I'VE SWALLOWED THE GREEN DRESS"2nd In the Alexandra Series
Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza, or any of its characters. David Dortort and Fred Hamilton created them and played with them for 14 years. The series is owned by NBC
Chapter 25
Epilogue
Ben, Joe and Adam waited patiently at the table for Hoss to serve the evening meal. Hop sing was still busy with Alexandra out in the bath house, trying to remove several nasty splinters from her backside. It appeared it was going to ba painstakingly long exercise. After a good soak in the warm bath water and after several yelps, the rest of the family decided to take Hop Sing up on his order and get their own supper. Frankly, Ben, Joe and Adam didn't know what was worse, listening to Alexandra's yelps every time a splinter was removed or Hoss whining and his rumbling belly. Adam decided Hoss's needs were imperative, and Alexandra deserved every bit of the discomfort she was feeling.
Ben, disturbed by the odd clanking sounds Hoss was making in the kitchen, growled. "What is that boy doing?"
"Who knows? Hop Sing already cooked the chooks, all he has to do is serve it up," complained Joe.
Adam sipped on another cup of coffee musing over the events of the last few days and some of the anomalies. "So Joe, you deliver those steers to the Bannocks?"
"Well yeah, Pa told me to round a few up and leave them up near their border. But then I came across those three on their way back, day before yesterday"
"The three of them?"
"Yeah Adam. They said they'd met up with you and Yuma. They had Hoss's milker with them and her calf. They told me about everything that happened. So I gave them three steers. That was right Pa, wasn't it?"
"Yes Joseph. "
It's not a problem little Joe, I had agreed to it and Brave Bear and Little Wolf were a great help. They earned those steers. I think they would have been too proud just to have been given them. You did fine. I just don't remember that third one. Just curious, that's all. Hoss said Alexandra had the calf in the cave with her and the old man."
"The older one didn't do much talking, just the other two. I kinda thought he didn't quite trust me at first, but then when I handed over the steers he smiled. Strangest thing; he had the greenest eyes I've ever seen, and never on a full blooded Bannock. "
Perhaps one of his parents was white," said Ben, "it's quite common these days."
"Yeah, I suppose, he sat there like an elder, seemed real proud of them two young braves. I figured maybe he was their father."
"So he didn't say who he was?"
"Not exactly, called himself Sky Cloud, then asked me to pass on his appreciation and thank the Cartwrights, friend to the Bannocks."
Just then Hoss appeared at the dining room archway holding up an enormous covered platter with both hands.
"What you say his name was, Joe?" asked Hoss.
"Sky Cloud."
Adam surveyed his brother's thoughtful expression, "Why Hoss," asked Adam, "You recognise him?"
"Nope; no not at all. Thought he looked a little familar, but then I got all dang fired up when Alex fell off the roof. I thought fer sure I wasn't gonna get there in time."
"Me either," said Joe. "To tell you the truth I don't even remember moving, or hearing her yell. Jist all of a sudden I was there standing next ta Hoss catching her. She sure was a lucky little brat."
"Sure was," mused Pa, "and we should thank God we were all there."
They all paused for a moment in silence, then shook off the image of what could have been if they hadn't caught her.
Ben coughed, "It seems we should also give thanks for the meal we are about to receive, Hoss, put it down Boy, I could eat a whole steer myself."
Hoss laid the plater down and sat down. Ben took his turn at saying grace, "Dear lord we thank you for what we are about to receive. We are truly grateful for these gifts and the many more you have given to our lives."
"Amen." They all chorused.
Hoss leant over and removed the dome lid of the platter to reveal his labours. The other three Cartwrights at the table sat opened mouthed.
"Impressive ain't it?" grinned Hoss, "I made enough for everyone."
There on the platter was over two dozen thickly cut sandwiches, stuffed with chicken , potatoes and an assortment of other fine vegetables."
"Hoss, what in the world?"
"Well Pa, I cain't take all the credit, Hop Sing done cooked everything, but it all went a tad cold, and I didn't know how ta make the gravy; Hop Sing always done that. I done tried but it all come out a little lumpy, so I just made some what I call gormette sandwiches. Now looky here, some have roast chicken with the stuffin and a little bit of pumpkin, some jist have plain old vegetables , but I skimmed a bit of gravy from under the lumpy skin and added it a tad ta them. That ways they ain't so dry like. Go ahead, I think ya will really like them," beamed Hoss.
Ben dragged his hands down his face trying to hide the smirk. He dare not look at Joe or Adam who both stared at the sandwiches totally dumbstruck.
Joe swallowed hard and took a two inch thick sandwich from the platter. He put it to his mouth, while Hoss waited in joyous anticipation. He bit chewed and swallowed.
Ben and Adam watched each of his movements with interest and to some extent pride of his bravery.
"Hey they ain't too bad. No Hoss, they're real good," praised Joe.
Hoss chuckled and grabbed a large sandwich for himself. Ben and Adam raised their eyebrows in unison, then shrugged their shoulder in resignation before filling their plates.
"They are good Hoss," said a surprised Adam, "though you have made enough to fill an army."
"Yup, we cin have left over's tomorrow," said Hoss. "They'll keep fine wrapped in damp cotton in the cold safe."
A forced smile came to each of the men's faces; wrapped tightly around their mouthful of food.
Ben dried swallowed and took a drink of cold water. "It's Sunday tomorrow; Church in the morning, for everyone. We will give thanks to the lord for all our good fortune over this last week."
"And pray we never have ta go through anything like this again," said Joe.
"Don't count on it little brother," chuckled Hoss, pointing to Hop sing as their regular chief cook and bottle washer carried in a clean and lively Alexandra in from the bath house.
"Hey look, Dad. No more splinters in my bum. Hop sing musta pulled out a million of the little bug… er… mites." She lifted up her fresh night shirt, "and look lots of padding." She giggled, slapping the well bandaged poultice wad; Hop Sing had bound around her rump.
"Alexandra, don't say bum," corrected Adam.
Alex ran over to her father and squeezed in front of him, "Oh sorry, bottom dad. I mean bottom, not bum ; That sounded funny, like Hop Sing; sorry vely honourable bottom dad , you're not the bottom dad," she giggled, " You're the top dad," she beamed then twisted around and kissed Adam on the nose.
"Hey no I'm the top dad here," pouted Ben.
"No you're the best grandpa," cheered Alex.
Ben grabbed his grandchild and pulled her close to him, "and you're my favourite grandchild," he said tickling her.
"I'm your only grandchild," announced Alex. "Ifin ya want another one, ya should ask Yuma how he done made Fire Dance. She's nearly as cute as me."
Joe nearly choked on his sandwich, which wasn't hard to do. Ben glared at him before transferring it to Adam's cocked head and smug expression, daring to say; Go ahead Pa, answer that one.
"Couldn't be. Not cuter than you?" Exclaimed Ben.
"I said nearly, grandpa. Hey what's fer supper? Sandwiches, my favourite."
Hop sing glared at the fare on the table. "Wah ni tung gui, zài dìyù, what you do with Hop Sing's roast chicken dinner."
Joe got the giggles and Hoss went all red in the face, while Ben took another large swig of water.
Adam wiped his mouth with a napkin as he pushed the rest of the bread stuck to his lower gums down his throat. They are GORMETTE sandwiches, Hop sing; the latest culinary delight in all of San Francisco." He mocked.
"You talk nonsense, ni chong fen niu lashi feng kuang people, vely ungrateful, no culture family. Not know good food if you fall over it."
"No, Hop Sing, really they good. The chicken's cooked beautifully, succulent," added Joe.
Hop Sing straighten up and immediately ceased his rant, "Really?"
"Yap Hop Sing; would we tell a fib," grinned Hoss.
"No, guess not, you good boys most of time. Hop Sing clean kitchen for you. May make pie for Sunday lunch." He smiled at his family and made his way to the kitchen.
Alexandra was just about to bite into her sandwich when they heard another tirade echo through the house.
"What is all this mess, you make sandwiches, all hunluan wecha mess bú zài everywhere… Why this crazy feng kuang de goushi zongshi always happen to shen shang? Gui!"
"Do ya think he's cussin in Chinese?" asked Alexandra.
Oh I'm sure he is, thought Ben, "No sweetheart, he's just …"
"Thinking out loud," offered Adam.
"Thinking about what?"
"About how we…" Adam looked for some help from his brothers.
"Should all help out with the cookin more often," said Joe.
The table erupted with laughter. Ben pushed back his chair and went to pull Alexandra onto his lap.
Alex jumped off, "Sorry grandpa, no cuddles tonight my bu… er bottom's still a bit sore."
"Yes well, Alexandra Cartwright, you should not have been on the roof, missy."
Alexandra screwed up her face at her father's admonishment, "Uncle Joe did you ever fall off the roof, when you done climbed out the window."
Joe blushed, "Ah no Alex, guess I was lucky." Dang kid she's gonna get my hide stripped before I'm twenty one.
Ben gave Joe that look, the one that said if you don't stop putting ideas in this child's head, I'm going to personally strip the hide of you, won't matter what age you are, "No Joseph was very lucky that he never fell of the roof, however he was not so very lucky when he got caught out on the roof. Several necessary discussions regarding his personal safety and disobeying his father quickly put a stop to that."
"That's right Alex, one way or another; you would have been going to bed with a sore backside. We will still be having a discussion about that and the gun in the very near future."
"Aww dad!"
"Don't go awwing ya dad there pumpkin, you coulda had a very nasty accident ifin we hadn't been able ta catch ya."
"Well I did have a nasty accident; my butts tore up somethin awful. Asides accidents are not anyone's fault."
"Sometimes they are. Just because you didn't mean them to happen, or didn't know they could happen, doesn't mean you aren't a little bit at fault," lectured Adam.
"Was it my fault I was an accident daddy?"
Adam was suddenly taken a back. He searched the faces around him.
"Sorry Adam, Alex musta have heard Joe and I talking this afternoon." said Ben.
"Come here, Alex," Adam spoke softly, pulling her gently to his lap.
"Not your lap daddy, remember," she said pointing to her backside.
Adam stood up and lifted her into his arms. Alex wrapped her legs around her father's waist and let him push her close to his chest and cradled securely in his arms. He walked over into the big room and stood in front of the large Fire place.
Alex breathed in the scent of his crisp black shirt, mixed with his cologne and something else that was just him.
"No darling," he whispered, "it wasn't your fault. It was my fault. And while most people are sorry that they caused accidents. I'm not sorry that you were the result of mine. You're my little accident."
Alex pushed back and took Adam's face in her small hands, "Uncle Joe says I was the best accident you ever had."
"For once, Joe is very right. You are." Adam gently pushed her back towards the crock of his neck and started to rub circles over her back, "I'm jist sorry that I didn't get to be with you or your mom when you were little. I would have loved that very much."
Alex yawned, "Maybe that was like a necessary talk, a con…"
"A consequence,"
Alex yawned again and absent-mindedly emulated the rhythm of the circles to her father's back "Yes, but daddy it's alright now cause I'm here."
Adam continued to rock gently on the spot, kissing the soft golden curls of his child's head. He stayed there in silence for a while, even after he could hear the soft purring of her slumber.
The onlookers at the table sat in silence, appreciative of the quiet and proud of the man they watched hang on to his little girl.
Nobody moved until Adam ascended the stairs and they heard his rich voice singing softly to a sleeping child.
Ben moved over to his workspace and packed himself a pipe and grabbed the latest edition of the Territorial Enterprise.
Joe stepped over to the warmth of the fire and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl resting on the coffee table. He put his foot up on the table and rested one elbow on his elevated knee, before taking a contemplative bite from the fruit in his hand.
Hoss pushed himself up from the table and made his way to the front door, "gonna check on that calf afore I turn in, Pa."
"Fine Hoss, "said Ben making his way now to the big red chair, "Joseph get your foot off the table," he admonished, whacking the boy with his newspaper.
"Sorry pa."
"Hey pa?" called Hoss, "here's that present the Bannocks left for Alex." Hoss bought over the package, and handed it to his father.
Ben hesitated for a moment wondering whether he should open it, yes what the heck, besides being very curious about its contents, he thought it best to make sure it was not inappropriate, which was very unlikely. He quickly undid the package and held up its contents.
"Oh lordy!" shouted Hoss, "I was wonderin where that bonnet got to, and look her favourite green dress is all fixed and like new."
"Boy they sure did a god job on it , its patched up real nice, look and they've added some beading and some pictures. She's going to love that." said Joe.
Ben bursts into fits of laughter, "I don't know boys, that little gal just hates that green dress."
"Pa, you knew?"
"Sure I did, that little tyke's been trying to lose it, damage it, hide it and give it away since I first bought it for her."
"Aww pa, she woulda told ya, but she thought you done really liked it and she didn't want ta be ungrateful," defended Hoss.
"Rubbish she played me like a grandchild should," he laughed.
"And you played her," accused Joe.
"Like only a grandpa can," confessed Ben.
The big room erupted with laughter once more.
Hop sing came running out of the kitchen. "What all noise, boys scare chooks, no lay with all that noise, that mean no breakfast. You eat more gormette sandwiches instead," he threatened.
Adam came bouncing down the stairs, "shhh, shhh, not so loud you'll wake her up."
"But lookey here, Adam, look what those bannock squaws have done for Alexandra." Hoss held up the dress.
Adam smirked, "Oh wrap that back up. We can give it to her after Church tomorrow." He sniggered.
They all slapped their hands over their mouths, like five naughty little boys, stifling their chuckles threatening to erupt the household.
"HEY! WATCH ALL LAUGHIN AT DOWN THAR," hollered Alexandra from her bedroom.
Adam rolled his eyes, "Nothing sweetheart."
"All is alright, little missy."
"Nothing pumkin."
"Go back to sleep, pip squeak."
"Yes that's a good girl," cried out Ben, "and tomorrow there just may be a nice surprise for you."
THE END.
A.N. Please Review. You can copy and paste anything, even if it doesn't relate… no only joking. Well, that's it for this adventure. There are plenty more up my sleeve, so be alert, cause the world needs lerts. So do us writers. Thank you for all the great reviews, if you have been reading this story and haven't reviewed yet, please do. Thanks so much LovethemMousies. Oh and Lajoci, that is one of the most beautiful quote I've ever heard.
A short little saga next where Adam deals with his concerns about Alex and guns, and I haven't made up my mind yet if he will have that discussion with Joe. What dio you think? Then Katherine's story, it's time to reveal the past.
BTW; New author on the scene; Sierra Rose 22. If you like a Romantic Adam story, keep your eyes out for her first posting and encourage.