New Lives

LHOP inspired fan fiction by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Disclaimer: I do not own the Little House on the Prairie television series, book series, or any of the characters.

Author's note: This is a sequel to "Unexpected News".

Chapter 1

Laura rolled out of bed and put on her robe and slippers. The bedroom was cold, even with the sun shining through the window. It was the week before Thanksgiving and Laura and Almanzo's baby was expected soon. Laura rubbed her swollen belly and smiled. The baby kicked in return.

The door opened and Manly walked in. "You're finally up." He smiled at her and pulled her into a gentle embrace.

"You should have woken me," she replied.

"You need your rest." He tapped her nose with the tip of his right index finger. "Besides, in a few weeks the baby will be wakin ya up." He smiled, excited at being a father for the first time.

"As long as we don't have twins like Nellie and Percival, I'll be fine."

He chuckled. "I don't think you're big enough for that."

Laura laughed. "Nellie was pretty big."

They left the bedroom and walked down the stairs. Almanzo held her hand to make sure she didn't fall.

"There's some coffee on the stove. I havta go into town for a while. Will ya be okay?"

Laura nodded. "I think I'll sew the buttons back on those shirts you gave me."

"Don't over do it," he reminded her.

"I won't."

Almanzo kissed her and headed towards the door. He glanced back at her and smiled before leaving.

----- ----- -----

Almanzo stopped off at the Mercantile for supplies and then walked over to the mill to say hello to his father-in-law. "Mornin Charles," he said.

"Morning Almanzo. How's Laura feeling?"

"Just fine. A bit tired, but Doc Baker says that's normal."

Charles nodded. "I finished the cradle yesterday. Would you like me to drop it by the house tonight?"

"Sure. Ya know Charles, I think it would take Laura's mind off waitin for the baby if the family could come out for supper tonight. Now that she's done with teachin for a while, she seems kinda lonely hangin around the house."

"Will do. See ya tonight."

Almanzo left and headed towards his wagon. Mrs. Foster called to him from the post office window. "Almanzo," she said, waving a small white envelope in the air.

He walked up to the window and greeted her. "That for me?"

"Yes." She smiled. "It's from St. Louis. I hope Eliza Jane likes her new teaching job."

Knowing what the letter was about he answered warily, "Uh…I hope so too."

Almanzo tipped his hat to Mrs. Foster and then walked back to his wagon. He tucked the envelope into his coat pocket and chirruped to the horses. All the way home he hoped the news in Eliza Jane's letter wasn't as distruptive as the announcement of her last visit to Walnut Grove.

Once home, Almanzo unhitched the team and walked into the house. He found Laura in her rocking chair, next to the fire. He pulled the envelope out of his pocket before taking off his coat. He bent down and planted a kiss on Laura's cheek.

"Feelin okay?" he asked.

Exasperated she slapped her sewing down in her lap. "For the hundredth time, I'm fine!"

Embarrassed, he looked down at his feet. "I'm sorry Beth. It's just I ain't never been a father before."

Laura closed her eyes to hide the shame. "I'm the one who should be sorry Manly. It's just that everybody asks me how I'm feeling and I'm getting tired of hearing it." She noticed the envelope in his hand. "Who's that from?"

"Eliza Jane," he answered. "I thought we should read it together."

Almanzo stared at the envelope for a few seconds, afraid to read what Eliza Jane wrote. He had told Laura a few weeks ago that she would probably want to visit after the baby was born, but neither one of them had the courage to bring up the subject of where she would stay. Anxious, but needing to know the contents of the letter Laura held out her hand. Almanzo gave her the envelope. She slid the paper out and unfolded it. Laura began to read out loud.

"Dear Almanzo and Laura,

How quickly the time flies. Soon you will be introducing another Wilder to the world. I am so excited to see my niece or nephew.

A former teacher who I met when I moved to St. Louis has offered to fill in for me at the school so I can travel to Walnut Grove for a visit. Don't worry, I'll be staying at Nellie's so I'm not in the way. I can even take over the school in Walnut Grove until the Christmas break, unless you've made other arrangements.

Please don't make a fuss about my arrival. I plan to take the train into Sleepy Eye and travel by stage to Walnut Grove. I should be there the day before Thanksgiving.

I'm looking forward to seeing you both again.

Fondly,

Eliza Jane"

----- ----- -----

The time passed quickly as Laura and Almanzo prepared for Eliza Jane's visit. Laura was happy to have something to occupy her mind. The day before Thanksgiving was cold and gray, and it looked like snow. Laura and Almanzo rode out to meet the stage. They were both nervous about seeing Eliza Jane again considering how her last visit ended.

When they reached town they went into Nellie's for a cup of coffee. Caroline walked out of the kitchen when she heard the bell on the door ring. Her smile turned to a frown when she saw her daughter.

"You shouldn't be out on such a cold day Laura."

"I'm fine Ma, really. I can't just sit around every day waiting for the baby to come. Besides, Almanzo brought some extra blankets."

Caroline shook her head.

Eager to change the subject Laura said, "We'll be at your place around one thirty tomorrow, okay?"

"That's fine. But I want you promise me you'll stay home if it looks like snow."

"I promise."

"Good. Now let me get you both some coffee." Caroline walked back to the kitchen and returned with three filled cups. "This should warm you up."

They sat down and talked until Almanzo saw the stage coming down the road. Laura and Almanzo walked out to the porch and waited for the stage to come to a stop.

Eliza Jane stepped down and raced to greet them with a big smile. "Almanzo! Laura!" she cried as she hugged them. "It's so wonderful to see you both again."

"It's good to see ya too Sis. I'll get your bags."

"Thank you Mannie."

"Oh Laura, look how big you've gotten. Why it looks like you'll have that baby any minute." She smiled.

"Hopefully soon anyway. I am kind of tired of lugging the weight around. But I'll miss feeling the baby growing inside me."

Eliza Jane looked down at her feet. "I don't think I'll ever have to worry about that."

Laura was embarrassed about complaining. "I'm sorry Eliza Jane. I didn't mean to be insensitive."

"Nonsense. I'm just a little down. I got a letter from Harv right before I left."

Almanzo stepped onto the porch. "Let's get inside. It's too cold for Laura."

"Manly, I'm standing right here. You don't need to speak for me."

"I'm sorry Beth, but ya know I'm worried about ya gettin sick before the baby comes." Almanzo opened the door to Nellie's.

"I know," she admitted as she walked through the door.

Nellie and Percival Dalton came downstairs as they entered.

"Oh Miss Wilder, how nice to see you again," said Nellie.

"It's good to see you too Nellie."

The cry of a baby was heard from upstairs. "Not again," said a weary Nellie. "I swear they just ate."

"I'll go get them," said Percival.

"Thank you darling."

"Nellie, I'll need a room," said Eliza Jane.

"Oh all right Miss Wilder. How long will you be staying?"

Eliza Jane looked at Laura and Almanzo. "Um…I'm not sure exactly, but it could be until after Christmas."

"Actually Nellie," said Laura. "I'm sure she'll be here at least through the Christmas break. She's going to take over at the school for me until she has to go back to St. Louis."

"I thought Mother was teaching."

Laura chose her words carefully. "Well she is, and she's doing a wonderful job too. It's just that I thought it might be hard on her with having to take care of the Mercantile and helping out here. And when Eliza Jane told me she was free, I figured the class would enjoy seeing her again. Not that they don't enjoy your mother, of course."

"It's all right Laura. I've lived with her. I understand." They all laughed.

The door opened again and Laura's father walked in. He smiled at Eliza Jane and gave her a warm welcome. He looked over at Laura to see if everything was okay. She nodded.

Upon hearing Charles' voice, Caroline came out of the kitchen. They all chatted until Eliza Jane asked which room she was in.

"Oh, I'm sorry Miss Wilder. It's number 8," said Nellie. "Up the stairs, fourth door on the right."

"Thank you Nellie. If you all don't mind, I'm going to wash up and unpack. It's been a long trip."

"Manly, can I go up and give Eliza Jane a hand?"

He shrugged. "If you want, just…"

Laura finished his sentence. "Don't over do it. I know." Her smile made Almanzo blush. "I want to catch up with her, that's all."

Almanzo watched as the two women went up the stairs. He shook his head. He would never be able to figure out his wife.

----- ----- -----

"You know Laura, I was surprised you wanted to talk after I left in such a huff the last time."

Laura looked up into the older woman's face. "I've missed talking to you Eliza Jane. We used to be so close. I was hoping we could find a way to be close again."

"Oh Laura, I want that too." Eliza Jane reached over and hugged her.

"Good." Laura sat down on the bed. "So how's life in St. Louis since you've been back?"

"Fine, but I don't like living on my own as much as I thought I would." Eliza Jane removed some of her clothes and walked back and forth hanging them in the closet as they talked.

"You haven't found another suitor in a city as big as St. Louis?"

"There's only one man for me Laura. And right now he's in Minneapolis and very happy about it. He likes his job and the people he's met."

"Are you sure there's no chance for the two of you?" asked Laura. "I mean, it seems strange, Harv writing to you and asking you to join him in St. Louis so you can get married, and then his deciding it wouldn't work out."

Eliza Jane wondered if she should tell Laura. She wanted to. It would feel good to get the deception off her chest. But she didn't want Almanzo and Laura to feel indebted to her for giving up the farm so they could get married.

"I don't think Harv will change his mind," said Eliza Jane.

"Didn't you say he wrote you before you left?"

"Well yes, but he's never stopped writing. We've been in touch since he left Walnut Grove."

"I know. That's why I can't believe it's over. Why would he keep writing to you if he weren't interested in getting back together?"

Eliza Jane turned away and walked across the room. She wouldn't let herself even entertain the idea. She had been hurt once before. She wouldn't give into the temptation of thinking Harv had feelings for her. She fiddled with the music box on top of the dresser. "Laura, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it's just over…and I have to face that."

"Why did his last letter bother you so much?" asked Laura.

"Because he started reminiscing about old times when we used to go out to supper and picnic on the lake. He doesn't usually talk about those things."

"If you ask me, it sounds like Harv regrets his decision."

Eliza Jane turned to look at her. She couldn't speak. She was too busy fighting the urge to think Laura might be right.