Summary:  Joe and Alice think about their relationship on the eve of their wedding.

Rated: K+ (990 words)

Forever Series:

Forever
I would do Anything for Love
The Love of my Life

The Love of My Life

Joseph Cartwright sat awake in bed at nearly 3 o’clock in the morning.  No matter what he tried; sleep was impossible! The 28 year-old finally decided to go downstairs and try to find something to eat. As he got out of bed; he couldn’t help but feel nervous. Rightly so; he was going to be married in 8 more hours. These were the last few hours that the youngest Cartwright would be a bachelor. He walked down the stairs and into the living room as quietly as he could. Finally; he made it into the kitchen. To his surprise; after he looked around; he didn’t feel hungry anymore.  He walked into the living room and decided to sit down and read a book. As he skimmed through the shelf; he found a book that Adam used to read to him when he was little and couldn’t sleep. It was called “Life as a Medieval Knight.”  He sat down; but instead of reading the book; his mind began to wander. His thoughts trailed off to his Father; who was asleep upstairs. Then he thought of his brothers. Adam, now living in Boston, and Hoss, who had died nearly a year ago, then his thoughts centered on his fiancée, Alice Harper.  All he could think of was how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. He was so grateful that she was about to enter his life.  He wondered how he would feel when the wedding ceremony would commence. Would he be excited or nervous? How would he feel when he brought her to their new home? Did he even truly love her?

“No! No, Joe! Don’t think like that! Of course you love her! Yes; you’ve asked other women to marry you before; but this is different. Alice is different. You love her; you know you do! You’re willing to spend the rest of your life with her! Don’t think like that; you’ll be happy with her!”

Then he began to wonder if Alice truly loved him. Did she really, genuinely fall in love with him; or did she want to marry him because he was a Cartwright? He scolded himself again for thinking such thoughts about his beloved Alice.

“Stop thinking that way, Joe! She loved you; of course she does! No women has ever treated you like she has; not in your life!!”

Finally, he decided to go upstairs to try to get some more sleep.

XXXXXX

As Joe tried to fall back asleep on the Ponderosa; Alice Harper paced around her bedroom; unable to sleep herself.  She began to think of Joe, creating the same thoughts he had.

“Does he really love me? Does he truly want me for a wife?”

She began to cry at the thought.  The further she thought; the harder she cried. Soon she began to cry so hard; that she could hardly stop. Then, she thought of when she met Joe; how handsome and strong he looked.

“Oh Alice, you’re being silly! Just look at yourself; crying like a little schoolgirl. Joe loves you & he’ll make you happy, you know he will! You love him too, you’ll make him happy too!! It’s just wedding day jitters.”

XXXXXX

One hour. Just one short hour until Joe Cartwright & Alice Harper would be married. He was shaking like a leaf.  Joe stood in front of his mirror; desperately trying to tie his tie. He stopped looking at himself with a frustrated face. Jamie then came in.

“Hey Joe! Wow, you sure look handsome!”

“Thanks. Hey, can you help me with this tie? I’m all thumbs today!”

“Sure!”

XXXXX

Joseph stood at the altar with his father. Then, the organ began to play. He turned to see his beautiful bride.

“Oh my gosh!” he thought.

He never felt such love before. Alice had earned the culmination of his love; and now she was to be his wife.  After they had said their vows and kissed each other; Joe had taken her to their house. The one he built for them.  As he walked into the house, carrying her, he couldn’t help but smile when he saw the look on her face. It was a look of love and gratitude, with surprise.

“You like it?”

“Oh Joe! Oh Joe, I love it!”

“Well good; it’s all for you anyway.”

“Oh, I love you!”

“I love you!”

They kissed.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Joe said.

He bent over and picked up a box, giving it to Alice.

“It’s for you.”

She smiled happily. As she opened the box her eyes shone with shock. Inside it was a sapphire pendant.

“Oh Joe!!”

“It was my mother’s. I want you to have it.”

“Oh Joe, it’s beautiful!! Thank you!”

She kissed him!

“I have something for you too!!”

She went outside and pulled a package out of her bags.  She handed it to Joe.

“Well, aren’t you going to open it?”

Joe opened it and pulled out a handsomely made dress jacket.

“Alice. Alice, did you…?”

She nodded.

“You made this! For me!”

“Mmm-hmmm,” she nodded. “Look at the pocket.

Joe looked at the pocket; on which hung a tassel. A tassel which held the initials “J” and “A” plated in gold.

“Well, put it on! I want to make sure it fits!”

Joe excitedly put on his new jacket.

The two smiled at each other and kissed again. As Joe looked into his wife’s eyes; he knew that this was the happiest day of his entire life!

*THE END*

This story is based on the Bonanza episode:  Forever

Director:  Michael Landon
Writers:  Michael Landon, David Dortort (created by)

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.