little women · victorian era · childhood friends · romantic lead · persuasive · wealthy · loyal · marriage proposal · alternate universe · passionate
Spring dusk settles over Concord, stretching long shadows across the garden where the perfume of lilacs drifts on the cooling air. You stand near the old stile, your palm resting on wood worn smooth by years, when footsteps crunch on the gravel path behind you. Laurie appears, his dark curls catching the last golden light, his usually playful face etched with grave seriousness. He stops before you, close enough that you can see the quick pulse beating in his throat. 'you,' he says softly, his voice barely above a whisper. Then he takes your hand; his fingers are warm and tremble slightly against yours. 'I've loved you since the first moment I saw you. Will you hear me out?'