The Family Jules

Returning to school, Juleka and Marinette seemed to be all smiles as they approached Alya and Rose. The latter asked "How was lunch?"

Juleka smiled at her. "Tasty, and very informative."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Alya asked as they started into the school.

"Mr. Agreste is not nearly the monster we make him out to be." Juleka said softly, remembering how he talked with her, and allowed the young woman to hug him. "I... had a panic attack..."

Alya rushed in front of her, "You had a what?! Are you alright?!"

Smiling at her, the young woman nodded. "I am. Mr. Agreste made sure I was alright personally when it started to happen, and calmed me down."

"No. Way!" Alya remarked, stunned.

"I was there, Alya." Marinette countered. "Adrien and I saw it happen."

"Whoa." she shook her head as they reached the classroom. "I guess he really does have a heart inside that chest."

Marinette nodded as she sat down at their shared desk. "Oh, and I have to take down the site when I get home."

Everyone watched as Alya turned her head so fast she was in danger of getting whiplash. The young blogger's voice raised. "Why?! Everyone worked so hard on that site!"

Giving a shrug, Marinette smiled. "It's alright, Alya. Part of me knew I shouldn't have added the pictures of Adrien, but I was so happy to see my friends modeling, and he helped Juleka so much, I didn't have the heart to say not to use them."

"He's not pursuing legal action, is he?" Alya asked, trying to get her emotions under control.

"No, but he did ask that I take down the site."

Turning her head away, Alya scowled. "Fine."

"Don't be like that, Alya. You knew that it was potentially only a temporary thing." Marinette never noticed the green eyed girl walking past.

"Oh! I'm so sorry for you, Marinette. Knowing that you can't display your fashions on your own site." Lila remarked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. To her surprise, the young designer just turned to her with a smile.

"I know you don't mean a word of that, Lila," Marinette countered, "but thanks all the same." With that said, she dismissed the Italian girl, before continuing her conversation. "I was actually rather surprised by how kindly he asked, so it's really no problem to shut it all down."

Lila backed away, blinking at the comment from Marinette. 'What's going on?' she watched as Adrien got in on the conversation, talking about their lunch, remarking on how he sat between the two young women, and how he enjoyed talking with his father throughout the meal. Everyone was smiling and Nino gave a small laugh at a comment when she heard her phone go off. Sitting at her desk, she looked over the message.

[Nathalie] You are formally requested to appear before Gabriel Agreste after school.

Blinking, she tapped the buttons on her phone.

[Child Star] I'll be right over once school has let out.

There was no response, and she expected none as her classmates returned to their seats and Miss Bustier started the next lesson. For the next few hours, the students learned, or in some cases pretended to learn, or, in the case of Chloe, just outright refused. Lila watched it all, but none of that seemed to matter as much as the sight of Juleka's and Marinette's happy smiles. 'Something happened, and I need to find out what.'

Unfortunately, she wasn't able to talk to anyone other than Nathaniel about this development, and he was agonizing about getting the next comic out. 'Pff, whatever.' Lila heard the school bell ring, indicating the end of their day, and packed up all of her notes for homework. Walking out of the school, she happened to see Marinette walking toward the bakery with Alya, Nino heading his own way, and Adrien going toward his car.

When he was about to get in, he turned in just enough time to see the Italian girl, and waved her over. "Lila! Can we give you a lift?" he asked.

'Perfect!' she walked over with a seductive smile. "Oh, Adrien. Always the gentleman. I would love to, but how did you know?"

"My father said he was expecting you after school before we returned from lunch, so I thought it would be a kind gesture to offer you a ride." Adrien's smile revealed nothing. "Besides, when I get home, I have to get my fencing gear, and I know my father doesn't like to be kept waiting when he summons an employee."

"Of course." Adrien waited until she was in the car before he shut the door, and walked around to the other door. Lila blinked at this as his bodyguard slipped into the front seat. When the male model was sitting in the back, she started to inch her way over to him. "Now that we're alone, perhaps you can tell me about why he summoned me?"

Adrien shrugged. "I wish I knew." he lied easily. "My father calls people for meetings all the time."

The car pulled up too soon for Lila's wishes, and she saw Nathalie already standing at the bottom of the steps, opening the door. "Mr. Agreste is in his atelier. Please do not keep him waiting, Miss Rossi." The Italian girl blinked, looking at the older woman. There was nothing she could discern from her countenance, but there was a definite edge to her voice that she didn't much appreciate. Walking up the stairs, and into the Agreste Mansion, she turned left and knocked on the door as Adrien ascended the stairs toward his room.

"Come."

Opening the door, she walked into the elder Agreste's personal design studio. He was moving things around on the podium tablet, his finger rubbing against his chin while his other hand moved the stylus, trying out different colors for his latest concepts. "You summoned me, Gabriel?" Lila asked.

"Mr. Agreste." he corrected.

For a moment she was taken aback. "What?"

The look in his eyes was hard and cold as he turned to regard the teenager. "When speaking to me in business, you will refer to me as "Mr. Agreste", Miss Rossi." his voice had a sharp bite that brooked no arguments as he emphasized her name and title.

"O-Of course, I'm sorry, Mr. Agreste."

"Are you?" Gabriel countered, cocking his head slightly.

Lila seemed to be stunned by his question for several seconds. "Yes." she finally managed.

Gabriel stopped his motions with his hands, and stepped forward, going around the podium with his arms behind his back. "Miss Rossi, do you know why I have called you here?"

"Um... no..." she felt her heart racing as he towered over her, his eyes hard, cold, and his voice held an edge she felt was ready to cut her heart out much more effectively than any scalpel could. "I... I've wondered why, but..."

"You are here because your provisional contract is going to expire in two weeks." Gabriel cut her off in mid-sentence, motioning to the desk where her contract lay.

"Oh." bringing up a hand, she placed it over her heart. "Does that mean you want to renegotiate my contract?" she asked, her voice dripping sweetness.

"There's nothing to renegotiate, Miss Rossi." Gabriel Agreste walked over to the desk, and picked up the paperwork. "Your provisional contract was set to allow for this company to see what type of a model you would be, and I must say your behavior has been, thus far, atrocious."

"What?!" Lila balked. "I've done everything you've asked!"

"No, you've failed to do everything I have asked. Instead, you've acted in your own self-interest, molested my son on numerous occasions, managed to cause several of my more talented models to quit because of your antics, endangered my company, and nearly brought shame to the name of Gabriel with your unprofessional behavior." He turned to glare at her, and for the first time since meeting the young Italian, he saw genuine fear. "Your contract will not be renewed, and I have no intentions of allowing you to disrupt my company further."

"Mr. Agreste, please, so many of your other models are jealous. They lie about me all the time!" Lila begged. "Please! I know I can show you that..."

At that, he opened the door to reveal Adrien standing right there. "Son, she says that models are lying about her unprofessional behavior. Surely you can tell me who in this house is the liar?"

"The only one I know of, is the young woman standing right in front of us." Adrien stated with a smile on his face.

Gabriel nodded. "... and was this the same consensus that your friends Juleka and Marinette shared?"

Lila took a step back. 'This was planned!' her eyes widened before she glared at the pair of men. Her eyes narrowed in obvious anger.

"Yes, father. I was sitting right there when you asked them about Lila."

Seeing him nod, she blanched at his next words. "I have also been told by several of my best designers that their work has gone missing." Gabriel added.

"I wasn't aware of that." Adrien admitted honestly.

"Oh, I talked with them after you and your friends left for school. Apparently, they mentioned it to Nathalie over the course of the past couple of months, but we couldn't find the culprit." Gabriel's gaze then rounded on her. "I authorized security to check every locker, and do you know what they found in Miss Rossi's?"

"No, father." Adrien admitted, although he was starting to suspect.

"Inside was a portfolio case, and the designs were inside. They have gotten back to their rightful designers, but my attorneys were wanting to make a case for industrial espionage." She watched as both males glared at her, her eyes widening as tears filled the lower section of her vision. 'But... I didn't!'

For several seconds Adrien blinked and looked at Lila. "She has said several times that she knew photographers and designers all over the world. With her connections, she could easily have sold them to the right person, and set herself up in a competing position if she stole enough."

"I... I didn't... Adrien... I never stole anything... you have to believe me!" Lila was crying, her entire body trembling. "Mr. Agreste... I-I didn't... I couldn't..."

"Of course," Gabriel said softly, "all of this is circumstantial evidence at best since we have no proof Miss Rossi stole anything," he then looked at Lila and she saw exactly what he was doing, "but doesn't this remind you of another time someone was accused of something they didn't do?"

Adrien nodded, his smile turning malicious. "It almost reminds me of when Marinette was expelled."

Lila stood there, stunned at what was happening. "You will leave my employ quietly, and leave my son's friends alone, or I will personally ensure you are charged as an adult with this crime, Miss Rossi."

The two males watched her run out of the house and through the open gate. "You know she's going to say anything she can at school." Adrien remarked.

"Let her. If she decides to try my patience, I will show the actual documentation." Turning to look at his son, Gabriel placed his hand on Adrien's shoulder. "I will not let Miss Couffaine learn bad habits while she's becoming a model, so I'm going to trust you to show her everything."

"I won't let you down, father." Giving his father another hug, Adrien sighed. "Thank you for giving her a chance."

Gabriel stood there for several seconds holding his son. "I know you won't, Adrien. You should thank yourself for bringing her to my attention. Had you not, I wouldn't have known about Miss Couffaine, Miss Dupain-Cheng, or learned the truth of Miss Rossi." He smiled at his son. "I only gave them the opportunity to show me what they can do, it is up to them to rise to the occasion, or step aside."

Nodding, the young man smiled. "I know they can do it, father. Marinette is an amazingly talented designer, and Juleka will become more confident as she learns modeling."

"Yes. I saw that when she mentioned her faith in Marinette. There was conviction in her voice, and confidence in her eyes." He looked at his son. "There will be times that she needs to be calmed down, but Nathalie will be there, and I want you to learn what to do and say, just in case she isn't."

"Okay, father."

Meanwhile, on the Liberty, Juleka was sitting with her brother on one side, and Anarka on the other, while Nathalie sat in front of her. She had just finished signing the last page, her entire body starting to tremble. 'I can't believe it's really happening!' her mind screamed as she looked up at Gabriel's assistant. "W-When would my first photo-shoot be?" she asked, handing back the pen.

After looking over the paperwork, Nathalie blinked. "You will not be going to any photo-shoots until you've been trained in what to do." She sat back, closing the folder with all the paperwork inside. "Our next event will be in two weeks, and in those two weeks you will have to learn the proper walk, turns, and develop your confidence in your stride. Mr. Agreste, Adrien, and myself will assist you with all of that."

"Did you use to model for Gabriel?" Anarka asked.

Shaking her head, Nathalie looked at the woman. "No. My panic attacks kept me from stepping onto the catwalk." she then looked at Juleka, "I want you to have the opportunity to break through how I never could." Setting the binder beside her on the love-seat, she gingerly reached out, taking the young woman's hands. "I know you can do it, Miss Couffaine, and Mr. Agreste knows you can, or he wouldn't have had you sign the contract."

"I-Is that a provisional contract?" Juleka asked, her hands clenching Nathalie's.

"No." Only then did the assistant smile. "Mr. Agreste and I both believe that you will be perfect for the new summer line in Milan. He has even canceled many of Adrien's courses in order to get you ready for your first event." Looking into her copper eyes with her own blue ones, Nathalie spoke softly. "We will all be there to support you, and ensure that should you have a panic attack, we can help."

Tears blurred her vision as Juleka smiled "I... don't know how I can thank you, or Mr. Agreste." feeling Nathalie let go of her hands, she wiped away her tears.

"Prove us right. Become the best model you can be," Nathalie urged, "and you would have more than paid us back." Standing up, she watched as the older boy hugged his sister, her mother standing and shaking hands with the assistant before she was escorted off the boat. Once in the car, she pulled up her phone. "Contract is signed, Mr. Agreste."

"Any problems?" Gabriel asked.

"None, sir."

-Five years later-

Juleka smiled as the last adjustment was made, her copper eyes looking at the bluebell blue ones of her friend and personal designer. "Can you believe it, Mari?" she asked. "Five years nearly to the day..."

Marinette smiled at her, nodding. "Five years, and so many changes." She stood up, looking at the top of the bodice. "You're sure you don't mind showing off that much cleavage?"

"As long as the majority is covered, I'm pretty sure I'll be alright. I'm still in love the mandarin collar you gave the dress, she twirled around, showing the backless portion." Juleka smiled at her, a hand clutching over her heart.

"You're not having another panic attack, are you?" Marinette asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"No. I haven't had one in years. I just... saw your rings and..." That prompted Marinette to look at her engagement and wedding rings on her left ring finger.

"Haven't either of you asked yet?"

Shaking her head, she sighed. "You'd think the romantic wouldn't need any prompting." Juleka sighed as she heard the music starting. "Well, it's time."

Wrapping her up in a warm hug, Marinette smiled. "Don't worry, I'm sure it will happen soon." Looking at the exit, she motioned with her head. "I'll see you out there."

It didn't take long before she heard her cue. Juleka stepped out into the lights, the flashing of bulbs as photographs were taken, her walk all swaying hips and bouncing bosom, with playful smirks and sassy looks. She glanced over to see Gabriel sitting with a look of pride on his face. Adrien sat next to Marinette, his wedding ring glinting in the reflection of light as his hand rested on hers.

The trio watched Juleka strut along the catwalk with both pride and awe. Spinning around at the end, she gave a sensual pout at one particular photographer, the sight of the redhead with a caramel complexion, and a beauty mark over her right eyebrow, before she started on her way back. Glancing up once, she saw Nino in the booth, giving her a thumbs-up as she continued back the way she came. Just before returning, she gave a last turn, blowing a kiss to the entire crowd, and sauntering across to the dressing room again.

Every flashbulb went off, when she turned, and many got several perfect pictures of Juleka blowing that kiss. Gabriel smiled at Marinette, motioning to her to approach the catwalk. Standing, she walked up, and was followed by the head of the company. Nino even came down with a microphone, handing it to Mr. Agreste. "Everyone, I wish to make a formal announcement. As of last month, I have taken a step back, and allowed several of my designers to submit designs for this event." He then motioned to the young woman beside him. "I am now formally announcing that my daughter-in-law will be taking over the design aspect of the business, and my son," Adrien stepped up, "will handle the business aspect. I will not be retiring fully, only allowing the new generation to take over, and I know they will not disappoint any of us."

Flashes went off as if it were the audience cheering. He then handed the microphone over to Marinette. "Thank you, Gabriel. All of this has been a dream come true for all of us, from our models to my husband and me," she gently reached out, taking his hand and placing it over her abdomen, "and for your soon-to-be grandson."

Gabriel's eyes prickled as tears formed. Wrapping both Marinette and Adrien up in a hug, he held them both as his shoulders shook, tears falling from his eyes. Juleka didn't need to be there for the announcement, the trio had already talked about how to tell him, and felt this was the perfect choice.

She had just stripped off her dress when she heard a soft voice. "Looks like someone's ready for her visitor." Turning she saw Rose standing there with a dozen red roses. "I'm sorry I was so late." Walking over, she wrapped Juleka up in a hug, kissing her lips tenderly. "My appointment took a bit longer than I expected."

"How are Marc and Nathaniel, anyway?" Juleka asked.

"They're good, and they're in agreement, but only as long as they can visit."

Juleka smiled. "I don't see any problem with that." She sighed. "Which one of us will it be?"

Rose bit her lower lip. "Both. They said they've been interested for years, but never asked because they weren't sure we were open to the idea."

"Boys can be so silly sometimes." Juleka remarked.

"Yeah, but so can girls." She then stepped back. "I should've asked this years ago, but... will you marry me?"

Looking at Rose with a smile, Juleka nodded. "You didn't even have to really ask, my sunshine. All you had to do was slip a ring on this finger, and take me to bed," she then giggled at the unladylike thoughts swirling around in her head while standing in only a pair of panties, "speaking of which. Let me get dressed and we can visit Marc and Nathaniel, have dinner, and see about following Marinette's and Adrien's example."

The two girls kissed again, before Juleka stepped back to dress in a pair of designer jeans and a black shirt that flattered her voluminous bosom. Rose did manage to finally slip a ring on her left hand ring finger, the diamond glittering in the light as the two young women were nearly inundated by flash photography. Getting into their car, the pair drove off, into a future the successful model had no fear of anymore.