Something in his resolute tone made Jo look up quickly to find him looking down at her with an expression that assured her the dreaded moment had come, and made her put out her hand with an imploring, “No, Teddy. Please don’t!”
“I will, and you must hear me. It’s no use, Jo, we’ve got to have it out, and the sooner the better for both of us,” he answered, getting flushed and excited all at once.
“Say what you like then. I’ll listen,” said Jo, with a desperate sort of patience.
Laurie was a young lover, but he was in earnest, and meant to ‘have it out’, if he died in the attempt, so he plunged into the subject with characteristic impetuousity, saying in a voice that would get choky now and then, in spite of manful efforts to keep it steady...
“I’ve loved you ever since I’ve known you, Jo, couldn’t help it, you’ve been so good to me. I’ve tried to show it, but you wouldn’t let me. Now I’m going to make you hear, and give me an answer, for I can’t go on so any longer.”
“Teddy,” Jo said desperately. “Please. I love you, but I can’t - I can’t yet. Do you understand that? I didn’t want to hurt you, because I know you want to marry, but - I need time.”
Laurie’s eyes had lit up as she spoke, though, and he came closer. “Jo. Do you mean it?”
“Yes,” Jo said firmly, though the pain in her chest made it hard to keep going. “I need time. I need - I need to know if I can write for myself, and make a success of my writing, without worrying about a husband, or children, or - “
“No, silly Snodgrass,” Laurie said, his mouth quirking as he lifted a hand to cradle her cheek. “Do you mean it, that you love me?”
Jo’s eyes widened. “Well, of course I love you. Who else would there be, Teddy? You are my best friend - you are everything.”
Laurie’s smile blossomed. “Be my fiancée, then. Do you really think I would try to take your writing away from you, Jo? I’m happy to wait until you feel you’ve had as much success as you need, as long as I know you want to be my wife.”
“That seems horribly unfair to you,” Jo said, biting her lip.
“I’m happy to wait for you, Jo,” Laurie said gently. “And cheer you along the way. Just let me love you in the meantime, and know that you are mine.”
“I’ve always been yours, Teddy,” Jo said, lifting her face to his and gazing at him earnestly. “That was never a question.”
And Laurie pressed his lips to hers, both in answer and as a promise.