Chapter Thirty Three:

The March household was more quiet without Meg, and Jo was most definitely taking it the hardest. The attic was now her room, and her room alone. The girl was also not very happy with the news Amy shared later that night of Meg's wedding. Aunt March had invited Amy with her to Paris as her companion, an offer that the woman had already asked Jo.

"Meg is the sensible one." Amy quipped packing her bags while Elouise brushed through her hair. "And I am the one insisting the others that they act as they are supposed too. This place will fall apart without us."

Elouise set the brush down, tucking her hair behind her ears. "You do not need to worry about your sisters, they will be fine. Jo wants to go to New York and become a famous writer anyways, no need to worry about her. Beth is amazingly talented, she will find her way soon."

"What will you do?" Amy questioned.

"I suppose I will finally leave your beautiful home and go off somewhere. Perhaps I will travel with Jo to New York, spend some time there."

"Do you have enough to get there?"

She nodded, "Yes, my work with Mrs Gibson has paid off these last two years. I should have enough for New York and another place but rather it be close by so I do not get stranded with no money."

Amy smiled, finishing packing and jumping on her bed. "I will become the best painter Paris has ever seen!"

"I believe that." Elouise smiled, "You are a very talented girl. All of you March's are."

There was a knock on the door and Beth peaked her head in, "Laurie is here for you, Elouise."

She raised a brow as she stood up, taking a quick glance at herself in the mirror. She wore one of her own dresses she'd had since her arrival here, the colours even more faded than before. Elouise made her way down the stairs, finding Laurie standing in the doorway.

"Care for a walk on this beautiful day?" He questioned, a smile on his face.

"I could not possibly turn an offer like that down."

"It's a quite easy one to turn down, actually." Jo snickered from the sofa, earning a laugh from Elouise as she bid them goodbye and shut the door behind them.

Instead of walking towards his home like they normally did, they walked around the March household and began walking to the woods.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

Elouise pursed her lips as they approached the thicket of trees, "Is that surprise going to be death?"

He shot her a look, "Pardon?"

"I'm not sure. You never hear good things about the woods." She said, looking around cautiously as they followed the path. "I am not a fan of the woods."

He chuckled, "Is it still frightening with someone else?"

"Do you suppose there are any bears around?"

"Elouise." He said.

"I'm only asking."

It was windy today, despite the beautiful weather. It seemed they hardly got any rain anymore, it was always sunny and warm. Perhaps this meant the winter would be overly harsh, like every year before.

They walked in silence, Laurie leading the way. He grabbed her hand and changed course, stepping off the trail. She said nothing, following him. When the trees finally came to an end, they walked down a grassy hill.

"This is my favourite place to walk." Laurie said, letting go of her hand. He pointed in the distance as they got further towards it, "See the rolling hills? It's exceptionally beautiful at night."

"I'm sure it." She took off in a run, rushing down the hill. When she got to the bottom, Laurie was watching from the top. "Come down!" She yelled.

He had a smile on his face as he ran down after her, stumbling on the flat ground at the bottom.

"I've been meaning to ask you something." He said, smile fading to a more serious look. "I wanted to ask you that day out with Meg and Mr Brooke."

"Is everything all right?" She questioned, grabbing his hand. "Is—"

"Marriage."

Elouise's brows furrowed, "Marriage?"

He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "Would you—"

"Oh." She whispered, "Oh."

He frowned, watching as she processed what he was saying. She wanted to say yes, she wanted to throw her arms around him and say yes but, was she enough?

Her mind raced, second guessing everything. Of course you are enough! She thought, chiding herself.

"Laurie, I..."

"You don't want too?"

"No, of course I do!" She stepped away, "I just— it's me!"

He made a face, "Yes, it's you, Elouise."

She sighed, wiping her clammy hands on her dress. "I have nothing to offer."

"What are speaking—"

"I have no family! I have no home— I have nothing to offer you, Laurie." She exclaimed, "I only have the clothes on my back and the shoes on me feet, I have nothing of value!"

Laurie stepped towards her, "I want nothing but you Elouise, only you."

"I want to travel!" She said, "Around the world! Are you up for that, to join me? Because I will not put my dreams on hold to stay here in a large lonely home. I will not do it."

"I love to travel—"

"I want to be treated like an equal! Not just a man and wife but as equals." Elouise crossed her arms, she felt her eyes burn. She hardly ever shed tears, and this was not the time. "I will not be ordered around, or be stuck up in a kitchen—"

"Elouise, please." He took another step, this time she did not move. "You have always been an equal, I have always seen you for who you are."

"I am nothing."

"Do not say that!"

Elouise closed her eyes, "Laurie—"

"Elouise, please. I love you."

She took a deep breath, opening her eyes. The expression on his face breaking her heart, "You deserve so much more."

He shook his head, stepping back now. He wasn't going to keep asking, not when she clearly wasn't going to change her mind.

He turned, making his way back up the hill. Elouise brought a hand to her mouth, taking a deep breath.

You are foolish, to let someone like him go. You do love him, and that is all matters.

She wiped her eyes, a few tears escaping.

You told Beth to not to settle, to marry for love and only that. No matter the status of either, only for love.

Elouise cursed under her breath, running up the hill.

You're a fool, Elouise Myer. She thought, breathing heavy as she found herself at the top of the slope.

Laurie walked back towards the woods, she raced after him.

"Laurie!" She yelled, catching up. She grabbed his hands, "Yes."

His eyes widened, "Elouise—"

"Ask me again." She told him.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded, "I was sure before, I truly was. My mind is a cruel thing."

Laurie smiled, "Will you—"

"Yes."

He reached and grabbed the collar of her dress, pulling her in. His lips met hers and she melted against him, a giant smile on both their faces. When they parted, his grin never wavered.

"I've wanted to do that for a long while." He told her.

Elouise rolled her eyes, "It's getting late. Can we walk through the woods before the sun sets?"

He poked her side, "I will protect you, there is no need to worry."

"That is exactly why I'm afraid." She laughed.