We're getting near the end now. Many thanks to all you reviewers and for the advice offered. Will try and take on board the suggestions given.
Chapter 10
Everything was settling down, but it had taken time. The Pines was looking good. The main room was similar to the Ponderosa with its large fireplace and chimney flues built to bring heat to all the upstairs bedrooms and 'washroom'. It also had a similar dining area and the kitchen beyond with an extra bedroom and washroom in place for staff, should that ever happen. At the other end of the great room another room had been built as an office for Adam with a nice large desk and drawing board and all the materials an architect could want, with a copious amount of architectural and engineering books placed on shelves. A typical male study for work as a rancher and architect and off limits to children unless Adam himself was in there. This is where the safe was situated, hidden behind a picture of a schooner in memory of how Adam's life all began and of his father's early life.
The kitchen had the latest fixtures available, a brand new cooking oven and a heating oven, a large table in the centre for working on and all the utensils anybody would need. The tableware was in a beautifully made credenza to the side of the main dining table and another by the front door.
Upstairs there were five bedrooms and one downstairs with its own small fireplace. Adam felt the need for a downstairs bedroom also in case of emergencies. At present there was plenty of room for family to stay over, when the occasion demanded.
There were many windows both upstairs and down which allowed for the views outside to be appreciated during the winter months and a long porch all around for sitting out during the summer months. All in all The Pines was a very comfortable and cleverly designed home and showed off Adam's architectural skills, which was admired by many.
….
Grace, as promised, gave up her teaching post and was blooming, getting so big it was getting difficult for her to move around. Paul Martin forewarned her and Adam that he may have been wrong with her dates, unless they were expecting more than one.
When Paul Martin was visiting, he asked, "Is there any history of twins in either family?"
"Not in mine." Adam assured him.
"Well, I think my mother's sister may have had twins, but I can't say for certain. We lived far away from her family, and never had contact. I think I remember my mother saying we had twins in the family though."
"Then we could possibly be expecting twins?" Adam asked with a smile, which quickly turned to a face of concern. "Is Grace okay? Will she deliver sooner that expected?"
"Hey, I'm here you know."
"Yes, sweetheart. Sorry." He said as he put him arms around her. "I'm just concerned for you."
"I know you are, Adam."
"Well, I'll leave now. Send for me if I'm needed or I'll see you next week in Virginia City."
"Thanks, Paul. I'll see you out."
….
Christmas arrived and the whole family were together at The Pines, for Grace's sake. Both children were presented with horses. Well ponies, that is. Adam and Grace gave them the horses, while Ben, Joe and Hoss all gave them saddles and all the trimmings that go with them. The children were overjoyed and had Davy jumping for joy.
"When can we ride them?" Davy asked excitedly.
"As soon as I show you how to saddle your ponies. Then we'll take you out for your first lesson. Both of you." Adam informed them.
"But before you do," Hoss interrupted, "you'll have to name them."
"Have a think while we eat our Christmas meal." Joe added.
The meal went well. Hop Sing had outdone himself yet again and when the meal was finished he left them to head into Virginia City to be with his cousins, leaving the family all together.
They were having their coffee afterward when the two children, who had been talking quietly to each other exclaimed, "We have decided on the names for our ponies."
"What have you decided on?" Grace asked.
"I'm going to call my pony Rosa, after the Ponderosa," Cathy told them.
"And I'm going to call my pony Patch, because of the different patches on his face." Davy informed them.
"Both good names," Ben agreed. Ben was especially pleased with the name Cathy had chosen, as he thought she was definitely now thinking of the Ponderosa as home. How far she had come since first arriving. She was truly a Cartwright now. As was Davy, though in his case it had been easier for him to accept, even if he did get in trouble a few times.
"Right. I think now they have names we should saddle Rosa and Patch and begin your lessons, as soon as we finish our coffee." Hoss suggested. "What do you think Adam?"
"I think you and I ought to do that and leave the older generation to relax." Joe teasingly said.
Taking Joe up on his offer, Adam agreed to let the uncles do the hard work. "I'll give him 'older generation'! He grumbled as the coffee was finished and the children each took the hand of one uncle and pulled them out of the house toward the barn, urging them to walk faster. The weather had been good to them so far, with only a little settled snow around. Much more to come, no doubt.
"What would we do without your brothers?" Grace said, as she cuddled up next to Adam on the settee.
"That's what uncles are for."
…..
Then the day arrived and the children were at school, well aware that things were happening at home and they were supposed to be out of the way. They knew their Ma was having a baby and Pa was worried.
"I'm having a baby brother or sister soon." Cathy told Alice, her best friend.
"I wonder if it will happen for me. Pa only married two months ago though. She's lovely."
"I'm so happy for you. We're the same now. We both have a Ma and Pa. And a new baby brother or sister for you would be wonderful. It takes time, but will happen I'm sure."
They hugged each other.
…..
Meanwhile, there was a lot of activity at The Pines. Hop Sing was running up and down the stairs with hot water and towels, and whatever Dr Martin asked for.
Downstairs, Adam was pacing. Ben understood Adam's anxiety, having been through this three times. It had never been easy, especially having lost Adam's mother this way, and he knew Adam was also having that same thought.
"It's been hours, Pa." Adam was rubbing his hands together, then reached behind his head to try and ease the tension in his neck.
"Perhaps a brandy might calm you down, Adam."
"No, Pa. I don't want the smell of liquor on my breath when I give Grace a well earned kiss."
Then they heard a baby's cry.
"Oh my," Adam said, as he raced toward the stairs.
"Hang on, Adam. Paul will call you when it's okay to go up." Adam stopped for a moment.
"Well, why doesn't he call." And as if on cue, Paul appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Adam, you can come up now. We have a surprise for you."
"Is Grace, all right?"
"She will be soon."
That caused Adam to stare at Paul with a worried expression on his face. "What does that mean?"
"Will you stop asking questions and come upstairs. Grace is asking for you." Adam wasted no more time and followed Paul upstairs and into the bedroom. Hop Sing was there with Mrs Shaunghnessy, who had just finishing cleaning up the baby and was now wrapped up in a warm sheet, but Grace was still struggling on the bed.
"Adam, Adam, come close. I can't do this again without you." She cried.
"Again?"
"Paul guessed correctly. We're having twins. Aaaah, here we go again." Adam went immediately to Grace's side, sat down right next to her and took her hand in his.
"Owww, that's my hand you're breaking."
"Right now I don't care, but when I'm through here, I'm going to break something else. Just look at what you've done to me."
"If I remember correctly, I believe you were happy enough to participate in the making of these babies."
"Aaaaah," Grace screamed.
"Not long now Grace. I see the head forming." Paul said. "You can carry on with your argument later. Right now I want you to concentrate on what's happening right here."
Grace screamed once more as another contraction hit her.
"Push now Grace, push." Adam felt the bones in his hand were about to break. He just breathed in heavily. Paul was smiling, it was like watching the two of them giving birth.
"Here we go, one more push." Grace carried out Paul's instruction. "Well done Grace." Baby two had arrived and was crying.
"What have we got?" Adam asked, as he rubbed his hand back into life.
"One of each."
"This one here is the boy."
As exhausted as Grace was, she asked to see them.
"Sure, just let Mrs S clean up this young man and then he's all yours.
"Here, Hop Sing, let me have the little girl. Thanks for helping."
"You vely welcome. That what Hop Sing for." He handed over the baby girl and Adam went straight to Grace and laid the baby in her arms. Then Mrs S brought their son and Adam took him in his arms. Adam kissed Grace with such pride.
"What a clever lady you are."
"Adam," Paul said, I think you and Hop Sing should take the babies downstairs and introduce them to the grandfather, while Mrs S and I finish up here."
"But before I do that we need to name them." Then turning and looking lovingly into Grace's eyes. "What say you?"
….
Hop Sing and Adam made their way downstairs. Ben immediately rose from his chair and met them as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Grace is such a clever woman. Look at what she's given me. Meet Louise Grace and Samuel Adam," he said.
"So Paul was right. Twins." Ben held out his arms to take Louise from Adam. "Oh my little darling. You're just beautiful." And then leaning in to see Samuel in Hop Sing's arms, "He too is beautiful, or should I say handsome. What a glorious day." Then a serious question to Adam, "How is Grace?"
"Paul and Mrs S are looking after her. She's pretty exhausted, as to be expected, but is doing fine. Thank the Lord."
Hop Sing handed his charge over to Adam as he said, "I go make coffee for everyone."
"Thanks again, Hop Sing, that would be much appreciated. Could you also make up one of your special teas for Grace?" Adam asked.
"Was going to do anyway." He replied, as he made his way to the kitchen.
"Let's sit, Adam. Wait until the children meet their new brother and sister. They'll be overjoyed."
"I sure hope so. I think Cathy is excited but not so sure about Davy. He hasn't said much." Adam said this without taking his eyes off Samuel.
"He'll come round, Adam. It'll all be new to them. They just need to be involved in their care." Ben said as he too didn't take his eyes off the baby he was holding.
Paul appeared on the landing, just as Hop Sing came in with a tray full of cups and saucers and the coffee pot.
"Ah, here you are doctor, you need strong coffee," Hop Sing said as he placed the tray down on the table and made his way to the brandy decanter.
"Oh yes, Hop Sing, much appreciated. It's been a hard few hours. Adam you can go up now and tell Mrs S she can come down and relax with a cup of coffee."
"Of course. Let's go Pa." And without any further ado, Ben and Adam left Paul to his coffee and went up the stairs.
They found Mrs S sitting at Grace's side watching her, as she lay back with eyes shut. She picked up the covered bucket and smiled at Adam as she made her way out. "Congratulations, Adam," she whispered, and left the room.
"Ah, Pa. Doesn't she look beautiful." Adam whispered.
"Yes, Adam. Very beautiful."
"There's no need to whisper boys, I'm only resting my eyes," came a quiet voice from the bed, "but I like your comments."
"You my dearest daughter-in-law take your baby girl, Louise Grace."
"Do you like the names, Pa?"
"I love them sweetheart." Ben leaned down and placed Louise into her mother's arms, kissed her cheek and with a happy smile left the two alone, but turned at the door, "You two need some alone time right now. But always remember I love you both very much and all of your family." And with a blowing kiss, closed the door.
Adam sat on the bed next to Grace, looking lovingly into her eyes. Then leaned down and gave her a passionate kiss. "I so love you sweetheart, and just look at what you have given me. Two adorable babies."
"I love you too. But I'm not so sure I'll take back what I said to you earlier."
"Oh! Now let's talk about that."
"Let's not. Let's save it up for a rainy day." Her face took on a smirk with a mischievous look in her eyes.
Suddenly they heard the front door bang against the credenza. "It sounds like Cathy and Davy are home from school."
"Yep. Now the fun starts." They heard the running footsteps on the stairs and then a knock on the door.
"Come on in," Grace called.
Hoss, Cathy and Davy came through the door, each eager to see the babies.
"Did you know we were having two babies?" Davy asked.
"We didn't know until recently," Grace told them.
"So what are they? Grandpa wouldn't tell us." Cathy said.
"Grandpa said you should tell us." Davy added.
"And so we will." Adam said. "Come on over here." They both stepped up closer to the bed.
"This is Louise Grace Cartwright, your little sister, who was born first," Grace told them.
"And this is Samuel Adam Cartwright born fifteen minutes after Louise." Adam said.
Hoss was just standing admiring his new nephew and niece. "Congratulations you two. A wonderful gift. I'm so happy for you both and for you Cathy and Davy. You are now the big brother and sister." He said. I'll leave you alone now. Only Joe to come and see you all. He's getting cleaned up at home and will be over later, after supper."
"That sounds good. We'll look forward to seeing him and showing off our new babies." Adam said, shaking hands with Hoss.
"Bye Uncle Hoss," both Cathy and Davy called as he left.
"Come, you two and sit on the bed, one each side," Grace invited, "and hold your little brother and sister."
They both sat as instructed and Grace handed Louise to Davy telling him how to hold the baby, while Adam did the same with Cathy.
"Hello, Samuel, I'm Cathy, your big sister."
And Davy, not to be outdone said with pride, "Hi Louise. I'm Davy your big brother."
"Now you two," Adam began. "how do you feel having a new brother and sister?"
"It's going to feel strange," Cathy said.
"How long before they can play with us?" Davy innocently asked.
With a laugh, Grace told him, "It won't be for a while. They have to learn to crawl and sit up on their own and then you can play, very gently with them. Then they'll learn to walk and talk. It can take up to two years and sometime a little more. You just have to be patient, my love."
"I suppose." He replied.
"But they'll soon learn to love you as your Ma and I do." Adam assured them, not wanting them to think for one moment anything would change. Above all else, he didn't want them to have any resentment against their new brother and sister.
"I see a happy and loving family ahead, all of us together. But I have to warn you both, Louise and Samual
are going to be handful. There'll be lots of crying and diaper changing, as well as a lot of other things." Adam told them.
"I'm going to need a lot of help." Grace added, understanding where Adam was going. And then, as if on cue, Louise woke and started to cry, which started Samuel off as well.
"That's your cue to leave your Ma to feed these two and then a much earned rest." Adam told the children.
"Yes, Pa." And Adam took baby Samuel from Cathy and handed him to Grace, and Davy gave Louise to his Pa.
"Can we see them again?" Davy asked.
"Of course. You'll both be wanted to sing them to sleep or maybe read to them. Tell them about yourselves. All sorts of things. They won't understand you, but they will hear your voices and feel comforted by them." Grace told them.
"Plenty of time for all that, but right now you need to go and have your supper. Grandpa is staying with us tonight." Adam informed them.
"Oh, goodie," said Davy. And with that the two left at a rush to go see their grandpa.
"No running," admonished Adam.
"Sorry, Pa." Cathy answered, as the two left the room.
"Now for some peace time for you my love." Adam said, as Grace was preparing herself to feed Samuel, while Adam was doing his best trying to calm baby Louise. But once baby Samuel started to feed and he crying stopped, baby Louise stopped crying too.
"Do you think they already know of each other?" Adam questioned.
"They do say twins have an extra sense when it comes to the feelings of their twin."
"Yes, I've heard that too. Well we might see that happening before our eyes as they grow. I have a feeling these senses will lead them into mischief."
"Oh the joys to come." Grace said and they both laughed at that thought.
Then Adam turned a bit more serious. "By the way, I've had a word with Hop Sing about finding someone for us, like Hop Sing is to the Ponderosa. Would you like that? I know you're going to need help around here. And we have a room ready and waiting for such a person. "
"Oh, Adam, you think of me all the time. I thank you with all my heart."