Reunited
LHOP inspired fan fiction by Cheryl C. Malandrinos
Disclaimer: I do not own the Little House on the Prairie television series, book series, or any of the characters.
Author's note: The title of this story comes from a Peaches & Herb song by the same name. I felt some of its lyrics fit this story perfectly:
"Reunited
and it feels so good
Reunited 'cause we understood
There's one
perfect fit
And, sugar, this one is it
We both are so
excited
'Cause we're reunited, hey, hey"
As Almanzo and his buggy got closer to the schoolhouse he prompted Barnum into a fast trot. He couldn't wait to see Laura again. Her job in Curry was finally over and he would be happy to have her back in Walnut Grove with him.
It was with a heavy heart that he had dropped her off on Sunday afternoon. He had pulled the buggy off the road so they could have a proper goodbye.
"I'm glad it's my last week," Laura had said. "I miss you when I'm gone."
"Ya know, I never realized how much I liked sayin hi to ya each mornin when ya came into town. It's a good thing I've been busy at work or I woulda been mopin around."
The touch of her lips caused an immediate reaction in him. He wanted to keep her close to him, never let her go; but they both had commitments calling, so they ended their goodbye and got back on the road heading towards Miss Trimble's house. When they arrived, he gave her a quick kiss before jumping out to grab her bag. After Laura disappeared into the house, Almanzo stared at the closed door for a moment.
"It's only five days," he told himself as he pulled away.
As soon as the schoolhouse came into view, Almanzo's heart jumped. It wouldn't be long before Laura was sitting beside him, going home. When he pulled the buggy to a stop, the children were filing out onto the porch. Laura appeared behind Chad Brewster. He was carrying her bag.
"Goodbye Miss Ingalls. We'll miss you," he heard the children say.
"Thank you. I'll miss you too. But I'll be corresponding with Miss Trimble and I expect to hear good news about all of you."
Almanzo stepped out of the buggy as Laura walked down the stairs. Chad looked at him warily. He went to pass the bag over to Laura, but Almanzo grabbed the handle and placed his other hand on the boy's shoulder. He felt Chad tense up.
"I'm sorry about what happened. I just…" He couldn't admit that the thought of another man touching Laura made him crazy. He extended his right hand to the boy. "I'm sorry."
"Thanks," replied Chad, allowing himself to breathe.
"I hope you're going to keep up with your medical studies Chad," said Laura while Almanzo tucked her bag away. "I think you'll make a fine doctor some day."
"Thanks Miss Ingalls. I'm gonna see if Doc Spencer in town will teach me some stuff."
"That's wonderful. Good luck."
Almanzo helped Laura into the buggy and then chirruped to Barnum. She looked behind her and waved at the herd of children screaming goodbye.
Almanzo and Laura traveled along, chatting about her week in Curry. She was disappointed Almanzo hadn't kissed her yet. She remembered their emotional reunion last weekend.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
"No, nothin's wrong."
"Then why haven't you kissed me yet?"
He smiled and pecked her on the cheek. Laura tugged the reins hard, forcing Barnum to stop in the middle of the road.
Her voice was full of emotion. "Didn't you miss?"
"Of course I missed ya. I always miss ya when you're gone."
"Then why are you acting so different…so uninterested in me?" she said as she blinked back tears.
"Aw Beth," he said as he embraced her. "Don't ya see, it's because I care for ya that I'm actin this way."
"I don't understand."
"Laura, when we're together…" He was almost ashamed to admit it. "It stirs somethin in me; somethin I'm not sure I can always control. When we're apart it kinda gives me a coolin off period. But now that you're gonna be home and I can see ya when I want…" He shook his head in frustration. "I just don't want you, or your pa, to think I'm not an honorable man."
"I could never think that Manly."
"Alls I'm sayin is, it might be a good idea for us to be careful how much we…ya know."
Laura was visibly disappointed. "Is there someone else?" she blurted out.
"This is what I'm talkin about. Because of the way I've been actin, ya think I don't love ya; but I do Beth, lord I really do. I just can't be so close to ya all the time." He caressed her cheek. "Don't ya know by now what ya do to me?" He pulled her close and kissed her passionately. "I love you," he whispered. "And only you."
She felt that dizzy feeling she always got when they kissed. Maybe Manly was right. She knew she had to wait until she turned eighteen to get married, and she couldn't take two years of this emotional roller coaster ride.
Charles was thrilled to see Almanzo's buggy pulling into the yard. They were earlier than he expected. He figured he would hear another lame excuse for why Almanzo was bringing her home so late.
"Hi Pa," Laura yelled from the buggy.
"Hi Half-pint, Almanzo. You're home early."
"Well, we wanted to get back so that we didn't worry you again," replied Laura.
"Your ma will have supper on the table in a few minutes. You're welcome to stay Almanzo."
"No thank ya, Sir. Eliza Jane made me a special supper tonight."
"Are you celebrating something?"
Almanzo nodded. "Somethin special — Beth being back home for good."
Charles frowned. He wished Almanzo wouldn't talk that way about his daughter. "Well then, I won't keep you. I got your bag, Half-pint."
"Thanks Pa. I'll be inside in a few minutes."
Charles stared up at Almanzo and then nodded before moseying into the house.
"Where's Laura?" asked Caroline. "I thought I heard a buggy pull up."
"She's outside saying goodbye to Almanzo."
"You don't have to look like it's the end of the world."
"I suppose."
Laura walked in with a wide smile on her face. "Hi Ma," she said as she hugged Caroline. "Almanzo's going to come over for supper tomorrow night."
"That's nice dear," Caroline replied, looking over Laura's head into Charles's eyes.
"We figured he should get to know all of you better, since we're courting."
"I think that's a good idea Laura. Charles, where's Albert?"
"In the barn."
"Can you tell him that supper is ready?"
"Sure." Charles walked out of the house. He was glad he didn't have to hear about Almanzo for a few minutes.
After supper Albert and Laura played a game of checkers. Carrie and Grace sat on the floor next to the hearth playing with their dolls.
"How ya gonna feel about goin back to school on Monday, Laura?" asked Albert.
"I guess it will feel strange to be a student again, but at least I'll only have to worry about my own schoolwork."
"You're lucky Laura," said Carrie. "Pretty soon you'll marry Almanzo and you won't have to go to school at all."
Laura's eyes flew up to stare at her sister. Ma had dropped her sewing at the innocent remark and Pa had placed his newspaper down on the table to catch Laura's reaction. She figured it best not to make a big deal out of it.
"Almanzo and I just started courting. Who knows when or if we'll get married."
Pleased with Laura's response, Charles buried his face back in the newspaper and took a long drag on his pipe.
Almanzo showed up right before dinner the next day and invited Laura for a short picnic. "There aren't gonna be too many nice days left," he had explained to her pa.
Charles had reluctantly allowed her to go, but grumbled under his breath as he watched the two of them drive off. They returned by three o'clock and Almanzo headed back home to do his chores so that he would be back in time for supper. After he was gone, Charles came out of the barn and called to his daughter.
"Yes Sir," she replied.
"I want to talk to you."
Laura nodded, knowing she wasn't going to like what he had to say.
"I don't expect to see Almanzo hanging around here all the time now that you're home. You've got your chores and your schoolwork to do. And I don't want your brother or sister to be doing your share of the work."
"Pa, I just got home yesterday. All my chores were done before I left, and I'm doing the rest now before he comes back."
"I know. I just want you to know how I feel about the matter."
"Almanzo and I were going to head out to the lake tomorrow after church."
"Oh no, Sunday is to be spent at home with your family."
"But Pa…"
"No buts, Half-pint. You'll spend tomorrow with us."
Laura pursed her lips as she thought about the situation. A smile came to her face as she suggested, "How about you all join us at the lake? Eliza Jane can come too."
Charles frowned when he realized his daughter had outsmarted him. Now she could be with Almanzo and still be with her family. "Well…it's all right with me if your ma says it's okay."
Laura pecked his cheek before running towards the house. "I love you Pa," she screamed.
Charles stared down at his feet as he shuffled towards the creek. He needed time alone. Laura was still young in many ways; too young to be thinking of marriage. But Almanzo was older, and Charles feared marrying Laura was very much on his mind. How could he tell the boy no, without alienating his daughter?
He pondered his question, but got no answer. Charles skimmed two flat stones across the creek. He had loved to skim rocks as a boy. Life had seemed much simpler then, when his parents were the ones making all the tough decisions. He glanced over at the little house; the house that Mary no longer lived in, and the one which Laura was sure to leave in the not so distant future. He sighed and moseyed back towards the front door, knowing he wouldn't feel better about Laura and Almanzo any time soon.
