I do NOT own Bonanza or any the original Cartwright characters. This is written for pure entertainment is all (and in this case...by request). (Original title Eliza)

Author's Note: As I stated at the first the title to this story had the possibility of changing...it has. (ELIZA never did feel right but I had to have a "working title").

Chapter Ten

His Legacy (Real Motivation comes out)

Scene Eighteen

Ben sat inside Roy Coffee's office next to the lawman's desk. He'd come into town to get supplies when he learned the sheriff was getting ready to go out to the Ponderosa. "So, what did Thomas tell you? Ben asked; Thomas was one of the men assigned to keep an eye on George any time he was in town.

Roy looked at him with concern showing, "Mr. McBrian isn't worried about his father's land or the 'inheritance' his grandparents were gonna to be givin' him. If it was that he'd have, most likely, left the west a long time ago."

Ben's eyes widened. He'd grown to know Eliza well enough to know she'd not be hiding anything from any of them,"What else is there?"

Roy handed him a letter that arrived just that morning; one that - -right or wrong- Thomas had been fortunate enough to find himself intercepting at the post office,"George got curious about a few things and has gone and done a lot of research for us without even knowing that's what he was doin'. It seems like Eliza's grandparent's wealth pales compared to their great uncle's. It seems like that when those two were youngin's the man took a likin' to 'em. He left an inheritance to both of 'em and that inheritance is due to be handed out to both of them within this next year unless..." he leaned back in his chair and paused.

Ben finished the lawman's sentence for him, "Unless Eliza is dead. He gets it all if that is the case." He felt sick to his stomach and angry enough to beat the man to a pulp-given the chance, "If he's that kind of fellow I can't understand why he is not hear causin' us grief already."

Roy pointed towards the letter, "Read the last part."

As Ben read his eyes widened, " 'If any harm is done to any child by either party they lose all right to any of this money.' " He looked up, "That uncle most have loved children dearly to put a clause like that in."

"If ya read the whole thing, Ben," Roy put his hands together, " 'that uncle' has saved more orphanages than anyone can count...probably some that no one knows about."

"So, as soon as Eliza delivers those twins," Ben handed the letter back to the sheriff and and sat back in his own chair, "we'll most likely get some company here in town or out on the Ponderosa." He shook his head. He didn't like trouble-none of his family did. Why couldn't folks like David McBrian just go find some deserted place and fight each other? Sure would make life peaceful for everyone else.

"That's my guess," Roy resealed the envelope, "I'm gonna take this letter back to the post office and then we can both 'forget' we ever saw it."

Ben followed Roy out the door then stood still as the lawman headed down the road. From where he was he could see George walking down the street. He had to fight with everything in him not to go fight the man. If it wasn't for the fact they still might need information from him? He would have. As it was he could only walk away and pray for the best.

Scene Nineteen

The sun shone through the window and lit up everything in its path. Hoss stood next to the window and gazed up at the sky. The once blue sky was filling with clouds; some darker than others. That a storm was heading their way could easily be seen. He turned around and looked at Eliza who was busy working on mending some of Adam's clothes. In fact, there was a few items of clothing setting on the chair next to the bed just waiting for their turn to be fixed. He had to smile...even when confined to her bed she found she found something to do.

"If'n ya come over here and sit by me," Eliza put down the clothes, "we could talk. There's no reason to jist stand and stare."

Hoss's eyebrows raised, "How do ya know I was starin'?"

She laughed, "Yer feet do make some noise when ya turn around, ya know?"

He chuckled, "Reckon, I knew that I just have a habit of forgettin' when I'm a watchin' ya."

"I'd reckon there'd be more excitin' things to watch than these here clothes bein' mended." Eliza put her hand on her husband's right arm, "What's really wrong? Somethin' is botherin' ya. I cin feel it."

It never ceased to amaze Hoss how Eliza could 'feel' things and be right so many times. 'David has other motives...' his pa's words during lunch came back to him. Ben had told his three sons what Roy had told him while he was in town. They'd all agreed to keep it from Eliza; after all, the doctor hadn't wanted her under too much stress.

'History...not repeat itself.' His father's other words also came back. He sighed, "Reckon, I'm jist gonna have to start tellin' myself not ta worry. That ya will be alright...," he ran his huge hand over her extremely swollen abdomen, "that these babies will have their ma."

Eliza felt her heart go out to her husband as she chastised herself. Naturally he'd be thinking along those lines. "If'n I have any say it in they will have and they'll have a fine man for a pa. And, of course, we cin't go forgettin' their grandfather and uncles cin we? Things will be fine...these babies are comin' to a good family."

Hoss didn't have to be told that only thing worried him was the fact that David was bent on spilling blood...only he, his pa and brothers were going to fight that one tooth and nail. Carefully picking his words he asked a question that had been weighing on his mind ever since his pa had told him the news. "Reckon I can ask somethin' and, maybe, havin' the worst thing ya do is give me another talkin' to?" Hoss rested his hand on her shoulder.

Now it was her eyebrows that turned upwards in surprise, "And jist what would ya be askin' me that has ya worried ya'd be getting' a talkin' to afterwards?"

"I know ya have been worried about David botherin' us in the future. I mean, I've had ta tell ya more than once not to dwell on it." Hoss spoke the words slow and with some hesitation doing his best not to make is sound like the man's coming was imminent.

The concern in his voice sent out a feeling so strong Eliza thought that it would have knocked her down...had she been standing in the first place, "I'm sorry, Hoss. I never meant to cause ya any undue concern. I'm findin' other things to do besides dwell on it."

Hoss smiled, "I cin see that only," he shrugged his shoulders, "I jist hate the idea of somethin' actuall' happenin' to one of us...I mean my pa, myself or my brothers...and ya go blamin' yerself is all. I have never regretted marryin' ya or bringin' ya here. Ser, I suppose if'n I am to be honest? I wondered at the first...I mean, if'n we were doin' the righ thing but," he ran his hand through her hair, "I don't wonder now."

The love he had for her spilled out in his voice, Eliza smiled as she recognized the feelings easily as they were the same ones she had for him. She ran her hands over his face smiling as she did so, she didn't care what anyone else said. He was still the best looking in the bunch. "I don't even want to think about anyone hurtin' ya, Hoss, or any member of this family. Yes, I have dwelt on it it the past but not now. I cin't afford that luxury. Not with these..." her sentence was once again cut short as the first of many labor pains hit.