Sunlight streamed into the apartment surrounding all the walls and surfaces, the open window had a soft breeze billowing the white cotton lace curtains as Marisa Coulter slept upon her bed in her bedroom peacefully. The golden monkey was sleeping upon the edge of the bed furthest away from Marisa as comfortable as she was curled up.
Some distant clattering from the staff in the kitchens awoke her for a start as she breathed in sharply and slowly began to flex and move her body under the sheets in attempts to wake herself further. Marisa kept her eyes shut as she did so, relaxing into the sheets until the memories of the previous day caught up to her as her eyes suddenly popped open in thought and realization.
Marisa rose from her bedroom, her light slippers sliding against the floor as she slowly approached the spare bedroom as if approaching a frightened animal.
Marisa brushed her hand over the door as she shuddered through a breath before gripping the cool metal door handle. Slowly twisting it, turning it as she slowly opened the door without making a sound.
She very carefully with searching eyes opened the door a little bit to peek in, scanning the room taking in the bareness of it before settling upon the new boxes from yesterday atop the dresser that still had to be tucked away into storage.
Then her gaze turned to the left reaching the sight of the bed, which was very large for such a small little person. Marisa became concerned when she failed to find who she was searching for, the sheets upon the bed appeared to be messed around and half of the covers had slid onto the floor in the night.
Marisa, knowing from the bed's state she hadn't dreamt the previous day, however, began to panic at the lack of sight of little Lyra. She quickly made her way into the room fully opening the door quickly, the golden monkey had leaped upon the bed moving some sheets checking hurriedly underneath them in search.
Marisa glanced on one side of the bed finding nothing before rushing to check the other side where the majority of the sheets and covers had slid onto the floor.
Marisa stopped her movements, once she noticed the very small little figure wrapped in the covers and blankets upon the floor sleeping soundly on top of one long pillow.
Marisa uncharacteristically bent down upon the carpet at little Lyra's sleeping side, getting really close to the child inspecting her for any visible injuries after realizing she had fallen out and off the gigantic bed within the night.
Lyra's little chest continued to rise and fall as she slept very peacefully, Marisa gazed upon her innocent and peaceful face causing her to feel sentimental of another time she had gazed upon the same face years ago.
All was quiet until Lyra in her sleep with her small hand brushed one hand across her cheek to scratch an invisible itch feebly. Before Lyra softly turned a bit clutching her blanket close to her chest and in one hand, as she slept upon her stomach with Pan curled up upon her neck and back sleeping away together.
Marisa tisked her tongue making a sound as her face softened at the sight of her daughter, Marisa not wishing Lyra to sleep upon the floor. Very carefully as if defusing a bomb. Placed her arm underneath Lyra as she slept and under her knees to carry her little legs lifted the girl into her arms.
Marisa lifted Lyra into her body as she cradled her close, Lyra moaned very low at the change and movement, however, relaxed into her arms very quickly as she continued to sleep. Pan had shifted around Lyra's neck so he didn't fall.
Marisa glanced up towards the bed where the golden monkey was standing upon it looking towards Marisa cuddling Lyra in her arms with longing as he reached his arms out towards Lyra pouting.
Lyra sighing in her sleep making a noise of contentment then suddenly rested her head in the crook of Marisa's neck.
Marisa froze, as she felt her own body and soul melt from the affection and love she had growing for her daughter.
Marisa halted herself from placing Lyra carefully and safely back upon the bed. Marisa adjusted her arms lifting Lyra to be more comfortable as she cradled Lyra's head with the back of her hand as she had done when Lyra was a baby. Her perfectly manicured nails and fingers very delicately played and ran through Lyra's little and soft locks of hair admiring it.
She held her tight, she then began to rock Lyra within her arms slowly. She held onto Lyra for a while as more sunlight came through the windows as Lyra still slept peacefully within her arms; safe.
Marisa then sat upon the sofa chair within Lyra's bedroom pulling Lyra's blanket to cover her slightly from the breeze in the room.
Marisa closed her eyes and sighed as if a weight had been lifted from her back that had been pressing for the last five years. She melted into the moment, holding onto her daughter as she should have been able to.
She had given her to Asriel to hide from Edward, Asriel had killed Edward while Lyra had been taken away to a nunnery. As she felt her inner confliction over her daughter's existence she had waited too long to seek her out and go after Lyra.
She had left it too long, Asriel had beaten her to Lyra at the nunnery and had whisked her away to Jordan college where she had been for the last five years.
Forbidden and out of her reach. She had wasted time, she should have been quicker. Got to Lyra sooner, things could have been different.
Asriel would have perhaps brought Lyra to her or at least allowed Marisa to see Lyra, hadn't she damned him in his trial for Edward's murder.
Her mind is filled with mistakes and regrets, with Lyra within her arms the pain from it all seemed to ease.
Marisa watched Lyra's face as she slept, admiring every detail upon reaching out and noticing the little details among similarities between herself and her daughter. As well as how she equally shared similarities with Asriel.
As she stared at Lyra sleeping within her arms, a faint smile formed within the corner of her mouth and a deep feeling was emerging within her heart.
Marisa stared at Lyra, mesmerized, that this girl...this tiny human was hers. She belonged to her, she originated from her.
She was brought out of her thoughts and feelings at the sound of one of the staff walking past Lyra's bedroom in the corridor. Marisa had been pulled from the moment remembering the plans and tasks that needed to be seen to today.
Marisa slowly rose from the sofa chair carefully lifting Lyra within her arms, holding the weight of the little girl against her. She shifted Lyra within her arms, covering Lyra with her blanket that had fallen slightly when she stood. Lyra moaned her in her sleep, rubbing her head into Marisa's neck and shoulder. Lyra placed her free arm around Marisa's neck hugging her reaching out for comfort.
Marisa adjusted Lyra shushing her and gently rocking her slightly while placing her hand delicately against Lyra's back. She began to rub her hands upon Lyra's back, soothing her back into a comfortable sleep, Marisa held Lyra doing so for a while until Lyra returned to undisturbed sleep once more.
The golden monkey had watched Marisa carry Lyra then over to the bed, where he currently was. Seeing her approach he quickly pulled the blankets and covers back onto the bed for Marisa to place Lyra down carefully so as to not wake her.
Lyra made a light noise as if sounding her displeasure at having lost the direct contact with Marisa after being in her arms.
Once Marisa had placed Lyra down, she then gently fixed the remainder of the covers onto the bed tucking Lyra into them as if she had never slid out of the bed within the night.
Marisa secretly not wishing to leave Lyra's proximity after having her daughter so close like that, kept fussing with the covers tucking Lyra fully in and making sure the little girl was comfortable.
Marisa looked down at Lyra all tucked under the covers asleep, she was so tiny upon the gigantic double bed. It almost appeared it would swallow her whole or sink into the abyss of the covers. She retreated from the room tucking her bottom lip under her top as she closed Lyra's bedroom door behind herself and her daemon. She stared at the white-painted closed door for a second before shaking her head as if to shake off her feelings and lingering thoughts.
She retreated into the rest of the flat getting prepared for the day ahead while waiting for Lyra to awake within the hour.
Lyra awoke to be wrapped in the covers upon the gigantic comfortable bed with Pan curled on her neck and shoulder. She squinted through blurry eyes as she looked around the giant fancy bedroom she was currently situated in confusion before realization took over her.
She smiled softly as shock took over before Pan crawled down from her shoulder onto the sheets before her as she sat up within the bed leaning on the back of her hands to support her looking around the bedroom.
Lyra looked towards the closed door, with only muffled low tones coming from outside before glancing towards the white lace curtains near the windows where sunlight was streaming in and an echo of birds chirping could be heard through the closed windows faintly.
Lyra and Pan shared a glance with one another, Lyra smiled towards her daemon.
Pan spoke aloud to Lyra.
"We did it"
"I can't believe we are here…..with her"
Lyra replied softly not speaking too loud that they wouldn't be heard, with a soft smile upon her lips.
"I know…..she's….she's…."
Pan through his embarrassed shy feelings was hopeful however sad and cautious.
"Just like the letters…"
Pan smiled towards Lyra before nudging and rubbing his head into Lyra's hand softly for comfort, Lyra then softly reached to hold up close as he climbed up on her once more in order for Lyra to hug her daemon close lightly.
Lyra sighed as Pan and her embraced as she shuttered in her thoughts and insecure feelings.
"Do you think she'll want us?"
Lyra with emotion innocently whispered towards Pan.
"I hope so, she's all we ha-"
There was a sudden knock upon the door, causing Lyra and Pan to flinch as Pan scurried away from being so close to Lyra.
"Lyra, are you awake?"
Marisa's voice softly spoke through the door, before the doorknob was softly turned as the door slowly opened. Marisa peeked her head into the bedroom seeing Lyra sitting upon the bed now awake, facing Pan who had jumped down onto the covers in front of Lyra.
"Good morning"
Marisa spoke softly smiling warmly towards Lyra, the girl was watching her through a still sleepy expression.
"Good morning"
Lyra returned in a soft whispering voice, a small soft smile growing upon her face cautiously as she saw Marisa enter the bedroom more fully opening the door before approaching Lyra's bedside.
Marisa stood at the edge of the bed where Lyra still sat up still underneath the covers, she noticed Lyra's daemon maintaining eye contact with her which caught her by surprise for it was the first time she had made eye contact with Lyra's daemon.
Pan only looked away once the golden monkey made his presence known with his swishing tail sticking up on the side of the bed as he strutted to Marisa's side. Pan peered over the edge of the bed down at him in curiosity however caution.
Pan leaned back pulling away from the edge in anxiety once the golden monkey sniffed at him in inspection suddenly.
Marisa turned her attention away from her own daemon and Lyra's towards Lyra once more.
"How did you sleep?"
Lyra was surprised by the question never really having anyone ask her that in a while, no one to really care. Besides….
"The bed is very comfortable. It's like a cloud!"
Lyra being Lyra suddenly laid back down on the bed flat against the pillows dramatically as if to show how comfortable she found it.
Marisa let out a light chuckle at Lyra's antics before biting her lip for a second, before speaking once more.
"Good, I'm glad. Well, we have quite the day ahead of us. However, first, it is important that we have some breakfast. Come on"
Marisa held out a hand for Lyra with a soft smile, Lyra looked into her eyes and took it, shoving the covers off of her eagerly before taking her hand.
The staff had set up breakfast on the dining table for the both of them, once Lyra and Marisa reached the dining room Marisa suddenly requested after seeing the place settings far apart that she wished to be seated closer to Lyra.
Marisa logically deduced it to herself that she wished so in order to avoid Lyra from having any trouble and or accidents while they ate their meal. When deep down she just wished to be closer to Lyra, for Lyra fascinated her.
Marisa and Lyra sat down to eat breakfast where Marisa was seated right next to Lyra. Lyra happily sat as she watched Marisa directly talk to staff about the certain post that needed to be sent out as well as various tasks that needed to be done for her.
The kitchen staff and wait staff busied themselves with placing various food items upon the table for the two. The food contained some pancakes, tea, water, orange juice as well as many various fruits.
While Marisa chatted with the head servant about a delivery she wished to have done, she overheard Lyra talk to the staff as one of the staff placed a plate of pancakes in front of Lyra along with a side of various fruits.
"Thank you…..I'm Lyra what's your name?"
Lyra sweetly smiled politely as she started to converse with the gentleman who had given her breakfast, the gentlemen returned the smile and nervously looked around when Lyra introduced herself to him being so adorable and friendly.
It was a stark contrast to Mrs. Coulter who barely spoke to the servants unless addressing them about tasks and duties.
"You're welcome, I am Lionel miss"
The servant mumbled nervously, smiled addressing Lyra being polite.
He then received a raised eyebrow from the head butler who had glanced over towards him and Lyra, the head butler then gestured his head towards the kitchens.
Lionel bowed his head in respect towards Lyra and Mrs. Coulter before hastily leaving the dining room to go about his other duties.
"Lyra, we don't speak with the help"
"Why?"
Marisa failed to answer her, scolding Lyra on how to behave without Marisa and Lyra noticing it was very motherly of her to do so. The head butler had noticed, softly hiding a smile at the slight change in the stiff and powerful woman he had known and worked for for years.
Lyra watched Lionel go, a little down the new person she just met left however she shrugged it off as she noticed the pancakes now in front of her. Her eyes widened at the sight of them, she hadn't really had pancakes before.
However, had heard of them, Pan wiggled excitedly upon her lap. Lyra was excited and delighted to be able to have some, however, she looked to Marisa noticing the woman had yet to begin eating.
Lyra then smiled, before reaching for the cutlery upon the table place sitting, she gripped in her little hand the fork and then sloppily the knife. Lyra now realized that the stack of pancakes in front of her was whole and slightly gigantic, nearly taking up the entirety of the plate beside the various fruits on the side.
Marisa who had some papers and a fountain pen in one hand was currently sipping her tea with one hand while signing one of the papers with the other. After a moment of silence after the staff had left the room, she glanced towards Lyra expecting the little girl to have begun eating or at least make some noise.
She was unusually quiet, Marisa without looking towards Lyra inquired.
"Is something the matter? Aren't you hungry Lyra?"
"I don't know how to cut the- …..I've never had them"
Marisa froze mid writing at Lyra's words, she needed her; it was foreign.
Someone needed Marisa for once, not for their own gain. However innocent in nature, here was a child. Her child needs her help to do a basic task, as cutting up their food in order for it to be in bite sizes.
Marisa slowly and gently set down her fountain pen before packing her papers away from the dining table for once, tucking them away to focus on breakfast.
Strangely enjoying the moment and her time with her daughter. Marisa shyly leaned a bit closer to Lyra who watched her with innocent searching eyes, as the woman came closer to Lyra's side and took Lyra's plate before her.
Set on doing this small task for Lyra, she gently took the knife out of Lyra's loose hand before the little girl hurt herself and into her own before taking Lyra's fork as well. Marisa set out on cutting the pancake into small-sized bite pieces in order for Lyra not to choke, deep in the back of her brain she knew she could have had one of the staff do this however she found she wished to do so herself.
"Here we go"
Marisa smiled knowingly proud as she then slid the plate back towards Lyra and the girl's place setting properly. Lyra who was famished took the fork back from Marisa's hand as she held it back out to her to take. Lyra's little hand gripped it, taking it looking down upon the plate prepared and excited to try the pancakes.
Lyra took a bite of the pancakes as Marisa watched her from the rim of her teacup with fascination as she then took a sip of her morning tea.
"Mmmm"
Lyra made a happy sound as she tasted the pancakes, they tasted delicious and warm with a hint of vanilla.
"You've never had pancakes before Lyra?"
Lyra swallowed her current bite of pancake in order to respond, she shook her head no.
"They didn't have pancakes at Jordan"
Marisa stared intently towards Lyra as she held her teacup in her hands listening, she frowned slightly as she noticed that by Lyra living at the college she hadn't experienced much being confined to university life and atmosphere.
"Well, we have them here….. Here, why don't you try those pancakes with some syrup? It goes on top of the pancakes, it makes them even more delicious"
Marisa reached for the syrup upon the table, before tipping the container to drip on top of Lyra's pancakes.
Unknowingly to Marisa, through giving Lyra syrup she would be in a world of chaos later.
Lyra tucked into her breakfast with a smile, while Marisa joined her in eating. They made small conversation here and there, Lyra mainly asking Marisa various and numerous questions about herself. It seemed that the girl had so many questions she was beginning to wear out Marisa however Marisa found she hadn't minded wishing to just hear her daughter talk and talk getting to know her.
Lyra wished to get to know Marisa, having questions prepared in her mind on what to ask her. Simple innocent questions such as favorite color, what she did for work, her favorite food. Lyra asked the questions with excitement as the more time went on and as she ate and finished her pancakes she became restless sitting down at the dining table.
Once Lyra finished her pancakes she was eyeing the floor and the rest of the flat wishing to leave the table, Lyra shifted her plate forward to signify she was finished.
Marisa only noticed when Lyra started to struggle to pull her chair out in order to get up, the golden monkey eyeing Pan who was now on the floor ready to take off waiting for Lyra.
Lyra was leaning her face on the edge of the chair dramatically looking away towards her bedroom wanting to go.
"Lyra, aren't you going to eat your fruit?"
Marisa gently moved Lyra's plate back towards the girl, who was avoiding looking at the plate and Marisa expressing her want to leave and displeasure.
Lyra shook her head in disagreement with a pout upon her face, not knowing what the fruit was. Lyra had been limited to certain dishes being served at Jordan for the time she had been there, so her palette and experience with certain foods were foreign.
Lyra like any other child was not open or excited about trying new foods, she continued to pout as Marisa looked towards her intently surprised as Lyra continued to pout loosely crossing her arms and closing herself off.
Marisa's mask then slipped from her face as the golden monkey stalked towards Pan under the table in a threatening and scolding manner. Lyra looked towards Marisa noticing the golden monkey and the uneasiness of the new situation, a glimmer of fear reached the corner of Lyra's eyes in which Marisa had to suppress herself from lashing out too harshly.
Marisa then took a moment before changing her mindset and her tactics in order to get Lyra to eat her fruit.
"The fruit tastes quite good, I promise"
Marisa smiled towards Lyra, as she then took Lyra's fork and picked up a piece of strawberry on the fork holding towards Lyra hoping the girl would try it with encouragement.
Lyra then looked into her mother's eyes with an emotion Marisa could not distinguish nor recognize as her expression shifted.
The little girl simply smiled warmly with love within her eyes before taking the fork from her hand brushing her hand with her mother's briefly.
"Ok"
Marisa sighed in relief and suspense as Lyra tasted and ate the fruit finding she rather enjoyed the fruit and the sweet taste that followed eating some.
Soon they had finished their breakfast in which Marisa glanced towards the clock upon the wall noticing the time she quickly put down her teacup as Lyra finished all her fruit with a smile upon her face.
"Oh dear, we have much to do today. Come along Lyra"
Marisa then got up from the table having the head butler appear hearing Marisa announce they were finished.
"Where are we going?"
Lyra asked, curious, and excited filled with growing energy from her breakfast.
Marisa glanced at Lyra who was getting off her chair trying to follow Marisa, the head butler pulled her chair out for her allowing Lyra to get down.
"Well, first we have to run some errands, and then we are meeting with a friend of mine Mrs. Davis for lunch which is very important. Come along"
Marisa gestured for Lyra to join her in exiting the dining room to go get Lyra dressed and ready for their day out on London filled with errands.
Lyra smiled wide, excited to spend time at all with her mother before running off towards her bedroom at a speeding pace causing Marisa's mind to spiral on how she would be able to control her five-year-old daughter meanwhile conducting magisterium meetings and business. The day was going to be interesting indeed.
"If I may speak freely ma'am….in future, I will alert the staff to cut up little miss Lyra's food so you don't have to"
Marisa within her still swirling thoughts clutched her head, feeling an upcoming headache approaching, as she heard her head butler's words stopping herself.
"No...it's quite alright Niles. I tend to prefer to do that myself for her actually"
Niles then bowed his head in respect before the other staff entered to clear away the dishes from the dining room.
Marisa started off towards the direction her daughter ran off in with a soft expression upon her face before she picked up the pace to chase after her and corral the young girl into a dress for their day out in London.