When Walls Crumble

Chapter 35: Rebuilt

~~~THREE MONTHS LATER~~~

Marinette and Alya sat on a park bench.  Marinette was holding her goddaughter Cara Rene while Little Luka toddled around the bench.  Alya was flipping through Marinette's latest designs, most of which were baby themed.

"Girl, you honestly shouldn't have time for this."

"It doesn't take long, Alya,"  Marinette laughed.  "I just draw what comes to mind."

"In incredible and beautiful detail?  Sure."

"I'm serious."

"Then you're a literal prodigy."

"Thanks, Alya.  But I haven't had time to check your blog in a while.  What's new?"

"Well," the reporter's smile was slightly unnerving as she pulled out her phone.  "I took a picture of Ladybug a week ago and compared it to one from all those years ago when she first showed up."

Marinette's blood chilled.  "A-and?"

"And something changed.  Look!"

The phone screen displayed a picture of Marinette and Kagami, both as Ladybug, side by side.  "The eyes changed color and shape!"

Marinette figeted with Cara's blanket.  "Well...lots of features change over time...I mean, well,"  she cast her eyes around, looking anxiously for excuses.  "Little Luka's eyes were grey and big when he was born and now they're bluish green and more narrow."

Alya rolled her eyes.  "That's normal for babies, Marinette.  After you're like three, it's not supposed to happen anymore."

"So...I don't know," she murmured nervously.  "What do you think happened?"

"I think she got eye surgery!"

Marinette sighed in relief.  "Then...why is this news?"

"I dunno, but any detail is special to me, ya know?"

"Yeah...like the textbook incident."

"In hindsight?  Not my best.  That's literally the standard issue French History text book."

"You're going to get yourself killed for that blog of yours."

Cara started crying and Alya took her back.  

"Well," Marinette said, standing and swinging her son onto her hip.  "I gotta run.  I'm meeting a...business partner of sorts in a couple minutes."

"Ok, girl," Alya sighed.  "Just be sure you get some sleep!  You're overextending yourself again!"

"Always!" Marinette called over her shoulder, putting Little Luka in the stroller and walking down the street.

A few moments later, she found herself standing in the lobby of the Ryuko Fencing Academy.  Kagami walked out, taking off her gloves.

"Welcome to Ryuko.  How can I help you?"  She looked up.  "Oh, Marinette!  Welcome!  What can I do for you?"

Marinette gave her a hug.  "I wanted to talk.  I really appreciate everything you've done for me."

Tikki zipped out of Kagami's pocket.  "Marinette!  Oh, you have no idea how much I've missed you!"

Marinette giggled.  "I've missed you too, Tikki!"

"Let me see the baby!"  she squealed.

Marinette lifted Little Luka out of the stroller.  Tikki hovered in front of him, her big eyes welling up.  "He's so cute!  And he's got his father's eyes...and face...Wow!  He really looks like Luka!"

Kagami touched his little hand and he grabbed her finger.  "He's beautiful, Marinette.  What's his name?"

"This is Luka."

Tikki let out a sob and hugged Marinette's cheek.  "Oh, Marinette!"

Little Luka babbled and pointed to the kwami.  She flew back to look at him and he squealed in delight.

"So, what did you want?" Kagami asked.

"I wanted to talk.  Cat Noir told me you figured out my identity and-"

"And I'll take the secret to the grave.  You can trust me."

"I do, but thanks anyway.  How are you doing with it?"

"It was hard at first but I think I've got the hang of it."

Tikki giggled.  "She's just being modest.  Ka-" pink bubbles emerged from her mouth.  "Oops, I can't say the name.  But she's doing fantastic!  And she spent time watching the Ladyblog to mimic your fighting style!"

Marinette laughed.  "Alya doesn't suspect a thing.  She even compared a close up picture of me and you and assumed Ladybug got eye surgery."

Kagami shook her head, bewildered.  "Some people..." she muttered.

"Anyway, I just wanted to touch base with you.  Cat Noir said you wanted me to wait until he's two, but if you ever need me, I'm more then happy to take them back soon."

Kagami shook her head, bewildered.  "How did you do it?  How did you balance school, life, your fashion career, the bakery, and Ladybug?  It's chaotic enough for me and all I have to worry about is this school and Ladybug.  You're a miracle, Marinette."

"Oh, well, I honestly don't know.  It just...It all worked out in the end, even if it was chaotic in the meantime."

Tikki sighed.  "You deserve a break, Marinette.  And Little Luka deserves his mother."

Marinette sighed.  "You two are so wonderful.  Thank you.  But just let me know, Kagami.  If there's ever a reason or something comes up, I'm ready to take it back."

Kagami nodded.  "I will."

Once Marinette and her son had left, she took out her phone and pulled up Cat Noir's number.  

I know why you did it, but please don't just say I said something I didn't.  It's hard to play along while not knowing what exactly I said.

Her phone buzzed almost immediately.

What?

You told Marinette I wanted her to wait two years.

Oh...she wasn't listening to me and I had a feeling you'd agree.  Sorry

It's fine, kitty.  I'd want her to wait longer, but there's a reason she was the chosen one.  

She muted her phone and sighed.  There had been plenty of times she was tempted to keep the miraculous forever, but she acknowledged that Marinette was way better of a person in general.  They were quite alike, actually.  Both had done very strange things because of 'crushes' but Marinette felt bad immediately and had done her best to fix things.  Kagami had been akumatized.  

The ever psychic Tikki flew up to Kagami's cheek and hugged her.  

"You're fantastic too, Kagami.  Don't forget it."

"Thanks, Tikki."