Little Women: If Beth Had Lived 11

The next few months passed happily for Beth and Laurie as they prepared for the birth of their child. Meg loaned Beth her maternity clothes and advised her on what to expect during various stages of her pregnancy, Jo visited on an almost daily basis to see how she was doing, and there were long letters from overseas, not only from Amy in London but from Laurie's cousin Gina in Rome as well.

When Beth was eight months pregnant, Aunt March died. Laurie felt hesitant about permitting Beth to go to the funeral as he was afraid the trauma of the occasion might cause her to go into premature labor, but in the end he allowed it, as it was so very important to Beth.

Beth was alone in the house when she felt a sharp pain in her back one day. Thinking that she simply had a severe backache, she lay down on her side with some hot compresses. She took a short nap but was soon awakened by a flood of warm water flowing from between her legs. Alarmed, she initially thought that she had wet herself. Then she felt a sharp pain around her middle, a worse pain than she had ever felt before. Frightened, she stumbled from the house and went in search of help. She had gone only a short way when another sharp pain made her double over. A couple of passing women looked at her in alarm.

"I think...I think my baby is about to come," she gasped.

"Oh, you poor dear!" one of the women exclaimed. "Do you live near here?"

Beth nodded.

"Let's get you home." Together, the two women helped Beth back to her house and inside. "Who can we send for?"

"Dr. Bangs," Beth gasped. "And my husband. His name is...Theodore Laurence."

"You're Laurie's wife!" one of the women exclaimed. "He's a business contact of my husband's. I've heard so much about you."

"My name is Beth," Beth said shyly.

"It's nice to finally meet you. My name is Sally and this is Jenny."

Sally stayed with Beth while Jenny went to fetch Dr. Bangs. She returned a short time later in a panic.

"He's not there, Sally. He left a note saying that he had to leave to perform emergency surgery."

"Please," Beth gasped. "Fetch Laurie and...and Jo."

"Jo?"

"Jo March. My sister."

This time Jenny stayed with Beth while Sally went to get Laurie and Jo.

Laurie arrived first, in a total fluster. "Beth! Oh, my Beth..." He went to her and embraced her.

"Laurie!" Beth cried as she clung tightly to him.

"It's all right, sweetheart. Everything's going to be just fine."

Jo arrived all business-like. "Start boiling water, Laurie. I'll get the towels and scissors."

Although Beth didn't say a single word, Jo could tell that she was in tremendous pain. Every time she had a contraction, she grimaced and grabbed the sheets tightly. Laurie sat at her side looking deeply worried, putting cold compresses to her forehead and feeding her ice chips.

After a number of hours, Beth began to grunt and strain.

"I think the baby's about to come right now!" Laurie exclaimed.

Jo checked Beth. "I think you're right," she said. "Just keep pushing, Beth. You're doing fine."

Beth gave a few more mighty pushes. "I can see the baby's head!" Jo cried.

"Our baby's almost here, darling!" Laurie encouraged his wife.

Beth, red in the face from exertion, pushed once more, and the baby's head emerged. After several more pushes, the infant slid into Laurie's waiting hands.

"It's a girl!" Laurie exclaimed. He cut the umbilical cord and tenderly cleaned his new daughter while Jo took care of Beth. Then Laurie wrapped the baby in a clean towel and handed her to her mother.

"I thought that perhaps we could call her Christina Elizabeth, for my sister and for you," Laurie suggested. Beth smiled.

"That sounds like a lovely idea," Jo said. "Now get some rest, little mother, and let Laurie and I take care of you."

Beth lay back in Laurie's arms with a contented sigh. Laurie held her close and gently swept moist hair back from her forehead. Jo looked on approvingly, thinking what a fine husband Laurie had turned out to be and how glad she was that he and Beth had one another, and now a new life as testament to the love they shared together.