Second Chance
Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I do not own the series Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. No copyright intended. I do own the story line, because I made that all up with my brain. AU Story. Enjoy :)
*Time Skip: 3 weeks later. Mid February.*
"Spill it girl. I need all of the details." Alya said as she set her lunch tray on the table.
I giggled as I took a bite of my apple, her and Nino sitting down across from me.
"I don't know what you mean." I said, playing coy.
She rolled her eyes and pointed her fork at me, "Oh you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's been a few weeks since you and Luka started officially dating and it's like you two are feral beasts that can't keep your hands off each other. So I need to know all the details. Your sex life has become my new drama."
Nino coughed, almost choking on his water. "And that's my cue to leave."
"No, you stay. You could learn a thing or two from Luka." Alya said to him, holding a hand out to stop him.
He scoffed, clearly offended, "I think I manage to perform my duties well."
I snorted trying to keep myself from laughing but failed miserably. He looked over at me annoyed, I think I wounded his pride a little. I waved my hand.
"Sorry, sorry, it's just the way you said it."
He grumbled, "Well it's not like I enjoy talking about my sex life with you, Mar. I feel like it should be between me and Alya but clearly you two share sex stories on the daily."
"Luka would agree with you on that one, Nino. He's not much for spilling our business in the open, barely likes PDA but he knows I love the open affection so he does it for me." I commented, smiling.
Alya scuffed, "We do not share sex stories on the daily Nino." She grumbled and I laughed.
"There isn't much to tell right now, mom told me no sex unless we're careful. My doctor's appointment is in two days." I said matter-of-factly.
I was right about my parents approving of me dating Luka, they practically rejoiced at the news. But mom had a rule of being careful, using condoms/plan B pill, until she can get me in to see my doctor to go get my birth control settled. Dad was reluctant but agreed and as for Anarka she rejoiced just as much as my mom did. Though she did have a talk with Luka about being careful and how she's too young to be a grandmother. Unlike Alya's clear exaggeration we haven't been all that active since the night and morning of the party, sure we make out a lot but Luka always stops himself from going any further unless we have one of those precautions all the parents agreed on. I'm the bad one who gets him to crack if we don't, I can't help it. He's like a drug for me, I can't get enough. I need him.
"And have you been taking your precautions?" Alya asked, eyeing me.
I bit my lip, "Well…not exactly. Sometimes we forget to, it's hard to remember those things in the heat of the moment. But it'll be fine, my period is supposed to be starting soon."
She sighed, "Mari."
"I know, I know. But to quell your curiosity, yes Alya, it is that amazing. It's more spontaneous with him I suppose is the best way to put it. There's so much passion between us it's crazy. I've never had that before, not even with Adrien. Adrien was sweet and gentle, always asking me if what he was doing was okay but Luka? He just knows, you know?" I explained to Alya.
Alya nearly swooned, "That's amazing Mari. I'm happy you found someone that matches you in every way."
I giggled, "Thank you, Alya. Sometimes he just comes at me out of nowhere, you never expect it. There's just something so sexy about a man knowing what he wants and just taking it. But I know him too, there's something about letting my hair down that drives him crazy."
"Damn, Nino you should try that sometime, it could be fun." Alya said, teasing him.
Nino shook his head, "I'm not part of this conversation." He teased us back.
Alya and I laughed, I calmed down soon enough to eat some of my lunch. They made grilled chicken alfredo with a side salad for lunch today. One of my favorite dishes. I happily took a bite but soon regretted it as nausea took over me as I chewed up my food, I ignored it as I swallowed.
"Mar, you okay? You look like you're about to be sick." Nino asked, checking my forehead for a temperature.
"Marinette, are you okay?" A voice asked as they joined our table, Adrien.
I grabbed my water bottle to take a drink to wash the feeling down and nodded.
"Yeah I'm fine. The food tastes a little off to me, is all." I explained.
"Well it is school food. Here Marinette, you can have half of my sandwich." Adrien offers, as he gets it out of his lunch bag.
"Oh, um, thanks Adrien." I said as I took half the sandwich his chef prepared for him.
"Of course, Marinette." He said with a smile as he took the seat next to me and began eating.
I raised an eyebrow and looked over to Alya, she shared the same look but went back to her own lunch. Everyone then soon fell into conversation about what assignments they have and whatnot, I listened mostly as I was starting to feel sick and crampy. Eating mainly my apple and part of the sandwich as the bread helped to coat my stomach from the nausea.
"So, Mari, how are you and Luka?" He asked out of the blue.
"We're great." I answered with a smile.
"Good, I'm happy for you."
"Thanks. You too." I said back as I took a sip of water.
I found myself actually meaning that. The past is past and no one can change what happened, being with Luka is helping me move on better and I honestly have never been happier. He just makes me…better.
Alya snorted, "Great is an understatement."
I gave her a look and she laughed. Adrien looked around the table, confused, eyes settling on Nino who was currently shaking his head.
"You don't wanna know man, trust me. If you're ever curious what girls talk about, don't be." Nino said.
Alya and I shared laughs as Adrien looked more confused than ever. Nino sighed, "Intimacy is what they're referring to." He informs Adrien.
Alya giggled, "Aw, how cute of you to be so embarrassed you can't even say it." She teased.
I laughed, "That actually brings up a question. Adrien, has my hair ever done anything for you?"
Adrien blushed at my bluntness, huh Luka must be wearing off on me if I'm picking up on his habits. "What do you mean?" He asked.
"Like a turn on or something. Only asking out of curiosity." I said, giggling.
"I-I mean your hair is beautiful, even more so now that you've let it grow. But if you're asking if your hair has ever gotten me in the mood for…intimacy, no. It was always your eyes for me." He answered like it was a question on an ordinary test, then proceeded to eat the rest of his lunch.
"Oh." I said with a slight blush.
"It drives Luka crazy. It's amazing how something as simple as me letting my hair down has that kind of effect on him." I said, swooning.
Adrien shrugged, "He loves you, Mari. Even the littlest thing your partner does can do things to you that you never thought possible. Doesn't he do something that ever makes you feel like that?"
I thought for a moment and smiled at the first thing that came to mind, "When he's lost in his music."
He faltered for a moment and took a breath, "See? That's love."
"What about you? What's your thing with Kagami? It's only fair since I've told you mine about Luka."
He chuckled, "Fair point. Hmm.. when she's reading."
I raised an eyebrow and he laughed, "She just gets so engrossed into her books it's endearing."
I nodded, understanding. "It's nice that we can talk like this. It's almost like we're friends again."
Adrien smiled, agreeing with me. "Yes, it is."
The sound of the bell brings us out of our conversation, everyone gets up from the table to go put their trays up to the dish window. But when I get up, I have to take a second as a feeling of dizziness swirls in my mind. I take some more water to brush the feeling off, happy no one saw that, I take care of my tray then head downstairs to meet the others for our next class. I smile as I sit down next to Juleka in our science class, Ms. Mendeleiev, I call her Ms. M for short, changes our seats around at the beginning of every unit. This unit is all about dissection and analyzing its anatomical structure. Gross, like we all really need to see the insides of a frog. Said creature is laid out and pinned to a metal slab in the center of our table, the lab sheets to the side. Poor thing.
"I vote, you do all the dissection parts and I'll fill in the answers for the lab." I tell her as I laugh.
Juleka laughed, "Since when are you squeamish, Mari?"
I grimaced, "I am today. It has been a particularly bad day for me. I've been feeling sick since lunch and I doubt either of us wants to wear my vomit if I see that poor creature's insides."
"Fair enough. You really should go to the nurse if it gets worse though." She said, rolling up her sleeves.
"Alright everyone, in your seats, so we may begin." Ms. M announced.
After the roll call she turned our attention to the chalkboard. "As you can see we are dissecting our frogs today. I know it's bad luck given you all just came from lunch, I don't make the schedules. Though, if you can't stomach it, you may go see the nurse and do a virtual make up assignment. Now then, you and your partner will be responsible for different tasks of the lab. Everyone grab your scalpels and begin with an incision starting from the belly of the frog to the end…" Ms. M instructed, I stopped listening as I could feel the bile rise up in my throat.
I could smell it, the decay of death, from here as Juleka opened it up. It overwhelmed me. I tried to shove it back down and focus on the paperwork portion of the lab, putting mine and Juleka names on it. But the smell, I almost gagged as more bile made it to the surface. I was going to throw up. I knew it. I immediately stood up and quickly walked to the door, holding my hand to my mouth.
"Miss Dupain-Cheng, where do you think you're going?"
I couldn't answer, I knew I wouldn't be able to form words around the vomit coming up. That didn't stop me from trying, "I need to go to the bathroom, now."
Ms. M scuffed, "I don't like that tone and lack of respect. The proper thing to do would be ask for permission-" She was cut off by someone screaming.
"Oh my god, she's going to hurl!" Chloe shouted, then started laughing.
Ms. M's eyes grew wide, "I'll go with her then take her to the nurse." Alya said, shooting up from her seat.
Ms. M nodded and let us go, I practically ran to the ladies room and found the nearest toilet. Alya held my hair back as I vomited. Definitely a bad day to leave my hair down that's for sure. Once I was sure that I was done, Alya helped me clean myself up and walked me to the sink. I splashed water on my face and cupped my hands to drink some to get the taste out.
"Maybe you should just go home for the day, Mari. I can bring your homework over later." Alya said, concerned.
I nodded, "Can you call my mom for me?"
"Of course." She said, then grabbed my phone out of my back pocket.
Like always, mom answered on the second ring. I could hear my phone on the other end given how close I still was to it as I tried to regain some of my bearings.
"Marinette?"
"No. It's Alya, ma'am. Marinette is sick, I'm with her now in the bathroom. Would you mind coming to sign her out of school? I already told her that I would bring her homework over later." Alya explained.
"Oh no. How did she get sick? She was fine this morning."
"Oh we were in the middle of science class, we're dissecting frogs today. I just think she couldn't handle the sight of it or something." Alya said.
"Ah, that explains it. Yes, of course. Let me call the school, I'll send Tom over to pick her up. Thank you Alya."
"No problem."
With that Alya hung up with my mom and put my phone back in my pocket. Alya rubbed my back, "You gonna be okay?"
I nodded, "I should be, thank you Alya."
She nodded, "I'll go get your things from class, stay here."
"Okay." I said, as a new wave of nausea hit me.
As soon as she left I had to go for the toilet again, having barely enough time to grab my hair so it doesn't end up with puke in it. After I was done, I repeated the process of trying to clean up. Alya came back with my school bag and handed it to me then helped me walk out of the school to meet my dad at the bottom of the stairs. He waved to me a bit as he saw me. Alya gave me a hug before heading back into class. Dad rested an arm over my shoulders.
"I hated the dissection unit too when I was your age. Don't worry honey, some of mom's homemade chicken noodle and you'll be feeling better in no time." He said as we walked across the street and around the corner to the bakery.
I smiled and side hugged him as he helped me make my way inside and up the stairs, mom greeting us briefly as she had a customer at the register. Once upstairs I went right into the bathroom to brush my teeth to fully get the vomit taste out. When I came out, dad told me to head upstairs and he'll have mom bring me up the soup, I nodded and happily did as I was told. I tossed my school bag on the chair and rummaged around for my pajamas to change into. Taking off my outfit, which was a strapless blush pink dress with my pink ballet flats to change into a pink cami and matching shorts. Then I grabbed my laptop and headed up to bed. Getting relief as I laid down. At least the nausea went away, hopefully for good this time. I'd rather not have any surprise vomit attacks, lord knows I'd fall down the stairs trying to make it to the bathroom. I put on my comfort show that has hour-long episodes and settled into bed. Mom came up an episode later with some hot soup and croissants telling me the bread will help. She then told me to call for her if I need her as she'll be right downstairs. I slowly sat up in bed and ate the soup and croissants then set the bowl on my stand above my bed, then settled back down. My eyelids flutter as a sign of me getting tired. I yawn, ignoring it, continuing my show.
Time Skip: Later that day, 4pm
I subconsciously felt movement behind me. I groaned a little at the intrusion, rubbing my eyes.
"It's just me Mari, go back to sleep." Luka whispered as he settled in behind me.
I smiled knowing it was just him and turned around, our noses nearly touching. "You're here."
He smiled, "Course, I was worried when I was supposed to pick you up today and you weren't there. Jules told me you went home sick."
"I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you. My phone is on my desk."
He hummed, "It's okay. How are you feeling, love?"
I sighed, "Like crap but better now that you're here."
He smiled, "I'm glad just being here makes you feel better."
I smiled and nuzzled into his chest, he gladly wrapped his arms around me. I yawned again as I relaxed into him, he went right to playing with my hair as he knows it calms me. We laid like that for a while and I could feel sleep pulling me in again.
"Babe."
"Hmm."
"What made you so sick? You aren't usually squeamish. I happen to recall you watching all the Evil Dead movies with me and not once did you cover your eyes." Luka asked.
"It was the smell." I said, voice muffled by my face in his shirt.
"Smell? Don't they usually clean them before dissection begins?" He asked.
I shrugged, "I guess my senses were sensitive today. It was bound to happen, I've been feeling sick since lunch. I barely ate besides what Adrien gave me."
"Adrien sat with you today?"
"Yeah, I know he usually sits with Nathaniel and Mark. It's okay though, I think things are mutual now. It was kinda nice not having tension between us." I explained.
"I'm glad you're getting along now." He said after a while.
I sighed and readjusted myself to get more comfortable, he turned on his back to let me cuddle his chest and put my leg up around him. I squeezed him a little then snuggled in, content. Luka laughed at my actions.
"What are you, a cat?" He teased me.
"If I were, I would definitely be purring right now. You're so comfortable." I said with a sigh.
He chuckled and rubbed my back, he then proceeded to grab his phone from his back pocket and opened it up to his playlists to play us some music as we just laid there, holding each other. I could definitely get used to this.
"I love you." I said, constantly.
Luka kissed my forehead, "I love you too."
Time Skip: 2 days later
I sigh as I kick my feet back and forth sitting on the table waiting for my doctor to come back into the room. I don't understand what's taking so long, they just need to grab the IUD and well, do their thing. Mom sits in the chair next to me holding my clothes as I had to change in a gown. Moments later my doctor, Dr. Makenzie, comes in. She sits down on the rolling stool, and looks to my mother.
"Apologies for keeping you waiting, Mrs. Cheng, I have some news. Good or bad, I'll let you decide. Unfortunately we won't be able to do the procedure today. As you know we always take a urine sample before doing the next step and Marinette's test came back positive."
Mom took a deep breath, "Oh no."
"P-positive for what?" I ask my doctor.
She sighs and turns to me, "Marinette, you're pregnant. 4 weeks to be precise."
"W-what? No way. There's no way I'm pregnant."
"Have you been sexually active?"
"W-well yeah but Luka and I have been careful. There's no way, there has to be a mistake. I'm 17! I-I still have so much I- no, it has to be a mistake. Can you do another test?"
She sighs and takes my hand, "The outcome would still be the same. Afraid so, contraceptives aren't always 100%. I know it's a lot to take in, there are options honey, you don't have to be scared. I'll give you time to process, I'll need to see you back here in 2 weeks."
"Thank you Dr. Mackenzie." Mom said.
She smiled before leaving the room. I looked over at my mom with tears in my eyes, Mom's gaze softened and she stood up to come over to me and hug me. That's when I broke.
"Mom, I'm so sorry. I-I-"
"Shhh…it's alright honey. I'm here, I'm here." She said soothingly, stroking my hair as I cried.
Once I was able to calm down enough I managed to get dressed and I left the doctors office to go to the car as my mom made the next appointment. Mom sighed as she settled into the car, moving a lock of hair out of my face as I faced the window.
"Oh honey, it will work out."
I turned to look at her, "M-mom, c-can you keep it between us? I-I want to tell Luka before anyone and I-I just can't right now. I need time."
"Marinette, you know I can't keep something like this from your father-"
"Mom, please?" I pleaded, tears rolling down my face.
Mom's cool gray eyes searched my face and she sighed, "A-Alright. It'll stay between us."
I reached over and hugged her tight, "Thanks mom."
"Of course. I love you very much, sweetheart." She said as she hugged me back.
"I love you too."
I looked out the window at the sun setting as we drove off in silence and the tears kept on falling from my face. Mom would try to hold my hand and squeeze it to tell me that everything is going to be okay but how could it? My life has been put on hold before it even began. How can I finish school like this? Start my career in fashion with a toddler? What would Luka think being a dad so young? He has dreams too. I feel so stupid for us not being smarter about this. But there's nothing we can do now, well there is but I'm not even going to entertain the idea. I'd spend the rest of my life wondering about them. No, I'm having this baby. I have mom, she'll gladly help and so would dad. I can still hold onto my dreams, it won't be easy but mom is right. Everything will be okay. I need to tell him. Speaking of, as soon as we pulled into the driveway there he was. Sweeping the sidewalk in front of the bakery to help my dad. As soon as mom parked the car, Luka walked over to us. I opened my door and smiled at him, he picked me up in his arms and kissed me, right there in the middle of the street. I smiled at him and giggled as he set me down and closed the car door for me.
"You're in a good mood." I said.
"I have some great news Mari." He said, excited.
"Oh? What's that?" I asked.
"You're looking at the new headliner for the Spring Jubilee, during spring break. Well just the lead guitarist, Kitty Section as a whole will be headlining but still, isn't that great?" He said, gleaming with joy.
"Oh my god, Luka, that's amazing!" I said, equally excited.
He started talking about it as I started to zone out, my mood changing as I started to think that maybe I'm wrong. How can I expect him to put his dreams on hold like that? Especially now, when the band is finally catching their big break. All he's ever really wanted to do is make music and he has the chance to do just that. Maybe now is not the right time to tell him about the baby. If there even will be a baby. My eyes grew wide knowing that miscarriage is possible. No. No, I don't want that. I'm keeping this baby even if it kills me in the process. This little life growing inside me is more precious than my own. Not even a day and I've already grown so protective of them. The thought of losing it…No. I do not want to go there.
"Mari, you okay?"
I blinked, coming back to reality, seeing Luka's concerned face. "Did I lose you for a minute there?"
I waved it off with a laugh, "No, no I'm sorry. You were saying?"
"I was just asking you if you'd like to come over and watch us rehearse." He said.
I looked over to my mom, she hesitated slightly then nodded. "Yeah, let's go."
Luka happily said his farewells to my parents then took my hand and led me over to his bike, handing me the spare helmet. I hesitated for a moment about getting on the bike. Am I really going to get on this thing while pregnant? What if we crash? Deep breath, get a hold of yourself, Marinette. Luka is driving and he's always careful, you have nothing to worry about. I sighed then swung my leg over and situated myself on the bike, grabbing hold of him. Good thing I decided to wear pants today, my light blue ripped jeans and pink drawstring at the sides halter top with my jean jacket covering me, pink ballet flats and hair up in a high ponytail. We get to the houseboat in no time, coming on to the deck seeing Anarka yelling at the kids to try and keep it down some as to avoid Roger coming to 'stick his nose' in her business again.
"He's just trying to do his job mom." Luka said as he sighed and walked over to the stage to grab his guitar.
She scoffed, "If you ask me that man takes his job too seriously."
Everyone laughed at that, then Anarka turned to me, arms open for a hug. I gladly accepted.
"Ah Marinette, always a joy to see you, lass." She said with a smile.
"Likewise, Ms. Couffaine."
"Ms. Couffaine? Do any of ye see my mother around here? No? Goodness, girl, how many times must I inistit on ya calling me Anarka. Practically family if Luka has any sense." She said with a grin.
I laughed at that as Luka gave his mom a look, causing everyone to erupt in laughter. She then told everyone she'd be down in the hold if we needed her and will be ordering pizza tonight.
"I told you she was secretly planning our wedding." He mutters with a smirk.
I laughed then started to think that is actually not too far off from becoming a reality…We are going to be having a baby now. Maybe we will be like an actual family someday. The band started playing covers after making sure everything was tuned properly. I wasn't expecting Luka to take the mic, Rose doing the harmonies and back up vocals with Juleka. His voice was a sweet tenner, like rich honey freshly harvested as it filled the space. I closed my eyes and lounged into the couch on the deck, listening contently and at peace. A few hours passed, day turned into night, and we were all sitting around the living room eating pizza, having a good time. Alya, Nino and Mylene joined all of us a little while ago. Nino wanted to show the band the new arrangement he was working on and Alya tagged along.
"So, how was the appointment, Mari?" Alya asked, picking off the pepperoni to eat first.
I nearly choked on my piece of pizza, "Uh it went fine."
Alya raised an eyebrow at me, "That's good. I'm glad everything went smoothly then."
I smiled, "Yeah, it did."
"You seem to have your appetite back so that's good." Nino commented.
"Y-yeah thanks Nino."
"Does anyone know when we'll be headlining?" Rose asked, confused.
Juleka laughed at her obliviousness, "Spring break."
Rose puffed her cheeks in annoyance, "No duh, I know that. I meant the time."
"6 pm. At the fairgrounds." Luka answered her, finishing his 2nd slice.
"So we should probably all get there an hour early to set up." Ivan suggested.
"Hmm, maybe two hours early just in case." Juleka said.
"Why would they be getting things in order now? Spring break isn't until mid April. That's like a whole 2 months away, it's still February for another week." Mylene questioned.
"Maybe to give those who are performing time to rehearse and get ready? I'm sure you guys aren't the only ones being the entertainment for the day." I commented.
Everyone nodded agreeing, "Marinette may be right. 2 months isn't that long once you think about it. We will all be so busy finishing school assignments before the break to even realize any time passed by." Alya added.
"It'll give us enough time to at least come up with a set list." Nino said, taking a bite out of his 3rd slice of pizza.
"Oooh and Marinette can do our wardrobe!" Rose piped up, grinning at me.
I blinked as I was taken aback being put on the spot, Rose caught my hesitation and pouted, "That is if you want to, Marinette."
"Yeah-no-it's fine. I can totally do the wardrobe, we've been needing to update the look anyway." I said, agreeing to the commitment.
It will also provide me time to come up with a way to tell Luka about the baby. We will both be busy enough for him not to question the distance much. I'll be glad for the distraction for a little while at least, I'm going to have to tell him eventually. It's the right thing to do, I'm just not ready right now.
"Great!" Rose cheered, happily finishing her food.
"I'm going to need all of your measurements though." I said, drinking my soda.
"Not a problem, Marinette." Ivan said with a smile.
Sirens wailing in the distance broke our conversation as we looked to see what it was, an ambulance. Oh I hope whoever that's for is okay.
"I suppose it is getting late, it's 10 pm. Maybe we should all go home, call it a night." Mylene suggested.
Luka nodded, "Yeah you're probably right, Mylene. Our mom will be wanting to settle down for bed about now."
Everyone agreed but helped Juleka and Luka clean up then they all headed out one by one, Rose and I hanging back.
"Actually, I think I'll go stay at Rose's tonight. Will you tell mom for me?" Juleka asked her brother as she got up from her spot on the couch.
"Yeah, I'll tell her."
She nodded her thanks and went to her room to grab her things then she and Rose left, hand in hand as Luka wished her a good night. Luka sighed and looked over at me as I finished drinking my soda and set the cup on the coffee table.
"I should probably head home too." I said, sighing.
"Why? You know my mom doesn't care if you stay over."
"It's a school night."
"So? Not like it's ever stopped us before. I'll make sure you get there on time."
"Fair point. Alright I'll stay. Did you want to watch a movie?" I asked.
"Or we could do other things." He said, smirking.
I giggled and stuck my tongue out, "You're such a perv."
I got up and started walking towards his room, reaching up to take my hair tie out, letting my hair fall and knowing exactly what it does to him.
"Mari." he said, his breath hot on my neck as he circled his hands around my waist.
I smiled as I turned around to face him, he immediately captured my lips with his and I giggled as I jumped up on him, his arms catching me easily. I raise my arms up for him to slip my shirt off, he buries his face in my chest. Kissing me all over, I smile as he gives me butterflies all over again. Knowing exactly where this is leading to and loving every minute of it. What the hell, I'm already pregnant.