"Edward Fuller? Why would Edward send me flowers?" Mari asked confused.
Ana opened the note and read it out loud. "Mari I send these roses to you in the name of Adrien. Today is the anniversary that he remembers with a lot of love even if he's far away from you. With all his love Edward Fuller."
"An anniversary? I don't know why he sends me flowers when he left far away. I don't want them give them back to Edward when you see him. I don't want them." Ana and Fu looked at each other sadly. "If you don't throw them away I will."
"Alright..." Fu put the flowers in a box that was going to be thrown away the next day. "You shouldn't throw a gift away after all it was for your anniversary."
"I don't want anything from Adrien Agreste." Mari said sternly.
"You'll be able to see and talk to him at the same time even though he's in Boston and we are in Paris." Maya was telling Emilie. She took her computer to the secret garden since she really wanted her dad and Emilie to talk.
"Technology really has improved. I didn't have this when I was younger." Emilie said amazed.
"Daddy only needs to accept my video call before we can see him." Maya stated as she was setting up her computer to video call Adrien before pressing the call button.
In Boston Adrien was doing his school work when he got the notification that Maya was video calling him and he accepted the call to see Maya sitting on the couch of the attic holding Teddy. "Hi dear. How are you?"
"I'm good daddy what are you doing?" Maya asked with a smile.
"Studying as always." Adrien replied. "How's everything at the house?"
"Alright though I miss you a lot even though you just left last week." Maya stated. "How long until you come back home?"
"Not until a long time dear." Adrien replied. "I can't go home until I'm prepared to preform a surgery that's very delicated and important for many people."
"You always do great in everything that you do especially if you study hard on it." Maya stated. "Daddy did you notice that grandma Emilie is with me?" She pointed to her right.
"No dear I only see you and Teddy." Adrien replied.
"Daddy grandma Emilie is next to me and she wants to say hi." Maya stated moving the computer so both her and Emilie could be seen on the screen. "I know that you say that she's just in my imagination since she's in heaven and I can't see her but please try."
Adrien sighs. "Alright dear I'll try I always believe in you."
"Alright grandma Emilie talk to him." Maya told Emilie with a smile.
Emilie looked at Adrien with tears in her eyes. "Hi Adrien. Don't worry about Maya since she's doing great. She's doing fine in school and always does her homework before coming to see me. She always tells me about how you're doing and everything you achieved. I'm so proud of you. I know it was hard for you to take care of Ruby all on your own since your dad and I passed away in that terrible car crash and we left you a 10 year old boy all alone to take care of a 5 year old little sister but you did it and I know she grew up to be a great beautiful young woman. You have become a great young man and remember that I love you with all my heart." She knew that he couldn't hear or see her but it felt good speaking to him.
Obviously Adrien didn't answer. "Daddy why don't you answer her? Talk about how you feel you know that your mom and I worry about you." Maya replied. "She's saying hi and wants to know how you feel."
"Alright." Adrien looks at the empty spot next to Maya and speaks out the feelings he had for years. "Mom don't worry about me I'm doing fine and I'm grateful for everything that you have done for Maya. She always tells me how great she spends the time with you. I know that you're taking good care of her like how you took good care of Ruby and I. Don't worry about your little girl she grew up to be as great and beautiful that you were it's like seeing you in her. Even with the short amount of time she had with you she always keeps you in her heart and keeps the morals and values that you taught us. Everything that she is just like how I am is thanks to you and I wouldn't be where I am now without your support. I will always keep you in my heart and always know that I will never forget about you and that I love you." It took all of Adrien's strength to not tear up. "Happy dear?" Maya nodded. "So when will your grandma Audrey take you to see Adrienne?"
"She hasn't told me yet but I'll insist until she does." Maya replied.
"Alright call me after you do because I want to know about everything. Now I have to go I still have a lot of work to do." Adrien stated and Maya nodded before the call ended.
A wave of happiness went through Emilie. "I feel so happy to see you and your dad to be so close. Thank you for this beautiful gift." Maya smiled and hugged Emilie.
That night Mari was sitting on her couch hugging her legs thinking about the flowers brought to her earlier that day.
"Mari I send these roses to you in the name of Adrien. Today is the anniversary that he remembers with a lot of love even if he's far away from you."
"An anniversary...the day I married Adrien." She thinks about her wedding with Adrien before standing up and slowly walking to the box where the flowers were before bending down and picking the flowers up. She smelled them and smiled softly with tears in her eyes as she thinks about all the good times she had with Adrien.
At that same time Adrien was laying on his bed thinking about his wedding day with Mari and smiled. He also thinks about when he saw Mari before he left Paris. "I'll be back to cue you Mari I swear."
Mari and Adrien fell asleep and they dreamt about each other with smiles on their faces.
The next day Audrey took Maya to visit Adrienne and they played in the playroom with Mari being there. "It's been a while since you came to visit Adrienne Maya."
"I really wanted to come but I had to wait until grandma Audrey had the chance to bring me." Maya replied.
"Where is your grandma Audrey?' Mari asked.
"She stayed upstairs talking to Fu." Maya replied. "We were finally able to bring you your Christmas gift from the Agreste family sorry that it's a week late. You'll love the gift it's beautiful."
"So Mari can walk around the house all on her own now?' Audrey asked Fu.
"Yes she counts the steps and now she's all over the place." Fu replied. "Her room the hallways the main living room. Even going up and down the stairs. Ana is the one teaching her."
"Did you know that daddy went on a trip Mari?" Maya asked. "I really miss him and he'll be away for at least 6 months."
"Yes I was told that he went on a trip." Mari replied.
"You used to love daddy why don't you anymore?" Maya asked. "Daddy loves you with all of his heart and he suffers not being able to be close to you or Adrienne. Grandma Emilie also says that he loves you."
"Isn't your grandma Emilie in heaven?" Mari asked confused.
"Yes but I always talk with her." Maya replied. "She teaches be morals and values and tells me stories. You know daddy went to study to come back prepared to-"
At that moment Audrey walked in the room holding a present box. Mari opened it and it was a music box. "Do you like the present Mari?"
"Yes even though I can't see it I can hear it and it sounds beautiful." Mari replied with a smile.
"I told her that it's a gift from you daddy and I." Maya stated.
"So are you going to keep this gift or throw it away too like the roses?" Fu asked.
"What roses are you talking about?" Audrey asked.
"Some roses Dr. Agreste sent her yesterday to celebrate something only they know what it is." Fu replied.
"Well hopefully you don't do the same thing with this gift because you need to know that everyone in the Agreste family cares about you." Audrey stated. "No matter what happened between the two of you always remember that Adrien isn't your enemy."
Adrien just finished a class when he got the notification that Ana wanted to video call him so he answered. "Hi Ana how's Mari doing?"
"Better she wanted to learn how to depend more on herself again and now she's moving all around the house basically all on her own." Ana replied.
"I'm glad that Mari has a friend like you to help her." Adrien stated.
"She's like a sister to me I'll always help her as long as she needs it." Ana replied.
"Fu I need you to give me something that is in my first drawer." Mari told Fu after Maya and Audrey left.
Fu went to the first drawer and opened it. He was surprised to see what was inside. "Aren't these the roses you threw away yesterday?" Mari nodded. "So how did they end up in your drawer?" Fu grabed them and walked over to her.
"I put them there." Mari replied. Fu smiled and gave them to her. Mari took three roses out from the bouquet and put them in the music box. "I want to save some here as a memory. Can you please put my music box were the bouquet used to be? And put the bouquet in a vase full of water."
"Of course dear." Fu put the music box in the first drawer then asked Tikki to bring a vase full of water for the rest of the roses.
Later that day Fu was bringing Adrienne her food to the second living room when the bowl slipped and the food fell all over the stairs. "Fu are you okay?" Ana asked seeing what happened.
"Yes I'm fine Ana." Fu replied.
"We should ask Tikki to clean it up someone could slip." Ana stated.
"Good idea go tell Tikki to clean it up as I go bring another plate for Adrienne." Fu replied heading back to the kitchen as Ana went to tell Tikki to help clean the mess on the stairs.
As Tikki was cleaning the stairs Ana went to Mari who was in the second living room with Adrienne. "Hi Mari I'm here."
"Hi Ana why did you come so late?" Mari asked.
"I had to pay some bills." Ana replied. "Do you need something?"
"No I was just curious why you just got here." Mari stated.
"Do you want to continue your lessons?" Ana asked.
"Yes but after I give Adrienne her food." Mari replied.
Fu soon came with the food. "Sorry I'm late dear. I dropped the plate on the stairs and had to bring another one but don't worry Tikki is cleaning the stairs right now." Mari nodded.
Soon Mari was learning how to be more independent in moving outside of the house and how to go from the backyard to the front door of the house then it was time to go down the stairs. "Don't forget to hold on to the railing and count the steps."
Adrienne was standing next to Ana watching Mari. Mari took a deep breath and hold on to the railing before taking the first step down. The problem was that the stairs were still a bit wet and Mari slipped and she was so surprised that she let go of the railing leading her to fall all the way down the stairs and landed unconscious.
"Mari!" Ana exclaimed in shock of what happened when she saw that the second step was still slightly wet.
"Mama!" Adrienne yelled and she was about to go to Mari when Ana picked her up not wanting her to slip too.
Tom and Sabine walked over to them hearing their voices when they saw Mari on the ground and they quickly went over to her trying to wake her up as Ana walked down the stairs still holding Adrienne.
"What happened Ana?" Tom asked.
"Like always she was going to walk down the stairs with confidence when she slipped. She was holding on to the railing but in surprise of the slip she let go and fell to the ground. I realized after that the second step was still wet from when Tikki cleaned it earlier so I picked Adrienne up so she wouldn't fall either. This is all my fault I'm so sorry." Ana replied.
After making sure the cooks were making the dinner for that night Natalie walked to the main hall when she heard footsteps and she was surprised and happy to see who it was. "Miss Ruby...sorry I mean Mrs. Ruby what a great surprise."
"Hi Natalie." Ruby said with a soft smile before hugging her. "Can you tell my brother that I'm here please?"
"Mr. Adrien isn't in Paris right now but don't worry as always you're at your house." Natalie replied before looking at the doorman. "Please take Mrs. Ruby's suitcases to the room that always belonged to her." The doorman nodded before taking the suitcases up the stairs. Natalie noticed Ruby was sad. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing I'm fine." Ruby said softly.
"And your husband won't come?" Natalie asked.
Ruby didn't have time to answer since Audrey walked over to them. "Ruby what a pleasant surprise but you should have let us know so we could receive you the way you deserve."
"Thanks Audrey but that isn't necessary." Ruby replied.
Audrey noticed her sad look. "What's wrong?...Where's Mathew?"
"Mathew...Mathew and I aren't together anymore. He stayed in Italy and that's why I came back home to stay for good this time." Ruby replied tearing up.
Mari was taken to her room still unconcerned as Tom and Sabine tried to wake her up still. Fu walked in the room and was shocked to see Mari's state. "What happened to Mari?"
"I'll explain later Fu please bring alcohol and a glass of water." Tom replied and Fu nodded quickly leaving the room. "Ana how could you be so careless?"
"Audrey I can't deny that the change you're mentioning is unbelievable to me." Ruby told Audrey after they started talking. "Parden my honesty but what I remember about you-"
"What you remember about me is what I used to be before. I won't deny that I was wrong and I was a selfish person only thinking about myself and not about others." Audrey replied.
"That's why it's hard for me to believe that you became a different person...a good person." Ruby stated. "Though I did see a little change in you before I left to Italy."
"The pain of losing my daughter then knowing who she really was made me change my way of thinking and behaving." Audrey replied.
"I'm glad since I came to stay and with Adrien not being here we can give each other some company." Ruby stated with a smile before frowning. "I was wrong Audrey...I thought that I married one of the best men in the world and that wasn't the case. What I loved the most about him was his sweetness his caring nature and his...loyalty to the ones he loved. In the end he lost his way because of his fame and he harmed me a lot so much that I couldn't stay by his side."
"Don't yell at Ana Tom it was a mistake that anyone could have made." Sabine told Tom. "Right now the most important thing is that our daughter wakes up."
At that moment Fu came back with alcohol with a cloth and a glass of water before handing it to Tom. "You're right Sabine." Tom put some alcohol on the cloth and put it near Mari's nose.
Mari soon reacted and woke up and Tom gave her some water to drink. "What happened to me?"
"You fell down the stairs Mari but you're fine now." Sabine replied.
"No I am not fine. I'm blind and I always end up on the ground and I don't want to continue falling. I don't want to continue to suffer. The best thing for me to do is to stay locked here in my room and to never walk again." Mari stated in frustration.
Mari stayed in her room the rest of the day not wanting to leave as much as Ana begged her to especially when it was dinner time but Mari denied to go anywhere.
Ana went to Tom and Sabine who were waiting for Mari to eat with them. "I'm sorry but as much as I tried to convince her Mari doesn't want to leave her room."
"After what happened to her it's best to not force Mari. We need to give her time to recover." Sabine stated.
Ruby was in the living room in tears thinking about her wedding with Mathew when Maya walked over to her. "No more tears aunt Ruby I know what will cheer you up. Come on you need to talk to daddy."
"But your daddy is in Boston Maya." Ruby stated.
"I know a way that you can see and talk to him even though he's far away." Maya replied before dragging Ruby to her room. Maya set up her computer to start her nightly chat with Adrien. "I always talk with daddy at this time and I'll let you talk with him."
"Now I understand what you meant when you said that you can see and talk with him even though he's far away." Ruby stated.
Soon Adrien accepted the video call. "Hi daddy look who I got with me." Maya turned the computer so Adrien could see Ruby.
"Ruby?" Adrien asked surprised.
"I'll let you two talk but first my goodnight kiss." Maya said with a smile.
"Of course dear here's one for you and Adrienne when you see her." Adrien blows two kisses at Maya.
"Well I'll be at the attic playing with you know who." Maya said before leaving her room with Teddy.
"What a surprise to see you back at the house little sister." Adrien stated.
"Adri I really need you right now. You have no idea how unhappy I am right now." Ruby replied tearing up before she started telling Adrien everything that happened with Mathew.
"Are you sure about what you are saying?" Adrien asked in concern and Ruby nodded. "Ruby sometimes people get separated or even get a divorce but then they regret it over the years. I'm telling you from experience you have no idea how much I regret what happened with Mari."
"You're telling me that because you still have hope of fixing things with Mari but not me. There's no fixing my marriage...people can forgive anything in life except for a betrayal. You have no idea how much I'm suffering right now thinking about what happened." Ruby replied in tears. "I always denied to myself that he had other women but he did have them."
"You did the right thing Ruby and remember even though we are far away you can always count on me." Adrien stated. "You'll always have my support."
"Thank you so when will you come back?" Ruby asked.
"Not for many more months though I am excited since there's a treatment that is still in experiential that could help Mari and many more. I plan to specialize in that treatment specifically." Adrien replied. "I want to be the best doctor so I can cue Mari."
"I know that you'll be able to do it because you always achieve everything you try." Ruby stated.
"You'll see that I'll gain her love again and when I do no one and nothing will separate us ever again." Adrien replied with a smile.
Adrienne started to cry in her sleep and Mari tried to calm her down but she couldn't. Mari tried calling out for help but no one heard her because at that moment Tom had a collapse and everyone was trying to help him to the bedroom so Sabine could inject him. Luckily Adrienne calm down and Mari realized that she couldn't just do nothing all day. Even if it is just for Adrienne she had to improve and do everything in her power to be more independent.
"I'm glad that I was able to let out all of my feelings to you." Ruby stated.
"Don't worry Ruby you're a great woman and I'm sure that you'll find a new love and you'll see he'll appear when you least expect it." Adrien replied. "I'm sure that next time God will give you the man that you deserve."
"And I'm sure that you'll fine a way to cue Mari." Ruby stated. "I wish you all the luck in the world."
In the morning Sabine asked Ana to tell Mari what happened with Tom and Ana walked in the room to see Mari already dressed for the day. "Good morning Mari you seem happier today."
"Yes I woke up today ready to face the world." Mari replied with a smile. "Like my dad says when you fall just get up and try harder."
"I'm glad to hear that but I came to give you some news from your mom. Your dad collapsed last night and even with the medicine he's not doing so well. He is stable though." Ana stated.
Mari tears up. "Take me to him Ana please take me to him."
