All recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of the respective owners. All original characters and plots are the property of the author. No copyright infringement is intended.
Father of Five
by Carolyn James
Chapter 4: Good Morning Daddy
Adam awoke with two little eye's looking straight into his, "Good Morning, Daddy".
"Molly Rose, what are you doing in my bed", groaned a sleepy Adam.
"It's morning, you said we can talk in the morning. I'm ready." Molly placed her little hands on Adam's hip as she bounced about on the bed."
Adam quickly tucked his blankets around his waistline so as not to be exposed. "Miss Molly, you must knock before entering my room."
"I'm sorry; do I have to leave now?"
"Yes, but just for a minute. Wait outside the door until I call you in."
Molly scampered off and closed the door. Adam made a mental note that fatherhood may require him to wear pajamas or get an on lock his bedroom door.
"Okay Little girl, you may enter in now."
Adam stood at his wash basin and began to shave.
Molly peered around to Adam's side, "Do you have to do that every day, Daddy?
"Yes, sometimes twice a day."
"Do all the boys do that to their faces?"
Not all men shave. Sometimes they grow a beard, like Santa Clause."
"Ooh Daddy, I want you to grow a beard like Santa, and say Ho Ho Ho."
"Ho Ho Ho, you say do you." Adam bent down a picked up Molly and swung her around placing her on his lap as he sat down on the bed.
"Now I have a question for you. What is this Daddy business, Hmm?"
" I want to call you Daddy. Don't you like it?" Molly excitement quickly lowered as she looked down at her hands, twiting them about in her lap.
Adam stood up planting his little one safely on the ground he answered proudly, "As a matter of fact, I do like it. I like it a lot." He pulled on his jacket with a smirk.
Molly began to squeal and jumped back onto the bed "So, I can call you Daddy then?"
"Yes, baby, if you would like you may call me Daddy. On one condition. You do not jump on my bed."
With a tap to her nose Adam then opened his arms and caught Molly in mid air as she jumped off the bed in a big leap .
Ben's words repeated in to Adam's mind... "sometimes son, you have to take a leap of faith and do what you feel in your heart."
Adam and Molly headed down stairs to breakfast. The smell of Hopsings pancakes and sausage made his mouth water. He stopped midway on the steps and looked into the great room peering down into the window ,the sun was barely on the rise. The soft sounds of little feet filled the upstairs bedrooms as they prepared for the day. Molly's little voice in the kitchen helping Hopsing flip the pancakes warmed his heart. There at the desk, Adam caught Ben gazing up at him.
"Good morning Son, you're up bright and early."
" Yes, I am. A little bird flew in my window and woke me this morning."
"Ah, a little bird you say?" Ben smiled.
Adam walked down the stairs slowly taking each step at a time. "Pa, I've been thinking about expansion on the ponderosa."
"Expansion, don't you think the ponderosa has enough land as it is Adam."
"Oh sure Pa, but I feel we need to add a few more rooms onto the house. A young girl of eleven will need her own room and I think it would be nice for John as well. Wouldn't you agree?"
Molly came running into the great room and up unto Bens lap..."Granddad, you're awake. Did Uncle Adam tell you, I can call him Daddy? Isn't that wonderful. And I want to call you Granddad." Molly turned to Adam for reassurance, "Is that okay, Daddy?"
"Well what do you say Granddad? How does that sound to you."?
"Perfectly. I wouldn't have it any other way." Ben smiled at Molly and kissed her forehead as she ran back into the kitchen. Ben pats Adam on the back and then embraced him with a hug. "You're a good man son. I'm proud of you. You followed your heart."
Looking directly into his father's eyes with a look of satisfaction and confidence, Adam nodded his head "A dream that has unfolded before my eyes. I'm a father of five."
Ben saw the look of confidence sway to uncertainty, "Now Adam, We're here for you. Just take one step at a time."
"Agreed. I will talk to the children about the final preparations after breakfast. I want them all to be part of this decision."
Ben looked over towards Molly and Hopsing setting the table. Hopsing fanning her hand away from stealing a piece of bacon. "We know you have one vote. Ben chuckled as he looked at Molly"
Epilogue:
Adam sat down with the children in the great room and spent the morning talking to them about his decision to proceed with the adoption. To his surprise, they were elated. Life could now move forward for the new Cartwright's.
Life did move forward and at a fast pace for Adam. He began planning short term and long term goals concerning the children's education and well-being. He also decided it was time to hire a governess, at lease during the summer session, while the children were on break from school. Hopsing expressed the need for a woman's help in the household; the children were starting to get under foot.
Construction was well on its way at the ranch. Adam found this most exciting, designing a new room for him and one for daughter Kate. The children took great interest in this process as well; all were feeling a sense of pride for their new home. Adam made a small expansion for Ben's room on the lower level. He wanted his father to have a chance for more privacy from the family. Ben expressed his appreciation, but deep down felt it unnecessary. He loved his expanded family and welcomed the new generation of the Cartwright's.
Joy had finally come home~
If you have enjoyed this story Please leave a review. I have many stories prepared as Adam Cartwright stumbles through fatherhood. Be on the lookout for the sequel to Father of Five….Welcome Elizabeth Drake….The Cartwright men are delighted to have the help from the new governess Mrs. Drake but some of the children are not as welcoming. Yes a love triangle may stir, a wayward boy may find himself in his father's lair….Hope to post this week to come….Thanks for reading and for the great reviews!