Hi Folks! I have finally plucked up the courage to write a Bonanza story. I hope you like it! I love writing, and I really like Bonanza, so I want to share my love for these two things with you. I have added an extra character into the story. I hope you like my new character! Enjoy!

Shadows in Our Midst

Chapter 1 – Another Cartwright

The cries of maternal pain that sounded from upstairs caused Ben to rise from the chair that he had only that instant sat down in. Looking uneasily up at the staircase, he began to pace in front of the great hearth.

Seventeen year old Adam looked up from the story that he was reading to his five year old brother, Joe, and glanced at his agitated father. Joe peered at his elder brother's serious face before tugging on Adam's sleeve to get him to resume the story.

Hoss, a boy of eleven, watched on from where he sat on the edge of the coffee table. Concern filled his wide eyes.

Finally, a louder moan than all the rest caused Little Joe to push away the book that Adam held in his hands. Turning his green eyes on Adam, he asked worriedly, "Is Dr Martin killing Mama?"

Adam smiled at Joe, relieved at the opportunity to release the tension of the moment. "No, of course he isn't!"

"Then why's Mama screaming?"

"Mama's having a baby, and …"

But Adam didn't finish, for suddenly everything upstairs went quiet, and then a new sound filled the air.

It was the cry of a new born baby.

An incredulous smile spread over Adam's face as his eyes met his father's for the first time. Ben, breathing heavily with a mixture of relief and excited anticipation, headed for the stairs, rather shakily, and then darted up them, two at a time.

Hoss turned to look at Adam.

"When do we get to go up?"

Adam wanted to say, "Now!" but instead he replied calmly, whilst his heart hammered against his chest excitedly, "Pa will call us when we can."

Joe looked at Adam. "What will we call him?"

"It might be a girl, Little Joe," Adam reminded his little brother.

"Uh, uh," Joe shook his head decidedly. "We're all boys. It's gonna be another boy."

Adam smiled. "You think so?"

"Yep, I sure do! What'll we call him, Adam?"

"I don't know, little brother. I guess we'll find out soon."

All three brothers began to study the ceiling, as if staring hard enough would make it possible to see through, and allow them to have a peek at their new sibling.

Hoss finally broke the silence. "Do ya think Mama's alright?"

"Of course she is," Adam said. "After all, this isn't her first! Why do you ask?"

"It's just she sounded in pain and all. Ya really think she's alright, Adam?"

Adam nodded his head confidently at his brother, "I know she is."

Then both boys returned their gaze to the ceiling.

"Adam! Hoss! Joseph!"

Ben's long-awaited call made the three brothers jump to their feet. Ben stood half-way down the stairs, his eyes brimming with pride, a smile of inexplicable joy etched on his face.

Adam looked eagerly at his father. "Can we see them now?"

Ben nodded his head, and smiled happily as Adam, Hoss and Little Joe rushed passed him on the stairs in a moment of eager anticipation.

Quickly stopping himself from bursting into the room noisily, Adam hesitated a moment. Sharing a look of impatient delight with his brothers, he slowly turned the handle and opened the door.

Standing upon the threshold of the room, holding their breaths in the wonder of the moment, they saw Marie sitting in bed, propped up against her pillows, cradling something small in her arms.

She smiled warmly at them. "Mes cheres," she said. "Come and see your little sister."

The three boys stepped into the room, Ben following behind them. Dr Martin seemed forgotten and unnoticed as they crowded next to Marie's side.

Still cradling the small form in her arms, Marie removed a fold of the blanket so that they could see more clearly. "Here is your sister."

The boys stared, spellbound, transfixed by the beauty and wonder of new life, of this little baby that was their sister. The new member of their family!

Ben picked up Little Joe so that he could see more easily. "What do you think?" he asked softly.

"He's a girl?" Little Joe said.

Marie smiled, "Yes, Mon petit. You have a sister."

"She's going to be the picture of her mother!" Ben said proudly.

"But she's red!" Joe said reproachfully.

"All babies are red, huh, Adam?" Hoss said.

"Yes," Adam said, smiling happily at his little sister.

"She's small!" Little Joe pointed out.

"So were you, Mon Petit, when you were born," Marie explained. "You were once as small at this little one here."

Joe looked appalled. "I was?"

Ben smiled and fondled Joe's mass of brown hair lovingly. "Yes, you were."

"But I'm big now!" Joe stated firmly. "Will she ever be big?"

"Oh, she'll grow to be just like her mother – just you wait and see." He stared lovingly at his pretty, young wife.

Adam sighed with contentment. Right now their family could not be made happier!

He turned to Ben, "What's she called?"

Ben looked at all three of his sons before smiling at his wife and finally letting his gaze fall upon his new baby girl.

"Louise," he said. "She's going to be called Louise. Louise Marie Cartwright."

I hpe this was a nice start to the story. Please leave me a review. I would love to hear from you! I will try to update as often as I can! :-)