Sea Glass: Marie and Lauryn

Chapter 29

On the day they left the Maldives, both Lauryn and Izzy cried as they hugged one another. They all had connected on social media and promised to visit each other in the UK and Australia, respectively. And, Izzy and Lauryn had promised to have a video chat playdate at least once a week. Marie and Nat promised to keep in touch too, saddened that they didn't live in the same city, let alone the same country. But, it felt so good to Marie to just be able to even text with Nat daily about little things...and big things. And she knew Lauryn and Izzy would be in constant contact with how close they had grown.

Now they were back in England. The weather had already begun to shift into the cold, wet of autumn with a few last days of sunshine sprinkled in.

Marie's 38th birthday came just a few days later on 15 September, much to her chagrin. But, she had to admit that Lauryn organized a nice day with Jack and Pippa visiting the Museum of Architecture in Shepherd's Bush. Marie had thoroughly enjoyed the day just having the four of them together. Even Jack seemed to be warming up to Lauryn. That evening,  Lauryn had made a reservation at a small Georgian restaurant -- one of Marie's favorite cuisines given its aromatic dishes. Lauryn had invited Theo, Luke, Amelia Martin -- the MP with whom Marie had been friends since childhood, Matthias, and Agnes. Indeed, Marie had been particularly surprised, but pleased, that Lauryn had invited Agnes knowing how she felt. But, she also knew Lauryn was extremely mature and it just simply showed her trust and welcoming nature. It had been a comfortable and warm evening, helped along by excellent company and perhaps even more excellent Georgian Saperavi wine and after-dinner Chacha. 

Marie had returned to the office full-time. It had been hard to leave Lauryn in the mornings after spending each moment together for weeks. The international travel was hard on Lauryn's body, and she struggled to readjust. Not to mention, the early Autumn cold London mornings were in sharp contrast to the weather of the Maldives. Moreover, Marie could tell Lauryn really missed Izzy. They already had done two virtual playdates, and it was a joy for her to see Lauryn's face light up when Izzy came on the screen. 

Theo had been picking Lauryn up from either her physiotherapy or psychotherapy session -- depending on the day -- and staying over for a few hours each day after Lauryn's appointments just to make sure she had some help with balance and basic tasks. Marie had been hesitant to allow Theo to help, but she earnestly wanted to and Lauryn had assured her it was alright. 

Plus, Lauryn hadn't regressed very much except when she was sleepy at bedtime. At first, it had worried her, but Marie knew it was because she was missing Izzy and the open environment that she and Nat had created for the girls to be little and be themselves. But, she was assured by the quiet evenings Lauryn spent cuddled up to her nursing and listening to her read her bedtime stories.

But one morning, Lauryn woke up little. No, not little. 

Absolutely tiny. 

"M-m-mama?" Lauryn mumbled, curling up into Marie's body in bed that morning.

"Are you mama's pretty little baby this morning?" Marie asked softly, pulling up her shirt and scratching her nails lightly along her back. 

Lauryn nodded sleepily into her neck.

"M-m-milk, p-p-please?" she asked softly, pulling at Marie's t-shirt and starting to squirm in her arms.

"Alright, big girl, give me a second."

Marie pulled back a little, causing Lauryn to whimper and cling to her. 

So very little. 

"Mama's just getting her shirt off." 

Sliding her shirt over her head, she settled back down under the duvet on her side, pulling Lauryn close again.