'Well that was awkward!'
Adrien and Marinette had been put through their paces by their parents. Questions ranging from "What are your intentions?" And "Are you taking contraception?" We're at the forefront of Marinette's mind. They were both equally as embarrassed as Marinette's parents, as Gabriel had directed some questions to them too. "Have you known about this new friendship for long?" And "Did you know your daughter awoke next to my son this morning?" This last question had earned Marinette and uncomfortable look from her parents.
The conversation had however become less tense and Adrien was surprised how his father had warmed to them rather unexpectedly.
"Mrs Cheng, you and your husband's pastries really are quite divine." He purred his compliment while uncharacteristically licking his fingers.
"Oh call me Sabine," she waved her hand. "Our children are obviously not messing around, Marinette has been fond of Adrien for a long while-" This comment caused Marinette to wince and blush, waiting for the floor to swallow her whole.
"As I have been fond of Marinette too." Adrien interjected squeezing her hand in support.
The two love birds had ventured outside, away from the interrogating parents and left them to it.
"I think it's all gone pretty paw-some Bugaboo!" Adrien was very happy that Marinette's parents had been able to have a relaxing effect on the whole matter. "My dad even chuckled a few times!" At that he was astounded.
"It is going really well isn't it?" Marinette was more inquisitive and thoughtful. "There's still one more hurdle to cross-"
"Kagami," Adrien sighed.
Marinette's parents were leaving and Marinette needed to get home to do homework. Unfortunately life had to continue and their time was limited as Adrien was required to go to fencing practice.
"I'll see you later?" Adrien asked the room more than Marinette, he knew his dad would want to schedule any time spent with Marinette in, so it didn't have any consequences to his other commitments.
"Hopefully?" Marinette replied as his father smirked and nodded.
'What is going on? My dad isn't being as cold as usual, and he's actually given a nod to me seeing Marinette later.'
'Are we in the twilight zone?'
Equally as baffled by this gesture, Marinette gave Adrien a kiss goodbye and left with her parents. The door shut behind them and Adrien turned to his father who was now at the top of the stairs.
"Thank you father...I appreciate what you have done today." Adrien looked up at his father who gazed back fondly down to his son.
"Adrien, I remember what it was like to be a young and in love," he continued with a thoughtful look on his face. "When I met your mother I was truly happy, I see that in you with Miss Dupain-Cheng." He smirked again.
Adrien did something that would surprise both him, his father and Nathalie who was waiting to escort Adrien to fencing practice. Adrien ran to his father and hugged him. After a moment, his father returned the gesture and it was the most unnatural yet, natural motion that had happened between them since his mother had passed.
"You can see Marinette this evening, there is an event in which I am guest of honour." His father said to him as their embrace ended. "You would be joining me too, I believe it might be a subject which would interest your designer friend."
Adrien nodded and made his way back down the stairs. Nathalie had an unusual smile on her face when looking towards the two of them. They walked out of the house and stepped into the car, a warm sensation in Adrien's stomach as he thought about the change he had seen in his father.
Sabine and Tom were in the shop downstairs, preparing for the afternoon rush when a tired looking Marinette emerged in the door way.
"Have you finished your homework already?" Sabine asked her daughter with a knowing smile.
Marinette nodded while she grabbed an apron to help her parents prepare.
"I suppose you are looking forward to seeing Adrien later?" Tom asked with a teasing lilt to his voice.
Marinette blushed as she picked up a tray and started to load the pre-cut biscuits on to it that her father had just prepared.
"Gabriel didn't seem so scary in person, did he Tom?" Sabine turned to her husband, while putting freshly baked goods onto the counter.
"No, I thought he was quite pleasant, once the formalities had been discussed," he said with a chuckle.
Marinette knew there was an elephant in the room which needed addressing. Blushing and unsure of herself, she perked up the courage to speak openly about it with her parents.
"I'm sorry I lied about where I was last night," she hung her head, slightly embarrassed and ashamed that she had lied. She continued before her parents could speak, "I really am, I didn't think any of it through really...I just wanted to be there with him."
A stern but warm look was on her mother's face as she approached her daughter and put her hands on her shoulders, stooping to meet Marinette's gaze. "I am disappointed that you lied to us Marinette, please don't do it again." She was firm in her words and continued, "this time it worked out okay, yet what would happen if someone got akumatised and we couldn't find you?"
Marinette rolled her eyes internally knowing that she would be the one saving the day anyway.
"We have always trusted you Marinette," Tom chimed in. "We have never stopped you from doing anything, the least we expect is your honesty." He concluded rather matter of factly.
The lack of anger and more disappointment coming from her parents made Marinette feel worse. She knew it was the wrong thing to do, and she was expecting them to come down a little bit harder on her. The loving way her parents looked at her now though just showed her how lucky she was to have them.
"Doesn't Adrien look like his mum Tom!" Sabine changed the subject, "that portrait of her in his office really is striking in comparison to him."
"You went into his office?" Marinette was intrigued at what had been discussed when her and Adrien had left their parents to chat.
"Yes!" Tom replied happily, "he showed us around the house, his living spaces, office, works of art that he's acquired..." Tom trailed off in thought. "The likeness to Adrien though really is amazing-"
"Gabriel agreed," Sabine interjected, "when we pointed it out." Sabine smiled, "especially Adrien having his mother's eyes," Sabine gushed. "His reaction was a bit off at first, but then we got talking about his wife-"
"You'd did?" Marinette was wide eyed and slightly astonished at how personal their conversation had become with Adrien's father. "How did he take it?" Very much intrigued by the answer she was awaiting.
"Erm..." Tom thought for a minute, "he became rather hesitant at first, didn't he dear-"
"Oh yes," Sabine nodded. "He ended up talking about how they met, and how much he loved and cherished her though." She looked at Tom who was smiling lovingly back at her, "he misses her deeply."
"And..." Marinette was waiting for anything that could possibly have lead to his change in behaviour that had been noted that morning.
"Well," Sabine didn't really know how to answer her daughter now and shrugged.
"You did say to him," Tom reminded his wife, "how it must be lovely to have such loving memories of her."
"Oh yes that's right," she remembered now. "And how it must be lovely to see his son being so much like her." She smiled and tilted her head in thought, "like having him around was a lovely way to remind him of the good times they had together."
'That was it! Maybe having this said to him has caused him to see Adrien in a different light!' With this thought, Marinette let out a gasp when she seen what had possibly happened.
Marinette's parents were so inoffensive and positive that they had innocently made a comment to Gabriel which had possibly not been noted to him. Instead of him being a constant reminder of the loss to his father, Adrien could be a constant reminder of the happiness he had with his wife. An unexpected outcome from inviting Marinette's parents to his house, when really he was probably hoping for the opposite to happen. For his negativity to have an impact on her parents.
"Everything ok Marinette?" Her father asked her innocently when he heard her gasp.
"Yes, y-yes," Marinette was thinking. "Do you think that's why-"
Marinette's phone rang before her parents could answer. It was a number she didn't recognise.
"Hello," she answered leaving the bakery kitchen and standing in the hallway.
"Miss Dupain-Cheng, it's Nathalie."