Ghosts Of Adrien's Past

Chapter 5: family

Marinette knocked patiently on alya's and Nino's hotel room door, not surprised to find that only alya answered.
She was still dress in her pyjamas, her hair in a messy bun, her glasses discarded somewhere in the room.
"Mari?"

She said, her voice a hand yawn.
"Yep, it's me, the maid of honour. Why were you still in bed?"
"What? I'm getting my beauty sleep"
"Sure"
She said, and walked in. Alya closed the door behind her. Marinette turned to face her, the large box in her hands.
"Where's nino?"
Alta flicked a hand.
"Hunting adrien down, probably"
Mari scoffed at the same, and alya winced.
"Sorry. What's that?"
Mari pulled a grin and thrusted the box out in front of her.
"A wedding present. And not my only one so don't even think about throwing it out or you'll feel guilty about the rest"
Alya sighed with a smile and gently took the box from her.

She took it to her bedroom, where Mari followed. She set it down on the messy bed with careful hands. Marinette noted the state of the bed with a small smile.
"Starting your honeymoon early?"
Alya poked out her tongue.
"It's not like you even know what you're talking about. I bet you haven't cleaned out your attic since adrien"
Marinette put a hand on her chest with a frown.
"First of all, ouch. Second of all, that's just rude."
She crossed her arms.
"I'll have you know, alya, that I happen to have had a very enjoyable night last night"
Alya gasped with a huge smile and bit her lip.
"Who? Where? How good was it?"
Mari smiled with a laugh.
"You're insufferable"
"I don't care. Give me details!"
Mari sighed and uncrossed her arms.
"It was luka-"
Alya made a noise like a squealing child, but she let her friend continue.
"We met for a date in the bar, and things sort of...clicked"
"How was it?"

Alya's voice had dropped to a low croon. Mari couldn't help but feel unnerved by it.
"It was...Like nothing I've ever experienced. I've been with other guys but- I don't know it was different. I've only ever felt something like that with..."
"With adrien"
Alya finished, and Mari nodded. Marinette clapped her hands and gestured to the box.
"Right! Present time! Open it"
Alya slightly rolled her eyes with a smirk and gently pulled the ribbon from its knot. It fell in delicate strands, and alya flipped open the lid. She froze for a moment before she pulled back the first layer of tissue paper.
She began shaking her hands quickly and jumping up and down. Saying "oh my god" over and over again. She stopped suddenly and faced Marinette.
"I told you not to make me one"
"Well it's too late now. It's not part of my line, anyway"
Alya creased her brows.
"What does that mean?"
"It's unique. One of a kind. I threw away the sketches and planning, and it's perfect. You have no idea how much elbow grease I put into that thing"

Slowly, alya pulled her lips into a tight line and turned to the dress. She pulled the dress from its box.
It was thickly layered but light, the perfect fit for alya's frame and curves, and it sprawled out like a rare white flower. On each of the layers were beautiful patterns of gleaming hand stitched white lace.
As the lace traveled to the back, it very slowly turned to a pale orange. And at the very end of the trail behind the dress, a small tip of black lace. Like a walking sunset. Alya began tearing up.
"Mari..."
She whispered.
"I thought you might want your trusty fox tail behind you. You know- for some extra luck"
Mari said, and hugged alya tightly without crushing the dress.
"I don't know what to say"
Alya admitted. Mari smiled.
"Just sat 'I do' on the day. That will be all the thanks I need"
"Can I- can I try it on?"
"Of course you can! It's yours. I made it for you! Of course, though- I expect you to hand it down to your daughter when the time comes"
She said it with a laugh, but she half meant it. It would mean the world to her if the dress were handed down.
"Got any plans today?"

Alya asked, and Marinette shrugged with a small smile.
"Maybe. But you call me if you need anything, got it?"
"Well, tonight's the rehearsal dinner, so you better make it"
"What? Of course I will"
Mari gave a final smile and turned to leave. Alya smacked her on the shoulder.
"Say hi to Luka for me, would you?"
"I didn't say-"
"Girl, don't even try. I know you too well"
Marinette snickered before leaving the hotel room, leaving alya to hold the dress against herself and twirl around.