9.Hospital Stories
Exhaustion lingered deeply within her, deep in her bones and veins and every cell. Marinette was able to be home at 2 in the morning – almost a normal time for a late-night Akuma attack.
But she was unable to fall asleep right away. With her mind circling about her fears, then around Chat's fears and later around his visit. Sometimes questions about Lady Titalee would pop up, awaken her once more, when she had almost fallen asleep, entering this bottomless circle once more.
Tikki would try to calm her as best as she could, talking in a hushed voice to her.
Eventually her nerves calmed again, finding a restless slumber until 6 in the morning, when her alarm went off, waking her for work.
Off course she would have agreed on a much earlier visit with her partner, if she had the time for it. But with her two jobs he day was stuffed to the brim.
Therefore – and since she felt the urge to shower once more, to get the cold sweat off of her – she ate nothing for breakfast, putting on the uniform for job number one and hide her eye bags under about three tons of Make-Up.
Thanks to every godly being out there, that all her colleagues tend to wear more make-up on their faces, than clothes on their body and therefore the restless night was barely recognizable on her features.
Though smiling at every customer was especially hard that day and it seemed to the young woman, that everybody was particularly picky about the clothes she sold in this tiny boutique, that was easily accessible by the métro from her flat.
It was a simple job – she got it with the help of her good fashion sense and because of her helpfulness. The payment was good and came punctual, while the designs were some days inspiring to her.
Thankfully the time went by fast, her shift ending, before she knew it.
Yet, her day wasn't over – she recalled in her mind, as the taxi she had called earlier stopped in front of the hospital and she got out to help her Papa.
"Really, Marinette! I can do it on my own!", Tom calmly complained, when she had walked around the car, opening the door for him on the other side, helping him stand.
"I know, Papa! I am just here, in case your muscles give in, again. You helped me walk, when I was small and now I help you walk, when you are still so big!"
He laughed heartily, though breathlessly in the end, holding with one hand on his crutch, while the other hooked onto the arm of his daughter, who guided him through the sliding door.
"Oh Marinette! Me and your mother are just too happy to have you in our lives. And you really shouldn't do that for me…"
"I am doing this, because I want to…" she honestly said and smiled up to him, while they waited in front of the lift.
And she really meant it – even if she needed to say this each and every time when she went with him to the hospital, when her Maman still had too much work left to do in the bakery. Sometimes the young woman just would come along with both her parents, supporting Sabine, as they waited outside. Other times she would work in the bakery, when her father had one of these appointments.
It was a no brainer for her – after all the things her parents did for her in the past. She wouldn't be the person she was now, if she hadn't Tom and Sabine by her side, to support her every step. And she loved them deeply and needed to return this love in every way possible.
"And every time you say that, you make me proud to have you as my daughter…", Tom said as they entered the lift and Marinette pressed the bottom to get a few floors up, where they would find her father's doctor – some old and wise guy, who seemed to know everything about medicine and who reminded her some days of Master Fu.
"Papa, don't talk so melancholically. Neither of us is dying and I am just making sure, that you reach your appointments without any trouble".
"But you are working, too. Too much, for my taste. But-", he leaned closer to her face, examining it carefully. "-could it be, that you start to take everything less seriously? You used more Make-Up than usual. Could it be, that you are meeting somebody? A boy, perhaps?"
"Papa!", the young woman complained, while two nurses giggled about their cute little father-daughter conversation. "There is nobody I am seeing! Only Alya and the others, if we all find the time. But definitely no boy, man, or anything between!"
She blushed, remembering the last night vividly with Chat Noir and thoughts of Adrien in it.
But… gosh… who was she to blush at the thought of some male human being? She wasn't a teenager anymore!
And yet she sometimes felt younger, when her parents were around – maybe it was even their job to remind her, that she was still her child in their eyes.
… some things would never change – would they?
"I slept badly last night and covered up the circles under my eyes. That's all! And if I was dating some guy, then I would let you know. Would probably stop the teasing about marriage and grandchildren for some time…", she said, when they reached the top floor, walking her Papa out of the moving chamber and over to her right, down the long hallway.
"Stop it? We would only get started then. Once we have a son-in-law we can get started with preparing for the wedding. Do you think he would want to have a strawberry-flavored wedding cake, or a chocolate one?"
"Papa~"
She sat him down in the waiting area, getting something to drink from the water dispenser, rolling her eyes at his cute silliness on the way, smiling slightly.
But the corners of her lips soon dropped, when she noticed, how his hands were shaking when he reached for the cup in her hands, the muscles twitching underneath the skin, bones unable to move for a few seconds.
Some water spilled over her hand, when he was finally able to get a hold on the drink, smiling sadly up to her, but didn't say a word about it.
Marinette dropped to the chair beside him, eyebrows rising with worry.
"It's getting worse?"
"What? What is getting worse? The cramps? The shaking? Oh – everything is normal, my petite-"
"Maman told me, that you were not able to hold the baking tray in your hands because of it. That your dropped it. Just yesterday…"
"Sabine…", Tom sighed, saying his wife's name wistfully and full of sorrow. "You were not supposed to know, Marinette. All is fine! I was just tired! I-I-"
"Papa…Don't pretend, that everything is fine. It's not. We know it. And Maman and I will do everything in our power to help you…"
A memory like a flash hit her – about last night, when she felt so powerless under Dark Banshee's spell.
Her worst fear…
It creeped up to her every time, when they were talking like that – the three of them. When she went with Tom to his appointments.
… when she comforted her crying mother about it, every time trying to stay strong for the three of them. Because – yeah – she was strong. She was Ladybug after all and it was her duty to protect people from harm.
Above all her parents… even when she just couldn't call a Lucky Charm to heal her father and the pain…
It would be easy, if she could…
She had even talked about it with Tikki. Multiple times. About using the One Wish, if she combined her and Chat Noir's Miraculous.
But every time she was warned by the kwami. About the dangers this fusion might bring, about the balance the wish needed. Each time the young woman dropped that rising thought fast, for she feared, that she couldn't handle the consequences.
"Monsieur Dupain?", came a call from their left and Marinette immediately rose to her feet, pulling her Papa up as well." The doctor is waiting for your…"
"You can go now, Marinette. No need to wait for me and-"
"Don't be silly, Papa! I will bring you back to the bakery, as usual!"
"Don't you have to go to work?"
"Starting in 2 hours! Still enough time to change and eat and all. Now go. The doctor is waiting! And tell him about the shaking. And about yesterday. Please~"
Tom sighed, but eventually nodded, patting his daughter's head, before he left her side, walking past the nurse and inside the room.
The door closed behind them and Marinette gulped heavily.
It felt always strange to stay behind. To not know, what would happen with her father, each time hoping, that his condition wasn't getting worse.
But once more she was utterly powerless…
For a mere moment the young woman pressed her eyes shut, concentrating on the tumult within her and the fears, that started to creep up on her. Battling these demons with hope, for that was all, that was left in this very moment.
She got up, unable to breath for the moment, breath shaking.
Marinette hated this feeling, hated it, when it creeped up on her. After all – she wasn't allowed to be weak! Not as Ladybug and not as Marinette.
Her feet brought her back to the lift, down at the end of the corridor and mindlessly she pressed the bottom, shuddered, as the sound of the arriving, moving chamber reached her ears, bringing her back to reality.
Marinette took a deep breath, then went inside, pushing the button to the second floor.
Bringing her father to his appointment wasn't the only task within the hospital walls today.
With shaking hands she reached for the purse by her side, opening it, once she made sure, that she was alone. Smiling down at Tikki, she took a handwritten card from her small friend, closing the lock once more.
When the lift stopped yet again she left immediately, not stopping, not daring to look any doctor or nurse in the eye, walking straight down the corridor, as she usually did.
She almost felt like a criminal – even though there wasn't nothing wrong with her behavior. Sure – to some it might have been a little strange, maybe, but she was not forbidden to be here.
… or entering the room, as she did a few moments later.
There was silence. Mostly – for a monitor in the corner of the room beeped rhythmically and with every even heartbeat that was made.
The room was cold – air-conditioned from the ceiling. The curtains were shut tightly, as were the window blinds behind it. Light shone from the lamp above, giving everything a whitish, artificial shine.
Marinette hated it, when they did that to the small room, that was lacking any form of love and therefore stormed over to the window, pulling the curtains away, opening the blinds in a swift move.
Turned around to the bed, with the motionless figure inside of it.
"Hey… Madame Agreste… Emilie. It's me, Marinette, again…", the young woman said, clutching the card tightly to her chest, before she slid down in the chair by the blonde's side. "As always you may not know me, for we never met, but… I am a friend of your son. Adrien…"
Emilie Agreste was like a painting to the young woman. Her face resting, never moving. Her beauty preserved for all eternity. Not one gray hair was to be seen. Not one crease on her face. She was gorgeous – even after all these years of seemingly endless sleep.
Like Sleeping Beauty in these fairytales… but this beauty can't be helped by her true love's kiss.
Though… Gabriel had admitted to Ladybug, that he had tried, foolishly thinking, that it would have brought his wife back to him… but it hadn't worked and therefore he had turned to the dark side.
Marinette brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear in a strange haste, gulping down the lump in her throat, before she set the card on the empty table beside the bed.
Then she sighed, her blue eyes locking once more on Emilie's features.
"… you know, that I would help you, if I could. I would have done it back then… E-everything would have been fine. Gabriel would have you by his side, as he had always wished. And you would have Adrien and probably his grandchildren. And everything would be fine. Just fine…"
… it would be different, that's for sure. Gabriel wouldn't have become Hawk Moth, Nathalie wouldn't have assisted him as Mayura. Adrien would have grown up with a loving family. And… she wouldn't have become Ladybug, if Paris hadn't been in need for a hero.
But that was all wishful thinking. And the past anyway – it couldn't be changed.
… also she wouldn't want to give Tikki away for anything in the world.
She smiled sadly and dared to reach for the sleeping woman's hand, clutching her cold fingers tightly.
"One day the doctors will find a cure. Or I will… as Ladybug…"
She didn't know, if Emilie could hear her. If she even noticed her presence. The doctors weren't sure either. They made tests, but came up empty handed, letting her rest like that, because that was all they could do.
… and she once overheard a few nurses talking, that Gabriel was able to pay enough money, to make sure, that they took care of his wife. Maybe it had been her sister. Nobody knew.
Marinette had barely seen anybody in this room. Sometimes a doctor. Sometimes a nurse. Somebody bringing a bouquet of flowers, or a card.
Maybe there were other people visiting her, but Marinette didn't know.
That's why it was more important to her, to come here every now and then, to check on Emilie and to talk to her. As Marinette, sometimes even as Ladybug, when she felt like it.
And with all the things currently happening it was even more important to Marinette to visit her – for it was one important duty, that should not be forgotten.
The young woman licked her lips, almost unable to start talking again, but she finally cleared her mind and throat and said:
"Gabriel is missing you dearly, Emilie. He still loves you. So… so much. Even after all these years. You are still his queen and he would give everything to kiss you again. And-"
The door all too suddenly opened, scaring the young woman, who fell shrieking down from the chair, landing with her behind on the cold, hard floor.
She could hear steps, coming hurriedly from the door and somebody walked around the bed and-
"Marinette!"
Green eyes locked in hers the moment Adrien walked around the bed, stopping by the chair, not too far away from her. In his hands he held a huge bouquet of flowers, laying it on the seat, reaching with both hands for hers, to help her up.
But the young woman couldn't answer, she was just too breathless – seeing the very son of Emilie and Gabriel Agreste right in front of her.
All too surprisingly, once more and in two days in a row.
She nonetheless took his hands, blinking, when she stood in front of him, only a few centimeters away.
"Did it hurt? Shall I call the doctor? I-I should have knocked! I wasn't expecting anybody in her room and… did you hit your head? Marinette?"
Gosh… why wasn't her mouth moving? Just one word. She wasn't a teenager anymore, who would blush and rush away with some idiotic babbling. She was grown-up, the crush on Adrien was long gone and she didn't hurt a bone in her body.
But why was she standing there, all stunned and silent and… blushing?
She shook her head, stepped back and smiled nervously at the man before her.
"I am good…", came it finally from her, waving her clumsy fall of with a shrug. "You startled me, that's all. I should be going anyway. I shouldn't be here at all and I certainly didn't want to intrude, or irritate one of you and-"
"It's okay", he merely said and smiled warmly at her. "I am glad, that you are here…"
His eyes went wide, as he noticed his words and chuckled. The sound of it made her giggle as well.
"I mean – it is really awesome, that somebody is here. I wasn't visiting much and I am glad, that somebody else did. You didn't have to…"
That might be right, regarding the fact, that she was just Marinette in his eyes. But as Ladybug she felt a strange pull to this place, towards Emilie. Maybe it was the magic, that caused this state… maybe something else.
Therefore Marinette smiled and folded her hands in front of her.
"I wanted to. That's all…"
A careful glance to the clock revealed the progress in time and she gasped – sitting by Emilie's bed made her forget the time and she needed to get back to her father! He was probably already waiting for her.
"Oh no! I need to get going. Really, Adrien – I am most sorry! I won't be intruding again!"
She left, before he could have answered, rushing past him, through the door and back towards the elevator. Pushing the button multiple times in panic, until the doors slide open.
Tom was already waiting by the door to the doctor's office, blinking in surprise, when his daughter came to a skidding stop right in front of him.
"Why in such a hurry, Marinette? I just left and-"
"I forgot the time! I am most sorry!"
He laughed heartily and shook his head.
"Don't be, Marinette. Don't be sorry for something simple like that. And if you want to be at your workplace in time, you still can-"
"No! No, nonononono! I will bring you home, Papa. It's okay, if I arrive a few minutes later…"
The young woman didn't notice the small crease between her father's bushy eyebrows, when he heard her last comment. And if she didn't, she wouldn't have said something about it.
Family above everything – one thing, that would never change for her.
They walked back outside and the young woman listened carefully to the things her father had to say. About the new medicines he would have to take, about the normality of his current state and about the thought of having to go on a specific diet, that might work for his health.
He laughed about that, knowing, that it would be impossible as a baker to drop his usual behavior to eat all these lovely things, that were right in front of him. But he might try…
Marinette was just hoping, that something would finally help her father. They were fighting for so many years now. Sometimes there had been a progress and things had been almost normal for him. And then there were ten steps back and his health changed for the worst.
It hurt to see her strong father like that, but he kept on fighting and so did she.
"And now about you!", he said sternly, but with a tiny twinkle in his eyes.
"What about me?"
They were standing outside and a taxi was parking in front of them, waiting for them to get inside. But Tom was blocking Marinette's way for her to open the door, to help him inside.
"You shall not come too late for your work!"
"But-"
"Marinette, you do so much for me and your mother everyday. And I am a grown up man – I am able to pay for the taxi on my own. You on the other hand can go back to your flat, change and relax for a few minutes, before you start working, anyway." He sighed and put his free hand on her shoulder. "You are working too much, anyway. Two jobs… And you work in the bakery, when you have the time. Drive with me to the appointments, or help us out, when your mother goes with me. Your barely take a step back to breath. Barely sleep, too… Marinette – we are proud of you. Both of us. Just… take care of your own health, whenever you can. I want a living daughter, not functioning, well-oiled machine. And with these new Akuma-attacks… you just need to be careful…"
"Papa…"
She gulped heavily, lowering her gaze to the floor.
Something in his words stung badly, for her parents knew, why she was working so much.
… to eventually rise her own business one day – and to give some spare money to her parents in times of need. Some of her father's medicines were expensive, after all. The treatments and doctors as well and the insurances weren't covering all of it.
That's the least she could do for the two people she loved.
"…you need some rest… really… I can handle this."
"Okay…", Marinette meekly said and Tom leaned down to press a small kiss on her forehead, which made her smile once more. "But on Saturday I will be working in the bakery! 8 to 12, as usual! I will be there!"
Tom chuckled and patted her head, before he finally turned to open the car door.
"If you really want to and have the time for it!"
"I have! Don't worry – I am young, dynamic and really want to help my parents out, where ever I can."
"…fine… and now off with you and get some minutes of sleep. I want there eyebags to be gone on Saturday!"
"Oui, Papa. And Au Revoir…"
"Au Revoir, Marinette!"
He waved her goodbye and she closed the door – the taxi immediately drove away with her father inside.
For a few moments she watched it, driving past parking cars, speeding up and turning around the corner. And it was gone.
It felt strange to see her father leave without her and yet, deep down she knew, that he might be right. That she needed to rest.
… and that she was working too much…
And-
Her train of thought stopped, when she suddenly felt something wet on her cheek. Then on her arms. Her shoulder… and she looked up to the sky to see dark clouds covering the sun above.
She cursed, stomping back towards the roofed entrance of the hospital, hiding from the summer rain, that has started to come down on Paris.
Immediately she took her phone from her purse, searching for the weather forecast and grumbled under her breath.
Sure… exactly today was the day, where it would rain for a few hours – and she didn't even have an umbrella with her! Heck – wasn't her father noticing it as well, or was he just too worried about her for him to notice anything else?
How was she supposed to get to the métro? A taxi? But then she needed to go out to the rain too! Maybe she could run – but would there be enough time to change, to dry her hair and to put new make-up on?
Could she maybe hide and transform in Ladybug?
When would the rain stop, anyway?
… urgh…
A soft chuckle reached her ears and blinking she turned around, to be face to face with Adrien once more.
"Don't want to get wet feet?", he asked, pointing down to her sandals. "You should have brought yourself a umbrella…"
Her eyes wandered to the black umbrella, that tangled from his arm by its handle and she wondered, if he had one before.
Probably – she surely hasn't noticed it with all the trouble she made in Emilie's room.
"I didn't read the forecast. And I didn't plan to walk anyway…"
"Were you visiting somebody? You know – apart from my mother, of course~"
Some worry echoed within his voice and his eyebrows slowly climbed on his forehead.
She was silent for a moment, not answering right away – she shouldn't tell him about her worries. He wouldn't be interested, would he? They weren't friends anymore. After ten years – should they be considered as acquaintances? Or were they mere foreigners for each other?
And yet destiny decided for them to meet up with each other again.
Also… Adrien was talking so casually with her – as if nothing has changed…
Could she… do the same?
"… my father had an appointment…", she said quietly.
"Oh…"
"Nothing dramatic. Not too bad, I mean. I-I just-" Gosh… was she really stuttering? She was over her crush for him, so she should treat him, like a normal human being, right. She therefore gulped, before she continued: "Some muscles problems. For a few years now. It… at least it hasn't gotten worse for some time…"
"Oh…", he once more said, the corners of his lips dropping even more.
"Oh don't worry! My Papa is strong and he will win this fight! I-I shouldn't have told you that. I am sorry!"
"Don't be sorry, Marinette…", he hurriedly said. "I shouldn't have asked…"
They stared at each other for a few seconds, only breaking eye contact, when a lightning broke through the clouds behind them, thunder roaring through the streets for a few seconds.
He was the first to move again, scratching the back of his neck and smiled down to her.
"I must be acting like an total idiot. Yesterday I hug you, without an warning, today I ask you stupid questions… I am wondering, what will happen by tomorrow… And yet… I am just happy, that I have met somebody, I know. And… it's you… "
"Oh…", came it this time from her lips and she felt her cheeks flushing.
"Sorry – that might have been awkward! I sound like a teenager! But you have to understand, that I am back after so many years and it's like I am a total foreigner to this City. And the people in it. Everything is different and I glad, that I found somebody, who hasn't changed… At least from what I see."
"I think, I know, what you mean… Especially… after everything…"
"Yeah…"
"I didn't intend to embarrass you… Or talk with you about your- Never mind. I suppose, that I am still confused about yesterday and you being Emma's father, that's all…"
"Good – then at least two of us are confused about the whole ordeal". A warm smile reached Adrien's lips once more, before he took the umbrella in his hands and opened it. With his head he gestured under it, standing right beside the young woman, covering her head with it as well. "How about we talk about it, while I walk you to your car?"
"… I don't have one…"
"Next métro station, then? Or we could go to my car? I could drive you to your destination. And while we walk, we could talk… You know… for old times sake? If you want to, of course!"
"You don't have to do that for me…"
"I want to. Please, Marinette. At least let me walk you to the station. We can do it in silence, if you really don't want to talk with me".
"But I want to talk with you!"
His smile turned into a smirk – one that reminded her of her partner and it made her blush even more.
"I am honored. So?"
He stepped into the rain, the umbrella still partially underneath the roof and he looked back at her. Waiting.
She eventually moved, her feet getting wet, but thankfully the rest of her stayed mostly dry.
"Did you visit my mother often these past years?", he eventually asked, when the silence between them became unbearable.
"Whenever I am around. I sometimes bring her a card. Or a flower. It's no trouble for me…"
"You don't have to do that…"
"But I want to. Maybe she can feel my presence. I don't want her to feel alone".
"… ouch…"
"Adrien – after everything that happened to you and your family, you shouldn't have the feeling, like you have done something wrong".
"And yet I wasn't there for her… You are right – she shouldn't feel alone! I won't give her this feeling, again. I am staying and will visit her everyday. I… it's the least I can do"..
Marinette looked at Adrien from the side, while his eyes were fixed to the way in front of them.
There was still pain, within him. Regret, that ran deep. But also the will to do better in the future. To make up lost time…
"Are you also staying for Emma?", Marinette dared to ask. "She really is your daughter?"
He nodded, his eyes swiftly locking with hers, before he shamefully turned away again.
"Paternity test…I am her father. I made the appointment. I chose the place, where we got tested. I didn't want Lila to fake anything. She couldn't. But it at least revealed the truth…"
"I didn't know, that you two had been… close…"
"Urgh. Me neither! Gosh – just once I have been here in Paris for legal matters. Stuff like ownership of my parents house, bank accounts and stuff like that. I still believe, that she tracked me down. She offered her help – as if I wanted that from Lila. But when business was done I decided to have a drink, before I left France once again. Lila decided to join me. Unfortunately I had a few more drinks, but one. I… can't even remember, what happened. How 'it' happened. But I woke up the next morning with a horrible headache and even more guilt on my shoulders in her apartment. Well… I left after we talked. She swore to me, that she had been on the pill and even claimed, that we used a condom. I… I believed her. Just hoped, that she was right. Well… turned out, that she – once more – lied to me. And now? She contacted me about a month ago… And one thing lead to the other and now I am here…"
So – Chat was completely right with his assumption about Adrien, Lila and Emma. It somehow relieved her to hear that, but she also felt the huge burden on his shoulders, that came with his new knowledge.
"And now you want to be a good father for her?"
Adrien nodded.
"Yeah… My childhood was not the best and we surely don't want to talk about Gabriel… But… I want to be there for Emma – since her never was there for me. But it's hard! I think she even hates me!"
"Nobody can hate you, Adrien!", Marinette claimed. "She just doesn't know you. Spend time with her and in no time she will love you as well!"
"That sounds too simple…"
"It is that simple. Don't worry – I know her and I know, what I am speaking about".
"Exactly!", Adrien said and he stopped walking – the métro station only a few feet away.
He turned towards her, facing her, his eyes gleaming with joy.
"She absolutely adores you! She couldn't stop talking, when you left. It annoyed Lila – even if Emma couldn't tell, but it got me thinking. That's why I am asking you, if you could help me with Emma?"
"Huh?", was her confused answer and she watched, as Adrien took his phone out of the pocket of his jeans, swiping and typing something, before he handed it to her, grinning from one ear to the other.
"Would you do it? Give me a few tips, how I win the heart of my daughter? Maybe you can help with decorating a room in my flat for her! And also-" he shrugged nonchalantly "We could have a coffee in the future, talking about the past and of the things I have missed. I certainly own you one for visiting my mother! So, can I have your number?"
Marinette hesitated, stared at him, while Adrien only looked back and smiled.
In her mind she was repeating the whole visit in the hospital until this very point, questioning life and everything, that existed to eventually end up right here – under Adrien Agreste's umbrella in the middle of Paris streets. With him wanting her number.
… was she maybe dreaming? Hallucinating? Would he even write her, or was he merely joking?
But… he was Adrien and he would never do that… would he?
Slowly she lowered her eyes to the screen in her hands, typing her number slowly and carefully, pressing the saving button, before she returned his phone.
Their fingers touched, when he took it from her and a tiny spark of electricity went through her whole body.
She blushed lightly and hurriedly turned away, facing to métro station.
"I will gladly help you with Emma, if I can…", she whispered, "… but now I have to get my train! Still need to work today and I need to get going, if I don't want to be late…"
"I can drive you! Really! I mean it!"
She moved her hands frantically in front of her face.
"No, no! No need to do so! And the traffic is getting really bad during this time of day! Also – you just moved back here to Paris, right? You surely have enough on your plate and other things to do. Also it's totally fine for me – I am used to this…"
She made a move to get out from the dry safety of the umbrella, but stopped, for she didn't want to get wet.
She looked back at him, until he finally sighed, starting to walk side by side by her once again, until the reached the tunnel for the métro.
Marinette would only take the stairs and she would be gone – but couldn't move away from Adrien.
Not without a goodbye.
Therefore she bravely leaned in, kissing the air by his left cheek, then the other and leaned back – wondering, if the light blush in his face might be just the reflection of the traffic light.
"Au Reviour, Adrien…"
"Au Reviour, Marinette…"
Before he left, he put wordlessly the umbrella in her hands, waving goodbye and was gone in the summer rain – probably searching for his car.
She couldn't say a word. Couldn't stop him. Just watched him move away, until he was gone.
And he left his umbrella once more behind, just to make sure, that she wouldn't get soaked.
… and Marinette just noticed, that life could be endlessly cruel – especially when she noticed, that her feelings for this young man had hit her once more. Hard – straight into her heart.
She breathed again, when she noticed her own phone, that she was clutching in her hand the whole time, vibrated.
Confusion hit her, when she saw the unknown number, but couldn't stop grinning for the whole day, when she saw the tiny "Hi" on it.
She immediately wrote back.
A/N: Okay, I didn't plan to have this long of a chapter, but the length works in favor of all that is happening here. Both Emilie and Tom (and Sabine) are important to the story and so will be the Hospital. Also with the umbrella - slight throwback there of how Marinette first fell in love with Adrien and I thought it would work well here in this story, too.Also about Tom's illness: I will not go into too much detail, or name a specific illness. Neither do I want to give wrng information about it, nor do I want to write something wrong. Every illness is bad and I don't want to write about any just in favor of this story. Also I want to exploit it or any people, that suffer it. So it is definitely a respectful choice - but feel free to have your own thoughts about it :DSo, that said - enjoy reading :DNext Chapter: Meeting Mayura...