"I'm not sure whether to be offended or delighted," Adrien told Sabine and Tom. Mama Cheng was holding up an apron that read, "No Burning" plastered across the front. "I didn't make this for you. Marinette did." "She's right, I'm not that good at baking." "Hey, that's not true. Its become a weekly tradition at you and Marinette come bake with us on the weekends."
"You couldn't teach me how to make a simple chocolate cake, could you?" Adrien flushed. Mama smiled knowingly. "Did you choose that particular cake knowing its Marinette's favorite?"
"What's my favorite?" Adrien and Sabine turned to see Marinette carrying a traveling drink carrier, setting the drinks down before giving hugs. "Uh, hazelnut! I was telling Mama hazelnut is your favorite," Adrien improvised quickly. Marinette giggled, jumping up on tiptoe to give him a kiss. "Silly, she's known that for years." "Marinette, how about you see what your father is up to," Mama said, with a subtle wink to Adrien, and he gave a grateful smile. "Okay. See you at lunch."
Marinette wandered into the back kitchen, where her father was sitting at the counter, flipping through one of his cake magazines. "Hi, Papa!" "Marinette, how's my favorite daughter?" Tom asked, opening his arms for a hug. "Papa, I'm your only daughter, and she's well. She's also ready to whip up some bakery magic!" "What to do you say about trying this cake?"
Marinette's eyes widened as she looked at cake, a carousel style, and gulped. The design looked a bit tricky, and she was a little rusty on her icing and piping skills.
Papa saw the look on her face. "Hey, I might not be your partner, Cat Noir, but I think we make a pretty good team. How about it?" He raised his fist, and Marinette sighed. "Well, if I get stuck, I have a great teacher!"
They started working and Tom asked, "So, how's Adrien doing? It seems like lately we only see you at the weekends." Marinette blushed. "I know. We're both rushed off our feet during the week, especially Adrien. Even I haven't talked to him much lately," Marinette was quiet as her father poured batter into the bowl. "I think he wants kids more then he lets on," Marinette told him. "So, what's stopping him?"
"I think he doesn't want to end up like his own father, even if I keep reminding him that will never happen, and I'm right there to help. I don't want to rush him." "Take your time. Raising kids is a full-time job in itself!" "Papa! I wasn't that bad, was I?" "No, of course not."
Just then, the smell of smoke filled the air. "Uh-oh, I'd better go check on that!"
"Now, Adrien, don't beat yourself up. Just because your still getting the hang of baking, doesn't mean your not talented in other areas." "Yeah, like making puns and cheering me up," Marinette assured him.
"This cake was going to be for you, Bugaboo," Adrien said, quietly. "Hey, its the thought that counts. How about we go through it step by step?" "Baby steps, okay?" Adrien asked, and Marinette smiled and nodded.
"I'll leave you two it," Sabine smiled. "Can you ask Papa to let me know when its time to frost the cake?" Marinette asked. Sabine nodded, and headed out.
"Marinette, speaking of babies…." Adrien started, and paused as Marinette laid a hand on his arm. "Later, we have plenty of time. Now, step one…."
Tom and Sabine watched with proud smiles, hiding behind the door. It was so wonderful to see their daughter flourish and grow, and soon maybe there would be the patter of little footsteps of little Marinette's and Adrien's upon the bakery floor.