right person, wrong time.

hell hath no fury like a march

Chapter Sixteen

Laurie

Today was the day. I'd talk to Jo and I'd explain my feelings to her.

Amy was right. I could go back on forth on what was right or wrong forever, but I owed myself this. Jo, on the other hand — she didn't owe me anything. If she said no, I'd have to get over it. I did it once and I'd do it again.

I'd have to.

After last night, Amy and I agreed we'd tell the family about our separation, and soon. It was only fair, and it was time.

She deserved to live her life, and so did I.

"Laurie dear," Amy called, tearing me from my thoughts. She paused fleetingly before asking. "Are you ok?"

"Huh? Yeah, I'm ok. I've decided I'm going to talk to Jo today," I shrugged.

"That's great!" She smiled, earnestly before returning back to her main inquiry.

"Now would you mind getting my cap from Jo's room please. It should be around in her drawers somewhere." She said dismissively.

I stifled a laugh. Always the authoritative ones the March women. "As you wish," I mock saluted. She arched her brow before I tipped my head at her and exited the room.

While on my way to Jo's room, I realised then this would be my first time seeing her since the party. Since seeing her with him.

I took a deep breath before knocking on her door.

No answer.

I knocked again.

Again, no answer.

I pressed my ear up against the door.

No shuffling. No snores.

Was she out?

Slowly and with grave reluctance I turned the door handle and opened the door.

I exhaled; she wasn't home.

Thank God for that. I did not want to encounter a cranky morning Jo. I met her once growing up and well – Hell hath no fury like a March awoken from their slumber.

Unsurprisingly her bed was unkempt, clothes and papers were strewn all over the room. I shifted across the room towards her vanity in search of Amy's cap.

I noted the ink pots and quills scattered along the tabletop before pulling open the drawers and rummaging around.

First drawer – nothing.

Second drawer – nada.

"Dammit," I huffed.

Where was that bloody hat?

I pulled the last compartment of her vanity, delving in before my fingers grazed over something peculiar. Something out of sorts.

An envelope?

My fingers curled around the oddity, pulling it out of its burrow towards me. A piece of parchment was slot in between her socks. Not completely abnormal considering the state of her room but Jo had paper everywhere in this room.

Yet for some reason, this specific piece was stuffed in her sock draw?

I shut the drawer before making my way to the bed, stumbling as my foot caught on the side of it. I fell rather ungracefully onto the sheets, the piece of parchment tearing slightly. Luckily it was still intact. Unluckily, now Jo would know someone had seen the letter. Groaning, I started unravelling it.

My dear Teddy—

I paused momentarily in disbelief.

Was this the letter from breakfast?

I miss you more than I can express. 

I used to think the worst fate was to be a wife, I was young and stupid. 

Now I have changed—

My eyes followed the words on the page. Half taking them in, half not. Completely sceptical. I felt the rapid increase of my heartbeat rising before I noticed my feet moving of their own accord.

I needed to get out of here.

I couldn't think.

I couldn't breathe.

This couldn't be? No—

No. No. No.

Think Ted. Think. The date. When was this dated?

December 17th.

My wedding anniversary.

Fuck.

I needed to find her.

Now.

She needed to explain.

I needed to understand.

I was outside the house now.

Town. She must've left for town early this morning.

That was most likely where she was right now.

I didn't know what was happening. Everything was distorted, hazy as if I wasn't really here right now, that this really wasn't happening right now.

How could she keep this from me?

Did it matter?

Did it still matter?

I didn't know what I expected to do when I found her, all I knew was that I just needed to see her.

That's when I heard it.

My moment of obscurity cleared transitorily when I heard it.

A laugh.

A soft, distinctive laugh.

Her laugh.

My feet moved of their own volition towards the sound, coincidently leading me towards the place where it all began.

____________________________________

A/N: It's going down.

TPWK. <3