Jo and Laurie: A Re-telling of the Re-telling

News

My Dearest Family,

I do hope this letter comes in time for Christmas, the celebration of our Lord and savior. I would like to first congratulate Jo on her success with her novel. Although, I do have some pressing questions to discuss with her once we are face-to-face once more. Everyone is talking about her, even here in Europe! London has taken a particular liking to her, people hear the last name "March" and automatically jump to ask a million questions about you (I guess they assume I am you, for I am usually addressed as Miss March out here. So peculiar, isn't it?). I answer them to the best of my ability, as much as they allow me to speak. Most people just keep rambling on about how much they love your book, I rarely have any time to tell them that I am merely your sister! Do not worry, dearest family-I too, however, have found success. My artwork is improving, Aunt March is very impressed at how well I am progressing, people are starting to show interest in my work. One man, in particular, is named Dario Colombo, a tall, dashing, intelligent man. If you couldn't tell by his name, he is Italian! Oh, he's even dreamier than Laurie! Could you imagine! I, Amy March, a woman from Concord, meeting a staggeringly rich Italian man who finds joy in my craft? He fell in love with my art before he showed any interest in me whatsoever! Anyway Marmee, I am taking things slow. Father, do not worry about him. Jo, please do not be mad that I have met a man-- I promise to still work on my craft while pursuing a relationship. Meg- I miss your counsel, I wish you were here to tell me what to say to Dario to make him know my feelings for him entirely.

Aunt March is now beckoning me to paint her a landscape she once saw in Greece, how am I supposed to paint a picture from her description? Pray for me, family.

Yours,

Amy March

P.S.- Aunt March mentioned coming back to America sometime before January. I will keep you updated as this plan progresses.

Jo put the paper down on the piano after she had dictated the entirety of the letter. Throughout the room the faces varied, Marmee was elated; Father was too, but one could see he had a tinge of suspicion of this Dario; Meg was crying; John was holding Meg's hand; and Laurie laughed at the prospect of this man taking away his "wife," who apparently found Laurie less attractive now that she had met a full-blooded Italian.

"I, for one, am happy for her," Jo stated bluntly.

Meg sighed, "I am too, I just wanted to be able to experience it all with her. It hurts being so far away from my fav--"

Jo glanced at Meg, "Favorite sister named Amy, perhaps?"

Meg's face turned red as a tomato, "Yes, exactly!"

Laurie laughed as he could see right through Jo, although she had great success as an author he knew she wished she was in Europe with Aunt March. Jo should have gone, but that wasn't what God had in store.

"It's not the same when all my girls are gone." Marmee lovingly remarked.

Everyone looked around the room and saw the empty, dusty piano that was yearning to be played. The room went quiet for a while until John, of all people, broke the silence, "Well, at least she will be coming home soon."

"You're right, John. And I believe there is something else that we can all look forward to."

John held Meg's hand and put their locked fingers on her stomach.

Jo's jaw dropped to the floor, "Why, Meg! That's capital!"

"My daughter! To be a mother is the greatest gift of all! Why, my dear! I am so excited for you both!" Marmee hugged John and Meg overwhelmed by the news of new love and new life.

"I will be an uncle!" exclaimed Laurie.

"Oh, Meg!" Mr. March hugged the mother-to-be.

Jo joined as well as Laurie, all of the family members held Meg. They all stood by the piano that held the letter on its lid. Although Amy was in Europe and Beth was celebrating life with the angels, the family felt as if they were all there together at that moment, celebrating newness.