ben's Guestbook

Inger listened to everything that Ben had to say. She knew that Hoss was scared, but as she listened to Ben, Inger realized that Ben was just as scared. Once Ben was done speaking and went silent, Inger realized that it was her turn to speak. She really didn't have anything comforting prepared, so she just let her heart do the speaking for her. "I will tell him, I promise," she said softly and warmly as she went on. "He knows how crazy things can get when you have a sick child," she added. "And even though his experiences were completely different, he knows what it's like to have a child on the edge of death. That's why he will do anything he can to help wherever he can," she told Ben letting out a sigh and knowing that eventually she'll have to tell Ben about Michael's experience, but she decided she would wait until things with Hoss calmed down a bit. She really could feel he sadness in Ben's voice and she wished she could go through the phone so she could be with Ben and Hoss even quicker, but she knew she couldn't, so she just sent her thoughts and love through the phone.

"Ben, honey, I know you're scared," she told him in her warm and gentle voice. "I can hear it in your voice, and I can feel it through the vibes you are sending through the phone," she told him. "And yes I realize just how bad this can get in no time," she told him. "But we must have faith and not let those negative thoughts take over our minds," she told him. "I know it's hard, especially since we don't know what the future holds for our son, though I am really hoping it's a wedding and grandchildren," she told Ben as she got a little off the subject. But then getting right back on it just as quickly as she got off. "But we really have to try for Hoss's sake," she told him still with the warm and gentle tone as she continued speaking, this time about Hoss's fever and how tired he really was. And even though she was listening to all of this that their son was going through, she could feel her own heart breaking for her son, but she also knew she had to stay strong for him but Ben and the rest of the family.

Then Inger went on speaking, this time about how tired Hoss was and how the fever was taking a lot out of him. She couldn't help but smile as a memory popped into her head as she was speaking. "He's always been like that. Remember when he was teething and it caused him to have a fever?" she asked Ben with a chuckle. "He was so tired because of the fever and yet with him teething, he wouldn't sleep, keeping everyone up. We tried everything we could think of to get him to go to sleep," she said as chuckled at the memory, hearing Ben chuckle too, which made her feel a little better hearing Ben chuckle like he was. Then she moved onto the subject of Laura and how she was and has always been the thing that kept Hoss going. And once again, memories came back, especially the day Hoss met Laura. Inger couldn't help but smile as she went silent for a few minutes to let herself get lost her thoughts for a little bit. Finally, Inger shook them off and went on speaking about Laura and how she always knew exactly what Hoss needed.

"Between you and me, and I know this is going to sound crazy," she told Ben. "But I honestly think those two are not just connected at the soul but at the heart too," she added. "I also believe that her heart stays in rhythm with his so that he can draw strength from hers," she told Ben. "Like I know that sounds really crazy but that's what I see when I look at them together," she told Ben honestly. "I remember the day that our son met Laura. I had taken Adam, Andrew, Will and Hoss up to Lake Tahoe to play in the water, since it was such a hot day, and out of nowhere there was Laura chasing butterflies," she told Ben as she came back from inside her head and went on speaking. "Anyway, a love like Hoss and Laura's only comes around once in a lifetime," she told him as she went onto talk about Lynda. "She knows what she's doing, and I trust her with our son's life," she said. "And I know as long as she's not giving up, then we shouldn't either. And this will give Hoss even more reason to keep fighting," she added.

Inger couldn't help but chuckle when Ben brought up her and Michael flying in gave Hoss more strength. "Sometimes when a boy is sick, he just wants his mama," Inger told him. "Hoss was like that growing up and he's not going to change now," she added still chuckling. "Because you and I both know, that regardless of Hoss's size and all his strength," she told Ben. "Hoss Cartwright is one of the biggest mama's boys in all Nevada. And I much love it that way," she said with a smile on her face, even though Ben couldn't see it. Then Inger got serious now as she finished up her thoughts. "You know when it comes our son, or even anyone else in the family, I'll always be there," she told him as she went on. "That what family does for one another," she told Ben. " That's why the Cartwrights, and now with the Schaffer family, has one of the strongest family ties in Nevada," she said. "It will, like I said before, sometimes a boy just needs his mommy when he's sick," she said and then moved on. "But Ben, promise me you will try to rest when you can. We don't need you in there too," she added.

Lynda let out a sigh as she reached up and turned Ben's head until they were looking deep into each other's eyes. She didn't say much at first, just caressed his face softly as Ben let out everything that was on his mind and heart. The looks Lynda gave Ben was one of angels, in which her face said it's okay to cry, I'll be here to wipe away the tears and ease your fears. Finally, after several minutes of silence, in which they just let their hearts speak, Lynda began to speak with her words as well as her heart. "I know, and that's why I am here," she told him softly. "We can do this together and yes, right now, you can't help the way you want to, you are still doing something other than just standing around," she told him. "You are giving your support to your sons and letting them know that they aren't fighting alone," she told him honestly. "That's more than a lot of my patients get," she added and then went on, though her expression softened and warmed at the same time. 

Lynda's face softened even more, and the warmth of her love came shining through her eyes. "I love you Benjamin Cartwright and I love your family, no matter what issues we all might have with each other. My love for you and your children is unconditional and will always be there whenever any of you need it," she told him. "Right now, yes, we hit a bit of a rough spot, but it's nothing we won't be able to get through in time. We just must be patient and hold onto each other while the storm passes," she added as she softly touched Ben's face for a few minutes before letting go and letting him drive them to the hospital. "And I know you are going to be right there outside the chamber watching over me," she told him. "I wouldn't expect nothing less. But while you are waiting, it wouldn't hurt you to bring your medical books and do a little studying so that you can pass your last test and get you into your residency at the hospital," she reminded him.

Lynda looked at the pager and frowned. She knew then it was going to be a busy day. And even though Ben wasn't cleared to work as a doctor yet, she knew he would be needed in some way, and she was thankful that he was going with her. Lynda then put her pager away and then turned to Ben. Her facial expression and tone of her voice softened, especially since she could see the fear in Ben's eyes. She knew he was going through a lot right now with two of his children being in the hospital.

Lynda's eyes began to sparkle as she began to speak to him. "Benny," she told him. "Listen to me," she went on. "Both Adam and Hoss are going to be alright," she told him as she reached over and took him by the hand after he climbed in. It was full of love and understanding as she began softly talking to him. "Benny, it's okay to fall apart in front me, otherwise things like this happen," she told him. Then she let out a sigh realizing she had been doing the same thing. "I'll tell you what, I'll lean on you when I feel like I can't make and you lean on me when you feel like you can't make it," she told him.

"As for what happened between you and I, we can talk about that even after I go into the isolation chamber," she told him as a warm smile came over her face. "I know how much family means to you and just because you and I aren't getting along right now," she told him. "I wouldn't keep you from the boys or the family," she told him as she still gave him another warm smile. "Right now, all I need is for you to remain calm and pray, and to shut the door," she said with a smirk as she let go of his hand and placed them on the steering wheel.

Elizbeth's facial expression softened as she held him for a little while. She could tell that she was really missed around her, and it was very clear through everything that Ben had sad. Finally, after breaking their embrace, Elizabeth went over and sat down next to him. She could tell he too was tired, but for completely different reasons. Once Ben and Elizabeth was on tthe couch, close to each other, Elizabeth began to speak to him. 

"The tour went great. The boys had a lot of fun and now are looking forward to resting for the next year and half and just being boys," she said with a smile. "By the way, Kevin, Joe, Nick and Frankie are all excited about working the ranch, though I told them you and I would discuss it first," she said. "But that can wait until a little later when things calms down a bit," she added. 

"As for me," she said. "I'm okay, yea I'm tired froma ll the traveling we did," she toldl him. "And we did have a couple of small incidents that got a bit out of control and Tony did get shot, but only in the shoulder. So, he's out of work for a few weeks," she told him. "So I am a bit tired, but I'm okay right now though," she told Ben. 

"Other than those incidents, it was quiet pleasent," she told him as she reached out for Ben's hand. She could see that there was more trouble than Ben was actually telling her but she would worry about that later. Right now, she was worried about Ben and how he was holding up with everything. 

And as Elizabeth held Ben's hand, she continued talking. This time the subject was about him. "First of all, let me start by saying Hoss is going to be alright. He's a strong man and he knows he got so much to live for," she told him. "Besides, word going around is that Hoss has himself a girl now," she said with a happy grin on her face before she got serious again. "But what I wanna know is how are you holding up?" She asked him. "And be very honest with me becaues I know when you are lying," she told him. 

"Ben, honey, if Lynda was any kind of woman, she would understand. I mean, she expect you to understand  when it comes her boys, so why can't she show you the same consideration?" she asked him. Then Marie's tone and voice went soft as she continued to speak to him. 

"Baby, don't worry, Gibbs and I will be home soon and I will help you deal with everything and everyone," she told him. "But in the mean time, you just concentrate on Jennie and Joe," she said smiling and sounding happy as she continued to reply to everything Ben said. "And I know the cars will help," she said.  "It will show them that you still love them and yet show Lynda that our children can be responsible when they are asked to be," she added. 

"Baby, you are a great father to our children," she told him as she knew her plan was working. "And I know that all you want is for your children to be safe and happy and loved," she told him. "And by doing this for them, they will know that they can always count on you for anything and eveyrthing," she added. "Gibbs and I will be home very soon, okay, my love?" she asked him.