Chapter Thirty One:

It was a beautiful spring day in 1865, and Meg sat in a chair in her room smiling like a child.

"I cannot believe today is my wedding day!"

Jo stood behind her sister, placing delicate flowers in her dark hair. "Me neither."

"What's wrong?" Elouise questioned arranging Meg's bouquet.

"Nothing."

Meg sighed, glancing up at her sister. "Jo..."

Jo spun to her sisters feet, kneeling down before her. "We can leave. We can leave right now."

"What?"

"I can make money; I can sell stories, I'll do anything- cook, clean, work in a factory. I can make a life for us."

"But, Jo." Meg sighed.

"You should be an actress and have a life on the stage! Let's run away together."

Meg shook her head, "I want to get married."

"Why!" Jo huffed, standing up. Elouise backed to the window, not wanting to get between Jo and her sudden outbursts. She spotted Amy and Beth setting up decorations, and Laurie who was walking towards the home from his manor.

"I love him."

"You will be bored of him in two years and we will be interesting forever." Jo crossed her arms, staring down at Meg.

"Just because my dreams are not the same as yours, doesn't mean they're unimportant."

Jo nodded slowly, eyes still filled with sadness. She was going to lose Meg today, she would no longer live in this house but be off with a man in a new home.

"I want a family and a home and I'm not scared of work or struggling, but I want to do it with John." Meg said quietly, "Everything will be alright, Jo."

"I just hate that you're leaving me."

Elouise politely excused herself form the attic as soon as there was a silent stint. She raced down the steps, stopping at Amy's room. She stepped in, finding herself staring in the mirror.

She wore the dress Laurie had got her, the green matching the earrings that dangled from her ears. Her brown hair was curled around her face, matching the look Amy had decided they both were to try. Her boots felt soft, and she smiled finding the shoelace still tied around her wrist. After all this time, she was shocked she hadn't lost it.

She turned and made her way out of the room, finally making it outside into the sunlight. Amy rushed to her, "Is Meg almost ready?"

"Meg is speaking with Jo right now." Elouise said, "She should be down soon."

Mr Brooke stood off towards the back, in conversation with Laurie. They both broke out into hushed laughter before taking off towards the house. Elouise turned and went to Beth who was still struggling to hang a flower garland across the house window.

"Let me help." Elouise laughed, plucking it from Beth's hands and climbing the small ladder. She tied it around the nail and smiled, "How does it look?"

"Amazing." Beth grinned, "Meg will love it. She's been giddy about today since the day they announced their engagement!"

"She is ready!" Mr March sprang from the house, "Everyone please take your seats."

Elouise made her way to the back row of chairs when a hand gripped her arm, she turned to see Beth standing in front of her. "Where are you going?"

"To sit down."

The girl shook her head, pulling her to the front where the other March sisters took their seats. "You sit up here, with the rest of us."

Elouise gave a soft smile, sitting at the end of the row. Amy came bouncing around, flopping down next to her.

"Hello, Amy." Elouise chuckled.

"Isn't this the most beautiful day for a wonderful event?"

She raised a brow at Amy, "You are awfully cheerful today."

"Why wouldn't I be! Meg is getting married. Oh, I wish I could get married." Amy muttered, "It all seems so lovely."

"No, it does not." Jo sat next to Amy, glaring at the ground.

Elouise leaned over, "Couldn't talk her out of it, could you?"

"No." Jo huffed, sitting up straight. "But this is what Meg wants, and I will not get in her way any further. I suppose I'm the only sane one in this household."

"Jo, you cannot truly believe every marriage is dreadful. Look at your mother and father, wouldn't you perhaps be interested in a love like that?"

Jo sighed, playing with a ring on her finger. "That is impossible to find, and I never stay put long enough to figure if it is."

Amy shifted in her seat, facing her sister. "It doesn't seem so bad, Jo. Meg seems quite happy, and so does Mr Brooke."

"I suppose we should start calling him John?" Elouise questioned, "Or does that sound odd, after calling him Mr Brooke for so long?"

Jo cracked a smile, "John is such a boring name."

"If you take away two letters it becomes Jo." Beth was next to Jo, suppressing a smile as they all gave her an odd look.

"Beth!" Jo exclaimed.

Mr March walked to the front of the audience, finding a place underneath a garland of flowers. Mr Brooke appeared and stood on one side, a large smile on his face.

Elouise snuck a glance at Jo, who still did not seem very happy. "She won't be leaving you, Jo."

"Elouise—"

"You will only get a very happy Meg in return and when she has children you will love them like they're your own. Then, you will wish she would leave you for a few hours because everything Meg wanted is more difficult than a life alone. She will not be bored, but everyday will be a new adventure." Elouise reached over and grabbed her hand, squeezing it. "This is only the beginning for all of you girls. And hopefully it all begins with something as happy as this."