Does he remember?

Chapter Thirteen

"Oh my gosh", Marinette whispered, exchanging glances with Alya. "I can't remember the last time I saw him. Probably graduation, honestly."

"Yeah, he kind of fell of the face of the earth after that", Nino rubbed his neck. "Apparently no one has spoken to him since. I guess his father decided that it was time he moved to New York City and started his own life there."

"But why?" Alya questioned.

"Well I guess Adrien had begged his father to let him be by himself and let him start his own life. Of course, his father didn't like that. He still wanted control over Adrien's life, as usual. So he let him be on his own, but in different conditions. Gabriel sent him to New York City to start an Agreste clothing line there so Gabriel could get more attention", Nino explained.

"So, he's been by himself for 5 years over there?" Marinette asked, intrigued in the story.

"Not totally by himself. Pretty sure Kagami is there with him", Nino shrugged.

Those words pinged Marinette's chest. She had no clue why, especially since she had gotten Adrien years ago. "I didn't even know Kagami had left Paris."

"Me neither", Alya glanced over at Marinette. "I just thought we lost contact with her because her mother didn't allow her to be friends with us anymore. I had no idea it was because she'd been spending the last 5 years with Adrien."

A hot puddle in Marinette's stomach had boiled and rose when those words struck her ears. Adrien and Kagami? Together? For 5 years? She had wondered if anything had happened between them. If they were a couple again, or maybe even engaged. Or married. 

Marinette tried shaking off the thoughts and distracted herself with another question. "So, why is he coming back?"

"Yeah, and is he taking Kagami back with him?" Alya questioned. Well, at least Marinette tried to get that topic off her head.

"That, I do not know. It just says here on Paris news that Adrien is returning to Paris. It doesn't say anything about Kagami. Or if he's coming back permanently", Nino's eyes moved with the screen as he scrolled.

"You two were best friends. Why didn't you guys remain in contact?" Marinette asked.

"Again, his father. He didn't want any connections back to Paris since he 'wanted to be on his own', so his father really did make him on his own. I was mad at Adrien for a while until I realized what actually happened. He never wanted to ignore me, ignore any of us. It was simply because his father reprimanded him of any contact between New York City and Paris."

"Gosh, I hate his father", Alya shook her head. "Is Adrien going to stay at his father's house again?"

"Most likely. But honestly, we should invite him here", Nino suggested.

"Where would he sleep?" Marinette glanced around the house.

"In the basement?" Alya questioned, her head pointing in the direction of the basement.

"It's unfinished", Nino recalled. It was almost like something flashed in Nino's head, an idea popping up, causing his eyes to widen. "We could clean the basement and get it set up for him before he arrives."

"Ooo yessss", Alya agreed. "When is he coming back?"

"Well, he just left apparently", Nino answered. "Someone got photos of him at the airport not too long ago."

"So, what you're saying is that we should start now?" Marinette tilted her head.

"Yes", Nino snapped his fingers, springing up from the couch and heading over to the basement door. "Alya, honey, will you come with me? I'm kind of scared of the basement."

"Nino, we're coming", Alya rolled her eyes, grabbing Marinette's hand and dragging her to the basement.

---------------------

"I like the way we arranged it", Marinette said sleepily, but still prideful of the work they just accomplished.

"Yeah, and it's only", Nino glanced at his phone. "6 in the morning!"

"I cannot believe we rearranged our basement in the middle of the night", Alya yawned. "Technically morning."

"I should go check on Emma, see if she's awake", Marinette yawned, dragging her feet to the stairs. "Also, I think we should paint the walls. The vomit green is not it."

Marinette opened the door to her daughter's room to find her snuggled in her blankets, sleeping soundly. She smiled before pulling the door gently shut. 

"Mommy?" A muffled voice through the door caught Marinette's attention. 

"Hey, baby", Marinette opened the door to find her daughter sitting upright, rubbing her eyes. "Go back to sleep, it's early."

"What's with all the ruckus?" Emma tilted her head.

Marinette pondered on the word "ruckus", wondering where she could've learned that one. "We're just rearranging the basement."

"At this time in the morning? Are you crazy?" Emma giggled. "Or was it because you couldn't sleep because you were overthinking? Because that happens a lot."

Marinette shook her head. She couldn't help but smile, wondering how lucky she got with such a unique daughter. "An old friend is coming here."

"Old? Like a granny or old from a long time ago?"

"Old from a long time ago", Marinette nodded, sitting on Emma's bed. "You know, I actually haven't seen this friend since before you. I just found out weeks later that I was pregnant with you."

"Why?"

"He moved to New York City", Marinette explained.

"I wanna go to New York City", Emma smiled. "Will he take me there?"

"No, you little adventurer", Marinette played with her daughter's hair. 

"Have you been to New York City?"

"Once", Marinette's smile faded at the memories. Especially the ones where she had spent most of the trip failing at telling Adrien how she felt. 

"When?" Emma asked excitedly.

"I was around 15. It was for a school trip. Maybe you'll go on the same trip when you're older", Marinette tapped her daughter's nose. "Okay, go back to sleep."

"Noooo", Emma complained. "I wanna know more about this boy."

"What boy?" Marinette smirked.

"Your friend? He's a boy is he not?" Emma furrowed her eyebrows. 

Marinette laughed. "Yes, what about him?"

"Did you guys date?" Emma smiled. 

Marinette was caught off guard by her daughter's question, she almost jumped. "What? No, sweetie. You can have boys as friends, not always to just date."

"Is he the blond one that you have pictures in a box under your bed of?" Emma questioned. "You aren't even in them. They're pictures of just him."

She did a double take to the abrupt question. "Wait, what were you doing under my bed-", Marinette sighed, letting go of the question. "Enough questions, Emma. Let's get you some breakfast, okay?"