Work Text:
The waves of Amy's hair swayed against the merciless country wind. The curls were made on the woman's head after the first pregnancy, Amy didn't know that her hair texture could change after pregnancy, so it was a surprise for the woman to discover the wavy locks that were born. However, Amy was not saddened by the sudden change, as her eldest daughter Elizabeth was born with the same hair waves and Amy felt closer to her daughter when her hair changed.
The countryside was usually where the family spent less time, the eldest of the initial March family decided to live in the countryside, like Meg, who lived happily in her small house, but full of happiness in the countryside. Jo inherited the old house and went to live in the school she set up, along with her husband and children. However, Amy did not become her parents' neighbor because although Laurie inherited the mansion after his grandfather's severe death, the newlyweds decided to live in the city of light, Paris, six years ago, where Amy could visit art galleries and museums and Laurie would be closer to the diplomats who they had been negotiating with the Laurence family for years. Fortunately, however, after some years away from the countryside, the Laurences would once again move into the mansion where Laurie spent much of his childhood.
Together, Amy and Laurie had five children. Elizabeth, the eldest, who was affectionately called Lizzie by Meg in the letters the women of the family exchanged so fervently; Thomas and Adeline, the twins, who miraculously survived, as they were born prematurely on a particularly cold night. The family's prayers were answered, and from that day forward, Laurie prayed every day before bed; Claire, the shy girl who was so reminiscent of her late aunt; The youngest of the Laurences had not yet been born and was resting lazily in Amy's womb, as it was past the expected weeks of his birth.
The children feasted on the strawberry cake, a welcome gift from Marmee, who delivered the sweet on the first encounter she had with her youngest daughter. The Laurences were sitting in the garden at Jo's school, visiting her for the second time. Amy was sitting in a padded chair as she looked at Laurie, who was holding Thomas in his lap, Thomas in turn smearing Laurie's white blouse with cake scraps as he was eating with his hands. Adeline, or Addie as her family called her, was holding the hem of Laurie's pants. They were the messiest three years old children their father had ever seen; Lizzie, who had just turned five, was eating in well manner while her nanny helped her; Claire was sleeping next to Amy, leaning her whole body on her mother's, who was hugging her sideways. Laurie sometimes joked that Claire was the most energy less two-year-old he'd ever seen in his entire life.
There were children of all ages, a school certainly gave a different look to the mansion, which was scary before, but now exuded a sweet-smelling, childhood fragrance. The whole family was gathered for the amateur play they would witness as soon as night fell. So now that the sun was shining, and the children's preparations sparkled.
Night came and as expected, all the children went into the garden, where a large sheet sewn with another sheet to become a larger one had been hung. The other kids were sitting on the grass, while Amy and Meg were sitting on wooden chairs.
‘'It's always been hard for me to just be the viewer in these plays.'' Meg said, smiling surreptitiously. ''Reminds me of childhood and wartime.''
‘'This will be my first time seeing one of these plays in so long.'' Amy pointed out facts, ''However, it's strange to watch a play written by Jo March without our Beth present.''
''I assure you that our Beth will never be forgotten, dear Amy. Our sister always writes an important character and names her 'Beth'." Meg stated as she cradled her niece in her arms. Claire let go of Meg's arms when Laurie passed too close. The girl tried to walk towards her father, who unfortunately couldn't give the girl the attention she was looking for, as he was walking too fast while carrying the last objects of the set. ''If you could have stayed years ago you would have known that.'' Claire walked over to her Aunt Meg again, Meg sat the girl on her lap and the girl happily played with one of her porcelain dolls.
Amy knew what Meg was talking about, because years ago, when Lizzie had turned three and the twins had just turned two, Amy had decided to pay her family a visit, because neither she nor Laurie could stand the longing for the people they loved.
Amy smiled apologetically for something that wasn't even her fault, but both women knew it.
Minutes later, Laurie and John Brooke sat down next to their wives. Claire finally got her father's attention and shifted to sit on her lap. Lizzie sat on the grass and leaned her back on Amy's chair, amy started to stroke her daughter's head, the twins, Addie and Tommy, were sitting in front of everyone, Daisy, Meg's daughter, took care of them.
The spectacle began when the makeshift curtain was removed from the front. A large, hand-painted wooden vessel can be seen in the background, and then the children, who were dressed as pirates, began to duel against others dressed as honest sailors. One of the pirates was, Demi Brooke. Suddenly, the duel was suspended and a narrative about the lost treasure was introduced. The pirates left the scene, the sailors too. Jo entered the scene, and dressed as an old woman, she had a caricatured air, just as her funny lines made the audience and some of the children in the play laugh, it was revealed that the old woman was called Elizabeth, but she enjoyed when people called her ‘Beth’, and that she was the last bearer of the location of the treasure. lost.
Two sailors, both being Jo and Friedrich's sons, Robert and Theodore, demanded the old woman's knowledge of the treasure and she reluctantly gave the information. The play was full of funny scenes, frilly costumes and bad acting. In the final scene, a fairy curses the pirates and sailors with the gift of goodwill and respect, and the treasure has been shared equally between the two rival parties. With this play, Jo hoped that children would learn about humility, companionship, and respect.
Friedrich Baher gave his students and family a standing ovation.
ANUAL REPORT.
...Josephine Baher – Very Good.
Demi Brooke – Middling.
Annie Alden – Satisfying.
Peter Clifton – Middling.
Theodore Baher – Middling.
Roberth Baher – Good.
James Rockwell – Bad.
Sofia Monroe...
''What are you doing here, baby?'' Laurie asked the child who was sitting at the old green piano, running her fingers over the keys but never pressing them.
''Father, I wish to learn.'' Lizzie replied, running her fingers over the green part of the piano, where Amy, as a child, had painted a single red rose. ''It is so beautiful.''
''Did you know that this piano was a gift from your great-grandfather to your aunt many years ago?'' The girl listened attentively. ''This rose'' he pointed out, ''It was painted by your mother.''
Laurie always knew how to play fine instruments, he was taught from childhood and although his skill never came close to the talent and dexterity that Beth March had, he could still teach a few chords.
''I can teach you, but on our house piano.''
''It's okay, Laurie.'' The conversation was interrupted by Marmee and Robert March, ''i think that Beth's endeavor with music should be shared with others. What do you think Robert? should Lizzie learn piano here?''
''This is a great idea, honey!'' Robert exclaimed with joy.
''What's a great idea?'' Amy asked, after overhearing the conversation as she walked into the house. The twins held their mother's hand. Addie held her right hand and Thomas held her left. Amy showed off her big belly, because wherever she went, people commented: the baby should have been born two weeks ago. With this fact, Amy wondered if it was even a good idea to leave an industrial city, and consequently more prepared in the medical area so soon. However, Laurie has hired a Parisian doctor to help Amy travel, the doctor will stay to deliver the baby safely.
''Mother!'' Lizzie ran to the woman hugging her.
''Lizzie, watch out for mommy's belly.'' Addie said pulling her sister to her side holding her hand and not letting go. Thomas also decided to hold his twin's hand.
''Where's Claire?'' Laurie asked as she walked towards her wife, kissing her forehead, Amy couldn't answer the question because the twins began to demand, “Father, me too!” Addie said, “No! Father, me first!” Thomas snapped and Addie got angry and pushed her brother, who didn’t fall. Lizzie let go of Addie's hand.
Amy gasped in disbelief and said “Adeline Laurence!” in an angry tone. Ms. and Mr. March watched the scene with critical eyes, Marmee took Lizzie's hand and Laurie broke up the little fight. ''We don't do that!'' He looked at his son and could see all the selfishness Amy had as a child in just one look. “Now, both of you, apologize.”
''But Father-''
''No, Adeline-''
''He started it!''
''It doesn't matter who started it or not.'' Laurie said patiently, ''You’re siblings and you shouldn't fight like that.'' The twins looked at each other spitefully.
''I want to see a hug.'' Amy said, the brothers looked at their mother in disbelief, but respected her wish anyway.
Laurie remained crouched down, and when the twins were done hugging, Laurie kissed the foreheads of both children, and Lizzie too.
Amy sighed taking her husband's arm. ''Now, Husband, what's the big news?''
Later, while Marmee was getting ready for bed, Mr. March told her, “They are good parents, aren't they?” Marmee nodded, smiling slightly.
Amy's canvas reflected all the skill and artistic effort that the woman possessed. The first painting done by Amy Curtis Laurence after years without touching a brush was finally ready, her family's painting was ready.
It was a large painting, made especially for the dining room, frankly, Amy thought the house itself needed a feminine touch, it was obvious that children lived there: the tiny clothes drying on the line, the nannies who were always coming in. and leaving the house ready to perform whatever task was assigned to them and the room that was turned into a playroom, where there were paint stains on the wall, drawings pasted on the back of the door, fabrics that were once clothes but were now just used as costumes for the plays Lizzie put together. However, despite the vases of flowers that adorned the house, it was not evident that a woman, let alone a woman so important to the owner of the property, had lived there.
Amy finished wiping her brush on the edge of her cloth apron and admired her handiwork critically. Everyone was there, Laurie, holding their youngest child: The baby who was born six months ago, Charles Laurence was born healthy and a little bigger than normal, the baby wore a blue outfit, which can finally be seen this time, as Amy's reference for painting this picture was a daguerreotype photo that was lacking in color. Elizabeth was in front of Laurie, holding Thomas's hand who in turn was holding the hand of his twin, Adeline. Amy was holding Claire on her lap, the photo was taken the day after the girl's third birthday. The painting was beautiful and colorful, in Amy's opinion, much better than the picture.
Lizzie, now six years old, slept on a couch next to Amy, the cat named ginger also slept next to her. Lizzie woke up ten minutes after Amy finished painting, Amy was still putting her paints and brushes away, her back to the painting and consequently, to Lizzie.
The girl walked up to the painting and exclaimed a 'Wow!' Amy turned to look at the girl, who was admiring the painting with shining eyes.
''What is it?'' Amy asked laughing.
''It's beautiful!'' Elizabeth exclaimed pointing to the painting, ''Mother, can you paint a portrait of me?'' Amy smiled, walked over to the girl and stroked her head.
‘’I can try, dear. But it's been a long time since I last painted and this painting made my hands tired so you'll need to wait a bit.''
Lizzie smiled at her mother, nodded and asked: ''Mother, why did you stop painting?''
Amy sighed and looked at the newly finished painting: ''I thought i wasn't good enough to continue painting.''
Lizzie sighed incredulously: ''Mother! You are the best painter I have ever seen in the world!'' when the girl had finished speaking, dear Jo Baher entered the room, holding Charles in her arms, Adeline following her with a pot covered by a cloth in her arms, walking slowly towards prevent the pot she was holding from falling to the ground.
''Addie said you were here.'' Jo passed the baby into Amy's arms, and took the pot from Addie's arms, murmuring a 'thank you' to the child.
''Look Addie! Mother finished her painting!'' Adeline ran to look at the painting and Jo followed the girl, she was also curious to see the painting that she had taken two months to complete.
''Oh Amy! It looks beautiful.'' Jo said.
Amy smiled and thanked her as she rocked Charles in her lap. ''Marmee sent a jar of jam, Meg made it, she left jars at her house again and even though Marmee loves the jam, she still has two jars of jam untouched.''
‘’Meg should send it here! Everyone here loves the homemade jam she makes.”
'' Shall we put this pot in your kitchen and go visit her? '' Jo proposed and Amy accepted.
''Come on girls, let the paint dry.'' Amy said loudly. Addie picked up the sleeping cat from the sofa and brought him with her.
After that day, Amy decided that the painting should be in the main living room of the house where everyone could admire it. Laure agreed and since the day the painting was hung, it has never been taken down.