Almost his

A/N Thank you so much to my reviewers, blue7, L. M. The Third, and most importantly to Rese, because without her, I would still be re-reading Little Women to find out about Concord for this chapter. As it is, I have a feeling this doesn't exactly adhere to all the little facts in Little Women and Jo's Boys, but never mind. I hope you like the conclusion to this story, and thank you once again to everyone who's reviewed so far! Thanks for reading!

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"Jo? Jo!" Teddy scrambled to his feet and to his girl's side. He felt her forehead; it was cold and clammy. Looking around wildly, he wondered what on Earth he was to do. The house was empty, all its occupants away for the Christmas – Jo had even given the servants of Plumfield the weeks before Christmas off. What was he to do? For a moment he felt like he was sixteen again, a young boy. Then, with sudden realisation, he knew what he had to do.

Bending down, he picked Jo up as carefully as he could. Despite being heavily pregnant, she was light in his strong arms, and he easily carried her out of the room and up the stairs. Pushing doors open with his feet, he made his way to Jo's room, fumbling through the darkness due to the closed thick curtains at the window. Taking care not to trip over the piles of books she had left carelessly around that morning, he laid her on the bed. He hurried over to a candle on the dressing table, and after locating some matches, attempted to light it. As the match lighted, he heard a voice cry out in the gloom.

"Teddy?"

He spun round, the light the match was casting beaming out across the room and showing Jo with her eyes open, wild and scared. He lit the candle quickly, then ran to her bed. "It's going to be alright, Jo," he took her hand in his and pressed her knuckles to his lips. "You're going to be alright."

Her face was white. "Marmee. I need Marmee."

He nodded. "Of course." He kissed her hand once again, then sprung to his feet. "I'll be as quick as I can." He went to the door, then smiled. "Honestly Jo, just like you to decide to do this on me when we were looking forward to a nice quiet night..."

"Teddy!"

He was gone in a flash, a wisp of long hair the last thing you saw in the dim light the candle cast before he was gone, thundering down the stairs two at a time, skidding across the hall, seizing his hat and charging out into the cold night without a moments thought.

He raced along the road towards Orchard House, his feet hitting out a steady rhythm against the hard ground. He hadn't ran like this in ages; inhibited, free and without restraint. His heart beat fast. He had to get Marmee to Plumfield. Jo couldn't be alone at such a time. He barely noticed the snow start to get heavier as he ran; it was only when he seized the gatepost of the house that had been so dear to his heart as a young boy and he nearly slipped over, that he realised how the weather was deteriorating. He glared up at the grey sky, as if Mother Nature herself was personally offending Jo's need for someone at this time.

Mrs March was sat in her favourite chair in the corner of her parlour, re-reading Jo's first book. She chuckled; her second eldest daughter had a wonderful way with a pen. She hated to think of her alone in that great big house. The dear girl had sent the servants away for the week, wanting them to be with their families for Christmas, insisting that she would need no help, as she was perfectly capable of looking after herself until Fritz's return on Christmas Eve.

She started up as someone started hammering loudly on the door, as if Achilles himself was on the doorstep, begging for admittance. Marmee went to the door, opening it slightly, and then throwing it wide open as she recognised the figure at her door. "Laurie! What on Earth are you doing out –"

"Jo!" He panted, leaning against the doorpost for support, the snow falling onto his hat as he paused for a moment. "The baby, Mrs March. It's coming."

Mrs March looked shocked. "At such a time! Oh, my poor Jo!" She fetched a shawl and hastened out into the night, closing the door behind her, already starting off down the path to the road. Laurie started after her, still breathing heavily.

"But, Marmee, you'll die of cold! I meant for you to take a carriage, or something."

"We'll never find one, Laurie dear, there's not time. Fetch the doctor, dear. Quick!" And with that, the old lady hurried off to her daughter's side, at such a pace that Laurie could not help but marvel at her for a moment. Then, the poor boy started up again, almost before his heart had calmed down from his previous sprint. The doctor. Jo. Quick.

Racing across the roads of Concord, Teddy was very nearly run over by several carriages as he neglected his own safety in his worry for Jo's. He scattered a crowd of choir singers brave enough to face the weather as he bolted through them, sheets of music flying everywhere. By now the snow was falling thick and fast, swirling about, blocking out the light and hindering Teddy's vision. Still, he struggled on, storming towards the doctors.

For the third time that night he found himself on a doorstep, but, too exhausted to knock, he simply flung himself against the door. It was opened almost immediately by the weary doctor himself, who looked like he had just returned from a call, his coat half off. He sighed. "Oh. Mr Laurence. What can I do –"

"Miss March has gone into labour, Doctor Foster." Teddy simply stated, haggard and tired.

The doctor looked grave for a moment, then nodded. "Right." He took up his bag again, and noting to himself that it would be a long night, he led the way outside. "Come along then, Mr Laurence."

Teddy nearly collapsed at the thought of another run back to Plumfield, but luckily for him, Doctor Foster was a sensible man. Standing at the roadside, he stopped a carriage, and got in. He leant out, wondering what the man was up to. "Mr Laurence? Get in quickly, man."

Teddy scrambled to his feet and fell down the steps to the pavement, tumbling into the carriage. Finally he was given some well deserved rest as the carriage started up, and he thanked God that a machine that travelled for you had ever been invented.

After quickly regaining his energy, Laurie began to get restless. He fidgeted terribly, the doctor by his side a complete contrast as he sat erect and calm, his hands folded over the top of his bag. Doctor Foster questioned Laurie as to Jo's condition when he had left her, and Laurie was explaining for the umpteenth time the exact feel of Jo's forehead when the carriage finally drew up.

The door nigh on exploded open as Teddy raced out and hurried to the front door, which opened within moments, Marmee having been on watch for them since her arrival at her daughter's house. The two men followed Mrs March up the stairs, Laurie oblivious to Mrs March and the doctor's practical conversation about Jo's state. The doctor hurried into the room in front of Mrs March, and Teddy made to follow, only to be stopped by Marmee, with a kind and soft look on her face.

"You've done as much as you can, Laurie. Thank you so much. You can do no more now; why not go back to Amy and get some rest?"

"You think I can leave now?" He asked hoarsely, astounded at how shallow Mrs March must think his feeling's for Jo were.

Marmee smiled, and bowed her head. "Alright then, dear. You must get some rest though; use the spare bedroom."

A cry from within reminded Marmee of where she was needed, and with a fleeting smile she closed the door on an anguished Laurie. The pain of Jo's cry shot through him like a cold knife.

How Marmee thought Teddy could sleep was ridiculous. Even if he had wanted to, he would have had no chance, Jo's cries were so frequent and so piercing that he was surprised anyone in Concord could sleep that night. Instead, he brought a chair from the study to outside Jo's room, and he attempted to rest there, resting his head back against the hard wall every now and then. Even this attempt was fruitless; he could not sit still knowing the unimaginable pain his girl was going through, without him to look after her. He had always been there with Jo throughout her life, though not at some times, he thought painfully, and he couldn't bear to hear her suffer so.

That winter night was the longest of Teddy's life. He paced the candlelit corridor time and time again, first of all wringing his hands, then holding them together to his lips, and then finally seized behind his back. At the slightest noise he looked up and hurried to the door, only to be disappointed at the lack of movement from inside the room. He started round at a particularly harsh cry, as Marmee appeared in the corridor, closing the door gently behind her, holding a basin of warm water. He hurried to her. "How is she?" He asked, his voice cracking due to lack of use.

"She's doing well, Laurie," Marmee tried to smile, but Teddy saw the glint of fear in her eyes before she could hide it.

"Marmee, something's wrong. I can tell it. Marmee, what's wrong with Jo?"

"Hush, dear." Marmee glanced down at the bowl of water. "She's going to be fine, Laurie. It's just that… the birth is going to be awkward. The doctor says it will be a… breech birth." At the confusion and shock that sprung to Laurie's face, she tried to smile again, before hurrying on. "That means the baby's coming out the wrong way round, feet first. It's not very good, obviously, but.. Laurie what are you doing!"

Teddy had strode over to the door, and was about to enter, had the lady not stopped him. "She needs me…. us." He corrected, hoping Marmee didn't hear him properly or realise his true feelings. However, whether she heard him or not Laurie did not know, for she betrayed no sign of it as she put a hand on his arm.

"Of course she does."

"What can I do?" He muttered finally, a low and husky whisper.

"Well, you could refill this basin."

The words had hardly come from her mouth before Laurie had taken the basin and was hurrying downstairs with it, a purpose releasing new energy in him.

Laurie soon came up the stairs carrying the bowl of fresh warm water and knocking on the door, handed it to Mrs March gravely, before taking his seat once again. The shouts were louder now, and he could hear low murmuring accompanying his darling's voice. He heard a quiet meow, and looked down, only to see Jo's old cat sat by his shin. Laurie gave the animal a smile. "She'll be safe, Dusty." He murmured to it, tickling it behind the ear. "She'll pull through." He said it in defiance, as if if he believed it enough, it would come true.

Teddy now began to pace the corridor once again, this time with the cat in tow, his hands over his ears to deafen the screams now issuing from the bedroom. He nearly tripped over the furry creature when in the middle of a particularly loud shout he heard the word "Teddy!" cried out. His heart stopped. Teddy. She had said Teddy. In her moment of agony she had cried out for him, not her husband. Was it possible…..

He was shaken from his thoughts when a final cry resounded through the empty house, but this time, it was not alone. Another voice joined that of Jo's, and Laurie stood stock still as a baby's crying was heard. Spinning round on his heel, he stood on the cat's tail, making it yelp and run away to cower in the closet, as he all but threw himself at the door, flinging it open without a thought.

He stood in the doorway, one hand on the handle of the door, not quite knowing what to do. The doctor came over to him, smiling, wiping his hands dry with a cloth. He gave the man a nod, before leaving them to it, going out to refresh himself in the bathroom. Still Laurie stood there, unable to move. Marmee was bent over by the figure in the bed, and slowly she too rose, and came over to him. She put a hand tenderly on his arm, giving it a little squeeze, before smiling at him. Then, she pulled her hand away, and slipped out of the room, taking the handle from Laurie as he slowly let go of it and pulling it closed behind her.

"Teddy?" Her small voice called out across the room, and she alone could have made him move at that moment, as at the sound of her voice, he walked bashfully across to her.

"I'm here, Jo. I'm always here."

"Oh, Teddy, I don't know how to –"

"You don't need to." He settled himself on the side of her bed, looking down at her exhausted form beside him. He found her hand on the coverlet and held it in his, giving it a squeeze. "You did it, Jo girl. You did it."

Jo smiled, and as if an affirmation to his words, the baby cried out, and Laurie finally looked over to the infant in the new crib by Jo's side. His lips parted as he beheld the little child; saw the tiny little fists, bunched up in frustration at something or other, the wide, innocent eyes gazing up at him. He smiled at the baby, and getting up, went round to it, looking cautiously in at it.

"Would you like to hold him?"

"It's a boy?" Teddy asked, his throat grating as he banished the tears forming in his eyes at the beauty of the baby boy.

Jo nodded, then renewed her question. "Would you like to hold him, Teddy?"

Teddy looked down, noting warily the frailness of the little child. "Oh no, I –"

"Teddy."

He never could deny her anything, he realised, as slowly and carefully, he put a hand about the baby's middle and cradled his head with the other, and raised it from the crib. He made a laughing noise as he held him up to his chest, and blinked feverishly as the baby made direct eye contact with him. They regarded each other for a moment, boy and man, before the baby evidently decided he liked him, and fluttering his eyes, went back to sleep.

Teddy held the baby against him, gasping as the boy shuffled in his arms and pressed himself closer to Laurie's chest. The baby felt so right there, as if he belonged in no other man's arms. He himself felt right there, he realised, as he looked up at Jo, sat up now, smiling at him. The baby gave a soft snore, and Jo laughed, her voice ringing out merrily, and Laurie had to join her, feeling so happy and content where he was at that moment in time, and for a moment it was not so hard to believe that this really was all his; that the woman with flushed cheeks and bright eyes was his wife, and the tiny bundle he held so dearly in his arms was his own child.

His heart clenched as he realised that. It was so real, and yet it wasn't. It could have been, had it not been for the folly of a young boy to run away and believe he could lose his heart that quickly once again. He should have realised that he couldn't; he should have realised that one doesn't recover from a love like that in one lifetime.

Slowly, he put the baby back, and then went over to Jo again. He bent over and kissed her on the forehead. "I'm so proud of you," he whispered, his voice coming out choked, and Jo suddenly felt as if she too would cry.

"Teddy, don't…"

He swept his gaze over her face, gazing into the grey eyes for some time, before he bent down once again, his lips trembling, this time to kiss her lips. Their mouths met softly and chastely, pressing against each others for a few moments, and tears mingled with tears, eyelashes fluttered against cheeks, and each hardly knew whether it was they crying or the other as Laurie held her tightly to him, wrapping his arms around her back.

Finally, he drew away, and with a final stroke to her cheek he murmured, "I'm so sorry, Jo" and then, swallowing hard, he stepped away. Jo nodded, blinked fiercely, and then looked down.

"I am as much to blame as you, Teddy. If I'd only realised when we had the chance –"

"No, don't speak of it now." He broke in, trying his best to give her a smile through his tears. "Not tonight of all nights." He gestured to the baby. "Look what you've got. A beautiful strong baby boy."

Jo nodded, fiddling with the edge of the sheet, refusing to meet his gaze for fear that she would break down into sobs.

"And we shall always have each other, Jo. Always. You will always have my heart." He smiled, taking a step towards the door. "Now, stop these tears. It's no good right now. I'll go and fetch Marmee back…"

As he went past the other side of the bed, he felt a hand whip out and seize his forearm, and he stopped, then turned back to her. Her face was close to his, and he reached out a finger to stem the path of a lone tear trickling down the swell of her cheek. "He and I wouldn't be here without you, Teddy. God knows what might have happened if you hadn't be here. I…. I shall always think of him as ours. Yours and mine."

His heart stopped, and for one moment he thought of leaving his life as it was and taking Jo away and running off with her into the distance. But then he remembered that he was no longer a young boy, but a man, with responsibilities and a wife at home to whom if he did not love as passionately as he should have, he at least cared for very deeply. He couldn't speak, and simply nodded, unwilling to trust his voice, feeling fresh tears spring to his eyes. He squeezed her hand and then took a step backwards. Finally, he tore his gaze away from hers, and turning his back, went to the door to find his mother-in-law. As he reached his hand out for the handle, he heard her.

"Thank you, Teddy."

Almost his.

But not quite.

A/N Sorry it all got a bit sad at the end, I hope you're not all too depressed! Please review to tell me what you thought even if it's just one word! I hope you liked it, and thank you for reading! Happy weekend:D