"Amy, I can't do this today," Jo pleaded as her young sister dragged her from Plumfield. "I've already got plans."
"You have to come. Meg wants you to try on the gown again. She said she has a few more adjustments to make."
"Then why didn't she bring it here? It would have made things much simpler." Jo crossed her arms, not budging from the porch steps.
"She didn't want to bother bringing the twins." Amy grabbed her hand and urged her to the carriage. "It won't take long. I promise."
Resigning and with one last long sigh, Jo stepped into the buggy and joined her sister in the ride to town. She was definitely not in the mood to be visiting. It had been two days since she and Nick had fought, barely speaking to one another aside from cordial nods. She felt awful about the entire situation but her stubborn streak prevented her from discussing the problem with Nick. Besides, he was the one who had hurt her; his words had stuck with her. She just wanted things to be ideal; what was so wrong about that?
"I need to pick up a couple of things at the town hall," Amy announced as they approached Concord. "It will only take a few minutes."
Jo nodded, aggravation mounting. The carriage stopped in front of the hall, Amy scarcely waiting for the driver to bring them to a halt. She walked up the stairs, turning when she didn't hear footsteps behind her. "Aren't you coming?"
Jo was startled. "Why?"
"Well… um… I need your help carrying some things," Amy stated, finally finding an excuse.
Jo rolled her eyes. "Fine Amy," she snapped, climbing from her seat. "But I need to get home."
As they entered the building, Jo's jaw fell. The large room was decorated with streamers and flowers; a table off to the side was filled with food and goodies. Amy stood beside her, a huge grinned adorned her face while a large crowd of the town's women gathered around her. "Surprise!"
Bess and Nan ran up to Jo, their eyes wide with expectation. "What do you think?" Bess asked, grabbing her aunt's hand to lead her inside.
Still stunned, Jo stuttered as she spoke. "Oh my! It's…It's a…"
"It's a shower!" her niece finished.
"Yes, yes it is." She shook her head, trying to grasp what was going on.
"The girls came up with the idea," Meg added, approaching them and realizing the uncertainty that lay behind Jo's shock.
"It's wonderful!" Jo urged. "It really is." She hugged both of her students and allowed them to guide her to the middle of the room, seating her as the center of attention. "You really didn't have to do all of this."
"Nonsense," Amy chided. "A wedding cannot be complete without a bridal shower. Besides, Laurie has Nick occupied for this afternoon with his little party. We just had to do something."
The mention of Nick's name brought tears to Jo's eyes, which she quickly blinked away as the girls prepared some of the festivities. They busied her for most the afternoon, playing a few games that Nan had finally agreed to. Soon after the games had finished, food and tea were served which allowed for conversation between the women. Although the March sisters had grown up in Concord, there were only a handful of people gathered that Jo would consider friends. Amy handpicked many of the guests and as a result Jo stuck close to Meg, conversing primarily with her sister and Nan.
"You really must meet Mrs. Clark," Amy suggested as Jo and Meg sat hidden in a side corner. "She came all the way from Bedford and is the vice president of the northern chapter of the Women's Society."
Jo rolled her eyes. "Amy, really. I don't even know the woman. Why would she want to meet me?"
"Because… well," Amy struggled. "It's the proper thing to do, Jo. She did travel a long way to be here."
Jo sighed. "All right. I will." She gave Meg a disgusted look and stood to follow her sibling across the room. However, she had barely taken two steps before a wave of nausea hit her and lightheadedness enveloped her. She attempted to trail after Amy but was rapidly snatched by Meg who turned her around. Jo tried to focus on her older sister who looked worriedly at her. "Jo? Are you all right?"
Jo said nothing as she became short of breath. "Jo? You've grown pale. Come on. Let's sit you down." Meg began to draw her towards the tables again.
"No," Jo mumbled. "I need… I need some air." She pulled away from Meg, making her way to the door. She had only taken a few steps when she felt the world around her spin faster and she fell to the floor.
The room became silent as everyone realized the situation. Meg and Amy rushed to her side, attempting to revive her. "Jo… come on… wake up, Sweetheart," Meg whispered, shaking her gently. There was no response.
"We should go and get Dr. Pierce," Nan suggested, her medical mind taking over. Bess nodded and the two girls ran off to the doctor's office.
Meg looked at Amy, worry apparent on both faces. She grabbed her hand and pleaded with her sister, "Come Jo. Please, wake up!"
XXXXX
"Ah, you gotta have another drink, Nick!" a few of the men in the tavern encouraged as they sat around that late afternoon. Laurie, with much help from Amy, had organized a small gathering of the men. Wanting to appear as masculine a party as possible, he had everyone meet at the local pub for a few hands of poker and hopefully a lot laughs.
"I don't know," Nick hesitated. "I've already had quite a few."
"What are another few?" Laurie asked, trying to get into the spirit. Nick rolled his eyes and relented, giving Laurie his glass to fill.
"You know, Nick. A lot of men might be jealous of you right now," Harrison Bridger stated knowingly.
Nick looked at him, his eyebrows knitted in confusion. "What do ya mean?"
"Well, you're getting quite a lady and unfortunately for some of us, we really didn't have much of a chance."
Nick smiled affably, thinking about what had gone on between him and Jo over the past couple of days. Their stubborn wills were at odds and he knew that only part of his frustration stemmed from her relentless efforts towards the wedding. These types of issues were certain to arise often along with their obstinate natures. Nevertheless, he knew that Harrison spoke the truth. Jo was certainly quite a woman and he loved that woman with all of his heart. He turned to the man and nodded. "Yeah. I know I am."
"Of course he does," Laurie said rather loudly, slapping Nick across the back and setting down his drink. "I don't think that Jo would let him forget it!"
Laughter ensued and another round of cards was dealt out. Harrison stood, shaking his head. "Not for me, boys. I should probably go."
"Ah, c'mon," Nick said, settling in and enjoying himself. "If I can't back out, neither can you."
"But I've got a paper to put out tomorrow." Putting on his coat and grabbing his hat, he shook Nick's hand in a congratulatory manner.
"Thank ya for comin'," Nick replied.
"It was my pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your day."
As Harrison made his way out the door and they were finally somewhat alone, Nick leaned over to Laurie, suddenly serious. "I need to talk to ya about somethin'."
Laurie, not sensing the importance of the statement, merely laughed. "About what? Surely you're having a good time here, aren't you?"
Nick nodded. " 'Course I am. And I really appreciate everythin' you've done. But I needed to ask you somethin' about the weddin'."
Laurie shook his head. "I know exactly what you're going to say. It's about Amy, isn't it?"
"Amy?" Nick was baffled.
"She's getting carried away with entire situation. I knew she would be. She did the exact same thing with our wedding."
Nick sighed. "No, it's not about Amy." He paused, thinking it over. "It about… well, it's about… Nan?"
Laurie stared at Nick, completely astounded. "Nan? What does Nan have to do with this?"
Nick stood. "No, it's not about Nan…" He pointed in the direction of the tavern door. "Nan's here." The young girl spotted the two men and ran towards them.
"You're not allowed in here," Laurie said as she approached them.
"I know," she said, reaching them. "It's just…" She looked at Nick. "It's Mrs. Jo."
