Epilogue: One Big, Happy Family
Hi everyone. I got the sense that most of you were disappointed that Adrien and Marinette never got together at the end. I initially thought it would sound cliched that they would find love. However, on second thought, I decided that perhaps, when the trauma had worn off a little more, he would find love again - he needs someone to love him, and Emma needs a mother to love her. Ultimately, Marinette, after all she's done for them, would be the best choice, I guess.
I know that some people would have preferred the previous ending, and others yet this. I made this decision, after thinking about it, in the interest of the story. I take responsibility for what I write.
So, here's the new epilogue:
"Are you ready for your first day at big school, Hu?" Adrien asked his son, as he, his wife, and his daughter finished their breakfast.
"Yeah!" said the boy excitedly. "I'll get to meet new friends, but..." he paused for a second. "It'll be different, won't it?"
"Not to worry," reassured his elder sister, Emma. "It'll be kinda hard at first, but the good stuff will come round. You'll make new friends, you'll find out what you're good at, and you'll learn all sorts of new things! Besides, we'll be at the gate when you're done."
"Thanks, Emmi," said Hugo, hugging his sister's leg. Their parents watched, with smiles on their faces.
"Well," said Adrien, "now that we're done, we'd best be off. Come on, son," he said to Hugo, "let's get in the car."
Hugo waved to his sister and mother, who stayed behind a little longer.
"Wow," said Hugo's mother, Marinette. "Our son, off to big school... time flies."
"I know," said Emma.
"You know, Em," said Marinette, "you're a great big sister, you know that."
"I've had my fair share of experiences," grinned Emma, a little shyly.
Marinette knew what Emma was talking about. Seven years ago, Emma's biological mother, Capucine Le Marx, was jailed for physically abusing Emma and Adrien; ultimately, she herself was found out to have been viciously abused in her childhood, so she got the help she required. Adrien divorced Capucine, and after he had overcome the trauma enough (it took a few months), he realised that his 10-year-old daughter, Emma, needed a mother to love her.
Ultimately, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the woman who had helped him and Emma during their darkest times, came to mind. One day, he brought this up in conversation with her, expecting a gentle rejection...
...only to find out that she herself had started to nurse feelings for him as he overcame his ordeal, and had developed a motherly love for his young daughter. Ultimately, after mulling it over, he married her in a small wedding. She signed paperwork and became Emma's adoptive mother, and Emma, who was on-board with the idea, accepted Marinette as her mother with open arms. A year and a half later, she gave birth for the first (and probably the only) time at the age of 38, to Hugo Thomas Emile Agreste.
They were now one big, happy family, and had come together when they least expected it. Emma was now 17, Hugo 5.
"Well, now," said Marinette, "best be off. Don't want to miss your first day of Terminale!"
"I sure don't," said Emma, kissing her mother's cheeks.
"Have a good day at school," said Marinette, waving her daughter off at the door, as she walked off.
Her daughter replied.
"You too, Mum."
That night, Hugo and Emma were in bed. Marinette and Adrien were talking at the dinner table.
"So you've made a deal with one of the biggest fashion companies in Europe?" said Adrien.
"Yep," said Marinette proudly, "MDC Apparel is booming!"
"That's great," smiled Adrien, referring to his wife's clothing store on the other side of the street. He took her shoulders and leaned in for a kiss, which she accepted.
About half a minute later, the kiss ended (albeit reluctantly). Adrien turned around.
"Y'know," he said, "after all that happened with Capucine, I never thought we'd end up like this."
"Like how?" his wife asked him.
"As one big, happy family," smiled Adrien.
Well, that's a wrap!
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