Why Lorie? Part I

Chapter 21: Aftershocks

Josette didn't fall asleep until close to dawn.  Once she did, her dreams were haunted by Drogo's lingering presence.  She couldn't escape the clutch he had on her.  Josette twisted and turned thinking about the passionate kiss they shared.  She could still feel his lips on hers, his tongue roughly invading her mouth.  She would have to figure out a way to deal with him.  Josette was still dozing when her bedroom door suddenly opened.

"Maman!  Wake up!  It's almost eleven o'clock," Lorie jumped on the bed and started shaking her.

"Hmph?  What?  What's happening?"  Josette had to force her eyelids open.  She was groggy and for a minute had no idea where she was.

"Come on, Maman!"  Lorie insisted.  "Get up!"

"Alright, alright... give me a second," Josette complained. Her daughter's enthusiasm was too much for her to handle.

Josette sat up in bed and stretched her arms over her head.  She rubbed her eyes and yawned.  When she looked at Lorie, the little girl grinned.

"There's an amazing breakfast downstairs... if you make it before it gets taken away," Lorie said.

At the mention of food, Josette's stomach started to growl. She realized she hadn't eaten anything since their train ride the previous day.

"Is everyone else awake?" She asked Lorie as she dragged herself out of bed and put her robe on.

"Yes," Lorie answered.  "Papa is already gone to work, but the boys are home."

"Work?  But... today is our first day in Vienna," Josette complained.

On the other hand, she was relieved not to have to face Viktor after her evening with Drogo.  Josette walked to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on her face.  She then brushed her hair and gathered it up in a messy bun, not caring how it looked.  In fact, she wanted to appear as unappealing as possible in Drogo's presence.  She therefore chose a plain housedress in a mousy brown color.  When Lorie saw her emerge from the closet, she arched an eyebrow:

"What are you wearing?"  Her daughter sounded quite critical.  "I've never seen you in that before."

"There's a good reason for it," Josette chuckled.  "I know it's not very attractive, but it's comfortable."

"Not attractive?  It's downright hideous!"  Lorie wasn't one to hold back her opinions.

"Thanks, ma cherie," Josette pouted at the insult.  "But it will do for now."

Lorie jumped off the bed and grabbed her mother's hand, dragging her toward the door.

"Come!  Hurry up," she urged Josette who was obviously too slow for her.

The two descended the grand staircase.  Lorie led the way toward the dining room.  When they both entered, Josette's eyes widened.  The table was set and covered in delicious breakfast dishes:  warm, buttery croissants, cold cuts, hot coffee, cinnamon rolls, a variety of fruit and a platter of scrambled eggs - all emanating a mouth-watering aroma.

"So everyone else ate already?"  Josette asked her daughter.

Lorie shrugged.  "I guess so.  By the time I got here, they were already finished."

"Great.  A house full of early risers," Josette thought to herself.  "I hope I can handle it."

Nonetheless, she sat down.  Lorie plopped down next to her and grabbed a juicy strawberry.

"Who made all of this food?"  Josette was curious.

"Oh.  You haven't met Ana yet," Lorie answered.