Second Chances

Chloe-------->chp10

Chloe:

The mice had just finished Cinderella’s lovely pink gown by the time Emma was fast asleep.

Marinette smiled. Right on schedule. She grabbed the remote to pause the movie. Then she took the blanket off the back of the couch and draped it over Emma and Plagg. With a smile, she turned to leave the room, only to leap from her skin at the sudden sight of Adrien in the entranceway.

He smiled sheepishly. “Sorry,” he whispered.

“I didn’t hear you come back,” Marinette said. “Did you forget something?”

“A few files for my father,” he answered. “However, since Emma is currently out, can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Marinette followed Adrien to his office then took the indicated seat while he shut the door behind her. “So,” Adrien began, making his way to his chair. “Firstly, let me say that I know we had a two-week agreement, but I really want you to stay.”

Marinette blinked a few times in mild surprise. Monday of week two wasn’t even half way over, yet it was clear by his tone that Adrien was adamant about keeping her hired.

“And I know that we had an agreement that you also had a two-week trial period,” Adrien continued. “While I don’t want to put pressure on you, I would like to know if you had considered staying?”

It wasn’t written out on his face, but Marinette could see the desperation that leaked out through his eyes and his voice. She was thankful that she had taken the weekend to seriously think this over. “I have,” she answered. “And I would like to.”

Relief washed over Adrien as his tense shoulders sagged and his expression relaxed. “You have no idea how large of a relief that is.”

While she was proud to have proven herself worthy enough to be a nanny, Marinette couldn’t help but tilt her head in confusion. “I thought you would have had nannies lining up to take this job.”

“I have a list of nannies that I could call if you didn’t work out,” Adrien said. “But I’ve been through half of them already prior to you.”

That caught Marinette off guard. “Yet you hired me?”

Adrien nodded proudly. “None of them have been able to connect with Emma the way you’re able to. None of them were able to interest her in reading, or even considered it. Furthermore, none of them made Emma assist in any sort of chores, which I really appreciate you for.”

“Of course,” Marinette said, her confusion growing. “But, aren’t the nannies you hired supposed to be professionals? How are they not…well… raise her?”

Adrien shrugged. “I don’t have an answer to that. Maybe it was something in the way I phrased their duties?”

Marinette’s lips pursed in thought. “I think encouraging Emma to read and having her do chores would be under ‘watch Emma.’ And I think most nannies—heck, most women—would realize that.”

“Then maybe I didn’t outline what I wanted clearly enough? Or, do you think it’s the name?”

“The name?”