A Waltons Story - Chapter 4

A Waltons Story

(The Waltons Fan Fiction)

By: Kristi N. Zanker

Disclaimer: All publicly recognized characters, settings, etc. are the property of Lorimar Productions and Warner Bros. Television. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. I, in no way am associated with the owners, creators, or producers of The Waltons. No copyright infringement is intended.

The Big Day

The cool October sun beamed down on Waltons Mountain and through the stained glass windows of the Baptist church. The small church seemed to burst at the seams when people began to gather inside for the wedding. It was warm, but not too hot. Reverend Buchanan stood before John-Boy and Daisy, and asked the question everyone had been waiting to hear.

“Do you, John Walton Jr., take Daisy Garner to be your lawfully wedded wife…?”

The voice went on. In a matter of minutes they would be husband and wife. Before Reverend Buchanan asked him to say “I do,” John-Boy glanced out at the crowd. Seated in the first pew were his parents, and grandparents. His mother was softly crying. All his siblings were asked to stand up. Mary Ellen, Erin, and Elizabeth looked beautiful in their green dresses, which accented their red and brown hair. Melissa was the flower girl. Jason, Ben, and Jim-Bob looked stunningly handsome in their new suits. John-Boy saw Ike and Cora Beth, along with Aimee in the second row. Yancy Tucker stood near the back, away from everyone. He looked out of place at church with his dirty pants, sloppy buttoned down shirt and yellow and black checkered hat. Clusters of relatives and nearby friends filtered inside. The Baldwin sisters smiled from the third row. John-Boy knew “the recipe” would be at the reception.

“I do,” said John-Boy.

The Reverend repeated the same passage to Daisy and she said, “I do.”

A few days after John-Boy asked Daisy to marry him, he phoned his mother while working at Hastings House. When he told her the news, there was a long silence. She went on to say how happy she was, but he could tell from her voice that she was worried.

“I don’t want her to hurt you again,” she told him.

“She won’t, Mama,” he had said.

He was sure of it this time. John-Boy went on to say how he opened his heart to Daisy, even after what she had done.

Once John-Boy, Daisy, and Melissa arrived in Rockfish after the long bus ride, his mother embraced everyone. John-Boy believed she was used to the idea of them getting married and hoped that it would happen this time.

“You may kiss the bride,” Reverend Buchanan said.

John-Boy put his arms around his new bride and gave her a big kiss.

“I now pronounce you “man and wife.”

Everyone in the church applauded and cheered as the bride and groom made their way down the aisle. They shook hands with everyone there. When they came outside, a shower of rice fell on them as they made their way down the pathway.

John-Boy’s tan Model A Ford Coupe was parked outside the church. It was covered with streamers and flowers. A "Just Married" sign hung on the back. As the family and friends soon departed for the reception, John-Boy and Daisy locked in an embrace. The crowd worked their way back to the Walton house for the reception, while Daisy and John-Boy stayed behind for a bit to grasp what they had just done.

John-Boy was remembering what had happened with the shivaree. He was smiling to himself and thanking God that they did not do the shivarees anymore, especially like the one at young Olivia and Bob's wedding.

His mother had told him not to come to the house right after the wedding. as a few things still needed to be set up. So he took Daisy up on the mountain. They sat there and enjoyed the beauty around them.

There was no denying it, John-Boy wanted to skip the reception and do what most people do on their wedding night. Of course, he knew that he had to wait. Deep inside he wanted to claim Daisy as his now. Time seemed to move by slowly. While on the mountain, before returning back to the reception, they had one more place to go.

John-Boy held the door for his new bride and gave her a quick kiss before closing it. He got in on the driver’s side and held Daisy close for a moment. Then he navigated down the mountain to the fireplace that was a shell of a house. They got out of the car and he explained to her that this was where it all started.

“My forefathers settled on this very spot. They were Roam and Rebecca Lee. When ever I needed to be alone, I always came here. This spot is so extraordinary to me.”

He could tell that she was so taken aback at the thought that he would share this space. He continued to share the history while mindfully looking at his watch and figured that this would be enough time for the reception to finished setting up. As they headed down the mountain they were so happy that the anticipation of the wedding was over.

When they pulled up to the house and got out of the car, there were a few flashbulbs popping and a lot of people cheering. John-Boy and Daisy were both blinded for a minute. They could hear Melissa calling, “Mommy! Mommy!” Daisy reached for her but for a minute could not see her.

John-Boy saw that Grandpa was trying to get everyone together to gather their glasses of punch. He handed a glass to John-Boy and Daisy.

“Here, to my Grandson! Please help me toast to their health, happiness, and to more generations of grandchildren that I look forward to knowing before my time on this earth is gone. If everyone could raise their glasses to John-Boy and Daisy,” rejoiced Grandpa Walton.

They all cheered as John-Boy and Daisy took a sip to their toast. They both just about gagged. Good old Grandpa, spiking their glasses with the recipe! John-Boy peered over at his parents and grandmother. His Daddy was laughing and the two women were giving them a stern look.

“Good Lord…old fool!” John-Boy heard his Grandma say in a halting yet firm voice. Even after her stroke, Grandma still had her wits about her.

“How could you?” Olivia asked as she turned to the two culprits. John and Grandpa were snickering.

“Ma, Livvy, relax. My son is only going to get married once,” said John.

“You old fool!” Grandma repeated.

“Come here, Old Woman, and let’s dance,” said Grandpa, taking her hand.

“Be useful...help out!” All Grandma could do was push his hand away.

“Ah, well, maybe next time,” Grandpa smiled as he walked past.

John-Boy laughed as he watched Daddy, Grandpa and Yancy heading behind the barn. He knew that the “recipe” was there and plenty of it. John-Boy smelt the scent of cigars. Grandma rolled her eyes to the Heavens and yelled after them.

“Good Lord!” She had no choice but to just stand still by the food table.

John-Boy saw Jason and his band playing. Ben and Jim-Bob made a make shift dance floor out of some stray pieces of nicely cut wood from the saw mill. Soon the dance floor was full. John-Boy and Daisy, Ike and Cora Beth and others were dancing enjoying the late afternoon breeze. Everyone turned when Jason made an announcement about a special song for Grandma.

He knew what his brother was going to play, but the band mates were not sure of where they were going with this. He saw Jason whispering to them to try and go along. Jason began the opening notes to "Ironing Board Blues."

He turned to see Grandma’s reaction to her song. She could not help but crack a smile and tap her feet. Just then, he saw Grandpa, Daddy, and Yancy appear from behind the barn. John-Boy snickered as he looked at Grandpa who sauntered over to Grandma. As Jason finished the song, Grandpa went up to Grandma and grabbed her quickly and gave her a quick smooch. Grandma fussed.

“You know I love you, Old Woman,” said Grandpa.

“Love you too…but I don't know why!”

Grandpa yelled out with glee and grabbed Grandma out on the dance floor. Jason switched tunes and came out with "Whispering."

“Do you think that we will endure as well as your grandparents have?” Daisy asked him.

“They are something else, but you know I inspire to be just like them.” He smiled.

They both continued to dance cheek to cheek.

Elizabeth and Erin were standing around the food table being gracious hostesses. John-Boy winked to Elizabeth knowing that her turn to dance with her big brother would be soon. After a couple of more dances with Daisy, John-Boy excused himself to go dance with Elizabeth.

“John-Boy, I really like Daisy. I’m glad you married her,” said Elizabeth.

“I’m glad I did too, honey,” he laughed. “You’re taller now and I see you’ve gotten rid of your bangs.”

“Yeah, I wanted a change. Erin showed me how to pin my hair back so they wouldn’t fall in my face.”

“You’ll always be beautiful, Elizabeth. Are you still reading these days or are you seeing your boyfriend George?”

“John-Boy! George was never my boyfriend. I wrote you that.” She smiled at him.

One minute, Elizabeth was a mature twelve-year-old who fussed about her hair, and the next, making faces about a boy.

“I know, I know. So, what are you reading now?”

“Well, I’m reading the Hardy Boys, and Betsy and Tacy. Not all at the same time, of course.”

“I’m glad there’s another reader in the family. Do you think you’ll start writing too?”

“Oh, no! The last time I wrote a story, I got a lot of people in trouble.” She went on to tell him about the man with the German accent who came to Waltons Mountain.

“Well, you should write what you know.”

“I know that now.”

John-Boy twirled Elizabeth around twice and she giggled.

“I have an idea,” he said. “How about you coming to New York City and visiting me.”

“Now?” Elizabeth asked, her eyes wide and flashing with excitement.

“No, not now…maybe when you’re on a school vacation. I’ll talk to Mama about it and we’ll see if you can visit us. Melissa would like that.”

“I like her too; she’s cute. I always wanted a little sister.”

“Well, you may have a little niece or nephew one day.”

When the song ended, John-Boy gave Elizabeth a hug and a kiss. He thanked her for the dance.

John-Boy decided to take a break from the dance floor for a bit. He stopped by to get something to drink and was watching everyone. His father whispered something into his mother’s ear, to which she laughed. John-Boy turned and watched Erin. She stood alone and he knew that she needed something else in life that she did not have. Being the oldest, he knew the difference between putting up a brave front, but he knew his sister. John-Boy walked up to the food table and asked her how she was doing.

“I’m fine, John Boy. I’m so happy for you and Daisy.”

“Erin, I know you. You say you’re all right, but I know better. What’s wrong?”

“Oh, John-Boy, you moved away from here! You created a life for yourself. I feel like I’m stuck here with a job that is going nowhere. I really just want the same as you. Someone to love me, John-Boy, and someone to grow old with.

“Erin, you’re beautiful and smart. You'll meet someone that will be the right person for you; one that will fulfill all that he can give you. You’re too young to give up that dream. It’ll happen for you. It happened for me. Erin, any man that you’ll meet would be crazy not to go for you.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re my brother.”

“I’m saying this because it’s true. Be open to it and life will happen for you.” John-Boy hugged Erin and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Jim-Bob and Elizabeth were bored and Jason played a current song. Elizabeth went up to Jim-Bob.

“You want to dance?” asked Jim-Bob.

Jim-Bob grabbed her by the hand and they went to the dance floor. John-Boy chuckled as the two of them attempted to Jitterbug. He saw Mary Ellen who sat with John-Curtis on her lap, moving his arms to the swing music. Miss Mamie and Miss Emily sat next to Mary Ellen and enjoyed watching the young people dance and mingle.

John-Boy glanced out into the sea of dancers and saw his bride spinning Melissa, who was squealing with joy. The next day, the three of them would head back to New York. They would be a real family now.

After another fast number, Jason and the band mates took a break. John-Boy poured a glass of punch and brought it over to his brother.

“You sound great up there,” said John-Boy.

“Thanks,” Jason took a sip of punch. “I see a bit of the recipe has gotten in.”

“I took it out of the other bowl,” John-Boy smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell Mama. You’re almost of age.”

There were two bowls on the table and most knew what was in the smaller one.

“Not bad,” said Jason as he finished the glass of punch.

“How’s your music coming along?”

“It’s coming along alright.”

“The same goes for my writing. For awhile I couldn’t write anything, and once Daisy and I became a pair again, I couldn’t stop writing.”

“Girls’ll do that to you. John-Boy, I really like her.”

“That’s what Elizabeth said.”

“No, she’s great…she fits in right with the family.”

“Thanks, Jason.”

After everyone was finished eating, Jason began playing with the band again. In the next hour, Daisy threw the bouquet and Erin caught it. John-Boy could see tears in her eyes. Everyone knew that when one caught the bouquet, they were going to get married next. Later on, Erin ran up to him and said, “It must be a sign!” John-Boy told her that she might be right about that. The bride and groom then cut the cake and fed each other a piece.

As the evening wore on, the crowd thinned out. Soon only the immediate Walton family was left and everyone assisted with cleaning up. John-Boy carried in empty salad bowls and set them on the kitchen table. Daisy, Mary Ellen and Erin were washing dishes. John-Boy heard Elizabeth reading to Melissa in the living room. He saw his mother carry in what was left of the wedding cake and put it on the table.

“John-Boy, I have a surprise for you,” he said.

“Oh, Mama, this whole day was a nice surprise. It was so thoughtful of you to have the reception here.”

“Your Daddy and I booked you and Daisy a hotel room in Scottsville, since that’s where you two met.”

“I remember. But Mama--Daisy, Melissa, and I were planning to head back to New York City tomorrow.”

“No, you’re not going back yet. You’ll be staying two nights at the hotel, tonight and Sunday night. I want you two to have a honeymoon. Don’t end up like your Daddy and me, who had to wait nineteen years.”

“But Mama, what about…”

“Stop saying that. I’ve already have Melissa taken care of. We will look after her while you two are away for the weekend.”

“She doesn’t like to see her mother leave.”

“Daisy can put her to bed in the girls’ room, and once she’s asleep, you two can leave. When she wakes up tomorrow, we’ll all make her feel at home.”

“Oh, Mama. You didn’t have to do all of this.”

“It’s already been done. Now, go get ready. Daisy’s already packed.”

John-Boy gave his mother a big hug and a kiss. He thanked her again and sprinted up the stairs.

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