Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza. These characters are the creation of David Dortort.
First time making a story! Hope you like!
Anna Cartwright
It was 10:30am when Anna walked into the house. "She's sick and running a fever can you have one of the hands go get Doc Martin please?" "Sure Pa. I'll be back." "No Pa, Doc Martin always gives me icky medicine!" "Papa can you stay with me?" She said feeling very vulnerable and needing her Papa. He changed her into her nightgown and laid her in bed as he said, "Of course Baby. You just shut your eyes and I'll stay right here." She closed her eyes as he rubbed her little hand in his strong one. An hour later Anna was tossing and turning in a restless sleep. Adam was sitting in with her putting a wet clothe on her forehead. "Shh, it's going to be all right little sis. Docs going to be here any minute." She opened her eyes hearing her brothers deep voice, "Where's Papa?" "He's downstairs finishing up some paperwork, he'll be up when Doc Martin comes." "Doc Martin always gives me icky medicine. I don't wanna see him." She pouted.
Pa was working at his desk when he heard the front door open. He stood up as he saw his daughter walk in.
"Well, your home early. Anything wrong?"
"Ms. Jones sent me home cuz I guess I have a fever." She said as she handed Ben the note she'd received. He read it and felt her forehead and flushed cheeks.
"Why, you're burning up honey! Come here on the settee."
She did, grateful to sit down. She was feeling weaker by the minute.
"Can you tell Pa what hurts?"
"My head, feels so heavy, my ears hurt and throat. Don't feel so good Papa."
He could tell she wasn't and gently picked her up. "Let's get you up to bed."
Just as he was coming up Adam walked in. "Hey, Pa. Oh what's wrong with Anna?
She disagreed as they made it to her room and Ben sat her on her bed.
"Anna, you are sick and will see the doctor, no arguments. Now let's get you in your nightshirt and into bed."
"Icky Medicine maybe but still good for you to get you better." Adam said in that older brother knowing tone.
She decided to relent only because she was getting a headache trying to argue, "Ok, Adam."
"You feeling sick again?' Adam asked seeing as she was starting to feel worse.
"Yea Adam. I don't feel so good. My tummy is all queasy now too. I don't, I don't…"
Adam understanding what was going on as his little sister went pale he grabbed the bucket by the bed and rubbed her back in circles until she was done, "There just let it out, your going to be alright."
As she finished he grabbed a wet cloth and dabbed her sweaty head as she cried, "I hate throwing up Adam. I hate being sick."
"I know honey. It's not fun."
Just then Ben and Doc Martin walked in the room.
"Looks like you don't feel good at all young lady."
"Adam, what happened?" Pa said concern written all over his face.
"She just got sick. I'll take this downstairs for Hopsing to clean up."
"Well, let's check you out and see what is going on, K?" Doc Martin started unpacking his bag.
"No, Papa don't let him near me. He'll give me icky medicine!"
"Now, honey, he has to, he's going to make you better." He said in soothing tones.
"No!" She pouted but really didn't' feel much energy to argue.
"Anna Rose. You will have Doc Martin look at you and no complaints. Just because you're sick does not condone this kind of behavior. Understood?" Pa gave her the no nonsense glare.
"Yes, Pa." She said once again not feeling up to arguing his point.
"Ok, well let's begin."
"I'll stay right here with you Baby. Everything is going to be fine."
"Okay Papa."
Meanwhile downstairs Adam was making some coffee for himself when his younger brother Hoss walked in.
"Hey there Adam, why's Doc Martin's buggy parked outside Pa ain't sick is he?" He asked with concern.
"No, not Pa, but little sis came home sick from school earlier today. Doc and Pa are in with her now."
"What's ailing her? Nothing serious I hope!" He said with a bit of alarm in his voice. He has a soft and protective heart towards his little sister.
"We're not sure yet. She said her throat and ears were bothering her and then a little while ago she threw up. Maybe just caught the flu from some kids at school. " He said pouring Hoss a cup of coffee as well.
"Sure hope Little Joe don't come down with it too." Hoss said accepting the cup of coffee.
"Yea me too." He said as he sat into his favorite blue chair and Hoss had a seat on the settee.
A few moments later Pa and Doc Martin descended the stairs.
"Well, there has been a nasty flu virus floating around and all of Anna symptoms are the same. Just give her some of this medicine every 4-5 hours and keep cold compresses on her, plenty of liquids until she can keep down some food. But I have to warn you; we haven't seen the worst of it yet. She is at the beginning stages it will get worse before it gets better. Just keep some one with her at all times and I will be back in a day to check up on her. Good day Ben, Adam, Hoss."
"Thank you Doc." Ben said as he turned to his sons, "Hoss will you go sit with her for awhile?"
"Yes, sir, no problem." Hoss said jumping up and climbing the stairs to her bedroom.
"Coffee, Pa?" Adam offered.
"Yes, thank you son," as he sat in his chair.
"She's going to be alright Pa. We'll get her through this." Adam reassured seeing the worry over his Pa's face.
"Yes, of course, we will. I just hate seeing her sick and so vulnerable. Breaks my heart. I just hope Joe doesn't catch it too. They can visit but only for short times just in case."
"Right try to keep those two a part that won't be an easy task. Ha!" Adam laughed thinking of those two. Barely a year and a half apart but could be like twins. Both so much like Marie in so many ways. His memories were cut off as he heard Ben get up and start ascending the stairs.
"I'll go relieve Hoss for a bit. You and Hoss go ahead and eat lunch without me. I'll eat as soon as your done and then you can relieve me for a spell."
"K, Pa."
Ben walked into the room to see his youngest and middle child. Hoss was just finishing reading a book to her.
"Hoss go ahead and eat some lunch. I'll sit with her."
"K thanks Pa."
"You could never say no to food Hoss!" Anna giggled
"That's for dad blame true little sis. He said as he kissed her on her forehead. "Get better soon little bug:)" He had that nickname for her ever since she was born. She was so tiny that he thought she looked as cute as a bug. With that he walked out the room while Ben got the wet cloth and dabbed her head with it.
"How are you feeling little one?" Pa asked sitting on the bed next to her feeling her forehead.
"Not so good Papa."
"You still have a pretty high fever. Why don't you lie down against your ole Pa here and I'll tell you a story. How does that sound Baby? "
"Sounds perfect Papa."
With that his rich baritone voice lulled her to sleep. He quietly laid her back down and sat in the chair next to her. About 20 minutes later she started tossing and turning again and woke up with a stir. "Papa!" She was breathing hard and Ben jumped up grabbing the bucket.
"Yes, Baby. I know it's not nice but you'll feel better once it's out." Knowing how much she would fight to not get sick.
"Papa, I hate, I…" and with that her stomach betrayed and she threw up violently into the bucket.
"There, there. I think that's the last of it. Just lie back and let Pa take care of you." He said soothingly hating to see his baby so sick.
"How is there anything left to throw up?" She said exhaustively.
Just then Adam walked into the room.
"Oh good, Adam. I'm going to take this down and would you get your sister cleaned up please." Pa instructed as he walked out with the bucket.
"You aren't suppose to be getting sick again Kid. Come on lets get you washed up, hmm." Adam began washing her face, cooling her down, he hated how her temperature was still pretty high. "Think you can take some water?"
"I'll try, Adam." She said feeling very exhausted Adam lifted her head and she was able to take a few sips of water.
"Good girl."
"I just hope that doesn't come up to." She commented a little hoarsely.
"Let's hope not indeed."
"Is Joe home yet?"
"Not yet. He should be any moment. It's just about 330."Smiling at her knowing how much his two youngest loved each other. You could barely ever see them separated. " But I don't know if Pa has told you yet but you can only visit for a little bit. You are still contagious and we don't want Little Joe catching the flu too. Understand?
"Yes, I just miss him."
Adam smiled as he removed a stray curl from her forehead, "I know, Sis, I'll tell him to come see you when he gets home. I'm sure he is just as anxious to see you as well. Now you get under these covers and get some shut eye, K?"
"K, Adam, Nadam, would you play me your guitar please till I fall asleep?" Nadam was a nickname since she could talk, she always seemed to like that better than Adam.
"Of course, anything for my favorite little sister." He winked and grabbed his guitar from his room and was back in a flash. "Ok, madam what song would you like to hear?"
"Early one morning. I love that song." Anna always loved to hear her brother sing that song.
"Early one morning it is. Now close those eyes." And he began to sing the familiar song.
Early one morning just as the sun was rising I heard a young maiden in the valley below. Oh don't deceive me, Oh never leave me. How could you use a poor maiden soul….