Marinette makes her way past the patrons of the cafe and straight to the front desk with her luggage in tow. She taps the bell on the counter, and immediately, a head of unruly brown hair pops out from behind the desk. The gangly teenager regards her quietly as he straightens and fixes his apron.
"May I help you?" he asks with a practiced smile.
"I'd like to see the owners of this fine establishment."
The boy gives her a frown. "They're very busy. Would you like to make an appointment?"
"I didn't know they did appointments," Marinette chuckles. "No, but I won't take long. Will you go and get them, please? Tell them it's Marinette."
"Fine," he says, sighing. "Marinette...?"
"Dupain-Cheng," she answers proudly. The boy jumps in shock upon hearing her name. He mutters his apologies to her before quickly making his way up the stairs. Marinette laughs, amused. As she turns to lean against the counter, she takes in the view. What was once a small bakery has grown into a beautiful cafe. The smell of coffee brewing, the sound of the chattering of patrons, and the serene and gentle atmosphere makes Marinette smile with contentment. This was her parents' dreams, and Marinette shared their happiness.
Hearing footsteps behind her, she turns and finds her mother looking at her with wide, teary eyes. "Ma chère," says Sabine as she holds out her arms. Marinette runs into them and buries her face in her mother's shoulder. A moment later, she feels herself being enveloped in warm and soft arms. With a gentle kiss to the top of her head, Marinette lets herself weep.
The small but loving family hold each other in silence. When they part, Tom Dupain asks, "How are you here? I thought you won't be back till next week."
"I managed to get an early flight," Marinette replies with a wide smile. "I didn't say anything because I wanted to surprise you guys. So, surprise!"
Tom and Sabine laugh, embracing their daughter once more. "We're so happy you're home. You know, we have a surprise for you, but it isn't wrapped yet. We hope you'll still love it, though," says Sabine.
"I love it already!"
"It's in your old room. Go on up first, your father will help with your luggage."
"Oh, maman, Alya got the keys to our apartment today," Marinette says, looking down.
"That's right, it completely slipped my mind," Sabine tells her, looking at her husband with a sad smile. She reaches out and lifts Marinette's chin tenderly with her finger. "Don't worry about it, dear. Moving out is part of growing up. Your father and I will be fine."
"And anyway, your building isn't too far from the cafe. I know you'll visit us often, right?" Tom asks hopefully.
"Yes, papa, everyday," Marinette says, nodding solemnly as she reaches out to hug her parents once more.
"Then we're never too far from one another," Tom murmurs. Pulling away and wiping away his tears, he says, "Now go on. We'll head up in a while."
Marinette nods and makes her way up the stairs. With the bakery having been expanded, the second floor of their house had been transformed into the cafe's kitchen and office. At her insistence, Marinette's room became her parents' sleeping quarters. Her pink walls were painted a deep blue, and her parents' king-sized bed was placed where her table had been. The only thing that remained unchanged was her bed. It was exactly how she had left it, as though if she had ever decided to return, a piece of her sanctuary remained waiting for her.
On top of the desk at a corner of the room, Marinette sees a brand new sewing machine. In a daze, she walks towards it and runs her finger across the top. She smiles to herself, touched at her parents' gesture. Once she was satisfied with looking around, Marinette makes her way up the stairs and heads out into the balcony, which was untouched, too.
She leaned against the railings, looking out at the violet sky. She missed this view and the breeze it brings. Standing here, Marinette felt herself being taken back to her teenage years.
It was several moments later when Sabine finally decided to join her daughter. Yes, Marinette needed space, but Sabine missed her dearly, and didn't want to be away for too long. When she reached the balcony, she leaned against the railings too, half an arm's length away in case it was too soon. It was Marinette who closed the distance between them and broke the silence.
"Everything's so different," she says quietly. "So much has changed. I wonder how much I've changed."
"I'll tell you," Sabine says, turning to look at Marinette with a smile. "You've turned into a beautiful young woman. You are wiser, smarter, and most importantly, kinder than ever before."
"I try to be as how you are, maman."
"Even if you don't, you're exceptional. I'm proud of you, always." The two women embrace each other, bonded by unconditional love. "And I know everything seems different and unfamiliar to you. But that's part of life. The only thing constant about it is change. You just have to be strong enough to navigate its tides. And you, my dear, you are. I know it."
"Thank you, maman." They part and look at each other. Tearing her eyes away after a moment, Marinette looks down at her feet and asks, "But, what if I'm not strong enough?"
Sabine looks at her gravely. "You must try to be strong, no matter what. Otherwise, change will poison you."
A man looks out the window of the moving taxi as it passes through the streets of Paris. When it turns into a familiar street, he straightens up and leans forward in his seat. He tells the driver to stop for a moment when they reach the front gates of a tall and looming building.
"Ah, the abandoned Agreste Mansion. Beautiful, huh?" says the driver to the man. "Too bad about what happened to the family though. Wife disappears, then husband disappears a few years after that. I think they had a son. Heard that boy moved away, never set foot in Paris again. Can't blame him. Tragic, huh?"
The man nods, but remains silent.
"I wonder how long its been," the driver wonders aloud. The man closes his eyes and leans back in his seat.
"Ten years," he whispers.
"Ah, that's right. I guess that boy should be about your age now, huh? I hope he grew up fine. Hope he's moved on, found happiness again."
The man opens his eyes, a brilliant shade of green. He smiles genuinely at the driver. Turning to face the road, he says softly, "Let's go."