Lifes Most Precious Gift - By Liz
PART 1
Hey eveyrone! Liz here, with her new "little" story. I just wanted to clear up some stuff so you all don't think I'm crazy when you read my story and get all confused. The kids are...I dunno...16,17,18, however old they'd be when it's time for them to leave the school. Rob is the age that the kids are on the show now. And I know that might not fit...but hey, I'm the author...I can make up stuff. Meg married Edward (big surprise there) and Nick and Jo STILL aren't together. (WOW did ya see that coming??) At the beginning, Tommy has already left, and Franz went to go teach somewhere else. I promise it'll end happy!!! Enjoy!
The train whistle pierced the peaceful bustle of the town, a signal of its timely departure. It did not, however, disrupt the small band of people huddled near the train. Five children in their late teens, a middle-aged couple, and an African American woman. Although the people stirring about created a happy buzzing sound, the atmosphere between the small group was unusually quiet and solemn.
"Do you have everything?" Jo asked, placing her hands on Emil's shoulders, even though they were somewhat higher than her own.
"Yes Mrs. Jo," he replied with a comforting tone.
Nick looked over at the platform for a moment, then gently said, "It's time." Jo took a deep breath, trying to keep her tears at bay. Emil walked over to Nat and shook his hand.
"See ya around Nat," he said, pursing his lips. He moved on to Dan, who squeezed Emil's hand reassuringly.
"If that navel academy gets too hard, you can always come back," Dan teased.
When Emil walked over to Nan, she gingerly held out a small package. "Here," she said, placing it in Emil's hand, "It's some of that herb that I use to make your tea. It'll help you when...you know, you can't get to sleep and all."
"Thank you Nan," Emil said, staring hard at the small sack. He approached Bess, who had a very sober look on her face. "Goodbye Bess," Emil said quietly. Bess tried to give a small smile, but failed. She put her arms gently around Emil, and gave him a hug.
"Just be careful 'bout eatin' stale meat," Nick joked as he shook Emil's hand and patted him on the back, "You'll do fine Emil, trust me. I've always seen it in ya." Emil nodded and finally turned to Jo.
She held back her tears and smiled bravely, "You write soon, okay?" She tightly embraced him and squeezed her eyes shut.
Emil pulled back, looked her in the eye, and said, "Thank you Mrs. Jo."
"You are so....very...welcome," Jo said hesitantly, trying desperately to keep the tears back just a while longer. Before getting on the train, Emil and Asia embraced, and shared a few secret words away from the group. Then Emil boarded the train, and took his seat by the window.
As another whistle sounded, and the train began to move, Emil waved at his 'family' as each of them put up a brave smile. When the train was just a dot through the trees, Asia was the first to turn away.
"No sense makin' it into somethin' more difficult," she muttered as she headed for the wagon. Bess nudged Nan's arm, and together they walked off too, followed by Nat. Dan lingered, looking at Jo.
"Mrs. Jo?" he said, "You comin'?"
"We'll be along in a minute Dan. Go on," Nick said lightly. Dan hesitantly nodded and walked off, glancing back.
Jo, arms crossed, finally looked away. "Rob's comin' home tomorrow," Nick said, trying to raise her spirits.
"I know," she said, nodding firmly. But her voice shook a bit.
"Come on, let's go," Nick said quietly, offering Jo his hand. She slipped her's into it, and together they walked towards the wagon.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Dear Lord, we thank you for this food, and this family to share it with. We ask you to look over all of the "Plumbfield Family" wherever they may be. Amen," Jo spoke the prayer at dinner, as everyone held hands.
As everyone began to dig in, Jo took a small helping of something on her plate, and began to push it around with her fork. "Aunt Jo," Bess chided, "You need to eat something."
"I will," Jo said, giving her niece a grateful look, "Oh! Did I tell you? I received a letter from Franz today!"
"You did?" Dan asked, "What did he say?"
"He said he's doing fine," Jo replied, a smile on her face, "He's found a teaching job in one of the public schools. The pay is good, and he says the materials he has to work with are excellent!"
"Well does he say anythin' about what it's like livin' in Virginia?" Nan asked.
"He did say that it's a bit warmer, however their winters are said to be more mild than ours," Jo said, her smile fading.
"Well, will he be able to come home for Christmas?" Nat asked, trying to bring back her smile.
"He says he's unsure if he'll be able to, seeing as it is his first year teaching there," Jo said, the smile not returning as hoped. A dismal silence fell over the table. Jo forgot about the food she was pushing around her plate, and instead looked at the empty chairs that surrounded the table.
"Well I've got some news," Bess said with a smile. Jo looked up expectantly, and the other three put down their forks.
"I didn't want to say anything until I was sure...you see, I entered some of my art into a contest a while ago....I didn't even think it was very good...well anyway, the first prize was a full year of study with the finest teachers. And well...I won!" Bess exclaimed.
There were cheers around the table, and Nan "patted" Bess on the back, nearly choking her. "Congratulations Bess!" Jo exclaimed, a smile finally returning to her face.
The small round of congratulations went on, even drawing Asia from the kitchen to join in. However, Dan, not joining in, finally said quietly,
"Where's it at?"
"Where's what at?" Bess asked.
"The full year of study," Dan said, "Where ya gotta go for it?"
Bess looked down and played with the napkin in her lap. "It's in Chicago," she said quietly.
"Chicago?!" Jo exclaimed, clearly shocked but trying to hide it, "Do Amy and Laurie know about this?"
"Yes," Bess replied softly, "We've discussed it already. If I choose to accept the award, I'll have to leave in a month."
"I see," Jo said dejectedly, "If you'll excuse me." She got up from the table and quickly walked upstairs.
The foursome left at the table shot each other glances, but none spoke. Finally, Dan asked, "You gonna except it?"
Bess looked at each of them, earnestly awaiting her answer. "I, I don't know yet. I haven't decided."
PART 2
Asia skillfully 'caught' a plate, as Nan almost dropped it. "Oh Asia! I'm sorry," Nan exclaimed.
"That's alright Nan. Been a long day, why don't you kids go get some fresh air? I'll finish cleanin' up," Asia suggested. At first the kids protested, but, at Asia's insistence, Bess grabbed a shawl, and they went outside.
"Bess, Mrs. Jo's just kinda upset about all of us leavin', that's all. We're all real proud of you," Nat said with a half sigh.
"Yeah Bess, I mean, she was fine until Tommy left...then Emil..and now..." Nan trailed off.
"Ya gotta know that she wants us all to be successful, I guess it's just hard for her," Dan sigh.
"I know," Bess replied, "But sometimes I have to wonder if-"
"Bess, no one would be any happier if we stayed! Mrs. Jo would want us to go out and...well, be successful," Nan finished lamely.
They all nodded their heads in agreement, and a silence settled over the group.
Nat briefly said something to Nan, then turned to Bess and Dan and said, "We're gonna walk up there so we can get a better view of the stars. You two wanna come?"
Dan gave Nat an uncertain look, glanced at Bess, then looked back at Nat again. "Ah, I don't think so Nat," he said. Nat nodded, and he and Nan 'raced' off. Bess gave a rather disdainful look at Nan's running, and Dan laughed.
"Are you laughing at me?" Bess asked, blinking. Dan just grinned. "Well!" Bess humphed. Dan's grin faded a bit, but renewed itself as he offered her his arm in a "mock-gentlemen" manner. Bess herself grinned and took his arm.
They began walking in the opposite direction that Nat and Nan had gone, neither of them saying anything for a while. After a time, Dan asked, "So, what was it?"
"Hmm?"
"The picture that won the award. What was it?"
"Oh," Bess said with a small smile, accompanied by a sigh, "Plumbfield."
"Plumbfield?" Dan said skeptically, "All the wonders of the world, and the one that wins is the picture of Plumbfield??"
Bess 'turned on' her air of refinement and said, "It's not the content, rather the quality of the-"
"Well ya sure didn't win for that!" Dan said, a twinge of anger in his voice. Bess fell silent, withdrew her arm from Dan's, and walked on ahead a bit while he stopped. He and Bess stood there like that for what seemed like forever when Dan finally shook his head and walked over to Bess.
"It's so wonderful here," Bess said softly, surprising Dan who was about to apologize. "Not just the way the tree's look in the fall, but the atmosphere of Plumbfield. The warmth, the happiness...the love. I've loved growing up here. Though it seems that we've finished doing that, haven't we?" Bess' smile turned bittersweet.
"Bess," Dan said, "I didn't mean what I said. You're a talented artist, ya know that. It's just that-"
"Just what Dan?" Bess asked, turning towards him.
"Nothin'," Dan finally replied, "Nothin'." Bess looked slightly disappointed but put up a smile anyway, and took Dan's arm again.
"It's getting late, we better head back," she said quietly. Dan nodded, and they walked back to the house in such a silence that it spoke volumes.
~~~~~~~~~~
"There it is Nan, see it?" Nat asked, pointing upwards.
"No, is it that one?" Nan, puzzled, craned her neck towards the sky in despair.
"No, it's the one right here. Here, come stand where I am," Nat pulled Nan next to him, and they were practically occupying the same space. "See," he said, standing behind Nan and extending his pointed finger up. While Nan was searching, Nat suddenly realized just how close Nan had become.
"Nat, it's no use, I just don't see it. I-" Nan stopped as she turned around, noticing herself just how close they were. Nat, although he tried to control himself, found his hand brushing Nan's hair behind her ear.
Their eyes locked for a moment, and then, before she could stop herself, Nan said, "What're you doing?"
Nat's hand snapped back and he automatically replied, "I'm sorry." Nan waged an inner battle with herself. She wanted to tell him that it was alright, perhaps even that she wanted to be that close to him. But she couldn't. She'd never told anyone anything like that before. Then again, she'd never felt like this before. 'Nat and I are *friends*,' she thought, 'That's ALL. We're best friends, and it's natural for me to like my best friend..'
"Nan? Are you okay?" Nat asked in a worried tone.
"I'm fine," she snapped, "Let's just go inside." Nat nodded and they quietly walked back to the house.
~~~~~~~~~~
Jo sat, rocking, on the back porch, lost in her thoughts. So consumed in fact, that she didn't even notice the arrival of Nick, until he sat beside her.
"Nick," she said, barely acknowledging his presence.
"Kids said you didn't eat much," Nick replied.
"I wasn't hungry," Jo snapped. Immediately she regretted it, and said, "I'm sorry Nick, I don't mean to get upset it's just-" She paused and looked away again.
"I heard about Bess gettin' that scholarship," Nick said slowly, carefully. Jo simply nodded. "Kids gotta grow up sometime Jo. They can't stay here forever, you know that. You also know that you want the best for them. Ya want them to go out there and be successful," Nick said, resting a hand on Jo's arm.
She squeezed his hand and said, "I know, and you're right. I just...I don't know what's going to happen Nick."
"Well, no one knows the future Jo, I mean-"
"No, that's not what I mean. I mean the school. I don't know what I'm going to do. I looked into it, and I've got enough money to live comfortably here....without Plumbfield being a school. I mean, Franz is gone, and well.....I can't imagine any other children here..." Jo trailed off.
"Oh," was all Nick said.
"At least I'll have Rob. I could teach him, Daisy, and Demi. And perhaps some other children-only during the day of course. They wouldn't have to live here," Jo said more to herself than Nick.
"See, everythin' will work out," Nick said grinning. His smile was infectious, and Jo soon found herself smiling as well.
Nick got a sly look on his face and said, "You up for a race?"
"Now? The sun's already gone down!" Jo exclaimed.
"'Fraid of losin'?" Nick teased.
"Nick Riley, let me tell you the one thing about not having any younger children in the house," Jo began.
"And what's that?" Nick smiled.
"You don't always have to set the perfect example," she said, her eyes sparkling as she stood up, "There's no way you're going to beat Penny."
"We'll just see about that," Nick grinned as they headed off for the barn.
PART 3
Jo 'sauntered' into the dining room the next morning, humming some song remembered from her childhood days, and gave a big grin to the foursome seated at the table.
"Good morning! How are you all? Oh, blueberry pancakes! And cinnamon biscuits! My favorite!" Jo exclaimed. The children just stared at her; Nan's mouth hung open, Bess' fork paused in mid-air, and Dan and Nat just stared, wide-eyed.
Jo sat at the table as if nothing out of the ordinary was going on and she said, "You know what? Today seems like a wonderful day for a picnic! Why don't the four of you go on one while I go meet Meg and Rob at the train station?"
There was silence as the children slowly began to get over their shock, and then they just looked at each other in bewilderment. "Mrs. Jo," Dan began, feeling it his responsibility to finally step in, "Are you feelin' okay?"
Jo looked up from pouring syrup on her plate and said with an innocent look, "Yes Dan, why do you ask?" Dan just gave her his half grin and then a rather playful accusing look.
"Look kids, I know that I've been acting rather...upset the past few weeks. The truth is that I'm going to miss all of you. But the reality of the situation is that I also want you to go out there and live your dreams. I have faith in each of you, that you'll do that very thing," Jo said with a smile.
The kids shared glances of relief and solidarity; finally, things seemed to be returning to normal....but then again, what was normal?
~~~~~~~~~~
Jo's smiling face appeared in the mirror as she carefully adjusted her necklace; the same one Rob had given her last year on her birthday. She had on a light gray skirt with an elaborate gray blouse, complete with patches of gray silk and white lace. It was a new ensemble, and Jo wanted to look especially wonderful to go pick up Rob.
Upon her marriage to Edward, Meg had slowly been pulled into a world not unlike Amy's - yet she kept a very keen sense of herself, and never let things go to her head. That's why, when she told Jo of her plans to go to Europe for the summer, and her idea of bringing along Rob, Jo hadn't just said no. She thought about it, and, with some urgings from Amy as well, Jo finally relented. Rob had been thrilled with the idea, and was so very pleased when his mother said he could go. He was excited about all the adventures he thought he'd find, as well as seeing the home country of his father.
Jo checked her watch and mentally chastised herself for taking so much time to 'primp.' She quickly went down the stairs, her head bent in thought, and only looked up as she reached the bottom.
"You look good," Nick said with a grin.
Jo's head shot up in surprise, a smile already in place at hearing *that* voice, "So do you." As they went outside to the wagon, Nick offered
Jo his hand to help her up. She gave it a gentle, excited squeeze and quickly hopped up onto the seat.
Nick jumped up beside her and started the horses. Without realizing it, Jo began to push her feet against the front of the wagon. "Ain't gonna get us there faster," Nick said with another grin.
Jo, realizing what he meant, blushed and smiled all the same. "I've missed him, Nick," she began, "And I've felt....well, upset these past few weeks. But last night..." Jo paused, smiling and slightly blushing, "Thank you Nick."
Nick smiled too and replied, "Glad I could be a distraction for ya."
"Oh, you're a distraction," Jo said, a playful smile on her face, leaving Nick to "wonder" about her true meaning. Nick leaned forward a bit and gave her a sideways glance, but she just smiled and looked forward.
~~~~~~~~~~
"You kids get outta my kitchen! I made you a basket! This here food's for Mrs. Meg and her family," Asia said, nearly slapping Dan's hand before he pulled it away.
"Yes Asia, thank you," Bess said, trying to pull Dan out of the kitchen. He playfully tried to stay as Nan and Nat busied themselves with gathering up the things they'd need for their picnic. Nan kept on giving rather disgusted looks towards Dan and Bess' "playfulness," but Nat just grinned.
Suddenly, Dan picked up a cup of water and turned towards Bess saying, "How you feel about goin' for a swim Bess?"
"Dan, that's not funny," Bess said with a surprised look on her face. He only grinned and stepped closer. Bess' jaw dropped and a look of apprehension graced her usually composed face, "Dan! You wouldn't!!"
"Sure I would Bess," Dan said with one of his grins. Bess took off like a rabbit and ran out of the room, with Dan close behind.
"Mind you don't get nothin' wet," Asia called after them. Nat turned to Nan with a grin...but quickly changed his features when he saw her look. "Would you get outta here already?" Asia smiled at Nat and Nan, "Before those two kill each other!"
Nat smiled and he and Nan turned to leave. As they walked out the door, Nat placed his hand on the small of Nan's back, gently "protecting" her. Nan's face twitched and she tried to resist squirming.
"Nan," Nat began in an unsure voice, "I wanted to talk to you about - about..." As they walked out the front door, a spray of water hit Nat in the face. For a moment all he could hear were the giggles of Bess and Nan's laugh. When he could see, he shot Dan a devilish look and said, "You shouldn't have done that."
Dan grinned and he and Nat practically chased each other the entire way there. Bess and Nan hung back, making idle conversation. "Nan, don't you think that Nat and Dan have grown into fine young gentlemen?" Bess asked as she flashed Dan a smile that made him stop in his tracks....and resulted in Nat finally catching up to him!
"I dunno, I guess," Nan said absent-mindedly.
"Nan," Bess began, "Have you given any thought to what you're going to do?"
"Some," Nan replied.
"Well," Bess said rather tactfully, "Have you given any thought to....maybe....marrying Nat?"
"Marrying Nat??!" Nan exclaimed, clearly a bit more than shocked.
"Well yeah Nan," Bess said, trying to make the idea sound as normal to Nan as she could, "I mean, it's obvious that he's in love with you."
"In love with me?" Nan again questioned. A silence fell over the girls, and Nan quickly decided that the best thing to do would be to forget about it. "Well what about you and Dan?" she asked, taking her fair "turn."
Bess grew slightly pink, "What about me and Dan?"
Nan rolled her eyes, "Well it's obvious that you two have feelin's for eachother. I mean, you're always playing around and stuff."
Bess looked as though she was about to say something, but instead changed her mind and exclaimed, "Look! We're here!" Nat and Dan helped them spread out the blanket near a rather tall tree, so they would have some shade. As Nat and Dan began to try and go through the basket, a happy mood settled over the four, and they truly felt as though they were children again.
PART 4
Jo followed the length of the train, back and forth with her head, searching. Nick stood next to her with a small grin, as though he had a secret-which in fact, he did. To those around her that did not know her well enough, Jo looked utterly composed. Yet Nick noticed how her hand shook a bit, and how she clenched her jaw just a tad.
He also shared her excitement...which was an odd thing, for Rob wasn't his son. 'Still,' thought Nick, 'Can't help feelin' happy when he comes home.' As Nick gazed thoughtfully at Jo, and she in turn searched, a voice emerged above all the others.
"Mother! Mother!"
Jo suddenly began to show more outward signs of excitement. "Rob?" she said softly, searching even more. And then, as if by magic, the crowds almost seemed to part, and Rob was standing there, a grin on his face - that same grin that reminded her of Fritz.
He practically ran into her arms, and she squeezed him so tightly that Nick almost told her to ease up. She closed her eyes, trying to savor this wonderful moment, and kissed him several times. "Hi sweetie! How was your trip?" she asked, her voice nearly brimming with happiness.
"Wonderful! I got you all presents, and I saw the city that you said Papa used to talk about, and Aunt Meg has the greatest surprise for-" Edward put his hand over Rob's mouth and gave Jo a smile.
"Hello Jo! Nick! I think Meg would like to...er...tell Jo herself Rob," he said smiling. Rob nodded, and the hand was taken away.
"And I saw where you said Dickens was from, and I saw..." Rob continued on and on, and Jo listened with such a look on her face...that she didn't even notice Meg until she stood right in front of them.
Jo's happy gaze fell on Meg's face first....and then turned to shock as she took in the rest of Meg. Something was different.....Meg looked rather.....plump.
"Oh Meg!" Jo breathed softly, her voice shaking slightly, "You're-" Meg nodded, tears also in her eyes, and she embraced her sister.
"The doctor we saw in England said that it might not have been a good idea to go on a sea voyage, but I told him that there was no way this baby was going to be born anywhere but at home, with the people I love," Meg said smiling.
"And you should have seen her too Jo!" Edward exclaimed, coming up behind his wife, "She would have made you proud!"
Jo smiled and asked, "Where are the children?"
"Oh," Meg said, "They were feeling tired, so we arranged for them to go straight home. Besides, I knew you'd want us to come over first thing."
Jo smiled and sigh, "Well, let's go home!" Nick grinned and rustled Rob's hair. Rob looked up at Nick, that same hero-like adoration still there, and grinning, took his hand in his own. Then he took his mother's hand, and the three of them lead the way to the wagon.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I don't know Dan, sometimes," Bess smiled as she continued to watch where she stepped. She daintily picked up her pastel dress as she made her way through the woods. Dan, who had gone on a walk with her, was walking...somewhere...Bess couldn't really see him.
"I mean, goin' off for more schoolin' kinda sounds boring," his voice came from somewhere to the left...or right, Bess couldn't really tell.
"Well, I enjoy art," Bess said, with an edge of annoyance in her voice.
"I know it's just...I mean, well don't you ever wonder what you'd do if you didn't go?" Dan asked.
"What do you mean Dan?" Bess asked, only half listening.
"Well I mean you and me, if you weren't gonna go, would we-" suddenly Dan popped out from behind a tree, and stood right in front of Bess. She gave a start when he suddenly appeared, but her initial shock changed into a quiet sort of...apprehension.
"We'd what Dan?" she said softly.
"Nothin'," Dan said, averting his gaze. Yet he didn't move from where he was standing.
Bess glanced around, and then did something that her mother would have probably had a heart attack over. She brought up a hand to Dan's face, and turned it slowly towards her's. Dan's shocked eyes looked back at Bess right as she slowly brushed her lips against his.
Dan basically froze in shock, and Bess pulled back, a small triumphant smile on her face. When Dan had finally figured out what happened, all he could think of to say was, "I love you Bess." Bess almost gasped, and it was her turn to look at him in shock.
'Way to go! THAT was a smart thing to say,' Dan mentally chastised himself, 'Now she's gonna run off, and probably never come near you again, and...'
"What did you say Bess?" Dan asked, barely listening and almost completely lost in his thoughts.
"I said," Bess replied slowly, and turning her head up a bit, almost as if she was proud, "That I love you too." Dan had been listening that time, and just nodded his head a little, his mouth hanging open.
"Well aren't you going to say anything?" Bess asked, suddenly feeling a bit awkward.
Again, Dan felt tongue tied...and the only thing that came out this time was, "Marry me?" 'Oh GEEZ! What's wrong with you? Can't you do nothin' right???' Dan thought with a grimace.
Bess had a million thoughts running through her mind...school, home, her parents...she paused for a moment, and then said, "Yes Dan, I will."
"I thought you'd say that Bess, really, no hard feelin's, I understand, I-" Dan paused, "What did you say?" Bess only looked at him with a smile. "Did you say yes?" Dan ran a hand through his hair and took a few deep breaths.
"Yes....ye...yes," he kept on muttering. Then, with a huge grin, he grabbed Bess and began to twirl her around.
"Dan!" she exclaimed, giggling.
When Dan finally put her down, he kissed her and said, "But what about school? The scholarship?"
"I don't have to go," Bess said truthfully, "And I'd give it up...to marry you." She felt a little odd saying those words...but still, they made her so happy.
Dan just sigh and gazed at her with a happy expression on his face. Bess blushed slightly and said, "Let's wait, and not tell anyone until I've told my parents okay?" Dan nodded, and they began to walk back together, making plans.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Best....Christmas?" Nat asked.
"Oh, that's easy. Remember that first year I was here? And you guys found Sara in the woods," Nan said.
'How could I possibly forget?' thought Nat, 'I remember everything about you.'
"Hmm, oh yeah. Your turn," Nat said.
"Hmmm," Nan said thoughtfully, "How 'bout your favorite experience in the barn? Like mine was the time that Tommy took the..." But Nat was no longer listening. He had been transported back to a chilly day...he'd been wearing his green sweater. And he and Nan had retreated to the barn after their final attempt at matchmaking had failed....
"Nat!" Nan said again.
"Oh, uh, say, do you remember that day in the barn?" Nat asked. At Nan's "what? are you crazy?" look, he went on, "After we tried to get Bess and Dan together?"
Nan's face suddenly turned from happy and free, into guarded and cautious. "Yep," was all she said.
Nat was finding it hard to interpret her reaction. He took a deep breath and said, "That was one of the best days of my life."
Nan was almost torturing herself on the inside. She wanted so badly to tell Nat that it had been the best day of her life too....but she couldn't. She only mumbled, "Wonder where Bess and Dan are..."
Nat nodded his head self consciously and said, "Yeah, it's gettin' kinda late." As Nat began to get up, Nan stopped him and pulled him back down.
"Nat, there's somethin' I wanted to tell ya," she said slowly, unsure of herself, "I applied to a medical college a while back...and well...they accepted me." Nat just looked at her in utter surprise. "I didn't say anythin' to Mrs. Jo because she was already upset about everyone else leavin', and then Bess..." Nan trailed off.
"Wh- where's it at?" Nat asked, his voice wavering a bit.
"Pennsylvania...actually, Philadelphia," Nan said quietly.
Nat looked as if....well...as if someone had just killed his puppy. (*Liz shakes her head* sorry! It was the only way I could explain=) "When do you leave?" he asked, his voice slightly horse.
"Well, see, that's the thing, I gotta leave in a month, same as Bess," Nan said, "And I'm worried about tellin' Mrs. Jo." The two friends sat in silence for some time.
"Nan, she'll be happy for you," Nat finally said.
Nan nodded, and the silence returned until she said, "Are....you happy for me?"
Nat tried to restrain the look he gave her as he said, "If it makes you happy Nan, it will always make me happy." Nan ducked her head and said no more. They were saved from the uncomfortable silence by the arrival of Bess and Dan.
"Hey you two! Ready to go?" Dan's voice seemed happy.....too happy.
"Yeah," Nat said, not really paying attention. Nan only gave them a curious look as they started to clean up the picnic.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Yes, well you know that it is getting to be the time for school again," Jo said, hinting to Meg.
"Yes..." Meg hesitated and glanced to Edward, "Jo, I wanted to talk to you about that. Well, actually about Daisy, Demi, and Rob. You see I-"
"Presents!" Rob called as he entered the room with a small bag. Jo forgot all about what Meg had been saying, and gave him a huge grin.
"Oooh, my favorite!" she said with a laugh. Asia smiled too, as she stood next to Meg's chair. Edward hurriedly got her another one, and then stood between the two ladies.
Rob plopped himself down on the sofa next to Jo and, patting the spot on the other side of him said, "Here Nick! You can sit here." Nick had an indescribable look on his face; a mix of surprise, honor, and joy. Jo gave him such a look that he almost forgot for a moment where.....and maybe even who he was.
"What, uh...sure Rob," he said with a grin, sitting down. Jo went back to looking excited about Rob's presents. (Most likely things Meg and Edward had purchased....but they all pretended for Rob's sake.)
"First.....Asia, close your eyes!!" Rob said with a grin. Asia obeyed and Rob hopped off the sofa and stood next to Asia. He placed a rather large book in her hands and she opened her eyes.
Asia's mouth almost dropped open and she muttered, "What in the world..."
"It's a cook book Asia!" Rob explained, "Aunt Meg and Uncle Edward helped me find it. This way, you can make food for Mother just like what we ate." Asia hugged the boy and praised the book over and over.
Rob soon returned to the couch and reached into his bag once again, "Mother, close your eyes," he said with a huge smile. Jo did as told, andresisted the urge to peek. Rob placed another book into Jo's lap, and a wrapped parcel as well.
"Well, let's see, what do we have here?" Jo asked, opening her eyes. She made a half-sigh, half-gasp noise and ran her hands over the cover.
"It's by Mr. Dickens! And look inside!" Rob opened the book for Jo, "See, he wrote in it!"
"Where on earth did you?!" Jo was almost speechless.
"Edward has a signed copy, as I told you once, and well, he's got some friends over in London.....they were only two happy Jo," Meg said smiling.
"Thank you sweetheart! This is the best present I've ever gotten!" Jo said, hugging Rob tightly again.
"Wait! There's another one," Rob said, pulling the wrapped package out from under the book.
"Well what do we have here?" Jo said softly, unwrapping the package carefully. She gave a start as the paper fell away, and she was left staring at a beautiful painting….not unfamiliar….
"Mother! Do you know what it is?" Rob said, excitement in his voice. Jo couldn't think for a moment; she only gazed at the painting.
"It's…..it's not - no, it couldn't be-" Jo couldn't finish her sentence.
"Yep! It's the town you said Papa always used to describe! You described it well too! And now look, you can hang it up!" Rob said, taking the picture from Jo's hands and holding it up to the wall. Jo simply smiled and nodded, too touched to speak.
Jo broke the silence by finally saying, "Well, these are some of the best gifts we've ever gotten! Who's hungry? You all must be starving, I'm sure that…"
"Mother!" Rob interrupted, giving Jo an exasperated look. Jo just gave him a look of surprise and waited for him to go on.
"I'm not finished," Rob said with a grin.
"Well who…." Jo trailed off as realization swept over her.
"I've got a present for Nick!" Rob grinned as he pulled yet another package out of his bag. He didn't even bother telling Nick to close his eyes, for the package was wrapped. Nick gave a look of total shock to both Jo and Rob, yet he opened the package.
Inside was yet another book, and Nick colored at his small trouble with the words. "See, here! It says 'A Ship's Voyage,'" Rob said proudly.
Nick gave a small nod, and still rather flushed said, "It's a nice gift and all Rob, but you know I still can't read so well."
Rob only smiled and said, "I know, but it has pictures….and I thought we could read it together!" Nick's eyes were filled with so much emotion that he made himself look away for a moment. This was something new. When Dan or Nat or any of the other boys had looked up to him as a father figure when they were younger, Nick had been pleased beyond words, and had always felt rather unworthy. But to have Rob, Jo's son, look up to him…..that was something entirely different. And while Nick knew why this moved him, he also knew why things had stayed the same for all that time.
"That'd be real nice," Nick said with a smile, trying to convey to Rob just how much this gift meant. He patted the boy's shoulder, and was greatly surprised to receive a hug in return. All this while, Jo had been watching, her emotions slightly guarded yet still readable. As much as Rob's gift touched Nick, it touched her as well. The fact that Rob looked to Nick as a father figure - and probably always had - stuck in her mind. And yet, she had to wonder, yet again as she so often did, why she and Nick had remained "friends" for all this time……
"Well everyone, I think that now it's time to eat," Asia said with a grin.
"Oh Asia, I have missed your cooking," Meg said with a sigh and a smile. They all trampled off towards the kitchen, Jo and Nick hanging back. Nick gave a fond look at his book and carefully placed it on the table.
"He's a great kid Jo," was all that Nick could say.
"I'm not the only one that raised him," Jo said, the corner of her mouth turning upwards and a twinkle in her eye. With that she turned on her heel and followed the happy party to the kitchen, leaving Nick to gaze after her with an incredulous look.
PART 5
"I really missed you," Jo said quietly as she hugged Meg one last time.
"Oh, me too Jo," Meg replied with a smile. Her face changed then, and she looked preoccupied, "Jo, I really need to talk to you about something…it's important…"
"Are you ready to go darling?" Edward said, joining the ladies.
Meg looked unsure, then said, "Well, I'll come by tomorrow Jo. We can talk about it then. It's nothing really." She smiled as if to reassure Jo further, but Jo had begun to worry already.
"Alright then, see you!" Jo called as Meg and Edward got into their carriage. Just as they were leaving, another carriage raced down the lane. Nick walked over to see what the 'commotion was.' The carriage came to a quick halt, and Laurie got out and helped Amy out as well.
"Jo! Did we miss her?" Amy asked, looking around.
"I'm afraid you did Amy," Jo said with a small smile, "They just left."
"I told you that was their carriage," Amy almost snapped at Laurie. He simply rolled his eyes and tried not to laugh. "Well, where's Bess?" Amy asked.
"She went on a picnic with the others….they should be back soon," Jo said.
Nick squinted off into the distance and said, "I think that's them, over there." Sure enough, four figures were slowly making their way to the house.
"Well, I want to talk to her," Amy said abruptly, going into the house, "I'm going to wait in the parlor, Laurie! Are you coming?" He grinned at Jo and followed Amy into the house.
Jo gave Nick a look and said, "I think I'm going to go see where Rob ran off to." Nick nodded, and they went their separate ways. Jo stopped in the kitchen, where Asia told her that Rob had retreated to his room after they had eaten.
"I don't know what Jo, but somethin's botherin' that boy," Asia said in a sure tone. Jo's brows furrowed, yet she only nodded and headed upstairs.
Meanwhile, the foursome had finally reached the house. Nat and Nan went around to the kitchen to dispose of the remains from the picnic, but Bess and Dan slowly began to walk to the front of the house.
"Their carriage is here," Bess said, taking another deep breath.
"Yeah," was all Dan could say.
"It's probably best if we tell them now," Bess said, looking to Dan for confirmation. Dan only gave her an unsure look and nodded his head.
Bess then made up her mind for good, took Dan's hand, and started to 'lead' him into the house.
~~~~~~~~~~
"May I come in?" Jo asked, knocking on Rob's door. He quickly looked up and smiled….but it wasn't his usual smile. "Sweetheart, is anything wrong?" Jo asked gently, sitting on the bed next to him.
Rob seemed to think about it for a second, then shrugged his shoulders and said, "Nope."
Jo paused for a few moments, then said, "Because, you know you can tell me anything, right?"
This caused Rob to think for several minutes, before he finally said, "Well, Aunt Meg was supposed to talk to you about something…..but I don't think she did."
"What was it?" Jo asked, "How about you tell me?"
Rob again thought for a moment, and then said, "It's about school for Daisy, Demi, and me…."
Jo grinned, "I thought she might!" Rob looked at Jo with an expression of relief. "Well, I'm pretty sure I know what you're talking about," Jo said with a smile, "And I think it's a great idea if you all want to go to school together here!" Rob's face fell.
