A Little Bit of Bad Luck

Epilogue: The Life You Deserve

The snow fell gently outside, coating the city in a soft blanket of white. Inside the home of the Dupain-Cheng's, Marinette darted around the living room setting up for their Christmas celebration. Tikki tried to keep up with her but ended up needing extra cookies to refuel. Her parents had agreed to host Félix, Nathalie and Gordon on Christmas Eve, and Marinette wanted everything to be perfect. Tom was especially excited after hearing the news that the two kids were dating.

Marinette paused for a moment and looked outside at the never ending white. Her thoughts drifted to Master Fu. She had checked in on him after Hawk Moth was defeated. He had found his soulmate after years apart and was truly happy. She knew he would have been proud of them.

"It's a winter wonderland out there!" Tikki exclaimed.

"It sure is beautiful," Marinette smiled.

It was quiet in Paris now, but they still had a team of superheroes ready for whatever could be thrown at them next. Eventually Marinette planned on adding more holders, but for the moment they enjoyed their smaller, more intimate team of five.

Su-Han gave them regular training sessions to keep them all sharp. Alya loved the opportunity to gain more information on the miraculous and their origins. It was strange knowing Félix's father, the man behind Hawk Moth, was in the same building, but Félix assured them he was just glad Hawk Moth wasn't able to terrorize Paris anymore. Marinette knew he was still struggling with it, and she would always be there for him.

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Chloé sat in her room alone. Another Christmas Eve by myself. She would have loved to spend it with Sabrina but she didn't want to intrude on her family Christmas. This is how it was every year, so she was used to it.

Her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at it. Alya?

She didn't know why Alya would be texting her on Christmas Eve.

Alya
Mandatory team building exercise tonight at the Christmas market!

Chloé
I guess if it's mandatory  🐝

Chloé set her phone down. Her heart squeezed and a giddy feeling spread through her body.  She had never been on a team before, and the sense of belonging was like nothing she ever felt before.

"I guess those four aren't that bad," she smiled softly. Finally, a Christmas Eve she didn't have to spend alone. She would have never pictured her life like this, but she wouldn't trade it for anything.

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Félix fussed with his hair in the mirror. He could feel the excitement bubbling in his chest. This was his first Christmas in a long time he was spending in a warm, lively home. It was also his first Christmas as Marinette's boyfriend.

He blushed.

"Quit thinking about Marinette and finish getting ready!" Plagg teased.

"I was no- okay yes I was. I'm almost done!" Félix retorted.

He walked out towards the front room where Nathalie and Gordon were waiting.

"Félix, before we go, I have a Christmas present I want you to open early," Nathalie said, producing a manila envelope.

"Okay," Félix replied. He wondered what it could be as he took the envelope from her. He opened it and took out a thick paper with the words Certificate of Adoption at the top.