Sea Glass: Marie and Lauryn

Chapter 45

The next morning, Marie woke first. She lay still for a moment, her arm still protectively wound around Lauryn, who remained tucked close against her side, small, warm, and deeply asleep. The pacifier had slipped slightly from her mouth, her lips parted around it, one hand loosely curled against Marie's chest, the other gripping Felix.

Marie studied her for a long moment. There was no tension or fear in her face now, just the softness Marie always wanted to give her. 

I just wish I could take every second of pain away from your life.

Glancing over at the clock, she saw it was already nine. She knew she would have to get Lauryn up to break the news about Finn's staying over. Carefully, Marie reached down and brushed a few strands of hair back from Lauryn's forehead.

"Monkey," she said softly.

Lauryn stirred, a small sound of protest escaping her, but she didn't fully wake. Marie adjusted slightly, her hand moving in slow strokes along Lauryn's upper arm.

"Time to wake, darling," she said quietly.

Lauryn shifted again, blinking slowly, her lashes fluttering as she surfaced. The moment awareness returned, she instinctively pressed closer, her hand tightening weakly against Marie's shirt.

"M-mama..." she mumbled softly around the pacifier.

Marie felt the familiar warmth bloom in her chest.

I can't believe every time she calls me that I feel so good. I hope that never fades.

"I'm here," she said.

Lauryn's eyes opened properly then, still hazy, still small, and for a moment, everything was calm.

I wish I could keep her in this soft space, but I have to tell her.

"Sweetheart, I do need to tell you something. Last night, when we were driving home, I saw Finn. He clearly has been sleeping rough for some time, so I told him he could come stay the night and get a proper bath and food. And he did, so he is here."

Lauryn stilled, the shift inside her immediate. Her body tensed, her fingers curling tighter, her breathing catching just slightly as the words registered. Lauryn shook her head faintly, a small, distressed sound escaping her as she burrowed closer, panic beginning to creep in at the edges.

Marie held her closer immediately.

"It's alright," she said, "He's in the other room. You don't have to see him."

Lauryn's grip on her tightened.

"You don't have to leave this room. He's out in the sitting room and is using that bathroom out there," Marie added, brushing her hand slowly through Lauryn's hair, "You're safe here."

The panic didn't vanish entirely, but it softened, held at bay by Marie's presence, by the certainty in her voice.

Thank goodness I booked a suite just in case we were to have O'Hara family visitors so Lauryn would have a private place to retreat to.

"That's it," Marie whispered, kissing her forehead. 

Lauryn nodded against her and whispered, "I w-w-want h-him s-s-safe...b-because I l-love h-him s-still...b-but I j-just am s-scared of h-him t-too."

"These things can both be true at once. It makes perfect sense to me."

Lauryn was quiet for a few moments before she whispered, "M-mama?" 

"Yes, my sweet girl?" 

"C-can y-y-you...c-can w-we...?" her voice trailed off.

Marie knew instinctively what she was asking for.