Paris' New Hope

Chapter 28: Marcus' 15th Surprise

2 weeks had passed and Marcus is feeling a little depressed: It is his 15th tomorrow and, although he told his friends about it, he isn't sure they would come over to his place for the party. He was constantly assured his birthday will be awesome, but they don't know the half of it: Every time his birthday arrived, his father was stuck at work and his mother was left to arrange everything for the party; when his father did return, however, the party has already ended and a young Marcus is already asleep in his bed. Last year, he heard his parents argued because his dad was never present at ANY of his parties and his father stormed off, reducing her to tears.

At lunch break, Marcus wasn't in the cafeteria, much to the concern of Marinette and Adrien especially, which the latter viewed him as a brother he always wanted. Nino and Alya sat on the opposite end of the table and inquired what the problem was, which Marinette and Adrien replied in unison "Marcus." Nino and Alya nodded, before they looked at each other and Nino said "I saw him going to the court with a Basketball… he looked very tense about something and his birthday is tomorrow." Adrien stopped eating his lunch and puts it on the tray before getting up and headed outside, not stopping to explain where he's going.

Marinette shook her head slightly with a small smirk on her face, as Alya and Nino watched Adrien leave the Cafeteria in surprise before they turned back to Marinette and Nino asked "What's up with Adrien?" Marinette made an amusing snort before replying "Well, Adrien and Marcus hangs out from time to time, much like you are, Nino, but the latter is like a brother Adrien always wanted. In fact, Mr Agreste actually approves of Marcus' Birthday Gift to Adrien: It consists of a Black Fedora with a white ribbon wrapped around it, a white shirt with a black bowtie, a black jacket, a black vinyl handbag, navy blue jeans, pure white socks and black loafers." Both Alya and Nino pursed their lips and gave a thought before the latter expressed "Oh that is a GOOD choice… Still, it's his birthday tomorrow; his 15th birthday to be exact." Marinette made a shrug before noting "I know… *sigh* I hope Adrien can talk with him."

Meanwhile, Marcus is practising some hoop shots in the basketball court, highly tense because he has an inkling his father won't even show up tomorrow, to the point he threw the ball hard into the chain-link fence. He then went over to his bag and sat gloomly with his head facing the pavement, before tearing up with his hands clenched and gritting his teeth. Tekla then popped out the digital watch and tried to ease Marcus down, when she heard someone coming and flew back into the watch. Marcus then heard the gate open and closed and assumed it was the P.E. Teacher before saying "*sighs* Am I being sent to detention, sir?" A familiar voice then replied "Somehow Marcus, I doubt it."

Marcus opened his eyes and loosened his hands and teeth and looked up to see Adrien looking at him in a gentle expression. Marcus felt calmer whenever Adrien, Marinette or Tekla is near him, yet he still felt tense for tomorrow. Adrien then asked in concern "What's wrong, Marcus? I thought having your 15th would make you happy." Marcus then replied, wanting to admit Adrien something since the latter's birthday "It's not the party I'm tensed about… it's my father." Adrien sighed at that remark and replied "I know how THAT is… believe me, I know."

Marcus nodded, not changing his expression, before Adrien lets Marcus carry on and the latter said "Every birthday, even my very first, my father is stuck at work while my mom and I are at the party and when he returns, I'm already asleep in bed. Last year, my mom and dad had a row on my 14th and he left us, reducing my mom to tears." Adrien is stunned and said "I… didn't realise, Marcus…" Marcus shrugged and continued "He didn't even send a letter of apology to mom… I just doubt he would come to my 15th, Adrien. In fact, I don't even think there would even BE a party… *sighs* sorry, It's just my mother's death is still lingering in my mind."

Adrien patted Marcus on the back with a gentle smile and replied "Well, I certainly don't want to see you down on our 15th… Tell you what, how about I consult with my mother on making a party for you?" Marcus turned his head to Adrien and made a small smile before replying "That's very kind of you, Adrien; I appreciate the thought, man." They then made a fist bump and went back into the school to their English Studies class.

Later that day, Marcus peered through the photo album yet again in the living area, when Tekla in her Human Form sat next to him and rested her head on his shoulder as she looked at the photos with her love. As Marcus was about to turn the page, his phone's ringtone began playing and he laid the album on the coffee table before grabbing his phone and had a call from Adrien's cell. He then said to Tekla "It's Adrien, Tech." Tekla then shrugged with a cute smile and Marcus answered the phone before saying "Hello?"

Adrien then said on his phone "Hey Marcus, I talked with my mom and explained to her what you told me…" Marcus noticed the unease in Adrien's voice and said "She didn't agree?" Adrien then replied "Actually, I was going to say she wants to consult with you, with me and dad over the phone…" Marcus then asked "How on earth is she supposed to do that… Oh… you're doing speaker phone, right?" Adrien then replied awkwardly "Yeah… I am…" Marcus heaved a sigh before saying "Proceed…"

He heard Adrien's phone being passed over before he heard Mrs. Agreste's voice "Hi Marcus, Adrien told me everything at lunch time…" Marcus rubbed the back of his neck uneasily and said "Yeah… you don't have to make me a birthday party, Ma'am." Mrs. Agreste then replied "I'm aware of that, Marcus, but I WANT to… I saw those photos of your family and witnessed your reaction when you read your mother's letter; it may not be much, but I knew in an instant that I met a kind-hearted boy who had a loving mother. If anything, you're… you're like a son to me and my family."

Marcus felt flattered by that and said "That's really kind of you to say, Mrs. Agreste. The past week, you and your family are the one I wished I had… If you want to set me up a birthday party, that would be very kind of you to do. Thank you." Marcus couldn't see it, but Mrs. Agreste is tearing up in joy of the other end and Gabriel Agreste then said "We'll set up your party, Marcus. Just try to have a good day tomorrow." Marcus then nodded and replied "I'll try Mr Agreste… and thank you, sir. Goodbye."

Marcus ended the call and slumped on the couch, smiling because the Agreste's are willing to host his birthday party, which caught the attention of Tekla and she asked curiously "Why are you smiling, Marky?" Marcus looked at Tekla and replied "I'm having the party after all… The Agreste's are hosting my birthday party, even though they don't have to." Tekla then shuffled over to Marcus and rested her head on his shoulder before noting "Marcus… You've been formal and polite to Adrien and his father, even if they didn't request it. You saved Mrs. Agreste from that monster, at risk of your own life, and waited by Gabriel's side until she was healed. Even though you realised deductively that Gabriel was Hawkmoth, you kept quiet about it. You deserve to have a good birthday… even if your father isn't around."

Marcus smiled at Tekla, despite her bringing up his father, and replied "Well, I'd still be happy for my birthday, even if my father isn't around, because I have got an amazing present already." He then smiled sweetly at Tekla when he finished his sentence and the latter clasped her hands over her chest with a heavy blush and a heartfelt smile. Tekla then looked down and replied "Well… I happen to have a present for you already…"

Tekla looked back up, still blushing deeply with a broad smile and glistening eyes; Marcus widened his eyes with a blush and blinked twice before he looked endearingly at Tekla and they leaned in to kiss passionately, caressing each other's cheek as they kissed more deeply with rosy cheeks. They then stopped kissing and retracted their heads a little to look at one another, before Tekla said softly "That was half of it, my lovely knight…" Marcus went blank for a brief moment, before smiling a little with a deep blush; he was then led by Tekla, her pale skinned hand holding gently onto Marcus' hand, over to the bed and they lied onto it, looking at each other endearingly before Tekla said softly "Honey…" Marcus then replied in the same tone "Techie…"

They then softly headbutt each other with their eyes closed and soft smiles before opening their eyes and looking at each other glisteningly before pecking each other in the lips before wrapping their arms around their partner's neck and kissed passionately. They then broke off the kiss for a moment to look at each other in deep infatuation before nuzzling their noses and Marcus said "Best birthday gift of my life… from the best girl I've always dreamed of." Tekla giggled cutely with a deep blush before they returned to making out, enjoying their romantic embrace.

When the morning came, Marcus woke up drowsily to see Tekla, still in her human form, resting her forehead on his chest with a sincere smile. Marcus smiled sweetly and stroked Tekla's head gently, making her head shift a little and smile a little wider, making Marcus chuckle softly before getting a text on his phone, which is in the living area. He then slowly got out of the bed and sneaked over to his phone and saw he was texted by Mrs. Agreste, who messaged him that she, along with Gabriel, will pick up the party supplies for his 15th and wishes him a happy birthday. Marcus smiled, appreciated that Mrs. Agreste is true to her word, before texting her back "Thank you again for setting up my 15th, Ma'am. Adrien is lucky to have a loving mother like you."

Marcus had the distinct feeling that Mrs. Agreste is feeling flattered from that message, when he heard Tekla shifting in the bed and turned to see her waking up and looking at him dreamily, saying softly "Morning, Marky. Happy birthday, my angelic knight." Marcus smiled softly as he looked at Tekla lying on the bed, before he went back to the bed and sat on the edge, as Tekla rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist with a broad and embracing smile.

Marcus then turned his head to Tekla's head and pecked her forehead, making her blush deeply and hum gently, before Marcus rested his head on Tekla's and closed his eyes endearingly with a gentle smile. They held their tender moment for 5 minutes before Marcus stood up and told Tekla he's going to take a shower, making the latter make a flirty meow before he went inside the bathroom, taking his clothing and towel under his arm with him.

A few hours later, Marcus is dressed up for his party and is just applying deodorant when there was knocking at the front door and he shouted "Come in!" He heard the door open and 7 pairs of footsteps entering the warehouse as he was just combing his hair, when Tekla said "Hello, guys! It's so kind of you to come for Marcus' 15th." Marcus then heard Marinette's voice replying "Of course we came; he's such a dear friend to us, so we got him some great gifts. Where is he, by the way?" Marcus got out of the bathroom and saw Marinette, Adrien, Tom, Sabine, Gabriel, Beatrice and Master Fu in their formal clothing and said "Hi there, so glad you could come over; thank you so much for the decorations, by the way, Mr and Mrs Agreste."

Both Gabriel and Beatrice made a curtly nod with a gentle smile at Marcus, before the latter noticed them carrying gifts and, in Gabriel and Beatrice's case, party decorations. There was a few moments of awkward silence, before Gabriel said "I must say Marcus, you outfitted the warehouse with comforting furnishings. I imagined it was just a scrapped wreck when you first saw it and now… it's looking pretty nice." Marcus nodded twice with his eyes closed before replying "It was pretty much a big mess when I first saw it, actually. After some effort, with help from Techie of course, it's been cleaned, repaired and renovated to make it homely."

Gabriel pursed his lips and nodded before he and the others placed the presents in the living area, when Tom asked "Marcus? Is this the kitchen area?" Marcus turned around and saw Tom examining the kitchen area: The counters were replaced with a white based-black top tone, the sink is a stainless steel with a dishwasher directly below it, the pantry and wall-mounted cupboards are oaken wood with glass panes, the stove between the fridge and sink is replaced with touch technology, the oven is outfitted with blue heat veins on the top, sides and bottom of the interior and the fridge is a pure-white colour, with notes pinned on the doors with magnets.

Mrs Agreste noticed the media player next to the PS4 Pro and asked "Marcus… how did you get this?" Marcus noticed the media player and replied "Ah… It's a media player I won from Kids+ TV; It's compatible with phones, various touch tablets, even digital watches." Mrs Agreste nodded with interest, before standing up straight and said "Well, I think I'll make your birthday cake, Marcus." Marcus looked away, deeply flattered "You don't have to…" Mrs. Agreste smile contently and said "I insist… you're the birthday boy, after all."

Marcus smiled sweetly, before hugging Mrs. Agreste with his eyes closed and said "You're really kind, Mrs. Agreste. Thank you so much." Beatrice then lowered herself to hug Marcus and patted his back as she replied "It's no problem at all, you poor boy." They then broke off the hug and Beatrice went into the kitchen and got out the ingredients for the birthday cake, when Duusu poked out of her blouse pocket and whispered "You do realise he isn't your son, right?" Beatrice then whispered back "Yes, I do. But his father isn't around and he recently lost his mother, so he needs some form of comfort. Besides, if he doesn't show up for his son's 15th, I'm more than willing to take him into the family."

Duusu shook her head neutrally before rescinding back into the pocket, when Gabriel went over to Beatrice and asked "Honey, I've been thinking… if his father DOES show up, I want to question him on where he's been. Marcus deserves to know and frankly, so do I." Beatrice nodded with her lips pursed as she makes the cake base and replied "So do I, Gabriel. He might not be in our family, but the kindness that Marcus is expressing towards our family, I will care for him like he was our own child."

Half-an-hour later, the party guests had come to celebrate Marcus' B'Day, even Chloe who is pleased that Marcus gave her another chance at interaction and the latter is surprised that she isn't disturbed that Marinette and Adrien are pecking contently. Marcus is grateful that his classmates came for his party, even Chloe's father came, pleased that Chloe made a friend from Marcus. It was minutes before Mrs. Agreste unveils the cake, when there was knocking at the door and Marcus, enjoying the atmosphere, went over to answer the door, when his smile shifted into surprise and said softly "Dad?"