Summary: Adam and Emma move forward with their relationship. Just when things are rosy, tragedy strikes.<\/p>\n
Rating: PG, Word Count: 4663<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A Love Tested<\/strong><\/p>\n Chapter 1<\/p>\n Emma organized the boxes on the shelves at the mercantile and looked back at that year and a half of marriage to Adam Cartwright and couldn\u2019t believe all that happened over that time. Adam had been there for Emma when she had nightmares of Josh. She had been having nightmares and had been jumpy after she had been rescued. Though she knew Josh was dead, she couldn\u2019t help but feel edgy. She finally got over the nightmares with Adam\u2019s help.<\/p>\n Thoughts of her courting Josh in California and being abused came to her mind. She then thought of when he found her in Virginia City and followed her around. Making threats and going through with them. That wonderful yet dreadful day when Adam proposed to her and watching Adam being shot and being kidnapped was cruel to think about. She would forever be grateful to Ben and Hoss for rescuing her. A baby laughing pulled Emma out of her thoughts and she looked down.<\/p>\n They had a seven-month old daughter. They named her Elizabeth Marie after both parents\u2019 mothers. She looked like Adam with dark hair, hazel eyes, bow shaped lips and was a happy baby. She was learning to crawl and Emma had quite the time chasing after her. Adam loved his daughter and didn\u2019t mind chasing after her even after working all day with his father and brothers on the Ponderosa. She had Adam wrapped around her little finger and she was daddy\u2019s little girl. Lizzie was the only grandchild of the Cartwright family and was spoiled by her grandfather and uncles.<\/p>\n Emma loved working at the mercantile. Adam and Hoss helped out and Emma would bring Elizabeth when Adam would be busy on the Ponderosa. Adam made a little playpen and toys for Elizabeth to play with while she was at the store and to keep her in one place.<\/p>\n Emma saw movement out of the corner of her eyes and turned around. She saw her friend Charlotte.<\/p>\n \u201cEmma, I need some flour please.\u201d Charlotte said.<\/p>\n Emma got the bag of flour and put it on the counter.<\/p>\n \u201cHow are you today?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m doing well. I\u2019ve been taking care of Irving. He\u2019s been sick with a cold. Sometimes he\u2019s worse than the children when they\u2019re all sick.\u201d Charlotte said laughing.<\/p>\n Emma chuckled. \u201cAdam is the same way. I\u2019ve been blessed he hasn\u2019t been sick a lot since we\u2019ve been married. And when he is, Hoss and Joe have been good to take Elizabeth to watch her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re lucky to have the Cartwrights there to help out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am indeed. If you need any help let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s sweet, Emma. I think we\u2019ll be all right.\u201d Charlotte said.<\/p>\n She paid for the flour, picked it up and left. A man came in and Emma looked up. She quietly gasped because he looked like Josh. She silently told herself that she was being silly because Josh was dead. She got herself together and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHow may I help you?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like some supplies. My family and I just moved here. I\u2019m Kenny Johnson.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice to meet you. I\u2019m Emma Cartwright. I own this establishment.\u201d Emma said taking the list.<\/p>\n She gathered everything together in a crate. He paid her, took the crate and left. Emma realized she was still shaking and sat down. She couldn\u2019t believe she was still shaken by the memory of Josh when he came in the store when he found where she was.<\/p>\n The bell jingled and Emma looked up and saw Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Adam.\u201d She said. Adam saw the worried look on Emma\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing, I\u2019m fine. How is everything on the ranch?\u201d she asked trying to change subjects.<\/p>\n \u201cJust fine. I thought I\u2019d come see how my two favorite girls are doing.\u201d Adam said walking to Elizabeth and picking her up.<\/p>\n She squealed as he tossed her up and down then held her. He walked to Emma and put an arm around her. He felt her shaking.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re all right? You\u2019re shaking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t believe her but he knew she\u2019d tell him eventually.<\/p>\n Later that night Emma dreamt about Josh. He had killed her family and made her watch. Then he came to kill her but right then she woke up screaming. Adam woke up when he heard his wife\u2019s screams. He held onto her while she sobbed into his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right. It was just a nightmare.\u201d He said.<\/p>\n When she calmed down she told him her dream.<\/p>\n \u201cYou never need to worry about Josh. He\u2019s dead. What brought on the dream?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a new family who moved in and the man looked almost like Josh. That\u2019s why I was shaking.\u201d Emma \u201cOh honey, I\u2019m sorry those memories came back.\u201d He whispered.<\/p>\n He started rocking her side to side until he felt her go limp and her breathing became even. He knew she was asleep and laid her back down then laid next to her with his arms around her. He slept light that night just in case she had anymore nightmares.<\/p>\n Adam, Emma and Elizabeth went for a picnic by the lake a few days later. Emma finally felt safe with going to the lake without being scared from what Josh had done. Elizabeth sat and watched everything around her. She then decided to crawl off the blanket and go after a leaf she saw. Adam got up quick and got the leaf out of her chubby hand before she could eat it.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, that\u2019s not to eat.\u201d He said.<\/p>\n He picked her up and swung her around. She laughed as she went up and down in her father\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d better stop or you\u2019ll make Liz throw up.\u201d Emma waned.<\/p>\n \u201cOh it\u2019ll be fine.\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n Just then Elizabeth threw up all over Adam\u2019s clean black shirt.<\/p>\n Emma burst out laughing. \u201cI told you so.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam put Elizabeth on the blanket and cleaned the spit up as best as he could. He could hear Emma snicker.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think that\u2019s funny huh?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I do.\u201d She said bursting out laughing again.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll show you what I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Emma saw the look of mischief in his eyes. He growled and started to get up. She jumped up and ran from him laughing. He chased her around trying to catch her. Adam got close to Emma and she yelped as she felt his hand brush her back but she got away. They ran onto rockier ground and Emma tripped over a tree root and fell. She held her ankle in pain. She knew it was only sprained but it hurt like crazy. She saw Adam running toward her with a worried look on his face. He didn\u2019t see the rock when he tripped and then smacked his head on the tree root that Emma had tripped over just a few minutes before.<\/p>\n Chapter 2 Emma knew she had to get up if she was to get Adam into the buckboard. She got up and leaned against the buckboard to steady herself then limped to Adam ignoring the pain in her ankle. She had a difficult time getting Adam in the back of the buckboard. She wished that he was either awake or that one of his family members were there to help. After she got him in, she climbed back in, put Elizabeth on her lap and sped to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss! Ben! Little Joe! Come quick!\u201d Emma yelled as she pulled up to the house.<\/p>\n Hoss was the first one to burst out the door and ran to the buckboard.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Ben and Joe joined them.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s hurt. I don\u2019t know how badly though.\u201d She explained what happened.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, get the doctor quick.\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n Joe nodded and ran to his horse and left. Hoss carefully picked up Adam and carried him inside and to his old room laying him on the bed. Ben took Elizabeth, who was now awake, from Emma and went inside forgetting to help Emma. She sighed as she tried climbing down from the wagon. She had a hard time of it. She got down and collapsed.<\/p>\n Hoss noticed that Emma did not come in after Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Emma?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought she was behind me.\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n Hoss ran out and saw that Emma wasn\u2019t downstairs and ran outside and found Emma on the ground dragging herself to the house.<\/p>\n \u201cEmma, are you all right?\u201d Hoss asked running to her and knelt beside her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t lie to me, Emma. What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hurt myself too. My ankle is sprained.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you say anything? Dadburn your hide, Emma, you could have hurt yourself worse.\u201d Hoss chewed her out.<\/p>\n He picked her up and carried her in the house and up to Adam\u2019s room.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe you got him in the buckboard by yourself with a twisted ankle. You are amazing.\u201d Hoss said in awe.<\/p>\n Emma smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to Emma?\u201d Ben asked as Hoss and Emma came in the room.<\/p>\n \u201cFool girl twisted her ankle at the lake. She tried to get out of the buckboard alone.\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n Emma shot him a look as he set her on a chair next to Adam\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n A while later, Doc Martin and Joe came in and the doctor looked over Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got a concussion. Just watch him and let him rest.\u201d He announced.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll make sure he rests.\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n \u201cDoc, before you go, will you check on Emma\u2019s ankle?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n Emma started to argue but Hoss shot her a look and she quieted down.<\/p>\n Paul checked her ankle and wrapped it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt looks like it\u2019s sprained. You\u2019re lucky you didn\u2019t break it when putting Adam in the buckboard.\u201d Paul chided.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d She said quietly.<\/p>\n Just as Paul finished wrapping Emma\u2019s ankle, Adam woke up.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, how do you feel?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, is that you?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I can\u2019t see anything. Can you turn up the lamp?\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone looked at Paul in horror.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, it\u2019s the middle of the afternoon.\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n Adam lay quietly letting what Ben told him sink in.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I can\u2019t see!\u201d Adam said hysterically.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, calm down. It\u2019ll be all right. It was probably from the blow on the head. It\u2019s temporary.\u201d Paul said.<\/p>\n Ben gently touched his son\u2019s arm and Adam moved his head toward his father.<\/p>\n \u201cHow temporary?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n \u201cA day, a week, months. I don\u2019t know.\u201d The doctor admitted.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat will Emma think of me now? She has to take care of a baby and now a blind husband.\u201d Adam said bitterly.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think anything different. I\u2019ll continue to take care of you.\u201d Emma said taking Adam\u2019s hand in hers.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if it\u2019s permanent?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt won\u2019t make a difference, Adam.\u201d Emma said tenderly.<\/p>\n Ben quietly motioned for his sons and the doctor to leave the room. Emma watched them leave.<\/p>\n \u201cI take it they left?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes they did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow you can tell me the truth. You don\u2019t want to really take care of me.\u201d He said in a tight voice.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright, how dare you say something like that! Do you not remember our wedding vows? In sickness and Stung, Emma sat back.<\/p>\n \u201cYou rest.\u201d She said quietly and limped out with the help of a cane Ben had.<\/p>\n Ben motioned for them to go downstairs and talk so Adam could rest.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can stay here until Adam regains his sight.\u201d Ben offered after Emma said they were leaving.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we\u2019ll go back to our place. Hoss, I was wondering if you could look after the store and perhaps hire on Joe closed his mouth and frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll help you get to the house.\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Hoss.\u201d Emma whispered.<\/p>\n Chapter 3<\/p>\n Emma\u2019s ankle finally healed a few days later. She had been taking care of Adam and Elizabeth. Adam was grumpy and negative. Emma showed him the love he needed but he hardly reciprocated. Emma felt hurt and betrayed. She knew that Adam was frustrated because he couldn\u2019t help her. She was up nights worried about Adam and how to help him.<\/p>\n Adam was angry because he felt guilty for not being able to help his wife. Never in his life had he felt so helpless. He heard her up nights pacing or lying in bed tossing and turning. He knew he hurt her by his actions towards her. He snapped at her when she tried to help. He threw his tray of food at her. Yet she never complained. He hoped he could see soon because he hated these feelings of anger and guilt.<\/p>\n Emma had gone into the store to see how things were. Joe stayed with Adam and Elizabeth. Hoss was at the store that day. Hoss was helping someone while Emma was getting something from the back. She heard a familiar voice gossiping.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you hear that Emma is having an affair with Hoss? Poor Adam blind and can\u2019t do anything. Emma thinks she needs a whole man. One who can see and help around the house.\u201d<\/p>\n Emma\u2019s blood boiled at the accusation. She turned the corner and was face to face with Helen and a blushing and embarrassed Martha.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Emma, how are you? How is Adam?\u201d Helen asked in a syrupy voice.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s doing well. But I\u2019m sure you won\u2019t believe that. I heard your lies, Helen. I am not having an affair with Hoss. He\u2019s been kind enough to help me with the store until Adam regains his sight. He is my brother-in-law and dear friend. Just as Ben and Joe are. That is all. Your life is so pathetic with your husband always gone I don\u2019t blame him one bit. I sure wouldn\u2019t want to be around a gossip and an old hag like you. Now, get out of my store and never come back!\u201d Emma yelled as she hit the door frame.<\/p>\n It was better than striking Helen. Helen walked out in a huff. Emma finally calmed down and looked at Martha.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry for the way I acted.\u201d Emma apologized.<\/p>\n \u201cNo need to apologize. You have every right to react the way you did. Just so you know, nobody believes her \u201cThank you, Martha. You don\u2019t know how much that means to me,\u201d Emma said in relief.<\/p>\n \u201cI tried to get away from her but she just wouldn\u2019t let me go. I came asking if I could help run the store while you take care of Adam and Elizabeth?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be wonderful. I was trying to get some help besides Hoss. Elizabeth has been sick with a cold lately.\u201d \u201cMartha, you\u2019re an answer to a prayer.\u201d Emma said starting to cry.<\/p>\n Martha hugged her friend. \u201cIt\u2019s all right. Everything will be fine. You take all the time you need to take care of Adam and Elizabeth. We\u2019ll be fine here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d Emma whispered.<\/p>\n Hoss had heard the commotion but couldn\u2019t get to Emma. He saw her hugging Martha and crying. When the customer left, he went over to Emma.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you all right?\u201d He asked.<\/p>\n Emma straightened up wiping the tears from her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine, Hoss. I just had some problems with Helen. She\u2019s no longer welcomed here.\u201d She informed.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right.\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n Emma saw the worried look in his face.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, I\u2019ll tell you about it later.\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n Hoss smiled and nodded.<\/p>\n Chapter 4<\/p>\n Emma walked in the house later that night and felt drained. She saw Joe in the living room playing with Elizabeth and heard her squealing with laughter and break into a cough. Joe stopped and held her tight with a worried look on his face. Adam was sitting on the sofa with a scowl on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cHi everyone.\u201d Emma said in a chirpy voice.<\/p>\n Joe looked up at Emma with a smile then frowned. He saw the tired look on her face.<\/p>\n \u201cEmma, how was today?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Helen is no longer allowed in the store. I\u2019ve listened to her gossip and lies to last me a life time. Martha \u201cThey\u2019ve been fine. I\u2019d better get going. Let us know if you need anything.\u201d Joe said handing Elizabeth to Emma.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Joe. I appreciate your help.\u201d Emma said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cAny time. Listen, Adam hasn\u2019t really had anything to eat today. He\u2019s been grumpy and grumbling. He tried to \u201cYes, I know. She\u2019s had it since yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow have you been? You look tired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m doing all right. Just worried about Adam.\u201d Joe nodded understanding.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019d better go before Pa takes a belt to me.\u201d Joe said smiling.<\/p>\n Emma chuckled knowing Ben wouldn\u2019t do that to Joe for helping out family.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks again.\u201d She replied hugging him.<\/p>\n Joe smiled and left.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I\u2019ll put Lizzy to bed and we can talk. Sound all right?\u201d Emma asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a little tired. I think I\u2019ll go to bed.\u201d Adam replied monotone.<\/p>\n Emma\u2019s face fell. She walked over to Adam and helped him to the bedroom. He grumbled the whole way.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, it does no good to grumble.\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n She left him standing in the doorway in Elizabeth\u2019s room. She put the baby down and walked out taking Adam\u2019s \u201cAdam are you mad at me?\u201d Emma asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, what makes you think that?\u201d Adam asked unbuttoning his shirt.<\/p>\n He was glad that he could at least dress and undress without much help.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been grumpy with me. You haven\u2019t kissed me since the accident. I feel like you don\u2019t love me anymore.\u201d She watched Adam\u2019s face in the dim light of the lamp. Before he could answer, she heard Elizabeth start to cough.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a minute, Adam.\u201d She said and rushed to the baby\u2019s room.<\/p>\n She picked Elizabeth up and felt her forehead. It was burning and she laid her back down and ran to the bedroom.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, Elizabeth is sick and has a high fever. I\u2019m going to get the doctor. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d Emma said.<\/p>\n She was grateful she hadn\u2019t changed as she ran to her horse and raced to Virginia City.<\/p>\n The doctor and Emma arrived at the house and Paul checked on Elizabeth.<\/p>\n \u201cElizabeth has croup. It\u2019s been going around.\u201d Paul said.<\/p>\n Emma sat down when she heard the news. She figured Elizabeth could have got it the other day at the store. Emma didn\u2019t hear anything else Paul said and didn\u2019t see him leave. She heard the barking cough and she picked up her baby. Elizabeth started to cry which made the cough worse. Tears formed in Emma\u2019s eyes as she tried comforting her child.<\/p>\n \u201cEmma?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n She looked at him in the doorway. He felt his way to his wife and baby. Emma took Adam\u2019s hand and pulled him to her.<\/p>\n \u201cPaul just told me.\u201d He said.<\/p>\n Emma stayed silent. She didn\u2019t know what to say. She felt Adam\u2019s arms wrap around her and Elizabeth. She looked at him in surprise. He hadn\u2019t touched her like this since the accident. He had been so distant and cold toward her this had become a surprise. She leaned her head on Adam\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d better get some rest, Adam.\u201d She said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about you?\u201d He asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll stay with Elizabeth.\u201d She saw the worried look on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, things will be fine. Let\u2019s get you back into bed. You need to rest if you are to regain your eyesight.\u201d She took Adam\u2019s hand and led him into their room and got him into bed.<\/p>\n It was cool outside so Emma decided to take Elizabeth outside to try and help with her breathing. It pained her to hear her daughters breathing and coughing. She shivered in the cool night air. She was tired but couldn\u2019t sleep. She prayed for Elizabeth to get through this and for Adam to get his eyesight back. She would have to do everything alone for a while. Tears slid down her face as she held Elizabeth tight.<\/p>\n Chapter 5<\/p>\n After two days, Elizabeth died. There was nothing they could have done though Emma kept blaming herself. When Emma heard Elizabeth take her last breath and die in her arms she screamed in agony. She hugged her baby but was angry. She laid Elizabeth\u2019s body in her cradle and began to hit the wall over and over screaming and crying. Adam had heard and ran to her. He found her on the floor with hardly any strength left as she sobbed. He gathered her in his arms as she sobbed into his chest. They both didn\u2019t realize Adam had regained his eyesight. Emma pulled away a few minutes later and looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you know I was here?\u201d She asked in surprise.<\/p>\n He looked at her and blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026I saw you. I saw you, Emma! I can see!\u201d He said excitedly suddenly realizing he could see her.<\/p>\n She smiled and laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cOh I\u2019m so happy you can see. I must look a sight though.\u201d She said, self-consciously pushing her hair out of her \u201cYou look beautiful. Why were you screaming?\u201d Adam asked concerned. His face changed from smiling to a frown.<\/p>\n \u201cOur daughter is dead.\u201d Emma said remembering why she was crying.<\/p>\n Adam let the news register. He let go of Emma and got up. He walked cautiously over to the cradle and saw his daughter laying still. He picked up the stiff, cold body and held her to him. Tears formed in his eyes and slid down his face. He wished he could have helped. Had he been able to see or even if he hadn\u2019t been so wrapped up in his own selfish pity he could have helped Emma. Guilt spread through Adam as he began to sob.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go get the doctor.\u201d Emma said wearily.<\/p>\n Adam said nothing while holding tight to his daughter and wrapping her in a blanket.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go with you. You can\u2019t go alone or drive the team with your hand.\u201d He handed Elizabeth to Emma and they went They arrived in town and went to Doctor Martin\u2019s office. Adam took Elizabeth\u2019s blanket wrapped body, helped Emma down and they slowly walked into the office.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Emma and Adam. I wish there was some way to have got her through this. I can take her into town to the undertaker if you\u2019d like.\u201d Paul said.<\/p>\n Adam nodded. Paul checked over Adam and had positive news for him. He\u2019d have no lasting effects from the accident. He also looked at Emma\u2019s hand after Adam told him about her hitting the wall. It was only sprained and bruised. Paul volunteered to take Elizabeth\u2019s body to the undertaker. Adam and Emma hugged their baby one more time then Paul took Elizabeth.<\/p>\n Emma and Adam had gone to the Ponderosa to tell Ben, Hoss and Joe about Elizabeth. They mourned together. Ben saw the strain Emma was under. She hadn\u2019t slept or cried. She was in shock and hardly heard what anyone said.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, has she slept any?\u201d Ben asked quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, she hasn\u2019t. She\u2019s been in shock. I\u2019ve tried to get her to sleep but she just won\u2019t. I don\u2019t think she\u2019s really \u201cHe\u2019s been good to go there every day. We should have had you both stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEmma didn\u2019t want to be underfoot. I suggested it to her but she snapped at me. She said she didn\u2019t want to be a bother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t have been a bother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that but you know how stubborn she is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes I do. She reminds me of her stubborn husband.\u201d Ben said with a slight grin on his face.<\/p>\n Adam gave his father a crooked smile.<\/p>\n The funeral was two days later. Adam held onto Emma as she silently sobbed into his chest and held onto him tightly. Tears slid down his face. Elizabeth was buried next to Joe\u2019s mother, Marie. She wouldn\u2019t be alone and they could visit both graves. Adam helped Emma into the buggy and started to climb in but Doctor Martin stopped him.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, here is a sleeping powder for Emma.\u201d He handed Adam a brown bottle.<\/p>\n Adam slipped it into his pocket. \u201cThank you, Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n He got in and headed home.<\/p>\n At home Adam tended to Emma. He gave her water with the sleeping powder in it and took her up to their room.<\/p>\n They passed by Elizabeth\u2019s room and Emma looked in it. Fresh tears filled her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, we\u2019ll never see our baby grow up, get married or have children of her own.\u201d She whispered.<\/p>\n Adam held her tight. Her words caused more pain to his aching heart.<\/p>\n Adam led her into their room. They laid on the bed and he held her tight as she cried. He heard her stopped crying and her breathing became even and he knew she was asleep. He prayed to know what to do to help her. He still felt guilty but didn\u2019t want to burden Emma with those thoughts. He promised himself he\u2019d help Emma heal in any way he could.<\/p>\n Over the next few weeks they grieved together and slowly got back to the store and the Ponderosa. Life got somewhat back to normal. They kept Elizabeth\u2019s memory in their hearts and talked about her. They would try for another child. Emma knew things would be all right. Adam kept his promise and helped Emma when she would have a hard day thinking about Elizabeth. He did more to try and get over the guilt that he still felt. He knew, in time, things would be better and the pain they felt would dull.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n From the Brandsters.\u00a0 The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site.\u00a0 Brand is happy to offer this story a new home.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nexplained.<\/p>\n
\nEmma watched Adam fall and thoughts of him getting shot by Josh played through her mind but Instead of being kidnapped and not being able to help Adam, she could now help him. She tried to get up but collapsed because of her sprained ankle so she dragged herself to him. She looked him over and found he was breathing. She also found a gash and bump on his forehead. She ripped her petticoat and wrapped it around his head. She left him there and dragged herself to the blanket. She saw Elizabeth was asleep and was grateful for a good baby. She packed up everything as best as she could, got a sleeping Elizabeth in the buckboard and pulled herself up into it. She went as fast as she could to Adam.<\/p>\n
\nin health? I will always be here for you, Adam. I\u2019ll get Hoss to watch the store and perhaps hire someone. I will take care of you and Elizabeth. I love you, Adam.\u201d She went to lean in for a kiss but Adam turned away when he felt her breath on him.<\/p>\n
\nsomeone so you won\u2019t have to be there all the time. I know you have things to do around here,\u201d Emma said, then looking at Joe, \u201cNo, Little Joe, you cannot help. You are banned from the store.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nstories. We\u2019re all behind you.\u201d Martha said smiling.<\/p>\n
\nMartha saw the relief on Emma\u2019s face and her start to sag. She grabbed Emma by the shoulders and helped her to a chair.<\/p>\n
\nasked if she could take care of the store. I told her she could. How have Elizabeth and Adam been?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nhelp but he ended up hurting himself. It\u2019s nothing bad. Just a bit of a sore ankle. Oh and Lizzy seems to be coming down with a cold.\u201d Joe said quietly.<\/p>\n
\narm.<\/p>\n
\nEmma revealed. She had kept her feelings in ever since the accident.<\/p>\n
\neyes. He looked at her messy hair and swollen red eyes.<\/p>\n
\nto town.<\/p>\n
\nslept or ate since the accident. She\u2019s been so worried about me, the baby and the store. It\u2019s been a blessing that Martha asked to help and also having Hoss there.\u201d Adam said in an equally quiet tone.<\/p>\n