Author's note: This story is set 10 years from now. The chldren are between the ages of 23-25. Jo and Nick are married, Dan and Bess are
engaged, Meg and Harrison are married (Edward never came back), and Nan and Nat are hinting about their feelings. Dan lives at Plumbfield,
Bess lives with her parents, Nat and Nan both live in town.
It's December 23, and Jo and Nick are waiting for the train with Tommy and Emil to arrive. "Jo, calm down." Nick says.
"I just miss them, that's all." Jo responds
"They haven't visited here for two years."
Nick changes the subject "So how are the decorations coming?"
"Nan has off tomorrow and Christmas so she's gonna help." Jo says.
"You're really proud of her, aren't you Jo?"
"Yes I am. She followed her dream and became a doctor. She reminds me of me because when things got tough she never gave up."
Nick, smiling, responds "Course she wouldn't of given up. First, she's Nan and second, she went to Plumbfield."
"Hey," Jo playfully punches him in the arm while saying "Plumbfield is a good school." "Thats not what I meant, she was here and so were Dan, Emil, and Jack. Dan challenged her and Emil and Jack teased her." Nick stated.
"I know Nick."
"Speaking of Nan, Jo have you seen the way Nat and Nan have been looking at each other for years?" Nick asks.
"What do you mean?"
"They have been friends for years but its like they want to be something more. They just don't know how to approach it."
"They would make a cute couple, Nick, but don't try to get them together."
"I won't if you won't."
"Deal"
But we didn't agree that I couldn't imply to either one of them the idea of revealing their feelings Nick started thinking. By that time the train arrived and Jo, Nick, Emil, and Tommy greeted each other.
That night when Nat was helping Nick and Dan out in the barn, Nick started
implying things to Nat. Dan knew what Nick was doing and played along.
"Nat, is there anyone you want to bring to the Christmas party tomorrow night?"
"I already asked who I wanted to bring Nick."
"Who's that Nat?" Dan asked.
"I asked Nan to go with me and she said yes."
"Do you know if she is gonna stay the night or go back to her place?" Nick asked.
"Yeah if she stayed it would be like old times." Dan said.
"I think she might stay" Nat told them.
"Nat, I was wondering, do you like Nan?" Nick asked.
"Yeah I like her." Nat replied a little suspicious.
"No I mean as more than a friend, like love her?" Nick said.
After a few moments of silence Nat told Nick and Dan "Yes I love Nan, I've loved her since I was 14."
Trying to lighten the mood slightly "Wow Nat thats longer than I've loved Bess." Dan said. All three of them started chuckling. After a half-hour of talking Nick and Dan went into the house and Nat went to his place.
PART 2
