Jo throws the knitting needles and tangled web of yarn into the middle of the knitting circle in frustration.
"Jo!" Marmee scolds.
"I'm sorry, Marmee," Jo says as she tries to bend down and pick them up. She struggles to reach the floor from the chair.
"Let me get them," Marmee sighs. She takes the needles and puts the yarn back in her bag, assuming that Jo is finished after her fifth try.
"Jo, knitting is not that hard. It just takes patience."
"Patience is not my way, Marmee. You know that."
"Jo?" Mrs. Hummel tries to get her attention. "What do you think?" She holds up a small baby sweater with matching mittens. The white yarn looks as soft as feathers.
"Oh, Mrs. Hummel, it is beautiful! Which of your girls is having another baby?" Jo asks innocently.
"It is for you, Jo," Mrs. Hummel answers sweetly.
"For me? Mrs. Hummel, I cannot take this. You worked so hard on it!"
"I made it for your child. I insist," the homely woman smiles and brings the little sweater to her.
Jo hugs it against her chest and tears up. "Thank you, Mrs. Hummel. It is beautiful, and it will be well-worn."
"You are welcome, dear." Someone comes to the door and sneaks in the room without Jo noticing.
"Jo, there is another surprise for you," Marmee whispers.
"A surprise?" she answers excitedly. Meg sneaks around her chair and they both squeal in delight. They spin in a tight hug.
"Jo! It is so breathtaking to see you!"
"I did not know you were coming back from Maine so soon!" Jo answers. "How was visiting John's cousins?"
"It was great. They are so nice, and the twins loved them. I cannot believe that you are going to have a baby!" Meg says as she places a hand on Jo's stomach.
"I cannot believe it, either, Meg."
"When I received your letter, I told John that I had to see it for myself. You look wonderful! When is the baby coming?"
"Dr. Adams says I have a month left."
"Oh, I am so glad that I get to be here with you for this." They hug again.
"Me too, Meg."
…
Jo returns from the knitting group, and Fritz is reading in his usual spot.
"How were the knitting lessons?" he asks.
Jo holds up the little sweater from Mrs. Hummel. "Look at this sweater, Fritz!"
"Wow! I am amazed! You made that the first time you tried to knit?"
"No, it is a gift from Mrs. Hummel. The sweet dear made it for our baby. I, on the other hand, only succeeded in making some rather impressive knots."
"I expected nothing less," he laughs.
"You do not believe in me?" she counters.
"I believe that you can do most anything, mein Jo, but somehow sitting still for hours knitting is not one of them."
"I must admit you are right. Oh, and Meg and John have returned from Maine. We are having dinner with them tomorrow."
"That sounds excellent." He sighs. "You look tired, darling. You should rest."
"I am not tired," she insists, stifling a yawn. She sits next to him on the sofa, and she falls asleep on him less than ten minutes later. He kisses her forehead and thinks to himself, I was hoping to spend the night in bed, but I suppose the sofa is fine too.
…
Jo and Fritz arrive at the Brooke's house for dinner.
"I am sorry we are late, Meg," Jo says as she kisses her sister's cheek. "Blame me, I am moving much more slowly lately. Hello John."
"You are always late, Jo," Meg laughs. "Now you just have something to blame it on."
"It is true," Fritz laughs.
Jo begins to cough deeply. Fritz rubs her back.
"Are you ill, Jo?" John asks.
"I was. Unfortunately, I came down with the flu about a month and a half ago, but I am fine now."
"She was extremely ill," Fritz adds. "It was quite a scare. She cannot get rid of this cough now."
"I am fine, Fritz."
"Yes, dear." Meg and John smile at each other, silently laughing at Jo and Fritz's unusual relationship.
"Let's all sit in the living room. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes," Meg says. Fritz takes Jo's arm and helps her lower onto the sofa. She sinks into the seat awkwardly, not used to being so heavy. As they sit and talk, Fritz notices that Jo is not nearly as vocal as she normally is. He looks at her and she is breathing deeply with her eyes closed.
"Jo," he whispers, "what is wrong, darling?"
"Nothing," she smiles falsely. He raises an eyebrow at her, but she does not cave.
"Dinner is ready!" Meg calls from the kitchen. Fritz reaches a hand out to help Jo up, but she does not take it. She again sits with her eyes closed.
"Mein Jo," he whispers nervously, "has labor started?"
"No, it cannot. It is too soon." She takes his hand and tries to stand. As soon as she is upright, she grasps her stomach and falls back onto the sofa.
"Meg!" Fritz calls. Meg comes running from the kitchen, startled by his tone.
"Jo!" she yells. "John, go get Marmee and the doctor! Hurry!" she orders.
"Fritz, it is too soon," she cries. "It has stopped," she says calmly.
"Another wave will come," Meg says.
"It is not time," Jo insists. She erupts into a coughing fit and grabs her stomach.
"We need to get you out of those clothes." Fritz tries to follow them, but Meg puts a hand on his shoulder, wordlessly telling him to stay behind.