Reposted Chapter.

Chapter Five: Given , Part 2

All is full of love.

-Bjork

"Okay, cover your eyes," Michael placed his hands over his own eyes, spreading his fingers apart to watch as Nyssa mimicked his actions. He cupped her hands, scooped up the still warm water from the bath tub and poured it down the back of Nyssa's head. When he finished, he gently grasped his daughter's hands, kissing each knuckle with an exaggerated noise. Finishing with the knuckles, he opened her palms and placed a loud smooch on both of them, gaining a very soft giggle from Nyssa.

He gave her a big, open grin, watching as she followed suit. God, she's so beautiful he relished, brushing his hand through her wet hair. But as soon as the smile crossed her face, it disappeared, replaced by a solemn and depressed line. As much as he understood the length of time before Nyssa would be like any other 'normal' child, if she ever did, part of him hoped that she would be all smiles and happiness at once. That part despaired with each of her worried glances and flinching at the smallest noises.

On the other hand, he felt better knowing it didn't happen all at once. Four, nearly five years of her life already passed and they missed out. Being able to take her out in the gardens while it snowed, teaching her the names of different bugs and animal, all of the things parents do for their children...Selene and Michael never had. But just within the few hours they had with her, it was quite clear that the vampires kept Nyssa secluded, ignorant and afraid. He looked forward to giving her everything they denied her.

He looked up as Selene came back into the bathroom, the lush green towel and the purple camouflage pajamas in her hands. "How was it?" he asked, shifting his weight on his knees. Selene moved to the other side of the tub, sinking down into the thick rug.

"I explained what happened and told them that she came home," she said, placing her hand on Nyssa's cheek as she pushed a pink rubber duck around on the water's surface; Michael gave it to her when she first got in the tub.

"And?"

"And I could hear them all the way down the hall," she smirked. "They're very excited she's here, but," she looked at him with her usual hard countenance, "until Nyssa is more acquainted with the house and the people within, I've asked them to keep a distance. Not avoid her or anything, but not to directly come up to her either." Michael nodded as Selene cradled the back of Nyssa's head in her hand. Slowly, he slipped his hand over hers, gently squeezing it in assurance.

"Well," he said, looking into Nyssa's curious eyes. "I think its time we get you out of there. You're getting wrinkly as it is; you might grow gills soon."

Nyssa held up her one hand, looking at it before showing it to Michael, softly repeating, "Wrinkly."

"That's right," he praised her, lifting her up and out of the tub. Selene came around to them, opening the towel up and draping it over Nyssa's shoulders as Michael placed her on her feet. "I'm going to fix her cup for bed," he said, smiling at Nyssa as he stepped out of the bathroom.

At first, Nyssa wobbled a bit; it was the first time since she woke up that she stood on her own two feet. But Selene soon had her in her hold, rubbing the soft towel over her damp skin and warming her up further.

After making sure each part was dry, Selene helped her put on the pajamas. They hung off her still very thin frame slightly, but for the most part, she looked like a comfortable child getting ready for bed. She put the towel on Nyssa's head and playfully rubbed her hair about wildly, getting a small round of laughs that were mostly muffled by the towel and fast motions.

Dropping the towel to the floor, Selene just looked at her daughter, seeing how beautiful she really was without mud and muck blocking it out. She looked a lot like her mother in the face, but very much had Michael's smile and icy blue eyes. Her partially dried hair was Selene's color with Michael's soft curls. Yet even with all of her parents' features blending seamlessly on her face, Nyssa had a look all her own. It reminded Selene of what she imagined cherubs looked like.

A small yawn broke Selene's study and she smiled brightly. "Tired?" Nyssa nodded gently, looking to her feet as a slight blush crept up her face. "What is it?" Selene asked, still smiling despite a worry building at her daughter's actions. Nyssa looked up at her, her forehead screwing up slightly in concentration. She gestured to her mouth, opening it up slightly and pointing to the empty space inside.

"Hu-hungery," she spoke out, pronouncing the word with the phonetic expertise that most young children contained.

"Well, daddy went to get you something to eat and will be right back. But for now," Selene picked Nyssa up and hugged her close. "We are going to go get into bed."

She walked out of the bathroom and right into their bedroom area. Gently, she turned Nyssa in her arms, cradling her as she lowered her into the fluffy down comforter. Looking down at the noise, she whispered, "I'll be right back," before going to Michael who stood in the living area looking at the cup in his hands.

"What's wrong?"

"I think maybe we should use a bottle," he said, turning the sippy cup over in his hands. Selene caught the scent of the warmed blood that sloshed around inside the brightly colored container. He sighed, "I don't know if she's actually up to using a cup just yet."

"Why not? She's nearly five now."

"Yeah, but she probably hasn't had much utensil training and...it might be better if we gave her a bottle which is easier to-" He stopped his thoughts and smiled. "Selene," he whispered, directing his gaze up toward their bed. She looked up and leaned over to better see what amused him.

Nyssa ran her hands over the comforter again, feeling their soft surface with curiosity. From the look on her face, it was obvious she was not used to such luxuries as an actual bed. Cautiously, she leaned back into the large pillows behind her. A look of panic crossed her face as she sunk back quickly, leaving her surrounded by crisp linens and the warm glow of the table lamp. Selene and Michael watched silently as she adjusted herself, turning on her side and slowly curling into the bed.

Both of them restrained a laugh as she gave a soft sigh, tucking her thumb into her mouth and blinked sleepily. It was so picture perfect, it seemed impossible.

"The cup will be fine, Michael," Selene said softly, taking it from his hand and going up into the bed area. "Nyssa," she called softly, giving her a loving gaze as she looked up. "Hungry?" she asked, holding out the cup. Nyssa accepted the cup from her mother, pulling her thumb out of her mouth and tucking the spout between her pale lips. After a few tentative sips, she began drinking the blood in long droughts.

Selene adjusted herself on the bed, sliding the comforter out from beneath Nyssa's legs and pulling it over both of them. She let Nyssa find her position which turned out to be her forehead resting at the base of Selene's neck, one hand holding the cup as she continued to feed, the other resting gently on her mother's upper arm. Selene pulled back the comforter behind Nyssa as Michael slipped in behind her. He laid his arm across Nyssa and Selene's waists, his chin resting just behind his daughter's head. Nyssa leaned back slightly into his chest, her eyelids sinking with each blink.

"Goodnight Nyssa," Selene whispered, kissing her forehead gently.

"We love you, princess," Michael added, dropping several light kisses on the back of her head. In a few moments, Nyssa fell asleep, feeling safe for the first time in her life.

A/N: Completely rewritten...wait until i finish with this puppy. there's still more to be done! works feverishly

until next chapter,

anthestria