French Kisses

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Liberty's Kids and the wonderful characters belong to DIC entertainment. Lisette is rightfully mine, but I give permission for anyone to use her. ~WordBird500

Chapter 8

A few hours later, he was awoken by a gentle hand. "Wake up Henri," whispered Lisette. Her face was framed with perfect curls.

Henri blinked in the light and groaned. "I don't want to get up."

Lisette smiled. "Wake up Henri," she said with the same coaxing voice with George Washington. "Pancakes."

"Fine," said Henri. He rolled out of bed.

The pancakes were sweet and soft, cooked to perfection. Henri sniffed one cautiously before taking an unusually large bite. James stared at him before resuming his own breakfast, looking questionable.

"And for our grand finale, croissants!" said Lisette as she whirled out of the kitchen. The steaming plate she held wobbled on her hands but stayed planted. She set the plate down before the table.

Everyone took a croissant. Henri hadn't tasted one in so long, and he sniffed it before smiling and finishing it in two bites. He reached for another.

"Why are you boys always so hungry?One more Henri," she said in a cross voice, although you could tell she was teasing. "And for those who are concerned," she said pointedly to James, "Sarah is awake."

James put on a mock surprised face. "How'd you know?"

Lisette smiled. "If everyone is full, please leave the table. If you are not," she said, looking pointedly at Henri, who was trying to eat the last croissant, "please leave the table anyway." She playfully slapped his hand. "When are you going to be full? That one's for Sarah."

As they tiptoed inside the shady guest room where Sarah was sleeping, there was the distinct sound of a baby cooing. Lisette carried a breakfast plate and was at the very back. Henri held open the door. Then Lisette tripped and sent the plate flying. Luckily Henri caught the plate and Lisette. They stared at each other for a while (Henri's hand was on her chest and vice versa) before looking away, as if nothing ever happened. Henri hoped nobody saw.

If anyone did see, they didn't show it. They were all focused on the baby. Sarah had sat up in her bed, cradling the infant in her arms. James sat on the bedside with her. Sarah looked up. "Thank you, Lisette. One or the other would not be alive today without you."

"Breakfast?" said Lisette hopefully. Sarah took the plate gratefully and shooed everyone out of her room. Lisette ran upstairs to fetch a blanket for the baby to swaddle in.

-Henri POV-

"James?" said Henri. "How do you impress a girl?"

"Do lots of dumb things to make them think you're a great person," said James half-jokingly.

"James, I heard that," called Sarah from the other room.

James smiled before his face grew serious. "And who, may I ask, is the person you want to impress?"

When Henri didn't respond James answered his own question. "You like her, don't you?"

"No, I don't!" he exclaimed. When James looked disbelieving, he yelled, "She's only my friend, that's all."

They didn't notice Lisette slinking up the stairs.

EDITED JULY 2019