Chapter 11: The Wedding

Andrew and Nancy are back home in Walnut Grove from their trip to Chicago and has told all their friends about their time in Chicago and their engagement. The Wedding day is set for Saturday November 30th the Saturday after Thanksgiving 1897, 6 months from now. Nancy is all the town of Walnut Grove is talking about for the all are shocked but happy for Andrew and Nancy. 2 months pass and Andrew, Nancy and the Olsens are speaking, Nels says, "Andrew, how about your offer with JP Morgan and his bank in Chicago?"

Andrew, "Oh yes, I was thinking about that the other day. I would love to take it. Nancy, darling what do you think? and Nancy it would be great for you to take Alexander Graham Bell's offer to work at his phone company in Chicago."

Nancy answers, "Andrew, yes you should take it, and I also would like the job at the phone company."

Andrew, ''Of course we can't start till after our wedding and Honeymoon. Nancy I have our plans set for our Honeymoon."

Nancy smiles and asks, "Andrew I would love anywhere we go. I know we will have a lovely time together just you and me, but where are we going to celebrate our life together?"

Andrew, "Niagara Falls, in New York"

Nancy, "Oh Andrew, that sounds wonderful I heard it is beautiful there."

Andrew, "I believe you will love it there, Nancy. I have been once." Then Andrew says we should call Mr. Morgan and Mr. Bell and tell them that we accept their offers."

Andrew calls Mr. Morgan and Nancy calls Mr. Bell and tells them they accept their offers and about them getting married in November after Thanksgiving. Mr. Morgan and Mr. Bell both agree for them to start their new jobs after the New Year.

At the bank Andrew is telling Mr. Anderson, "After Nancy and I get married we will be moving to Chicago, she is going to be working for Alexander Graham Bell, and I'm taking the job with JP Morgan and his Chase Bank."

Mr. Anderson replies, "Andrew that is great but I'm sure going to miss you here, you have been a great friend and worker."

Over at the Olsen's Nancy is telling her mom and dad that Mr. Bell said for her to start at the telephone company after the New Year. Harriet is getting emotional crying, and hugging Nancy she says, "Oh Nancy you are now getting married and moving away. Nellie in New York, you in Chicago so far away and spread out! We are going to miss you but are happy for the two of you."

Nancy, "Mother, We will miss you too but don't worry we will come back and visit at times!"

Harriet hugs Nancy and says, "You Better!''

A month goes by and Harriet says to Nancy as she shows her a dress, ''Nancy this is the dress I married your father in and would love for you to wear it in 3 months, try it on."

Nancy holding up the dress, "Mother, it's beautiful, Thank you!"

Nancy tries it on and it fits perfectly and then she says, "Mother, I haven't told Nellie, Andrew and I are getting married I need to call her."

Calling Nellie, Nancy is excited over the phone saying, ''Nellie, I'm engaged, Andrew and I are getting married in three months the Saturday after Thanksgiving! I would love for you to be here!"

Nellie, "Oh Nancy, that is GREAT NEWS, and I will definitely be there!"

After hanging up with Nellie, Nancy goes over to the Wilder's Room & Board and talks with Rachel, Willie's wife and asks, "Rachel, would you be my matron of honor at my wedding just like I stood up for you at your wedding?

Rachel, ''I would love to, Nancy!"

3 man's pass and it's Thanksgiving Day. The Olsens, The Daltons , and Clarks are having Thanksgiving dinner together and eating that delicious Lemon Meringue pie that Nancy had made once again and Andrew says, "This is the pie that introduced Nancy and me." They all give a little smile and chuckle.

Nellie says to Nancy, "My little sister is all grown up and getting married Saturday.''

Nancy and Andrew both smile and Nancy says, "Saturday is the day!''

Saturday November 30th 1897 is finally here, Andrew, Rev. Alden, Rachel Olsen and William Clark, Andrew's dad and Best Man are at the front of the church. As Nancy walks in, in her beautiful wedding dress, Andrew at the altar looks at her walking down the aisle with her dad Nels and thinks to himself, "She is so beautiful!"

Approaching the front of the church Reverend Alden asks, "Who gives this young lady to this young man?"

Nels, "Harriet and I do." Than Nels hands Nancy over to Andrew and places a kiss on Nancy's forehead and says, ''I love you sweetie!"

Nancy, ''I love you to father!"

Rev. Alden, "Andrew Clark do you take Nancy Olsen to be your lawful wedded wife?"

Andrew, "I DO!"

Rev. Alden, "Nancy Olsen do you take Andrew Clark to be your lawful wedded husband?"

Nancy, ''I DO!"

Reverend Alden, "By the power invested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife, Andrew you may kiss the bride."

They kiss, then as they are walking out of the church, everyone congratulating them and throwing rice as they are getting in the wagon, with cans tied on the back, they head off to the train station for their Honeymoon. After arriving at the nearest train station they take train number 3 to Niagara Falls in New York.

They are in Niagara Falls for 2 weeks enjoying the scenery, and while out on the water in a boat they are talking about their future together. Andrew says, ''Nancy, I am the only child my mom and dad had and was kind of lonely as a child. How many kids would you like to have?"

Nancy replies, "I didn't have much of a family until I was 10 years old when I was adopted by Nels and Harriet. I would think 3 children would make a nice family."

Andrew agrees and then they kiss and not paying attention to anything around them they tip the boat over and wound up in the water. They begin to laugh as they dunk each other's head under. They swim to shore and getting out of the water Nancy says with a little smile, "We are all wet!"

Andrew giving Nancy a towel says, "We sure are! Let's dry off and have supper."

They have supper and Andrew says, ''We go back home tomorrow."

Andrew and Nancy Clark are back in Walnut Grove and they say to everyone that they had a outstanding Honeymoon. Andrew and Nancy stay at the Wilder's Room and Board through Christmas and New Years. At the new New Year's watchnight service, a year after they met they look back over the year and Nancy says, "Andrew, it sure has been a long, trying year with you getting shot and recovering."

Andrew replies, "It sure has my love, but you have been with me through it and now we are together forever! and tomorrow we are heading to Chicago settling down, and starting our new jobs with JP Morgan and Alexander Graham Bell"

Nancy, ''Yes we are and we are going to be so happy together, I LOVE YOU, Andrew!"

Andrew, "I LOVE YOU! too Nancy.''

As Andrew and Nancy are kissing Mrs. Olsen is getting emotional again saying, "Nels, our Nancy is leaving tomorrow."

Nels, ''Yes but look at them they are happy together!"

Nancy as she is giving her mom and dad a hug, ''We are not leaving forever Mother, we will visit."

January 2nd 1898 they head off to Chicago to start their new life together, and they do live happily ever after!

The End.