Written By: Lisa O.

Email: Lisa.M.Orcutt@us.army.mil

THE WAY IT SHOULD BE

By, Lisa O.

Adam Cartwright sat down at the desk and stared at the piece of paper in front of him. His heart ached as he thought of the last two days. So much has happened within the last couple of years. The Ponderosa was flourishing and the Cartwrights were doing better then they have in years. The house was full of family and yet so empty due to the recent lost they have suffered. He looked around the house that he has grown to love more then anything in his life. He knew this was truly his home. He didn’t know what to do, they needed help and he knew it. He had to be strong and get his family threw this.

Adam took a deep breath and started to write the letter he dreaded to write:

Dear Pa,

I hope things are going well for you. How are Ben and Richard?

I hope they are doing good as well. How is the business doing? Elizabeth is growing into a beautiful young lady. She is as head strong as you are. James and Marie are both doing good as is Josh. Uncle Jamie and his wife Rebecca have been quit busy; she is pregnant with her fifth child. Before you ask Pa, I have been doing just fine.

Pa the reason I am writing is to tell you some very bad news. I don’t even know how to tell you. I guess I should just tell you. Your beloved younger brother, Little Joe, was killed in a massive rockslide yesterday afternoon. It might be some comfort to you to know he died saving Elizabeth. His last thoughts were of you. He knew with Grandpa and Hoss both gone, you need to come home Pa. I hope you do come home. We all need you Pa, especially Bethy, she really loved Joe. She blames herself for his death. Please come home Pa.

I love you Pa, your son Adam Jr.

Adam frowned and folded the letter up, how he hated to send it. He hasn’t seen his father in five years, since Grandpa died and Pa came home. He remembered the fight between Adam and Joe, Elizabeth was only thirteen and she wanted to stay with Joe as did Himself, but he was over 18 and could make that decision on his own. Elizabeth has been living with Grandpa for a little over a year when he died. After her Ma died Adam couldn’t control her, so he asked his father and brothers to take her. Grandpa had agreed and went to Australia and fetched her. But now with Grandpa dead, Adam didn’t know what to do. Joe thought it was simple, Elizabeth would stay here and Joe would look out for her. Adam finally agreed and they went with him to the stagecoach to say goodbye. He hugged his nephews and niece. Then he hugged his first born, "you watch out for your little sister okay?"

Young Adam had nodded and hugged his father.

Adam went to his brother, he smiled at him. "Joe, I am leaving you with my baby, please look out for her. Let her know I love her and always have and always will."

Joe nodded and hugged his brother, "you have no need to worry big brother, I will guard her with my life."

Adam nodded, "love ya little brother."

"I love you too Adam."

Adam went over to Elizabeth and picked her up and held her tight. "Oh baby, I love you."

"I love you too Daddy." She said as she cried in his shoulder.

"You can come with me sweetie."

She looked at him, "no Daddy, I love you, but I love the Ponderosa and I love Joe. I don’t want to leave. Can’t you stay here?"

"No darling, I gotta get home and take care of them brothers of yours."

"Daddy, I’ll miss you."

"I’ll miss you too, my sweet daughter."

She rubbed her eyes with her fist and smiled at her father. "Uncle Joe will look out for me. He loves me Daddy, you don’t need to worry."

Adam nodded and placed her on the ground. "You better write me."

"I will." She said as she took Joe’s hand.

Adam looked at Joe, but didn’t say anything.

Joe nodded and smiled.

Adam got on the stagecoach, put an arm around each of his sons and looked at the two children he was leaving behind. He’s heart ached as he pulled further away from them. Elizabeth looked at Joe and hugged him and cried in his chest. Joe bent down and picked her up and held her tight.

True to his word, Joe looked out for her and took care of her like she was his.

"Adam!" Elizabeth called breaking his train of thought.

He looked up at his sister; her eyes were red and swollen from all of the crying she has been doing. She also had several cuts and bruises on her face and arm. She had held Joe as he died. "Yeah Bethy?"

"What are you doing?"

"Writing Pa." Adam said, "he needs to know about Joe. He was his brother after all."

"Are we gonna wait to bury him?"

"No, we’ll bury him up with Grandpa and Hoss, his mother is up there as well."

Elizabeth nodded and turned away. Marie and James came in; they both had dark circles under their eyes. The grief was easy to read on their faces.

The Cartwrights held a service for Joe, they wanted it simple, but he had mad far too many friends for it to be a simple one. Afterwards they tried to get back to a normal life, but the void left by Joe was taking a toll on all of them. It was like the heart of the family was stolen from them. Even Jamie’s baby, who was only two sensed something wrong, he didn’t make any noise like he felt the despair of the adults around him. They could still feel Joe in the house and hear his laughter. No one seemed to want to take the reins over. They needed a leader, and none of them seemed to be able to do it. They needed Adam.

Ben Cartwright ran into the house with the mail in his hand. He slammed the door shut behind him. "Don’t slam the door, Ben!" His father yelled, like he always does.

"Sorry, Pa" Ben yelled back, then went to him and handed the mail over to him. "Here is the mail Pa. There’s a letter from Adam. Can I read it Pa?"

Adam nodded, "sure son."

Ben tore opened the letter, he missed his brother and sister and he couldn’t wait for their letters. He read it and smiled at the mention of Bethy and of all of the kids that Uncle Jamie had. Then he paled as he read the rest of the letter. He was shaking as he looked at his father, who was busy reading other mail. How would his father handle this? "Pa" he said softly. "I think you need to read this Pa."

Adam nodded, "just tell me what it says son."

"No, Pa no. I think you better read this Pa."

Adam looked up, he had heard the quiver in his son’s voice, and he frowned when he saw the tears in his face. "Is it Bethy?"

"No sir." He handed the letter to his father, then sat down.

Adam looked at the letter and started to read it. He paled and collapsed in his seat when he read the part about Joe. He read it again and again, ‘your beloved younger brother little Joe was killed’. He couldn’t believe what he was reading. Not Joe, not little Joe. It just can’t be true. Joe has been threw more then any of the others, he was suppose to live to be an old man. Adam can’t believe that a rockslide could take his brother from him. Adam took a deep breath and tried to gather himself. He shook his head sadly, first Hoss, then Pa, and now little Joe. He closed his eyes and could see Joe in front of him. He could see that winning smile and his sparkling green eyes. He could even hear that damn giggle of his.

Richard came in; he saw both his brother and his father crying. Ben looked at him, "Richard, uh Uncle Joe was killed." He said simply.

Adam looked up at his two boys, "we haveto go back. I won’t force you two to go back, but I must."

"Will you come back Pa?" Ben asked.

Adam shook his head, "no son. I won’t come home again."

"Why not Pa?" Ben asked.

"It’s where I belong now. I am the only one left. I have no choice boys. Your Grandpa intended for that ranch to be here for his sons, his son’s children, their children and so on. I know that Jamie is a smart man, and there is James and your brother there as well." Adam shook his head as he tried to explain to his two sons why he must go home. "I helped build that ranch, I know all there is to know about it. I need to run it. Pa would want me too. So would Joe. Besides your sister needs me."

Richard straightened his shoulders and looked at his father, "then I will go as well Pa’. After all when family needs each other family needs each other."

Adam looked at him, at 19 he was turning into a man right before Adam’s eyes.

Ben, who was 20, looked around their home. He knew his father’s business was in trouble and he was on the verge of loosing it all. Maybe going back to the Ponderosa was what they all needed. Besides he missed his sister and brother bad. He nodded and looked at Adam, "I’m with ya Pa all the way."

Adam smiled threw his tears. He felt nothing but love and pride for these two boys before him. He lowered his eyes and again red the letter, he started to sob as he realized he would never see his brother again.

Ben and Richard left the room quietly so their father could grieve.

Adam closed his eyes and hid his face in hands. With his eyes shut he could see the Ponderosa like it was before he left, with his father, and Hoss and Little Joe. They had such good times even when they fought they were still happy. Adam signed as he remembered how much him and Joe fought. When Hoss was not there they were always at each other. He thought back to when Joe was first born, he was so little and yet so strong. He quickly captured all of their hearts, including Adam who at first had tried not to love his new brother. Soon though them green eyes of his had Adam wrapped as well. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for Joe and nothing that Joe wouldn’t do for Adam.

‘Oh God how can he be gone’ Adam thought as he shook his head sadly.

He stood up and started the preparations to leave for America. He sent word to his son that he would be there as soon as he can.

James came running into the house. "Adam!" He shouted.

Adam looked up from the paper work, "yes James?"

"Here, it’s a letter from your Pa." He said as he thrusted a piece of paper in his hands.

Adam smiled as he opened the letter and red it.

Dear Adam,

I received your letter and the bad news it contained. We will be coming

home as soon as we can. Keep an eye on your sister for me. I should be

there within a month after you receive this letter. I am selling my home

here.

My business was not doing real good as it was.

Love Pa

Adam grinned, this was good. They needed his father very bad. "Good news?" James asked

Adam nodded, "he’s comin’ home."

James grinned, "good."

"Where’s Bethy and Marie?"

"Marie is in the kitchen with Lu Chang, and I ain’t sure were Bethy is."

At that point Bethy walked in, "Hello." She greeted her brother and cousin.

"Where ya’ been?" Adam asked as James slipped out of the room, he knew there would be a fight. Ever since his father passed away Bethy was out of control.

"Just out." She answered simply.

"Out where?"

She shrugged and turned to go upstairs.

"Elizabeth," Adam called.

She stopped and looked at him.

"I got a letter from Pa’, he’s coming home."

She stared at him, as a smile played on her lips for the first time since Joe died. "Really?"

Adam nodded. "Yeah, and Ben and Richard are coming too. They’re gonna stay for good. Pa’s gonna run the ranch."

"Because Uncle Joe died and Pa’s the only one left that can do it right?"

Adam nodded as he stood up and walked over to her. "It’ll be okay Elizabeth you’ll see."

She frowned and looked away from her brother.

That night the family celebrated the news that Adam would be coming home.

Adam frowned as he looked over his paper work, he wondered if he was going to be able to leave when he wanted to. He was having doubts on packing up and leaving his home, he loved it here and even though he was struggling he felt that it might bounce back. Then his mind went to the Ponderosa and his family; he could see them in front of him. He didn’t know if he would be strong enough to run it without his brothers and father. He knew the ranch would bring back so many memories some good and some bad. A lot has changed, he knew that. The question was: was he up to the change? He was older now and all by himself, he hasn’t run the ranch now for more years then he could remember. He knew his children would be a huge help and as would James and Marie, Joe did a good job with the two of them. Then there was Josh, he was Hoss’ child and he never knew his father, Hoss had died before he ever had a chance to meet his only child. The last time Adam was home the boy reminded him so much of his brother it was scary. He never really knew Jamie, since Pa adopted him after he left home, but Joe always wrote fine things about the young man.

Adam signed and went up to bed; he lay in bed staring at the ceiling for a long time. He finally fell into a reckless sleep.

"Adam!"

Adam rolled over and ignored the annoying voice that was trying to wake him.

"Adam, come on get up. We gotta talk."

Adam frowned as he opened his eyes, he didn’t see anything, but then a figure came into view.

"Hey this is a switch huh? Me waking up you."

Adam sat up quickly as his eyes focused on the dark figure.

Joe grinned as he saw his brother’s confused look. "It’s me Adam."

Adam shook his head.

"It is big brother."

"No Joe you’re dead."

Joe nodded as the smiled left his face, "yeah I am."

"Then am I going crazy?"

Joe shook his head, "no Adam you ain’t going crazy."

"What are you doing here?"

"I think you know."

"How’s Pa’ and Hoss?"

"They’re good, they miss everyone, but they’re okay."

"Joe what are you doing here? Am I going to die?"

"No, Adam. Like I said I think you know why I’m here."

"Joe don’t talk in riddles. What are you doing here?’

Joe frowned, "I came to yell at you Adam."

Adam stared at him, "what?’

"What is your problem?"

"What do you mean Joe?"

"Why aren’t you home yet?"

Adam shrugged.

"Are you scared Adam?"

Adam took a deep breath, "I guess I am. I mean Joe all of ya’ are gone. I don’t know if I got the strength to do what needs to be done."

Joe walked over and sat next to his brother, "you do. You’re the strongest of all of us. You always have been. You must go home Adam."

"But what if I fail?"

"Adam you don’t fail. It is against your better judgement to fail. Besides there is more to loose then the ranch."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean your daughter Adam. Elizabeth needs you so bad. After I left her, she was filled with guilt. She blames herself for my death Adam. She is a lot like I was when I was her age. She holds everything inside of her instead of letting it out. She’s going to the saloon a lot and drinking. She wants to die Adam and she will if you don’t move your ass. I have tried to talk to her but she won’t let me in. I can’t help her and neither can Adam Jr. Only you can. Pa’ has tried, but she won’t listen to him either. She needs her Daddy Adam and that is you."

Adam had started to cry as he listened to Joe. "Are you sure Joe?"

Joe nodded, "you have to hurry Adam. I have to leave soon. I’ve been watching her, but I can’t much longer."

Adam nodded, "then I will leave tomorrow. I wish you weren’t gone Joe." He said as his voice caught.

Joe nodded, "I know."

"There’s so much I’ve never told you that I should have. Like how much I love you and how proud I was of you. You turned out to be a hell of a man."

Joe grinned, "I knew how you felt. I love you Adam. Go home okay?"

Adam bolted up in bed, confused. He looked around for Joe. It was a dream, but so real. "I’ll go home Joe." He cried, "it’s my turn to look out for your children like you did mine."

Adam and his two sons left for America the next morning.

They arrived in Virginia City weeks later; they told no one that they were coming so there was no one there.

As they went they livery stable to rent a wagon, someone called out to Adam.

"Adam Cartwright!"

Adam stopped at the familiar voice. He turned and grinned as he saw Roy Coffee. Adam rushed over to the old friend and took him in a warm embrace. After they parted Adam introduced his sons.

"What are you doing here?" Roy asked.

Adam frowned, "came to take over the ranch."

Roy frowned as his eyes showed the grief. "I am so sorry about Little Joe."

Adam nodded, "well I better go. I want to see my kids."

Adam rode into the yard and stared at the house, he could see Joe and Hoss running out of it.

He stopped the wagon and went in, as soon as he entered the house the memories once again insulted him.

Adam jr. looked up as the door opened, he jumped up when he saw his father. "Pa’!" He yelled and ran to him and threw his arms around his father. "Thank God Pa’! I am so happy to see you."

Adam looked at his oldest and grinned, he was crying, "oh son, I am thrilled to see you."

Adam JR then took each of his brothers in his arms.

"Where’s your sister?" Adam asked.

A.J. frowned, "I ain’t sure Pa’. She ran out of here about two hours ago."

"Uncle Adam!" James exclaimed as he and Marie came in and ran to their Uncle. Soon the whole family except Elizabeth came home and was reunited with whom they considered the savoir of the ranch.

Elizabeth came in and her eyes fell on her father. She stared at him, as the room became quiet. Adam stood up and looked at his beloved youngest, at his daughter.

"DADDY!" She screamed and ran to him and threw herself on him and hugged him tight as she started to cry.

Adam squeezed her tight and started to cry as well. "Oh baby, I love you."

She didn’t answer him, just cried and hugged him.

"Let me see you child."

She stepped back and looked at him.

"God you’re beautiful."

"Oh Daddy, I didn’t think you were gonna come."

He smiled, "I had to come."

"Are you going to leave?"

"No, never."

She hugged him again. "I love you Daddy."

He nodded, "I know you do."

The next day after everyone left Adam sat at his father’s desk and looked over the paper work.

"Pa’ where is Joe?" Adam asked as he looked over his father’s shoulder and read the paperwork he was working on.

Ben looked at him; "do you mind son?"

Adam signed and stepped back, "Where is Joe Pa’?"

"He’s with Hoss, I suppose. Why?’

"I think we should talk to him Pa’."

"Why?"

"He hasn’t been pulling his weight. He’s twenty now Pa’, he needs to grow up."

"He’s doing fine son."

"No he ain’t."

Hoss walked in shortly followed by Joe.

Adam looked at both of his brothers; "did you fix that fence Joe?" Adam demanded.

Joe frowned at his brother’s tone. "I forgot about it Adam."

"Why?"

"I don’t know, jus’ did.’

"Damn Joe, can’t you do anything right?’

Joe got angry quickly, he hated when his brother questioned him. "I’ll do it tomorrow Adam, now leave me alone."

Adam shook his head.

Joe looked at Ben, "Pa’, tell your son to leave me alone."

Ben looked up, "what?’

Joe rolled his eyes and walked away.

"Joe!" Adam called, as he came over to his brother.

Joe looked at him, "what do you want now Adam?"

"I want you to do your part around here."

And I want you to lay off."

"Well I ain’t gonna let that happen. I am sick of picking up after you."

"Then don’t! No one asked you too."

Adam also got mad, "no, but someone hasto."

"No, no one does."

"Yes we do Joe. You don’t do your work anymore. You’re lazy."

Ben stood up as Joe’s eyes blazed over with anger. "That’s enough, both of you.’

"But Pa’, I didn’t do anything." Joe said.

"That’s the problem!" Adam snapped, "you don’t do nothing!"

Joe glared at him, "shut up!"

Ben shook his head; "I said that’s enough. Now both of you stop it."

"But Pa’, he started it. All I did was come home." Joe said.

Ben looked at him, "I said that is enough Joe."

Joe shook his head, "Pa’ he had no right to say what he said."

"I have every right to, you little runt!" Adam snapped. "You don’t pull your own wake and I am sick of it!"

"I do pull my weight Adam! I do all of the horses. So what if I forgot to fix a fence. I’ll do it tomorrow."

"Yeah sure you will!"

"Leave me alone!"

"No Joseph, your lazy and I am tired of it. I ain’t doing your work no more, you will."

"I know I will, now shut up!"

Adam shook his head, "you ain’t gonna change, you’ll always be lazy.’

Joe went after him, before Ben could stop him, he punched Adam in the jaw, Adam hit him back. Joe went after him as he did Ben grabbed him, Adam swung and hit his brother before while Ben held him still. Joe jerked loose of his father and went after his brother again, but Ben stepped in between them and Joe’s fist made contact with his father’s face.

Joe froze, as did both of his brothers.

Ben had fallen, but was slowly getting up.

Joe swallowed, "I’m sorry Pa’, I was trying to hit Adam, not you." He looked at Adam like it was his fault.

Ben stood in front of his youngest son, he was mad.

Joe looked at him, "it ain’t my fault Pa’, it’s Adam’s"

"It ain’t my fault." Adam snapped.

"Yes it is!"

Ben shook his head, he saw red and before he could stop himself he backhanded his son so hard Joe fell.

The room was consumed by a great silence.

Joe stood up and looked at his father as his eyes glistened with tears. He rubbed his cheek, "why did you do that Pa’?"

Ben shook his head, now he was angry with himself and he could not look at his son, "go to your room Joe."

Joe stared at him, "what?"

"Just get out of my sight Joe!"

Joe stared in shock at his father, but the turned and went up to his room.

Adam frowned, he didn’t want this. "Pa’ I’m sorry."

Ben turned to his oldest son, "Adam don’t take this wrong, but get out of my sight."

Adam frowned and nodded, he went to his room, and Hoss followed him up.

The next day, Joe rode out early to fix the fence.

Hoss looked at Ben and Adam as they ate breakfast, "I think I’ll go and help Joe later." Hoss said.

Ben nodded, "fine."

Adam, who was still feeling guilty, looked at Hoss. "I’ll go with ya’. Three can get it done pretty quick." He stated.

Hoss grinned, "well that’s jus’ great Adam, it sure is. Joe will sure be happy."

Adam nodded and smiled back at his brother, one thing for sure one couldn’t help but smile when Hoss smiled.

"What about all the work you boys have to do?" Ben asked.

"Ah, Pa’ we’re get it done. We’ll all jus’ help each other." Hoss said.

Ben signed, but didn’t say anything.

"Pa’, I was wrong last night." Adam said, "I shouldn’t have lit into him like that."

Ben nodded, "I think I was wrong as well. I shouldn’t have hit him."

"Then come out with us and help him." Adam suggested.

Ben took a deep breath as he considered it.

Adam smiled, "come on Pa’, think of the surprise it will be."

Ben took a deep breath, "okay.’

Hoss grinned.

Joe was riding back to get supplies when he saw his family coming. He stopped and watched them. He wondered what they were doing; they were properly coming to check on him. He shook his head, that damn Adam why can’t he just leave it alone?

Joe thought about turning and running off, but that would just prove to Adam that he was right and there is no way that Joe will let that happen.

Joe started to ride toward them when he saw the dust coming from the mountain, it was a rockslide and his family was heading right for it.

Joe panicked and ran hard, shouting their names as he neared them; they were still coming straight for it. Joe pulled out his gun and shot at Adam’s feet.

The three riders stopped their horse in shock and looked at the youngest as he was pointing his gun at them, but before he could say anything Coachie stumbled and Joe fell off of her and before his family got to him the rocks tumbled down.

Ben and Adam and Hoss stared in shock as the rocks covered their view of Joe.

"Joe!" Ben yelled.

Soon the smoke cleared and they scanned for their loved one.

"Oh God!" Hoss cried as he saw the green jacket, half covered by rocks. He ran over to him and started to throw the rocks off of his brother.

Hoss had him uncovered before Adam and Ben reached him. Hoss scooped up his brother and moved him to the grass. He could feel him breathing.

Ben knelt by his son, "Joe, come on wake up."

Joe opened his eyes, he winced in pain. "I’m okay Pa’, really I am."

Ben smiled, he could see the many cuts and bruises over his body. Nothing looked broken though and that relieved Ben.

Joe looked at his father and brothers and started to cry. "I shot at ya’ Adam, I hit ya’ Pa’. I’m sorry."

Ben frowned, he gathered his son in his arms, "oh son, I’m sorry."

"Pa’ please forgive me. I’m sorry."

Ben kissed his head, "don’t worry son, it ain’t your fault."

Joe looked at Adam, "I was jus’ tryin’ to stop ya’, I saw the rocks comin’. I was scared it would kill you."

Adam took his brother from his father, "listen Joe, listen to me. You saved my life and Hoss’ and Pa’s. You’re a hero and I am so proud of you."

Joe looked at him, "really?’

"Yes little brother. You saved all of us. Thank you."

"You scared us little brother." Hoss said, "we thought we lost you."

Joe smiled, "nah, it’ll take more then a few rocks to kill me."

"I’m sure it will." Ben said

Joe smiled as he looked at his family, "besides it wouldn’t have been so bad."

"What wouldn’t have been so bad buddy?" Adam asked.

"To have died saving your lives. It would have been a good reason to die for those you love."

Adam kissed his head as he started to cry.

"Daddy," Elizabeth said quietly as she saw he father crying.

Adam looked up and smiled at his daughter, "do you know Joe almost got killed saving me and Hoss and Pa’ from a rock slide once?"

She frowned and turned away.

"Talk to me sweet heart."

"No Daddy."

Adam stood up and put his arm around her, "listen to me honey. That day when he saved us he told us that it was a good reason to die for someone you love. Do you understand? Joe would have preferred to die and you live. He looked at it as an honor. You don’t need to be sad any more, he wouldn’t want that, he loved you too much."

"But Daddy, it’s my fault."

"No darling, no it’s not. It was the rock’s fault. Joe would hate it that you’re blaming yourself. He loved you too much for you to be hurt like this."

"But, I miss him so."

Adam nodded, "me too. Let’s go talk to him."

They left and went to his grave sight. Adam placed a flower by Marie, Pa’s and Hoss’. Then he went and knelt by Joe’s, he touched the headstone and tears rolled freely down his cheek. ""Oh Joe, it is hard to say goodbye to you. How can I thank you for saving Bethy? You were my baby brother, I was supposed to go first not last. I was suppose to look out for you but instead you looked out for me with saving my daughter’s life. Joe I owe you everything."

"Dad!" Elizabeth screamed.

Adam jumped up, his hand on his pistol. When he turned he saw his daughter ashen face as she was looking at Joe.

She ran over to him and hugged him, "is that Joe? Is that Uncle Joe?"

Joe smiled at his brother; "you’re home."

Adam nodded, "now it’s time for you to go home."

Joe nodded he looked at Elizabeth, "honey, don’t blame yourself. I would do it again in a minute and besides it was my time."

"But uh but I miss you."

He nodded, "and I miss you, but your Pa’s here now."

"I love you."

He nodded, "I know and I love you too. I always will."

She smiled at him; "can I touch you?"

He nodded and put his arms out.

She went and hugged him and was surprised to feel him. She kissed him and he kissed her. She stepped away and looked at her father.

"You rest Joe, I’ll take care of James and Marie. You take care of Pa’ and Hoss for me okay." Adam said as tears rolled down his face.

Joe nodded, "I know you will. Give me a hug Adam."

Adam walked over and hugged his brother. "I love you little brother."

Joe nodded, "I love you too."

Adam stepped back and too his daughter’s hand. "Rest now Joe, it’ll be okay."

Joe nodded and blew a kiss to them, then turned and walked away. Adam smiled when he saw Joe walk into the arms of his father and mother and Hoss. Adam put his arm up in a greeting as tears blurred his vision.

After a long minute, Adam turned to his daughter. "Time to go home."

She smiled.

They went home and had a family dinner and once again the Cartwrights were whole again. It was a new generation of Cartwrights, but they were foremost Cartwrights and the Ponderosa was alive once again.

THE END

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