"I can't believe how much I missed…" Emilie had recently move into the apartment with Greg and Adrien. "I missed the rise of the third Mecha Strike game. Prior to my long nap, I had been waiting daily for new trailers and info to drop and see where the franchise gets taken next." Emilie said excitedly as she looked at the game console and then at the screen. "Oh, they still got some old faithful ones."
"I know right? Oh, and they fixed the delayed heavy attack Dinozaur Kingbot had in the last game so he is more widely used on the competitive scene. Also, they included the Catbug Robot after me and Milady fought Gamer." Adrien said as he happily reintroduced his mother to video games.
"Oh, show me." She said as she took one of the controllers. "You joining us Greg?"
"I haven't touched video games since I left for Africa, I would get my butt kicked." Greg said as he was mixing some rice for his next dish. "I wasn't exactly in a part of the continent where video games were not a luxury items."
"You say that because you always lost to me." Emilie said as she stuck out her tongue at Greg.
"That may be true, but I came close a few times. But now any skills I had are rusty by now." Greg cut up some veggies and eggs for the rice dish.
"Let me get you back into it, Mom. I've been a real champ at this." Adrien noted.
"He gets his butt handed by Pigtails every time." Plagg lazily said, whom was doing what he does best, lounging around and stuffing his face with Camembert.
"She's the only one I ever lost to!" Adrien argued.
"And the only one whom utterly trashes you while she's at it. Like that time she was both sketching and playing at the same time." Plagg added.
"I hate you…" Adrien said with a pout at Plagg.
"Love you too, kid." Plagg said, like he didn't hear the last remark.
"Ok, I'm taking the Dinozaur Kingbot because dinos are awesome. Robot dinos even more." Emily said as she started her game with Adrian.
"All right mom, I'll go easy on you because…whoa mom, slow down!" Adrien said as he found that for some reason her mom's skill had not worsened while in coma.
"Who is this 'mom' you are speaking of? I'm Dinozaur Kingbot, mhuahahahahaha!" Emily said as she handed Adrien's ass on a platter in the game.
"It seems all the important women in my life are able to kick my butt in video games." Adrien pointed out.
"Round two, son? I promise to not trounce you too badly?" Emily asked with a smirk.
"You know dinner is almost ready, so don't take too long." Greg pointed out. At this point the doorbell rang. "I'll get it."
Marinette was at the door when Greg let them in, boxes in hand. "Hello Greg. Hey kitty, I got the macarons for you and your mom."
"Macarons! Gimme!" Emily jumped up from her seat and approached Marinette.
"Em, I am just about to finish our dinner, these cookies, as tasty as they are, can wait until dessert." Greg sighed.
"What's the difference? They both end up in our stomachs anyhow…Oh, lemon flavor!" Emily said as she picked a yellow macaron from the box and into her mouth. "Mwis gwood." She said with her mouth full.
"Miss Emilie, I'm flattered you like my family's sweets but Mr. Greg said that you still have dinner to go to…" Marinette noted.
"Dinner can wait a bit. Keep it warm, Greg. I want to see what my future daughter-in-law can do. We just were playing a round of Mecha Strike 3! Please leave Dinozaur Kingbot to me, he's my go-to!" Emilie ranted.
"Er…I guess I have time for one game?" Marinette asked nervously. Emilie happily walked her over to the tv. "Your mom is certainly excitable, isn't she?"
"I am not the only one whom gets to cut loose after a very restrictive household…though can't remember letting this much loose at once." Adrien replied.
"Aren't you concerned about how she's acting? I mean, I babysit Manon and she has less energy then her." Marinette noted.
"She's intense for sure…but she is looking so happy. Can't I just let her be?" Adrien asked. "I just got her back, I don't want to say the wrong thing and make her sad."
"I could give her the benefit of the doubt and maybe give her some time to calm down. But she has to remember at one point she should act like a mom and not like a hyperactive sister." Marinette noted.
"Adrien, are you and your girlfriend done with cute hushed whispering? There is a game waiting for us." Emilie said from the other room.
"So…You staying for Dinner, Marinette? I made fried rice. With chicken for meat lovers and tofu strips if you want to try vegetarian."
"We respect you don't eat meat, Greg. Please respect we don't eat your fake meat!" Emilie called out.
"She's a bit of handful…" Greg whispered softly.
"I actually would like to use a bit of both the chicken and the tofu if you don't mind." Marinette said.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Greg and Emilie were out for the night, they went to a small bar Emilie loved to go (but Gabriel wouldn't let her go to anymore). "Whoa, it still has that old-time, cozy feel from what I remember." Emilie said happily.
"I can't believe you convinced me to drag you here. Remember you are only awake for a few weeks, you think that you should slow down?" Greg asked.
"Life is too short to be comatose, so I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. For the first time in years I'm going to have that Long Island Ice Tea!" Emilie said.
"You have been comatose for over a year, you think that's a good idea?" Greg asked.
"That Ladybug cure fixed me up good. If I can eat normally, and if I can game normally, I can drink normally." Emilie said. "One drink won't hurt, right?" She pulled out her puppy dog eyes.
'Damnit!' Greg thought. Greg saw actual puppies whom couldn't pull off what Emilie did. He was happier than ever that Emilie was back. But Emilie was…a lot to deal with at the moment. It isn't her fault but…she is his dearest friend and didn't want to say something stupid. Even if it was perhaps not a good idea to let her do this. They are both adults, he could do this, he could tell her… "Maybe it won't hurt." He replied. 'Coward!' he thought to himself. Emilie beamed and called over a waiter. If only it ended well.
Later that evening, Greg was walking Emilie back home as she stumbled around and Greg was supporting her. "'One drink wouldn't hurt!' Your exact words." Greg said, sounding both exasperated and amused.
"Au claire de la lune, mon ami Pierrot! Prête-moi ta plume, pour écrire un mot…" Emilie sang before she giggled. "Come on, sing with me Greg…"
"I'm not in a musical mood, Emmy. Let's get you home so you can sober up." Greg noted.
"That'sh no fun. Night Shtill young, lotsh to do…Oh, I'm shlurring…Shhhhhh…" Emily said as they approached their apartment.
"I'll mix up a brew that may help you, tastes like crud but it will help with the hangover that will follow." Greg said as he opened the door and led Emilie in. "Just be quiet, Adrien's asleep."
"Boy ish so tired…kicks the assh of big meanies…" Emilie was brought to Greg's bedroom, which she was using as Greg slept on the coach for the time being. "You're not a meanie, Greg. You're real naaish guy…Not like Gabriel, the butterfly f***er, with a head like a cockatoo's ass!" she continued to giggle before she started crying. "I ruined my own life."
"Emilie…" Greg tried to calm her down.
"I married an asshole, he ruined me and my son's life and when I tried to stop him…I got myself comatose because I'm such a freakin' idiot! I should have called the police…or other New Guardians, instead of that Peacock Miraculous…and I wasn't there while my boy…" she sobbed hysterically. "He has grown up in a fine young man and he didn't need me to do so…And all I can do is acting like a stupid hyper teen instead of acting like a mom because I'm so pathetic." She started sobbing in her chest. Greg patted her back, not sure how to reply. "I alsho pushed away all my friends. Only you stayed, Greg. Only you…"
"It's ok, Emily. You have been through a lot…" Greg said, rubbing her back.
"You must hate me…I could never tell anyone. About the Miraculoush…about magic. You'd think me crazy. Or you would get into danger. But now all of this…" she waved her hands around. "Adrien is f***ing Chat Noir. And you are ok with that. But I didn't tell…"
"I don't hate you, Emily. I never did. I know that for everything you did there must be a reason. I've seen all the crazy stuff that happens. Fairly dangerous, nothing wrong to want to protect your loved ones from that." Greg said.
"Don't leave me Greg…" Emilie said. "I have not many people left. I couldn't…if…"
"I'm not going anywhere." Greg assured her. The still drunk Emily wobbled a bit before leaning forward, she was inches away from Greg's lips… "Easy, Em!" he said as he gently pushed her back. "You're drunk, Emily…"
"I am? Haven't notished…" Emily said as she giggled.
"So it would not be a good idea for…" Greg didn't finish his sentence. "It's best you lay down."
"Not shleepy. I shtill can…" Emily fell back onto the bed, and soon her eyes closed and she snored.
Greg sighed and made her comfortable, pulled the sheets over her and kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams Em…" he said as he left the room, remaining at the door for a bit to take another glance at the drunk angel of a woman sleeping, before leaving and gently closing the door.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Next morning… "Ugh, my f***ing head." A very disheveled, a very sleepy and very hangover-having Emilie said as she came to breakfast that morning.
"Good morning mom." Adrien said happily. "Did you and Uncle Greg enjoy your outing last night?"
"Drink…" Emily muttered.
"I knew this would happen, I mixed you up that herbal brew I talked about. Should work as a pick-me-up." Greg said as he handed a mug with a strange liquid inside.
A groggy Emilie drank a huge sip before spitting it out all over her side of the table, Adrien quickly grabbing his morning waffles in time before they were being covered in whatever Emilie drank a few moments earlier. "Gah! What the f*** is this s***?" she asked.
"I told you it would taste like crud, but it does help does it? Your mind feels clearer?" Greg asked.
"Well, I'm awake and my head stop feelings like a bongo being played by a gorilla. So it worked." Emilie said as she sat down. "Waffles, please."
"One stack of vanilla waffles, coming right up." Greg said as he started preparing the next batch. "If I remember correctly, you love these a lot."
"More then life itself." Emily said with a soft smile. "My head's still a bit fuzzy. But I remember that I was acting like a total idiot last night. And I felt a bit sad…Was I being embarrassing?"
"No, just you pouring your heart out." Greg said. He couldn't bring himself to tell Emily she tried kissing him. He felt that'd be too hopeful on his end.
"I was embarrassing, I know. Not just because I got drunk on my first drink of the evening but I have been acting like a child as of late, have I?" Emily said as she buried her face in her hands. "Give it to me straight, both of you."
"It's nothing, Mom. I just loved you seeing smile more often and act free." Adrien noted.
"I think you just needed a healthier outlet for all of your excessive energy, Emilie." Greg noted. "But I have seen many other drunks, Emilie, and you are an emotional but still fun drunk."
"Why do you two have to be so nice and forgiving? Why can't you just hate me?" Emilie asked. She absent mindedly took another sip of her drink, forgetting it was the disgusting herbal brew. She had swallowed this time and made a gagging motion before putting it aside and instead headed towards the coffee maker. "I have done too much stupid stuff."
"We all did stupid stuff." Greg noted. "I left everyone in France behind for my little mission in Africa."
"And I felt like I took too long to recognize how bad Dad is. So we can't be mad. We are also tired of being mad or sad about everything. We are here right now, we are together, shouldn't that be enough?" Adrien asked.
"Oh my boy…barely reaching the ends of your teens and already so much smarter then me." Emilie said as the coffee stopped brewing. She grabbed a handful of sugar cubes from the jar, barely looking as she put them in her drink and mixed them.
"He's also cheesier then my diet." Plagg noted as he took a bit of his morning camembert.
"Cheesy is part of the Graham de Vanily charm! And Adrien has plenty of it." Emilie said as she raised her finger to punctuate and take a long swig of her coffee. She smacked her lips before adding a few more cubes to the brew. "Remind me that I am still behind on that paperwork to ditch that asshole's name."
"What Adrien luckily didn't inherit is the Graham De Vanily's 'pants with administration' curse." Greg said. "Waffles are done."
Emilie happily sat down at the table as the soft warm waffles were served to her. "You know, I've been sitting around the house too much being stupid. I had enough silly meaningless fun, I should contribute something to this household. Get a job, do some chores…Though I'll leave the cooking to you, Greg. Your cooking's heavenly and I cannot even boil water without putting the kitchen on fire."
"And unfortunately Adrien has inherited your family's other curse of being pants at cooking." Greg said, shaking his head. "I know that the magic mumbo jumbo fixed you up, but do you want to jump in to getting a job again?"
"I am healthy enough and I am not going to sit here on my ass all day." Emilie noted. "But what can I do? All I know how to do is acting and my family's movie studio no longer exists…And even that I'm reluctant because that idiot ex-spouse of mine always talked me into doing roles he thought were best, not what I wanted and…" Emilie stopped mid-sentence. She looked Adrien in the eyes. There was a similar look in his eyes. "Son, you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"I think so mom, but pants with horizontal stripes make me look chubby." Adrien joked, in a Cockney-accented voice that sounded like a cartoon mouse. Both laughed at that. "But seriously, are you going to get back into that…one project?"
"I am going to make a revival of the Fashionata tv show! I'm going to see though if I can get some of the old band back together for this. I am going to revive my family movie studio as well, after it went down after I married that idiot…whom also thought my old tv show was a childish distraction. I have bore his name far too long, I want to give meaning back to my birth name." Emilie said as she stood op proudly before frowning. "Does that sound silly?"
"No, I think it is wonderful. That you still have passion inside you so that you can set your mind on doing things you used to love." Greg noted.
"I'll be with you all the way too, Mom!" Adrien noted. Then his watch started beeping. "Er…after four PM, school is starting in an hour." Adrien ran to his mother's side. "You can have the rest of my waffles. Gotta go, love you!" he kissed his mom's cheek, and hugged Greg. "Love you too, uncle Greg. Ciao!" he then rushed off as he grabbed Plagg of the table.
"Hey, my cheese!" Plagg said as he dropped his piece of Camembert.
"Love you too, sweetheart!" Emilie called after him before he left. She sighed. "Man, crazy morning today."
"You are serious about what you just said, right?" Greg noted.
"Yup." Emilie said. "I'm not sure how hard it will be because after all this time…But I want to do something that makes me feel like me again."
"Do you know how to get started?" Greg asked.
"I have no idea." Emilie said, still with a smile as she stuffed her face full of waffle.
"Best to figure that out first. One step at the time." Greg noted. "We got all the time in the world now."
"Yeah…" Emilie took another sip of coffee and another bite of waffle. "I think we should get a do over from yesterday. Hang out without me getting piss-ass drunk and actually get to enjoy each other's company again. What do you think."
"I think I'd like that…Maybe something simpler…How about a picnic, I can make my special spaghetti?" Greg asked.
"That stuff kicks ass, I would love that." Emilie said. Her smile was soft as the tow locked eyes and kept smiling at each other.
They snapped out of their daze as Greg stammered: "So if that's ok…er, must keep room in my schedule…you know?" his lips thinned. "So, want more waffles?"
"Of course I want more waffles, I love the way you make them!" Emilie replied.
"I see your son introduced you to memes." Greg joked. Both giggled and enjoyed the rest of their morning together.