Chapter 22, Before The Wedding

We were getting ourselves a painted picture. We sat in the living room at Laurie's home. His grandfather wanted the paintings done. Every time someone in the family got married they had paintings done.

The paintings hung all over the house of family members. There was one of Laurie's parents as well as his grandparents before they got married. It was a Lawrence tradition.

So we are all dressed up sitting beside each other near the fire place on a very warm day. Laurie was in a beautiful suit. He looked so handsome. I could hardly take my eyes off him. He had to be hot all dressed up like he was though.

Laurie twitched his nose yet again then itches his nose with his hand causing the painter to groan. I giggle then shake my head.

•✿•

"You have to sit still Laurie" I whisper a reminder to him.

"I'm trying my best sweetheart. I have my forehead sweating and I need a cool bath. Maybe a drink to" he complains.

"You are nearly done" sighs the painter. "But if you keep moving I can't paint you!"

"Fine" huffs Laurie.

We plaster on a smile then sit there. Still as can be. Mona Lisa must have smiled once the painter told her she was done, I could only imagine. My back was hurting a bit from sitting in the chair.

Soon his grandfather came in the living room once the painter was done to look over the work. To make sure that he approved of the painting. He had paid so much for our gift.

•✿•

"Splendid it looks wonderful! Just like them! Your are done!" announces Laurie's grandfather.

"Thank heavens!" I sigh. I take off my hot gloves from my hands. Then Laurie takes his gloves off. His poor forehead was sweating.

"My dear I am going to take a bath. Then I will meet you next door for dinner. As I promised I would, alright?" he asks me. I nod.

He gives me a peck on the lips before leaving the room. Poor dear boy. I hug his grandfather bet getting ready to head home.

"By the way Fiona! I am having a second painted for your family as well! " mentions Laurie's grandfather.

"Oh thank you! They are going to love that!" I exclaimed happily. I hug him again. Then I head back home.

I had to change into a day dress it was much cooler then pull my hair up as well. As I walked home a shower started. Rain flicked down on my face. I stood there a moment getting wet. It felt good.

I didn't want my dress to get ruined. So I rushed inside the house. Jo was having tea with Marmee and Meg. They looked worried when they saw me come in all wet.

•✿•

"Dear girl you don't need to catch a cold before the wedding!" says Marmee.

"I am alright. The rain cooled me off. I was warm. We got our painting done and it looked beautiful! I'm going to change into a day dress before dinner and pull my hair up. Laurie is getting changed to he will be over for dinner!" I explain to them all.

"Dinner is nearly done! It smells great!" Hannah says as she pokes her head out of the kitchen.

"Can't wait! I'm going to go change" I say with a smile. I head up the creaky old stairs to my bedroom then freshen up dry my hair and change my dress.

I felt human once more. My hair looked nice all brushed and pulled up. I place my mothers necklace around my neck she gave me. I always wore it. I clean up after myself then as I head downstairs I hear Laurie was here!!

My heart skips a happy beat. I head around the corner to see him talking to Meg and Jo. He sees me and his eyes light up with joy. He walks to my side. Takes my hands in his. He greets me with a kiss.

•✿•

"Are you cooled off now? I am. It rained did the storm get you on your way back?" he asks me. I nod yes as he holds my hand in his.

"I did but it felt really good. I came in before I ruined my dress" I giggle.

I hear John come in with the Professor. They were going to join us. Amy was with aunt March to have dinner with her and Fred that evening.

"I think this day dress is as beautiful as your other. I love the style you wear you are going to make a gorgeous bride for me" brags Laurie as he makes blush with pleasure.

"Fiona! Pleased to see you this fine afternoon! Do you have more ideas for the title of your book before I send it off?" wonders Professor.

"I still am not sure on the title. So much has been going on. I have been muddling it over!" I reply back to him.

"Well, we can send it in with no title and if they like it then they can help with a title of you would like? Like they changed My Beth to Little Women" he tells me. I think it over for a moment.

I smile. "That would be great! Let's do that. It would be best to see if they like my book first" I tell him.

"My future wife will be a poetess! I could not be prouder to have you by my side" Laurie brags on me. He squeezes my hand in his.

•✿•

Hannah comes in. She greets John and the Professor to then tells us the table was ready and dinner was waiting for us all. We follow her into the dining area. And take our seats.

"Let us pray! My Hannah you did a marvelous job on dinner! Everything look fantastic!" says uncle.

Laurie grabbed my hand I held Jo's on my other side. He winks then smiles as we bow our heads to pray together for our food. My heart was so full of love and happiness. My book was going to be published! I was going to marry! I might have my own family!

I was so grateful!

After a large dinner we had carmel cake and coffee. It was a wonderful night. I could hardly wait for our wedding day to come!!

•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•

Carmel Cake!

Bonus Recipe:

Ingredients

Cake:

3 cups white sugar

1 ½ cups butter

5 large eggs

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ¼ cups whole milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing:

1 (16 ounce) package brown sugar

1 cup butter

¼ teaspoon salt

⅔ cup evaporated milk

1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar, sifted

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract!

Directions:

Step 1: Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans.

Step 2: Make cake: Place white sugar and butter into a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Step 3: Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture in batches, alternating with milk, beating batter briefly after each addition. Add vanilla extract; beat until batter makes ribbons when falling from the beaters.

Step 4: Divide batter among the prepared cake pans.

Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges to loosen. Invert carefully onto a cooling rack. Let cool, about 30 minutes.

Step 6: Make icing: Combine brown sugar, butter, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until brown sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes.

Step 7: Add evaporated milk and continue stirring. Bring to a gentle boil and let bubble for about 4 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid sticking. Remove from heat and allow to cool, about 5 minutes.

Step 8: Mix confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract into brown sugar mixture using an electric mixer until icing caramelizes and thickens to the desired consistency.

Step 9: Spread icing onto cooled cake layers. Stack layers; ice top and sides.

And Enjoy!!

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Thanks for reading!

•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•

нσρє уσυ αℓℓ єиʝσує∂ тнє cнαρтєя!
мσяє тσ cσмє!!
------∂αℓαιиα

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