𝕄𝕪 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖, 𝕄𝕪 𝕃𝕚𝕗𝕖 - Theodore Laurence ✅

47

It was the next day now, and after everything that happened. It was a must to spend the night in the March's residence. Currently, Laurie and Cathy sat on the couch in the living room, it was clear to everyone that yesterday wasn't a dream. They all woke up to see Laurie and Cathy had grown close to each, physically close even.

As they sat, Cathy seating normally with a book in her lap, reading a fictional book between them with her soft tone. Laurie instead laid almost spread out beside her, both his legs were on the couch as he leans his side against her with his chin on her shoulder to look through the lines of the book to match her storytelling. From time to time, Laurie would glance up at her features then a smile would grow on both their faces when Cathy caught his gawking.

The ribbon Laurie gifted had also become Cathy's signature wear. Either tie it to her hair, wrist, or waist, or even like today, around her neck. It made Laurie very pleased.

Anyway other than them, Mr Laurence sat not far. Listening to Cathy's delicate way of storytelling and the comfortable mood Laurie had set made him feel content watching them. Jo was there too on the floor with stacks of paper surrounding her as she tries to ramble her thoughts into her writing. She was about to take a bite of bread when Marmee suddenly entered and called attention to her, "Jo, you might want to wait..."

No one in the room looked up, it was normal. Marmee had always been scolding Jo for stuffing up before lunch or dinner. So hearing Jo counter back wasn't a surprise, "But I'm famished." / "Oh dear, but you have a guest." Now that was something new.

Everyone in the living room snap their head up, even Cathy who never much bother about gossip on bothering others with their life, had found it intriguing that Jo had a guest. The same Jo hardly befriends let alone is introduced to her family.

As Jo and Marmee went back and front about who could be the guest, they seem to have forgotten the said guest as a man quite tall that gave an aura of someone educated like Mr. Brookes have entered. Cathy being her well-mannered self, stood up from her seat, leaving behind a slightly hurt yet frowning Laurie behind. She walked up to the man and greeted him, "Hello, I'm Catherine March, but I prefer Cathy. I'm Jo's younger sister."

His twinkling eyes caught hers before he greeted her back with the same curious and mannered tone as Cathy, "Friedrich Bhaer. It's nice to meet you." Just from his spoken language, Cathy could easily read him out, a gentle and compassionate man, seemingly not afraid to offer someone his opinion, if he's able to be friends and keep being so with Jo.

"Jo, I hope it is all right, I got your address from Mrs. Kirke-" He turned his attention to Jo now, cutting in the girl's chatter with her mother. Jo for once seem fidgety but before she could reply to him back, Laurie stood up and stand beside Cathy almost protective his frown unwavering to Friedrich, "Who are you?" then to Jo, "Who is he?"

Cathy nudge Laurie with the back of her hand, she wasn't jealous. Laurie had grown out of his feeling for Jo and instead turned towards a brotherly love. Which includes being overly protective, "He just said his name, Laurie." Cathy roll her eyes at him but smile sweetly at Friedrich which made the guest nervous, afraid of any tension growing. "I'm so sorry to intrude, I was close by and thought I'd, but I'll be going..."

"No! No!" As on cue, suddenly everyone had huddled to the front of the living room. Amy's voice was louder than ever with her fiancé beside her trying to keep up to her pace of excitement and mischief. "Please stay! We have more than enough room," With how everyone was huddling around the guest, her statement was debatable regarding 'room.'

Laurie gave Amy and Fred a confused look wondering how fast they got the news about Jo's guest. And to answer the clear question, Fred without hesitation said out loud, "It's 3 in the afternoon, the only guest ever come in March's house are you and Mr Laurence." Cathy nods her head in agreement as Laurie rolled his eyes.

Jo could feel her face burning red from embarrassment. Marmee, Hannah, Mr. Laurence, and Mr. March both stood on the sideline as they watch the rest investigate this new guest of Jo, they didn't even bother moving an inch even when Jo gave them her helpless eyes. Finding it way more amusing now that Meg and John had joined the circle.

"So what you do?" John asked,

"How much you make?!" Amy, of course,

"That's a little sensitive, honey," Fred calmed the excited girl,

"I'm surprised. He's quite handsome," Meg whisper so that her husband didn't hear,

"I agree, very mature," Cathy mumbles back but unlike her sister, Laurie heard her statement,

"What's that supposed to mean?! Can someone tell me why is he here!?" Laurie snaps to Jo now.

Friedrich had hesitatingly stepped back, he could see now where Jo grew up being independent and strong for herself. Having such protective and caring family and friends does play a role, "I don't want to be a burden." He fidgets with his hat in his hand, but Amy stepped up and took his coat and hat before throwing it to Fred who caught it before apologizing to the guest.

"No burden at all," Meg next stood beside Friedrich as she slightly pushes him to step more into the house, leading him to the dining room since lunch will soon be presented. Mr. Brookes follows after, still very curious about the man's job and title.

This caused Jo to sigh, before accepting her fate as everyone took the steps to the dining area. "Do you like mature guys? I can be mature!" Laurie pouted after Cathy, unlike the rest, Cathy lead them to the kitchen to help Hannah with the setting. She bit back her urge to smile knowing Laurie had grown jealous and she just knew, this topic wasn't going to drop easily.

"Alright then my mature man," Catherine turns to face him, placing a stack of plates into his hand, "Why don't you set up the table, it would very much make me like you more." Without any questions asked, he did as tell.

During lunch, everyone had broken into their normal routine. Surprisingly too, Friedrich had adapted well too. Everyone is talking, in their little groups, Mr. Laurence, Mr. March, and Friedrich especially talk philosophy and religion, and politics. The two elderly males are very much like him. Jo is glowing with happiness; despite being embarrassed about her family at first.

Mr. Brookes and Hannah fell into a conversation about the male wanting to surprise Meg with a special fabric he bought, now wondering how he could turn it into a dress which Hannah offered to do. Meg and Marmee were having a motherly conversation, Meg had a concern about her children, and Marmee being a mother of five had all the answers.

Cathy and Laurie of course sat next to each other. Their topic went from various direction to anything, but one thing for sure was the clear jealousy Laurie had as he asked about any other guys Cathy were taught was handsome or mature. While Amy if she wasn't feeding or being fed by Fred would give looks from Friedrich to Jo and from Jo to Friedrich. She can see that there is love between them. The matchmaker in her was blooming in excitement.

As the lunch was slowly ending, dessert have been cleared. Mr. Laurence asked, "And you intend to stay in New York?" Friedrich, his question had caught everyone's attention as they wait for an answer. "No, I've been offered a professorship in California – and as I have nothing keeping me here, I thought I might go West. It is new there, and they are less particular about immigrants."

Jo has an unconscious sharp intake of breath. No one seems to notice, not even Cathy who so ever has been observant of all her sister's body language. Cathy was too busy with talking to Fred who sat before her, they talked about the upcoming wedding and his vows. But, Laurie and Amy saw clearly.

Amy sat in front of Laurie who sat beside Jo, leans in with a mischievous glint as she mouths to her sister, "Noting keeping him here," Jo glared at her, but a clear blush was showing. Laurie turn to lean to his friend but instead of mouthing or muttering, he spoke normally for Amy to hear too. "You see that," he pointed to Amy's behavior, clearly trying to match Jo with Friedrich, "I had to deal with it the whole trip in Paris. Now it's your turn."

Cutting their trifling chatter, Mr. March spoke now, "Perhaps I should go West." This caused Marmee to snap at her husband, "You aren't an immigrant, so perhaps you should stay home." Everyone bursts out laughing, Marmee was not finding it amusing, too afraid to lose her husband once more. Mr. March laughs at himself good-naturedly in response, "Oh, I'm going."