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Re: The Gentle Giant’s Family Journey from the Ponderosa
from Eric on 07/01/2026 06:31 AMHoss smiled down at Laura, his blue eyes warm with love as he gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face. He could see how tired she was, since that day's festivities have been long and hard on everyone involved. Finally, Hoss began to speak to her softly. "You've been lookin' after everybody else all day, sweetheart," he told her. "Despite the fact that this is your wedding," he said with a chuckle as he went on. "So, if anybody has earned a rest, it's you," he told her as the smile on his face grew bigger. She couldn't help but blush as she felt his fingers softly brushing her face and for a few minutes Laura let herself get lost in touch and for a moment, she found herself longing to skip the cleaning just so could go lay in the arms of her new husband. But when he chuckled, it snapped her out of what she was doing and soon they were both glancing towards Ella who was still sleeping peacefully in her wheelchair. "I reckon you're right about Miss Ella," Hoss whispered to Laura. "She'd have me in a heap of trouble if she woke up on the floor instead of her nice warm bed," he added as they continued to look at Ella for a few minutes more. Then Hoss turned back to Laura and slipped both hands around her waist, bringing her closer to him once last time, at least for time being. His blue eyes sparkling like diamonds as he looked deep into his new wife's eyes, which were also sparkling like diamonds. "My love," Hoss started to speak softly to her. "I ain't going to argue with you about helping Lynda pick up," he said and then went on. "Because I know that's just how you are, which is one of the many reasons why I love you so much," he said softly as he went on. "Besides, I know it wouldn't do any good to argue with you," he said as they both chuckled quietly. But it was what Laura said next that made him laugh with a soft laugh with a low sound and it was full of affection. She had promised that she would make tonight up to him on the train, to which he leaned in and softly kissed her forehead as he softly spoke to her.
"Darlin', you know you don't owe me a thing," he whispered to her as he gently put his forehead down on hers as he went on speaking. "We have the rest of our lives together and if our weddin' night starts with making sure the girls are tucked in and everybody's taken care of, then I'd say that's a mighty fine way to being our marriage," he told her as he could feel her gently holding him as tight as he was holding her. Then Hoss raised his head up a little so that he could once again softly kiss Laura's forehead, letting his lips linger there for few minutes before he finally moved them so that he could speak to her again, only this time low enough so that only she could hear. "But I will tell you this though," Hoss told her with a grin on his face. "I ain't going to lie when I say I'm sure looking forward to having my beautiful wife all to myself tomorrow night," he told her with a giggle, which caused her to giggle herself. Hoss used his thumb to gently caress Laura's cheek before finally letting her go and stepping back. He took a deep breath and then turned back to look at Ella as he went on speaking. "I'll get our little girls settled and then I'll go to our room and wait for you," he told her. "Don't work too hard, okay?" he asked her. "Leave some of the mess for in the morning if you have too," he finished up as she nodded with a smile on his face. Then Hoss smiled as he titled his head and gave her one last tender kiss, letting his lips linger once more. "I love you, Mrs. Cartwright," Hoss whispered to her once he was able to get his lips working again. Then Hoss let Laura go and he turned to walk over to where Ella was. And with one last glanced over his shoulder at Laura and smiled at her. Then Hoss carefully lifted his sleeping daughter into his strong arms and quietly carried her upstairs, already looking forward to the moment when his bride would join him in their room. And after Hoss was upstairs with Ella, heading down the hall to her room, Laura turned and went into the kitchen to help Lynda clean up.
ReplyRe: Happy Mother’s Day to the Belle of the Cartwright Ranch (2026)
from Eric on 07/01/2026 04:12 AMAdam smiled slightly and set his mug down on the table as he thought about the suggestion about having a big party. Finally, Adam let out a sigh and said he really didn't know if inviting the whole town would be such a good idea, which caused Joe to shrug as Adam went on with his thoughts. Adam told his brothers that Mother's Day should be about family and though Lynda never really asks for too much, he went on saying that she would probably rather like the idea of spending the day with the family rather than half the people in Viriginia City. The boys went silent for a few minutes before Joe broke it by saying that he wasn't talking about the whole town staying all day or even spending the night. Joe said he just thought that Lynda might enjoy a celebration. Hoss couldn't help but chuckle as he began to speak to his little brother. "Little Joe," Hoss started and then went on. "You just want an excuse to have another party so that you can mingle with all them pretty girls," Hoss told him, causing Joe to laugh and ask if Hoss could blame him, which neither brother bothered to answer. The three brothers laughed together before Hoss glanced up towards the clock that was hanging on the wall of the saloon. That's when Hoss went on speaking to his brothers, this time being very serious. "Boys, I have about twenty minutes before I have to go pick up Ella and Elle," he told them. "And we haven't gotten anything resolved," he added and then went on. "I think we should probably settle on at least one thing before I leave," he said as he drank his beer. And just like he always does, it was Adam who leaned back in his chair as he went deep in thought for a few minutes, just like he always did when he was studying something. He could see that Joe really had his heart set on having a party, though Adam did feel like he knew exactly what Lynda would want. It was then that Adam finally found a solution that he knew would please everybody.
Adam then went on to suggest that they do both and then he went on to explain that they could have Mother's Day itself just for family and then later on in the week or perhaps over the weekend they could have a small cookout with a few close friends. Joe thought about for a moment and then said that he could live with that, considering he was already starting to think about who he wanted to invite. Hoss nodded as he took another drink of his beer as he was keeping close eye on time. It was Joe who spoke up again by saying that he thought that Lynda would like that, but the big question remained of what they would get her for Mother's Day. That was when all three boys went silent. None of them had the slightest idea of what they could get her. Though it was Adam who once again came to the rescue by suggesting that they could get her some flowers. Joe nodded and then added that they could also get her some candy, which made Hoss smile. "She does like chocolate," Hoss added and the paused. "But then again, so does every other woman in the Nevada territory," he added, which caused all three boys to laugh. It was Joe who came up with the idea of getting her jewelry, which he thought a nice necklace would be fitting. It didn't take Adam long to shake his head no. He said jewelry would be a nice enough gift, but he thought she would like something more personal. The three brothers sat quietly for a moment or two, each of them trying to come up with something meaningful for Lynda. It was then that Hoss smiled as he began to speak, though he had a chuckle to his voice. "You know," he started and then went with his thought. "Laura's always coming up with good ideas for gifts, maybe I can get her to help," Hoss added as Joe grinned in agreement. It was Adam who then went onto say that if there was anybody who knew how to make Mother's Day special, it would be Laura. He also added that he wouldn't be surprised if Laura was already planning something at this very moment for Lynda.
At that thought, Hoss couldn't help but smile proudly. He knew that Laura had a way of making every holiday feel warm and memorable, especially now that she had become such an important part of the family. And he couldn't wait to get home and tell Laura about how they were trying to come up with ideas, unknowing that Laura had already had pages of plans written down, along with the idea of making a family photo collage with pictures of everybody, even their unborn baby's sonogram. It was just then that Hoss noticed the time and soon finished off is beer and stood up. "Well, brothers, I better be going. You know how those girls of mine get when I'm not there on time," he said with a chuckle as Joe and Adam stood as well. It was then that Adam looked at his brothers and said that him and Joe would talk to Jennie tonight while Hoss can talk to Laura and then maybe tomorrow evening, they can all get together and sit down and figure everything out. "That sounds like a good idea," Hoss said with a smile on his face. Hoss finally said goodbye to his brothers and then got into his truck and headed down towards the school. And as he was driving through town, Hoss found himself smiling. He knew the closer to Mother's Day it got, the more excited he became to celebrate Lynda; the woman who had loved him, Adam, Joe and Jennie as if they had been her own. But it wasn't just Lynda that Hoss was excited to celebrate the woman who was about to make him a father for the third time and that was his beautiful wife, Laura, who by this time was at home curled up on the sofa with a big bowl of ice cream and happily watching tv and not even giving one moment's thought about what Hoss and the girls were planning for her but rather how Lynda would feel when she received that special gift Laura had been planning. Hoss finally got to the school and turned into the parking lot. After finding a good place to park, he got out of his truck and went into the school to wait for his two little girls to get out of school for the day.
Re: Easter Treasure of the Ponderosa (2026)
from Eric on 07/01/2026 01:55 AMHoss looked up from his sandwich and smiled before nodding to his little brother. "Yea, I'm all right," he told Joe. "Just got a lot on my mind, I reckon," he added as he finally took a bit of his sandwich. Joe wasn't convinced that Hoss was okay. Joe asked Hoss if he was sure since he hardly said two words since they stopped for lunch. Adam, who was sitting there listening to the conversation and sipping on his coffee couldn't help but grin as he the remark that maybe Hoss was just thinking about his lunch, which caused Ben to chuckle but only made Hoss smile as he swallowed the food that was in his mouth. "I ain't never too busy to think about lunch," Hoss said to his brothers with a laugh and then went on speaking. "But that ain't what's got me distracted," he added just as he picked up his sandwich again as he was getting ready to take another bite as Ben was studying his middle son for a moment or two. Just as Hoss was taking another big bit of his sandwich, Ben asked him if something was bothering him, which Hoss shook his head no since he had a mouthful of food. Once Hoss swallowed the bite that was in his mouth, he went on to answer his father. "No, Pa. In fact, it's just the opposite," he said and then went on. "I've just been thinking about Laura," he told them. Joe raised an eyebrow as he waited for Hoss to explain further, which he didn't. That's when Joe said something about having them all curious, but Hoss just looked down to the ground for a few minutes before smiling to himself. That caused Adam and Joe to look at each other for a brief moment before Adam spoke again, this time he had a more serious tone to his voice when he asked Hoss if everything was alright with her. "Oh, she's fine," Hoss said without delay and then went on speaking. "In fact, I made her promise that she'd take it easy to today. She'd already been doing too much around the house lately," he said as he fumbled with his sandwich while continuing to speak to his family. "Besides, she's been getting tired easier than usual nowadays and I just don't want her overdoing it," he added and then took a couple of bites of his sandwich.
Ben couldn't help but smile warmly as he continued to listen to Hoss speaking about his wife. "I mean she's always been the kind of woman who likes to keep busy," Hoss said as he was chewing the food that was in his mouth and once it was small enough, Hoss swallowed it and then went on speaking. "The truth is that if I didn't remind her to rest a lot of the times," he said as he placed a hand on his coffee cup. "She would have the house completely clean from top to bottom even before the girls got home from school," he said with a chuckle, which caused Joe to laugh and made Adam and Ben shaking their heads, which caused Hoss's smile to grow even wider. Once again silence fell over the four Cartwrights as they continued eating their lunches. Once they were all through and sitting around with their coffee, it was Hoss who once again broke the silence. "I just can't wait for Easter," Hoss said out of nowhere, which caused Ben to look at him with a curious look as he made the comment that Hoss had always enjoyed Easter, which of course was true but only Hoss knew why he was excited for this particular Easter. "I have," he told them as he began pouring everyone a fresh cup of coffee. "But this year's Easter is going to be mighty special," he told them after he sat the coffee pot down on the table. Hoss was about to take a drink of his fresh coffee when Joe leaned forward and asked how come. And as Hoss was swallowed the coffee that was in his mouth as he hesitated for a brief moment before shaking his head. "I can't tell y'all just yet," Hoss said as he looked at Joe, who let out a dramatic groan as he went on telling Hoss that he couldn't just say that this Easter was going to be mighty special and then not tell them why. It was about that time that Adam folded his arms and looked at his two brothers with an amused smile. He also commented on the fact that he had a feeling that Laura might have something to do with Hoss's secrecy. "You could say that," Hoss told them as his grin widened even more. Both Adam and Joe looked at each other with a look of both wonder and puzzlement.
It was Ben who noticed the unmistakable sparkle in his son's eyes. Ben knew that whatever it was that Hoss was hiding made clearly made Hoss happier than he'd seen him in quiet some time. And that made Ben's heart sore with joy. Finally, Ben told Joe and Adam to settle down and that whatever Hoss was hiding, everybody would find out soon enough. "You sure will," Hoss said as he picked up his coffee cup and just held it for a few minutes. "Laura and I are going to tell everybody at Easter dinner," he added as he took a sip of his coffee while Joe let out a sigh with an exaggerated disappointment. Then Joe went on to complain that waiting for nearly two weeks to know what Hoss knew was cruel, which made Hoss laugh heartily. "Don't worry, you'll survive," Hoss told Joe. "Besides, I reckon it will be worth the wait," he added still chuckling heartily. Ben couldn't help but smile as he watched his sons teasing each other. He didn't know what surprise Hoss and Laura were planning for Easter, but seeing the happiness on Hoss's face was enough to tell him that it was something wonderful. Something was telling Ben that whatever the news was, this Easter was going to be one that the Cartwright family would never forget, which was something that Hoss and Laura were expecting. Hoss, Joe, Adam and Ben went on speaking about other things, including what they had left to do as far as that day's work, what Jennie and Lynda were up too and even what Lynda was planning for Easter dinner. "Well," Hoss said as he finished his coffee and got up from the table. "We best be getting back to mending that fence if we plan to get it done today," Hoss told his brothers as he walked over began to put his hat on and then his gun belt. "I still have two girls I have to get from school in a few hours before I can go home and be with my lovely wife," he said as he finished with his gun belt. He stood there waiting for his brothers to join him as Ben was also finishing up with coffee and lunch. Hoss put his hands up to stop Ben. "We can handle the rest Pa," he told Ben. "You just stay here and rest," he added as Joe and Adam finally joined Hoss.
Re: A New Love Brings A New Beginning
from Eric on 06/30/2026 09:21 AMHoss stood there quietly for a moment; his large hand still wrapped around Laura's. And as he looked deep into her eyes, he could see the love she had for him and his girls. And in his eyes, he knew she could see gratitude, exhaustion and worry all mixed with the love he had for her and his two little babies. It was then that he finally found the worlds to speak to her. "I don't know what I would do without you, Laura," he said softly, letting his deep voice rise no higher than a whisper. "Every time one of my girls gets sick, I feel so helpless," he told her honestly as he went on. "Sometimes, I wish I could take their sickness away from them and make it my own," he continued as he swallowed hard. Hoss turned and looked up at the staircase that led up to their rooms. Then he turned back and looked at Laura with tears in his eyes as he continued. "Seeing Ella like that...," he said and then shook his head as he went on. "It just tears me up inside," he told her as he looked away for a moment and then back at her. A smile came upon his face as he turned back to Laura. Then he took his hand and gently brushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear as he started speaking again. "But then you came along and somehow.....somehow you made everything a little less frightening," he added. "The girls love you. I have never seen them this happy and Lord knows I love you," he said with a smile on his face. Hoss let out a sigh as he leaned down and softly kissed her forehead before wrapping his arms around her once more. The silence between them as they were looking deep into each other's eyes was more than perfect right now. That's when Hoss went on speaking softly, knowing he was getting a bit sleepy, but didn't want to leave her at this moment. "I know that you are right and that Ella will be alright," he said. "If anyone can keep a good eye on my little girl, it's you," he added and then went on.
"Thank you for loving my girls like they were your own. You have no idea how much that means to me," he said as he softly laid his forehead on hers as they held each other for a little bit. Finally, Hoss began to speak again, this time with a little more exhaustion in his voice. "I'll go lie down, but I don't think I will be sleeping much," he told her. "If Ella needs anything and I do mean anything, you come and wake me up," he told her. "I don't want you to try to carry this on by yourself," he said. "I don't need you getting yourself down," he told her as he finally leaned in and softly and passionately kissed her. "I love you," he whispered to her and then with one last lingering kiss, Hoss reluctantly turned towards the stairs and up towards his room, leaving and trusting Laura to watch over Ella while he tried to get some sleep. Once Hoss was gone, Laura couldn't help but continue smiling as she quietly returned to the kitchen to prepare a basin of cool water and a clean cloth, ready to spend the night watching over Ella. Once Laura had all the things she needed, she went up to Ella's room and sat down beside Ella's bed. Laura sat the basin of water down on the floor and after dipping the wash clothe into the cool water and after squeezing the excess water out, she began to gently lay it across Ella head as the coolness stung the heat that was in the fever. Ella slept peacefully until about 3 am when she woke up crying and feeling even hotter than before. Laura started to softly hushing her back to sleep as she was gently running the cool washcloth over her forehead and face. Then Laura opened Ella's pajama shirt a little so she could gently rub some cool water on Ella's chest. Meanwhile, Hoss was laying in his bed tossing and turning trying to get some sleep but the worry he was feeling for his little girl kept him from keeping his eyes closed. Finally, after trying very hard to get some sleep, Hoss laid on his back for a few minutes until he got up and sat on the side of his bed. He let out a sigh and then finally got up and went to Ella's room, which the moment he opened the door and saw Ella, all of Hoss's worry got even worse as he began to speak to Laura. "How's she doing?" he asked Laura as he went over and sat on the side of Ella's bed.
Re: My Wild Irish Rose Brings a Little Irish Blessing (2026)
from Eric on 06/30/2026 07:01 AMHoss smiled as he looked down into Laura's eyes as he began to speak to her. "Well, I reckon that's the best kind of job a man could have," he told her chuckling. "And you know I'm more than happy to take it on," he added as he kissed Laura's lips once more before going inside. Hoss bent down and scooped Elle into his arms, causing her to giggle and make him smile as he kissed the side of her head. Then he carefully took hold of Ella's wheelchair and with Laura right beside them, they all walked into the house like the happy little family they were. Once everyone was in the house and settled in the living room, Laura went into the kitchen for a few minutes to get the pitcher of sweet tea she made earlier and a couple of glasses filled with ice. She also grabbed a couple more juice boxes for the girls. After helping the girls with the juice boxes, she poured her and Hoss each a glass of sweet tea before settling on the couch by Hoss, who took a drink of his tea before setting it on the table next to him. Once everyone had their drinks, Laura turned to look at Hoss as if she was waiting for him to tell her about his meeting with his father. Hoss didn't say anything for a few minutes. Then he let out a slow breath as he began to speak to her and tell her what exactly went on in the meeting. "It went about like I expected," he started out and then continued. "Pa's got a section of fence along the north pasture that needs repairing after the storm we had," he told her and then continued before she could interrupt him. "One of the new calves also wandered off up into the timber, so we are going to have to spend tomorrow morning looking for that," he said as he reached over and picked up his iced tea and swished it around a little before he took a drink. That's when Laura said that what they had to do didn't sound too bad, to which Hoss chuckled as he took a drink. Once's Hoss's mouth was empty, he began to speak to Laura again, this time about something that he knew she wasn't going to like.
"No, it ain't," he told her as he looked at his glass of iced tea before putting back on the table. Then he turned and looked at Laura with a look he knew she wasn't fond of. "But Pa is going to need somebody, namely me, to stay overnight at the ranch house for a couple of nights later this week," he told her and then went on as he reached over and took her hand. "There's a mare that's about ready to foal and he wants someone there just in case something goes wrong," he told her as a silence fell over them. Hoss could see by the look on her face that her heart sank just a little bit in her chest. He hated to see her like this, especially since he knew she hasn't been feeling all that well lately. It was then that Laura gave Hoss's hand a little squeeze, just to let him know that she was alright and that she understood that sometimes ranch life didn't always allow families to stay together every night. She then reached over with her free hand and picked up her iced tea and took a long drink of it. Once she was done, she placed her glass on the coffee table and then turned back to Hoss and asked him when he had to go and he took a deep breath and began to speak again. "Probably Thursday night," he told her and then went on. "Maybe even Friday too, depending on how things go with the mare and other things," he told her as he ran his thumb over her hand. Laura didn't say anything for a few minutes and then she smiled as she put her other hand over his and told him if that's what needed to be done than that's what needed to be done, they would be just fine until he got home. It was then that Hoss looked at her with concern. "Are you sure? I know you have been tired lately. Plus, you have been sick in the mornings," he told her with concern in his voice. Laura didn't say anything, but she did offer him a reassuring smiling, though she was hoping that he wouldn't notice the brief hesitation in her eyes. Laura finally told Hoss that she was alright and that she was just a little worn out from keeping up with the house and keeping up with their two busy girls, who were laughing and having a good time not far from the couch. Hoss watched his girls and smiled before finally turning back to Laura. "Okay, but only if you are absolutely sure," he said, which she nodded she was.
Hoss still wasn't so sure about it, but when he felt her gently rubbing his hand, Hoss smiled and nodded in agreement. He then looked around at his little family, and seeing Laura beside him and the girls playing happily on the floor made him feel like he was the richest man in the world. And that's when he gave Laura's hand another gentle squeeze as he then began to speak to her again. "I sure do appreciate you saying that sweetheart," he said warmly. "And to be honest, I was hoping that Pa would decide on somebody else to stay the night, but I know how things are on the ranch," he told her and then went on. "Sometimes the cattle and horses don't exactly care what anyone as planned," he told her with a chuckle, which caused Elle smile and Ella to chuckle. "But I ain't going to worry about Thursday yet because right now I'm home and that's exactly where I wanna be," he told his family with a huge smile on his face. It was then the turned and looked at Laura, studying her for a few minutes before getting serious. "I am gonna ask you one more time though," he said with a soft and yet concern in his voice. "Are you sure you're feeling alright? You've seemed mighty tired these last few days. I have even seen you nodding off in your chair before," he said. Laura was just getting to say something, but Hoss held up a hand to stop her from talking. "Now, don't go thinking I'm fussing," he told her. "I just love you and when something seems different, I notice, that's all," he told her as he leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "Just promise me that if you start feeling worse or if you need anything, you tell me. I don't care where I am or what I'm doing," he told her. "I'll come running, no questions asked," he added. Hoss then let Laura's hands go and moved his arm up around Laura's shoulders and pulled her close, resting his cheek against the top of her head as he finished his thought. "For now, though, let's just enjoy the rest of the day together and a nice warm supper tonight. Because that's all I want right now, is my girls, my beautiful wife and a full stomach," he said with a chuckle.
Re: Flowers, Candy, Hearts and Two Cupid Cuties (2026)
from Eric on 06/30/2026 04:14 AMLaura and Hoss sat there at their dining room table, eating their lunch in peace. Neither one of them really said anything for a long while as they were both thinking about what they could do for the other one on Valentine's Day. Finally, just after Hoss's mouth was clear of food and beer, he began to speak to Laura again. "Oh, I know they will," he told her. "I can't say what they would pick, but whatever they come up with, it's going to be great," he added and then went quiet again as he sat back in his chair to give Laura's question some thought. It was only after a while of thinking that Hoss reached across the table and took Laura's hand into his as he smiled warmly at his wife. Then he began to speak to her softly as he gave her hand a little squeeze. "Well, sweetheart," he said softly as he was letting his thumb run gently over the back of her knuckles. "We got a lot more done this morning than I really thought we would," he told her as the smile grew bigger and warmer. "I figure Pa and the boys can finish up the last little bit without me. So, in answer to your question," he said with a chuckle and then went on. "I reckon I'm done for the day, though if they really do need me to help, I reckon they know where they can find me," he finished up and let out a light chuckle. Hoss gave Laura's hand a gentle squeeze before bringing it up to his mouth and kissing it, causing Laura to blush. It was then that the silence fell once more over the both of them, though this time they were looking deep into each other's eyes. Hoss continued to run his thumb over Laura's knuckles as he then went on speaking to her. "Anyway, I would much rather be at home with you, helping you with whatever you might need done around here," he told her as he went on speaking.
"And maybe spending a little time with my beautiful wife before having to stop what we are doing to go get the girls," he said which once again, caused Laura to blush and make Hoss smile warmly once more. "Besides, I was kind of hoping that you would help me get cleaned up," he said playfully and then giving her a wink, letting her know that he was being both playful and yet serious at the same time. "Because I know you wouldn't want me to go to town smelling like sweat, dust and cows," he said as he chuckled at his own joke, though the look that Laura gave him caused him to clear his throat seriously as he went on speaking just as Laura was about to get up and start clearing the dishes. They had let go of each other's hands so that she could do what she needed to do, though she had a feeling that Hoss wasn't done trying to get some attention from her, which in a way, was kind of turning her on. "So, if there isn't anything you need me to do right now, I think I will go wash up and put on some clean clothes," he told her for a few minutes before he finally reached out and pulled Laura down into his lap. She couldn't help but laugh as he nuzzled her neck while he went on speaking as he felt Laura wrap her arms around his neck. "Once I'm finished, maybe you and I could sit down on the couch and relax for a spell and just enjoy each other," he whispered to her, knowing that he was starting to get to her. She turned and looked into Hoss's blue eyes, which were now sparking like the most beautiful diamonds. Laura then laid her head down softly on his just as he was finishing up his thoughts to her. "This afternoon is going to be the best we have ever had as a family," he whispered to Laura. "And if all of this makes my sweetheart happy," he added as his arms started to get a little tighter around her waist. "Then I'm going to say that today is about the most perfect day since our wedding day," he said and then paused so that she could add anything that came to her mind.
Re: All Hearts Come Homes for Christmas (2025)
from Eric on 06/29/2026 11:54 AMHoss had just taken a drink of his coffee when Hop Sing told Hoss that he was still on the phone and that he could hear Laura's voice. That's when Hoss quickly swallowed his coffee and then began to speak to his wife, which he hoped she wasn't too mad at him. Hoss cleared his throat and began to speak to her, using the best and sweetest voice he had. "I'm here now baby," Hoss told her as he realized how worried and scared, she must be. "I'm sorry for not answering sooner," he told her hoping that she wouldn't hold it against him. "It's a tad bit crazy over here at Pa's house," he told her and then went on speaking before she could say anything. "We've been having issues with ranch hands demanding payment for work they haven't even finished yet," he told Laura honestly, which was true. Then Hoss took a few minutes to pause so that he not only could gather his thoughts, but he also needed another drink of his coffee, which Hop Sing took the liberty of refilling. And after Hoss empty his mouth, he began to speak to her again. "I'm sure you probably heard a lot of what was going on while you were waiting for me to say something, didn't you?" Hoss asked as he chuckled. He could already tell by her silence that she was upset but he went on, hoping that she would forgive him. "Anyway, enough about what's going on over here," Hoss told her as he moved on to what she was doing and how she was feeling. "How are you doing, my love?" he asked her as the look on his face was starting to get worried lines over his face, which Joe started to say something, but Hoss just waved him quiet as he pointed to the phone as if to tell Joe that he was trying to hear what Laura was talking about.
But what Joe didn't know what that Laura wasn't speaking at the moment, mostly because Hoss knew that he kept her waiting too long and now she was very upset with him. Joe nodded and then went quiet as Hoss went on speaking to Laura. "Anway my love," Hoss told her as he took a couple of swallows of the coffee, trying not to burn his mouth, which thankfully he didn't. "The reason I was calling you was to tell you that I'm doing find and right now, as if you already didn't know, I'm over here at Pa's," he told her and then paused again. Then he went on before she could say anything. "I got the tree, but the snow is really coming down outside," he told her. "I decided to come to Pa's until the snow slowed enough for me to get home," he told her as he noticed the time, which showed that it was getting closer time to pick up the girls. "I'm hoping that the snow will slow down a bit so that I can bring the tree home before having to go get the girls," he said as he looked once more at the time and then turned to look out the window, which he saw the snow still coming down as hard or maybe a little harder than before, which made Hoss sigh with despair, though he didn't mean for Laura to hear it. After a little while neither of them talking, though he knew she was probably just listening to everything he had to say before saying anything herself, he couldn't help but speak to her once more. "Baby, I'm really sorry that you are at home by yourself," he told her now on the verge of crying but still keeping himself in check. "And I'm really sorry that I left you on the phone for so long without even say a word to you. You don't know how guilty I am feeling right now," he told her, which wasn't a lie. He was feeling very guilty for several reasons, including leaving her alone at home and the fact that he left on the phone for so long.
Re: Hopelessly Devoted to You for the Rest of Our Lives
from Eric on 06/29/2026 09:22 AMEric was standing next to preacher, while his brothers were standing next to him. As the music began to play, Jennie, with Ella in her arms and Elle next to her, came down the stairs and the smile on Hoss's face grew. In fact, seeing his sister and his little girls dressed like they were melted his heart and made his face beam with pride. Hoss knew then that with Jennie and the girls in their places, it was only a matter of minutes before he would see his beloved bride on his father's arm, and that made his smile grow even bigger. Finally, as Ben was bringing Laura down the stairs on his arm, she came into Hoss's view and what he saw was more than just the woman that he fell in love with. In fact, as Ben and Laura stood at the bottom of the stairs, Hoss was at a loss for words as he continued to stare at Laura, who was standing in a wedding dress that made her look like the angel that she was. And it wasn't just the way she looked in her dress that took his breath away but the way she moved gently and swiftly in it as if she was dancing gently across the floor as well as across his heart. Finally, Ben and Laura reached Hoss, and as Ben handed Laura's hand to Hoss, Hoss's eyes never left Laura, at least his eyes didn't leave Laura until the preacher's voice that snapped Hoss back into reality, which then he turned his attention to him. It was about that time that the preacher asked who was giving this lady to this man, to which Ben said he did. After Ben moved and took his place behind the bride and groom, the preacher started speaking and soon they had their head bowed in prayer. After prayer, Laura handed her bouquet of flowers to Jennie, who held onto it and Ella, as she turned to look at Hoss.
The smile on his face told Laura everything she needed to know about him liking the dress. And though Hoss really wasn't supposed to speak at that moment, he couldn't help it and started to whisper something to Laura, still wearing that smile on his face. "You look absolutely beautiful in that dress," he told her loud enough so that only she could hear but knowing that the preacher and even Ben could hear as well. Laura couldn't help but look down with a blush on her face for a few minutes before looking back up into Hoss's sparkling and twinkling eyes. It was about that time that both of Hoss's hands slipped into Laura's hands and soon they had their fingers laced around each other. Everyone in the room could tell with the smile on both Laura and Hoss's faces that they were more than deeply in love with each other. Finally, after the preacher continued to speak about marriage, it was then that the preacher asked if anyone knew a reason why these two shouldn't be married and thankfully nobody said anything. Then the preacher turned and looked at Hoss Cartwright and began to ask him if he took Laura Quinn as his lawfully wedded wife, to have and hold, for sickness and in health, for richer or poorer until death do them part. Hoss looked out at the wedding guests and then over at his father and finally at his little girls, who all were smiling at him. Then he looked deep into Laura's eyes and the smile on his face grew even more and though he knew everybody was waiting for his answer, especially Laura, he just couldn't bring himself to say anything at the moment. Hoss just couldn't get over the way that Laura looked in her wedding dress but again he knew everybody was waiting for an answer, so Hoss cleared his throat and finally began to speak and give him everybody his answer. "I do," he said loud enough for everybody to hear. The preacher smiled at Hoss as he then turned and looked at Laura and as the preacher began to speak to her and ask her everything that he asked Hoss. And as Hoss looked into Laura's eyes, he could tell the answer without her even answering. But still, the preacher asked and as everybody sat on pins and needles, everybody, including Hoss, waited patiently for Laura to answer the preacher.
The Gentle Giant’s Family Journey from the Ponderosa
from Laura on 06/27/2026 09:53 AMThe wedding reception was just winding up as people were starting to leave the Ponderosa Ranch House. Though Laura and Hoss would have been the first ones to leave but they really wanted to stay and thank everybody for coming to their wedding, besides, Laura could see that Hoss wasn't quite ready to leave his family. She had a feeling that it had to do with him being nervous about leaving the girls behind for two weeks. After everybody finally left the ranch house, and it was just the Cartwright family, it was Laura who broke the silence. "Well, that was fun," Laura said with a huge smile on her face as she walked over to Hoss, who smiled down at her while he put his arm around her back. Then he softly kissed the top of her head as she closed her eyes for a minute to just enjoy her new husband's soft lips on her head. Laura finally opened her eyes and looked around at her new family with a huge smile on her face. Then she looked up at Hoss with a huge smile. "Why don't you take the girls up to bed and I'll start cleaning up down here before I come up to bed," Laura suggested with a huge smile. It was then that the family turned and looked at Ella, who was sleeping in her wheelchair, even though she tried hard to stay awake and Elle, who was sleeping on the couch. Everybody couldn't help but smile seeing them sleeping like they were. It was about that time that Lynda suggested that Ben help Hoss take Ella and Elle up to their rooms, while she and Laura did a quick cleanup so that Hop Sing wouldn't be so upset in the morning when he saw the mess, though she knew he wouldn't mind since it was, after all, Hoss's wedding reception. Ben nodded and then leaned over and gave Laura a kiss and shook Hoss's hand as he congratulated them.
Then, he went over and gently picked up Elle and began to walk up the stairs to Elle's room, though he stopped to give Lynda a soft kiss good night and then was soon going upstairs with Elle in his hands. Soon, Joe, Adam, and Jennie, after giving Hoss and Laura a kiss and hug and congratulating them, followed Ben and Elle up to their rooms, while Lynda slipped quietly into the kitchen without anyone noticing. Finally, Laura and Hoss were alone in the living room, looking at each other with smiles on their faces and sparkles in their eyes. "Well," Laura said as she looked around and then back up at Hoss. And for a few minutes Laura was at a loss for words. Everything that she ever wanted, she found in him, even though he did come with baggage. She didn't care though, Laura loved everything about Hoss Cartwright, especially his two little girls. Finally, as Laura felt Hoss's hands gently on her hips, she began to say something. "I'll be up as soon as I get some of this picked up," she told Hoss. "I don't want Lynda to have to do this all by herself," she added with a smile. Hoss took one of his hands and softly touched her face as she gently pressed her face into his hand. Laura once again closed her eyes and just let her face linger in his touch for a little while. Then she finally opened them and began to speak to him. "You best be getting Ella up to her bed before she falls out of her chair," she said with a chuckle. She could feel Hoss pulling her closer to him and she started to rub his arms. She looked down and then back up into Hoss's eyes. "I know, I know," she told him softly. "It's our wedding night, but I promise I will make it up to you tomorrow night while we are on the train to New York," she whispered to him with a smile as she reached up and touched his face. He then reached up and touched her hand and softly kissed her palm, which made her smile even more. Finally, Laura leaned up and softly kissed Hoss's lips. "Go, my love," she said softly. "I won't be long," she added as she finally tore herself away from Hoss to go join Lynda in the kitchen.
Happy Mother’s Day to the Belle of the Cartwright Ranch (2026)
from Laura on 06/27/2026 08:09 AMMother's Day was still three weeks away and Laura was starting to feel the effects of her pregnancy. And though she still had few months of left before their new baby arrived, though in the back of her mind, she wouldn't mind if he/she came a little early. Anyway, Laura was at home, resting and doing some laundry, Hoss was at his father's house going over some contracts with his father and brothers. And of course, the girls were at school getting their education. Anyway, Laura was relaxing and watching tv when a commercial came on advertising some gifts for Mother's Day and that's when Laura started thinking about Lynda and how even though she wasn't Adam, Hoss, Joe or Jennie's actual mother, she was their stepmother and deserved to be celebrated anyway. She also thought it would a nice if Ella and Elle made something nice for Lynda. After the Mother's Day commercial, Laura got herself up and went over to the desk that was in the living room and sat down. Then she pulled out a pad of paper and grabbed a pen and as she began to smile as she began to write down things that the girls and Hoss could do for Lynda. Things that Laura came with was getting her some flowers, maybe some chocolate, though she put a question mark next to the chocolate. Laura sat at that desk thinking about what exactly Hoss could get for Lynda and what the girls could do for her, and that's when she came up with the smartest idea ever. They would all get their pictures taken, including one family photo, and they would make her a family college of her, the two girls and Hoss. And she would even add the new baby's sonogram to it too. The thought of this made her excited as she written down everything. She knew this was going to be the best Mother's Day for Lynda that she could make it and that made Laura happy. Once she finished her list, Laura put the pen down and looked at her list and the smile on her face, though she couldn't help but think about what, if anything, Hoss and the girls would be doing for her. She had no idea that Hoss and the girls were on their way now to start making plans.
Once Laura was done writing her list of ideas and things she wanted to do for Lynda, Laura put the pen down and gave it the once over. Once she was happy with the everything she wrote down, she sat back in her chair and began to think about Hoss and the girls and the smile on her face grew even bigger. She knew she would have to talk to Hoss and the girls, which after she explains everything to them, she knew they would love what she came up with. The more she thought about everything, the bigger her smile got until the thought of having a big bowl of ice cream and some ice-cold milk hit her and of course, she knew she just had to give into her cravings. So, Laura slowly got up and after pushing her chair until it was completely under the desk, she then went into the kitchen and began fixing her ice cream and milk. Once she had her ice cream and milk fixed, she picked up the bowl and glass and went back into the living room, and after making herself comfortable with the TV remote, she began to eat her ice cream while she was flipping through the channels until she found something good to watch. Meanwhile, Hoss was in town with Adam and Joe having a beer. Hoss kept a close eye on time since he had pick up the girls after school. As the boys were sitting there drinking their beer and listening to the town gossip, it was Joe who, after swallowing the beer that was in his mouth, began to speak and bring up the subject of Mother's Day. "So, we still need to figure out what we are going to do about Lynda and Mother's Day," he said to his two brothers. Then boys knew they wanted to do something, though they weren't really sure about Jennie, though it wouldn't be too hard to get her on board, but they just didn't know what yet. It was Joe that went on speaking as he held his beer in his hand. "I say we have a big party and invite everyone in town," Joe told them and then took a drink of his beer as Adam and Hoss waited for Joe to finish his thought.