Celia and Sallie burst into the bedroom.

"Mandie we must go downstairs it's almost seven." Celia said. Mandie was sitting on the bed lost in thought. She started to the door but turned around.

"Oh I almost forgot…" Mandie said going to the bureau and grabbed the handkerchief all wrapped up, that she had made for Joe.

"Oh I forgot about our gifts Mandie." Celia said grabbing her gift for Robert.

The girls walked down the stairs and found Mary Lou, Alice, and Polly all talking excitedly as they waited for the other girls.

"Well should we go find the boys now?" Mary Lou suggested when the girls met each other.

"You girls go ahead I want to speak with Mandie for a moment." Polly said looking at Mandie. The other girls shrugged and left.

"Mandie." Polly said when the other girls had left. "You know we haven't- well you know, not always gotten on so well mostly because of me flirting around with Joe. But I wanted to tell you I'm engaged to Tommy and I want to be friends and get along with you."

Mandie was surprised by these words Polly had said. "Of course Polly, I'll be your friend and congratulations on your engagement." Mandie said smiling warmly and went forward to give Polly a hug. Maybe Polly wasn't as bad as she had always seemed.

"Now let's go and find everyone shall we?" Polly said as they broke apart there hug. "And did I mention you look beautiful in that dress? Joe will certainly be impressed." Mandie blushed as they went into the hall outside the sitting room. Everyone was there. Jonathan elbowed Joe as Mandie came into sight Joe's eyes lit up when he saw her. Jonathan nudged him and winked at him, Joe elbowed him hard in the ribs in return.

"Why aren't y'all in the parlour?" Mandie asked.

"Aunt Lou hasn't finished setting out the food yet." Jonathan sighed.

"Yus she has." Liza walked into the hall. "Go on in before the other guests arrive."

Jonathan barged through the door and walked over to the food and they all began to eat. Soon more guests arrived and the adults all came in. Mandie was looking around the room when music began to play. The young people had all stayed in a group.

"Before everyone goes off to dance can I tell y'all something." Polly said to them. Polly looked up at Tommy he nodded.

"This afternoon Tommy proposed to me and I accepted." Everyone gasped except for Mandie and they all went to congratulate the couple.

After Polly's announcement the music came on and Robert asked Celia to dance and slowly all the other couples made their way to the dance floor. It was just Mandie and Joe left now. Mandie shuffled her feet around. She had butterflies in her stomach and was feeling a bit nervous and awkward.

"Mandie you promised to dance with me…. So may I have this dance?" Joe said, outstretching his hand.

Mandie looked up at him this was the first time she'd really looked at him this evening. He was wearing a brown suit and it was evident that he had tried to tame his unruly brown hair and had not succeeded, it was as unruly as ever.

"Alright." Mandie said taking a deep breath and taking Joe's hand. They went out onto the dance floor and began to waltz slowly. Mandie stumbled a couple of times.

"Sorry Joe I haven't been to many dances. You're really good at dancing."

"That's alright Mandie." He said smiling down at her. "My mother taught me to dance when I was quite young and I've had a bit of practice."

They danced in silence for a little while longer, Mandie's eyes were traveling around the room to the guests, her mother and Uncle John, her friends, and the food, when she turned back to Joe, Mandie realized he had been staring at her the whole time. Mandie suddenly felt really bashful and began to stumble. Mandie suddenly stumbled over her long skirt and was bracing herself for the fall when Joe caught her in his arms.

"Thank you for dancing with me Mandie." Joe said giving a clumsy little bow. Mandie laughed and curtsied.

All the young people met at the refreshment table. Everyone had a glass of water. Mandie and Joe spotted something. "Chocolate cake!" They both exclaimed laughing at each other. Mandie was feeling more and more comfortable around Joe, she realized she just had to be herself. The young people all had chocolate cake and then Jonathan whispered something in Alice's ear she nodded at him.

"Mandie would you like to dance with me?" Jonathan asked smiling.

"Sure." Mandie responded shrugging her shoulders. Jonathan took her out onto the dance floor. They danced for a little while in silence.

"You know Mandie you've always been like a sister that I never had." Jonathan told her.

"I've always thought of you to be like a brother."

"I always hoped my dad and your grandmother would someday marry and then we'd be cousins or something." He said and Mandie nodded.

"Are you excited to be married?"

"More excited than you can imagine. But I want my 'sister' to be happy too." He said grinning down at her.

"Uhhhh, Jonathan I don't need you to tell me to marry Joe too. I already have Celia for that." Mandie said sighing.

"You know I used to be really jealous of you and Joe's relationship. He loved you so much and it's always been obvious you loved him in return."

"Jonathan Guyer jealous of Joe?" Mandie said smirking. "But I must tell you that's how it used to be. Everyone changes we're all growing up."

"Have I changed?"

"Not really…"

"See we all changed on the outside but Joe really is the same person he's always been. He's just matured a bit… Mostly just on the outside."

"So what are you trying to say?"

"Well you haven't seen Joe all year. You just have to spend time with him. Get to know him again."

Mandie thought for a moment.

"I never thought I'd thank Jonathan Guyer for advice, but thank you." Mandie said smiling. The music ended. They walked back to the group of young people. Mandie gave Jonathan a quick hug and whispered in his ear. "Thank you for your encouraging words, I'm so grateful for you."

"Joe really does love you. I started to get sick of him talking about you whenever you sent letters to him at college." He whispered back and winked. Mandie smiled. Mandie felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Joe.

"Could I have this dance Mandie?" He asked.

Mandie nodded as he took her hand and led he out onto the dance floor.

SO sorry about how long it took me to update, life has been crazy busy! The final chapter is coming asap. I'll address all your comments at the beginning of the next chapter!

~MandieFan