{"id":5396,"date":"2011-11-03T12:28:34","date_gmt":"2011-11-03T16:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5396"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:25:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:25:09","slug":"our-little-joe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5396","title":{"rendered":"Our Little Joe (by BnzaGal)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Written for the\u00a0Michael Landon’s 2011 Birthday – Literary Exercise<\/strong>\u00a0where we had to put all the words of the song “Be Patient with Me” somewhere in our story.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K (1,295 words)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Our Little Joe<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paul Martin dried his hands on a white towel as he walked toward the stairs.<\/strong> A smile lit his face as he thought of just the way he would tell Ben the news. But before he could reach the staircase that led down into the great room of the Ponderosa ranch house Ben was already at the top of them having heard the cry of his newborn.<\/p>\n

Paul grasped his friends hand in both of his. \u201cCan\u2019t really believe it, Ben. I thought for sure you were bound to have a girl after two sons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA son?\u201d Ben pushed past Paul and hurried toward the room were his wife and new son were. He reached the door and paused running a hand through dark but greying hair. \u201cMarie?\u201d Ben pushed open the door and leaned in.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome see what we\u2019ve done, Ben.\u201d There was a contented smile on her face and the love brimming from her heart into her eyes. \u201cYour son is perfect.\u201d She held out a small bundle toward Ben as he walked toward the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026\u201d Ben found his voice choked with emotion as he took his little son into his arms. \u201cHe is perfect, my love.\u201d Ben tenderly ran his finger down the curve of the baby\u2019s cheek. His little lips moved and parted trembling slightly. His nose crinkled as he worked up a small, pitiful sounding cry.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t cry, little one.\u201d Ben said softly as he rocked the baby gently as he had done with his other sons. His eyes looked down to where Marie rested against the pillows.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never been more impressed with you, Mrs. Cartwright.\u201d Ben winked at his wife. \u201cYou look so beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie chuckled softly. \u201cYou are a liar, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I mean it. You\u2019re positively glowing, my love.\u201d Ben looked back to the baby as he raised a little fist and shook it at his father. \u201cOh dear,\u201d he smiled back at Marie, \u201cLooks like we may have a little rebel on our hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d Hoss\u2019 young voice came from the other side of the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Ben took the little fist and kissed it. \u201cWe forgot about your brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in, boys. \u201c Marie pulled her blankets up around her shoulders. \u201cDon\u2019t act shy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door swung open and Hoss stepped into the room with Adam and Paul following close behind. \u201cSo can I hold him?\u201d Hoss stretched his arms out and grinned. \u201cPlease, please?\u201d The six year old begged.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you can.\u201d Ben moved a chair close to the bed and motioned for Hoss to sit down.<\/p>\n

Hoss reached up toward the bundle in his pa\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe patient, Hoss, be patient,\u201d Ben smiled at his son\u2019s enthusiasm. \u201cLet me show you how.\u201d Ben slowly lowered his precious cargo into Hoss\u2019 arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike this?\u201d Hoss\u2019 eyes were wide as Ben left his brother completely in his care. \u201cCan Adam hold him next?\u201d Hoss looked over to where his brother stood quietly observing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he wants to,\u201d Marie looked over to her step son with a question in her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my brother, right?\u201d Hoss felt like he should make sure. \u201cMine and Adam\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d Ben moved to shake Paul\u2019s hand. \u201cThanks for coming, Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem, Ben.\u201d Paul said with a smiled. This would always be his favourite part of his job. \u201cI\u2019ll be back to check on my newest patient tomorrow. You know what to do until then, Marie?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded sleepily.<\/p>\n

Adam noticed how tired his stepmother looked. \u201cI think it\u2019s time you give me a turn, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Hoss said reluctantly, \u201cThen can I hold him again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you can. After he and your mother get some rest.\u201d Ben mussed his son\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cPromise?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise.\u201d Ben took the baby from one son and handed him to the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be going now, Ben.\u201d Paul backed away from the family. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to go\u00a0with me, Ben. I know the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Paul.\u201d Marie waved, \u201cSorry if we got you out of bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything for a patient.\u201d Doc Martin waved back then turned and left the room.<\/p>\n

Marie glanced over to where Adam had crossed over to stand by the window with his new brother in his arms. He was whispering things into the baby\u2019s ear. She strained to hear what he was saying but the words died out before they reached her.<\/p>\n

Adam looked down at this new edition of the family. \u201cYou\u2019re pretty small, little guy.\u201d He gently kissed the top of his head. \u201cWonder what kind of man you will grow up to be.\u201d He gazed out the window as if trying to glimpse the future. \u201cMe and Hoss will do our best to show you what you ought to do. I\u2019ll be there for you, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I think the baby\u2019s probably hungry then they need some sleep. We can visit them again later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo when\u2019s later?\u201d Hoss tugged at his pa\u2019s hand as Ben ushered him out of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll let you know, Hoss,\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cHop Sing\u2019s got breakfast ready. Why don\u2019t you go on down and eat.\u201d\u00a0Adam passed the baby back to Marie. \u201cHe\u2019s perfect, Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie glowed, \u201cWhat should we name him? This is your chance to voice your input.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about Benjamin Jr?\u201d Ben sat on the edge of the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always liked Joseph.\u201d Adam said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Both mother and father said as one.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you say little one?\u201d Marie kissed her baby\u2019s head, \u201cShall we call you Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he said yes,\u201d Ben placed his arm around his wife\u2019s shoulders as Adam quietly left the room.<\/p>\n

Marie lay her head against Ben\u2019s strong shoulder and sighed, \u201cHe will grow to be a brave boy, strong and true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course he will,\u201d Ben buried his face in his wife\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much do you love me, Ben?\u201d Marie moved to look into his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cEver so much,\u201d Ben kissed her forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? How much?\u201d Marie smiled playfully.<\/p>\n

Ben continued to kiss Marie\u2019s face. \u201cHow would you like me to show you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy faithfully taking care of this son, loving him and showing him what is right. Being a true example of a good man; so he will grown up to be like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at his wife a serious look taking hold of his face. \u201cThat\u2019s a big job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have every faith in you.\u201d Marie touched his face. \u201cYou already are that and much more to our other sons. I have no doubt that you will be the best father our little Joseph could ever have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Ben whispered looking down at the little miracle in his mother\u2019s arms. \u201cOur Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

End Notes:<\/b><\/p>\n

Thank you for reading. Here is the song if you would like to read it.<\/p>\n

Be patient<\/strong>\u00a0with me<\/strong>;\u00a0I’ve never been<\/strong>\u00a0in<\/strong>\u00a0love<\/strong>\u00a0like this.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If I<\/strong>\u00a0act<\/strong>\u00a0a<\/strong>\u00a0little<\/strong>\u00a0shy<\/strong>,\u00a0oh<\/strong>\u00a0my<\/strong>,\u00a0be patient<\/strong>\u00a0with<\/strong>\u00a0me<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Can’t really believe<\/strong>,\u00a0your<\/strong>\u00a0lips<\/strong>\u00a0are<\/strong>\u00a0mine<\/strong>\u00a0to kiss<\/strong><\/p>\n

So I<\/strong>\u00a0tremble<\/strong>\u00a0and<\/strong>\u00a0then<\/strong>,\u00a0oh<\/strong>\u00a0dear<\/strong>,\u00a0be patient<\/strong>\u00a0with me<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Be<\/strong>\u00a0tender<\/strong>,\u00a0be<\/strong>\u00a0kind I<\/strong>\u00a0beg of you<\/strong>;\u00a0show<\/strong>\u00a0me things I ought to do.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don’t<\/strong>\u00a0turn<\/strong>\u00a0down<\/strong>\u00a0a heart<\/strong>\u00a0that’s<\/strong>\u00a0young<\/strong>,\u00a0but<\/strong>\u00a0oh so<\/strong>\u00a0true.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please<\/strong>\u00a0give me<\/strong>\u00a0this chance<\/strong>,\u00a0I promise you faithfully<\/strong><\/p>\n

I’ll be<\/strong>\u00a0ever so true<\/strong>,\u00a0be<\/strong>\u00a0patient<\/strong>\u00a0with me<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer:\u00a0All 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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: \u00a0\u00a0Written for the\u00a0Michael Landon’s 2011 Birthday – Literary Exercise\u00a0where we had to put all the words of the song “Be Patient with Me” somewhere in our story. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K (1,295 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":162,"featured_media":5289,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,30,40],"tags":[16,408],"class_list":["post-5396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-prequels","category-challenges","tag-joe","tag-mlblc","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3915,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Quality-of-Mercy-8.jpg?fit=747%2C569&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4718,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=4718","url_meta":{"origin":5396,"position":0},"title":"Contemplations in Church (by Puchi Ann)","author":"Puchi Ann","date":"October 31, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:When a frilled bonnet and an old man's sermon compete for a young man's attention, which one do you think will win? \u00a0My contribution to the Michael Landon's 2011 Birthday Literary Exercise. 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