CHAPTER 4

After eating snacks and playing a few games at Alya's house, Marinette headed home with the others. She had suddenly been struck with a bout of inspiration, and she wanted to work on it while the idea was still fresh in her mind.

Changing quickly into shorts and a comfy T-shirt, she grabbed her sketchbook and started doodling a rough sketch of the gift. Having done that, she switched on her desktop computer and quickly downloaded some pictures. She then printed them and started working on her gift.

She hoped Chat would like it.


After about an hour or so, Marinette had finished the gift. She smiled and held it out to Tikki, stretching her arms. "Tikki, what do you think of it?"

Tikki flew up and inspected the gift. "This is beautiful, Marinette! Chat Noir's going to love it! I knew that you could do it!"

"Thanks, Tikki." Marinette smiled affectionately at her kwami. "To be honest, Alya's video inspired me. I just knew what I had to do. I'm so glad I didn't decide to gift him a store-bought present."

"Me too, Marinette." Tikki smiled. "The anniversary is on Tuesday, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. I'm going to give it to him after patrol. I'll have to figure a way to carry the present while I'm Ladybug. Don't want it to get spoilt or lost."

"You're right." Tikki said. "What are you going to do now?"

"Hmm, I'll go down to help with the bakery, then do my homework. What will you do?"

"I think I'll rest for a little bit. I'm feeling a bit sleepy."

"Okay, but stay out of sight."

"Got it."

Planting a kiss on her kwami's cheek, Marinette shut the hatch of her loft-room and went downstairs. Tikki didn't know it, but she was also going to receive a present. After all, she was one of the main reasons why Marinette could become Ladybug, so of course she deserved a gift. Technically, she had been with Marinette longer than Chat. It was the anniversary of her and Tikki's meeting as well, not just Ladybug and Chat's.

Marinette really appreciated the sweet kwami and sometimes wondered what she'd have done without her. Well, she'd have been one heck of a lonely person, that's for sure. Tikki had become her closest companion, friend and advisor, and she held a very important place in Marinette's affections.

Entering the kitchen, she took out a bunch of freshly-made cookies and chocolates from the jar that was for home use, and put them on a plate. Taking a sheet of clear cellophane plastic, she drew hearts and delicate designs of ladybugs on it using red and black markers. Wrapping the plastic around the cookies, she added a small red card that said: "To my dearest and sweetest friend. I love you. Thanks for always putting up with me." Finally, sealing it inside the bag with the cookies, she tied the bag with a red ribbon in a beautiful bow. Satisfied with her work, she stepped back and looked at the gift, wiping off some beads of sweat.

Her mother entered the kitchen, cheerfully humming a tune. "Ah, Marinette, dear, could you help me with- Oh my, a present? Is that for Alya?"

Marinette giggled nervously, voice slightly high-pitched. "Yeah, for Alya!"

Sabine frowned, perplexed. "Wasn't her birthday two months back, though?"

Whoops. Marinette had to think of an excuse for giving her best friend gifts randomly. "Um, yeah, but this isn't a birthday gift, it's um…an appreciation gift! She's been helping me, um, with….. er, physics!"

Marinette knew her lying skills were the worst, but her mother seemed to buy it. "Oh, that's so nice of you, sweetie! I'm sure she'll appreciate it!"

"Haha, yeah…. She sure will…" Marinette mumbled. She hated lying to her parents and her friends about her superhero identity, but she knew that it was for theirs as well as Paris' safety.

Marinette skipped up to her room after helping out at the bakery, nearly tripping on the stairs but fortunately, managing not to drop the cookies. She tip-toed into the room, not wanting to wake Tikki and ruin the surprise she had planned for her. She looked around, and spotted Tikki, peacefully sleeping on her pillow. Smiling, she placed the cookie bag into a drawer and locked it shut.

She couldn't wait for Tuesday.