"Emergency news, a fire broke out at the Dupein-cheng patisserie. The bakery and the upper apartment were both destroyed leaving the residents homeless and without any of their things here is more from our reporter at the sight." The newscaster said before showing the reporter along with Tom Dupein.
"Can you tell us what happened." The reporter asked then Tom began to explain a little nervous about being on TV.
"Honey?" The blonde woman shouted in surprise making her equally blonde husband look up from his coffee and paper.
"Honey, isn't that?" She asked pointing to the screen standing up in shock, making Gabriel stand up as well and look in shock.
"Tom?" He cried in surprise.
"Marinette? How is it fitting?" Tikki asked outside of the changing room.
"It fits well. It just won't have my added style." Marinette said coming out of the changing room wearing the school's spare girls uniform, it was plain black with the stripes along the hem, a plain white dress shirt, with black cuffs & collar, a black sweater vest with the school logo on the right breast, black knee-high socks, and plain black dress shoes, and the red tie tucked in the vest, her friends helped her out with bringing a hairbrush and helped her fix her hair into her usual twin tails and makeup.
"At least it looks good on you," Alya said pining on a sparkly Ladybug brooch over the school logo.
"Thanks, I still miss my uniform though." She said looking at herself in the mirror.
"And I miss all of my stuff as well." She said brushing her skirt down.
"Don't worry you can share with us until you get your life back in order," Tikki said as she and Alya laid their heads on Marinettes shoulders and hugged her in support.
"Thanks, ladies," Marinette said with a deep appreciative smile.
The Ladybugs were all walking towards school with Marinette once again in the middle and once again they were center of attention.
"Can you believe she's here?"
"After everything that's going on, I would have stayed home."
"She's so brave."
"...or stupid."
Everywhere they went they heard the same whispers, but they never put their heads down.
"So where are you staying now?" Alya asked as they sat down in their class.
"Were staying at the grand hotel for now until we can find something else," Marinette explained as she began rummaging through her school bag that her friends bought for her at the school store filled with daily essentials.
"I wish you would just come stay with me," Tikki said helping her organize her things.
"But then I would have to leave my Father and in this situation its best to stick together when we've already lost everything else." She said with a smile as the bell rung signaling the beginning of class.
"Such a good daughter." Alya joked turning towards her desk as the teacher came in.
"Is there anything?" Tom asked as he was digging through what was left of their home.
"I found a few things but nothing important," Uncle Wang said as he was gently flipping through their burnt family albums looking for any photos that survived but finding none.
"Yeah, I didn't find anything important either. Just some furniture." Tom said coming over to his late wife's brother, then slumping next to him in depression.
"Everything's gone Tom, I'm sorry," Wang said setting the burnt book aside.
"See look everything is burnt." A light feminine voice said grabbing their attention towards the distance.
"Yes nothing could have survived this." A masculine voice said making Tom and Wang look at each other with confusion.
"Oh, here something did survive." The feminine voice said as some rubble was moved making the sound of falling rocks.
"Its the sterling picture frame we got them for their wedding." The masculine voice said making Tom stand up and follow the voices to see the 2 blonde people looking at the ash covered silver picture frame but the pictures and backing were all burnt leaving behind the frame and the glass.
"Angel? Deli?" Tom asked making the blonde couple look over and smile as Wang came up behind Tom.
"Tum-Tum." The two blondes said walking over the debris to hug Tom.
"We lost our home, everything is gone," Tom said crying and hugging the tall blonde man.
"You still have your lives," the blonde woman said looking at her old school friend.
"Dad? What up?" Marinette asked as she answered her phone during lunch break, Tikki and Alya both looked at their friend as they continued to eat.
"Oh really? That's great." She said making her friends give her their full attention.
"Ok yeah, after school... thanks... Love you too." Marinette finished her call with a bright smile.
"what's up?" Tikki asked matching her smile.
"An old friend of my Dads saw the news and offered for us to say with them until we get back on our feet," Marinette said putting her phone away.
"Really? That's awesome." Alya said grasping Marinettes hand.
"Yeah, my Dad is picking me up from school then were headed to their house." She said continuing with her food.
"Should we come help?" Tikki asked with concern.
"No, Dad said no visitors just yet she doesn't want to overwhelm them," Marinette replied giving Tikki an apologetic smile.
"I understand but hopefully we will be able to see where you will be staying," Alya said.
"Agreed." Tikki and Marinette said at the same time making them all laugh.
That afternoon Marinette was riding with her Dad in their rented van and limited luggage in the back, and limited consists of small suitcases for each person filled with emergency clothes that were bought after the fire.
"So how do you know these people?" Marinette asked as they rode down the highway and turned into the expensive living district, which caught Marinette's attention in shock at the beautiful houses.
"We went to high school with them," Tom said with a smile as she handed Marinette a small thermos of tea.
"Oh. when was the last time you saw them?" She asked.
"Its been a while, a few years at least," Tom said as he turned into the driveway of the largest house on the block.
"Woah. THIS?" Marinette said as her Dad stepped out of the vehicle so she followed just as a well-dressed woman in a black suit with a red turtleneck, plain black heels, her black hair had a red streak and it was pulled back into a bun while her makeup was simple but elegant and her glasses her simple as well and she was followed by a well-dressed butler.
"Welcome, I am Nathalie head of household." She said as the butler came down to grab their two small suitcases that were small and light enough for just him.
"Please follow me the family awaits," she said turning and heading back into the house making Marinette and her Dad follow.
"Tom welcome home." The tall blonde man said as he wrapped his arms around the large man as best as he could the men chuckled as they hugged and did little dances of joy.
"Ah. Marinette this is my old friend Gabriel. Angel, This is my daughter Marinette." Tom said introducing the two, Gabriel looked over the young girl with black hair in a very familiar uniform.
"I know that uniform. Francois Dupont? My son goes there." The tall blonde man said with a proud smile.
"Oh maybe I know him," Marinette said with an ignorant smile and excitement.
"Maybe so he is with my wife and younger son in the sitting room." The angelic man said leading the way.
When Gabriel opened the door Marinette was met with the most unexpected sight she ever thought possible.
"Such a good Kitty." The Lovely blonde woman said as she was petting her sons blonde hair and behind his ear as he was rubbing his head in her lap, He was out of uniform and in a black T-shirt with colorful stripes, a white over shirt, light blue jeans, and orange converse he was making a very audible purring noise as he played pet cat with his mother.
Marinette was in shock at seeing Adirne act so different then what she was used too.
"Emilie, boys," Gabriel said grabbing their attention, Adrien looked over to see none other than his point of fun at school standing in his house and staring dumbstruck at him.
"MARINETTE." Adrien shouted jumping from his comfortable place and falling face first on the floor with a loud "OOMPF"
"Oh Adrien, are you ok?" The beautiful blonde woman asked reaching down for him but he jumped to a standing showing off his red face as Tom walked in and came up to him to shake his hand.
"Hello, young man," Tom said as Adrien shook his large calloused hand.
"Hi, I'm Adrien." He replied smiling properly but his blush was giving away his inner turmoil.
"Hello dear one," Emilie said coming up to Marinette and hugging her tight.
"Hi, I'm Marinette." She replied hugging the strange woman back.
Emilie stood back taking her hands and looking dreamily at the young girl.
"Oh it is so nice to have another girl in the house having my husband and sons is overwhelming and unfeminine and I only have Nathalie but she is always busy," Emilie said her lovely green eyes sparkling with excitement, she wore a tight blue dress of simple design and with plain black heels.
"So you know each other." She asked turning to look with a smile between Adrien and Marinette.
"Yes, ...Um," Adrien said with a blush looking to Marinette for help.
"You could say we're friends," she said covering for him.
"Oh I love it," Emilie said bringing her hands to her heart in happiness.
"Oh and don't mind what you saw my son is just a big kitty cat." She said to Marinette as she came up to her son and began to rub his ears making him flutter his eyes and lean into her hands but quickly regained himself.
"Oh come on mom, not in front of others." Adrien tried using his palm to rub his head trying to brush off the feeling, Marinette had never seen him so vulnerable.
"Aw, my sweet boy," Emilie said hugging his head to her bosom and nuzzling his blonde hair with her face as his own blushed but didn't look at her.
"Oh and this is my younger son Felix," Gabriel said grabbing everyone's attention to look over at the young blonde boy doing his homework in the corner with a smile, he was a young Adrien.
"Nice to meet you." He said standing up to shake Tom's hand and hugging Marinette around her legs.
"Hello there." She said hugging him back with a smile.
"Oh and Marinette I have a surprise for you," Emilie said grasping her hand and practically ran up the stairs with a dragged Marinette in tow.
Emilie lead Marinette down the balcony and passed 2 doors, one was light green and the other was dark green while the third was Hot pink.
"This is the children's wing, and this is your room." She said opening the pink door to reveal a pretty pink Princess' room.
"Oh wow," Marinette exclaimed looking around the room, it had pink walls with black lining and a loft, it was exactly like she and her friends dreamed it would be the first floor had a sitting area with a work desk styled with a brand new sewing machine, and a computer, a small staircase leading up to a loft with a king size bed, and then a skylight with a drop down ladder obviously leading up to a balcony. Everything was pink with black or grey accents.
"This is beautiful," Marinette said walking over to look over the desk.
"I have always wanted a daughter. I've had this room ready for a baby girl for the longest time and come in here when I'm depressed, but se soon as Tom agreed to come live with us and bring his teenage daughter I knew this had to be your room, I went and bought a computer, a sewing machine, and a bed immediately, with a few things along the way, I bought you new clothes and shoes, even a fresh uniform for your school, bedding for your bed and your father told me your a fashion major so thats why the sewing machine as well as an array of supplies so you can decorate your new uniform." Emilie said coming over to grab Marinettes hand and swing it in happiness while motioning around the room.
"Also the door over there leads to the Jack and Jill bathroom," Emilie said leading Marinette over to the door and opening to find a large well-decorated bathroom.
"Wow, pretty." She said looking around to see a vanity with double sinks and 3 doors opposite the vanity and another right across from the door to her bedroom.
"This door," Emilie said opening the door closest to them to reveal a room with a large bathtub in the center.
"This is the BATHroom. Its fully automated, just use the touchpad to pick your salts, soaps, washes, bubbles, and temperature." Emilie explained motioning around like Vanna White it was a Japanese hot spring style tub that was large enough to swim.
"Amazing." Marinette complimented
"Now the next door." She said grabbing Marinette and showing her the next door to reveal a large shower room.
"Same with the bath use the touchpad to choose your preferences." She explained as Marinette looked around the black and white tiled shower with multiple showerheads enough for a small party of people.
"Incredible." She complimented with a smile.
"And the next room," Emilie said leading her out and to the next door to reveal a small water closet.
"The water closet, each door has a lock for your privacy." She explained leading her back out.
"And that door leads to Adrien's room." She explained as she led the way back out into Marinette's room.
"You've gone above and beyond just for me. I'm so grateful. Thank you." Marinette said turning to look at the woman and bowing as she thanked her.
"No need dear. I am happy that your both here." Emilie replied giving her a smile then a hug, both of them were shaken from their reverie when a thump sounded making them look to find Adrien giving a kind smile still strange.
"Oh thank you," Emilie said coming over to him and dragging Marinette by her hand.
"Yes thank you," Marinette said.
"No problem," Adrien said.
"Well, I will leave you to settle in," Emilie said.
"Adrien, help her settle in," Emilie whispered as she ruffled her son's hair as she passed him then left closing the door behind her.
After she left Adrien turned his head in a slow-motion letting his blonde hair fall in his eyes and give her a pleading look.
"Please don't tell anyone about any of this." He pleaded with a fallen babyface making her go wide-eyed.
"Please?" He asked her in his cold and scared voice making Marinette compose herself.
"Easy there big guy," Marinette said quickly reaching up to rub his ear making his eyes flutter and his spine shake.
"Uh... STOP THAT." He said pushing her hand away but she was faster in rubbing his ear and petting his head with both hands.
"Your ok Cat Noir, just relax." She said holding him still as she used his weakness to calm him down, Adrien faltered and began losing his strength, gently and slowly falling into her grasp though he tried pushing her away from him but she was stronger in this position.
"Please... Stop..." He said as his eyes glazed over and an audible purr resonated from his chest that she felt on her as she slumped with him to the floor, His head rested in her lap as she continued petting his head and going down his spine getting shivers from him as his strength completely left him.
"Your such a naughty boy Adrien, I think you need my help to calm down most of the time shall I do this at school to help you?" She inquired feeling him stiffen and try to move but she was too good.
"Please..." He said through his haze.
"Alright, I will make an agreement with you. I will keep your secret IF you and the other Black cats leave me and the Ladybugs alone unless you act like gentlemen and be friendly towards us at all times." She said gently whispering in his ear as he nuzzled her lap taking deep breaths.
"I-I... Pr-Promise." He said pulling his legs closer to his face to nuzzle her lap better.
"Good Kitty, I promise to keep your double life to myself." She said releasing him instantly, it took him only a second to regain his composure and stand heading for the door but then turned and looked as she stood up, dusted herself off and gave him a sweet smile.
"A quick thing though. If I may?" He asked giving her a sweet angelic smile making her tilt her head in curiosity.
"Sure." She said returning his smile.
"How will you be able to feed a baby in the future with those salad plates." He said with a mocking smile and wicked eyes making her smile fall and her cheeks rage in a deep blush.
The 3 adults were enjoying a night cap when a shouting from the 2nd floor caught their attention and made them look up.
Adrien laughed as marinette chased him her face still red and he was too fast for her.
"Don't blame me for stating a fact." He shouted as he jumped over a small table as she followed.
"Fact or not I'm gonna kill you." She said as she followed him down a hallway their scampering feet and playful bickering can be echoed and heard down below.
"They are already getting along so well. I'm so happy." Emilie said swooning and leaning against her husband.
"Indeed I can't wait to see where this takes our kids. Huh Tum-Tum?" gabriel asked clinking his beer glass with his high school best friend.
"Yes, I have never seen her like this. Its very refreshing. Im glad she is happy here. Thank you for taking us in." Tom said giving his friends a cheer with his own beer glass.