Chapter Eight:

Mrs Hummel looked shocked when they all trampled into her home, especially carrying baskets of food and drink.

The woman lived in a shed, much like the one her grandmother lived in. Though, this was certainly in worse shape.

"Ach mein Gott!" Mrs Hummel cried out, "It is good angels come to us!"

"I'm back! We brought food and blankets and sweaters. And we brought some medicine. These are my girls."

Elouise waited for her to say, and Elouise. But if never came, she wasn't sure if that was supposed to mean anything or not.

Marmee took the baby Mrs Hummel held closely, the woman moving to the small table to inspect like two of her other children. Meg sat on a makeshift bed pushed against the corner wall and patted the place next to her, one child falling on her lap. Elouise placed her baskets on the table and began taking out the goodies within. She placed bread loafs in front of the children seated at the table, followed by a jar of jam and some biscuits.

They stayed with Mrs Hummel until they each were covered in a blanket and had eaten a good portion of food. They left two baskets with them, filled with more for later. The girls walked arm in arm away from the house, all beaming with joy. Elouise stood of to the side, until of all people, Jo, pulled her next to them and linked her arm to theirs.

"You mustn't not distance yourself from us, Elouise." Meg laughed, "It won't work for long."

"My apologies. I don't mean to, I'm only just used to being alone."

Amy giggled, "You sound like Jo."

Jo whacked her sister, "I'm not used to being alone, you chit. I have all of you. And now, Elouise has all of us."

Marmee smiled at her daughter, not having heard his from her second oldest about anyone new. "That's very sweet, Jo."

Elouise smiled, "I can't thank you enough for letting me intrude all this time. Especially around Christmas, I am very grateful."

"Oh, stop." Beth smiled, causing Elouise's smile to brighten. This was the first time the youngest March sister said anything to Elouise's face. "We enjoy having you with us."

Jo made a gagging noise, followed by a flick to the head from Amy. "Stop being so rude."

"I can't help it!" Jo laughed, "I'm not a fan a touchy feely topics."

"Yes you are. Only not in public, it tarnishes your hard boy-like exterior." Meg chipped, which cause everyone to laugh. Nobody expected such a retort from Meg, which made it even more funny.

By the time they arrived, everyone was shivering in the cold. Elouise was quite chilly, her feet frozen. The warmth of the March household engulfed her as she walked in, sighing with relief.

"Look!" Amy called from the kitchen. Everyone shuffled towards her, gasping at the sight. "Is it fairies?"

"Is it Santa Clause?" Beth swooned.

The kitchen table was covered in an array of a perfectly placed feast, with cakes and candy and even ice cream!

"No, it's old Aunt March!" Jo shoved by them, walking to the other side.

"Aunt March?" Elouise questioned.

"Yes. A bitter old woman, she lives in a rather large house hoarding her fortune." Jo nodded, "Unlike her, I plan to make my own way in this world."

Hannah smiled coming from a back room, "Mr Laurence sent it."

"The Laurence boy's grandfather, why?" Meg questioned, eyeing the treats.

"He saw you giving your Christmas breakfast away and wanted you to enjoy the day."

They all turned and ran to the window, even Elouise as they stared at the large white mansion. "But I thought he was a mean old man!" Amy said.

"That's so generous of him." Marmee spoke from behind the girls.

Jo pulled herself away, "His grandson Laurie put the idea into his head! I know he did. We should make friends with him."

"Boys scare me. And that big old house scares me." Beth told them quietly.

Amy followed Jo back into the kitchen, as did everyone. They all sat around the table, Amy already munching on sweets. "Jenny Snow says that Mr Laurence disowned his son after he went off with an Italian woman, and now his grandson is an orphan and he spends all of his time in that house locked up with his tutor."

Marmee's eyes narrowed at Amy's comment, "He is a very kind man who lost his little girl when she was only a child, and now his son as well."

"His daughter died? That's so sad." Beth whispered.

Amy on the other hand, was having different thoughts. "But doesn't Laurie just seem so romantic? He's half Italian!"

Jo rolled her eyes, "How do you know? You've never spoken to him."

Marmee stood up, "I am not responsible for this feast but I have got a surprise."

She motioned for her children to follow, which they did. They crowded around her as Marmee took a seat on the large chair in the living room, pulling out a letter.

"A letter from father!" They all cheered.

Elouise pulled herself from her own chair and made her way to the door, no one noticed as she slipped out. Elouise knew that this moment should just be for them, to hear word from their father at war.

Just having warmed from the cold, it seemed to be several degrees lower than before. Elouise trudged across the land towards the daunting mansion. She couldn't feel her feet as she stepped onto the small porch.

Elouise knocked three times, hoping someone may here them in such a large space.

The door swung open, revealing a very well dressed older man. "Hello, what may I do for you?"

"Is... is Laurie here?"

He nodded, opening the door wider. Hesitantly, she stepped in. Her eyes widened at the space, it seemed to stretch out with beautiful polished floors and antique furniture. The man began walking down the long hallway, stopping at the end and resting his hand on the knob. It swung open, revealing a startled Laurie sitting in a wooden chair by a desk.

Elouise stepped in, the door being shut behind her. "Elouise?" He questioned, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to look more cleaned up.

"I just wanted to thank you for the food."

"Oh." He nodded, "Yes."

"The March household deserve it. Their mother especially, she is an amazing hard working woman."

Laurie stood up, walking around the desk. "I'm glad they're enjoying it."

"That was very sweet of you to do." She smiled, "You're very kind."

The door opened from behind them, and they both looked to see an older man standing in the door frame. "Oh, I wasn't aware you had company."

"Elouise, this is my grandfather."

She smiled, "Nice to meet you, Mr Laurence."

"I'm sorry to intrude, I only wanted to see if putting Theodore in a different space would enable him to get some work done." He gave a grin, "Turns out, I was mistaken."

Laurie opened his mouth to say something, but the door closed once again. He sighed, "He's an interesting man."

She raised brow, "Theodore?"

"Yes." He shook his head, "That is my name. But I go by Laurie, as we've establish."

Elouise smiled, watching as his foot tapped the ground. "Theodore is a beautiful name."

He made a face, "You're lying, El."

"I once named a squirrel I met back home, Theodore." She paused, blinking slowly. "I'm not sure why I said such a thing."

Laurie grinned, "Perhaps I should send over more sweets if it means a visit from you."

"Theo, you're flattery reminds me of my great grandfather attempting to swindle his wife."

His brows furrowed, "Is that supposed to be a compliment."

"No." Elouise said plainly, making her way towards the door. "But you have spirit, that's what counts. Oh, can I call you Theo?"

His cheeks flushed as he followed, she carefully opened the door and took off down the hallway. "You're heading the wrong way, Elouise. And yes, you may."

She paused, gazing around her surroundings. Elouise could see the front door from where she stood, and she was going in the correct direction.

"You are the terrible liar."

He shrugged, rushing to her side as she continued on. "Let me walk you home."

"It's quite cold, I wouldn't want you to freeze."

"What about you?" He questioned, "You seem to always be without a coat when you venture outside."

Elouise pursed her lips as they reached the front door, he grabbed the knob and slowly opened it.

"A little cold is nothing."

"It is if it ends in death."

She chuckled, "Reminds me I'm alive."

Laurie leaned against the doorframe, "Perhaps if I ever stop by and ask of you, you'll answer?"

She made her way down the path, glancing behind her. "Depends how I'm feeling."

"Oh?"

"I'm only joking, you fool." She waved goodbye, "Thanks again."

Laurie watched Elouise walk back to the March household, and pondered there even when she had long since entered the home. A faint smile was still on his lips as he reentered his home and shut the door.