Desideratum

Chapter 2

"Okay, here we are," Marinette announced as they came to stand in front of a large, steel door.

"Is this it?" the child in her arms questioned, large blue eyes lighting up with excitement. His little arms were wrapped around her neck, his messy dark hair mingling with hers.

"Yes," she replied, and shifted him in her embrace in order to reach for the key in her pocket. Pulling it out, she plunged it into the lock, the resulting click resounding through the empty hallway. Turning her head to look at him, she smiled. "Wanna close your eyes?"

He blinked. "Why?"

"I thought you liked surprises."

"Oh, yeah!" he exclaimed, promptly squeezing his eyes shut, excitement written clearly on his face.

Marinette smiled. "Okay," she said, and with a light shove, pushed the door open. Once again adjusting her grip on the boy in her arms, she prompted him to open his eyes by pressing her cheek against his. "What do you think?"

The apartment was small, smaller than the one they had left back in the United States, but it was fitting—exactly what they needed. There were hardwood floors, and a light almond color on the walls. A large pile of cardboard boxes sat in the middle of the hallway, right behind the small, matching leather couch. A wooden coffee table sat in front of that, and against the wall, a television set.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed, taking in the large, floor to ceiling windows that wrapped around the external wall of the apartment. "You can see everything from here!"

"Mhmm," she agreed, setting him down carefully. "Go explore," she encouraged, running a hand through his thick hair.

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, he stormed out of her sight, leaving her to shake her head at his eagerness.

Heaving a quiet sigh, she slowly made her way towards the table situated in a corner, near the door, the sound of her heels hitting the hardwood floors echoing in the empty apartment. The real estate agent had let her know that a letter had arrived for her the other day, so she picked up the envelope in question.

"Mom, we've got stairs, too!" Cadence exclaimed.

Marinette smiled. "Yes, we do," she agreed. She had known he would be particularly excited about that.

The paper made a crinkling sound as she ripped the envelope open and unfolded its contents, her eyes quickly scanning the writing. It was a letter from her company—it seemed like the apartment had become her official residence sooner than she had expected.

She would start work the following week. Until then, she had more than enough time to accommodate.

"This is so cool!" she heard Cadence exclaim, before little footsteps thundered down the stairs, and he joined her in the hallway.

She turned her head to look at him.

"We've got so much room! We could get a dog!"

Setting the letter down, she approached him, an amused smile playing on her lips. "Cadence, you know we are not getting a dog."

Cadence sighed. "Well," he said, "I had to try."

"Yes, I can see you are very perseverant."

"I thought that was a good thing."

"It is," she answered. "Now, have you seen our bags anywhere?"

"Yeah! They're right behind these boxes!"

"Good," she said, starting to walk in the pointed direction. "We need to unpack basic necessities. I suppose you won't get hungry again tonight."

"No."

"Okay, then." She pulled a large suitcase over and took a seat on the couch. "We need bedspreads. We also need your stuffed dog, so maybe you can remember in which box you put him."

Cadence groaned. "Mom, they're all the same."

"Yes," she agreed. "But you're a smart child. I'll unpack everything else you may need while you search for him." "Okay." He shuffled over to where the boxes lay, frowning as he studied them.

"Do you need help?" she questioned.

"I can't reach it!" he whined. He knew better than to attempt to grab it by himself. His mother went into hysterics whenever he tried to climb something other than stairs.

Marinette rolled her eyes fondly as she stood up to tend to him. "That one?" she asked, reaching for the highest box. "I think," he answered.

"I knew you'd find him," she said, handing the box to him. "We'll unpack everything else tomorrow. It will probably take us the entire day, but rather than spend the whole week doing this…"

Cadence, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, the now opened box in his lap, looked up at her. "But I thought we would go explore the city!"

His mother turned to regard him with a soft look in her eyes. "You liked what you saw during the drive here, didn't you?"

"Yeah!"

"And if I promise we'll take a walk tomorrow evening? Is that okay?" she asked, wanting to please him. Cadence nodded, a grin she remembered all too well spreading on his features.

Marinette swallowed an inexistent lump in her throat as she turned her attention back to the suitcase lying on the floor before her, clothes spilling out.

Could she really do this? Or had she simply been deluding herself?"

Two hours later, Cadence was fast asleep in his new bed, and Marinette was free to do as she wished for the rest of the night.

As the door to his room closed soundlessly behind her, she gave out a small, tired sigh, rolling her shoulders as she began to walk towards her own bedroom. Cadence was not a naughty child—had never been that—but between the move, her new job, and the stress of what could come, she had drained herself of every last bit of energy. She could only hope that this week would be enough of a vacation for her to feel ready to start work. It had been a long time since she had last felt so tired. Probably back when Cadence was born.

The years had gone by so quickly… It seemed like yesterday when she was holding her baby into her arms, marveling at how small and fragile he was, tears of sadness and happiness sliding down her face. But she wasn't complaining, because she had so many great memories. His first smile, his first steps, his first laugh; the first day of school, the first vacation together; the first morning he jumped on her bed to wake her up. She had been there to witness all of them, and for that, she was grateful.

The smile that had slowly spread on her face disappeared as another, completely different thought crossed her mind. She had been there, all right. But no one had stood by her side.

With a weary sigh, she moved across the carpeted floor of her room to stand in front of the large window. Her reflection stared back at her. She was dressed in a silky, dark-blue shirt that tied in the middle with a thin string, tight, black pants, and white sneakers.. Her long hair was pulled back from her face with a stylish braid, and she was wearing make-up—little, but she was.

Time had changed her—there was no denying that. Being a mother had changed her. And now that it was time to face up to the past… she had no idea where to begin or what to do with herself.

Resting her head against the cool glass, she closed her eyes.

Paris spread out below her, a mass of twinkling lights and nighttime activities.

Was he out there somewhere? She thought it was silly of her to ask herself that question. After all, she barely saw him when they were husband and wife and lived in the same house. What were the chances of bumping into him in a large metropolis such as Paris? She lived on the other end of the town—she had made sure of that. These were places that he would never frequent.

A tear trickled down her cheek, unnoticed.

A voice in her head screamed. Six years had passed. And perhaps… he had found a woman who had managed to make him settle down.