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Monkey Island, set waaaay in the past.
Title: How She Lost Him.
Fandom: Monkey Island.
Characters: Marco Largo LaGrande, Largo LaGrande, OC (Maria LaGrande).
Word Count: 981.
Rating: PG
Summary: Maria has lost her husband and now feels that her son, Largo, is all she has left in her life. However, things take a turn for the worst when Largo's grandfather, Marco, shows up and wishes to raise Largo himself.
Disclaimer: Marco Largo LaGrande, Largo LaGrande and everything in the Monkey Island series belong to Lucasarts. Maria LaGrande is mine, however.



Maria had been struggling with her emotions for weeks. She’d lost her husband and had no family to help her deal with her grief. Her young son, Largo, was the only thing she had left in her life and she’d desperately tried to put on a brave face for his sake.

However, four days previously, her already conflicted emotions were made worse by a letter from Marco LaGrande, stating that he was coming to visit her and Largo. Marco was Largo’s grandfather and as mean a man as they came. Maria’s husband had admired his father so much that he’d forced Maria into accepting Largo, Marco’s middle name, as the name of their son. He even made sure that Marco was allowed to visit Largo as much as he wanted – something Marco had taken advantage of, visiting almost every other week since the boy was born. He seemed to hate Maria, though, and every time he visited, he would barely speak to her.

***

Marco ended up arriving a day earlier than expected, announcing his arrival by practically ripping the door of its hinges when Maria didn’t answer it fast enough. He mumbled an insincere, “I’m sorry” as he came in but, as per usual, barely spoke to her. He focused all of his attention on Largo, playing children’s games with him and giving him sweets and treats.

At the end of the day, when Largo was sent to bed and Marco and Maria were alone to talk, he immediately turned on her. It seemed that Marco had found Largo’s behaviour ‘soft’ and he was more than willing to tell Maria how he felt.

“Wench, I knew you’d be a worthless mother.” Marco didn’t show much anger in his face but his words came out in a snarl.

“Worthless mother?” Maria recoiled, “how dare you! I’m trying to raise my son right!”

“He’s a LaGrande,” Marco narrowed his eyes, “you’re just going to turn him into another spineless sissy. My son wouldn’t have this.”

Maria’s face fell slightly and she sniffed. “Well, he’s dead, isn’t he? Now it’s up to me to raise Largo.”

“If you think I’m letting you have sole reign over that boy, wench, you’re dumber than I thought.”

“What are you going to do about it, Marco?”

“I could just kill you.” Marco’s tone didn’t show any doubt or hesitation – and it terrified Maria.

“Don’t make him an orphan, please.” Maria’s lip trembled slightly as she spoke, “Largo doesn’t deserve the pain of losing both his parents.”

“Under my care, he’ll be a strong enough lad to deal with it,” Marco took a quick glance at the room behind him, where Largo was sleeping, “he’s the last LaGrande and he has to show for it.”

“LaGrande is my last name, too.”

“Women don’t matter,” Marco sneered, “besides, you’re a disgrace to the name.”

Maria gritted her teeth and her eyes started to water. “Why’s that? Is it because I don’t mindlessly kill? Is it because I don’t steal? Is it because I’m not a stain on society?”

“You’re useless.” Marco folded his arms and glanced at the clock on the wall. “You married my son, besides, why complain about the LaGrandes now?”

“I loved him, even if I was a fool for it.”

“You’ll make my grandson a fool,” Marco sighed, “that boy belongs in my care.”

“Mama?” a tiny voice cut in and both Maria and Marco turned their attention to Largo, who had left his bedroom and was rubbing his eyes. “Why are you shouting?”

Maria looked at the five year old Largo wearily, “it’s nothing, sweetheart, we’re just talking.”

“About what?”

“You’re a curious lad, aren’t you?” Marco got down on one knee and patted Largo on his head, “how would you fancy staying with your grandpa for a while?”

Maria gasped and tried to say something, but Marco gave her a look that stopped her in her tracks. ‘Don’t,’ Marco mouthed threateningly at her.

Largo, who was still sleepy and more than a little confused, just glanced between his mother and grandfather nervously.

“Tell him it’s fine.” Marco smiled, for Largo’s sake, but the look he gave Maria was far from friendly.

Maria blinked back tears and, turning to her son, tried to keep her tone steady as she spoke. “It’s fine, sweetheart, you’ll have fun at your grandpa’s house.”

“Okay,” Largo wasn’t certain, although he was curious as to what it would be like with his grandfather. He actually quite liked his grandfather, who, unbeknownst to Maria, had been telling Largo pirate stories since he was a baby.

“Great,” Marco smiled, genuinely this time, and stood back up again, “we’ll have lots of fun, Largo.”

Largo smiled back and jumped up and down a few times excitedly.

“Largo, go to bed, sweetheart.” Maria took a deep breath.

“I’ll come and get you in the morning,” Marco added, “go to sleep, I don’t want you tired.”

The little boy nodded and dashed back to his room.

“You better give my son back,” Maria seethed at Marco, “I know you want to disappear with him.”

Marco paused for a moment before stepping toward her and slapping her hard across the face. “Don’t you bark at me, wench. Largo belongs to me and I’ll do with him what I like – make sure he’s ready in the morning and his belongings are packed up.” Marco turned and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

Maria clutched at her sore cheek for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. She trudged to her bedroom, her head drooping, and sat down on the end of her bed. She looked around the room helplessly for a few moments before placing her head in her hands and starting to weep, trying her best to keep herself quiet so as not to disturb her sleeping son.