Chapter 24

Sorry to have taken so long with this chapter, but I've been very busy doing decorating, which I could only do a bit at a time. And now, of course, we have the Coronavirus to contend with. I say to everyone on Fanfic, please stay safe wherever you are. I myself have not been out of the house for a long time due to arthritic problems. So self isolating is not too difficult for me, except getting appointments for food Home delivery. Now back to the story.

The following morning Mags apologises nicely to Beth and Abby.

"Did you manage to finish your homework, sweetheart?" Abby asked.

"Yes, I did, Mamma." She replied. "But I don't think I did very well."

"Would you like me to look it over for you before you go to school?" Adam offered.

"No thank you, Daddy. If it's wrong I'll have to be brave and accept my mistakes." She said and thought if it is wrong then I will have to redo it and it can be a part of my punishment. "But if I need help in the future, would you or Mamma help me?"

"Of course," they both said in unison.

So with breakfast completed they all made their way to their different occupations. Adam taking Mags in the wagon, and Beth riding Topaz beside them, to school and Abby to her household chores and then drawing.

"I've got some supplies to pick up this morning and either me or Mamma will be back this afternoon to meet you. Okay?" Adam told them.

"Yes, fine, Daddy." They both said.

When they arrived at school Beth took Topaz to the sheltered area for horses while Mags gave Adam a kiss on the cheek and a firm hug.

"Thank you, Daddy." They looked at each other and smiled, knowing this was their fresh start and all had been forgiven.

"You're welcome, sweetheart. Have a good day."

Mags ran off to meet Jenny who was waving to her. They walked together into the school house. ….

When Adam returned from town with the lumber supplies required for mending some fences he found John tackling the task of getting everything they would require ready just outside the barn.

"I'll just put all these things into the wagon and we'll be ready for the off." John said as he started hauling the equipment onto the wagon.

"I'll give you a hand," Adam offered as he got down off the wagon.

"No, Adam, I think you should go inside and collect our lunch from Mrs Cartwright."

"Oh sure. I can do that." He said walking off. "I won't be long."

"Okay. I'll be ready and waiting."

Adam called for Abby as he entered the house and found her in her office working on her drawings for the restaurant.

"Hello, my love. Just called in for our lunch and we'll be on our way."

"It's all ready on the dining table, with a little extra for you."

"You look busy." He said.

"Just making a list of ideas for the drawings I want to do for the Dickensian. Then I'm going to do my

chores this morning and then this afternoon I'm going to make a start on my paintings."

Adam walked over to Abby, gave her a kiss and turned to leave. "I'll be off; should be back in time to pick the

girls up from school. Take care of yourself and don't do anything that involves lifting. Understand." He said in warning.

"Yes, Sir." She gave him a salute and then smiled. Adam returned the smile. Then he became serious.

"I mean it. Anything you can't manage, you leave 'til I get home."

"I promise. Please don't worry about me, sweetheart."

"Okay." They came together and kissed deeply. "Wow! Adam voiced. "How I'm expected to work after that kiss!"

"Make it last, 'cos that's all you're getting. Now go. John is waiting." Abby turned him around towards the table, giving him a sharp swat to his backside.

He turned quickly and said, "you be careful or I'll have to retaliate."

She gave him her 'you just dare' look. "Will you please go, time is getting on and John is still waiting."

"Alright, I'm going. See you later." He picked up the lunches and left.

Later that afternoon Adam picked the girls up from school and, thankfully, nothing untoward happened that

day, except that Mags told Adam that Mrs Cole told Jenny who told her that they were all getting together for a project (she emphasized the word) of their own. Something to do with the restaurant.

"Well, that sounds wonderful," Adam was pleased to see Mags excited about it and hopefully get her mind off Beth's project.

They arrived home and the girls went to their rooms to do their homework while Abby cooked the food she had prepared earlier. Adam, with John, were completing the day's chores outside and finalising the following day's plans. …..

The next morning was Mags' birthday and she woke up excitedly, and hoping her recent bad behaviour wasn't going to spoil her day, which caused her to almost start crying, but the sight she saw stopped her in her tracks halfway down the stairs. Her almost upset tears changed to tears of joy as her family was standing in front of the dinner table. Adam, Abby and Beth all shouted "Happy Birthday". All had big smiles and her daddy with open arms. She ran down the rest of the stairs and straight over to him and jumped up into his arms and gave him a big kiss and he gave her a great big hug.

Then suddenly Mags realised what she had done. "Oh, sorry Daddy, I forgot to walk. Am I in trouble now?"

"I'll let it pass today as it's your birthday, but don't let me catch you doing it again."

"I won't do it again, Daddy."

Adam placed her back on the floor and Abby was next to hug her. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."

"Thank you, Mamma."

"Happy birthday, Mags," Beth joined in with her hug. "Come and have breakfast and then we can get to school."

"Oh, I thought maybe I'd have the day off school today," she said as she shuffled over to the table.

"No, not today, Mags," Abby told her. "But you get the afternoon off. We're going to Grandpa's for a birthday tea."

At that Mags' eyes lit up.

"Yes, we'll have a birthday tea with all the family," Adam told her. "But for now, breakfast and birthday presents."

As Mags got stuck into her scrambled eggs, Beth held out her present. "I hope you like it."

"Of course I'll like it. Thank you." She immediately forgot about her scrambled eggs and opened her present.

"Oh, Beth, it's lovely," Mags said, admiring her lace-edged handkerchief. "And look, my initials. Did you sew them on, Beth?"

"Yes, in fact, I made it all. Auntie Ellen showed me what to do. I couldn't make it here, you'd have seen, so I was with Auntie Ellen."

"Auntie Ellen?" Asked Adam.

"Yes. I've been there with Connie a lot and Mrs Cole asked me to call her Auntie Ellen, that Mrs Cole sounded too formal, but only if I wanted to, so I did."

"A surrogate auntie. That's nice," Abby said.

"What's that?" Mags asked.

"A pretend auntie." Adam informed her.

"How come?" Mags looked at her father for an explanation.

"Thanks Abby," said Adam. "We don't have time for this right now."

"But, Daddy, I want to know."

"Abby? You brought it up, you explain."

"Well, it's like your Daddy said, it's a pretend person. A person can be a pretend anything, especially someone who is a close friend to a family but not related by blood, and it's a way of including that person or persons into the family. Shows that you care about them and love them too."

"So then, I can call her auntie too and Mr Cole, Uncle Sam?" Asked Mags.

"Only if he says yes," Abby told her.

And Adam, wanting to change the subject, offered Mags her present from him.

"Oh, thank you, Daddy. It's a new book," she cried.

"Right, but what book is it?" He teased.

Mags wasted no time and ripped the paper off. "'The Water Babies', oh…." For once Mags seemed lost for words. And everyone around the table laughed. Mags just held it lovingly.

"It was on your list, remember?"

"Yes, Daddy. Thank you. We can start it tonight."

"Oh no we won't. We'll finish off your current book first and then we'll start the new one." Mags gave a great sigh.

"And now for me," Abby said, bending, as best she could, retrieved her gift from under the table and handed it to Mags.

"Thank you, Mamma," and she quickly undid the parcel. "Oh, a new dress." She stood up and held it against her.

"You'll look beautiful in it, sweetheart," Adam told her.

"It's lovely, Mags," Beth added. "The lemon colour suits you. Shows off the colour of your hair. And puffed sleeves. You'll look like a proper little lady in it."

"But I don't want to look like a proper little lady."

"Then you'll wear it only for special occasions," Abby told her. "And I suspect there will be plenty of those."

"Okay. Enough for now, birthday girl. School awaits." Adam brought the day back to reality. "Finish up your breakfasts and get ready. You too, Beth." Then getting up from the table, Adam said. "I'll meet you two outside." He went to the credenza drawer for his gun belt and the stand for his jacket and hat and as he made his way to the door, he called, "Hurry up girls, please."

It took the whole of ten minutes to be on their way to town and school. As they reached the school house, Adam helped his girls down, but held on to Mags.

"Sweetheart, I'll be back to pick you up at lunch time. Don't forget. I spoke with Miss Symons yesterday and okayed it with her. We need to get ready to go to Grandpa's for your birthday tea. Be good and learn this morning. Make me proud." Adam sighed. "Another year older. Soon you'll be all grown up, time goes real fast. Not to you, I know, but to me, time flies by. Now give me a kiss."

She kissed him and as he put her on the ground he tapped her bottom to send her on her way.

…..

The ride home from school, as Adam expected, was eagerly awaited from both girls. They couldn't wait to get to the Ponderosa for Mags' special tea.

"Do you think I'll have more presents, Daddy?" Mags asked, excitedly.

"Maybe, probably, but don't go asking. Understand?" Adam told her.

"Okay. What d'you think we'll have for tea?"

Beth answered her. "There's bound to be a cake with candles."

"One of Hop Sing's best, no doubt." Adam added.

The rest of the journey home was full of questions and answers. They reached The Cedars in plenty of time for everyone to get washed up and changed.

"Mags, sweetheart," Abby called from her bedroom across the hallway, "you can wear your new dress."

"Oh yeah," came the reply. "I can be a little lady today, but just today."

Abby laughed to herself. "Well I did say you only needed to wear the dress on special occasions and this is definitely a special occasion. You can be yourself again tomorrow."

"Thanks, Mamma."

A little time later Adam called upstairs, "Hey, you two, are you ready? Beth and I are waiting to go."

At that both Abby and Mags came out of their rooms and met in the hallway. "Are you ready?" Abby asked.

"Yes, Mamma."

"Now walk down the stairs like a lady."

"Like you showed me, right?"

"Just like I showed you. Now let's go downstairs. You first."

Mags walked very slowly and sedately towards the staircase and started down the stairs with her hand on the rail and quietly, step by step, came down the stairs. Adam turned and was about to call again when the sight before him

stopped him.

"Wow! My beautiful daughter." He walked over to the bottom of the stairs and waited for Mags to descend. She reached the bottom step and Adam took her hand and kissed it, then opened his arms ready for her to jump.

"Daddy, I can't. I'll spoil my dress."

"Daddy won't spoil your dress," Abby told her as she reached the step behind Mags. "He'll be very careful."

"One big hug, Mags?"

"Okay."

Adam lifted her up carefully and gave her a big hug and then a kiss. "A very Happy Birthday, sweetheart." He then placed her on the ground.

Beth watched all of this, feeling a little left out at all the attention Mags was getting. "Are we going to Grandpa's or not?" She asked, obviously annoyed and stamped her foot.

Abby could see trouble coming, from the look on Beth's countenance. "Adam, I think Beth is right. We should get going," she said. Mags walked away to collect her coat while Abby leaned over and whispered in Adam's ear, "I can see Beth is feeling a little jealous at all the attention you're paying Mags."

"Oh, right," he whispered back.

By this time Mags had put her coat on and was standing with Beth and repeated what Beth had said, "Are we going to Grandpa's or not," folded her arms and started tapping her foot.

"Sorry sweethearts," Adam said to both girls as Abby took hold of Mags' hand and led her through the door to the waiting buggy, leaving Adam and Beth alone.

"Mags looks lovely, Daddy."

"Yes, she does, doesn't she. But then so do you. You always do. Come here my darling and let me give you a great big hug." Together they hugged tightly. "Now, let's go help Mags enjoy her day."

….

They arrived at the Ponderosa and Mags' eyes widened in surprise as she saw all the lanterns that were hung around the house.

"Wow!" cried Beth. "Aren't they lovely, Mags?"

"Oh yeah, they're just beautiful."

"You go on in Mags with Mamma and Beth while I put the buggy away in the barn," Adam told them.

"I can help you, Daddy."

"No Mags, just go on in like I told you."

"Alright."

Adam was relieved as he watched them walk towards the house. The barn was off limits for the moment. While he was unhitching the horse he heard a great yell of 'Surprise' coming from the house, knowing what was happening inside the house. As soon as he finished he quickly locked the barn doors and made his way into the house where he sees Mags being held up in her Grandpa's arms, giving him a big hug. Then as she sees her Daddy walk in she scrambled down from her Grandpa's arms and rushed over to Adam and put her arms around his waist.

"You knew, Daddy, didn't you?"

"Yes, sweetheart, I knew. Now let's get on with your party.

The next hour was spent greeting all the people who were there and opening of many presents. Her immediate family were there with her cousins and Uncle Sam and Auntie Ellen, with of course, Connie and Jenny. Roy Coffee had been asked, along with Paul Martin and school friends. Mags was having a great time, loving the presents she was given, and giving thanks in return.

The table had been spread with all good things to eat and drink. Prepared of course by Hop Sing with the help of Susannah and Alicia. They were encouraged to fill plates with what they wanted and then find a place to eat, be it chairs or the floor. Once eating was finished, Adam suggested a few games outside. All the children, with Adam and his brothers, went outside to play games, with prizes. Three-legged race. Horseshoes. Hide and Seek, and many more. Many of the children received prizes. Meanwhile back inside the house, adults were enjoying coffee and brandy. The table had been cleared except for the birthday cake. The candles were all ready to be lit. And as the children began to tire from their activities, Adam suggested going back inside for the cake cutting.

Ben sighed when he heard the door open, "Peace ended," the others laughed at that.

As everyone trooped in Abby told them, the children that is, to all go and stand around the table. Mags will be blowing her candles out and making a wish. As the children made their way around the table Abby lit the candles and everybody sang Happy Birthday to Mags. Then Mags made her silent wish and blew out the candles all in one blow. Well, there were only five.

"Now I'll cut the cake up and make sure everyone has a piece to take home," Abby told them. The children left the table and were all in animated conversations around the big room.

Once Adam could see Abby and Susannah had finished with the cake he called, "Mags, there's something I want you to see."

Mags looked up from her position on the floor with Jenny and stood up.

"What is it, Daddy?"

"Come with me and you'll find out."

Adam held his hand out and Mags took it and they walked out of the house toward the barn. Everyone had followed them out. Adam unlocked the barn door and together they walked in. As it was now getting dark Adam lit the lamp. Abby and Beth had followed them in, knowing what they would find. She squeezed Beth's hand and looked at each other and smiled in anticipation of Mags' reaction to the gift. Adam took Mags to the last stall and stopped.

"For you, sweetheart."

And when Mags looked into the stall she saw a light shaded pony, with a white mane and tail, already saddled and waiting for her.

"Daddy, for me!" She screamed and cried at the same time. "My very own horse."

"Palomino Pony, Mags," Abby said, as she came up behind her and put her hands on her shoulders and gave a light squeeze.

"Isn't she just beautiful, Mags?" Beth added.

"You got me my pony, Daddy. Now I can ride myself to school."

"Not just yet, sweetheart."

"Why not?"

"You need to learn to ride properly before you ride alone anywhere, and it certainly won't be to school. That's far too long a journey to undertake. Even Beth doesn't ride on her own to school yet."

Mags pouted.

"Now come on Mags," Abby encouraged. "Think of all the near places you'll be able to ride to."

"You'll pick it up good, just like I did." Beth said.

"Well, I don't know if I can wait that long."

"You're going to need patience, young lady," said Ben, as he and the others came up to them. "I don't think I got any." Mags answered. "Can we take her home with us, today?"

Hoss came through the jungle of family and said, "Of course. That's why she's already saddled."

"You mean I can ride her home?"

"Not today." It was Joe who spoke up now. "It's ready for you to take a turn around the yard to see how it feels."

"Oh."

"Just one more thing, Mags. The horse came from your Mamma and me, the saddle and all the trimmings came from Grandpa, Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe." Adam gave her a look, which she quickly read.

"Thank you all very much."

"Good girl," Abby praised.

Then Susannah and Alicia stepped forward. "And another 'just one more thing'. Alicia and I bought you something to go with all of this."

Alicia handed over the parcel. "I hope you like them. With our love for a Happy Birthday."

"Oh, thank you. I've had so much today. Birthdays are good things, aren't they."

Everyone laughed at that.

"Open the present, Mags," Beth was cheering her on.

"Okay, okay." And once the parcel was unwrapped she found a pair of riding boots and riding pants. "Wow! Now I'm all ready for my riding lessons."

"And so you are." Adam said, as he lifted her up, handing the boots and pants over to Abby. Then placed her in the saddle, handed the reins to Hoss. "Over to you Uncle Hoss."

Hoss lead the way out of the barn and walked Mags around the yard. "Sit up very straight." Mags did so. "That's right. You're going to become a good rider."

"I could run in the races, couldn't I, Uncle Hoss?"

"Well, I think that'll take a long time to get to that stage."

As Ben was stood watching he remembered something. So he called them over. "I think there's something you've forgotten, young lady."

"Oh, what's that?"

I believe your new pony needs a name."

"Of course," voiced the others who were also now standing watching Mags riding round the yard.

"Oh, yes." Uncle Hoss, can we stop now please." Everyone waited while Mags got herself down from the pony. Then turned to face the pony's head and said, "What do you say to Chestnut. I think that suits you very well."

"Yes, yes," came the cries of the crowd around her.

"A perfect name, sweetheart. Well chosen."

Mags turned to face all her family. "Thank you all for my lovely birthday day."