Ben finished putting Sport into its stall and started on Black.
He knew he should go in to comfort his youngest son, but guilt poured over him like a piece of carpet to a storm. It soaked him, weighed him down, and kept him from going inside. He had blamed himself for the death of Joseph's mother and now the accident.
"Pa."
Ben turned around seeing his second son Eric come into the barn.
"Adam wants you to get Dr. Martin." Hoss said, his eyes getting teary. "It's awful Pa!" He cried, running into Ben's arms. "He's awfully quiet, and that's hardly like Joe."
Ben felt a little out of it, but he soon got his head back together. He had to take care of his sons. That was his responsibility.
"Everything is going to be okay son." Ben said, hugging Erik tight before letting him go.
Without a moment of hesitation, he re-saddled a new horse and road off to Virginia City to get Paul.
"Ben, I am sure he is fine. Other than some aches and bruises, he'll be up on his feet in no time." Paul said as Ben led him to his horse cart.
"I'm just worried about him."
"I know you are Ben." Paul said with reassurance. "You know it wasn't your fault."
"I know, but maybe if I had watched the horse a little longer..."
"I meant Marie." Paul said, stepping up to get onto his cart.
Ben's eye's glossed over. He stared intently at the dirt floor, drilling holes into the ground.
"Well I'll see you next time Ben. If you need to talk, you know where to find me." Paul said, before clucking for his horse to move forward.
Ben didn't know how long he stood outside, but eventually he pulled himself together and he trudged back to the house he built. When he reached the door, the first thing he heard was his first son's strong yet tender voice.
"—and the knight held his sword about to strike the black knight. The strong, white knight lifted his sword just as the black knight rode his horse toward him. Ducking from sword that slashed towards his head, the white knight threw his sword towards the black knights back and finally, there was peace to the kingdom as the black beings vanished." Adam read from his book.
"Wow Adam. That was a great story!" Hoss exclaimed, bouncing on the settee.
Adam was sitting slanted in between the arm and back of the long couch. His youngest brother Joe was lying on his chest, quietly listening to his stories.
He actually fibbed on a few parts of the story because the book he was reading was a little too gory for children.
Adam started to shift a little on his seat.
"Well I think its starting to get late Hoss. Little Joe looks all tuckered out." He said, picking Joseph up into his arms.
"No I'm not Adam." Joe complained softly, but laid his head on the crook of Adam's neck as they climbed up the stairs.
Although he was well aware that the horse accident was just an accident and he was just fine, Little Joe still felt scared stiff. He wouldn't set foot 2 feet away from Adam, but Adam didn't mind because he wasn't planning on letting his younger brother go. Adam felt like he had an obligation to watch his younger brothers now that their father was going through the effects of being a widow.
Adam climbed the stairs, followed by Hoss right behind his heels.
"Adam, is Pa going to tuck us into bed?" Hoss asked, reaching the top within two more steps.
"Maybe. Just hurry it up and get into bed." Adam said, giving his younger brother's behind a pat to move forward. "I'll come tuck you in after I put Joe into bed all right?"
"Okay Adam." Hoss said cheerfully, reaching his door with a burst of energy.
Before he went in, he turned his head to his brothers.
"Good night short shanks." Hoss said, watching as Joe gave him a small, tired wave good night.
Adam opened the door to Joe's room, and walked towards the bed. He pulled the tired 4 year old away from him, and put him into bed.
"You want me to stay here until you fall asleep?" Adam asked, sitting on the bed when he saw Little Joe nod his head.
He reached to the end of the bed and pulled the covers under his younger brother's chin.
"When's Papa coming in?" Joe asked tired, rubbing his eyes while giving out a loud yawn.
"Soon. Just close your eyes and sleep all right?" Adam said, brushing Joe's hair softly.
Soon he could hear Joe's soft breathing, and he got up of the bed slowly so he wouldn't wake up his younger brother.
He tip toed out of the room and shut the door enough so only a few streaks of light could come through the opening, but he could hear Joe if he needed him. Adam walked down the hallway and went into his second youngest brother's room. He opened the door and smiled, seeing Hoss already sound asleep in bed. He walked quietly to Hoss's bed, draping the blanket that had fallen to the floor over his brother's body, and tucking him in. Before he left, he kissed Hoss on the forehead and whispered good night to his younger brother.
After a long day, Adam went to his own room and stretched out his tired muscles from carrying Little Joe all day. He went to his wash his hands and splash some water on his, but then realized Hop Sing was still in town, and there wasn't anyone to put warm, clean water in his room. Sighing, he changed into his night clothes and climbed into his bed, falling asleep instantly when his head hit the pillow.
Some time during the night
Little Joe woke up with a start, having woke up from dreaming that he fell of from Black and he kept falling and falling. He looked around the room and saw looming black shadows everywhere, intensifying his fear of the dark. His eyes started to get watery as warm tears slid down his face.
Quickly getting out of bed, Joseph quickly pulled his door open and ran into Adam's room. He saw Adam sound asleep in bed. Tip toeing in, Joe sat next to Adam's bed, and then laid down on the rug beside Adam's bed, content to know that he was near his older brother who he considered his hero.
Sorry for the long wait, but I was too busy to write the rest of the chapter. I know... the chapter was short, but I just had to finish the chapter before I continued with my homework. I don't really like how the story ended, but I couldn't think of anything to write, so hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Please give constructive criticism. I don't care if you review that my story sucks, all long as you tell me why, I can start of from there and improve!
-Lgbabyblu