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Re: A Broken Heart and An Angel's Love

Hoss kept his hand against Laura's stomach, and the moment she laid her hand over his, some of the fear in his eyes eased. He took a slow breath through the oxygen tubing and let it out carefully.

"Yeah," he whispered. "That's better."

His thumb moved slightly beneath her hand as if he was trying to feel something through her skin.

Then he listened to everything she said. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth when she reminded him about the cold she had years ago.

"I remember that," he said softly, a small chuckle escaping him. "You looked awful."

The grin on his face widened just a little.

"But you were still pretty."

For a moment, he simply looked at her.

Then his expression grew thoughtful again.

When she asked him why he thought there was more than one baby, Hoss was quiet for several seconds.

"I don't know," he admitted honestly.

His brow furrowed.

"I know it sounds crazy."

He shifted slightly against the pillows.

"But when I was... wherever I was..." he began slowly. "I couldn't see much. Mostly darkness. But every time I heard your voice, it felt like I was being pulled back."

His eyes drifted down toward her stomach.

"And when I heard the singing..."

He swallowed.

"It didn't feel like one baby."

Laura could see that he was struggling to explain something he barely understood himself.

"It felt like..." he paused. "Like more than one little heartbeat."

He immediately shook his head.

"Now I know that sounds foolish."

His cheeks turned pink.

"I ain't a doctor. Shoot, I can barely figure out what Adam writes in his letters half the time."

A weak laugh escaped him before he coughed lightly.

"But that's what it felt like."

He squeezed her hand.

"Maybe Joey's right."

Another pause.

"Or maybe we're both wrong."

His eyes softened as he looked at her.

"But I know one thing."

Slowly, carefully, he moved their joined hands a little higher on her stomach.

"Whether there's one baby in there..."

His voice caught.

"Or two."

A tear slipped from the corner of his eye.

"Or ten."

That earned him a weak grin.

"They're already the luckiest little babies in the whole world."

His gaze never left hers.

"Because they got you for a mama."

For a moment he simply held her hand against her stomach and smiled.

Then, in true Hoss fashion, his brow furrowed with sudden concern.

"But if there are ten, we're gonna need a bigger house." He paused. "And probably another ranch."

A weak chuckle escaped him.

"And Pa might just faint dead away."

Re: A Beautiful Dream Wedding Turns into a Living Nightmare

Hoss's heart stopped.

"ERIC!" Inger cried.

But Hoss was already moving.

"LAURA!" he bellowed, his voice shaking the whole hall as he dropped to his knees beside the children. "Somebody get Lynda! Now!"

His hands went first to Elijah, gentle but fast, turning him carefully on his side as the little boy's body seized.

"Don't you touch him!" Hoss roared when Ryan staggered forward, white-faced. "Don't you come near my kids!"

Adam grabbed Ryan hard and shoved him back. Joe helped pull Clay away.

Hoss kept one big hand near Elijah's head, shielding him from the floor without restraining him. "Easy, son. Easy. Papa's right here."

Elle was sobbing, holding her head. Ella screamed for Laura. Erica cried so hard she could hardly breathe.

Inger knelt beside them, trembling. "Eric—"

"Check the girls," Hoss said, voice breaking but controlled. "Don't move 'em too much. Just keep 'em still."

Then his eyes lifted, blazing wet and furious.

"This is my wedding day," Hoss said, low and dangerous, "and my children are bleeding and crying because two grown men couldn't keep their fists to themselves."

He looked at Ryan first. Then Clay.

"If my boy don't open his eyes," Hoss said, his voice cracking, "God help both of you, because I won't be able to."

Re: Christmas Magic Brings Love, Hope and Miracles (2025)

Hoss jerked awake the second he heard Laura yell.

"Laura?"

He was already pushing himself up before his eyes were fully open, one hand going to his side as his body protested. But the worry in his chest was louder than the pain.

"Laura, honey, what happened?"

Then he saw her limping.

His face went pale.

"Oh, no. No, no, no..." Hoss carefully swung his legs over the side of the bed. "You sit down right now, you hear me? Don't you take another step on that ankle."

He moved toward her as fast as he safely could, his eyes darting from her face to her belly to her foot.

"Darlin'..." His voice cracked with worry. "Please tell me you didn't go outside by yourself."

Re: A Family Valentine's Day Celebration End in Tragedy (2026)

Hoss followed Laura down the stairs with Elle snug against his chest, one big hand resting protectively on her back. Even over the racket Erica and Elijah were making, he caught enough of what Laura was saying to grin.
"Now hold on there, sweetheart," he rumbled as he carefully settled Elle into her highchair. "First I'm gettin' threatened with a year in the barn, then I'm gettin' assigned occupational therapy duty."
He shook his head dramatically.
"A man sure does pay a high price for bein' a hero."
At that moment, Elle reached for his shirt again, and Hoss immediately softened. He bent down and kissed the top of her head.
"And you don't help my case none, little lady."
Once everyone was settled and Laura finished explaining the therapy schedule, Hoss pulled out his chair and sat down with a sigh.
"Actually, I think that's a pretty good idea," he admitted. "Me goin' with Elle and you takin' Ella makes sense. Besides, if it helps our girl, then that's where I oughta be."
His eyes drifted to Elle.
"And maybe it'll help me understand her a little better too."
There wasn't a trace of hesitation in his voice.
"She sees the world different than the rest of us. That's all. Doesn't mean she ain't perfect."
He reached over and squeezed Laura's hand.
"We'll learn together."
Then Hoss looked toward Erica and Elijah, who were still occasionally tapping their spoons against their trays.
"And Lord help whichever therapist gets stuck with those two when they're older."
The image alone made him chuckle.
When Laura mentioned slipping into town while the children napped, Hoss nodded.
"That sounds mighty nice, actually. You deserve a little time to yourself."
Then his grin widened.
"And don't you worry about me and Elle."
He looked over at his daughter.
"Ain't that right, sweetheart? Me and you are gonna go inspect every horse on the Ponderosa."
Elle immediately looked toward him at the sound of his voice.
Hoss's smile grew even bigger.
"See? She already likes the idea."
Then he looked back at Laura.
"And while you're swimmin' with the other three, me and Elle can sit in the barn, brush Chub, maybe feed some carrots, and just enjoy ourselves."
His expression became softer.
"I don't mind her wantin' to be with me so much, Laura."
He glanced at Elle again.
"Truth is, I'm kinda honored by it."
Then he reached across the table, gently taking Laura's hand.
"But I know what you're worried about. We ain't gonna let her get so dependent that she can't be happy with anybody else. We'll work on it one step at a time."
He leaned over and kissed Laura's knuckles.
"No rush. No pressure. Just one little victory at a time."
Right then, Elijah banged his spoon loudly against his tray.
BANG!
Erica immediately copied him.
BANG! BANG!
Hoss groaned and dropped his forehead into his free hand.
"There they go again."
Another bang.
Another.
And then baby gibberish that sounded suspiciously like singing.
Hoss looked up toward the ceiling.
"Laura, I think we've got ourselves a baby rock band."
He pointed at Elijah.
"That one's the drummer."
Then at Erica.
"And that one's the drummer who thinks she's better than the first drummer."
After a moment of listening to the chaos, Hoss added with complete seriousness:
"I reckon we oughta start savin' now."
Laura raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
Hoss smiled.
"Earplugs."

Re: St. Paddy's Day Brings More than Green Clovers (2026)

Hoss blinked slowly, his head still heavy from sleep and whatever sickness was lingering in his system. For a moment, all he focused on was the warm little body curled against him. One large hand automatically came up and rested on Elle's back as she cried into his chest.
"Hey there, baby girl," he mumbled hoarsely, gently rubbing her back.
Then his gaze lifted to Inger.
The second he saw her face, something inside him tightened.
His mother was trying to smile.
Trying.
But Hoss knew her too well.
He pushed himself up a little straighter against the headboard, wincing as his muscles protested.
"Momma..." he said quietly.
His voice immediately grew more serious.
"What's wrong?"
Inger opened her mouth to answer, but Hoss was already studying her. The redness around her eyes. The tears she was trying to hide. The tremble in her voice.
His stomach dropped.
The fever haze vanished instantly.
"Momma," he repeated, firmer this time.
Elle clung harder to his shirt.
Hoss wrapped an arm around her protectively.
"Where's Laura?"
The room suddenly felt far too quiet.
Far too still.
His heart began beating faster.
"She should've been back by now."
Inger swallowed.
Hoss saw it.
Saw the fear.
And suddenly every terrible possibility imaginable started rushing through his head.
His breathing became uneven.
"Momma..."
His voice cracked.
"Where's my wife?"
He swung his legs over the side of the bed despite still feeling weak.
Immediately the room tilted.
His hand shot out and grabbed the bedpost to steady himself.
"Hoss, honey—"
"No."
His voice was rough.
Sharp.
Desperate.
"Don't you do that."
His eyes were locked on hers now.
Tears were already beginning to form.
"Don't tell me everything's fine."
Elle began crying harder, sensing the tension.
Hoss pulled her into his lap and held her close.
His chest hurt.
His heart hurt.
And he knew.
Maybe not exactly what had happened.
But something had happened.
Something bad.
Something bad enough that Michael was on his way.
Something bad enough that his mother was crying.
Something bad enough that everyone was suddenly acting strange.
His voice dropped to barely above a whisper.
"Momma..."
A tear slipped down his cheek.
"Please tell me Laura ain't hurt."
For several long seconds he simply sat there holding his daughter.
Waiting.
Praying.
Begging God that whatever answer was coming next wasn't the one he feared most.

Re: Four Baskets, Four Babies and One Big Ponderosa Easter Egg Hunt (2026)

Hoss's eyes softened.

"Well, darlin'," he murmured, squeezing her hand, "I reckon if them cribs are gettin' too small, then my babies are growin' too fast."

He looked toward the sleeping little ones, his smile turning tender.

"I'll start on them rooms tomorrow. Make 'em sturdy, pretty, safe... and big enough for all the trouble they're gonna get into."

Then he looked back at Laura.

"And Laura? Thank you. For remindin' me I ain't failin' Elle." His voice got quieter. "Sometimes I need hearin' that from you."

He leaned in and kissed her gently.

"And as for Joe..." Hoss grinned. "If Elle don't get him first, you will."

Re: Four Little Cartwrights in Cowboy Boots with Roses for Mama for Mother's Day (2026)

Hoss chuckled around a mouthful of food and shook his head as he swallowed.

"Now, Laura, if power goes to my head, I reckon Adam and Little Joe'll knock it right back out again," he said with a grin. "Matter of fact, I think that's what they've been complainin' about all mornin'. Their big brother finally got permission to tell 'em what to do and I might've enjoyed it a little too much."

His blue eyes sparkled with amusement before softening.

"But you're right. Won't be long before I'm back out there pullin' my own weight again. And when that happens, those two are gonna make me pay for every order I've given today."

Hoss laughed and took another bite before following Laura's gaze toward the children.

The sight nearly made him choke from laughing.

"Good Lord."

Erica had food smeared across one cheek. Ella looked like she'd somehow managed to wear half her lunch. Elijah had apparently discovered food hidden in his hair was still edible.

Hoss shook his head.

"I don't think we got children, Laura. I think we got a litter of wild animals."

Then he pointed toward Elijah.

"And that one there definitely ain't entirely human."

He watched his son pull another bit of food from his hair and eat it.

"Nope. That's proof right there. Boy's got monkey blood in him somewhere."

His grin widened as he leaned back in his chair.

"And yes, I reckon baths are definitely in order before town. Folks'll think we've been raisin' 'em in a barn."

When she asked about Mother's Day, Hoss grew thoughtful.

"Well..."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"For Ma, I was thinkin' maybe some flowers and one of them fancy picture frames with a family photograph. She loves things like that."

He smiled warmly.

"And for Lynda... maybe somethin' from all the grandchildren. Drawings, handprints, little gifts. She works so hard takin' care of everybody. Seems only right the little ones make somethin' special for her."

Then Laura asked about the mysterious mother he'd been thinking about.

Hoss immediately knew where she was going.

His grin turned mischievous.

"Oh, she's pretty all right."

He deliberately took another bite of food.

"Most beautiful woman I ever laid eyes on."

His eyes met hers across the table.

"Got the prettiest smile too."

He paused dramatically.

"And somehow she keeps puttin' up with a big ranch hand who eats too much and tracks mud through the house."

A warm chuckle escaped him.

"And every time I look at her, I still wonder how I got lucky enough that she chose me."

His gaze lingered on her affectionately before he glanced back toward the children.

"Especially when she gave me four beautiful little ones."

Then his attention shifted to Elle, who was still carefully examining every bite before eating it.

Hoss laughed softly.

"Look at Elle."

He pointed gently.

"That girl's inspectin' every bite like she's a food critic."

His voice dropped into a mock-serious tone.

"'Hmm. Acceptable texture. Decent presentation. Needs more applesauce.'"

He laughed at his own joke before finally answering her last question.

"Actually, I think I'm done for the day."

His expression softened with relief.

"Doc said not to overdo it, and I promised I'd listen. Besides, I think I'd rather spend the rest of the afternoon with my wife and children."

He reached over and squeezed her hand.

"Maybe help get these little monkeys cleaned up, take a trip into town, and enjoy the day."

Looking at the four children making a spectacular mess of lunch, he added with a laugh,

"Though gettin' all four of them bathed might end up bein' more work than anything I did on the ranch today."

Re: Four Children, Once Storm, a Desert Island Yet Still a Family

(sorry ai is to conservative)Hoss's breath caught as he looked up at Laura. For a long moment he simply stared at her, as though he was trying to memorize every detail of her face.

The lamplight danced softly across her features, and all he could think about was how many times he'd feared losing this—losing her, losing their future, losing the life they'd built together.

Slowly, he reached up and cupped her cheek.

"Laura," he whispered.

His voice cracked slightly.

The tears that had been threatening his eyes finally appeared, not from sadness, but from being overwhelmed by how much he loved her.

"You know somethin'?" he asked quietly.

His thumb brushed across her cheek.

"When I was layin' in that hospital bed, scared outta my mind, there were nights I couldn't sleep."

He swallowed hard.

"Not because of the pain."

His eyes locked with hers.

"It was because I kept thinkin' about you."

Laura's expression softened immediately.

Hoss gave a small smile.

"I'd think about your laugh. The way you smile when you're happy. The way you look holdin' our babies."

His hand moved gently through her hair.

"And I'd pray."

Laura blinked back tears.

"I'd pray that God would just give me more time with you."

The room fell completely silent.

Hoss leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers.

"Because one lifetime don't feel like enough."

Laura closed her eyes.

His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close against him as though he never wanted to let go.

For several moments neither of them spoke.

They simply held each other.

The kind of embrace that came from years of love.

Years of hardship.

Years of choosing each other over and over again.

Finally Hoss pressed a slow kiss against her forehead.

Then her cheek.

Then another against the corner of her mouth.

Each one tender.

Careful.

Full of affection.

When he finally looked into her eyes again, his own were shining.

"You still make my heart race, sweetheart."

A small laugh escaped Laura.

Hoss smiled.

"Didn't think that was possible after everything."

His hand settled over hers.

"But every mornin' I wake up beside you, I still feel like the luckiest man on earth."

Laura could feel her heart melting.

Hoss leaned closer once more.

"You gave me a family."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"You gave me four beautiful children."

A tear slipped down his cheek.

"And somehow..."

He smiled through it.

"...you still look at me like I'm the only man in the world."

His forehead touched hers again.

For a long time they remained there together, wrapped in each other's arms, letting the rest of the world disappear.

The cruise.

The ranch.

The responsibilities.

Everything could wait.

Because in that moment, all that mattered was the quiet certainty that after everything they had survived, they were still exactly where they belonged:

Together.

Re: A Broken Heart and An Angel's Love

Hoss blinked slowly, his eyes wet and tired as he looked up at her.

"Lulu..." he rasped, his big hand tightening around hers again. "Ain't nosy. Ain't overprotective." His mouth trembled into the faintest smile. "You're my wife."

He swallowed hard, fighting through the heaviness in his chest, but his eyes never left her face.

"And you're beautiful," he whispered, like he knew she needed to hear it. "Even cryin'. Even scared. Still the prettiest thing I ever seen."

His breathing hitched a little, and for a moment he closed his eyes, gathering strength. When he opened them again, there was fear there — real fear — but also wonder.

"I heard you," he said hoarsely. "Heard you singin' to me. Felt like I was far away... too far. Couldn't see nothin' but dark for a spell." His fingers moved weakly against hers. "Then I heard your voice. And I thought... no. No, I ain't leavin' her. I ain't leavin' my babies."

His other hand shifted faintly toward her belly.

"Bring 'em closer?" he asked softly. "Please, sweetheart. I need to feel 'em. Need to know I'm really home."

Re: A Beautiful Dream Wedding Turns into a Living Nightmare

Hoss stood there for a long moment after the door closed behind Ethan, Bobby, and Taylor, just lookin' down at the pictures Taylor had handed him. His big fingers carefully held the photo of the little twins, his eyes softening more and more the longer he looked at them. Then he glanced up at Inger as she fixed his tie, and for once, the big man looked almost overwhelmed by happiness.
"Mama..." he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't rightly know what I did to deserve all this."
He swallowed hard and looked toward the door where his newfound siblings had disappeared through only moments before.
"All my life, I thought I already had the best family a man could ask for," he admitted softly. "Pa... Adam... Joe... Little Jennie... all of 'em." His eyes glistened. "And now suddenly I got even more brothers and a sister... nieces and nephews..." He let out a shaky little chuckle. "And somehow my heart just keeps makin' room."
When Inger told him she was going to cry, Hoss immediately wrapped both arms around her in one of his huge gentle hugs, careful not to crush her.
"Oh now Mama, if you start cryin', then you're gonna get me started too," he rumbled warmly, though his own eyes were already suspiciously wet.
He rested his forehead lightly against hers again.
"I ain't your little boy anymore," he said softly. "But I'll always be your baby."
That did it.
A couple tears slipped down his cheeks despite his best efforts, and he laughed under his breath at himself before carefully wiping at his eyes with the side of his thumb.
Then Andrew opened the door.
Hoss looked up, hearing the faint music beginning outside, hearing the low murmur of guests settling into place. His heart suddenly started poundin' so hard he swore everybody in Virginia City could probably hear it.
And then he thought about Laura.
About her smile.
About the way she looked at him like he hung the moon.
About the babies.
About every hard road that had somehow led him right here.
Hoss drew in a deep breath, straightened his shoulders, and looked at Inger with a nervous grin.
"Well..." he said with a soft chuckle. "Too late to run now."
He offered his arm to his mother properly this time, every bit the gentleman Ben Cartwright had raised him to be.
"C'mon, Mama," he said tenderly. "Let's go get me married."