Little House on the Prairie Prequel Story: "Laura Elizabeth Ingalls."

Chapter One

Laura narrates: "If I had a remembrance book, I would mark down the day Laura Elizabeth Ingalls entered the world and where my story began. And while my coming into the world was a joyous event for Ma and Pa, it was a difficult road for them leading up to it." 

Caroline Ingalls is at the table peeling potatoes for a stew while a one year old Mary Ingalls is in her high chair  when Charles Ingalls then walks through the door and says. "I'm back." Caroline doesn't respond or look up as she continues peeling the potatoes. He hangs his hat up and then goes over to little Mary who looks up at him. Charles smiles at her and rubs her head as he says to her. "How's my girl doing, huh?" He gives her a kiss and then comes up to Caroline and gives her a kiss. "Hi." "Hi." She says in a gloomy tone. Charles then remarks. "Well, don't sound so disappointed to see me." She then looks up at him and says to him in an embarrassed tone. "Oh." He chuckles as she then apologizes. "Charles, I'm sorry, it's not you. It's just the day I had, that's all." He responds with. "Oh. You wanna tell me about it?" She gives a contemplative look as she replies. "Well, it's really not anything to make a fuss over, it's just..well.."

She gathers the potatoes and puts them in a bowl and then gets up and goes over to the stove to put them in a pot as she tells him. "I was having tea over at Mrs. Clayton's house, she's an old friend of Ma's and she mentioned that her daughter was already expecting her third child and how excited she was to be having another grandchild, and then Ma said how she would love to have more grandchildren." Charles shrugs his shoulders as he responds. "So? What's wrong with that?" Caroline then explains. "Well, it was the way she said it and she knew I was sitting right there, and it almost seemed like she was saying it towards me like I should be having more children already. I don't know, maybe it's a silly thought I guess." "You bet it's silly." He says. "I'm sure your Ma didn't mean anything by it." "I know." She replies. "It did get me thinking though. How nice it would be if we had another baby."

He smiles. "Hey." She looks at him as he comes up to her, turns her around to face him and puts his hands on her shoulders as he then says to her. "You know I would love to have another baby just as much as you would. But I just don't think it'd be a good time for us now." She looks down and doesn't say anything. He lifts her head up and says. "Hey, look, if it happens, then great, I'll be the happiest man in all of Wisconsin." She smiles as he continues. "If not, then it's not the end of the world. But for now, why don't we focus on taking care of the child we do have, alright?" She nods. He gives her a kiss and says. "I'm gonna go wash up." He heads out the door while Caroline turns around and gets back to making the stew.

Laura narrates: "It wasn't long after that when Ma's wish had come true. She had made a visit to the doctor and he confirmed the news she had been wanting to hear. I was already on my way and forming inside of Ma's womb."

Caroline is sitting on top of the examination table in Doc Thompson's office. He opens the curtain as Caroline steps down off the table and asks. "So, was my diagnosis correct, doctor?" He looks down and says. "Well." He then smiles at her and nods. "Yes. Congratulations." A big smile spreads across her face as she says to him joyfully. "Oh, I knew it, I just knew it!" He then tells her. "You're about two months along." "Oh, Charles is going to be so thrilled." She says. "Thank you, doctor." She excitedly hurries out the door as Doc Thompson calls out to her. "You're welcome, Mrs. Ingalls!"

Laura narrates: "Ma was so happy and anxious to get home and tell Pa. But telling him the wonderful news didn't quite go like she had hoped it would that same afternoon."

Caroline is baking a pie in the oven when Charles walks through the door. "Hi, darling." She gives a knocking smile as she says. "Hi." He walks over to her as he then says. "Something sure smells good." "I'm making your favorite pie for dessert." She tells him. He responds with. "Mmm, that explains it." He comes up to her and gives her a kiss and she then asks him. "So, how was your day?" "It wasn't too bad." He replies. "Pa and I got that wheat seed we needed to start planting. Got a good deal on it too. I'm gonna go get cleaned up." He starts to head towards the door, but then stops and turns back around. "Oh." He starts to laugh as he says. "You'll never guess who I ran into today."  "Who?" She asks. "Your Aunt Tess and you know what she told me today?" He starts to laugh again, making Caroline do the same as she asks him. "What?" He then tells her. "You're never gonna believe this. She told me you were pregnant." He chuckles as Caroline's mouth drops open in disbelief, and stands there stunned at what he just told her. Her expression turns to anger as she says while seething. "That woman." "I know, tell me about it." He says. "I told her it wasn't true and that if it was, I think I'd be the first one to hear about it. She said it was true because she overheard your Ma talking, but I'm sure she heard wrong as usual." He chuckles and shakes his head as he says. "That woman is something else, I tell ya." Caroline responds in a sharp tone with. "She certainly is."