Christmas

Again I do not own Little house.

Set in Almanzo Comes home. Just fluff, and more fluff.

Laura sat in a daze, as she stared out the window. Was this love? She thought to herself and looked down at her hand the ring it sparkled in the lamp light. Smiling how Almanzo always said her hand was prettier then the ring. It was so small and delicate, when it was entwined with his during their buggy rides.

She never expected it to end this way. He was ten years older then her, she wasn't even sure she even liked in him in the beginning. She guessed it happened gradually, so slowly she never realized that it stopped being about his beautiful horses to being about Almanzo.

How his black hair always hidden by his cap, the way he smiled when she got safely into the buggy. How he found it amusing she frightened Nellie on purpose, by letting the lap robe flutter in the wind that one afternoon. That day he learned Laura was not to be trifled with.

"I'm glad he came back" Laura said to herself. She thought of their last kiss it was so sweet, and when he teased her that she couldn't thank a fellow better then, it's beautiful and thank you. The memory left a goofy smile on her face. She was so shocked when he surprised her, she could barely speak to anyone let alone him.

Laura looked out the window once more, before standing and extinguishing the lamp. Then headed to sleep.

Laura was out in the barn the next morning. Brushing Lady a task she had grown a to enjoy and savored. She was so in tune with the task, she didn't hear the barn door open.

"Now this is a site I wish never forget." Laura turned at the familiar voice.

"Soon you won't have to." She reminded him. "One more term of teaching and then it's for better or for, and it better be for the better." she teased him.

Almanzo chuckled. "Oh it will be, and you'll be frying my breakfast in the morning." He stepped closer too her. "No little sisters to jump out at us?"

"No were safe." Laura laughed. "Though Pa might."

"Then I better take my chance right now." Almanzo said drawing her closer and kissed her gently.

"Is Prince still outside." She asked blushing.

"I'll go get him." Almanzo said nodding going back outside and bringing Prince back with him and situated him next to his mate. Then he took Laura's hand and they walked back to the warm house.

"You're wearing the muffler!" she said looking at the dark green.

"Of course." Almanzo smiled at it. " It's been year since last year can you believe it." Then he changed the subject. "I even scolded Royal for trying to borrow it once. He asked why I got in a tiff about it and then realized mother hadn't made it and you had." Almanzo told her as he hung it up over his coat.

"Good afternoon Mrs. Ingalls," He greeted Laura's Ma and then added "Carrie, Grace."

"Good afternoon Almanzo." Ma told Almanzo. "Would you like a cup of coffee? I see that you found Laura in the barn." She smiled.

"Coffee would be great, thank you." Almanzo said smiling, as he watched Laura be a busy body around the kitchen checking pots and ovens. Even in a plain calico work dress she was beautiful to him.

"Wilder!" Laura watched her Pa greet Almanzo. She placed a second cup of coffee for her Pa on the table for him.

"Thanks Half-Pint." Pa told her.

The afternoon went by joyously. Grace made up her mind to share her doll with Almanzo. After complimenting the women's cooking over and over again. It was around eight at night when Almanzo took his leave. Laura followed him to the barn with the lantern, and watched him get Prince ready for the sleigh.

She watched him as she leaned against a beam. Once he finished she saw him come closer, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Your too good." She told him. "I love you, and have a drive safe."

"Now don't go worrying." Almanzo chuckled. "I love you too."

They kissed for a few moments before separating. She saw him walk to the door with Prince. Then he turned with a smile and she gave him a puzzled look.

"I'm glad I came back to." He told her grinned and walked out of the barn into the night.

Laura smiled and watched him leave and went back inside.

"Are you okay Laura, you seemed flushed?" Ma asked her.

"I'm fine Ma." Laura said. "We're just have mutual feeling about separation." With that she turned to kitchen to wash up some dishes left over.

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SCB