I found it strange John Jr. wasn't in The Blizzard episode since it takes place before "I'll Ride the Wind" when he goes to college. Logically, he would have been out there with the search party, helping Mr. Edwards find Carl and Alicia. So I wrote him into the episode. Also, a follow up on how the Ingalls cope with the loss of Mr. McGinnis.

The Blizzard: (Season 3)

Six months passed and John graduated from the school of Walnut Grove. Being a poor farmer's son, he knew his prospects were limited. College was only for youths from well-to-do families and even then, there was no promise of a career afterwards. It was best not to dream too big. He would most likely build a homestead and plant a crop of his own like all the other farmers in Walnut Grove and send his poems and short stories to magazines for a little extra income. It was a commonplace but fulfilling state of existence, and he felt he wouldn't trade it for any other.

It was two weeks to Christmas and John visited the mercantile. There were light flurries of snow and a persistent wind. His heart warmed at the sight of the garlands, paper chains and ornaments that decorated the storeroom. He remembered the last Christmas he enjoyed with his real mother, two years ago. They had went from house to house with the Ingalls, Isaiah and Grace to sing carols. When it was time to visit the Olesons, Laura wanted to back out for fear Nellie would answer the door and she would have no choice but to sing and wish her enemy a Merry Christmas. But Ma said it was unchristian to pick and choose who to be charitable towards. So when the Olesons came to the door, Laura stood in the back of the crowd and hoped she wouldn't be seen.

John smiled at the memory. Perhaps they would do it again, this year.

"Well hello John!" said Mr. Oleson. "How's it going?"

"Just fine. I'm here to pick up some flour, sugar and yeast for my Ma."

"Oh that's allright. She already bought it. She's in the living room with the other ladies making Christmas decorations."

John looked out the window.

"Listen to that wind. It is as though the apparitions of settlers from bygone days were passing by, this fateful Christmas day."

Mr. Oleson smiled. Only John Jr. would utter a line like that.

"Say's that quite poetic. You should write about it."

"Yes. I think I will. As soon I'm finished with my prairie verses. They're a set of poems I'm going to send to the Pathfinder for publication."

"Well, you have the talent. No question about that."

John took a five dollar bill out of his pocket. "Do you have some ribbon?"

"Sure do."

"A soft pink ribbon made of satin that can be worn in the hair."

"Well what do you want with...?" Mr. Oleson stopped. "I take it this is for Mary." he said with a knowing look.

John blushed and laughed nervously.

"Yes. How did you know? I could be getting it for Alicia."

"Well, we've all seen you and Mary together. Everyone's waiting for you to pop the question."

"Well...I haven't worked up the courage for that yet. I'm still waiting for the proper time."

Mr. Oleson smiled and leaned over the counter.

"John...if you meet a girl like Mary, you hold on to her. You understand?"

"NELS!" came a shrill voice from the living room.

Mr. Oleson rolled his eyes.

"Or else you'll end up like me."

"Nels, are we out of gold ribbon again?"

"Oh no. No. We've got some."

Mr. Oleson took the gold ribbon and left for a moment. When he returned he assisted John with his purchase. John looked at a little ceramic teacup with pink rosebuds and golden trimmings.

"How much is the ribbon?"

"Fifty cents."

"What if I bought the teacup as well?

"That would be two dollars."

"Can you wrap it up for me?"

"Sure."

Mr. Oleson put the teacup and hair ribbon in a box and wrapped it with dark green paper and a crimson ribbon and bow.

"There. That's three dollars in total."

"Thanks."

"Say, you better stay put. It's getting rough out there. Why don't you go join the ladies? You can help with the decorations."

"Sure."

The ladies were more than glad to have an extra pair of hands. Mrs. Oleson had ceramic eggs dyed red and green and was gluing golden ribbon to them, Mrs. Ingalls was working on a paper chain, Mrs. Edwards was sewing popcorn on a string and the others were hanging ornaments on a couple of small evergreens. John buised himself with another popcorn string.

"Ah, Christmas. My favorite season." said Mrs. Oleson. "I'm so glad I suggested to the Reverend Aldrin to have a town Christmas party this year."

"I thought Reverend Aldrin said Betty suggested it." said another lady.

"Ah, well. Perhaps she did, but I did intend to suggest it."

"The children are going to love it." said Grace. "I can't wait until school is over so we can get into the church and start decorating. Presents in the morning and a party in the afternoon! Can you imagine? It's going to be like having Christmas twice. Of course, my main problem will be how to keep Isaiah out of the presents tonight."

They all laughed.

"Oh, Caroline, isn't your husband going to deliver the sermon in the absence of Reverend Aldrin?" said Mrs. Oleson.

"Yes." said Caroline.

"Oh!" she said in her sugary voice. "Well I'm sure that will be very quaint."

Caroline growled silently. Why did Harriet have to be so passive aggresive towards her even on Christmas?

"I am shocked, however..." Harriet continuted. "That Reverend Aldrin decided not to spend Christmas here."

"Well, after all, he was with us last year and he does have two congregations to care for." said Caroline.

"Well, I know, my dear, but after all, we do contribute more money than Sleepy Eye."

"It is more blessed to give than to receive, Mrs. Oleson."

"Eh, I suppose so."

About half an hour later they were all finished. They gathered their decorations and made their way to the schoolchurch. As Mrs. Oleson opened the door, the icy wind hit them like a slap in the face. The howling had grown much louder and the snow had laid a thick blanket on the ground. If they strained their eyes, they could make out the faint visage of the schoolchurch.

"I can't remember ever seeing a storm blow up this quickly." said Grace.

"We would have had trouble finding the church. Isn't this ridiculous?" said one of the ladies. "Thank God the children aren't out in this."

When they reached the church, a great fear seized their hearts. It was empty except for Ms. Beadle, Nellie and Willie.

"Where are the children?" asked Grace.

"I sent them home early." said Ms. Beadle.

"All but Nellie and me." whined Willie. "We had to stay and wash the blackboards."

"When did they leave?" asked Ma, sternly.

Ms. Beadle was shaking like a leaf. Tears welled up in her eyes and no wonder. If some of those children froze to death on their way home, she would never forgive herself.

"Quite a while ago." she stammered. "They finished their work early...They were so excited about Christmas...There were only flurries when they left. I'm sure most of them had time to get home."

"My Henry couldn't have gotten home." said an old woman. "Not in this weather."

"Nor my Joey!" said another.

Just then Charles, Mr. Edwards and Dr. Baker came in with some blankets. They had just finished a long hard days work of delivering mail in the snow.

"Oh! Ms. Beadle, I hope you want some company. You're going to be running a hotel tonight...Say, where are the children?

"All of the children left early except for Nellie and Willie." said Caroline.

"What? You mean they're out in this?"

"How early did they leave?" asked Dr. Baker.

"About a half an hour ago." said Ms. Beadle.

"We'll organize all the men in town." said Charles. "Some of the fathers must be out looking for the children now. You women stay here. The way this storm's building up, we'll be looking for you in an hour."

"Let me go with you." said John.

"No. You stay right here." said Grace.

"I've got to. Carl and Alicia are out there."

"You sure you want to go out there in that?" said Mr. Edwards.

"I am not afraid. Please."

Mr. Edwards smiled. That was like John Jr. Always looking for a way to prove himself a man.

"Allright son. You just stick with me. Okay?"

"Yes sir."

The wind and snow blew into the church as soon as they opened the door.

"You'll need some warmer clothing." said Mrs. Oleson. "Nels has some in the storeroom."

"Oh, thank you, Mrs. Oleson." said Mr. Edwards.

John smiled. Mrs. Oleson was not always as high and mighty as she seemed. Mr. Oleson gave John, Mr. Ingalls and Mr. Edwards some coats and hats made of buffalo fur and sent them on their way. Then he and Mr. Hanson closed up the store and joined the search party as well.

John knew to trust Mr. Edwards' judgment for he had been living by his wits since he was a child.

"Have you ever seen anything like it in your life?"

"Oh, this ain't nothing." said Mr. Edwards in his usual jolly manner. "Did I ever tell you about the time I brought Christmas presents to the Ingalls long before they came here? I had to wade through a river in a snowstorm to get there."

"No way."

"Well it's the Gospel truth, I did. Thank goodness I had that whiskey to keep me warm inside."

"He ain't making this one up, son." said Mr. Ingalls. "I was there. This was back in Kansas when we left our little house in the Big Woods of Winsconsin. He was covered with snow and as stiff as a stone when he came through the door."

"Well, it takes a little more than a cold dip to take me down. Heh, heh, heh...Oh! Tracks!"

Mr. Ingalls knelt down and foraged through the snow. He came across a bright red piece of paper with Laura's handwriting.

"That's Laura's!" he said. "We're on the right trail."

"I sure hope Carl and Alicia are with them." said John.

The howling of the wind was so loud and intense, it got into your blood and brain. It felt as though the world had turned into a barren wasteland shrouded in fog with the ghosts of barely visible objects. The tracks led them to a fence.

"I remember this fence!" said Mr. Ingalls. "It's from the Linderman's old farm. The house is gone but the woodshed is still there. Come on!"

They followed the fence until it led them to the woodshed. There was Mary, Laura and Carrie all bundled up in a corner next to a small fire.

"Pa!" said Mary.

"Mr. Edwards!" said Laura.

Pa put his arms around them. "Oh, my babies. Thank God!"

"Where's Carl and Alicia?" said Mr. Edwards.

"We don't know." said Laura.

"Didn't they walk home from school with you?" asked Pa.

"Part of the way, then they took the shortcut and we went around the hill to stay in the shelter of the trees."

"The mine shaft!" exclaimed John. "Do you remember when Carrie fell in that hole and we all thought it was a well but it turned out to be a mine shaft?"

"Sure do." said Mr. Edwards. "Was a hell a job digging her out."

"Carl led us to the entrance of the mine shaft. He and his friends use it for a clubhouse sometimes. I'll bet he took Alicia there."

"That's a real brainwave son." said Mr. Ingalls. "Glad you mentioned it."

"We'll go check it out." said Mr. Edwards.

"Can't stay in this shed." said Charles. "That wind's going to turn it into kindling in a couple of minutes. We'll get you back to the school."

"We'll see you there in an hour or so, God willing." said Mr. Edwards.

On their way back, the Ingalls came upon a frozen man covered in snow. It was Mr. McGinnis, one of the members of the search party. Charles turned him over. He was as stiff as a poker. His face was blue and purple and ice had sealed his mouth forever.

"Come on." said Charles. "There's nothing we can do."

Laura buried her face in Mary's arms.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Carl and Alicia had gone deep into the mineshaft, far away from the opening where it was warm and the sting of the wind was not felt so strong.

"I'm so cold." cried Alicia.

"Just be quiet." said Carl. "It doesn't do any good talking about it. Get some leaves and straw and make a pile."

He took out a box of matches and lit one.

"It's a good thing I brought this. Otherwise we'd be rubbing two sticks. And that takes forever."

When they had succeeded in making a small campfire, they removed their gloves and stretched their fingers.

"What if Ma and Pa think we froze to death?" asked Alicia.

"It can't be helped." said Carl. "We'll just have to wait out the storm. When it stops, we'll get up and find our way home."

"That will take all night."

"I know. Just stay close to me."

"I'm hungry."

"Just don't talk about it. Try to think of something else."

"Carl! Alicia!" came an echoing voice.

"Pa!" they shouted.

Mr. Edwards and John Jr. came over the scene. It was all hugs and cries of joy.

"I knew you'd find us!" said Carl.

"Hey! It was John's idea." said Mr. Edwards.

"Did Mary and Laura make it home?"

"No. They're going back to the church." said John. "Mr. Ingalls found them."

"Are we going back too?"

"Well...I don't know." said Mr. Edwards. "It's awful rough out there. I think we'd better stay put for tonight. We'll join them first thing in the morning."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The next morning, the clouds had parted and the blizzard was gone. The woods were quiet once more and one noticed it immediately after hearing the relentless howling of the wind for hours. Isaiah, John Jr, Carl and Alicia stretched their limbs and headed out of the cave. Mr. Edwards put Alicia on his shoulders.

"I'm hungry." she moaned.

"Oh don't worry about that." said Mr. Edwards. "We'll get something to eat when we get home. Right now, we need to get back to the church. Poor Grace probably thinks we all froze to death."

During this time, the church had been taking in one survivor after the next, doing what they could to warm them up. Grace had been worried sick and wanted to go out and look for herself and Caroline and Doctor Baker had to restrain her. Her face lit up at her family's entrance and she flew to them. The whole church erupted in praises and congratulations as Mr. Edwards told the story of their survival. John went to Mary and gave her a big hug and kiss. But gradually, the joyous atmosphere died away as more and more people took notice of Mrs. McGinnis and her son Joey with their long faces standing apart from the crowd-the family who had just lost their husband and father. Mary started to cry and John held her tight. Why oh why, couldn't they all have lived?

Charles slowly walked to the pulpit, picked up the bible and read the Christmas story so there would be something they all could participate in and be blessed by-even Mrs. McGinnis and Joey. When he was finished, they all filed out of the church one by one without another word.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Two weeks passed and it was Christmas Eve. John Jr. decided to pay the Ingalls a visit. He handed the present to Mary.

"I know we usually open our presents on Christmas Day." he said. "But if you don't mind, I'd like to give it to you now."

Mary opened it.

"Oh, that is beautiful!" she said, carefully turning the tea cup round and round.

"There's a hair ribbon as well."

"Aww. That is so sweet. I can wear that with my pink Sunday dress. Thank you, John. You're such a Romeo."

She gave him a big hug.

"Oh Mary, why do you have be so mushy?" said Laura.

"Oh hush up, Laura! Just wait til' your fourteen."

"Nope. I'm never gonna get married. I'm gonna stay here with Pa forever."

The family laughed.

"You know, I've been thinking." said John. "I can't get that mother and son out of my mind."

"I know, it's so sad." said Ma.

"My heart hurt so badly when we congratulated ourselves on surviving and they couldn't join us. I know just how they feel."

"I know what you mean." said Pa.

"So I've been thinking. Why don't we go caroling, like we did last year? This time, we'll take the wagon and plenty of lanterns and blankets, hot cocoa and gingerbread. That way we'll be more prepared."

"I think that's a wonderful idea." said Ma. "What do you think Charles?"

"I don't see why not. Go tell your family to come back here at five."

"Sure thing." said John.

John skipped home, feeling as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He knew where they would go caroling first.