Pearl Lace

A/N: I think I remember Jo having two kids before Amy had hers but for the story's sake she hasn't had any.

Jo watched Laurie's face very carefully. He'd not truly smiled during their outing at all, and it was so unusual that Jo began to worry from her position under the tree. Fritz was playing with her boys not far off and she missed the comforting words he would've uttered if she'd told him.

She observed the way Laurie kicked the grass, his hands in his pockets as his downcast face glared at the ground. He didn't look like a man whose wife was pregnant with their first child.

"Teddy," she called out softly, hoping the others wouldn't think of coming over for conversation. She just needed to make sure he was fine. Alone.

Laurie's head picked up at the sound of Jo's voice and he looked about to see if anyone would miss him. Finding Amy preoccupied with her mother, he wandered over to Jo, feeling cooler the instant he stepped under her shady tree. Laurie saw Jo's look but chose to ignore it, flopping onto the grass beside her.

"What's wrong?"

"Well hullo to you too!" Laurie, now on his back briefly glanced up at her before concentrating on the sky through the tree. Jo brought her knees up to her chest and looked about, a grim expression contrasting with the brightness of the day. Laurie was going to ignore her prodding and Jo thought it unfair. She'd let him comfort her!

Laurie looked up at the silent woman who was staring off in the opposite direction and he immediately felt bad. Jo only wanted to help but after living with the epitome of niceties her blunt 'what's wrong' almost offended him. Even though he craved for that speech late at night. Laurie lifted his hand up, tugging her arm away from her legs, "I'm sorry Jo."

She turned back to him, smiling gently as he took her now free hand and played with her fingers. Jo had no idea what he found so fascinating with her hand but it seemed to ease him into a good enough mood to talk.

"I want you to know that –" Laurie paused, turning her hand over as if looking for the words on her skin. He was dangerously close to opening up and letting hell loose with her so near and encouraging, and he thought for a moment that it might not be so bad. If Jo knew, he'd have the judgment of someone he trusted and hopefully her support. The again Jo was a large part of his gloom.

He saw the form of her husband and the boys she taught jump at the edge of his vision. He wasn't ready to risk her giving them up yet. She probably didn't even think of him the way he thought of her. Every night. All morning. Whenever he had a moment's peace.

"Actually Jo, it's nothing never mind." Laurie dropped her hand, and stuck his own under his head. It was so much safer if he kept his thoughts to himself.

"Laurie, you can tell me." He met her gaze and marveled at the dark specks in her brown eyes. It was almost too easy, too good to be possible. She didn't know what she was saying, where he would take her with his words. No, Laurie decided, it was best if he remained silent at this time.

"I was only thinking that you would have a beautiful child," he knew she'd be concerned about Amy's condition and would assume the same for him. Jo flushed darkly and looked away. "But Amy's and mine will be handsomer," he laughed as she hit him on the head.

Jo softened for a moment, examining her dearest friend again. He stretched out a fair length but he'd always been tall, his expression was slack with peace but his eyes – Jo admired them the most, they were the jewels of his handsome face that would make many a mama proud. She let her hand rest in his hair, the rare moment of displayed affection touching Laurie's heart more than any sigh of Amy's would.

…

"Oh Laurie, it's beautiful!" Amy held the lace shawl up to admire its glory, "wherever did you get it?" Then she turned to face him, "When did you have time to get it?"

Laurie smiled mysteriously, moving closer to his wife, "Oh I made time."

She smiled prettily and fingered the material, her blue eyes understanding the true meaning of beauty and taste. She had Laurie for a husband, didn't she? Feeling that he was her best example of style, Amy proceeded to walk off with her new prize, delicately wrapping it about herself.

Laurie exhaled deeply and moved to fall into a chair. So long as he could make Amy happy he had a chance of making himself happy. For they were simply extensions of each other weren't they?

Laurie saw the smaller box he'd left on the table and moved to hold it. Hopefully this gift would have the desired effect on its receiver. Maybe, just maybe he'd see his opportunity then and he'd tell her how he thought of her. How he felt.

He removed the lid, checking the contents over. Satisfied with what he found, Laurie placed the cover back on and went to find some ribbon to fasten it properly again. He didn't want to hide the present but Amy stumbling onto it wouldn't do either, so he kept it on his persons until night where he'd hide it in a cupboard close by.

Amy however, did stumble upon this secret gift one late night when her discomfort demanded her out of bed. Looking for a towel to take to the bathroom she found the box covered by her desired object, against the wall of the drawer. Curious she picked it up and held it by the window, the light of the partial moon allowing her to make out the tag "For Jo."

She looked over to the sleeping figure in confusion. It must be from him. Amy was desperate to know what it held her feminine suspicion overruled her childish curiosity and she replaced everything. She crept back into bed, moving a little closer to the deep breathing of the man.

Amy wouldn't say a word, but she held him closer than before. She'd forget it and he would forget about Jo.

…

Months of piano lessons and various moods of his hormonal wife passed by before Laurie gave it to her. They stood in his old bedroom, next door to her old house. Wordlessly motioning Jo to sit, he moved forward, a little hesitant even after his planning and imagined scenes.

"This is for you."

Jo took the box smiling up at him with an expression Laurie would not soon forget. He folded his hand behind his back as he waited for her to open the lid. Jo laughed. She held up the pair of pearl-coloured gloves, going red as she looked at Laurie with delighted surprise, "Why you cheeky boy!" Jo laughed some more at his guilty appearance.

"Yours were so lovely that night and all I had was Meg's and my lemonade-stained." Jo's eyes glittered as she recalled the night she and Laurie became proper acquaintances. Laughing some more when he took her hand to put the gloves on, a darker glint in the fabric made Jo gasp. It was a little ring, not unlike the one she'd given him so long ago.

Jo looked up questioningly and Laurie shrugged, "I have so many things to remind me of you, and I'm afraid all I've given you is a horrible proposal and a few invitations for romping." Jo smiled a bit, finding it difficult to hold it and not to be sentimental after his touching gift.

"Thank you Teddy," she said quietly, despite the lump in her throat. "Only I don't go out much to wear these," she gestured to the gloves. Laurie smiled charmingly and Jo had to swallow at the darker look.

"Well, maybe we should give you more chances to." She frowned in confusion, even as he pulled Jo up by her hands. He gently tugged the gloves on for her and placed the little ring over them, both feeling their hearts pull at the action.

Laurie stepped back and bowed deeply, "Jo, would you care for a dance." Jo looked about the bedroom, estimating its size for the activity. Deeming it safe she chuckled and took his offered hand.