"Benjamin come on! Little Joe and I have a surprise for you," Marie said happily as she pulled her much larger husband by the hand into the great room of the ranch house.

    "Marie my love, after the last surprise which ended up with me covered in mud I'm not sure I want another one," Ben said as he allowed himself to be led by the brown haired beauty.

    "Oh don't be silly. They were mudpies. You weren't supposed to pretend to eat them. It's your own fault," she said laughing as she stopped in the center of the room behind the settee. "Precious where are you?"

    Silence. No small voice, no tinkling laughter, no tiny booted feet on the stairs.

    Marie looked up at her husband, a tiny wrinkle of worry on her forehead. "He was here a minute ago."

    "Little Joe where are you?" Ben called.

    No answer.

    "Joseph!" Marie shouted, worry turning her voice louder.

    The sound of a small knock at the front door, placed knee level to an adult and a soft "Mama let me in." came drifting into the room. A loud sigh escaped both parents and they rushed to the door. Ben threw it open and looked down at the small boy before him.

    Little Joe was a very tiny child for two and a half. A halo of golden brown curls emphasized his angelic appearance that ran in direct contrast to his impish personality. The boy looked up into his father's face with a pair of emerald green eyes that would melt the coldest heart. "I couldn't reach the door handle Papa," he said, concerned what his father's reaction would be.

    Ben scooped the tiny boy up in his arms and looked him in the eyes. "Baby, you know you're not supposed to go outside by yourself. Don't you?" he said softly.

    The toddler placed a small hand on each side of his father's face. "But Papa it's a beautiful day outside. You should go see," Little Joe said with a mischievous grin as he gestured toward the yard.

    Ben had to smile. The big words his tiny son could say never failed to surprise his father. Probably Adam's doing he thought. His oldest son loved teaching the toddler new words and Joe loved sitting on his big brother's lap and listening to him read his schoolbooks. "Allright, you're forgiven. But don't do it again young man." Ben thought a moment. "Wait a minute. If you can't reach the door handle, how did you get outside in the first place?"

    The toddler put a tiny finger to his lips and said "Shhhh I can't tell you that Papa, it's a secret."

    Ben shook his head as he set the boy down. He looked at his wife and said. "I probably don't want to know-do I?"

    Marie rolled her eyes and grabbed her son by the hand. "Let's show Papa what you learned precious."

    Little Joe dragged his feet all the way to the sofa. "I don't want to Mama."

    Marie knelt down by her son and took both his hands in hers. "But we practiced so hard." she coaxed.

    Putting both hands in the pockets of his black pants Little Joe said. "I still don't want to."

    Marie looked up at her husband who was by now standing beside her. He had a huge grin on his face wondering about the odds of her getting their obstinate baby son to perform as instructed. Marie turned back to their child and played her trump card. "It would make mama very happy."

    The toddler paused and thought a moment before responding. "Okay, but just one time."

    "That's all I ask sweetie-that's all I ask." she said turning a victorious grin to her husband. "Put him up on the table so we can see him clearly-will you Ben?"

    Ben did as he was asked and put his son up on the heavy pine coffee table, then walked to the green and blue plaid sofa and sat down beside his wife. He smiled at the small child before him who stood proudly like he owned the world. Ben thought of the struggles his wife had trying to dress their son, who insisted on wearing black trousers and shirt just like his big brother. Marie fought every Sunday to dress Little Joe more like the adorable baby he was, than the big boy he proclaimed himself to be. Ben wasn't sure whose screams of anger were harder to hear, his wife's or their son's. He glanced at his son on the table and was amazed once more at the resemblance both in appearance and temperament the small child shared with his mother.

    Marie took her husbands arm and placed it around her shoulders and snuggled in close. "Okay precious. Go ahead," she said with a smile. "Do the motions too sweetheart."

Little Joe stomped his booted foot. "Okay, but remember. Just one time." He paused a moment, scrunching up his face. Looking down at his parents he reluctantly began to speak in a sing-song voice.

                    "The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout," he said, his slim fingers alternately touching the opposing finger as he simulated the spider's journey.

    Ben smiled as his son raised his hands and waggled his fingertips in the air.

                    "Down came the rain, and washed the spider out," Joe said and made a scissors motion at his waist

    Raising his hands over his head Joe continued.

                     "Out came the sun and dried up all the rain, and the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.

    The small boy closed his eyes and hesitated, nodding his head to force the words to come. A smile lit up his face as he started the second verse.

                        "The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the kitchen wall.

                          Swoosh went the fan and made that spider fall

                        Off went the fan, no longer did it blow.

                        So the itsy bitsy spider back up the wall did go."

    Joe's expression went blank as he contemplated the third verse. Marie started for him "The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the yellow pail…"

    Her son nodded and his confident smile returned as he started anew.

                        "The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the yellow pail.

                        In came a mouse, and flicked her with his tail.

                        Down fell the spider, the mouse ran out the door.

                        Then the itsy-bitsy spider climbed up the pail once more."

                       "The itsy-bitsy spider climbed up the maple tree.

                        She slipped on some dew and landed next to me.

                        Out came the sun and when the tree was dry.

                        The itsy bitsy spider gave it one more try."

                        " The itsy bitsy spider climbed up without a stop.

                        She spun a silky web right at the very top.

                        She wove and she spun, and when her web was done.

                        The itsy bitsy spider rested in the sun."

    Ben and Marie clapped till their hands hurt, and were gratified to see their precocious son take a small bow humoring his audience. Little Joe took a flying leap off the sofa and landed in his father's lap, earning a deep groan from Ben. "Papa, Hoss and me saw a big spider web over by the sandbox. It was bigger than me-really papa," he said as he spread his arms wide to show just how big the web was.

    Ben smiled indulgently at his young son who rarely paused for breath when he talked.

    'You wanna see it? Huh? Huh?" Joe was quickly off his father's lap and pulling at the man's fingers trying to force him to rise.

    Ben grabbed the struggling child and pulled him back on his lap. "Did you see the spider?"

    "No sir, but I'll bet he's as big as those raccoons Hoss and me saw the other day. Yes sir, I bet it is," Little Joe said brightly, his emerald green eyes twinkling.

    A clap of thunder split the relative quiet of the house, and turned Ben's attention from his son. "Sounds like rain'll be here soon," he said looking toward the window.

    The young boy, however had a one-track mind. "Can I go outside and look for the spider Papa? Huh? Huh?" Little Joe said enthusiastically, his green eyes dancing at the thought of adventure.

    "No, son," Ben said, shaking his head.

    "But why?" Joe whined.

    Ben rolled his eyes. He never thought he'd offer reasons to a toddler. "Because you'd get your clothes all wet-and that would make your Mama and I mad. You don't want to make us angry do you?"

    "I guess not," Little Joe said and scuffed his boots across the floor.

    Ben chanced a glance at Marie and saw her delicate hand covering her mouth, but unable to disguise the smile it hid. "I think your mother is afraid of spiders anyway, baby," he said softly.

    Little Joe quickly turned to his mother and looked at her quizzically. The thought that you should be afraid of spiders or anything for that matter hadn't occurred to him. What reason would he have to be afraid when he had a mama and papa and two brothers that loved him? The little boy climbed off his father's lap and walked over to his mother. He caressed the heavy blue silk dress she wore and looked up at her.

    "Mama, are you afraid of spiders? The confusion showing in his eyes. He loved his mama so much. She was always there for him, sang him songs and told him wonderful stories. She was his everything. Was she afraid?

    Marie looked down at the forlorn face of her beloved child and tucked a stray curl behind his ear. "Just a little bit, precious."

    Little Joe took a deep breath and puffed out his chest. Taking his mama's hand in his, he looked deeply into her eyes. "Don't worry mama, I'll p-p-protect you"

    Marie bit her lip trying to control the smile, her baby boy before her trying to reassure her. She glanced over at her husband, unsurprised to find his eyes dancing with pleasure.

    "I know you will honey," she said indulgently.

    The toddler patted her hand. "Don't you worry Mama, it'll be okay."

   Marie tousled his curls and smiled. "I know it will son."

    Ben's eyes misted at the thought of his two-year-old son protecting his beloved mother from her fears. He was a brave little fellow, always trying to convince the household that he was grown up.

    "Well son, I hate to interrupt but it's time for your nap," Ben said, already anticipating trouble.

    Marie looked at the clock on the wall and said. "Good heavens, two o'clock already. It is certainly time for your nap, Precious."

    Looking down at his son, Ben noticed the boy's eyes had narrowed and the tiny hands had clenched into fists. This was definitely not going to go well. He often wondered how Marie kept her patience all day. His baby son's energy level kept them all constantly on their toes and that usually wasn't enough to keep him in check.

    Marie stood and smoothed the creases out of her dress. "C'mon baby-lets go get you settled down for a nice nap," she said as she stretched her hand out to her son.

    Little Joe looked at her hand as if it was a spider and curled his lip. "No mama. I'm a big boy."

    "C'mon child, I said it's nap time. Let's go," she said, a trifle more forcefully.

    "Mama-no."

    Placing her hands on her hips she stared down at her son. "Joseph I said now."

    The little boy mirrored her movements and put his own hands on his hips. "And I said no," he said and stamped his tiny boot.

    She shook her finger at him. "I never asked you, I told you. Now upstairs with you and I mean now," she said sternly.

    "Mama I'm a big boy like Hoss and Adam. They don't take naps and I don't need a nap!" he said with a glare.

    Ben saw his tiny son digging in for a full-fledged temper tantrum, something he wanted to avoid at all costs. He had other ideas for the afternoon than a confrontation with a two-year-old. "Joseph," he said firmly.

    A small head turned and looked at his father.

    "Listen to your mother," Ben said with a frown.

    Little Joe saw a new target. He walked over to his father and crawled into his lap. "Papa, the corners of your mouth should go up not down," he said sweetly, pulling the frown into a smile that Ben couldn't prevent.

    This boy is a charmer Ben thought. Heaven help us when he starts to be interested in girls. Ben forced a stern look on his face. "The corners of my mouth will go up when you listen to your mother and take your nap like a good boy."

    Little Joe's smile turned into a frown. He slowly climbed down from his father's lap, disgruntled to find he was outnumbered. He kept his back to his parents and dropped his head into his hands to let them know he wasn't pleased with the situation. A few deep sighs added to the melodrama. When he realized he wasn't getting anywhere he turned and looked at his papa and mama, surprised to see smiles on their faces. A flicker of hope entered his heart and an impish grin started to curl his lips, but it was cut short by his father.

    "Nap time Joseph," Ben said sternly.

    The boy shot one last pleading look to his mother.

    "You heard your father baby. Time for you to go to bed," she said sweetly, glad that Ben was here today to help with their precocious son.

    Little Joe scowled. "Allright, I'll go to bed! But I won't like it!" he said as he stamped his foot angrily.

    Hop Sing came out of the kitchen and walked over to the small boy. "Nap time. You go now. I come with you, put nightshirt on. Go now."

    The toddler stared up at the Chinese cook defiantly, daring him to move. "Okay little boy-you ask for it," Hop Sing said and picked up the tiny boy and threw him over his shoulder, carrying the struggling and complaining youngster up to the nursery.

    The sight of their complaining child caused Ben to groan. "Remember when he was a year old and we were so happy he learned to talk?"

    Marie nodded as she walked over and sat in her husband's lap. "Now he's a regular chatterbox-just doesn't settle down."

    Ben curled his arms around his beautiful wife. "He's quite a boy."

    "That he is. Can you imagine what he'll be like in ten years if he's like this at two and a half?"

    Ben brushed the golden brown curls off her face. "As long as you're with me I think I can handle it."

    "Well you better Mr. Cartwright. I don't intend for you to raise my son alone. He's going to be hard to handle and with you and your advanced age I don't think you're up to it," she said smiling and running her hands through his rapidly graying hair.

    Hop Sing came down the stairs shaking his head. "Little boy asleep. Not like it--but is. I go to Missy Valerie's and help with cleaning. Be back later."

    After their housekeeper had left, Ben motioned toward the stairs. "Do you know how long it has been since we've been alone in the house in the middle of the day?"

    Marie smiled. "Too long."

    Two hours later, Ben and Marie stood at the window and watched the raindrops slide down the pane of glass in their bedroom.

    Ben pulled her close to him and said. "I've yet to thank you for my surprise this afternoon."

    "Which one?"

    Ben raised an eyebrow. "The one with our son-he was so adorable."

    "Yes, he is adorable, and stubborn and outspoken and mischievous-oh let's go look in on him, shall we?" she said turning to look her husband in the eye.

    They walked down the hallway arm-in-arm and pushed open the door to the nursery expecting to see a sleeping tot with the covers thrown off. They were horrified to find an empty bed.

    "Little Joe-where are you?" Marie said, fear creeping into her voice.

    Ben glanced over at the rain that was coming down in sheets. "That damn spider and the downspout. That's where he is," he said and ran for the door, his wife at his heels.

    Ben ran down the steps and flung open the front door and headed for the sandbox on the north side of the house. His breath was coming in short bursts when he turned the corner, afraid of what he might find.

    Little Joe squatted by the end of the downspout anxiously watching the rain as it gushed out. He knew if he stayed here long enough that the raccoon-sized spider would have to come out. When his Papa came around the corner, the toddler wasn't even mildly upset.

    "No spider yet Papa. Wanta wait wif me?"

    Ben was stunned to see his sopping wet son-clad only in his birthday suit waiting for a spider. "Joseph Francis Cartwright! What in blue blazes are you doing out here?"

    The toddler stood and brushed his wet curls out of his eyes. "Waiting for the spider. I told you Papa."

    Ben grabbed the boy and carried the protesting child all the way to the house, his anxious mother waiting inside with towels to dry the shivering boy.

    After standing him in front of the fireplace and rubbing his son vigorously with a fluffy white towel, Ben felt in control of himself enough to speak. He knelt down before the boy and said, "Precious why did you disobey me and go outside looking for the spider?"

    "I didn't disobey you Papa," Little Joe said innocently.

    "You most certainly did Joseph," Ben said sternly.

    "Papa-I did not. You told me to not get my clothes wet and I didn't," he said, shaking his head emphatically.

    Ben looked uncertainly at Marie.

    "That is what you said darling," she responded.

    "B-B-But I meant," Ben said, confusion creeping into his voice.

    Marie stroked her son's curls. "I know what you meant, but did he?"

    Ben looked at the tiny tot who returned his gaze with guileless eyes. Somehow Ben though the child did understand, but had gotten around the true intent of his words-No that was nonsense-he is just a little boy. It probably won't ever happen again.

                                                                        The End