, I ain’t no short shank, and I know how to hang.”

“Sure you do,” Hoss laughed and began to hang the family ornaments alongside of Adam.

Ben watched his boys as they busied themselves getting the tree trimmed.  The pain was back in his heart as he thought how much Marie would have enjoyed seeing all three boys decorating the Christmas Tree.  Hop Sing came in with a punch bowl full of cider and cups for the four members of his family.

“Won’t you stay and have some, Hop Sing?” Ben asked and noticed that the man had a bit of redness around his eyes.  He knew that Hop Sing was also missing Marie.

“Will in little while – must watch pies – I be back,” He replied and turned back for the kitchen.

Adam pulled an ornament out of the box on the hearth and his face suddenly filled with sorrow.  Ben stood and looked over at his eldest.  He noticed what Adam was holding.  It had been an ornament that he had made with Marie years ago when she had first come to the Ponderosa.  Ben knew what the boy was thinking, and he drew in a deep breath and reached over and touched Adam’s arm sympathetically.

“I know, Son,” Ben whispered to Adam.

“It’s hard, Pa,” Adam replied and drew in a deep breath.  “I think I’ll go see Hop Sing for a minute.”

Ben watched his eldest beat a hasty exit to the kitchen to gain his composure.  He then watched as Hoss had the same kind of memory come to him.  His middle boy held in his hand a hand painted ornament.  It had Hoss’s name on it and his birthdate.  Marie had made it for the boy’s tenth birthday.

“You want me to hang it?” Ben whispered as he approached his boy.

Hoss peered over to see what Little Joe was doing and fortunately the kid was down on the floor trying to find an ornament that had rolled underneath the tree.  He swept his shirtsleeve across his eyes and then replied, “Yeah, Pa – will you hang it up?  I think I’ll go in the kitchen for a minute.”

“Sure, Son,” Ben whispered and watched as another one of his boys left the room.

“Hey!” Joe called up at his pa.  “Where’d everybodies go?”

“Oh, they’ll be right back they just went into the kitchen, Joseph.”

Joe stared up at his father and watched him hanging Hoss’ ornament.  “Hey, that’s the one my Mama made for Hoss, Papa.  Hoss needs to hang it.”

“It’s okay, he wanted me to do it this year,” Ben replied.

Little Joe watched as his brothers came back into the room.  He studied their faces and could tell that they were both sad.  Then as he watched his father retake his seat, he could see that he was sad too.  Little Joe hoped that the tree would get decorated fast so he could bring down his secret and hopefully make everyone happy again.

“Let’s get this done,” Adam called over to his brothers and grabbed an ornament and went right to work alongside of Hoss.

****************

The tree trimming took almost two hours with all three boys working and Pa hanging a few ornaments at Little Joe’s insistence too.  The four Cartwrights looked up at it as Hop Sing walked into the room carrying a tray of cookies.

“Vely nice tree,” Hop Sing said and fought to smile.

Little Joe watched the faces of his family carefully. Not one had a smile on it and even Hop Sing’s forced grin had faded.

“It’s time for my secret!” The boy called out exuberantly.

Ben and his older boys turned in time to watch the little boy dash up the stairs.

“Boys – no matter what Joseph has made let’s all pretend that it’s very nice,” Ben paused and looked over at Hop Sing.  “You too, Old Friend.”

“Hop Sing tell Little Joe secret nice, Mister Ben,” The cook agreed nodding his head.

A few minutes later the joyful little boy made his presence known from the top of the stairs.

“Merry Christmas!” Little Joe called down to his family.

“Merry Christmas – well Christmas Eve that is, Joseph,” Ben nodded up at the boy.

Making his way down the stairs carrying a shoe box, Joe couldn’t wait to see everyone’s face once they saw what he had for them.  He took his position in front of the settee where Hoss and Adam were seated.

“I gots a present for all of you,” Little Joe announced.  “It’s only one but you all gots to share it, okay?”

“Whatever you have we’ll share, Little Brother,” Hoss smiled over at the boy.

“You going to show us or just hold onto that box, Kid?” Adam grinned at his baby brother.

“Papa– you gots to sit here next to Adam and Hoss,” Joe insisted and grabbed his father’s hand pulling him out of his chair.

Ben sighed and decided he’d play along with whatever his little boy suggested.  “Okay Hoss – you and Adam make room for your old man – I’ll sit there in the middle,” He called to his sons and they each moved to one side.

Little Joe waited until his family were seated and then looked over at Hop Sing.  “Since you canst fit on there, Hop Sing, can you just stand behind them so’s you can see this?”

Hop Sing moved close to the rest of the family and stood directly behind Ben.

“Here,” Joe said and handed his Pa the shoebox,

Ben stared down at his little boy’s hand, it was so tiny compared to his own, but he knew it wouldn’t stay that way too many more years.

“You want me to open it, Joseph?”

“Yep, Papa – you open it – but it’s for alls of you.”

Ben lifted the lid and placed it down onto the coffee table.  He stared down at Little Joe’s present.  Joe anxiously awaited his family’s praise.  They didn’t say anything right away.

Ben reached into the box and pulled out the figure that had been inside.  It was decked with lace and with ribbon and buttons and all types of frills including gold foil.

“Is it a doll?” Hoss asked staring over at it.

Little Joe’s chin began to quiver, and tears filled his eyes.  He couldn’t believe no-one knew what he had created.   Ben noticed his little boy’s face and he tried to figure out what to say.

“Of course it’s not a doll,” Ben began.

Joe’s eyes lit up when his Pa made his announcement.  He figured that his father surely knew what it was.

“It’s –well – it’s very nice, Joseph,” Ben commented, still bewildered over what exactly he was holding in his hands.  “And you sure put a whole lot of work into it.  Look it even has real hair,” Ben noticed the light brown curls that were somehow either sewed or pasted on top of the figurines head.  He could tell that the hair had to be from his youngest son’s head.  Pa glanced over at Joe.

“It’s from here, Papa,” Little Joe announced proudly and turned around to reveal a big chunk of hair was missing from the back of his head.

***Now I know why the kid wanted the scissors *** Ben mused to himself as he looked at Joe again.

“Yeah, Little Joe, that sure was a lot of work!” Adam nodded and fought to figure out what his little brother had made.

Hop Sing looked over the settee to where Ben was still holding Joe’s gift.  “Little Joe do good job sewing!”

Joe stared into everyone’s faces and his eyes teared up.  “You don’t know?  You don’t know what it is?” He asked, his voice trembling.

Ben wished he could figure out what the present was supposed to be as he could see how upset Little Joe was getting and that was the last thing anyone needed that night.  The four of them were just barely hanging in there due to the loss of Marie, they didn’t need to see her boy crying there in front of them.

“Just tell us, Joseph,” Ben whispered as he pulled the boy over to him.  “It’s okay, Son.”

Joe wiped at his eyes and then looked up at Pa.  “You – you told me that Mama is an angel now— this is Mama – and it’s for the top of the tree – so Mama can watch us on Christmas, so we’ll all be happy.  I made it to make you all happy, Papa.”

Ben stood and hurriedly walked out of the house.  Little Joe couldn’t figure out why his father had just left.  He had tried so hard to make him happy along with the rest of his family.

“I – I didn’t make nobodys happy,” Little Joe cried and fell to his knees dropping his head down on the coffee table.

Adam and Hoss gathered around their little brother and hugged him.

“You’re wrong, Little Brother,” Hoss said and put an arm around him.  “You made ALL of us happy!”

“That’s right, Kid— you did make all of us happy,” Adam nodded and wrapped his arm around Joe’s other side so that he was sandwiched between both him and Hoss.

“Then why Papa walk away?” Little Joe asked sadly.

“Papa feel heart too full with happy,” Hop Sing joined in and leaned over the coffee table and patted the boy’s head.  “You make Papa so happy with secret gift his heart not be able to hold so much.  He come in soon, Little Joe.  Hop Sing think you wonderful work, vely nice.”

Ben stood out in the yard and looked up at the stars as tears rolled down his cheeks.  He prayed for the strength to go back in to be with his family.  He could almost feel Marie’s touch and hear what she would have said.

*** Ben, our boy needs you — all our boys need you.  I love you, be happy, Darling. ***

Drawing in a deep breath and wiping the tears off his face, Ben Cartwright headed back inside the house.  Opening the door, he saw his three boys sitting on the floor together with the two eldest holding their little brother and Hop Sing hovering over all of them.  It was then that he stopped dwelling on his loss and instead focused on how blessed he was to have the family that was there in front of him showing their love for each other.

“Hey!” Ben called across the room loudly.  “What are you all doing?  We’ve got an angel to put up on our tree!”

Little Joe bolted off the floor hearing his father’s voice.  Adam and Hoss stood and smiled over at their pa.

“Now,” Ben began again and paused.  “I wonder who should hang it up?” He asked as he drew closer to his boys.  He winked over at both Adam and Hoss.  “Of course, Adam is the oldest – so there’s that to consider—,” He paused and watched the anticipation on Little Joe’s face.  “And then there’s Hoss — he’s the tallest of you boys – so I’ve got to consider that.”

Little Joe looked at Hoss and figured that he would be the one to hang the angel.

“And then there’s Hop Sing — well he’s in charge of this house,” Ben nodded over to the cook who smiled broadly knowing very well what his boss was planning by the gleam that was in the man’s eyes.

“Of course, I’m the oldest of everyone in this room – so perhaps I should be the one who hangs the angel.  What do you all think?” He asked and stared over at his two eldest and Hop Sing.

“There’s only one person here in this room who understands what Christmas is all about,” Adam said to his father.

“Yeah, Adam’s right, Pa.  Nobody else here could give us a gift like that – a gift of being happy.”

Ben looked down at Little Joe who was now smiling at his brothers.

“What do you think, Joseph?  Do you think you can put that angel up on top of the tree so that your Ma will see all of us being happy for Christmas?”

Little Joe looked at the ten-foot-tall tree and then back over to his pa.  “I don’t think I’m tall enough, Papa.”

“Oh, I think you are,” Pa smiled and lifted the boy up into his arms as Hoss and Adam handed Little Joe the angel.  “You put it up on the very top of the tree and make sure that she can look right down at us, Joseph,” Ben grinned as he held his youngest up over his head so that the little boy’s hands could reach the very highest branch.

Little Joe stretched as far as he could and was just barely able to reach the top bough.  He settled the angel so that her eyes were pointed down towards the living room.

“Adam – Hoss – Hop Sing – is she straight?” Little Joe asked.

“She’s just perfect,” Hoss called up to the boy.

“She’s looking right down at us now, Little Joe,” Adam nodded.

“Your angel see over to Hop Sing too, Little Joe, vely good!” Hop Sing called to the little boy.

Ben pulled Little Joe down into his arms and hugged him tightly.  He stared over at his older boys and Hop Sing and there were big smiles on their faces.  Ben kissed Joe’s forehead and whispered, “Thank you, Joseph, for bringing joy back into this house.  Good job, Son.”

Little Joe wrapped his arms around his father’s neck and whispered, “Merry Christmas, Papa, now you be happy, okay?”

“Okay, Son, I will,” He agreed and walked over to join his other sons and Hop Sing.  All five of them stared up at the angel and it looked as though she stared right back at them.  It was the first time that everyone had truly felt joy for months and finally it felt like Christmas again.

***************

“I can’t believe I forgot about that, Pa,” Joe said as he wiped away a few tears and handed the angel back over to his father.

“Well, you were only five,” Ben nodded to the boy and stared down at the angel again.

Noticing how quiet his father had gotten Joe decided to break the silence, “Hey, Pa – I sure was cute back then, huh?”

Grinning over at the boy Ben replied, “Yes, you were.”

“I still am, huh?”

“Okay, yes you are, but don’t let it go to your head, Joseph.”

Joe watched as his father grew quiet again and seemed lost in his remembrance of that very sad Christmas he had gone through years ago.  Remembering how the angel had brought joy back to Pa, he patted his father’s arm and said, “You know — she’s not in that bad a shape.  I betcha I could fix her up to look brand new.  But let’s not tell Adam or Hoss.  Let me see what I can do.”

Ben watched as Joe gently lifted the angel and took her and the old box and headed up the stairs.  He smiled watching his son staring so pensively at the angel as he made it up to his room.  *** If anyone can bring that angel back it’s you, Joseph. *** he thought to himself.

**************

Adam and Hoss finished putting on the last few ornaments and stood back.

“That was a chore!” Hoss called over to his father as he looked over at him seated in his red leather chair.  “I wish Little Joe’s cold wasn’t bothering him so much, so he could’ve helped, Pa.”

Ben grinned over at his two boys and replied, “Now you two aren’t losing your fondness for Christmas, are you?”

“I didn’t say that Pa – it’s just that Short Shanks usually handles all these low boughs, and we handle the top ones,” Hoss replied and reached for one of the Christmas cookies that Hop Sing had placed down on the coffee table.

“Isn’t Joe coming down at all?” Adam asked as he sank down onto the cushions on the sofa.”

“Why? Do you miss him?” Ben laughed.

“Now I didn’t say that,” Adam mused and reached for a cookie.

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll at least come down to have a look at the tree.”

Hop Sing came in from the kitchen and looked over at the three Cartwrights.  “Not seem like Christmas without Little Joe in kitchen stealing cookies,” He protested.

“Somebody call for me?” Joe sang out from the top of the stairs.

Ben looked up at his youngest and smiled.  “Joseph, apparently everyone misses you — you’d better come down.”

Joe made it to the first landing and pretended that he was going to climb up onto the banister.

“Don’t even think about it, Joseph!” Ben called across the room.  “You’re not quite as agile as you used to be – you’d probably break something.”

“Oh, Papa!” Joe laughed and walked down the stairs.

“Papa?” Hoss asked as he stared over at his little brother.  “What’s up?”

Ben grinned, “Never mind.”  He watched as his youngest came closer.

“Hey, you got the tree decorated.  It looks great!” Joe exclaimed and looked over at his two brothers sitting on the settee.

“Yes, and without your help, I might add,” Adam nodded Joe’s way.

“Well, it’s not quite done yet,” Joe replied and turned to face his father.  “Now if you’ll move over onto the settee, Pa — I think we can fix the problem with that tree.”

“You do realize that your two brothers are much bigger than they were twelve years ago don’t you, Joseph?  I don’t know if the three of us can all fit on the sofa anymore.”

“Sure, you can, Pa.  Just everybody kind of squeeze together,” Joe coaxed.

Ben shook his head but then did as he was instructed and moved to sit in between Hoss and Adam.  “It’s a tight squeeze – maybe we’ve all had too many cookies!” He laughed.

“Hop Sing, go and stand behind Pa,” Joe urged the cook.

“Sofa table in way,” Hop Sing insisted.

Joe studied the situation and walked behind the settee.  He shoved the sofa table out of the way and said, “I forgot we didn’t’ have this darn thing way back then.”

“What you do?  Hop Sing like table!” He protested.

Joe patted the man’s arm and replied, “Just for a minute you’ve got to be here for this.”

“What exactly is going on?” Adam turned towards his father and asked.  “I thought the kid was supposed to be sick and now he’s rearranging furniture. Is he delirious?”

“Just humor him, Adam, it’s the only way he’ll stop,” Hoss laughed.

“Okay, okay!  I’m ready,” Joe announced and moved to stand in front of his father.

“You’re stepping on my feet,” Adam complained.

“Hey, I was only five,” Joe quipped.  “My feet have grown.”

“What is he talking about, Pa?” Hoss asked, about ready to get off the settee and move to the blue winged back chair.

“Here, Pa – it’s a present for you – and for Adam – and for Hoss – and for Hop Sing but you all have to share!” Joe insisted as he handed the box to his father.

Ben studied the hand that held onto one end of the box and smiled.  ***I knew that hand wouldn’t stay small for very long *** He thought staring at Little Joe’s left hand.

Opening the box Ben smiled broadly and then lifted the angel up so his two older boys could see it along with Hop Sing.

“It’s Ma’s angel!” Hoss exclaimed joyously.  He hadn’t seen it for years and had missed its presence on the Christmas tree.

“Where did you find her, Joe?  I looked all over the place years ago and never found her,” Adam said as he grinned over at the angel.

“Oh, she just flew down to make sure that we were all happy this Christmas, right, Pa?”

Ben winked and nodded, “Right, Joseph.”

“Vely nice – Mama’s angel good shape,” Hop Sing smiled and nodded towards Joe.

“Okay, who’s gonna hang her this year, Pa?” Hoss asked.

Ben grinned over at his youngest and replied, “Joseph, I would help you out but you’re a bit too big for me to lift up — especially over my head!”

“Heck, Pa — I don’t need you to lift me anymore,” Joe laughed.  “I might be Short Shanks as Hoss says – but I know how to take care of that.  If it’s okay?” Joe looked over at his brothers.

“Sure, Kid,” Adam nodded.

“Go ahead, Little Brother,” Hoss agreed.  “I can’t wait to see you trying to climb up that tree!” He laughed.

“Oh, I don’t have to climb, Hoss,” Joe smiled and waited for his father to hand him the angel.

Ben took a good long look at the angel first and noticed that her hair looked a lot better than it had when she had come out of the box the previous day.  “Joseph?  Did you get a haircut?”

Joe’s laughter filled the room as he reached for the angel and then pointed to the back of his head.  I didn’t have to take off much.”

“There’s a chunk missing, Little Brother,” Hoss called across to Joe.

“I hope you put my scissors back, Kid.  Never could trust you with those!  You got a good patch missing there,” Adam teased.

“Well, I told him a week ago to get a haircut, but this isn’t exactly what I meant,” Ben laughed.  “Go and put her on the tree, Joseph.”

Joe walked across the living room and back over to the staircase.  He got up high enough that he could reach over the banister and touch the top of the tree.

“Well, that’s using your head for a change, Kid,” Adam sang out.

“Let me know if she’s looking right at all of you,” Joe asked still leaning over the banister.

“You be careful there, Young Man, we don’t need to send for Doc on Christmas Eve!” Pa called up to Joe.

“I got this, Pa!”

“Okay, move her just a little bit towards the fireplace, Joe,” Hoss motioned with his hand.

“That enough?” Joe asked after tilting the angel a bit.

“That’s perfect,” Ben insisted.  “Now get down from there before you end up hanging on that tree too!”

Joe walked down the stairs and over to the four men who were standing and staring up at the angel and all smiling broadly.

“Merry Christmas, now everyone can be happy,” Joe called over to his family.

“Good job, Little Brother, Ma’s angel looks even better than she did years ago,” Hoss said getting a bit choked up by the sight.

“Yeah, Joe, good job,” Adam nodded over to his brother.

“Vely nice, Little Joe,” Hop Sing grinned over at the boy.

“What do you think, Pa?” Joe asked as he drew closer to his father.

Ben wrapped his arm around his youngest and hugged him close.  “Well done, Joseph.  It feels like Christmas now.”

“Merry Christmas, Pa,” Joe whispered as he grinned up at his father.  “Now you can be happy again.”

“Merry Christmas, Joseph,” Ben nodded to his son and then called to his other boys and Hop Sing.  “Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas,” Hop Sing called over to them all.

“Merry Christmas!” Hoss and Adam sang out.

On the top of the Christmas tree an angel looked down and smiled at everyone in the room.

*** So have yourself a merry little Christmas now. ***

The End

Written by Wrangler 12-5-2025.

(Dedicated to the story consultant for a year’s worth of consulting, well done, Rob. With this being the last story, I will post in 2025 I’d like to thank all of the readers out there who have taken the time to read my stories, I wish you joy that stays with you all year long.)