20 years later…

Gina didn't get home to the future until late, which lent towards a miserable morning shift at her grandparents' bakery. She felt bad enough dropping Tikki off at 1:00am. She felt worse getting up at 5:00am to help out Gramma and Grandpa, but that was the go-to punishment in the Agreste household. If someone messed up and needed a time-out, Gramma and Grandpa got some extra free labor.

Gina personally didn't mind so much. She loved the bakery, and she loved her grandparents. Also, when dad would accidentally mess something up, Gina thought it was hilarious that mom would send him over. Adrien might have been a world-renowned celebrity, but he still acted like he was on pins and needles around Marinette's parents, which all parties except him found adorable.

Gina was mostly a zombie behind the counter until about 11. She was getting ready to take a break and a nap when Caline Bourgeois wandered in. Gina wasn't too surprised by this, as her teacher often came by for a lunchtime pick-me-up. Also, she was considered family by Gina's mom and dad, and she actually was family for André, so she unfortunately ended up seeing her teacher out of school almost as much as she saw her during.

"Morning, Ms. B," Gina said through a yawn. "What can I get you?"

"Cocoa and some lemon cake, please," Caline said.

Gina filled the cocoa and looked over at her teacher. "Um, sorry again about the tray thing."

Caline waved her off. "There are better ways to handle your aggression, but it was sweet of you to stand up for my grandson. Next time though? Just let me handle it."

Gina blushed and handed Caline her cocoa. "Um, is Gilen doing okay? I usually help him with notes and stuff."

"He's fine," Caline said. "André is filling in for you."

"Oh," Gina said. She fished for the lemon cake in the display case.

Caline watched her for a moment. "That was a pretty layered 'oh'. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah," Gina said. She slid the cake into a bag. "Um, no? I dunno. We, um… Things are a bit weird right now?"

"Oh?" Caline asked.

Gina scooted to the register. "Yeah. Gilen is, um, he's been really understanding about the superhero thing, but I've had to go out more, and I keep cancelling on him, and I think he's getting a little sore about it."

"I can see that," Caline said. "Regardless of the reason, people can get jealous when it comes to spending time together."

"Yeah, I know. It's always been a sticking point between us. Like, back when we started dating, we had some fights about it, but for the most part it's just there. And I can't just… I know mom and dad say to take the high road and to use my words more and to think about my actions but, I'm a little more reactionary than that? I just… If someone needs help, you should help. Even if you get grounded. So, I keep running off, and he keeps getting ditched."

"There are many ways to help. Like the other day? You could have come and gotten me, for instance."

Gina nodded. "And then everyone would have seen André needed his grandmother to solve his problems, and the whole class would have either picked on him or felt bad for him. Instead, they're all talking about me smacking Madeline, and I guarantee she won't pull what she did ever again."

"You gave her a bloody nose. Her parents were ready to press charges."

"That's why mom pointed out that Aunt Chloé would avoid going after Madeline for attacking her son if they left me alone."

Caline sighed and rubbed her head. "I love that girl so much. Gina, as someone who loves you and has watched you grow up? I am begging you to think things through. You've got your mom's smarts, but when it comes to being impulsive, you are your father's daughter. You can't just charge into things blindly. Madeline is going to carry a grudge against you for this."

"So, what else is new?" Gina asked. "She's been bullying me for years. Maybe now she'll back off."

Caline considered the young woman in front of her.

"Gina, do you know how your mom and your Aunt Chloé became friends?"

"Mom gave her a miraculous?"

Caline faltered. "Well, that was part of it. Your mom went out of her way to show Chloé love until it wore her down. She never gave up on her, and eventually Chloé was brave enough to take a chance at friendship."

"But that's mom," Gina said. "And didn't Aunt Chloé have a thing for her back in the day? Some like weird, love-hate crush? Wasn't that part of it?"

Caline blushed and looked off to the side. "That's not exactly the focus of this conversation, dear."

"I mean, that's what Aunt Sabrina says, anyway." Gina said, completely ignoring the look on Caline's face. "She only says it after she's had a glass of wine, but she says it. A lot. Come to think of it, Aunt Sabrina's always kinda cold around mom." Gina finally looked to Caline. "Did they date? Mom and Aunt Chloé, I mean. I feel like this makes more sense if they dated."

"Gina," Caline said, ignoring the question. She cleared her throat. "Please. I'm just asking you to try focusing your aggression in other ways."

"I'm trying, but…" Gina sighed. "I just picked up some night work, and things are tense as it is with Gilen, and according to Aunt Alix, he's supposed to finish up soon, and his mom's getting lonely, and… We just aren't spending any time together and it sucks, and I've been frustrated."

"Could you see him after school? Is your mom okay with that?"

Gina looked off to the side. "We were supposed to hang out last night, but then, um… You know. Grounded."

Caline nodded. "When are you out of the doghouse?"

"Next week?" Gina said, shrugging. "I think? I dunno. Whenever mom stops being mad about it."

Caline thought about what Gina had said. "You said you just picked up some night work?"

Gina nodded. "Yeah. I, um, I'm filling in for mom while she's pregnant."

Caline nearly dropped her cocoa. "Marinette is pregnant?!"

"WHAT?" Sabine shouted. She came charging out of the back. "Why didn't she tell me? Oooh! That little… TOM! TOM, GET DOWN HERE! WE NEED TO CALL MARI!"

Gina panicked as Sabine whipped out her cell. "No! No, she's not! Gramma, wait! I'm… I'm helping while she's pregnant with Emilie in the past! It's, um, time-hero stuff?"

The two older women stared at her for a second before looking at each other.

"Ooooooh," they said at the same time. Sabine put her phone away as Caline nodded to herself.

Caline smiled at Gina. "You know, the whole hitting people thing aside? You're alright, kiddo. That's a big thing to do."

"Yeah, like, really big," Gina grumbled. "You'd think she would've, I dunno, just given Tikki to Aunt Alya or Aunt Jules or, like, anyone else that was nearby, but noooo." She tapped the touchscreen on the register. "You're good to go. No charge."

Caline frowned. "Gina…"

"You heard her," Sabine said. "Feel like grabbing a coffee after work?"

Caline smiled. "I might. Give me a call." She nodded to Gina. "Good luck keeping things balanced, hero. Remember, you're not alone. And remember to think things through."

"Yes, ma'am," Gina said as Caline left.

"You're lucky to have her in your life," Sabine said to Gina. "She's a good person."

"I know," Gina said. "She also suspended me for a week though, so, yeah."

Sabine shot Gina a look. "Quit hitting people and maybe that'll stop."

"I'll consider it," Gina mused as she began wiping down the counters.

Sabine just shook her head and headed towards the back.