Epilogue: Plumfield Paradise

"Isn't that as it always should be? A perfect paradise and castle in the air?" asked Flo her friend Grace, when both were sitting on the fence of Plumfield. Plumfield had been improved and by the guide of its owners. It was a beautiful day of fall and the gardens were full of fruit trees, plums, apples and colored leaves. It was a very special occasion, as Beth March was marrying her boyfriend Frank Vaughn - it was an autumn based wedding. It was fitting to the young couple as much as the winter wonderland wedding around Christmas had fitted to Jo and Ferdie. Soon Beth and Frank, who had finished their studies and were running a veterinary surgery together, would enter with Arietta. Flo could picture Beth in her white, flowing dress and her marigolds in her red bun. Flo and Grace were dressed with sunny yellow dresses. Flo was still a dancer in her heart and her copper hair was glowing in the evening sun.

Plumfield was the home for the Brookes, the Bhaers, and the Laurences. The once March sisters were popping in and out to their college. Yet, Jo used still the attic of the Orchard House to get inspirations for her books and mostly, the big entrance hall was an exhibition of Amy's works. There was also a big telescope and sometimes Amy hold some lectures about the stars. And a lot of children were seen at Plumfield, not only students. Meg's children, Jack and Peggy, both now 5 years old, were prancing with the fruit baskets. Peggy waved to Flo and said: "I want to do something special someday, as my mother and my aunts. And I'm getting soon a little sister!"

Flo laughed and blew a kiss to the little girl. It was true, as Meg was pregnant again and the daughter would be called Josie, in honour of Jo. (But Amy said it was because of Megs favorite movie "Never been kissed").

Jo was reading a book with Ferdie, while Jo's boys, the twins Teddy and Robbie were riding on the shoulders of Ferdie's nephews Franz and Emil – a pleasant view. Flo had suggested for the next boys Charles (Charlie) and William Arthur Phillip (Willie).

Amy was drawing together with her little daughter Stella Elizabeth. Stella (Latin for star) was also named after her godmother. Beth cried, when Amy claimed that it was the stars and Beth who brought Amy and Laurie together. Beth herself had suggested Melody, but was overvoted. The little girl was actually like her father and tortured Amy with her love for music. A love by birth. Amy still stated that Stella didn't share this passion and would cry, whenever her aunt and father burst into music. Amy said that she would introduce Stella as soon as possible into art – as Faber pencils weren't as noisy as instruments.

"Everything is so full of happiness" said Flo.

"I think I should date this famous soccer player." Grace said and brushed through her short hair.

Flo smiled and patted on Annie Pavlova, her cat, who was relaxing next to her.

"Hi, my princesses, are you ready?" someone called.

A young man with blond hair and green-blue eyes was standing at the fence. He looked...awesome. And he had a parcel in his hands.

"Who are you?" Flo asked and giggled.

"My name is Fred, but I've heard that my brother is marrying a beautiful March girl here."

"Amy is a Laurence now. She never wanted to be an old, lonely lady like Aunt March in her life." Flo replied with a mischievous smile, but Grace whispered to her: "Stop teasing my brother."

"My sweet Flo, you know I mean Frank and Beth! Do you think they'll love our wedding present?" Fred said and embraced Flo. He kissed her on the forehead, neck and mouth.

"Well, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov and Adam are good ballet composers, so they'll probably like the CDs." Flo smiled and enjoyed the kisses. A pity, that Kate was pregnant and couldn't come to the wedding. But it was better without her prim future sister-in-law.

He remarked sheepishly. "I don't know if I'm invited. Laurie, Amy and Jo won't like to see me again, probably."

"Of course, you may join us!" Flo said. She hummed the Star Lake theme „You are so far away, away, away, behind the galaxy./You are so far, endless far away, away, away, behind the milky way" and remembered the scene, when she met Fred at the Royal Opera House some years ago again. He had introduced himself on a very touching way. He gave her later on one of their dates the rare ballet DVD of "La fille du pharaon" with Svetlana Zakharova and Sergey Filin. As excuse for that he had not been to Egypt and got not lost in a pyramid. And that was good – because otherwise there wouldn't be an on-off-relationship with Fred and they wouldn't be engaged now.

"Don't get lured. You should have warned them. Amy will be mad." Grace hissed.

"It won't take long." Flo answered and hopped from the fence to open the door for Fred.

The end

So, this is the ending and I hope you have enjoyed it! It's basically a tribute to my favorite classic of all time, and a lot of my favorite books (including Geek Girl and the Penderwicks), and movies (especially Monte Carlo).

I won't write now for quite a time because there is so much work to do! So, don't exspect much in the close future from now…

(Beth's diary is still with Jo/Laurie, and I'm glad that the modern line with Amy/Laurie did find great readers. Thank you!)