Telegrams. 5th Story in the Alexandra Series.

Summary: You wanted to know the why, the when and the how Alexandra came about. Well here it is. Adam receives a wire from San Francisco. He embarks on a journey with Alexandra to bring Katherine home one way or another. He recalls the events of the past along the way.

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.

Recap

Overland Telegraph Company...

To: Ben Cartwright

The Ponderosa

Nevada Territory

Katherine passed peacefully early hours this morning stop

Alexandra and I fine stop

Molly arriving Thursday stop

Will head home Friday after making arrangements stop

Adam Cartwright

Empire House

San Francisco.

A.N. The longest epilogue in the world…. Sorry

Chapter 24: Goodbye Momma.

With the dawn came the beginning of another journey for Alexandra Cartwright; one without her mother. While her father was speaking to the monsignor, she was ushered; barefoot and wrapped in a blanket, with Samantha and Brett to the small kitchen at the end of the nurse's station. There the three sat sipping warm tea, stunned into silence as the drama of the night, or rather the early hours of the morning, diminished.

It wasn't long before Adam returned, and Alexandra and Samantha left for the hotel rooms to freshen up before coming back. Monsignor Twoomey had arranged a small prayer service for Katherine for two that afternoon.

Still wrapped in a blanket and her bare feet now covered with a large pair of socks, Alexandra snuggled into the arms of her father as he carried her back to their hotel suite. Once there, he tried to send Alexandra up with Samantha, to wash and get dressed, while he sent a telegram home, but Alexandra was hesitant to leave his side. Adam supposed this was understandable and part of Alexandra's need and handling her grief. Adam understood grief and its many forms, so he knelt down in front of her, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders as he tugged her closer to him. He kissed her gently.

"I'm not going anywhere, darlin'. I just need to send a telegram to grandpa and let them know we're coming home."

Alexandra nodded. "Okay, dad; I'll wait. Ya gonna send a telegram to Marty too? She'd be jist as worried. She was hopin ta meet momma…" Alexandra hesitated and dropped her head. "She wanted ta help…she was gonna…nurse… I guess it don't matter no more."

"I'll send a telegram to Marty too, Alex. I'm sorry I didn't get to talk to your momma about her and our relationship."

"Ya shoulda not needed too, daddy." Alexandra shrugged her shoulders trying to find the right words. "I done told her some stuff about how Marty's our friend an all. Maybe ya didn't tell her cause… well I don't know how Momma woulda felt about you and Marty getting married an all."

"Maybe? I didn't want to upset your momma. I think she may have known though. We spoke a little, yesterday before I left. The most important thing about this journey was you being able to see your mother. It was about you and your momma, not me… not Marty. Marty knew that; we talked about it before I left," said Adam gently reassuring the child.

"But, it was about all of us weren't it, Dad? We all done learned lots of things. I didn't understand why momma was so scared all the time. But, I knowed yesterday she weren't scared no more. Momma was the happiest I ever seen her, so ya must done something ta help her, Dad, sides jist getting her outta that institution."

"I now know one thing for certain, Alexandra. Your momma knows I love you very much and I will never let anything bad happen to you. So, why don't you go up with Samantha; I'll send these telegrams, and then order us a nice big breakfast."

"No; I can wait Dad, it ain't no trouble."

Samantha gave the pair a sympathetic smile, before leaving and heading up the stairs.

"Okay," conceded Adam, and turned to face the hotel clerk, as he wrote out his telegrams.

~oOo~

Two o'clock came around; slowly it seemed. The hours before had been spent mostly in silence, except when Samantha left to go back to the hospital to be with Brett and Jai. Adam sent his telegrams, along with messages to Drew Kennedy and Judge Carey. Drew would handle all the necessary paper work of Katherine's estate, ready for when Molly arrived. They knew Molly was in transit to San Francisco, from the response Ivan had sent them only yesterday. It was a shame she hadn't arrived in time to say goodbye to her sister.

Adam and Alexandra arrived at Saint Mary's just before two. They entered the small Chapel to the afternoon sun pouring in and refracting in a multitude of colour through several small leadlight windows above the altar. Adam and Alexandra merged towards the seats off to the left, where the warm glow of candles surrounding a statue of Mary stood.

Alexandra stood and went to the statue and knelt in front of it, making her whispered prayer. "Dear Mother Mary, look after my momma, along with all the other mommas you look after. She won't be no trouble fer ya. Though, she does like ta sing and draw, so ifin ya got any special jobs for an angel with them skills, I can testacies to her talent."

While Alexandra delivered her prayer, Adam sat silently making a vow of his own. "You know God, I may have questioned your existence; in my youth and in my arrogance. It was the ambiguous nature of faith and the interference of humans to many people's faith journey. Perhaps it was the idea of organised religion; corporatized and capitalised exclusive to those who change the rules… Sorry, God, I digress. But, I know one thing for certain, love in its many forms is what you are. It's never concrete, or objective… its…enlightening and at times stressful…its… Alex would say; it's simply warm, Dad, and the truth. I think we all deserve to be loved, even if we may have not earned it. Katherine had it and gave it. I love her. I don't believe I earned her love, but I know I got it. I promise you I will never take that for granted. Please help me to keep that promise to you, to Alexandra and most of all to Katherine. I know it will not be easy and I can only hope with Marty by my side, my brothers, father and the many extensions of our families that I will do a good job. I ask forgiveness of any hurt that I caused Katherine, and know that she is in my heart and part of who I am, even though I am in love with another. I ask this of you, because I know Katherine has forgiven me any hurt or fear I may have caused. I am so thankful that; this special gift that you gave Katherine, has been given to Alexandra also. Now, if you and Katherine could just help keep her out of mischief for a while at least, the respite for me would be very much appreciated."

Adam lifted his head, sensing the small warm figure that started leaning against him. He opened his eyes to face his little girl, looking up at him; a curiously pensive expression on her face.

"Whatcha doing dad?"

"I'm saying a prayer, Alexandra," smiled Adam.

Alexandra looked her father square in the eye. She twisted her lips and reached up tracing the contour of one of Adams eyebrows. "Looks like you was havin an argument, Dad. Your eyebrows were dancing around ya forehead. Pretty long prayer too, Dad. Ya don't hafta say long prayers ta God or the Virgin Mary cause they's can read ya mind; which is like being able ta read thousands of words and see pictures all at the same time. Ya hafta give a bit more detail ta Angels and Saints though, specially the new ones or the ones who were people afore they became a Saint or an Angel cause they's still learning; they's intrims…"

"You mean interns, like apprentices," corrected Adam.

"Yeah Dad, sort of like the apostrophes were in the beginning."

"The Apostles."

"Yep, sorry them. They helped write all the stories we read in the bible. They wrote lots of things; Brother Sebastian says we can use as prayers too; they called them palms cause when the nuns say them they's either hold their hands; palms up, or sometimes theys' jist count them on their Rosary Beads."

"They are called Psalms not palms."

"Ohh, I heard that word; it's spelled like palms; I guess that's why I get mixed up and cause they hold their palms out especially when they saying the our father prayer. Anyway, Dad, they are good prayers, ifin ya not quite sure what ya wanna say or ask for. Ceptin it's not good ta jist ask for things all the time."

"No we can pray to give thanks."

"Suppose, Dad. We can thank God for given us momma in the first place and not makin' her suffer no more, but still don't seem fair that she didn't get ta live longer and happier. And… now she's gone."

A response echoed from behind the pair. "I can tell you Alexandra, your mother had some very happy times; lots of them."

Both Adam and Alexandra turned their heads towards the sound and the appearing figure silhouetted by the light streaming through the windows.

"Molly!" exclaimed Alexandra and ran from her seat to greet her aunt. "You near scared the beje… "

"Alex!" interrupted Adam as he too stood and moved to greet Molly Defoe.

"Ya near scared me ta death, Molly. I thought ya mighta been a voice from the heavens, not that that should scare a body… but well ya can never be too sure why theys might had ta come on down from heaven in the first place and be here."

Molly laughed. "No I'm here; real in the flesh."

Adam stretched out his hand and pulled Molly into a gentle embrace." I'm sorry I couldn't get word to you sooner."

Molly's eyes welled up and she dabbed at them with a small lace handkerchief, she pulled from her sleeve. Adam stepped back, but did not release his gentle hold on the woman. "I got halfway home, before Ivan relayed your message. I was here a just under two weeks ago. I thought Katherine looked much better; I didn't think she would die so…Well I'm so glad she wasn't alone, and especially glad she got to see Alexandra. Thank you Adam for bringing her."

Adam nodded. "Both Katherine and Alexandra deserved to have that time." Adam turned Molly gently and proceeded down the aisle back to the front pew. "Monsignor is going to say some prayers, please sit with us."

As the trio sat down, several others quietly ambled into Saint Mary's small chapel. Both Sister Bernadette, and Sister Eugene, along with Maverick, now bandaged, and in a clean shirt, were the first to take a seat behind Adam, Alex and Molly. Doctor Schultz, Judge Carey and Drew Kennedy were the last to arrive.

Monsignor Twoomey arrived at the altar. Dressed in a black vestment he stood in the middle facing forward. He nodded and smiled at the witnesses before him and then God. "We are here today to pray for Katherine's family and to celebrate the journey she continues on." He then opened his small bible. "From Revelations 7:9-17…"

Alexandra watched turned and watched the sisters open their bibles too, then slowly whispered and echoed the words the Monsignor read.

"Salvation belongs to our God, to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb…"

Alexandra listened, and then started wondering for a moment why Jesus was symbolised as a lamb, and not a steer or a deer, but then lambs were cute and needed looking after, they also stuck together pretty well. She was about to ask her father what he thought when she was lightly tapped on the thigh; to turn around and listen.

"These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them. They will never go hungry or be thirsty again, and the sun will not beat down on them, nor any burning heat, because the Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes…"

"Amen" chorused the group.

The Monsignor closed his book and then called Molly up.

"Come with me, Alexandra," offered the women holding out her hand.

Alex looked worried for a moment. Adam nudged her, "Go on," he encouraged.

"I have a prayer that I would like to say. It was one your momma said at her momma's grave site," explained Molly.

Alexandra took Molly's hand and they walked to the altar and turned around. Molly knelt on one knee took one of Alex's hands and read from a small journal she had pulled from her pocket. "Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together."

Alexandra smiled, remembering her mother's laughter, feeling that she would never be really too far away. It bought on slow trickles of tears. Alexandra wiped them away, while Molly stood and the Monsignor continued.

"That's a beautiful prayer. It reminds us of Romans 8:38-39… For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Molly looked down at Alexandra and handed her the small journal. "Would you like to read the rest of this Alexandra? Your mother spoke these words at Grandmama's funeral. She spoke them as mother would to her daughter."

Alexandra nodded, "Okay but I ain't a real good reader specially ifin there are big words," she whispered.

"You'll do fine. Just take it slow," encouraged Molly.

Alexandra took great comfort in Molly's light hand on her shoulder, before taking a large breath. "So, pray, smile when you think of me… Let my name be ever the thought that it always was, let it be spoken without ef…effeck… without the trace of a sparrow… I mean a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroked con… con…" Alexandra looked to Molly to help her identify and pronounce the word, but before Molly could answer Alexandra heard the deep baritone voice of her father.

"Continuity," he said clearly and with a deliberate inflection that to Alexandra sound like a promise; a declaration.

The little girl smiled proudly and then continued to read her mother's prayer. "Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an intermission… ah no interval…means the same thing don't it Molly?"

"Yes baby."

"Interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner…All is well," finished Alexandra.

"Amen" chorused a collection of voices, sincere and bright with hope.

~oOo~

As the group left the chapel, Sister Bernadette approached the milling crowd; she had invited Molly and Alexandra to gather Katherine's small carpet bag and her belongings that the young woman had clutched so tightly the night she had arrived.

Meanwhile the Monsignor and Doctor Shultz met with Adam in the Monsignor's office to complete the formalities of recording Katherine's death. The Monsignor sat at his desk, dipping his pen in the ink, he started to very neatly fill out Katherine's death certificate. The room was silent except for the scratching of the pen on the thick parchment the Monsignor wrote on. After some minutes, the Monsignor offered Doctor Schultz the pen.

"Doctor would you second the cause of death?" he asked.

Doctor Shultz stood and leant over the desk as the Monsignor swung the parchment around to face him.

"What is recorded as the official cause of death?" asked Adam. "I thought she had improved a little," he added solemnly.

Doctor Shultz signed the paper, before answering. "Heart failure; most likely due to damage caused by the lead poisoning, but I can't know for sure. I thought the therapies were helping. I knew there must be permanent damage to her brain and kidneys, but I couldn't really tell from just the blood tests."

"I'm very grateful for all your hard work Doctor, and you too Monsignor. I'm sure Katherine got some more time thanks to your intervention."

"I'm sorry we couldn't do more; in time we may have more answers. "

"I'm sure you will Doctor Shultz; you seem pretty dedicated to medicine."

"I am. Thank you, Mr Cartwright."

"Please call me, Adam."

"Thank you Adam."

"Well, I best head to the hotel, I want to organise things with Molly. If there is anything I can ever do to repay you, please do not hesitate to ask. You can contact me via Virginia City." Adam stood up to go, extending his hand to shake the doctors hand, "Good bye".

Monsignor stood too, eyeing Doctor Shultz briefly before turning his gaze back to Adam. "Well Adam, there is something you can do to help, right now."

"Yes?" Quizzed Adam.

Doctor Shultz took the Monsignor's cue and started to speak. "As you know Adam, you and Katherine were happy to indulge both the Monsignor and I with some new therapies for Katherine. The study and research would have been an enormous help to finding out a lot about heart disease, and lead poisoning."

"Yes, I'm sorry that won't continue. Both Katherine and I would have been interested in your findings. Alexandra, has shown traces of lead in her system, so any findings, treatments or cures would have been very welcomed."

"Adam, we tested most of the people from Elk. The good doctor there has kept the findings and the levels of each person updated. Most have low level readings, and as in the case of Alexandra, I suspect those with very little side effects will improve and the lead in their systems will diminish over time. Alexandra's exposure has kept her small and her physical development delayed somewhat, but she will catch up. Katherine's levels were the highest recorded there of all those living. I suspect some of the earlier deaths in the area, may have been caused or accelerated because of those people's exposure. But, we may never know that."

"Thank you, it does make me feel as little more relieved. I'm sorry that you did not get the chance to continue your study. We all are."

"Well, Adam, you can still help. Katherine can still help. With your permission, I'd like to keep Katherine's body here to study; post mortem."

"An autopsy?"

"More than that, Adam. Saint Mary's is a medical School. We have many young men that could help Doctor Schultz with his research," added the Monsignor.

"I don't know Monsignor, Katherine was a Papist, I don't know that she would like that; I'm not really sure whether she believed in this sort of thing."

The Monsignor nodded. "It is something very important to our beliefs, Adam. However, this is a Catholic Hospital. In actual fact Papist's were among the very first to study anatomy. There are strict codes of practices that relate to the respect of god's humanely vessels. Katherine spoke of this to me when we talked of the therapies, however, her mind was often… well befuddled. I would not like to think I was taking advantage of her condition."

"Adam, we could find out so much from examining Katherine's heart," gently urged the young Doctor in front of him.

"What happens to her body when you have found everything possible?" asked Adam.

"Here at Saint Mary's, Adam, once the cadavers have been examined, we put everything that we can back into place. Many of them are then sent back to their families to be buried in consecrated ground. Some that are too far away, we cremate, but only on the proviso that their ashes are then buried in consecrated ground. Katherine will be respected and returned to you."

"You don't keep any of the parts in a jar or…" Adams vision of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein came to mind.

"No Adam, not unless we have explicit permission. If we were to find something very unusual or significant we may respectfully request that."

Adam nodded, but stayed silent for a moment, mulling over the idea in his head. He considered himself an academic, a man who believed in the quest of enlightenment, evolution, of science and wonder of the world and all its facets. That meant knowing the questions before one could find the answers. "From what I know of Katherine and what you have told me, I think Katherine would have wanted you to continue your research, Doctor Shultz. However, I want to speak to Molly about it."

"Naturally, Adam. It is your decision."

"Thank you Monsignor," said Adam before shaking both Doctor Shultz and the Monsignor's hand. Adam left, to find Alexandra and Molly.

~oOo~

Epilogue

Coming Home

Overland Telegraph Company...

To: Miss Martha Strawn

c/o Ben Cartwright

The Ponderosa

Nevada Territory

Arriving Sunday on midday stage stop

Adam Cartwright

Empire House

San Francisco.

Adam sat in the silence of the stage coach on the last leg of their journey home. Alex and he were the only ones left on the stage after leaving Goat Springs. They'd left San Francisco early Thursday morning. Judge Carey had travelled with them to Emerald Bay, where he was happily reunited with his daughter Evie and her family. They all spent the night there, where the judge narrated his ordeal, with gusto. Everyone was intrigued and proud of the man's resilience in the throes of being kidnapped and kept in the insane asylum and then his scruples when dealing with the perpetrators and the other victims of their crimes. The Judge had made sure that the railroad tenures and the men involved in the whole debacle were charged. Those at the institution who had been defrauding the state and hijacking the gold to send into the southern sympathises had also been charged and were awaiting trial. The Judge arranged for the young MeiLan and Isobel to be the first of lay students at the school of nurses at Saint Mary's. Both young women were thrilled to be given another chance in life; to be safe and contribute to society. Judge Carey had witnessed and endorsed the official adoption of Jai to the Mavericks. Sam and Brett took their vows in front of all of them and Jai, Sam and Brett became an instant family. Jai was doing well and Monsignor Twoomey saw no problem with the child leaving the hospital, though he did warn them that travel of any great distance should wait at least a week. That seemed to suit everyone. While they had no intention of actually settling down in one town indefinitely, a three-month hiatus would give them time to find a home base.

With that in mind, Brett decided that Elk might be a good place to do just that. Molly had recognised Brett from a couple of visits to the Star and Garter; she was sure that he would make a fine manager at the Star and Garter's gambling rooms. This would allow Ivan to concentrate wholly on the theatrical entertainment.

So within two weeks the Maverick family would travel back with Molly and take Katherine's body back to Elk, so she could be laid to rest alongside her mother. This had caused some angst with Alexandra. She wanted to bring Katherine home to the Ponderosa.

Flashback

Sister Bernadette left Molly and Alexandra in the now very empty ward. Katherine's carpetbag and her belongings had been laid out on the bed. Alexandra seemed to be putting things into two piles.

Molly unfolded a skirt, and shirt with matching jacket out on the bed. She brushed them out. "They are going ta need a press," she whispered to herself, before turning to Alexandra and frowning at the piles. "What are doing there, baby?" she asked.

"I'm divided up momma's memories, Molly, you can take some with you and I can take some with me."

"Ohh," said Molly as she picked up a small daguerreotype of Katherine and Alexandra. "Can I have this one? Ah know Adam has one jist like it in the journals."

"Sure, Aunt Molly. Can I have this one… it's of all of us at the theatre… look even Delilah and Ivan are in it."

"Sure baby. That's a good idea." Alexandra looked at the dress now spread out on the bed. "That was momma's travelling dress?" she asked.

"Yes, I think she would rather wear that than a hospital gown in… for her final journey."

"Ta heaven, that's where she is going, right Molly?"

"Yes baby, to heaven."

"Well then, I think she should wear her bonnet too. It matches."

"Yes… now where is that bonnet," mumbled Molly taking a look through the carpet bag then the small wardrobe. "Here it is!" exclaimed Alexandra as she jumped off the bed and picked up the small bonnet with an array of purple and pink blossoms attached to a fine netting.

"Now how did that get there?" said Molly shaking her head, before taking it and placing it with the rest of the outfit.

Alexandra looked at the clothes neatly arranged in order on the bed, as if Katherine was lying there. "I can almost see her in them clothes," said Alexandra, "though she's kind of flat," giggled the little girl.

Molly laughed too, looking at the empty human form. A memory came to mind of seeing a very young Katherine walking down the boardwalk of Elk, so many years ago, stopping to look into the shop window, then step back only to swing around a post before stepping off the boardwalk to cross the road. Looking like an elegant lady one minute then a happy child the next. "She could sure look elegant when she wanted to."

"She sure is pretty, Molly. You're pretty too."

"Thank ya darlin, but neither one of us is gonna be as pretty as you when yer all growed."

"Ya think so? My hair is all grown now, so I guess I look like a girl, but I like it much better short and I like wearing britches when I'm playing. I hate all them petticoats Dad, makes me wear when I'm going ta church."

"Well the heavenly father don't rightly care what ya wearing when ya saying ya prayers, but it's nice ta show him that ya care and respect him by coming with a clean face and clean heart."

"Guess so," said Alexandra and sighed when she looked down at the few belongings that remained. "Momma don't have much does she?"

"There are a lot of your momma's things at the theatre, Alexandra. I'll pack up a few more things and bring them over. Your Daddy has all the journals now and your momma's letters. And you have some things that you took with you the first time your Daddy came for you."

"That would be nice."

"Well except for those pictures you can take everything else with you. Look here's your Momma's hairbrush and comb set. And look what a lovely perfume bottle. I think your grand pappy Pater gave that to her afore you were born. Here this little angel figurine. She had that for years too; she had it as a little girl just like you. She kept it with her all the time; said it reminded her of you."

"Hey. That's like the angel in Daddy's drawing of Momma."

"It Is?"

"Yep daddy has it at home. It helped Daddy remember Momma all those years ago."

"Your Daddy was pretty sick when he left here after Frank Hallet attacked him and your momma. Well I guess it is a reminder of the two angels in his life then."

"You should have that Molly, it can remind you of us both; me and momma."

Molly was moved. She'd remembered the little angel sitting on Katherine's desk all those years ago. She wiped a small tear that had escaped from her eyes, and took a breath and picked up another item from Katherine's carpet bag. "Well… What do ya know," suddenly gasped Molly. "I wonder who bought these in fer yer Momma"? Molly turned around and held up a long silk drawstring bag.

"What are they?" asked Alexandra?

"They's her dancing shoes Alex, and look here is some sheet music. "The Minstrel Knight; it was her favourite song. She used ta sing it during interval sometimes when her momma ran the theatre. She stopped dancing after that. I guess she didn't feel like it after what happened. And then she was havin you…"

"But, she coulda danced after I was born. I remember her dancing…" Alexandra tried to recall an earlier memory. "Oh… at the carnival, I remember seeing her dance with Granddad William."

"Did ya baby? Well that's real nice ta know. Your Momma should have danced a lot more."

"Can I have them?"

"Of course and the sheet music."

Alexandra picked up some drawings. "These here pictures are ones I done of Home; The Ponderosa. This ones of the lake, and Alexandra's meadow. Momma painted it yesterday. Sister Gabriel gave it to me. Momma painted it all from my description. Its beautiful ain't it. Sister Gabriel said Momma is a talented watercolourist. Can they be with Momma; I think she would like ta know where I am?"

"Sure they can," said Molly and placed Alexandra's drawing and the watercolours next to the outfit she had laid out for Katherine.

"You should keep this one Molly, it's of My Uncles, jist so ya know who the rest of our family are and what they look like."

Molly took the picture. "You as good of an artist as your momma was at your age," she praised looking at the smiling faces of Ben, Hoss, Adam, Little Joe and of course Hop Sing. "They are a mighty handsome family you got there, Alex."

"They are our family Molly. You and I are related, by blood, and them and me is related by blood, except fer Hop Sing, but we are all family. We are all good people who love and will look after each other no matter what."

"Well that is nice ta know. I always knew your daddy was a good man and so was your grandpa. He looked after us all when your momma was hurt that time. Yesum, he's a good man. "

"Yeah, and ifin ya ever want ta come a live with us ya can."

"Thank you, though I'm hopin ta have a family of my own one day."

"Ain't ya getting old Molly?"

"I's only thirty-five, child, maybe need ta be careful having babies, but my momma was forty when she had me. Anyways… well I've been courtin' someone since ya left."

"Ohhh, who?" asked Alexandra, curiously. "Do I knowed him?"

"Yes yer do. "Clem" Clem Foster that young new deputy. He's been helping us at the theatre keeping those rowdy miners in tow. And, he was real helpful getting that Frank Hallet Junior back to be tried for Darcy's murder. Iffin he hadn't done that; your momma would never have been found innocent."

"Sheriff Roy said he was a good lawman. He said that ifin he ever wanted a job in Virginia City, ta look him up. Maybe you could marry him and then come and live near me and momma," announced Alexandra excited at the prospect her only aunt and connection to her mother could end up living nearby.

Molly started to repack Katherine's carpet bag with the belongings Alexandra would take with her. She left her pile neatly stacked on a chair, that she would pack in her own bag later. Both she and Alexandra jumped when they heard a light tap on the door.

"Dad! Adam," they chorused.

"Well, you girls seem all organised," he announced.

"Sure are, Dad, I have lots of Momma's memories in this bag. And thems the clothes me and Molly want momma laid ta rest in afore we take her home."

"Ok. Molly can I speak with you a moment?" Asked Adam.

Molly moved towards Adam and the hallway. Alexandra jumped down off the bed ready to follow.

"Stay there Alex," said Adam, "you finish the packing for Molly. I want to speak to Molly alone."

"Why?"

"Because, its grown up talk, and I said so."

"But…"

"Alexandra!" warned Adam.

Molly smiled and followed Adam into the hall way.

"Thanks, Molly. I've spoken to Monsignor Twoomey and Doctor Schultz. They want to keep Katherine's body. Doctor Shultz had stated a research using Katherine as one of his subjects. He'd like to continue that research and examine Katherine further."

"They's aren't gonna cut her Adam? I…"

"Doctor Schultz wants to take a good look at her heart, so yes they will cut her, but they will treat her remains with great respect. Katherine had agreed to the study, but they won't proceed without permission from her family."

"You're down as her next of Kin, Adam. It's your decision," stated a fearful Molly.

"Molly I won't agree to it if you're not happy about it. But, I think Katherine would want it. Doctor Schultz could learn a lot and do a lot of good for others with the same condition as Katherine. There are also the studies in lead poisoning that could help the others in Elk afflicted with it, and Alex."

"Alright then." Molly smiled and looked up into Adams eyes. "I'd like to think something else good comes of all this."

"Something else?"

"You have Alexandra, we have Alexandra and many good memories of Katherine."

Adam nodded in appreciation of Molly's soft and gentle words of wisdom.

"But, what happens after, Adam? Alexandra is expecting to take Katherine's body back to the Ponderosa."

"Well that is up to you also, Molly. Doctor Schultz will be finished with his studies in a week. Katherine's body can be taken back with you then or we can have her cremated and her ashes shipped to the Ponderosa, but they will need to buried in the church yard on consecrated land."

"No… No cremation, Adam. I want to take Katherine back to Elk; bury her with her mother and Grandfather William. They are buried in the Catholic cemetery close to the theatre."

"Very well then. I can make arrangements for you to take Katherine back. I will find an escort for you."

"Thank you Adam. What are going to tell Alexandra?"

"Tell Alexandra, what," asked Alex. She had crept up to the door and had heard the last of the conversation.

"Alexandra, you were supposed to be packing your momma's things; not eavesdropping."

"I've finished, Dad," exclaimed Alexandra, "What are ya talking about; tell me what?" she asked angrily.

"Alexandra watch your tone," scolded Adam.

Alexandra took a big breath, checking her temper. She didn't know why she was angry, just all of a sudden she felt lonely and mad that one minute the grownups were letting her make decisions about her momma and the next they appeared to be keeping things from her. "Sorry Dad, but yer was talking about momma, my momma," she whispered.

Adam let his annoyance go. He was aware that Katherine's loss was still very raw for the little girl; her emotions would be a little erratic. Her clinginess, and now her anger was probably all connected to her grieving. "Alexandra, Doctor Shultz is going to keep momma with him, so that he can finish his studies. Then Molly is taking her back to Elk…"

"No! She's comin' with US Dad!"

"No Alexandra. Molly has a say in this too."

"The three of us do. Me … I vote momma, comes back with us, Molly votes; Elk. What do you vote!"

"Alexandra, it's not about a vote here. You are being rude. Stop it."

Alexandra pursed her lips at the reprimand. She wanted to put her hands on her hip and stamp her foot, but she guessed her father wouldn't be too happy about that, so just said nothing as he continued.

"I think Molly should take Katherine back to Elk. That way she can buried in the church yard, where she would want to be; alongside her mother and grandfather."

"Well I don't! She would want ta be with me! You just don't want her there cause of Marty! Ya don't want ta be reminded that she was my momma, and your wife. Ya only want one wife!" yelled Alexandra. "Well ifin ya don't want momma then ya don't want me. I'm going ta Elk with Molly and momma. I shouldna never left there in tha first place. Ya Ya…"

"Alexandra!" Adam again warned.

Alexandra couldn't control it this time; she huffed and then lifted her leg ready to kick Adam in the shin and then make a run for it; somewhere, where she could scream and yell some more and kick the bejesus out of something; and she'd start with her father's leg, as his stomach was too hard and her fist just too small.

However, Adam was ready for it. He stepped back out of the line of fire.

Molly eyebrows rose at her niece's attempt. "Alexandra Willameena Cartwright; you know better!"

Alexandra turned, anger written all over her face, and started to run to the door. Adam was quick, and grabbed her swinging her back around to face him. He added a swat to her backside for good measure. "That is enough, Alexandra. I know you're sad and I know some of that sadness is worry and some of that worry is just making you mad about all this. But, you will not be rude to me or your Aunt, or anybody for that matter. You will not kick anybody! You kick anybody, or think of kicking anybody again, and you will have your backside dusted good and proper. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Dad," conceded Alex sheepishly.

"Good". Adam then knelt down in front of Alex and took her gently by both arms. When she had stilled a little, he dropped his big hands to hers and encapsulated them with his warmth. "Alexandra, I think it's only fair that you think about what your momma would want. She wanted to stay all those years with you and her momma. In the end she wanted you with me. And that's never changing. You don't have a say where you are going to live, Alexandra. You are my daughter and you will live with me. And when I marry Marty will we be a family. But, Marty is not a substitute for your momma, for Katherine; for my Katherine. Marty wants best for everyone. As do all of us. Doctor Shultz studies can help lots of people. Your momma, is going to help him; has already helped him. She deserves that honour. If we take Katherine back to the Ponderosa, she can't be buried in a Catholic church. We don't have one there and they don't have one yet in Virginia City. Your momma has the right to be buried where she would want to."

"But, she wanted to be with me," sniffled Alexandra, losing out to her father's wisdom, and his patient yet firm explanation. She threw herself into his chest and cried. Adam stroked the soft curls on her head.

"And she can be, Alexandra," interrupted Molly. "She's had you in her heart all her life and hers in yours. You have all those lovely memories and now all the memory objects you can take with you. You can look at them every day. You can pray to your momma, no matter where her body is, because she is in your blood; in your heart."

"But so can you," raised Alex, turning her head to look up at her Aunt.

"That I can, baby, but I know your momma would want to be buried in a church yard, and where better than next to her momma and her grandad."

Adam stood up taking Alex with him. "Alexandra, we can have a special place made; next to Hoss' mother's plaque and Uncle Joes mother. We can have a plaque made there so you can visit your momma."

Alexandra pushed back off Adams chest and looked at him. "But Uncle Hoss mother ain't there," she stated, a little confused.

"That's right, but Hoss knows she is with us. When we buried Joe's ma, we made a place for Inger too. Hoss and Pa and I found little things that belonged her, a few of her favourite things, and we put them all in a little tin, and buried them there. Hoss's Ma is part of our story.

"Can we do that for momma too?" brightened Alex, wiping the teas from her eyes.

"Yes, and you can help decide what goes in the little tin box."

"Okay."

"Good. Now, I think you owe you Aunt an apology, don't you?" said Adam as he put Alexandra down and turned her around to face Molly.

"Sorry, Aunt Molly, I knowed you love momma as much as me, I jist didn't want ta share her no more. She's gone and I figured… Well I'm scared that I will forget her."

"No baby, you won't forget her. None of us will."

End Flashback

~oOo~

Alexandra slept for most of the journey. Adam was happy to have it that way. Since Katherine's death, the child was still out of sorts, sad and grumpy and then quite clingy towards him, as she grappled with the passing of her mother and the final arrangements of Katherine's body. Saying goodbye to Molly had also been difficult. They had spent the last few days together before leaving. But, there was a promise to catch up soon. Adam and Alexandra would journey to Elk long before winter.

Adam would wake Alexandra shortly, as they neared Virginia City. That gave him close to about fifteen minutes by his clock. He felt his body relax a little after the events of the last three weeks. He was looking forward to getting back to a normal routine, and especially looking forward to seeing Marty. Alexandra's comment, regarding him only wanting Marty, had hurt him. Had he done the right thing by not including Marty in their journey? Perhaps if she had accompanied them, Alexandra and her relationship would have grown a little stronger. But then, it was with Marty's insistence that Adam take this journey alone with Alexandra. And she was right; it was about his daughter and her mother, about justice for a young woman who had been denied it and paid a huge price. Alexandra would probably have her doubts at times, it was only natural, he did as a child. Oh, he accepted Inger right off the bat, but then he'd hadn't known his own mother and the young woman had made herself Adams care giver long before a romance blossomed between her and his father. Well not that long, but long enough in a five year olds' mind. And, if Ben hadn't asked Inger to marry him, then Adam would have popped the question himself.

Poor Marie wasn't so lucky. Adam hadn't been so nice to her. He hadn't really thought about why at the time. But, it seemed to him, at twelve he was a man; near grown, and Marie not much of a young woman as a young girl. A young and lively creature; too wild and forthright for his father. She had a fire in her soul and mischief in her eyes. Hmm, funnily enough Katherine too was like that, as was Marty. Perhaps it was a foreshadowing of the type of female he was romantically attracted too. Maybe that was why he was aloof… No, Adam shook the thought from his mind; that seems so wrong a thought. Marie proved to be a good woman and a good mother to all three of them. If it hadn't been for her he would have never got to study.

Adam sat there thinking of these women who impacted his life; all of them now including Molly and Samantha, so much stronger than men in many ways; not physically, but emotionally, spiritually and with passion and conviction. They addressed their fragility, found ways to overcome the physical strength needed to survive their harsh lives. He wished that Marty and Katherine had met; that way Alexandra might know how her mother felt about Marty.

At least there was some acceptance from Alexandra, and until her little outburst the other day, Alexandra was very welcoming of the idea of the three of them becoming a family. Once again, Adam put her turn around down to grief, but was wise enough to know there may be more moments ahead wher conflict may arise. Marty would also have doubts and questions; she couldn't be that much of a saint. Her letter implied there was a little jealously there, even though she knew the journey had been in the best interest for Alexandra.

"Stop," he told himself, tryin to figure out women was just too hard and he needed the rest. But it was not to be.

"Virginia City; two miles ahead!" shouted the driver; practically waking the dead and Alexandra in the process.

"We're nearly home, Dad. Do you think Grandpa will be there? Maybe he brought Cally and Sport with him, so we can ride back to the Ponderosa."

"Cally?" Asked Adam.

"I've decided to shorten Carlapicio's name. I'm only going to use it on formal occasions, like weddings, funerals and rain dances."

"Rain Dances; yes, very important," agreed Adam with a wink.

The stage pulled neatly in by the boardwalk, just outside the stage depot. Adam and Alex were the only passengers left, and as such only a few people were waiting outside; most waiting to depart once the team were changed, the luggage unloaded and new luggage stowed. However, as soon as they opened the door Hoss, Joe and Ben clamoured around to heartily welcome them.

Alexandra jumped into Hoss' large outstretched arms, and started to fill him in on her father and their adventure together. She was happy to be home, but Hoss noticed the melancholy in her voice as spoke of her mother and all things she had told her about them; her family.

"But, she ain't coming back here Uncle Hoss. My mommas helping the doctors still. Then, Molly is taking her home back ta Elk. I'm gonna miss her something awful."

"No need ta worry pumpkin. We gots lots of things ta remember her by. I have a surprise fer yer anyway's."

"Really Uncle Hoss; what?"

"Well it wouldna be a surprise ifin I told ya; now would it?" chuckled Hoss.

Adam, after finishing his welcoming slaps on the back and his father's condolences, looked around. "Where's Marty?" he asked.

"Not sure," said Ben. "We got your telegram to her. She was coming in to meet the stage. She's just probably running late. Once she realises she's late, I'm sure she'll meet us at the ranch."

"Yeah, big brother she was awful excited about you two coming home," stated Hoss.

"She's been up at the Devlin's, helping with the babies. And, I heard she's been helping with some of the roundup. Dan Devlin's been putting Dreamer through some training," added Joe.

"Oh I hope she's not done anything foolish. She tends to take too many risks for my liking on that stallion of hers. I still think he's too much of a handful for her," frowned Adam.

"You worry too much, son," said Ben. "Marty's a good horsewoman. And, from what I know of the Australian outback, she'd have to be."

"Yeah well even so. I'm sorry she's not here," said Adam in a slightly disappointed tone.

"It's okay, Dad, besides we gotta get home and see my surprise," exclaimed Alex a little perturbed that the attention on her and her mother's passing was so quickly dropped.

"That's' right," said Hoss. "We should get going; Hop Sing has a late lunch or early supper whatever way you look at it, all organised. Knowing Marty, she'll be there waiting for us."

With that Ben and Hoss packed the buggy. Alexandra held tight to her mother's carpet bag not willing to tie it in the back with the other cases. "You wanna ride with me pumpkin?" offered Hoss.

"No thanks Uncle Hoss, I'll stay with Dad and Grandpa in the buggy."

"Okay," he said as he lifted her up into the seat. "Gonna be a might squashed with that bag as well, you wanna put it in the back with the others?"

"That's okay Hoss," said Adam. "The bag is special. Alexandra can sit in the back. Pa and I will sit up front."

Alexandra frowned. "No dad, I want to sit with you. Grandpa can drive the buggy all by hisself."

"I know that, Alexandra, but I will be sitting up front with him. Now, if you don't want to ride with Hoss, or tie your bag down, you'll have to sit in the back of the buggy. I'd like to sit with Pa awhile before we get home."

"But dad, I…"

"Alexandra, we have sat together for three days now. I'm a foot away from you. I'm not going anywhere," he said exasperated with her clinginess; he was tired and loading a short fuse.

"Okay, Dad," conceded Alex, feeling a little scorned by her father's short and curt request.

"Alright then, let's get moving," said Joe breaking slight tension in the air.

As soon as they were out of town and while Alexandra sat quietly watching the landscape pass by from the back, Ben turned to Adam. "So how are you doing son?" he asked.

"I'm fine Pa. Nothing a nice hot bath and a good sleep won't fix. Hows the round-up going?"

"Round ups on schedule. So Alexandra, she feeling a little clingy is she?"

"Yep. Ever since Katherine died, she won't let me out of her sight for more than a few minutes."

"You know that's pretty normal for a child so young that's lost their mother. You were like that."

"What, I didn't even know my other, I was a newborn."

"Well even as a newborn you fretted some; actually you were very unsettled for almost three weeks. But, when Inger died, you wouldn't let me out of your sight for months."

"That was a little different Pa, we'd been attacked by Indians."

"Yes that too. If it hadn't been the fact that you took total control of Hoss, though I think I would have gone crazy with your constant… where are you going Pa… do you need help. I couldn't take a walk to the bush after breakfast to relieve my bladder without you dragging Hoss and trying to follow me," he laughed.

Adam chuckled. "I remember. I get it, Pa she's afraid of losing me too."

"Yes. She may get a little antsy and belligerent, too. Joe was."

"Oh I remember that too. Nobody could tell him what to do but you. A couple of times there, if I hadn't taken into account that he was probably grieving for Marie, I would have busted his hide. Still he got a couple of swats, when he got totally obnoxious or rude."

"Or, put himself in danger. I remember one night, he decided to take himself off to sleep at Marie's grave. He gave me such a fright when I'd discovered him gone. I was so relieved when I found him; I grabbed him and gave him a few hard swats, before I nearly hugged him to death."

Before long they were driving into the yard at the Ponderosa. Hop Sing ran to greet them. "Allo family back home. Very good," said Hop Sing.

"Thank you, Hop Sing, it's nice to be home. Is Marty here?" asked Adam.

"No, Miss Marty not here yet, Mister Adam. Be here soon, I think. Closer to here than town. She wise girl. As soon as she arrive, then all family be here for big supper."

"Sure, Hop Sing, but Uncle Hoss has a surprise for me, can we do that first?" asked Alexandra.

"Yes, Little Miss. Hop Sing know of surprise."

"Guess we can do that now. We gotta put the horses away first," ordered Hoss.

"And our luggage, Alexandra," added Adam.

"Little Miss have milk and cookies, then surprise be ready." Alexandra smiled and followed Hop Sing into the kitchen with her mother's carpet bag in tow.

Within five minutes the group was ready. "Come on let's go," said Hoss, and he started walking out the gate towards the hill. The others soon followed including Hop Sing, carrying a vase of some description.

They soon came upon the small grave yard neatly trimmed with an ornate wire fence. In its yard stood three small head stones. Each stood solid revealing the names of Benjamin Cartwright's wives. Carvings in honour of their memory. Only one was actually buried there, but all three had the record of their birth, their death and the loving family they had left behind. Elizabeth Stoddard Cartwright, Inger Borgstrom Cartwright, and Marie De Marigny Cartwright. The fourth head stone was smaller again, but at its head was a beautiful wooden carved angel.

Alexandra gasped. "Uncle Hoss! Look, Dad it's the Angel; just like the one momma had with her things. Molly has it now."

"Hoss that amazing, how did you…" started Adam.

"Adam, I found that drawing you done of Katherine. The one with the angel behind her. I just carved the angel from that. You can get a better one ifin ya want to; Smithy said he'd make a bronze cast one, but I figured this one is good for now."

"No it's perfect, Hoss," said Adam.

Alexandra smiled and knelt down in front of the pretty angel, and traced the delicately carved wings with her finger. She then ran her fingers over the name written on the stone; Katherine Defoe Cartwright, beloved wife of Adam Stoddard Cartwright and cherished mother of Alexandra Cartwright. Born 1835 – died 1860. Watching the little girl carefully, Hop Sing moved forward and placed the small vase next to the angel. He placed a long bamboo stick in it and then lit it. The flames soon turned to ash drawing a marvellous scent from the oils within.

"This aroma calls the spirts home; home to their ancestors where their souls belong, Alexandra."

"She has two homes, Hop Sing."

"In my Father's house are many mansions, Alexandra," said her grandfather.

Alex looked up and frowned.

"He means God's mansion; God's house has many rooms," explained her father.

Hop Sing continued. "Yes, room for all of ancestors, Little Miss," he said, pointing to all the names of the headstones in front of him.

Alexandra beamed with pride and tears of joy. Her momma belonged to all of them; she was part of their story. Adam stood quiet and watched his family pour their love and support out to his daughter; their child as much as his in many ways. He was awed by the simplicity of their gifts and the enormity of the empathy; their wisdom and understanding. He found himself crying softly, bowing his head and silently thanking God.

~oOo~

By the time the family had returned to the house, it was nearing the time that Hop Sing wanted to serve the meal. Adam was getting worried. "Marty should have arrived by now. There is plenty of the afternoon light left, why don't I ride towards the Delvin's," he suggested.

"Good idea, Adam, you'll most likely run into her. I'm sure there is nothing to worry about. I suspect they've been awfully busy up there."

"Can I come with you, Dad?" asked Alex.

"No sweetheart, I may have to ride all the way there. It's only an hour's ride, but that would mean another hour back if I have to go all the way past the lake. I'll be faster on my own."

"But, ya won't be on your own on the way back, Dad, Marty will be with you."

"Well let's hope so, but Dreamer can keep up with Sport. Cally on the other hand won't be able to. If we make good time we can be back before dark."

"Cally needs the exercise too, Dad. I bet she hasn't been out for weeks and weeks."

"We've only been gone two weeks, Alexandra."

"I've been exercising her every day, pumpkin," said Hoss.

"Let your father go, Alexandra. He won't be long. We're all here and you can tell us more stories about your trip. I believe you made some knew friends. A little girl… Mai."

"Jai, her name was Jai," snapped Alexandra.

Ben scowled at the child and crooked his finger calling Alex over to him. Alexandra hung her head as she made her way over to her grandfather and then stood quietly in front of him. Ben pulled her towards him, turned her around and lifted her on to his lap. He snuggled her close in the crook of one arm and patted her on the thigh. "Alexandra, you will not answer anybody with a scowl on your face and a bite in your tongue, especially when they have asked a friendly question. Now, your father is going to meet up with Marty to make sure she gets here safely. You will stay here and there will be no more discussion. Is that clear?"

"Yes Sir," whispered Alexandra. "Sorry, Grandpa, I jist get lonely without Dad at the moment. Don't know why?" She tried to explain.

"That's very understandable Alexandra; you've had your Daddy all to yourself for over two weeks. Now tell me about your new friends."

Ben nodded at Adam as Alexandra started to tell Ben about her adventures with Jai and the Mavericks, including a repertoire of all the new Chinese words her friend had taught her.

Adam retrieved his gun belt, coat and hat from the credenza at the door and left to saddle Sport. He found his trusty four legged friend, happily munching on some hay in the barn; all brushed and looking fit. Hoss always did a fine job of looking after the animal when he was away on business; keeping him fed, fit and a polished coat. His shaggy winter coat was now completely gone, and Adam also noted his freshly pulled mane. He patted the animal, and started to saddle him. "Hey boy feel like a bit of a ride. Want to meet up with Marty and Dreamer."

The horse recognised his master's voice and turned inquisitively towards him, as Adam patted his rump before laying a saddle blanket on him. He turned him away from his feed bin. "Enough of that for now you can finish it latter." Adam finished saddling Sport and head out the barn doors before mounting and trotting off towards the Delvin's up and along the north bound trail.

Alexandra finished her tales of Jai, leaving her grandfather, Hoss and Little Joe laughing and giggling, especially when it came to the part where they had tricked Hook Hand George. "Grandpa, can I go and feed Cally," asked Alexandra. Then I'll come and tell you about Jeffery and his pa and how he's going to help build barges to cross the lake at Emerald Bay."

"Okay sweetheart. I'm real interested in that story. I've been thinking about investing in transport barges for the logging camps," said Ben, confident now that Alexandra was feeling less anxious about her father's absence.

Alexandra slid of his knee and skipped outside.

"Hope Adam and Marty aren't going to be too long," said Hoss, "I'm near starved."

"Well you could go and help Hop Sing in the kitchen; that way you'll know," said Ben. "Bring me a cup of coffee while you're at it," he added as Hoss rounded the archway from the dining room.

Meanwhile out in the barn, Alexandra had stated to share a carrot with Carlapicio when a wave of melancholy came over her. She gave the rest of the carrot to the horse, while she grabbed her riding gear and saddled her up. "We'll just ride out a ways and see where Dad is, Cally."

The rest of the family were too busy setting up for the welcome home dinner, to notice the little girl riding out the gate towards the lake.

Adam got hallway to the Delvin ranch, when he noticed the tracks; Dreamers tracks and obviously Marty's. She hadn't been long there, but all signs pointed to her taking the trail via the top meadow, beside the lake. It was a slightly longer route, but the view was beautiful. Adam could well imagine Marty preferring that trail on a warm sunny day with the mid-day sun moving behind the deep glassy blue of the lake. He was sure he would find her there. He shook his head, "dilly dallying", his father would say. Well nothing's wrong with that he told himself, but didn't she miss him as much as he missed her. He wanted, no needed, to talk to Marty about everything, but then again he would be happy just to be in her presence and he was not going to bombard her with the sad times of his and Alexandra's journey. So, he trotted Sport off carefully down the hardly used trail on that side of the lake, avoiding the little gopher holes the little rascals had constructed over the spring.

In the meantime, Alexandra had made it to the meadow. Her meadow, as she and her father had dubbed it two years ago. It was not far from the ranch house as she had thought, but it was the long way to the Devlin ranch. Why had she come this way? Her Dad was sure to have taken the main trail on the other side of the meadow, and towards the north boundary where the Delvin's ranch lay. "Oh well, Cally, I guess I must have been thinking about other things. We best head back." As she turned to leave, she spotted a figure coming out from behind the two large boulders the sat next to the water's edge. She squinted to see the figure; a women silhouetted with the sun reflecting off the lake. The woman sat down and looked out at the lake. For a moment Alexandra's heart jumped, then a squiggly thing in her stomach flipped and flopped like a small fish out of water; desperate to get back to the cool liquids of its origins. She shook the feeling aside, dismounted Cally and let her munch on the last of the spring grass as she moved closer to the lake.

"Whatcha doing here?" she asked, scaring the form in front of her.

"Alexandra," cried Marty. "You gave me such a fright. Oh my look at you; it's so good to see you," said the young woman.

"Marty? What ya doin' here? Dad's real worried about ya. Hops Sing's made this real special supper. He's was expectin' ya."

"I know, Alexandra. I have sometime before supper. Besides, I thought you might want some time with the rest of the family. I was on my way, but… well for some reason I just wanted to come here first."

"This is Alexandra's Meadow. Dad won't think of looking fer yer here," she half scolded.

Marty stayed light hearted, despite the little girl's scowl. "This is your meadow. How nice, Alexandra. I think it must be a real special place."

"It is," said Alexandra. "It's where Dad I made a pact. We said we look out for each other for the rest of our lives. I done told my momma all about it."

"I'm sorry about your momma, Alexandra. I would have liked to have met her. And, I think she would have really liked to…"

"Maybe she woulda like to have met you too, but I weren't too sure. Me and Dad we told her about all our friends here, but we didn't tell her about you and dad getting married an all. I don't know how she wouldn't taken that. She loved my Daddy a real lot."

Marty blushed at Alexandra's misconception. "I was going to say that I think your momma would have really liked to have seen this place. It's beautiful. I think it's the most beautiful place, especially at this time of the year."

"Oh…" Alexandra felt awful, she hadn't meant to be nasty. She shied with embarrassment. "That's a real nice thing ta say, Marty. I'm sorry… for being rude. I… I… I wish my momma had met you too." Alexandra looked down at the ground playing with the sand with the toe of her shoe. "I guess I was afraid she wouldn't want you to be my new momma… and I was jist too scared ta ask her."

"That's okay, Alexandra," said Marty and stood up to pull the little girl towards her and join her sitting on the boulder.

Alexandra noticed the paper in her hand. "Whatcha got there, Marty," asked Alexandra, pointing to the paper in her hand.

"Oh it's a picture; of the lake and the meadow. Someone must have been up here painting. I heard there is a painter out here doing illustrations for a book about the West. Maybe, he left it behind. Perhaps he didn't think it was good enough, but it looks pretty good to me," she said handing Alexandra the small picture.

Alexandra looked at the illustration. It was a watercolour; delicate washes represented the shimmering waters of the lake, while fine wispy brushstrokes of ochre and green depicted the grass of the meadow; overlapping each other and appearing to blow lightly in the breeze. Alexandra started to cry.

"Hey Alex; it's alright darling. Your momma will always be with you. Maybe heaven is just like this for her; Alexandra's Meadow."

Alexandra turned her head and buried her sobs into Marty's' breast. Marty rubbed her back and sat quietly, waiting for the little girl to calm; the sting of tears dabbling at her own eyes.

"Marty!" a voice called through the silence. Both heads shot up to see Adam leading both Dreamer and Sport over to them. Adam was not surprised to see Marty there, but he was furious that Alexandra was. She had been told to stay home, and then to take off on her own to the lake was just down right naughty. He was going to nip this in the bud this time. Alexandra could not continue to react so impulsively; not out here where danger constantly lurked.

However, when he got closer and saw the two women in his life he cherished the most; their faces red and tear streaked, his anger melted.

"Dad!" shouted Alexandra. She jumped from the boulder, grabbed the picture from Marty's hand and ran to her father. She handed him the picture. "Look dDd, it's the meadow; the watercolour of the meadow; Momma's picture. The one she done painted in the hospital."

Adam look at it. "Why did you bring this out here, Alexandra? And why did you go off on grandpa? That was very naughty…"

"I didn't bring it out here, Dad, Marty found it out here. Molly had momma's picture Dad to keep with momma, but now… well it's here. Marty found it."

Marty then joined the pair. "Sorry Adam, I was on my way to the ranch, but well… I felt I needed to see the lake, just for a moment." Marty looked down at Alexandra. "You can have that picture Alexandra, unless the artist comes looking for it; you'd have to give it back to him if he hadn't meant to lose it."

"No Marty, this pictures yours. Besides, no artist lost this. This is a picture my momma done painted. She must have wanted you to have it. She left here for you to find it." Alexandra scrubbed the last of her tears from her checks, and smiled with joy at her father. "It's alright dad, momma done seen my meadow. When she became an angel she must seen my meadow. And she must like Marty, cause she found the painting. Momma always gave people she liked a painting; painting she done specially for them," she explained.

Marty, stroked the little girl's blonde curls, trying to calming the excited child. "But Alexandra, your mother couldn't have…"

Adam, smiled as he interrupted. "Marty, she could have." He pursed his lips and rose his eyebrows before shifting his gaze back and forth between Marty and Alexandra. "There have been some strang… unusual things. More importantly no matter where that painting came from, my two favourite people are here happy and… healing," he said placing his hand on Marty's; the one still softly caressing Alexandra's hair.

Marty nodded, accepting Adam's cryptic comment. "Well, I think we best be heading back to the ranch."

"Yep! Hop Sing will be fit to be tied if we don't sit down to eat the banquet he's prepared," warned Adam.

All three laughed and gathered their horses ready for a quiet and peaceful ride home. They didn't get very far though. Before they had made it over the first rise, a wagon driven by Hoss and Hop Sing arrived. Joe and Ben rode bedside it on their horses.

Ben waved and called as he walked up to the three. "We discovered Alexandra gone. Hoss guessed she'd be here, and so to stop Hop Sing heading off to China…"

"With the wagon loaded with food too," added Hoss seriously.

"Yeah, yer near give Hoss a heart attack," said Little Joe glaring at their family cook.

Hop Sing ignored Joes' teasing. "Honourable father decide vely nice night for a picnic at the lake. Wagon all loaded and ready for another family to appreciate, but then Hop Sing say; āiyā shen fúshìzhíwù diyu; Ah what the hec, China too far away. Alexandra's meadow much closer; food still warm, we eat now."

All the Cartwright's, honourable Cartwright's and one soon to be Cartwright, belly laughed and giggled as they unpacked the wagon. They set up a feast to celebrate the life of Katherine De Foe Cartwright and salute the next journey their lives would take them all on.

THE END.

A.N. Well that's it for this story. I have another in the pipeline, but I don't know how to start it. I really should finish my NCIS story too. A big Shout out to everyone who has waited so long for this to finish. It's taken six months, which was a pain for me as much as you guys, I kept losing track. But, real life has been ridiculous. Next year is even a busier one for me. I have other stories, perhaps I'll make the chapters shorter so as to get more posted often. I have a Christmas story in my head (thanks to a nudge from Islaboe) I may get to write it, but two of my family members are in hospital, so I may not get them done in time for Christmas. Finally, to Lajoci for all the beta work.

Ref: prayers. Book of Revelations. Romans 8:38-39. /12-good-prayers-for-the-recently-deceased