A Sudden Calm Little House fanfiction

 Laura comes to the barn looking for her Remembrance Book that Almanzo borrowed.  This one takes place two days after Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow. Story complete in one chapter.

 

A Sudden Calm

Laura’s Remembrance Book lay open on Almanzo’s wheelchair right where he left it.  He had found alone on the table in the common room and started to read. When he became too absorbed, he tried to sneak it out to the barn with him, until he heard a female voice call softly behind him. 

“That’s Laura’s Remembrance Book, isn’t it?”

 He looked up and found Caroline staring after him, a frown on her face. 

In the end though, she let him take it.  She said she’d send  Laura over later to pick it up.

Almanzo became so absorbed that he had almost forgotten his exercises.  And so, he left it lying on his chair to be finished later.

With the two of them still holed up in the barn, Charles had made each of them a separate pallet to sleep on, but Almanzo told him that he was used to sleeping in a chair.  Manly explained that he usually crept downstairs and slept in his favorite chair, the wicker set on the porch of the Wilder farm.  He sat out there to think and often fell asleep, especially in the warmer weather.  So Charles nodded and left him alone.  But this time, it was a good thing.  He was absorbed in Laura’s stories and the scraps she saved that he almost forgot to practice his walking.

Almanzo stepped onto the boards that Charles built for him. He could do it now without holding onto the rails.  He was excited about getting well; he was encouraged by Beth’s reaction two days ago. He found that walking was getting easier and easier and that he was able to take larger steps.  His goal this time was to run to her, wrap her in his arms and kiss her.  He wanted to do all the things that he had done before the stroke and was determined to do so.      

“Manly?”

Almanzo heard her voice in his head so many times, he wasn’t sure if it was real or not.  He turned to see if Charles had awakened, but he hadn’t, so he was sure he was dreaming again.  He smiled and continued on the boards, not even turning around to look.

“Manly?” 

He looked over at Charles again.  No movement. 

“Manly!”

This time the voice was accompanied by a slight touch on his shoulder.   It was unexpected and it made Almanzo jump.  His eyes wide, he turned to face whoever was behind him.

“Is that how you greet all your loved ones?”

“Beth,” he whispered, staring into her eyes.  “Oh, Beth, I didn’t expect you to be there.  I’ve heard your voice in my head so many times and when I think that you’re there…”

“I’m not?” Laura finished his sentence.  She brought her hand up to his lips.  “You always know what I’m thinking, don’t you?”

He smiled at her.  “That’s my line,” he whispered, cupping her face in his hands.  Almanzo kissed her long and hard. When they parted, she lay against his chest and Almanzo, with his eyes closed and his arms still wrapped around her, lightly rested his head on her shoulder for balance.  They stood there like that for what seemed like forever.

He had questions and things to tell her, tons of them in fact, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.  Almanzo missed being away from her.  Eliza Jane had been the dominant force in his life for so long that when she showed up, she became the older and wiser sister.  He listened to Eliza Jane; thinking that whatever she said and did was best for him and his family.  He hadn’t realized what all of this was doing to Laura in the process.   

And then there was the geranium he tended to.  He had no luck with it; it just kept trying to die.  It was only after the tornado hit the house that the plant, left to its own devices, grew wild and free. 

And if that geranium could do it, well, so could he. He was going to build Laura a house and was going to walk through that front door when it was finished.  Almanzo made up his mind right then and there.  The hard part was having to explain his decision to his sister.

And so, Almanzo and Eliza went down to the lake.  Following Doc Baker’s orders, he made the meeting private so Laura wouldn’t find out about the house.  He told Eliza that he made a decision and thought that it was better for all concerned if she’d just forget this whole plan of hers. No one would buy the property without the house and they had no money to move, anyway.  The best thing she could do right now was to go back home and let him and Beth work things out.  

When a letter arrived from Minneapolis with a prospect of a job for Almanzo, Eliza visited Caroline at Nellie’s place to walk home with her.  When Caroline explained that Almanzo and Charles were rebuilding, Eliza ran off to see for herself.  It suddenly became clear that her brother wasn’t going anywhere with her and that he intended to stay right in Walnut Grove with his wife and baby daughter. 

“Manly,” Laura whispered, as they stood together on the boards, their eyes closed.  “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, sweetheart,” he whispered back, pulling apart.  He looked into her eyes and smiled.  “I just don’t believe how lucky I am and what a beautiful family I married into.  I don’t ever want anyone else, Beth.  I couldn’t make it without you, any of you.”

He kissed her again, and then pulled apart.  “Did you come here to take your Remembrance Book back?”

“Among other things,” she whispered, touching his cheek.  “I miss you.”

“Oh, Laura,” Almanzo said, hugging her, “I’m right here.  I’ll always be right here.”

 He brightened up, his eyes locked on hers.

 “I’m doing a lot better, Beth.  Between the house and the exercises, your father and I are making good progress. And I want to show you how well I’m doin’.”

“Are you sure you’re up to it?”

“I’m sure,” he answered.

XXXXXXXXXXX

“Look at them,” Charles said, watching Almanzo and Laura.  “Like two teenagers who just discovered they’re in love.”

Caroline smiled.  “He’s turned it all around, Charles.  He’s made a remarkable recovery.” She handed him the dish towel to dry the breakfast dishes.    

“Almanzo made those scrambled eggs, didn’t he?”

“Oh, Charles, stop.  He’s anxious to do something for us.  He approached me and I told him I’d show him how.  I promised him that I wouldn’t say anything until he was ready.  He wanted to tell everyone himself.”

“Caroline, he’s been in the kitchen with you almost every day for the last few weeks.”  He picked up a plate, dried it with the towel, placed in on the counter and picked up another.  “Laura used to help, didn’t she?”

“Yes, it’s true.” Caroline said watching them. “This is the first time I’ve seen her respond to anything.  She may be writing again, but there’s been very little change.  Almanzo’s worried about her and so am I.”

“Well, Eliza Jane’s leaving today,” Charles said, “maybe that will help.”  He put the towel down and placed his hands on her shoulders.  “Laura has all the help she’ll need between the three of us.”

Caroline looked at him.  “I’m sure you’re right, Charles,” she said as he pulled her close.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“She’s gone,” Almanzo said, as the three of them sat around the table in the common room of the house.   Laura and the kids had gone to sleep. 

“She didn’t go willingly,” Charles said, looking at Caroline.  “I’m sorry you and Laura weren’t there.”

“I tried,” Caroline said.  “Laura wouldn’t budge.”

“I hope it changes things,” Almanzo said, looking at Charles and Caroline. “I’m just not used to Beth being like this.”

“None of us are, son.” Charles said, standing up.  “I was hoping she’d be better by now.  It really does seem like she doesn’t want to get any better.”

Almanzo looked down at his boots.  “It’s partially my fault, I always give in to my sister and I did this time too. “  He looked up.  “If I have to spend the rest of my life making it up to her, I will.  I made a promise and I intend to keep it.”

“It’s no one’s fault, son,” Charles said, walking over to join Almanzo at the wheelchair.  Caroline stood up to join them.   “Well, it’s getting late. The two of us have some planning to do.”

Almanzo looked at Charles.  “If you’re ready, Pop.”  He turned toward Ma and Pa’s room. 

“Go on, son,” Charles said, patting him on the back.  “Don’t be too long.”

Almanzo smiled and nodded and wheeled himself inside the Ingalls’ bedroom.

“Going back to the barn?” she said, as she put her arm around Charles and kissed him lightly.

“We should be working on the house tomorrow,” Charles said, “I want to move some furniture in there that we don’t need.  We’ll be back before supper.”

 “I’m ready now, Charles,” Almanzo said, suddenly materializing in front of Charles.  He looked over aet Caroline. “Take care of her, Ma.  You know I love her.”

Caroline smiled. “We all do, Almanzo,” she said, caressing his cheek.  “Oh and here.  I’ve got another Remembrance Book for you to look at,” Caroline said, holding it out to Almanzo.  “She’s working on this one.  I’ll send her over if she comes looking for it.”

“Don’t worry about a thing,” Almanzo said.  “I’ll bring it with me in the morning.”

She smiled at him and stood up as the two of them headed for the door. “Good night, you two.  See you in the morning.”

As soon as they reached the barn, Charles and his son in law began to work on Almanzo’s new goal together.  Almanzo wasn’t sure how long it would take before he achieved it, but it didn’t bother him.   What was it that Beth always said?  With confidence and determination you can lick anything.  Almanzo knew deep down that he was both.

 And once again, Laura’s Remembrance Book lay open on Almanzo’s wheelchair right where he left it. 

 

A Sudden Storm Little House fanfiction

 

A Sudden Storm

A Fill in for Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow, Part 2

Author’s Note:

I often wondered why Laura never questioned what happened to Almanzo and Eliza Jane when she returned to the Wilder farm after visiting with her parents at the little house.  I mean, when she left, EJ and Almanzo were still there and when she returned they were both gone and she never questioned or went looking for them.  And there was no note telling her where they went.   I know I would have been worried sick, but that’s just me.   So, after many years of wondering, I finally gave in to my curiosity and wrote my version of this story. 

I hope that you enjoy.

A Sudden Storm

Laura ran down the stairs.  Her father had mentioned that Ed Smith would be putting up hay today and she had passed it along to Almanzo three days ago.  She had never gotten an answer from him one way or another.   Pa had mentioned it again last night and he offered to come by, pick him up and drive him over to there.  

It would be fun for Almanzo, Pa reminded her.  Cutting hay and drying it took time; Ed would need all the help he could get.  Ed knew that Almanzo had limited movement and he promised Charles to make it worth his while if he came.

Laura walked across the parlor to the bedroom where Almanzo had been sleeping since his stroke.   Eliza Jane was in there as usual.  She had started showing up all hours of the day and night and sometimes, on the weekends. She had no timetable, she told them one night.  It was always private and he never confided in her anymore, not like he used to. Their conversations were always loud, especially if and when Almanzo disagreed with her, which had been very often lately.  Sometimes, their conversations were so loud that their voices traveled upstairs straight into the room Laura slept in.

She didn’t get to hear exactly what the two of them were arguing about this time.  The only thing she heard was Ed Smith’s name.  Eliza kept repeating there was no reason for him for him to go; there was nothing he could do.  Besides, he should keep his focus on selling the house. After all, they were moving to Minneapolis with her. 

Laura backed off.  She ran back upstairs, scooped up Rose and ran down the stairs again.  She headed off to the visit her parents and to tell her Pa that Almanzo wouldn’t be joining them today. 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Almanzo was hurting inside.  No matter what he told her last night, he missed her a lot.  He wanted her by his side, forever, through thick and thin, until death parted them.  He couldn’t bear the empty space next to him.  Eliza’s continued presence was starting to get to him.  He wanted Beth and he wanted Eliza gone.  His sister was only causing more friction between him and Beth.  He was sorry he told her that her husband didn’t exist anymore.  He didn’t mean what he said and he didn’t know what came over him.  He wanted to apologize, he wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her it was all a mistake, that he loved her and he….

 “Almanzo?”

He looked up and, instead of his sister; he was looking into the eyes of his father in law. Albert and James stood on either side of him ready and waiting for any order that Charles might give.

“Charles? Is there a reason why you’re here?”

“Laura mentioned that you didn’t want to join us today.”  

Almanzo frowned.  “Beth?”

“She’s with Caroline, Almanzo, having a cup of tea,” Charles said.  “She should be back soon.  We told her that we’d stop by to see if you wanted to come with us to Ed’s this morning.  He invited you to come out special.  He knows what happened, Almanzo.   He just thought that you might…” 

“Charles,” Eliza interrupted, “I don’t think it’s a good idea to move Almanzo around.  I think he’ll just be getting in the way…”

“Sis,” Almanzo said, angry now.  “I think that I’ll take Charles up on his offer.  There’s really nothing for you to do there.  Charles is right.  If you want you could stay here and wait, but I’m not sure what time we’ll get back.  It depends on the weather, Eliza. It looks like it’s gonna storm any minute.   We have to get as much hay off the ground as we possibly can before it rains.”    

He tried to smile, but Eliza Jane wasn’t having any of it.  “If that’s what you want, Almanzo,” she said, looking at Charles and then her brother for acknowledgement. 

“It is,” Almanzo told her, looking into her eyes.    “I’m sure Charles and the boys can manage.”

“And what will you do, Almanzo?  What about the house?”

“Ed knows what’s happened, Eliza, he knows exactly what I can and can’t do” he said, “Charles says he invited me out special.” Almanzo looked up at her.  “And as far as the house is concerned, I need to think on it more.  Right now, the only thing I want to do is enjoy myself for once.  Please go back to the hotel room okay?”

XXXXXXXXXXX

The wheelchair was loaded on first and then Charles and Albert managed to get Almanzo aboard the rig and settled into the chair.  The ride was a bit bumpy, Almanzo wasn’t sure how it was going to feel, this was the first time he had gone anywhere since the stroke.  It was strange not to be the one driving.

By the time they got there, it was raining.  Most of hay was moved into the barn to dry earlier that morning.  Much of the work was taken care of and every one of the helpers had gone home.  There was nothing else to do but wait.    

Almanzo, Charles and the boys were invited inside for coffee, fresh milk and some homemade doughnuts.  They sat in the kitchen waiting for the rain to let up when they heard the wind blowing up. 

 “Tornado,” Charles called out as he saw the funnel sweeping across the prairie.

“Beth,” Almanzo whispered, his eyes widening, looking at Charles.  “She must be home by now and it looks like it’s headed in our direction.”

“Let’s go,” Charles said, looking at Albert and James.  “Get your pitchforks.  Hopefully we’re not too late.”

By the time they arrived, the house was in ruins. Almanzo stared hopelessly at what was left.  It looked as if the ground had swallowed up the bottom half of the house.  The roof and dormer windows leaned drunkenly to the right. Some of the windows were broken, some weren’t.  Piles of wood were strewn every which way.  Four of five dead trees had fallen and splintered into a mixture of branches, bark and limbs.

“Beth?” Almanzo cried out, hoping to hear her voice, but no one answered. “Beth?”

In the distance, they heard a baby’s cry. 

“It’s coming from the root cellar,” Albert said, hopping off the rig.  He looked at Almanzo.  “She could be in there with Rose.”

“Don’t worry, son,” Charles said, putting his hand on Almanzo’s shoulder.  “We’ll find them.”

Charles and James jumped off the rig together and joined Albert on the ground. 

It didn’t take too long to find Laura.  She was lying unconscious not too far from a fallen tree.  In front of her, keeping guard, was a black cat, meowing loudly.    

“I see her,” Almanzo said, pointing.  His first instinct was to run, scoop her up in his strong arms, place her in the rig and drive straight to Doc Baker, but no matter how hard he tried, his legs wouldn’t cooperate. His feelings were still there, they were still strong within him.  He was now the husband who couldn’t even save his wife or his baby girl. And that was not him. 

Almanzo couldn’t even look at his wife as Charles placed Laura at his feet.  He barely heard his father in law tell him to keep an eye on her.  Albert held on to Rose on their way back to the Ingalls place.  He suddenly realized that this was where he was going to stay from now on, how long he wasn’t sure of. 

Now, as he watched Doc Baker take care of Beth, he became the husband who wouldn’t be able to take care of his own wife.  He wasn’t even sure if he was happy when the doctor told them that Beth would be fine, that she would be sleeping most of the time and to encourage her to eat and regain her strength.  

“I’m goin’ out for some for some fresh air,” Almanzo told his in laws as he wheeled himself out the door.

 He had to do something.  He had to stop feeling sorry himself.  He had to stop wishing that he was dead or even praying that he would die and that he was a burden to everyone around him.  He had to face reality. His Beth and his little Rosey were still alive and they needed him.   It was hard with Eliza pulling him one way and Laura pulling him in another.

He didn’t realize how long he sat there, out in the front yard, until Caroline came out looking for him. 

“She’s been asking for you, Almanzo,” she told him.

He nodded and looked up.  “I’ll be right in.”

Caroline nodded.   She saw tears forming in his eyes, but she didn’t say anything.  “I’m so sorry, Almanzo.   Everything will work itself out, just know that we love the both of you and we will always be there for you.”

It’s not you, Caroline, Almanzo thought, it’s me.  I have to change.  

But instead of telling her, he smiled.   “Ma,” he said, “You and Pa have already done so much for both of us.   I can’t thank you enough, for the roof over our heads and for caring enough to give us a place to stay while we recover.  Oh, and I want to thank you for taking care of Rosey  .“

“You’re part of the family, Almanzo, whether you like it or not.  All I ask is that you take care of my daughter and my granddaughter.” Caroline said.  “They will need you, Almanzo.”   

And I need them, Caroline, he thought, more than you know. 

He looked down at his feet and nodded.  “I promise you that I will.”  He looked up and smiled.  “Ma, I’ve been thinking and I need to ask two favors of you.  The first is to let you know that if you see Eliza Jane before I do, tell her I need to speak with her. The day after tomorrow will be fine.”

Caroline nodded.  “And what’s the second?”

Almanzo smiled.  “I want to make breakfast for everyone tomorrow morning,”

Caroline smiled.  “You think you’re ready?”

He nodded.  “I know I am. Anyway, you can take over anytime you want to.”

The two of them smiled at one another. 

“Hey, you two,” Charles called, coming out of the house.  “Dinner is ready.”

“Is Laura awake?”

“I’m afraid not, Almanzo, I just looked in on her.”

He nodded.  “I just want to sit with her a while, I promise I won’t be long.”   

“Go on, son,” Charles told him.  “We’ll be in a few minutes.”

He wheeled himself in and went straight to Ma and Pa’s room where Laura lay on the bed asleep.  He watched her for a while.

He stroked her hair and touched her cheek. It brought back memories of their wedding night, their first night alone together.

“I love you, Beth,” he bent down to whisper in her ear. “I promised your Ma that I’d be there for you and Rose and I’ll never break that promise. I’ll always love you no matter what comes our way.”

He touched her cheek and kissed her lightly on the lips.

And, with one last look in her direction, he wheeled himself out. 

 

The Perfect Gift

With their birthdays coming up, Almanzo and Laura go on a quest to find the perfect gift for one another. And while they manage to come up with something, they realize that they already have the perfect gift and that is each other. A one shot. Story complete in one chapter

 

 

The Perfect Gift

Almanzo was frustrated. He had looked through catalogues, ads in the papers and had even walked into the Mercantile to see what kind of jewelry they had. There was nothing at all. Well, he shouldn't say that, there were some things that had caught his eye, but he wasn't sure if Beth would like any of it. And what he had seen was a bit overpriced, at least in his opinion anyway. He wanted so much to surprise her.

Almanzo needed help and there was only one place to go for it, even though he was trying hard to resist.

He had been up to her room too many times lately, especially after he moved his family into the boardinghouse. Not that he went up there voluntarily; he went up there to fix leaks, tighten loose door knobs or to patch up a hole in the ceiling. It was the coldest room in house, Beth had said. The wind always managed to work its way into those drafty spots, didn't it?

That was the next thing he had to work on.

But lately, Almanzo had gone up there for advice. He needed to get some idea of what Laura was talking about and maybe; just maybe, she had something that he thought that Beth might like, but at a reasonable price, of course.

After all, Theadora Simms sold jewelry of all kinds, although Laura had insisted on earrings. She had never talked about anything like that before they moved into Mae Flannery's big mansion, the one that they inherited and the one Laura named the Wilder Boardinghouse. She'd been going on and on about it ever since they settled in. And since he knew nothing about earrings, he needed Thea's expert advice. He wanted to get Beth the perfect gift for her birthday and Thea promised him that if she ever got something that looked interesting, she'd let him know.

Theadora had become a regular boarder since they had moved in. She had told Mannie that the rooms were so much bigger at their boardinghouse than any other rooms she'd ever been in, plus she thought that the Wilders were the best hosts she had ever came in contact with.

Thea was a widow and sold her own handmade jewelry to make a living. Once in a while, she'd come across some beautiful jewelry dating back to the Civil War, but that was rare and expensive. In the nice weather, like today, she'd set up on the side of the house and on rainy days, she'd set up in the storage shed. If there was a market for it, she would showcase her goldsmith and metalworker's wares along with her own and sell belt buckles, brass buttons and certain jewelry. His name was Cooper Highsmith, who, Manly found to be extremely good at his craft.

Almanzo knew nothing about jewelry and even less about earrings and so he sought out Thea's advice. He was hoping that she wouldn't be busy so he could talk with her.

Luckily for him, she was there and it wasn't all that busy.

"Ah, Mannie, I'm glad you're here. I finally found something for Laura and it's reasonably priced. She was out here not half hour ago talking with Coop about something when she noticed the earrings. Here, let me show them to you and you can decide."

Thea reached underneath the table and brought up a small cardboard box. She took off the lid and there they were; two beautiful crystal earrings in the shape of a teardrop.

He picked one of them up and held it up to the light. He was fascinated.

Thea smiled. "She did the same thing, Almanzo. "

Almanzo held up the earring again and watched the colors change within it. "Beth really liked these, didn't she?"

Thea smiled. "Don't worry about the price; you can afford them, if you want them. With all the work you've done on Coop's room and mine the past six months, you've earned it."

"I can't accept that, Thea, I've got to give you something."

Thea smiled. "You've done enough on our rooms already. It's the least we can do."

"Alright," he said. "How much to have Beth's ears pierced?"

Thea shook her head. "There is never a charge for that, Mannie," she said, putting the box back. "And Coop will deliver the entire order to you tonight."

"What do you mean the entire order?" Almanzo's eyes widened. "Thea, what are you talking about?"

But Thea only smiled.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Mrs. Wilder?" Cooper Highsmith called as he knocked on the front door. He was being polite. Laura wanted him to call her by her first name; after all, they were both the same age, twenty three. He reminded her of a younger Almanzo, wavy blond hair with those same gorgeous sky blue eyes. What was really interesting was that Laura and Thea looked so much alike. They could almost pass for sisters. The differences between them were minor. Thea's hair was bit darker and graying at the sides while Laura's hair was auburn. And her eyes were hazel compared to Laura's light brown eyes.

Coop was so much younger than Thea was, but it didn't bother him one bit. His parents weren't keen on the match, she was older by ten years, but Coop adored her and all he wanted to do was marry her.

Laura smiled. Just like her and Manly, only Thea was the older one.

But he was here for one purpose and one purpose only, Laura's present for her husband was ready. It was a belt buckle specially made up for Almanzo. It had a likeness of Barnum on it, Almanzo's favorite horse. The buckle was a big, square and done up in brass. A leather belt was attached to it that Laura already paid for; she wouldn't accept it for less. They had the money and, for once, she was going to get Almanzo something that he really needed.

"Mrs. Wilder?" he called again and was about to knock again when the door opened. She was dressed in his favorite outfit, a green blouse tied at the top and matched with a long maroon skirt. Her sleeves were rolled up which meant that she was cleaning that big house.

"Hi Coop," she said smiling. "Got something for me?"

Cooper smiled. "I'd much rather show it to you inside, Laura. I think we've already attracted too much attention."

Laura smiled and opened the door wider to let him inside. "Don't let Mrs. Oleson bother you, Coop. Manly and I can handle anything that comes our way."

They wandered into the dining room where he laid out the belt and belt buckle for her inspection. "If you like it, I'll box it up and place the entire order in your room as per your instructions."

Laura smiled. It was true; they were both staying at the boardinghouse as always. They came every other month to display Thea's jewelry and the metalwork that Cooper specialized in. They always stayed in the same rooms and they preferred her boardinghouse rather than the tiny hotel rooms at Nellie's place. The rooms were less expensive, the hospitality was nicer and the food, well, there was nothing to compare to Laura's cooking.

Laura looked up at him, a wide smile on his face. "Oh, Cooper, thank you so much; Manly will be so surprised when he sees it."

She hugged him.

''It's coming up soon, isn't it?" Coop asked, as he rolled up the belt.

February 13," she said, smiling, "not too long after mine which is…"

"February 7," they both said together and smiled at each other.

"How's my present coming?" she asked.

Coop smiled and shook his head. "You're not supposed to know about any present, Laura. It's supposed to be surprise."

"Well, it will be, not sure what he's going to get me, although we talked about it some."

The truth was; he didn't know what they had talked about, Thea wouldn't tell him when he asked her last night.

"Well, I'd better go, " he said, "before Almanzo gets back from the mill. I hear Edwards is going to be joining you two."

"You and Thea are always welcome, Coop. I made plenty of chicken and dumplings tonight. Why don't the two of you join us?"

Cooper smiled and nodded. "I guess we could, I still have a few deliveries to make tonight, they're pretty close to home, but I'll mention it to Thea."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Where's is everybody?" Mr. Edwards asked as he sat down at the big round table in the boardinghouse kitchen.

"Mr. Montague is in his room," Laura said, opening the oven door to check on the chicken and dumplings. "He ate earlier with Jenny. She's at the Carter's with Jeb. Coop is making his deliveries and Rose is sound asleep upstairs. Manly should have been back from the mill hours ago. He's supposed to check on her…."

"I guess Almanzo and Thea are still talking to each other?"

"Third time in a row," Laura said, closing the oven door. She was checking the biscuits that went with it. They were having soup first. She needed to keep everything warm until everyone arrived. "Mr. Edwards, they were talking and laughing with each other last time I saw them which was an hour ago." She sat down at the table. "I don't think it's anything serious, he just does a lot of work …"

"There you are," Cooper said, bursting into the kitchen. "Laura, you're wanted upstairs. Mr. Edwards, help me with the food. Everyone's out back. Laura and Almanzo will meet us out there as soon as possible."

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Like your new earrings?" Almanzo said.

"You mean the studs I have to wear until my ears get used to it?"

"No, I mean the crystal ones," he answered, smiling. "And that belt buckle."

"Cooper worked his heart out to make it just right." Laura looked at him. "We should have opened these downstairs in front of everybody."

Manly smiled and touched her cheek. "No, I wanted some privacy, Beth. I wanted to see your face when you opened them."

Laura smiled and nodded. "I should have realized that's why you kept company with Thea."

"Hey, you and Cooper have been keepin' close company lately, workin' on this belt buckle together."

They both laughed and Laura hugged him. "I know you were working hard to find me the perfect gift," she said looking in his eyes.

Almanzo smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. He shook his head. "Oh, Laura," he said, "If I've learned anything, it's this. I already have the perfect gift and that is the gift of your love and your friendship. There is nothing in the world that tops that, nothing. That's the only the gift I've ever wanted and that's the only gift I'll ever need. I don't want anything else. Please don't ever take that away from me."

"I don't plan to, Manly. I'm not going anywhere. "

He smiled and looked into her eyes. "I love you, Beth."

"And I will never stop loving you, Manly."

He smiled widely and, as they lost themselves in each other's arms, their kiss was interrupted by a knock on their bedroom door.

"Hey you two," Mr. Edward's voice called out. "Let's go. You're missin' some great food and you're needed downstairs."

"We'll be right there," they both called out.

"What's going on downstairs?" Laura asked as Almanzo pulled her up.

"I think Coop is poppin' the question, Beth, and they need us as witnesses. You ready to find out?" He held his hand out and Laura took it.

"As I'll ever be," she answered.