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Marinette's P.O.V
Everything was simple.
Well, as simple as it would get.
I have my friends, crush, partner, Tikki, the bakery, fashion, and my parents. I wouldn't trade the world for anything better than what I already have. My life was going great with the occasional drama from Chloe or some crazy excuse to go save the day from akumas. I love being Ladybug and keeping Paris safe from the evil villains created by the notorious Hawkmoth. Sure, things could sometimes get out of hand, but it isn't too much of a job without my partner in crime, Chat Noir.
Everything was perfect and life couldn't get any better, until… it didn't and things became harder. Something was so off, something was just very…wrong.
It all started when I was helping my mom in the kitchen. We were making some macaroons for a customer when something fell, making a loud clanging noise. I quickly turned to the source to see maman leaning heavily on the counter and bending down to pick up a pan. I could see her body trembling as she set the pan down on the counter and knew something wasn't right.
"Are you okay?" I asked, worried and stepped closer in case she needed help. Maman faced me and a small smile graced her lips while saying," Your mother is a tough girl, sweetie. I'm fine."
My worry only grew once seeing her skin as pale as a sheet of paper and the sparkle in her eyes weakening…fading away. She almost resembled a flower wilting away because of the bitter cold but tries to survive the chilling temperature anyway. She turned and continued to work as I kept my gaze on her a little while longer before returning to my work. It frightened me with the many thoughts in my wild imagination going crazy with theories. It scares me because I knew…she was lying to me.
After the incident and almost completely forgetting about it, I moved on from it thinking that I was just paranoid. It didn't seem like anything changed as my life continued in school the same as it did every day. Rushing to school and arriving late, talking with Alya before class started, glanced up at the back of Adrien's head every once in a while, and went home for lunch.
One day, I was about to leave when noticing papa working in the kitchen all alone.
"Where's maman?" I asked, eyes searching for my missing mother. Papa stopped what he was doing and nervously looked over at me, scratching the nape of his neck. He sometimes glanced at different things while answering," She didn't get much sleep last night, so…I'm letting her sleep in a little longer."
Not thinking much of it, I continued to school while eating my breakfast, a croissant.
When I came back, the bakery was locked up and closed for the day when returning home for lunch. I didn't find this any way strange since my parents usually had to close to deliver big orders. So, I grabbed the spare key and entered my quiet, sweet smelling home then went to my room.
"Here, Tikki," I said, handing my Kwami a cookie. Tikki gladly took the treat and began to happily eat the treat. I smiled and grabbed something from the fridge before not too long, the phone rang. I grabbed the phone and checked the number quickly recognizing papa's phone number. I answered it, not thinking much of the call that awaits me.
"Mari…?" I heard my papa's voice crack on the other side of the phone. My worry infested as I asked him what was wrong. He began to explain the situation, having to pause a few times. I almost dropped the phone out of my hands. My blood ran cold as my hand clenched tighter and tighter to the point where it dug into my hand. A million thoughts ran through my mind but one stood out the most. The feeling of vomit rose up into my throat, feeling a churning sickness in my stomach. The phone slipped out of my hand and fell to the floor in slow motion as my world came crashing down on me. Like a foot, the news came down, ready to crush to poor, helpless ladybug that accidentally ended up in the house of denial.
Denial that what I was told couldn't be real! It just can't happen! It can't be true!
Not thinking, my feet did all the work as they guided me out the door and rushing through the streets of Paris. I didn't care if I left Tikki at home. I didn't care about the fact that school would begin again in a matter of a few minutes. The only thing that mattered at this moment was the importunacy of getting to the hospital. I heaved for air and feet grew sore from running miles and miles to get through the city on foot. Ducking past strangers and making sure to wait at every stop light, I increased my sprint once more.
Finally, I made arrived at the hospital and scrambled to the front desk on shaky feet. The desk lady was surprised by my sudden entry. I probably looked like a mess from running and face etched with indescribable fear of what I will face. Resting my hands on my knees, I took a moment to gather my strength and fill my lungs with air.
"Are you alright?" The desk lady asked. I didn't answer her question.
"Sa…bine…Du..pai..n…Chen…g" I said, in between breaths. The lady gave an unsure look before typing on her computer and giving me directions to maman's hospital room. I thanked her before speed walking down the many seemingly endless corridors searching for the right room. Finally, I found the right room and barged in, taking in the scene in front of me. Maman was unconscious on the hospital bed with papa on the side watching her with blotchy, red eyes.
He looked up in surprise and our eyes met, staring at each other before I closed the door behind me. I looked away and stared down at my mom, not wanting to get any closer. I was afraid that if I do, something horrible will happen like standing on thin ice, ready to break and plunge its next victim into a dark, freezing abyss to never return.
How could this happen? Why did it have to happen? Was there any way to stop all of this?
"Papa," I choked out, quietly so close to the edge of crying. My heart was shattered and a lump in my throat was forced to stay where it was. I felt a piece of me slowly being stabbed repeatedly until there was almost nothing left except for the shreds of whatever happiness was left to wilt. The flower's petals breaking free and slowly falling to the ground to wilt away into nothing.
"W-Why didn't y-you…o-or m-maman t-tell me?" I shakily asked, feeling tears burn my eyes. My hands clenched tightly feeling anger rise inside of me. Everything seemed hopeless, and there was nothing that I could do to stop it. Nothing I can do to save the day of my own mother. Ladybug was useless for the first time, no matter what the outcome of the battle, it didn't have any winners except for the illness.
Papa looked at me with sorrow with his mouth slacked open, not sure what to say. That made me furious. He didn't even have a reason for not notifying me that my own mom was ill, possibly on her death bed?! The built up tears finally fell as I yelled, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!"
"Mari…p-please, calm down. I need t-time," my father gently said, sadly. I avoided eye contact with him and closed mine tightly, trying to calm down. He was right, I need to stay calm or else an akuma would easily find its next prey, me. I also feel slightly guilty for yelling at my own dad and not giving him time to gather his words. I wasn't the only one losing someone I love, he was in the same position as me, useless.
I finally found the courage to walk over to the bedside and gaze upon my mother's pale form. The monitor filled the silence with an annoying beeping, but it was the only reassuring and soothing sound that told me she was still alive. She was still here breathing and fighting through the illness.
"Your mother and I didn't know how to tell you. I don't even know how I could cope-act like things were fine," dad explained, sadly. I turned my attention to him and listened as he continued.
"I wanted to tell you, but Sabine wanted to keep it from you in case…in case there was a chance that it would all just pass over, and we could go back to our normal lives. I didn't like it but made sure she went to the doctors every time you ran out to do something or school. She just wanted to keep you the same positive and happy girl without invading, because she knew you. She knew you would stay to help her and didn't want to get in the way of your studies, or…or I don't know."
I sighed, calming down and relaxing my scattered self.
"Thank you for telling me," I replied, giving him a weak smile. He tried to return the gesture as well, before a nurse walked in.
"Visiting hours are going to end soon," the nurse warned, sorting through a few papers then walked back out. Dad stood up from his chair as I fiddled with my fingers. We soon found our way out and drove back home with the radio filling the silence.
"Papa…what illness does mama have?" I asked, looking out the window. There was a small, tense pause between us.
"She has a brain tumor, it-"I cut him off.
"I don't want to know what is possibly hurting her right now. I just wanted a name, maybe I'll look it up later when…when…you know," I said, quietly. The only response that came was from the radio as the long car ride continued. When we arrived, I went inside, until a hand stopped me in my tracks.
"I can call you in sick for tomorrow if you want," dad suggested, but I shook my head.
"No, it's fine. I'll go to school tomorrow, it would be good for me," I said, before almost running up the stairs. Once in the safety of my room, I collapsed to the floor sitting on my knees and placed my hands over my face trying to steady my breathing almost gasping for air shakily.
"Marinette…" I heard the small voice of my Kwami, full of concern. I felt a small touch softly petting my forehead, trying to give as much comfort as possible. I wanted to be strong but at this moment, weakness took over and there was no stopping it. The feeling was overwhelming like a typhoon ready to knock down my barriers and release the temptation to then fall apart as well. I had to stay strong for, not only my father but also, Paris. I cannot let Hawkmoth get control of my emotions.
With one final exhale, I stood up and reassured Tikki with a fake smile, saying, "I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern, but I need to get ready for bed if I want to make it to school tomorrow."
"But-"I cut poor Tikki off when exiting the room to go and get a shower. Guilt itched at my heart as a frown replaced the smile as I went to the bathroom. I'm sorry, Tikki. I wish I could tell you everything but some things are just better left unsaid. I'm sorry, dad for blowing a fuse when none of this was your fault or in any way in your control. I'm sorry, maman for being so weak when you would want me to be strong. I'm sorry to everyone that Ladybug failed to save the day. I failed to see or do anything to possibly avoid this from happening. And I'm sorry to myself for almost getting akumatized when Paris still needs Ladybug as a protector.
I made it to the bathroom and shut the door behind me before sliding down against it with my knees tucked to my chest. I didn't really have a belief in these types of things but as I folded my trembling hands together and bowed my head, a quiet prayer escaped my lips.
"I'm so sorry for everything that leads to this…just please…please please please let mama be okay. Please!"