A glimpse of Adam Cartwright redux, back on the Ponderosa after a surprise reunion in Stockton and with a family of his own.  (Third in a series, links to other stories provided)

Rating T  Word Count 1285

More Than a Memory series:

More Than a Memory 
Convergence 
These are the Days
Bitter, Sweet, Wonderful Everything
The Homecoming — Requiem

 

This is the time to remember…these are the days to hold onto. –Billy Joel

 

1869

The lively banter at the Cartwright breakfast table was music to Ben’s ears. Even though Adam had been back home for nearly a year, the sight of his three sons together again never got old. With a family of his own, Adam was a new man. The restlessness that drove him to wander had been tamed by a lovely wife and two beautiful children. Adaline and John Adam were the stars in Grandpa Ben’s crown.

“Coffee, Ben?” His daughter-in-law Moira already knew the answer, and he smiled at her as she drained the last of the pot into his cup. “There is more in the kitchen. I’ll have it out in a minute.”

“Mama, can I have another pancake?” Five year old Adaline asked.

“May I. And yes, you may, after you’ve finished your milk. Adam, please make sure she does.”

“Moira, aren’t you going to sit down?”

“In a minute.”

She went back to the kitchen. It was a rare day that Hop Sing wasn’t there to take charge, and she was feeling a bit overwhelmed. As much as she loved her new family, she was looking forward to having her own home, but that luxury was still weeks if not months away. Adam wanted a big house for a big family. And what Adam wanted, he usually got.

A wave of nausea hit her, for the second time that morning, though not as bad as the first. She splashed some water on her face and leaned against the sink until it passed.

“Are you all right, dear?”

She hadn’t heard Ben come in. “I’m fine. The coffee is ready if you’d like to take it with you. I’ll be out in a minute.”

He assented, though he looked doubtful.

The third wave sent her scurrying to the back porch, While she didn’t throw up, it confirmed what she had tried to dismiss for the past couple of days. She returned to the kitchen for a glass of water, and Adam was there looking for her.

“Sweetheart, are you all right? Pa said I should check on you.”

“I’m fine, just having a moment.” She sipped the water, in case it didn’t sit well on the tea and toast she’d had earlier.

“Are you sure? You look pale.”

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing I haven’t been through before.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Do you mean…?”

She pursed her lips and gave a slight nod.  It was one time. Two months ago.

He chuckled. “My birthday. I make it January.”

“That’s right.” John Adam wouldn’t even be a year old then.

“At least the house will be finished. Well, well, whaddya know…” he grinned.

“Don’t say anything to anyone yet.” She rolled her eyes at him “And for goodness sake, don’t look so smug.”

“I just can’t help thinking how compatible we are. Looks like we’re three for three.”

“Well, after this one comes, you may have to sleep in the barn.”

He threw back his head and laughed, “I love a woman with a sense of humor.”

“What’s so funny?” Joe called from the dining room.

“Moira made a joke!”

“Hush.” She elbowed him. “We’ll be right out,” she called.

“Look on the bright side. At least we don’t have to worry about it for the next few months.”

“Is that all you ever think about?”

“I don’t think about it. I just enjoy it. You’ve spoiled me in that department.”

“So I guess it’s my fault.”

“Yes, it’s your fault for being irresistible. I can’t seem to keep my hands off of you.”

“Don’t Adam. Don’t you dare!” She shrieked as his fingers found her ribs. “Stop!”

“Hey, what’s going on in there?” Joe hollered.

“We’re having a baby!” Adam laughed, locking her in his embrace.

“No foolin’?” exclaimed Hoss.

“Not again!” Adaline sounded indignant.

“Adam Cartwright, what did I just say! You are the most impossible man.” She tried not to smile.

He pulled her closer. “I’m just a man who loves a woman,” he whispered in her ear, “I’ll be happy to show you later.”

 

1870  (Seven months later)

The new baby, yet to be named, was born in the new house, meticulously designed by his father to be built in phases. It was a beautiful house, and he was a beautiful baby whose entrance into the world was fraught with drama and trepidation. When the family at last breathed a collective sigh of relief, they gathered to meet the newest member of the Cartwright clan.

An anomaly. A curiosity.

A redhead.

As far as anyone knew, there had never been a red headed Cartwright, at least not to Ben’s recollection. “It’s a mystery,” he said, shaking his head..

Joe scrunched his brows together, thinking, “Do we even know any redheads?

Hoss shrugged. “You got me. I can’t think of one.”

“I know one,” said Adaline.

“Who?” asked Adam.

“Mr. Galooey.”

“Mr. Galooey?”

“You know, the man with the wagon.”

“You mean old Tom Gilhooley, the peddler?” asked Ben.

“Yes.”

Joe and Hoss snickered. Old Tom was not quite as old as their pa, a little over five feet, and indeed, a redhead.

Adam considered the information. “I do seem to recall him being here around the time of my birthday. Would you care to weigh in, Moira?”

“Well, I might as well confess. I did barter with him for that gold watch chain you’re so fond of. The man drives a hard bargain, but it was worth it for you, dear.”

The men burst out laughing, and the more they pictured old Tom the harder it was to stop.

“What’s so funny?” Adaline wanted to know.

Ben wiped his eyes, still laughing. “Your mother.”

“I don’t understand grownups.”

“Just for the record, my grandmother Murphy was a redhead,” said Moira.

Baby Cartwright began to make his presence known in a most insistent manner, prompting the visitors to leave him to his parents.

“There now,” Moira soothed him as he began to nurse. Adam settled next to them on the bed, no longer laughing.

“You had me really worried today. This wasn’t like the last time.”

“No, it wasn’t. But all’s well that ends well.”

“I’m going to make sure you have all the help you need, whatever it is. I mean it.”

“Thank you.” She smiled.

He reached over and stroked the baby’s head. “I guess we need to come up with a name for this one. We can’t just call him Red.”

“His mother wouldn’t like that, I assure you. Have you changed your mind about naming him after your father?”

“No, I haven’t changed my mind, just the order, How about James Benjamin? It’s a good name, don’t you think?” Her first husband was James, and by all accounts a good man.

“I think it’s a fine name.” She leaned in to kiss him, and he knew from the look on her face that he had made the right decision. “You know, Adam, every once in a while you do something wonderful to remind me why I love you so much.”

“And the rest of the time?”

“Like every other wife, I just have to remind myself.”

He laughed. “Cheeky woman. I love you, too.”

“I have an idea,” she said, looking at the baby. “Why don’t we call him Jamie?”

“Jamie Cartwright. I like the sound of that.”

“So do I.”

“I’ll go spread the news and let you get some rest.You’ve earned it.” He kissed her again. “My birthday’s not for three months anyway,” He winked as he went out the door.

“It doesn’t matter, because you’re getting socks this year, do you hear me? SOCKS.”

 

END