Sooner than anyone expected, Amy was off to Europe. The journey would take just about a little under a week and Aunt March was adamant that they be in France by the New Year so as not to miss the festivities.
Amy would find herself celebrating the actual Christmas holiday on a ship, so the March family fashioned together an early gathering so the young girl wouldn't miss out on exchanging gifts with her loved ones. The plan was that only Amy's gifts would be passed around and anything she got for others would also be opened. Everything else would wait until the twenty-fifth.
Jo harrumphed as Amy sped past her into the dining room, knocking the older girl off kilter in her rush to finish last minute packing.
"Amy, you don't set sail for another two days- calm down!" Jo admonished.
"I can't hear you, la la la!" the young blonde sang as she bound up the stairs toward her room where her many trunks were situated.
Jo rolled her eyes and continued setting the table for an early dinner. The March family always ate their Christmas meal in the early afternoon to leave the remainder of the day for lazing about and enjoying gifts and each others company. Today would be no different.
Beth quietly tidied the space, helping fold napkins and discretely fixing where Jo had accidentally misplaced the forks.
Noticing the guffaw, Jo blushed.
"Thank you my dear."
"You're welcome" Beth beamed.
Laurie emerged from the kitchen, nibbling on a cookie Hannah had offered him to tide over the boy's seemingly ever-healthy appetite.
He walked over to where Jo had her head bowed, concentrating on straightening the plates just-so and bent, gently pressing his lips to the girls' temple in an effortless gesture- a tender moment only Beth was privy to.
Jo nuzzled her head against under his chin, chuckling as she pulled back.
"Hello" she whispered.
"Hello" Laurie grinned.
"What can I help with?" he asked, his brow furrowing as he surveyed the mostly set table.
"I believe we're almost done, right Beth?"
The quiet girl nodded her head in agreement.
"Well if that's the case then I shall take a moment to relax" Laurie announced, sitting down in a plush chair wedged in the corner, stretching his long limbs and putting his hands behind his head. He hadn't helped with preparing a single dish.
She shook her head at his antics- the boy could be so very dramatic at times without even noticing.
Hannah bustled out of the kitchen, a warm glass of milk in hand. Walking over to Laurie, the boy absolutely preened at the familial attention- something he was naturally starved for given his upbringing.
"Why does Laurie get milk and cookies while us girls work?" Jo huffed.
"Laurie is our guest, Jo" Hannah reasoned.
"He's practically part of the family" Jo countered.
Sighing, Hannah gently pat Laurie on his head fondly and made her way back into the kitchen to finish off the simmering food.
Amy ran down the stairs once again, her sights set on a wool coat hanging in the front room that she wanted to make sure made it into one of her pieces of luggage.
"What's the rush?" Laurie asked, moving his legs out of the way just in time for the girl to not trip over them.
"I still have so much to do!" Amy fretted, her voice sounding slightly unhinged.
"Haven't you been packing the better half of the week? You're still not done?" the boy asked.
Jo and Beth looked up simultaneously, knowing that the boy was treading into sensitive territory. Amy and her wardrobe were not to be fussed with. The girl loved clothes and often made a huge parade of preparing for each day, no matter how plain the outfit. She painstakingly put forth extra effort to look the part of a young lady in training.
"I'll have you know each day I'm expected to change no less than three times- what, with morning lessons and recreation, tea, then dinnertime?! I can't possibly wear the same thing and it'd be the worst thing ever to be caught repeating an outfit. The Parisians are known for their keen sense of style and I must do my best to blend in with the locals."
Laurie went to speak, however Amy had other plans and held up her hand- not yet done with her tirade.
The girl listed off all the various required activities and functions that would be mandatory to attend. She lifted her hand and easily rattled off five events one by one on each of her fingers, punctuating that the highest of society would be in attendance, thus further conveying the importance behind a flawless wardrobe.
"So don't you nag me that 'I'm not done'" the girl mimicked Laurie's voice, quickly grabbing the coat she'd come downstairs to retrieve in the first place and strutted back up the staircase.
Laurie blinked.
"I only meant-"
"Ignore her. Amy takes her clothing choices quite serious" Jo offered.
"You did nothing wrong" she further placated.
The boy slumped down in his chair, a look that was a cross of bewilderment and exhaustion gracing his lovely features.
Soon enough dinner was served and the family gathered round the table, Laurie rounding out the last of the chairs pulled up to the table.
Looking across the way Laurie tried for a smile in Amy's direction and the girl frowned greatly and puffed out her chest, looking away from his gaze.
"So much for making nice…" Laurie whispered to Jo who was sat to his left.
Before Jo could snicker, Marmee delightfully clapped her hands together.
"Oh Laurie, thank you for volunteering for saying grace!" she praised, mistaking his hushed words as willingness to lead the prayer.
Laurie gulped.
"But I wasn't-"
Jo kicked at his ankle under the table, causing the boy to sit upright and look over at her in shock.
Amy grinned smugly. Pleased that he was put on the spot.
"Yes Laurie, it's so very nice of you to volunteer" the blonde practically gloated.
Sighing, the boy took to bowing his head and began to recite the Lord's Prayer adding in some anecdotes about his good fortune to have met the March family and wishing Amy well on her journey.
After dinner everyone gathered round to open gifts with Amy. The girl was absolutely thrilled with the extra attention, gushing about each new trinket she received.
Her rift with Laurie was immediately smoothed over when Amy opened his present, gasping in shock at the gold locket nestled in the black velvet box.
"Oh Laurie, it's positively stunning!"
"I'd hoped you'd like it. Open it. There's something else inside."
Amy opened the locket and squealed in delight.
Everyone patiently waited for the girl to get her bearings as her mouth opened and closed several times.
"It's our home and a photo of Marmee and Father! Laurie, however did you do this? It's absolutely perfect!" she shouted.
Before the boy could answer, he found his arms full of blue silk and blonde curly locks.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Amy recited, bouncing excitedly in his arms.
Chuckling, Laurie hugged the girl back and patted her shoulders.
"You're no longer cross with me?" he teased.
"Not at all, this is exquisite! It must have cost a fortune" she mused while quickly fastening the necklace round her neck.
Jo made a face.
"Amy…" Marmee warned.
Beth bit at her lip.
"What?" the young girl asked innocently.
"It's quite rude to talk about money in such a way, especially when you've just been given such a thoughtful gift" Marmee tutted. "Now what do we say?" she continued.
Sighing, the girl slightly rolled her eyes.,
"I'm sorry Laurie. I love the necklace very much. Thank you." she said sweetly, batting her eyelashes for good measure so as to make her mother happy.
Ignoring her crassness, Jo leaned forward to hand off her gift to Amy, a slight hint of red high on her cheeks that made Laurie look at the girl curiously wondering what could have her feeling bashful.
"From me" was all she said.
"Thank you, Jo" Amy smiled while tearing into the gift.
"Amy, there was a card!" Beth exclaimed.
In her haste the girl had entirely looked over the small handwritten note affixed to the brightly wrapped paper.
She began to read silently.
Amy,
I love you very much. Your presence will be sorely missed round these parts. I may not tell you this enough and for that I am sorry, however I am fiercely proud of the young woman you are becoming.
Amy looked up sharply, her blue eyes immediately connecting with Jo's hazel orbs. Tears began to form, blurring her vision a little. She read further.
Aunt March was right to have you accompany her. Shine bright in Europe. Show those Parisians why your last name is March. I'm sure you'll have no trouble dazzling everyone with your lively spirit. Go forth my dear, and know that your older sister is at home cheering you along every step of the way. Be brave. Be safe. Be brilliant.
Love,
Jo
By the end of the letter Amy had silent tears streaming down her face. The girl sniffled and engulfed her sister in a strong hug.
Jo squeezed back with equal vigor.
"I meant every word" she whispered lowly to the girl so only Amy could hear.
A small sob escaped the blonde as she nodded her head in understanding and deep thanks.
Marmee looked on fondly. Her two girls often squabbled, but the scene before her was what she knew first and foremost- they were forever sisters through and through.
Holding the embrace just a few more precious moments, Amy relented and focused back on the gift she'd forgotten about in her emotional state.
Lifting the book, a few more tears escaped. It was perfect and so very Jo. In her hands she held a good size journal, bound in the softest feeling navy blue fabric. Running her hands over it, her face brightened considerably when she turned the book around, finding her initials printed in bold gold letters, matching the shining gilded pages.
She opened the book to glance inside at the pristine white pages and a small scribbling at the corner of the cover caught her eye.
Forever and always, eternally, my sister. - J.M.
Now openly crying, the girl brought the journal up to her chest, taking in the impact of Jo's sweet words.
"Jo, I-" her voice broke, unable to continue.
She rushed forward once more, letting her gratitude show in the form of a hug.
"There, there.. you still have more presents to open" Jo lightly laughed, hoping to break up the intimate moment, slightly uncomfortable with the eyes she felt watching her.
Nodding, Amy kissed the top of Jo's head as she pulled back and wiped her face with her hand.
"Well now, that must have been a hell of a gift" Father's voice boomed.
The room dissolved into laughter at the outburst. Marmee wiped gently at her cheeks, drying her own tears.
Beth grinned, handing off her gift to her older sister.
"Here you are, Amy."
Amy opened the pink parcel and once again broke down into silent tears. In her hands she held the most beautiful pair of silk ballet slippers. They were a pale shade of pink embroidered with turquoise fleur de lis at the toes. The soles painted a matching shade of turquoise. Amy had been admiring a pair of similar shoes her friend Annabeth owned, grumbling about it not being fair that she didn't have enough allowance to buy a pair for herself. These handmade shoes were even more stunning than the ones her friend sported. She couldn't wait to wear them to tea. She was touched that Beth had paid attention to the details and her desire to own shoes such as these.
Amy tumbled into the already open arms of Beth, whispering sweet words to her younger sister.
"I don't think I can take anymore tears- each gift is so amazing!" Amy joked upon releasing her sister.
"Just one more, my love" Marmee warmly offered.
Opening the silver box, Amy's eyebrows knit together for a moment, not understanding exactly what she was looking at.
"Go on and open it" Marmee encouraged.
Lifting up the white silk, Amy grinned wildly. In her hands she held up a pillowcase, her initials and birth date embroidered in pink in the center.
"So you'll always remember who you are as you lay your head down to sleep, my dear."
Amy's bottom lip trembled and she flew into her mother's lap, head burrowing into her chest.
"I'll never forget where I come from. Not ever" Amy promised.
Peaking up shyly, Amy looked round the room at all the smiling faces.
"Thank you all so very much for the beautiful presents- I know not how to repay you."
"Just make us proud, Amy. We know you will" Father gently stated.
At that moment, Hannah walked into the room, her arms full with a platter of various pastries.
"Dessert, everyone!" her singsong voice filtered into the room.
Everyone began to rise from their respective seats.
Laurie pulled at Jo's wrist- holding her back from the others for just a moment.
"What you did for Amy-" he began.
"Oh it was nothing. It's just a-"
Laurie's warm lips pressed against hers briefly, silencing her argument.
"She's lucky to have you as a sister, Jo March. There's simply no one quite like you."
Wrinkling her nose, the girl brought her arms up and around Laurie's broad shoulders. Laurie pecked her lips once more, aware that Jo wasn't too fond of public displays of affection.
"That was lovely to see."
He placed his forehead against hers.
"Teddy…"
"I love you."
Jo went to speak.
"I love you" he repeated. "So much. Merry Christmas, my love."
"Come along you two! You'll want to eat while it's still hot" Hannah called out from the dining room.
With one last soft kiss to his lips, Jo leaned in- her mouth brushing right against his ear.
"I love you, Teddy."
His face broke out into a radiant smile.
Shaking her head in mirth, Jo grabbed hold of his hand and the two made their way into the bright room where the smells of sweet delights to come beckoned them forth.
