A/N: So, this is the last chapter! Finally! I know I've been wanting to get this story over with so I can start on other ideas I have, and I'm sure you readers want to know how it ends. On with the story.
Chapter 9: The End to the Saga
Once the three families were settled back in Walnut Grove, old life picked up. Pa spent most of his time in the fields but worked some for Mr. Hansen. Mr. Garvey resumed his work in fields and town. Mr. Oleson resumed daily life as it was at the mercantile. Everyone was happy to be back, but sad that not everyone had returned yet.
There was no school teacher but several children had returned and were in need of schooling during the summer months when they could be spared on the farms. Ma gladly accepted the position of temporary school master, and began to plan her lessons immediately. Very soon, the students were back in familiar surroundings with familiar people, which was a comfort for everyone.
Unlike the previous year, the farms were doing quite well this summer. There was more than enough food for everyone that the gardens fed. The Ingallses and Garveys got enough from the mid-season pickings that they could share with the families that returned later.
On a Sunday afternoon in mid-July, the Olesons, Garveys, and Ingallses got together for a picnic. Everyone went home after church to change clothes and gather their food items for the picnic, which was held in town. The three families enjoyed a fabulous feast and then the kids ran off and played while the adults chatted. Everyone had a marvelous time, and stayed for several hours until it was time to go home for supper.
The months between July and the harvest passed quickly. More families returned, and by October everyone that had previously lived in Walnut Grove had returned. The farmers had returned before, but the town folk waited so that everything would be more re-established when they returned.
Harvest time was a success for the Ingallses and Garveys. Both families had a bountiful harvest. That kept the women busy for quite a while because all of the vegetables that weren't being saved fresh for immediate use would be preserved. The vegetables that weren't preserved were saved for meal-time consumption, but also for another reason.
In celebration of the bountiful harvests and return to normalcy for the residents of Walnut Grove, there was to be a Fall Festival in town. The farm families were to bring something to share with everyone. Hay rides and fall games were planned.
The day of the fall festival dawned bright and clear. Everyone was looking forward to time together. The farm families came early to set up their contribution to the festival. Mr. Ingalls and some of the other farming men gathered hay together for the hay rides. The town people arrived and the celebration began. Everyone enjoyed a marvelous feast by going around to each of the different tables to pick up a sample of this dish or that dish. The children enjoyed the hay rides and other activities, and the adults enjoyed the time to chat. Everyone was sad to see the day end.
Over the course of the next several months, everyone lived life as usual, and gave thanks for the interesting experiences they had over the past two years.
A/N: That's it! I know – sad, isn't it? Oh well, at least now I can move on and work on another story. I've got lots of chapter outlines for stories that I brainstormed but didn't write because of this story. Look for me on under the same username, P7FHP.