Title: A Very Ponderosa Christmas
Author: Jeanster
Summary: Little Joe is not in a holiday mood after the death of his mother.
Rating: FRC — Fan Rated Suitable For Children
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Ponderosa and/or the characters from Bonanza.
PART ONE
Christmas was a week away. Little Joe was not in much of a holiday mood.
Although he appeared to be staring at the newly decorated Christmas tree in their living room Little Joe could only see images of his late mother and all the things, big and little, that she did for him that made him appreciate and love her. Little Joe missed her so very much.
He did not notice his father and brothers enter the room. Little Joe was deep in thought of sweet memories of times spent with his mother.
"Little Joe, do you have your letter to Santa Claus ready for me to mail?" Ben asked. "I'll be riding into Eagle Station if you'd like me to drop it off at the Post Office."
Little Joe was a little startled as he awoke from his daydreaming.
"Letter to Santa Claus? Pa, don't you think I'm too old for that stuff?" said Little Joe.
Ben looked at his youngest son. Adam and Hoss exchanged glances and then looked at Ben. The three older males silently nodded to each other. Without having to say a word they were able to acknowledge amongst themselves what to do, for such was the closeness of the Cartwright men.
"Pa, would you mind mailing my letter to Santa Claus for me?" said Adam. "I still have some chores to finish here, so I won't have time to ride into Eagle Station."
"I'm almost finished writing mine," said Hoss. "If you could wait another hour, I'll have mine ready to mail, too, Pa."
"Of course, boys. I'll be happy to mail your letters."
Little Joe's eyes widened as he stared at his older brothers.
"Adam? Hoss? You both wrote letters to Santa Claus? But you're practically all grown up!"
Adam and Hoss smiled at him.
"Christmas is only a week away, little brother," said Adam. "Better get to writing that letter if you want it to reach the North Pole in time." He ruffled Little Joe's hair and gently patted him on the shoulder. Then he headed out the front door.
"That's right," said Hoss. "Excuse me while I go finish writing mine." And he headed for the bedroom.
Ben motioned for Little Joe to have a seat. They both sat in the living room. They could hear Hop Sing in the kitchen preparing dinner.
"Little Joe, I know this will be our first Christmas without your ma," said Ben gently. "It just won't be the same without her. But she would still want us to celebrate it."
"I know, Pa," he said as his voice choked.
Little Joe cried softly as he leaned against Ben. Ben hugged his youngest son to comfort him.
Meanwhile Shelby and Jack were discussing with Frenchy the Christmas decorations that adorned his place of business.
“All I’m sayin’ is that it don’t seem right to be puttin’ up Christmas decorations the day right after Thanksgiving. Give us a chance to catch our breath from that huge feast, for cryin’ out loud!” said Shelby.
“It is odd that you should mention it,” said Frenchy. “I was considering next year to get a jump on the competition by putting up these decorations in October.”
"That's fer sure not legal!" exclaimed Jack Roberts in surprise.
Frenchy merely grinned and turned to wait on a customer.
TO BE CONTINUED
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