"I don't want to leave you," Laurie cries. "Listen to me when I say, I love you. I mean it Jo. Always have."
"But why haven't you shown it? After all this time, why wait till now? You know my life, you know my ambitions, how I want to conquer this world."
"Yes I know, and I'm not standing in your way! I want to be a part of that. Haven't I always? I compliment you Jo. I worship you!"
"So now I'm obligated? I'm obligated to say yes to you, right here, right now?"
"Do you think I will trap you like some kind of animal?"
"What do you know of women? They are kept Laurie. By their fathers and their brothers, by doctrine, in school, by each other! There are so many possibilities out there to explore yet my options are limited. On top of all of that, marriage being the seemingly only option for illusionary freedom. I'm tired of this compromise I feel I must make. I want to sail my own ship, to float along the current and decide where to steer."
"And you think I'd hold you back?"
"No."
"Then what is it?"
"I only see these two options, solidarity or marriage, and I'm afraid if I choose either I'd break your heart."
They pause. Laurie sees the battle in her eyes as they brim with tears. Years of witnessing her soar, not realizing fully her vital need to defend her liberty. Not realizing the invisible walls surrounding her.
He cradles her hand in his, quieting her trembles.
"I've loved you every minute since the day we met. If ever you've doubted that, it has been a tremendous failure on my part. If ever I've suppressed your brilliance, I am more sorry than you will ever know. And I apologize now for this struggle the word has set upon your shoulders, suppressing your brilliance even further. I respect every ounce of you Jo, and I vow whether we get married, or not, to give you the space to shine your light. But I cannot leave here without expressing and conveying to you as best I can how deeply and madly in love I am with you. I would regret the rest of my existence not at least attempting to make you understand."
He cups her face with his hand, directing all of his courage and passion into her eyes as her tears fall.
"Can't there be another way? Why does it have to be so strict with us? Can't you feel we're different? This bond is so strong, how could it be broken?"
"I'm afraid," she whispers.
"I'm here. I'm always here. Let me love you Jo. Let's build something together. We'll be indestructible and we will fly above it all."
With a release sobs crack through Jo's chest as she wraps her arms around him. With her head buried in the nape of his neck, he holds her firmly to him, pressing urgent kisses to her face and temple, whispering his vows.
"I'll be by your side in however way you'll have me."
He feels her relax deeper into him while he takes in the reality that is her nestled in his arms, grateful for this moment of his dreams and their journey together actualized.
She lifts her head, "I love you Teddy. Always."
"Jo, whatever you want. However this thing goes, you lead, I'll follow."
Jo illuminates with a radiant, relieved smile. The pressure dissolved into something beautiful yet exhilaratingly unknown.
"Well," Jo says grasping both of his hands, glowing with the joy of allowing her heart to win. "How about we take a walk?"
"Alright, and then?" He asks, raising a comical yet, slightly unsure brow.
"We keep walking," she whispers, kissing his lips gently. Sealing this moment and the promises they've made.
"Perfect." He breathes against her lips, pulling her into him suddenly, deepening their needing kiss.
He pulls back to look into her eyes. "Hey. I love you."
"I love you too."
They make their way down the hillside, brushing through the natural flora hand in hand, swinging them through the air like they've done millions of times before.