8 Letters

Chapter 5

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.

Flour blew into my face as I kneaded the dough I was currently preparing to make croissants with. I hummed feeling content as I worked alongside my father who was getting the fresh baguettes out of the oven and setting them to cool while my mother worked the counter to tend to customers. The whole room smelled of fresh heavenly bread and immediately set me at ease. I noticed my father's hands waver as he held the giant spatula and frowned.

"Take a break, Papa. I can take care of it." I told him, taking a firmer hold on the spatula.

Once they were set down, I slid them off with ease and set the spatula back in the small compartment under the oven. Dad chuckled softly, looking at me with so much love. He patted my cheek.

"Such a good daughter I have been blessed with." He said, smiling.

"Papa." I groaned a little with a smile.

"I think I'll go help customers so your mother can begin preparing dinner." He thought aloud.

I shook my head, "Papa, that's still working. Let mama know she can go get dinner started and you can help her, I can handle things down here."

His eyes widened a bit, "You can't run both the baking and tending to customers on your own, Marinette."

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "Sure I can, it's usually pretty dead this time of day. Plus it's a Sunday. Don't worry Papa, if I need help, I'll call for you."

He looked a bit unsure but nodded and left the kitchen to go tell mom. "Sabine, it seems our daughter is ordering me to take a break. Shall we get dinner started then?"

Mom chuckled, "I think she's right, you've been working since the crack of dawn. Up before the rooster called." She said as she and dad came through the kitchen about to go through the door that leads to the stairs.

"Are you sure you can cover both, Marinette." She asks me.

"Yes, I'll be fine." I reassured her.

It was quiet for a while and I was able to finish getting the croissants rolled and put in the oven when the door chimed out front. I walked out with a sigh as I wiped flour from my hands to greet the customers.

"Welcome to Tom and Sabine's, how can I help you?" I announced, not really looking up at the customer yet as I rounded the corner.

Lips met mine before I could blink and I pulled away, shocked. Who the hell does he think he is to just kiss someone?! That's easy, as I got over my initial shock and realized it was Luka. My boyfriend is the only person that can kiss me anytime he wanted.

He leaned back and chuckled while I frowned, "You should see your face, Mari. It was princeless."

I roll my eyes, "Well I didn't know it was you. For all I know it could've been some random guy."

He smirked and chuckled softly, "As if any guy would dare. You're mine."

My cheeks heated with blush at the way he said mine and I felt my heart flutter as I remembered exactly how true that statement was. I barely heard the timer go off then I freaked, shaking my head to get me out of my daydream.

"Are you the only one down here right now?" Luka asked, seeing my small panic.

I nodded, "Yeah. I told papa to take a break, he's helping mom with dinner." I explained.

Luka chuckled as he followed me behind the counter, I carefully got the croissants out and set them aside then closed the oven back up. Luka grabbed a black apron from the hooks off to the side of the brick oven and put it on, matching mine. I'm wearing all black today, plain black t-shirt, black jeans and black converse as I knew I was going to be helping my father with the bakery today. Best to wear clothes you don't mind getting messy. He washed his hands in our little sink, dried them then helped me place the fresh croissants on the display.

"Since when do you tell your dad what to do?" He said, chuckling.

I smiled and laughed, "In my defense the man was up before 4am baking to prepare a huge order for a customer's wedding. He was exhausted."

He smiled and nodded, "He's a hard working man, he takes pride in what he does."

I scoffed, "Too much if you ask me."

I shook my head, "He doesn't know his own limits. His hands started shaking, Luka. It scared me." I said softly.

Luka pulled into a hug and kissed my forehead, "Now I know where you get your stubbornness from."

I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed. "What are you doing here anyways? I thought you had plans with Jagged."

His amused smile dropped a bit at the mention of his biological father, "Yeah well apparently he didn't have time today."

My shoulders dropped as I looked up at him, "But it's a Sunday. Usually Sundays are lazy days."

He gave me a half smile, "Not for him, I suppose. When I went over Penny told me he'd be in the studio most of the day working on his next album. I was told he was sorry about canceling our plans and he was not to be disturbed."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

He shrugged, "It's whatever. I wanted to come see my favorite girl, she always puts a smile on my face."

He said, smiling as he reached up to wipe my face.

"You know you had flour on your face the whole time." He said with a chuckle.

I smirked as I reached behind me and grabbed a handful of it and threw it in his face, "Now so do you."

He gasped a little and looked playfully irritated, "You've done it now."

I laughed as I dodged him and ran to the other side of the kitchen, as he grabbed a handful of flour. I moved quickly before he could catch me, he bumped into the table by accident causing some eggs to roll off and break on the floor and took a minute to recover then threw the flour anyways. Some landed on me as we ran around the table, trying to catch the other. I pouted realizing some of it got in my hair. Today I put my hair up in space buns and was looking rather cute if I do say so myself. But now with the flour in it, I'm definitely going to need to wash it tonight. Ugh! It took me a long time to get them so perfect. I leaned over my side and grabbed some more flour off the table, smiling at him. He kept his eyes on me, waiting for my next move. I started going to the right and once I saw him go right, I quickly went left around the table and as soon as my foot touched the ground I slid on the broken egg yolk and landed on my ass. Luka came over immediately to help me up but I was too busy laughing so much to notice. He crouched down and I sat on the floor, laughing my ass off. He joined me in laughter, every inch of him becoming lighter.

"Leave it to me to manage to fall on my ass."

He chuckled, "True. You're a natural klutz." He said, holding my hands to help me off the floor.

I turned around to try to look at my backside. "How bad is it?"

He coughed out a laugh, "You have egg smack dab in the middle of your ass, babe."

I giggled, "Oh great." I sighed then walked over to the sink to grab a rag to wipe the egg off.

When I was looking down to get the egg off, Luka used that as an opportunity to lift me up and sit me on the counter. I smiled at him as he was about to kiss me but before he could, I brought my hand up at nose level and softly blew the remainder of flour that was still stuck on my hand in his face, giggling as I did it. Luka closed his eyes shut and his lips went into a line taking the impact. He then chuckled as he opened his eyes, flour stuck on his eyelashes and shook his head at me. He lifted his chin up and caught my lips with his, I smiled into the kiss. His hands ran up my back and my arms rested on his shoulders, my fingers gripping his hair as he started kissing me like crazy.

Then the door chimed and he let go, I groaned not wanting our kiss to end. He sighed, "I'll get it."

I nodded then he gave me a quick kiss and went up front while I hopped off the sink and grabbed the broom. I had finished sweeping the floors and cleaning the table off from the flour when Luka came back into the kitchen as I was putting everything away. I could hear footsteps coming down the stairs, I turned to see my dad walking through.

He smiled seeing me, "Time to close up the bakery for today, Marinette. It's past 5 o'clock, your mother has dinner waiting."

I nodded, "Okay papa. Oh, is it alright if Luka stays for dinner?"

He raised an eyebrow, "Luka is here?"

I nodded, "Yeah he stopped by. He's helping the last customer right now."

Dad grunted approvingly, "I'm glad he helped you but he didn't need to. Maybe I ought to hire that boy." he mused, thoughtfully.

I giggled as I finished putting lids on jars and storing them away in their place. "You know he wouldn't take your money."

"Nonsense, he'd be working for it. Earning it himself." Dad argued.

I smiled, "I see. So, it's alright then?"

Dad shook his head to clear his thoughts, "Of course. I'm not going to deny the boy of your mother's cooking." He said, chuckling.

I smiled, "Thanks papa."

"Deny me of what?" Luka asked as he walked back into the room.

"Mom's cooking. Papa said it was alright for you to join us, if you'd like to." I said, walking over to him.

Luka smiled, "Of course. I'd love to stay."

I smiled at him, "Great, I'll go let Sabine know. Can you handle closing, Marinette?" My father said with a smile.

I nodded, "Yes, I got it."

He smiled and nodded, "Oh and before you sit down to eat, clean yourselves up. You look as if you've been rolling around in the flour."

I giggled and Luka chuckled, nodding to my father. Until my dad paused, looking surprised at realizing what he just said as it could be taken the wrong way.

"Wait…you weren't were you? There will be none of that in my bakery." Dad said, getting angry.

"No papa, I promise we never-" I said blushing and waving it off.

"No sir, I wouldn't do that. I would be disrespecting you and your workplace if I had." Luka said, shaking his head.

Dad nodded, approving of Luka's answer. "Good lad." was all he said before going back up the stairs.

I smiled, "I think you're starting to grow on him."

Luka smirked, "It was only a matter of time. I am quite the gentleman, you know."

I raised an eyebrow, "Says the guy who's never taken me on a real date yet and already got to 3rd base."

I say as I leave the kitchen to bring in the sidewalk sign and flip the closed sign on the door. Luka followed me out and helped me by taking the sidewalk sign in for me.

"I did too. I took you to the movies before."

I sighed and shook my head, "Doesn't really count. It was a double date with Alya and Nino."

"The time we went to the zoo?"

"Again that was hanging out with Alya and Nino. Plus there was an akuma attack, there wasn't much time to spend together."

He nodded slowly, "Fair."

His lip curled in thought, brows furrowed as he racked his memory. I smiled and thought it was cute how hard he was trying.

"Ah! When we went to that Jagged concert last weekend."

"We had the gang with us."

"Damn. Alright, that's it then. I'm taking you out this weekend. It'll be perfect, summer break will begin by then. I'm going to give you the best date ever, you'll be completely swooning over me." He said, confidently.

I laughed as I made sure everything was in order before locking up, setting the security alarm and turning the lights off.

"Oh? And where will we be going?"

Luka smirks, "Now that will be a surprise."

"But I need to know how to dress." I complained as we took off our aprons and put them in the laundry bin we have in the kitchen.

He thought for a moment, "Casual but a little fancy."

I nodded, "Okay." I challenged, smirking at him.

We both head upstairs and as soon as we walk into the door my mom takes one look at us and shakes her head, giving a sly smile, as if she knew what we were up to. I blushed a bit as I headed up to my room and Luka went to the bathroom. I changed into a plain pink t-shirt and matching shorts. Then I used the small sink in my room to wash the flour out of my hair, tying them in twin low ponytails once I dried my hair with the towel on the counter. Satisfied, I walked back downstairs and took a seat next to Luka as mom carried out the rest of the food. I smelled it and smiled, knowing it's mom's amazing chicken curry. I even did a little happy dance knowing it's one of my favorite meals. Mom set the biscuits down then sat down herself. Luka chuckled next to me as I happily grabbed the chopsticks. Once everyone had their chopsticks, I put my hands together and closed my eyes.

"Thanks for the food."

Mom laughed, then we all happily ate our meal. There was some small talk here and there but mainly I was focused on enjoying my food. Taking a sip of my iced tea when I needed to help wash the deliciousness down. Mom and dad agreed to let Luka spend the night and told him he could call his mom about it after we ate. Once dinner was done Luka helped my mom with the dishes and I swear she acted like he just gave her the winning numbers to the lottery. Yup. This woman is definitely planning our wedding. We all then sat down as a family and watched a movie, then it was time for bed. Mom and dad retired for the night around 10pm, we went upstairs to my room after telling them goodnight. Luka laid down on his back to let me snuggle him as I laid my head on his chest. We talked for a little while before he got headphones out, put one in my ear and one in his, and listened to whatever rock/metal music was on his playlist. It was comfortable but listening to the music reminded me of earlier, when he got reserved talking about Jagged.

I bit my lip unsure if I should ask, "Luka?"

"Hmm?" he said, eyes closed.

"You know you can talk to me, right? About anything." I said, moving so I'm between his legs, elbows resting on his chest to hold myself up.

He peaked an eye open and paused the music, "Alright, what's on your mind?"

"N-Nothing's wrong, I-I was just asking." I said, fidgeting with my fingers and avoiding his gaze.

He sat up with a look of concern on his face, "What are you nervous for? It's me, you know you can relax and be yourself with me."

Damn it. He knows me too well. I sighed and bit my lip, "Is everything okay between you and Jagged?"

His posture relaxed, "Oh. That's what you're worried about."

"Is it a crime to worry about you?"

He sighed, "No. It's just hard sometimes with him, the man skipped out on a lot of my life. Granted I know it's because mom and him divorced when I was really young. I know he's trying, he's been trying since I was 15 but I don't know. Sometimes I feel like he'll be there for me, other times I don't, it's like he doesn't know how to be a dad."

I frowned, taking in everything he said, "Maybe because he doesn't. But at least he's putting in the effort now to be one."

He scoffed, "Yeah if effort is blowing off your kid, he's a real winner."

I didn't know what to say to that so I just kissed him, he smiled and sighed when I pulled away.

"Don't look so down, babe, I'll be okay. Promise. I'm just disappointed, he was supposed to teach me some more guitar riffs but I'll just figure it out myself." He said, shrugging.

I smiled, getting the best idea, "We will figure it out, together."

He chuckled and raised an eyebrow, "You want to learn the guitar?"

I nodded, "C'mon please, it'll be fun."

He laughed and nodded, hugging me. "Alright. Together."

*Time Skip: 2 days later. Tuesday.*

I sighed as I set the books down on the table, then slumped in my chair.

Alya giggled next to me, "Are the books that heavy or are you just not looking forward to this assignment?"

I looked over to her, she was sitting down in a chair, her notebook open and pen in hand. There was a chair between us, across from her sat Nino and then next to him was Adrien. Who was looking a little down today no matter how hard he tried to appear as fine. We all got a group assignment, to research an event in history that coincided with current events. Then we are to present it to the class. It will be counted towards our final grades as an exam. We all agreed to meet in the library after school to get started on it. We're all brainstorming and jotting down ideas, trying to pick one and coming up empty. All of us are lost on what to do. I grabbed books on three main topics, politics, civil rights and healthcare.

I groaned and leaned over the table, "Maybe both."

Alya shook her head at me as did Nino.

"Cheer up Marinette, we'll find a good topic to choose." Adrien said, smiling and looking up from the book he was reading.

"Yeah besides, we've been at this for 2 hours now. The school is going to close soon." Nino added, checking his watch.

"Yeah, you're right." I said, smiling.

Alya laughed, "That's a mood change if I ever saw one. Probably because she knows when we finish for the day she gets to go see her boyyyfriend." Alya teased.

I glared at her then smiled as I knew she's right.

"Speaking of, I thought he was supposed to come with us?" Nino asked. Adrien's lip twitched at the mention of his name that I noticed but brushed off. Weird.

I sighed, "He was but he told me he had an appointment to get to. He'll be here soon to pick me up though."

"Appointment for what?" Adrien asked.

As if on cue Alya's jaw dropped as she tapped my arm and pointed to get my attention to what she saw. I furrowed my brows confused as I looked at what or rather who it was.

"I guess we just found out." Alya said slowly.

Luka was walking up to the library, in black ripped skinny jeans, three pyramid stud belt, his wristband, his normal converse, a blue t-shirt with a black leather jacket. He reached up to take off his helmet and when he did, all my attention was on him. I stood up taking in what I was seeing. He shaved his hair, his beautiful hair that I loved. Leaving the top part long and untouched in a sort of mohawk style, still raven black hair with newly dyed teal tips. With three new piercings on the top of his left ear. He looked 10x more attractive than he already was, that it should be illegal to look that damn good. That damn sexy. I was full on gawking and drooling over this man that I love so much and I really didn't care who noticed. I want him so bad right now that I may need restraints.

"Marinette!" I blinked trying to bring myself out of my stupor.

I don't know how long he's been trying to call me since he's now face to face. I was still in my trance, he's just so damn captivating it's insane.

"You're gorgeous." I said, dreamily.

He broke out in a wide grin, "You don't think it's too much?"

"Absolutely not." I said, then I leaned in to try to whisper.

"I actually might need Alya to restrain me before I lose it."

He laughed as a light dust of pink tinted his tanned cheeks. He then kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear so only I could hear him, "You'll get to later."

I blushed so bad but I didn't care, I reached up to mess his hair with a pout.

"Oh don't look like that, it can grow back. So what's the assignment?" Luka asked everyone, pulling my chair out for me to sit.

I sat down but kept my eyes on him as the group filled him in on it. We stayed a while longer to discuss the assignment and finally decided on a topic and divided the work up amongst us. Once all of that was figured out we called it a day and planned to stay after again tomorrow to finish the assignment as it is due Friday, the last day of school before summer break. Our final report cards will be mailed and those that need the extra help will receive information about summer school but I don't think we need to worry. We will ace this assignment. We all said our goodbyes as we left the school, I eagerly got on Luka's bike, even before he did.

He chuckled, "If I was going to get this much attention from you, I should have changed my look ages ago."

I rolled my eyes, "Haha, very funny."

He shook his head then got on the bike, putting his helmet on, careful about his piercings. We got to the houseboat in no time and made our way to his bedroom, laughing. Juleka and Anarka weren't home yet. Ankara was out grocery shopping and Juleka was probably over at Rose's working on the assignment since they are in the same group. I grabbed his hand and he happily obliged, closing his bedroom door then embracing me. I giggled, I've never been this bold before and it's not like Luka isn't totally hating it.

"I have to say, I'm loving this side of you, Marinette." He says with a sly smirk.

"Shh.. don't talk. Just kiss me." I said, already taking off my shirt. It was just a simple light pink corset top that has flowy long sleeves and I'm currently fighting to unbutton my blue jean shorts at the same time as I make out with Luka.

Luka follows my rhythm, taking his clothes off too then going back to kiss me. I took a moment to really admire his body. All tanned sweet skin, toned and muscular as I grabbed onto his biceps as he pulled me closer to him. The tattoo on his arm made him that more irresistible, he truly was a work of art in every way. It was fast, hot, and filled with so much passion as the lust took over all of my senses, making me want to burst. He nearly ripped off my bra and panties so quickly I didn't even notice they were off until my back was against his black armoire and he started thrusting into me like his life depended on it. His hands were all over me, I didn't know where I began and he ended. It was so fast and hard it made my head roll back and scream with pleasure, the hunger not dying between us. I grabbed onto the armoire because I just needed something to tether me and keep me upright as my legs felt like they were losing feeling with how hard Luka was going. My whole body was pulsating with tingles and a whole world of new sensations until he finally came, I felt him swell and release inside me and it was pure bliss. I could hear my heartbeat loud in my ears like a drum as I tried to settle down. Both of us were shaky and drenched with sweat when he pulled out and slowly let me down. He backed up to give me some space but when my feet touched the ground and I tried to walk, I fell right to the floor.

"Shit. Mari, are you okay?"

I laughed as I reached up for him. My legs were completely numb. Luka helped me up and carried me to the bathroom, he helped me use the toilet as he drew us a hot bubble bath. He lowered me into the bath as it was still running so he could pee next and to hopefully get feeling back into my legs with the hot water. Once he was done taking care of himself he stepped into the bath and settled in behind me then I leaned back into him where my back rested on his chest. He started pouring water in my hair and massaging my shoulders as they took the brunt of being slammed into the armoire too quickly, he started kissing them gently. I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to relax as he massaged me.

"I'm sorry, Mari, I was too rough with you."

"Don't be. That was amazing. You're amazing. I love you, Luka."

"I love you too."

He then squirted some shampoo in his hands and got to work with washing my hair. I closed my eyes the whole time as he pampered me, loving the way he really takes care of me. Mind, body and soul. These moments I really believe it was heaven on earth, that is until we heard his mother yelling.

"Luka Jay Couffaine, get your ass out here right now!"

Luka and I went completely still and silent as a mouse. "I know you're in there, boy, get out here now!"

I moved up so he had room to get out, he wrapped a towel around himself and left the bathroom with his jaw clenched.

"Look at this! Do ye mind tellin me what the hell happened?!" She yelled, her Scottish accent coming out thick in her anger.

I drained the bath and stepped out, wrapping myself in a towel. Feeling incredibly awkward listening to Luka being scolded.

He coughed nervously, "Oh, that. Um."

"Oh, that? That's all ye have to say for yer'self? Ye destroyed yer armoire door, do you know how much it will cost to get it replaced?! I don't need ye to tell me what happened, I have a pretty good idea 'cause those are Marinette's clothes on yer floor, aren't they?!"

"Y-yeah." He said.

Ankara let out a long, exasperated sigh. "When I said ye can do it here I didn't think that you'd go breaking furniture. That armoire was yer grandfather's, it's an antique."

"I know, I'm sorry mom. I didn't even realize we broke the door in."

"Where's Marinette, is she hurt? It takes a lot of force to break that kind of wood." Ankara asked.

"In the bath, she does have some bruising but I'm taking care of her."

She made an ugh sound, "You boys and your lack of sense these days."

I looked in the bathroom mirror, my back to it so I could see better. Just like he said, there was bruising on my shoulders. Now it makes sense why he massaged me so much. A knock sounded at the door causing me to look away at my back and look at the door, afraid she was going to start yelling at me next.

"Marinette, sweetie, cover up. I'm comin' in." She said, then came in after a moment to find me standing in the middle of the bathroom, hair still dripping wet and clutching the blue fluffy towel to me.

Her gaze softened when she saw me and opened her arms to me, "C'mon, love. I have some healing lotion in my bedroom that will help."

We walked out together, she then looked at her son. "Luka, go get dressed and get the tools to get that door down. Lest ye get splinters."

He nodded and gave me a look before he went into his bedroom and I followed Anarka to hers. I quietly sat on her bed, loving the red velvet sheets but thinking better to say anything with how angry she was. Even if she's calming down. Looking around her room was rather nice, lots of red, but nice. She had a queen sized bed and a long dresser that had a huge mirror attached to it and a closet in the corner. She grabbed the lotion and sat on the bed next to me.

"Aye, it did quite a number on ya. But with some of this you'll heal nicely." She told me.

I simply nodded, keeping my mouth shut, lips in a straight line.

"C'mon now, did I scare ya too much, lass?" She said with a chuckle.

When I didn't say anything she sighed, "Don't worry, I'm just pissed about Luka being reckless and hurting ye and breakin' the armoire, it was my father's, ya know. He and I were like captain and first mate, the armoire is all I got left of 'em." She explained.

"S-so you're not mad about us having sex?"

She laughed, "Not at all. Goodness me, I did my fair share of breaking furniture back in my day."

I smiled as she sighed, "I broke a headboard, a kitchen table here and there."

We both laughed and I calmed down enough to relax. "For what it's worth, he really didn't mean to. He feels really bad about it, don't be too hard on him, please?"

"Aye, who could say no to that sweet face. I understand why the boy fell for ye." She said with a smile.

I smiled, "Go on now. Get dressed, I still have groceries to put away and dinner to prepare."

I nodded and happily left Anarka's room and headed into Luka's and shut the door. I found him unscrewing the hinges of the door. I sucked in a breath. It's definitely punched through, I'm surprised I didn't end up with splinters.

"Damn, now I know why she was pissed." I mutter.

He looked over and sighed, "Yeah. Makes me feel like shit for not noticing it."

"Hey, it's okay. The armoire can be fixed, no worries."

"It's not just about the armoire, I bruised you, Mari."

"Pfft. It's fine, I've had worse."

"But none that I caused."

"Stop. I loved it, every moment of it. In fact I want to do it again and again and again." I said, smirking at him as I kissed all over his face.

His own smile came back as he looked at me, I then let the towel go and let him look at me. I then sat down on his bed and crossed my legs, leaning back with my arm supporting my weight. It looked as if it pained him not to touch me. I know he won't because his mom is here and he has enough respect to not do anything with me while people are around. The time we share should be done in privacy. One of the things I love about him.

"Don't stop working on my account." I teased.

"Mari, put some damn clothes on." There was an edge in his voice that I found oh so appealing.

I got up and walked over to him. Ever so slowly, running my fingers down his arm, tiling my head to the side letting my mid-back length hair fall to the side. I slowly move my other hand under his tank top and feel the toned muscles of his stomach, playing with the little neat happy trail. I always wondered why it was called that, it's just body hair but now I know. It's because of where it leads I tend to get very, very happy. I then start inching my fingers downwards, keeping my eyes on his. His breathing was loud but even as he watched me intently as I slipped my hand under his boxers waistband. Reaching up to kiss his neck, pressing my lips softly on his collarbone.

"I'm sorry. Am I distracting you?"

But before I could touch him I pulled my hand from his pants and walked away. A growl escaped his throat as he fought with himself to avert his gaze. I then picked up my bra and panties and started getting dressed. Knowing his eyes were on me the whole time.

"You are such a damn tease." He growled out.

I shrugged with a smirk playing on my lips, "You love me."

"Oh, I'll get you back for that one."

I giggled as I opened the door and left his room to go help his mom with dinner. I was helping get the table made as Juleka came home with Rose while Luka has helping his mom finish cooking and bring the meal over to their table.

"Hey, family. We have an announcement to make." Juleka announced, smiling.

Ankara put a hand on her hip and nodded, "A'right, out with ye."

"Rose and I-"

"We're dating!" Rose said, excited.

Ankara clasped her hands together and went over to them, hugging them tight.

"Oh I jus' knew it would happen someday." She said happily.

Luka and I congratulated the new couple and we all settled down and had a very nice dinner. Juleka and I even fully made amends with each other as she explained she was jealous of me being able to be open with my relationship with Luka when she had been scared to tell Rose how she felt and was worried her being a lesbian was going to freak Rose out but it turned out that Rose loved her just the same. It was actually really sweet. After dinner was over, Luka cleaned up and I helped him as Anarka and the two girls played some card games. Then Anarka decided to have a little celebration by having her children and her play music together as a family. I grabbed Luka's acoustic as that is what he's been teaching me on and Rose sang, Ankara had drums and Jules had the bass.

Luka chuckled as I put the strap over my head and sat down on the couch, getting ready to play with everyone.

"Babe, you're holding it wrong." He said, then helped me correct it as it was upside down.

I gigged, "Oh, thanks Luka."

I slid the pick, I put behind the strings of the guitar, out carefully and made the first strum. Going slow at first as I found the right notes and remembered what Luka taught me. I closed my eyes and let my fingers find their way, I cringed when I played the wrong note but recovered. I looked up to see Luka looking over at me as he played his electric with pride and love, watching me play. I smiled back at him, capturing the moment as we all played in harmony.