It was a summers day mid-August when the two eldest March sisters were walking home after a days rowing on the lake with Laurie and John.
Meg and John held hands walking down the road, Meg cupping her swollen stomach with her free hand. Behind them walked Jo and Laurie talking and laughing gaily.
"You remember Teddy when we used to run down here. As free as birds," Jo laughed fondly remembering that time many years ago.
"Indeed and I also remember gathering up your scattered hairpins as you ran," Laurie added inclining his head as he continued, "we have come quite far since then. Now Meg and Brooke are happily married with baby Pip on the way."
Jo sighed watching her sisters back as she walked in front. "Yes. Do stop calling to baby Pip, Teddy. It drives Meg mad. But yes we were carefree then weren't we," she said.
Laurie took Jo's hand and quickened his pace so they overtook Meg and John. They sped up and soon they were off running down the road like they used to.
They came to the end of the road breathless and red-faced. They faced each other laughing. Laurie pushed a strand of hair that had fallen in Jo's face behind her ear. He brushed her cheek with his finger. Jo smiled taking his hand.
"Josephine March! How dare you run down the road in such a manner!" Meg cried from behind Jo. Jo raised her eyebrows at Laurie. He raised his hand that she was still holding and kissed it. "Alas, I must fetch hair-pins that grow along this road," he said winking. He swept off his hat and bowed elaborately at Meg and walked back down the road…