Expect The Unexpected

Sneak Peek for Chapter 15

Marinette

"But Maman, what if she refuses it? What if she ruins the dance for everyone, just because I-"

Sabine gently but sternly interrupted her daughter, her voice kind and understanding. "Even if someone is mean or rude, it doesn't mean that they don't deserve anything less than everyone else does. We need to fight fire with kindness, not more fire. There may be something missing from her life that she needs or something she's not able to get that she wants but I don't think we should punish her for that, especially if that's something she can't control. Her lying to everyone might just be a response to that."

"But Maman, she's ruined my life ever since we met and I haven't done anything to her to deserve it! Even if she needs or wants something, that doesn't give her the right to ruin the lives of everyone else!"

"I know, sweetheart, but if you come out swinging, then all she'll do is swing back. You need to give her a chance."

"Maman!" Mari was frustrated and aggravated at her maman's response and a spark flared in her blue eyes as she slammed her fist against the desk, her blood boiling. "How can you take her side after everything she's done?! She doesn't deserve-"

"Marinette!" Sabine raised her hand to stop her daughter and the sternness in her maman's voice stilled her.

"I understand that she's done some very malicious things but that does NOT mean she is any less deserving of compassion or love. She is still a young girl who needs the same love and kindness that you need."

Marinette opened her mouth to angrily retort to her maman's comment but Sabine held up her hand again and Mari somehow managed to clamp her mouth shut. Sabine's face softened and she stepped forward, placing a hand on her daughter's cheek.

"If you decide to give her the dress, then it will be her choice whether or not she accepts it. But you need to give her a chance and trust that she is going to make a good choice."

A tear slipped down Mari's cheek and she leaned forward, placing her head on her maman's shoulder. Sabine wrapped her other arm around Mari's back and gently rubbed it.

"But Maman, she's already gotten a chance. And a second second chance. And another chance. She's gotten so many chances but she just won't take them. Chloe told me to give her another chance but I...I just don't know if I can do it again and watch her refuse another chance."

"Then you need to take that leap again, now don't you?" Sabine pulled away enough to use her left hand to tilt Mari's head up, her palm still resting on her daughter's cheek. She smiled at Mari and though she didn't really want to, her lips lifted into a smle of their own. Sabine used her thumb to wipe away the tear that still rested on Mari's cheek and she turned her face into her maman's palm as another tear fell from her eye. Her maman smiled again before gently speaking.

"You'll never know how she'll react if you never give her the dress, sweetheart. Take a leap of faith and hope for the best because hope is a very powerful feeling that will guide you through your life. Take the leap you need to take and give the people who, on the surface, may not seem like they need it, a chance to change for themselves, not the better."

There was a moment of silence and Mari thought Sabine had left but when she felt a hand rest on her cheek and gently tilt her head up, she found her maman gazing at her with love and compassion.

"Sweetheart, you might not know it but you're a healer, a lover, and a fighter. You've pushed through so much in your life and not once have you backed down from the hard times. You always lift others up with your smile and show them that they deserve love. You help those in need and make sure they know that you're there for them. A gift is special and may last a lifetime but a smile is forever. Giving her the dress as a gift is meaningful but don't forget your loving smile."

More tears slipped down her cheeks as she tightly hugged her maman. "Merci, Maman. Je t'aime."

"De rien, sweetheart. Je t'aime aussi."

Mari pulled away and wiped her eyes with her wrist, smiling gratefully at her maman.