It takes a few minutes to shake the cobwebs free, finding that I'm back in my bed with Adrien at the temple. Have you ever had one of those dreams where it was so vivid, so real? My mother and father were in the dream, holding me in the security of their arms. I miss them so much. A small gloomy clouds sweeps over me, and I get out of bed, sluggish and tired.
Even the hot water and sweet smelling shampoo doesn't work. As I dress, I debate telling Adrien what going on in my head and in my emotions. Here am I, missing them and he hasn't seen or talked to his mother in years. How does he keep that smile on his face, and not wallow in self-pity? He truly is a golden ray of sunshine, Adrien is.
Adrien stirs, reaching his arms over his head. "You look like your kind of picking apples, love." "Mm, apples make me think of apple pie." That does it, the waterworks spill over and Adrien is instantly at my side. "What's wrong, Marinette? Is the baby okay? Are you okay?" I swipe angrily at my tears. "Its nothing. I'm being selfish." "Marinette. Tell me what's wrong."
I look up surprised, for Adrien hardly ever uses that tone of voice with me. Its not an angry or harsh voice, more a mix between Adrien and Cat, and its the voice I don't disobey. "I miss my parents so much. I had a dream about them just a few minutes ago, and it just seemed so vivid." "You know, there will be no danger to them here. In fact, I'm sure they would enjoy the temple, and you don't want to get to upset right now." I nod, rubbing my belly. Usually in the mornings, the baby is moving but this morning its like he or she has picked up on Mommy's emotions as is choosing to be good. "Huh." I say aloud, and Adrien looks at me curiously. I tell him what I'm thinking. "She's not even born yet and she already cares about others." Adrien places a hand on my belly, and I do feel a slight movement. "Just like her mother. Maybe I'll go talk to someone in charge this morning, and see if your parents could come visit. You brought the Miracle Box, right?" I nod, but I'm not saying where the location of the box is out loud. You never know who could be listening.
After Adrien dresses, we head off down to breakfast, holding hands. I like the feeling of Adrien's warm hand wrapped around mine, as if nothing can break us apart. Adrien looks down at our hands interwoven together, and then looks at me, slightly blushing. "You have such a serene look on your face." "I like holding hands with you, love." "Me too."
This morning's meal is omelets, fruit and hash browns and Adrien tells me whatever I don't eat, he will. When everyone is seated, we turn as one of the Guardians taps gently on a glass to get everyone's attention.
"Good morning, everyone. After breakfast, a group is heading to pick apples down in the meadow. As long as the weather is clear tonight we will be having our annual bonfire and overnight trip. If we can get the apples picked in time, the kitchen staff have graciously offered to make pies for tonight. Meet down at the gates in an hour if you plan to join. Thank you."
"That might be good for you, getting out into the fresh air." I giggle as I cut a piece of omelet. "You just want an apple pie." "As long as your safe, that's all that matters."
Afterwards, Adrien helps to me to the library. He's going to go check on my parents potential visit and see if its a good idea for me to be out overnight. "I'll be back soon," he says, helping onto a large sofa. "Don't get distracted," I laugh.
I look out the windows towards the mountains, daydreaming and of course I fall asleep for a bit. When I wake Adrien is sitting quietly beside me. I yawn and carefully maneuver myself so I can rest my head in his lap. "Your clear to go, and yes, your parents may come whenever you are ready." "Tomorrow then." "I know you want to rest, but we should start making our way towards the doors."
The air is fresh and clean as we line up with everyone. Adrien starts to take both of our baskets, but a hear a small voice pipe up. "I'll take the baskets down to the campsite for you, Adrien. You help Marinette." "Why, thank you, Sumac. I trust you know what your doing." "Oh, yes," she tells us a big grin spreading across her face. "I go on this every year. Its so much fun!" We tell her we'll catch up with her later, and she scurries off down the path, disappearing into the crowd.
"Guess if I have two free hands now, it will allow me to do this!" I squeal in surprise as Adrien picks me up in his arms. "Adrien! Put me down!" "Just let me carry you for a bit, Bugaboo!"
People chuckle and make way for us as we walk down the path. The scent of apples is getting stronger and stronger, and my mouth is beginning to water. Its been awhile since I had a nice crunchy apple.
We make camp, and then its off to picking, and everyone is assigned to their own tree. I can't help talking a bite of the first red apple I see, juice trickling down my chin as I grin happily. We work in two teams: Team One is the harvesters, Team Two brings the apples to the kitchens.
Finally, someone announces that all the apples have been picked, and pie making has begin! Everyone cheers, and Adrien pumps his fist. All I want to do is sit down. I make my way over to the stream, Adrien right beside me and I lower myself and my toes into the water. At the first the water is cold, but I soon grow used to it.
I don't know what kind of supper is being cooked, but it smells wonderful, and I love watching the tall plume of smoke from the fire.
"You want to cuddle, Marinette?" "Hm?" The hard work plus the fresh air is making me sleepy and I nod. I drop off almost immediately as Adrien puts his arms around me, my back to his chest.
"Papa, may I frost cookies with you?" I'm back in a dream and I'm only five years old. Papa stops singing and gives me a gentle smile. "Why, of course, dear. Changed your mind on being a designer?" I shake my head vigorously. "No, but even fashion designers need a cookie break." Papa makes a coughing sound, and I look up to see his mustache twitching. I poke my tongue out of my mouth, concentrating hard. "That's right, slow and steady." My father's hand is sturdy but gentle as I frost the cookie. When the tray is finished, Papa gives me a extra one for my work. But I don't eat the cookie just yet, tucking it in my apron and follow him to the front. "Papa, why do you like baking cookies so much?" I ask. "Isn't a cookie just eaten then its gone?" "That may be true, honey, but the cookie was made with love, and love is the secret indgerent of every recipe."
"Marinette? Honey? Time for dinner." The dream fades and I find myself still in Adrien's arms. "I had a dream I was helping my father make cookies," I tell him. When we get over to the fire, we find out that supper is dumplings and apparently my body is loving dumplings. Filled with meat, carrots, peas and rice, Adrien has to go back a few times until my belly is happy.
The pie is one of the most delicious pies I've ever eaten, there's just something about hard work. Afterwards, we spread blankets out by our tents and watch the stars come out one by one.
With no night pollution near, the stars are so clear and look so close in the warm velvety blackness I feel like I could reach up and pick one. I wish I could and give it to my daughter, so she could make her own wish.
Though during the night I wake, craving more dumplings and roll over to tell Adrien. "Adrien? Honey?" Nothing. I watch his chest rising and falling, until he turns over and I stew quietly. Looks like I'll have to take matters into my own hands.
Finding the food tent isn't hard, and I take a few cold dumplings and place them in a small bowl. I shuffle back to the tent, and then starts to tuck in.
"So, having a late night craving are we?" I freeze with my mouth full of dumpling and slowly turn to see Adrien's smirking face. His eyes are sparkling and smoldering at the same time, and oh, he is so hot! I sallow enough to talk. "I got hungry. Dumpling?" I stab one with my fork and offer it to him and he gentle takes it. "You never fail to surprise me, Bugaboo." I set my bowl off to the side, climbing onto Adrien's lap. "But now I'm craving a different kind of hunger," I whisper, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He sets me gently on top of my sleeping bag, hand on one of the buttons on my nightshirt. "You comfortable?" I nod, my breath accelerating in anticipation. Those skilled and expert fingers know just where to go, and I close my eyes, loving the feather light touches. He knows all my secret curves and valleys only places I would allow Adrien to touch. This will be a craving that will never be saited.