Music for the Soul: Book 2

Chapter 3

Marinette

After Clara left, I stared Dick down. I haven't seen him since I left, but he's still the same.
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked
"We're getting new suits. We came here because we were told there was an amazing designer here."
I sighed "you were my two o'clock yesterday."
"It was you?!"
"Yeah, but my daughter ended up leaving school early and the principal called to make sure she was with me. She wasn't, so I had to go find her."
"Why'd she ditch school?"
"She got a C on her test in Biology, she is very smart and wanted something challenging. She is—her dad in that aspect." I sighed and looked away. "Dick, please leave. I don't want you guys doing this."
"Doing what?"
"Coming here, trying to get her to meet Damian. I have given him multiple chances to meet our daughter, but he didn't want to. I sent him a picture when she was born and one on her first day of preschool to get him involved, HE DIDN'T WANT TO! So, stop thinking it's my fault. I have tried everything I could think of to get him involved in her life, and just like I thought when I found out I was pregnant with her.......he'd leave me." I heard my voice break. But I refused to let that emotion surface. "Just leave. Please."
"Marinette, I didn't know—why didn't he tell us that?" Dick looked confused and hurt, but I'd sign care. He was in my house and I wanted him gone.
"Leave. And don't come back. I don't want to see you guys. I am happy here. I haven't been this happy since before Lila. I have had 13 years of happiness, and Damian.....Damian is part of the reason I'm so happy. But I also lost a lot of things too. I got disowned by my parents. They visit for holidays, and they're mad at me for not being carful, but I can't blame them. I left Damian because I knew I'd have to chose between those two. Having a kid or staying with him. So I chose. I don't know why he didn't come to meet her sooner, or why he didn't call, but I know I made the right decision. Cause if I didn't I'd still be Lila and Adriens target."
I watched multiple emotions flash across Dicks face. He finally nodded and left. I heard him start his car and drive away. Sighing, I shook my head and walked to Chloes.

"Chloé?! Chloé it's me can I come in?!" I called as I stood on her front porch.
"Yeah, it's unlocked!"
When I got inside, Clara, Jane and Chloé were watching Gilmore Girls. I sat down next to Chloé and leaned on her shoulder.
"Who was it this time?" She asked
"Dick. But this time I laid it out for him. Damian didn't tell his family the whole truth." I told her. I looked over at Clara and saw her asleep on the couch, Jane leaning against her, asleep as well. I smiled at them and turned to Chloé.
"I'm happy you adopted Jane. I think she has brightened your world just as much as Clara has brightened mine."
Chloé laughed. "I think so..... So how are you?" She asked.
I sighed, she has always been able to read me so well.
"I'm ok. Just tired. I was happy then they came here. Of all places they chose here." I grumbled for a few more minutes before sighing. "I have to take her home. You mind helping me get her on my back?"
"Of course not."
I thanked her, and hugged her before bending down and grabbing Claras arms, while Chloé lifted her up onto my back. With a huff, I stood up, thanked Chloé for watching her and headed home. It's about a twenty minute walk from Chloes house to mine, not so bad.
"Marinette Please!" Shit.
"Go away Damian!" I whisper/yelled
"Please let me explain!" He yelled and caught up to me.
"Damian, go away." I said and shifted slightly so Clara was still up on my back. She's still out cold, she must have stayed up all night studying.
"Not until I explain something to you."
"Damian, I don't want to hear it. I just want to get home, put my kid to bed and go to sleep. I have work tomorrow and I need some sleep." I whispered.
"You mean our kid. The kid asleep on your back. The kid that tear us apart." Damian said
I lost it.
"She didn't tear us apart. I knew you would give me an ultimatum, I knew that I'd have to either get rid of her to stay with you. And I promised myself I would tell you why I left when she was born, and I did. I told you everything. I told you why I left, I told you why I waited, I gave you multiple opportunities to meet her, to be in our life, but you didn't take it. Now I have to go. Excuse me." I shifted again and walked home.
Halfway there Clara woke up.
"Mom? What's going on?" She yawned and leaned her head against mine.
"We're going home. You fell asleep at Chloé's, so I'm carrying you. Did I wake you up?"
I heard her chuckle, "no. Just a weird dream. I had a dream dad showed up, and he wanted to meet me but I didn't.....then I felt guilty and I ended up never meeting him." I felt something wet land on my shoulder. She's crying.
"Oh, sweetie, it's not a dream. Your dads in town. He wants to meet you, and it's up to you. I will support you no matter what. Ok? Please don't over think this, that big brain of yours will only make you feel worse." I stopped and set Clara down and pulled her into a hug.
"I don't know what to do. I want to meet him, I do, but he hasn't wanted anything to do with me! I know for a fact your not mad at him for yourself, your mad at him for me. And I love you for that, but I just don't know what to do. I mean I have three uncles and a set of grandparents I don't even know!"
"Shhh. It's ok." I pulled back and looked directly at her, "I want you to take a deep breath, and think about how this affects you. Not me. Because if you want a relationship with your dad, I'm not going to stop you. I fact in encouraging you to. I may not like him right now, but I'll get over it." I wiped the remaining tears away and kissed her head. "Sweetheart I love you, but I want you to do what's best for you. Answer these questions, do you want to meet him?" She hesitated but nodded. "Are you afraid of getting hurt?" She nodded again. "Is the main reason you don't want to meet him because of me?" She shook her head. "Then, is the main reason you don't want to meet him, because your afraid he's not going to like you?" She nodded. "Honey, I love you, and your a great person. You help every year with charity, and with organizing fundraisers, and helping kids at school, your funny, and sweet and caring, and he is stupid I'd he doesn't like you."
She took several deep breaths before she flew into my arms and hugged me tight. I ran my fingers through her hair and squeezed her tight.
"Thanks mom." After she calmed down, she looked up at me and smiled "I'm gonna meet him. Do you think Alfred would be ok arranging it? I would feel better if we went to Burts."
I smiled, "Honey, I think Alfred already has a plan."
I laughed as she chuckled and we walked the rest of the way home.