Episode Inspired Stories – Forever

What Happened Before, Missing Scenes, What Happened Next, What Happened Instead, and stories that begged to be told that were not included within the series. Some of these stories were challenge inspired and some, the writers were just never satisfied with what was aired.

~ B ~ O ~ N ~ A ~ N ~ Z ~ A ~

Please be advised that the listing of stories below may contain works which have been assigned and “R” or a “Mature” rating by their respective authors. Such stories could contain explicit language and/or adult themes; and are not intended for readers under the age of 18. Please heed our rating guidelines.

To read the story, click on the title.


 

A Tale Told by an Idiot by mcfair_58

Summary:  It is 1875. Two years later, Joe Cartwright’s inability to cope with his wife’s death is ruining his life. His Pa thinks getting away might be the answer. Little does Ben know that his decision will put Joe’s life in danger, as well as the lives of the Ingalls’ family who take a wounded Joe in and bring the wrath of a man who hates him down on their heads.
Rating: PG-13 for violence, brutality and adult situations (54,680 words)


At Dusk by faust

Summary:  What has happened that has changed Adam so much? A story about the ravages of life and the endurance of love with references to ‘Triangle’ and ‘Forever.’
9,500 words, Rating: T


Between the Twelfth of Never and Forever by BluewindFarm

Summary:  A time of contemplation as a man reflects on what’s happened in the past, and what good could come from any of it. — ‘How am I gonna be an optimist about this?’ —
Rating:  K  (695 words)


Brothers by PJB

Summary:  A missing scene for “Forever.” On the morning of his wedding, Joe reflects on his absent brothers-and the one who remains.
Rating:  K   WC 4100


Contemplation by BettyHT

Summary:  Adam has been gone and the family has lost touch with him. On the eve of Joe’s wedding, each of them will be thinking about their family.
Rating = G    WC = 4901


Destiny by ForeverFree

Summary:  A heart can only break so many times, and after the traumatic losses he has suffered, Joe is convinced that living his life alone is the only way to protect his heart from shattering.  But… Is that really his intended destiny? This story takes place two years after the season 14 double-episode “Forever.”
Rated:   PG  8,640 words


Forever #1 by Rider

Summary:  Part one of my WHI “Forever” series “Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Cartwright” Joe meets and marries Alice Harper.
Rated:  K+ (2,020 words)


Forever #2 – I Would Do Anything for Love by Rider

Summary:  As the birth of Alice and Joe’s first child approaches, things take a turn for the worst.
Rated: K+ (2,230 words).


Forever #3 – The Love of My Life by Rider

Summary:  Joe and Alice think about their relationship on the eve of their wedding.
Rated: K+ (990 words)


Forever Changed by BluewindFarm

Summary: After concluding a business trip to San Francisco, Joe’s life is forever changed.
Rating:  T  (14,520 words)


From Ashes – by PSW

Summary: Healing is hard, and takes its own path. A post-Hoss, post-Alice story.
Rating: K+   Word Count: 23,300


Funeral (The) by Silver Sven

Summary:  a missing scene from “Forever”
Rated:  K+   Word count:  971


Home by Patina

Summary:  Where we love is home. A short WHIB for Forever.
Rating: K  Word Count=1701


 

Life… It’s all about Love by DebbieB

Summary: WHN story: The Stallion and a bit of Forever tossed in to wet the eyes
Rated:  G (2,325 words)


Lilies Series (The) #2 – Lilies of the Field by sandspur

Summary:  Adam and Tilly go to Europe for the worst honeymoon ever, landing in the middle of a war to end up missing and presumed dead. Meanwhile, Ben, Adam and Hoss move on with their lives, finding new friends and uncovering strange secrets from the past.
Rating: T. Violence, character death, attempted rape, etc.  (109,635 words)


Lilies Series (The) #3 – One Scarlet Lily by sandspur

Summary: Adam and Joe leave the Ponderosa, perhaps for good, in the wake of tragedy and misunderstanding. But the danger only Adam knew about is still with them. Note: the backstory is filled in gradually, through a series of nonsequential flashbacks.
Rating–T. Contains some violence, mild language, a grisly murder scene and a couple of animal death scenes.  (105,500 words)


Lost Loves – Gone but not Forgotten by Terri

Summary: After the death of Alice, Joe reflects on the people he has lost in his life. He needs his big brother’s support, but Adam has not been heard of for three years.
Rated: K+ WC 4400


Mama Died Today by Southplains

Summary:  A Cartwright son’s short life story.
Rated: K  WC 774


Plain Jane by Dodo

Summary: Two years have passed since Alice was murdered. Joe remains convinced he will never find happiness again. But fate decides otherwise…..
Rated: T  Word Count: 38983


Returning Home – by BluewindFarm  

Summary:  Memories of family and Christmases past are shared between brothers.
Rating:  G  2,770 Words
Note: This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.


Ring (The) by Cheaux

Summary:  Joe returns home from San Francisco a changed man; a mysterious woman and a piece of jewelry give rise to difficult times between father and son, bringing heartache and understanding.
WC 5200  Rated: T+


Wedding Announcement by JoanS

Summary:  The announcement of Joe’s wedding to Alice brings a variety of reactions from some of his old girlfriends.
Rated: K (7,735 words)


White by Justafan

Summary:  Written for the 2016 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar.
Rating:  K  (1,800 words)


Wrangler (The) by Quesfan

Summary: There is more than one way to die. A man can still be breathing and yet not living as Joe has discovered. Somebody is sent to find a lost soul and turn him for home once more.
Rating:  G
Word Count:  1950