A/N

*Awkwardly smiles*

Hi Everyone, how are you all doing?

Okay, okay, I know you're all mad at me for disappearing for almost a whole year. Especially since you must have had a lot of time on your hands to read more chapters and here I was sipping pineapple juice on a beach in Hawaii.

Just kidding, I've never been to Hawaii.

Tbh, lockdown for me meant that I had less time than normal on my hands. Online university is wayy more busy than regular university but I managed to pass both semesters and am officially a second year student.

Apart from uni, this chapter has been really difficult for me because its my first time writing a flashback scene as well as an emotional scene including a very touchy subject. (Consider this a bit of a warning about the content of this chapter.. Its not too intense so don't worry)

Anyway, I'm back now and will start dishing out more chapters ASAP.

Onto my favorite part that I didn't think i would be doing...

REVIEWS

Rosieee- I think that this chapter is around the same length as the previous one but I will definitely start writing more now that I'm back.

Guest- I'm sure that I have really tested your patience by taking almost a year to update. I'm really really sorry about that. This chapter will be shedding more light on Hugo.. I really hope you're not disappointed with what I've done. Honestly, I haven't planned this story at all, I'm just going with the flow but yes I will definitely have a reveal, I just don't know when.

Thank you for the reviews 3.. Oh yes, so this whole chapter is a Flashback and gives you a bit of insight in relation to Hugo and Marinette. Please make sure to leave a review so that I know where I need to improve.

ENJOY!

FOUR YEARS AGO

It had been six months since the defeat of Hawkmoth. Without the occurrence of akuma attacks, Marinette had a lot more free time on her hands. She decided to use her new found free time to work on her designs as well as help out in her parents bakery. As much as she loved spending extra time with her parents, she missed having Tikki around. She knew that there was nothing she could do about it but that didn't stop it from hurting.

"Marinette dear, could you take over the counter for me while I deliver this order?" Tom asked his daughter as he picked up a large box of macaroons.

"Sure thing papa," answered Marinette, dusting flour from her hands.

As she approached the counter, a blonde pregnant woman entered the bakery. She looked to be around average height and had gorgeous hazel eyes. "Hey Marinette! I see you're working the counter today."

"Samantha?," Marinette said with a shock. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home resting?"

" I know, I know but sitting at home and doing nothing is starting to frustrate me." said Samantha.

"But you're almost 9 months pregnant which means you're supposed to be at home." reasoned Marinette. "Anyway, now that you're here, I might as well give you your gift."

"Marinette, you don't need to get me gifts." Samantha said while carefully sitting on a nearby chair.

"I know that you didn't want to have a baby shower because of Jason but that doesn't mean that you can receive gifts." Marinette said, "Besides, inspiration struck and the size of these clothes happened to be fit for a baby."

Samantha's eye filled up with tears. "Marinette, thank you so much for everything. Ever since David passed away, you've never left my side once. I don't think I could have ever survived the last 5 months without you."

"Sam don't be silly, you're my friend and friends always support each other no matter what."

THREE WEEKS LATER

Marinette had been working on her latest commission when her phone rang. She looked at the screen to see Samantha's name. "Hey Sam, what-"

"Marinette, it's me Nino" Nino interrupted Marinette in a panicked tone. "Sam was helping me find a gift for Alya when her water broke and now she's yelling crazy things at me. I'm taking her to the hospital. Can you meet us there?"

"Tell Sam to hang in there and that I'm on my way."

Marinette grabbed her phone and rushed down to her car. The young designer was driving as fast as she could whilst still remaining below the speed limit. Seeing the line of cars in front of her, Marinette quickly slammed on the brakes to avoid any collisions. She realised that she was not going to make it to the hospital on time. She picked up her phone and called her parents.

"Hi Honey, is everything okay?"

"Hey Mom, Sam just went into labour and Nino is taking her to the hospital. I'm on my way there but I'm stuck in traffic so I was wondering if you and Dad could go there since you're closer."

"Of course, we'll head over right away."

Marinette finally made it to the hospital after sitting in traffic for 30 minutes. She quickly rushed into the ward to see her parents, Nino and Alya standing near Sam who was lying in bed with her new-born son in her arms. "Congratulations," whispered Marinette as caressed the infant's tiny head. "He looks just like you."

"He does, doesn't he?" smiled Sam. "But he has David's blue eyes."

A few minutes later, everyone began to head out whilst Marinette stayed back. She could see that Sam had something on her mind but before she could ask, a nurse walked in to take the baby back to the nursery.

"Excuse me, Are you Ms. Dupain-Cheng?" asked the nurse.

"Yes, I am"

"The doctor would like to see you regarding a matter."

"I'll be right back" Marinette told Sam who seemed to have a worried expression on her face.

"Come in," said the doctor after hearing a knock.

"Hi Doctor, my name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

"Oh yes, please have a seat Miss Dupain- Cheng." said the doctor in a polite tone.

"Please, call me Marinette" said Marinette. "Is everything okay?"

"Actually Marinette, I noticed that Sam had put you as her child guardian but left the father's name blank. I was hoping that you could provide me with those details since Samantha is resting."

"Doctor, Sam's husband, David, passed away in a car crash 5 months ago. That is probably why she did not fill in those details." Marinette said.

"Do you know of any family members that I can contact?" asked the doctor.

"Sam's parents died when she was 6 and David's parents died 2-3 years ago. They both have no siblings." Marinette started to worry and hoped that everything was okay. "What is going on doctor?"

The Doctor closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She hated this part of her job. "Marinette, during the baby's birth Sam experienced a few complications which caused her to have internal bleeding. We tried everything we could but it wouldn't stop. She only has a few days left."

Marinette couldn't believe her ears. Her friend had only a few days to live. She rushed back to Sam's ward and hugged the new mother tightly. Despite trying to hold back her tears, Marinette couldn't stop the single drop that rolled down her cheek. The two friends held each other as if it were the last time they would get to do so.

"So I'm guessing Doc told you already," said Samantha.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" asked Marinette.

"There was nothing you could've done to change this situation, Mari," explained Sam. " You know how much David and I wanted to have kids and after the accident, having this baby really meant a lot to me. This baby is the last link I have with David and I didn't want to lose our baby at any cost."

"I wish there was another way."

"Me too honey, me too," Sam reached out to hold Marinette's hand. "Marinette, after I'm gone, I want you to take care of my baby."

Marinette's eyes widened in shock, "Me?"

"I have nobody else besides you Mari, and I know that you would be the perfect mother to Hugo."

"Hugo?"

"I want to keep the baby's name Hugo and I want you to bring him up for me."

Samantha was like a sister to Marinette and if this was Sam's last wish then she would fulfil it.