Too Young For Love (On Hold) ~ A Miraculous Love Story

Chapter 3: Little Miracle

Marinette returned to her parent's bakery late that night. While she had her own apartment close by, her parents often offered to babysit whenever they felt Marinette was becoming too isolated. She appreciated it, especially on nights like these, but she refused to make it a habit.

She dug in her handbag for the keys and smiled when she felt Tikki's small hands passing it towards her. Looking down at the spotted kwami Marinette couldn't help but marvel at the lack of age in Tikki's adorable little face.

"I'm sorry, Chat Noir didn't show. I really thought he would," she mumbled.

Marinette shook her head. "That's all right Tikki. I'm sure he had something more important planned. Besides, it doesn't really matter. We haven't spoken in years."

"Maybe the next time?" suggested Tikki.

The keys slipped from her grasp, falling with a clang onto the cold paving and Marinette sighed, bending down to pick it up. "I don't –I don't think so, Tikki."

"But Marinette, Chat Noir has a right to know –,"

"And I've given him time," she snapped. "I've given him seven years to find me, to talk to me and to ask about Hugo. I've given him every opportunity to reach us and he hasn't done anything!" Marinette's face warmed when she saw a passer-by couple eye her oddly and hurriedly unlocked the door.

"Marinette," murmured Tikki, her voice filled with pity. And, for some reason, that only fueled her rage. She ignored the kwami, stepped inside and locked the door back behind her, leaning against it to catch her breath and calm herself before Hugo saw her.

The smell of fresh bread, sugar and warm spices flooded her senses and Marinette briefly reminisced about the times when she was just as small as Hugo, helping her father in the bakery while her mother dealt with people as the cash register.

She used to spend hours watching her dad by the oven, doodling pretty dresses for her dolls on the counter and singing with him to all her favorite songs as they played on the radio.

"Marinette, is that you?" asked Sabine. Light flooded the room and Marinette felt her demeanor calm as she stared at the worried face of her mother. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, Mom, the show just went a bit longer than expected." She pulled off her coat, hung it on the rack beside the door and fell into her mother's embrace, clutching onto her tightly.

Out of both her parents, her mother had been the most supportive about Hugo's arrival.

Tom had been surprised at her behavior and angry that she'd thrown everything away, but Marinette had been adamant about keeping Hugo, no matter the cost, and her mother had agreed. Now Tom seemed to love him more than anything else in the world.

Alya had helped by providing Marinette with some toys and clothes her siblings had grown out of once they were no longer new-born. As a result most of his clothes had been pink or purple, but after raising some money at the bakery her mother and her had gone out together to pick out all sorts of clothes and supplies to keep him healthy and satisfied.

She should've never sought comfort in Chat Noir that night, never trusted him the way she had.

"How's Alya doing? It's been a while since I last saw her or Nino," said Sabine.

Marinette smiled, "She says married life keeps her busy. Nino only has a year left of film school and she got some nice snapshots for her blog. Jean –Paul even gave a private interview just for her."

"Well I'm glad her blog is doing well. I was a bit worried after the disappearance of Ladybug and Chat Noir, but she seems to be doing just fine without them." Her mother wrapped her robe tighter around herself and shook her head. "Tom and I tried putting Hugo to sleep, but he wouldn't take no for an answer. He's waiting for you upstairs."