"Can I see you two for a moment?" Laurie asked after he had found Nick and Jo still on the dance floor.

            "Certainly," Jo replied and taking Nick's hand, followed her brother-in-law off to the side, away from the bustle.  "Everything all right?"

            A sly smile adorned Laurie's face.  "Of course," he said innocently.  He mysteriously looked around him and then withdrew from his coat pocket a set of keys.  Handing them to Nick, he grinned.

            "What's this?" Nick questioned.

            "Well," Laurie began, "your honeymoon in Boston doesn't start until Monday, does it?"  Jo nodded in verification but was still confused.  Laurie merely chuckled.  "A newlywed couple does not get a lot of privacy in a school full of children.  So, those are the keys to the best room at the hotel.  Of course it won't be as spectacular as the one in Boston but…"

            Nick shook his head.  "Laurie, we can't take this."

            "Why not?  Consider it a gift… my wedding gift to the two of you."

            "Laurie," Jo warned.  "You shouldn't have done this."

            "Of course I should have.  It was the best thing I could have done."  Laurie smiled knowingly at Nick and then walked away, putting an end to any further discussion of the matter.

            Nick looked at Jo, a light blush on his cheeks.  She patted him on the arm, understanding his embarrassment, and took the keys from his hand, shoving them in his coat pocket.  "We'll worry about these a little later on," she said.

            He let out a sigh of relief and led Jo towards the tables just as Ben decided to climb atop a chair, a glass of wine in his hand.  Clinking the glass with a fork, he attempted to get the attention of the crowd.  "I'd like to make a toast," he shouted.  The voices grew dim and everyone turned to watch the best man.

            "To my big brother, Nick." Ben nodded at Nick, who rolled his eyes and snickered at his brother's spectacle.  Jo, as she stood in front of her husband, playfully elbowed Nick in the ribs, trying to get him to behave.

            "I always thought I'd be the one who would get married first  - 'cause Nick never really had a way with women."  The crowd laughed, as Nick's cheeks grew red once more.  Ben quieted them with a raised hand.  "But that was mostly because he was always lookin' after me. --- I thank you for that, Nick.  You never gave up on me and I regret the fact that you wasted so much time.  But I like to think that I had a little hand with destiny.  Otherwise, ya might not have met Jo."  Nick grinned widely, agreeing with his brother.  "Hold on ta that one, Nick.  She's pretty special."  Ben looked serious as he spoke, a glimmer of tears glazed over his eyes.  He raised his glass high in the air.  "To Nick and Jo."

            "To Nick and Jo," the crowd repeated, toasting the bride and groom.

            Nick approached his brother as Ben got down from his chair.  "Thanks, Ben," Nick said, pulling him into a hug. 

            "I meant every word."  Ben's voice suddenly turned mischievous.  "Especially the part about me getting married first."

            Nick shook his head and sighed, walking with Ben towards the house.  "Ya just had to bring all that up, didn't ya?"

XXXXX

            Dusk seeped over Plumfield estate and the wedding guests slowly began to leave.  Jo and Nick stood in the lane as the Marches said one last goodbye to their daughter and new son-in-law.

            "It was simply wonderful, dear."  Mrs. March patted Jo's hand.  "Very beautiful."

            "Thank you Marmee.  It was wonderful," Jo concurred, grabbing Nick's arm.

            Mr. March offered his hand to Nick, giving him a solid shake.  "You take care of my little Jo," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

            "I will, Sir," Nick reassured.

            Mr. March drew his daughter into a big hug.  "You looked beautiful, Sweetheart.  We are very happy for you."

            "Thank you, Father.  We will see you soon."  Jo gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek as Mr. March helped his wife into the carriage.

            As the bride's parents rode away, Laurie stepped down from the front porch along with his wife.  "All right you two, it is time for you to get going. "

            Jo shook her head.  "There is still so much to clean up."

            "Nonsense," Amy retorted, grabbing Jo's arm and dragging her towards the house.  "We can handle everything from here.  Your bags are already packed and Dan is getting the wagon ready.  There is nothing more you can do."

            Jo rolled her eyes.  "I think they are trying to get rid of us."

            Nick snickered.  "Well, that's just fine with me."