New Beginnings

Chapter: 2

The morning sun streamed through the thin curtains of Ethan's apartment, casting a warm glow over the room. Ethan stirred, slowly waking to the unfamiliar sound of soft humming. For a moment, he was disoriented, but then the events of the previous night rushed back to him. Lyra.

He got out of bed and quietly made his way to the living room. There, on the couch, was Lyra, her long silver hair catching the sunlight. She was already awake and drawing on a piece of paper she must have found among his art supplies.

"Good morning," Ethan said, trying to sound cheerful despite his lingering confusion.

Lyra looked up and beamed at him. "Good morning, Ethan!"

He couldn't help but smile back. "What are you drawing?"

She held up the paper to reveal a surprisingly detailed sketch of the two of them. "It's us! Do you like it?"

Ethan was impressed. "It's beautiful, Lyra. You're really talented."

Her smile grew even brighter. "Mama said the same thing."

Ethan felt a pang of curiosity about this mysterious "Mama" but decided not to press Lyra for more information just yet. "Are you hungry? How about some breakfast?"

Lyra nodded eagerly. "Yes, please!"

As Ethan prepared breakfast, he couldn't help but feel a sense of normalcy creeping back in. Lyra's presence, while unexpected, seemed to fit naturally into his life. She was a delightful child, and her curiosity about everything around her was infectious.

After breakfast, Ethan realized he needed to get ready for work. "I have to go to my job at the café today," he explained to Lyra. "Do you want to come with me, or would you rather stay here?"

"I want to come with you!" Lyra said enthusiastically. "I don't want to be alone."

Ethan nodded, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. Taking Lyra to work would certainly be a new experience. "Okay, but you'll need to stay close to me and be on your best behavior, alright?"

Lyra nodded solemnly. "I promise."

The walk to the café was pleasant. Lyra held Ethan's hand and chattered happily about the things they passed along the way. As they neared the café, Ethan noticed a group of construction workers standing nearby. They were looking his way and nudging each other, smirking.

"Hey there, gorgeous!" one of them called out. "Wanna grab a coffee with us?"

Ethan sighed internally. This wasn't the first time he'd been mistaken for a girl, and he doubted it would be the last. "Sorry, not interested," he said firmly, guiding Lyra past them.

"Man, she's feisty," another worker said, and they all laughed.

Lyra looked up at Ethan, puzzled. "Why did they call you 'gorgeous'?"

Ethan chuckled. "They think I'm a girl. It happens a lot."

Lyra giggled. "But you're not a girl, you're Ethan!"

"Exactly," Ethan said, ruffling her hair affectionately.

The café was bustling with the morning rush when they arrived. Ethan's boss, Maria, looked up and did a double-take when she saw Lyra. "Ethan, who's this?"

"This is Lyra," Ethan explained. "She's... well, she's staying with me now."

Maria raised an eyebrow but didn't press for details. "Alright. Just make sure she doesn't get into any trouble."

Ethan set Lyra up at a small table with some paper and colored pencils. "You can draw while I work, okay? I'll be right over there if you need me."

Lyra nodded, already engrossed in her artwork.

The morning flew by, with Ethan juggling his usual tasks and keeping an eye on Lyra. She was well-behaved, occasionally showing her drawings to the other customers, who were charmed by her.

Around midday, a young man approached the counter, flashing a charming smile. "Hi there, what's your name?"

Ethan sighed inwardly. "Ethan. What can I get you?"

The man looked surprised. "Ethan? Oh, sorry, I thought..."

"It's fine," Ethan said quickly. "It happens all the time. What would you like to order?"

The man stammered his order, clearly embarrassed, and Ethan prepared it with practiced ease. As the day went on, similar encounters happened a few more times, each time leaving Ethan slightly amused but mostly resigned.

During a brief lull, Ethan sat down with Lyra. "How are you doing? Having fun?"

Lyra nodded. "Yes! I like drawing here. Everyone is very nice."

Ethan smiled. "I'm glad. Maybe we can make this a regular thing."

As the afternoon wound down, Ethan and Lyra headed home, stopping at a store to buy a proper bed for Lyra. Ethan marveled at how quickly she had become a part of his life. It was strange, but it felt right.

That evening, as they set up Lyra's new bed, she looked up at Ethan with a serious expression. "Ethan, are you happy that I'm here?"

Ethan paused, taken aback by the question. He knelt down to her level and took her hands in his. "Yes, Lyra. I'm very happy you're here. It's a big change, but it's a good one. We're going to be okay."

Lyra smiled, her eyes shining. "I'm happy too."

As Ethan tucked her into her new bed, he felt a sense of peace he hadn't known he was missing. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew they would face them together. And that, for now, was enough.

Chapter 2: End