Baby Bugaboo

Chapter 1 - Burial

It was the day of Emalies funeral. Adrien was dressed in a black suit and tie, with a black shirt to match. His girlfriend, Marinette, held his hand in her own appropriate black dress and pantyhose, with her hair in a braided bun. She held his hand and he gripped hers, his face solemn and mournful. It was only a few months ago when he first discovered that his father kept his mothers' corpse in what he would describe as a hellish tomb underneath his own nose all these years.

"Adrien...." Marinette murmured, upon seeing a tear roll down his cheek. The graveyard was empty by this point as the service was long since over. They stood in the same place as the tractors and machinery did their job in sealing the cement tomb and in a few loads properly finally burying his beloved mother.

His breath was stifled for a moment.

"I just thought.... I thought I would have never had to mourn my mother twice in one lifetime... I didn't think I still have tears six years later, yet here we are."

Marinette felt as his grip got tighter. Without words, she just hugged his arm and kept her own calm. More tears wouldn't aid the situation, but she couldn't help but let a one of her own escape her eye.

"I'm here for you mon chaton, I'll be here for when you're ready to take your first step on moving into the future."

He gave a small, albeit a sad smile in response, "Our future, m'lady." Marinette gave him a kiss on the cheek, and remained by his side.

The pair of them stood at the grave for yet another couple hours, although it felt like an eternity. Their silence was soon broken upon hearing the gravel crunching behind them to reveal the now affianced Nino and Alya, with a bag of take-out in hand. "Hey dude and dudette, figured you'd be hungry."

Marinette and Adrien turned around and welcomed their friends with big hugs that came as a great comfort to them both. Alya pulled out a blanket and laid it on the green grass next to the mound of dirt that was the fresh grave. The four of them took their seats as Nino passed out wrapped food amongst the four of them.

The afternoon went on and spirits were raised (as much as they could be) during their late lunch, the group of them soon leaving after eating. The sun was setting on the horizon, and they split back up in their duos. Alya at first suggesting Nino walking Adrien home, however the blonde refused and insisted on walking the rest of the way home on his own. They all waved one another goodbye, and Alya and Marinette split off on their own, and were soon back at the bakery Marinette called home.

As they settled into the loft bedroom that's seen little to no change in the past five years, Alya was the first to speak. "How're you holding in there, Marinette?" Marinette gave an exasperated sigh as she sat at her vanity and let down her hair. "I don't know... He insists on being on his own but I can't help but shake the feeling that I need to be there for him in some way..."

The brunette gave a sigh as both Trixx and Tikki revealed themselves from their respective pockets. Alya grabbed a brush and started to brush her best friends hair. "Maybe you should check in on him then? Worst case scenario is that he really wants to be alone for the rest of the night and you just come back home."

"I suppose you're right... I just worry that I'll upset him further, y'know?" Marinette replied, her nervousness shone through as her current fear was that she might come off as naggy when that's the last thing he might need as of now. Alya pondered a second... "Well, you live in a bakery, maybe all he needs is some nice baked goods and his girlfriend to keep him company... maybe cuddle up and watch a movie on the couch?"

"Alright alright, you've convinced me. And hey, if he really does want to be alone, I just come back and we do something?"

"You got it girl!" Alya gave a big smile and a thumbs up.

~

The night was beginning to set in and Marinette stood at the large iron gates of the Agreste household. She took a deep breath with her macarons in hand, and rang the doorbell. The motorized security camera emerged from the pillar and Natalie's voice could be heard.

"Ah, Marinette Dupain-Chang. I assume you're here for Adrien?"

"Yes ma'am, I am!"

"Give me a moment."

Said moment went by, and Natalie returned, causing Marinette to jump a bit.

"You may enter."

The iron gates opened, and Marinette entered. She was then greeted by the familiar, cold marble entry room and soon the just as familiar face that was Natalie. "Adrien is just in his room. Please follow me."

Marinette and Adrien had been dating for a long while now, and by now she was very familiar with these hallways and where to go. At the same time though, she fully understood the customs that the hired house hand must follow and has been following for all these years. Eventually they were at Adriens bedroom door, and Natalie knocked.

"Come in."