"Stella, there's a letter for you!" Teddy called from downstairs.

"Coming now!" Stella hurried down the stairs, knowing the only people who would write to her were her family.

"It's from Marmee!" She exclaimed, opening to letter excitedly, Teddy urging her to read it out loud.

"Stella, my darling girl. Please hurry home, I am afraid Beth has taken a turn for the worst." Stella dropped the letter to the floor as she fell, her legs failing her.

"It's okay. We'll go back." Teddy assured her.

"We have to go immediately." Stella whispered, and ran to pack for Massachusetts.

"Stella! She said not to tell Amy!" Teddy called, knowing how Amy hasn't had scarlet fever before, so it would be dangerous for her to go back.

"Hurry and pack your bags, Theo!"

______________

Stella opened the door to her childhood home, Laurie following her.

"Hello?" Stella called, immediately being surrounded by Hannah, Marmee, Daisy, Demi, Meg, Charlotte and Jo.

"Thank God you're home!" Meg exclaimed, hugging her sister, then her brother in law.

"I've missed you so much!" Jo added, upset they couldn't have been reunited on better terms.

"We could have come to the train station to get you!" Marmee insisted, but Stella stood her ground that they were fine.

"Daisy and-" (Stella willed herself not to call the child 'window' or 'door' or her personal favourite 'semi detached') "Demi!" Meg nodded in approval. "You've gotten so big!"

"I wish you were here to teach them. You too Jo."

"We're here now." Stella said, grasping her sisters hands.

"It's so good to have you home. I think the loneliness got to Beth, although she hasn't said anything." Marmee explained.

"Where is she?" Stella asked as the happy atmosphere crumbled.

"She's upstairs. Oh, Stella, we thought she was better, but the fever weakened her heart." Marmee said sadly.

"Here, take this money to get all the medicine you need." Stella remembered, and motioned to Laurie, who gave her the money. She passed it to Charlotte, who was a doctor.

"When is Amy coming?" Jo asked Stella.

"Didn't you know?" Stella asked.

"She doesn't know." Hannah said.

"She hasn't had the fever. We don't want to risk anything." Stella explained.

"She gets out of everything in life." Jo grumbled.

"Be kind, Jo." Charlotte reminded her wife.

_____________

Jo and Stella sat at the side of Beth's bed, waiting for their sister to wake up.

"Stels? Jo?" Beth groggily called.

"Beth!" They both grinned, relieved.

"You didn't need to come." Beth coughed.

"I never should have left-" Jo started, Stella continuing, "We should have stayed here."

"Do you need anything?" Stella asked.

"Here, take some water." Jo handed her a glass of water, helping the child drink it.

"It's so good to see you both again." Beth smiled weakly.

"We're taking you to the sea to get you well again!" Jo declared.

"The sea?" Beth's face lit up.

"I want you dancing by the time Amy gets back!" Jo declared again.

"She's not cutting her trip short is she?"

"Oh, no!" Stella reassured.

"Is there any news? Is she having fun?" Beth asked.

"Yes! We went to a party together, I have sheet music from it, actually if you'd like me to try and sing it." Stella reached for her bag.

"Yes please!" Beth chirped.

"I miss how everything used to be." Jo reminisced.

"So do I."

______________

Stella headed back to the house she was staying in, the Laurence mansion, late that night. She opened the door quietly and crept up the stairs and onto the upstairs corridor. She tiptoed along, before hearing sniffles from hers and Teddy's room.

"Teddy?" She whispered, opening the door gently and slowly. The man in question pretended to be asleep.

Stella got into their bed, convincing herself she was just hearing things, before she put her head on his chest and heard the rapid heartbeat and the erratic breathing.

"Teddy?" She looked up at him, propping herself on her elbows.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." His hands flew to his face, covering his embarrassment.

"No, don't. Don't be sorry. It's alright, Teddy. You're allowed to cry." Stella soothed, working her hands through his hair.

"But I just feel so weak and helpless!" Stella took his hands (which were still on his face) in hers and waited until he calmed down until she removed them, placing gentle kisses on each of his knuckles.

"You're one of the strongest people I have ever met, Teddy. You're one of the best people I know, and I love you so much." Stella kissed his cheek, kissing the tears away.

"I love you." Laurie whispered, rubbing the pad of his thumb against her jawline.

"I love you too." She moved to hold him in her arms, however he stopped her, gently pulling her down against him.

"Let me hold you. Please. I just need to know that you're here." He said shakily.

"I'll always be here."

a/n they are my bABIES

also!! if you want to read another laurie fic, i really recommend 'little march' by