Jake and Emma Miller were very happy with their mother Polly Miller and stepfather Mitch Cartwright with whom they were crazy about. Especially when Mitch and Polly got married on February 1, 1880. But their uncle Matthew Walker and aunt Pam Cartwright got married that day as well.
Beforehand of the day the Cartwrights had it very busy. Both brides were visible pregnant and Mitch was recovering after his accident early December whereby he broke his right ankle in 2 places.
Sally helped her daughter Pam with her wedding dress.
“Mom, just make sure that my dress is extra wide”, Pam said on a morning.
Sally looked at her oldest daughter questionable. Laura Walker (the mother-in-law of Pam) did that too.
“Matt and I suspect that we expect twins. My belly keeps on becoming bigger. This morning I even felt twice kicking. One of the left and the other on the right side”, Pam explained.
Matt was Matthew Walker, the son of Laura.
“We shall keep it in account. It is about that you enjoy your wedding day”, Sally said calm.
Pam said, “Petra, Emma, Rose and Lisa are my bridesmaids.”
Petra was the daughter of Hoss, the oldest uncle of Pam. Lisa and Rose were the younger sisters of Pam.
Polly got support from her mother Cathy Miller and aunt Cora Cartwright. Cora was married to the youngest Cartwright brother Joe. Their daughters Felicia, Marie and Polly were the brides maids of Polly. The oldest daughter of Hoss and his wife Betsy was Inger. She was also a bridesmaid of Polly’s.
“I rather would get married in a beautiful dress. I expect my 3rd child and everyone sees my belly”, Polly said that same morning.
“Does Mitch think so too?”, asked Cora.
Polly nodded.
“I think that the twins and Matt agree with it if we wrap up the brides and bridegrooms in the traditional wedding clothes”, said Cathy.
“We just insert a speed meeting”, Cora said determined.
That happened and the brides and bridegrooms to be gave their opinion about the wedding clothes.
Mitch said, “It is our wedding day though but I just want to wear something that fits well. No monkey suit.”
“That goes for me as well”, said Matthew.
Pam and Polly looked at each other and they thought the same thing.
“Why would we spend a lot of money for a dress which gets worn only once? We can use that money rather better for our little ones”, said Pam.
Her grandpa, Ponderosa ranch owner Ben Cartwright, said , “It is your day so I think that you may decided yourself what you wear.”
He had noticed more often that his oldest grandchildren often did their own thing.
Adam, the father of the twins, said, “I find it okay and also quite original.”
His brothers agreed with that. Here by a wedding tradition got broken with and a new one was taken into with the Cartwrights.
“Who bears the rings?”, Joe suddenly asked.
“That the chore of Jake”, answered Polly.
Now the brothers looked at each other laughing.
“Adam, do you remember how cute Mitchy looked on the day that you married Mary?”, Hoss asked teasing.
“I will never forget that”, his brother answered smiling.
He looked at his twins briefly where by Mitch and Pam knew that Adam was still missing Mary. Even though he was very happy with Sally.
“I was just 7 so still little”, protested Mitch.
The brothers laughed but Ben gave his grandson a wink. Finally it was decided that everyone was allowed to wear what he or she wanted on condition that it was neat.
Because especially Mitch still knew how the preparations of the 1st wedding day of his parents had been he and the others decided to keep their wedding very private. Adam had told Jack and Cathy about it and they found it good too.
The Chinese cook Hop Sing had baked for the day 3 big cakes where by the ladies dames Cartwright, Miller and Walker had given their assistance.
Finally it was Sunday February 1, 1880. The double ceremony took place at the big ranch house. Judge Paul Jackson performed the 2 weddings. Only direct family members were invited.
At 11 o’clock the ceremony began. The grownups wore dressed neatly but the children who were born after Polly, Matthew, Mitch and Pam were wearing neat clothes though but yet what they wanted to wear themselves. Mitch and Matthew were dressed in black while Polly and Pam both wore a yellow dress.
After a short speech the judge asked Mitch and Matthew, “Do you promise to love your wife and to take good care of her? And in some cases to obey too? What is your answer?”
The 2 boys said, “Yes, I do.”
Now was being asked Polly and Pam, “Do you promise to love your husband, take care of his foods and drink and to obey him?”
The ladies too gave the same answer. Jake and Skip came with the rings.
“Then I declare you all 4 to husband and wife. Gentlemen, you may or must kiss the brides now”, said the judge.
That happened too. After the 2 newlywed got congratulated by everyone.
After the congratulations Ben took the word and he said, “Now I suddenly have received 2 legal grandchildren I will give you on behalf of all family members our present: a new house for your 4 and your children.”
“Thanks grandpa and everyone”, Mitch said on behalf of the others.
“Grandpapa, may Cody and Skip come too?”, Emma asked then.
The rancher picked up his great-granddaughter and said laughing, “Of course the dogs may come and Lucky too. If he wants to.”
Lucky was the white house cat of the Cartwrights who lived with Adam and Sally.
“the house must be finished yet but I think that around July you can move in”, said Ben.
Just before Mitch and Polly went home Betsy whispered to them, “Polly, I will teach you how you must make a carrot cake for uncle Hoss.”
“Fine aunty Betsy. Good night”, said Polly.
“You took”, said Betsy.
They said goodbye to enjoy a good night’s rest. But that did Pam and Matthew too.
Not long after that everyone at the Ponderosa had fallen in deep sleep.