In Another World (Miraculous Ladybug)

Chapter 8: Another Faithful Day

Love, we don't have to go to the ball tonight. Nino passed back and forth waiting for his wife. 

Mari walked out for their bedroom in a deep red dress the flows elegantly matching his red vest perfectly. "Darling, I'm eight months pregnant, when the holiday ball rolls around we have like a three-month-old, assuming everything happens smoothly. So I want to go and enjoy our last ball without needed to take care of a baby." 

Nino looked at his wife, she was gorgeous. She glowed, her belly rounded and hands always resting on her stomach. "Well, I can't argue that logic." He offered his arm, "Sounds like sleigh is here, ready for the short trip?" Each district had a hall for these grand parties. The Harvest Ball was always hosted in the farming district. The other three balls rotated between the three other districts. 

She giggled as she took his arm, man he still loved that sound. He walked them out to the large sleigh that fit most of the families, one or two took their own wagon or sleigh so that they if people needed to leave early. Everyone asked how Mar was doing, and how she was feeling if the nursery was ready, did she need anything? And so on, this happens every time all the women got together. The men shugged and chuckled under their breath at their wife. Nino took Mari's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze the other men sent him the good move look and Nino had to hide his laughter. When there was a lull in the chat, one of the little girls who had claimed a spot next to Mari, tapped her on the arm. 

"Miss Marinette?" Mari hummed, "When will your baby be able to play with the rest of us?" 

The adults all laughed, "Well little one, my baby is gonna be little for a while, so it will be a long time, but your learning to read right?" The girl nodded proudly, "Well you can come practice reading to my baby after they come alright?" 

The girl shugged that seemed to be good enough for her. The adults pointed out how great Mari was with kids and how she would make a great mom. Nino agreed, Mar would be the best mom, Their right you know.

Mari looked at him and leaned her head on his shoulder, And you will be the best dad. 

Nino smiled. The other adults pretend not to notice they were talking without talking. Soon they arrived at the Hall and everyone headed inside. They meant their friends from all over the island. People who hadn't seen Mari in a few months oohed and ahhed over her look. Nino had been taken to help fix the sound system. Love when you're done with the music come save me! 

Nino looked up from the soundboard and saw Mari cornered by several women offering no doubt unsolicited advice. "Boys we need to hurry this up, my wife needs saving," Henery smirked at him, he looked over to Alice who was already heading her way. 

"My wife will she what she can do, but seeing as our daughter is with a sitter tonight I can't see her getting out of her scot-free either." He smiled. 

"Man, what is it about women that makes them think other women want their advice?" Nino laughed. "We better move, they might both need us." The men laughed. Within minutes they were done and off to save their wives. "Excuse us ladies, but the tunes are going and we would like our loves to join us for a dance." The older ladies of the island found Nino to be just charming so he easily saved both Mari and Alice. 

Thank you Mari took his hand and they headed to the dance floor. "Do you ever wonder what our moms would say?" 

"Oh they'd be awful for advice, we'd never hear the end of it." Nino laughed. Mari knew he was teasing, but she couldn't help it, she looked down trying to hide her longing. She felt Nino's hand guide hers from proper dance form to behind his neck. Then his hand came to under her chin, "Look at me, Love." Mari sighed, and slowly looked up at him. 

"I know it's hard, I miss them too. I would love to be sharing this moment with our parents. But look around you, our kid is gonna have family in another way. And we will teach them all about our families and our friends." He gave her a smile that made her felt so safe. She leaned her head on his shoulder. 

"I know we can't go back someday..." She couldn't finish her thought, Her ears started to burn, her hands instinctively went to her ears. She hit the ground crying in pain. She looked through squinted eyes at Nino and saw him in pain too, holding his wrist close to him, and was kneeling next to her. Alice, Henery, Vicki, Edward and Maryweather came running to them. 

Suddenly there was a hole in the far wall of the hall, everyone rushed to the other side, behind Mari and Nino. 

With tears running down her face Mari took Nino's hand, "It's Paris." 

Storyline A: Going Back and Starting Over (5 Chapters)

Storyline B: Same Old Home, Brand New Life (3 Chapters)

Storyline C: Home is Where Your Heart Is (1 Chapter)