Marmee looked out the kitchen window, shaking her head as her mind kept racing at a thousand miles per hour, thinking about what she had just heard, what just happened. It wasn't like Meg to do this. Meg wasn't one to lie to her about anything in her life. Meg was always the one who would run to her if she was in need (as an ultimate resource, of course). And then, this happened. And she honestly didn't know what to do. She was mad, of course, and upset. Most mostly, she felt hurt. And useless. She wished she would have done much for her girl, so much more. She firstly thought that Meg didn't trust her enough anymore to confide such a big secret, but Mr. March quickly dismissed it, stating that that wasn't the case. She looked at her daughter sitting on the swing set in the backyard, how she slowly went back and forth in tune with the autumn wind. She saw John Brooke approaching her and kneeling down in front of her, and Meg throwing her arms around his neck and holding onto him tight. He loved her, that much was obvious. And he cared for her. And that's all Mrs. March anted for her beloved child. Still, she needed answers. And she could only get them from one person and one person only. So she gave her husband some instructions, grabbed her coat and walked out of the kitchen and to the backyard. She walked slowly, trying not to interrupt anything. She could hear her daughter and her fiancé murmuring, her soft sobs.
"...I ruined everything." She heard Meg cry.
"Don't say that, sweetheart." He said, caressing her cheek. She sobbed.
"You should have seen them, John. They looked so... hurt and... disappointed." She explained.
"Well, it's understandable. I mean, how would you feel if Rose kept a secret as big and hurtful as this one?" He asked. Meg sighed.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this. It wasn't supposed to happen like this." She said. John kissed her head and held her hands.
"I know, but it isn't your fault, ok? You did nothing wrong." He said reassuringly. He seemed to notice Marmee behind them, because he quickly got up. "How about I go and get Rose and we see what we do about dinner?" He asked. Meg just nodded and got up when she noticed her mother standing there. She looked at her for a minute, then down to the leaves under her feet.
"Meg, I..." Her mother started.
"It was awful. And I just... I wanted to forget about it. I used to relieve it in my mind over and over again, thinking I could have done differently or better. I just... I should have been more careful, I..." Meg said, her voice breaking. Her mother went and pulled her into a hug which made Meg burst into tears again. "I'm so sorry, Marmee. I'm so sorry. I just..." She cried. Mrs. March just held her baby tighter, trying to ease her pain.
"It's not your fault, baby." Marmee reassured her.
"I... I was so scared and... I... It was easier to say that it was all my fault than relieve it and... I don't think I would have been able to cope with all the questions and judgements and dad's obvious use of it as a teaching story at ch..." Meg said before her mom cut her in.
"I wouldn't have allowed him." She said. Meg pulled away, a bit shocked by her mother's reply. "I wouldn't have let him talk about it. It's nobody else's business and it would have done you much worse than it already did." Marmee continued. Meg just looked at her.
"Please, don't be mad at Jo. She was just... It wasn't her story to tell. It was mine. She was just... looking after me as she always does." Meg told her. Marmee just looked at her with tears in her eyes and smiled a bit.
"I'm sorry if you thought I would be disappointed. You... You could never disappoint me. You're my pride and joy. I can't be prouder of everything you have accomplished, Meg." She said. Meg smiled as tears ran through her cheeks. "Now, seems we have a wedding to plan!" Marmee exclaimed. Meg laughed a bit and nodded.
"Don't you think it's too soon?" Meg asked.
"Do YOU think it's too soon?" Marmee asked. Meg shook her head.
"I love him. He accepts me for who I am and has been incredibly patient with me, and incredibly great with Rose. I just... He makes me so happy, mom." Meg said.
"And you deserve it." Mrs. March said. The two women went back inside the house, ready to start with dinner.