Chat Out of the Bag?

Chapter 15

Natalie felt exhausted. She briefly considered if using the peacock miraculous was worth the trouble. She has barely used it and yet it drained her so much. She needed to get up soon. She was taking the Agreste children to the new exhibit at the museum. She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear a knock on her door.

"Natalie, what should I wear for the moosam," asked Lucia.

The little girl was in her onesie pj's and was rubbing at her eyes. She noticed Natalie not acting right so she crawled into the bed and looked into her eyes.

"Are you sick or just need coffee?"

"Just a little tired. What did I tell you about coming into other's rooms?"

Lucia pouted, "I knocked but you didn't answer so I came to check on you."

Natalie told Lucia that she would help her pick an outfit for the museum after she got some coffee.

Lucia left Natalie's room after she insisted that she was okay. The little girl didn't believe the woman and was going to make her papa give Natalie the day off.

First, she needed some backup so she went to wake up Adrien. She shook her brother awake so she could tell him what she saw.

"Adrien, I think Natalie is sick and she is pretending that she isn't. I want to ask papa to give her the day off so she can feel better," she said as she continued to shake him.

Adrien didn't appreciate the early wake-up call but he could forgive Lucia since she was on the verge of panicking.

"Are you sure she is sick and not just tired and in need of coffee," asked Adrien.

"I think both are true. I know something is wrong with her. What if she goes away like Maman?" she whispers sadly.

Adrien told Lucia that he would get dressed and check on Natalie before going to their father.

Lucia nodded and left the room. She went straight to her papa's bedroom and knocked on the door. No one answered so Lucia decided to go in to check on her papa.

"Papa, are you awake," she whispered as she entered.

Her papa was was awake and was using his tablet in bed. He looked up when he heard Lucia.

"Lucia, this better be important. You know I don't like anyone in my room," said Gabriel.

Lucia took a deep breath and told her father about Natalie and how she thought she was sick. While she was explaining, Adrien came into the room to back her up.

"I see. While I appreciate your concern there is nothing to worry about in this situation," replied Gabriel.

"But papa! What if Natalie gets sick like maman?" exclaimed Lucia.

Gabriel's eyes harden at the mention of his beloved wife. "Adrien help your sister get ready for the museum exhibit."

"Yes, Father," replied Adrien as he grabbed Lucia.

He took her back to her room and hugged her.

She started crying in his arms and saying that Papa was a meanie.

Natalie walked into this scene when she entered Lucia's room.

"Lucia, why are you crying?"

Lucia let go of her brother and ran to hug Natalie's legs. "Natalie! Promise me you won't get sick and go away like maman!"

Natalie kneeled to be closer to Lucia. "I promised to protect you and your brother and I will not break that promise," she replied.

Natalie wiped away Lucia's tears and got back up. "Now let's find something nice for you to wear."