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

The Outing

The Outing

"John, can we go out for a night? I have been cooped up in this house getting bigger and bigger and need to have at least one more night out before I look like a whale and can't do anything."

"My darling, you will never look like a whale. You are by far the most beautiful girl I have ever laid my eyes on."

"You are too kind to me, John."

"Of course we can go out to the theater. Perhaps we can bring Jo and Laurie, I figure they would like to see you and admittedly I have missed bugging Laurie about his studies."

"That sounds wonderful! I can make dinner for them before we leave."

"You won't be too tired?"

"John, let's take advantage of the time that I can actually say that I won't be."

"My love, I do not want you to overwork yourself."

"I will tell you when I feel overworked, stop worrying. Everything will be alright," Meg kissed John on his cheek.

John blushed, she still gave him butterflies every time she looked his way.

Meg loved how soft John's cheek was upon her pursed lips. She remarked to her husband, "I will let Jo know the plan when I visit Marmee today."

"That sounds wonderful, thank you, my love."

John kissed his wife goodbye as he departed for work. Meg hated when John left but was always excited to go see the rest of her family. She packed some bakes goods she had made a few days prior and departed for her family's home.

Meg walked briskly through the frigid air, feeling her toes start to numb as she plowed her feet through the freshly fallen snow. As she approached the front door she met Laurie and gave him a hug, "Why hello, old friend! What are you up to today?"

"I am taking Jo out on a picnic!"

"Isn't it a little too frozen for a picnic?"

"Perhaps, but that's the fun of it! I am bringing cocoa and soup--"

"Here, take some of these too," Meg pulled out the gently wrapped cookies and handed them to Laurie.

Laurie gladly took the cookies from Meg, "Oh thank you, dear Meg. What are you doing today?"

"I just figured I would stop by and check in on everyone, I want to move as much as I can before I become immobilized."

"Meg, you March girls are unstoppable! Not even a growing human could keep you from moving."

"Well, that's very hopeful of you to say, Laurie. Now, let me in. It's freezing out here!"

"I should probably get Jo too, don't want to get a late start on our adventure!"

"Oh, before I forget! John and I were wondering if you and Jo would like to join us at the theater tomorrow evening? It would be fun for all four of us to be back together again!"

"I knew that old Brooke missed me. Yes, I would love to come and I am sure Jo would as well. It would be nice to go to the theater."

"That is wonderful! I will let John know. Don't tell him I told you, but he does truly miss you." Meg put her hand on Laurie's shoulder and walked in. She walked up the stairs and found her sister asleep at her desk. She rubbed her shoulder to wake her, "Jo, Laurie is here for you. Also, you are joining us at the theater tomorrow evening so don't make any plans."

Jo rubbed her eyes, "Yes, as if I have anyone else to spend time with."

"Oh hush, that's no one else's fault but your own. You know my house is always open to you. Here, take a biscuit for breakfast. Dress warm please, I do not want you to freeze to death."

Jo loved that her sister had always been so maternal, "Thank you, Meg. Marmee is at the Hummels, she told me last night she would be going there."

"Ah, thank you. How are things with you and Laurie? Back to normal, I presume?"

"I believe they are! Meg, six months can make all the difference!"

Maybe for you, Jo. Not for him, Meg thought to herself.

"Well, that is good news! I am happy to hear you two have returned to normalcy."

"Yes, I am too," Jo quickly put on her winter clothes, piling on the layers as much as she could.

"Alright, Meg! I love you, I will see you later. Thank you for the biscuit. Will I see you for dinner tonight?"

"I think I will go home and make dinner for John, but I will see you tomorrow. Come to our house at five so you can eat with us. I love you too, dear." Meg gave Jo a hug and watched her gallop down the stairs to meet her best friend.

"Good morning, old chap!" Jo found Laurie talking to Hannah in the kitchen.

"You'd better be warm today, I don't understand why you are going on a picnic when snow is falling from the sky," Hannah spoke before Laurie could ever reply.

"Well, Hannah, that's the fun of a frozen picnic! No one will be out there to disturb us, we can watch the snowfall and come back in time for dinner."

"Well, go on. If you freeze to death, don't say I didn't warn you."