Author's note: This story is set 10 years from now. The chldren are between the ages of 23-25. Jo and Nick are married, Dan and Bess are
engaged, Meg and Harrison are married (Edward never came back), and Nan and Nat are hinting about their feelings. Dan lives at Plumbfield,
Bess lives with her parents, Nat and Nan both live in town.
It's December 23, and Jo and Nick are waiting for the train with Tommy and Emil to arrive. "Jo, calm down." Nick says.
"I just miss them, that's all." Jo responds
"They haven't visited here for two years."
Nick changes the subject "So how are the decorations coming?"
"Nan has off tomorrow and Christmas so she's gonna help." Jo says.
"You're really proud of her, aren't you Jo?"
"Yes I am. She followed her dream and became a doctor. She reminds me of me because when things got tough she never gave up."
Nick, smiling, responds "Course she wouldn't of given up. First, she's Nan and second, she went to Plumbfield."
"Hey," Jo playfully punches him in the arm while saying "Plumbfield is a good school." "Thats not what I meant, she was here and so were Dan, Emil, and Jack. Dan challenged her and Emil and Jack teased her." Nick stated.
"I know Nick."
"Speaking of Nan, Jo have you seen the way Nat and Nan have been looking at each other for years?" Nick asks.
"What do you mean?"
"They have been friends for years but its like they want to be something more. They just don't know how to approach it."
"They would make a cute couple, Nick, but don't try to get them together."
"I won't if you won't."
"Deal"
But we didn't agree that I couldn't imply to either one of them the idea of revealing their feelings Nick started thinking. By that time the train arrived and Jo, Nick, Emil, and Tommy greeted each other.
~~~~~~~~~~
That night when Nat was helping Nick and Dan out in the barn, Nick started
implying things to Nat. Dan knew what Nick was doing and played along.
"Nat, is there anyone you want to bring to the Christmas party tomorrow night?"
"I already asked who I wanted to bring Nick."
"Who's that Nat?" Dan asked.
"I asked Nan to go with me and she said yes."
"Do you know if she is gonna stay the night or go back to her place?" Nick asked.
"Yeah if she stayed it would be like old times." Dan said.
"I think she might stay" Nat told them.
"Nat, I was wondering, do you like Nan?" Nick asked.
"Yeah I like her." Nat replied a little suspicious.
"No I mean as more than a friend, like love her?" Nick said.
After a few moments of silence Nat told Nick and Dan "Yes I love Nan, I've loved her since I was 14."
Trying to lighten the mood slightly "Wow Nat thats longer than I've loved Bess." Dan said. All three of them started chuckling. After a half-hour of talking Nick and Dan went into the house and Nat went to his place.
PART 2
The next day Nan arrived at Plumbfield just before breakfast and was ready to start decorating for Christmas. Nick asked her if they could talk for a while privately, and they went out to the school room. Nick asked her if she was coming with anyone tonight.
"Yes, Nat asked me a couple of weeks ago and I accepted." She replied.
"Are you gonna spend the night? Have it be like old times." Nick asked.
"Probably." Nan replied.
"I was wondering Nan, do you like Nat?" Nick asked.
"Of course I like Nat."
"No, Nan do you like him as more than a friend, like do you love him?"
After a few moments "Yeah Nick, I've loved Nat ever since I was 14."
That's all Nick really wanted to know but they talked for awhile longer.
~~~~~~~~~~
That same day Dan and Bess were talking about Nat and Nan because they both
realized that Nat and Nan loved each other since everyone was 14. Bess came up with an idea. "Dan we need to go into town."
"Why Bess?"
"Because I have a some what of a plan to get Nat and Nan together." Bess told him.
"What's the somewhat of a plan?" Dan asked teasing.
Bess said "Well Aunt Jo doesn't have mistletoe. I was thinking that if we could get some and hang it up. All we have to do is get them to kiss then maybe they will reveal their feelings for each other."
"That's actually a pretty good plan, Bess."
"Thanks, honey." Bess replied.
Dan, getting kinda red, asked "When do you want to go, sweetheart?"
"Whenever you have time, darling."
"How about now, baby?"
"Fine with me, sweetie." Bess said.
"Okay let's go, honeybunch." Dan said and with that they left for town.
PART 3
That night Nat was early when he went to pick up Nan. She didn't care, she needed to talk to him. Nat started talking about something that happended within a couple of days. He also mentioned that Nick, Dan, and him were talking about tonight a couple of days ago.
"You talked with Nick?" Nan asked a little nervous.
"Yeah, we kind of talked about you." Nat replied a little cautious.
"Oh, um what did you talk about?" Nan asked.
"Look, Nan, this is hard for me to say," Nat started.
"We're best friends, Nat, you can tell me anything." Nan told him.
"Well, Nan, the day Emil and Tommy arrived, that night Nick asked me if I like you and I said yes. Then Nick asked if I love you." Nat said.
Nan asked wondering "What did you say?"
"Nan, I do love you, more than anything."
"Oh, Nat, I love you too, ever since I was 14." Nan replies.
They hugged and Nat told her the same thing. "Nan, how about we, I mean would you like to start courting?" Nat asked.
"Of course, Nat, but lets not tell anyone until halfway through the party."
"Sure, Nan, speaking of the party we better start heading out."
~~~~~~~~~~
Dan and Bess just finished putting up the mistletoe when Jo walked in. "The place looks great with the mistletoe you guys." Jo said.
"Thanks, Mrs. Jo."
"Thanks, Aunt Jo," Dan and Bess replied at the same time. They all started laughing.
PART 4
Soon everyone arrived for Plumbfield's party. Nat and Nan took a break from dancing and were standing in a doorway oblivious to the mistletoe. Emil noticed and always wanting to find a way to get at Nat. He announced to everyone that they were standing under mistletoe, and "according to tradition theyy have to kiss." Emil finished with everyone looking on.
Nat turned to Nan and said "Well you won't find a better time to tell or show them."
Nan nodded in agreement, and then they kissed for a good amount of time. Everyone was surprised. Then they told everyone that they love each other and that they started courting.
Dan and Bess were the first ones to congratulate them. Nick leaned over to Jo and whispered in her ear "Took them longer than anyone to find love."
"Yeah, but you broke our deal." Jo stated.
"No I didn't, our deal was we couldn't try to get them together. We didn't agree that we couldn't ask them or imply to reveal their feeling." Nick told her. Towards the end of the night Nat and Nan both found out that Nick was the one that helped them both. Before they left, they both thanked Nick for his help.
The End
