right person, wrong time.

important my arse

Chapter One

"Oh for the love of Christ," I was awoken from my slumber. Was there a reason you ask? Yes. The children. The beautiful, amazing, girls whose bright, bright futures were about to become non-existent after I was done with them.

"Alright Anne! Get here right now!"
I bolted up. I mean I was already awake so I thought might as well do something useful. First on the agenda, terrorise the kids who had woken me up from my well deserved sleep.

It had been a long night of marking these poems the girls had written for me with my strictly only-a-colleague-I-swear, Professor Bhaer.

"But Ms. March," the brown eyed, red curled hair girl cooed, popping out from under the bed, "I only woke you to give you a letter, it looks of immense important." She looked at me adoringly as if all the secrets of the world were in this letter. She needed to get a grip, but who am I to condone the use of imagination.

"Important my arse," I groaned, snatching the letter from her, "Give it here then and now scram, if I see you here any longer I'm afraid of what I'll do, especially considering I haven't had eaten my breakfast yet," I snarled. She was out even before I had finished my sentence.

Now what on earth could this be?

My Dearest Jo,
As you know it's Laurie & I's first anniversary in the coming week and so we are throwing a little get together at Marmee's next Tuesday. You are of course welcome to attend and well you're my sister so you have to attend. Laurie and I would very much appreciate it. We hope to see you there.
All my love,
Amy

A little "get together" huh. Beth would have loved that. Next Tuesday is a bit of a short notice I must say but it's Laurie and Amy. I have to be there for them.

My heart sank at the thought of seeing them again. Had it really been a year since they got married? Since he got married?

No I mustn't dwell. This isn't the time nor will it ever be. It will always be Laurie and Amy. He moved on and I- well I am moving on. Knock knock.

Why that good for nothing-

"ANNE! What did I just say?" I jumped out of the bed, the blanket strewn across the floor, my hair in knots and my chemise on borderline full exposure. I had barely sorted myself out before I swung the door open and instead of 4'11" red haired girl, before me stood a 6'2" curly haired french man.

"Oh Professor Bhaer!" I scuffled at the neck of my night-gown, giving myself a glance so that nothing precious was on full display. "Ca- can I help you?" I hope my cheeks weren't flushed, please for the love of God do not let my cheeks be flushed.

He peered down at me through his scruffy mane. "Pardon ma chérie, I did not realise you were asleep, should I come back later?" His eyes were focused on mine, uncomfortably yet respectfully so, careful not to let his gaze wonder. Smart man.

"No, it's no trouble at all. What can I help you with?" Looking down, feeling the heat prickling up my neck.

"I was just wondering," he hesitated for a moment, he seemed weary yet he proceeded nevertheless, "if you would like to accompany me to Europe next week. I'll be going to see prospective students for our school. Maybe it'll be good for you to meet them." Bless him.

"Next week? Oh I am so sorry Professor I will be away next week. It's my sister's wedding anniversary and so the whole family will be back home to celebrate," I said earnestly, "I wish I could've been there with you though," and I meant it.

"Oh. It's no problem," His eyes dropped to the floor. Was that disappointment? "I am sorry for assuming you would be available. I wish you all the best on your endeavour."

He looked up, just for a moment but a moment was all it took. Our eyes were fixed on one another.

I smiled. He smiled back.

It was sweet yet remorseful smile filled with much understanding, he knew how much my family meant to me.

"Uh- yeah, thank you and no apologies needed. Safe travels to you too," I reached out and placed my hand on his shoulder. He placed his hand on mine and held onto it for a moment, grazing my knuckles gently, soothingly.

"Merci, I shall now bid you adieu," and with that he let go of my hand, bowed and left, almost as if he had never been there at all.

I closed the door shut and rested behind it, gradually sinking to the floor.

Sigh.

Boy oh boy was he pretty, but I had other things to prepare for. No time for boys. Never any time for boys. Off to Massachusetts it was.