Here's the next chapter, read, review and enjoy!-OyNebach42

Chapter 10: Hope

I was right about that second chance never coming; I made sure it never did.

The weather grew colder, and heavy moisture clung to the air. A storm was coming. I spent long days working along side my team trying to complete the house. The labor was intensive, however, and none of my hired help knew much about wood work. Not very many men in San Francisco are builders, and even less are willing to learn. So I found myself enlisting some of the seediest, incapable, villainous scum; that the city had to offer.

I picked them up in the gutters, bodies' slaves to liquor. It took countless hours drying them out, and even longer getting them to agree on working.

Then word of my wages got around, and soon the villains were knocking on the farm house door; pleading for a job.

When I look back, the only two men I remember from that lot were Aaron and Jed Gold, a father and son. Both wore tattered grey uniforms, and both reeked of cheap whiskey. But from the moment I took them in, those two were nothing short of hard working.

And so, I and my small rag tag army of carpenters; began to shape a disemboweled shack into a livable house.

Ella did her part wonderfully, always ready with cups of cold water when we needed them, and preparing filling meals to keep our strength up. What I found most rewarding about working for Ella, however, was the grateful smile that constantly lit up her face.

As I stated before, even with all our hard days of labor, the roof wasn't repaired before the rains came.

That morning, I could feel the rain thick in the air, waiting to fall from the skies at any moment. I hurried towards Ella's, worried about how inadequate her roof would be against the upcoming storm.

Once I arrived, I noticed the only employees from my task force who'd shown up were Aaron and his son.

"Oh, howdy General Adam," the older man saluted when he saw me, "what are we workin' on today?"

I winced at the fresh whiskey smell on his breath "Aaron," I asked anxiously, "where are the other men?"

Aaron scratched his head thoughtfully nearly upsetting a beaten Calvary hat in the process. "Can't really say, General, but I'll find out." He turned to his son, "Solder, where's the rest of the brigade?"

"Don't know sir," his boy hiccupped, while hiding a half empty bottle behind him. "Haven't seen 'um since last night, sir."

Aaron sighed, "so what are we doin' to day, Adam?"

"We may not be doing anything, unless the rest of the men show up."

I was about to condemn the entire party, when suddenly, I remembered yesterday had been pay day. What a fool I was! No doubt all my workers had spent a long night in the saloons and wouldn't show up at all.

Cursing angrily to myself, I skirted a tool pile and picked up a hammer. Aaron staggered after me, restating his same question about what we would be working on. I sighed, "well, I was hopping we could patch up the roof, but the walls aren't strong enough yet." I said, showing no patience for his feeble minded state.

"Alright, boss!" the drunkard called, "well, Jed, don't just stand there like a fool none! Start workin'!"

I grabbed a handful of nails and made my way towards the back of the house. New planks lay on the ground, ready to be set into place. I was about to began work, when I noticed Ella walking my way.

"Good morning, Mister Cartwright, are you starting without coffee today?" she inquired pleasantly.

"Afraid so," I muttered while leaning a new board into its proper place. "I'm going to have to start working right now to get the roof on before the storm hits."

Ella nodded and after looking around her asked where the other men where. I told her how no one had showed up, but Jed and Aaron, and the latter were so drunk I'd be working alone.

"Oh," she exclaimed, "I guess I'd better leave you to your work then. It sounds like you'll have your hands full, Mister Cartwright!" I nodded and she left.

I worked quickly, knowing hours of day light were waning. After I had finished one wall, I discovered what had become of my two carpenters. Both were sound asleep behind the wood pile, bottles of whiskey cradled in their hands. I swore angrily to myself, replenished my nail pile, and started the next wall.

About noon, the wind started picking up, and I gritted my teeth against its chill.

"Mr. Cartwright!" Ella shouted over the wind's howl, "Do you want lunch?"

I muttered that I would eat later, eyes never leaving my work.

"It's alright if you can't fix the roof by tonight, Mister Cartwright. I can always stay at the hotel over night."

"That won't be necessary, Ma'am."

Ella was silent for a moment, and then asked "do you need any help?"

I cast her a quizzical glance, but saw she was more than willing. "Get a hammer and some nails," I told her, "and I'll show you what to do."

She said something the wind claimed, and hurried to fetch the tools.

An extra set of hands would aid me immensely. Then I glanced skyward, a multitude of grey clouds were gathering above the house. A storm was coming alright; I just hoped we could get the roof patched in time.

Ella and I continued working; together we finished the walls and managed to start on the roof before it rained.

Sweat poured down my back as I worked, and I heard Ella breathing hard, but both of us kept working. We had the roof half shingled by the time I felt the first drop. I knew it there was no way we'd have it complete before it stormed.

Quickly, I asked Ella if she had any wagon canvass.

"Yes, I think there's one in the barn," she replied, wiping her forehead with a sleeve, "why do you ask?"

"I just felt a drop of rain; the storm can't be far off." I got down and swiftly entered the barn, reemerging with a large sheet of canvass. "Here," I called and handed her the thick fabric. "We'll put this over the rest of the roof. It's not completely water proof, but it's better than nothing." Together we stretched the canvass across exposed ceiling beams, nailing it down on all sides.

"We'd better get in before it really starts coming down." I muttered, extending a hand to take her hammer.

She shuddered slightly, "I… I suppose so." I looked and her face, shocked to find it pale.

"Are you alright, Ma'am?"

Her face creased in pain, "I'm just tired."

I swung to the ground, and crossed to the house's other side to help her do the same. "Climb to the edge, and I'll get you down the rest of the way."

Stubbornly, she clung to the chimney. "I can't!"

A light drizzle began falling, I sighed, "You're not afraid are you?"

"No, it's not that… I … I …" he sides heaved rapidly, "I think the baby's coming!"

"The WHAT?!" I exclaimed, completely caught off guard.

Ella tightened her hold around the smokestack. "Oh Adam," she shrieked, "Adam get a doctor!"

"I've got to get you down first," I shouted, climbing up beside her. "You can't have a baby here! Come on!" Lightning flashed as I spoke, and the rain increased to a down pour.

Ella's hold remained true, "Adam…Adam I can't!"

"You're going to have to." I muttered turning towards the woodpile. "Aaron Gold! Jed Gold! Get yourselves over here now!" Thunder boomed loudly.

Both ran to the house and saluted sloppily. "What is it, Adam?" Aaron asked. Thank heaven he was sober.

"Ella's having a baby," I began, "and I need-"

"A baby!" he exclaimed, "why General, I didn't even know you and the Mrs.-"

I cut him off angrily, "shut up and listen… Now we have to get Ella into the house. "I turned to the younger boy, "Jed, you hurry into town and fetch a doctor!" Jed nodded and ran off, tripping over his own feet. "Aaron, I'm going to lower Ella down to you, and you best be ready to hold her when she comes."

He nodded dumbly, and I faced Ella. "Come on," I whispered, "you need to get inside Ma'am."

"Oh Adam!" She gasped, "I don't think…"

I slipped my arms around her gently, "we'll go slow."

I guided her to where Aaron was waiting, and lowered her shaking forum carefully into his arms. Then I joined them, and the older man and myself supported Ella as we led her into the house.

Just outside the door, Ella fell to the ground; her body quaking. Swiftly I picked her up and while entering the house, ordered Aaron to get some water boiling.

Laid Ella down on the bed easily, and after making her as comfortable as possible, knelt beside her.

"Adam," She whispered, "I'm sorry I never told you…" Her voice faded amongst her shallow breathing.

I clasp her hand in my own, "it's alright," I replied softly, "I'm just glad I know now. Can you imagine how it would have been if the baby came when I wasn't around?"

"I hadn't thought of that….. I just… I just thought if you knew…. It is Tom's child," She smiled weakly, "he never knew before he died…. And I thought… if I told you…"

"You thought I wouldn't love you." I finished simply, realizing what she must have been going through. Ella nodded, and closed her eyes in pain.

I stood up and asked Aaron how the hot water was coming. "Oh fine," he muttered, "once I got a fire goin'!"

"Any sign of Jed?"

"Not yet, Adam, I don't know what's keepin' that boy so long, you'd think it wouldn't take too long just to find a doctor."

I rolled up my sleeves, "I hope he comes soon, or we may have to deliver the baby ourselves."

Aaron gulped, "we?"

"Yes, we,"

He took a step back, "Mister Cartwright, I don't know about you, but the only time I was anywhere near a baby bein' born was when my wife had Jed. An' I passed out then, just 'cause the doc told me it was a boy!"

I found myself smirking, "don't worry too much, Aaron, I said 'may'."

He sighed, "Let's just hope we can keep it that way."

I was about to respond, when I felt water hitting the top of my head. I t turned out that mine and Ella's roof job hadn't been done so well. Soon the room was over crowded with pots and pans accumulating water.

"This sure is some set up," Aaron complained, "woman about to give birth, rain comin' in through the roof, storm outside…" he drew a flask from his coat, "it's enough to drive a man to drink."

I grabbed the liquor from him, "you're staying sober until that doctor gets here!"

He reviled a pipe next, "let me have a smoke then."

"You can smoke outside."

A hard frown drew across his forehead, "can I drink outside?"

"No."

"You really are a generous man, Adam Cartwright," Aaron grumbled, returning the pipe to his pocket, "You really are!"

Without answering him, I moved over to the window. What was taking that fool boy so long? I squinted through the rain streaked pane, looking for any sign of movement in the darkness. Lightning flashed briefly, and thunder sounded.

"Adam!" Ella shouted, "Adam, this is it!"

I turned just in time to see Aaron Gold faint where he stood, so much for us delivering any baby.

I ran to Ella's bedside, where he lay in a tight ball, and held her shaking hand in my own, trying to give her as much support as possible. Realizing there was nothing more that I could do, I prayed in my time of helplessness.

Just then, the door burst open.

"Adam!" Jed called, "Adam, I couldn't find no doctor!"

I faced his with blazing eyes, "you what?"

"I could find no doctor, but I got somebody else," he gestured to an old woman beside him, "she's helped lots of ladies have kids."

Thank heavens! I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

The woman glanced at Ella and exclaimed, "Looks like I came here just in time!" She crossed to the stove, and stuffed cloth into the boiling water. "You best wait outside, dear," she said to me, "and don't worry, your wife's going to be fine!"

I nodded, helped Jed lift his unconscious father, and trudged out into the rain, to wait.

What followed that ordeal was the longest hour of my life. The helpless feeling returned, and I paced before the door. Ella was in pain, her very life in danger, and there was nothing I could about it.

"Hey Adam," Jed mumbled, from where he sat on the floor trying to revive Aaron, "I know you're worried an' all, but can you stop pacin' so much? You're makin' me dizzy!"

I stopped long enough to give him a hard stare, and kept walking. The rain was letting up some, but I walked about in the mud, not caring how wet I became.

Moans and shrieks came from inside, I bit my lip fearfully.

Jed finally got his father up by giving him some whiskey; the older man rubbed his face wearily. "The doc here?" he asked his son.

"No, couldn't find no doctor-"

"Don't tell me Adam…."

"He isn't, I found a lady who could help."

Aaron nodded and noticed my pacing. "Come have a drink, Adam," He called holding out his flask, "I'm getting antsy just watchin' ya'!"

As I accepted a sip of whiskey, a shrill cry came from inside. The baby was here. Both men wished me hearty congratulations, and shrugged off my statements that it wasn't my baby.

The door opened a little later, and the old woman stuck her head out, smiling broadly. "It's a boy!" She exclaimed.

Jed caught his father as Aaron fainted again.

"How is Ella?" I asked.

The woman patted my arm gently, "don't fret dear; both your wife and son are just fine!" I smiled and she disappeared inside.

For some reason, the thought of me having a wife and son pleased me. There was no reason why I shouldn't have a family. It made sense, after all, Ella needed someone with the baby and all, but was I ready to settle down? Could I do it to Ella and the baby? Could I claim them with the very name that had brought about so many deaths?

"Your wife would like to see you now," The kind old woman's voice shattered my thoughts.

I grinned slightly, "Well Ma'am, you see I'm not really…" I began but then sighed and followed her inside.

Ella's bed had been pushed over by the stove, and she lay in it, blankets wrapped about her. She looked weak, but some color had returned to her face. "Adam!" She exclaimed.

I smiled down at her, "how's it going?"

"Fine," she replied contently.

I pulled up a chair, and sat down next to the bed.

"Did you see the baby?" She asked.

"Not yet."

"Would you like to?"

The grin returned, "Very much."

Next thing I knew, I was holding Ella's baby in my arms, studying his small scrunched face, and fingering the crown of auburn hair upon his head. "He looks a lot like this mother."

Ella agreed, "He does."

Once the baby was returned to his mother's side, the old woman wrapped her shawl about her. "I'll be going back to town presently. You can take care of things here, can't you, young man?"

After a moment, I figured out she was addressing me. "We'll be fine." I assured her.

She said something about stopping by tomorrow, took her bag in hand, and left.

An uneasy silence settled between Ella and myself, neither of us knew how to express the thoughts going through our minds. Rain lashed against the windows, and dripped from the roof into waiting vessels.

The baby began crying, tiny fist writhing in mid air. A smile came to Ella's face, as she drew her son closer to her, "he's hungry."

"I should think so," I mumbled eyes resting upon my hands, "the way he's carrying on."

Silence returned for a long while. I felt my thoughts torn two ways.

Ella sighed, "I'm worried," she whispered, "about raising a child alone."

I raised my eyes, all at once noticing how beautiful she really was. It's amazing what her spectacles were able to hide, now I saw eyes of the palest green, and her face perfectly formed.

I drew a deep breath, "I don't think you'll have to worry anymore." She began saying something, but I continued. "Ma'am, almost since our first meeting, I've been feeling a certain way about you, but before I said anything, I wanted to know if you felt the same about me. Mrs. Hunter," I asked simply, "do you have feelings for me?" I clasp her hand as I finished.

Ella's face shone, "do you know something, Mister Cartwright, I think I do." Her hand squeezed my own.

I bent down and kissed her gently. And in that one kiss I found the peace of mind that I had been looking for. Hope, a new beginning…. I had come home.

I spent a long sleepless night, sitting before a piece of paper and writing a letter to my father. I wanted to tell him about all that had happened, how fortune had saved me from death. How the woman I would soon call my wife needed me, and about my new son. But when I began putting all these thoughts on paper, I found I could not.

With a shaking hand, I wrote of how I would not be returning to the Ponderosa. I would be staying in San Francisco longer than planned, I was thinking about clipper ships. I signed the letter hurriedly, glanced at Ella's sleeping form and smiled.

That night I became an angel of blessing.