Stepping into the car on Monday morning with Marinette, Adrien thought back to the events of the past week. After everything was said and done, he had received closure. Finally, knowing what had happened, he could move on and adapt to their new normal.
Although Adrien had come to believe that his mother had passed away years ago, the service for her funeral understandably hit him hard. The letter she had written him, provided great comfort during such a difficult time, it would be something he would keep close to him throughout the remainder of his life. He had not shared with anyone what she had said, like the others, she wanted there to be personal words between each of the recipients, that were their's and their's alone. None of them had pried.
Marinette had held him during the entire time he read his letter, as she read hers too. She had been given two letters, one for herself and one for Chloé. During the brief time Emilie had spent with the teenagers, she had come to see what amazing people they were becoming. Words of love and praise had been written in every single letter, along with a token for each of them.
Nathalie had been given a picture from their university days, one which Nathalie did not know existed. It was the day they had first met, instantly knowing they would be inseparable. Underneath the picture, lay a dried pink tulip, symbolising their friendship which they both valued so very highly. Chloé was given a pressed pink carnation in a platinum frame, symbolising the love she had for her like the daughter she never had. A locket accompanied the flower, containing a picture of Chloé and Emilie from when Chloé was a child, a memory, like many of Emilie, that Chloé would hold dear to her forever.
Marinette received two pressed flowers in a frame matching Chloé's, a gladiolus to represent her honour, conviction and strength of character, alongside white heather for protection through her life. Emilie had also gifted Marinette her mother's pearls, asking her wear them on her wedding day, as she and her mother had done before her. With the request that Marinette would pass them down to her daughter to do the same.
Adrien was given several personal items belonging to his mother. Her diary, which she kept during his childhood, detailing how happy she was and how much her love for him grew every single day. Within the diary were pictures, moments in time spent as a family that not even Gabriel knew were there. She gave him her engagement ring, to give to Marinette when the time was right, as she knew they would always be by each other's side. Her Grandfathers pocket watch, which Gabriel wore on their wedding day, as did her father before him, to make sure he would not be late to marry Marinette. Lastly, the pressed flower she gave him was lavender, pressed at the front of her diary. The inscription next to it read:
'To show the happiness you brought into my life, the love that we have for each other, the devotion I have to you and the peace that I have knowing who you have become.'
Gabriel did not need her trinkets, he had her love eternally. However, within the letter she gave to her husband, was a note he had written to her on their wedding day, a note he had thought was long gone. Along with the note, was a thornless red rose, with a forget-me-not wrapped around it, emulating the words of love, for now and forever, which he had written to her many years ago. Gabriel was happy with how the service had been conducted, he found it tasteful and appropriate for his wife, the love of his life. There was only one person who had a bad word to say to him, Amelie.
Her words were scathing but fleeting, as she came only to the service, before heading back to London. Even after everything, she was still adamant on retrieving the ring on Gabriel's finger. He had been wary after the first one being taken, and had worn it on a chain, hidden around his neck until Amelie and Felix had departed. It was something Emilie had instructed him to do.
Adrien saw his friends at the funeral, but paid little to no attention to them. Overwhelmed by it all, he retired early with Marinette, one of the only people to understand what had actually happened. Chloé had done her bit by answering questions on his behalf, while Kim had kept the majority of people at arms length. It would appear that although the people surrounding the model meant well, they were unable to take the hint when they had overstepped the line. An action both Adrien and Gabriel were truly grateful for.
The family were exhausted after the service, and planned on having a day to themselves on the Sunday before going back to their new normal on Monday.
"How are you feeling Kitty?" Marinette asked, as she squeezed his hand while they rode in the family car on their way to school.
"I'm better," he looked at their combined hands, bringing hers up to his lips and holding it there for a moment. "I couldn't have done any of this without you." He kissed her knuckles before she placed her hand on his face. Adrien nuzzled into it, relishing any contact they had between them.
She sighed heavily, "we don't need to go to in today if you're not up to it." Marinette looked to him with understanding, "we can catch up-"
"No," he halfheartedly smiled at her, "we need to get back to life."
They shared a warm, understanding smile of comfort as the car came to a stop, signalling their arrival at the school. Marinette slid across the back seat, bringing her flush to his side. She looked up into his tired eyes, "you sure you're ready Adrien?"
He nuzzled his face into her hair as he pulled her into the crook of his neck, "with you by my side, I'm ready for anything."
Kim, Chloé and Ivan were stood on the steps waiting for Adrien and Marinette. As a group, they had decided not to crowd Adrien, and with Chloé fending off questions on Saturday, she had made it perfectly clear, that the pair were not to be treated any differently. She knew exactly what had happened, the beautiful locket hanging around her neck was a reminder of that.
"Alya has text, everything is setup inside." Ivan told them as he looked at his phone.
"Good," Chloé replied, "when they get here I'll text Kagami."
"Is she bringing-"
Chloé shushed Kim as the car pulled up with Adrien and Marinette inside. "Yes," Chloé whispered to Kim and Ivan, before they were joined by the couple.
"Business as usual," Ivan nodded at them.
"Thank you Ivan," Adrien smiled as he put his arm around Marinette's shoulders. "Shall we?"
As the five students scaled the steps, two of them were unaware of the surprise which Miss Bustier and the class had planned for them that morning.
"I have spoken to Adrien and Marinette this weekend," Lila told Sabrina and Alix in a solemn tone. "I have reassured them that are no hard feelings, and we can start a fresh."
Alix was leaning on her hand, positively fed up with Lila and her lies. The facade was almost over, her and Sabrina only needed to keep her sweet for a few minutes longer. "That's nice."
"Hmm," was all Sabrina had to say on the matter, causing Lila to look questionably at the the two of them.
"Is everything alright? I've just told you that I have made peace with the devil herself, and all you have to say is 'that's nice'?!"
At that moment, Ivan, Kim, Adrien and Marinette walked into the class. The classroom chatter died down, and they took their seats. Chloé came in a moment after followed by a broadly smiling Miss Bustier. Chloé shot a smug look at Lila, seemingly unable to keep up with the pretence any longer.
Lila felt a strange feeling wash over her, as the classroom atmosphere changed. The air was charged, and she could not work out why. Why had Alix and Sabrina failed to gush at what a wonderful person she was? Why had Alya practically ignored her for the first time ever? Lila was seeing the amused look on the others' faces, a shared joke perhaps, that she was not in on.
"Miss Bustier," Lila raised her hand, "may I use the bathroom please?"
Miss Bustier did not even look over as she pulled down the projector screen. "No."
"But Miss Bust-"
"Lila," Miss Bustier turned around to face the brunette, a stern look on her face, as she hid her annoyance with the girl. "Class started less than five minutes ago, if you were not needing it before class, you can most certainly wait until after class has finished." Miss Bustier turned back around to switch on the projector and plug the cables into place. Lila was annoyed, while the rest of the class stifled their reactions.
"Now we are looking at good deeds that we can do within the community, as part of our charity work-"
"Oh Miss Bustier?"
'She's took the bait' Chloé smirked to herself, as all eyes were resting on Lila.
"Yes Lila," Miss Bustier, who faced her class, was hiding her joy at Lila walking into the trap with feigned disapproval at the interruption.
Lila became confident in her execution, this was a lie she had spun plenty of times. "I have several charities which I have set up, as you all know-"
"Let me guess," Alya interrupted her, causing Lila to look dumbfounded at her friend. "With Prince Ali?"
"Well, yes-"
"Fantastic Lila!" Miss Bustier exclaimed excitedly, "you can call him now, his office is expecting us to contact him this morning."
"But Miss Bustier he's-"
"Busy in Africa? Sailing the seven seas? Or do you simply not have his number?" Lila failed to compose a sentence, somewhat resembling a fish, before Miss Bustier continued. "Not to worry Lila," Miss Bustier looked up at Rose, "would you do the honours please?"
Rose smiled kindly at Miss Bustier, "of course!" She squeaked.
Rose made her way down to the front of the class and opened up the conference call which had already been established with Prince Ali.
"Good morning my flower," he greeted her through the computer which was showing on the screen at the front of the class. He was in front of a neutral background, wearing his traditional attire. "How are you on this fine morning."
"I'm fine thank you Prince Ali," she squeaked back excitedly, "how are you?"
"I am very well thank you Rose, please, I have asked you to call me Ali, we are great friends are we not?"
"Of course Ali!"
"Now, I hear your class is carrying out good deeds, is that correct?" He addressed the class, as Rose looked proudly at her peers, before heading back to her seat. Juleka and Nathaniel winked at the blonde, as Alya discreetly got out her phone.
"That is correct your highness," Miss Bustier smiled at him, "I believe you have a friend there with you to help us with this project too!"
Prince Ali looked genuinely happy, as he looked to his friend off screen, "I do!" He gestured for the person to join him.
Marinette passed a note to Adrien under the table. The way Miss Bustier and Alya had both been off with Lila had her thinking something was awry.
I think people have finally cottoned on to Lila and her lies.
He nodded at her note, and slipped his arm around her waist. He whispered into her ear, "they always get found out in the end," and kissed her temple affectionately. Chloé turned around and gave them both a knowing smirk.
'Just keep listening,' Chloé mouthed to them before turning back to face the front of the class. A mischievous gleam in her bright blue eyes.
Marinette, like the rest of the class, watched as Prince Ali brought a familiar purple haired rocker on screen. Jagged Stone was now visible on screen, as he threw his arm clumsily around Prince Ali. Some of students were keeping a close eye on Lila, as her face paled at the appearance of the rock star.
"Alright guys! How's it hangin'?" He smiled enthusiastically to the camera, "are we gonna rock this good deed thin' or what!" He threw up his free hand to emphasise his point, bringing Prince Ali to unsurely follow suit.
"Yep!"
"C'mon your majesty!" Jagged Stone encouraged him, "you need a bi' more oomph than tha'!"
Price Ali chuckled as he enthusiastically jumped up, knocking Jagged Stone off balance slightly as they both laughed heartily.
"Mr Stone, would you like to tell the students what the good deed is going to be?" Miss Bustier asked as she let her eyes wander over her class.
"Of course!" He cleared his throat dramatically, "we are going to right a few wrongs." Leaning into the camera he pumped his eyebrows enthusiastically, "it's going to be rock and roooooll!"
"Fantastic!" Miss Bustier beamed around the room, "I am just going to check something with Mr Damocles class, please be respectful of our guests and I will be back shortly."
As soon as the door closed, Lila seized her chance to regain some control over the situation. Turning to face Adrien and Marinette, she schooled her face to show sadness and innocence. 'These idiots won't know what's hit them,' she inwardly sneered.
This was meant to be much longer... but my ever so helpful partner has only had time to proof read this much and two other chapters. One is already up! Be sure to keep an eye out for the next one =).
Lila is going down! I actually hope she has a redemption arc in the show of sorts, but for now, there is no stopping the inevitable! Do you think Alya will have done enough to redeem herself? or has it all been in vain?
Thank you for reading and sticking with the story! Thank you for the comments, follows and faves, it tells me I must be doing something right!
Take it easy
Lady Rhi X
P.S. Myself and the wonderful Miraculous Fanfic Lover have been working on a collaboration, keep an eye out for it on her profile In The Jit Of Time.