It was June, and Elizabeth was due to graduate in a couple of weeks. Emma couldn't tell if she was excited, nervous, or even scared. The girl still acted like her old self, the happy but slightly spoiled baby of the family. Emma and Ginny had moved back into the house, and since John Curtis was in the boys' room now, Mary Ellen had agreed to move back in with Erin and Elizabeth, and Emma could have John Boy's old room.

Emma found Elizabeth sitting motionless, unmoving, staring blankly out the bedroom window on Saturday morning. "Are you all right, honey? It sure is quiet here today isn't it?" Elizabeth didn't answer. "What's wrong Elizabeth? You've been acting strange for days now." Emma asked, sitting on her old bed that Serena had claimed.

"Well you know that I'm graduating in a few days. Everything's changed. I'm going to graduate and Grandpa, Mama and Daddy, Jason, Ben, Jim Bob and John Boy won't be here to see me. I miss Mama so badly at times it hurts." Elizabeth rubbed at her eyes. "I'm scared. I don't know what to do. I haven't seen Mama in ages. I need her here for guidance. You and Mary Ellen and Erin are great; but nobody can replace Mama."


Emma cried softly in bed that night as she thought about Ben, her brothers, Grandpa, and her adopted parents. They had taken a large risk, taking her in at a time where they could barely afford their own children. She was ever grateful to them. She also missed her husband so, so, much. As she looked over at Ginny, who was sound asleep in the old crib, her heart twanged at seeing the red hair she had inherited from her father. Ginny and the new baby were all she had to remind herself of Ben.

She missed sharing secrets with him as they lay together in bed, sneaking out of the house for secret walks, spending time with their young daughter.


The church was crisp and cool. Reverend Fordwick led the congregation in song, and Emma played the organ best she could. She was now more glad then ever that Jason had taught her a little when he had. Mrs Fordwick and Mary Margaret sat in the front row, with Mary Ellen, John Curtis, Ginny and Erin right behind them. G. W and Drew's parents were on the row behind.

On the other side of the small building, Martha Rose sat with Grace and her son, Matthew. Corabeth and Ike sat with a stone faced Serena and Jeffrey. On the last row on that side, sat Nancy and her two year old son along with Marcia Woolery, who Emma had nearly screamed at seeing. The last two rows of each side of the church were filled by elderly couples, older widows and widowers, and current pupils at the school and their families.


After the service had ended, Marcia made a beeline for the Walton girls as they walked to the car. Her hair was cropped short, only reaching to her shoulders, and she wore a long red dress. She was... what, twenty eight? That's right, Emma told herself, she was the same age as John Boy.

"Hello, girls." She smiled, smoothing down her short hair and crossing her legs slightly.

"Marcia, its great to see you again," Elizabeth offered, holding a hand out. Marcia took it and shook it.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. You really have grown up, I dare say." She chuckled at her own words. "Anyhow, I was wondering who all these children are! I remember John Curtis, of course."

"Serena and Jeffrey are our cousins, and Ginny is Emma and Ben's little girl." Mary Ellen said. They invited Marcia back for Sunday lunch, and she heartily agreed.