Dear Stella,

Beth is well again. I woke up and she wasn't in bed, and I feared for the worst. But I went downstairs, screaming and causing chaos as I usually do, and she was sat there with Marmee and Hannah, eating breakfast.

Oh Stella I was scared. I was so scared. Marmee smiled, and then she cried, and none of us have ever seen Marmee cry. Ever.

Please come home soon. I miss you.

-Jo

It seemed forever ago since Jo March sent her sister the letter of good news. Stella was overjoyed to hear the news, and immediately rushed home with Amy.

Stella woke up in a similar situation a few years later. She woke and Beth wasn't there. Stella had fallen asleep talking to her, and Stella didn't want to believe that her sister had also fallen asleep.

"Beth?" Stella whispered, tears in her eyes. But then she was quiet. And she sat up, made the bed quietly. She fluffed the pillows and straightened the blankets.

Then she descended the stairs. One by one. She counted the amount of seconds until she got to the bottom of the stairs. It must have been over a minute, but Stella wasn't sure. She lost count at twenty.

She crept into the living area, then through the kitchen, taking her time to set a book on the table that had fallen off.

"When you open your eyes, she'll be there." Stella said to herself, feeling to doorframe.

Stella opened her eyes.

"Stella, I love you!"

"You're the best sister ever, Beth, don't tell the others."

"Stella I'm scared."

"I will always be your sister."

"You're my bestest friend, Stels."

"Play something?"

"Sing to me Stella."

"Beautiful dreamer

Awake unto me

Beautiful dreamer,

Awake unto me" she sang quietly to herself, and then she opened the door.

Beth wasn't there.