I'm back! =) Hopefully you guys are still interested in this story. I've also been working on my Little Women "Washington & Blancmange" story, so I'm hoping to update that one within a few days as well.

"It's raining." Jo looked upward as the plump drops splattered on her face.

"Do not worry, little Jo."

Jo noticed the battered, old umbrella in her husband's hands. He pushed it up and open to shield their heads. The pitter patter of rain sounded against the canvas. "Where did that come from?"

"I haf had it in my hands the whole time."

"Oh. I didn't notice."

Bhaer wore a small smile. "You were distracted."

"Yes, I suppose so. This entire experience is so strange."

"I mean to say," Bhaer ducked his head as he spoke, "with your friend."

Jo frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing; it is nothing." He smiled down at her, cupping her cheek in his hands. "I haf missed you."

Jo blushed. "I've missed you too, Friedrich." She smiled when he clasped her hands in his. "Have you and Teddy been here since – well, since you both passed on?"

"No."

"But –"

"I only saw him for the first time here moments before you arrived."

"Isn't that curious," she muttered. "You've been here alone?"

"Mostly. I haf seen a few good friends from the past. Some family." He smiled a little. "Mostly, though, I haf been waiting for you."

"Friedrich," she whispered with a sniff.

"Has it," he paused, "I hope it has not been too hard on you; being without."

"It has, but I've had a lot of practice missing those I love."

"Haf you seen your parents, or your Beth yet?"

Jo looked down. "No." The cricket on her shoulder chirped. "Have you?"

"No." Bhaer squeezed her hand again. "You will, little one; do not despair." He watched as Jo looked over her shoulder. "You should go – go to your old friend."

Jo's eyes widened. "Oh, no, I want to stay here, with you."

"I will be here when – if – you want me."

Bhaer's choice of words seemed lost on Jo as she continued to stare off into the blur. Finally, she nodded and gave him a hug. "I'll be back," she whispered before placing her lips softly on his. He stood still as he watched her walk back towards Laurie.

"It took you long enough," Laurie was still sitting at his piano with his back to her as she approached.

"I've missed you." Jo sat beside him.

"Have you really?" Laurie twisted to face her, his eyes intent on hers.

"Yes." She turned away, focusing her gaze on the black and white keys. "This is Bethy's old piano."

Laurie nodded, still staring at her. "Grandfather says Beth plays for him."

"He's seen her? Have you?" Jo watched him breathlessly.

Laurie slanted his brows. "Of course; and you have too, don't you know it?"

"No, I haven't. I've been looking for her."

"Why, she's right there on your shoulder," he said, pointing his finger towards the cricket.

Jo looked at the little insect. It chirped again before hopping to the ground. A swirl of glitter surrounded the small creature, and it grew taller and taller before the shimmering cloud died away, leaving Beth standing in the middle of the glittering dust.

"I don't understand." Jo covered her mouth.

"The cricket on the hearth," Beth answered with watery eyes. "That's always what I wanted to be." She smiled. "You have no idea how I've missed you."

Jo bulled her into a hug, crying as she tightened her arms around her. Beth stroked Jo's hair before stepping out of the rib crushing squeeze.

"You look so young," Beth grinned, "just as you were when I had to leave you all." She looked at Laurie, who had been standing by and watching the reunion. "You all are young again. I wondered, when I was still here myself, what everyone would look like when they joined me. If you would be young or old, but you're all young again." She paused. "Except for Mr. Laurence, he's not young, but he looks just as he did when I left."

"Marmie and Father...and Hannah, they're all here too?"

Beth nodded. "Yes, Jo. I'll take you to see them later. Hannah is only here sometimes, she visits. She spends most of her time with her brothers and sisters." Beth looked from Jo to Laurie and back again. "Jo, I have to go," she held her hand up at Jo's impending protest, "only for awhile. I promised Mr. Laurence a recital. When I come back, you must tell me all about how Amy and Meg are doing. It will be nice, later, when we are all united again as a family." Beth gave Jo another hug before saying goodbye to Laurie and walking away into the mist.

Jo and Laurie stood in silence. Jo was the first to break it. "She's doing well. Amy is, I mean."

Laurie cleared his throat. "I knew she would be."

"The Concord Gallery has asked her to oversee the artists in the European section."

He nodded. "She must be happy as a clam."

"She is...mostly. She misses you."

Laurie sighed. "I miss her too. And I miss my little girl more than anything."

Jo grinned. "Oh, little Beth is well. She's a smart little thing; and more than a little rambunctious, like her father."

Laurie chuckled. "That's my girl."

"You'd be proud of her, Teddy. She's very independent, and she loves playing the piano. She writes music, and she's so wonderful at it that even Boston's finest have commissioned her to write pieces for them."

"I wish I was there to see it." Laurie sighed. "I hope your brood are faring well."

A proud grin crept over Jo's face. "Oh yes, they're the best boys in the world."

"That's good to hear." He reached for her hand, but she moved away from him.

"You know, Amy just grows more and more beautiful with age."

"I thought as much," he answered a little too coldly for Jo's liking. "It's been a long time, Jo."

"Yes," she sighed. "Why is it that you've seen Beth and Marmie and Father here," she began with a frown, "but Friedrich hasn't."

"I'm family."

"So is Friedrich," she snapped, furrowing her brows.

"It's not the same. I'm a bigger part of the March family than he is, and you know it."

"That's not true." Jo stared at Laurie. "That's a horrible thing to say."

Laurie barked a laugh. "Sure, Jo."

"He's my husband." Jo crossed her arms.

"Was. Was your husband."

Jo glared at him. "What do mean 'was'?"

"Just that. He was your husband, in life. This isn't life anymore." Laurie stepped towards Jo and looked at her tightly crossed arms. He laid his palm on top of her overlapping forearms. "Dearest Jo," he whispered, bringing his nose an inch from hers, "don't you see it? We're not confined to the rules from before."

Sorry it's taken me so long to update things! I made a major move, transferred uni s, and just upheaved most everything really. But! I will do my best to be here more often. I've actually been scribbling on these stories in my notebooks all along, so I haven't forgotten any of them! :)

Thanks for reading! I hope you review, if you have a chance.