Here is the final chapter!

Five months later

Together, Sallie and Celia fastened the wreath of orange blossoms on Mandie's loose, curly hair. A long white veil encased her, reminding the girls of a light, fluffy cloud. Mandie smoothed the folds of her rich satin wedding dress and her eyes filled with tears as she looked at her friends. Celia handed her a bouquet, and Sallie fastened the locket containing the picture of Jim Shaw around Mandie's neck.

Mandie touched the old locket and tried to hold back the tears. "I can hardly believe it, Celia." she said tremulously, shaking her head in wonder. "It seems like only yesterday that we entered college, and now we've graduated, and this is my wedding day," She brushed away a tear, "And your wedding is in another two weeks!"

Celia smiled shyly. "And then we four will take our wedding tour of Europe together."

"One of Grandmother's presents to us." Mandie added quietly.

Mandie reached for Sallie's hand. "The years have passed so quickly!"

Sallie nodded her agreement and squeezed her friend's hand. "They always will, Mandie. Now you are beginning a new life—" she smiled "—A life with a husband, in your own home."

Mandie wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled bravely. "I know. It seems like a dream!" she shook her head in disbelief.

"Mandie," Celia said, taking her friend's other hand, "I'm glad you're marrying Joe. But we will miss you so much! We've been together so much ever since we met, and now..." Tears gathered in Celia's eyes.

The tears rolled faster down Mandie's cheeks and she wrapped her arms around both of her friends. "I'll miss ya'll, too. Chicago seems so far away!" her voice broke. This was the hardest part about marrying Joe. He had been offered a position with a law firm in faraway Chicago, and they would be moving there immediately following their tour of Europe. Mandie stepped back and wiped the tears from her eyes. She smiled bravely. "You are both going to have to come visit us."

Sallie and Celia smiled. "You know we will." they said.

A knock sounded on the door, and then it opened and Mandie's mother slipped inside.

"Mother." Mandie whispered, and the two held each other tightly. Elizabeth pulled away and touched her daughter's cheek. The girl's lip trembled. "I only wish my father could have seen this day."

A tear ran down Elizabeth's face. "As do I, Amanda." she whispered.

A knock sounded on the door, and Celia rose to answer it. She turned back to speak to Mandie. "It's time now, Mandie. Mr. Shaw and Uncle Ned are here."

Mandie choked back her tears, breathed deeply to calm her nerves, and went out into the hall.

In the parlor of the Shaw mansion, the minister stood near the fireplace. To his left stood three immaculately dressed young men. Joe, with unruly hair neatly combed, was plainly nervous. Dimar, looking very uncomfortable in a suit and tie, was watching the door anxiously. Jonathan stood beside them, grinning from ear to ear and perfectly at ease.

Mrs. Woodard, at the piano, began to play, and all eyes turned to the doors. Celia entered, and Robert smiled shyly from where he was seated beside Mr. Chadwick, his former teacher. She made her way to the front and took her place. Sallie followed, and a careful observer might have noticed that Dimar's eyes often strayed to look at her. Next, Carl and Carol, arm in arm, entered and made their way to stand beside the bridesmaids. Carol scattered orange blossom all along the aisle. Then the music changed, the door opened again, and all those present stood to their feet. As Mandie entered, Joe drew in a sharp breath and stared. With golden curls flowing over her shoulders, and a bouquet of orange blossoms on her arm, she walked between Uncle Ned and John Shaw. Joe's gaze riveted on her happy, blushing face. As they came to a halt at the front, the music faded away.

"Who giveth this woman to be united to this man?" the minister asked.

"Her mother and we do." Uncle Ned and John answered together. They each kissed Mandie gently, and then John gave her hand to Joe, who had stepped forward. The young couple walked the few steps together to stand before the minister, as the men took their seats in the front row.

"Understanding the most holy and sacred institution of marriage as described in the Word of God, do you, Joseph Woodard, vow before God and this company, to love, honor, and cherish this woman? for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"

Mandie looked into Joe's eyes. She could read the deep love and joy as he said, in low, but distinct tones: "I do so vow."

"And, understanding this same most holy and sacred institution of marriage as described in the Word of God, do you, Amanda Shaw, vow before God and this company, to love, honor, and obey this man? for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"

Mandie smiled up into Joe's eyes. Over the years she had struggled with the question of whether or not she wanted to marry Joe, but now she was perfectly at peace with her decision. "I do so vow," she said.

"Have you the ring?" The minister questioned.

Celia nudged Carl forward, and he transferred the ring from his chubby hand to the minister's.

The minister held the ring up for all to see. "The circular shape of this ring represents the permanency of marriage. Just as there is no end to this circlet, so only death can part this marriage." he handed the ring to Joe, who slipped it onto Mandie's finger.

"What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. By the authority vested in me by the Word of God, I now pronounce you man and wife. Joseph, you may kiss your bride." the minister stated.

Joe leaned closer and lifted Mandie's veil. Her heart beat faster as he leaned forward and gently kissed her.

Mandie clung to him, her knees feeling weak. Everyone began to clap, and Joe leaped back suddenly, his ears turning red. Mandie felt the color rising to her cheeks.

"I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Woodard." the minister announced. The two made their way out of the room and, one by one, the guests streamed out into the hallway to give their congratulations.

Mandie embraced Celia, Sallie, Mary Lou, Miss Prudence and her sister, Miss Hope (who was now Mrs. Chadwick). Then Mandie looked up to see Jonathan, a pretty dark-haired girl clinging to his arm and looking as if she very much enjoyed it.

"Mandie," Jonathan said, grinning down alternately at the young lady and Mandie. "I'd like you to meet Ellie, my fiance. Ellie, this is Mandie."

Mandie took the young lady's hand and the two smiled at each other. Ellie was about Mandie's height with a pale complexion and rambunctious

brown curls quite similar to Jonathan's. Her deep green eyes danced with merriment and, Mandie thought, a spark of mischief.

"Well," Jonathan grinned. "Here we thought you and Joe were never going to get together, and now you've up and got married ahead of all the rest of us!" They all laughed, and Jonathan and Ellie passed on to speak to Joe.

Joe's parents came next, and Mrs. Woodard put her motherly arms around her new daughter-in-law. "God bless you, my dear." she said quietly, her eyes wet. Dr. Woodard put an arm around Mandie and smiled down at her.

Then Mandie wrapped her arms around Mr. Jacob Smith. He patted her on the back.

"This here's a little present for you, Missy." he winked at her and pressed an envelope into her hand. Mandie thanked him. As she stared down at it, she wondered what it contained, and then decided to wait until she and Joe were alone to open it.

As she stared down at the envelope, she felt, rather than heard, a person stop in front of her. She looked at the floor to see a pair of moccasins, and her eyes quickly traveled up until they reached the person's face.

"Tsani!" Mandie said, smiling in surprise and wonder. "I didn't know you were here."

The young Indian man smiled slightly and extended a hand. "I come to wish my cousin well."

Mandie shook his hand and fought back the tears of joy. "Thank you!"

Tsani passed by, and Mandie nearly broke into laughter as she overheard him say sternly to Joe: "You be good to her, or all Cherokees come get her."

Mandie saw amusement and annoyance struggling on Joe's face. After a few tense seconds, Joe held out a hand. "You won't have to do that. I'll be good to her." he replied pleasantly.

Tsani grunted and moved away. Joe turned and locked gazes with Mandie. "Welcome to the family," she joked. Joe chuckled.

Mandie felt a hand on her arm and turned to her grandmother. Mrs. Taft embraced her tightly and then passed her to Elizabeth, dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief. Mother and daughter held each other tightly. "Thank you for a beautiful wedding, Mother." Mandie whispered, the tears beginning to fall. "I love you."

Elizabeth nodded, her heart too full for words. Mandie felt a tugging on her skirts, and she knelt down to hug her brother and sister. "I love you, Carl. I love you, Carol." she said.

They clung to her wonderingly, not understanding why everyone was crying. Mandie kissed them, and then stood to wrap her arms tightly around Uncle Ned.

"Ned glad Papoose marry Joe. Joe be good husband." the old Indian said. "I still watch over Papoose, even when all the little Papooses begin to come." he smiled at her.

The color rose in Mandie's cheeks, and she felt an arm wrap around her. She looked up into Joe's eyes. "We'll miss the train if we don't hurry and change, Mandie." he told her. She nodded and looked around for Uncle John. He wasn't far away.

John Shaw couldn't seem to find words to say, so he just held his niece tighter and extended a hand to shake Joe's. Then the couple went upstairs to change into traveling clothes.

As Joe shut the door to her room, closing off the noise, he turned and slipped his arms around Mandie. She reached up to touch the side of his face. "I love you, Joe." she murmured. She kissed him gently.

As she drew away, her cheeks blushed a bright pink and she said shyly. "I'm glad we saved our first kiss for today, Joe."

He looked amused and a little curious. "Why is that?"

Mandie blushed. "It just—it makes it so much more special, like a present that I've been saving for a long time."

He drew her a little closer. "It is a present, Mandie. The first of anything is always a very special thing. And," he lowered his voice, "It is very special to me to know that you saved it, that no other lips have touched yours."

Mandie's glad eyes looked up into his, and he leaned down to kiss her gently.

"What did Mr. Smith give you?" Joe asked.

Mandie straightened and showed him the envelope. She tore it open, took out a letter, and began to read it aloud.

"Dear Miss Amanda,

"The years have passed so quickly! It seems like yesterday that you were a tiny girl, toddling around your father's house. Now you are a beautiful married woman.

"Your father was a man of thought. Before his death, he had considered many things about your future. He had noticed Joe's growing attachment for you, and he approved of it. I recall one day, when he said to me: "Jacob, if for any reason I am not present when my little girl is old enough to marry, and Joe asks for her hand and she accepts, I want you to give them my blessing." Today, I pass his blessing on to you—"

Mandie's voice wavered, and Joe's arm tightened around her, but she continued:

"He loved Joe like a son, and he would be proud to see you now.

"I am leaving from Franklin to visit relatives for a few weeks, so your father's house stands empty and waiting for you and your husband to stay in. Please accept this as a wedding present of

Your father's friend,

Jacob Smith"

Mandie lowered the letter and stared at Joe in astonishment.

"Do you remember the day that Miss Hope and Mr. Chadwick married?" Joe asked suddenly.

"Of course," Mandie smiled, thinking of her beloved teacher.

"Do you remember what you said about how you would have liked to get married?" Joe cocked his head.

"I said that if I ever got married, I would want to just run off and do it." Mandie's smile widened. She had an idea of what Joe was thinking. "We're already married, so it wouldn't really be eloping, but we could just run off now."

"My horse is in the stable." Joe said, his eyes twinkling.

Mandie grinned up at him. "I know a way to climb down from my window."

"Are you up for it, Mrs. Woodard?" Joe's eyes sparkled with fun.

"Definitely!" Mandie laughed, pushing away from him. "Now, if we're going to elope," she teased, "I'll need to change into my riding habit."

Joe laughed and slipped out.

Mandie changed as quickly as she could and braided her hair into one thick plait. Her grandmother would scold if she caught the girl without her hair pinned up, but Mandie didn't have time for that now. Someone would be sure to come searching for them if they took too long. As soon as she finished she opened the door to find Joe, who was very fast at changing, leaning against the wall opposite. The two cautiously opened Mandie's window and looked around. No one was in sight.

Joe swung out the window and climbed easily down the trellis. When he reached the ground, Mandie dropped the carpetbag, containing a few clothing items, to him. Mandie climbed out the window and down to the ground. Joe grabbed her hand and they slipped quietly out of sight into the deserted stable. In only a few minutes, Joe had his horse saddled and had tied their bag on. He mounted and lifted Mandie up to sit in front of him. Mandie wrapped her arm around him and held on.

"Shall we ride past the front of the house so as to let them know we're not upstairs anymore?" Joe asked innocently, as he urged the horse forward.

Mandie giggled and nodded.

As they passed in front of the house, Jonathan shot from the door. "Hey!" he yelled. "No fair!" he threw a handful of rice after them. Ellie, Celia, Robert, Sallie and Mary Lou appeared. With a sudden start, Mandie remembered that she had not thrown her bouquet, so she tossed it back at the house. It spun through the air, and although Ellie made a grab for it, it landed squarely in Sallie's arms. Then everyone began to wave and throw rice after Mandie and Joe, and few noticed when Dimar stepped to Sallie's side and slipped an arm around her. She looked up at him, and the two shared a secretive smile.

That just might be another couple. Mandie smiled to herself as they went around a curve in the road and the Shaw mansion disappeared from sight.

Later that day, Joe and Mandie climbed the hill to the graveyard. They stood silently, hand in hand, beside Jim Shaw's grave, then Mandie sank to her knees.

"Daddy," the tears rolled unchecked down Mandie's face as she reached up to touch her locket. "I married Joe today. Mr. Smith told us that you had given your blessing before we even knew that we would marry. Thank you, Daddy!" The tears rolled faster, and Mandie buried her face in her hands.

A strong arm slipped around her waist and drew her closer.

"I love you, Joe." Mandie said as she leaned her head against him.

Then, as Joe pressed a kiss to her forehead, she heard words that thrilled her heart and caused her to cling to him even tighter. "You are my life, Mandie." he murmured.

The End

I can't believe it's over . . .

Will you ever hear from me again? Maybe, but it's doubtful. There's only one other series that I have seriously considered writing a Fanfiction for. (If I do, I'll write the whole thing first-before I start posting chapters! That way you won't have to wait long between chapters.) But that's all very doubtful. I have original stories of my own to work on, and I've been neglecting them lately.

So, goodbye, my friends! Ya'll have been great! If you have an account, feel free to Private Message me.

Keep trusting, keep serving, and keep singing to the Lord!

As He Leads,

HonorGod