Second Chance
Chapter 7
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: 4 Days Later
Luka's P.O.V
I watched her body language as she tried making herself busy cleaning the deck as everyone had come over to hang out and rehearse. She does this often when something is on her mind, bothering her, cleaning helps her think. I've come to know this well about my mother. But today, she's acting particularly anxious as she scrubs the same spot of the floor. The Jubilee is in two days and everyone is growing with anticipation yet I've noticed my mother grow more edgy.
"Do you think we could all get Jagged's autograph?" Mylene wondered aloud.
Mari shrugged, "I don't see why not."
"I have heard he's a pretty chill dude, he might even be nice enough to let us get a photo too." Nino added.
"Oh that would be so cool!" Rose exclaimed, stars in her eyes.
"Maybe he'll be nice enough to give us some advice on how to go about the music business." Ivan said, smiling.
"I just can't believe this is actually happening. We're going to meet our idol in only 2 days!" Juleka added, excited.
I really did try to keep tuned in with the conversation but every time Jagged was mentioned I mentioned mom furiously cleaning. Finally my mom had enough, probably because she hurt a nail as I saw her checking her hand. She pushed up the glasses on her nose and I swear, those were tears in her eyes. I watched her put the scrub brush back in the bucket and stand up to set it on the bar counter before she went downstairs. I sighed as I got up off the couch, Mari was sitting on the opposite side, criss-crossed, with Alya. She noticed the same as I did.
"You okay, Luka?" She asked, I turned to see her look of concern.
"Yeah, I'll be right back." I told her as I left the group and followed my mom.
Her door was open slightly, I saw her sitting on her bed, holding that secret photo album. I took a deep breath and entered her room.
"Mom?"
She wiped her face and looked at me, trying to smile. "Yes, son?"
I walked over to her and knelt down, "It's him, isn't it? Jay. Jagged Stone."
She blinked back the tears then touched my face, "Nothing gets past you, does it?"
I closed my eyes tight. My suspicion was right. Jagged Stone is my father. Juleka's father. A lump forms in my throat as things make sense as to why mom never…no, she should have told us. Speaking of my sister the door creaked, Juleka was standing in the doorway, hand still on the handle.
"Mom, why? Why didn't you ever tell us? We had a right to know. Even if he didn't want to know us, we had a right to at least know who he was." Jules said, tears flowing.
I sighed. I should've known she would follow me, she's very observant and knows when something is up. Just like me.
Mom took a breath, "I know. Talking about him…is hard for me. I've made a lot of mistakes in this life. I'm so sorry I failed, I never meant for you to get hurt. I was only trying to protect you. Everything I have ever done was for you and your sister, to give you a good life."
"Mom, you have given us a good life. You are so strong, mom, raising the both of us on your own. I'm sorry you felt so alone and couldn't tell him, I understand." I told her, taking her hand.
"No, I couldn't. I can never fix that mistake and I'll understand if you can't forgive me. The fame and everything that comes with it scared me, no place to raise a child in. I thought I would be holding him back. So I left. I know I should have told you both long ago when you started asking me who your father was. I was afraid if I did, you would try reaching out to him, you wouldn't get a reply. I didn't want to see your little hearts break." She explained.
Jules and I then hugged her, her arms embracing us.
"If you can work on telling us more about him, we'll work on forgiving you. Give and take mom." Jules said as she held mom's hand.
Mom nodded and wiped at her tears, "Fair enough. I love you, my babies."
"We love you too, mom." Jules and I said in unison.
I stood back up and sighed, "C'mon Jules. Let's give mom some time."
She nodded, then she and I left mom to recover and headed back upstairs. When I came back up the stairs Mari was laughing, the sound so light hearted and carefree. She rocked back and un-crossed her legs, as she looked at a chucking Nino making a waving motion. Whatever she was laughing about I didn't care, just seeing her like that made my heart swell. Damn I really love this girl. Her eyes swept over to me and she smiled at me, it was enough to make me fold. I walked over to her and kneeled as I hugged her, burying my face in her chest. Her arms raised up in surprise.
She giggled at the action then I felt her run her fingers through my hair.
"Luka? What's wrong?" She asked.
I looked up at her and her gaze softened, then ran the back of her hand down my cheek, affectionately. I leaned up and kissed her as she smiled into the kiss. We broke away shortly after.
"Nothing that a kiss from you can't cure." I said, smirking.
She giggled, "I'm glad I could help."
Just then her phone started ringing, she sighed as she had to get up. "I'll get it for you, babe." I told her, getting up.
I reached over to where her purse was sitting on the table and grabbed her phone, seeing the caller ID, my jaw clenched. Adrien. I debated on declining the call but knew that wouldn't be cool, so I turned around and handed her the phone.
"It's Adrien."
She rolled her eyes and tossed her phone to the side, seeing her do that made me laugh. That's my girl.
End of Luka's P.O.V
By the time midnight rolled around everyone decided to call it a night and went home. Juleka went to Roses and Anarka is already asleep. I sighed as I settled into Luka's arms as we lounged on the couch, some rom com playing on TV that I'm not really paying attention to. It's on for just some background noise.
"So." I began to say, dragging out the word.
"So, what?"
"Are you going to tell me what all that was about earlier or…" I said.
"Oh. That."
"Yeah, babe, that. So tell me what's hurting you so I can work on kissing it away." I half-teased.
He chuckled, "I talked to my mom."
I sat up and looked over at him, "And?"
"I know who Jay is."
I waited to hear him say it. He took a breath, "Jagged Stone."
My jaw dropped, no freaking way. The Jagged Stone is his dad, therefore is going to be my child's grandfather?!
"What?!"
"Yeah."
"Wow." I said, not knowing what else to say about it.
"I know."
"How do you feel about that?"
He scoffed, "Well it explains why I've always been drawn to music."
I raised an eyebrow and tilted my head as I sighed, "That's not what I mean."
He plopped his head on the back of the couch, exasperated. "I honestly don't know what to feel or think right now. On a technicality, I'm going to be meeting my dad in 2 days but I don't know if I should tell him who I am or just act like any other fan."
"I don't have the answer for you, I wish I did."
He groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to relieve the stress. I then smirk, getting an idea. I crawl over on top of him, he peaks an eye open and smirks.
"Feeling stressed, love? I think I know how I can help you relax."
"Oh yeah?"
I nod then lean into him so my lips brush his ear and I whisper, "Just close your eyes."
Time Skip: April 24th, Spring Jubilee
I stop quickly in my tracks before I bump into the person in front of me. Luka takes my hand and pulls me back to his side, a protective arm around me as we make our way through the crowd. We had anticipated that it would be busy but didn't think it would be this insane. People are everywhere, thousands upon thousands all excited for the festivities and of course Jagged Stone's appearance. The rest of Kitty Section is behind us trying to get through the crowd and get backstage so we can prepare for the opening that's about to happen within the next 3 hours. Which I now realize may not be enough time as I still have to do everyone's makeup and fix any final touches to their outfits. Partly Luka's and my fault as we were sort of preoccupied, I smile to myself recalling the embarrassment of Nino catching us in the act. He only came down to tell us it was time to go and well…yeah. Once we first arrived, Alya and Nino parted ways with us as to try and get to the camera crew so they can record the show. Some guy wasn't watching where they were going, clearly in a hurry when they ran right into me, causing me to almost lose my grip on my makeup kit and almost fall if it weren't for Luka's arms catching me.
"Sorry miss." The guy said then rushed off.
"That's it. I'm carrying you." Luka said and stood in front of me, crouching down so I could get on for him to give me a piggyback ride.
"Luka, I am more than capable of walking on my own."
"Mari, get on. I'm not going to let you fall or get hurt in this madhouse of a crowd." He said.
I really couldn't argue with that, he was only thinking of my safety and the baby's. So I sighed and got on, he lifted me with ease as I wrapped my arms around his neck. The makeup kit bouncing on Luka's chest with every step made me regret carrying it. Finally we got backstage and met with the director of the Jubilee. He instructed us that there is one main area for makeup and hair and a dressing room for us, one for the guys and one for the girls. Luka set me down as he left to go get changed with Ivan as I followed the girls and Anarka to our dressing room. We helped the girls change and then we all went to the makeup room, a long white counter stretched along a whole wall as white mirrors decorated the wall, it looked like a whole other world with how many lights there were. Ankara worked on hair while I did makeup.
"Whatcha think, Rose?" Anarka asked her as she had her turn in her chair to look in the mirror.
Anarka used pink hair chalk to give her colored tips and touched up her pixie cut. Rose beamed.
"It looks great! Thank you Ms. Ankara." Rose said as she hugged her.
"Look Juels, now we match!" Rose said all excited then leaped over to hug her.
I was currently doing eyeliner when Rose hugged her, my hand slipped due to the movement and liquid liner got on her cheek. Running the purple star I just finished doing around her right eye. Rose backed off and gasped.
"Oh, I'm sorry Marinette!" She said, looking as if she was about to cry.
"It's okay, no sweat. It's nothing I can't fix." I told her as I sighed and rolled up the sleeves to Luka's hoodie.
Yes, I have reclaimed it and wear it almost everyday. Tonight I just put my hair up in space buns, wearing a Jagged Stone t-shirt and black leggins with my red converse. I grabbed a clean makeup remover wipe and began erasing the mark that shouldn't be there and once that was gone, I worked on fixing the star. A few minutes passed and I was finally done, I pointed for Jules to look in the mirror. She smiled brightly.
"This is so amazing, Marinette! I actually think this idea is better than the other."
I laughed. Last minute I came up with the idea to just use makeup to look like the old masks I made instead of doing a small logo on their cheek. For Juleka, the star, Rose gets a heart, Luka a lightning bolt and Ivan's is fire. I smile at her.
"I think so too. Ready Rose?" I asked as I turned to her.
She was lost in conversation with Anarka so I had to call her name again. She looked over and happily switched spots with Juleka. I get right to work, putting all my focus into it. A little while later as I was admiring my handy work, finishing Rose's makeup, arms circled my waist and kissed my neck. I smiled and leaned back into him. I didn't need to look to know that it was Luka.
"You're not going to be ready for the show if you keep doing things like that to me." I said, only loud enough for him to hear.
"Fine by me, beautiful." He said low, his voice seductive.
I laughed and shimmied out of his hold, "Go sit. Your mom has to do your hair while I get Ivan's makeup done."
He sighed, acting defeated as he slouched in the chair. Anarka shook her head at her son's very public displays of affection and grabbed the buzzers. He already told his mom what he wanted done, I just hope he doesn't shave all of it off. I love his hair. I shook my head to get out of my trance watching Anarka shave off the sides a bit to reveal his other piercings. He has 3 cartilage piercings along both of his ears, black hoops in each one. I knew he had them pierced a while ago but he doesn't really wear all of them at once like this but he decided to do it tonight for the show. I grabbed the colors I needed to make the base of the flame, red and orange. After putting the main contour on, I instructed Ivan to close his eyes for me and took a breath to calm myself before I made the first mark over his eyebrow. As I knew a certain someone wouldn't stop staring at me from the corner of his eye.
It annoyed the shit out of me because it was more of an effort to concentrate, which is why he was doing it. Anarka caught what he was doing and smacked his shoulder and shook her head at him, giving him a disapproving look. To which he just smirked and laughed off. About 20 minutes later and Ivan's look was done, only then did I turn to look at Luka while everyone else left to go check their instruments and Anaraka left to find a broom. He had his eyes closed as he ran both hands through his hair to shake off any access. Ankara gave him a small undercut to the sides and trimmed it up a bit. I bit my lip as I felt my face heating up. How the hell could he get 10x more attractive in just a few minutes?! It simply isn't fair. He peered one eye open and smirked, a look that would put the devil to shame. I could feel my heart pounding the more I looked at him and his stupid cocky attitude was not helping. I want him so bad right now, so bad that I may need restraints.
Luka leaned over me, "If you don't stop looking at me like that. It's going to get very awkward, very soon. Not for us of course but everyone else, maybe."
His breath on my neck made me blush even more, my face was practically burning. I puffed my cheeks out in annoyance and in an attempt to cool my ass down.
"J-just shush and sit." I told him, nudging him towards the chair. Totally embarrassed with myself.
I grabbed my cup of ice water from the counter next to where I put my purse and took a drink, hoping it'll help. And by some miracle, it does.
Luka chuckled, "Ice. Now there's an idea, babe."
It took everything in me to not throw the rest of my drink at him so I settled for a death glare which just seemed to amuse him more as he laughed. I busied myself by grabbing the foundation and sponge as well as the other things I needed for the base. I set the items on the countertop and stood in front of Luka, my side to him. I turned back around ready to start, he just grabbed my ass and pulled me closer to him where I almost tripped. I pouted and tried to hide my smile.
"Luka Jay, seriously stop. We don't have a lot of time left before you have to go on, I've gotta get this done. What is with you today, anyways? You're being so…playful." I asked, starting on his makeup.
He smiled at me, "I'm just happy, Marinette. Genuinely happy. It's not an emotion I'm used to having and I'm loving every second of it."
I giggled and smiled, "As you should. There is a lot to be happy about."
I finished the base then went for my colors to find the electric blue, "It's because of you, Mari. I'm happy because of you."
I smiled, "Surely I can't be your only reason."
I held his chin in my hand to lift his face so I could outline the lightning bolt. He opened his eyes to look at me, I paused.
"You are. You both are." He said, touching my bump.
My heart swelled at that, loving him so much. I leaned down and kissed him, only lasting a few moments as we got startled by someone clapping behind us. I turned around and there he was in all his glory. Jagged Stone. He was smiling and looking at us.
"Ah, young love. Brings ya back, aye Pen?" He asked the woman next to him.
She was in a pants suit holding a clipboard, and had an earpiece in, her hair dyed pink and cut into a pixie style. This woman must be a manager of his.
"Indeed." She said then pressed the earpiece closer. "Jagged, you're needed in wardrobe."
"Right. Good on ya, mate. She's a looker. You two kids enjoy yourselves." He said then left, out of sight.
I looked back at Luka to see if he was okay. Mildly reeling that in his own way Jagged said that I was a pretty girl. Jagged's look changed it seems, he cut his hair though still has the rich purple dyed tips. His beard still in place and groomed neatly, wearing his striped yellow and black pants with a black sequined dress shirt, the top buttons undone. Now that I know who he really is, I can see it. Luka has the same face structure and his eyes. My smile fades as I come to empathize with him. To see the man who he resembles so much, a stranger to him.
"Luka, you okay?" I asked.
He blinked and sighed, "Yeah, I'm fine. Go ahead and finish. I promise to behave."
I giggled trying to brighten his mood, "I promise you won't have to later because neither will I."
He smiled at me, "I look forward to it."
Time passed and I was packing up my things, finally all done with everyone's looks. Luka kissed my cheek before he left to go check his guitar leaving me to pick everything up when Rose came running to find me freaking out.
"Mari! Come quick!" She said, grabbing my hand and running off with me in tow.
Luka's P.O.V
I was walking into the hair/makeup room that everyone shares for the jubilee, to grab Marinette's purse. She needed her on the go sewing kit to help Juleka fix her outfit as it got torn. The chains on her skirt got caught on something and when she went to move it ripped, almost completely off until Marinette quickly covered her. There he was fixing his jacket, looking himself over in the mirror. I watch his eyes, my eyes, look over at me before he turns around.
"Sorry, I didn't know you were back here." I blurted out. Stupid.
He chuckled, "It's not like I own the space, lad. You have just as much right to use it as I do."
I smiled nervously, "Right." I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
"You're the guitarist, right? From the opening band, Kitty Section." He asked.
I nodded, "You have some killer skills on the guitar, mate."
I raised my eyebrow, confused, because he hadn't even seen me perform yet. Seeing my confusion Jagged chuckled.
"What? You think I don't check on who I'll be working with. It's a really rockin' website that you guys have." He complimented.
The website Marinette helped create after the whole Bob Roth thing, we often post rehearsal videos or any upcoming news on it. He's seen me play and he thinks I have skill. It means a lot to me more as a musician than as his son, though I can't help but feel proud of myself.
"What's your name, kid?"
Right. Introductions. I held out my hand, "Luka. Luka Couffaine."
He smiled and shook my hand, "Jagged Stone, but you already knew that." He said with a chuckle.
It took him a moment as he paused, "Couffaine. You wouldn't happen to be related to an Anarka Couffaine, would you?"
I smiled slowly, "Yeah, she's my mom."
His eyes widened, "Well all be. Small world, eh. I used to date your mum when we were teens."
"Small world indeed." Dad.
He shook his head, "We were even engaged, oh we were so happy, but then she left. I never understood why…"
"Wait a minute, how old are you?"
"19."
He looked me up and down, like he wasn't believing whatever it was he was thinking. But I knew he was coming to his own conclusions. Maybe he's where I get my intuition for seeing through people from. His eyebrows narrowed in confusion and he hesitated a little.
"If it's not too bold to ask, what's your middle name?"
"Jay."
His eyes grew wide and he nearly missed the chair as he collapsed, I reached out to help him. He waved a hand telling me he was fine so I backed off as he reeled from the shock.
"Y-you're my son, aren't you?"
"Yes."
He scuffed and wheezed out a laugh, "We always talked about having kids in the future. Naming our son Luka Jay…that's what she was trying to tell me all those years ago."
I nodded. He suddenly stood back up, "I-Is she here?"
"Yeah but I don't-"
"Take me to her." He said, cutting me off.
I sighed, "A-alright but she may not be all that talkative. I've just gotta grab my girlfriend's purse and then we can go."
"You have a girlfriend? What's she like?"
"You'll get to meet her too and my sister."
"Y-your sister?! She's mine too isn't she?"
I nodded, "Yes."
"So, you're telling me that I've had not one but two children I had no clue about."
"Yes."
I could see the frustration on his face from the news and I debated on taking him to see mom at all but I knew that all of this needed to be hatched out. It's been a long time coming. We walked in silence, I moved through the backstage crew, busy making sure everything was working properly. Soon enough Marinette came into view as she and mom held Juleka's skirt together so it wouldn't fall apart.
"Luka, finally, I wasn't sure how much longer-" Mari started to say but then she noticed Jagged behind me.
Everyone grew silent, my mom standing up straighter as she looked at Jagged.
"Anarka." He simply said.
"Jagged." She said back, crossing her arms over her chest, her tell when she's getting defensive or ready for a fight.
"Were you really never going to tell me?" He got straight to the point and asked her.
"It was better that way."
He scoffed, "Better for whom?"
"For you, Jagged. Better for you or are you really gonna stand there and tell me you would've given all this up?!" She said, gesturing all around us with her hand.
"Maybe I would have, we'll never know now though, will we?"
"No. We won't." She answered.
His anger dissipated in moments, "How could you do this to me, Anarkie?"
He sounded genuinely hurt and looked it too as he looked at her. Mom faltered for a moment.
"Because I had to. The road would've been no place to raise a child let alone two, not to mention the god awful paparazzi, killing each other to get pictures of Jagged Stone's kids."
His shoulders slumped, "You learn to drown them out. I just can't believe you did this, didn't you know how much I loved you? You've given me two children I know nothing about. I've missed everything, their whole lives. I never got to witness their births or first steps…"
There was utter silence all around us until someone from the crew came over, "Jagged, 5 minutes to showtime."
"No." He said, then started taking off his mic, fumbling with the wires.
"I can't go on." Then he gave the crewman the device and looked at us.
"Good news kids. Whole set is yours, so go out and do your best. I need some air." He said then looked away from mom and stormed off.
The crewman panicked as they followed him trying to find Jagged's manager to talk some sense into him. I looked back at my mom, she pushed up her glasses again and tried to focus on going back to helping Juleka but her hands were shaking so much, she couldn't stay still for Marinette to fix it so Rose took over.
"Mom?" Jules said, voice hoarse.
She looked so numb as she walked over to me, patting my shoulder. "Take care of your sister, I'll be right back."
After mom left we all let out a collective breath. "Luka." Juleka said my name, tears forming in her honey brown eyes.
"They need to settle things themselves. C'mon, let's get your skirt fixed."
She nodded. Marinette shared a look with me before focusing on fixing the skirt. Once that was done I sighed. Calling everyone in for a support circle, arms holding each other.
"We've all come so far and now we are finally here. I know everyone is nervous, so am I, but I know we wouldn't be here if we didn't have what it takes. So let's go out there and do our best." I said, to hype everyone up.
We all took a breath then one by one we went onstage. I stopped for a moment to grab Marinette. I kissed her. She smiled.
"You're going to be amazing." She said, encouragingly.
End of Luka's P.O.V
Kitty Section had already been up there for 2 hours, they were amazing, even though they had a few originals and did mostly cover songs. The crowd loved them, Luka raised his hand up to settle the crowd. It got louder for a moment but as he got to the center mic, it got quiet.
"Hey Paris! How are we all doing tonight?" He said into the mic.
The crowd went nuts, "That's great. It's been such a ride being able to share our music with you all. However this next song, goes out to someone special. My girlfriend, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. C'mon and meet the crowd, babe."
My heart skipped a beat as I watched from backstage, Ankara gave me an encouraging push. I took a breath as I hesitantly walked out on stage, coming next to him. He pulled me in and kissed my cheek.
"Isn't she beautiful?" He asked the crowd and they answered with shouts.
I stood there awkwardly waving, Luka turned to me. I turned back and looked at him, smiling as he brought the mic back up to his lips.
"Mari, I know we are going through a lot right now and I just want you to know that I know I don't have much but I swear to do everything right by you. I love you so much. This song is for you."
I smiled and heard the sound of something sitting behind me. I looked to see Ivan smiling at me as he set a chair down. Oh my gosh, Luka is going to sing to me. On stage. In front of everyone. Soon the music started and Luka took a breath before turning to me. His own version of the song Endlessly by The Cab. My heart was pounding the entire time, hitting so close to my heart as he sang. I've always loved his voice and hearing him sing to me was so otherworldly. It was like everything was stripped away and it was just us. I didn't think it could be possible to love him anymore than I already do but I stand corrected.