Friedrich Bhaer awoke to find his wife's side of the bed empty and apparently unslept in. A glance out the window confirmed that it was very late, perhaps even late enough to be early morning. With a sigh, Fritz climbed out of bed. He stepped into his leather slippers and slipped his arms into his worn dressing gown.
Creeping quietly down the back stairs so as not to wake the children, Fritz went in search of his wayward wife. As expected, he found Jo asleep at her desk in the parlor. Every once in awhile, inspiration struck her and she would write late into the night, often falling asleep over her pages. Fritz knew some men would be angry or exasperated if their wives behaved in such a way, but he found it endearing. This was the Jo that he had fallen in love with.
He carefully shook her awake and helped her from the desk. As quietly as possible, so as not to wake the boys, they crept together back up to their bedroom.
As Fritz helped Jo out of her dress and underthings, she couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm so sorry that I did it again!" she exclaimed with amusement.
"I don't mind," he reassured her with a kiss as he unhooked her corset for her. "What was it this time? A ghost? A buried treasure?"
"Better!" she replied excitedly. "A woman in disguise pretending to be a beautiful young maiden in order to entice a rich man into marrying her! A trap! Maybe a hint of revenge!"
Fritz laughed at her exuberance as she gestured wildly. Eventually, she was dressed in a fresh nightgown and they were both tucked snuggly into their bed to get a few hours more sleep.
As Jo drifted off, Fritz smiled and thought about how lucky he was to have this passionate, creative woman in his life. He never would have thought it possible before he met Miss Josephine March, but now he couldn't imagine his life any other way.