Miraculous short- stories book 3 by Summer Cheng @SummerCheng37.

A Lukanette Story Part 4 (final part)by Summer Cheng@SummerCheng37

     Luka's  POV:

      I could not believe it. Marinette and I had gotten closer the more we dated, but neither had ever said the L-word. I was worried she would not feel the same way. I had to tell her sometime. I finally told her tonight, and she said she loved me, too. I was shocked—shocked yet happy. I kissed her, and to my amazement, she kissed me. 

       "Good night, darling," I said before I left. She said the same. I drove home with a silly, dopey grin. Once I arrived I  slept dreaming of my dearest Marinette. The next morning, I groaned. I should have asked her to marry me. We had been dating for almost a year now. I had chickened out. I sighed. Would she want to marry me?  It was one thing to accept me as her boyfriend but a different thing altogether to allow me to be her fiance.  Was it too soon to ask?

         After a quick breakfast, I texted, Juleka,  "Jules, what do I do?  Should I ask Marinette to marry me?"  Juleka texted "Brother you two love each other, right?"   "Yes, we do love each other, last night we kissed. I am still scared."  Juleka texted, "Luka, she is not like Jessica she would never leave you."  "Thanks, Jules that is just what I needed to hear," I texted.

        

     I got dressed. Then,  I texted Marinette "Good morning, darling."  I waited for her to respond. Silence remained. I shook my head. Had the whole thing been a dream?  Was the confession real? Was the kiss real?  It sure felt like it. What happened?

     Marinette's text, "Luka, sorry, it took me so long to respond. I'm afraid my morning has been rather hectic."   "What happened?" I texted her. "It's Maria, my student, she has been in an accident. She was on the way to my house for a lesson before she was to go out of town to see her grandma. A drunk driver came out of nowhere and hit the car. She was hurt badly."

       I grabbed my coat, phone, charger, and keys. I headed out the door, locked it, and entered my car. "Which hospital?" I texted. "The children's hospital, Paris Children's General Hospital."  "I am on my way, hang in there, Marinette," I texted back.

       I arrived a few moments later and asked to see Maria Berck.  The lady at the front desk looked glum, "Room 224."  I took the elevator to the second floor and found room 224 where I entered to see a sleeping child with an IV hooked up to her arm. Oh, no.  I gasped, The girl was all bruised, her body looked almost unrecognizable, and she was breathing slowly.  "Marinette, I am here," I said.  I hugged Marinette close. I saw a lady smiling weakly. The lady sat in the chair beside the bed. "Mr. Luka, is that you?" She asked. "Mrs. Berck?" I asked. "Yes, I am Maria's mother, thanks for coming. Maria told me all about you.  She was telling me a joke when the drunk driver hit us. I heard Maria scream then silence. I knew she was injured. I was so stunned. I called for help and watched as the firefighters got her out. I called Marinette and she drove me here. " Mrs. Berck explained. I  hugged the distraught mother next.

         

       Mrs. Berck left to get some coffee. I felt tears fall. Marinette held my hand. "She looks so pitiful lying there," she sniffed. "Yes, she does," I remarked.  I heard a soft gasp for air. Then, saw Maria sit up and open her eyes. "Why are you crying, Miss Marinette and Mr. Luka? Where is mom?"   We hugged each other. "Maria, you are awake."

       Her mother reentered the room holding a coffee cup. She saw Maria and sobbed. "Maria, my daughter," she set the cup down and went to her child. She gently hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Mom, what happened?" "We were in a car accident, and you were hurt. The medics brought you here after the firefighters saved you." Mrs. Berck explained. Maria smiled. "I am tired."

         I left the room feeling awkward and Marinette followed me.  The two of us left the hospital and went out for lunch. We ate silently, but I could sense, something was on her mind. "Marinette, Maria is going to be alright." I touched her hand. She sobbed. "I know, but you don't get it."  "Get what? what is it I don't get?" I asked. "I had a child when I was young. I gave her up for adoption. She is around her age now, and I regret every day that I never asked to see her.  I don't know how my daughter is, so when I see Maria I feel so guilty."  Marinette explained. "Marinette, I am sorry. I didn't know. You know something, I am sure wherever she is right now she is happy."  I said.

            

       A child walked over to our table and grinned. "Hi, is your name Marinette Dupain-Cheng?" She asked. Marinette smiled, "Yes."  The girl smiled more. "I am Louvette Ann White. I was adopted as a baby. My parents are over there, but I wanted to meet you."  She said. Marinette shrugged her shoulders. I smiled. "I think you might be my mother," the young girl said. Marinette stood up and hugged the girl.  I was so happy for Marinette I could tell the hug touched her as did the child's words. "Hey, we are Mr and Mrs. White. We adopted Louvette as a newborn, and we searched for her biological parents. We never could find her father, but we discovered you were her mother."  The couple said. "We found out you like to eat her often so we came here hoping to see you."  Marinette thanked them. They thanked her.

             The family left but as they did Marinette was no longer sad. She was happy. The two of us went to the beach. I waited til she faced the ocean. I did not know if the timing was right, but I knew I had to know.  I got on one knee and poured my heart out. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, I love you!  Will you marry me?" She turned around. I saw her gasp. "L-Luka," she stuttered. I felt my face fall she was going to dump me. I should have known.

            I stood up and started to walk away. "Luka, wait!" I heard her say. "Tell, me why I should?" "I love you too, and I have an answer for you. Yes, I will marry you," She said. I looked at her in awe. I slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her. She kissed me. 

             "Whoo, wee, yes!" I heard a man shout. "Go bro, go Marinette!" A lady's voice shouted. I saw Ethan and Juleka come to greet us. I did not even know they were there until then.

                The four of us laughed. Well, know you know our story.

       The end...

    until the next Miraculous short story,

     bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!