Marinette was sat on her bed, thinking about Adrien. What was it he had wanted to tell her? Oh well it can't have mattered, besides she was just happy that Adrien was happy now his mother was back. She hadn't heard at all from him since then but guessed he must be ok.
It seemed strange, ever since the return of Emilie everywhere seemed to have a lighter mood, more sunshine and just a bit of a glow. Hawkmoth hadn't akumatized anyone lately either which was strange. Marinette decided though that she better talk to Chatnoir about it, so arranged to meet him in the evening.
Marinette looked at her drawing. There was the woman with golden blonde hair holding on tightly to her son.
She sighed with happiness then flipped the next page and began to sketch out a long white dress that she thought she could imagine Emilie Agreste wear. She even added a few feather round the edges of the paper to give it a bit of a dreamy look.
Adrien Agreste sat with his family at the dinner table. For the first time in ages he wasn't sat alone eating his food, his parents sat with him and they laughed and talked. It was the first time he had seen his dad smile in years. Natalie came into the room and looked at them all. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't even see her.
"Cough, cough"
Each blond head lifted up as the family looked over to where she stood.
"Excuse me Mr Argeste, but I would like to hand in my resignation please"
"Natalie, you're leaving?"
"Well, I think it's for the best. You all seem cosy here and I wouldn't want to get in the way. I'll leave tomorrow if that's ok?"
"Umm yes if that's what you wish"
Natalie walked out the room
"Well I wasn't expecting that"
The stars shone as ladybug flew up to a nearby roof top and stood in wait for Chat noir. She waited. And waited. It eventually got so late that she had to leave, but although on the outside she looked ok on the inside her heart was breaking, why hadn't he shown up?
She landed but lost her balance as her mind was only on Chatnoir. She was about to hit to floor when someone caught her, their green eyes staring at her.
Behind as saw Emilie and Gabriel. They were linked arm in arm and had an ice cream that they were sharing, probably from André the ice cream man.
On the floor was an ice cream that ladybug guessed was Adrien's, and he must've dropped it when he saved her.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you drop your ice cream"
"Don't worry about it"
They both stood awkwardly and blushed.
Then Emilie spoke. " I hear whilst I was away you and Chatnoir have been protecting Paris?"
"Ummm yes we have. We've been fighting against Hawkmoth, the person who wants to steal our miraculous, but I can assure you miss that we will not give in."
"That's good to hear, and what about Chatnoir?"
"Oh, I was actually going to meet him just now but, he didn't show up" ladybug sighed.
"Oh my poor dear, you look heart broken! He didn't show up, and now you are upset! I'm sorry"
"No it's ok, I'm sure he had other things on his mind, I'm fine really"
"Wait" said Adrien, " do you like Chatnoir? I thought what people said about you two being together was just fake?!"
"Oh no we're not together. I - I just wanted to talk with him about something."
"Don't worry dear, you needn't pretend with us, we can keep your secret can't we?"
"Ok. Maybe I like him a bit but well it's complicated."
"How so?
"Well, I like Chatnoir a lot. But I also like this other boy too, and I'm torn between what to do."
Suddenly Gabriel who had been quiet laughed. Then Emilie smiled.
"Mum, Dad? What's funny?"
"Nothing really. Just the thing about being in love with two people, it is possible you know."
"Yes, most likely the people are one in the same" Gabriel glanced at Emilie and then they laughed again.
Adrien just stood looking puzzled
"You see Adrien when we were young, your father fell in love with me twice. It was a bit of a misunderstanding but it worked out well in the end"
Ladybug suddenly felt uncomfortable. She looked at Adrien, who was starting to turn bright red.
She looked at him. Then realised. It all made sense. The dead mother. The green eyes. The blonde hair. The allergy to feathers.
Everything flashed before her. How could she have been so blind. No wonder Chatnoir didn't show up, he was busy with his family, his mother who had miraculously returned from the dead.
