"I know your ready for a break, but I almost have the measurements done. Please, five more minutes?" Marinette blinks up at me. I yawn, but give her a smile. "Okay, five more minutes and then I'm taking your chaise hostage."
"Just remember, we're meeting the boys at seven for the movie," Marinette reminds me. I nod, watching her work. The rain makes a light drumming sound on the roof. "Marinette? Are you excited about getting married?" Marinette is quiet for a moment, thinking.
"To be honest, it still feels like a dream and just a little bit of a nightmare," she whispers. "Do you…" I lower my voice as if the walls are listening. "Do you ever dream about Cat Blanc?" "Only when I'm really stressed, but he doesn't frighten me anymore, because I know whatever masks he wears, he loves me." "And the dream part?" "If you would have told me I was going to marry Adrien Agreste someday, I wouldn't have believed you."
"But you and Adrien are each other's soulmate! Its like it was meant to be!" "Sure, but that doesn't mean we were both scared. And to think, I didn't even like him until he handed me that umbrella."
"Will you be sad when we leave Paris?" "Paris will always be my home, but neither Adrien and I can live here anymore. There are to many painful memories. Luckily, we can always visit. And just think, you and I are going to be sisters!"
Marinette smiles at me. "Okay, Seamstress Marinette is finished for the day. You are free to have your nap," she grins, gesturing to the couch. "Or could we make some tea and talk?"
I really need some girl advice. "Sure. Let's head downstairs." Marinette hums happily under her breath as she fills the kettle with water, and rummages in the cupboard for the graham crackers as we wait for the water to boil.
"Marinette, do you think I'll be a good mother someday?" I ask, quietly, wrapping my hands around the warm mug, as if it can give me strength. "Kagami, I think you'd make a wonderful mother," Marinette looks at me with those gentle bluebell eyes, and its easy to see why Adrien fell in love with her. She is gentle and kind, and will do anything for a friend, mask or no mask. Adrien may have been my first crush before I met Felix, but Marinette was my first friend and best friend to this day.
"I don't want to end up like my mother," I whisper. Cold and distant, always wanting more riches, more power. "Kagami, your heart is filled with love for Felix, and for so many others. And, someday when the time is right, you'll love your child too."
"Thanks, Marinette. If fashion designing doesn't work out, you should go into therapy." Marinette laughs lightly. "Master Fu had a lot of wisdom that I took to heart. And actually, Adrien does want to go into therapy."
"I bet he'll be over the moon when you have kids," I smile, thinking of Adrien's playful attitude. Marinette rolls her eyes and giggles. "Personally, I think he'll just be excited that he can teach someone cat puns."
"Hey, you have to admit his cooking skills are getting better." "Did you see how he kept the pancake in the pan?" Soon, we're giggling so hard, we almost miss our alarms.
"Shoot, I'm sorry, Kagami. Its time to meet the boys," Marinette apologizes. "No worries, its nice to have some girl talk."
"Hello, love. How was dress fitting?" Felix asks, as I slide into the car next to him, and he puts his arm around me. I waggle a finger at him. "Now, now. You know its bad luck to see the dress before the wedding, so why would ask about the dress?" "Eh, If I listened to things such as bad luck, I'd still be yowling on Marinette's balcony. Alone and single," Adrien says. "I happen to think black cats are purr-ty cute," she puns.
Adrien's mouth drops open. "Careful, Adrien, a little birdie could build a nest in there," I giggle. Then Adrien squeals. "My Lady made a pun!" Marinette crosses her arms. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get you tail in a heart." They catch each other's gaze before Marinette leans over to kiss him.
Felix and I settle in the back of the theater. Suddenly, he transforms. "What did you do that for? There's no danger here." Felix's eyes glow in the darkness. "I want to kiss you, but I don't want to distract the others from the movie. So, we'll use this fan."
To me, the room gets hotter as Felix and I continue to kiss. Then we break apart when we hear squabbling from three rows down. "For the last time, the hamster's name is not Loneliness!"
Felix and I burst into giggles. I rest my head against his shoulder as the movie starts, and he leans his head against mine. Truth be told, I don't remember much of the movie, but I just enjoy being with my finance. Oof. Though I'm overjoyed to be married soon, it will take time to get used to the word "wife" and "husband".
"Your blushing, My Queen." "Was I? Guess I'm just trying to get used to the word "wife"." "You will be, but you shall always be my Queen."
That statement would be romantic if Adrien wasn't behind Felix, mimicking his words and movements and Marinette gracefully slugs him. "We'll get used to it, eventually," my lips twitch.
After we've said goodnight for the evening, I take out my trusty sketchbook and draw. Longg enjoys his fruit before curling up beside me. "Okay, I can take a hint. Its bedtime."
Softly, I drift away to dreamland, where Felix and I dance with our children in a meadow full of flowers. Happy giggles make my heart soar, and I can feel my child as I hold the bottle of milk to their lips, a happy sense of pride welling in my chest.
But to soon, the dream ends, and a start to another day is here. I'm glad Felix is alone, and he can read my thoughts.
We cuddle on the couch, watching the rain, with no words needed. I like the way he holds me, his arms powerful and strong. He cheers me up with sweet nothings and promises, and I ask him to teach me chess.
Felix smiles, then sighs. "I was going to save it for a wedding present, but the place I'm looking at is a bit out of our price range. However, there's a chess competition coming up that would pay for the extra costs…." his voice trails off as he strokes my hair.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Teach me!"
Felix does, and we start to practice until I have to go to Marinette's. Soon, my days are a whirlwind of chessboards are measurements.
Felix signs us up for the competition, and both that and the wedding are drawing closer and closer. But the more you practice and are prepared, the better you will do.
Two weeks later….
"And that's how you make the move," Felix explains to me. "Who taught you to play chess anyway?" I ask. Felix sighs, and I almost wished I hadn't asked. "My father. Though he wanted to control me, he knew I was smart and wanted to show off my skills. It was the one thing I loved doing with him."
I reach my hand across the table, grasping his. "I know you and your father weren't on the best of terms. But maybe you can make him proud."
Who knows what tomorrow brings, but I am certain of one. Felix will still love me, and I will love him. We have a morning coffee date and take a leisurely stroll through the park.
The cherry blossom are just started to blossom, causing the air to smell sweet and the ground is a soft carpet of pink beneath my feet.
The blossoms give me an idea, and I'll text Marinette once I get a free moment. Felix surprises me with a twirl, until we hear the shout of reporters and transforming quickly, he whisks me away into the treetops.
We clink coffee cups, giggling as we look down on the confused reporter's faces. We don't feel to sorry for them however, for soon, I'll eyes will be on my wedding.
"When we're married…." Felix starts, and those words send a thrill through me. "When we're married, will have a beautiful house and garden and I'll cook meals for you, and spend evenings by the fire."
Its fun playing this, especially when it ends with the kiss. Then its off to the competition. "I have a surprise for you," Felix says, leading us down to one of the dressing rooms. "Ta-DA!"
Its a black and white dress, resembling a chess board. "Oh, thank you, love!"
After getting ready, we take our seats. I catch a glimpse of Adrien and Marinette in the crowd, but I have to stay focused.
Felix takes the first turn, and everyone is transfixed upon the game they play, the air so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Then its my turn, and I take my place, making careful move after careful move, the pieces moving around the board.
But that's the way I've played the game of Life, carefully and strategically. My opponent seems impressed with my moves, and when I win, I don't understand at first.
Felix lifts me into the air, twirling me into happy dizziness, and I hear Adrien mention ice cream. After Felix sets me down, and the spinning stops, I grin and hold out my fist. "I know this is your guy's thing, but I think it would be appropriate for a pound it about now, don't you think?"
Laughing happily, we all bump fists, then run out into the sunshine, Felix's hand wrapped around mine. I feel ready for anything.