Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 45: Disturbance

The following morning, Lizzie wakes up and makes her way downstairs to the kitchen, and she's greeted by her parents and Hope's family gathered there together, drinking coffee while Marcel and Freya cook breakfast for them all.

Alaric kisses his daughter's forehead, "Good morning, sweetheart. Your sister isn't with you?"

Lizzie groans just thinking about Josie's tossing and turning the night before, "No, she's with Hope."

Everyone in the room turns to look at Lizzie in shock. Rebekah asks for clarification, "Did they want to talk through things this morning?"

Lizzie shakes her head as she sips from her coffee, "Josie couldn't sleep last night, and she was tossing and turning. So eventually I just pretended to be asleep so she'd finally go to Hope's room."

Caroline's maternal instincts kick in, "And she's been in there all night?"

Lizzie nods, continuing to sip her coffee nonchalantly, "Yep."

Rebekah sets down her glass, assuming that means the two girls were doing more than talking all night, "Oh no, not in my house."

Rebekah makes her way out of the kitchen and up the stairs, followed by Caroline.

Lizzie runs after them, trying to stop them from waking the two girls.

Rebekah doesn't listen though, still going towards Hope's bedroom. She stops outside of the opened door, relaxing a little when she sees her niece sound asleep with Josie snuggled into her side.

Lizzie sighs in relief when Rebekah stops, but Caroline still looks like she's about to drag Josie from the room, so Lizzie stops her with a whisper, "Mom, they could use the rest."

Caroline sighs at that, knowing that Lizzie is right.

Rebekah glances at Hope again, "I don't think I've seen her so peaceful in a long time."

Caroline looks to Rebekah, "We still need to see what they want for breakfast."

"Hope wants pancakes. What for Josie?"

Caroline thinks she may have to wake Josie just enough to ask what she'd like, but she's stopped by Lizzie when she takes a step closer to the bed, "I'll ask her. She'll freak out if she wakes up to your hovering."

Lizzie gets closer to the side of the bed where Hope and Josie lay. She slowly starts to lean over Hope, reaching out to tap Josie, but her movements are put to a halt when Hope suddenly shoots a protective hand up to grip Lizzie's throat, her instincts waking her from her sleep. The sudden movement causes Josie to jolt awake, grasping tightly at Hope.

But Lizzie's focus remains on the grip against her neck, somehow managing to force words out, "How the hell are your hands so strong?"

Finally becoming aware enough to register that their disturbance isn't a threat, Hope sighs a mixture of relief and annoyance as she releases her grip, "Lizzie."

She rolls her eyes as Lizzie dramatically gasps for air, rubbing her neck, "Good morning to you too, sunshine."

Josie calms down from her sudden awakening, now realizing that she fell asleep with Hope instead of returning to the room with Lizzie.

A blush rises to her cheeks as she realizes one of Hope's arms is still around her. When Hope notices the same thing, she clears her throat and slowly pulls her arm away, "Sorry."

Josie shakes her head, "I don't mind."

Rebekah finally steps into the room, arms crossed against her chest and giving Hope a stern look, "Well I do mind. Hope, you know the rules, no one in your bedroom after dark."