One Big Happy Family

Chapter 2: The Fate of the Osbornes is Revealed

Peter took the stairs up to Lorie's room.  He cracked the door open and peered inside.  Lorie was stretched out on her bed, completely still.  Peter approached her cautiously.  When he stood right by her side, his eyes started to tear up.  Lorie looked just like he remembered her:  a beautiful, blonde, six year-old girl who was simply asleep.  Her dark lashes occasionally fluttered with the side to side movement of her eyes under her closed lids.  The only difference Peter noticed was the newly acquired pallor of Lorie's skin.  Other than that, she was still his sweet little sister... on the exterior.

Peter sighed as he sat down by her side and caressed the top of her head.  He had no idea what Lorie could hear in her current state.  Was she aware of her surroundings or was she dreaming?  Peter decided to talk to her, in case she felt lonely and isolated in darkness.

"Lorie, hi, it's Peter," he started speaking in a tremulous voice.  "I don't know if you can hear me... but if you can, I just want to tell you that I'm here and that I love you very much.  When you wake up, we can practice piano together again... or just spend time talking.  I can't wait to show you our new mansion.  You are in your own room, in Mystery Spell.  It's very pretty.  Father tried to have it decorated so it looks just like your old room in Vienna.  All of your toys have been shipped, and they are also waiting for you to wake up."

Peter paused, watching Lorie's face attentively.  He thought he detected a slight shift in her expression... but he may have been imagining things.  He took her little hand into his and squeezed it.

"You're not alone, Lorie.  I'm here, and so are Father, Nicolae and Drogo.  And we all love you so much... and miss hearing your voice and seeing your smile.  I will come and sit with you every day and tell you about what's going on here, okay?"

Peter placed a light kiss onto Lorie's forehead.  Her eyelids fluttered briefly, but she never opened her eyes fully.  Peter watched her with sadness in his heart.  Part of him wanted to wake her up... but he was worried about how she would react.  He therefore left her asleep, and softly closed her door behind him.

As he made his way downstairs, he ran into Nicolae who was on his was up.

"How is she?"  Nicolae asked, his grey eyes filled with grief as well.

"Sleeping peacefully... I think," Peter replied.  "I sat with her and talked to her for a while.  Maybe the rest of you could do the same throughout the day... so that she isn't all alone."

Nicolae nodded and put a hand on Peter's shoulder.  "I think that's a brilliant idea, Peter.  You are the kindest one of us."

"No," Peter shook his head, embarrassed by the compliment.  "I just spent the most time with her out of all of us."

"I will go up and talk to her in a little while," Nicolae said.  "Now that Father is back, he has taken over the bank leadership... so I'm pretty much free."

"Are you upset about that?"  Peter inquired.  He knew that Nicolae liked working at the bank, especially with Sarah.  Peter suddenly remembered that Viktor had instructed Drogo to rid the town of any Osborne.  His green eyes widened at the memory.

"What happened to the Osborne sisters and their grandmother?"  Peter asked, fully concerned.

Nicolae gazed around before answering.  "We have to be very careful even mentioning their name.  Viktor hasn't brought up the subject yet... I guess with everything else that's happened they ended up in the back of his mind.  I'd like to keep it that way... for as long as possible."

"So... they aren't all dead?"  Peter whispered.

Nicolae nodded very briefly.  He then took Peter by the arm.  "Let's go to my room so we can talk privately."