Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 16: Good News, Bad News

For the rest of that day, Josette waited impatiently for Viktor's visit.  In her mind, she kept replaying the scene that had taken place at the hotel.  Why did Drogo have to make her feel that way?  It was unfair!  She had finally met a man who was kind to her and who loved her daughter.  She had even begun to return his affection, despite their age difference.  And now - she was undeniably attracted to his youngest son and was finding it harder and harder to resist him!  Worst of all, Drogo knew exactly how she felt.  Instead of keeping his distance, he stoked the fire of her infatuation.

Josette was angry and confused.  She paced around the house, distracted, mumbling to herself.  Lorie watched her closely.  When Josette finally sat down, Lorie walked up to her and climbed onto her lap.

"What's wrong, Mama?"  The little girl played with a loose blond strand that curled on Josette's shoulder.

"Nothing, ma cherie," Josette tried to reassure her child.

"Then why are you acting so strange?"  Lorie didn't let her off the hook that easily.

Josette sighed.  "Oh, my dear heart, life can be so complicated sometimes."  Josette caressed her daughter's sweet face. 

"Are you worried about us moving?"  Lorie asked. 

Josette nodded.  "Yes.  Things will be very different... I will miss having Grandmaman and Grandpapa to talk to."

"You can talk to me," Lorie took her mother's hand in her tiny one.  "We are best friends, aren't we?"

Josette smiled.  Her daughter was truly amazing.  How could a four year-old know exactly what to say to make her feel better?  Josette kissed the top of Lorie's head.

"Thank you, my angel," she murmured.  "You don't know how much that means to me."

"I do, Mama," Lorie smiled sweetly.  "I love you more than anything in the entire world!  You are the best Maman there is!"  Lorie wrapped her arms around Josette and held her tight.

"And you are the best daughter!"  Josette returned her hug, pressing Lorie close to her heart.  "I am the luckiest mother to have you."

Viktor had arrived a few minutes earlier.  He heard Josette and Lorie's voices, so he stopped before entering the parlor, and listened to their conversation.  He now stood in the doorway, watching them.  If he still had a beating heart, he knew it would've been melting at that moment.

Josette lifted her eyes up and saw him.  She couldn't help but smile when she noticed the pure admiration on his face.

"Viktor," she greeted him warmly.  "I didn't hear you.  Please, come in."

Viktor stepped into the parlor with his hands behind his back.  As soon as Lorie heard his name, she jumped off of Josette's lap and ran over to him.

"Uncle Viktor!"  The little girl wrapped her arms around his legs, making him laugh.

"Well this is a nice greeting," he looked down at Lorie.  "So nice that it deserves to be rewarded."  He grinned when the child widened her eyes upon hearing his statement.

Viktor crouched down to Lorie's eye level.  With a flourish, he brought his right hand forward.  He was holding a little white plush kitten.

"I thought maybe your other kitty wanted a companion," he said as he handed the toy to Lorie.

The child grabbed it and hugged it tightly.  "I love her!"  Lorie exclaimed.  "I shall name her Bonbon, because she looks like a little white chocolate."

Lorie ran back to her mother, showing off her new toy.

"Look, Mama!  Isn't Bonbon pretty?"

Josette nodded and smiled.  "Yes.  Bonbon is very pretty!"  She then whispered in Lorie's ear:  "Did you thank Viktor?"

Lorie immediately returned to their visitor who was still crouched down.  She gave Viktor a big hug and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you Uncle Viktor!  I love my new kitty!"  Lorie then ran out, squeezing Bonbon to her chest.  "I have to go introduce her to her friends," Lorie yelled over her shoulder as she headed toward the staircase.

Josette and Viktor watched her disappear, a smile on both of their faces. Viktor straightened up and walked over to Josette, his left hand still behind his back.

"And for you, my enchanting girl," he told her as he handed her a beautiful bouquet of bright fall flowers.  "Although, nothing can quite match your beauty."

Josette was truly touched by his gesture and words.  She took the bouquet and sniffed it appreciatively.

"They are beautiful, Viktor," she beamed up at him.  "Thank you."  She patted the empty spot on the sofa.  "Come.  Sit with me."

Viktor sat down and looked at her expectedly.

"Drogo told me you stopped by the hotel this morning," Viktor said, taking Josette's hand into his.  "He said you had some important news that you wanted to share with me.  I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier, but I was stuck in boring meetings all day long.  I thought they would..."

Josette placed a finger over Viktor's lips, interrupting his chatter.  She smiled at his bewildered expression.

"I have decided to move to Vienna," Josette said, plunging her gaze into Viktor's green eyes.  "And bring Lorie with me... naturally."

Viktor's face broke out into a colossal smile.

"Am I dreaming?  Or are you serious?"  He sounded completely baffled.

"I am very serious," Josette answered.  "We are both ready."

Viktor took the bouquet from Josette's hand and placed it on a side table.  He then wrapped his arms around her waist and placed a tender kiss upon her lips.  Josette drew him closer, returning the kiss with genuine affection.

"My darling girl... you have made me so very happy," Viktor whispered when they finally pulled back.  He caressed Josette's cheek as he spoke.

"I am happy too," Josette said, her eyes tearing up.

Viktor gently wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"There, there," he murmured.  "It's going to be alright.  I promise."

Josette placed her head on Viktor's shoulder.  His strong arm supported her as she leaned into him.

"It's very exciting.  But a bit scary too," she whispered.

"Of course it's scary... it will be quite a big change, for both of you.  But I'll be by your side every step of the way.  And so will the boys."

Josette's heart fluttered when she heard him mention his sons.

"Do you think they will be happy to have us interrupt their peaceful existence?"  Josette ran a hand lightly over Viktor's chest.

"They will be positively delighted," Viktor assured her.  "The boys truly care about you and Lorie... even Drogo, despite the fact that you two just met."

Josette didn't dare lift her eyes to Viktor's face.  She tried her best to keep her expression neutral when she asked:

"Did he tell you that?"

Viktor chuckled.  "He didn't have to.  I know my sons very well."

"Oh," Josette murmured. 

Viktor eased her away from him but kept a hold of her shoulders and looked her in the eye.

"So," he said.  "When do you plan to do this?"

"As soon as possible," Josette answered.  "But... I haven't spoken to my parents about it yet. I wanted you to know first."

"Do you want me to be here when you tell them?"  Viktor was genuinely concerned.  "It might be easier if they have me to blame."

"It's not necessary," Josette said, but his words touched her.  "I can handle it by myself."

"Handle what?"

When Viktor and Josette looked up, they saw Madame Foret standing in the doorway, her expression grim.  Josette gazed at Viktor before saying:  "On the other hand..."