The smell of bacon awoke Norah the next morning. Rubbing her eyes, the female slowly propped herself up and made her way out of her bed. She took a quick shower and dressed herself in a simple dark purple dress that reached down to her knees.
When she exited her bathroom, Gabriel stood in her room. "Good morning, Miss." He said, flashing a smile at her. "I've made you breakfast."
Norah couldn't help but smile back at him. "I can smell it."
He walked slowly up to her and held out a hand to her. "Shall we go eat breakfast together then?"
A nod was all she could muster as she stared at him. Perhaps he wouldn't be such a bad husband after all. Especially seeing he had been nothing but good to her.
The pair made their way out of her room and down to the kitchen which lied directly in front of the downstairs entryway. He walked her over to the table, held out the chair for her to sit, and pushed it in as soon as Norah sat down. He sat down in the chair next to hers. Mounds of food, more then Norah could even fathom eating, sat in fancy dishes in front of her. Every breakfast dish that could ever be considered breakfast loomed on the table.
"Eat, eat," Gabriel said with a snuffled laugh as he began filling his own plate. "I know it's a bit much, but I figured I might as well seeing as we have yet to know much of one another I thought I should make everything I knew. Better safe then sorry. Besides anything left over I'll run down to the orphanage down the street."
Norah couldn't help but stare. "Is there anything you can't do?"
"Well, Miss, I can't fly for one," Gabriel laughed.
The female couldn't help but smile even the slightest as she grabbed a plateful of food. And in between the mouthfuls of food, the two of them chatted. They started talking about their plans for this after noon, winding up to how many siblings they had, and even what their favorite color was.
Just as Norah was about to ask about his patched eye, Gabriel jumped up suddenly. His eyes were locked behind the girl. "I told you, I'd be their at 11, my dear boy."
Norah turned around, curiosity taking the better of her.
A boy, no older twelve, dressed in rags huddled by the door. "I'm sorry, sir. But the others. They cry because they are hungry."
Pity hit the pit of her stomach. "You poor thing," she whispered.
"That be her, sir?" The boy asked, looking back with equal curiosity.
"This is Norah, yes." Gabriel replied stepping beside the girl. He looked at the twelve year old and then at the food. "Do you mind if we have a few guests for a bit, Miss Norah?"
Norah shook her head in response, "Not at all."
Gabriel looked at the boy. "Bring them here. There should be more then enough for everyone."
"Yes, sir. Thank you." The boy turned away from them, sprinting out the door.
Gabriel gave Norah an apologetic smile. "I do hope you don't mind. They won't out stay your company."
"Oh, no, it's fine."
Quickly the almost empty home turned into a place filled with the chatter of children. All huddled around the table, their hands reaching to grab some of it.
"Form a line," Gabriel directed. "There's enough for all."
Norah grabbed a stack of plates, proceeding to help him serve everyone. It wasn't long before the food was gone and all twenty-odd children ranging from two to seventeen munched quietly on their food. Gabriel and even Norah watched them in silence.
