Ben loved the feeling of flying over the rooftops of London. He felt free from all the stress of his civilian life. He didn't understand why his father was so obsessed with him doing well and getting into a good sixth form.
Flashback
Ben had just got in from school after his last exam. In his room, Ben got changed out of his school uniform.
"Finally, It's over. No more exams or school for two months" Ben said. "I don't need to look at any silly formulas or equations."
Ben's father knocked on the door and pushed it open.
"Someone seems happy"
"Oh, I didn't hear you come in," Ben said.
"Sorry to scare you. I just wanted to remind you that just because school's finished it doesn't mean that you get away with not doing anything. You will still be having your private lessons"
"But Father, I don't need to study Maths anymore, I haven't chosen it as an A-level subject" Ben replied. "I'm doing Drama and ICT"
"I thought we decided that you were going to study English, maths and Law," His father said.
"That's what you want me to study. I don't want to do those subjects. I don't enjoy them. Doing Drama and ICT will allow me to get an apprenticeship with one of the theatre companies" Ben replied.
"I need someone to take over the law business when the time is right and I always thought that person would be you," His father said.
"It's not what I want to do. Luka would be great and he is going to be doing his Masters in Law" Ben said. "Please father, let me do the things that make me happy"
"The offer is still there and I really hope that you consider it," His father said.
Ben didn't say anything else. He didn't want to upset his father.
End of Flashback.
Ben arrived at their usual patrol stop and found Wolfette waiting for him.
"Evening" Ben said.
"Hey," Wolfette said. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, just thinking about something" Tawny Owl replied, he decided the change the subject. "Anway, what were you going to tell me"
"You have to keep these between the two of us," Wolfette said.
"Are you going to tell me who you are under the mask?" Ben asked.
"No. I was going to tell you about something I found out the other day. There are other miraculous, some of them are missing and have been for years. I've got a feeling that they are somewhere in this city" Wolfette said.
"Who told you that? I asked my Kwami about this but she told me 'I would find out when the time is right'"
"I meet someone the other day. I'm not supposed to tell you who he is but I just thought I would keep you involved. I know how it feels to be left in the dark," Wolfette said.
"I understand and I trust you" Ben replied. "Did you find the person you needed to find"
"No, I never found him," Wolfette said. "He asked me something but I never got the chance to reply and I feel bad."
"You must care about him a lot," Ben said.
"I do," Wolfette said.
The two heroes continued talking for most of the night.
It had just gone 11:00 in the morning when Felicity found herself being woken up by her younger brother.
"Wake up, Felicity" Teddy said.
"Five more minutes," Felicity said.
"Mummy" Teddy called "Felicity's not up"
"Felicity, it's 11:00, please get up. We're going to your cousin's house" Her Mum said.
"Ok, I'm getting up" Felicity replied as she pushed the covers of her. Teddy left the room and Felicity went to have a shower.
In the Russo house, Ben had just got back from picking up a bakery order with his brother Flavio. His father waited for them in the kitchen. It was unusual for Ben to see his father dressed up on a Saturday morning.
"Thank you for picking that up for me," His father said. "I don't know what I would do without the two of you"
Ben found this strange as well.
"Is everything ok?" Ben asked.
His father didn't answer him, instead, he was sent to help set the table in the oversized dining room. His other brother Luka and his step-mum Linda are already inside. Linda had a full face of make-up and wore a smart dress.
"Ben, could you get six side plates out please," Linda asked.
Ben took six side plates from the cupboard and put them on the table. He had just put the last one down when the doorbell rang.
The front door closed.
"Ben, sit down, please. Your Uncle is here" Linda said.
Uncle Marcello?
Ben hadn't been told anything about his Uncle joining them. When Uncle Marcello and Ben's father walked into the dining room, Ben expected Anna to follow but she didn't.
"Thank you for having me at such short notice" Uncle Marcello said as he sat down.
"It's no trouble," Linda said. "You're family. It's nice for us to be together again."
This was new, Linda didn't speak about Uncle Marcello often. Ben wanted to know what caused her to change her mind.
"What happened to Anna?" Luka asked.
"We split up. That's the reason why I'm here. I have nowhere to go" Uncle Marcello said. "I can't go back to Italy, there's nothing there for me anymore"
"How about we set you up in one of the spare rooms for now. It's no trouble at all" Ben's dad said.
Ben didn't expect this.
"Are you sure?"
"We've had our ups and downs in the past few years but at the end of the day, you are my twin brother." Ben's dad replied.
"Thank you" Uncle Marcello replied.
"It's no trouble. Luka and Flavio can help set up the spare room for you" Ben's dad said. He then turned to Ben, "I need to talk to you"
After a quiet brunch, Ben and his dad sat in the kitchen.
"Uncle Marcello will be staying in the room next to you until we set up the loft room. I know it's very sudden but your Uncle gets up very early for his job, I just wanted to remind you to be respectful and don't have to TV up loud after 10 pm" His dad said.
"That won't be an issue," Ben said.
"That's good" His dad replied. "You can go now"
Ben left and went back to his room.
Felicity found herself sitting in her Uncle's kitchen, helping her Mum to look after her cousins Jackie and Felix while her Uncle worked. Felix and Teddy sat on the floor playing with toys.
"Felix, look at my Wolfie doll," Teddy said. "Mummy found it"
Felicity remembered the doll. It was one of the first products to be made in a line of merchandise dedicated to her alter ego. The company had made Ladybug and Chat Noir dolls as well.
"Where did you get it?" Felix asked.
"There should be a Ladybug and Chat Noir ones as well," Felicity said. "Dad knew someone who's uncle worked with the company that made the toys. This is one of the original designs"
"You're so lucky," Felix said.
"I've met them as well," Teddy said.
"Wow," Felix said. "Did you get pictures?"
"No," Teddy said.
"There's loads on the Ladyblog tho. I went to the same as the owner of the blog" Felicity said. "I think I gave your Uncle the link to the blog"
Felix smiled but didn't say anything else.
"Who wants to help me with dinner?" Felicity's Mum asked.
"Me" Felix, Teddy and Jackie said.
"Teddy," Felicity said. Teddy turned around and looked at his sister.
"Thank you for keeping quiet about the pictures," Felicity said.
Teddy smiled.
