A/n: Yup, own Coralie, Aurelie, Marguerite, Kit, Margeurite, and Rosie. I think so, anyway. All I know is that you can't sue me. "On My Own" is from Les Misèrables *that musical ROCKS!* and "What Have They done to My Song, Ma" is by Melanie... last name not given... on the Cd "The Best of Melanie." Quand même (anyway), sorry (to those select few who read this thing) I haven't put up the next chpt in so long. I'm finally on Spring Break! And that gives me... 3 DAYS to finish this thing. Oh well, enough of my complaints. Here's the next chapter!
Oh yeah, happy holidays! ^_^
Death of An Age
Several years passed. Rémi traveled with Marie all around the South, going from one apartment to the next. But Marie never seemed to mind. She was content on going to the library, where it was almost like going to school, while her father went "to work." After the library, she would walk around the town with her friends, shopping or just hanging out, whatever the preteens felt like doing.
Marie learned much from the library. She prepared all their meals with knowledge that had come from cook books, and there she learned to speak English. Soon enough, she spoke it more fluently than Rémi. She learned history, math, language arts, and science as if she were at school. She enjoyed her lessons, and if she had a little time to spare, she would head towards the fiction section. The young woman breathed fantasy, and she could read about knights in shining armor and damsels in distress 'till she turned blue, if Rémi let her.
One other thing Marie loved to do was perform. When she acted, the whole audience laughed with her musical laugh, cried with her heart-wrenching tears, and scowled at the person she scowled at. Their emotions were her emotions. They were at her mercy.
When she danced, she flew. Her emotions poured into the movements, and she gracefully twirled and pliéd in the streets, whenever she felt like it. Her style was breathtaking, and she almost never faltered. But she was young- she vowed to herself to get it right.
When she sang, you were autmoatically hypnotized by the haunting voice. All the world melted away, and the only thread connecting you were her songs.
And just then, the only thread holding Rémi to the world was "On My Own."
"Now I'm all alone again, nowhere to turn, no one to go to... Without a home, without a friend, without a face to say hello to... But now the night is near... and I can make believe he's here... Sometimes I walk alone at night, while everybody else is sleeping... I think of him and then I'm happy with the company I'm keeping... The city goes to bed! And I can live inside... my head..."
Rémi watched his daughter from the doorway of the kitchen, silent. Marie sung out loud, concentrating on the music coming from her earphones. Barefoot, she danced a little bit as she made herself lunch. Not much, just half a tuna sandwhich. The girl was an extremely picky eater; Rémi needed to get her to eat more, you could still see her bones.
Marie had grown up considerably, besides in intellect. She trimmed her hair, so now it was just about shoulder-length. It was nice; the waves framed her soft face nicely. And she wasn't as small as she used to be-- she now looked to be about twelve years old, almost thirteen.
Rémi looked at Marie's wardrobe and mentally sighed. In daisy dukes and a white tank top, boys would soon be lining up to get down her shirt, or worse. He needed to take her shopping, the clothes he got for her second-hand weren't really appropriate for a girl that young. At least, when she wasn't performing.
"On my own... Pretending he's beside me! All alone... I walk with him 'till morning. Without him, I feel his arms around me! And when I lose my way I close my eyes... and he has found me. In the rain the pavement shines like silver! All the lights are misty in the river. In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight! And all I see is him and me forever and forever..."
Marie had grown up so much. Rémi thought about all the traits about her that made her so special. The girl was stubborn, almost to a fault. When she wanted something, there was nothing that could stand in her way. And her enemies, if she had any, he doubted it though, had a formidable opponant on their hands. But Marie was a sweet little girl: her smile was a gem. She wasn't very patient, but she listened to everyone, and she tried to help people in any way.
She also loved her father very, very much.
"But I know it's only in my mind! That I'm talking to myself, and not to him... And although, I know that he is blind! Still I say... there's a way for us. I love him, but when the night is over-- he is gone, the river's just a river. Without him, the world around me changes! The trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of strangers. I love him, but everyday I'm learning! All my life, I've only been pretending! Without me, his world will go on turning! A world that's full of happiness that I have never known! ... I love him... I love him... I love him... but only on my... own..."
"Meow..."
Marie stopped singing to look at the cat twining itself around her legs. She smiled and picked up her little chatte (cat) lovingly.
"Hello, Kit! Are you hungry, chère? Here, sweeting, have some tuna!"
The calico quickly gobbled up the tuna on Marie's finger hungrily. Marie laughed, a sound of bells ringing through the air, or the pitter-patter of rain falling lightly on the street.
Rémi smiled, as he was reminded of how joyful Marie was when he gave her the cat for her first birthday with him.
Then he was reminded of his errands, and he took a deep breath before he quietly left the apartment.
"Look what they done to my song, Ma... Look what they done to my song! Well it's the only thing I could do half right and it's turnin' out all wrong, Ma... Look what they done to my song!"
Marie loved musicals. Her favorite one was coming to town, and this was the only way to Rémi knew to pay for the tickets, some other things besides. A leopard cannot change its spots, no matter how badly he agrees with you.
Rémi listened to Marie's voice only with half-concentration. But he could hear the smile in her voice. She loved performing in the streets, her audience rewarding her for her talents with an occasional coin or dollar. And that's just what Rémi was counting on, including a little help from his fingers.
Marie shook her hips and smiled sweetly.
"Ils ont changé ma chanson, Ma... Ils ont changé ma chanson! C'est la seule chose je peux faire, est summé pas bon, Ma... Ils ont changé ma chanson!"
The crowd cheered. Marie grinned, and even more tips flew into her sunflower hat lying on the street by her side.
Then the fan club came to cheer their idol.
"Marie! Oh Marie dahling, you were simply divine!"
"Shut up Coralie, talk normal for once."
"Well at least I CONGRATULATE her on her performance, sis!"
"I agree with Aurelie, Cor. That accent is getting kinda annoying."
"I was just talking with Marie! I can do whatever I want, Rosie!"
"Guys, all of you shut up! Marie, you were so great, I wish I could do that!"
"Yeah, Margie's right. We should just ignore Corie and go get some ice cream."
"Hey! Aurelie! No fair, I want some ice cream!"
"Well, you ain't gettin' some if you don't quit talkin' like that. It's so fucked up when you say words like 'dahling' and 'divine.' I knew I shouldn't have let you watch that movie marathon with all the old-fashined movies!"
"But that was so fun!"
"Well, I watched it too, Corie, and I don't talk like that!"
"Yeah, you have to get over it sometime or other!"
"Can we just go get ice cream?"
"Can someone lend me a few dollars? I left my money at home."
"BS! You have a ten in your wallet, from yesterday!"
"Umm... yeah... well..."
"You spent it already? On what?"
"There were these adorable earrings I just had to get! See? They're roses, like me!"
"Rosie, you're never gonna be rich."
"I'm sorry, Margie."
"Hey, I want a chocolate chip ice cream cone!"
"Can I get a sundae? I like bananas!"
"Eeew! Gross, get something better! Like... strawberry!"
"No way! Chocolate fudge rocks! With caramel and butterscotch, and sprinkles and marachino cherries... Yum! And that's only the toppings!"
"Not a chance, pistachio with coffee tastes the best!"
"What is wrong with YOUR tastebuds? Have you been chewing on styrofoam again, Cor?"
"Hey, that was ONE TIME, and an accident, besides! And there's nothing wrong with my tastebuds, they taste a sour apple when the see one!"
"... Was that supposed to be an insult? 'Cuz I'm dying inside from the laughter!"
"Marie! Aurelie's makin' fun of me again! Make her stop!"
"You're such a baby, Cor."
"Am not!"
"Are too! You're always actin' like one!"
'And this is the future of America,' Rémi thought to himself sadly.
"Guys, guys!" Marie yelled. All four girls immediately quieted. Marie smiled.
"Number one, Coralie, just ignore the others, and you'll be fine. Aurelie, I'll gladly go with you guys for ice cream. Rose, dear, please learn how to manage your money a little better, so you don't always have to ask us for some? And Margeurite, I appreciate your compliment, and yes, we can go get some ice cream-- you need it! You're a toothpick!"
Marie then turned to Rémi, who had picked up the cash and was counting twice by now, and grinned.
"Papa, poudrais--"
"In English, chère." Rémi scolded.
Marie smirked as she dusted off her hat an dput it on. "Whatever," she sighed. "Could I have some money to buy some ice cream? Please?"
Rémi reluctantly handed her a ten. "And don't waste de change, Marie, you know nous avons besoin l'argent." (We need the money.)
Marie laughed. "I know, Papa, I'm not dumb."
"You 'ave your key?"
"Yes," Marie rolled her eyes.
"Alright, I'll meet you back 'ome. Have a good time, girls!"
"Oh we will, Monsieur LeBeau!" Aurelie said, a sparkle in her eye.
Marie then went along with her friends, giggling. Rémi shook his head to himself as he walked away, overhearing phrases such as "Your dad is so cool, Marie!" and "And cute, too!" and "And I absolutely adore his accent!", as well as "You guys are sick." [Three guess who said which phrase. If you can't get it, well, you haven't been paying attention much, have you?]
"Marie? C'est toi?" (Is that you?) Rémi called out, hearing the door slam.
"Oui, c'est moi... Papa? Où-es tu?" (Yes, it's me... Where are you?)
"Ici, dans ta chambre." (Here, in your room.)
"Papa! Qu'est-ce que tu fais dans ma..." (What are you doing in my...) Marie froze as she enered the doorway to her bedroom, barely believing the sight before her.
On her bed was a beautiful, dazzling white dress, with matching high-heeled shoes, perfectly laid out. Then Marie felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Go a'ead... it's for you."
"Oh, Papa, je poudrais pleurer..." (I could cry...)
"Ne fais pas ça! Go on, try it on." (Don't do that!)
Marie went over to the bed and gently picked up the sparkling dress. She turned around to hug her father, then kicked him out as she hurried to try the dress on.
Rémi couldn't help but laugh.
"D'accord, Papa! Je suis prête!" (Okay, I'm ready!)
Rémi opened the door and stepped into heaven, for there before him was a smiling angel.
But then the realization came that if he died, it wouldn't be to heaven he would go, so he realized it was just his daughter.
His extremely pretty, lovely, beautiful, gorgeous, stunning daughter.
"Ça te plaït?" (You like it?) Marie twirled around and giggled.
"Bien sûr, ça me plaït! Tu resembles une ange, chère. Maintenant, est-ce que ça *te* plaït?" (Of course! You look like an angel, chère. Now, do *you* like it?)
Marie smiled. "Oui. Oh j'adore cette robe! Vraiment, c'est ma?" (Yes. Oh, I love this dress! Really, it's mine?)
Rémi laughed. "Oui. Et j'ai un autre surprise pour ma petite." (Yes. And I have another surprise for my petite.)
Marie's eyes widened. "Vraiment?" (Really?)
"Oui. Voici." (Yes. Here.) Rémi grinned and handed Marie two tickets for the Les Mis show that Friday.
Down the block, Aurelie and Coralie heard a shrill, high-pitched scream.
"Papa, Papa! Oh, tu es le plus meilleur Papa dans la monde! Je ne sais pas ce que dire... Tu es le plus meilleur!" (You're the best Papa in the world! I don't know what to say... You're the best!)
Marie wrapped her arms around Rémi's waist in a huge hug. Rémi laughed with joy.
"Je suis content que ça te plaït, chère." (I'm happy you like it, chère.)
"Ça me plaït? Oh, je l'adore! Les mots ne peux pas expresser ce que je sens intérieur..." (I like it? Oh, I love it! Words cannot express what I'm feeling inside...)
Rémi didn't know what to say just then, with Marie wrapped around his waist... and he didn't know why he felt that knot in his stomach either.
"Marie! Are you ready yet? We'll be late!"
"Pas encore... deux minutes!" (Not yet... two minutes!)
Rémi sighed and played around with the jewelery boxes that lay on the kitchen table.
"D'accord, ici je suis!" (Okay, here I am!)
"In English, chère."
Marie scowled. "Whatever." Then she smiled and twirled around in her new outift.
"So," she smiled, "how do I look?"
Rémi turned to see his daughter, as beautiful as always. She was even wearing a little makeup, and she had done her hair in a nice hairdo that framed her face. He smiled.
"Like an angel, chère. Et moi? 'Ow do I look?" (And me?)
Rémi smirked and spread his hands so Marie could get a better look at him, in slacks and his best shirt, for once without his long trenchcoat. She giggled.
"Like a stranger, to me at least. What happened to my Papa? Did he get all dressed up for me?"
"But of course! Only de best for my petite on 'er birthday. Joyeux treizième anniversaire, Marie." (Happy thirteenth birthday.)
Marie grinned. "So that's what all this is for! Well then, thank you very much, Papa!"
Just then, the phone rang. Marie looked at Rémi, sighed, and then picked up the reciever.
"Hello? Oh, Aurelie! Yeah, I can't talk long, I was just leaving... Yeah, sure, what? WHAT?! Everything? Gone? You... Well, sorry, but... Oh, I'm so sorry! No, you can't! You shouldn't! Sure, you can borrow it, I don't mind at all! Yeah, I'll be fine, I'm just worried about you guys! And you say *everything* is gone? The doorknob, too! Oh, you poor things..."
Marie then looked at her father tap his wrist out of the corner of her eye, then sighed.
"Listen, Aurelie, I gotta go... Yeah, and tell Coralie I said hi, and that I'm so sorry! Yeah, I hope. Call me when you hear anything! I'm so sorry... Bye!"
Marie hung up the phone and turned to Rémi.
"Oh, it's so horrible! Coralie and Aurelie have were--"
"Tell on de way d'ere, we'll be late!" Rémi said, hurrying Marie out the door, the boxes in his pockets.
"... And I just feel so terrible! So, it's okay, Papa?"
"Sure, yeah, okay," Rémi said absentmindedly as he searched for a parking space in the local theatre's parking lot, which was packed.
"Great! Thanks so much!"
"Ah ha!" Rémi yelled as he found an empty space close to the door. [Seems unreal, doesn't it? Well, it is. Deal!]
Marie was about to get out of the car, but Rémi stopped her.
"I 'ave anot'er gift to give," he said. Marie look at him, confused.
"What else is there to give, Papa?" she asked.
Rémi then reached into his pockets and got out the jewelery boxes. He handed them to Marie and grinned. "I 'ope you like them," he said.
Marie slowly took them, her eyes bright with wonder. She opened them all, one by one, and in the end she had two diamond earrings, a diamond necklace, adiamond bracelet, and a diamond ring.
"Papa... pourquoi tu me donne ces cadeaux? Ils sont trop cher pour moi habiller, pour sûre!" (Why are you giving me these gifts? They're too expensive for me to wear, for sure!)
Rémi smiled. "N'inquiètes pas au sujet de le prix, chère. Voici, je t'aiderai." (Don't worry about the price, chère. Here, I'll help you.)
Marie couldn't help but put a smile on her face as her father helped her put on the jewelery. But as her father put on the bracelet, her face went stone cold.
FLASH!
A threatening shadow looming over her, something tight around her wrist...
FLASH!
"Marie! Marie! Dis quelquechose!" (Say something!)
Marie stared at her father as he came back into focus. She panicked, ripping the bracelet off her wrist. Diamonds flew everywhere as Marie screamed.
She hugged her knees and the tears began to flow, as the sobs racked her body. She felt Rémi's big, rough hands on her shoulders.
"Marie? What's wrong, chère... Chère?"
"Désolée... désolée, je suis désolée!" (Sorry... sorry, I'm sorry!)
"Marie! Come on now, don't cry! Look, it's okay!"
Marie looked at her father, who grinned.
"Come on, how many times have I said dat we'll be late?"
Marie took a deep breath and opened her door. She took one last look at the spilled diamonds, glittering in the moonlight, strewed randomly all over the car.
"Mademoiselle?"
Marie looked up to see Rémi grin and extend his arm. As she took it, Rémi thought he saw a hint of a smile.
"So, you liked it?"
"Hmm... what?"
Rémi laughed as he opened the theatre door for Marie. The two started walking to the car. Or, rather, Rémi walked, Marie floated.
"That good?"
"Oh, Papa! C'étais... c'étais..." (That was... that was...)
"In English, chère."
"Whatever..." Marie sighed. "Oh, that was lovely."
"I knew you'd like it."
"Yeah, that's because I've only been obsessed about this play for the past two years!"
Rémi laughed. "It's good to see ma petite smiling again."
"Yeah, well... Did I say that that was the best musical ever?"
"Just now."
Rémi smiled, causing Marie to smile back. 'Good,' Rémi thought to himself. 'She needs to smile.'
"Umm... Papa? Where's the car?"
Rémi looked at the empty parking space before them, where their car SHOULD have been.
Then the obvious stung Rémi in the face. Duh! Who the hell would leave 14 KARAT DIAMONDS alone in a Mercedes-Benz?! Especially when the person who DRIVES the car is Rémi "Gambit" LeBeau?! God, what an idiot!
"Uhh, chère? It looks like we're walking 'ome."
"Ohh, but my feet hurt! Is it a rule somewhere that dress shoes are always too big or too small?"
"Je ne sais pas, mais c'est d'accord. Take 'em off and I'll carry you." (I don't know, but it's okay.)
"But what about my shoes?"
"Don't worry, they'll go in my pocket."
Marie giggled as she unbuckled her shoes. "My knight in shining armor!"
She cried out in surprise when Rémi lifted her up. She giggled when she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Woah, déja vu."
"What 'ave you already seen?"
"This feeling... It's so familiar... Like I belong here. You know?"
Rémi laughed. "Tu es mignion, tu sais ça?" (You're cute, you know that?)
Marie smiled and rest her head on her father's shoulder. "Merci." (Thank you.)
Then, Marie was falling. She felt herself slip through her father's hold and hit the pavement with a loud smack. Through her cries, she almost heard her father moan.
Marie struggled to get up, but someone held her down. Then she heard a loud slicing sound.
"Where's the money, LeBeau?!" An unfamiliar voice said. "Come on, I said, where's the friggin' money?!"
"Papa..." Marie was forced back down to the street roughly.
"I don't... not yet..."
"Where the fuck is the money dammit! Da boss said, no more extensions! You gotta pay up, now and quick! And all of it too, not half like last time! We're sick of you and your Cajun excuses! Friggin' punk!"
"Not on me... In apartment..."
"We damn ransacked that place, we couldn't find nothin'! We searched everywhere, and don't say we didn't! We even had to... hmm, how should we say this, Chris?"
"I don't know, John..." another voice said. "How about 'eliminate?'"
"Yeah, we had to 'eliminate' that furball that was creeping around. Hope you weren't too attatched."
Marie cried out. "Kit!"
"Shaddap, doll! Anyway, Gambit, we know it's on ya, so don't try nuttin' funny here!"
"I remember... my car..."
"Why do you think you're walkin' home? We took that, too. Thanks for the diamonds, and the Benz. Still need the money. All of it, you sonuvabitch."
"Well d'en, 'ello Ma..."
"DON'T MAKE ME USE THIS!"
"Papa!"
"Hey, pretty girl you got here, Gambit!" The other voice said. "Oh, what's this? More diamonds!"
Marie was forced on her back. She stared at the fat gangster who sat on her.
"Think I'll take a few..."
"Let 'er alone!"
"Papa!" How come no one was coming to help them? Marie heard a horn honk, and felt a car's headlights on her, then disappear as the driver sped away.
Marie began to cry as the disgusting man took her necklace and ring. Luckily, her hair hid her earrings. She didn't want those dirty hands near her face.
"Marie! Come on, leave 'er alone! You want me, right? You want your money?"
The two men laughed.
"Didn't think you'd go soft on us, Gambit. Hey, pretty baby! How's about you come visit your Uncle Chris, eh?"
The two men erupted into laughter as Marie felt herself being pulled into the fat man's lap. She felt her father's coat material, and she realized he was wearing her father's trenchcoat.
Then she felt something completely different.
That was it. That was the last straw.
Marie didn't know what happened next, but explosions were everywhere. BOOM BOOM BOOMBOOMBOOM one after another, in seconds! She didn't realize at first, but she was screaming, and she felt something stir inside of her, something that had been sleeping for a long time, but now it had awoken again...
A brilliant light filled the street. It got hotter and hotter, she was almost melting, and Marie kept on screaming and screaming...
Marie hit the street with a thump. She stopped yelling.
It took her a while to get her breath back. When she did, she could barely sit herself up. Immediately she looked around.
Nothing but her and her father.
"Papa?" Marie crawled over to her beloved Papa. He was unconcious, but breathing. Barely.
"Papa? S'il te plaït, dis quelquechose!" (Please, say something!)
Marie put a hand on Rémi's side, to shake him awake. She felt something sticky, and warm. She pulled her hand away, as she realized that she was now stained with blood.
Her papa's blood.
"Papa!" Marie wailed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
"Papa... Tu as dit que tu ne me partirais jamais..." (You said you would never leave me...)
Marie continued to sob, calling out for her papa, until the pain was too much. Everything went black.
Oh yeah, happy holidays! ^_^
Death of An Age
Several years passed. Rémi traveled with Marie all around the South, going from one apartment to the next. But Marie never seemed to mind. She was content on going to the library, where it was almost like going to school, while her father went "to work." After the library, she would walk around the town with her friends, shopping or just hanging out, whatever the preteens felt like doing.
Marie learned much from the library. She prepared all their meals with knowledge that had come from cook books, and there she learned to speak English. Soon enough, she spoke it more fluently than Rémi. She learned history, math, language arts, and science as if she were at school. She enjoyed her lessons, and if she had a little time to spare, she would head towards the fiction section. The young woman breathed fantasy, and she could read about knights in shining armor and damsels in distress 'till she turned blue, if Rémi let her.
One other thing Marie loved to do was perform. When she acted, the whole audience laughed with her musical laugh, cried with her heart-wrenching tears, and scowled at the person she scowled at. Their emotions were her emotions. They were at her mercy.
When she danced, she flew. Her emotions poured into the movements, and she gracefully twirled and pliéd in the streets, whenever she felt like it. Her style was breathtaking, and she almost never faltered. But she was young- she vowed to herself to get it right.
When she sang, you were autmoatically hypnotized by the haunting voice. All the world melted away, and the only thread connecting you were her songs.
And just then, the only thread holding Rémi to the world was "On My Own."
"Now I'm all alone again, nowhere to turn, no one to go to... Without a home, without a friend, without a face to say hello to... But now the night is near... and I can make believe he's here... Sometimes I walk alone at night, while everybody else is sleeping... I think of him and then I'm happy with the company I'm keeping... The city goes to bed! And I can live inside... my head..."
Rémi watched his daughter from the doorway of the kitchen, silent. Marie sung out loud, concentrating on the music coming from her earphones. Barefoot, she danced a little bit as she made herself lunch. Not much, just half a tuna sandwhich. The girl was an extremely picky eater; Rémi needed to get her to eat more, you could still see her bones.
Marie had grown up considerably, besides in intellect. She trimmed her hair, so now it was just about shoulder-length. It was nice; the waves framed her soft face nicely. And she wasn't as small as she used to be-- she now looked to be about twelve years old, almost thirteen.
Rémi looked at Marie's wardrobe and mentally sighed. In daisy dukes and a white tank top, boys would soon be lining up to get down her shirt, or worse. He needed to take her shopping, the clothes he got for her second-hand weren't really appropriate for a girl that young. At least, when she wasn't performing.
"On my own... Pretending he's beside me! All alone... I walk with him 'till morning. Without him, I feel his arms around me! And when I lose my way I close my eyes... and he has found me. In the rain the pavement shines like silver! All the lights are misty in the river. In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight! And all I see is him and me forever and forever..."
Marie had grown up so much. Rémi thought about all the traits about her that made her so special. The girl was stubborn, almost to a fault. When she wanted something, there was nothing that could stand in her way. And her enemies, if she had any, he doubted it though, had a formidable opponant on their hands. But Marie was a sweet little girl: her smile was a gem. She wasn't very patient, but she listened to everyone, and she tried to help people in any way.
She also loved her father very, very much.
"But I know it's only in my mind! That I'm talking to myself, and not to him... And although, I know that he is blind! Still I say... there's a way for us. I love him, but when the night is over-- he is gone, the river's just a river. Without him, the world around me changes! The trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of strangers. I love him, but everyday I'm learning! All my life, I've only been pretending! Without me, his world will go on turning! A world that's full of happiness that I have never known! ... I love him... I love him... I love him... but only on my... own..."
"Meow..."
Marie stopped singing to look at the cat twining itself around her legs. She smiled and picked up her little chatte (cat) lovingly.
"Hello, Kit! Are you hungry, chère? Here, sweeting, have some tuna!"
The calico quickly gobbled up the tuna on Marie's finger hungrily. Marie laughed, a sound of bells ringing through the air, or the pitter-patter of rain falling lightly on the street.
Rémi smiled, as he was reminded of how joyful Marie was when he gave her the cat for her first birthday with him.
Then he was reminded of his errands, and he took a deep breath before he quietly left the apartment.
"Look what they done to my song, Ma... Look what they done to my song! Well it's the only thing I could do half right and it's turnin' out all wrong, Ma... Look what they done to my song!"
Marie loved musicals. Her favorite one was coming to town, and this was the only way to Rémi knew to pay for the tickets, some other things besides. A leopard cannot change its spots, no matter how badly he agrees with you.
Rémi listened to Marie's voice only with half-concentration. But he could hear the smile in her voice. She loved performing in the streets, her audience rewarding her for her talents with an occasional coin or dollar. And that's just what Rémi was counting on, including a little help from his fingers.
Marie shook her hips and smiled sweetly.
"Ils ont changé ma chanson, Ma... Ils ont changé ma chanson! C'est la seule chose je peux faire, est summé pas bon, Ma... Ils ont changé ma chanson!"
The crowd cheered. Marie grinned, and even more tips flew into her sunflower hat lying on the street by her side.
Then the fan club came to cheer their idol.
"Marie! Oh Marie dahling, you were simply divine!"
"Shut up Coralie, talk normal for once."
"Well at least I CONGRATULATE her on her performance, sis!"
"I agree with Aurelie, Cor. That accent is getting kinda annoying."
"I was just talking with Marie! I can do whatever I want, Rosie!"
"Guys, all of you shut up! Marie, you were so great, I wish I could do that!"
"Yeah, Margie's right. We should just ignore Corie and go get some ice cream."
"Hey! Aurelie! No fair, I want some ice cream!"
"Well, you ain't gettin' some if you don't quit talkin' like that. It's so fucked up when you say words like 'dahling' and 'divine.' I knew I shouldn't have let you watch that movie marathon with all the old-fashined movies!"
"But that was so fun!"
"Well, I watched it too, Corie, and I don't talk like that!"
"Yeah, you have to get over it sometime or other!"
"Can we just go get ice cream?"
"Can someone lend me a few dollars? I left my money at home."
"BS! You have a ten in your wallet, from yesterday!"
"Umm... yeah... well..."
"You spent it already? On what?"
"There were these adorable earrings I just had to get! See? They're roses, like me!"
"Rosie, you're never gonna be rich."
"I'm sorry, Margie."
"Hey, I want a chocolate chip ice cream cone!"
"Can I get a sundae? I like bananas!"
"Eeew! Gross, get something better! Like... strawberry!"
"No way! Chocolate fudge rocks! With caramel and butterscotch, and sprinkles and marachino cherries... Yum! And that's only the toppings!"
"Not a chance, pistachio with coffee tastes the best!"
"What is wrong with YOUR tastebuds? Have you been chewing on styrofoam again, Cor?"
"Hey, that was ONE TIME, and an accident, besides! And there's nothing wrong with my tastebuds, they taste a sour apple when the see one!"
"... Was that supposed to be an insult? 'Cuz I'm dying inside from the laughter!"
"Marie! Aurelie's makin' fun of me again! Make her stop!"
"You're such a baby, Cor."
"Am not!"
"Are too! You're always actin' like one!"
'And this is the future of America,' Rémi thought to himself sadly.
"Guys, guys!" Marie yelled. All four girls immediately quieted. Marie smiled.
"Number one, Coralie, just ignore the others, and you'll be fine. Aurelie, I'll gladly go with you guys for ice cream. Rose, dear, please learn how to manage your money a little better, so you don't always have to ask us for some? And Margeurite, I appreciate your compliment, and yes, we can go get some ice cream-- you need it! You're a toothpick!"
Marie then turned to Rémi, who had picked up the cash and was counting twice by now, and grinned.
"Papa, poudrais--"
"In English, chère." Rémi scolded.
Marie smirked as she dusted off her hat an dput it on. "Whatever," she sighed. "Could I have some money to buy some ice cream? Please?"
Rémi reluctantly handed her a ten. "And don't waste de change, Marie, you know nous avons besoin l'argent." (We need the money.)
Marie laughed. "I know, Papa, I'm not dumb."
"You 'ave your key?"
"Yes," Marie rolled her eyes.
"Alright, I'll meet you back 'ome. Have a good time, girls!"
"Oh we will, Monsieur LeBeau!" Aurelie said, a sparkle in her eye.
Marie then went along with her friends, giggling. Rémi shook his head to himself as he walked away, overhearing phrases such as "Your dad is so cool, Marie!" and "And cute, too!" and "And I absolutely adore his accent!", as well as "You guys are sick." [Three guess who said which phrase. If you can't get it, well, you haven't been paying attention much, have you?]
"Marie? C'est toi?" (Is that you?) Rémi called out, hearing the door slam.
"Oui, c'est moi... Papa? Où-es tu?" (Yes, it's me... Where are you?)
"Ici, dans ta chambre." (Here, in your room.)
"Papa! Qu'est-ce que tu fais dans ma..." (What are you doing in my...) Marie froze as she enered the doorway to her bedroom, barely believing the sight before her.
On her bed was a beautiful, dazzling white dress, with matching high-heeled shoes, perfectly laid out. Then Marie felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Go a'ead... it's for you."
"Oh, Papa, je poudrais pleurer..." (I could cry...)
"Ne fais pas ça! Go on, try it on." (Don't do that!)
Marie went over to the bed and gently picked up the sparkling dress. She turned around to hug her father, then kicked him out as she hurried to try the dress on.
Rémi couldn't help but laugh.
"D'accord, Papa! Je suis prête!" (Okay, I'm ready!)
Rémi opened the door and stepped into heaven, for there before him was a smiling angel.
But then the realization came that if he died, it wouldn't be to heaven he would go, so he realized it was just his daughter.
His extremely pretty, lovely, beautiful, gorgeous, stunning daughter.
"Ça te plaït?" (You like it?) Marie twirled around and giggled.
"Bien sûr, ça me plaït! Tu resembles une ange, chère. Maintenant, est-ce que ça *te* plaït?" (Of course! You look like an angel, chère. Now, do *you* like it?)
Marie smiled. "Oui. Oh j'adore cette robe! Vraiment, c'est ma?" (Yes. Oh, I love this dress! Really, it's mine?)
Rémi laughed. "Oui. Et j'ai un autre surprise pour ma petite." (Yes. And I have another surprise for my petite.)
Marie's eyes widened. "Vraiment?" (Really?)
"Oui. Voici." (Yes. Here.) Rémi grinned and handed Marie two tickets for the Les Mis show that Friday.
Down the block, Aurelie and Coralie heard a shrill, high-pitched scream.
"Papa, Papa! Oh, tu es le plus meilleur Papa dans la monde! Je ne sais pas ce que dire... Tu es le plus meilleur!" (You're the best Papa in the world! I don't know what to say... You're the best!)
Marie wrapped her arms around Rémi's waist in a huge hug. Rémi laughed with joy.
"Je suis content que ça te plaït, chère." (I'm happy you like it, chère.)
"Ça me plaït? Oh, je l'adore! Les mots ne peux pas expresser ce que je sens intérieur..." (I like it? Oh, I love it! Words cannot express what I'm feeling inside...)
Rémi didn't know what to say just then, with Marie wrapped around his waist... and he didn't know why he felt that knot in his stomach either.
"Marie! Are you ready yet? We'll be late!"
"Pas encore... deux minutes!" (Not yet... two minutes!)
Rémi sighed and played around with the jewelery boxes that lay on the kitchen table.
"D'accord, ici je suis!" (Okay, here I am!)
"In English, chère."
Marie scowled. "Whatever." Then she smiled and twirled around in her new outift.
"So," she smiled, "how do I look?"
Rémi turned to see his daughter, as beautiful as always. She was even wearing a little makeup, and she had done her hair in a nice hairdo that framed her face. He smiled.
"Like an angel, chère. Et moi? 'Ow do I look?" (And me?)
Rémi smirked and spread his hands so Marie could get a better look at him, in slacks and his best shirt, for once without his long trenchcoat. She giggled.
"Like a stranger, to me at least. What happened to my Papa? Did he get all dressed up for me?"
"But of course! Only de best for my petite on 'er birthday. Joyeux treizième anniversaire, Marie." (Happy thirteenth birthday.)
Marie grinned. "So that's what all this is for! Well then, thank you very much, Papa!"
Just then, the phone rang. Marie looked at Rémi, sighed, and then picked up the reciever.
"Hello? Oh, Aurelie! Yeah, I can't talk long, I was just leaving... Yeah, sure, what? WHAT?! Everything? Gone? You... Well, sorry, but... Oh, I'm so sorry! No, you can't! You shouldn't! Sure, you can borrow it, I don't mind at all! Yeah, I'll be fine, I'm just worried about you guys! And you say *everything* is gone? The doorknob, too! Oh, you poor things..."
Marie then looked at her father tap his wrist out of the corner of her eye, then sighed.
"Listen, Aurelie, I gotta go... Yeah, and tell Coralie I said hi, and that I'm so sorry! Yeah, I hope. Call me when you hear anything! I'm so sorry... Bye!"
Marie hung up the phone and turned to Rémi.
"Oh, it's so horrible! Coralie and Aurelie have were--"
"Tell on de way d'ere, we'll be late!" Rémi said, hurrying Marie out the door, the boxes in his pockets.
"... And I just feel so terrible! So, it's okay, Papa?"
"Sure, yeah, okay," Rémi said absentmindedly as he searched for a parking space in the local theatre's parking lot, which was packed.
"Great! Thanks so much!"
"Ah ha!" Rémi yelled as he found an empty space close to the door. [Seems unreal, doesn't it? Well, it is. Deal!]
Marie was about to get out of the car, but Rémi stopped her.
"I 'ave anot'er gift to give," he said. Marie look at him, confused.
"What else is there to give, Papa?" she asked.
Rémi then reached into his pockets and got out the jewelery boxes. He handed them to Marie and grinned. "I 'ope you like them," he said.
Marie slowly took them, her eyes bright with wonder. She opened them all, one by one, and in the end she had two diamond earrings, a diamond necklace, adiamond bracelet, and a diamond ring.
"Papa... pourquoi tu me donne ces cadeaux? Ils sont trop cher pour moi habiller, pour sûre!" (Why are you giving me these gifts? They're too expensive for me to wear, for sure!)
Rémi smiled. "N'inquiètes pas au sujet de le prix, chère. Voici, je t'aiderai." (Don't worry about the price, chère. Here, I'll help you.)
Marie couldn't help but put a smile on her face as her father helped her put on the jewelery. But as her father put on the bracelet, her face went stone cold.
FLASH!
A threatening shadow looming over her, something tight around her wrist...
FLASH!
"Marie! Marie! Dis quelquechose!" (Say something!)
Marie stared at her father as he came back into focus. She panicked, ripping the bracelet off her wrist. Diamonds flew everywhere as Marie screamed.
She hugged her knees and the tears began to flow, as the sobs racked her body. She felt Rémi's big, rough hands on her shoulders.
"Marie? What's wrong, chère... Chère?"
"Désolée... désolée, je suis désolée!" (Sorry... sorry, I'm sorry!)
"Marie! Come on now, don't cry! Look, it's okay!"
Marie looked at her father, who grinned.
"Come on, how many times have I said dat we'll be late?"
Marie took a deep breath and opened her door. She took one last look at the spilled diamonds, glittering in the moonlight, strewed randomly all over the car.
"Mademoiselle?"
Marie looked up to see Rémi grin and extend his arm. As she took it, Rémi thought he saw a hint of a smile.
"So, you liked it?"
"Hmm... what?"
Rémi laughed as he opened the theatre door for Marie. The two started walking to the car. Or, rather, Rémi walked, Marie floated.
"That good?"
"Oh, Papa! C'étais... c'étais..." (That was... that was...)
"In English, chère."
"Whatever..." Marie sighed. "Oh, that was lovely."
"I knew you'd like it."
"Yeah, that's because I've only been obsessed about this play for the past two years!"
Rémi laughed. "It's good to see ma petite smiling again."
"Yeah, well... Did I say that that was the best musical ever?"
"Just now."
Rémi smiled, causing Marie to smile back. 'Good,' Rémi thought to himself. 'She needs to smile.'
"Umm... Papa? Where's the car?"
Rémi looked at the empty parking space before them, where their car SHOULD have been.
Then the obvious stung Rémi in the face. Duh! Who the hell would leave 14 KARAT DIAMONDS alone in a Mercedes-Benz?! Especially when the person who DRIVES the car is Rémi "Gambit" LeBeau?! God, what an idiot!
"Uhh, chère? It looks like we're walking 'ome."
"Ohh, but my feet hurt! Is it a rule somewhere that dress shoes are always too big or too small?"
"Je ne sais pas, mais c'est d'accord. Take 'em off and I'll carry you." (I don't know, but it's okay.)
"But what about my shoes?"
"Don't worry, they'll go in my pocket."
Marie giggled as she unbuckled her shoes. "My knight in shining armor!"
She cried out in surprise when Rémi lifted her up. She giggled when she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Woah, déja vu."
"What 'ave you already seen?"
"This feeling... It's so familiar... Like I belong here. You know?"
Rémi laughed. "Tu es mignion, tu sais ça?" (You're cute, you know that?)
Marie smiled and rest her head on her father's shoulder. "Merci." (Thank you.)
Then, Marie was falling. She felt herself slip through her father's hold and hit the pavement with a loud smack. Through her cries, she almost heard her father moan.
Marie struggled to get up, but someone held her down. Then she heard a loud slicing sound.
"Where's the money, LeBeau?!" An unfamiliar voice said. "Come on, I said, where's the friggin' money?!"
"Papa..." Marie was forced back down to the street roughly.
"I don't... not yet..."
"Where the fuck is the money dammit! Da boss said, no more extensions! You gotta pay up, now and quick! And all of it too, not half like last time! We're sick of you and your Cajun excuses! Friggin' punk!"
"Not on me... In apartment..."
"We damn ransacked that place, we couldn't find nothin'! We searched everywhere, and don't say we didn't! We even had to... hmm, how should we say this, Chris?"
"I don't know, John..." another voice said. "How about 'eliminate?'"
"Yeah, we had to 'eliminate' that furball that was creeping around. Hope you weren't too attatched."
Marie cried out. "Kit!"
"Shaddap, doll! Anyway, Gambit, we know it's on ya, so don't try nuttin' funny here!"
"I remember... my car..."
"Why do you think you're walkin' home? We took that, too. Thanks for the diamonds, and the Benz. Still need the money. All of it, you sonuvabitch."
"Well d'en, 'ello Ma..."
"DON'T MAKE ME USE THIS!"
"Papa!"
"Hey, pretty girl you got here, Gambit!" The other voice said. "Oh, what's this? More diamonds!"
Marie was forced on her back. She stared at the fat gangster who sat on her.
"Think I'll take a few..."
"Let 'er alone!"
"Papa!" How come no one was coming to help them? Marie heard a horn honk, and felt a car's headlights on her, then disappear as the driver sped away.
Marie began to cry as the disgusting man took her necklace and ring. Luckily, her hair hid her earrings. She didn't want those dirty hands near her face.
"Marie! Come on, leave 'er alone! You want me, right? You want your money?"
The two men laughed.
"Didn't think you'd go soft on us, Gambit. Hey, pretty baby! How's about you come visit your Uncle Chris, eh?"
The two men erupted into laughter as Marie felt herself being pulled into the fat man's lap. She felt her father's coat material, and she realized he was wearing her father's trenchcoat.
Then she felt something completely different.
That was it. That was the last straw.
Marie didn't know what happened next, but explosions were everywhere. BOOM BOOM BOOMBOOMBOOM one after another, in seconds! She didn't realize at first, but she was screaming, and she felt something stir inside of her, something that had been sleeping for a long time, but now it had awoken again...
A brilliant light filled the street. It got hotter and hotter, she was almost melting, and Marie kept on screaming and screaming...
Marie hit the street with a thump. She stopped yelling.
It took her a while to get her breath back. When she did, she could barely sit herself up. Immediately she looked around.
Nothing but her and her father.
"Papa?" Marie crawled over to her beloved Papa. He was unconcious, but breathing. Barely.
"Papa? S'il te plaït, dis quelquechose!" (Please, say something!)
Marie put a hand on Rémi's side, to shake him awake. She felt something sticky, and warm. She pulled her hand away, as she realized that she was now stained with blood.
Her papa's blood.
"Papa!" Marie wailed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
"Papa... Tu as dit que tu ne me partirais jamais..." (You said you would never leave me...)
Marie continued to sob, calling out for her papa, until the pain was too much. Everything went black.