"Faith?" Vanessa tried as her friend talked about setting up the main room for the ceremony.
Faith ignored her, so she tried again. "Faith." Still nothing, and she was losing her temper, "FAITH!" she finally shouted, standing and putting her hands on her hips, glaring at the girl. Faith stopped talking and looked up at Vanessa, surprised. "What? Did I say something wrong?" Vanessa took a deep breath, bit her lip and shook her head, "No...nothing." she glanced around the room, "I...I just need some fresh air." she walked quickly to the door, shutting it behind her. Faith raised an eyebrow at the closed door, "If she's not careful she's going to catch cold out there." Little Joe looked at Hoss, who shrugged. Joe shook his head, grabbed Vanessa's shawl and walked out after her.
Vanessa was in her usual spot, standing next to the corral staring at the sky. In the few days since Adam's departure for San Francisco she'd been coming out here each night. Just leaned against the corral post and stared up at the sky. "Here, Faith's worrying about you." he put the thick shawl around Vanessa's shoulders, giving her a brief hug in the process. "Thank you Joe." she kicked her foot against the post, and sighed. "I shouldn't have spoken up like that." Joe smirked, "Why not? The way that Faith was going on and on for you, I was about to say something." she chuckled softly, "Joe..."
She turned around, tying the shawl around herself. "Joe, I just don't know." she bit her lip and leaned against him as he spread his arms across the top rail of the corral. "You don't know about what?" she looked at the ground, "This whole marriage thing." Joe laughed, "It's a little late for you to be having second thoughts ain't it?" she giggled and poked him in the ribs, "No...not about being married at all. But all this planning that Faith's got going; all this about aisles and bouquets and what not's giving me headache." Joe tightened his arm around her, "From everything I know about girls, I thought that's all you ever thought about. Planning out your own wedding." She looked at him, "Joseph Cartwright, you think that's what's happening in there?" she pointed to the house, and Joe shrugged. "No...not really."
Vanessa sighed again and closed her eyes, "Little Joe, when I was a young girl, I used to think about things like this. I even had the perfect place picked out. It was this little glade, not much bigger than the main room in the house. In the spring the grass was soft enough you could go barefoot, and on the far end of it were these two great oak trees. They were so big, and so old, that their branches had grown together, making the perfect archway. It was my favorite place on the ranch..." she kicked her foot again and looked back at him. "I suppose I'll have to get used to the idea of not having that outdoor setting. At least I've already got my dress." her hands and eyes went to her still flat belly, "In a few weeks that'll have to change too." Joe walked forward, wrapping her in a tight hug, "Come on inside, Nessa."
She raised an eyebrow at him, "You called me Nessa." he smirked, "Haven't I always?" He walked her back inside, and they were surprised to find that Faith and Solomon had already gone to bed. Hoss was banking the fire, "Good night Hoss." she said, climbing the stairs. She made it to her room and closed the door. Lighting the bedside lamp, she knelt next to her hope chest against the far wall; lifting the lid, she ran her fingers over the white silken fabric of her wedding gown. The shoulders were rolled down to sit just below her real shoulder line, with a tight bodice that emphasized her slim waist and fell away into a full skirt that swirled when she moved. Closing the lid, she shook her head and removed her dress. The bed for the last few days had felt too large with Adam gone, too large and too cold. Curling around his pillow, she blew out the lamp and tried to go to sleep.
Joe watched her walk upstairs, "Hoss, we've got to stop this wedding." Hoss looked at his little brother as though he was crazy, "Joe, I don't think that's gonna happen." Little Joe shook his head, "No, not like that. I just talked with Vanessa and she's not liking what Faith's got in mind." he sat down on the table and watched his brother. "Hoss, she's related to us now and she's really not happy." Hoss sat on the hearth and leaned forward on his knees, "Alright, how do you think we can make her happy?" Joe shook his head, "I don't..." he stopped, and sat up straight, "Hoss, I have an idea."
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Faith Jackson was a fair woman, but when it came to Vanessa Warrick Cartwright, she could be danged stubborn. "You want me to what?" Little Joe adjusted his hat on his head and said it again, "I want you to get Vanessa dressed in that wedding gown she's got and then blindfold her. Hoss and I will take care of the rest." Faith shook her head and put her hands on her hips, "I really wish I knew what you two were up to." Hoss grinned, "Don't you worry none about that, just go on upstairs and get that sister of ours into that dress."
Faith knocked on Vanessa's door, and smiled when she was greeted by a groan. "Nessa? Nessa sweetheart, it's Faith. May I come in?" Another groan, and Faith opened the door. Vanessa was standing over the wash basin, her hair falling in strings around her face and shoulders. "Faith, I'm not exactly up for company this morning." she whispered, then shivered as another dry heave racked her stomach. Faith put a hand over her nose as the smell of bile assaulted her nose. Vanessa stood slightly and poured some of the water into the basin, diluting the smell. Vanessa was still in her nightdress, not even having bothered with the robe that lay strewn across a chair near the bed. "Nessa...I think we should try on that dress of yours again. Just to make sure your stomach isn't going to stretch it too much."
Vanessa raised an eyebrow at her friend, "If you think so. It's in the chest over there." she pointed to it, then bent over the basin again. Thankfully nothing, not even bile, came from the jumping jacks her stomach was doing now. Faith knelt and removed the dress, the white satin puddling around Faith's shorter legs. "Come on. I've got Hop Sing bringing up some hot pails of water for you to wash your hair in, and then we can play around with your hair for how you want it to look." Vanessa closed her eyes, and put the robe around her shoulders, "Faith Jackson, you sure know when to sweet talk a friend." Faith smiled to show her teeth, "I know."
Adam had been gone for seven days. Seven days too long in his mind, not when he had the most beautiful woman in the world warming his bed back home. But then again, not even Vanessa could have talked him out of getting this gift for her. She deserved it, and was worth every dollar he'd spent on the grand piano that was lashed tight to the wagon he drove. He couldn't forget how she'd looked, seated behind the one in her aunts parlor, light streaming in from the windows...in that red dress. She looked the vision, a vision he couldn't wait to see again. The wagon rolled into the main yard of the house, but only his father came out to greet him. "Welcome home Adam." he said, clapping his son on the back and looking over the wagon load, "So this is it?" Adam nodded, lifting a bit of the tarpaulin cover. "I just hope she likes it."
Ben smiled, "I'm sure she will." he waved over to a clump of hands over by the bunk house, "Come on boys, let's get this inside." It took ten of them to finally lift the hefty piece, and then roll it carefully into the nook between the stairs and the study. Adam wiped his forehead as she stood up, "Well, where is she?" Ben smiled, and gripped his sons shoulder. "you'd better wash up and get changed."
"Why?" Ben just grinned, "Those brothers of yours have a present of their own to give her."
Vanessa shifted on the seat, her eyes now covered with a rag, and grumbled again, "Hoss, where are you taking me?" she felt Hoss chuckle beside her, "Now, Nessa, would I be taking you anywhere you wouldn't be safe?" She smiled evilly, "Well, there was this one time..." Hoss laughed, "I mean recently. That time when we were kids doesn't count." Vanessa giggled, "Alright fine... But where are you taking me that I have to be blindfolded?" Hoss didn't answer her, just laughed delightedly. "Hoss?" she patted his arm, "Hoss, I think you'd better pull this rig over." she patted his arm, and the other hand went to her belly. Hoss slowed the wagon, but didn't stop. "Nessa are you serious this time or are you just trying to get a peek at where we are?" Nessa stopped rubbing her belly, and scowled...but it wasn't nearly as effective as it could have been if her face wasn't half covered. Hoss chuckled again, "Don't worry, were' almost there."
About an hour later the buggy came to a stop, and she felt the seat shift as Hoss got out. She listened to his footfalls get closer to her, then his voice say, "Okay, Vanessa. I'm going to get you out of the buggy now. Don't worry, I'm not gonna drop you." Vanessa smiled, "Like you did when I was ten?" Hoss huffed, "No, not like that at all." His grip was firm, but gentle as he lifted her clear from the buggy, then dropped one arm to beneath her knees. "I take it you're not going to let me see where we're going then?" he smiled, then checked when he realized she couldn't see it, "Not yet."
She could feel the sun warm on her face, then the sudden coolness, as though they were in shade. "Hoss...are we in some trees?" she asked, trying to shift around in his arms. "Hang on, just a little bit further then you can see." she tightened her grip around his neck, and bit her lip. Hoss or not, she didn't like the secrets like this. There was another set of footsteps, then Little Joe's voice, "Well hello brother. Whatdaya think?" Hoss must have nodded, and must have been smiling cause she heard it in his voice, "I think it looks great. But I'm not the one you should be asking." Little Joe must have smiled too, then he said, "Well, let's ask her!" She was shifted again, and her feet came to rest on soft ground. Hoss turned her around to face him, then removed the rag from her eyes, "Well? What do you think?" he asked.
She blinked several times, adjusting to the sudden light, then looked around them, "Think of what?" Joe rolled his eyes, put his hand on her shoulders and turned her around, "That." he pointed to what they'd been working on for the last couple days. They were in a natural stand of trees, but a clearing had been made, and the grass beneath her feet looked as green as the fresh green sprouts. It wasn't perfectly circular, more of an oval, but the tress were tall and gave the sunlight a fight to make it onto the earth, sprinkling it on the ground. "Oh!" her breath came out in a gasp, and her hands flew to her mouth, "You boys did this?" Hoss nodded, and Joe crossed his arms over his chest, "So...what do you think?" She turned back to the clearing, "I don't know what to say..." Joe came forward and stood next to her, "Well all you'll have to say is a few vows and 'I do'." she stared at him, "You're kidding. After all that Faith was planning, how did you talk her out of." Hoss chuckled, "Nessa, our big brother isn't the only one who can talk circles around anyone." Her eyes widened, "Ben?" they nodded, and then Joe looked behind him. "Uh-oh..we've got to hurry. Nessa come with me, Hoss you stall them."
"Stall who?" she asked, or tried to as Joe took her hand and led her to a small log on the edge of the clearing. "Here, you sit here..." he knelt and spread the skirt of her gown around her. She grabbed his wrist, "Joe, what are you doing?" he looked up at her and winked, "Just trust me." she raised an eyebrow at him, "Joe, should I trust you?" he smiled, and finished what he was doing. "You feeling alright?"
"Yes. So far." he nodded, "Good." She could just hear horse hooves beyond him, and he stood again, "You stay right there." She was about to call out to him when he disappeared into the shade of the trees. Sighing heavily, she leaned back against her arm and looked around the clearing. How had they done it? She knew the Ponderosa fairly well, she'd thought, but this... She couldn't remember anything like this. After that disastrous escape a week ago, she'd promised Adam that until they were sure that a ride wouldn't hurt her or the baby, she could only go out with an escort. It used to be Adam until he'd left suddenly for San Francisco seven days ago.
Seven days...she'd been alone for seven days. She shook her head and grinned, no wonder her father taught her about ranch life; he must have hated being away from her mother as much as Nessa hated being separated from Adam. Adam...her grin changed into a warm smile as she thought about her husband. There were footsteps off to her right, and she looked up at whomever it was.
There he stood, shadowed against the speckled sunlight, dressed in his best suit and staring at her. She giggled, "Adam, we really need to stop meeting like this." she could feel his smile as he walked towards her, "Nessa..." he whispered, sitting on the log next to her.
Ben looked at his youngest two, and smiled, "Well now, that's a sight worth waiting for." Hoss looked at his father, confused, "What do you mean, Pa?" Ben nodded towards their elder brother and his new wife, "I've waited a long time for Adam to find a woman he thought worthy. When Vanessa came to the ranch two years ago, I saw the look in her eye; it was the same look your mothers had when they looked at me, and she had it everytime she glanced at Adam. It wasn't until she left, and he returned alone that I saw it in his. Your brother loves that girl, more than I think even he knows or understands." Joe raised an eyebrow and glanced up at his father, "That explains a lot." Ben smiled, and put a hand on his shoulder, "Is everyone ready?" Hoss nodded, "Yep. Just waiting on those two." They looked back at the newlyweds, and watched as Adam helped Vanessa get to her feet, lifting her as gently as he would a newborn calf. "Let's go." Ben said, and the three remaining Cartwright's entered the glade. Adam looked over at his family, sliding his hands around his wife. "Nessa tells me that she was brought here blindfolded." he glanced down at her and then turned back to his brothers, "What are you three planning."
Joe smiled, "Nessa told me about it a few days ago, about how she'd always wanted to have the ceremony outside," Nessa's eyebrows raised, "Joe...you did all this because of that?" Joe nodded and continued, "So I got the idea and Hoss and I've been working on this for the last few days. It took a while to find a stand large enough, then to clear out all the underbrush, but I think it works." Adam smiled, "Alright so you've got the setting she wants, but did you think about bringing the preacher?" Hoss smiled, "Ah, come on Adam. You think we'd forget something like that?" the man appeared from the woods behind the Cartwrights and nodded to the couple. Now it was Nessa turn to object, "Everyone but Faith." there came a cough from behind her and Nessa turned slightly to see her friend and her husband standing hand in hand. Adam looked around the clearing, then smiled down at his wife, "Well now. That's just about everyone important don't you think?" Vanessa returned his smile, and nodded, "Alright, Peter." Adam said to the preacher, "Let's finish what we started in New Orleans."
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(FIVE MONTHS LATER)
The five Cartwright's sat around the dinning table, eating supper. Vanessa sat next to Adam, across from Hoss, and her eyes were watching the last steak on the server plate. Her own plate was only half empty, but she knew that it would be soon enough. Just whether or not she would be able to get to that steak before Hoss would be a challenge. It had been like this for the last few months as her belly expanded with Adam's child. It hadn't come to much yet, just looks or a nod, but tonight Hop Sing had made some of the softest steak and well mashed potatoes that she'd ever tasted. The steamed vegetables were already gone, most having gone to her plate when the first served. But that steak was calling to her...or at least, her large belly. There! Hoss was reaching for the plate, but he wouldn't get that steak. Her fork was faster than his, and stabbed into the thick slab before he could even blink. Hoss's eyes widened, and he stared balefully at Vanessa, "Aw, come on Nessa." she didn't blink, just kept her grip on her fork and started lifting it to her own plate. "Pa that's not fair!" Hoss whined, but Ben and Adam only laughed, "You'd better give in son. You'll be surprised at how much Nessa'll be able to eat fro a while." he winked at Adam, "After all, she is eating for two." Vanessa smirked and took a swallow of water, "Sometimes it feels like more than that." She winced and put a hand on her swollen stomach, "Well one things for sure, he fight's like a Cartwright." Adam's hand fell to her stomach, something he'd been doing of late everytime she mentioned a kick, and he grinned, "Let's just hope this one loves his mother like the rest of the Cartwrights."
That night, Vanessa found herself dreaming of the orchard on the Summerset. It was spring, and the apple blossoms were in full bloom and it smelled heavenly. She walked over to one of the trees, grabbing a small handful of blossom and breathing deeply. "Aren't they beautiful?" a woman asked, and Vanessa turned around. "Mother?" Jennifer smiled broadly at her adopted daughter, a small bundle in her arms. "Oh my little Nessa. How you've grown. And finally married to Adam I see." Vanessa smiled herself, then looked at Jennifer. "What are you doing here mother..." her hands flew to her large belly and she asked fearfully, "There's nothing wrong is there?" Jennifer shook her head and walked forward, revealing the bundle in her arms to be a baby. "No...I was just checking on your son. He's a fine looking boy, Nessa. He looks just like his father." Vanessa gasped and opened her eyes, pulling away from Adam as she sat up. "Nessa?" he grumbled, half sitting up, "Is something wrong with the baby? Are you alright?" she shook her head, trying to clear it. His hands were instantly holding her, "Nessa?" she put her hand over his and smiled, "Don't worry, nothing's wrong. I just...I just had a bad dream is all." He kissed her shoulder, "Anything you want to talk about?" She grinned, "I get the feeling that what you've got in mind doesn't include talking." he shook his head, "No...not really."
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(EARLY SPRING, MIDDAY)
Hop Sing and Vanessa were talking in the kitchen, preparing lunch for the few hands on the Ponderosa when Vanessa let out a soft cry and grabbed onto the small table. "MisNessa?" Hop Sing asked, coming to her side, "What wrong?" Vanessa took a deep breath, her hands falling to her belly. "Well, unless I just wet my skirts, this baby's coming now." she looked up at the cook and smiled, "You'd best send Matthew for Adam," he moved to get the hand when Vanessa cried out again, "but first, you'd best get me a glass of that tea I told you about."
Adam and his brothers were about an hours ride away form the ranch house when their ranch hand Matthew came galloping up to their small campfire, his face flushed and horse near coated in sweat. "Matt, what's got you so..." Adam began, but Matt bent over, hands on his knees. "It's.....It's... Nessa....sent....move.....fast..." Adam went to the boy and held him up by his shoulders, "What?" Matt took a deep breath and said again, "Baby...Nessa...move...now..." Adam started, then spun on his heel and ran to Sport. Hoss and Joe hadn't heard the conversation, but they could gather enough by the way Adam tore out of camp.
Like the devil himself was after him.
Doc Martin met him in the main yard, and it confirmed his suspicions. "She's steady for a while yet, we could be facing a good long birth though." the Doc explained as he walked inside with Adam. Adam hadn't even a foot in the house when Vanessa let out a gut wrenching wail, the open door enough to let her voice through to his ears. He raced the doctor upstairs to their room, and saw her, lying back on the bed, pillows behind her back and blankets drawn down to her hips. She was leaning back on those pillows, her face bathed in sweat. She looked over at the open door, and tried to smile, but her belly clenched and she looked away, obviously trying not to scream. Adam moved fast, sitting down on the chair beside the bed and taking her shoulders in his hands. "Easy girl, easy. I'm here." she grinned, "Adam, I'm your wife not your horse." he smiled and wiped a cool cloth across her brow, "I know...believe me. I know." she set her teeth and hissed slowly. "Adam I swear, this baby's gonna be the death of me." He chuckled and looked over at Paul. Paul smiled himself, "Don't you worry Vanessa. I've heard plenty of wives say that same thing and they all live through for another round." she laughed and leaned back against the pillows, letting Adam wipe her face one more time.
Two hours passed, and the contractions were getting closer together. Five minutes apart, three, one. When Vanessa let out a cry to wake the dead, Paul Martin bent over and grinned widely, "Alright, Nessa. I need you to start pushing for me." She nodded, and gripped Adam's left arm tightly as he helped her sit up. She let out another great cry, and laid her head into Adam's shoulder, trying to muffle her screams. Adam moved his head and kissed her brow as Paul coached her through. She'd done this so many times before for other women, why did it feel different now? She should have been able to do this alone, dang it! "I can see a head, Nessa. Come on, one more good push and you'll be holding him." Vanessa took a deep breath, pulled her face out of Adam's shoulder, and bore down. Her mouth opened in a shout, but she was soon drowned out by the one her child gave by being forced from her body.
She glanced at Adam, whose eyes were glued to the doctor, "Paul...what..." the doctor wrapped the baby in a soft towel and grinned at the new father. "It's a boy." Vanessa said, leaning back on the pillows. Both the doctor and Adam gave her a sharp look, "Now how did you know that?" Paul asked, bringing the whimpering bundle over to his father. Vanessa smiled weakly and held up her arms for her son.
"A mother knows." she whispered, tracing the thick black hairline on his small brow. She brought him up and kissed his forehead gently, "A mother knows."