I toss and turn, even if my day was full of running after the kids, diaper changes, and packing a lunch for Adrien. Plus, I had a dream about Emile, Adrien's mother, and I can't get the dream out of my head.
They say dreams are like a snapshot puzzle of our day, but I feel like the dream I had was more then that. Maybe a foreshadowing? Both of us were standing in a huge darkened room, me standing in the shadows watching her. She stared down at piles of papers, trailing her fingertips over them, a sad smile on her face. Then, Emile looked up at me with green eyes, Adrien's eyes, and vanished. And I've been awake ever since.
Adrien is in deep sleep as I glance at him, working the garden in the hot sun, despite the shade, can wear a body out quickly, though Adrien knows when to rest. He's a bit worried as some friends at the market are rumbling about a hurricane brewing in the waters south of us.
After much plumping of my pillow, I know trying to sleep is useless, and quietly I slip out of bed, grabbing my robe and head to the kitchen. Making a quiet cup of hot cocoa and putting into a thermos, phone in hand, I slip out outside.
The sand looks a bleached white, compared to the darkness around me, though a moon hangs low in the sky. I have a favorite spot on the island, a secret place, where waves break against the rocks, but there's hardly any danger that I could be swept away. Besides, I would just transform.
I settle under a tree, staring off to sea, a lighted moon path glittering on the surface. Pulling out my phone, I sigh as it reads 1:37 a.m. But there's a notification about Gabriel Agreste as well. Of course, I click on it immediately.
Its an article about the anniversary of Gabriel's death, and that his wife, Emile's blueprints for all her clothing lines is still missing somewhere in Paris. Only, they aren't actually missing.
One our wedding night, Adrien showed me the plans his mother spent part of her adult life on. At the time, I was already in school, trying to get straight A's, as if my slot in the prestigious art school we both attended, was still just a dream. And then, a thought and my dream collide together in my mind.
I can make Emile's dream come true, even if she can't see it herself. Sure, the work will be tiring and long hours, but I want to make my mother-in-law's dream come true. And maybe, just maybe, it would vault me into my own fashion designer business. Sure, my duties as a mother come first, but there are many things I can do at the cabin or a nearby island to make my dreams come true.
"I know cats are known for night-time prowling, but I didn't think ladybugs did the same," a voice says above me. I gasp, looking up into Cat's green eyes peering down at me from the tree above me. "Cat!" I gasp, trying to calm my racing my heart. "You didn't follow me did you?" "I only noticed the bed was empty five minutes ago," he assures me. "You left the kids alone?" "Don't worry, baby's monitor's right here."
"Sorry, I couldn't sleep, so I came out here for some fresh air." "M'lady, I know your hiding something," he breathes. I don't know how to respond. I should tell him my plans, but what if they're fruitless? Though my husband would be supportive, I don't want him to see me fail on something I haven't even tried.
"M'lady, are you keeping secrets from me?" he raises my chin with a gentle claw, his eyes burning into mine. "I...I...yes. But if it what I'm keeping from your works, I think you'll be very happy." He exhales a breath. "I hate secrets." Using the tips of my fingers, I brush his cheek. "Will you tell me why?"
"When my mother grew ill, Father brushed off my worries and never told me that problem. I always left in the dark, Princess. If I would have known, maybe I could have saved her."
I can't do anything to stop the past, but guilt still gnaws at me. "Is that why you always got angry with me because I kept secrets?" Cat squirms. "Yes." "I hated keeping things from you." "I have to remember, the past is past, and the present is now."
I lean forward, giving him a gentle kiss. "There are some secrets I can tell you," I whisper, and Cat buries his face in hands. "Okay, you got me!" "What?" "I sneaked cookies from the jar!" A laugh bubbles up, and I laugh aloud. "Oh, Cat Noir, I love you!"
I scramble onto his lap, fastening my lips to his, and the world turns blurry. "Princess," Cat breathes, and he easily lays me on the sand. With a quick flash, his transformation wears off, and I stare up at Adrien.
"We all hold secrets, love. But I'm glad you know my identity." The cool air turns warm and everything expect Adrien fills my vision, and I feel joy in my heart.
Back at home, I climb back into bed, determined and happy. But I'll have to slip off to Paris tomorrow.
Daylight….
"Waah!" "Oh, Emma!" I sleepily get out of bed, and walk over to her cradle. "Ooh, someone has a wet diaper. There, there, honey."
Emma sniffles, reaching up to touch my face, and I feel a fierce love for my daughter, before I'm tackling from behind. "I'm a lion, roar!" Hugo bumps into my back, giggling and roaring.
"Sorry, he's so fast," Adrien pants as he dashes after Hugo. "Want me to take them for the morning?" I ask, settling Hugo on my lap for his morning milk. "I have plenty of work in the fields…." his voice trails off. "No worries, I'll take them to see Grandpa and Grandma."
The Agreste's have some literal loose threads to tie up, and now as a Agreste myself, I will tie them up myself.
