The Wedding Planner

Chapter 22

Marinette bounces Felicity, the newest Lahiffe-Cesaire to join their weekly dinners. They rotated between their place and Lahiffe-Cesaire household on a weekly basis as a commitment to keep up with each other even in busy times. This week, they're at Nino and Alya's apartment.

Nino and Adrien are in the kitchen finishing up dinner while Alya and Marinette distract Manny, who has grown into a rambunctious toddler. They sit on the floor of the living room opposite Manny and a pile of various toys.

"I can't wait 'till our kids can play together," Alya smiles, "then we could be drinking with the guys in the kitchen and the kids can distract themselves." She rolls a kickball across the floor to Manny who rolls it back with more or less accuracy.

Felicity burbles in Mari's arms, "I know. I hope they're all friends and go to school together and always want to hang out when we want to too-" she stops herself, readjusting her arms. "Am I doing this right?"

Alya nods, "You're perfect, future-mama." She nabs the runaway ball before it gets too far, "And I know Manny is gonna be the best big brother to Felicity and baby-to-be," she rolls the ball to him, "isn't that right, honey?"

He grabs the ball with both hands as it rolls into his outstretched arms, "Mmhmm! I am the best broth-er." He beams, before his eyes widen, "Gotta pee!" He announces before running to the restroom around the corner and slamming the door.

They laugh, rousing the baby. Alya holds out her arms for Mari to transfer the fussing Felicity to her. She carefully does so, "I hope I'm as good as a mom as you." Mari compliments, leaning back against the couch.

"Don't strive for perfection like that, you'll only be disappointed." Alya jokes, calming Felicity. "But seriously, I know you'll be great, Adrien too." She adds, nudging her with her elbow.

"I hope so" she reiterates quietly. "You know Adrien visited his dad, right?"

Alya nods thoughtfully.

"I think he's afraid of turning into his dad, more than usual since the visit. And I know, and I've told him that could never happen, but he still worries."

"I would say everyone's afraid of turning into their parents," Alya notes, "But he definitely has a bigger shadow to avoid."

Mari sighs, "Exactly. And he wants to demolish his old home, he plans to; and just keeps trying to distance himself from his past as much as possible. And I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do."

"He wants a clean slate with you, is what it is." Alya justifies, "He probably doesn't want to raise a child in a world where the ghosts of his past are still around."

"Maybe." Mari lifts herself up onto the couch, stretching her stiff legs from sitting on the ground.

Alya follows suit, "If this is what he needs to do, I wouldn't worry about it." She shrugs.

She nods reluctantly, "I'm just afraid he'll make a mistake he'll regret later."

"Come and get it!" Nino calls from the kitchen, followed by the rapid pace of a toddler running from the bathroom.

They get up to join the others in the dining room, Alya looking to cut off her son's path, "Manny! Did you wash your hands, baby?"

~

A date was set. The iconic Manor would be bulldozed in three weeks' time, and that news spread fast. The press had their share of articles examining the history of the structure, having been home to three generations of Agreste since it's conception. All in all, stirring the scandal around Hawkmoth/Gabriel Agreste back into the forefront of Parisian minds.