Too Far

Too Long

Too Long

Marinette squinted at her notes, Emma was sleeping curled up on the sofa next to her. Adrien and Nino were outside trying to fix the car. Felix clambered onto the sofa, the old cat dropping down in between Marinette and Emma. Glancing up at the urn on the mantel piece, Marinette felt a pang of grief over the loss of Bridgette.

"Are you okay?" Asked Alya, walking in carrying a sleeping Isaac.

"Yeah, Emma had another nightmare." Was Marinette's tired response.

"Kagami's sleeping, she accidentally tore her stitches again." Said Alya, carefully lowering herself onto the sofa, "Luka's gone to the shops, since we're suddenly out of milk."

Marinette sighed through her nose, carefully adjusting herself so she didn't wake Emma, "Alya, I know what he and the other guys are doing."

"I know, it just," Alya exhaled sharply, "With Redman and Macintyre out and Jones escaping, we're worried about you."

Marinette breathed slowly, "Alya, you know perfectly well that I can take care of myself. If Jones comes here, it'll be the last place he ever sees."

Marinette patted her leg, a 12–13-inch dagger sheathed and hidden away as a safety measure. She had accidentally conjured it shortly before Louis was born. Marinette glanced down at Emma, she had her father's hair and eyes and was nearly four years old, her twin brother, Hugo, had very much taken to being a 'big boy', but he always came back to one of his parents when he'd been hurt.

Marinette had three children by Adrien, one by Nino and another two by Luka, while Alya and Kagami had one by each of them. Kagami was recovering from a c-section after shattering her pelvis in an accident that confined her to a wheelchair.

Adrien walked in, a black mark on his face. Marinette looked at him and started giggling.

"Louis and Marcus are helping us do an oil change." Said Adrien, grabbing a glass and filling it with water, "Since some idiot put coolant in instead of oil."

"Aren't you that idiot?" Asked Alya, getting Adrien to stick his tongue out at her.

Alya reciprocated, before Isaac whined and started kicking his legs out. Alya sighed, before carefully adjusting him so he'd fall back asleep. Hugo toddled into the room, dragging his blanket behind him, he then clambered up onto the sofa and curled up on his mother's other side. Adrien smiled softly at the twins, reaching out to stroke their heads, only for Marinette and grab his wrist.

"Wash your hands."

Adrien glanced at his palms, and wince at how dirty his hands were.

"I'll go finish with the car."

Marinette gave a small snort, before going back to her work.

TL

Luka smiled as he watched Thomas and Yoko putting items in the trolly. Yoko put in sweets, while Thomas put in fruits.

"Papa, can we get one of those?" Asked Yoko, pointing towards a man with a cardboard box sitting next to him.

Luka looked over and frowned, "Koko, what's he selling?"

"Puppies!"

"He's selling glorified rats." Said Thomas, glaring at the box.

"What makes you say that?" Asked Luka, as a snout appeared over the top of the box, "Is this something to do with Bridgette?"

"No."

Thomas responded too quickly for it to be the truth. Both Thomas and Louis had been close to Bridgette when they were little and had been devastated when the old dog died.