"You never come to the celebrations, girl!" Alya groaned over the phone, though she wasn't even surprised at the answer Marinette gave to the same question she asked every year.
"I think it's disrespectful," Marinette replied with a shrug as she got ready for the day, though the sun had long risen. It was nice to sleep in for once, which was something she rarely got to do working full time. Up early, and often up late to finish up her work. It was a job she loved though, and she wouldn't trade it for the world.
"You have the whole week off– and you're going to spend it locked up inside?" Alya asked in disbelief.
"No, I'm probably going to spend my time with Emma and Jay, hang out at my parents– family bonding."
"Or you could bring them along and let them enjoy the festivities," Alya said. "Lilly and Shawn would love to have them along to play with. I'll even put up with Chloe and invited Harper too, you know her and Emma are inseparable–"
"I'd really rather not go out right now," Marinette insisted, hands momentarily touching the black earrings in her ears. She always wore them, but it had been a long time since they had felt like anything special. "And no, I'm not boring," she added, knowing what Alya was going to say. "You know I have my reasons, and besides... I have another reason for this year."
"Hmm?" Alya asked, the reporter instantly interested in this. "And what exactly does that mean, Mme Dupain-Cheng?"
Marinette smiled. "Let's just say I have a surprise in the oven."
A squeal could be heard on the other line. "No way! Oh no way– oh, congratulations! How far along are you?"
"Only a couple of weeks, we haven't told anyone yet," Marinette said, laying a hand on her stomach. "So not a word, got it? Not even to Nino. I plan on telling my parents this week that grandbaby number three is on the way."
"Got any names picked out?"
"I have a few I'm fond of, but nothing yet."
Alya let out another excited squeal, instantly asking more questions, which Marinette was more than happy to answer. Being a mother was everything Marinette had dreamed it would be, even if she wasn't the homemaker in their house. Each one was a blessing in her life, filling the empty spaces in her heart.
She often wondered if Alya would have any more children– she had declared that after twins she was done, yet she got so excited whenever someone else was expecting, just as she was now with Marinette's most recent announcement. She took her role as aunt very seriously, and seemed to already be plotting how she was going to become this little one's favorite.
Tikki sat on her dresser, watching her chosen silently. This week would mark six years since they had defeated Hawk Moth, six years since they had claimed victory in the battle they had been fighting since they were kids.
Six years since she had seen Chat Noir.
Marinette let out a long sigh, closing her eyes as tears stung at the thought of her partner, trying to focus on what Alya was saying. Tikki looked away guiltily, while Marinette fought for control of her emotions. She had what most would consider a perfect life– her dream job, a loving husband, children like she had always wanted, a good relationship with her parents, many close friends– but she always carried a heaviness with her wherever she went, a sorrow she could not abandon.
"I need to go, Alya," she whispered. "I'll talk to you later."
"Bye~" she chimed, still clearly excited about the news of the newest little one, and Tikki hung up the phone for her.
"...Are we going to wait this year?" Tikki asked quietly, and Marinette eyed her in surprise. It had basically been two years since they had done that sort of thing, and the thought hadn't even crossed her mind until her kwami had mentioned it. She rarely even played hero anymore, as her schedule just wasn't as flexible to allow such antics. Unless there was an emergency she saw no reason to transform, especially with the new life growing within her.
"No," Marinette said, and that was that. The kwami didn't push the topic further, only rising up into the air and phasing into her bag as they heard footsteps coming up the stairs.