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Chapter Text

Theodore Laurence, scion of the noble house of Laurence, musician, much loved grandson, sat at the heavy mahogany desk. Through the open window, he could hear the sounds of London as it slowly came awake. Most members of the bon ton woke late after a night of revelry, but Laurie had been up early. He hadn’t been out the night before. To be honest, the endless parties and revels had lost their lustre as of late, and he had dedicated himself to learning the family business from his grandfather. It wasn’t the glamorous life of a composer that he had wished for himself only a few short months before, but then he wasn’t the musician he had thought himself either. 

A polite knock at the door broke him out of his reverie. 

“Enter.” 

“Good morning, sir,” It was Stephens, the butler. “Mail for you.” 

“Just put it here if you please,” said Laurie, his mind already back on the letter he was writing to one of Grandfather’s business partners. The family business was much more complicated than he had thought it was as a boy. All shipping and receiving and ordering of things and it was giving him a headache. If he got through this pile, he promised himself, he would go for a walk and enjoy the unusually sunny weather. 

“Sir,” Stephens once again cut through his mental fog. “You asked to be informed if anything had arrived from Concord.” 

Laurie’s head shot up. A letter from Concord. 

“Thank you, Stephens,” he said, grasping it. “You may go.” 

The handwriting was so familiar, it made his heart twist. Jo. But there was something strange about the familiar scrawl. It was shaky, like her hand hadn’t been steady. A rock settled in Laurie’s stomach, and it was with trembling hands that he broke the wax and pulled out the letter. 

Dearest Teddy, it began. 

You may not have heard our sad news of Beth. Although we have long known she was slipping away, we had all hoped 

There were several lines crossed out, and a large blotch in the ink. A tear, he realized. His eyes skipped across the page, only picking up a phrase here and there. 

.. Meg has now entered her confinement. She was at the funeral of course but John says we mustn’t worry her with anything for the health of the babe… 

… Poor Amy must stay in Vevey with Aunt March… 

His eyes drifted to the bottom of the letter, finding his own name there. 

This is a sorrow too great to bear alone. Won’t you come home to us, Teddy dear? 

Your faithful, 

Jo

Laurie gave himself a moment to absorb that last line. Just one heartbeat before his mind was made up. He got up from the desk and straightened his jacket, then rang the bell for Stephens. 

“Sir?” the butler appeared in the doorway. 

“Tell Philips to pack my bag. I leave in the morning.” 

Chapter Text

Jo sat in the garret, in her usual spot, and stared blankly down at the paper. Never before had words failed to flow for her. Ever since they had lost Beth, it was like a dam was inside of her, keeping everything away. She felt icy cold, as if she was far away from herself. And none of her usual distractions were enough to draw her out. 

The rest of the family seemed to have found things to occupy the awful emptiness that Beth had left behind. Meg was preparing for the birth of her child, who could come any day now. Father was out every day caring for parishioners and members of the community. And Marmee and Hannah feverishly baked and scrubbed and sewed as if a single moment of idleness would be too much to bear. And Jo, Jo hid in the garret and stared at blank pieces of paper, her pen poised above them but no words coming. 

The last thing she had written was a letter to Laurie, and that was nearly a month ago. He had not responded. Not that she expected him to. Their friendship had been utterly broken since last year, since his fateful proposal, which she had turned down. It has seemed like the right thing at the time, but now, now she wasn’t sure. To go through this awful gnawing, empty grief without him by her side seemed too much for even Jo’s indomitable spirit. 

Downstairs, she heard the door open, and Marmee’s murmured voice. Perhaps Father was home. Jo put her head down on her folded hands, and watched a ray of sunlight as it crept over the wall of the garret. Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Jo internally groaned. That would be Marmee, trying to get Jo to eat something again. As if food would do any good for what ailed her. 

When the footsteps reached the last step to the garret, Jo spoke without lifting her head. 

“Thank you for the soup, Marmee, but I really don't want any. I’m not hungry.” 

“Good thing I don’t have any soup, then,” said a beautiful, achingly familiar voice. 

Jo’s head shot up, and she whirled around, knocking the rickety chair over. 

“Teddy?” she gasped. She could barely believe her eyes. There in front of her, standing so tall his head almost brushed the garret roof, looking tired and rumpled, and wonderfully himself, was Teddy. 

“Hello, Jo,” he said, his dark eyes soft. 

Jo’s body moved of its own volition. One moment she was standing by her desk, the next she was in Laurie’s arms, burying her face in the soft wool of his coat. 

“You’re here,” she said wonderingly. 

“Of course I’m here,” Laurie said. “You wrote to me. You told me to come home to you.” 

“You rarely do what I tell you to,” Jo replied. 

Laurie smiled, and it was as if the sun had just come out after days and days of rain. 

“Jo,” he said, the smile slipping off his face. “Dear Jo. I’m so very sorry.” 

Jo brought her head back to rest on his shoulder. 

“She’s gone, Teddy,” she whispered into his coat. “She’s gone and she left me behind.” 

Laurie’s hands were in her loose hair, stroking it as he held her to him. 

“I know,” he said. “I know. And I’m here. I'm here to bear the sorrow with you.” 

Something broke inside Jo then. Something she hadn’t realized she was holding back, even in the terrible dark days after Beth’s funeral. Deep, ugly sobs ripped from her, and she clung to Laurie. Clung to him as if he were the only port in an endless storm, as if he was the rock that she was able to brace herself against while the awful howling grief overcame her. 

Somehow they made it to the rickety sofa and sank down onto it, Laurie still holding her as she wept. When she at last came up for air, Jo was sprawled over half of him, her head in his lap while he stroked her hair. His face was also red and blotchy but he didn’t seem ashamed by the tears, not even bothering to wipe them away. 

He gave her a tiny smile. 

“Are you ready for that soup now?” he asked. 

Jo laughed shakily. 

“Maybe a cup of tea?” she suggested. 

Laurie held out his hand, and she slipped hers into his as he led her down the stairs and into the kitchen. 

Chapter Text

“Laurie’s been over a lot lately,” Marmee commented as Jo helped her with the dishes after supper. It had been a week since Laurie came home, and they had spent every day in each other’s company. Having Laurie there was like a balm on Jo’s aching soul. His familiar presence was so soothing, so comforting. Most times they didn’t even talk, just spent long hours reading or walking or lying on a blanket by the river together. Jo was already dreading when he would be called back to London to continue running the family business with Grandfather. 

“Just like old times,” Jo agreed. “When we were children.” 

“Laurie isn’t a child,” Marmee reminded her. “Laurie is a man.” 

Jo made an annoyed sound in the back of her throat. 

“He’s no such thing. If you have something to say, Marmee, just say it.” 

Marmee sighed, wiping her hands on a dish towel. 

“What I’m trying to say, Jo dear, is that Laurie is a man . A man with responsibilities and obligations. I’m happy he’s here. I’m always happy to see him. He’s as dear to me as any son I might have had. But I wonder if you know why he’s here.” 

“He’s… he’s here because I asked him to come back. For Beth.” 

“No, my Jo,” Marmee said with a sigh. “Not for Beth. For you. I hope you are not leading that poor boy on again.” 

“I never led him on!” Jo said hotly, feeling her temper rise. 

“He’s always been in love with you, Jo,” her mother continued. “And you broke his heart. If you’re not careful, you’re going to break it again.” 

Jo snorted. 

“You’re wrong, Marmee. Laurie knows I don’t care for him that way.” 

“Yet here he is,” said Marmee over her shoulder as she left the kitchen, leaving Jo to glower at counters as she aggressively wiped them. 

— 

“I go back to London soon.” Laurie said, his words gentle. 

Jo swallowed the lump in her throat. 

“Of course. It’s been so wonderful having you here but I know it was only borrowed time.” 

“Well, yes,” Laurie looked chagrined. “I’ve already had several letters from Grandfather. You know he can’t really manage without me, and I left in such a hurry there’s quite the tangle of loose ends to sort out.” 

“I’m sorry for calling you away,” Jo said, regret piercing her. She’d demanded Laurie make something of himself, and he’d gone and done it and then she’d all but demanded he return to Concord and dance attendance on her. 

“Jo,” said Laurie, taking her hand. “Jo, no. You know there’s no place I’d rather be. But I can’t stay much longer.” 

“I’ll miss you,” Jo said, attempting to withdraw her hand, but Laurie held it fast. 

“Well, maybe you won't’ have to.” 

Jo gave him a quizzical look. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Come with me. Come with me to London.” 

Jo sighed wistfully. 

“I would love to. Should I dress as a boy and stow away on your ship like we planned when we were children?” That earned a smile from him. Jo shook her head. “You know I can’t come with you. A man and a woman together? Alone? Think how it would look. Other people won’t understand.” 

“That’s what I’m saying,” Laurie said. An intense look was in his eye, one Jo remembered well from the year before. “Come to London with me. As my wife.” 

“Teddy..” Jo felt on the verge of tears. She couldn’t bear this, not again. Not after everything that they had gone through these last weeks. Not after Beth. 

“No, listen,” Laurie scooted closer, taking Jo’s hand again in both of his. “I know you don’t love me. Not the way I love you. But I also know how lonely you are here. How awful it is to be in Orchard House alone. I don’t want to leave you again, ever. I want us always to be together, always sharing our griefs and our joys. I want to give you the world, Jo. Show you Europe. Take care of you always. You would never have to worry about money again. Or anything. I would take care of everything.” 

A strange feeling welled up in Jo. The gut wrenching horror she had felt at his first proposal the year before was gone. In its place was something like longing. Longing to see Europe, to experience travel and far away places. To not be parted fromTeddy again. To have someone take care of her and shoulder her burdens. 

“I..” her throat seemed to close, and she couldn't’ swallow. Her eyes burned but tears did not fall. 

Laurie ran a hand through his hair, mussing it up so that it stood on end. Jo’s heart constricted. He had never looked so exactly like her Teddy as he did in that moment. 

“You don’t have to answer right away. I know it’s not what you wanted for yourself. But neither is Beth being gone. Neither is you being all alone. Just… think about it. I leave in a week.” 

He gave her hand one final squeeze, then got up, leaving her alone on the picnic blanket, with only the babbling brook and her thoughts for company. 

—

“Well dear,” said Marmee, as she reached for another pair of socks and folded them neatly into one another.  “Are you prepared to lose him, for good this time?” 

“What do you mean?” Jo asked, her voice sharp. She had told Marmee everything, of course she had. Marmee had been the first person she’d come to after Laurie’s first proposal as well. 

“If you reject him again, there won’t be another chance. He won’t come when you call again. He will marry. Maybe not soon, but someday. And he will never be your Teddy again. Are you prepared for that?” 

Jo felt as if her chest were caving in. Not be her boy any longer? The thought was unfathomable. They had always been two peas in a pod, but the last few weeks it felt like he was as necessary as air to her. She couldn’t imagine going through this awful time without him. The last few months without him had only been bearable because she was focused on Beth instead of herself. Now that her sister was gone, the thought of being alone was horrifying. 

Through a closed throat she managed to choke out, 

“No.” 

“Then there’s your answer,” said Marmee, her eyes on the laundry. 

“But - Marmee. I don’t love him. You always said love was as important to a marriage as air.” 

“Of course you love him,” Marmee said calmly. 

“What? No. I’ll never love Teddy the way he wants me to.” 

“But you do love him. As a friend.” 

“Yes, but -” 

“Love is a wonderful thing, My Jo,” Marmee said, turning to her daughter and taking her hands. “But you have something that is equally as important. Friendship. Many an excellent marriage has been built on a foundation of friendship. And if you feel that you cannot give him up to another woman, then you have your answer.” 

Jo’s head swam. She had never really considered seriously the possibility of marrying Teddy. Or anyone, really. She had always considered herself a lone spirit, free to do as she pleased, never having a man holding her down. Yet with Beth’s passing and the gnawing loneliness that came with it, she didn’t want to be alone any more. She wanted Teddy by her side, always. The way he had been these past weeks, her companion and rock. 

“I would be a terrible wife to him,” she choked out. 

Marmee laughed. 

“Perhaps you should let him be the judge of that. There is no doubt in my mind he would take care of you, Jo. Worship you. Give you anything you asked. The way my girls deserve to be treated. All you have to do is accept.”

— 

“I’m glad you agreed to come on a walk with me,” Laurie said, sneaking glances at Jo. She had been silent ever since they started walking, chewing her lip with her eyes downcast. He knew, like a deep ache in his chest, that she would give her final answer on this walk, and that his heart would be broken all over again. But damn it, he didn’t regret asking her again. He could never regret being there for Jo when she needed him. 

“Teddy -” 

Jo stopped walking, turning to him. 

Laurie took a deep breath, steeling himself. Here it came. 

“Teddy - I - I spoke with Marmee. About us.” 

“And?” he managed to choke out, though his throat felt sealed shut. 

“She said - she said that friendship could be a good foundation for a marriage too.” 

Laurie’s heart had started to beat very fast. 

“Oh yes?” he said, stepping closer to Jo and daring to take her hand. She didn’t pull away. 

“She said, if I let you go again, I would have to come to terms with never being your girl again. Never having you come when I write to you and say I need you. That I would have to let you go. and , I can’t . I just can’t.”

“Jo -” 

“I don’t love you,” Jo said, looking up at him at last. Her beautiful hazel eyes were shining with tears. “Not the way you want me to. I may never love you in that way. But I do love you as a friend. And I don’t think I can let you go.” 

“Jo-” Laurie whispered again, bringing her hand up to rest on his chest, where she could feel the thunderous beating of his heart. 

“So, last night I decided. That my answer is yes.” 

Laurie stood stock still, barely daring to breathe. This was a dream. This had to be a dream. There was no way in real life that Jo - his Jo - was actually accepting his proposal. The hand that still held hers trembled. It didn’t matter that Jo didn’t love him the way that he loved her. They had time for that. Decades. He would love her so well and so fiercely that she would have no choice but to accept it. 

“Yes?” he confirmed, his voice trembling. 

“Yes,” Jo confirmed. 

“Jo. Dearest Jo,” Laurie pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her dear form and burying his nose in her beautiful chestnut hair. He pulled away to look into her face, which was now streaked with tears.

 “Don’t cry, my Jo,” he said, wiping the tears away with this thumb. “I’m going to take care of you. I promise. We’re going to have a jolly time, you’ll see.” 

Jo gave a shaky laugh. 

“You’ve always been full of grand promises,” she teased. “Ever since we were children.” 

“I’m not a child any more,” he reminded her, with a grin. “I’m a man. And I’m going to be your husband.” 

The words washed over him, like a tidal wave, pulling him under. Her husband . Jo was going to be his wife . At last. At last. 

He couldn’t stop grinning as they made their way back to Orchard House. 

Chapter Text

In the end, the wedding took much less time and fuss than anyone expected. Laurie’s boat back to London was in a few days, and there was no point in cancelling when he already had a cabin. It was just a simple matter of buying Jo her own ticket, and packing her bags. 

The wedding would take place in the backyard of Orchard House, with Mr. March presiding, and Hannah and John Brooke as witnesses. There was no time for Jo to get a new dress or any sort of trousseau, but Laurie assured Marmee he would make sure it was taken care of when they got to London. A cake was baked, flowers were picked from the garden, Meg’s wedding dress was hastily altered to fit Jo, and everything was ready. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Laurie said, standing at the door of the house the night before. “You won’t leave me standing there, will you?” 

Jo rolled her eyes. 

“Get off with you. We’ll be seeing enough of one another in the coming weeks.” 

“Two weeks in a ship cabin with me. Hope we don’t kill each other,” Laurie said cheerfully. He bent down, kissing her cheek. He’d been doing that a lot in the past few days, and Jo found that she didn’t hate it. It was pleasant to be kissed, and now that she had made up her mind about him, she felt a strange sense of peace whenever she was in his presence. He was so familiar and dear. 

“No promises,” she replied. 

“Till tomorrow then, my bride,” Laurie said. His eyes were full of affection as he looked down at her, and for a moment Jo felt sure he was going to kiss her mouth. But he just gave her hand a squeeze, and ambled down the path with his hands in his pockets, towards the house next door. 

— 

“Jo dear?” Marmee said, knocking on the bedroom door. 

Jo was already in her nightgown, sitting up in bed to read a book and attempt to calm her mind. 

“Hello Marmee,” she replied, putting her book down. 

Her mother came into the room, closing the door behind her. It was the same bedroom that Jo had always shared with Beth. Once it had been crowded with sisters and toys, but now that Jo was the only one at home, it was empty. It felt bittersweet that tonight was her last night in it. 

“Jo dear, I want to talk to you,” Marmee said, sitting on the edge of the bed. 

“Yes?” 

“Tomorrow is a very important day,” Marmee began. “You are to be a wife.” 

“Yes?” Jo wasn’t sure where Marmee was going with this. 

“I need to tell you some things. Things that go on between a man and a woman. Laurie is a good boy, and he cares for you very much, but he is still a man. There are certain - things - that will be expected of you as his wife.” 

Jo felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she realized what Marmee was alluding to. 

“Teddy knows -” 

“Your Teddy is a dear boy. But no doubt he sowed some wild oats while he was in Europe, and all men have needs. It is your duty, as his wife, to give those things to him. And no doubt it will be a pleasure too. There can be great pleasure in what goes on between a man and a woman.” 

Jo’s cheeks were burning. 

“Marmee!” she exclaimed. 

“There’s no sin in talking of what goes on in the marriage bed, my Jo,” her mother continued. “I want you to be prepared. So you’re not frightened or upset. Laurie will know what to do and your job is to let him lead you there. It is the duty of all married women to keep their husbands as happy as possible in such things. And if you marry a good man, he will keep you happy in that as well. And of course there’s the conceiving of children that way.” 

Jo wanted to shrivel up and die. She’d read things, of course. In books. But she’d never discussed such things with her mother . 

“Marmee. Please. No more,” she begged. 

Her mother laughed. 

“I’m sorry, Jo. But I don't’ want you to be ignorant, as I was. I want to prepare my girls. I have no doubt Laurie will treat you with kindness and consideration. It does my heart so good to see the two of you married. I have always considered him one of my children, and to know that you will be taken care of - even if I will miss you terribly,” Marmee’s voice broke at that. 

Jo leaned forward, hugging her mother. 

“Thank you, Marmee. I love you,” 

“I love you too,” her mother replied. 

— 

The morning found Laurie in a place he never thought he would be. Standing in the backyard of Orchard House, dressed in his best suit, waiting for Jo. John Brooke clapped him on the back, with a grin. 

“Your turn, eh?” his former tutor joked. 

“Never thought this day would come,” Laurie replied with a grin, his eyes fixed on the door of the house. 

“Any moment now,” Mr. March said softly. 

“She still has time to run,” Laurie replied. But the joke felt weak even in his own ears. 

“She won’t,” Mr March assured him. 

“I won’t be certain until the ring is on her finger and all the papers signed,” Laurie admitted. 

Mr March chuckled. 

John said something, but Laurie had stopped listening. The door of the house had opened, and Meg came through, holding a bouquet of flowers picked from the meadow that morning. The only thing larger than her pregnant stomach was her smile. 

Next came Marmee, holding out her arm. And then - and then. 

There was Jo. In her borrowed wedding dress with her hair loose except where it had been braided and bound around her head like a crown with flowers woven in. Her eyes were uncertain where they met his. 

Laurie felt tears prickle his eyes as she walked towards them on her mother’s arm. Here she was at last - at last - his Jo. His love. His bride. He felt as though his heart would beat out of his chest, like he was soaring high above the clouds. 

“Breathe,” John murmured beside him. 

And then Jo was in front of him, taking the hand that he offered her. 

“Dearly beloved,” Mr March began. 

Laurie didn’t hear much of the words that his new father in law spoke. He only had eyes for Jo, for her beautiful tanned face and the feel of her hand in his as he slipped the plain gold band - hastily bought from a jeweler in town, he’d get her a nicer one in London - on her finger. 

“I, Theodore Laurence, take thee, Josephine March, to be my wife. To love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, till death do us part” the words practically burst out of him. This couldn’t be real. This wasn’t real. Yet here they were. He meant every word. He would love and cherish her to the end of his days. 

Then, it was her turn to push a matching gold ring onto his finger. His eyes never left her face as she said her vows. 

“I, Josephine March, take thee, Theodore Laurence, to be my husband...” 

His heart sang. In his heart, he made his own vows, ones just for him. He would be a good husband to her. He would make sure she wanted for nothing, that she was always loved and cared for, and given whatever she wanted. And while realistically he knew they would have fights sometimes - they always did, they had never agreed on everything, even as children - he knew that he would always repair whatever rift was between them. Because nothing else mattered except this moment. Except pledging his life to her and her doing the same for him. She would never be alone and full of sorrow again. 

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. What the Lord has joined let no man put asunder. You may now kiss your bride.” 

Laurie leaned down, pressing his lips chastely to Jo’s. Then he pulled her into his arms, and held her to his heart. His wife. His bride. His Jo. Nothing in his life would ever compare to this moment, when his heart’s desire had been granted to him. 

“Are you ready for the next adventure?” he whispered into her ear, while her family clapped and laughed around them. 

“I’m ready,” Jo replied. 

Chapter Text

It felt strange entering Laurence house. Of course Jo had been there many times before, but now she was Mrs Laurence . How strange that seemed, like it had happened to some other girl. A blush spread over her cheeks as she remembered Meg’s whispered words as her sister had helped her on with her things for the walk next door. 

“It can be lovely,” Meg whispered. “If your husband is kind. And I know Laurie will be kind. Just go slow and don’t let him rush you.” 

Jo was glad of dim light in the hallway as Laurie helped her off with her wrap and took her hand. 

“This way,” he said. 

There were hardly any servants in the house. Just the housekeeper and the cook and the butler and a few maids to keep things clean while Laurie and his grandfather were in London. So there was no one to witness them as they climbed the stairs hand in hand. Jo had been upstairs before, of course. Even into Laurie’s bedroom, when they were children. So she recognized the way. Her heart began to beat very loudly in her ears, drowning out almost everything else. She felt lightheaded with the tension of the moment. 

Laurie opened the door to his bedroom. It was lit with several lamps, and a merry fire was crackling in the grate. It was just as Jo remembered it from afternoons spent spread out on the rug before that very fireplace, reading and eating russet apples. 

“Here we are,” he said cheerfully, dropping her valise onto a chair. It wasn’t much, just a few changes of clothes and some personal items. Laurie had assured Marmee that Jo would receive a proper trousseau in London, so they didn’t need to worry about outfitting her beyond a few items she would wear on the ship. 

“Teddy,” she said, unsteadily, her eyes darting to his large bed before glancing to him again. 

Laurie smiled, putting his hands on her shoulder, and kissing her forehead. 

“I hope you have a good night, my Jo,” he said, before turning towards the door. 

“Teddy -” Jo cried, in confusion. “I don’t - I mean - where are you going?” 

“I’m going to sleep in one of the spare rooms tonight. There’s lots of them. I’m afraid I won't be able to offer you the same accommodation on the ship. There’s only one cabin booked so we’ll have to share. But I won't bother you tonight.” 

“But -” Jo’s head felt like it was spinning from confusion. “But it’s our wedding night and Marmee said -” 

“I know,” Laurie assured her. “I know Marmee’s probably filled your head full of what men and women do together. And someday I hope to do those things with you. Don’t think I’m saying goodnight and sleeping in a cold spare room away from my bride because I want to. But Jo, you’re not ready. I don’t want to make love to you until you’ll love me back. Maybe that’s selfish of me, to want to be loved before I share that with someone.” 

Jo put a hand to Laurie’s cheek, feeling the rasp of stubble. 

“Thank you,” she said sincerely. “I've been terrified ever since Marmee talked to me. Meg did too.” 

Laurie chuckled, and Jo couldn't help joining in. 

“No wonder you’ve looked like a deer in lamplight ever since dinner. I’m sorry, Jo dear. I would have spared you if I’d known.” 

Jo gave a shaky laugh. 

“Not your fault. You weren’t to know the kinds of things Marmee and Meg have thought I should know now that I’m a married woman.” 

Laurie grimaced. 

“I can’t imagine. Now, breakfast at eight so we can catch our train?” 

Jo nodded, and the door shut behind him with a satisfying click. 

Her sleep was dreamless, even if the bed did smell like Teddy. 

— 

While Jo had taken the train to New York several times before, she had never taken an ocean going ship before. It was jolly to be back in New York City, if only for a few hours. There wasn’t enough time to visit any of the friends she had made when she lived there before, but something about the bustling city with its crammed houses and busy streets was dear to her. 

Laurie didn’t hesitate as he arranged for their luggage to be brought to their cabin, purchasing another ticket for Jo without even looking at the price. They went straight from the ticket office to the ship, boarding immediately at the docks. Jo had never seen such a huge ship before, and felt quite in awe of the adventure that lay before them. 

“Theodore Laurence,” Laurie said, as he handed the ticket to the young sailor at the gangplank. “And my wife,” it was the first time he had introduced Jo as such to anyone, and he looked ready to burst from the pride of it. 

The sailor barely glanced up from their tickets, ushering them onto the boat and reaching for the next passenger. 

While pleasant on deck, below deck was a confusing warren of hallways and rooms, but Laurie seemed to know where they were going. They maneuvered their way to a cabin with their number on it, and shouldered their way in. 

It was tiny. Just enough room for a bed jutting out of the wall, a small table with a wash basin on it and a mirror above it, and a desk. Laurie’s trunk and Jo’s valise lay on the bed. It took two large steps for Jo to go from the doorway to the bed. 

Laurie scratched the back of his neck. 

‘It’s as I suspected,” he said ruefully. “Cozy.” He turned to Jo with an apologetic look in his eye. “I’m so sorry, it was too late to get you a separate cabin. We’ll have to share.” 

Jo looked skeptically at the bed, which hardly seemed enough room for two. 

“It won’t be too bad,” Laurie assured her. “It’ll be like when we were children, lying in the hay loft. Just like that.” 

And all at once, Jo’s trepidation vanished. Everything was going to be alright. This was just Teddy. She was just Jo. They were going on an adventure together just like they used to. Nothing had to change. 

“Just like that,” Jo assured him. 

A smile spread over Laurie’s handsome face. 

“Excellent! Now that we’ve seen our cabin, let’s go on deck and watch while we sail away.” 

—

It was strange, Jo reflected as the fresh maritime wind tore at her skirts and bonnet. She’d always dreamed of leaving America, of running away to distant shores and having grand adventures. But now that she was actually watching the New York skyline get further and further away as the ship sailed ever eastward towards Plymouth, the great smokestack puffing steam to push the ship forwards, she felt a little forlorn. Up until now, New York had been the furthest she’d ever been from home. And now, she was about to be halfway around the world from Marmee and Father and Meg and Meg’s new baby. She wasn’t right down the road. She couldn't pop in and see how Meg was doing, or be there when her sister gave birth. Beth had died, and nothing would ever be the same again. By her absence, but also by what her absence had brought about. 

“Penny for your thoughts, Mrs Laurence,” Laurie said beside her. 

“Just thinking how far away I’ll be from Orchard House. I spent so long dreaming about this very thing, and now that it’s happened, I don't know what to do with myself.” 

“It's a very strange feeling,” Laurie agreed. “Achieving your dreams.” He glanced at her, his face melancholic. “What now, I wonder?” 

“The next thing?” 

“And the next and the next,” he agreed. 

— 

The dining cabin of the ship was very nice. Almost like being in a fancy restaurant. Jo tried hard not to think about what Laurie had paid for two first class tickets. She wasn’t penniless Jo March struggling for every dollar any more. She was Mrs Laurence, and this was the life that she had to get used to. Jo had never been enamoured with fancy clothes or shoes or food like Amy had, but she had to admit that it was very nice to be waited on by butlers in suits and have ice cream in the middle of the afternoon. 

“And where do you go from Plymouth?” Asked Mr. Grey. He and his daughter were sharing the Laurences’ table for the duration of the voyage, so they were all getting acquainted. 

“London,” Laurie said. “My grandfather has a house there and I’m to help him with the family business. I’m afraid I ran away back to Massechusets to get married and he’s fearfully cross with me.” 

“How romantic!” Miss Grey sighed. She was about Jo’s age, but seemingly very silly. A bit like Amy, Jo thought ruthlessly. 

“Very,” said Laurie with a twinkle in his eye. “And yourselves?” 

“Further on,” said Mr. Grey. “To Paris. I have business there, and of course I promised Clara she could visit the Perisian modistes and fashion houses.” 

“The ones in Paris are the best in the world,” Miss Grey giggled. “Wouldn’t you agree Mrs Laurence?” 

“Uh,” Jo sputtered. “I’m afraid I couldn’t say. I’ve never been anywhere except New York.” 

“Oh, you’ll love the french fashion houses. Mr Laurence! You’ll have to take her!” 

“Jo will be more interested in the publishing houses in London, won’t you, dear?” Laurie swept in to her rescue. Jo grabbed onto it as to a liferaft. 

“Oh! Yes! I’m afraid I’m not one for fashion,” Jo managed. 

While Miss Grey prattled on goodnaturedly, Jo shot Laurie a grateful look. It was as she had feared when she turned him down the first time. She didn;t know anything about the fashionable world, the world that he lived and breathed. She was going to have to learn quickly if she didn’t want to embarrass him. 

— 

The bed yawned before both of them as they stood, staring at it. 

“I’ll - ah - go to the necessary,” Laurie said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “That way you can change into your nightgown.” He disappeared, breaking the awkward tension that had filled the tiny cabin. 

As soon as he was gone, Jo scrambled out of her dress and stays, and into a plain cotton nightgown. There hadn’t been any time for new ones, such as brides usually received, but Meg had embroidered some pretty daisies along the collar, and Jo appreciated the effort. She finished her nightly ablutions at the wash stand in record time, diving under the covers. Although it had been warm in Concord, it was cold on the Atlantic. She cozied herself up to the wall, leaving as much space for Laurie as she could, leaving the lamp lit at its place hanging on the wall, and squeezing her eyes shut. 

It was a few more minutes before she heard the door open, then close again, and the sound of clothing rustling. Laurie was changing into his nightshirt. Splashes of water as he washed himself. He blew out the lamp, plunging the room into complete darkness, then the covers opened, and he slipped into the bed. 

As Jo had suspected, there wasn’t much room between them. Laurie’s bare thigh pressed against her nightgown covered one, and an arm pressed against hers. 

“I’m dashed sorry about this,” Laurie said into the darkness. “I know it’s awkward. If there had been an extra cabin I would have booked it for you, but it’s a completely full ship. It’s only for a week. Eight days.” 

“We’ll manage,” Jo assured him. “At least you’re warm.” 

Laurie chuckled. 

“That I am. And don’t feel bad if we move around in our sleep. It’s inevitable.” 

That wasn’t going to happen, Jo thought as she drifted off, the rocking motion of the ship and the soft slosh of water a soothing lullaby. She’d shared beds with her sisters for years, she didn't have to worry at all. 

— 

Jo woke to a heavy, warm arm around her. Pale light was filtering through the porthole window in the cabin, signalling that it was just about dawn. Her bladder was demanding that she get up, but a heavy object pinned her down. It was Laurie. Laurie who was practically half on top of her. She rolled her eyes and gave him a shove. 

“Teddy,” she whispered. “Teddy get off,” 

He mumbled something incoherent, and rolled over, allowing her to slip free. But it was almost with a sense of regret that she left his embrace. It had been very warm and quite comforting, and although she didn’t even admit it to herself, she hadn’t hated it. 

When she returned, he was sitting up in bed, reading a newspaper that had been left outside their door.

“Good morning dear,” he said, smiling at her form, still wearing her nightgown. She’d thrown her shawl over top to use the facilities, and somehow she felt like she ought to feel embarrassed to have him see her in the night clothes. But this was Teddy, her Teddy. She wasn’t going to get awkward about every single thing, she decided. She was going to go on treating him just as she had before. The outward trappings of their friendship had changed, but the core had not. Underneath they were still Jo and Teddy, and that was that. 

“Good morning,” she said. “I’m starving. When is breakfast?” 

— 

“How dull the crossing is,” Clara Grey sighed, as she and Jo promenaded together on the deck of the ship. While being on deck had been exciting as they sailed out of New York, now it was quite boring, nothing but endless sea to look at. Miss Grey had proposed a walk, and since Jo had needed to clear her head, she had agreed. She’d been working most of the afternoon in the first class lounge, scribbling in the notebook Laurie had bought her in New York before they’d left. An idea had occurred to her the day before, that she should write down her memories of Beth before they faded away, and she’d spent much of the day frantically writing them down, getting ink all over her hands. She had thought Laurie would complain, as he used to when she was writing, but he’d merely nodded and suggested she write in the comfortable and well lit lounge rather than their cramped cabin. Clara had joined her there only an hour before, but was already restless. 

“I suppose,” Jo said. “I’ve never been on a ship before so I find it fascinating.” 

“What are you writing about?” Clara asked. “You were writing ever so much. You’ll fill up that notebook before we get to England.” 

“My sister,” Jo said. “She - passed away - recently.” 

“I’m sorry,” Clara said, looking out at the grey water. “I never had any siblings. It’s been me and papa for as long as i can remember.” 

“I have - had - three. My youngest sister is in Italy right now. I think. It's hard to keep track.  Our aunt promised to take me and then took her instead. When Teddy offered to marry me and take me to Europe, I couldn't pass that by.” 

Clara laughed. 

“Is that why you married him? To go to Europe?” 

“Well. And he promised to show me all the bookshops in London,” Jo said with a wry smile. 

Clara laughed again. 

“How lucky you are to have a doting husband. He really does adore you. You can see it in the way that he looks at you. I hope I find someone to marry me who loves me half as much as he loves you.” 

Jo smiled, but the words rattled around in her brain. She really was lucky. How easy it would have been for Laurie to slip through her fingers. For him to take her first rejection and never look back at her again. To lose him forever to another woman and never have him be her best friend again. A shudder ran through her at the thought. This marriage wasn’t ideal. It wasn’t the great love she had dreamed of for her heroines in her stories. But at least Teddy was hers. At least they were together, and nobody and nothing could separate them now. 

Chapter Text

The Atlantic crossing was long, but at least it was smooth. They encountered no storms on their eight day voyage, and arrived in Plymouth right on schedule. After staying overnight in an inn, where they once again shared a bed without discussing it, they took the train to London. 

Watching out the window, Jo was fascinated as the landscape flashed by. Orderly hedgerows and tidy towns gave way to a huge sprawling smoky dirty city. 

“Christopher Columbus, and I thought New York was big!” she exclaimed. 

Laurie laughed. 

“Welcome to the centre of the world, my Jo,” He said, taking her hand. 

They settled comfortably into a waiting carriage, which trundled through the uneven cobblestone streets of the city. 

“Now, when we get to Laurence House, you must let me do the talking,” Laurie began. “Chances are your father’s letter won’t have reached Grandfather, so he’ll have no idea that we have married or that you’re here with me.” 

“I hope it won’t be too much of a shock,” Jo said. 

“Oh I fully expect a tongue lashing. Just let me talk first, alright?” 

“Shouldn’t we go in together?” Jo asked. “Face the lions side by side?” 

“As noble a sentiment as that is, I should be the one to tell him,” Laurie said. “You won’t mind waiting a bit while I get him used to the idea, will you?” 

“You should let me come,” Jo parried. “He likes me. He’s unlikely to kill me ” 

Laurie laughed. 

“Maybe I just don’t want you to hear the lecture he’s going to read me about leaving all my responsibilities and rushing to your side the moment you wrote. Which I don’t regret, by the way. But it’s hard to be taken seriously as a husband when one’s grandfather scolds you like a boy.” 

Jo rolled her eyes. 

“Maybe I’ll scold you too, just to join in the fun.” 

Laurie’s laugh was, she decided, her favorite thing in the world. 

— 

“Just give me a moment to talk to him,” Laurie said, giving Jo an encouraging smile. “I’ll call you in.” 

Jo leaned against the wall, crossing her ankles. 

“Alright,” she said, in a tone that very much suggested it was his funeral. 

Laurie knocked on the heavy oak door, then let himself into Grandfather’s study. It was just the same as it had been when he was a child - heavy oak furniture, dark, sumptuous colours, a roaring fire, and at the far end, a huge desk, with his grandfather sitting in a leather chair. 

“Theodore, my boy. You’ve come back from Concord,” said Grandfather. 

Laurie smiled, and allowed himself to be hugged by the old man before they both settled into the comfortable settee by the fire. 

“Tell me, tell me,” said Grandfather. “How is everyone in Concord? Are they having a very bad time of it?” 

“Terrible,” said Laurie. 

“Beth’s death is a terrible loss,” said the old man with sorrow. “I remember when my Elisabeth died - your aunt - I thought I should never recover. Beth reminded me of her so much.” 

Laurie blinked hard against the tears that were gathering in his eyes. 

“I’m sorry to have called you back my boy. But there’s work to be done and I’m not as quick at it as I once was. I need you.” 

“I know,” Laurie said, patting his grandfather’s hand. “But before we get down to it, there’s something I need to show you. Something I brought with me back from Concord.” 

Grandfather looked at him curiously as he got up and went to the door, opening it. Jo was standing in the corridor inspecting her nails. She flashed him an amused smile, taking his offered hand and letting him lead her into the office. 

Grandfather was on his feet, his bushy eyebrows raised to his hairline. 

“Why Miss Jo. I didn’t expect to see you here!” he said, his voice gruff. 

“Hello, Mr Laurence,” Jo said, smiling at him. 

Grandfather turned to Laurie, his dark eyes snapping with anger. Laurie could barely hold back his grin. 

“Theodore, what were you thinking?” he demanded. “Bringing her all the way here? On the ship? Without a chaperone? And what did you tell her parents? How am I to send her home? I’m so sorry for my scrapgrace grandson, Miss March. He should know better -” 

“Mrs Laurence,” Laurie cut him off. 

Grandfather’s eyebrows shot up again. 

“I beg your pardon?” 

“Surprise,” Jo said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. 

“Grandfather, I would like you to meet my wife,” said Laurie. Saying it out loud to his grandfather made his chest expand with pride. Jo, at last, his to introduce like this. 

Mr Laurence opened and shut his mouth several times, as if he did not have the words to express what he was feeling. He turned to Jo. 

“You would not tease an old man?” he asked. 

Jo took his weathered hand. 

“I swear it, sir. We are not teasing. Teddy and I were married before we set sail for Plymouth. Do you think my mother and father would have let me come with him otherwise?” 

“You could have run away,” Mr. Laurence said, a little weakly. “I know you capable of it.” 

Jo snorted. 

“I can’t deny the thought did cross our minds. But alas no,” she held out her hand so Mr Laurence could see the simple gold band that encircled it. “You may write to my father if you like, but his letter to you will be coming sooner, I should think.” 

“My dear,” Mr Laurence said, leaning down to kiss Jo’s cheek. “What a wonderful surprise.” He glanced over at his grandson. “Would you give me a few minutes to talk to Theodore alone, please?” 

Jo shot Laurie an amused look. 

“Of course,” she said. 

Laurie walked her out of the room. 

“You remember where your bedroom is from here?” 

“I remember,” she replied. 

“He’s going to scold me,” Laurie said ruefully. “Jolly sorry about that . After dinner I’ll show you the library as a consolation for being kicked out, and you can lose yourself in mountains of books” 

“You better,” said Jo, and shut the door behind her. 

Laurie took a deep breath, before facing his grandfather once again. 

“Before you start, I just want to say, I don't regret it,” he got out before his grandfather could build up a good head of steam. 

“What on earth possessed you -” Mr Laurence began. 

“I love Jo,” Laurie cut him off. “I've always loved Jo.” 

“And she turned you down.” 

“And I asked again.” 

“Does she love you now?” Mr Laurence asked, his dark eyes boring into Laurie’s. 

“Well, no,” Laurie admitted. “But I already knew that. Not the way I love her. But I don't care. You should have seen her, grandfather. It was awful. She was all alone - Meg in confinement and Amy away and Beth… she didn’t have anyone. I didn’t mean to ask again, but when I got your letter I knew that I couldn't leave her like that. Not my Jo. She had to come with me. We had to be together.” 

“And what now? You will live as husband and wife?” 

“We will live however we want to live,” Laurie said, anger seeping into his tone. He was a grown man and it wasn’t for Grandfather to question his choices. 

“You already said - she doesn’t love you. Will I not have any descendants? Does the Laurence line end here?” 

“Whatever Jo wants,” Laurie said. “I’ll adopt an heir, if it's so important to you. Jo is who is important to me.”

Grandfather sighed, and went to sit back down on the settee, running a hand over his aged face. 

“You’re so much like your father,” he said, rubbing his face. “When he fell in love with Isabella, there wasn’t a single thing I could do to convince him otherwise.” 

Laurie smiled, knowing the battle had been won. 

“Don’t worry, Grandfather. All you need to do is love her and everything will be fine.” 

Grandfather gave him a tired smile. 

“I already love those March girls as if they were my own granddaughters. Now one of them is.” 

— 

Even though his bedroom was the same as it had been before, Laurie couldn’t get comfortable. He’d gotten used to Jo’s presence in the nearly two weeks that they’d been married, not least in his bed, sleeping beside him. Although the crossing had been cramped and uncomfortable, that was by far the best part of it. Not having her here was - strange. Lonely. They’d gone over six months not seeing or speaking to one another after he’d gone to Europe the first time, and now he was fidgeting when he couldn’t see her for eight hours? It was absurd. All he needed to do was close his eyes and go to sleep, and he’d see her in the morning. She was only in the next room. 

As promised, he’d made sure there was a separate room available to her as soon as they had gotten to the house. She would be more comfortable, he reasoned to himself. And Jo’s comfort was all that mattered. Never mind that he was tossing and turning without her warm presence beside him. He’d truly grown used to the press of her body against him in the night. Of course it had caused him no end of exquisite torture, but he would willingly submit to it again if it meant having her near. 

Soft footsteps in the hall outside his door jolted him out of his reverie. A slight hesitation, then his door opened, and a familiar head popped through. 

“Oh. Teddy. Are you awake?” 

“Jo,” relief flooded his system instantly, as if he had been lost in a snowstorm and she was the flickering homelight guiding him to warmth and safety. 

She slipped into his room. Her hair was tied neatly off in a braid that fell almost to her waist, and she wore a simple white nightgown. In the light of his dying fire, she was so beautiful it made his heart ache. 

“What’s wrong?” he asked, flinging back the covers to come to her. “Are you alright?” 

“Oh no, don’t get up,” she said immediately. “I shouldn’t have come. Only - it's awfully strange being in that big empty room by myself. I’ve shared a room with my sisters most of my life. And most of the time we shared a bed. But here - my thoughts have been spinning and spinning. I couldn’t sleep without -” 

Laurie nodded in understanding. He pushed back the blankets on the other side of the bed, tipping his head invitingly. 

“Are you sure it’s alright?” Jo asked. It was so strange to see her hesitant. It reminded him of their wedding night. 

“Come on, Jo. you’re letting the cold air in,” he said. 

Jo didn’t ask twice. With three bounding steps she had crossed the room, tossed off her slippers and hopped into the bed with him. The contented sigh she let out went straight to Laurie’s head. 

“Better?” he asked. 

Jo snuggled into his covers, her eyes drifting shut. 

“So much better,” she agreed. 

Laurie watched, fascinated, as her long limbs grew slack, and her breathing evened out. In a few minutes, she was asleep. But he was wide awake. A deep sense of rightness washed over Laurie as he watched his wife drift off. She felt safe in his bed. She wanted to sleep beside him. She was exactly where she was supposed to be.

Chapter Text

Waking up beside Jo was quickly becoming one of Laurie’s favorite things. The feel of her warm body pressed up against him, her hair that had escaped its braid tickling his face, the scent of her in his nose. But there were unfortunate side effects as well. For instance, he had woken up with her backside pressed firmly into him and a hand cupping her breast. And he was very, very hard. Painfully so. It had happened a few times on the ship, but now that he was afforded the privacy of his own rooms in his own house, he was finally able to do something about it. 

As much as he would have loved to stay pressed against her, he could no longer hold himself back from thrusting. Easing himself away, he tucked the blankets around her sleeping form and took a moment to appreciate her beauty in the half light of dawn. His heart squeezed painfully at the loveliness he saw in her sleeping features. How he longed to kiss her, to take her in his arms and show her how much he loved her. To press into her and - 

With a quiet groan, he turned, shutting himself into the bathing room and drawing the lock. There, he pulled down his small clothes and took himself in hand. It didn’t take more than a few strokes for him to spill into his own hand, Jo’s name on his lips. He sighed, pulling off his shirt to wipe off his hand and begin the process of bathing himself from the ewer that stood ready full of water. His valet wouldn’t be up to dress him for another hour or two, but he knew how to pull on some simple trousers and a shirt. 

He shook his head at himself in the mirror. It wasn’t the first time he had taken himself in hand to the thought of Jo, and it wouldn’t be the last. He was determined not to touch her until he was ready, but he was still a man, and he loved her fiercely. Compromises had to be made. And if that meant his own hand for months at a time, so be it. 

— 

Jo woke slowly. She was disoriented at first, but then it came back to her. She was in Laurie’s room. She blushed to recall how she’d crept down the hall and insisted on joining him in his bed. Since sharing a bed on the ship, it was so difficult to sleep by herself in a strange place. Laurie’s presence was so solid and soothing, she no longer knew what she would do without it. 

A knock on the door shook her out of her thoughts, and a maid slipped in balancing a heavy tray. 

“Good morning, Mrs Laurence,” the girl said. “Young Mr Laurence said you would be here and asked me to bring you your breakfast and help you dress.” 

Jo started. She wasn’t used to having servants. Breakfast in bed was an unheard of luxury. 

“Er, thank you,” she said awkwardly. She wanted to insist that she knew how to dress herself, but she didn’t want to embarrass Laurie on their first morning in London. If he had sent the girl up, then surely he thought she was necessary.” 

“I’ll help you get dressed and then you can eat while I do your hair,” the girl suggested. “Where are your clothes?” 

A nervous sort of anxiety came over Jo. All she had were the few things she’d packed in her valise, and all were travel worn from wearing them on the ship. Oh well, there was nothing for it. 

“My frock is in the other room -” she said hesitantly. The girl merely nodded and disappeared, returning a few moments later with Jo’s plain grey dress draped over her arm. 

It was awkward to allow the maid to help her into her things, when Jo had been dressing herself with minimal help from her sisters since she was a child. At least she didn’t tighten the laces too much like Amy did. Jo was interested in breathing, not having a fine figure as her younger sister insisted on. 

She was then guided to a mirrored vanity, where her breakfast was placed in front of her, Toast with jam, tea, and eggs. 

“May I?” the maid asked, picking up her heavy sleeping braid. 

Jo nodded, taking a sip of the tea. 

“What’s your name?” 

“Maggie, Ma’am” 

“Thank you, Maggie.” 

“My pleasure, Ma’am. We were all ever so surprised when young Mr Laurence came down this morning and said his wife was upstairs. We had no notion he was married!” 

“It was a bit impulsive I’m afraid,” Jo admitted, hiding her smile in her tea cup. 

Maggie began unraveling Jo’s braid, combing her fingers through the locks before taking a hairbrush out of her apron pocket. 

“My word, Ma’am. But you have thick hair!  It’s very lovely.” 

“Thank you,” Jo said seriously. “It’s been very lucrative for me.” she smiled at her own joke, ignoring Maggie’s puzzled expression. 

“How would you like it done today?” Maggie asked. 

“I have no idea,” Jo admitted. “I usually do it myself in a simple style. Which is fine for home, but not good enough for here I fear.” 

“Don’t worry, Ma’am,” Maggie said. “I’m not a ladies maid, but I’ll do my best. I know all the latest styles” 

“Nothing too frilly,” Jo requested. 

Maggie glanced at the grey dress Jo was wearing - a little wrinkled, a little travel stained, not quite in fashion even when it had been given to Meg several years ago. 

“Yes Ma’am,” she said. 

—- 

Respectably dressed and tolerably watered by the simple breakfast provided for her, Jo made her way down the stairs. The Laurence house in London was nothing like the one in Concord, which she knew as well as her own house. This one was a townhouse, tall and narrow, with many sets of stairs. The temptation to poke her nose into various rooms was almost overwhelming, but Jo was determined to find Laurie somewhere in here. If this was to be her home while she was in London, she’d better get used to the layout. 

“I’m sorry? Excuse me?” 

A footman looked up, startled. 

“Ma’am?” 

“Could you direct me towards where Mr. Laurence is?” she paused, thinking about how Maggie had referred to him. “Young Mr. Laurence?” 

“Oh, yes ma’am. This way.” 

The footman escorted her to a pretty looking sitting room on the second floor of the house, which was very obviously empty. Jo looked around for Laurie, but there was nowhere for a man of his height to hide. She shot a questioning glance at the footman. 

“I shall fetch him for you,” the servant said smartly, leaving before Jo could object. 

With a shake of her head, Jo watched him disappear, turning instead to survey the room. The large window caught her attention, and she drifted over, taking in the view. Outside was a busy looking street filled with carriages and people, and a leafy looking park across. The skyline rose in the background, filled with chimneys and smoke, and beyond it a greyish sky. 

Footsteps startled her out of her reverie. 

“Jo dear?” 

“Teddy,” she breathed a sigh of relief, smiling at him. 

Laurie crossed the room in a few steps. 

“Are you alright? Reynolds said you needed me.” 

“Oh,” Jo felt the colour rise on her cheeks. “No. I mean, yes, of course, I'm happy to see you. I just asked where you were. I didn’t expect him to interrupt you if you’re busy.” 

“I’m never too busy for you,” Laurie said, smiling. 

His smile made Jo’s heart squeeze a little. She had always loved his bright, open smile. It was so nice to see it, after so long of feeling like she was hurting him every time she tried to direct his amorous attentions away from herself. 

“Has Grandfather put you to work straight away?” she asked, tucking her hands into her pockets and pushing the squirmy feeling away. 

Laurie grimaced. 

“I’m afraid I have a lot to catch up on. I’m sorry. It’s dreadfully boring. I’ll cry off this afternoon and show you around the town like we planned.” 

“Oh, I don’t want to pull you away if you’re busy. It’s my fault you abandoned your post, anyhow.” 

Laurie laughed and rolled his eyes. 

“Grandfather’s just being an old goat. You know what he’s like. He thinks he needs to teach the young buck the value of hard work. Well I’ll work hard alright but I’m not sorry I dropped it all to go back to Concord. Not sorry at all.” He smiled warmly at Jo. 

“Well just wait,” Jo said, looking away and affecting a jovial tone to try to cut the suddenly tense atmosphere. “You might be sorry yet.” 

“I may well be,” Laurie laughed. “Come, let me set you up in my office and you can do a bit of scribbling while I work. Give me a few days and I can have a desk in there for you as well so we can scribble together.” 

“I thought you hated my scribbling,” Jo teased, as she followed him down corridors she was sure she would never remember the way back from again. 

“I did,” Laurie said, rubbing the back of his neck ruefully. “When I thought you’d rather scribble than spend time with me. But now I’ve got my own scribbling to do. Besides,” he turned towards her, so suddenly that she nearly bumped into him. She was so close she could see the green flecks in his hazel eyes. “Besides,” he continued, his voice lowered to a soft tone that felt like it was for her alone. “I know how important it is to you. I was wrong to be jealous before and I hope you can forgive me. I hope you can forgive me for a great number of things I did when I was a clumsy boy, stomping all over everyone’s feelings.”

Jo blinked at the confession. 

“Of… of course I do. And thank you.” 

Laurie nodded, then stepped back. 

“This way,” he said. 

—

They spent most of the morning in Laurie’s office. He worked diligently at a side table he’d asked Reynolds to bring in, ceding the large, handsome desk to Jo, who had dutifully retrieved her notebooks. He even looked the other way when the work of writing down what was in her heart became too much for her, and she had begun to sniffle, and then to cry. It would have been mortifying if he had acknowledged it, so she appreciated that he merely passed her a handkerchief without comment, and left her to it. 

Writing about Beth was so much harder than writing the sensational stories she had been wont to write when she lived in New York. Those had been foolish tales full of blood and gore and sensational antics. They came to her easily, and left her pen just as easily. This was not that . This was something much more personal, something that seemed pulled straight from her soul. And as with any wrenching, it hurt. It hurt so much to write about her gentle sister, who she had loved so much and who had left them all too soon. About the Pickwick papers and the plays in the attic and the Christmas feast given to the poor. And about the long illness that eventually took away the gentle soul they all loved so much. 

It hurt, but it was somehow a good hurt. Like lancing a boil or drawing an infection away from the wound. When the bell rang for lunch, Jo felt wrung out, but good. Like a little of her grief had been drawn out. It would never entirely leave her, she knew that. But it would become less painful to think of, day by day, as she transferred that horrible heavy feeling onto the page. 

“Alright,” Laurie said, after they’d eaten cold sandwiches and fruit in the breakfast room. “We’re going out. It’s not raining, so Grandfather can’t stop us. You look like you need a break.” 

Jo smiled wanly. 

“Thanks. I think I do. I miss our long rambling walks all over the place.” 

“I do too,” said Laurie. “Alas, London has no such places to ramble, except Hyde Park. And I’m afraid it wouldn’t meet your rambling standards. It’s a very sedate sort of place. Not like the woods and fields back home. But I do have somewhere in mind that I think you’ll like.” 

The road that Jo had seen outside the window was less busy at noon than it had been that morning, but there was still a fair amount of traffic. She had Laurie strolled on a well appointed walk just to the side of the carriages rushing past in both directions. It was loud and dirty, but no louder than New York had been. Laurie tucked her hand in the crook of her arm, and led her down several streets till they came to one lined with shops. 

“Shopping?” Jo asked, raising an eyebrow. “Have you, perhaps, mistaken me for one of my sisters?” 

Laurie laughed. 

“Please. I know you better than to think shopping is an amusing activity for you. Have a little more faith in me. You’ll like this surprise, I promise.” 

Another turn into a quieter alleyway, and then they were in front of a pretty little bookshop 

“Ohhhh,” Jo blew out a breath. 

“See?” Laurie laughed. “I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so.” 

Jo didn’t dignify that with a response, instead pushing the door open and stepping inside. Immediately the smell of paper and leather assaulted her senses and she breathed the familiar scent in deeply. 

The bespectacled man at the front counter looked up. 

“Why Mr. Laurence. I haven’t seen you in a while,” he said warmly. 

“Hodgkins! Nice to see you too,” Laurie said. “There’s a reason you haven’t seen me. Please allow me to introduce you to my wife.” 

He did love to call her that. Jo tried not to let a flush creep up her cheeks. Even after several weeks, it was still strange to hear Laurie refer to her that way. 

“Wife! Well this is a surprise. How do you do, Mrs. Laurence? John Hodgkins.” 

“Very well thank you,” Jo replied, smiling at the shopkeeper. “This is a very nice shop you’ve got here.” 

‘It’s my favorite,” Laurie cut in. “I came here at least once a week when I was in London last. Finding solace in books, you know.” 

“I always know the brokenhearted ones,” Hodgkins said, shaking his head. “They always lean towards poetry. Glad to see you are not so brokenhearted now, Mr. Laurence.” 

Laurie laughed. 

“Yes, well. She said yes the second time around.” 

“Oh that’s how it is,” Hodgkins chuckled, joining in Laurie’s laughter. 

Jo really did blush this time. 

“Yes, well...” she said awkwardly. 

Laurie took her hand and squeezed it. 

“Why don’t you have a look around and see if anything catches your fancy, Jo dear? I’m afraid I’m going to be a little busy for the next few weeks until Grandfather lets me off the hook, and you can’t be scribbling the whole time. Or you can, if you want. But I imagine you’ll want to read too.” 

Jo rolled her eyes at him, but didn’t turn the offer down. She wandered the shelves, selecting one book and then the other before deciding on a novel she’d very much wanted to read last year and hadn’t been able to afford. Now seemed like as good a time as any to catch up. When she circled back to the front counter, Laurie and Hodgkins were just finishing up a conversation. 

“It’s all set then,” Hodgkins said, tidying away a ledger book. 

“Excellent,” said Laurie. 

Jo gave him a questioning look. 

“Found one you like?” he asked, eyeing the book in her hand. 

Jo nodded. 

“Good. That’s the first one for the account.” 

Jo raised an eyebrow. 

“Account?” 

“I’ve set up an account for you with Hodgkins. Once you know your way around, you can come here as often as you’d like, and Hodgkins here will send the bill on to the house.” 

“Mr Laurence has made it unlimited,” cut in Hodgkins, “Which frankly sounds dangerous to me, as he tells me you’re a great reader.” 

“Unlimited?” Jo asked, a gleam in her dark eyes. 

“Whatever books you like, Jo. Consider it a wedding present.” 

“You already got me a wedding present,” Jo reminded him. 

“Then consider it a ‘welcome to London’ present,” Laurie replied. “Don’t fight me on this, Jo Dear.” 

“Alright,” said Jo. “I won’t. And if I have unlimited credit I’m getting the two I put back.” 

Laurie and Hodgkins’ laughter followed her as she disappeared back into the shelves. 

Chapter Text

Dear Marmee, 

London is cold rainy interesting. I am having a jolly time. The house is huge, much bigger than their house in Concord. Teddy has shown me his favorite bookshop and I’ve enjoyed buying some new books. Grandfather was very surprised to see me and almost sent me home express but Teddy smoothed it all over. He’s much relieved to receive Father’s letter and to know it was all above board. 

How is Meg? Please write and let me know about the baby, as I’m sure they’ve come by now. Do we have a nephew or a niece? 

I miss you terribly

All my love, 

Jo 

— 

Dear Amy, 

I hope you are having a lovely time in Vevey with Aunt March. I hear there are very nice scenes there, and I hope you are enjoying painting them. Marmee showed me one of the watercolours you sent home and it was very pretty. 

I’m writing to tell you that Laurie and I are married  

t hat Laurie and I have decided to 

I am writing because I wanted to tell you that a few weeks ago Laurie came back to Concord and proposed again, and I decided 

I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, it happened so fast 

I hope you are not too lonesome there by yourself. We miss you terribly. I hope you are having a wonderful time sketching castles. 

Maybe Laurie and I can come meet you there? Would you like to see us?  

Are you still angry at me? 

Your sister, Jo 

— 

“Jo dear,” Laurie said, interrupting a pleasant afternoon of reading. Jo was curled up in an armchair in the library, devouring one of her new books. She looked up at him owlishly, coming out of her book induced haze and into the real world reluctantly. 

“Sorry to interrupt,” he said, leaning over to kiss the top of her head. “Letter for you. It’s from home.” 

Jo snatched the letter from him, recognizing Marmee’s familiar elegant handwriting. She broke the seal eagerly, scanning the page. 

“Oh, Teddy!” she said, her eyes alight with happiness. “It’s Meg!” 

“She had her baby?” Laurie asked. “What is it, a boy or a girl?” 

“Yes!” 

Laurie blinked at her. 

Jo laughed at his confused expression. 

“A boy and a girl,” She clarified. “Twins! We have a niece and a nephew!” 

“No wonder she was so big,” Laurie mused. 

Jo elbowed him in the ribs. 

“She was beautiful. Two babies!” The joy left Jo’s face, leaving a melancholy expression behind. “I wish I was there to help her. I’ve always wanted to come to Europe. And now that I’m here, I miss home.” 

“Of course you do,” Laurie said, drawing her into his arms. Jo leaned her cheek on his shoulder, allowing his comforting warmth to steady her. “It’s completely natural for you to feel sad that you’re not with your sister.” 

Jo sniffed, straightening. Laurie’s arms drew away from her, leaving her feeling strangely cold. 

“Anyhow, I have something else for you. It was delivered today.” 

Jo followed as Laurie led her out of the library and up to their bedroom. When she had left that morning, it had been tidy and quiet. Now it looked like a draper’s shop had exploded. Boxes everywhere and things opened and half unpacked. 

Maggie looked up as they entered. 

“Oh Ma’am!” she said happily. “It all just arrived!” 

“Teddy?” Jo asked, turning towards him. 

Laurie looked bashfully pleased with himself. 

“I know how much you hate clothes shopping. If you were Amy I’d take you to the fashion warehouse and let you run up a tab and pick everything out yourself, but I knew you wouldn’t like that, so I enlisted a female friend of mine to pick things out for you with your measurements. Kate Vaughn, you remember her?” 

Jo nodded, thinking of that far away day of the Laurence picnic. Kate had been a few years older than herself, closer to Meg’s age. A very elegant girl, even in their teens. 

“I wrote to her,” Laurie continued, “And gave her your measurements and asked her to order whatever you needed. Now I can write to Marmee with a clean conscience that I’ve fulfilled my promises and made sure you had a trousseau.” 

Jo drifted towards the bed, picking up a dress that was draped there. It was an afternoon dress, done in expensive fabrics and beautifully made, but cut simply and in a solid coloured fabric. The style was in the design, not in any frilly embellishments or bows. It was, Jo was surprised to discover, exactly her style. She had no doubt it would fit perfectly and accentuate her meager curves and flatter her complexion perfectly. She put the gown down, and moved on to another box, which seemed to hold gloves and stockings. 

“What in the world did you spend on all of this?” she wondered aloud. 

Laurie laughed. 

“Never you mind that. You’re my wife now. It’s my job to spoil you. Besides, this is hardly even spoiling. It's the bare minimum for Mrs Laurence.” 

Jo glanced at Maggie, who was happily opening box after box and hanging gowns up in the dressing room. 

“How many are there?” she asked the maid. 

“Three morning dresses, three afternoon dresses, a riding habit, two wrappers, two ball gowns, two nightgowns, a set of stays, two petticoats, a hoop crinoline, and boxes and boxes of hats and gloves and ribbons,” the girl said with satisfaction. 

Jo raised an eyebrow at Laurie, who just shrugged. 

“We can get more if you like, but I thought this would start you off with things you liked, and you can pick out more as the whim takes you.” 

“Teddy… this is…” Jo felt as if the words were clogging her throat. Each time had clearly been selected with her wants and needs in mind. Even the multiple gloves, although she no longer lost and ruined them as she once had. 

She took a step forward towards her husband, feeling overwhelmed by the feelings that crowded in. 

Laurie didn’t say a word, merely opened his arms and let her step into them. Laurie’s arms were so comforting, so warm and safe. How had she never noticed it before? She had never felt so seen as she did in that moment. 

“Thank you,” she murmured into his shirt. 

“My pleasure,” he assured her, pressing a kiss into her chestnut waves. 

— 

Laurie waited silently at the dinner table with Grandfather, neither saying a word. The quiet stretched between them awkwardly, with neither of them willing to break it. Since he had scolded Laurie for marrying Jo, the awkwardness between grandfather and grandson had grown. He seemed quite content to have Jo in the house, but confused and frustrated that Laurie had married her with no intention of truly living as husband and wife, even though they now shared a room. 

Jo, he thought with a little annoyance, was late. The dinner gong had wrung ten minutes ago. She was usually on time, but she still wasn’t used to the house or its rituals. It wasn’t like Orchard House had a gong that had to be wrung for people to come in to supper. 

“I’ll go and see if Jo got lost-” he offered, starting to get up. But then he froze. The door to the dining room opened, and Jo walked in. She was wearing one of her new frocks. A deep burgundy that flattered her complexion and dark hair. As per his careful instructions, it was the best material and construction that money could buy, and the simple style and lack of frills suited Jo perfectly. 

She was so beautiful he couldn’t remember to breathe. Her chestnut hair had been pulled away from her face in a simple yet elegant style, and the only jewelry she wore was a narrow black ribbon around her neck, and her simple gold wedding band on her fingers. Her eyes sought his, lighting up when she saw him. God, wasn’t this everything he had once dreamed of? Jo wearing his ring and coming to his table wearing clothes he had bought her. 

He opened and closed his mouth several times, finding that he couldn’t manage to get words to come. He just stood there, drinking her in as she came towards him. 

“Well my dear,” Grandfather broke the silence. “Don’t you look lovely. Don’t you think she looks lovely, Theodore?” 

“Yes -” Laurie managed. He swallowed, trying to pull himself together. “Yes. you look lovely, Jo.” 

“Thank you for the new clothes,” Jo said, taking her place at the table. “Teddy picked them out for me. I didn’t really have anything suitable at home.” 

“Did he?” chuckled grandfather. “Well, well. Who knew the boy had taste?” 

Laughter rang out in the dining room, and with that, dinner service began. It was a delicious meal, to be sure, but Laurie didn’t remember a thing. All he could remember was the spot of colour high on Jo’s cheek, and the way her eyes shone in the candlelight.

Chapter Text

“Which one should I wear?” Jo asked, surveying her new ball gowns in the dressing room. It was strange to have more than a few dresses hanging up. She’d never had more than three or four and a church dress in her life, most of them second hand and modified to fit her instead of one of her sisters. 

Maggie surveyed the two options with a critical eye. 

“This one, Ma’am,” she replied, indicating a blue velvet with a narrow lace trimming. 

Jo nodded her assent, and let Maggie lead her to the dressing table, where the maid began to do her hair. 

“I know you don’t like it too fussy, Ma’am, but the master said you were to look nice so I thought something a bit more elaborate?” 

Jo hummed noncommittally. When Laurie had told her they were going to the opera tonight, she’d been thrilled. She loved operas and plays back home in Concord. 

“Oh, and a few of my friends will be there,” he’d said casually, with one of his easy smiles. As if that didn’t change everything. It was one thing to step out in London society as Mr and Mrs Laurence. It was another thing entirely to meet his fancy friends. Jo knew, as sure as she knew her own name, that she wasn’t refined enough for his society friends. That she would find some way of embarrassing him, just as she had feared when he first proposed. 

A knock on the door startled her out of her spiralling thoughts. 

“Only me,” Laurie said, peeking around the door. “Everyone decent?” 

“I’m wearing a robe,” Jo called back. 

Laurie stepped in. He wasn’t finished dressing himself, only in a crisp white shirt and vest and well fitting trousers. He was, Jo reflected in a detached sort of way, a very handsome man. The olive tone in his skin and the dark sweep of his unruly hair across his brow gave him an exotic look, but it was the sparkle in his dark eyes that truly set him apart as a beautiful man. 

“I have something for you,” he said, pulling a narrow box out of his pocket. 

“Teddy!” Jo scolded, smiling to bely her tone. “You agreed no more gifts!” 

“I did no such thing,” Laurie said with an answering smile. “Besides, this isn’t a gift. It’s yours by right.” 

Jo cautiously opened the box to reveal an elegant string of pearls. 

Laurie reached over her to pick the necklace up, placing it around Jo’s neck and fastening it from behind. 

“It was my mother’s,” he said, his voice soft in her ear as he stood behind her. She followed his movements in the mirror. “My father gave it to her when they were courting. It’s my inheritance. Now yours. There’s matching earrings too.” 

The warmth of his breath on the back of her neck raised goosebumps on Jo’s arms and she suppressed a shiver. His voice was deep and strange in her ear. Heat gathered somewhere low in her belly, and Jo resisted the urge to squirm. 

Then, just as soon as the moment began, it was over. Laurie stepped away, leaving her feeling strangely bereft. 

“Will it do?” he asked Maggie. 

The maid blushed. 

“They’re lovely, sir. I’ll make sure the mistress is wearing them.” 

“Good,” Laurie said, clearing his throat. “See you downstairs in a little while, Jo dear?” 

Jo nodded, following him in the mirror as he disappeared around the door. 

“Well,” said Maggie, picking up the earrings. “Aren’t these pretty?” 

They caught the light, a tiny diamond gleaming above the swinging pearl drop. Jo had never worn anything so expensive in her life. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. 

—- 

Laurie fidgeted as he and his grandfather waited in the front hall of the house. The carriage had been drawn up, and they were just waiting for Jo to make her appearance. 

His grandfather smiled fondly at him. 

“There’s no end of waiting for women to get ready, in my experience,” the older man joked. “But it’s always worth it.” 

“Hm,” Laurie replied, his eyes still on the stairs. 

From above, the sound of footsteps, and then Jo appeared at the top of the stairs. If he’d thought she was beautiful the night before, she was breathtaking today. He’d picked out the ball gown himself, but he could never have imagined her in it. Jo, without any jewelry or dresses or any frills at all, was beautiful. He’d always found her lovely, even in ink stained dresses with straw in her hair from lying in a field. But dressed in his family’s pearls, in a gown that fit her perfectly and suited her exactly - he could barely breathe. 

“Well,” Jo said as she reached the foyer, holding her arms out as if to indicate her whole self, “What do you think? Do I pass muster?” 

“Oh absolutely,” Grandfather said. “You are pretty as a picture my dear. I don’t know how Theodore managed it, but you’re prettier than ever.” 

Jo blushed under the older man’s compliments, but her eyes sought out Laurie’s. Seeking his approval, he realized. 

His body suddenly remembered itself, and he was moving towards her before he really knew what he was doing. He took her hand, placing a kiss on the back of it. 

“You’re perfect,” he replied, looking into her wide, startled eyes. “It suits you.” 

“Thank you,” Jo replied, her voice no more than a whisper. 

Grandfather cleared his throat. 

“Well, we’d better get going, then.” 

—

Normally Laurie enjoyed the opera. Music had always been his passion, and he always loved when it was played well. He’d given up his dream of composing any great arias, but he still loved to play the various instruments he had learned as a child. 

But tonight he could hardly countenance it. They sat in their usual box, which had a good view and excellent acoustics. Jo was on the edge of her seat, watching everything intently. And Laurie was watching Jo. He couldn't help it. He’d struggled against it at first, but it was no good. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Her lovely figure was displayed so well in her new dress, which had been made for her and not for someone else and altered for her, like most of her gowns from before their marriage. Her chestnut hair, which had always been one of her loveliest features, had been curled and pinned up in a more simplified version of a fashionable style, with one errant curl escaping to lay on her shoulder. 

But mostly it was her face that drew his attention. The way she watched the performance so intently, closing her eyes at times to savour the beautiful music. The way her bright eyes took in everything and missed nothing. And the way his mother’s pearls hung just in the hollow of her throat, like his family’s jewels were always meant to go there. He swore in that moment that no matter how much she protested, he was going to ensure that she wore Laurence family jewelry to every event from now on. It was better than it rusting away in a safety deposit box. 

Jo, simply, glowed. There had always been something about her, something that made her special, that drew her to him like a moth is drawn to a flame. But especially tonight when they were coming out in London society as husband and wife for the first time. A strange sort of fluttering nervous joy shot through Laurie at the thought. He was planning on meeting up with a few friends after the performance. He hadn’t told anyone in London about his marriage; in truth he hadn’t had time. They’d only been in town for a week. So this would be the first time that most of them had heard mention of Jo, never mind that they were married now. The Vaughns would remember her from the Laurence picnic, and Laurie had enlisted Kate for her help with Jo’s wardrobe, promising her the whole story in return for her help. So he’d better pay up tonight, he supposed. 

As the performance drew to a close, he took Jo’s hand. 

“We’re meeting up with a few friends of mine as I mentioned,” he said. “In the Vaughn residence. Is that still alright with you?” 

Jo swallowed, then nodded, her infamous resolve snapping into place. 

“You young people have fun,” Grandfather said, patting Jo’s arm. “I’m for home. Don’t stay out too late.” 

Jo stood on her toes to kiss the elder Laurence on the cheek. 

“Goodnight,” she murmured. 

“Goodnight my dear. Theodore.” 

Laurie waved his grandfather off, then took Jo’s hand, tucking it into the crook of his arm. He didn’t let her go through the short carriage ride of the Vaughns’ nearby house, a smart downhome in a fashionable part of London. 

—- 

The Vaughn home was yet another grand townhome on a street full of grand townhomes. Jo was glad of Laurie’s steadying hand on her arm as they were ushered into a brightly lit drawing room. 

“Oh Laurie!” a woman cried, coming forward. “There you are!” 

Although it had been many years since Jo had seen her, she recognized Kate Vaughn immediately. She had the same dark hair and large, hawkish nose as her brother Fred. 

“Hello, Kate,” said Laurie amiably. “Thank you for inviting us.” 

“Of course! When I got your letter with your request, of course I was desperate to meet the new Mrs. Laurence. Hello, Josephine. It’s been so long!” 

Jo did her best to muster up a smile. 

“Hello, Miss Vaughn. How are you?” 

“Oh you must call me Kate. How are the clothes? I see this one fits.” her dark eyes swept over Jo’s opera dress with a critical gaze. 

“I like them very much. Thank you.” 

“When Laurie wrote to me, I just about fainted. Married!” 

“Who’s married?” asked a deep voice. Another man came up to them, his eyes alight with curiosity. 

“Tommy,” said Laurie. “I would like to introduce you to my wife, Jo.” 

The man openly stared at her. 

“By Jove! Married? Our boy settling down! Well, well, Mrs. Laurence. You’ve got the most eligible bachelor in London!” 

Laurie scoffed. 

“Well then,” said another man, shorter than the rest. “How did you meet, tell us!” 

“Oh, they’re childhood friends,” Kate replied, her eyes twinkling. “I met Jo when I visited Concord as a girl.” 

“We were next door neighbours,” Jo agreed. “Best friends.” 

“And now married!” the first man, Tommy, said. 

“I wore her down,” Laurie joked. 

The shorter man slapped Laurie on the shoulder. 

“Nobody tell Anna. She’ll be devastated.” 

“Nobody tell me what?” 

A beautiful woman with honey blonde hair joined the group. She looked to Jo like a woman from one of the magazines Meg got from Sally Moffett. Her hair was done artfully and her dress was exquisite and fit her ample curves perfectly. Her ruby red mouth curved up in a smile as her eyes alighted on Laurie. 

“Laurie darling! You’re back from America! Indeed nobody told me that!” she threw her arms around Laurie, forcing him to let go of Jo’s hand. 

“Anna,” he said, with a smile. “How are you?” 

“Simply dreadful darling. It’s been so dull without you in town!” 

Laurie shot Jo an amused glance, but Jo didn’t feel amused. A sinking feeling was beginning to form in her stomach as she watched the beautiful creature in front of them chat animatedly with Laurie, inquiring after mutual acquaintances and bringing up old jokes. 

Kate looped her arm through Jo’s, drawing her away from the group.

“Come,” she said. “Let’s get a drink and I’ll introduce you to everyone.” 

Jo shot a glance at Laurie, who was still occupied with his friends. 

“Thanks,” she said, mustering up a smile to give Kate. “That sounds jolly.” 

“Well! This must be quite a change for you!” Kate said, steering Jo towards a table laden with delicacies and plucking up a champagne glass for both of them. “Tell me how it happened! How is everyone in your family? Your sisters?” 

“Meg, my older sister, just had twins,” Jo said, feeling a rush of both happiness for Meg, and sorrow that she couldn’t be near her sister and meet her new niece and nephew. “And Amy is in Italy with our Aunt learning painting and sculpture.” 

“And the other sister? The one who was ill?” Kate asked. “How is she now?” 

Jo looked away so Miss Vaughn couldn’t see the stinging in her eyes. 

“Beth passed away a few months ago.” 

“Oh, Jo, I’m so sorry!” Kate said. “I’m sorry to bring up such a painful memory. Frank will be sorry to hear it. He was fond of her.” 

“Thank you,” Jo said. Then she cleared her throat. “And thank you for picking out the dresses. I loath shopping.” 

“And I love it!” Kate said with a laugh, clearly glad for a change of topic. “So that worked out splendidly. When I got Laurie’s letter I was ever so surprised. I was under the impression that you’d turned him down.” 

“Ah,” said Jo, awkwardly. “Yes. Well. I did. The first time. But after Beth - when he came home and asked again -” 

“Ahhh,” Kate sighed. “How romantic. A second chance. You’re very lucky you know. If he wasn’t so devoted in his love, he would have been snatched up immediately. He was a great favorite this last season. All the debutantes were after him. Not only for the Laurence fortune, you know. He’s ever so handsome and he plays piano like a dream. I nearly set my cap for him myself.” Kate let out a trilling laugh. “And of course Anna is wild for him.” 

Jo forced herself to smile, but a sinking feeling had begun in the pit of her stomach. She glanced over to the group they had left, where the lovely blonde continued to hang off Laurie’s arm, looking up at him with adoring eyes. Laurie, Jo noticed to her annoyance, didn’t seem to mind. He was laughing at something Tommy had said, looking handsome and carefree.  

A tinkling on a glass made everyone look up. It was Tommy, tapping on a champagne flute with a spoon. 

“Here here, everyone. To our fine friend Laurie and his new bride! London’s most eligible bachelor, the toast of town, the apple of every young lady’s eye, snatched off the market by the lovely Josephine!” 

Everyone laughed, then raised their glasses in toast. 

The bubbles burned all the way down Jo’s throat, souring in her stomach. 

— 

The ride home from the Vaughn household was subdued. 

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Laurie asked, breaking the strange tension between them. Jo had been withdrawn the entire evening. She’d talked a bit with Kate Vaughn, but she wasn’t her usual self at all. “I know it was a good deal of people you don’t know yet, but I’m hoping my friends will become your friends too.” 

“Not likely,” Jo muttered under her breath. 

Laurie’s eyebrows rose. 

“Didn’t you have a good time, Jo dear?” 

“Hard to have a good time when you were letting that blonde girl hang off you!” Jo snapped. 

Laurie’s eyebrows rose even further. 

“Blonde - you mean Anna?” 

“Of course I mean her! She was all over you! You let her.” 

Laurie felt his temper rise. He’d been so excited to show Jo off to his friends, and she was acting ridiculous. 

“I did not let her. I handed her off to Tommy as soon as I could!” 

“What am I even doing here, Theodore Laurence, if you have so many eligible women all over you? Why didn’t you just leave me at home!” 

Hurt and anger flashed through Laurie. 

“You cannot be serious. After everything -” he paused, and took a deep breath. “What’s really going on, Jo? This isn't like you.” 

“I don’t belong with those friends of yours,” Jo snapped back. “And you know it.” 

Even in the half light of the carriage, her dark eyes snapped with anger and her cheeks were flushed. She looked so beautiful. Laurie wanted to sweep her into his arms and assure her that none of those other people even mattered. Nothing mattered except her. But that would only anger her more. 

“You belong with me,” he said. 

The carriage rocked to a stop. They were home, in front of the Laurence townhouse. 

Jo made an angry sound in the back of her throat. 

“I don’t belong anywhere,” She threw over her shoulder, before stomping out and to the open front door, leaving Laurie to trail behind her, wondering what the hell just happened and whether his marriage was over before it had even really begun. 

— 

Jo paced her room. She hadn’t spent much time in it, having succumbed to the desire to sleep in Laurie’s room with him every night they’d been in London. But tonight she’d marched up the stairs and slammed the door behind her, shutting him, and everything else, out. Now that her temper had cooled, she could see clearly what a fool she’d been. 

Laurie had every right to dissolve this marriage and send her back to Concord. It wasn’t as if she was acting like a wife to him anyways. At best they were companionable roommates. She knew what his feelings were, and had dismissed them. Laurie had been nothing but kind and accommodating to her, and she’d thrown it back in his face. 

A sob built in her throat. The thought of being sent back to Concord in disgrace was intolerable. Not only the shame of it, and not being able to see the rest of Europe as she had wished for so long, but the parting. To be parted forever from her dear Teddy, all because she couldn't keep her temper. She dashed a tear off her cheek, angry now not at him but at herself.  

She sniffed heartily, then turned and paced the length of her room again. There would be no settling down, no sleep when she was in this kind of mood. 

With a determined set of her jaw, Jo flung open the door she had so decidedly closed only an hour ago, and stomped down the hall. Her courage drained out of her as she neared Laurie’s door. What if it was locked? What if he had locked it against her? 

Her hands trembled as she reached for the knob, but it turned easily, the door swinging open on silent hinges. 

There, sitting in front of the fire in his favorite chair and nursing a glass of brandy, was Laurie. He looked up at her footsteps. 

“Jo?” 

All at once Jo’s pride broke, and she ran the rest of the way across the room to him, dropping down in front of him and laying her head on his lap. 

“Oh Teddy I’m so sorry,” she managed to choke out. “You know how I am. I let my wretched temper get the better of me and said things I don’t mean. I always ruin everything.” 

Laurie sat frozen for a moment, then his hand lowered, fingers stroking Jo’s loose chestnut strands. 

“Jo,” he said again, his tone soft. “My Jo. we both got angry. I’m sorry too.” 

Jo sat up, looking at him properly. The firelight reflected on his dark curls and accentuated the angles of his handsome face. 

“It was so stupid. I allowed my insecurity to take over -” 

Laurie reached out, fingers caressing Jo’s cheek. 

“What do you have to be insecure about, My Jo?” he asked. “You know you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. I have no interest in Anna. Or Kate. Or any other girl in London. In the whole world. There’s only ever been you for me.” 

“But what if that isn’t enough?” Jo asked, unable to stop the tear that slid down her cheek. Laurie gently wiped it away with his thumb. “I know I’m not being fair to you. I know this isn’t the kind of marriage a man like you could want -” 

“Hush,” Laurie interrupted. “Jo. My sweet girl. I don’t care about that. You think I haven’t dreamed of this for years? You wearing my ring and being called by my name and sleeping in my bed? I’ve worked and prayed and dreamed of this since I was a boy.” 

“But I don’t love you. Not like that.” 

“Not yet,” Laurie said, frankly. “But I aim to help you along. Someday you may love me, Jo. And in the meantime, you’re mine. My wife. I could never love those vapid society ladies when you’re right here in front of me. Anything you give me is enough, for now.” 

Jo was crying in earnest now. 

With gentle hands, Laurie helped her up, drawing her forward until she was hesitantly sitting on his lap. Laurie possessed no such compunctions. Without pausing, he drew her in so that she was tucked at his side, her head pillowed in the junction between his neck and shoulder. He turned to kiss her forehead. 

“There now,” he said. “This is where you belong, my Jo. Here with me.” 

“You don’t wish you'd married a pretty society girl who could give you a real marriage instead of a plain, prickly country girl who argues with you all the time?” 

Laurie laughed. 

“If I’d wanted to marry one of those girls, I would have. None of them would have turned me down.” He smiled to show her he was teasing. Jo’s heart did a strange little twist in her chest. “My love for you doesn’t change with the seasons, Jo. It hasn’t changed since we were fifteen, and I don’t expect it to. Having you here, with me, right here?” he brushed hair away from her forehead, to emphasize just exactly where he wanted her. “Having you here is perfect.” 

“You’d have every right to send me back to Concord, considering how I acted. I was petty and mean and -,” 

“Jealous?” 

“ - maybe,” Jo said ruefully. 

Laurie laughed again. 

“I will never ‘send you back’. You’re not a parcel I can send home whenever I choose. You’re my wife. I’d rather be arguing with you than live a boring life with anyone else.” 

Jo looked up at him from behind her lashes. He was so close and warm and safe and solid, and he smelled so familiar - like his spicy soap and the brandy he’d been drinking. She almost didn’t notice that he was leaning forward at first. She thought perhaps he would kiss her forehead again, but no, his eyes were on her lips.  

She realized a second before it happened that he meant to kiss her. Properly, on the mouth. It was long enough that she could have pulled away if she wanted to. She could have stopped him, like she’d done before. But she didn’t. She held still, let him press his lips to hers. It was much more pleasant than she remembered. Their first kiss, after his first proposal, had been abrupt and startling. But this one was different - it was soft and sweet, and she knew she could break away without him getting angry at any time. So, she stayed. She moved her lips over his, let a hand drift up to the back of his neck and pulled him to her.  

Laurie made a startled sound and hauled her closer, the kiss taking on a less sweet note as their lips moved together. Jo’s eyes drifted shut, falling into the sensation of his lips against hers and their skin pressed together. 

Jo had never enjoyed his kisses before. Laurie had been the only boy to ever kiss her, and it had always felt before like he was stealing something from her that she had not offered. Not this time. This was - nice. It felt nice. She was surprised to realize she wanted him to kiss her. That she didn’t want to stop. 

 It was him who broke away, both of them breathing hard as he leaned his forehead against hers. 

Jo opened her eyes to see him staring at her, his face a mix of bewilderment and wonder. 

“That should have been our first kiss,” she whispered into the silence. 

The look on Laurie’s face was as if the sun had come up at last after a long, dark night. It was like watching a sunrise over a misty lake, the beauty and wonder of that moment dawning. 

“Jo,” he whispered reverently. 

“Teddy,” she responded, smiling back at him. She reluctantly climbed off his lap, offering him her hand. “Come. It's been a long day. Let's get some rest.” 

Laurie took her hand and allowed her to lead him to the bed.

Chapter Text

“Jo? Can I talk to you?” 

Jo didn’t even lift her head. She’d been scribbling for most of the morning, taking over Laurie’s desk while he was out on business. 

“Give me two minutes.” 

The younger Laurie would have pouted and made a fuss at being brushed off in favour of a story, but this older, wiser one merely threw himself in a chair, and waited until Jo finished her sentence off with a dash, and looked up. She had an ink stain on her cheek. 

“You’ve been busy scribbling all day,” Laurie said mildly. 

“Got a sudden rush of inspiration. It’s like I can’t stop.” 

Laurie couldn’t help the affection that swelled in him. Ever since their kiss a few nights ago, Jo had been letting him touch her more. Nothing too serious. Gentle brushes of hands and lips. He’d even stolen a few more kisses since then. 

“You wanted to tell me something?” Jo prompted, looking amused. 

Laurie cleared his throat, shaking the thoughts of their recent kisses out of his head. He came to perch on the edge of the desk, stretching his long legs beside Jo’s chair. 

“I’ve been talking with Grandfather. The business we've been so busy with the past month is almost all wrapped up. Once it’s done, he says he can spare me for a few weeks if we want to do some of that galavanting around Europe I promised you.” 

Jo sat up straighter. 

“Really?” she asked, her dark eyes lighting up. Laurie loved seeing that look. He wanted to always be the cause of it. 

“I was thinking France? Italy? Then we can meet up with Aunt March in Vevey.” 

Jo looked away guiltily. 

“I still haven't written to Amy about us. I keep trying. Amy was always the hardest of my sisters to talk to.” 

“I remember,” Laurie said, thinking of that long ago day when they had gone skating and Amy had gone through the ice. 

“I want to tell her. I just don't’ know how ,” Jo continued. “I’m sure Marmee’s written to her about us, anyways.” 

“Write to her. I’ll help. It seems ridiculous to both be in Europe and not go to Switzerland and see her.” 

Jo nodded, twirling her pen between her fingers. 

“I will,” she promised. 

“In the meantime, I’ll have Maggie pack and we’ll leave early next week. How does that sound?” 

“Like a dream come true,” Jo admitted. 

Laurie smiled, then tipped her face up with a finger, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. 

“I’ll let you finish your scribbling,” he said, his breath ghosting over her lips. 

— 

Dear Amy, 

I’m sure you have heard from Marmee by now. Laurie and I are married. It’s a surprise to me as well! After Beth - well, I realized I couldn’t be without my boy. 

We are going to be in Switzerland at the end of the month. Do you think you and Aunt March could spare an afternoon to see your scrapegrace older sister? 

All my love, 

Jo (and Laurie) 

— 

It was late on a drizzly afternoon. They were slated to leave for France the day after next, but to Jo’s surprise, it involved almost no preparation on her part. Maggie was packing for her, and would be coming as her ladies maid. She need do nothing but show up and board the boat across the channel. 

Jo looked down at the paper in front of her. She’d been meticulously editing and going over her final draft of Beth’s story for the last few days, making sure everything was perfect. And there it was in front of her. Her completed manuscript. All the exploits of their childhood, the Pickwick papers and the gifted piano and the Christmas without presents. Everything that she felt and thought about her dear sweet sister who was no longer with her. It had been difficult to write, to think about those memories, which had once seemed sweet and now seemed tainted by grief. But it had also been cathartic. Like allowing a wound to heal over. She would always carry the grief of Beth’s death with her. After all, it had only been a few months since she had sat in her sister’s room and watched her slip away into the night. But it was easier to deal with now. She didn’t feel so desperately lonely, so empty and without purpose. She had her Teddy now, and she had Europe. And she had this manuscript. 

And she had the box in front of her. It was already addressed to the New York address where she had last seen him. She let her eyes trace over the name that she had meticulously written to make sure it was clear enough to make the Atlantic crossing and get to its recipient - 

Professor Friedrich Bhaer 

Their last parting washed over Jo - the unkind words he had said about the stories that had allowed her to assure Beth’s comfort in her last days. She didn’t regret writing those stories, even though she recognized now that they were sensationalist drivel. But they were drivel that paid the bills, and that counted for something too. And she hadn’t been exactly kind to him , in her anger. Her heart squeezed a little at the disappointed look he had given her, when she had been so proud to show him her words in print and he had cast her down for it. 

Perhaps with this, he would think better of her. She didn't know why it mattered if he did or not, but it did. 

She tried not to overthink it as she placed the manuscript into the box, the sheets tied together with brown twine. At the last moment, she snatched another sheet of paper, and scribbled a title, sliding it under the twine. 

Little Women  

It felt right. 

Nothing would come of it, she was sure. Nor did she want anything to come of it. She just wanted Freidrich to see that drivel wasn’t all she could write. She just wanted him to understand . 

She sealed the box, and placed it with the other correspondence for Stephens to take to the post office, closing the door of the office behind her. 

— 

Stepping off the boat in France felt like a strange dream. Whereas London had felt like New York, but older, Calais felt completely different. Jo felt dazzled and confused by the rush of the sea port, the noises and smells all around her. She’d never felt more grateful for Laurie’s guiding hand on her elbow. 

“This way, Jo dear,” he said, smiling down at her. 

“Our luggage -?” 

“Philips and Maggie will take care of it.” 

Of course. She had servants now. It continued to be a struggle to adapt to having someone do things for her. While Jo enjoyed being independent, it was pleasant not to have to worry about the mundane things of life. Instead, she took her husband’s arm, and let him guide her through the port in Calais and towards the train station. 

“We’ll be taking the train to Paris,” Laurie explained. “And I thought you’d like to see Versailles?” 

“The palace?” Jo asked in wonder. These were places she’d only read about, only dreamed about. And now she was going to be able to see them for herself. 

“Well it’s not exactly your castle in the sky, is it? But it’s the next best thing,” Laurie joked, referencing the long ago fancies she’d built up for herself when she imagined her life as an adult. 

“By jove it’s pretty close,” Jo agreed with a laugh. 

Versailles was incredible. It was hard to fathom how anyone could have enough wealth to guild their halls with gold, and let their people starve. Jo thought of her own family, struggling for money, wearing and rewearing their old gowns, having Christmases with no presents while their father fought in a war for the freedom of fellow humans. It was almost unfathomable. 

“Penny for your thoughts, dear?” Laurie asked, taking her arm as he led her out a set of double doors and into the spectacular gardens. 

“Just thinking about how some people grow up poor, and some people are born in gilded palaces,” Jo said. 

“I always felt how unfair it was, that I was rich and never had to worry, while your family seemed to worry about money all the time. I wanted to take care of you so badly,” Laurie said, his eyes on an ornate fountain burbling crystal clear water. 

“When we go home - to Concord I mean - I want us to think of ways we can help families like mine. And worse off than mine like the Hummels. How we can make a difference.” 

Laurie drew her closer and pressed a kiss to her forehead. 

“We will,” he promised. “You were born to be a lady of charity, Jo.” 

— 

Jo looked skeptically at the ribbons that Clara Grey held out for her. 

Since they were in Paris, they had reconnected with the friends they had made on the journey across the Atlantic, and Jo had let the excitable Miss Grey drag her out to some French millinery shops. 

“This one is lovely , is it not Mrs Laurence?” Clara gushed. 

It was nice, Jo had to admit. The ribbon flowed silkily between her fingers, and she wondered idly if Meg would like it. 

“Pretty,” she murmured. 

Clara had already moved to a display of lace. 

“I just love Paris,” the girl sighed. “Everything is so haute couture . Look at this lace. Do you know the work that goes into it? Nuns in convents working for hours and days to produce a square inch.” 

“It’s beautiful,” Jo agreed. 

“I think a little bit around the collar of your dress would set off your features,” Clara continued. “Don’t you agree?” 

“I’ve never much cared for fashion,” Jo admitted. “I’m afraid my nose has always been in a book.” 

“It’s easy for you to say,” Clara grumbled good naturedly. “You already have a husband. Some of us need to catch one.” 

Jo laughed out loud. It was so much like something Amy would say. A bolt of fondness for her youngest sister shot through her. 

“Do you think I should get some?” She asked Clara. 

Clara’s eyes sparkled. 

“Oh yes, do! I’ll make a little collar for you that you can wear with different dresses so you don’t waste it on just one outfit.” 

Jo agreed and fished in her pocket for the coins Laurie had cheerfully given her this morning, her mind still on Amy. she’d been dreading going to see her sister in Switzerland, wondering what she would say about Jo and Laurie’s hasty marriage. But Amy was still her sister and she still loved her, and they had been apart for over a year. It was time to see her again. 

— 

“I’ve had a letter from Kate Vaughn,” Laurie said, strolling into the airy Paris apartment with his hands in his pockets. “She’s going to visit Fred in Vevey and since she knew we were going there as well, she was wondering if we could come pick her up and escort her there from Calais. If that’s alright with you. ” 

Jo looked up from the book she was reading by the window. The sounds of the city were floating in from the open casement, and a soft wind was blowing. 

“Fine with me. Fred’s in Vevey?” she asked. 

Laurie nodded, coming to sit beside her on the divan. 

“He means to ask Amy to marry him I’m afraid.” 

“Amy will be pleased,” Jo replied. “She’d quite set her cap for him last time I heard. I didn’t know it was as serious as all that. Amy’s a baby ” 

“Amy’s twenty three,” Laurie said with a grin. “Isn’t that old enough to get married?” 

“Not at all,” said Jo primly. 

“And what about twenty five?” Laurie asked, leaning closer and plucking the book out of her hands. 

“Definitely not old enough,” Jo replies. “Especially when one is married to a very silly boy who takes her things out of her hands.” 

She lunged for her book, only succeeding in draping herself across Laurie’s lap. 

“Well well,” he gloated, tossing the book on the table beside them. “Now look what you’ve done.” 

He gathered her up in his arms, bundling her against him and inclining his head to kiss her. 

Jo’s stomach swooped and her heart began to pound. Laurie’s kisses had begun to take on a possessive quality in the last few days, an assurance and confidence that they had lacked before. And she found that she didn’t hate it. In fact, it was quite nice. Her hands reached up of their own accord and tangled themselves in his dark hair, ruffling it up until it was wild, just like she preferred. 

“Jo,” he panted against her lips. “Can I -” 

She nodded, not entirely knowing what he was asking, but trusting that he wouldn’t hurt her or do anything that she didn’t like, and that all she had to do was ask, and he would stop immediately. She was safe with her Teddy. 

One of his large hands skimmed her arm, and ghosted over the bust of her dress, where it dipped lower to show a sliver of her bosom over the delicate lace she had purchased earlier. 

“Been looking at it all day,” Laurie admitted breathlessly. “So pretty. So tempting. Is it new?” 

Jo nodded. 

“Clara convinced me to buy it a few days ago.” 

“I’m going to send Miss Grey a thank you card,” Laurie said. His fingers danced along the edge of the neckline, then slipped underneath, skimming over her skin. 

Jo’s eyes fluttered shut. The feeling of the rough pads of his fingers on her skin. 

“Teddy,” she whispered. 

“Is this alright?” He was looking at her so earnestly, ready to withdraw if she refused him. 

“Yes,” she managed, her throat strangely tight. 

Laurie turned her so she was sitting with her back against his front, and his hands resumed their gentle roaming, one smoothing over the fabric of her dress and the other dipping beneath it to touch bare skin. His hand gently slipped beneath the line of her corset, fingers continuing on until they found her pebbled nipple. It hardened under his ministrations like it often did in the cold. They both gasped at the sensation. Jo squirmed, unable to keep herself still while his fingers continued their questing, stroking her breast. 

She was on fire. She had never felt anything like this in her life, and her skin burned where he touched it, leaving a scorching hot trail in his wake. Her body thrummed with unfamiliar feelings and something pooled low in her belly. Beneath her, something hard was jabbing insistently into her lower back. 

“Jo -” Laurie panted. “You need to stop moving.” 

Jo froze immediately. 

“Am I hurting you? Or-” 

“No,” Laurie said, leaning his forehead against her shoulder. “No, quite the opposite. I never want you to stop. But if you don’t, I’m going to embarrass myself.” 

Jo felt her cheeks flame. 

“Oh,” she whispered. 

“It’s alright. More than alright,” his finger swiped over her nipple again and she gasped, arching back into him. “You’re so - by God, Jo, you’re so beautiful right now. Flushed and squirming in my lap. I want you to stay here forever. But I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves.” 

He bent down pulling at her collar to expose a bare shoulder, and pressing a kiss to it. Then, he removed his hands, moved her off his lap until they were sitting beside each other once more. 

Jo felt strangely bereft. 

“I don’t want to rush you,” Laurie said, regret tinging his tone. 

“It - felt nice,” she said hesitantly, daring a look at his face, at the points of colour high on his cheeks. “Maybe - we could do it again? Soon?” 

Laurie threw his head back and laughed. 

“I would like nothing more, Mrs Laurence,” he said.

Chapter Text

Jo could hardly look at Laurie as they sat in the train carriage on their way from Calais to Switzerland. It has been several days since that beautiful afternoon in Paris, and while Laurie acted perfectly normally afterwards. Jo felt as if her face was burning every time she thought about it. It was perfectly normal, she reminded herself for the thousandth time, for a husband to touch his wife in this manner. Laurie wasn’t doing anything scandalous. And if she was being honest with herself, she had liked it. More than liked it. Wanted to try it again. And that’s where the problem lay. She was so embarrassed . All the fuss she’d made about never caring for Laurie the way he wanted her to, and now she wanted him to touch her again. It made her feel so foolish, her former scorning of his affections so pointless. 

As she gazed out the window, her thoughts seemed to tumble around in her head like the wheels of the train they were on. She had been so determined to never care for Laurie in a romantic sense, that now it seemed like a betrayal of her ideals to even consider it. But she had enjoyed his touch. His kisses were pleasant, and his hands felt nice. She’d spent so long avoiding his kisses because she hadn’t wanted to think about him that way. But now that she was allowing herself to, it seemed natural. How could he still love her, when she’d been so callous towards him? 

She risked a glance over at him, sitting opposite herself in the small train carriage, his eyes on the newspaper they had picked up at the last station. He was objectively handsome, she thought to herself. And even more than that, there was a certain dear and familiar quality about his face. It had changed since she had first met him, as had her own. It had lost that round boyishness, although his hair, now kept longer and curling about his ears as was her preference, kept him from looking too serious. There was a certain impishness about his dark curls, and a certain sparkle in his eyes that was entirely her Teddy. 

He was good , Jo realized. Kind and thoughtful in a way that she knew she herself could never be capable of. Not with her quick temper and propensity towards sulkiness. She didn’t deserve the forgiveness that he had bestowed on her, extending her love and friendship even when she had turned down his first proposal and left him humiliated and heartbroken. He had been nothing but kind and understanding towards her since the beginning of their marriage, asking nothing of her but the chummy friendship that had always been between them. He was well within his rights to be demanding, but instead he was patient, waiting for her to come to him. Jo was like a bud, closely curled in on herself and dormant. But she was about to bloom. 

“I’m jolly glad to be with you,” Kate said leaning back in her seat and closing her eyes, breaking Jo out of her ruminations. “London is so boring this time of year and when Fred wrote that he was in Vevey I knew I just had to get out.” 

“Our pleasure,” Laurie said, smiling at her above his newspaper where she sat beside Jo. “Happy to help.” 

“I knew I could rely on you,” Kate said. “And I’m excited at the prospect that we could soon be closely connected.” 

“Ah,” said Laurie. “You really think Fred -” 

“I really think,” Kate agreed. She turned to Jo. “Fred’s mad about your sister Amy, Jo. Will you convince her to marry him? We’d be ever so happy. A connection to the Laurences should soothe Mama’s sensibilities about Amy’s connections, and as to fortune, Fred has enough for both of them.”

“Happy my marriage could enhance Amy’s own marriage prospects,” Jo said dryly. 

Kate laughed as if she’d told a joke. 

“Of course it’s all very prosaic when put that way. But that’s how Mama will look at it. Fred has many prospects, but he can’t seem to stop thinking about Miss Amy March. He’s been following her around half of Europe. I do hope he will propose soon, and they can both come home to England. It will soothe Mama’s nerves ever so much.” 

Jo hummed noncommittally. 

Fred was a nice enough fellow, as far as she could remember. One of Laurie’s school chum, he’d always been taken with Amy, ever since he’d visited over the holidays one year. Jo remembered thinking the pack of them were silly and acted foolishly towards her pretty sisters. She wondered if Fred had changed at all. 

She wondered if Amy had changed at all. It had been almost a year since she’d seen her youngest sister, and so much had changed in herself and her own situation since then. She and Amy loved each other, of course, but they had never really gotten along. And although she had let go of the bitterness and resentment of Amy taking her trip to Europe away from her, she still felt the lingering hurt of that betrayal. 

Laurie glanced up at the windows, taking in the changing scenery. 

“Shouldn’t be long until we get to Switzerland now,” he said. 

— 

“Guests for you, Miss March,” a servant announced. They were shown into a pretty sitting room with huge windows facing a picturesque scene of the mountains and a lake. Laurie wondered if Amy had painted it yet. It really would make a lovely painting. 

Amy looked like a painting herself. She was seated in a plush window seat, a book in her lap. Her lovely blue skirts belled out around her like a doll arranged just so. The afternoon sunlike fell across her golden curls, making it seem as if she were haloed. She looked up. 

“Why Laurie!” she exclaimed, dropping her book and coming forward, both hands held out. 

Laurie happily received them, giving her a kiss on her cheek. 

“Well, well, so you’re here at last, are you?” Aunt March commented sourly. “I wondered when you would turn up.” 

“Hello Aunt March,” Laurie said, dutifully giving the crotchety old woman her kiss on her leathery cheek “How are you?” 

“Well enough, my boy,” she replied, with a twinkle in her eye. “Come to see our Amy have you?” 

“Of course!” said Laurie. 

“We weren’t expecting you,” said Amy, smiling. “What a nice surprise.” 

“We were in France when we got Kate Vaughn’s letter asking if we would escort her here to see her brother. I had no notion Fred was in Vevey,” Laurie teased, winking at Amy. 

Amy’s smile didn’t falter. 

“We? Have you brought Grandfather along as well?” 

Laurie blinked, surprised that she hadn’t noticed her sister when they came in. He glanced behind him to find Jo hovering in the doorway, her hands clenched in her skirts in a telltale sign that she was nervous. 

Amy followed his gaze, gasping at the sight and immediately dropping his hand to rush over to her sister. 

“Jo!” she shrieked. 

A hesitant smile broke out over Jo’s face and she took a step forward into the room in time to catch her sister as she threw herself into her arms. 

“Amy,” she said, closing her eyes for a brief moment as if to savour this reunion before letting her little sister go. “How are you?” 

“Josephine?” Aunt March said, peering at her. “What in the name of all that is holy are you doing here, girl?” 

“Hello to you too, Auntie,” Jo muttered under her breath. Laurie swallowed his chuckle of amusement. 

“She came with me,” Laurie said. He wasn’t going to leave his wife to face that particular dragon on her own. 

Aunt March’s wispy eyebrows rose. 

“However did my nephew allow that? A girl, unchaperoned, travelling with a man? If anyone finds out, you will be ruined.” 

Two spots of colour appeared on Jo’s cheeks. Telltale signs her temper was rising. 

“Oh we don’t need to worry about all that,” Laurie said, stepping in before this could escalate. He came to stand beside Jo, slipping an arm around her waist. “Jo and I were married six months ago in the garden at Orchard House. Mr March officiated.” 

Amy opened her mouth, then closed it, staring wide eyed at the two of them 

“You - you didn’t get my letters,” Jo said, looking beseechingly at her sister. 

Amy shook her head. 

“The mail is often delayed from America. Bad weather, you know.” 

“Marmee and father wrote to you, Aunt March. And I wrote to Amy myself. We didn’t intend for this to be a shock.” 

Aunt March harrumphed. 

“Well it’s about time,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I thought you were beyond foolish to have turned him down before, Josephine. Glad you saw to that.” 

She turned, settling herself back into her chair. 

Amy came forward to take Jo’s hands again and lead her and Laurie to the window seat. 

“Well,” she said, settling herself back down and ringing for more tea. “I’m ever so surprised! Tell me how it happened.” 

“After - after Beth -” Jo swallowed, and Laurie took her hand, squeezing it gently. Jo cleared her throat. 

“We decided we didn’t wish to be apart any more,” Laurie finished for her. “Jo needed to get away from Orchard House and I knew Europe would be just the place. We did consider dressing her up as a boy and stowing away first.” 

This made Amy laugh. 

“But married though! After you declared you never would!” 

“I can be very convincing,” Laurie replied with a wink. Then, his face turned solemn. “I came back to Orchard House as soon as I got Jo’s letter about Beth.” 

“Oh Jo,” Amy breathed. “How alone you must have felt!” 

Jo blinked back the tears that had somehow gathered in her eyes. 

“I had Marmee, and father,” she said. “And it’s better when Teddy’s with me.” 

“Of course,” Amy said, smiling. “You two always were inseparable. But come! I’ll ring for tea and you can tell me all about the wedding. I can’t believe I missed it!” 

— 

Jo and Amy sat together near the fire, surrounded by tea things and a plate of half eaten sweets, which Amy was still picking at. 

Laurie, Fred, and Kate were nearby having an animated conversation about cricket. A slow, steady rain was soaking the gardens outside, and the young folk had retreated inside to avoid the gloomy weather. In the corner of the room, Aunt March snoozed, and Aunt Carroll and Flo played cards quietly together. 

“So,” Amy said, with a mischievous smirk. “How long have you been in love with Laurie?” 

“I’m not-!” Jo sputtered on her tea. “It’s not - it’s not like that.” 

“Isn’t it?” Amy raised a delicate eyebrow. “Are you sure? You keep looking over there.” 

Jo hadn’t even realized she was doing that. 

“Amy,” she said, putting her tea cup down. “I don’t - I don’t feel that way about Teddy. I never have. It’s friendship and understanding and -” 

“Love,” said Amy decisively. “It’s always been love between you two. Maybe not romantic love, not at first, but you do have feelings for him, don’t you?” 

Jo remembered his hands on her skin again, and heat crawled up her cheeks. 

“Aha!” Amy crowed in triumph. “I knew it!” 

“Shhh,” Jo shushed her sister frantically. “Not so loud.” 

“You haven’t told him yet?” Amy asked in a scandalized tone, but she lowered her voice as instructed. “Jo! For shame. The poor man. Not knowing that his wife loves him.” 

“It’s - everything’s very complicated right now,” Jo admitted. “And - it’s hard to puzzle it all out. But it’s not - oh I don’t know.” 

“Poor Jo,” Amy said, taking her sister’s hands in her own. “Everything’s been muddled the last few months hasn’t it?” 

Jo nodded, relieved. 

“I feel - something - for him. Not love, at least, I don’t know. Not like the stories I used to write where heroes throw themselves into danger for their fair maidens.” 

Amy snorted. 

“Your stories were lurid and ridiculous, you know that don’t you?” 

“Of course I do,” Jo said. “But I don’t have much of a framework outside of that. I don’t love him like Marmee loves Father, or Meg loves John. At least, I don’t think so. Not yet. But maybe I could? Someday?” 

Amy nodded to herself. 

“It’s alright if you don’t have it all figured out just yet, Jo. Don’t force it. Let it happen naturally.” 

Jo laughed, breaking the serious moment between them, and pulled her hand away to pick up another pastry. 

“When did you become so wise?” she asked. 

“Since always. You just weren’t paying attention to me,” said Amy primly, joining in with her laugher.