The Visit

LHOP inspired fan fiction by Cheryl C. Malandrinos (word count 1992)

Disclaimer: I do not own the Little House on the Prairie television series, book series, or any of the characters.

Note: This story takes place in the first year of Almanzo and Laura's marriage. Almanzo's parents who live in Spring Valley, MN decide to visit for the Thanksgiving holiday.

It would be their first Thanksgiving together. Originally, Laura and Almanzo planned to spend it with her folks at the Ingalls farm. But word came from Almanzo's parents that they would like to travel to see Walnut Grove and meet his young bride. They would arrive the day before Thanksgiving.

Laura was nervous. The same way any new wife felt about meeting her in-laws for the first time. She flitted about the house, cleaning and scrubbing until Almanzo insisted he could see his reflection in every piece of glass.

"Beth," Almanzo said, using his special name for her, "I don't think you could make the house any cleaner. Why don't you go sit by the fire and I'll bring ya a cup of tea."

"You don't understand Manly. This is their first visit. I want everything to be perfect."

"Honey, they will love ya even if everythin isn't perfect."

"Ma has always cooked Thanksgiving dinner. I've helped her, but I'm not as good of a cook as Ma is. You know I've never enjoyed that kind of stuff."

"Well, I guess you could go out to the lake and catch us some fish. You used to like to do that, if I remember right." Almanzo laughed at his own joke.

Laura glared at him. "Almanzo Wilder, you take that back!"

Manly pulled Laura closer to him. He gave her a crooked little smile. "Now Beth, don't be angry. I just don't like to see ya this way. Trust me," he said as he caressed her hair. "They are going to love ya, no matter what."

"I hope you're right," she said as she snuggled into his arms.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

A short while later, Almanzo and Laura were sitting in bed. Manly was engrossed in a book, but Laura's anxiety forced her to read the same student's paper over and over again. Exasperated, she plunked the pile of papers down in her lap.

"Why can't Willie Oleson write neatly enough for me to understand his essays?"

Almanzo didn't respond. Laura glanced over at him and snatched the book out of his hands.

"Didn't you hear what I just said?" Laura snapped.

Manly's face took on an angry look. "I was readin that!"

Laura lowered her eyes in shame. She wished she felt better about meeting Almanzo's parents. It was times like these that she wished she were more like her sister Mary.

"I'm sorry Manly," she replied and held the book out to him.

Almanzo put it down on the bed covers. "You're not still worried about my parents' visit are ya?"

"Oh Manly, I just can't stop thinking that something will go wrong."

"I really don't think ya need to worry about anythin. I'm sure ya learned a lot from your Ma…in between fishin and learnin how to spit."

"I wish Mary were here. She would be able to put together the entire dinner without a hitch."

"Still jealous after all these years?"

"No…but it's true. While I was out fishing and catching frogs, Mary was sewing and helping with the housework. She's so much better at keeping house than I am."

"I wouldn't change a thing about ya, Beth. It was that feistiness and wantin to be different from everybody else that got my attention. You know, I still remember the time you put me in my place."

Laura blushed. "You punched one of my students."

"I thought he was makin a move on ya!" Almanzo said in his defense.

Laura looked lovingly at her husband. "And you couldn't tell that you were the only one for me? That it was only you…from the very first day."

Almanzo flashed his crooked little smile at her. He reached over and put his book on the nightstand and then picked up the pile of papers and placed them on top of the book. He moved his body in closer to her and gathered her in an embrace.

"And you're the only one for me…now and always," he whispered as he reached across her to turn out the lamp.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

The next morning dawned clear and bright. Laura's breath came in big puffs of smoke as she feed her flock of chickens. She tipped her head up to the sky, closed her eyes, and breathed deeply. It was going to be a fine day. She spotted Almanzo by the barn. He didn't notice her. Laura stood for a few moments in the crisp November air, watching her husband. She admired his tall, lean physique. Laura figured his blue eyes were twinkling, because he was happiest working on the farm.

Laura pulled the collar of her coat closer to her chin and walked to the front porch. She glanced over at Almanzo one last time. He looked up and waved at her. She waved back and then entered the house to put on a fresh pot of coffee.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

After breakfast Almanzo went into town. He hoped to return before his parents arrived. Laura was anxious that they would show up before Manly got back. She almost begged him not to go, but he needed nails to fix the fence.

A short while later, Laura heard wagon wheels outside. Her stomach fluttered. She went to the front window and saw an older couple in a fine buggy stopped in front of the house.

"I just knew it," Laura said out loud.

She looked at herself in the mirror, put a stray hair back in place, and straightened out her apron. She took a deep breath before opening the front door. As she approached them, the older woman smiled. Laura waved and said hello.

"Hullo there, young lady. Is this Almanzo Wilder's place?" the man said.

"Yes it is. I'm his wife, Laura."

"The name's James Wilder. This here is my wife, Angeline."

"Good afternoon Father and Mother Wilder. It is so nice to meet you."

James Wilder, who was standing next to the buggy, offered a hand to his wife. As she stepped down, she whispered to him, "Pretty little thing, ain't she?" Mr. Wilder nodded.

Unable to hear them, Laura stood there, nervous and self-conscious.

"So where's my boy?" he asked.

"Oh, Manly is in town. He should be back shortly."

"What did you call him?"

"Manly…it's a long story, but when we first met, Eliza Jane introduced him as "Mannie", but I heard "Manly." He liked it, so it kind of stuck. He calls me Beth. My middle name is Elizabeth," Laura explained.

"I see," Mr. Wilder replied curtly.

"Well, you must be tired from your trip. I've fixed up the downstairs bedroom for you. You can wash up there if you like. Perhaps by the time you're done, Man…Almanzo will be home."

"That will be fine dear," Mother Wilder responded.

They followed Laura into the house. She showed them to their room and went off to make a pot of tea. "Please come home soon Manly," she whispered to herself.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Manly did come home soon after his parents arrived. Mother Wilder and Laura spent the day talking about family recipes while they sat in the front room working on a patchwork quilt. Almanzo – the proud man about the place – told his father his plans for the farm and how much he had already done since he and Eliza Jane bought it.

He asked his father how Eliza Jane was doing since her move to Spring Valley. James Wilder assured his son that she was teaching again and doing well.

The weary travelers retired early, leaving the newlyweds alone once again.

"So what do ya think of my parents?" Manly asked while they sat in bed that night.

"You were right," admitted Laura. "I had nothing to worry about. Your mother said she would help me tomorrow."

"Father told me she thinks you're pretty."

Laura blushed.

"So do I," he whispered as he leaned over to kiss her goodnight.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Thanksgiving Day the Wilders awoke to a heavy snow. Almanzo brought extra firewood with him when he came in from doing the morning chores.

"Father, I hope you're stayin another night. I think we're in for a blizzard."

"Look at how dark it's gotten," Laura said with concern. "I'm glad Pa went to get Mary and Adam from Sleepy Eye yesterday. I would hate to think of anyone traveling in this storm."

"Well I'm gonna keep an eye on it. If it gets much worse, I'll rig a rope from the house to the barn," Almanzo said.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

As they sat down to dinner, Laura was proud to consider her first Thanksgiving Day meal a success. She hadn't burned anything, forgotten something, or minded sharing her kitchen with Mother Wilder.

The blizzard raged on. The wind came in mighty gusts that threw white powder into the house. The snow hissed as it was pelted against the windows. But the family felt safe and warm as they enjoyed the feast before them.

"Manzo, I wanna talk ta ya bout somethin," James Wilder said.

"Yes Father?"

"Your Ma and me, we ain't as young as we used ta be. The trip out here was harder than I thought. We just ain't used to travelin so many miles along rutted roads these days."

Almanzo knew what he meant. The rains in October had turned the roads to mud. They hardly had a chance to dry out before the cold November air blew in, hardening the dirt and leaving gapping holes behind that ate up wagon wheels.

James Wilder looked at Laura before he continued. "I know Laura's family is here in Walnut Grove, but I was still thinkin it might be nice if the two of ya came back with us to Spring Valley."

"You mean to live?" asked Laura.

James Wilder chuckled. "Of course to live. Now Manzo," he said looking at his son. "I know ya got plans for this here place, but I can give ya more land than ya got now, free and clear."

Laura and Almanzo stared at one another across the table. They were too dumbstruck to speak.

Mother Wilder reached out to put a thin, cold hand over Laura's. "We got along so well dear. Wouldn't it be nice to spend days together quiltin by the fire?"

"Where would I teach?"

"You wouldn't havta teach," Father Wilder responded. "Without a mortgage, you could stay home and take care of Manzo, like a proper wife."

Laura stood up and clenched her fists against the table. "What do you mean by that?" she exclaimed.

"Just that a wife should be home cookin and sewin and helpin out on the farm…stead of off teachin like a single girl."

"I'll have you know Father Wilder that Manly approves of my teaching. I worked hard for my teaching certificate and I intend to put it to good use."

"Beth, why don't you calm down," Almanzo interrupted.

"Yes dear, please sit down," Mother Wilder pleaded. "I don't think it's worth makin a fuss over."

"Well I think it is. Father Wilder has just accused me of not being a good wife, simply because I help Manly pay the bills while doing something I love. My Ma works you know," said Laura, glaring at her father-in-law.

Almanzo stood up. "Beth please sit down."

Laura pushed the chair back and stepped away from the table. "I will not sit down! And I will not eat dinner with someone who insults me in my own home."

Beth stomped towards the staircase which headed upstairs. She turned around to face them again. "Oh, and by the way…I'm not moving to Spring Valley either. And that's final!"

Laura pounded all the way up the stairs. The last thing Manly and his parents heard was the slam of the bedroom door.