A/N: So it's been literally years since I've written fan ficiton...like almost a decade. So please forgive me if this is awful, but I've been captured by the fandom and the story won't leave me alone. My husband has a family similar to Adrien's so I couldn't help but relate.
Adrien smiled at Marinette and her Uncle Cheng as they stood for photographs. He was happy to be able to help his friend. The day was even better because he was able to spend it with Ladybug. After the photographers were finished, and many 'thank you's were said, the three piled into Adrien's car. The back seat was a bit cramped, but at least Chef Cheng didn't sit in the middle this time. In the middle for this ride was Marinette. She blushed furiously as they hit a bump in the road and she fell toward Adrien's chest. "Sorry!" she piped.
"It's ok" Adrien said. As she sat back upright Adrien caught the smell of vanilla sugar. It must be nice living in a bakery he thought. Chef Cheng didn't seem to notice either of them. He was busy staring dreamily out of the car window, holding tightly to his Top Chef trophy. Within a few minutes they were back at Marinette's house.
They all piled out the back of the car and walked into the back of the Bakery. "Mom! Papa! We're home! Uncle won!" Marinette shouted. Her parents came bustling from through the door that lead to the Bakery.
"That is terrific Uncle Cheng!" Marinetti's mother said giving her uncle a warm hug around his belly.
"Did you doubt him?" Marinetti's father asked with a smile. He clapped Uncle Cheng on the shoulder, "I knew no one else stood a chance!" The three Dupain-Chengs wrapped the large chef in a group hug. Adrien watched the scene from afar, a pang of grief shooting through his chest. I wish my family was like this, he thought. He shivered at thinking about going back to his lonely room after seeing a display like this. Sabine Cheng happened to glance up at this time and saw Adrien's pained face.
"Adrien!" Sabine said, breaking the hug and walking toward him. "Why didn't you tell me that you could speak Mandarin the last time you were here?! Thank you so much for helping out my little Mari."
Adrien blushed, "Well it was really no trouble! I hardly ever get to use my Mandarin anyway so it's always nice to have a chance to talk to a native speaker."
Sabine grinned brightly, "Well I would love to have someone around to speak with, I've tried to get Marinette to pick it up, but she doesn't seem to have much interest in learning. You should come to dinner tomorrow night!"
"Oh!" Adrien said surprised, "I don't know if I could impose of you like that…"
"Nonsense!" Tom Cheng piped in. "Food is the only appropriate way to really thank someone and we definitely owe you a thank you!"
"Unfortunately for all of us, Uncle will be flying out in the morning so he won't be able to cook dinner-" Sabine started
"But!" Tom interrupted, "The amazing cooking skills run in the family. Sabine's dumplings are out of the park. So what do you say?"
Adrien smiled warmly, "What time is dinner?"
"Dinner starts at 8. I hope that isn't too late for you, but we don't close the bakery until 6 and it takes a bit of clean up before we're ready to cook dinner." Sabine stated.
"Eight is perfect" Adrien said as he headed for the door. "Thank you for the invitation" he said as he opened the door. Before closing it, he looked behind him. "I'll see you tomorrow Marinette!"
During this entire exchange Marinette's eyes grew larger and larger. Her parents had invited Adrien to dinner! Adrien! Perfect amazing beautiful Adrien! She could hardly believe it. On top of all of it, he's specifically said good bye to her! She felt ready to faint. This could definitely be the start of something good.