Bonanza the First Day

Ages: Amelia 4; Joe 10; Hoss 16: Adam 22

Homecoming

In life there are changes; some good some bad. The Ponderosa was full of changes especially for the Cartwright's.

Adam who had been away to college for the past four years had come home six months ago. He was finally adjusting to the routine of things on the ranch.

The only thing he was having trouble adjusting was his relationship with his four year old sister Amelia. When he had left for school Amelia was only a baby and when he came back he was amazed that she wasn't a baby anymore but a little girl.

During the four years Adam was in college were very hard for them to adjust having Adam no longer there. Amelia grew up with two brothers and knew she had another one who was a complete stranger to her.

Hoss and Joe told her stories about Adam and showed her pictures. They told her how much Adam loved her and how he used to sing her to sleep after her mother died.

Amelia always wondered what it would be like when Adam came home. She wondered if he was wonderful like Hoss and Joe or if he was horrible like the ugly stepsisters in the story Cinderella that Ben would often read to her.

When Adam sat up at night he would think about home and wondered about how big Hoss and Joe had gotten. He wondered about if the Ponderosa had change at all or if it stayed the same.

His mind always seemed to find away to wonder about the baby sister he had left behind. From the letters he received from his family, they told him how big Amelia was getting and all of the things he had missed on like her first steps, words and being potty trained.

Not a day went by in those four years at school he thought about his special shortcake. Like Amelia he too wondered what it would be like when he came home.

He wondered what Amelia looked like he imagined that she was beautiful just like her mother Catherine was. He promises himself that when he came back home he would spend quality time with her.

He missed his family so much while he was at school and was glad that he would be going home soon.

Six months later...

The Cartwright's were all waiting at the Trading Office in Virginia City for the stage.

The Cartwright's were anxiously waiting while little four years old Amelia was waiting nervously. She didn't know anything about her brother Adam and she didn't know what he looked like.

Ben walks over to her who was sitting on a bench next to the ticket window. "Are you nervous baby?" he asked as he sits beside her.

Amelia nods her head. "Don't worry honey I'm sure Adam is just as nervous about meeting you as you are of him" assured Ben. Amelia looks up him surprised "Really?"

"You were just a baby when Adam last saw you" said Ben. "I bet he's gonna be surprise when he sees what a big girl I's am" Amelia told him.

"I'm sure he will sweetheart" said Ben smiling as he kisses her on the head. "Stage is comin' Pa" Hoss called. "Papa do ya thinks Adam would like me?" Amelia asked anxiously.

"You don't have to worry about that sweetheart. Your big brother Adam loves you very much" said Ben confidently. Amelia smiles relieved.

They got up and walk over to Joe and Hoss as the stage pulls up. The door opens and people started to climb out until Adam was the one to climb out.

Ben was over joy to see his eldest son. "Adam! Welcome home" he exclaimed happily. He wraps his arms around his son.

"Thanks Pa it's good to be home" Adam said as he held his father. They pull apart after holding each other for several minutes.

Adam turns to his younger brothers and as he had predicted they had grown up since the last time he saw them. Hoss was as tall as he was and although Joe wasn't very tall Adam could tell her had grown up some.

Hoss was the first to greet Adam and hugs him. "Boy Hoss you sure have grown. Hopsing must've been feeding you miracle grow while I was gone" joked Adam laughing as they pulled apart.

"He sure did so ya better watch out big brother" teased Hoss. Adam turns to his younger brother. Joe looks up at him "Welcome home brother" he said shyly.

"Thanks little buddy I'm glad to be back I really missed you" Adam said with tears in his eyes. "I missed you too" Joe sobbed as he hugs his brother.

He was really happy to have his brother back.

After hugging Joe Adam looks around to see a little girl with light brown hair in braided pigtails, green eyes, wearing a light blue dress standing beside Ben.

Seeing how confused and surprised Adam was Ben puts his arm around Amelia and looks at him. "Adam this little angel is your baby sister but as you can see she's no longer a baby" said Ben.

Adam had tears in his eyes when he realized who it was. He squats down to her eye level and was amazed to see how much she look like Catherine.

"You look so much like your mother" Adam said. Amelia hugs her father's leg shyly not knowing who the stranger was. Ben puts a hand on her back comfortingly.

"It's alright darling" he assured "This is Adam your big brother". Amelia walks a little closer to her brother hesitantly.

"Hi Amelia I know you probably don't remember me but I hope that now that I'm home we can spend some time together and get to know each other. Pa told me how big you were but I never imagine to see how beautiful you are" Adam said gently trying not to scare her.

"I already have big brothers I can spend time with" she said innocently and walks away to their wagon that was park in front of the clothing store next to the Trading Office.

Adam gets up disappointedly. "Give her some time Adam she'll come around once she gets use to you" assured Ben. Adam nods hopingly as they walk over to the wagon.