I awoke to another cold and snowy day, Oliver purred softly as I looked at his sweet little face. With a sigh, I sat up, slipped on my house shoes, and covered my cold arms with a shawl. Jo and Beth were still sound asleep so I decided to bring Oliver downstairs with me, I'd enjoy the company while I made breakfast.

Once I made it to the empty kitchen and set a sleepy Oliver in another warm basket, I stoaked the oven fire and began gathering ingredients. Today I would make a simple breakfast, eggs, toast, and bacon. Hannah would be upset that I started cooking without her but I had nothing better to do in the meantime...

My mind wandered about my day while I cooked the food... Around noon I would accompany Beth to Mr. Lawerence's home, while she played the piano, hopefully, I could have a conversation with Laurie. I began to doubt myself... What if he stopped being friends with my sisters because of our falling out? What if he didn't want to be around me anymore because of how humiliating our situation was? What if he never talked to me again? Panic filled my mind but I shook my head in protest. "No... I can't think in that manner. It will be ok, I just need to stay calm... " I softly spoke to myself.

Once everything was cooked and laid out on the table and ready to eat, Hannah walked in and gasped. "Eliza Jansen-March! You know not to start the stove without me! You could have set the house ablaze! " She said with her arms in the air, I giggled and said, "Oh Hannah, it's all right. The house clearly is still in order. " She rolled her eyes and walked to the foyer where everyone could hear her, I quickly ran over to a sleeping Oliver and cupped my hands over his tiny ears to protect him from the burst of noise that was about to be made. I braced myself for Hannah's house rattling announcement, "RISE AND SHINE EVERYONE! BREAKFAST IS READY! "

Oliver just rolled over and I sighed in relief, Hannah's morning wake-up call echos up the walls and practically makes everyone jump out of their skin.

Everyone had made their way to the dining table and ate the prepared breakfast that lay before them. Meg finished sipping her milk, smirked, and asked, "So, Eliza, are you ready to speak with Laurie? " Everyone looked at me and I softly groaned in response, "I mean, I think I do. I'm just rattled about the whole situation..." I said as I took a bite of my bacon. Jo nudged me from her seat next to me and said, "Oh my darling, Eliza...It will be fine! Laurie clearly can't resist you as it is!" I gasped and felt my cheeks go red as Beth and Amy giggled, Meg and Marmee gasped, and Hannah burst out laughing. "JO! " I loudly said with my flushed face and raised eyebrows. "What? I'm clearly saying what everyone is thinking. Right? " Jo asked as she scanned over everyone. They all looked at each other in silence as Jo laughed at them. "Oh. My. Goodness. " I said as I held my head in my hands... This is more public than I thought...

Beth and I, tightly bundled in our winter coats, walked out of the house and proceeded to Mr. Laurence's home. Beth looked at me with worry as we walked, "Eliza, are you ok? " she asked. I sighed in an effort to contain myself and said, "If I'm going to be honest, I'm scared... What if things are too awkward now? What if he doesn't feel the same? " Beth pursed her lips and thought for a moment before responding, " If he truly cares about you then he will attempt to be understanding about how you felt and the whole situation... But I don't think he'll stay away from you for long, I can tell by the way he looks at you... It's as if you're a shining jewel in a display case, he can't help but admire you. " Beth softly smiled while holding my empty hand in her's as we continued to walk, my other hand was occupied with my bag... 

"Do you really think that, Beth? " I asked, she nodded and said, "I do, Eliza. Just take it slow and be honest with yourself and your heart. " I smiled back at her then I realized we had already made it to the front door.

Beth knocked on the door and we waited a moment before Mr. Laurence opened it. "Good to see you again, Beth... Oh, and is this one of your sisters? " He asked. Mr. Laurence is a very put-together man, with white hair, formal attire, a dark wooden cane, and a deep, stern, yet pleasant voice... We've seen each other on a few occasions but this was the first time that I really had a chance to talk with him.

"Oh yes, this is Eliza! " Beth replied, I outstretched my hand and we exchanged a firm handshake, "Hello, how are you? " I asked with a soft smile, I was surprised when he exchanged a sweet smile with me. "Oh, I'm doing fairly well myself at my age... Please, by all means, come in. "

Mr. Laurence took our coats and led us inside to a room with sculptures, grand paintings hung on the walls, and sofas scattered around... A small and beautifully painted piano sat in the middle of the room with a chair next to it, where I assumed Mr. Laurence sat while he listened to Beth play... "You know what, Beth, go ahead and warm up the ivories while I have a little chat with your sister..." Beth nodded and winked at me before we parted ways.

Mr. Laurence led me to a sunroom, with glass walls and winter plants that basked in the sunlight... He sat down in a chair and invited me to sit with him in an adjacent chair. "Now, Eliza, I won't keep you here for long because I know who you're really here to see. " He smirked at me while I tried to hide a blush, " But I wanted to speak with you for a moment... " I nodded as he cleared his throat and continued to speak. "Laurie has mentioned you quite a few times since he's lived with me, and from what I've heard, you are an exceptionally kind-hearted and lovely young woman. " I smiled and said, "Oh thank you, sir! It's surprising to hear that he's spoken about me. " He looked confused and replied, "Surprising? Laurie's very fond of you... It's something I've never witnessed with him... You do know that both of his parents have passed, correct? " I nodded and he continued, "When his mother, my daughter, died he was in a... Well... Depressed state... He was like that for weeks until he became friends with your family, and it's as if his whole life has been flipped around... Of course, I've asked him about it, but the conversations always shift to how much he cares for you, and I've never seen anything like it. " I blushed and smiled softly, "I care about him too, sir. I care about him a lot..." Mr. Laurence nodded, "I know that something is going on between the two of you, and I've heard a little about why he's been upset with himself lately... So, I'll let you two handle the rest. But know that, you specifically, have made him the happiest he's ever been..." He smiled and stood up, "I assume you know where to go?" "Yes, sir. Thank you... " "Of course, let me know if you need anything at all. " And with a nod, he walked back to the other room. I stood up from my seat and took a deep breath, I've always had to hope and assume that Laurie had the same feelings for me that I had for him. It's reassuring to know that someone close to him sees it too...

I walked up the stairs and all the way down the hallway, I figured that he would be in the study because that's where he normally is... With a deep yet shaky breath, I knocked on the door. "Grandfather? Can I be alone for a little while longer? " Laurie said on the other side, his voice sounded rather rough, shakey, and lower than usual. "Laurie? It's me, Eliza. Can I come in?"I stepped back as I heard fast footsteps approaching from the other side and my hands shook in anticipation.

Laurie opened the door with a look of awe on his face, "Eliza..." He said almost breathlessly. "Oh, Laurie... " 

His eyes were a little red, his hair was disheveled, and his clothes were wrinkled... He clearly was distraught, just like I was...

I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him as tight as I could and he immediately hugged me back. We relaxed in each other's embrace and let go after a moment or two... "I thought you-" He began to say before I interrupted, "Can I explain... Everything?" He nodded and led me to the leather sofa and sat next to me. "Can I say something first? " Laurie asked. "Yes, of course. " He took a deep breath and said, "Eliza, I've been thinking about how I tried to kiss you, and I realized that it was way too soon... I should have spoken with you about how I felt before I somewhat forced myself upon you. And for that, I'm so sorry. " He looked at me for an answer and I could see the guilt in his eyes. "Oh, Laurie it's ok... " I took another deep breath...

"Nothing you did was wrong... I pulled away because even though I wanted to kiss you, I was scared... When a girl has feelings for someone, they usually talk to their mother about it. But, I don't have that with my mother because she's gone... I can still talk to Marmee about it but it's different... That's why I felt like I wasn't ready... I have feelings for you, Laurie, I just need to take things slow... Does that make sense? " Laurie looked at me with a hint of pity and said, "Eliza, I-I had no idea..." I nodded, "That's because I never told you, and I should have. I'm sorry for that. " Laurie nodded and said, "You know, I'm kind of going through something similar... I wish I could ask my mother for advice when it comes to you. It's not like you're difficult- wait-  I didn't mean that I-" I interrupted him with my giggling and became flushed as he laughed with me.

After we stopped laughing, he looked away for a moment and looked back at me, "Is your family upset with me? " he asked with a slight hint of fear in his voice. "Oh of course not, Laurie. They all understand and I even had a conversation with Jo... Just give her a little time and she'll cool down. " He nodded, took a moment, and asked, "So... Where do we go from here? " I raised my eyebrows in thought and said, "I think we should take things slowly and see how things pan out... Is that ok with you? " He made one of his signature warm smiles and said, "It's perfect..." With a smirk, he reached for my hand and held it in one of his. "Is this ok with you? " I blushed, scooted closer to him, and looked into his eyes...

"It's perfect..."