Angélique (Theodore Laurence x OC)

Chapter 9: Life in Europe and Reuniting With Laurie

A couple of years had gone by. Amy and I were painting in France. Amy was also engaged to Laurie's old college friend, Fred Vaughn. As I was painting someone came up behind m and tapped my nose. I turned around and saw Laurie. I couldn't believe it. He had grown more handsome since I had last seen him.

"Laurie! You wicked...We heard you were in Greece. You are occupied with business," I asked.
"Not just now. Grandfather agreed I should concentrate on music," Laurie answered.

"You know Fred Vaughn," Amy said.

"Good day, Laurence," Fred said.

"I see you're studying art. Aunt March, you look splendid," Laurie said while trying to be polite.
"I cannot say the same for you,
my boy. Abby and Amy, will you be long? I must retire," she said.

"Do come and see us," I said while walking away with Amy and Fred.

"Is Abby engaged," Laurie asked.
"Not yet," Aunt March replied.

A few days later, Laurie invited me to go on a picnic with him.

"Oh Teddy, how lovely," I said as we headed underneath a tree and he handed me a metal box that had beautiful little metal hair pins.
"It isn't what it should be, but you improve it," he said as he put one of the pins in my hair.
"Don't. I liked you better when you were blunt and natural," I said.
"It did not serve me well," Laurie said.
"I find you changed. I despise you. You laze about, spending money and courting women. You aren't serious about music," I said.
"My music is like your songs and paintings. Mediocre copies of another man's genius," Laurie said.
"Then why not go to Grandfather and make yourself useful," I said.
"I should. Why don't you reform me," Laurie asked.
"Teddy, I've loved you since we met at the Gardiners' New Year's Eve party when I was fifteen. You've loved Jo instead. I have been second to Jo my whole life. I will not be with someone who is still infatuated with my sister," I answered.
"I'm reminded of a promise. Didn't I say I would kiss you before you die," he asked while trying to change the subject.

There was a quick awkward silence.

"Do you hear from Jo? She has befriended a German professor," I said to break the silence and change the subject.
"No doubt he's showing her the ways of the world," Laurie said.
"I will not be courted by someone who is still in love with my sister," I said.
"I'm not in love with Jo," Laurie said.
"Then why are you jealous," I asked.
"I envy her happiness. I envy his happiness. I envy John Brooke for marrying Meg. I even envy Amy for being engaged to Fred Vaughn. I hate Fred Vaughn. If Beth had a lover I'd despise him. Just as you knew you
would never marry a pauper like Amy, I have always known I should be part of the March family," Laurie answered.
"I do not wish to be loved for my family. Besides, I believe marriage is more of an economic proposition nowadays," I said.
"How so," Laurie asked.
"If I had my own money, it wouldn't belong to me. Instead, it would belong to my husband. If we had children, they would be his, not mine. So don't tell me you love me all of a sudden and long to be with me. You still love Jo. And until you realize who you love, don't come to me begging on your knees for me to love you," I replied before leaving.

Days had gone by. I hadn't seen or heard from Laurie. I was told by Amy that he had gone to London. A few months later, Amy and I got a letter from home that Beth had passed. I was heartbroken. I was sitting on a bench in a park wearing all black and mourning my dear sister. I felt someone touch my nose, looked up and saw Laurie.

"Teddy...I knew you would come," I said with a small smile.
"I heard about Beth. I wish I could say something to comfort you," he said.
"You needn't say anything. This comforts me," I said.
"I have been thinking things over and realized that I love you and only you, Abby. I thought I loved Jo, but it's been you all along. You've understood me in a way Jo never will. You've been nothing but kind, loving, and caring towards me since we met, and I think that's just splendid. Will you marry me," Laurie said.
"Yes, I will marry you, Teddy," I said happily before he kissed me.

I can't believe Laurie and I are engaged. I can't wait to tell my family the exciting news.

A/N: I know this story is based off of the book and the 1994 film adaptation of Little Women, but I couldn't help but use a bit of Amy's monologue from the 2019 film adaptation for Abby.