I can't believe it took me 10 chapters to be back in Concord! haha. From the start that was the idea, but it took longer than expected.

Enjoy!

A couple of months after Laurie went to London to work with his grandfather, he sat in his office arranging documents. He was almost done for the day when he started looking for a pen and opened a drawer with a note on top.

Laurie,

I'm going back home next week. I would really appreciate it if you don't mention anything to my family.

Please .

Amy March

Laurie looked at the note longer than he should. It arrived a couple of weeks after he left Vevay. He couldn't move, feeling as if an ice bucket was dropped on him. Amy really was putting an end to their relationship, to their friendship. She wrote the note as neutral as possible, no more "Dear Laurie" or "Yours, Amy". Compared to her past letters this one was cold, gone where the joyous retells of her adventures in Nice. She couldn't blame her, yet it hurt. He told himself that he was fine and that there would be time to fix that. But first, he needed to figure out how he was going to make a living. It wasn't enough that he was going to inherit, he had to learn the business. He couldn't throw away the note, so he put it on the drawer.

He continued checking the documents that needed to be sent as soon as possible. His grandfather stayed in the entrance of the room, watching his grandson attentively. He looked at him with pride but also with concern. He was doing a fine job on the business, better than he expected. He stopped drinking and partying, he was responsible and polite. Yet, he seemed melancholic. Mr. Laurence feared he had made his grandson a miserable being, insisting on putting him in a face with papers he didn't care about. Yes, he wanted Laurie to release him and take charge of the business, but he also wanted him to be happy. So far, he didn't appear so.

"Are you alright?"

"Sure." He answered, not convincingly. "I'm almost done."

"I wasn't talking about work." He said, sitting on a chair. "I do care about how you feel, you know?"

"I'm sorry. I know you do." Laurie said, raising his head to look at his grandfather and then went back to the papers. But he didn't respond to his question.

"Son, I need you, to be honest with me." Mr. Laurence began attracting Laurie's attention once more. "Do you like this job? Are you happy?" Laurie reacted surprised and quite incapable of forming complete words, which only increased the old man's concerns. "You don't seem like you are."

"I am, honestly, Grandfather. I know it may seem strange, after all the nonsense I did last year. But believe that I am. It feels good to do something productive and earn one's living."

"Then what's going on?"

"I just can't make anything right."

"You're doing a fine job here. Truly, the people at the office are very pleased with your performance."

"It's not the job. Though it's nice to know I'm good at it, thank you…" Laurie debated whether he should tell the truth to his grandfather or remain quiet. After all, Amy only said he couldn't tell her family, although the lines were blurred in that regard. But he also needed to speak with someone about this. "You once told me that you'd be happy if I marry one of the March girls." Mr. Laurence nodded, suspecting that his melancholy had to do with Jo. "I know you were thinking about Jo at the moment. And so did I. Maybe we were both wrong." Mr. Laurence frowned at the question, but let him continue. "I spent a lot of time with Amy. She became an amazing woman."

"So I have heard."

"I… I felt something, a lot actually."

"Does she know?"

"Yes,"

"Is this why she rejected Fred Vaughn?"

"No," Laurie shook his head. "She tried to love him, but she couldn't. She was ready to marry him though, for her family's sake. "

"She always put reason before anything. That girl, I remember since she was a child, she looked so determined in what she wanted." Mr. Laurence remembered the time the 14 years old girl knocked on his door to ask for a book, an anatomy book.

"I only want it to study proportions. Mrs. Brown says that women are not allowed to study male anatomy because it's immoral and may pervert us. But I promise it won't do such a thing for me. I only want to do some sketches of it and be better at my works." Mr. Laurence looked at her with his brow raised, trying to argue against the child's petition. He couldn't but admire the boldness and determination of a young girl.

"And your mother agrees with you?" He asked.

"She agrees it's unfair," Amy said.

"Out of all of the women in this town, I know you would never let anyone vice your beliefs, nor would you behave un lady-like. Alright, then. You can come when your sister comes to play and you can study. But you have to tell your mother." She thanked him enthusiastically and kept her word.

"Well, I'm not surprised she didn't go along with it in the end. She's still a March daughter." He asked looking at his grandson who kept his head down, thoughtful. "Besides, I kind of figured it out." The old man confessed looking at Laurie's amazed expression. "I knew there was something more than just the weather of Nice that made you stay there. Why else do you think I let you go to Vevay? I just want you to be happy and have a family with a good woman. I stand by my thoughts. I have no doubt you'd get all your happiness with a March girl on your side. And Amy seems perfect for you. Did she reject you?" Mr. Laurence asked. He was very worried, he didn't want Laurie to be heartbroken again. "Does she have someone else in mind? She always attracted suitors."

"Not really. I… She didn't precisely refuse me...not like Jo. Jo didn't love me, and now I understand that she was right. I'm not even sure why I thought I loved her. I mean, I do, she's my best friend and she will be forever. Maybe I was too quick in labeling my feelings for her. It sounded logical at the time."

"And this doesn't?"

"I tried so hard to become someone Jo would want to marry, it didn't matter if I had to give up important things to me or how many times she left clear marriage was not for her," Laurie said, bringing his hand to his hair, incredulous of how immature he was then. "I loved Jo, and she couldn't. Amy can, she does." Laurie confessed, widening his grandfather's eyes. "She thinks I'm only doing it to settle. She looked very hurt by it."

"And are you? Settling? Because if you are, I'd be the first one to stop you. Amy deserves a man who loves her and only her. And it will speak worse about you than anything you've ever done."

"I know I've done very disgraceful things, but I would never do something like that. It hurts that people think me capable of doing something as despicable as that."

Mr. Laurence apologized and said, "She won't marry anyone she doesn't love, right? Then give her time, give yourself time to reflect, and be sure of the life you truly want. If Amy is part of it, then show it to her."

Amy arrived in Concord in the last week of September. To her surprise, the town looked almost the same. She didn't know exactly what she expected to change. She was glad things looked alright. Europe had been amazing, but she missed this, the familiarity of the small town. She was able to afford service for her luggage, thanks to the money she saved. But first, she needed to make a stop, before reaching Orchard.

She approached the little cottage and knocked. A tall man opened and opened his mouth astonished.

"Hello, I'm looking for Meg March." She winked at her brother-in-law, who smiled kindly.

"John, who is it?" They could hear Meg walking to the door. John stepped aside to let the sisters see each other. "Oh My God!" She rushed to hug her little sister.

"Oh, I missed you so much!" Amy said, almost crying and still in the hug.

"We missed you too, sweety." Now both sisters were crying. "Oh, but look at you. You look gorgeous! These clothes!" Meg said touching her dress.

"Thank Aunt March for that."

"Come in! The kids are in the back playing." They all went in to meet the little rugrats.

"Kids, Aunt Amy is here," Meg announced. The little kids approached and looked at her. The last time Amy saw them they were babies. She wasn't expecting them to remember her. "Remember that we told them she was coming back." Daisy looked at Amy, she didn't remember her but she looked so pretty and elegant that the girl couldn't take her eyes off her.

"Hi," Amy said sweetly and the pair of kids became comfortable with her around and went to play again.

"They just need time," Meg said.

"It's alright, I know I left for almost two years. They're so big," They went to talk in the kitchen.

"You should have told us. John would have gone to pick you up."

"I wanted to surprise you."

"Well, you certainly did! Oh, Amy," Meg couldn't believe this was her baby sister. She looked like a woman of the world now. And still, she could see she was the same person, only more mature. "Did you tell anyone back at home?"

"No, they also have a surprise."

As expected, the family in Orchard gave a reception as warm as Meg's. Just like her sister, they were impressed with the physical changes. They wanted to know everything, the places, the people she met, everything she did. She was surprised to find Beth in bed. Finally, the family confessed about her illness. Part of Amy was resentful at them for not telling her the truth. But then her sweet Beth told her she wanted her to enjoy Europe and she couldn't be angry with her.

"God heard my prayers," she told Beth.

"I'm sure He did." Everyone could see how much Beth's mood improved by the return of her sister.

And then there was Jo. When Amy came into Beth's room, she was there. She hugged her sincerely and everything, but Amy knew there was still something there. She knew Jo was bitter when Aunt Carrol chose her over Jo. She knew Jo cried and wished she could have gone. She didn't expect Jo to be over it so easily. In the end, who else is going to gift her a trip to Europe? She supposed she would be angry too.

"Wow, you've grown!" Jo said. She never cared for fashion or proper dressing, but even she had to admit Amy looked refined.

"It's been two years," Amy said.

"Thank God, you're here. Beth struggled a lot this year. I keep telling her we needed to tell you, but she refused."

"I'm sorry."

"You're here now, and she's getting much better. That's all that matters now."

Meg went with her, so they had a nice dinner. How much she had missed Hannah's cooking! The family laughed and enjoyed being together again.

"Did you get a chance to see a lot of paintings?"

"Yes! It's so beautiful."

"What about the classes, are you going to be a painter?" Jo asked.

"I don't think so." Everyone frowned at that. "I had time to think on the way back. I'll ask Mr. Brown if I could have his waiting list. I got enough training to introduce kids to art."

She managed to avoid the topic of marriage. She just never mentioned anyone and her family understood it wasn't a good moment to talk about that. But when the euphoria of her returning faded, tensions with Jo erupted again a few days later.

"We thought you'd get back married."

"I never said I would."

"Mother said you wrote about Fred..."

"I wrote about a lot of people."

"Yes, but I thought..."

"You thought I'd marry rich to live in luxury for the rest of my days. Yes, I remember," Amy said, echoing Jo's words before she left for Europe.

"Sorry. Marmee said..."

"I know. He did propose, but I said no."

"Why? He's everything you ever wanted."

"How is it you always seem to know exactly what I want!" Amy replied annoyed. "I didn't love him, ok?" She said after a deep breath and in a calmer tone.

"How much do you think you'll get from teaching?"

"I don't know... enough to live and help with a few things here. Depends on how many students I can get," Jo looked worried too. "Listen, I know it's not what you expected, but between your writing and my classes, we might be able to do better here."

"I'm not writing anymore," Jo stood up.

"What?!"

"I'm not writing anymore, okay?"

"Why?!"

"Because I'm not good enough!"

"But I thought you were selling alright. Marmee said you were writing for a paper."

"I was, but..."

"I read a few of your stories abroad, you know?"

"You did?"

"Yeah, I have a whole sketchbook filled with images of your stories. People like them."

"Not everyone," Jo sat down again, frustrated. "Professor Bhaer is right, my writing is vulgar and common."

"Professor Bhaer? The one Marmee talked about?"

"I let him read a few of my stories and he made comments. He hated them."

"Does he know that you write them to get money for us?"

"Yes."

"Well, then screw him!"

"Amy!" Jo reacted. She never expected her sister to talk like that. "He's a very smart man, much more intelligent than I."

"If he can't understand that you have to do it, then he's not worth it. I'm so sick of men judging us for doing the best we can. You didn't start writing like this, the editors made you do it. Male editors."

"I know. But he's right, my writing is vulgar. It's even started to affect the way I think. I didn't even sign with my name because I knew Marmee and Father would be disappointed. I knew what I was doing."

"So now what?"

"I'll figure something out."

In the meantime, Amy went back to see Aunt March. The old lady received her gladly. She took a good look at her and was satisfied. The only thing she was missing was a husband. Amy explained to her what happened with Fred and she didn't receive any reproach. She also told her about her plans for teaching. Aunt March looked at her and allowed her to be her companion again. Of course, it entailed money, but also more responsibilities. Now that she was a grown-up woman, she could trust her with other social issues.

Amy thought it was going to be like before. But one day, she came to Plumfield and found Aunt March sleeping in the library. She greeted her but the lady didn't move. At first, Amy thought it was normal, she tried moving books to wake her up, but she didn't achieve it.

"Aunt March?" Amy said worryingly, walking towards her. She moved the old lady, but she was barely breathing. "Estelle!"

"Is she going to be okay?"Amy asked as the doctor finished examining Aunt March. Mr. March came and accompanied Amy.

"The infection never really left. Now that temperature is decreasing it will get worse. She needs bed rest and medicine."

"Thank you." Mr. March accompanied the doctor out. Amy stayed with her aunt.

Amy didn't begin unpacking her luggage when she decided to move again. She knew Aunt March had caught the flu, but she thought it was in the past. The doctor's words frightened her. She spoke with her parents about moving to Plumfield to take care of her.

"You just came back!" Jo said annoyed as Amy packed some of the things she used during those days. "Beth is still frail, you know?"

"Yes, I know, Jo." Amy turned to her angrily. "I don't need you to remind me!"

"You don't have to keep trying to gain Aunt March's favors. She already took you to Europe"

"I'm not trying anything, Jo." Amy defended herself. "Aunt March has done so much for me. The least I can do is take care of her while she's sick. And unlike you, I actually like being around her. She might not be the loveliest relative we have, but she cares a lot. Beth is getting better, Aunt March is getting worse. We can't let Estelle do all on her own," she continued as she sat next to Beth. "I'll come to see you every day." She kissed her sister's head. Beth smiled at Amy. The two sisters shared a hug.

"I hope Aunt March gets better quickly. So we can have you here again." Sweet Beth added.

"Hopefully it will be so," Marmee said entering the girls' room. Amy walked to her. "Keep us informed on Aunt March's progress. Take care, sweetheart" She continued, hugging Amy.

"I will. I'll be managing Aunt March's affairs from now on. I will serve me well." And so Amy left Orchard house and went to Plumfield. Estelle cleaned her old room for her. It felt familiar though the last time she slept there was when she was just 12 years old. How many things have changed! She made her way to the attic and found all the stuff she used to play with. All the dresses and the jewels that made her feel like a fancy lady. She still wasn't rich, but she had definitely improved. Surely, she didn't get impressed by those luxuries so easily anymore. Walking around she opened the old closet. She smiled upon seeing her old little chapel, all for herself. Estelle had cleaned it too. She put the rosary back on its place and returned after dinner to pray and thank God for the health of her sister. And she also prayed for some peace of mind. She had a long way ahead to earn a living and she had to be brave.

Notes:

Laurie is going to be a little absent in the following chapters. Not entirely, but Amy's story will be more prominent for a while.

What do you think? I'm curious to know what you think.