If I Fall

One

Marie looked around at all the adults around her talking. She knew they were talking about her, where she would go, what she would do. The problem was, she didn't understand what the big deal was. Jean and Nadia were her papa and mama. She should stay with them and her husband, King. When she tried to say this, Miss Electra just started talking over her. When she tried repeating it, Nadia started shouting. When she tried yet again to explain, Grandis started speaking. Eventually, she decided to go outside and look up at the stars, glaring over her shoulder at the women at the table.

Jean told her that he and Nadia had gone up to space and fought Gargoyle. They were getting rid of him so that she could be safe. Marie knew deep down that they both loved her, but she was a child, not stupid. She knew that Jean really went to the stars to save Nadia, Marie was only reason number two. Marie reasoned that all she had was herself. She protected King, but who specifically looked out for her? She was the community child, everyone loved her, but there was no one to fight for her the way Miss Electra fought for Captain Nemo.

She looked back at the yellow glow of the house. Everyone inside loved her, that's why they argued over her. She put her head in her hands and blew her breath out through her teeth and Nadia's cries reached her ears. If only Nadia knew she sounded exactly like the adults she disliked so much.

"It's quite stuffy in there, isn't it Marie?" a familiar voice said from behind her. Marie smiled up at Sanson.

"It sure is," she said. "But I like Jean's house a lot. It's full of fun stuff."

"Yes, I suppose," Sanson said. She thought she heard him mumbling about there being no place to sleep, but she couldn't be sure.

"I've taken care of her all this time! I don't need help raising her!" Nadia said within.

"Perhaps you can raise her," Electra said, raising her voice to match Nadia's. "But what of her education? I'm more than willing to help—"

"I don't need your help! I can do it myself!"

Marie wrinkled her nose. She tugged on Sanson's arm until he turned his attention from those inside to her.

"Can we go for a walk? I don't like it here," she said.

"Certainly," he said, standing up. He picked her up and put her on his shoulders.

"Where to, Miss Marie?"

She pointed down Jean's runway, "That way, and step on it!"

Marie knew all her months of imitating Grandis would pay off one day; without questioning, Sanson took off running. She let go of his neck and flung her arms out wide as she started giggling. The wind whipped her hair off her forehead and felt cool against her cheeks. She hadn't moved that fast since they were back on the island.

"Slow down now! That's enough!" she cried.

"Yes, Miss!"

He slowed to a jog and eventually started walking as they came to the end of the runway. Marie eventually rested her hands on top of his head.

"Where to now, Miss Marie?" he asked. She looked down and smoothed his hair.

"Let's go back. Then one lap around the house. But walk this time," she said.

"You got it."

Marie sighed and rested her chin on top of his head, "Sanson…where are you and Hanson and Grandis going to go?"

"I'm not sure yet. We still have to restore the Grandva family fortune," he said.

She grabbed a fistful of his hair tightly, "So you're leaving? But everyone else is staying in France! Why are you going away?"

"Watch the hair!"

"Why are you going!" Marie burst into tears, "I don't want you to go!"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and wailed as loud as she could. He stopped walking and pried her arms from around his neck. No sooner had he pried one lose, but the other found its way back to its original place. Finally, he got a hold of her arms, keeping them still as he tried to breath after she had a vice like grip on his neck.

"No, no, no!" she cried. He lifted her off his shoulders and held her out at arm's length.

"Marie!" he said. She started to kick her legs and scream. "We're not leaving forever. We're coming back."

Her cries died into sobs as she wiped at her tears, "Promise?"

"Have I ever lied to you?" he asked with a flashy grin.

She sniffed, "Yes."

He cradled her in his arms and walked ahead, "Well, I'm not lying this time."

"Will you write?" she asked. "If you write then I'll know you're not lying."

"If you like. But can you read it?"

"No, but Nadia will read it to me if I ask her! And if I tell her what to write so you can hear from me too!"

Marie didn't know why but Sanson started laughing. A laughing adult was better than a yelling one, so she decided to ask what the joke was later. She hugged his neck. When Jean and Nadia weren't around, Sanson was always there to catch her…and ward off giant mechanical crabs.

"You're the best, Sanson. If I wasn't married to King, I'd marry you instead," she said.

"It's my loss then," he said.

"You bet. I'm quite the catch."

He started laughing again and Marie stuck out her bottom lip, "What's so funny?"

"You spend way too much time with Grandis, I believe," he said.

"I guess I do. Now once around the house and then we'll go inside."

"Yes, Miss Marie!"

When she really thought about it, Marie realized it was quite sad that Sanson wasn't married. Married life had its benefits and trials, and if any one knew that it was her. King was a most ungrateful husband some times--even more ungrateful than Nadia. All those times she went out of her way to save him, only for him to run away from her when she wanted to play. What kind of husband did that? Sanson never ran away from women (except Grandis. And Nadia. And Miss Electra). Plus he was very good at protecting people, she knew that from experience. He'd find love someday, she was sure. She rested her head heavily on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

I'll dream of the perfect wife for you, Sanson she thought and drifted off to sleep.

I don't think this will be too long. I hope you enjoy it!