"I'm ready to love you, as much as my poor soul can, but it seems like you're never ready to love me..."
"I'm not good enough for you, and getting up and leaving on one of your mental whims isn't good enough for me either..."
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Mrs March pursed her lips in a saddened fuss. "Is Jo back yet from Aunt March?" She called, looking frantically for some sheets.
"No, I haven't seen her." Amy replied, rushing to the kitchen for medicine and heat packs.
Laurie and Abby quickly entered, the older boys arms wrapped around her quivering body. "What can I do to help?" He asked, to which Mrs March responded with a troubled expression.
Abigail retired from the young boys arms to help Meg, who was trying to find Marmee some sheets.
"If I may be of any assistance, please let me know." Mr. Laurence announced upon entrance.
"Thank you, for everything." Mrs March said, eyes full of gratitude.
"I've always admired your husband, and I pray for a quick recovery." The old fellow said with a calm smile, which brought warmth to the coldest of hearts. Marmee somehow managed to smile back.
"Abby! What about those sheets?"
"Coming!" Abigail called, rushing in with some fresh sheets, all piled up, interfering with her sight.
"Abby, darling let me help." Laurie uttered, taking half the blankets from her arms.
Once Abby was able to see, she took note of Meg and Mr Brooke talking in the hall, oh how clueless she was.
Laurie had told her that Mr Brooke had kept Megs glove the day Amy got hit by Mr. Davis, but never gave it back.
"Remember, Hannah is in charge whilst i'm gone" Marmee prompted. "and do remember to visit the Hummels dears." She turned to Laurie and Abby. "You two, no funny business, I expect you to be more responsible now."
"None of that." Mr. Laurence chided, looking straight at his grandson.
At that moment, Jo rushed in, enclosing cash into her mother's hand. "Will this be enough for the train?"
"25 dollars? where on earth did you get that?" Amy gasped, mentally counting through the money Marmee had in her grip.
"I only sold what was my own." Jo took off her cap to reveal a cropped head of hair, all rustled and messy from a long run home.
Abby noticed Laurie and Mr. Brooke stifling laughs, she gave the young boy a whack in the side and John a glare.
"Abby!" Teddy whined.
"You're a true angel darling." Abigail cooed, hugging her sister.
"But it was your only beauty!" Amy cried.
"Oh Jo! How could you?" Meg asked, amazed at the girls courage.
"Well, it doesn't affect the fate of the nation so don't whine about it!" Jo countered.
"I agree! You are so very brave dear." Abby reassured. "I'm proud to call you my sister." She beamed.
After the debacle, all attention was turned to Marmee, a sadness rested in all peoples eyes, it was going to be tough without her here.
...
Meg, Abby, Jo, Beth, Amy and Laurie sat silent in the March living room.
Mr. Brooke had left earlier with Mrs March, he had offered to take her, which was lovely of him, and Mr. Laurence had left for bed early well Hannah tried to find things to keep herself busy.
Young Beth and Amy sat by the fire, which had been lit by Laurie, it didn't seem to have the same warmth as it did when Marmee lit it, but all in the room were grateful for the boy just the same.
Jo and Meg were perched at the table, both the sisters had taken longer to eat their supper that night, but after a lot of hassling from Hannah the girls had finally washed their dishes, then reclaiming their seats at the gloomy table.
Laurie and Abby lay of the sofa, entangled in each others arms, terrified of letting go.
"I should go home, it's getting late." Laurie whispered to the girl, stroking her hair.
"I'll walk you home then." Abigail said quietly.
"I couldn't make you do that, not now."
"At least let me walk you to the door."
At this Laurie smiled subtly, in love with this girl is all he'll ever be, and at this point, he felt he would love her whether she loved him or not.
The two walked to the hallway, the laurence boy sharing soft goodbyes with the march girls.
Together they stood quietly in the secluded hall.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?" Abigail asked the boy, who looked troubled.
"I'm sorry....for everything." Laurie stumbled over his words. "I don't think I can be good enough, and I don't think I ever will."
"You are good enough, a great deal too good for me." Abby muttered, wiping a tear that had unwillingly slipped through Laurie's grasp.
"I just get so worked up trying to make you feel okay, I feel like I can't do it Abby!"
Abigail pulled Laurie into a kiss, that didn't last for long, but gave the two a sense of security and end of longing.
"I love you, we're going to get through this," Abby whispered. "And when we do, we'll runaway, like you said, you'll study and i'll keep to my music."
"No Abby, we belong here, together."
"Isn't it what you wanted."
"Yes, but only for a fleeting moment my dear, sometimes I want to leave, but this isn't what you want, and we can't go living the life that I want because i'm afraid you'll slip behind, we belong together mon ange."
The girl and boy learnt something that evening, Abby knew that she couldn't please everyone and decided to lend her love to young Laurie, and he didn't think he was worthy of it.
They had learned that gloom and love don't mix, and the storm had only just begun...
[Hey my readers, i'm sorry for this late update, i've been doing so much online school, I hope you angels understand🖤What do you think will happen next? let me know! 🦋 P.S. I've got a new storyline and character surrounding Beth that i'm really excited about, might dedicate a chapter to it, if you would lend me your thoughts it would be greatly appreciated xx]
