Christmas Part Two

Jo's scraps of papers were starting to flood her floor, she tried and she tried. She couldn't think of anything. Jo threw herself out of her chair and started to pace the floor, Just write, Jo!

Jo stopped in the middle of her tracks, as the lovely aroma of ham wafted through the air, Marmee knew it was her favorite. Yet, even the smell of ham couldn't get Jo out of her funk, she continued her pacing.

Marmee stood outside and knocked on the attic door, "Jo? May I come in?"

"Yes." Jo bluntly replied.

Marmee slowly walked into the room and looked at her daughter, she looked frantic, sleep-deprived, and melancholy. She opened her arms and embraced Jo, "dinner is ready, my dear."

Jo enjoyed the hug from her mother, Marmee always knew what she needed. Jo remained silent and enjoyed the hug from her mother, "Marmee, I can't do it. I can't write another novel."

Marmee looked down at her daughter, "Josephine March, you can do anything you put your mind to. Something will come in time, be patient."

"I hope so Marmee, I sure hope so," Jo felt much better. Marmee always gave her the encouragement she needed.

Marmee gave her daughter a tight squeeze and grabbed her hand, "Let's go eat some ham."

Jo laughed and followed her mother down the stairs where the table was beautifully decorated, Amy was helping Hannah place beautiful flowers on the table, "Oh, it's absolutely gorgeous my dears!" Marmee exclaimed.

"We could've used some extra help," Amy glanced at Jo.

"As if I could have been of any use in decorating!" Jo guffawed.

"You could be and you know it, a lot much more help than Dario was" Amy rolled her eyes at her sister.

"Hey, I tried my best!" Dario playfully shoved Amy.

Hannah walked in with the fresh ham arranged delicately on the platter, "Your favorite, Josephine."

Jo laughed, "Thank you and Merry Christmas, Hannah."

Hannah had known Jo was feeling down and gave her a tight squeeze, "Merry Christmas, Jo."

A brisk wind was driven through the room as John and Meg walked through the door.

John, happier than ever, exclaimed, "Merry Christmas to my wonderful Marches!"

The family embraced one another and all sat down at the beautiful table, everyone (especially Jo) was so delighted with the feast in front of them. The ham's thick aroma wafted Jo's way and her mouth started to drool.

For one second, just one second, she forgot about Laurie. Food did that to her sometimes, but it was only temporary. She thought about what they were doing right now. She missed him.

Mr. March sat down at the head of the table and asked his family to join hands so they could pray, he surprised everyone when he asked, "Dario, would you mind leading us in thanks?"

"Of course, sir."

Everyone bowed their heads and Dario began, "Father, thank you for this family. Thank you for their wonderful daughters and their wonderfully kind care. I pray that you bless them in this upcoming year as I know they bless so many others. Thank you for blessing me with this family that will soon be mine, as we celebrate Christmas together today I pray we do not forget the real reason for this gathering: the birth of your son, our savior. Bless this food to our bodies and bless the wonderful hands that crafted it. In your name, we pray, amen."

"Amen," the family responded.

Jo decided it was time to eat, "Let the feast commence!"

Of course, the first thing she went for was the ham.

"Thank you for that wonderful prayer, Dario," Mr. March nodded in approval.

Dario blushed, "It's my pleasure, really. I wish I could do something more to show my gratitude for your hospitality."

"Oh my, I am so excited for you to be a part of our family! You are such a doll," Meg remarked.

"I am too-"

"So, Amy! What is your wedding going to look like? Are you having it here? At church?" Meg curiously asked.

Jo rolled her eyes, marriage was always the center of everyone's conversation, wasn't it?! Did they have to talk about marriage? What about Amy's aspirations? Her dreams of becoming a famous painter? She has so much talent, why throw it all away for a man? Before Amy could reply to Meg Jo barged into the conversation, "Amy, what are you going to do with your art? Are you going to pursue it?"

"Ahem, Josephine. You do not interrupt a conversation, you know better," Marmee corrected Jo.

Amy stopped, "Right, thank you Marmee. Meg, I am not sure what we are going to do. I think I would like to get married at the church, probably here though. I don't want to have everyone travel out to Europe."

"Oh, could you imagine though, Amy?! The change of scenery would be so amazing. Fine delicacies and culture! Europe is so wonderful."

"Indeed it is," a raspy voice beckoned from the front entryway. Aunt March had entered the room.

"Aunt March!" Marmee was alarmed as she rose from her seat to greet her, "I am so happy you came!"

"Well, dearie. I couldn't miss seeing all of you on Christmas. I am not sure how many of these I will be able to celebrate," Aunt March was helped by Marmee and sat down.

Mr. March greeted his aunt with a kiss on the cheek, "Dear Aunt, we were just discussing Amy's wedding plans."

"Oh, so she's told you. Concord. She could've gotten married anywhere!" Aunt March rolled her eyes, Jo could see her stubbornness was the same as her aunt's. She despised it but admired it at the same time.

"Aunt March, we talked about this-" Amy blushed.

"I know, Amy. All I am saying is that your family may never be able to leave the country; you might as well give them a reason to," Aunt March nodded her head down so her eyes met Amy's.

"With all due respect, Miss March, Josephine could always do a book tour for her new novel," Dario added. He felt bad for all his ignorant remarks and was trying to win Jo's affection, although it didn't work.

"Yes, Dario. You're right. The only reason why I would be able to go to Europe is because of my writing. I am choosing to prioritize my career and passions, something I wish other people would understand," Jo pushed her food around with her fork and watched her peas chase each other.

Amy huffed, "I don't know if that was meant for me or Laurie, but I would hope you would have more grace considering it's Christmas, Jo."

Meg kicked Jo underneath the table, "Christopher Columbus! Meg, why'd you do that?" Jo whispered.

"I just want us to have a cordial conversation without any arguing. I want to have a pleasant evening to remember this time together," Meg bluntly added.

"Fine," Jo quietly replied.

The room went silent for a while, John hated when it got quiet, "Hannah, thank you for the food. It is so wonderful and-"

"Where is Laurie?' Aunt March interrupted, 'I figured he'd be here with you."

"Since when do you care about Laurie?" Amy laughed.

"Since I heard the fine young lad was in love with my niece! Someone so well educated, rich, and handsome," Aunt March loved to stir the pot.

"And there goes our cordial evening," John whispered to Meg.

Jo forcefully pushed herself out of her chair and excused herself as she ran up the stairs back to her desk, she sat down, put her head in her hands, and cried.

Back at the Laurences' house, Christmas was going well for Laurie, the festivities had temporarily made Laurie forget about Jo. Although it was very very temporary.

Laurie and Mr. Laurence ate their dinner together speculating about how fun their trip to Europe would be. They ate fine ham, green beans, carrots, potatoes, veal, gravy, pies, bread; it was all amazing.

Mr. Laurence asked, "So Theodore, you're positive you would like to go?"

"I don't know if I can make it any clearer,' Laurie chuckled, 'I would love to go to Europe."

Mr. Laurence got up from the table and grabbed a note from under the table, "Then here's your Christmas present."

"Grandfather, I thought you had said no gifts because of Europe!" Laurie was worried.

"Just open it," his grandfather smiled.

We are leaving tomorrow, Merry Christmas.

Love,

Your Grandfather

"Really?!" Laurie was so excited to be away from it all, he wouldn't have to be reminded of his heartbreak any longer! Yet at the same time, he didn't want to leave. The paradoxical feeling was confusing for the young man, but he knew this would solve some of his problems at least.

"Yes! Although, we will need to stop in New York. I figure we can do a little trip there, plus it was the only place I could find a departure so last-minute," he smiled. Mr. Laurence loved seeing his grandson this happy, and although he didn't agree with his motives entirely he was still overjoyed that they would be able to spend time together before he departed from school.

"That sounds wonderful, thank you, Grandfather," Laurie hugged Mr. Laurence.

"With that, I believe you and I should start packing!" Mr. Laurence exclaimed as he broke up the hug.

"Agreed. Thank you again. It really means a lot," Laurie smiled as he left the dining room and ran back to his room.

Laurie's room was quite cold, he had left his window open. He shivered as he went to close it and couldn't help but notice the portal to Jo's room. He looked at her hair, bouncing as it did when she was in this state. He forgot about Europe and all he could focus on was her. Laurie looked down at his ring, sighed, and closed his window.