Lover of Mine • Little Women

Two

Chapter Two:

Elouise wasn't expecting the entire March household to be gathered at the door as Jo showed her in. They all called Jo's name and gave hugs, as if she'd been gone for years. Elouise couldn't help but smile as she watched the interaction as a woman appeared offering to take her bags.

"Are you Hannah?" Elouise questioned, letting her take them.

"Yes, that would be me. Welcome to your temporary home, Miss Myer."

She thanked her before Hannah disappeared up the stairs, Elouise gazed around the space. It felt warm and very much welcoming, nothing like her grandmothers house.

"I'm Amy." A girl appeared in front of her, her blonde hair tied back by braids, bangs covered her forehead. "You'll be sharing a room with me for the next little while."

"I'm quite excited, if I am to be honest. You seem wonderful, Amy."

She grinned, bouncing away. "Welcome, Elouise." A tall brown haired girl smiled, "I'm Meg."

She was a beautiful girl, Meg was. Her dark hair matched her eyes, her face slim with fair skin. Her smile lit up her whole face.

"Jo's told me all about you!" Elouise smiled, "You're very sweet for agreeing to let me intrude your household."

"There's no issue. Come, I shall show you to your room."

Elouise followed Meg up the stairs, into the second room on the right. "This is Amy's room. I apologize we don't have an extra room, but I'm sure Amy will leave you lots of space."

"Don't apologize. I'm used to sleeping on a small mattress on the floor with my grandmother, and she was quite the kicker."  Elouise replied, "This room is absolutely lovely."

She wandered around the bed, to where a string had been tied from wall to wall. Paintings and sketches were pinched on the line, all amazingly drawn.

"Amy's the painter of the family." Meg said from across the room, "She's very talented."

"Indeed."

Elouise turned and made her way back across the room, watching as Meg gave her a quick once over. She was fast, but Elouise noticed all the same.

"Oh, your dress is quite large."

She looked down, the ribbon that had cinched the fabric was nowhere to be found. Her dress hug loosely over her waist and the length was much to long now.

"It's my grandmother's. I couldn't bear to part with it."

Meg's nose scrunched, "You look around my size, you can wear one of mine tomorrow. Keep your grandmothers dress somewhere safe, to preserve her memory."

"I have my own I can wear, not to worry." Elouise shook her head, "I may not have much to my name but I do have two of my own dresses."

Meg gave a small smile, "I am deeply sorry about your loss, Elouise."

"That makes two of us."

A shout rang from the floor below, followed by heavy footsteps and giggles. Meg smiled, "I supposed dinner is ready."

She motioned for Elouise to follow, which she obeyed. They carefully descended down the wooden stairs and through the living room before winding up in a cozy kitchen. A rather large table was set up in the centre, a mix match of chairs pushed up against it.

"Elouise, you must sit next to me!" Amy's voice shouted, waving her down. She smiled, finding an empty chair next to the girl. Everyone found a seat, with Marmee addressing everyone by name.

"I want to welcome Elouise Myer into our household. She will be with us for a month or two, but we won't think of that time as I'm sure you're all already accustomed to her." The woman smiled at her, "I hope you enjoy staying with us as much as we'll enjoy having you. And thank you very much for the loaf."

Elouise couldn't help but grin, "You're all being so kind to me. I'm only a stranger after all."

"Marmee is always helping people." Amy nodded.

"She's the best mother anyone could ask for." A little girl whispered from across the table.

"That's Beth." Amy said, "She's very quiet."

"And Amy is very annoying." Jo flashed a smile.

"Jo!" Meg exclaimed, "We have a guest!"

Elouise giggled, "I feel like I'm going to enjoy my time here. You all seem wonderful."

"You haven't had a proper conversation with Amy, I see." Jo poked again.

"Marmee!" Amy huffed, "Can you tell Jo to knock it off?"

Their mother only chuckled, shaking her head. She picked up her fork and began diving into her meal, her children all following. Elouise gently picked up her fork and stared down at the plate of vegetables and a few slices of bread.

"Elouise." Meg's voice clashed against the scrapping of utensils on plates. "How long have you been in our little town?"

"A year. Though, I mostly took care of my grandmother so I never went far."

"Where are you from?" Amy questioned.

Elouise jabbed a carrot with her fork, "Prince Edward Island."

"Where is that?"

"In Canada." She popped the carrot in her mouth, watching Amy look around with confusion dancing in her eyes.

"This is why you need to attend a proper school." Jo muttered.

Elouise swallowed her carrot, suppressing a laugh. Amy only frowned, adjusting her posture before eating another mouth full. She looked down at her own plate, no sense of appetite anywhere.

"Elouise." Marmee's voice echoed, she looked over and gave a small smile in response. "You look tired. If you've had enough to eat, go rest. You've hadn't had an easy day today."

"Are you sure?"

"You must stop asking that." The woman said, "Rest."

Elouise thanked her and stood up, rushing from the kitchen and back to Amy's room. Her bags were placed carefully in the corner of the room, she stepped over and knelt to the ground, digging through the larger one.

What are you doing? She thought, You don't have a night gown.

Elouise sighed, letting the bag drop to the floor.  She found herself gently laying on the bed, afraid she might break something or do something wrong. This house was very nice and Elouise didn't feel as if she belonged.

She really did feel like she was intruding. Perhaps staying else where, alone, as she was used to, would have been better after all.