Music for the Soul: Book 2

Chapter 10

Alright guys, the video above is for anyone who loves Disney songs. The lyrics are edited and replaced for COVID. It's just something to make you laugh. 😁😁

Marinette

I glared at the chandelier, where my daughter sat eating M&Ms without me. I turned around slowly and smiled at the family before me.
"Heeeeyyy guys." I said with an awkward wave.
"MARI!" Jason shouted before tackling me to the ground.
"Jason—get off me—can't breath—" I gasped
"Sorry." He mumbled before getting up. I smiled and stood as well. They looked really same as they did thirteen years ago. Just older.
I scrunched my nose "your all old." I said then laughed.
"Your not much better sweetheart." Dick said and doubled over. "We've missed you. You don't know how much we miss you. Mainly your sweets." Suck said between laughs.
"Same here. And I think Clara has more Wayne in her then you think." I giggled
"No way. She is all you. She demanded we put sprinkles on her ice cream and brownies." Jason said and grumbled something about not going to sleep. I laughed.
"Yeah. She crashes around 10. She studies nonstop before passing out in random places. If she's not studying, we are watching a movie."
"Really?! She kept asking for these coffee-tea things.....what are those?" Tim asked
I chuckled and scratched the back of my neck. "It's coffee and tea mixed together. Double the caffeine, double the sugar."
"How does she survive?" Bruce asked
I shrugged "she's half me. That's my only guess."
"Mom, will you toss me the orange juice in your purse please?!" Clara called up.
"Yes! Give me a sec!" I called back. I walked over to my purse and dug through it till I found it. She must have snuck it at the store. I walked back and sighed "did you at least pay for it?!" I called and threw the juice up.
"Of course I did. Mr. Dalley tried to slip it back it my pocket though, so I stuck it under a pickle jar on the counter!" She yelled back with a chuckle.
"You know I'm gonna get a call from him!"
"Yeah! Hell just tell you how amazing I am!! Like last time!!"
I groaned "he wouldn't stop talking!!!"
"Who's Mr. Dalley?" Jason asked
"Mr. Dally is the local grocer. He owns the place." I said and turned back to them. "Crap!! Clara? When do mama and papa come?!"
"Few hours!"
"Crap. I gotta talk to gran about their room. Maybe they can stay with me? Who am I kidding, they'd rather sleep in the dump then with me. Hmmm...."
"Uuuhhhhhh, Mari?"
"What?" I asked and looked at them.
"Why do you gotta talk to Gran? Plus, who's Gran?" Dick asked
"I'm Gran." The Wayne's jumped and we laughed. "Sorry, I tend to do that. I'm the owner of the inn. Do your parents need a room Mari?"
"Yeah, do you have any extra?"
Granny raised her eyebrow. "Have you tried talking to them?"
"No. It's just— Come on Granny, please." I said pleadingly
She sighed, "I really think you should talk to them. They might forgive you?"
"Forgive me for what? For running away? For keeping my child? Or is it for them disowning me? Haha granny your funny." I said sarcastically.
"Alright, dear. But you should talk to them."
"It's been thirteen years, Granny. They don't care about me anymore. I'm their only child, and a disappointment." I sighed "it's fine. I've dealt with ridicule from people before, so I'm use to it by now. As long as they treat Clara with respect and love they can be around her. The second they stop, I could care less what they do, but they stop seeing my daughter." I groaned at the headache. "I'm sorry Granny, it's just been a rough day." I said with a sigh.
"It's quite alright, Dear. Take your medicine then put that child to bed. Her birthday is tomorrow."
I smiled and nodded. I grabbed two tablets of the migraine and anxiety medicine.
"IF DAD COMES IN, HE'LL ONLY SEE ONE TABLET EACH RIGHT?!" Clara called from the ceiling.
I sighed and placed one of each back in the bottle. "YES MOM!!!" I called back and popped the piles into my mouth. I sighed and leaned against the table. I felt a hand on my back. "I'm ok, Dove." I said
"I don't believe you." He whispered and pulled me into a hug. "When did you start taking medication?" He asked
"A few years after Clara was born. Mama and Papa were really cruel towards me, and then the anxiety of raising her alone. I placed both of us in the car and started to drive to Gotham just to tell you guys. Then my anxiety would spike at the cities boarder, I'd stop get out of the car, and sigh. Sometimes I would scream at the top of my lungs. Other times I would break down and cry. So I went and got some medication to help keep it under control. I end up doubling my dose around holidays. My parents are relentless when it comes to the cold shoulder, but they're good at keeping it hidden from Clara. So, I don't say anything when she's around." I sighed into his shoulder and relaxed. He's going back to Gotham soon. He's just going to leave you alone again. Push him away before you end up even more broken.
That damn voice.
"What voice?" Damian asked
"Nothing." I said and tugged at the ends of my hair. Pulling back I smiled and grabbed my purse. "Alright. I'm gonna go pick up my parents and bring them here. Clara can stay with you tonight so I can get things set up for her party tomorrow. If she needs anything call me or Chloé. Ummm, Jane is coming by later to hang out and threaten you. She's Chloé's adopted daughter. You know Chloé, he daughter is a replica just a little bit nicer." I giggled and walked back into the room. "I'm leaving munchkin!! Come down her please!!"
"Coming!!"
Clara jumped down and landed like me, with Grace and poise. She handed Jason the candy with a smirk.
"Where are you going mom?" Clara asked as she walked to my side and I wrapped an arm around her. "I'm going to get your grandparents. Your staying with your father again tonight. Jane should be by soon to help keep you company. You are free to go to Burts and the library. If you go, take your cell and one of the adults in the room or Chloé. You have two options, staying here with your father, or you can stay with your grandparents in their room. I will be home if you need something. Chloé and Jenna are coming to help set up your party. What kind of flowers do you want? Flora made me promise to ask."
"Cherry Blossoms."
"Petioles it is. Love you." I said and kissed her head.
"Love you too. Get some sleep! And make sure you send Uncle J the new song you recorded!" She called as I left.
"Got it! Thanks!" I said and rushed out the door.