A/N: after ending the previous chapter with a preposition I decided this one shall be longer as I try to hit the 4000 word limit. I really should be doing my major project but oh well.

Jo closed her eyes at the feel of a large hand caressing her tummy, the immense comfort of the action relieving her tension for the moment. It was always at night when her mind was wide awake but her body too tired to move that her fears and dread came to her. Laurie had somehow always known when her thoughts turned, eagerly ready to help with a soothing touch or kind words that may have lack poetry but were beautiful in their intention.

"It'll be fine Jo," the slurred speech of her sleepy husband came, his face half in her pillow. She turned to smile at him, the starlight reflecting off her teeth when he opened one eye to look at her. "That's my brave girl."

She rolled over, feeling the now familiar heat when their bodies faced each other. "Thank you, Laurie" Jo whispered, stroking his face before kissing him quickly. He really looked ready for sleep, but even through his drowsiness Laurie smiled back.

Jo continued to run her fingers through his hair, watching his breathing slow and face fall slack. When his own fingers stilled on her belly she knew he'd drifted off and she turned back to the ceiling wondering if she'd have to put their child to sleep the same way.

…

"Oh my Jo!" Beth's grin was huge and she laughed when Jo pulled into a strong hug. "A baby! Oh Jo, it's wonderful!" She took the man who was smiling fondly at the two of them by the hand, "I'm so happy for you both, Laurie. It's wonderful news." And Mr. and Mrs. March watched as their daughter caught the spark of light in her eyes she had lacked for so long.

"It seems only yesterday my little girls were playing with their dolls, and now they've grown up and have husbands and children to care for." Mr. March sighed, holding his wife a little closer than before. "You all grow too fast," said he looking a little sorry that he had missed a fair portion of that growing.

Mrs. March smiled back at him in understanding, winking at her daughters. She was proud of the women they'd become, and soon her wild Jo would share a pleasure she only dreamed Beth might some time. A child.

Jo was lead off into the house by her parents who fussed and petted while they walked. Laurie sat beside Beth whose toothy smile seemed brighter than the sunshine. He patted the legs that lay beside him and drifted off into thought as Beth turned her attention to the kitten on her lap whispering excitedly about her sister's news.

Laurie had been right in thinking Jo would be lost without her family, living close-by was one of the wisest decisions he'd made. He couldn't imagine how she would survive this addition to their life alone. Jo operated solely around family and he was glad for it, she'd make a fine mother and was an excellent wife.

He smiled to himself. Jo would be an excellent wife in his eyes no matter how she lived or near whom. He loved her, and there wasn't another soul who could convince anyone otherwise. And Laurie flattered himself that it certainly showed, at least in her shaping condition. Now that was evident love!

Laurie considered the consequences of this pregnancy. Other than be the reason for his obvious happiness and delight, this child's birth would make many starts and end many things. He was starting a family with Josephine Laurence and nothing could please him more but it meant that he had to share her. And sharing Jo was no easy task. Laurie wasn't so sure he was ready to give up his selfish need to have Jo to himself. No, now that Laurie thought on it, for his child – their child – he was quite willing to have less time spent only with Jo.

…

"Well, maybe if you didn't move about so quickly my head wouldn't spin so!" Jo was dizzy as a top and Laurie was only making matters worse by laughing at her and hastening his pace. "Argh," Jo hit him not so gently in the shoulder, "you insane boy! Put me down this instant!"

"Ha, ha, if you insist your Highness," Laurie dropped his wife onto the sofa by the window, exhaling loudly to let her know what a burden she was. All the while smiling to himself that she'd let him pick her up at all. She was still little, light Jo no matter how hard she made a fist.

"Oh by Jove, look at them," Jo pointed to her swollen ankles, more angry with them than the redness of her tightened skin seemed to be. "Well that's the last time you're ever moving me." Jo looked at Laurie sideways when his head appeared over her shoulder to inspect her complaint.

"Fine!" he smiled, "you can waddle your way back to bed yourself." Laurie laughed again when she hit him. Pushing closer to his wife, his hands snaked around her belly which had expanded with the months. Jo leaned back enjoying the comfortable embrace, a rare moment where her body didn't complain or strike up a fit of restlessness.

Jo looked out the window, imagining the baby she held inside her grow into some big, healthy girl or boy and dancing amongst the trees. Oh, if only that would come sooner rather than later. But Laurie's doting would be plenty for now.

"I love you Mr. Laurence." Laurie looked down at her in mild surprise, it wasn't often she'd declare that particular sentiment and it made the admission all the sweeter. He kissed her dark head, "You know I love you too, Jo."