Part 3
A few days later Jo was sitting on the porch, reading a book when Nick walked around the corner. "Mornin'," he said with a smile.
"Good morning," Jo replied, also returning the smile. Nick took the seat next to Jo and she closed her book.
"Well the garden's ready for planting, but I still gotta repair that small hole in the fence," Nick said, updating Jo on his current status.
Jo nodded and said, "That's great Nick, thank you so much. I'm sure the children will be thrilled to hear that they can start planting in their garden again." Nick was about to reply when Laurie's carriage pulled up. Laurie nearly leapt out.
"Oh good! You're both here! Jo you'll never believe what happened!!! It's so exciting! Amy is planning on having dinner this evening in town, yet she's got quite a guest list, and it will take me forever to invite everyone! You'll come, won't you?" Laurie paused for a breath and looked at Jo expectantly.
"Oh, um, yes Laurie, of course. What time, it can't be too late because the children have school tomorrow," Jo replied thoughtfully.
"Oh no Jo, the children can't come, just you and Nick," Laurie said quickly. At Jo's surprised glance he went on to say, "It's going to be quite formal. It's just so exciting! I can't believe it. 7:00 tonight alright? Great! We'll see you there!"
Before either of them knew what had happened, Laurie's carriage was half way down the road. Jo and Nick began laughing. "Did he even say what this is all about?" Jo asked.
"I don't think so," Nick said with a grin, "but we might as well find out."
"Yes," Jo said with a smile, "You know Nick, you don't have to go."
Suddenly the mood turned serious. "You don't want me to go?" Nick asked, trying to sound as though he didn't care.
"I...I didn't say that Nick. I just didn't know if you'd want to go. I mean, this doesn't really seem like your kind of thing," Jo said quickly.
"What do you mean?" Nick asked.
"Well you'd have to get all dressed up, and I wouldn't want it to be a hassle for you," Jo said, knowing that with every word she was digging herself into a hole.
"It wouldn't be a hassle," Nick said, giving Jo *the look*.
"Fine, fine. Then I think it'd be great if you go," Jo said with a smile.
Nick nodded his head and gave her a grin, "Well I guess I better go finish up then." With that he walked towards the barn.
As soon as his back was turned, Jo's expression turned to one of apprehension and excitement. She opened her book and tried to read some more, but found herself on the same page for the rest of the day.
That evening Nan and Bess sat on Jo's bed as she got ready. She put on an old deep blue party dress, and was surveying it in the mirror. "Mrs. Jo, that's so pretty," Nan sigh. For a minute Jo's expression was one of relief but she masked it with a smile and said,
"Thank you Nan." Jo tried to put on a necklace but found that her hands were shaking.
"Here Aunt Jo, let me," Bess said taking the necklace from Jo's hands. Jo sigh and looked at herself in disbelief. Why couldn't she stay calm??
'I know,' she thought, 'It's because the minute I see Nick, the whole evening's going to be ruined because there'll be that undercurrent of tension.'
"Thank you girls for all your help," Jo said, motioning them out of the room with her. The girls went down the steps first, Jo right behind them, until Jo suddenly stopped and went back to the room to get something she forgot.
Nick was in the kitchen and saw the girls come down the stairs. He took a deep breath a prepared himself for when Jo would come down. Last time this happened, he'd acted like a neanderthal, and Jo had been uncomfortable. That was the absolute last thing that Nick wanted to do: make Jo uncomfortable.
When Jo finally did come down the stairs her face showed traces of nervousness. But Nick came to the stairs and said with a fake accent, "Our carriage awaits." Jo smiled a genuine smile and placed her hand in his. Asia smiled and waved goodbye as the two left.
When they got to Laurie's house, it seemed unusually dark and quiet. "I wonder why it's so quiet," Jo said.
"Maybe they've decided to see how long Amy can be quiet," Nick said.
Jo began lauging and hit Nick on the shoulder, "Very funny!"
"OW!" Nick exclaimed, still laughing, "You've got quite an arm there. Ever thought about playing baseball?"
"Last time I heard, that was only for men," Jo said, lightly joking.
"Well you wouldn't let that stop ya," Nick said with a grin.
They went to the door, but Jo refused to knock until they stopped laughing. Before that happened though, the door opened. It was Carl, Amy's cook. "Good evening," he said, "Follow me." He led them into the dining room. The table was set only for two.
"What's going on?" Jo asked. But Carl had left the room. "I'm going to go find Amy," she said, walking over to the door. She turned the handle and pushed, but nothing happened. She pushed harder, but it had no effect.
"Nick, the door's locked," Jo said, looking in amazement at the door. Nick tried the other door and had the same luck. "What do you think's going on?" she asked.
"Looks to me like we've been set up," Nick said running a hand through his hair.
"Well what are we going to do?" Jo asked.
Nick casusally glanced over at the food, then back at Jo. "We could eat," he said with a smile.
Jo sigh, but then smiled, "Well since there's nothing else to do..."
Nick smiled and pulled out the chair for Jo. She was still smiling as she sat down. All throughout the meal Jo and Nick joked around about what they'd do to Amy once they got out. Somewhere in between the conversation, Jo realized that she was actually having a good time. She was comfortable with Nick. When that thought entered her mind, she got a rather silly grin on her face.
"What's that grin for?" Nick asked.
"Nothing," Jo said, her grin getting bigger. Nick bowed his head for a moment then got up out of his seat. Jo's eyes followed his movements with couriosity.
Nick held out his hand to Jo and asked, "Would you care to dance?"
"There's no music," Jo said with a smile, "Alright." As the two began to dance Jo grew more at ease with every step.
Nick seemed to notice a difference with Jo, and he said casually, "You look nice tonight."
Jo turned slightly pink but smiled and replied, "Thank you."
As they danced, Jo's smile grew larger. "What?" Nick asked, as he began smiling too, for her smile was very infectious. Then Nick's smile began to fade and he grew serious as he leaned closer to Jo. He had a questioning look in his eyes.
Jo stopped dancing and looked away for a moment. "I'm sorry Jo," Nick said quickly.
"No Nick," she said, interrupting him, "I'm sorry. You've waited so long and I-"
"Wait a minute Jo. You don't owe me anything. I waited because I wanted to wait," Nick said.
Jo took a deep breath and said quietly, "Well maybe you don't have to wait anymore."
Nick leaned closer to Jo, and slight smiles appeared on both of their faces. Suddenly there was a sound at the door and it burst open. Franz barely noticed what had been going on; he was out of breath and sweaty.
"Aunt Jo," he panted, "Plumbfield. The barn. "It's...fire." Jo looked at Nick, the fear in her eyes evident.
"Franz, you go get the sheriff," he said, "Come on." He and Jo ran outside to the wagon.
The whole way there Jo was clutching the seat, her eyes searching in front of her, waiting to see her home. "It'll be alright," Nick said.
"What if-what if one of the children...." Jo turned to Nick with tears in her eyes.
"Jo, nothing's going to happen....." he trailed off. Jo immediately realized that she was on the brink of tears. She turned away quickly. She'd made a promise to herself long ago to be strong for the children. She had to be strong for the children.
This time however, a few stray tears trickled down her face. Nick wanted to wipe them away or just reach out and hold her, but he knew that she didn't need someone to protect her from the world. She needed someone to face the world with her. He took her hand in his and squeezed it. Jo looked down at their joined hands, closed her eyes, and squeezed back.
When they finally arrived at Plumbfield, the could already see the flames. Most of the barn was on fire. The children were gathered in front of it, and some of the boys were even trying to get the animals out.
"Boys!!" Nick yelled, "Get outta there now!!" Jo jumped down from the wagon and ran over to the children.
"Where's Rob?" she asked, "Where's my son?"
Nick finally dragged Dan away from the barn and brought him over to Jo. "Dan, where's Rob?" Jo asked, placing her hands on his shoulders. Dan's eyes got big and he pointed to the far left of the barn, where the fire had not yet reached.
"Mrs. Jo," he said, close to tears, "I'm sorry. I forgot. He wanted to go find his kitty." Dan looked as if someone had slapped him.
Jo backed away from Dan, in shock, then looked at the barn. "Rob!" she screamed, running towards the left end of the barn. Nick looked up and saw that the roof of the barn was about to collapse.
"Jo!" he yelled, running after her, but she was too quick for him. Behind them, Rob came from the back of the house.
"Mother?" he called. Neither Jo nor Nick heard him.
Just as Jo reached the barn, the roof collapsed. Thinking that Rob was inside, Jo stopped and gave a horrified look at the barn. Nick cought up to her just in time to grab her as she started to run again. She began pushing and pulling Nick, trying to get free. Nick kept forcing her to get farther away from the barn. She eventually stopped fighing him, and instead clung to him.
"Mrs. Jo!" called Dan. She opened her eyes and gasped. Rob was walking in front of the burning barn, towards her and Nick. Suddenly, the barn wall began to fall-right in the path of Rob. Nick saw Rob as well and ran over to him. He snatched up the boy and ran back, just missing the burning debris. Nick gave a long sigh and hugged Rob tightly, traces of tears in his eyes. He stroked the boy's back, trying to calm him down. Jo ran up to them and took Rob in her arms. They walked back over to the children just as Franz arrived with many others.
Later that evening, after all the children had gone to bed, Jo sat in what remained of the barn, stroking Penny. Dan had managed to save most of the animals, though not all. Nick walked out to the barn from the house, carrying Jo's shawl. He quietly came up behind her and put it around her. She looked up at him with gratitude shining in her eyes.
"You saved Rob's life Nick, " she said softly. Nick said nothing, just looked down modestly. "And not only that, but you've saved Penny's life and mine in the past. Not to mention all of our lives when you overtook Jasper," she sigh and stood up.
"You've done so much, I don't know how I can ever thank you," Jo said, looking Nick in the eyes. Nick's eyes were filled with happiness and he simply nodded at Jo. She suddenly and quickly hugged him. He was surprised at first, but then put his arms around her and closed his eyes. After a while, she pulled back, but only enough so she could see his face. She reached up a hand to touch his cheek, and, taking a shakey breath, she leaned in closer.
Nick eliminated the space between them by placing a light kiss on Jo's lips. He pulled back to see her reaction. Her face was nearly glowing with happiness and they both smiled. Nick leaned in for a second kiss which lasted longer than the first one.
From the front window of the house, Franz sigh as Bess, Dan, Nan, and Nat all congratulated one another. "Alright," Emil said, "Now can we finally go to bed??" Franz chuckled and tried to get all the kids to go upstairs and get a little rest.
It was early morning, before sunrise, and Jo and Nick were sitting on the front porch, Nick's arm around Jo. Nick softly ran his thumb over Jo's hand, which he held in his own. He thought she was asleep, and he didn't want to wake her. He suddenly began to run his thumb over the wedding ring on her finger. Jo sigh and placed her other hand over his own.
"I loved Fritz very much. He and I shared the same ideas, the same interests. We were so alike," she smiled fondly, thinking of her cherished memories.
"And you and I have opposing ideas, and different interests," Nick said.
"Well that's not necessarily a bad thing," Jo said. Nick gave her an expectant look. "You make me really think about things sometimes. And you help me perfect my arguing skills. And Nick, our different interests and experiences....well I was so jealous of you when you first came here. You'd seen places and gone to places that I'd only heard of," Jo smiled again.
"Yeah, but you had everythin' I never had. Schoolin', and people that cared about you," Nick said. Jo. She looked down at her hand for some time and then looked back into Nick's eyes.
"And now you have that too," she smiled and kissed Nick.
"Do I?" he asked, only half kidding.
"Yes," Jo said snuggling closer to him, "You do." Nick seemed too happy for words, so they both sat and watched the sunrise.
