right person, wrong time.

a french delicacy

Chapter Four

Considering I was the last person to arrive I decided it only made sense for me to clean up after dinner. Besides writing, washing the dishes helped me think. Weird I know.

I just could not shake the feeling of tension. Teddy had seemed so off, like he wasn't himself. Then again, it had been a year since I last saw him and so he may have changed.

I heard marriage does that to you. I am incredibly grateful that I will never have to experience that for as long as I shall live.

Well I nearly did once but that's besides the point.

"Need a hand?" A voice spoke hesitantly behind me. I glanced back to see the boy who had consumed my thoughts for the past year or so asking to give me some assistance.

"I don't know," I teased. "Last time you gave me help it ended up with my big sister getting married which went against our entire mission!" I huffed.

We had a goal and Teddy sidetracked!

"Hey!" He retorted. "It's not my fault your a sister fell head over heels for a boy who is definitely not good enough for her!" He chuckled.

"Hey!" I countered, "If it weren't for John I would not have my beautiful nephew and nieces now would I?" I challenged.

Ok so maybe John did have his perks.

"You got me there Jo," he guffawed. "So... do you need a hand?" He offered again.

Smiling, "Um yeah sure, I'm washing so you can dry." He nodded at my command, moving beside me and so I passed him the bowl which had just been freshly washed.

We stood there for a while in silence. Me washing, he drying. Thoughts going at a hundred miles per hour and yet none of them seemed right to say aloud.

"I-," we both said in unison, we looked up at one another and chuckled lightly.

"Go ahead," he smiled.

"No no, you wanted to say something so say it," I simpered.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for acting like a turnip-head earlier, I don't know what came over me." He apologised, fidgeting with the collar of his dress shirt.

"Turnip-head?" I questioned.

"Turnip-head," he smiled.

"I suppose it's the nerves," he continued, his hand grazing over mine.

Do not let it have an effect on you Jo, you are stronger than that.

"I mean yes, it would make sense," I agreed, gently withdrawing my hand and resuming back to my dishes.

I will not fall for his charm in fact - what lovely china we have in the house! I now understand why Teddy found them so interesting earlier at dinner, silly me.

Ok play it cool.

"It is your wedding anniversary after all," I said dismissively, passing him another bowl.

This one had a lovely bird on it, maybe Amy drew it, it seemed like her style.

He paused for a brief moment almost as if he had to remind himself of this momentous occasion. "Oh- yeah of course it's my anniversary," he tittered.

"Yes," I sighed.

Oh shit, did I just audibly sigh? No no no.

I sneaked a glance up at Teddy. He had stopped to look up at me, a look of confusion plastered on his face.

Did he really not know?

Well duh! You literally rejected him you dipstick.

Shut up.

"Teddy I-" I began but just as I did, Meg entered the room.

"Jo! You must tell me about this Professor Bhaer you mentioned earlier, he sounded like an absolute treat being a french delicacy and all," she laughed.

Oh Christ Meg, not now!

Teddy's eyes tore away from Meg's outburst and looked over at me. Pain, anguish and confusion flittered through his eyes.

Could he be? Before I could finish that thought his eyes went blank and placed the last bowl on the counter.

"Professor Bhaer," he stated, rather than questioned looking at the bowl he had placed before him.

Oh crap why is it starting to feel alarmingly warm in here? And why do I feel like I am being interrogated right now?

"Uh yeah he's my colleague, we work together at the boarding school for girls," I tittered.

Bloody hell this was awkward. Why is this awkward? This is completely normal.

Bhaer and I are professionals, well if you exclude that one time- no! Not the time Jo.

"Come on Jo! You and I both know that is not the case," she smirked, raising her eyebrow at me suggestively.

No no! You lower that eyebrow Mrs. Margaret Brooke! She is so not helping me out right now.

Let me die, please Lord strike me down now.

"Well I mean I guess you could say we have been getting to know each other," I spluttered.

Why do I feel the need to justify myself?

Why is this hole I am digging beginning to look like a grave in this moment?

And most importantly why is that comforting?

Teddy hesitated while I prepared myself for the worst. I had seen Teddy distraught before and I was not ready for Round Two.

He paused, "I am happy for you Jo," he said flatly, briefly looking up at me once more, his eyes blank almost like he had put up a barrier concealing any emotions from me.

My heart plummeted. He was happy for me?

Speechless, I smiled weakly up at him.

Say something Jo. Anything.

I didn't want him to get the wrong impression, even though I knew it wouldn't have made a difference.

Nothing could ever happen, for Amy's sake.

Not that he cared of course.

He stared at me or more through me, smiling somewhat and without another word, he left the room.

Dammit!

I shivered slightly feeling the lingering cold of Teddy's glare piercing my very soul and my heart.

Why the hell do I feel guilty and what the hell am I going to do now?

____________________________________

A/N: Bruh it's just tension after tension huh? I hope y'all are enjoying reading this "book".

PS. I made Professor Bhaer French, inspired by Greta Gerwig's adaptation of the book opposed to the one written on paper by Alcott.

It's kind of hard to write stuff you know. But with the write material it can be easier.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful day/night and keep thriving!

- NDP :)