Hey everyone! This is my first time with fan fiction, so please, bare with me!!! Thanx a bunch, Rachel, for your help! You're the best!

Jo slowly yawned and rolled over on her side. She looked at the grandfather clock in her room and sighed.

It was 2am, and she could not get to sleep. She kept thinking about Friday, Valentine's Day. This would be her first Valentine's Day without her late husband, Fritz. Her mind sorted through all her memories with him, and her tears streamed down her face.

Dear Lord, she prayed, I miss Fritz so much, Father. Especially at times like this. We loved each other so much, but You chose to take him away from me, Lord. Please help me to accept that, and please, Father God, I pray that Robby will never forget his daddy and all the wonderful times they had together. Thank you, Lord, for Your eternal blessings. I love You. Amen Jo then let her tears fall freely, and she cried herself asleep.

"Bess, Bess", Nan said, shaking her awake. Nan was sitting at the edge of Bess's bed, already dressed and ready for the day. "Nan, what are you doing?", Bess mumbled. She rubbed her eyes and sat up in bed. "Nan", she exclaimed, "It's still dark outside. What are you doing waking me up so early? Is something wrong?", she asked, beginning to worry. "No, no", Nan assured her, standing up.

"It's not that early, 6 o'clock. I thought we could get started on your valentine's before breakfast.", Nan finished, walking over to her dresser to get the paper, scissors, etc... for making their valentine's. "Be reasonable, Nan. We'll have time later. It's too early.", Bess told her, laying back down to get some sleep before breakfast. "Oh, c'mon, Bess. Valentine's Day is this Friday, only 3 days away! We need to get started on 'em", Nan told her, pulling her up into a sitting postion, again. Bess sighed deeply.

"Okay, okay. Lemme get dressed real quick", she jumped out of bed and quickly dressed herself.

In no time, the two girls were chatting and giggling about their valentine's they were making, and about the certain boys there were making them for!!!

At breakfast that morning everyone noticed how exeptionally (sp???) quiet Jo was. Lately she had seemed that way, which in turn, made everyone else quieter as well. No one could figure out what could be wrong with Mrs Jo.

Nick, feeling the tension in the room, tried to lighten the mood. "I heard in town that there's going to be a Valentine's dance this Friday night", he said to everyone at the table, bot realizing the impact his words had on Jo.

The annual Valentine's dance had been one of hers and Fritz's favorite things to do. Jo had no intention of doing so, but she burst into tears and fled out of the room, with Nick right at her heels.

After Jo and Nick left in such a hurry, everyone at the table looked at each other quizzically. "What's wrong with Momma, Franz?", Robby asked, looking up at his cousin. Franz patted his on the head and smiled. "I'm sure it's nothing serious.", he reassured him. Rob smiled and nodded his head.

The others also reassured him, but in their minds they were wondering what could be wrong. Mrs. Jo usually never made a scene like that.

In the parlor though, things were more difficult. Jo had run into the parlor and had just stood there, sobbing into her hands. Nick walked up to her, and pulled her into his arms. Jo clung to him, savoring his strength. Somehow being close to Nick, as she was now, made her miss Fritz less, but also made her realize the longing she had inside her. She didn't exactly know what it was, nor did she want to think about it.

Suddenly feeling awkward in their situation, Jo pulled away. All this time neither of them had said anything. Nick had simply help her and comforted her. "Thank you, Nick", Jo told him, wiping her eyes. "No problem", he told her, handing her his handkerchief. "You wanna talk about it?", he asked her.

Jo stiffened at that question. "No, I'd rather not", she replied, wiping her face with his hankie. She handed it back and looked at Nick.

"Thank you again, Nick", she said softly, quickly leaving the room.

Nick stood in the parlor for a few minutes after Jo had left, trying to figure her out. He shrugged his shoulders and slowly walked back to the dining room.

When he arrived at the table, Asia greeted him with the question, "What was it, Nick?", she asked him, concern showing in her eyes and voice. "Dunno", he told her, "She wouldn't tell me.", he shrugged his shoulders again.

Nick grabbed a biscuit, and quickly left the room. The rest of the meal was eaten in silence, except for an occasional whisper now and then. Each of them were deep in their own thoughts.

"Hey BESS!", Nan yelled, "Wait for me!!" Nan quickly caught up with Bess, who was walking to the barn for school. "Hmm?", Bess asked. "Welllll, I was wondering. Do you have many chores to do today?", Nan asked her, slightly out of breath from her run. "Umm, I'm not sure", Bess mumbled, her mind totally on something or someone different. Nan stopped Bess and looked at her. "What's wrong with you?", she asked.

"Nothing", Bess answered her shortly. "I was just thinking", she finished more slowly. "About?", Nan asked, getting curious. They were almost to the barn, and she wanted to know before they go there. "Our Valentine's", Bess answered her, avoiding eye contact.

"Oh, that's what I was gonna ask you. I was wonderin if you had many chores, cause if you don't, and I know I don't, then we could finish our valentine's today. Oh, I can't wait till Friday night! It's gonna be so much fun! Don't you~", Nan was cut off by Bess.

"I don't know what to say", Bess complained. "Huh?", Nan asked, totally confused. "Oh, Nan. I~I~I~, oh……", Bess stuttered. "You what?", Nan asked, really curious now. "Oh, you mean you haven't noticed?", Bess asked her, surprised. "Noticed what?", Nan was still oblivious to what Bess was talking about.

"Oh Nan!", Bess blurted out. "I like Dan so much, and~and, well, no one knows, except you now, and~and~ well, I don't know what to say on his valentine. That's all.", Bess finished in a whisper.

They had just walked into the barn, so Nan had no time to answer. She just grinned from ear to ear, and sat down, very proud of herself. "Maybe what Nat and I did with them two worked out after all", she whispered to herself. She chuckled silently, and turned to listen to Franz.

Nat rushed out of school in a hurry, and waited outside for Dan. When he came out, Nat grabbed him and pulled him aside from the others.

Before Nat could say anything, Dan asked him, "Did you see who got in trouble with Franz all day today?" Nat turned to him and grinned. "So, you noticed too?", he asked him. "Yup", Dan answered. "I wonder what was wrong with Bess", he asked.

Nat shrugged. "I'm not sure. She and Nan were both in their own worlds today. That I can tell you.", Nat answered him. "You're right about that", Dan agreed with him.

They had just gotten inside, so they ran up the steps to their room, threw their books on their beds, then ran back outside to get started on their chores, still talking.

"Well, the whole time Nan was sitting there grinning like an 'ol fool", Dan pointed out. "Yep", Nat agreed with him. "And, Bess was like all nervous and fidgety the whole time", he told him. "Yep", Dan nodded in agreement.

"Nat", Nick yelled, "I need your help over here" "All right. I'm coming", Nat yelled back. He turned to Dan and whispered before he left, "See if you can find out anything." Dan grinned at him and nodded. Nat grinned also and ran to find Nick.

Meanwhile, if the girls room, Bess and Nan were talking about (can you guess who?), Dan!

Just about he second after their door was shut as they walked inside, Nan grabbed Bess's hands and danced around saying over and over in a singsong voice, "It worked, it worked, YEAH, it worked, it worked", she chanted.

Bess couldn't help but laugh. They must look really ridiculous. She stopped laughing and grabbed Nan's hands hard to stop her.

"What worked?", Bess asked Nan, once they had both calmed down. "Mine and Nat's experiment to get you and Dan to like each other. It worked!", Nan told her excitedly. Bess was immediately somber and walked over to her bed to sit down.

"Look, Nan", Bess said much more sharply than she intended. She softened her voice. "Dan does not like me, and he probably never will. I may like him, but he doesn't like me, okay Nan? So please don't mention this to me, or to anyone else. All right?", Bess finished.

Nan nodded. "Sorry, Bess", she apologized. "That's okay", Bess told her. She smiled at Nan. "Let's get started on our chores. The sooner we start on the, the sooner we get done, and the sooner we can finish our valentine's!", she told Nan. Nan grinned back, as they ran out of their room.

Neither of them realized it, but throughout their conversation Dan had been standing outside of their room, listening to them.

He had rushed upstairs as soon as Nat had left to find Nick. He got up there in time to catch every word the girls had said.

All day while the children were in school, and while Nick and Asia were busy, Jo took the time to sort through her feelings. She prayed for a long time, asking God for guidence, and for the strength she needed.

She walked through the entire house, touching the things that were once her husbands, crying and laughing at memories she thought she had put away. All these memories came back to her. And, for that, she was thankful.

"Father God, thank You, thank You", she whispered a prayer, "All this time I've been grieving for myself. I've been thinking about how I lost Fritz. I wasn't the only one that did, Lord. Robby lost his daddy, Franz lost his uncle, and the children lost their teacher and their friend. I realize that now.

I know that I can now move on. But oh, Lord, I'm so scared. I don't know if I love Nick, Lord, but I do know one thing. Nick has everything I could ever want in a husband. No one could ever replace Fritz, Lord, and I know I'll never love a man as I loved Fritz. But, I know I can love again. It would be a different kind of love, but nonetheless, it would be true love.

As Jo prayed, she thought about Nick. Her heart skipped a beat, then another, and then another. "Nick", she whispered to herself, then sighed. What did she feel about him? She knew she liked him a lot, and he knew that to, but was that all? Or, did she love him, and just not know it?

"Oh, Lord, it frustrates me. What do I feel about him? I know I still miss Fritz, and I also know I always will. But, thank You, Lord, that I can now move on, and with a clear conscious. Thank You. Amen" she finished her prayer.

Jo's heart was light as she stood up and walked out of her room. She had a whole new attitude now. She loved her son, Rob, her other "children", Asia, Nick, Plumfield, she loved it all. She had an extra leap to her step for the rest of the day.

After hearing Bess and Nan's conversation, Dan had been confused all day. He didn't mention it to anyone, not even Nat. He didn't really know what to think of it.

After Nat and Nan had tried to get him and Bess to like each other, he had to admit, they had actually become good friends. But, liking each other? He didn't think it had worked that good. But, I guess it did, He thought to himself, "since~since, Bess likes me?", he finished in a whisper. Perhaps he did like Bess after all. He shrugged, grinned, and got to work finishing up his chores.

At supper that night, everyone noticed the change in Mrs. Jo. She was talking a lot, and seemed to really be enjoying herself. The old Jo was back.

Nick kept watching Jo throughout the entire meal. At one time, while he was staring at her, she glanced over at him and he grinned real big, then winked at her. She at first, just laughed quietly. Then she got louder and louder until she was just about falling out of her seat. The others couldn't help it, they just laughed along with her.

It feels so good to be laughing again, Jo thought her herself, so good! And with all the one's the loved most. She smiled. That night she slept the best she had in many days.

The next two days went along smoothly, and during breakfast Thursday morning, Mrs. Jo had an announcement.

"Children, today", she stopped, glanced at Franz and grinned. "Today, school is out becau~", she was cut off by the kids cheering and screaming. She laughed and quieted them down.

"School is out today because everyone of us are going into town", she raised her hand before the kids made even more noise. "We haven't done that in a while, so we're going to do that today. I'll also show y'all where the dance is going to be, since none of y'all has ever gone", she finished.

Everyone finished breakfast in record time, and they all ran to their rooms to get ready. In nearly 15 minutes everyone was ready, and they were in the parlor waiting.

By five minutes they were all piled in the back of the wagon, and they were headed into town, excited and in a hurry.

When they got there, all of the kids went to find out where they were going to hold the dance.

"Hey, you guys, take a look at this", Jack told them, pointing to the sign. They all hurried over there to get a look, but when they got there, all their faces of curiosity changed to those of disappointment. There were chorus's of "oh no's", and "I wonder why's?", and just sighs of disappointment.

The sign read "Our Annual Valentine's Dance Has Been Canceled For This Year". That's all it said, not why it was, just that it was.

They all walked back to the wagon, got in, and waited for the grownups. They saw Nick and Jo walking arm and arm towards them, and Bess sighed. "Oh, just look at them. They're so perfect for each other!", she told them all. They all agreed with her. "Y'all", Nat warned them. "Remember the other times we tried to get them together. Well, they didn't work. Remember?", he told them, stressing his point. They nodded their heads in agreement. "Yeah. But, if we tried again, it may work.", Nan told them with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Sshh", Bess hushed them, with her finger on her lips.

Nick and Jo walked up then, and they both got into the front of the wagon. While waiting for Asia, they all talked about the concelation of the dance. No one could figure out why they would cancel it!

Asia walked up, and after she got in, they drove off, resuming their conversation. When they were nearly there, Tommy yelled, "I've got an idea!". He startled everyone. Jo tried not to laugh, and asked as calmly at possible. "Yes, Tommy. What is it?", she asked. "Why don't we just have our own dance and party and stuff! We could like invite Mr. Laurie and Amy, and Meg, and Edward, and we could just have a jolly time! What do y'all think", he asked them, getting very excited at his idea.

"You know what, Tommy?", Dan asked the younger boy.

"What?", he asked back. "I think you do have a brain in there somewhere!", he told him laughing. Tommy took it as a compliment and thanked him!

So, that was it! Plumfield decided to have their very own dance! So, for the rest of the day, and Friday morning they planned it all, excitement showing on all of their faces.

Bess and Nan finished their valentine's, eager to give them away. They made them for everyone, but each of them made special one's for Dan and Nat. (who else?) The boys didn't make valentines. They all agreed it was too girly for boys to do that. So, it ended up that only Bess and Nan made them. Well, Amy and Laurie did. And, of course, Edward made one for Meg, his future wife. So, all was set! They would have a party Friday night, and they were all hoping it would be the best ever.

Finally Friday night came. All of the children eagerly waited in the parlor, wanting the rest of their guests to get there so they could get started with the party!

Bess and Nan were both wearing their best dresses, and they both fixed their hair different. Mrs. Jo told them both that they looked beautiful, and that they were growing up right before her eyes. She wasn't the only one that thought so either. The boys just couldn't keep their eyes off of them.

Jo also looked very beautiful. She was also wearing her best dress. She was very determined that she would have a wonderful time, with all the one's she loved most. In fact, she knew she would.

Nick also looked really good. He decided to actually wear a suit! Jo had never seen him in one, neither had the others, and they were all very surprised at how handsome he was. (not that they didn't see that earlier)

Asia also looked wonderful, as did all of the boys. Mrs. Jo made them wear suits also. They were uncomfortable they said, but they did it for Mrs. Jo.

Finally the rest of their company showed up, and the party started. They all ate a wonderful meal together, Asia made sure of that, and they had friendly conversation throughout it. After the meal, they all went into the parlor to start the dancing. For the fun of it, Bess and Nan even decided to make dance cards!

They had had a very good time setting up for this. Sooo, it ended up that both of the girls' cards were filled to the brim. They both danced with every one of the boys, and the men, at least twice each. They loved it!

Nick danced half the dances with Jo. He couldn't stop staring at her. She looked wonderful, he thought to himself. During every one of the dances, neither of them spoke. They had no words to say, but they both knew what the other was thinking.

"Hey Bess", Nan whispered, drawing her away from Edward, whom she was talking to. "Excuse me", she told him smiling, and following Nan to the corner of the room. "What?", she asked her. "Let's give the Dan and Nat our valentine's now.", she told her. They had already given the other boys theirs, but they had wanted to wait to give Dan and Nat's theirs. "Don't you think it's time to?", she asked Bess. "Of course", Bess replied. She walked off, in search of Dan. Nan also went to look for Nat. He was talking to Laurie about something. Laurie, seeing that Nan needed to talk to him, told Nat he'd talk to him later, and he walked away.

Nan motioned for Nat to follow her and she lead him to the stairs, where they sat down on the second step.

"Here", Nan told him, "I was just wanting to give you this", she said handing him the valentine she had made for him. He took it, blushing deep red. It was shaped as a heart, with NAT printed in the middle. Inside it read: Dear Nat, I don't really know what to say. I guess I just want you to know that you're a really great friend. No matter what happens, I'll never forget you. You mean a lot to me. Have a good valentine's day. With love, your friend, Nan

After Nat read it, he looked at Nan and gave her the cutest smile possible. "Nan, I~", he stuttered. "I don't really know what to say, except thank you. I now wish I had given you a card", he told her regretfully. "No, Nat, I" he cut her off.

"Sshh", he told her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up into a big bear hug. "Thank you, Nan, so much", he whispered in her ear. She leaned back, smiled at him, and pulled away.

"Welcome", she told him, grabbing his hand. "Let's go get some more food", she told him, laughing. He laughed right along with her, and let her pull him over to the table.

In the corner of the room, Bess and Dan were having a very different, conversation.

Bess had went to find Dan, and had found him outside, sitting by himself, and watching the stars. "Dan?", she asked him. At the sound of a voice, he jumped.

"Oh, I'm sorry", Bess apologized, "I didn't mean to startle you", she said sitting in the chair next to him. "That's okay", he replied, weaving his hands through is hair in a nervous fashion. "Well, ummm. I was just coming out to give you~"she was cut off. "Bess, look, I need to tell you something", Dan told her, looking her straight in the eye. "What?", she asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking.

"Umm, well, the other day, uh, I think it was Tuesday, I can't remember. Well, I uh, I heard you and Nan talking in y'all's room. About, umm", he cleared his throat, "About you liking me and me not liking you and stuff like that", he finished in a hurry. Bess's eyes got big and round at she listened to him.

"You heard us?", she asked going pale. She looked down and moaned.

"Listen Bess. What I really wanted to tell you is that, well, I like you too.", he told her, trying to get her attention. And, that sure did. "You what?", she asked thinking she misunderstood him.

"I like you too.", He told her. "Also, I want to apologize for always being so mean and everything to you.", he told her in embarrassment. Bess was shocked. Was this the same Dan she knew? She couldn't wait to tell Nan about this.

"I~umm", She didn't know what to say, "I guess I'll give you my valentine I made for you. That's why I came out here", she handed it to him.

He took it and read silently. It said: Dear Dan, Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you have had an enjoyable one. I hope we can be good friends someday. I'm sorry for always being so rude. I don't like to, I just do. So, you wanna promise each other not to fight anymore. Do you think we'd be able to keep that promise? Well, good~bye. Even though I may not act like it, I like you a lot, and you're a really good friend. Love, Bess

He looked at Bess, and told her, "You know, I can't promise that, Bess. Cuz, even the best of friends fight. But, I promise you one thing. I will always try to treat you with respect, and well," he blushed, "Just don't forget what I told you earlier, okay?", he asked her. Bess looked him in the eye. "I won't, I promise I won't", she told him.

Dan grabbed her hand, and trying not to laugh, he kissed it! His head came up and he grinned real big. "Happy Valentine's Day, Bess". He got up and went back inside.

After the exchanges of valentine's, the two girls sought each other out. When they found each other, they both started laughing at once. It ended up where Nan told her story first, then Bess. Both girls were excited.

Finally, at 11pm, Mrs. Jo called it off, and sent all the kids upstairs. After she made sure they were all in bed, she went back to the parlor to meet Nick. She needed to talk to him.

She walked silently into the room. Nick was already sitting there. He heard her come in, and smiled at her. She tried to smile back, but it was a rather shaky one.

"Hello Nick", she said, sitting down on the chair across from him. "Howdy", he replied, watching her curiously. He didn't know why Jo had said she needed to talk to him. He hoped though, that it had something to do with how she'd been acting.

"Nick, I", she cleared her throat nervously, "I thought I should explain to you why I left so suddenly from breakfast the other day.", she told him, finally having the courage to look him in the eye.

And, so she did. She told him every last bit of it. She told him how she had thought about Fritz so much, of how she had missed him. She told him how she had prayed and decided it was time to move on. She told him everything. She ended by saying, "And Nick, I~I", she looked to the floor then looked back up to him and looked him squarely in the eye. "I now know that I can move on. Meg and Amy were right, I can love again", she told him her voice dropping to a mere whisper.

Nick didn't know what to say. Was she implying what he hoped she was. He couldn't be sure. Afraid he would offend her, he stood up and all he said was, "I'm glad for you, Jo, real glad", he then turned to walk out of the room.

"Wait, Nick", Jo told him, putting her hand on his arm. He looked down at her. She was so beautiful, his Jo was. His Jo? Where did that come from, he thought to himself.

Jo looked up at him, hoping he could read the question in her eyes. What he saw there was fear, longing, hesitation, and should he dare hope, love? "Jo, I", He whispered, his voice husky. He framed her face in his two hands, and she in turn placed her hands upon his.

She nodded her head slightly, and he took that for a yes. He leaned down, and softly, gently, kissed her lips. He then pulled her into a tight, yet gentle, embrace. "Happy Valentine's Day, Jo", he whispered into her hair.

He then pulled away, and walked slowly out of the room. She watched him leave, still in a daze. She walked over to sit down, in fear that she would fall, her legs were so weak. She tentatively touched her lips, and smiled.

She thought of her darling son, Rob, of her boys and girls, of Asia, and yes, of Nick. This, she thought to herself, is truly a house full of love.

Feel free to send your comments to giddygal84@yahoo.com. I would love to hear from y'all! Thanx!