Note from the Author:
Hi,
My name is Leena and currently I reside in Namibia, Africa.  I have been watching Little Men and it has become one of my favorite shows.  My main reason for it being my favorite show is that they show how love blossoms in a very beautiful way between Nick and Jo (compared to today's ways of portraying love-in bed after meeting few hours before).  Their love has friendship, respect, loyalty and commitment which are the building blocks of marriage.  Based on that I am writing a story about the beginning of their marriage. (Please bear with me this is my first story.  Also I am not very good in writing the way Nick speaks so I will do my best but please alter his speech to suit his way of speaking and any other corrections you see fit.)

    Finally, thought Nick as he led his lovely new bride into the barn where he stays with her eyes closed, we are alone.
    "Can I open them now?" asked an impatient Jo.
    "Not yet," said Nick with a smile.  He took a moment to look at Jo and he could hardly believe his eyes that she is his wife now . . . she looked so beautiful.
    "Hey, I can't wait any longer," said Jo.
    "Okay," said Nick as he took the blindfold off.  She blinked her eyes and gasped.  The place had been so beautifully decorated, with candles everywhere, lovely scent of fresh flowers and a beautifully wrapped gift on the bed.
    "Oh," said Jo, "it is so lovely."
    "I am glad you like it," said Nick, enjoying her expression of surprise.  "I worked quite hard at it you know."
    She smiled and looked into his eyes.  They look at each other with such tenderness that no words are needed to express their love.  At this moment they feel it was worth all the wait and hassles they went through.  Nick put his arms around her and drew her to himself and kissed her gently on the lips and she returned the kiss with so much passion that it melted his heart.  They kissed for a while and he gently pulled away but kept his arms around her.
    He said, "I have waited so long for this," and Jo blushes and softly said, "Me too."  He led her to the window and looked up to the stars.  They could hear the music playing in the background and the children's laughter but they stood not saying anything, for their hearts were saying it all.
    Jo rested with her head on his chest and looked at the stars.  She remembered how as a child she used to wish on the stars.  She noticed Nick was very quiet and gently asked him, "What are you thinking, honey?"
    His heart warmed as he heard her call him "honey" and he looked down at her into her eyes and smiled a smile which made her heart skip a beat.  He said, "I am thanking God for you."
    She couldn't believe her ears.  Nick was not a religious person at all and hearing those words brought tears to her eyes.
    He continued, "I always thought God did not love me because I was not good enough and that is why He took away all the people I loved."
    Tears came to her eyes as her heart  felt his pain.
    "I could never bring myself to talk to Him but now I realize that there was a plan and purpose for all.  He has given me the best of all, you.  You are such a wonderful woman so full of strength and character.  You have given me something I lost when I was a child: love and faith in myself.  I have learned to love myself because of you.  You and the children have made such a difference in my life that the sea lost its grasp on me.  Your love won me over and through your eyes I see God loves me."
    Jo didn't know what to say.  She just hugged him with tears in her eyes and said, "Nick Riley I really love you with all my heart."
    They hugged for a while and then Nick pulled away gently and moved to the bed and brought the gift that was on the bed.  He gave it to her and said, "For you, with all my love."
    She took it and said "Thanks, but I did not get you anything" sadly.
    He said, "It doesn't matter; to have your love means more than anything."
    She blushed and started to open it.  She gasped.  It was a beautiful dress in dark red with a black collar and black trimmings around it.  "It is so beautiful! Thank you," she said.
    "You looked so lovely on the night of the dance that I looked for a dress that was similar to what you wore that night."  Then from his pocket he took out a golden chain and fastened it round her neck.  It was a golden chain with a heart pendant.
    She fingered it and gave him a big hug.  "You are so wonderful," she said.
    They looked into each other's eyes as words could not express how they felt at the moment.  Then he lifted her gently in his arms and took her to the bed.

Nick woke up in the morning to the sound of the birds and smiles.  It is indeed a lovely morning, he said to himself.  He looked down and saw Jo sleeping so peacefully in his arms.   She looked so lovely and content that he felt he was dreaming.  He smiled as he thought of last night; he never knew a man and woman could share such a love, so pure and beautiful.  I am going to treasure you all my life, said Nick to himself.  He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and she stirred and opened her eyes and looked into the eyes of the man she loved.
    She smiled and said, "Good morning; did you sleep well?"
    "Never slept better," said Nick.  "I'm so hungry," carried on Nick.  "Let's go and get some breakfast."

    They got dressed and walked down to the house and they noticed all is quiet.
    "I wonder where the children are," said Jo.
    "I'm not sure," said Nick.  "They're not in the classroom."
    They were met by Asia in the dinning room.  "Good morning you two love birds," she said with a smile. "Breakfast is ready."
    "Where are the children?" asked Jo.  "I want to say hello to Rob."
    "Rob left with Meg last night," said Asia, "and Amy has taken the children on a walk to the woods to pick plants and press them".
    "Oh," said Jo with delight. "That was wonderful of all of you."
    "Don't mention it; you two deserve some time alone," smiled Asia.  "Your breakfast is ready and I have packed lunch for you according to Nick's instructions so I will see you later.  Enjoy yourselves!"
    Jo turned to find Nick grinning mischievously.  "You knew all about this and kept quiet," she said, playfully punching him.
    He laughed and took her into his arms and kissed her.  "Just wanted to surprise you, my love."
    Her heart warmed to his words.  They sat and enjoyed their breakfast, talking away while Asia smiled to herself as she heard them.  She looked up and said, "Thank you, Lord.  You knew she needed someone like him and I am so glad she is happy."

    Soon the newlyweds could be seen walking hand in hand toward the Walden pond.  She was dressed in the new dress he had bought for her, her golden chain around her neck.  It was a perfect spring day with a gentle breeze that played with her hair.  He was dressed so smartly in a gray suit (a gift from Laurie) and anyone could see they are in love.

    They sat and unpacked the lovely lunch Asia had packed for them.  Nick brought out a book for her to read to them.
    "It's a book of poetry," he said.
    She was surprised and insisted, "I will read only if you will also read."
    "Okay," he agreed and smiled.  The afternoon was spent on eating and reading, each taking turns.  Jo enjoyed hearing Nick read, remembering how he first started to
learn to read.  They made such a pretty picture with Jo leaning on the tree bark and Nick lying with his head on her lap listening to her voice.

    As the sun was about to set, Nick sat up and, facing Jo, said, "I have something to tell ya.  I spoke to Laurie some days ago and he agreed to take out a loan for me.  I want to start my own business—carpentry.  But I need you to teach me how to do books."
    "Nick, that is a wonderful idea and I will be glad to teach you.  I guess that means I must look for a new caretaker," she added mischievously.
    "No way—I'm still the caretaker of Plumfield," he said seriously.
    Jo laughed.
    He carried on, "I want to go to Boston for a few days to get some things and I want you to accompany me."
    "But what about the school and my classes?" said Jo.
    "Amy and Meg agreed to help and you can give them projects to work on and they'll supervise them."
    Jo said, "Mr. Nick Riley, what all have you planned behind my back?"
    Nick grinned.  "Just say you will come, please," he said with pleading eyes and Jo did not have the heart to refuse him.

    As they headed toward the house the children rushed to meet them and Rob ran to Nick and said, "Hello dad!"
    Nick picked him up and throwed him in the air and said, "Hi son, how was yer day?"
    Jo watched with a smile as Nick and Rob bond.  The children all rushed in and talked excitedly and Asia yelled at the top of her voice, "Dinner is ready!"
    At dinner Nick took the place at the head of the table and Jo looked at him proudly.  He said grace and they all began to eat.  They chatted away and enjoyed the meal. But Nick and Jo just looked at each other across the table and smiled.

    "Time for bed," Jo announced and she went to tuck Rob in but found Nick already there reading him a story of ships and adventures.  She stood by the doorway and smiled at the heartwarming picture and saw Rob's little head nodding off to sleep.  Nick finished the story and kissed him before he covers him.  He turned to find Jo.  He said, "I hope you don't mind."
    "Oh no," she said quickly.  "He is your son."
    "Yes he is, and I could not have asked for a finer son and wife."
    Jo kissed Rob on the cheek and put out the candle and joined her husband as he went to their bedroom.

    They had a busy day as Nick gave chores to the kids, Jo handed out projects to everyone of them, and Amy, Asia, and Meg were given instructions.  Finally, all packed, they headed for the station; Laurie had come to take them.  On the way they met Mr. Harrison Bridger and he took the time to congratulate the happy couple.

    Boston, finally, said Nick to himself. He stepped off the train and helped Jo down.  He took Jo by her hand and led her to the hotel.
    The next morning they were out in the shops looking for things they need to buy for Nick's new business.  In the evenings Jo taught him how to do books.  They spent five days enjoying the place, taking walks, and dancing away the night.  On the last day before they left, Nick announced he wanted to get Rob a gift so he left Jo packing and went to the shop.  He came back shortly with a parcel.
    "Can I see it?" asked Jo.
    "No, it is for my son and he will open it first."
    Jo had tears in her eyes as she heard those loving words.

    Laurie was there to meet them and Nick told him all the things were ordered and they would arrive next week.  As they reached Plumfield all the kids ran to meet them.   They were full of excitement and Rob rushed to meet his parents.  Nick whispered something into Rob's ears and he got all excited.  After a wonderful reunion and dinner, Nick and Rob sat outside on the porch; Jo watches them from the door.  Rob opened his gift and shouted for joy.  It was a sailor suit with a wooden sailing boat.  He hugged Nick and Jo could not contain her joy as she watched them with tears in her eyes.

    The next morning Nick and Rob were seen hand in hand walking towards the pond.  Jo watched from the house and smiled to herself.  It was indeed a new beginning.