By Robin G.
Note: This is my
first ever fan fiction, and I don’t consider myself much of a writer; but
please bear with me, and let me know how you like the story.:o) Also this story is for you Franz fans out
there.
--PART 1—IN TOWN--
“Laurie!” an older
man, who looked to be in his 60’s, called from the newly stopped stagecoach.
“Uncle William! Hi!” Laurie Laurence called back to the
older man. Laurie walked over to the
stagecoach and helped his Uncle William Laurence off. He then turned back to the coach to help off a beautiful young
woman of 20 years of age.
“Becky!” Laurie said
as he helped his cousin Rebecca Laurence off of the coach. “My how you have grown. Last time I saw you, you were this tall.”
Laurie held out his hand to the height of his knees.
“It’s been a few
years, Cousin Laurie,” Becky replied with a beautiful smile that well lit up
her face.
William had a worried
look on his face. “Um, Laurie? I hope
you don’t mind keeping Becky here with you for a few months while I’m over in
Europe on business. I know that the letter
I sent you a week ago was kind of short notice.”
“That’s quite
alright, Uncle William. In fact, my
wife is really looking forward to having another woman in the house. Amy is at home getting everything all
spruced up for Becky’s arrival.”
“Great! Becky’s
always wanted to stay in a small town for a while. She’s not much of a city girl.”
“We’re happy to have
her here.”
“ALL ABOARD,” shouted
the stagecoach driver.
“I must go. I only came to drop Becky off; to see that
she got here safely,” said William. He
turned to Rebecca. “You be good, OK.”
“Don’t worry,
Father. I will.” Becky said as tears
began to fall down her cheeks. “I’m going to miss you, Father.” Becky and her
father embraced.
“I’m going to miss
you too, Becky, but I’ll be back before you know it.” William forced a smile. He had never left his baby girl with anybody else before since her
mother died 17 years earlier. But he
knew he had to let her go out on her own someday. She was growing up.
“I love you, Father.”
“I love you too,
Becky.”
--AT THE LAURENCE
HOME--
“Amy! Becky is here!”
Laurie called out to his wife as he walked in the door of his house. He set Becky’s bags down just as Amy walked
into the room.
“Becky, welcome. I just finished getting your room all fixed
up. Laurie, dear, take Becky’s things
into the guest room.”
“Yes, dear.”
“Becky, please sit
down and rest.” Amy led Becky over to
Laurie’s favorite chair in the parlor.
As she sat down, Amy handed her a cup of tea.
“Why, thank you, Amy. That is so nice of you.”
Just then Laurie came
into the parlor and joined the two women.
Amy began speaking, “Laurie has told me a little bit about you. Coming from Philadelphia, you must be very
well brought up. City life and all.”
“Actually, I’m not a
city girl. I was born and raised in
Philadelphia, but I’ve never been fond of city life. I much prefer the country life.
The open space, the fresh air, the freedom of not having people
everywhere you go. That’s why I decided
to see if I could come here for a little visit while Father is away.”
“Oh, so you don’t
like the city.”
“Not really.” Amy
started to look disappointed
“Oh! Well, that’s OK,
I guess.” Amy said. She decided to change the subject. “I want you to meet my sister, Jo.”
“I can’t wait to meet
your family, Amy.” Becky set down her
cup of tea.
“Let’s go out to Plumfield
now, then, and introduce Becky around.” Laurie suggested.
“Wonderful idea,
Laurie,” replied Amy.
“Plumfield?” Becky
questioned.
“Jo owns a house that
was given to her by her Great Aunt March.
The house and land it’s on is called Plumfield.” Laurie explained. “Jo
also runs a school that her husband, Fritz Bhaer, used to run before he died
last year.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to
hear about her husband.” Becky went on,
“What kind of school?”
Amy answered this
time, “It used to be an all boy’s school, but it now has a couple of girls
there. In fact, our young Bess is one
of them. She seems to like it there
with the other kids. The house is big
enough and has enough rooms that all the kids stay there. I can’t wait for you to meet our Bess too. She’s just a lovely girl.”
“Well, then,” Becky
said with a smile. “Let’s go!”
--AT PLUMFIELD--
Laurie, Becky, and Amy
arrived at Plumfield just after school had been let out for the day. Unfortunately, the kids had already left for
the afternoon stroll to the creek. Jo
came out onto the porch to greet them.
“Laurie, Amy, who
have you got here?” Jo smiled as she saw Becky get off the coach. Jo could see that Becky was fascinated with
Plumfield.
“Jo, this is my
cousin, Rebecca Laurence. Becky, my
sister-in-law, Jo Bhaer.” Laurie introduced them.
“Pleasure to meet
you, Becky. Welcome to Concord.” Jo
greeted her warmly. Becky nodded, still
taking in the beauty around her.
“Becky will be
staying with us for a few months, Jo, while her father is in Europe on a
business trip.” Amy explained.
“That’s wonderful
that you can stay here with Laurie and Amy.
I hope you enjoy Concord. It’s a
quiet, peaceful little town.”
“I’m enjoying it
already, Jo.” Jo could easily see that.
“Jo?” Laurie spoke up. “Becky has had experience
teaching young children to read and write.
William wants Becky to have something to do while she’s here. Do you suppose Becky could help Rob out
some?” Laurie turned to Becky. “Rob is
Jo’s four-year-old son.”
“I would like to see
Rob start to learn some of those things.
I’ve tried to find time myself to teach him, but with taking care of
Plumfield it’s been difficult.” Jo
thought about it for a moment. “Let’s
see what Robby thinks about it.”
Jo turned to go
inside. After a minute she came back
outside with a cute, little, blond-haired boy by her side. “Robby, this is
Becky. She’s Laurie’s cousin.” The shy boy held back a little bit.
Becky knelt down in
front of Rob. “Hi, Rob.” She said to him. “How are you?”
“OK,” he said,
wondering if he should trust her.
“What’s that?” Becky
pointed to the book that Rob held in his right hand. “Why! That looks like ‘The Three Little Pigs’.”
“It is,” Rob said as
he shyly took one small step toward her.
“Did you know that
that is one of my favorite books, Rob?”
“It is? It’s mine
too.” Rob took another step closer.
“It sure is. You like the pictures of the big, bad wolf,
don’t you?”
“Yes.” Another step forward, and a shy smile began.
“How would you like
to learn to read that book, Rob?” A huge smile appeared on Rob’s cute, little
face.
“I’d love too.”
“May I teach you?” Becky had just found a new friend.
“Yes.” Rob turned to
look up at Jo. “Mommy, may I show Becky
my other books?” Jo nodded her head
yes, and Rob took Becky’s hand.
“Where’s he taking
me?” asked Becky.
“Rob’s taking you to
our library in the schoolroom. That’s
where we keep most of our books.”
“Oh, OK,” was the
last thing that Becky said as Rob pulled her away from the group and toward the
school.
“I wonder what Franz
is going to say when Rob shows up in the schoolroom with a cute young woman
right behind him.” Jo mused out loud. “After all, Franz has never really been
graced by the presence of a cute young woman his own age before.”
“He will be soon
enough,” spoke up Laurie, a huge evil grin on his face. “He will be soon
enough.”
