Amy and Laurie's lives had become intertwined. Sometimes it was dinner at Laurie's, drinks at the cafe across from Amy's apartment, or just driving around Paris at night. It started off slow, just a night here and there, which turned into at least once a week. A few months later, and suddenly all their friends were being dragged along for the ride.
Thanksgiving was just around the corner and this year, since Laurie was in Paris, back in her life. Amy decided that if she couldn't go home for the holiday, she would celebrate here.
Laurie had thought it was a brilliant idea, and offered to host it at his house, seeing as it was a great deal larger. That and he knew Amy just wanted an excuse to sit around and sketch the views. Not that she needed one.
Inevitably, that was how Amy, Laurie, and all their friends ended up in the kitchen, trying to cook multiple things at once. Seeing as it was an American holiday, Amy, Laurie, and Xander were in charge of the turkey and delegating. Amy had tasked Gabby and Christian to make mashed potatoes as well as sweet potato casserole. Elijah and Dominique were in charge of gravy, cranberry sauce, and all other condiments. Charlotte was paired up with William to make stuffing and green beans. Xander shot her a look when Amy had paired them all, but she smiled at him and denied all accusations of forcing their friends to get along.
That was another thing that came with their lives falling back together. The strange but welcome new little family they'd formed for themselves.
"You're going to burn the gravy." Amy heard Dominique say sharply to Elijah, shoving him out of the way to turn the heat down and stir.
Elijah smiled at her harsh nature and allowed himself to be moved. "And what makes you the expert?"
"Common sense." Dominique said dryly. He leaned over her shoulder and reached for the spoon.
"I think it's done then." Elijah murmured, acutely aware that he was only a breath away from her now. Amy and Laurie watched her soften under him for just a second before she put her guards back up and dramatically walked away to put the gravy in a bowl, Elijah trailing after her.
Amy rolled her eyes in exasperation. The two of them had the same routine going for the last two months, and every now and then Dominique would let him in, but they all knew it would take a lot more for her reinforced exterior to falter.
The next outburst came from Gabby when Christian splattered mashed potatoes on her and she threw a fit. "Are you incompentent?"
"Now, Chérie, that's not the spirit of the holiday." Christian laughed at her in his thick French accent. He was very similar to Dominique, in the sense that he resembled the opposite of Gabby. The odd thing was, Gabby and Christian got along quite well, bonding over their blunt nature. Both rude and biting.
"I'm sure." She snapped, flicking sweet potatoes at him. He glared at her and was about to throw more food, and Amy was sure it would've become a food fight if Charlotte hadn't stepped in.
"I'll finish the potatoes." She said softly, handing Christian a cloth and using another one to wipe Gabby's face. She then handed them a bottle of wine and ushered them out the doors. "Go set the table and start drinking."
"Always playing peacekeeper?" William asked her, a knowing look on his face.
"Something like that." Charlotte shrugged, scooping the half done potatoes into a bowl.
"For Gabby and Dom?" William clarified.
"Yes." Charlotte answered. "But I wouldn't let Dominique hear you call her that, she'll kill you. You can't even defend yourself because she'll rip you apart with her words."
William winced. "I remember when Elijah called her Dom, it didn't end well for him."
"No." Charlotte laughed, shooting him a soft smile. "It didn't. Help come wrangle them together for dinner?"
"I would be happy to escort you." William said in a mocked posh tone and offered her his arm, to which she accepted. They both disappeared out the door with Xander, Laurie, and Amy following behind them with the turkey in their hands.
With everyone settled down, Xander stood up and raised his glass dramatically. "I would like to start off the holiday by saying I'm thankful-"
"What're you doing?" Laurie cut him off with a laugh. "We didn't even do that back in America."
"For the foreigners!" He cried, pointing at the others.
"You're a foreigner too." Gabby pointed out, rolling her eyes.
"That's so offensive." Xander said, placing a hand over his heart. "I just wanted to give you all the full experience of what Thanksgiving is like."
"Just sit down." Amy sighed, tossing her napkin at his face. He winked at her, but complied and settled down in his chair.
"Wait, so are we not saying what we're thankful for?" Elijah asked, confused.
"No." Dominique exasperated and poured herself more wine.
"Oh God," Amy cried, "everyone just sit down and eat your food before I get sick of you."
"Threatening the entire table." Laurie grinned. "It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a thin layer of disappointment."
"Glad I could help." Amy smiled and winked in his direction.
It wasn't till later, when everyone was happily dazed in the sitting room, full and a little drunk, were Amy and Laurie cleaning up the rest of the table.
"I think it turned out to be a good Thanksgiving." Amy smiled, trying not to tip over with all the plates in her hands.
"Sure, like you didn't intentionally pair them all up." Laurie teased.
"I just want them all to get along, nothing wrong with that." Amy answered primly. "Elijah's been pining for Dominique, Gabby needs a more balanced friend, and well, Charlotte just needs a break." Amy's hands stopped moving, pursing her lips into a smile. "I missed you, Laurie."
Laurie wiped down the counter and paused for a minute, tugging on one of her perfect curls. "I missed you, Raphaella."
"Are you going home for Christmas?" Amy asked Laurie, drawing the lines of his face as he laid out before her. Winter was settling into Paris, and it made it all that more beautiful, but it was too cold for Amy to be wandering out to sketch. Which is how her and Laurie ended up on the balcony of his bedroom, a blanket underneath them with a few pillows from his bed. The doors to the balcony were thrown open and the heat radiating from his room were keeping them warm. Amy claimed it was wasteful and redundant, but Laurie simply told her it was Paris. And in Paris, everything was an art form. She wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but at the same time, she did.
Laurie hesitated. "I'm not sure."
"Not even to see your grandfather?" Amy prodded, her tone was clipped and it was clear what she thought about his choices.
"I haven't been back for Christmas in a long time, I'm not sure another year would hurt." Laurie reasoned, blatantly looking at her.
"So you'll stay here with the others?" Amy asked, pressing her pencil a little too hard into her sketch book.
"They're all going home." Laurie answered her slowly, but he sounded distant.
"And that's it then?" Amy asked, putting her book down. "You'll stay here alone to avoid Jo?"
Laurie's head snapped up and he looked at her. "Back to that are we?"
It had been a constant passive aggressive argument between the two of them for the past couple of months. Amy understood that Laurie needed time, but she also knew he'd been a part of their family long before anything had happened between him and Jo. She could see how being out of touch with everyone was changing him and she had made it her personal mission to heal his wounds. The only problem was that he had every intention to ignore it.
"Laurie." Amy started, in a tone she reserved just for him when she wanted something. "Please, come home."
"We both know how that'll go, Amy." Laurie taunted. "Even if I go just to see my grandfather, he'll be at your house during Christmas and I'll refuse to go. I'll be alone anyway."
"Or you could come to dinner." She pointed out.
"And what would that accomplish?" He asked her, his voice smooth like silk, but had an edge to it. "That would make for a very awkward Christmas and it'll defeat the purpose of being there."
"So that's it then?" Amy snapped, but at the same time, it was eerily calm. "You just won't go home ever again? This is your family."
"They're your family." Laurie corrected her, it sounded like an accusation.
Amy scoffed. "You don't really believe that."
"No, Amy, I don't." He sighed, knowing she was right and laid down to stare at the sky.
"So just come home, Laurie." Amy pleaded, she completely abandoned her sketching in favor of leaning just over his head so they were facing each other in opposite directions.
He smiled up at her sadly. "Sorry, Amy, but I'm going to stay here."
Amy glanced down at him with a determined look. "Then I'm staying too."
Amy was disappointed in not going home, but in the end, she didn't mind all that much, because Laurie was family. She remembered calling Marmee and apologizing about not being able to come home, but the odd thing was that she had lied about why. She simply told them she couldn't afford the cost, between the holiday price and extra school work, she just couldn't make it home. Amy wasn't entirely sure why she lied, but something about admitting to staying for Laurie seemed both pathetic and crossing a line at the same time.
She had really just planned on staying at her own apartment and meeting Laurie for Christmas festivities, but Xander was not having it. At first he'd been completely upset with the fact that neither of them were coming home for Christmas, and then was even more frustrated when he learned they were going to spend most of it apart. Xander gave a dramatic rendition of why Amy should just spend the week in the guest bedroom of their large estate, that way neither would be alone and it would be safer for Amy, a single girl, than staying alone in her apartment.
Surprisingly, Gabby and Dominique were just as inclined to the idea and practically packed Amy's bags for her before depositing said bags and girl at Laurie's doorstep on the day they were all flying out. Which is how they all ended saying their goodbyes in the entry of Laurie's home.
"Are you sure you guys don't want to come?" Xander pleaded one more time, an arm thrown around both their shoulders.
"Positive," Laurie said, patting him on the back, "but I still think Amy should go home."
"Only if you come too." Amy said petulantly. Their conversation was interrupted when Gabby, Dominique, and Charlotte threw their arms around her she almost tumbled to the ground.
"We'll miss you so much." Charlotte mumbled, distangling herself. "Have a happy Christmas."
"Call us if you need anything." Gabby said with a little too much conviction, shooting a look at Laurie from the side of her eyes.
"I'll only be a few hours away," Dominique assured her, "I can always drive back."
"No, no, no." Amy protested, smiling at all her friends. "Go, have a good holiday, spend time with your families. Besides, I have Laurie."
They all glanced at him, and he was saying goodbye to all his friends as well, exchanging last minute hugs, complaints about their families, and reassurances.
"Hey." Gabby called, staring Laurie down especially. "I'm expecting you to make this a damn good holiday, Theodore."
He saluted her. "Gabrielle, you have such little faith."
Her eyes turned dark and it looked like an argument would have begun if Xander hadn't stepped in between them and threw his arms around Amy one more time and planted a kiss to both her cheeks. "See you after new years, Amy."
He looked into her eyes for a moment and it was such an intense stare, that she got the message. "He'll be fine. I'll be here the whole time."
"Girl after my heart." He grinned, kissing her forehead. Then in a flurry of activity and chaos, all their friends had gotten into their respective cars or cabs and were off. Leaving Amy and Laurie alone to watch them all disappear one by one.
"Why does it feel like we just sent all our kids off to college?" Amy joked, sighing tiredly as she closed the door behind her.
"All in a day's work." Laurie said, throwing an arm around her. "Whatever will we do with an empty nest?"
Amy snatched a bottle of wine off the table nearest to her and held it up. "Drink?"
"Sounds like a plan, Raphaella." Laurie grinned.
Staying with Laurie was odd to Amy in a way. Living with Laurie, although temporary, felt too natural. It shouldn't have been as easy to fall into a routine as it was. Every morning Laurie would be awake and making breakfast for them in the kitchen, Amy would follow shortly afterwards and make them coffee. They'd sit at the kitchen island and talk about nonsense for the better part of the morning before going to get ready for the day. But without their friends and no school for Amy, it was easy for them to spend most of it walking around Paris, looking for what Laurie called 'her next greatest work of art'.
At night, Amy was in charge of making dinner for them, which usually ended up with them calling for takeout or Laurie helping. They'd eat on his balcony with the doors open on a picnic blanket or in front of the kitchen windows. Amy liked to stare out at the city while they talked, because looking at something beautiful kept her from looking at Laurie.
It was two days into their isolated week and Amy decided it was time to decorate, even if it was just going to be the two of them this year. They spent the day decorating the house, put up a tree, and making cookies. All things they'd would've been doing at her house had they been home.
On Christmas eve, Laurie and Amy were dressed up. Him in a nice button up and her in a pretty white dress that she'd admittedly chosen just for this night. They'd just finished eating and were content to sit on his balcony and sip on the fine wine stolen from the cellar. It was an odd thing Amy realized, that the longer she'd spent around Laurie, she tended to indulge herself in things like wine, while Laurie tended to indulge a little less.
"Come on, Amy." Laurie said, hopping up from his spot abruptly. Amy almost spilled her glass and stared up at him.
"Where?" She giggled, the wine was making her tipsy.
"Nowhere." He said, like it was obvious and pulled her to her feet. They were bare, and she didn't mind losing her heels while she'd been staying with Laurie.
He disappeared around the corner of the door frame for a moment and a second later Amy could hear muffled music playing from the record player in his bedroom. Billie Holiday she noted, More Than you Know.
Laurie offered his hand to her and she accepted it with a small grin, allowing him to swing her around into his grip, swaying them back and forth. His chest was pressed against her back and she was vaguely aware of his heartbeat.
"Dancing in Paris." Amy murmured, content to lean back in his arms and let his warmth spread through her.
"Frozen in time, we would make a beautiful masterpiece, wouldn't we Raphaella?" Laurie asked, spinning her once again so they were facing each other. One of her arms wrapped itself around his neck, while the other one was clutched in his hand. It was still cold, but the warmth radiating from his bedroom and the music was soothing Amy till she'd eventually just leaned her head against his chest and he was tracing patterns into her skin, just underneath the fabric of her dress.
Amy wasn't sure what had really changed between her and Laurie. At twelve years old, things had been clear. She knew she'd loved him, but she also knew he'd loved Jo. Then he'd left, and suddenly, things weren't so clear anymore.
She thought she had a new handle on their relationship when they'd been thrown back together in Paris. Except, how could she when they were both such different people?
"Merry Christmas, Laurie!" Amy exclaimed, throwing his blankets off the both of them. She'd fallen asleep in his arms last night, but her Christmas excitement wasn't going to allow her to analyze that particular moment just yet.
"Good morning, Raphaella." Laurie said much less enthusiastically. Amy, disappointed by his lack of reaction, smacked him with her pillow.
"Come on, come on, come on." Amy begged, pulling him out of the bed. They were still in the same clothes as the night before, but Amy didn't care.
"I'm up." He relented, allowing her to drag him from the bed and down the stairs. It didn't surprise her that everything looked the same, but because it was Christmas, everything felt a little more magical. Amy pulled him towards the tree they'd set up and underneath was a gaggle of presents. Some from their friends that had been left behind, a few that had been shipped over by their families, and one for each of them from each other.
Laurie and her sat in front of the tree, letting the Christmas lights be the only things lighting the otherwise enclosed room, and basked in the amount of wrapping paper pooled around them.
"Here." Laurie said, handing her a small little velvet box.
Amy accepted it and handed him a larger box in return. "For you."
They opened the presents at the same and Amy barely glanced at hers, in favor of watching Laurie's reaction. She'd given him a portrait of himself. Based off of one of the many, many, sketches she'd done of him over the time they'd spent together in France. Except it wasn't just a sketch, it was done in pretty watercolors and Amy felt a little exposed watching him trace the lines of his own face.
"Is this really how you see me?" Laurie asked finally. Amy was a little taken aback by the question. It was in no way rude or mean, but it did unerve her.
"What do you mean?" Amy asked lightly, tilting her head to the side.
"Better than what I am." Laurie answered her softly.
"I've always known who you are, Laurie." Amy pursed her lips.
Laurie stared down at the portrait for another moment. "How did I do, Raphaella? Do I know you as well as you know me?"
Amy looked down at the little velvet box and finally studied the gift. It was a little charm bracelet, made from a thin silver strand and even small charms hanging off it. The letters, M, J, B, and A were spread evenly apart, while in between them were a small flower, an old feather pen, a piano, and a paintbrush. The charms were very small, and without closer inspection, one couldn't tell what they actually were. Amy loved it.
She always chose quality over quantity, something her Aunt March and growing up less privileged than others taught her. That and she liked that it was a gift only she could really understand the meaning of.
"It's perfect." Amy said, holding out her wrist so Laurie could clip it into place. His fingers brushed her wrist, and Amy both simultaneously wanted to jerk back and lean into his touch. This wasn't like last night, when she could blame the moment on wine and spontaneity.
It was after dinner and the two of them were sitting in front of the fireplace propped up against a few pillows. Christmas was coming to an end, and to Amy it felt like the strange dynamic between her and Laurie was slowly starting to fade, that or she felt like it was becoming too familiar. Either way, she wasn't sure if either was such a good thing.
"Have you decided what to do with your life, Raphaella?" Laurie asked her quietly in the still moment, only the firelight there to prove he was there at all.
"Haven't we been over this?" Amy asked, tucking her legs beneath her delicately.
"But you never gave me an answer." Laurie said, stretching out across the blanket and pillows lazily.
"Had you been paying closer attention, you would know." Amy murmured. With the lights low and being so far out of touch with reality in their own little world, Amy felt like she could confess to Laurie. He would know that the words weren't meant to be said in the daylight, for they should never be known as her regrets. It would make life too hard.
"Fred Vaughn." Laurie sneered, his expression was ugly, but his face could never be anything but handsome. "Is he still your plan? To throw away your life?"
"I am not." Amy snapped, but it didn't seem to have the harshness she intended, maybe it was because he was right.
"You told me yourself that you want Fred because you need him." Laurie repeated, phrasing her words from months ago in such an accusing way. "But you don't, the responsibility of your family's future does not rest solely on you." It sounded like a lie coming from his lips, and they both knew it. Her parents loved all their children dearly, but they cared more about fixing the world's issues and what was morally right. More about ethics and values, than having food on the table. Meg and John made barely enough to support themselves and their two kids, and as much as they all preached about not needing money, it was certainly all the March's could be reminded of at every turn. As much as Jo March was great, she was also selfish. No one faulted her for going to New York, least of all Amy who'd done the same thing, but Jo would pursue her dreams at any cost and enforce them on others. Like when she'd begged Meg to run away on her wedding day, like how she'd had everyone reenact the plays she'd written. Any attempt to disagree with her usually ended in contempt. Then there was Beth, beautiful, sweet, shy Beth. Her hospital bills were slowly racking up, and no one would ever blame Beth, ever, but it didn't change the numbers.
"Is that what you tell yourself?" Amy hissed, knowing she took a cheap shot. Laurie recoiled back as if she'd slapped him. "When are you going to grow up and go back to your grandfather?" Finally let go of Jo. The words echoed in her mind like a throbbing heartbeat.
"Turning this around on me won't change what you've gotten yourself into, Amy." Laurie said, glaring up at her.
"Then you shouldn't be a hypocrite." Amy said calmly. Laurie noted the tone, the disappointment thick in her voice. Laurie reached out and tugged on the end of her dress till she got the message and laid down next to him.
"I don't wanna fight." Laurie said, staring at the mural painted on his ceiling.
"We're not." Amy responded. It was true, it didn't feel like a fight, but the thinly veiled messages were dancing around in the firelight, mocking them.
New years came sooner than either of them liked. The day was spent like all the other ones during the week, breakfast, people watching, wine, dinner. Unlike all the other nights of the week, the two of them were settled on the roof of Laurie's house, both huddled on one loveseat, champagne at the ready while the rest of Paris celebrated below them. They had talked about going out for the night, but both decided against it. One because there seemed to be an influx of people in the streets, and well, Amy didn't think there was a prettier sight than the one she could see off Laurie's roof.
It was nearly half an hour before midnight when Amy and Laurie had both been startled as the door to the roof slammed open and Xander's head popped out.
"Xander!" Amy squealed, jumping off the loveseat and into Xander's waiting arms. He swung her around and kissed both her cheeks. "I thought you were back in America?"
"I was devastated that my two best friends decided not to come home for Christmas, that I hoped on a plane to be here for New Years." Xander explained, glaring at them both pointedly before breaking out into a large grin.
"Cutting it a little close aren't you?" Laurie asked, but he was glad to see his best friend.
"I made it, didn't I?" Xander shrugged. Amy patted his shoulder, but was once again startled when the door swung open, and this time William, Christian, and Charlotte fell out. The former two were out of breath as they leaned on each other for support, while Charlotte giggled behind them, walking in much more gracefully.
"Are we late?" William asked.
"I think you'd know if the fireworks were going off." Another voice deadpanned, trailing in behind them were Gabby and Dominique. They were arm in arm, and looking every bit the beautiful duo they were made to be.
"Did you plan all this?" Amy asked Xander, looking as nearly all their friends found themselves comfortable spots around the roof.
"No, actually." Xander answered her, looking a little disappointed that he hadn't. "Looks like you've wormed yourself into our lives and our hearts. I would expect no less from you, Amy March."
"Can't get rid of me now." Amy smiled. "Or them." Amy added on, waving over to where Christian and William were letting Charlotte put flower crowns on their heads she'd made from the ones growing around the edge of the roof. Then over to Gabby and Dominique who were taking pictures.
"I wonder where Elijah is though?" Laurie inquired, noting that he'd been the only one not on the roof.
"He's got," Xander glanced at the rolex on his wrist, "a good five minutes."
"He'll be here." Amy said, smirking.
"What's that look for?" Xander asked, nudging her. "What're you thinking?"
"That a certain blond is going to be disappointed if Elijah doesn't kiss her." Laurie finished the thought for Amy.
"Guess we'll just have to see." Xander murmured, glancing at the time slowly ticking away on his watch.
It seemed as the time drew on, the rest of their friends caught onto whether Elijah was or wasn't going to come bursting through the doors, everyone except Dominique of course.
The countdown began at ten, and that's when the door to the roof was flung open one more time. It was Elijah who'd come crashing in, his handsome face contorted into a breathless expression and eyes searching. It took him exactly five second to march over to Dominique and sweep her up into his arms, dipping her back dramatically.
"I thought you wouldn't make it." Dominique murmured, bringing her fingers to brush his cheekbones.
"You're gonna break my heart, Mimi, and it would be a privilege." Elijah whispered, grinning down at her. The countdown struck one and Elijah's lips came crashing down on hers.
Amy, who'd been standing between Laurie and Xander, smiled at the sight and smacked the back of her hands to both their chests. "I knew he would make it."
"Right you were." Laurie whispered in her ear, and without warning placed a sweet, lingering kiss to her cheek. "Happy New Year, Raphaella."
Amy walked out of her last class of the day, her bag slung over her shoulder and a few of her books clutched to her chest, when a very familiar car rolled up in front of her.
The window rolled down and Laurie was on the other side, smiling deviously. "Why hello there, Raphaella."
"Laurie." Amy said, amused. She reshuffled her books and looked at him expectantly. "Can I help you?"
"Get in." He said, motioning for her to climb into the car. Amy shrugged, obliged and threw her books into the backseat of his car.
"Where are we going?" Amy asked as he pulled onto the main road. She quickly sent a text to Charlotte to let her know she would be gone for a little while and not to worry.
"Just taking a drive." Laurie responded. Amy wouldn't believe there was anything weird about simply driving around with Laurie except that his fingers were numbingly white from clutching the steering wheel. It took almost an hour before Amy decided Laurie owed her a real answer.
"What happened?" Amy asked, thrumming her fingers along the window, it was starting to rain and the rain hitting the windows only served as another distraction.
"My grandfather called, he thinks it's time I come home." Laurie murmured softly. Amy's head snapped to the side and she stared at him blankly, waiting for him to continue. "I told him I wasn't ready."
"Are you though?" Amy asked, knowing there was more to the conversation between him and his grandfather than a simple sentence. This was the same argument she'd been having with Laurie off and on again for the past six months, but never once had it meant anything more than Amy's opinion.
"You know the answer to that." Laurie responded, pulling off onto the side of the road. It was in the middle of nowhere at an orchard, and Amy would've loved to paint it if she had the chance.
Amy felt the annoyance lick at her skin, not sure if it was because Laurie truly had been avoiding home or the irrational jealousy that Jo was still the reason behind his reluctance. Over the past couple of months, she had seen Laurie start to move on with his life, when he would rather spend time having dinner with her than going out drinking and gambling. When they would spend the day roaming France with their friends and he would be genuinely happy. She'd seen it, but the reminder of home was still like a scar on his heart. Nonetheless, she was getting fed up with the fact that he was still running away, and if he could run, so could she.
Amy got out of the car, the feeling of rain pelting her skin and soaking through her clothes were immediate as she started walking back the way they'd driven down. She wasn't sure where exactly they were, but finding herself lost in Paris wouldn't be the worst thing to ever happen to her.
"Amy!" Laurie called, slamming his door shut and following her. "What the hell are you doing! Get back in the car!"
"No." She snapped stubbornly. The rain only seemed to start pouring harder the more her emotions took over.
"Amy!" Laurie called louder. "It's raining, get back in the car, why are you even doing this!"
"I think you know the answer to that." Amy mocked, using his own words from early.
"I don't!" He shouted, running after her. "What good does stalking away in the rain do?"
"When are you going back to your grandfather?" Amy asked evenly, swerving around to stare at him, it was such a fast movement that he'd halted in front of her. They were just standing in the rain now, staring at each other in a still moment.
"Soon." Laurie answered vaguely, but his tone was distant and he wasn't even looking at her.
"You've said that a dozen times in the past month." Amy responded, throwing her arms up.
"Short answer, save trouble." Laurie exasperated, sweeping his hair back to keep the rain water from dripping into his eyes.
"Well, he is expecting you, so why don't you do it?" Amy asked, a slight edge in her tone that clearly told Laurie what she'd prefer he'd do.
"Natural depravity, I suppose." He said, placing his hands around her wrists.
"Natural indolence, you mean." Amy scoffed.
"I wouldn't be anything or able to do anything for him if I do go." Laurie defended himself. Amy shook her head defiantly but said nothing. "I might as well stay here, stay with you." The tension from earlier eased out of bodies and Amy hated he was the only one that could do that to her. "I think it even agrees with you."
"What're you doing?" Amy asked softly, and they both knew what she was really asking.
"I'm looking at you." Laurie responded, ignoring the obvious message. The rain was starting to let up, and the sun was peeking out from the clouds.
"What do you intend to do, Laurie, with your life?" Amy demanded this time. Usually by the time their repetitive conversation had reached this point, she would let him direct it in a different direction.
"I'm writing an opera." Laurie answered blankly. Amy yanked her hands back and shook her head. Once again, they were face to face, staring at each other. Like it would change the situation they'd found themselves in.
"That's a waste of time." She murmured.
"What would you have me do?" Laurie asked her, his eyes daring her to say it.
Amy refused to let his pretty eyes cloud her thoughts. "Go and work for your grandfather and make something of yourself."
"You're not playing fair." Laurie sighed, turning his back on her.
"You cannot galavant across Europe for the rest of your life." Amy said softly, her voice hitching near the end. "You are better than this, you can be something better than this."
"Like Fred?" Laurie retorted, side eyeing her.
Amy took a step back. "Why do you always have to bring him up?"
"Why do you think you get to have such a say in my life, when you're ready to ruin yours?" Laurie asked her.
"Don't do that." Amy snapped, turning to glare at him. "I want a real answer, Laurie. He's a good person, who I could fall in love with-"
"That, right there." Laurie cut her off, he pointed at her for emphasis and took one of her hands. "You don't even love him, not like you should. I don't want you to be with him, I don't want you to marry him because you think you have too."
"Why?" Amy asked. She and Laurie were only a breath apart and he was entirely too inviting.
"Why." Laurie repeated, saying the word like it offended him. "You know why, Amy, you know why."
It only took a moment, but between Laurie's fingers brushing her knuckles and the knotted feelings, she understood. "No." She murmured, stepping back. "No."
"Yes." Laurie whispered, and the words almost came out like a plea, like a prayer.
He reached out to caress her cheek, but Amy pushed his hand away. "No, Laurie. "You're being mean."
"How am I being mean?" Laurie asked her, his voice so quiet and frayed.
"Stop it, stop it." Amy hissed roughly, putting space between them, hoping to ease the choking feeling in her heart. "I have been second to Jo my whole life in everything. I will not be the person you settle for just because you cannot have her. I won't do it." Amy choked out, the urge to run was breaking her. "I won't do it, I won't. Not when I've spent my entire life loving you."
Amy walked and Laurie didn't stop her.
I had originally added OC's just for plot purposes, but I love them now, lol. I just wanted to add that Elijah calls Dominique Mimi, which means "sea of bitterness" in French. I thought it would be very fitting for her, seeing as I see Dominique as a cold-hearted genius.
Another thing, I purposely added the song title in this chapter. More than you know by Billie Holiday is one of my favorite songs and I highly suggest you listen to it, because the lyrics match up with Laurie and Amy in such a sad but perfect way.