Why Lorie? Part II

Chapter 4: Departure Day

The dreaded departure day finally arrived. It was early in the morning on November 27th, 1910. Outside, the snow was coming down heavily, covering the streets in a white, sparkling blanket. Josette and Lorie woke up extra early and got dressed quickly so they could say their proper goodbyes. When they rushed downstairs, they saw that the entire foyer was filled with suitcases.

"Wow! It looks like they've packed up the whole house," Lorie exclaimed as she ran around looking at the various pieces of luggage.

"Don't forget that Drogo and Nicolae are moving to Mystery Spell permanently," Josette reminded Lorie. Her voice was filled with sadness.

"I know. I bet they will meet a bunch of witches there," Lorie continued her persistent narrative about the small town in Massachusetts that had such a strange name.

"You're probably right," Josette replied. "But not the kind you're thinking of," she smiled wryly.

"What do you mean?" Lorie asked.

"Oh... never mind," Josette answered. "Look, they are coming downstairs."

When Lorie gazed at the staircase, she saw Nicolae descending, with Drogo right behind him. The two men were both dressed up very elegantly, but also warmly. They wore dark suits and wool winter coats, and they had each donned a black bowler hat.

"Don't you two look smart," Josette said admiring them.

"Why thank you kindly, Madam," Nicolae replied with a smile, as he did a quick spin to better show off. "We want to look our best when we board that fancy ship in Hamburg."

"Is it a really big boat?" Lorie asked. She had never sailed before on a large ship and was curious.

"Yes, quite huge... and pretty fast," Nicolae answered. "We will get to New York in eight days... perhaps even faster, depending on the weather."

"Wow! That is fast! I wish I could go with you," Lorie remarked. "I bet it will be lots of fun."

Drogo arched an eyebrow: "You think so? I'm not sure I'm going to like being rocked back and forth all day long for an entire week. I heard the ocean can get pretty rough... especially this time of year."

"Don't worry Drogo," Lorie reassured him. "Nicolae will take care of you if you're scared. You can hold on to his hand."

At the child's innocent remark, Drogo exploded into laughter, while Nicolae grinned.

"Wouldn't that be quite the scene," Drogo said. "Us two, walking around holding hands... I bet we would draw some curious looks from the other passengers."

"They'd just be jealous because they don't have a big brother to protect them," Lorie said with conviction. She didn't know why Drogo found her statement so hilarious.

"That's right, Lorie," Nicolae addressed her while giving Drogo a sarcastic look. "Not everyone has someone to save their butt all the time."

Drogo shut down at that remark. He frowned as he picked up a couple of suitcases, and stepped outside where the carriage was waiting.

"What did I say?" Lorie asked Josette and Nicolae. "I feel like every time I talk to him I end up saying the wrong thing," her eyes started to tear up.

Nicolae crouched down and took her in his arms. "You said nothing wrong, Lorie," he reassured her. "I think Drogo is just worried about the trip." He ran a hand over her blond curls as he hugged her.

"I will miss you so much, Nicolae," Lorie latched on to his neck. "Do you have to go?"

"I'm afraid I do, little one," Nicolae replied. "I will miss you very, very much."

He stood up and looked at Josette. "And you as well," Nicolae said as he approached her and gave her a warm embrace. "Take care of yourself... and of the little one," he whispered in her ear.

Josette nodded, trying to hold back her tears. "You take care of yourself... and of that fool too," she chuckled trying to stay brave.

"Is everyone ready?" Viktor interrupted them with his booming voice as he descended the stairs.

"Looks like Drogo already left," Peter smirked from behind him.

"He started loading the luggage in the carriage," Nicolae explained, rolling his eyes at Peter. "But yes... we are ready to go."

"Why don't you two take some stuff out too?" Viktor addressed his sons. "That way I can have a moment alone with the girls."

Peter and Nicolae complied. They each grabbed some luggage and stepped outside, leaving Viktor with Josette and Lorie. Viktor immediately noticed that both of his girls had tears in their eyes. He walked over to Lorie and picked her up.

"It will be alright, ma fille," he whispered as he gently rocked her. "You and Maman will have a splendid time together. And Peter will be here to watch over you and keep you safe, alright?" Viktor wiped Lorie's tears with his thumbs.

"But I'll miss you, Papa," she clung to him unable to stop crying.

"And I will miss you, my sweet girl," Viktor kissed her wet cheeks. "But just think — your grandparents will be here in a couple of weeks. I'm sure they will bring you lots of presents. And they'll stay past Christmas. You might end up getting sick of them," Viktor chuckled, making Lorie giggle a bit too.

"And you'll be back in the spring, right?" Lorie looked at him with her large hazel eyes.

"Yes. And I will also bring you some very special things from America," Viktor told her.

"Really?" Lorie's eyes widened.

"Of course," Viktor replied. "Some things that you can only find there. But I can't tell you what they are," he quickly added, "...because that would ruin the surprise."

"Alright," Lorie sounded more pacified. "And I will keep your Christmas present wrapped for you until you come home."

"Thank you, my little one," Viktor said as he set Lorie back down and kissed the top of her head.

He then looked at Josette, who was standing by the door, her eyes downcast and her arms wrapped around herself.

"My love," Viktor whispered in her ear as he took her into his arms. "Please... don't cry."

"I'm sorry," Josette sobbed against his chest. "I tried to stay strong... but it's so hard."

"I know," Viktor murmured to her as he tightened his embrace. "It is for me, too."

They held each other like that, in silence, while Lorie quietly watched them. She suddenly ran up to them and placed her frail arms around both of them.

"Group hug," she announced loudly, making Josette and Viktor chuckle.

Nicolae opened the door. He entered followed by Peter.

"Ready, Father?" Nicolae asked.

Viktor nodded in response: "Yes, ready."

He gave Josette and Lorie one last kiss, and hugged Peter. "Be good, all of you," Viktor said as he exited the house with Nicolae on his heels.

"Have a safe trip, my love," Josette called out to him while standing by the open door.

The last thing she glimpsed was Drogo's pale face from inside the carriage. His amber eyes locked with hers, and, in typical Drogo style, he gave her a wink right before the carriage took off.