Bonanza: "The Legacy of Joe Cartwright."

Chapter Two

The next morning, Joe says goodbye to Alice outside their home as the wind starts to pick up with Ben and Candy waiting near their horses. Joe has his arms wrapped around her as he kisses her and then says to her as he rubs the side of her shoulders. "Now you promise me that you're gonna take it easy while I'm gone." She nods. "Yes." "And if you have any problems, you'll go to Candy, Hannah, Clara, or even Jamie for help?" He asks. She sighs as she responds. "Yes, I will." "And one more thing.." Joe starts to say when Ben sighs and says to him as he walks up to him. "Joe, if you want to be back before that baby gets here, I suggest we get going." "Right, Pa." Joe says and then turns to Alice and says to her. "Well, I, uh..I'll see you in a couple of days." She nods with a smile and he then leans in and gives her another kiss. "Love you." "Love you." She says. He then lets go of her and turns around and Ben says to him as he places his arm around his shoulder. "She's going to be alright, Joe."

Alice then gasps as she quickly moves her hand over her round middle. "Oh!" Joe, Ben, and Candy quickly hurry over to her in alarm as Joe says to her. "Alice, what's wrong?" She gives a soft giggle as she replies. "It was only a kick, I'm fine." Joe closes his eyes as he sighs in relief and Candy places his hands over his hips, shaking his head as he tries to hold back laughter.

Ben tries to compose himself and says while trying to hide his concern. "Well, you heard her, she's fine! Now.." He puts his hat on. "Let's go." He walks over to his horse as a smirk forms on Joe's face at his Pa trying to disguise his fear and he turns back around to Alice and Candy then says to him. "I'll take good care of her, Joe, I promise." Joe nods and then looks at Alice and says to her. "Bye." "Bye." She says and he gives her another quick kiss and then turns and heads over to his horse, Cochise and mounts onto him and then takes off with Ben next to him on his horse, Buck.

Candy then turns to Alice and tells her as he places his hat back on his head. "Well, I'll be at the Ponderosa if you need me. Hannah should be by later on to check on you." "Alright." She says. He then asks her. "Why don't you take supper with us tonight? We'd love to have you." She smiles as she replies. "I'd like that." "Good. I'll come by around six to pick you up." He mounts onto his horse as Alice tells him. "I'll be here." He steers his horse as he says to her. "Take it easy." He kicks his legs and then takes off as Alice watches him ride off. She looks up at the impending storm brewing as the wind blows stronger and she places her hand over her back as she moves her other hand over her belly and then turns and heads back inside the house.

Hannah had come by that afternoon to check on Alice and then they had supper at her and Candy's house. Then later that evening Alice is back at home relaxing as she knits a blanket while sitting in her chair as the rain pounds on the roof outside. Thunder rumbles when she hears the sound of little Sara Marie crying in her room. She sighs and then sets her knitting needle and yarn down and slowly gets up from the chair and then waddles over to Sara's room.

She enters her bedroom as Sara cries out. "Mama." She walks over to the bed as she tries to calm her down. "Shh. Mama's here, darling, it's alright." She bends down and picks her up in her arms. She brushes her hand against her curly chestnut hair as she tells her. "There's no need to be frightened, it's only a storm." She carries her over to the rocking chair nearby and sits down into it. "You're safe right here." She holds her close as she strokes her head. "I sure hope your father is not in this storm." Sara's little lip quivers as she lets out a soft cry. "Oh." She pulls her close to her chest and then starts to soothe her with a lullaby as she hums to the tune of Hush Little Baby. Sara then starts to calm back down again as Alice rocks her back and forth.

She is then hit with that same sharp pain again and winces as she hunches over slightly. The pain then passes and she takes a breath as her mind begins to fill with worry over what those pains could mean. She lays her head against her daughters and holds her close as the rain continues to pour down outside.

Meanwhile, it's nighttime as Joe and Ben are huddled by a campfire, trying to keep warm. Ben pours himself another cup of coffee as he says to Joe. "I never expected for it to get this cold so quickly. But at least we were able to avoid that storm." He then offers Joe a cup. "Would you like some more coffee?" Joe turns his head to him as he replies. "Yeah, sure, Pa." He holds his cup out to him and Ben pours him another cup. "Thanks." Joe brings the cup back over to him and takes a sip as Ben sets the coffee pot back down and says as he lays back against his bedroll. "I hope Candy was able to secure that fence. I don't want any strays wandering loose out there..they wouldn't stand a chance in that storm." Joe looks down with his gloved hands wrapped around his coffee cup as he responds, softly. "Yeah."

Ben looks over at Joe and gives a small smile as he can sense there is something troubling his son. He then speaks up and says. "Joe." Joe looks over at him as Ben tells him. "I've known you long enough to know when something's bothering you, so you might as well come out with it." Joe looks down and doesn't respond as Ben already knows what it is and so he then asks. "You're worried about her, aren't you?" Joe sighs as he responds. "Alright, yes. Pa, is it so wrong for me to worry about my wife?" "Of course not." Ben replies. "Worrying is a natural response. I can't tell you the number of times I've worried about you boys over the years. I didn't get this gray hair on my head for nothing, you know." He gives a soft chuckle. Joe gives a small smile and then says  "I just hope she's alright." "She will be." Ben tells him. "Worrying about her isn't going to do a bit of good." Joe looks down at his coffee cup and responds. "Yeah, you're right." He then looks over at Ben and tells him with a smile. "I'll try not to worry." Ben smiles as he replies. "Good. You'll be worrying enough once that baby arrives."

Joe gives a soft chuckle and then shakes his head and says. "I still can't believe it's almost here. I get so excited I can't sleep." Ben chuckles and replies. "I felt the same way when each of you boys were born. I don't think there's anything else in the world that's given me such joy..than being a father." "I know what you mean, Pa." Joe says. "Alice is so sure it's gonna be a boy. She might not realize it, but every time she refers to the baby, she calls it a he." Ben then asks with curiosity. "Are you hoping she's right?" Joe gives a soft chuckle and remarks. "It's funny how everyone thinks they know how I feel." Ben chuckles, softly and responds. "Well, it's only natural for a father to want a son." "Why, to carry on our family name, I believe that's already been done, Pa." Joe tells him. "Well, it certainly has, but..what about your legacy?" Ben asks. Joe gives a puzzled look as he says. "My legacy?" Ben then tells him. "I have sons and grandsons to remember me by. But wouldn't you want a son of your own to remember you by?" Joe shrugs his shoulders a bit as he responds. "I don't know. I guess I never really thought about it before." "Well. It's something to think about." Ben says. Joe then says. "Of course it could end up being another girl, Pa." Ben chuckles and then remarks. "Well, if it is, she'll just be another granddaughter I can spoil." "Well, I'm afraid you'll have to get in line." Joe tells him and then takes another sip of coffee as Ben gives another soft chuckle and then tells him. "Get some rest." "I think I will." Joe says as he sets the coffee cup down and then tells him. "Goodnight, Pa." "Goodnight, son." Ben says and Joe then lays down on his bedroll as Ben stays up for a little while longer enjoying the peaceful quiet of the night.