Holding On

I do not own Bonanza or any of the characters, except for Amanda, Mason, Josephine, and Aaron, they are mine. I forgot to mention, Adam is 42, Amanda is 29, Joe is 30, Mason is 15, Josephine is 10, and Aaron is 4. No copyright infringement is intended this is just written for fun and pure enjoyment of the reader.

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Chapter One: 10 Years Later

It's been ten years since Josephine was born; Ben had given Adam and Amanda a piece of the Ponderosa to live on. Four years ago Amanda had given birth to Aaron Adam Cartwright. Mason was now 15 and a wild one at that. Josephine was 10 and was the apple of everyone's eye.

Two years ago Hoss had had a terrible accident with a bull. The bull had been too much for him and had pinned him to the ground and before anyone had time to distract it, Hoss' rib had been broken and pierced his lung, killing him.

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Today had started out great for Mason, he got up and as usual breakfast was on the table. Josephine and Aaron were already at the table. Mason just sat down in his spot, when Adam walked in.

"Good morning Pa." Mason said with a smile on his face.

"Good morning." Adam said giving each one of his children a kiss on the forehead. Amanda came in from the kitchen with coffee cup in her hands.

"Here honey," Amanda said setting down the coffee in front of Adam before kissing him, "black just how you like it."

"You make the best," Adam said smiling, and then he turned to Mason, "do you think you can get home a little faster today from school, I need your help today."

"Yes, sir." Mason said, nodding.

"Good," Adam said, "Josie, did you get your spelling done last night like you said."

"Yes, Daddy," Josephine said looking up at Adam, "It's all done."

"That's my princess." Adam said reaching across the table and patting Josephine on the hand. After that they ate breakfast with small talk amongst each other.

"Well you two better get off to school," Amanda said, standing up and grabbing Josephine and Mason's lunch pails. Mason and Josephine put on their jackets and gloves then took their lunch pails. Hugs were given and they walked out into the winter air.

One of the ranch hands had saddled Cloud, Mason helped Josephine onto Cloud and climbed up after her, and then they were heading to Virginia City.

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It was lunch break at school; Mason and Josephine were sitting on the little bench underneath the tree outside.

"Aaron's birthday is coming up," Josephine was telling Mason, "do you think Mama and Daddy are going to throw him a party." Mason looked up from his sandwich and at his sister.

"Of course they will," Mason said, "it's gonna be the biggest party yet."

"Yeah I guess you're right," Josephine said smiling, "what do you think I should get him."

"I don't know," Mason said looking past Josephine. "What ever you want I guess."

"Well you're no help." Josephine said giving Mason a little push, but Mason didn't respond back like he usually does. Josephine turned around to see what Mason was looking at. It was Danny, the school bully.

Danny was 17, and a little slow, but what he was slow in he made up with muscle. Danny was walking over to them; Josephine knew this wasn't going to end well.

"Mas, please don't start anything." Josephine said turning back to Mason.

"I won't Josie," Mason said, "only if he starts something." Josephine sighed.

"Remember Pa doesn't like you fighting." Josephine said laying her hand on Mason's hand. Mason just looked at her with an annoyed look, and then turned back to where Danny was approaching.

"Well hey Cartwright," Danny said with a sneer, "I see you are having a little family time." Danny laughed and Mason took his hand out from under Josephine's hand.

"What do you want Danny?" Mason asked, standing up. Danny stepped a little closer to Mason, but Mason didn't move.

"I just thought you and your sister would like to know that you ain't really Cartwrights." Danny said.

"What are you talking about?" Mason asked, "of course we're Cartwrights."

"Well that may be your last names," Danny said, "but ya ain't blood."

"Liar." Mason said, his eyes flashing. Danny stood up taller and you could see the anger in his eyes.

"Did you just call me a liar?" Danny said.

"Are you deaf?" Mason said, and with that Danny punched Mason in the face and the fight was on. They only got a couple punches in on each other, when Josephine tried to help.

Josephine jumped on Danny's back after he had punched Mason to the ground.

"Leave my brother alone!" Josephine yelled while pulling Danny's hair.

Danny reached back and pulled Josephine from his back and threw her to the ground. Josephine cried out from pain in her wrist. Mason seen red and jumped back up and started punching Danny where ever he could.

"Never touch her again!" Mason yelled. Danny somehow got a hold of Mason and had him in a chock hold. Stars danced across his eyes and for a split second he had a flash back from when 'the bad man' had been chocking him when he was five.

Just when he thought he was going to pass out, he dropped to the ground. He was lying panting on the ground with his eyes closed, he felt someone kneel next to him.

"Mas, are you ok?" Josephine asked stroking his hair. Mason opened his eyes and smiled.

"Of course I am," Mason said sitting up, "no one hurts my sister." Josephine smiled and stood up.

"Mason, Josephine, are you alright?" Miss Jones asked reaching her hand out to help Mason up.

"Yes, ma'am." Mason said taking her hand.

"I want you to stay after school to talk." Miss Jones said.

"I can't ma'am," Mason said, "I promised my pa that I would be home to help him."

"I understand." Miss Jones said, "But I want you to tell your father about this, both of you." Mason and Josephine both nodded. Miss Jones walked back into the school with all the other children behind her including Danny.

"Pa, ain't gonna like this, not one bit." Josephine said. Mason nodded and took Josephine hand. Together they walked back into the school.