Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 7: Motherhood

The first few months of Lorelei's life, she was literally attached to her mother.  Josette carried her little one everywhere she went.  The crib from Papa was placed right by Josette's bed, but she ended up keeping the baby next to her throughout most nights.  It was easier to feed her that way, and Josette found the presence of her warm, tiny body comforting.  She realized that while her feelings for Lawrence Danville had certainly been strong, they did not compare with what she felt for Lorelei:  true love, the bond between mother and child that was stronger than anything else.

"Look at you, ma petite," Josette cooed while watching Lorelei.  The baby seemed to have discovered she had hands and was batting furiously at the brown teddy bear laying next to her in the crib.

Josette had purchased the toy a few weeks before Lorelei was born.  She saw it in the window of a toy shop on the Champs Elysee and immediately knew she had to buy it for her baby.  Now, she clapped her hands as Lorelei swatted at the bear's nose.  Each day, Josette saw her daughter do something new.  She was amazed at how much she had already changed, even though she was only three months old.

It was mid-July and hot.  Maman kept all of the windows open in order to allow some ventilation through the house.  Lorelei must not have liked the heat because she was extra fussy.  Josette took her out of the crib and placed her on the floor, on top of a soft pink blanket.  She removed the baby's clothes and let her cool off, fanning her with a large, white feather fan.

"Josette, there is a letter for you," Maman entered the bedroom carrying an envelope.

"Thank you, Maman," Josette said as she took the letter and started to open it without even looking at the sender's address.

"Oh," Josette's eyes widened as she began to read.  "It's from Count Bartholy.  He apologizes for not coming to see me in June." 

Josette looked up at her mother.  "I completely forgot about that!"  She giggled at a funny face Lorelei was making.  "Because you've been keeping me so busy," she grabbed one of the baby's tiny feet and kissed it.

"What else does he say?"  Maman was curious.

"Hmm... let's see...". Josette quickly perused the rest of the letter.  "He said he would be in town in October and wondered if he could visit me then... blah...blah...blah... and he wants to know if I've thought about the Vienna Opera."

Josette folded the letter and set it down beside her.  She resumed fanning Lorelei.  Maman sat down in a chair watching both of them. 

"So... have you?"  She asked Josette.

"Have I what?"  Josette was obviously distracted.

"Thought about the job offer in Vienna," Maman clarified.

"Oh," Josette ran a hand through her hair, tucking some behind one ear.  "No... not really," she replied.  "I'm not ready to go back to work yet."

"Of course," Maman said.  "But we're talking about the future here... once Lorelei learns how to walk."

Josette gave her mother a cross look.  "Do you want us to leave?"

"No!  Of course not!"  Maman answered rather defensively.  "But I know you will feel differently in a year or so... perhaps you shouldn't sever your ties with Vienna."

"Very well," Josette sighed.  "I will write back to him and tell him he can visit me.  I will say I'm still considering his offer and will have an answer for him in October."

"I think that's a splendid idea," Maman agreed.  "He is quite a captivating man, isn't he?"

Josette raised an eyebrow.  "What makes you say that?"

"He struck me as very well mannered, educated and... he is a Count.  Quite handsome too," Maman replied.

"A bit too old for me though," Josette remarked.  "He must be in his forties."

Maman nodded.  "Perhaps... but plenty of young women end up marrying older men.  There are many advantages to such a marriage."

Josette chuckled. "You can already see me as Countess Bartholy, Maman... when I only met the man once!"  She tickled Lorelei's belly lightly, making the baby squirm.  "Your Grandmaman is very silly, isn't she?"

"I know he was quite taken with you, Josette," her mother said gruffly.  "Don't make light of such things."

"He told me he has at least one son... but from the way he talked I gathered that wasn't his only child," Josette looked pointedly at Maman.  "For all I know, he could have an entire brood!"

"But he never mentioned a wife, did he?"  Maman raised an eyebrow.  "And I didn't spot a wedding band on his finger."

Josette shrugged.  "That doesn't mean anything.  Some men simply don't wear them... as I know from my own experience," she said wistfully.

They remained silent for a while.  The shadow of Lord Danville descended over them, ruining Josette's happy mood.  She now sat staring into space and sulking, while Lorelei started to wiggle and whimper.  She demanded her mother's full attention.

"I'm sorry, my dear," Maman apologized.  "I didn't mean to remind you of..." she didn't finish her sentence.

"It's alright, Maman," Josette murmured.  "I'm over it," she lied. 

In reality, Lorelei kept the presence of Lawrence Danville vividly alive in Josette's mind.  She saw him in many of their baby's expressions and gestures.  She spent hours fantasizing about having a family of three, imagining what he would be like as a father.  Of course... he was being a father to his other child... the one his wife gave him.  Josette wandered what Anne had:  boy or girl?  How was their child?  Surely not as beautiful as Lorelei!  Certainly not as smart!  She snapped out of her reverie upon hearing her daughter cry.

Josette immediately picked Lorelei up and soothed her.

"It's alright, ma cherie!  You will always have me...even if your Papa is a fool," she whispered against Lorelei's hair. 

Josette walked around the bedroom, gently rocking Lorelei who quieted down and eventually fell asleep.  Josette turned toward Maman and spoke softly:

"I don't need another man to complicate my life. I am perfectly content as it is right now.  As for the job in Vienna... I promise I will give it some serious thought.  But at the moment, I want to spend all of my time with my daughter.  Count Bartholy will simply have to wait."