Chapter Twenty:

Elouise followed Meg around her room, her borrowed dress fluttering behind her. Meg grinned as Elouise walked with her back straight, her head up. Since Jo was with Aunt March for the day, Meg proposed Elouise wear something that wasn't either of her own two dresses.

"When you were little, did you ever dress up and prance around your room?" Meg questioned, walking over to her. She tucked a strand of hair behind Elouise's ear. "This is still as fun as I remember it being."

"I loved it." She replied, swatting Meg's hand away. "I would pretend I was at a dance or something, somewhere fancy."

Meg offered her hand, "And a boy would ask you to dance."

She laughed, accepting the offer as they danced around the room. "We cannot tell Jo about this. We would get teased for days."

Meg nodded, twirling away. "Remember the night we went to the theatre, and I could not find my glove?"

"Yes. Mr Brooke had it.'

Her eyes widened, "How did you know?"

"Laurie told Jo and she told me." Elouise smiled, "Oh, Meg, what's it like being in love?"

Meg looked horrified, remaining quite for a few extra moments before breaking into smile, "It's frightening, to be truthful. But I do love him, and I pray he feels the same way!"

"He most certainly does. You should see the way he looks at you, Meg. I do hope I'm invited to the wedding."

Meg shook her head, cheeks flushed pink. "You can keep that dress."

Elouise looked down at herself, "No, I cannot."

"You look so beautiful! Navy blue is quite the colour on you." Meg nodded, seemingly deciding. "I could not pull it off, so it is yours."

Elouise smoothed the fabric down, "Are you sure?"

"Why do you always ask that?" She chuckled, "I wouldn't offer if I wasn't sure."

Meg walked over to her again, moving her hands away from the fabric. "You'll wrinkle it."

She grasped her hand and held it up, Meg flicked the black band tied around her wrist. "Is this a shoe lace?"

"Yes." She yanked her hand away, embarrassed.

"Why on earth do you have a shoe lace wrapped around your wrist?" Meg laughed, "Is it from your boots, is this why you're always falling."

"I am not always falling!" Elouise protested.

"Back at your home, did you ever attend dances? Oh! Did you one of a kind dresses created just for you?"

Elouise made a face, "No. My father said it was a waste of money, and he wouldn't waste his money."

A door opened from stories below, followed by the voice of Marmee calling for her girls. Meg and Elouise raced down the steps, finding themselves in the living room. Elouise stayed by stairs, wanting to give some privacy if this was a talk just meant for her children. "Father is not doing well. I'm going to be by his side, while he recovers."

Everyone one fell silent, unable to process her words. "Will he be okay?" Amy asked, eyes watering. Marmee said nothing, "I cannot miss the last train. Will you all help me gather my things?"

Instantly Amy and Meg were off, running up the stairs to collect their mother's things. Hannah gathered a basket of food, preparing for the journey. Beth sobbed where she stood and Elouise did the only thing she could, she walked over to the small March girl and pulled her into a hug.

"Is Jo back from Aunt March?" Marmee questioned, fussing over something in the kitchen. She was trying to distract herself from her mind, not wanting to think of possibly losing her husband.

"No, we haven't seen her."

"I can't miss the last train." She said worriedly.

The front door opened and they all spun around, expecting to see Jo, but Mr Laurence and Laurie rushed in. "What can I do?" Laurie instantly asked.

Mr Laurence walked over to Marmee, "If I may be of anymore assistance, please tell me. I will look in on these girls every day, without fail."

"Thank you, for everything."

"I have always admired your husband, and I pray for a quick recovery."

That only made Beth sob more, and Elouise knelt down. She moved away from the girl, watching as a tear fell down her cheek. "Beth, everything will work out, alright? From what I've heard your father is a very strong man and he will be back with you as soon as he can."

"He will be alright." Laurie added, trying to reassure her.

Marmee stepped towards the door as Meg and Amy rushed into the main room, "While I'm gone, Hannah is in charge- and please remember to check on the Hummel's, it will be a cold difficult winter for everyone."

The door swung open again, and this time Jo rushed in and placed money in her mother's hand.

"Will this be enough for the train?"

Marmee stared at the money, then back at her daughter. "Twenty five dollars! That isn't like Aunt March to be so generous."

"I didn't go to Aunt March, I couldn't bear to."

"Where did you get the money?"

Jo sighed, "I only sold what was my own." She removed her hat, revealing her short, blunt crop. Her long hair was gone.

Everyone gasped, staring at her. Jo stood tall and never wavered from her mother's gaze, ignoring everyone's questions.

"Your hair!" Beth exclaimed, no longer sobbing.

Elouise stood up, "You didn't speak to your mother about the envelop, did you?"

Jo glanced her way, expression unmoved. Elouise huffed, squeezing through the crowded room and running up the stairs. When she got to Meg's room, she rushed to the girls dresser and quickly dug through each drawer. Tucked under a sweater was Elouise's letter, she scooped it up and immediately turned for the stairs again.

Marmee was outside now, with everyone following. Elouise threw herself outside, stumbling down the pavement. "Wait!" She shouted.

The woman stopped, and so did everyone else. Elouise stood in front of her, digging through her envelope and taking out the stack of bills. "Where did you get this from?" Marmee questioned, eyes wide.

"My father sent me it for my travels. I'm not accepting it for that because your family is much more important." She huffed, taking a good chunk out and forcing it into the woman's hand. "You will take it and use it how you like, Mrs March. The rest will be used for food and the other necessities. It is your money now, not mine."

"I cannot take-"

Elouise stepped back, "Go see your husband, Mrs March. And bring their father home to them."

"My girls." Marmee smiled at her daughters, then to Elouise with a nod. "I love you more than words can say. Be good to each other. Pray for fathers recovery, and I will come back as soon as I can."