The March sisters walked down the lane, arm in arm, grumbling about how they missed Christmas. When Stella finally began to pay attention, the siblings split in the middle, and she was the middle, after all, so she made her way to Aunt March's house. Jo would join her later.

Merely hours later she found herself singing in French to her Aunts poodle as Jo took her break. Suddenly, the old woman startled awake, and Jo slammed her book shut.

"Josephine?" The old woman called after looking at the clock.

"Coming, Aunt March!" Her aunt nodded her head in the direction of the clock, and the girls realised that Estella had been singing for three hours.

"Is there a reason Estella is still singing two and a half hours longer than she should have been?" Aunt March asked, and Jo shook her head.

"I'm sorry, I'll continue." Jo seemed to be more apologetic to her younger sister, who had been singing for a long time now, with no water.

"May I fetch a glass of water?" Estella asked the woman, and Aunt March nodded, before nuzzling into the chair.

When Stella walked back into the room, Aunt March began to speak to the girls as a pair.

"Jo, I know you don't care much about marriage now. I can't say I blame you, but I intend to go to Europe one more time, and I need acompanion or two. How would you like to be the people I take?" Aunt March asked, and Jo spoke for both of them when she told the old woman yes.

"Then read and don't sneak around. I don't like sneaks."

Stella pulled a funny face when her Aunt wasn't looking, and Jo motioned to stop as she tried not to laugh.

______________

Stella left Aunt March's house early, Jo needed to stay and finish the book, and all of Stella's scheduled 'shifts' were complete.

As she trudged through the snow in the cold, she looked over to see a young woman standing crying in the woods. She immediately recognised the sobbing to be Amy, the youngest sibling.

Amy seemed to be talking to someone, before walking round to the front of the Laurence house. Estella called Amy's name, but she didn't hear. So she took the only other option, and ran after her.

Knocking upon the door, a servant answered almost immediately.

"My sister-"

"Follow me, miss." The servant interrupted, and Stella walked briskly behind him.

"Here they are, ma'am." Stella nodded, and ran to her sister, who cried out in pain.

"Oh, my darling girl! What happened?" Amy held her hand out, and Stella's sisterly instincts jumped in.

"Do you have any bandages?" She asked Laurie, making brief eye contact before examining her sisters injured hand closely.

Mr. Brooke ran off to get some, and Amy explained what happened.

"That awful, wicked man. Jo and I shall teach you and I don't care for the excuses she will make." Amy hugged her sister, and Mr Brooke returned with bandages, handing them to Stella.

"Now, sit, and let me help you." Stella smiled fondly at the youngest sister.

"Thank you, Stel." Amy sniffled after her hand was well bandaged.

"And thank you, Sir, for getting bandages." She nodded to Mr Brooke.

"Please, miss, call me John." Laurie looked at Mr Brooke oddly.

"Then you must call me Stella, and I'm sure you know our Amy by now."

Amy stood up to look at the paintings.

"Thank you for the other night with Meg, Teddy. An extra pair of hands really goes a long way sometimes. And the food on Christmas? You really had no need!" Stella thanked.

"I saw you giving away your breakfast and didn't want you to be hungry, especially after you were so lovely to me at the party." Teddy brushed it off, and they stood smiling at each other for a minute.

"Tell the servants I want this painting purchased for me immediately!" Stella laughed at her sisters funny voice, and then a clutter came from behind them.

"Jo! Meg!" Stella called, and Amy went back to being distraught.

"What richness! Theodore Laurence you ought to be the happiest boy in the world!" Jo exclaimed, and Laurie shrugged it off, telling her nobody could live off books.

"Jo could." Jo pretended to throw up as Laurie and Stella grinned at each other again.

Jo walked back over again soon, tired of her sisters blatant lying.

"Christopher Columbus, look at that." Stella giggled into her hand, Laurie's attention being brought to the younger girl.

"That's my grandfather. Are you scared of him?" Laurie tore his eyes away from Stella to look at Jo.

"I'm not scared of anyone! He looks stern, but our grandfather was muchmore handsome, don't you agree Stel? Stel?" Stella laughed at Jo, noticing Laurie's grandfather standing behind her sister.

"Marmee, Amy's hand was hurt. I tried to bandage it but I'm afraid you could do better." Stella rushed toward her mother, and Amy held her hand out.

"Jo, we don't compare grandfathers," Marmee joked.

"You are not to attend that school any more." Marmee said sternly, and Amy nodded.

"That's what Stella said!" Amy breathed out a sigh of relief

"Is it now?" Marmee looked to Stella, who motioned for Amy to shut it.

"No?" Stella glared at Amy, and Jo looped her arm through Stella's.

"Estella Jane March do not tell lies!" Amy gasped.

"Who shall teach her?" Jo asked. Everyone turned to look at her, and Stella quickly ran the other direction, which happened to be straight behind Laurie.

"Stella said you could do it with her."

"We already teach Beth!"

"You're good teachers!" Meg sighed.

"Yes, women being taught at home is much more proper, I believe." 'John' said, obviously trying to get Meg's attention.

"Only because the schools for women are so poor." Meg replied, and turned to face John.

"Indeed, quite right."

"I wish all the girls would leave his horrible school and that he would die." Amy stated. and Stella stepped out from behind Laurie.

Jo lunged for Stella jokingly, making Stella jump and hide behind Laurie again as he laughed and Amy scolded Jo.

"You did wrong, Amy, and there will be consequences." Amy began to make excuses, but Marmee turned to Laurie. "Thank you so much for taking care of Amy and Stella. My girls do have a way of getting into mischief."

Stella smiled and walked toward her sisters, sitting on top of Amy.

"Oh move!" Stella bounced up and down on Amy's legs.

"That's no way to speak to a teacher!" Stella put a gruff voice on.

The girls all laughed.

Stella heard Beth's name being mentioned and she stood up immediately.

"Oh, Beth would love the piano!" Stella exclaimed happily, and for the fifth time that evening Laurie found himself staring at her, grinning.

"Is she the quiet one?" Mr Laurence asked, making Stella nod.

"Tell the little girl to use our piano."

"She'll be thrilled, thank you sir!" Stella declared.

"Amy, come see the paintings whenever you would like!" Laurie suggested, Amy's face lighting up.

"May I come and read?" Jo asked, and Mr Laurence nodded.

"There is also a lovely greenhouse!" Mr Brooke suggested, and everyone went quiet before Stella coughed to conceal her laughter.

"We must be going. Girls?" Marmee stated as Laurie and Stella stood laughing at Mr Brook, both holding the other so they didn't fall.

"Goodbye Mr Laurence, Mr Brooke, Teddy," Stella gathered herself and ran on after her sisters. Laurie sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Miss Meg! You forgot your gloves!" Stella heard John call, but saw the looks they'd been giving each other, and decided against going back.

Also, maybe if she was lucky, Teddy would go with him.

a/n trying to update as often as i can but i'm very busy with revision for exams and being sociable with my family and friends over the holiday.

i hope you're all having a good new year so far!

lots of love

a/n AH TEDDY CONTENT YOU'RE WELCOME