{"id":2942,"date":"2012-03-30T17:01:01","date_gmt":"2012-03-30T21:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2942"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:34:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:34:08","slug":"the-art-of-mopping-making-tea-and-keeping-your-sanity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2942","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Mopping, Making Tea and Keeping Your Sanity (by faust)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: <\/span>Like so many before it, the day began uneventfully, quietly, normally. But nothing would ever be the same again.<\/p>\n

4,250 words, rated K<\/p>\n

My Story Index and reading order for the Art-Universe<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Art of Mopping, Making Tea and Keeping Your Sanity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Like so many before it, the day began uneventfully, quietly, normally.<\/p>\n

Well, uneventfully. Not so quietly, to be honest, but then no one on the Ponderosa remembered the last really quiet day on the ranch, and so the absence of quiet was normal.<\/p>\n

Oh, well, then it wasn\u2019t quiet.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t quiet, and it hadn\u2019t been quiet since the morning, about seven months ago, when Juliet had declared that the scrambled eggs Hop Sing had served for breakfast reeked like something that had been dead longer than Shakespeare.<\/p>\n

While Adam had mumbled under his breath, \u201cNot Marlowe?\u201d and Hop Sing had ranted in Cantonese, Juliet had suddenly looked alarmed, pressed a hand to her mouth and rushed outside.<\/p>\n

The drama had repeated itself time and again over the next weeks, so that Dr. Martin\u2019s eventual confirmation hadn\u2019t been more than a mere formality: the Queen was going to have an heir apparent.<\/p>\n

It had changed their everyday life in some ways: Juliet\u2019s mood swings, rather unforeseeable even under normal circumstances, had taken on a velocity and immoderation that challenged everyone; Ben, who glowed with pre-grand parental pride more every day, had developed a protectiveness towards his daughter-in-law that, putting it mildly, wasn\u2019t well received; Joe had formed a habit of calling Adam \u201cPa\u201d (which his older brother expressly ignored) and Juliet \u201cMum\u201d (but only until one morning she retorted, ‘Yes, kiddo?’ in a voice so sharp it could have cut steel, accompanied by a murderously piercing glare); Hoss had started to speak of himself as \u201cUncle Hoss,\u201d which was endearing at first but rather nerve-grating after the four hundred and seventeenth time; and Hop Sing had taken to following Juliet everywhere with cups of special herbal teas that were supposed to \u201cbe vely good for baby \u2013 and motha\u201d fully knowing she hated herbal teas of any kind (she finally made her point when she gave in, drained a mug in one long swig and then immediately puked the contents all over the rug in front of the big fireplace.)<\/p>\n

And, of course, while talking about their new \u201cproject,\u201d Juliet and Adam soon discovered that their ideas about bringing up children did not always match completely; and they wouldn\u2019t be who they were if they\u2019d passed up these wonderful possibilities to have a major row \u2013 which only added to the tense atmosphere in the house. Their mutual pleasure in having battles of wits was beyond the rest of the family even at the best of times, but Ben and his younger sons had learned not to interfere by any means. It was safer to watch it from the sidelines, even though it made them jittery.<\/p>\n

So, yes, the day began as uneventfully, quietly, and normally as it was possible with a hearty breakfast someone<\/em> was only nibbling at, and then everyone tried to stay away from the ranch house as far and as long as possible, so not to become the victim of another gravidic tantrum.<\/p>\n

It was the beginning of February, still cold but not freezing anymore. A time to make a survey of the territory, to ride fences, to check for missing or broken tools, to carry out necessary repairs on buildings and gear. The men came home shortly after sundown, cold and hungry, and found that, despite their fears, Hop Sing had prepared a warming and nourishing pot roast and not gone back to China because someone with too much time had tried to reorganise his kitchen yet again. (Doctor Martin had said it was called \u201cnesting instinct\u201d but, of course, her ladyship had contradicted him and said, no, it was common sense, and that it was a sheer miracle that Hop Sing found anything at all in that rubbish tip \u2013 and that she wasn\u2019t a bird anyway. \u201cNot even a ladybird<\/em>?\u201d Adam had chuckled, but what usually would have earned him a mild rebuke and a coy glance of secret enjoyment had led to another round of uncontrolled temper that had ended with heavy sobbing, \u201cI\u2019m not a ladybird, Adam; look at me: I\u2019m a whale!\u201d)<\/p>\n

The day ended just as uneventfully, quietly and normally as it had started: Joe and Hoss played checkers, Ben read the Territorial Enterprise<\/em>, and Adam and Juliet snuggled up on the settee in front of the fireplace, softly talking about their \u201cproject\u201d until it was time to turn in.<\/p>\n

Adam was bone tired and sore after a long day in the saddle. He sank into his bed with a relieved groan, gave Juliet a distracted goodnight kiss, and fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.<\/p>\n

After what felt like about two minutes, he was woken up by some jiggling at his shoulder and an urgent whisper, \u201cAdam, where\u2019s the mop?\u201d<\/p>\n

He could connect what he heard neither with the fact that it was dark night nor with the dream he had been roused from (it had been something about him and Juliet building sand castles at a white beach,) and so he did the only logical thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, wake up!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was more jiggling at his shoulder, and then a rather impatient, \u201cA-dam!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He bolted upright. \u201cJuliet, wha\u2014whazza matter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mop, Adam, where is the mop?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026? What time is it?\u201d He groped around on his nightstand for his pocket watch but only managed to knock over a thankfully empty water glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about one in the morning,\u201d Juliet said as if it were the most usual thing in the world to wake him at one in the morning and ask for\u2014\u201cNow where is that mop?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth do you need a mop for at this time in the night?\u201d If this was that \u201cnesting instinct\u201d again, he\u2019d ask Paul to do something about it. Reorganising the kitchen, arranging the furniture, cleaning desks and cupboards was all well during the day, but at night Juliet should rest and, what was even more important right now, let him<\/em> rest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is none of your\u2014well, I\u2019ve made a mess in the kitchen and\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the kitchen? At one in the morning?\u201d He tried to get a better view of her face. In the flickering light of the candle she held she looked quite normal. Impatient, annoyed, maybe a bit stressed. \u201cAre you all right? You didn\u2019t\u2026you didn\u2019t try and reorganise the kitchen while Hop Sing was asleep, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not!\u201d Royal indignation. \u201cI couldn\u2019t sleep and wanted to make myself a cup of tea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, that was a relief. Tea at any time of the day or night was something familiar. Mops\u2014not so much, though.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why do you need a mop for that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, I\u2019ve made a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJuliet, Hop Sing will clean it tomorrow. He wouldn\u2019t want you doing it.\u201d Adam reached out to take her around what was left of her waist and leaned closer. \u201cCome on, Mylady,\u201d he whispered huskily into her ear, \u201cwhy don\u2019t you drink you tea here in bed with me, and then I\u2019ll give you a backrub and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want a backrub<\/em>, I want that mop; and I have no idea where Mr. Hop keeps it, so would you please<\/em> stop seducing me and tell me where it is.\u201d She pulled herself free, crossed her arms and started to tap her foot.<\/p>\n

\u201cJuliet, let Hop Sing do it.\u201d Adam shook his head. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t.\u201d She bit her lips, then her face melted into pleading. \u201cAdam, please. I\u2026I don\u2019t want him to see\u2026\u201d She broke off and kneaded her hands.<\/p>\n

Something was wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened,\u201d Adam asked very cautiously. \u201cWhat happened that Hop Sing shall not see?\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet heaved a deep breath, then looked down and mumbled, \u201cMawatabroke.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2026what<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

She glared at him, then threw her hands in the air and exasperatedly cried out, \u201cOh, all right, my water broke. All I wanted was a cup of tea, and now there are fluids on the floor I never expected to be in me, and I don\u2019t want Mr. Hop or anyone seeing them. Now where is that blasted mop so I can clean up that\u2014ouch!\u201d She grabbed at her back and doubled over, breathing heavily.<\/p>\n

Adam was at her side in an instant. He steadied her, then pulled her down onto the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas that the first pain?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I had some downstairs. This one was worse, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are aware that you\u2019re in labour, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! <\/em> You don\u2019t say!\u201d She glared at him, crossing her arms again. \u201cWiseacre<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t help it: he chuckled. Then he took her head in his hands and pressed his lips onto her forehead first, then onto her lips. \u201cLooks like our little project is in a hurry. It\u2019s a bit early, isn\u2019t it?\u201d he said, cupping her cheeks; then he pulled her to his chest and kissed the top of her head. \u201cYou stay here. I\u2019ll wake Joe and send him for Paul, then I\u2019ll go downstairs and do the mopping. No one will see it, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

She said nothing but nodded into his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you afraid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said, and he heard the wonder in her voice. \u201cNo, I\u2019m not afraid. I\u2019m\u2026curious. After all these months we\u2019ll finally see our pro\u2014our child.\u201d She looked up, smiling broadly. \u201cOur child<\/em>, Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

Our child<\/em>. He had a moment of vertigo, but a glance into her glowing face grounded him. \u201cOur child,\u201d he repeated, then he kissed her once again, and this time she kissed him back. \u201cStay here, make yourself comfortable, and I\u2019ll be back in a minute.\u201d He smiled. \u201cMylady<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

And then he rushed out of their room and in just a few minutes he had roused the family, sent Joe to get the doctor, found the mop, cleaned the kitchen floor, and sped back to his wife.<\/p>\n

\u201cTea?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was amazed. One should think that a woman in Juliet\u2019s position would focus on making herself comfortable, on breathing evenly or on whatever women were supposed to do when they went into labour. But, of course, Juliet was focused on tea. Tea!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you really want tea now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis can last hours, Adam. Paul said it\u2019s usually around twelve hours from the first pain until a child is born. You don\u2019t expect me to live through that without a cup of tea, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we all will need some. Twelve hours? Are you sure?\u201d Adam sat down next to her and started massaging Juliet\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s what the doctor says.\u201d She tensed. \u201cNot that I believe it right now. Not with these all-fired\u2026umpff. Sacredieu!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam rubbed lower, down at the small of her back, and even though she didn\u2019t seem to be able to fully relax, she moved closer, leaned into his touch. He felt the tension slowly ebbing away and then she leaned completely back on his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d she breathed.<\/p>\n

He buried his face in her hair. \u201cHmm?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMake me some tea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to leave you alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re in pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019m thirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, let me\u2026\u201d He started rubbing her back again.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026tea. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n

He sighed. \u201cTea.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and smiled. \u201cYes. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

He knew he was defeated. \u201cAnything special?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her smile broadened and she bestowed him with sparkles from her eyes. He was willing to provide her with every single tealeaf currently available on this planet.<\/p>\n

\u201cDarjeeling would be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour wish is my command, Mylady.\u201d He gave her shoulders a final squeeze and left the room to get the required.<\/p>\n

He leapt down the stairs, startling Pa and Hoss, both sitting on the settee at the fireplace in the great room, bleary-eyed and nursing a glass of brandy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs everything all right, son?\u201d Pa asked, standing up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Yes, it is. Juliet\u2019s pretty much in pain, even though she tries to hide it,\u201d Adam said. \u201cAnd she wants tea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTea?\u201d Pa chuckled. \u201cI remember Marie wanted brandy when she had a hard time with Joe; but tea? Your wife surely stays true to herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave him a small smile. \u201cNo, not completely. I never expected her use\u2026such<\/em> language.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLanguage<\/em>?\u201d Pa frowned, then raised his eyebrows. \u201cNot Juliet!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned. \u201cThe lady is not as pure as she wants us to believe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa shook his head. \u201cI really don\u2019t remember if any of your mothers actually swore, but I know that they were a bit out of their minds, all of them. Don\u2019t hold it against her, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I won\u2019t hold it against her,\u201d Adam said with a smirk. \u201cI consider this blackmail material. There\u2019ll come a time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa made a tut-noise. \u201cYou two are bickering just for the sake of it, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow wait a minute\u2026\u201d The twitching corners of Adam\u2019s mouth made him fail in looking scandalized, and so he gave up any pretense and simply snorted with barely suppressed laughter. He was interrupted by a call from upstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u201d It sounded urgent.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrat! The tea!\u201d Adam threw a short glance to the stairs then turned to hurry into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d This time there wasn\u2019t so much urgency in the shout, it was\u2026fear<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Abandoning any thought of tea, he bolted up the stairs.<\/p>\n

Juliet sat on their bed, staring at him wide-eyed, her hands cramped around her belly just above a huge crimson bloodstain on her white nightshirt.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wants out!\u201d She sounded like a frightened child, something Adam found rather disturbing because she didn\u2019t look like a child at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt…the baby?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, the dog.\u201d Now she sounded much more like herself. \u201cOf course, the baby wants out. Honestly<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor isn\u2019t here yet. Can\u2019t you wait?\u201d<\/p>\n

She just glared at him, then doubled over clutching her belly and whimpered.<\/p>\n

Juliet whimpered<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get Hoss,\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Juliet, you\u2019ll need help, and Hoss always\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss always\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you know, he\u2019s helping all the mares to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet suddenly sat very upright. \u201cI know this comes as a surprise, Adam, but I am not a mare and I\u2019m not about to foal<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s the same principle, isn\u2019t it? And Hoss is very experienced in\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally, he knows what to do, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can do it, really. He helped Ellen Henry delivering\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJuliet\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Adam, no. I don\u2019t want Hoss down there<\/em>.\u201d Looking very embarrassed, she indicated vaguely at the footboard.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d All right, now he understood her reluctance. And if Adam was completely honest, he didn\u2019t want Hoss down there<\/em>, either.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t you<\/em> help me?\u201d It was amazing how Juliet could make a question sound like an order. \u201cYou\u2019ve helped delivering foals, too, haven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you weren\u2019t foaling<\/em>, Mylady?\u201d<\/p>\n

She doubled over, again, before she was able to get hold of something she could have tossed at his head, but Adam was sure she would have loved to do it.<\/p>\n

And then she said, \u201cGod, I need to\u2014\u201d and there wasn\u2019t time for teasing or arguing or tossing things anymore, because they had a project to finish, and apparently the project was the one in charge.<\/p>\n

Down in the great room, Hoss and Ben were served with coffee and cookies. Hop Sing had woken up, too, and after realizing what was going on, he had begun to make what would become a long night for everyone as comfortable as possible for his family.<\/p>\n

Hoss was annihilating his eighteenth cookie, and poured himself another cup of coffee, when they heard the first cry.<\/p>\n

A female cry of terror and pain, a sound they\u2019d never have expected from composed and collected Juliet.<\/p>\n

The second cry was even more heart-wrenching.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t right,\u201d Hoss said and stood to rush upstairs.<\/p>\n

Ben held him back, \u201cThere\u2019s nothing you can do, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut no<\/em>.\u201d Ben glanced thoughtfully at the upper floor and cringed when another pained scream came from there. \u201cThe baby seems to be eager to be let into the world,\u201d he said shrugging. \u201cNot really a surprise, considering its mother\u2019s impatient nature.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned. \u201cDoc won\u2019t be here fer another hour or so. Mebbie I better go and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss.\u201d Ben took him by the shoulders and forced him back down in the settee. \u201cThey\u2019ll be all right. If they need you, they\u2019ll call, and if they don\u2019t call you, they\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He was interrupted by another scream and a very accusing, \u201cThis is all your fault, Adam Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

They exchanged a conspiratorial grin. Yes, everything seemed to be quite normal.<\/p>\n

Subsequent events soon developed a certain pattern: Hop Sing filled the emptied coffee pot and cookie tray every now and then, Hoss twitched nervously when the birthing woman\u2019s agonizing cries reached a new level of gut-wrenching, and Ben placated him telling Hoss how it had been the same with his mother and Marie. (He was smart enough not to compare the proceedings with Elizabeth\u2019s delivery, even though the sounds bore a disturbing resemblance.)<\/p>\n

Juliet\u2019s increasingly frequent cries finally alternated with shouted \u201cblackmail material\u201d and sarcastic rebukes (both Hoss and Ben nearly choked on their coffee at, \u201cOh really, you think you know how this hurts? Get over here, and I\u2019ll show you!\u201d) until, after an exceptionally prolonged roar, there was absolute silence.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss looked at each other, feeling panic slowly rising in their guts; Hop Sing came out of his kitchen, wringing his hands. They listened to the eerie quiet.<\/p>\n

And then the clear, high-pitched wailing of a newborn child rang through the house.<\/p>\n

The three men were still busy with clapping each other on the shoulder, grinning like mad and congratulating Uncle Hoss, Grandpa Ben and shushu<\/em>* Hop Sing, when the front door opened and the doctor, followed by Joe, entered the house.<\/p>\n

Paul Martin took in the celebrating men, listened to the still audible wailing, then grinned and said wryly, \u201cI guess I\u2019m too late.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without any further ado he headed upstairs and led the troops of proud men into the room where a small wonder had taken place only minutes before.<\/p>\n

Adam sat on the bed next to Juliet, holding her tightly, with their foreheads touching. Between them they cradled a bundle of what looked like just a blanket but clearly had become the center of their attention.<\/p>\n

He looked up when the door opened, startled at first, but his face turned into a display of immense relief when he saw the doctor and said, \u201cPaul, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid everything go well?\u201d Dr. Martin asked, rushing to Juliet\u2019s side to take up her wrist and check the pulse. Juliet apparently wasn\u2019t willing to let go either the bundle or Adam, and so there was a bit of a tussle until the doctor changed tactics and took the pulse at her throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m perfectly all right.\u201d Juliet said it with an imperiousness that contradicted her exhausted appearance. \u201cStop fussing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one fusses,\u201d said Adam, casting an apologetic smile at the doctor. \u201cBut I\u2019d be much easier if Paul confirmed everything is all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet heaved a long-suffering sigh. \u201cOh, well\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGentleman,\u201d the doctor ventured, \u201cif you would all please leave now, I can make sure Mommy is as well as she claims to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam kissed Juliet\u2019s forehead, then stood and, taking with him the bundle of which she only reluctantly let go, followed his father and brothers. As they made their way out of the room and down the stairs they heard Juliet\u2019s annoyed voice stating, \u201cThe name is still Juliet, Paul!\u201d<\/p>\n

Arriving in the great room, Adam sat on his usual blue chair and was instantly surrounded by the other men, who seemed almost fidgety in their curiosity. He shifted into a comfortable position, adjusted his hold on the bundle in his arms, and unfolded the blanket to give his family a better view of the little miracle inside: a tiny, red face with an even tinier snub nose and long, black lashes, a shock of astonishingly long, black hair standing off in every possible direction like funny little spikes, small, finely-boned, long-fingered hands\u2014one balled into a firm fist, the other lying stretched-out in a nearly elegant relaxed gesture on the blanket.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I introduce to you Henry Samuel Cartwright,\u201d he said, almost choking on his pride.<\/p>\n

\u201cHenry?\u201d Hoss asked incredulously.<\/p>\n

\u201cHenry. That wasn\u2019t open for discussion. Apparently since the fourteenth century every Earl of Barnstoke has been named Henry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss tickled the baby\u2019s chin. \u201cThis little fella here is an earl?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, that\u2019s jest like you. You couldn\u2019t go and have an ordinary kid, could ya?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked down at the child, his child<\/em>, stroked the little earl\u2019s face with his finger oh-so-tenderly, over the soft cheeks, the fine brows, the tiny nose, the rosy, puckered lips; and smiled a smile that somehow pointed inwards. \u201cNot with that extraordinary woman up there,\u201d he said softly. \u201cNot with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then they took turns in holding the baby, and marvelled about how tiny the youngest Cartwright was (\u201cHe\u2019s even smaller than Joe was.\u201d \u201cHe was born a little prematurely; I\u2019m sure he will catch up in no time.\u201d) how much he resembled Adam (\u201cOnly his eyebrows are Juliet\u2019s. Look at them: I\u2019m sure he can lift them up to his hairline!\u201d \u201cAnd the chin. Iffn that isn\u2019t the most stubborn chin I\u2019ve seen in ages!\u201d) and how strongly his little hands held their fingers (\u201cHey, don\u2019t rip it off. Adam, tell your son he isn\u2019t supposed to tear my finger out!\u201d \u201cWhat, do you want ta eat Uncle Hoss\u2019 finger now, little critter?\u201d)<\/p>\n

Joe was just stating that young Henry must be the smartest baby ever because he had answered Adam\u2019s question about whether Shakespeare wasn’t far superior to Marlowe with a wide yawn, when the doctor descended the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s doing very well,\u201d Paul said before Adam could ask. \u201cYou two did a good job; everything is just fine. She\u2019s exhausted and tired, as can be expected, highly annoyed about the \u2018stampede\u2019 in her bedroom, and quite obviously misses her son already.\u201d He chuckled. \u201cAnd apparently her ladyship had ordered a cup of tea \u2018ages ago\u2019 which has failed to be served yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hours later, after Juliet had been provided with a gargantuan tea pot, the men had had a big hearty breakfast, and the doctor had taken his leave, Adam went back to bed to take a nap before starting his daily duties.<\/p>\n

He was slowly aroused from sleep by unfamiliar noises and commotion beside him, and as much as he tried to cling on to sleep he was being pulled into awareness much too early for his liking for the second time that day.<\/p>\n

He finally gave in, and, as was his habit, reached out for his wife, wanting to pull her close, to feel her round curves melting into his body, to feel her soft skin on his, to bury his face in her silky hair\u2026.<\/p>\n

He groped into an empty space beside him, and that woke him fully. Frantically, he looked around. The room was dimly lit by the late winter\u2019s sun coming through the half drawn curtains.<\/p>\n

He found Juliet sitting in the comfy chair at the fireplace; her nightshirt opened, she held Henry firmly at her breast, feeding him. Her face, dipped into the warm, flickering light of the low fire, was softer than he had ever seen it. She was concentrating on the baby, watching him with a pensive, dreamily content expression that was entirely unfamiliar.<\/p>\n

Another layer<\/em>, Adam thought, but then it struck him: no, this wasn\u2019t just another layer, this was something completely new. His wife, his companion, his friend, his mate, his lover had not revealed a new facet of her personality, she had adapted into a new dimension: into being a mother.<\/p>\n

And he\u2014this awareness came almost violently\u2014he was going to follow her there. He was a father now.<\/p>\n

A father.<\/p>\n

He would get up soon, would do his usual chores, his daily routines. He would ride fences, do branding and cattle drives, he would break horses and negotiate timber contracts, he would do all the things he had done his whole life.<\/p>\n

But nothing would ever be the same again.<\/p>\n

How wonderful!<\/p>\n

*** fin ***<\/p>\n

_____________________________________________
\nWomen are meant to be loved, not to be understood. ~ Oscar Wilde<\/em><\/p>\n

______________________
\n*Chinese for uncle<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

With my heartfelt thanks to Sklamb, for the beta. What would I do without you?<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/em><\/p>\n

Next Story in The Art-Universe Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Early One Morning<\/a><\/p>\n

My Story Index<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Like so many before it, the day began uneventfully, quietly, normally. But nothing would ever be the same again.<\/p>\n

4,250 words, rated K<\/p>\n

The Art-Universe series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":15036,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1005,23,4,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-cartwright","category-drama","category-humor","category-romance","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-id","wpcat-3-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1323,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/blink.jpg?fit=585%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9652,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=9652","url_meta":{"origin":2942,"position":0},"title":"Night Duty Or The Art of Living the Moment (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"September 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"\"You go.\" Dreaded words, Juliet knew that, but Adam simply had to admit that this night's duty had lain heavily on her shoulders and to understand it was his turn to pacify their unhappy child. 1225 words, rated K The Art-Universe Series, links to stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Henry-CartwrightTitle-Im.jpg?fit=308%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":46023,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46023","url_meta":{"origin":2942,"position":1},"title":"Saturday Night (by BettyHT)","author":"BettyHT","date":"October 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: This is a prequel story in which twenty-four-year-old Adam brings home eighteen-year-old Hoss after a Saturday night in town when the large brother has consumed too many beers.\u00a0 Rating: PG\u00a0 Word count: 1,123","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Hoss"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Hoss","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1090"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/The-Julia-Bulette-Story.png?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/The-Julia-Bulette-Story.png?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/The-Julia-Bulette-Story.png?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14013,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14013","url_meta":{"origin":2942,"position":2},"title":"Black and Gold (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"April 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0Rumors and sightings are flying around town about a dark creature roaming the hills of the Ponderosa. \u00a0Will the Cartwrights find out what it is? \u00a0What is Adam\u2019s connection to the creature? 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