October 14, 1939
Mary Ellen's big day had come. The girls got into their turquoise bridesmaid dresses.
Jim Bob and Elizabeth led the way with Ben and Vanessa behind them. Then Jason and Jenny went in. Joy, Jen, and Johnny went in.
"Tissues?" Erin asked John-Boy. She saw Elizabeth had been crying as well.
"I don't have any Sweetheart, I'm sorry." John-Boy replied, using his index finger to wipe her tears away.
"I feel like I'm losing my best friend." Erin quietly sobbed.
"You two have been close all your lives. But that won't end now. You'll still have lots of times together."
Erin forced a smile and nodded as she took John-Boy's arm and walked into the church.
They reached the front of the church. Then John and Mary Ellen came in.
Erin quietly gasped. She had never seen her sister so beautiful.
"Wow," Elizabeth whispered to Erin.
Erin nodded.
The ceremony began.
After the vows, Jason sang a song.
Tears covered Elizabeth's face.
After the song, Reverend Fordwick smiled. "Curt, Mary Ellen, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Curt, you may kiss your bride.
Curt and Mary Ellen smiled at each other and kissed.
"It's my privilege to introduce for the very first time, the newlywed couple, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Mead Willard."
Everyone clapped.
After the wedding, Curt and Mary Ellen were greeted by their family and friends. Within a couple hours, there were no more people at the Walton's house.
It was soon dark outside. Curt and Mary Ellen hugged everyone. They were heading to New York City for two weeks.
They stepped outside. Joy was sitting on the porch.
"I'll be there in a minute." Mary Ellen told Curt.
He nodded.
Mary Ellen sat by Joy. She smiled. "You and the rest of the family will have to give Elizabeth a big birthday party. We'll just miss it. We'll be back the day after the 28th."
"Why does my sissie have to go?" Joy asked.
This broke Mary Ellen's heart. She hugged her little sister. "I love you Joy. I'll see you in two weeks."
Joy began to cry.
Tears streamed down Mary Ellen's cheeks. "Remember, look at the moon. Know I'm always thinking about you."
Joy nodded. "I love you Mary Ellen."
"I love you Joy. We'll see you on the 29th."
She walked down the porch steps and got in the car with Curt.
"You okay?" Curt asked.
"Yeah. It's just hard. I've been like Joy's second mom since she was born."
"She's sure a sweet girl." Curt smiled.
"She is." Mary Ellen agreed.
Mary Ellen waved at Joy. Joy waved back, despite her tears. It simply broke Mary Ellen's heart to leave Joy sitting on the porch that night. But she knew she would be back soon.