The new part-time headmistress of Plumfield was a plump, middle-aged spinster who wanted to be called Miss Sadie. She was very maternal but also had a no-nonsense attitude which the students quickly learned not to cross.
"She's a real godsend," Jo said to Laurie one evening soon after Miss Sadie had arrived.
"I'm just glad that you have more time to relax and take care of yourself now," Laurie replied.
Jo's pregnancy was progressing smoothly so far. After a few weeks, the nausea and squeamishness passed, and her appetite returned with a vengeance.
"You're supposed to be eating for two, not for a whole army," Laurie teased her. She nudged him hard in the side with her elbow, and he laughed.
Bess got used to the idea of her father and Aunt Jo expecting a baby and even got excited about it.
"Why is Mama getting so fat?" little Rob asked her one day.
"Because she's got a baby growing inside her," Bess told him. "As the baby gets bigger, it takes up more space, so your Mama's tummy gets larger."
"I want to take it out and play with it," said Rob.
"It's not ready to come out yet," said Bess.
Rob's eyes grew round. "You mean Mama's belly is gonna get even bigger?"
Bess nodded.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" asked Rob.
"We won't know until it's born," Bess told him.
"I want another boy, like me and Teddy," said Rob.
"Why? You've already got one brother now. You don't have a sister yet."
"But I thought you were my sister now."
"I'm still your cousin." Bess laughed. "But if you want to think of me as your sister, that's fine. And you know what? The new baby is going to be my brother or sister too, as well as yours."
Rob looked perplexed. Bess laughed and ruffled his hair.
Thanksgiving came and went, and Christmas was quickly approaching. Jo wanted to get Laurie something special for their first Christmas together. She spent many hours searching all the shops in town for just the right present and finally decided upon a solid gold watch fob. Shopping for Bess was a real dilemma. She wanted to get the girl something nice, yet she didn't want it to appear as if she were trying to buy the girl's love. Finally she found a book on drawing techniques that had been written by an artist she knew Bess admired. For Rob she got a model train set, and for Teddy she got a wooden rocking horse.
Christmas morning dawned bright and crisp but cold. Rob and Teddy burst into Laurie and Jo's bedroom, pouncing on the bed and awakening the sleeping couple.
"Wake up, Mama! Wake up, Uncle Laurie!" they shouted excitedly.
"How about a nice group hug first," Laurie suggested. He cuddled Jo tightly, and she in turn cuddled both her sons.
"Now, let's go see what Santa brought," Laurie continued, following the two little boys into the living room.
Teddy spotted his rocking horse and eagerly climbed onto it. Rob found his train set and beamed happily.
Jo cooked pancakes for breakfast, and later in the morning, Laurie, Jo, and Bess opened their presents. Laurie was thrilled with the gold watch fob.
"It's just what I wanted, Aunt Jo! How did you know?" Bess exclaimed when she saw the book Jo had bought her.
"Close your eyes," Laurie told Jo. Jo did so, and felt Laurie fastening something behind her neck.
"Now open them," Laurie instructed. Jo gasped with delight when she found that he'd given her a beautiful gold locket.
"Open it," Laurie said eagerly. She did so, and inside she found a photo of herself and Laurie.
"Merry Christmas, darling," said Laurie. "I love you." Tenderly he kissed her lips.
"I love you, too," Jo murmured.
Later that day, there was a knock on the door. Dan stood there holding a wrapped present and shifting nervously from one foot to the other.
"Merry Christmas, everybody," he said, a bit shyly.
"Merry Christmas, Dan," said Jo. "Come on inside and get warm."
Dan entered the house and went to stand by the fireplace. "This is for you, Bess," he said, handing Bess the present he'd brought.
Bess opened the small box and found a pearl necklace with matching earrings.
"Oh, Dan, it's beautiful!" She grinned as she stood and hugged Dan's neck. "Thank you!"
"I'm so glad you like it," said Dan, blushing.
"Why don't you stay and have dessert with us," invited Jo.
"Thank you," said Dan. He stayed for a couple of hours, then returned to Plumfield.
Later that evening, Jo and Laurie cuddled beside the fireplace after Rob and Teddy had gone to bed.
"Just think, this time next year, we'll have a little baby to hold," Laurie said, gently rubbing his hand over Jo's slightly rounded belly.
"I hope the baby looks like you," said Jo.
"No matter what it looks like, I'll love it, because it'll come from you," Laurie replied.
"Oh, Teddy, you're so sweet!" Jo sighed, turning to kiss him.