Summary:\u00a0 Ben and Marie take baby Little joe on his first outing, but things don\u2019t go quite as expected
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 4,330 words<\/p>\n
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Baby Blues<\/b><\/p>\n
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Ben Cartwright watched as his wife Marie lifted their six week-old baby son Joseph from the small tub of water and swaddled him inside a large towel. The baby immediately let out a protesting howl and his mother cuddled him to her chest protectively. \u2018There there,\u2019 she said. \u2018It\u2019s all right little one.\u2019 She patted him on the back and listened in satisfaction as the howls gave way to a few small hiccups. \u2018He certainly likes his bath,\u2019 she said indulgently. \u2018Don\u2019t you, Little Joe?\u2019 The baby hiccupped once more in reply and she patted him on the back again.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019re going to be late,\u2019 warned Ben for the third time.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Nonsense,\u2019 said Marie firmly. \u2018There\u2019s plenty of time yet. Here \u2026 you dress him while I go and put on my own finishing touches. His clothes are all laid out on the bench over there.\u2019\u00a0 She handed the baby to Ben and gave both of them a kiss on their foreheads, before leaving the washhouse.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sat looking at his tiny son in his arms, who stared back at him with a slightly cross-eyed look. \u2018I hope you\u2019re going to behave yourself today,\u2019 he said. \u2018Your mama wants to show you off for the first time and she\u2019s relying on you to be good, Joseph.\u2019\u00a0 He smiled as he received another hiccup as a response. \u2018Come on then,\u2019 he said. \u2018Let\u2019s get you dressed.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben laid the baby down on the bench and began to unwrap him, towelling him off as he did so. At that moment the washhouse door opened with a bang and Adam walked in. \u2018The team are all rigged up Pa,\u2019 he said and bent down to stroke his finger on his baby brother\u2019s palm.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s tiny hand immediately clung on tight to it and he tried to put the finger into his mouth to suck, but Adam merely laughed and prised the baby\u2019s fingers off again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Thank you son,\u2019 said Ben as he put on Little Joe\u2019s diaper. \u2018Where is your brother Hoss?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Sitting in the buggy, ready,\u2019 replied Adam, tickling his baby brother and make him smile. \u2018How come Little Joe had another bath?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Because he \u2026\u2019 Ben laughed. \u2018He disgraced himself after the first one,\u2019 he finished. \u2018Your mother wasn\u2019t too happy with him.\u00a0 She had his best outfit picked out for him to wear to church today and now he has to wear this one instead.\u2019\u00a0 He indicated the pale blue baby jacket and dress that was lying on the bench beside Little Joe and began to dress the baby in it.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018He pooped again huh?\u2019 grinned Adam. \u2018He does that a lot, doesn\u2019t he?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Babies tend to,\u2019 said Ben, straightening up Little Joe\u2019s dress and picking up the pale blue matching shawl. \u2018Go and ask Hop Sing for the picnic basket please and put it in the back of the buggy.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018OK Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019d better stay out there with it though. You know what Hoss is like when he\u2019s left alone with a full picnic basket.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben laughed as he wrapped the baby up in the shawl. He certainly <\/span>did <\/span><\/i>know. That middle son of his had been known to dip his finger in anything that Hop Sing cooked for them, just on the pretence of trying it out for the rest of them.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He picked up the tiny baby and stared into his unfocused eyes. \u2018Now remember what I told you,\u2019 he warned. \u2018Be good today or your mama \u2026\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Of course he\u2019s going to be good,\u2019 said Marie brightly as she came back into the room. She fastened her bonnet and took the baby from her husband\u2019s arms. \u2018Aren\u2019t you, little one?\u2019\u00a0 The baby let out a howl in response to her question and she immediately began to rub his back to soothe him. \u2018What\u2019s the matter, baby?\u2019 she asked gently.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019ll go and bring the team up to the door,\u2019 said Ben quickly. \u2018He\u2019s all yours now.\u00a0 See you outside.\u2019\u00a0 He escaped out of the side door and went to join Hoss in the buggy, helping Adam with the picnic basket on the way. \u2018Ready boys?\u2019 he asked as he turned the team around.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Sure are Pa,\u2019 said Hoss, his eyes shining. \u2018It\u2019s sure gonna be a great picnic today, ain\u2019t it?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Sure is,\u2019 said his father, ruffling the little boy\u2019s hair. It was the first time they\u2019d all been out together since Little Joe had been born and he knew that both the boys were really looking forward to it.\u00a0 If the truth were told, he was looking forward to it as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Where\u2019s Marie?\u2019 asked Adam, impatiently. \u2018We\u2019re gonna be late, Pa.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018She\u2019ll be here in a minute,\u2019 replied his father. After five minutes when there was no sign of her, he sighed and got down from the buggy, handing Adam the reins. \u2018Hang onto these, son,\u2019 he said. \u2018I\u2019ll go and see what\u2019s holding her up.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He walked into the front room, calling as he opened the door. \u2018Marie, we\u2019re going to be late!\u00a0 Where are you?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m in here,\u2019 called back his wife from the living room and Ben walked over to the fireplace to see her sitting on the sofa, nursing Little Joe. \u2018He was hungry,\u2019 she said. \u2018I have to feed him again before we go.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018He just had a feed before his bath,\u2019 protested Ben. \u2018Why another one?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Because he\u2019s hungry,\u2019 explained Marie again. \u2018I can\u2019t help it.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed. \u2018Well can\u2019t you do that in the buggy on the way?\u2019 he said impatiently. \u2018We\u2019re going to be late you know.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie stood up, the baby still sucking furiously. \u2018All right,\u2019 she said. \u2018Could you load all his things in the back of the buggy please?\u2019 she indicated a large pile in the corner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018What on earth \u2026 \u2019 said Ben in amazement. \u2018Surely we don\u2019t need to take all that!\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018We most certainly do,\u2019 said Marie haughtily. \u2018Joseph may need every one of those things if we\u2019re going to be away for most of the day.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head, but began to pick up everything without a word. Marie followed him out to the buggy, draping her shawl over herself and the sucking baby as she did so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked at his father curiously as the man began to pack the bundles into the back of the buggy. \u2018What\u2019s all that for?\u2019 he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben glanced over to the other side of the buggy where Marie was speaking to Hoss. \u2018Your baby brother, apparently,\u2019 he answered in a low voice. Adam rolled his eyes as Ben continued to try to fit the things in. \u2018They won\u2019t fit,\u2019 he said finally. \u2018We\u2019ll have to leave some of this behind.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Joseph needs every bit of that,\u2019 said Marie firmly. \u2018There\u2019s spare clothing and diapers, a spare shawl, a rug in case it gets cold, as well as \u2026\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018All right, all right, I get the idea,\u2019 said Ben, holding up his hand. \u2018I\u2019ll just have to \u2026\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Why don\u2019t I ride my horse in, Pa?\u2019 interrupted Adam. \u2018You could put the rest of the things on the back seat of the buggy then next to Hoss?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Good idea son.\u00a0 You go and saddle up your horse.\u00a0 Be quick!\u2019 said Ben.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018You can put the picnic basket up here with me Pa,\u2019 said Hoss generously. \u2018I don\u2019t mind looking after it.\u2019\u00a0 He gave his father a huge grin at the thought of it.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Thank you son, but it stays exactly where it is,\u2019 said Ben firmly as he began to stuff several of baby Joseph\u2019s things onto the seat next to Hoss. \u2018Hurry up Adam! We\u2019re late!\u2019\u00a0 He walked around to help Marie up into the buggy and then climbed aboard himself, just as Adam came out of the bran leading his horse. \u2018Mount up son,\u2019 he said. \u2018And be quick about it.\u00a0 We have to \u2026\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n His words were cut off by an exclamation from his wife. \u2018Joseph!\u2019 Marie said. \u2018Oh no!\u2019 Ben glanced over to see his baby son dribbling vomit all down his front and into his mother\u2019s lap, where it pooled before dripping onto the floor of the buggy.\u00a0 For a moment, he wondered how such a tiny baby could have so much vomit inside him, but the thought was quickly brushed aside as he listened to Marie\u2019s exclamations. \u2018Oh Ben!\u00a0 Look what he\u2019s done!\u00a0 Now I\u2019ll have to go and get changed \u2026 and Joseph is going to need another bath.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben groaned. \u2018Marie, you can\u2019t seriously be considering giving that child his third bath this morning before we even leave!\u2019 he said. \u2018For heaven\u2019s sake!\u2019\u00a0 He took the baby from his wife, being careful to hold him at arm\u2019s length as he did so.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie climbed down from the buggy and allowed the baby vomit to run down her skirt and puddle around her feet. \u2018I wanted him to look so nice!\u2019 she exclaimed. \u2018This is the first time that everyone will see him and now he\u2019s going to smell of baby vomit.\u00a0 And just look at that dress he\u2019s wearing!\u2019\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked at the pale blue baby dress which was now stained liberally with vomit. \u2018You go inside and get changed,\u2019 he said. \u2018I\u2019ll fix him up.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018He has to have a bath,\u2019 insisted Marie.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Leave him to me,\u2019 said Ben. \u2018Go on.\u2019\u00a0 He waited until Marie had run to the house, before turning to Hoss and Adam who were both giggling at the sight of their baby brother covered with vomit. Ben dangled the baby in his arms as he searched in the back of the buggy. \u2018Adam, get down from that horse and clean up the buggy floor,\u2019 he instructed as he pulled another baby outfit out of a bag.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s eyes bugged out of his head at his father\u2019s words and he opened his mouth to protest, but closed it again as he saw the look on Ben\u2019s face.\u00a0 With a sigh, he got down from his horse and went to get a bucket of water.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben laid the baby on the buggy seat and began to undress him. \u2018Ew!\u2019 said Hoss distastefully, as he looked at the vomit-splattered clothing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Be quiet,\u2019 said Ben firmly as he stripped the baby. He picked up Little Joe and took him over to the water trough, calling out over his shoulder as he did so. \u2018And if either of you breathe a word of this to your mother, you\u2019ll answer to me!\u2019\u00a0 He dunked the wriggling baby into the water, effectively washing him in a minute, before bringing him back to the buggy and towelling him down. \u2018Better,\u2019 he said, as he began to put the new outfit on the child. \u2018Have you finished Adam?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Yes, Pa,\u2019 said Adam, screwing up his nose as he took the bucket back to the pump and rinsed it out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Good,\u2019 replied Ben. He finished dressing Little Joe, just as Marie came running out of the house again in a clean outfit. \u2018Get into the buggy,\u2019 said Ben. \u2018Quick!\u2019\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie climbed up without a word and Ben handed her the baby. \u2018How on earth did you get him clean so quickly?\u2019 she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben simply winked at her. \u2018Experience,\u2019 he said. \u2018Adam, get on that horse and start riding!\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The trip to town was a wild one, Ben urging the horses forward as fast as he dared and Adam trotting quickly to keep up. Little Joe seemed to enjoy the trip and for once was quiet, staring at the tops of the trees as they swayed in the wind and at Hoss as his brother dangled his fingers in front of his face to make him smile. \u2018Why can\u2019t he be like this all the time?\u2019 asked Marie fretfully. \u2018I don\u2019t understand how he can be so happy during the day and yet cry all night.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed as he remembered the lack of sleep from last night.\u00a0 He was still feeling the effects of it and as he glanced at the content baby on his wife\u2019s lap he wondered how such a small little person could have them all controlled in such a way.\u00a0 He honestly didn\u2019t remember either Adam or Hoss being so demanding when they were babies, and he\u2019d had the bulk of the looking after of them both to himself as well.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the time they reached the churchyard, they could hear singing coming from inside the building and Ben realised with a sinking heart that they hadn\u2019t made it in time. \u2018Perhaps we should wait out here and join everyone after the service?\u2019 he suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Nonsense,\u2019 said Marie. \u2018We\u2019re not that late!\u2019\u00a0 She ushered Adam and Hoss inside and Ben had no choice but to follow.\u00a0 As the Cartwrights entered the church, every eye was upon them and both he and Marie were forced to give the congregation apologetic looks as they slunk up the aisle to their pew.\u00a0 No sooner had they sat down, than Little Joe let out a howl to make his presence known.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018What\u2019s wrong with him now?\u2019 whispered Ben in frustration.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I think he\u2019s hungry,\u2019 whispered back Marie.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018He can\u2019t be!\u2019 exclaimed Ben, conscious of all the looks they were receiving. \u2018You only just fed him when we left.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018But he threw it all up again, remember?\u2019 whispered Marie. \u2018His little stomach is empty.\u2019\u00a0 She put the baby on her shoulder and patted his little back, but to no avail.\u00a0 With another apologetic look at everyone, she stood up and left the church with as much dignity as she could muster.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beside him, Hoss began to giggle and Ben very firmly put a hand on his son\u2019s leg. \u2018Be quiet!\u2019 he whispered firmly. Hoss looked across his father at Adam who rolled his eyes at his brother.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie never made it back inside again.\u00a0 By the time the service was over, Ben and boys found her sitting in the buggy with a contented baby on her lap. \u2018He\u2019s fine now,\u2019 she sighed. \u2018I guess I wasn\u2019t meant to go to church after all.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Never mind,\u2019 said Ben sympathetically. \u2018We\u2019ll show him off to everyone at the picnic ground.\u00a0 Everyone ready?\u2019\u00a0 He hitched up the team and they rode down the street towards the lake where several townsfolk were already gathered. Several of them clustered around to view the latest addition to the Cartwright family, as Ben unloaded all their things.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Got enough there?\u2019 asked Roy Coffee in delight as he watched.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben gave his friend a dark look, but said nothing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Sure is a cute little thing, ain\u2019t he?\u2019 said the sheriff, tickling Little Joe under the chin. He backed away slightly when the baby began to wail. \u2018Sure has got a big set of lungs fer a littun, ain\u2019t he?\u2019 the sheriff said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Would you like to hold him Roy?\u2019 asked Marie as she shushed the baby.\u00a0 She placed the baby in the sheriff\u2019s arms and then looked very embarrassed, as Little Joe promptly filled his diaper with great gusto. \u2018I\u2019m so sorry,\u2019 she said, blushing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Don\u2019t apologize ma\u2019am,\u2019 said the sheriff as he handed the smelly baby back to her. \u2018Only natural.\u2019\u00a0 He bid them all a quick farewell and fled before Marie could even reply.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n She looked at the tiny baby in her arms. \u2018If I didn\u2019t know better, I\u2019d swear he was timing all of this,\u2019 she said miserably.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Don\u2019t be silly,\u2019 said Ben soothingly. \u2018That\u2019s just what babies do.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Are we gonna eat now Pa?\u2019 asked Hoss. \u2018I\u2019m hungry.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018We certainly are,\u2019 said Ben. \u2018Adam, bring the picnic rug please.\u2019\u00a0 He walked away to a nearby tree followed by Hoss and Marie who was holding her smelly baby away from her at arm\u2019s length. As soon as they were settled on the rug, Ben began to undo the picnic basket and Marie began to undo Little Joe\u2019s dirty diaper.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Ew!\u2019 said Hoss distastefully. \u2018I don\u2019t wanna eat next to that!\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Be quiet,\u2019 said Ben sternly. \u2018It\u2019ll only be for a minute.\u2019\u00a0 They all waited while Marie finished changing the diaper and then Ben took it back to the buggy and left it in the same bag with the vomit-splattered baby clothing from that morning. By the time he returned, peace had finally settled upon his family and they were all eating while Little Joe lay in the middle of the rug and kicked his little legs in contentment as he gazed up at the treetops above him. Ben thought about how innocent the little baby looked, as he took a sandwich and began to munch on it.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Presently several of their neighbours wandered by to admire the baby and Ben and Marie found themselves engrossed in several conversations at once.\u00a0 They were just beginning to relax somewhat, when Hoss began to fidget. \u2018Can I Pa?\u2019 he asked plaintively, tugging on Ben\u2019s sleeve.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Can you what?\u2019 asked Ben absently.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Go over to my friends.\u00a0 Adam did.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben glanced over to the lake where Adam was standing talking to some other boys. \u2018All right,\u2019 he said. \u2018Don\u2019t go far.\u2019 He turned to finish his conversation again, visibly relaxing for the first time that day \u2026 that is until his wife\u2019s voice screeched in his ear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Ben!\u2019 Marie cried.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben jumped. \u2018What?\u2019 he said. \u2018What is it?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018The baby \u2026\u2019 Marie pointed to the empty rug. \u2018Joseph has gone!\u2019\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes darted frantically around and finally landed on Hoss, who was holding his baby brother over near the lake and proudly showing him off to a group of children. He bounded to his feet and followed a frantic Marie, who had also spied the miscreant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Hoss!\u2019 said Marie as she snatched her baby from the little boy\u2019s arms. \u2018What were you thinking?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked at his stepmother, his eyes wide. \u2018But I asked,\u2019 he said indignantly. \u2018And you said yes!\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie looked startled. \u2018I did not!\u2019 she said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yes you did,\u2019 insisted Hoss. \u2018I asked if I could take him and you patted me on the head while you was talking to Mrs Simmons and said \u2018Of course dear \u2026 whatever you like.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie gave Ben a defensive look. \u2018I didn\u2019t hear him properly,\u2019 she said, hugging the baby to her chest.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Never mind,\u2019 replied Ben. \u2018No harm done.\u2019\u00a0 His eyes widened as he saw the dirty stain that was spreading across his wife\u2019s chest. \u2018What is that?\u2019 he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie held the filthy baby away from her. \u2018Look at him!\u2019 she exclaimed. \u2018What did you do to him Hoss?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s only dirt,\u2019 said Hoss, trying to brush it off his baby brother, but only succeeding in spreading the mud further. \u2018I\u2019ve got some on me too.\u00a0 It\u2019s muddy down here.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018That it is,\u2019 said Ben, trying not to laugh. \u2018He\u2019s fine Marie, It\u2019s only a bit of dirt.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie looked up at her husband, her beautiful green eyes filling with tears. \u2018I only \u2026 wanted to show \u2026 him off \u2026.\u2019 she sobbed. \u2018I \u2026\u2019 she buried her face in his chest and began to sob quietly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben put his arms around her and the baby and murmured softly into her ear. \u2018You did show him off,\u2019 he said. \u2018Everyone got to see him.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018But not as I wanted them too,\u2019 she sobbed. \u2018He was supposed to look perfect today \u2026 and everything has gone wrong.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Hey Pa,\u2019 said Hoss. \u2018You want me to dunk Little Joe in the lake to get him clean?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie hugged her dirty baby even tighter to her chest, oblivious now to the dirt that was spreading across it. \u2018You will not put this baby anywhere near that lake!\u2019 she said firmly. \u2018The very idea!\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Well I was only trying to help,\u2019 said Hoss. \u2018It\u2019s bigger than the horse trough and I thought that \u2026 ow!\u2019 He rubbed his ankle where Adam had kicked it.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Horse trough?\u2019 said Marie suspiciously. \u2018What\u2019s this about a horse trough?\u2019\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Nothing,\u2019 said Ben quickly. \u2018How about we get Joseph changed into something else. Come on \u2026 I\u2019ll help you.\u2019\u00a0 He gave both his sons a dark look over his shoulder, as he led his wife back to the buggy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I wanted everyone to see what a beautiful baby he is,\u2019 said Marie sadly, wiping her eyes as they got to the buggy.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018And they did,\u2019 said Ben gently. \u2018Look at him.\u00a0 They couldn\u2019t help but see how beautiful he is.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie looked at the filthy baby in her arms, with the prejudiced eyes of a new mother. \u2018I suppose not,\u2019 she acknowledged. \u2018He <\/span>is <\/span><\/i>beautiful.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Of course he is,\u2019 said Ben soothingly, as he searched in the bag for another baby outfit without success. He continued to rummage through it, watched by Marie.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018What\u2019s the matter?\u2019 she asked finally.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I think we\u2019ve run out of clothing,\u2019 said Ben. \u2018I can\u2019t find any more.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018What?\u2019 said Marie. \u2018We can\u2019t have!\u00a0 I put \u2026.\u2019 She handed Ben the baby and began to look for herself.\u00a0 Ben looked down at Little Joe who stared back at his father with a slightly cross-eyed look.\u00a0 Suddenly the baby gave a loud burp and Ben chuckled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018This boy certainly likes to make his presence felt,\u2019 he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018What?\u2019 said Marie, her face inside the bag as she desperately tried to find something for her baby to wear.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I said that \u2026\u2019 Ben stopped and looked at his wife\u2019s mournful face. \u2018What is it?\u2019 he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018We <\/span>have<\/span><\/i> run out,\u2019 Marie said. \u2018What are we going to dress him in now?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Just a diaper?\u2019 asked Ben and then flinched as his wife gave him a cold stare. \u2018Just a thought,\u2019 he muttered. \u2018How about this?\u2019 He held up the tablecloth on top of the picnic basket. \u2018What about this? We could drape \u2026.\u2019 He stopped again as Marie snatched Little Joe from him and turned on her heel indignantly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018You are not dressing my child in a tablecloth, Ben Cartwright!\u2019 she declared as she stomped away and left Ben to put everything back in the bag. Ben shook his head as he packed the bags again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Pa?\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked up to see Adam standing next to him. \u2018Yes son?\u2019 he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Was I this much trouble when I was a baby?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018No Adam, you weren\u2019t, to be honest. Neither was Hoss.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Well how come \u2026\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben put up his hand. \u2018Don\u2019t even say it son,\u2019 he said. \u2018Just go and see your friends now while you still have time.\u00a0 We\u2019ll be going home soon.\u2019 He thought about Adam\u2019s words as he stowed the bags away in the back of the buggy. Was it because of Marie that things seemed to be more complicated now with this third baby of his?\u00a0 Or was it because Joseph \u2026 Ben shook his head. The baby was only six weeks old, for heavens sake. It wasn\u2019t as if any of this was his fault. Ben decided that he must just have a short memory about things like this.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss must have given him a considerable amount of trouble when they were babies \u2026. He just couldn\u2019t remember it, that was all.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the time they were ready to leave, Marie had calmed down somewhat, but was still clutching onto Little Joe defensively as if she was never going to let him go again. The baby himself was gurgling quite happily by this stage and looked very cute with his little curls bouncing, as he moved his head every which way. His dirty little face smiled at everyone who came within his line of vision and he was very popular with everyone that he met, even if they all had to acknowledge that he did rather smell of vomit and poop and was considerably muddy.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Throughout it all, Marie held up her head and looked people straight in the eye, defying them to mention how dirty and smelly her beautiful baby was.\u00a0 No one dared.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finally the sun began to set behind the pine trees and the lake gradually turned a dark blue … a sure signal to everyone that it was time to depart. Ben packed up the multitude of things that they\u2019d brought with them and ensured that his wife and baby were safely stowed in the buggy before climbing up himself. \u2018Hurry up Hoss,\u2019 he instructed as he watched Adam mount up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss climbed up onto the back seat, still somewhat chastened from his encounter with Marie earlier.\u00a0 He looked tentatively over the seat at Little Joe, who was gurgling in his mother\u2019s lap. Now that they were by themselves, Marie had relented and had wrapped the baby in the tablecloth and Little Joe\u2019s tiny arms and legs were struggling to escape the confines of the material.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I suppose it could have been worse,\u2019 acknowledged Marie as they lurched forward in the buggy. \u2018Everyone did get to see him after all. Only \u2026\u2019\u00a0 she sighed. \u2018I wanted him to look his best.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben chuckled. \u2018Somehow I think that what you got today is the best you\u2019re going to get with that child,\u2019 he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018What\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u2019 asked Marie as she patted Little Joe\u2019s curly hair tenderly. \u2018It wasn\u2019t the baby\u2019s fault.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018He did poop and vomit a lot,\u2019 said Adam with a grin and then wiped it off his face as Marie turned to give him an icy stare.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n