Marisa carried little Lyra in her arms as she walked reaching her building, one of the doormen held the doors open for her, tipping his hat.
"Ma'am"
Marisa smiled politely at him before reaching the lift, Lyra moaned in her sleep shifting in Marisa's arms in efforts to get comfortable. Lyra had slipped her arms around Marisa's neck hugging her with her head on the woman's shoulder.
Marisa stilled as Lyra moved in her arms, she feared the girl would awake from the noise of the doorman. Marisa made shushing sounds as she stepped into the lift, hoping the sounds wouldn't wake Lyra from her peaceful sleep.
The girl was quiet, content and allowed Marisa to hold her which she surprisingly found she wasn't against. However, she preferred holding Lyra in her arms.
Lyra loosely gripped Marisa's hair in her sleep causing Marisa to take Lyra's fingers away releasing her hair from the girl's little fingers. Suddenly the lift opened to her flat where she juggled Lyra in her arms lifting her, adjusting her hold on the girl as she barely gripped her purse in one of her hands.
Marisa looked around her empty flat as she got a handle of Lyra and her purse properly, she realized as she did so that she doesn't have the guest bedroom made up for a guest so she had nowhere to place Lyra so she could sleep.
Eventually, she figured Lyra could sleep on the couch for the present moment, she would have her staff make up the guest bedroom for Lyra in the meantime. Marisa carried Lyra over into the living room where she placed her purse down, before making her way over to the couch and went to gently place Lyra down.
Marisa leaned Lyra down onto the couch very softly careful not to wake the little girl, as Marisa set Lyra down Marisa raised herself to stand back up only to find Lyra had not let go of her. Lyra still had her arms around Marisa's neck, Marisa then slowly and delicately released Lyra's arms from around her neck placing Lyra fully onto the couch where she laid comfortably still asleep.
The whole ordeal was a tense affair, as Marisa nervously made sure not to wake Lyra. When Marisa finally got Lyra to let her go, Lyra rubbed her eye with her closed hand sleepily making Marisa tense.
Lyra simply shifted on the couch in her sleep noticing the lack of Marisa now, Marisa breathed out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. Marisa then grabbed a throw blanket from her bedroom before placing it over Lyra covering her, tucking her in comfortably.
Marisa sat on the part of the couch where Lyra wasn't on and brushed the stray hair away from Lyra's face, tucking it behind her ear. Lyra laid peacefully upon the couch asleep, only moving slightly in her sleep every other minute or so in attempts to get comfortable.
Marisa had sought to go over correspondence in her study, however, as she sat in there she kept thinking of the little girl alone in the living room asleep. So there she was now, sitting at the living room desk table glancing at Lyra fast asleep on the couch.
The little girl's chest rising and falling with each breath, Marisa found herself relaxed and at peace having the little girl in her company.
Suddenly as Marisa was writing further into her research is when suddenly a light buzzing ran out from the lift, causing Lyra to moan in her sleep causing Marisa to spring up to stop it before it woke Lyra.
One of the members of staff came out to see if Marisa needed assistance, it happened that the buzzing was Lyra clothes and various items that they purchased at Woodorfs arriving. The staff quickly took over the delivery, having the package that was nicely packed in designer boxes with tissue paper wrappings brought up in the lift.
Marisa instructed them that she wished for everything to be brought into the guest room and to have the room made up for Lyra since she would be staying with them. With the staff taking control of the delivery Marisa noticed Lyra moving on the couch, she turned her attention.
Lyra turned onto her side with her hand laying near her face, Lyra rubbed at her eyes sleepily before resting her hand down once more. Her face scrunching up a little bit in her sleep in reaction to the noise, the blanket that had been covering Lyra slipped off the girl when she moved half of it upon the floor.
Marisa came over picking up the blanket, before fixing it back over Lyra without waking her. Drawn into the moment, Marisa couldn't help staring at Lyra's sleeping face and how the girl moved slightly in her sleep at Marisa placing the blanket back over her.
All Marisa saw when she looked at Lyra sleeping was the baby she had last seen five years ago, she reached her hands to brush her thumb along Lyra's cheek softly before slipping her hand away.
The golden monkey watched Marisa interact with the sleeping little girl with interest, having not seen or experienced Marisa having been so gentle with someone before however only once in the past...withhim.
Marisa experiencing some emotions quickly retreated herself away from the sleeping girl, to be alone with her thoughts letting Lyra sleep. Marisa had no issues with letting Lyra sleep since the girl was quiet, manageable and Marisa felt she was finally back in control of the situation since the girl first appeared in her lift with that letter.
The only thing Marisa didn't know was that you shouldn't let little children nap for too long for they would never go to sleep at night on time. However she hadn't known, for she hadn't raised a child for five years; she was now.
Marisa had gone off directing her staff on where and how she wanted the guest room to be decorated along with where everything would be located. The staff were a bustle getting everything together, they were quite excited never having had any guest before let alone a child.
The change was going to make life interesting, the staff had already gossiped on how they liked the little girl. The girl who spilled milk breaking glass, throwing Mrs. Coulter through a loop, and live to tell the tale.
They prepared the guest bedroom for little Lyra with Mrs. Coulter's instructions, as she was directing the staff on where to put the dresses for Lyra. As they were finishing putting away Lyra's clothes and things Marisa was talking to her number one servant, the other staff members had dispersed.
"I trust your understanding, that not a word about Lyra will make its way out of this flat. Understood?"
Marisa's servant bowed his head in agreement and respect before suddenly Marisa noticed the member of her staff stop their movements and look towards the doorway of the guest bedroom they were currently in.
Little Lyra leaned on the doorframe looking in for Marisa, acting all shy at the sight of multiple people. Lyra hid part of her face with her hand, as she peeked in looking for Marisa who noticed her when her servant stopped. At the arrival of Lyra, the servant smiled softly towards the little girl who looked at him with innocent curious eyes before leaving the room.
"Lyra you're awake"
Marisa called out stepping into Lyra's line of sight, as she approached her. Lyra had been asleep for two whole hours, the girl was rubbing the sleep out of her eyes as Marisa approached her.
The golden monkey sauntered over to Lyra as well noticing Pan sitting upon Lyra's mary jane's on the floor, upon seeing the golden monkey Pan ducked behind Lyra's little legs.
Marisa seeing Pan hide from her own daemon caused Marisa to flinch, the girl did not trust her which frustrated Marisa. She wanted Lyra to be comfortable around her, it made her insides boil as she was brought back to the reason her own daughter not trusting her.
She abandoned her and the girl knew it, there was no hiding it. She could only show Lyra, she could be trusted.
"Lyra come here"
Marisa beckoned softly, as the girl looked up to her with innocent uncertain eyes. Lyra had the encounter in the shop fresh in her mind, she does remember hugging Marisa in her sleep so she sought her out after waking up.
Lyra slowly stepped into the room, Marisa smiled softly towards her which made Lyra relax her shoulders.
Marisa smiling placed her hands upon Lyra's shoulders, steering her in front of her in view of the bedroom.
"Now, Lyra this will be your room"
Lyra's little eyes widened at Marisa's words
"This is mine?"
Marisa, thinking the girl was unsure and unhappy with the non-decorated room quickly went to reassure her.
"If you wish I can have some decorators come tomorrow-" Marisa hadn't gotten through nearly half her sentence before Lyra then giggled before she started running circles within the room looking all about in awe of the room.
Marisa watched her run around with surprise upon her face before, Lyra then noticed the massive comfortable bed that had been made up covered in pillows and plush covers.
Lyra then proceeded to jump gleefully onto the bed face first with Pan turning from a bird into an ermine rubbing himself upon the bed alongside Lyra, Marisa with Lyra jumping upon the bed found herself let out a giggle that of which she tried to stifle as she smiled softly slightly happy at the sight.
Lyra being a burst of energy then proceeds to slide off the bed dramatically with giggles before running out of the room with Pan chasing after her gleefully, Marisa had quickly moved out of the way for the little one to shoot past her and out of the bedroom.
Little high pitched happy giggles and shrieks echoed inside the entire flat as little Lyra ran all around with no chance of slowing down as Marisa then chased her tirelessly in attempts to stop the little one.
Lyra's giggles carried across the entire flat as Lyra ran her shoes making noise upon the marble flooring.
Marisa, in shock at the energy the one little five year old possessed, attempted to chase down the little girl who was playing with Pan, all too happy. Marisa was getting angry and frustrated as the girl ran around the flat, with no indication of slowing down anytime soon.
The golden monkey watched Lyra and Pan run around in surprise before taking off in chase of them both screeching at them causing Lyra to shriek in surprise and excitement thinking it was all a game like little children do.
Marisa felt her control of the situation slipping as her own daemon failed to slow down the little one let alone stop her; she was so unprepared.
After running around this way and that way making Marisa's head spin in circles thankfully Lyra and Pan had eventually evolved into playing hide and seek as Lyra hid behind doors only for the golden monkey to point and screech at finding her causing Lyra to giggle loudly high pitched shrieking with giggles as she exclaimed in surprise running away from the golden monkey and Marisa.
As Lyra hid once more, Marisa sought her out along with her daemon, in attempts to get Lyra to calm down from her excitement. Marisa felt a migraine approaching as she failed to control the little one set loose throughout her flat; equivalent to a little tornado.
"Lyra?"
Marisa called out in a sing-song voice clipped with frustration, as she glanced around the flat for the little girl.
Suddenly there was a high pitched giggle which was slightly muffled along with some shushing noises.
"I wonder where Lyra went?" Marisa called out playfully, smiling as she neared where the giggle had originated. Marisa then quickly opened her own bedroom door with a proud smile of accomplishment upon her face.
"Got you!"
Marisa put her hands out in front of her playfully as if to catch Lyra, Lyra shrieked out in surprise giggling up a storm as she made to run past Marisa.
Lyra got past her only for Marisa to catch her in the corridor as the little one tried to run past her, Marisa grabbed Lyra by the waist hoisting her up on her hip by her side. Lyra continuously giggled as she squirmed within Marisa's grasp in excitement her smile was ear to ear.
Marisa spun her around once before stopping and placing Lyra back down on her feet in front of her. Marisa bent down to Lyra's height, slightly out of breath. Surprisingly Marisa found that she could not stay mad, as she looked upon Lyra's little giggling smiling face; her anger melted away.
"You are a handful aren't you" Lyra just giggled at her words, Marisa fixed Lyra's now messy hair away from the little girl's face.
"Now Lyra, why don't we calm down and go sit in the living room"
Marisa then steered Lyra holding a tight grip on the girl's shoulder taking everything within her not to lose her cool that Lyra sent her on a goose chase across the flat.
Lyra simply followed jumping from one foot to another, still a burst of energy as she listened to her mother as she was steered towards the living room. Marisa placed Lyra to sit upon the couch, Lyra then giggled and leaned to slip past Marisa once more to run off.
Marisa caught her before she could.
"Ah no no no"
Marisa scolded Lyra who giggled at her innocently as she put her hands over mouth giggling.
Marisa, attempting to calm Lyra down, made a shushing sound as she brought a finger to her lips in an effort to get Lyra to be quiet.
Lyra mimicked her slightly still giggling smiling up at her, Pan an ermine upon the little girl's lap jumping up and down playfully.
Marisa, hoping to find something to get Lyra to calm down, noticed Lyra's rucksack upon the couch which Lyra had left there before they went to the shop.
Marisa reached for it causing Lyra to notice, which made the girl's smile diminish as she reached for it at the same time as Marisa.
Having noticed Lyra's reaction Marisa made sure to grab it first before Lyra could, curious at the girl's actions.
"So what did you bring with you Lyra?"
Marisa asked as she lifted the rucksack open before reaching into it and grabbing hold of what appears to be a children's book.
"That's mine"
Lyra's little hands reached out for it in attempts to grab it, Marisa pulled it away as she glanced towards Lyra who was frustrated at not getting the book.
Upon Lyra's face was a grumpy angry expression eerily similar to her ownself, catching Marisa off guard as she noticed the similarities between her and her daughter. Lyra even scrunched up her nose like she does, when cross.
"We ask politely for things" Marisa chided Lyra, who realized what Marisa meant having been taught manners from Charles and Mrs. Lonsdale.
"Please?" Lyra asked, dragging the word out as she practically begged for her book, Lyra was becoming upset wanting the book. Marisa hearing Lyra say the magic word, conceded and handed the book over to Lyra who quickly grabbed it and clutched it to her chest hugging as she held a pout upon her little face.
Marisa noticed the shift in the little girl, one moment she had been happy as could be, and now at the sight of the book, she looked sullen. Lyra hugged the book to her as if it were a person, Pan now had transformed into a mouse and curled close to Lyra upon her lap.
"Lyra, is that your book?"
Marisa asked innocently as she was looking to find some answers from the little girl.
Lyra just nodded her little head to answer, not saying a word as she looked to Marisa. Lyra then looked down to her lap, as if thinking back on something.
"Daddy gave it to me"
Lyra whispered lowly Marisa almost didn't hear it, the words catching Marisa by surprise hearing mentions of Asriel. It sparked feelings inside of her, hearing Lyra refer to Asriel as 'Daddy'. Some feelings of jealousy, guilt, and past regrets of the past.
"Oh...can I see it?"
Lyra cautiously looked up from her lap at Marisa, as she debated handing over one of her prized possessions before she slowly nodded her head before revealing the book from her grasp before holding it in her little hand towards Marisa.
Marisa took it into her hands delicately, her heart leaping that Lyra trusted her with the book. Lifting it into view with her fingers brushing along the cover, she noted the children's book contained illustrations and held stories of the north including it being centered around a panserbjørn bear who went on adventures.
Looking upon the book, Lyra's fascination with the stuffed panserbjørn bear plush toy made sense; as Marisa noted it looked exactly like the illustration within the book. A thought popped into Marisa's head as she smiled before handing the book back to Lyra who took it into her small hands before Marisa went somewhere for a moment before reappearing.
Marisa held something behind her back and a sly smile upon her face, as she neared Lyra who had stayed upon the couch.
As Marisa reached Lyra she bent down to Lyra's height before smiling wide and pulling out the stuffed panserbjørn bear plush toy from behind her back surprising Lyra.
Lyra's little eyes widened at the sight of the plush toy in surprise before breaking out into a huge smile as she had done before. Marisa held out the plush toy to Lyra, who then took the plush within her arms hugging it tight to her chest with a contented smile upon her face.
Marisa smiled at the sight of Lyra happy once more, before being surprised by Lyra jumping forward and hugging her as tight as the plush toy a second ago. Lyra wrapped her arms around Marisa's neck sinking into the woman, Marisa found her own arms coming up to hug Lyra to her.
As Lyra held onto Marisa she did not let go, sinking into her mother's embrace flooding the woman with such love causing a flood of emotions to come over her. Marisa's eyes became moist as she held her little girl within her arms, she struggled with her emotion, and with the thought that within two months Lyra would be gone.
Asriel was 'daddy' to Lyra, while she was nothing; she had to remind herself that all of this was temporary.
Lyra would be gone within two months, her life and research would resume and she would be well on her way to success within the magisterium. However, she couldn't help it as her thoughts and her heart brought her to the dream that perhaps she could have both.
Having Lyra within her arms, holding her tight Marisa melted from the affection; she found she didn't wish for Lyra ever to leave her arms again.