Halloween, The Following Year….
"Wait for us, Emma!" Marinette and I giggle at the impatient look on our daughter's face. But Emma is a good girl, and she waits for us, bouncing from foot to foot. "But Papa, I thought ladybug's fly everywhere!" Emma is wearing a version of Ladybug's suit, and with Emma loving animals, she loves her costume. "That may be true, but this cat and bug like to take their time!"
As soon as we're close enough, Emma is off dashing to the next house. Of course, everyone thinks she's adorable, which she is. Though Emma has her own personality, she looks very much like Marinette. That's okay, I can always teach her cat puns.
"Papa, Mama!" Emma skips up to us. "I got more chocolate!" Emma sings, dropping another chocolate bar into her orange pumpkin pail. "Soon you'll be bouncing off the walls," Marinette laughs. "But now its time for this little ladybug to go home to her flower bed." "Okay. Will you carry me back to the boat, Daddy?" "It would be my purr-lea sure," I grin at her, and give her a small bow. My heart soars as she giggles, and I swoop her up into my arms. "Your silly, Daddy," Emma says, burrowing her face in my shoulder. "Your not the only one who thinks that," I respond, winking at Marinette.
Even the moon looks like a pumpkin tonight, as we row home, the water a peaceful calm. The moonlight is so strong, I can see Marinette giving Emma her bottle and cooing softly. Emma falls asleep before we get home, and putting my daughter to bed is one of the best parts of the day.
In the morning, Emma eats her oatmeal happily. "Can I go to the garden with Daddy?" she asks. "Its alright with me," I tell Marinette. "The beans need to picked, and I could always use a little helper." "Me, me, me!" "You may go with Daddy, after you put on some sun cream and make sure she keeps her hat on, Adrien. She would burn easily in this heat."
Emma is a very good girl, but she squirms when I put on the sun cream. Marinette distracts her with a small song, and Emma settles down.
Then, its off to the garden, my daughter's hand in mine. I show her how to pick the beans. "Use this pail to put them in, sweetie. I'll be right here if you need help."
How different my life has become since moving here, how much happier I am. I no longer have nightmares and sleep peacefully through the night. Maybe its….Maybe its I'm no longer alone anymore, and when I need help I have a person who loves me that will help me. I'm so excited for Christmas this year for two reasons: Mama and Papa are coming to spend the holidays with us, and I'm building a rocking horse for Emma! Well, Cyrus who lives on Market Island is helping, but I can't wait to see those bluebell eyes shining and her giggle of delight.
"Ready to go back?" I ask about an hour later. Emma finished picking beans awhile ago, and is now swishing her feet back and forth in the stream. She nods, and we walk home together.
"Here's your beans, Mama!" Emma sets the pail down, then without warning begins to cry. We don't know what causes this, for Emma can be perfectly fine one moment, then crying the next. "Come here, Emma. Papa will warm your bottle we'll we have a nice rock in the rocking chair."
Emma's sobs turn into hiccups as she slurps her bottle, her eyes drooping. She finishes her bottle and when Marinette is done burping her, she falls asleep.
Marinette and I take a small rest ourselves, enjoying the quiet. But soon, its back to work after lunch, for a farmer's work is never done.
But the joy of caring for my family makes it hardly seem like work at all. After a long day, I trudge home tired but happy. Its dark when I approach the cabin, and I pause, watching the light flickering in the window.
The promise of warmth and safety and love are represented in the candle, and it beckons me home. "Papa's here!" I open the door, and my girls are upon me with hugs.
This is my life now, taking care of my wife and daughter, for a superhero is no longer needed. But to Emma, I'm her hero, though I wear no mask. Someday soon, Emma will keep our secret.
What a treat is my family, even when they play tricks.