{"id":5771,"date":"2007-05-15T23:23:37","date_gmt":"2007-05-16T03:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5771"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:11:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:11:24","slug":"a-room-full-of-memories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5771","title":{"rendered":"A Room Full of Memories (by Patina)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>:\u00a0<\/span>7th story in The Battle of Wills series.\u00a0 It’s time to clean out the spare room so it can be turned into a nursery for the coming baby. As Ben, Adam, and Hoss go through the room’s contents, they remember the past.<\/p>\n

Rating: K+\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Word Count=3622<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended. Original plot and characters are property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reviews from the Old Library are on page .<\/p>\n

The Battle of Wills Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Begins<\/a>
\nEducation is More than 3R\u2019s<\/a>
\nThe Shadow of Jean deMarigny<\/a>
\nA Gift Horse<\/a>
\nNew Expectations<\/a>
\nRemembering Childhoods<\/a>
\nA Room Full of Memories<\/a>
\nA New Pattern<\/a>
\nNaming the Newest Cartwright<\/a>
\nPresents from the Heart<\/a>
\nLove\u2019s Labor<\/a>
\nBig Brother Lessons<\/a>
\nNo Regrets<\/a>
\nBaby\u2019s Breath<\/a>
\nEnnui<\/a><\/p>\n

A Room Full of Memories<\/strong><\/p>\n

The day Adam had been dreading had finally come.\u00a0 Pa had announced that they would be sorting through the things in the spare room today.\u00a0 The room was filled mostly with trunks and crates; most of them hadn\u2019t been opened for years.\u00a0 Some of the crates held things from when Pa had been married to Mama, while several of the trunks held items from Pa\u2019s sailing days.<\/p>\n

Hoss was excited about the idea of looking through the things in this room.\u00a0 This was going to be like a treasure hunt, only they wouldn\u2019t be finding any pirate loot.\u00a0 They still used a lot of the pots and pans that Papa had used when he was married to mama.\u00a0 The plates they used had come from the store mama had owned with Uncle Gunnar and were chipped up now.\u00a0 He could tell Mama didn\u2019t like the dishes, not because they had belonged to someone else, but because of the chips and cracks.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, boys, let\u2019s get started\u201d Ben said to his sons as he finished his coffee.<\/p>\n

Adam gulped down the last of the milk in his glass while Hoss quickly grabbed a slice of bacon and a slice of bread to make a half sandwich.<\/p>\n

\u201cShall I come help?\u201d asked Marie.\u00a0 She was curious about the contents of the room but didn\u2019t want to interfere in what might be a bonding experience between Ben and the boys.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we can handle it.\u00a0 Right, boys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir\u201d was the reply, in unison, from Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n

Ben stood and motioned to his sons.\u00a0 They went up the stairs ahead of him.\u00a0 As they left, Marie began picking up dishes from the table.\u00a0 Hop Sing came out of the kitchen and said \u201cMissy no work.\u00a0 You sit. Hop Sing clear table.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to help, if I may\u201d she said to the cook.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou no work.\u00a0 Not good for baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a pout, Marie went over to the settee and picked up her needlepoint.\u00a0 She was making an alphabet sampler for the nursery.\u00a0 Why was everyone treating her like a prized broodmare instead a person?\u00a0 She was going to have to have a talk with her husband later in the day about this.\u00a0 A couple of thumps from upstairs drew her eyes to the ceiling.<\/p>\n

Ben had pulled a trunk out to the middle of the room.\u00a0 He planed to go through each trunk to see what could be donated to the church to distribute to those less fortunate.\u00a0 But now that the time had come to actually tackle the chore, he wasn\u2019t quite so sure about stirring up memories.<\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, Papa! Open it up!\u201d said Hoss eagerly.<\/p>\n

Ben opened the trunk and then laughed at the sight of his old clothes.\u00a0 These were garments that he had worn as a young, skinny teenager.\u00a0 Pulling out a shirt, he burst into laughter at the style and the lace at the cuffs.\u00a0 \u201cI doubt this will ever come back in fashion\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut it on, Papa\u201d said Hoss.\u00a0 Adam looked at the shirt and thought it was something only a girl would wear.\u00a0 He hoped Pa would throw it out and not make him or someone else wear it.<\/p>\n

Ben put the shirt up against him and said \u201cI\u2019ll never be able to get into these clothes again.\u201d\u00a0 His chest and arms had long since filled out with muscle, first from sailing and then from the hard work that came with traveling west and establishing the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

He reached for a pair of trousers and inspected them carefully.\u00a0 There were a few moth holes, but those could easily be patched.\u00a0 \u201cStand up, Adam\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 He then placed the trousers against his eldest.\u00a0 The trousers were a bit long for Adam but could be rolled up.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like to have these to wear when you go fishing?\u201d\u00a0 Adam looked at his father with a bit of surprise.\u00a0 Pa was saying he would have time to go fishing, for fun?\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t hafta wear the shirt, do I?\u201d Ben chuckled and said \u201cNo.\u00a0 But if you\u2019d like the trousers, your mother could patch them up for you.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cOkay, Pa\u201d was Adam\u2019s answer.<\/p>\n

Hoss practically dove into the trunk to see what else was in there.\u00a0 He came up with what he thought was a frilly handkerchief.\u00a0 After inspecting it carefully, he asked \u201cWhy does this handkerchief have a button on it?\u00a0 Is it so you won\u2019t lose it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took the item from Hoss and fastened it around his own neck.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s called a stock and was a type of necktie.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss and Adam both laughed at the sight of their father with a frilly tie on.\u00a0 Downstairs, Marie could hear the laughter.\u00a0 She felt left out but knew the boys needed some undivided attention from their father.<\/p>\n

An item tucked in the corner of the trunk caught Adam\u2019s eye.\u00a0 He pulled it out and then looked at it with distaste.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you have a dress in here, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gently took the item from Adam and carefully held it up.\u00a0 Softly, he said, \u201cThis was your christening gown, Adam.\u00a0 Your mother made this for you.\u00a0 I remember her sitting in the light from the fire in the evenings, sewing this stitch by stitch.\u00a0 I\u2019d read to her from Paradise Lost while the Captain, your grandfather, sat in his chair, smoking his pipe.\u00a0 Since we didn\u2019t know if you would be a boy or a girl, she made some little bows that she could stitch on before your christening, just in case you were a girl.\u201d\u00a0 Ben lifted the garment to his nose and sniffed.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam looked at each other questioningly.\u00a0 It still smelled like Elizabeth\u2014a combination of lavender and lemon verbena.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere was I christened?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the church on Beacon Hill.\u201d\u00a0 Ben chuckled and said \u201cYour grandfather wanted to take you down to the seawall and dip you in the Atlantic.\u00a0 He claimed that would make you a strong and hardy babe.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t let him since the water was so cold.\u00a0 The Captain was quite put out with me for a few days afterwards.\u00a0 But we compromised.\u00a0 He brought a small bottle of Atlantic seawater to your christening and poured it over your head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid Adam squall at that?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe took it pretty well\u201d said Ben with a fond glance for Adam.\u00a0 \u201cThe Captain claimed that you\u2019d hear the call of the sea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa ever hear the sea yellin\u2019 fer ya?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope.\u00a0 Only Pa.\u201d\u00a0 All three laughed at that.<\/p>\n

Ben was going to put the christening gown away when Adam said \u201cDo you think Marie would like for the baby to wear it?\u201d\u00a0 Startled, Ben replied \u201cWe can ask.\u201d\u00a0 He then gently set the gown aside.\u00a0 Marie would probably want a fancier gown for the baby.\u00a0 Especially a frillier one if the baby was a girl, like they were hoping.<\/p>\n

After closing the trunk, Ben picked it up and took it downstairs.\u00a0 This was definitely one for the church.\u00a0 He saw Marie sitting on the settee, working on her needlepoint.\u00a0 She looked over at the stairs and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAre you making progress?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Ben set the trunk down and crossed the room to her.\u00a0 He kissed her forehead and said \u201cThat\u2019s the only one we\u2019ve been through so far.\u00a0 There\u2019s still plenty more to look through.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like for me to help?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

He leaned forward and kissed her lips.\u00a0 \u201cLet us get some more things cleared out first.\u00a0 That way there\u2019ll be more room.\u201d\u00a0 After another kiss for his wife, Ben headed back upstairs.\u00a0 Marie sighed.\u00a0 She felt that she was the only one in the house not doing anything productive.<\/p>\n

Returning to the spare room, Ben found Adam and Hoss inspecting the contents of a crate.\u00a0 They had pulled out a small set of scales, some empty metal canisters, and a box of mismatched buttons.\u00a0 Adam recognized the scales from the store Mama and Uncle Gunnar had owned.\u00a0 Most of the store\u2019s contents had been bought by McWhorter when Gunnar sold the store without telling Inger.\u00a0 McWhorter hadn\u2019t been interested in running the store, so he let Inger and Ben have a few items.<\/p>\n

Adam pulled a book out of the crate and opened it.\u00a0 The book was the store ledger.\u00a0 He opened it and saw Mama\u2019s handwriting.\u00a0 He ran his fingers over her writing as his eyes teared up.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the book Mama kept for the store.\u00a0 She wrote down the amounts people owed, how many of what items had been ordered and when, and the total sales for each day.\u201d\u00a0 Flipping through the pages, Adam came across his own handwriting.\u00a0 He showed a page to Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cMama taught me to do math.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was real smart, huh?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe sure was\u201d said Adam, \u201cand real nice, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s another book in here, Pa\u201d said Hoss, pulling out a leather-bound journal.<\/p>\n

Ben immediately recognized it as the journal he\u2019d kept on the journey west with Inger and Adam.\u00a0 He held out his hand and Hoss gave the book to his father.\u00a0 Holding the journal to his chest, Ben said \u201cI wrote entries in this when we were with the wagon train.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill ya read us some?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, boys. \u00a0Someday, maybe, but not today.\u201d\u00a0 He then set the journal aside.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see what\u2019s in here\u201d Ben announced as he opened another trunk.\u00a0 Women\u2019s clothing was inside.\u00a0 Hoss pulled out a large, cloth hat.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cThat was Mama\u2019s sunbonnet\u201d answered Adam.\u00a0 \u201cShe wore it almost every day to keep the sun out of her eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sat down beside Adam and leaned over to sniff the bonnet.\u00a0 He inhaled deeply and said \u201cIt smells like sunshine and rosemary.\u00a0 Your mother used to wash her hair with rosemary.\u00a0 Her hair was so golden it looked like a halo when it escaped her hairpins.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow come mine ain\u2019t gold?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it\u2019s because my hair is dark.\u00a0 But you did have pale blond hair up until you were two.\u00a0 It\u2019ll probably get darker as you get older.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill it be gray like yours?\u201d the boy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeday you and Adam will have gray hair.\u00a0 But that won\u2019t be for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid I get a christening?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Son, you didn\u2019t.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t a church or a minister to do the christening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it too late to have one?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked surprised for a second.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose not.\u00a0 I\u2019ll talk to Pastor Schmidt next time I\u2019m in town.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss smiled really big to think he might get to have a christening.\u00a0 Hop Sing would probably make a feast and a cake to celebrate.\u00a0 He hoped Papa didn\u2019t forget to ask the pastor.<\/p>\n

Closing the trunk, Ben said \u201cI guess we should give this to the church.\u00a0 Neither of you boys will be wearing dresses.\u201d\u00a0 Adam and Hoss laughed at the idea of the other in a dress.<\/p>\n

\u201cMama won\u2019t want \u2018em?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour mother was quite a bit taller than Mama.\u00a0 None of these would fit her properly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we keep the bonnet?\u201d asked Adam hopefully.\u00a0 Mama had always smelled so good.\u00a0 He shivered slightly as he remembered her dying from the arrow.\u00a0 But there were so many good memories of their time with the wagon train.\u00a0 The scent of the bonnet would help him make sure he never forgot her.<\/p>\n

Ben came downstairs with the trunk and set it next to the one containing his old clothes.\u00a0 \u201cAre you making any progress?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe seem to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing poked his head into the room and said \u201cLunch in ten minutes.\u00a0 You get boys cleaned up.\u201d\u00a0 With that, the cook disappeared back into his kingdom.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I have my orders\u201d said Ben with a smile to Marie as he went to the staircase.\u00a0 Instead of going up, he yelled \u201cGet ready for lunch.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cYes, Sir\u201d was heard from upstairs.\u00a0 Ben then went over to the settee and sat down next to Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is the sampler coming?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s coming along just fine\u201d she answered as she held it up for her husband to see.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither Adam nor Hoss had a nursery.\u00a0 This will be a new experience for me.\u00a0 Are you sure you don\u2019t want to have the baby\u2019s cradle and crib in our room?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the first several months, oui.\u00a0 After that, we\u2019ll be ready to have our room back.\u201d\u00a0 She said this with a flirtatious smile, which inspired Ben to kiss her.\u00a0 Afterwards, she said \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be fair to ask one of the boys to share their room with the baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam and Hoss shared a bed for years.\u00a0 They could share a room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNon, mon chere.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s life has been turned upside down as it is.\u00a0 I won\u2019t give him further cause to resent me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t resent you, darling.\u00a0 Adam asked me if you\u2019d like to use his christening gown for the baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie looked surprised and then smiled happily.\u00a0 \u201cThat is very thoughtful of him to ask that.\u00a0 But\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben interrupted with \u201cI didn\u2019t make any promises.\u00a0 You\u2019ll have to talk it over with Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded her head and said \u201cI\u2019ll approach him when the time for the baby to arrive is closer.\u201d\u00a0 She then leaned forward and kissed Ben.<\/p>\n

The clomp of boots on the stairs broke Ben and Marie apart.\u00a0 Marie blushed a bright pink.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know why she embarrassed so easily anymore when she was kissing her husband in the boys\u2019 presence.<\/p>\n

Hoss went over to the settee and leaned towards Marie.\u00a0 He sniffed loudly and then said \u201cYou smell good, Mama.\u00a0 What is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parfum, mon fils.\u00a0 It\u2019s made in France.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo all folks in France smell like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u201d answered Ben, \u201cjust the loveliest ladies.\u201d\u00a0 Marie smiled brightly in response.\u00a0 Adam sniffed a bit, but not as loudly as Hoss had.\u00a0 He preferred the smell of own mother over Marie\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing came out of the kitchen with a tureen of beef stew.\u00a0 He set it on the table and called for the boys to come help.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam went to the kitchen and returned with a platter of biscuits (carried by Adam) and four bowls and spoons (carried by Hoss).<\/p>\n

During the meal, Hoss chattered about the treasures they had found in the spare room.\u00a0 Marie laughed at the description of her husband\u2019s frilly stock.\u00a0 \u201cPa gave me a pair of trousers that have some holes.\u00a0 Could you mend them, please?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy certainly, mon fils\u201d answered Marie with a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa said they could be Adam\u2019s fishin\u2019 pants\u201d said Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery boy needs a pair of trousers that he can dirty without worry\u201d said Marie.<\/p>\n

Adam looked a bit surprised at hearing that.\u00a0 He\u2019d never had the luxury of owning a pair of pants he could get dirty just for fun.\u00a0 This was going to be new experience for him.<\/p>\n

After finishing lunch, Ben said \u201cWhy don\u2019t we tackle one more trunk and call it a day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u201d said Adam and Hoss in unison.\u00a0 Who knew what treasures they would find next?<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I join you, gentlemen?\u201d Marie asked hopefully.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t fancy an afternoon with just her needlepoint for company.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right with me if it is with you boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay with me, Mama\u201d said Hoss with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cSure\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n

All four got up from the table and headed for the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cYou boys go on ahead and choose a trunk.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss raced up so he could be the one to pick.\u00a0 Adam wasn\u2019t far behind.\u00a0 Ben and Marie followed at a more leisurely pace.<\/p>\n

Reaching the spare room, Ben saw both Hoss and Adam sitting on a trunk.\u00a0 \u201cWe want this one\u201d said Hoss.\u00a0 Adam nodded his head.\u00a0 Ben realized that it was his ship\u2019s trunk\u2014the boys had never seen the contents.\u00a0 Maybe letting the boys choose hadn\u2019t been such a good idea.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy that one?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Cause it\u2019s got your initials on it\u201d replied Adam.\u00a0 Many times over the years, Ben had seen Adam eyeing the trunk with great curiosity.\u00a0 Well, he thought, I might as well get this over with.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be right back\u201d he said as he left the room.\u00a0 The boys sat smugly on the trunk.\u00a0 Now they\u2019d see what kinds of secrets their father had.\u00a0 Hoss was sure that there was pirate loot inside.\u00a0 Adam thought there must be love letters or something scandalous in the trunk.\u00a0 Marie\u2019s curiosity was piqued.<\/p>\n

Ben returned with the key and had the boys stand up.\u00a0 He unlocked the trunk and opened it.\u00a0 The smell of cedar wafted out to their noses.\u00a0 Three expectant faces looked on as the lid opened further.<\/p>\n

On top lay a dark blue jacket with gold trim.\u00a0 Marie reached for the jacket and pulled it out.\u00a0 She held it up against her husband to get an idea of what Ben may have looked like in uniform.\u00a0 The image she formed was of a very dashing, handsome seaman, sailing across the waves to exotic ports.\u00a0 Maybe Ben could put it on later, after the boys had gone to bed.<\/p>\n

Hoss reached for his father\u2019s cap and put it on his own head.\u00a0 \u201cDo I look like you did, Papa?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cNot quite\u201d said Ben as he reached for the cap.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t fast enough as Hoss took it off and placed it on Adam\u2019s head.\u00a0 Marie gasped at the sight\u2014Adam looked very nautical.<\/p>\n

Ben cocked his head and studied his eldest for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cYou remind me of a miniature of the Captain\u2019s father, Samuel, your great-grandfather.\u00a0 He was also a sea captain.\u00a0 In fact, he sailed alongside John Paul Jones during the Revolution.\u201d\u00a0 Adam straightened up a bit hearing that.<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely you won\u2019t be getting rid of your uniform?\u201d asked Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hadn\u2019t planned on it\u201d answered Ben.<\/p>\n

With the cap still on his head, Adam reached into the trunk and came up with a spy glass.\u00a0 A brass plate inscribed \u201cB. Cartwright\u201d was on it.\u00a0 Before Adam could get it opened, Ben took it from his son.\u00a0 \u201cThis is not a toy.\u201d\u00a0 Both Hoss and Adam were disappointed that they wouldn\u2019t be able to use the spy glass.<\/p>\n

Hoss reached into the trunk and brought out a small box.\u00a0 He opened it and saw letters and a needle under glass.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a compass.\u00a0 It\u2019s used to know which direction you\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019tcha just do that by lookin\u2019 at the sun?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s harder at sea, especially at times when you\u2019re surrounded by a gale of driving rain.\u00a0 The compass helps the captain keep the ship on course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t ya just stop the ship until the rain stopped?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot always.\u00a0 If we were carrying a cargo that had to get to its destination on time, we couldn\u2019t waste time waiting for a storm to blow over.\u00a0 Besides, there isn\u2019t always a safe harbor to sail into on the open sea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie was next to reach into the trunk and she pulled out a small ivory stand with spools of thread on it.\u00a0 \u201cThis is beautiful\u201d she said, admiring the carvings on the ivory.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was my sewing kit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had to mend your own clothes?\u201d asked Hoss.\u00a0 Adam and now Mama took care of that for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were no seamstresses on ship, so every man had to repair his own clothing.\u00a0 The Captain was a stickler for every man on his ship looking sharp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben began to gather his sailing items from his wife and sons to put them back in the trunk.\u00a0 \u201cWhy can\u2019t we see everything in there?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it\u2019s personal.\u00a0 And private.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre ya gonna show Mama later?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u201d was the reply.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must respect your pere\u2019s request regarding his trunk.\u00a0 Mais oui?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u201d came the disappointed replies from Adam and Hoss.<\/p>\n

Ben was going to put the jacket back in the trunk when Marie touched his arm.\u00a0 He looked into her sparkling green eyes and was stirred by the look he saw.\u00a0 \u201cBoys, we\u2019ve done enough for today.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you get your fishing poles and go down to the lake.\u00a0 Tell Hop Sing I told him to go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I wear my fishing trousers?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh, of course.\u00a0 Your mother can patch them up later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam picked up the pants and then he and Hoss left the room.\u00a0 Ben drew Marie to him and kissed her passionately.\u00a0 When they heard the tromp of boots on the stairs, Ben picked Marie up and carried her and the jacket to their bedroom.\u00a0 With the opening and closing of the front door, Ben thought it was time to make some new memories with his beautiful wife.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

May 2007<\/p>\n

Next Story in The Battle of Wills Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A New Pattern<\/a>
\nNaming the Newest Cartwright<\/a>
\nPresents from the Heart<\/a>
\nLove\u2019s Labor<\/a>
\nBig Brother Lessons<\/a>
\nNo Regrets<\/a>
\nBaby\u2019s Breath<\/a>
\nEnnui<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>patina<\/a>\u00a0Signed<\/span>
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>14 May 2010 07:02 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Room Full of Memories\u00a0Thank you, jojay.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Reviewer:\u00a0<\/span>jojay\u00a0Anonymous<\/span>
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>14 Dec 2009 01:13 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>A Room Full of Memories\u00a0Heh, heh, heh.\u00a0 Charming story.Author’s Response:<\/i><\/i>Thank you for letting me know, jojay.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a07th story in The Battle of Wills series.\u00a0 It’s time to clean out the spare room so it can be turned into a nursery for the coming baby. As Ben, Adam, and Hoss go through the room’s contents, they remember the past.<\/p>\n

Rating: K+ Word Count=3622<\/p>\n

The Battle of Wills series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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":""},"categories":[23,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-drama","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2136,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6025,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6025","url_meta":{"origin":5771,"position":0},"title":"Remembering Childhoods (by Patina)","author":"patina","date":"April 28, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a06th story in The Battle of Wills series.\u00a0 It's the morning after the events in New Expectations. 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