Joe was sitting in a chair with a soda in his hand. Frank was sitting on the couch. They were watching Ned pace around the room. Since they had gotten their tuxedos on, Ned couldn’t seem to sit still. No matter where they were, Ned continued to move about.

Ned started to wring his hands. Frank said, “Ned, you need to relax.”

“I can’t relax,” Ned said as he continued to pace. “Something’s wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong,” Joe said. “Everything is going as planned.”

“Guys, I’m worried. Something is wrong.”

“Nothing’s wrong, Ned,” Frank said. “There’s nothing to worry about either. You just need to remember two words.”

Ned stopped pacing. He looked at Frank as he asked, “What two words?”

Frank looked at Joe and saw he was smiling. Frank looked back at Ned. Frank said, “I do.”

Ned shook his head. Frank realized he had gotten Ned to relax. Ned said, “Thanks for breaking the tension.”

“It’s no problem. Just relax. Everything is going to be all right.”

“You’re right,” Ned said with a sigh. “Everything is going to be fine.”

* * * * *

A half hour later, Frank and Joe followed Ned into the church. They moved up beside the minister who was wearing a white robe. The three of them turned and looked into the church.

The church was packed with people. There wasn’t an empty seat anywhere. The three of them looked down the aisle as white silk was rolled to the front of the church. A moment later, the music began to play.

Bess came down the aisle first. George followed. When they both reached the front, the doors at the back of the church were closed.

The wedding march began. The doors at the back of the church were opened. Nancy was standing there, with Carson on her left side. They slowly made their way down the aisle. Nancy had her veil covering her face.

When Nancy and Carson reached the front, they stopped beside Ned. Carson lifted Nancy’s veil and placed it at the back of her head. He gave Nancy a kiss. He turned to Ned and shook his outstretched hand before giving him Nancy’s arm. Carson took a step back.

The minister began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness the marriage of Nancy Drew and Ned Nickerson. If anyone believes these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The church was silent. The minister continued.

“Who gives this woman?”

“I do,” Carson said. He took a step back and sat down.

“Take right hands,” the minister said. Nancy handed her bouquet to George, then took Ned’s right hand in hers. The minister looked at Nancy. “Do you Nancy, take Ned, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Nancy said, looking at Ned with a smile.

The minister looked at Ned. “Do you Ned, take Nancy, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Ned said, squeezing Nancy’s right hand.

The minister looked at the people gathered. “Nancy and Ned have made their own vows to pledge their love to one another.” The minister looked at Ned.

“We have known one another for what seems to be an eternity,” Ned said. “We grew up being best friends. Then became closer as a love started to emerge between us. You brought excitement into my life. We belong together. Marrying you makes me realize how much I do love you. Nancy, you mean the world to me and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

The minister looked at Nancy.

Nancy smiled and gazed into Ned’s eyes. “You are the man I dreamed of marrying. You have always been there for me, no matter what. Today, you make my dream come true. We know each other so well and learn more about one another as each day passes. I’ve always loved you and always will. I will stand beside you as we start our future, together.”

The minister looked at Frank. “The rings, please.”

Frank reached into his pocket and pulled out the rings. He handed Nancy’s ring to Ned and Ned’s ring to Nancy.

“Ned,” the minister began, “take Nancy’s left hand. Put the ring on her finger and repeat after me. ‘With this ring, I thee wed’.”

Ned slipped the ring on her finger and said, “‘With this ring, I thee wed’.”

“Nancy,” the minister said, “take Ned’s left hand. Put the ring on his finger and repeat after me. ‘With this ring, I thee wed’.”

She took Ned’s left hand and slipped the ring on. She looked into Ned’s eyes. “‘With this ring, I thee wed’.”

Nancy wrapped her arm through Ned’s left arm. He took her hand in both of his. Together, they faced the minister. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife.” He paused. “You may now, kiss the bride.”

They faced one another. Ned put his hand on her cheek. Ned said, “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Ned leaned down and gave Nancy a kiss. Nancy wrapped her arms around Ned’s neck. The guests began to applaud.

Nancy and Ned broke apart. Nancy turned to George, who handed Nancy her bouquet. The minister said, “I’d like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Ned Nickerson.”