Chapter 50: Epilogue

                                    

                                          
"MOM!" 
                          
Marinette jumped and shut the little Ladybug miraculous box.  Every now and then, she pulled it out to talk to Tikki, even though Wayyz was always there with his advice.  He understood of course.  Tikki had been Marinette's conscience for years.  
                          
But Marinette's talk was interrupted by the screaming of her thirteen-year-old daughter.
                          
"Emma, what's wrong?" she said, peeking out of her bedroom door.
                          
"Dad's still asleep, he's gonna be late so we're gonna be late, you're gonna be late and Hugo is pretending to be sick!"
                          
"Emma," Marinette sighed, trying to calm her histrionic teenager.  "Dad's awake.  He's ready to go already."
                          
"Luka said I'm gonna be bullied."
                          
"Luka's teasing you.  You are just as gorgeous as your dad.  All the boys will be falling over their feet to get to you."
                          
Adrian appeared over Marinette's shoulder, grinning like the mischevious ally cat he was.  
                          
"You may have gotten my stunning looks, but you have your mother's eyes.  And that beautiful crystal blue made me fall in love about three times."
                          
Emma sighed.  "I know, I know, I know!"
                          
"Adrian, can you help Emma sort out her first-day nerves while I get Hugo?"
                          
"Sure thing, m'lady."  He gave her a quick peck on the lips as she left to find her second son."
                          
"Dad..." Emma said.  "Can you not do the pigtails in my hair today?  They look so juvenile and I'm in high school."
                          
He smiled.  "Okay, princess.  Let's do something fabulous."
                          
Marinette peeked back in the door, a fake hurt expression on her face.  "Adrian, I thought I was your princess!"
                          
He grinned at her.  "You, my lady, are my queen.  This is our little princess."
                          
"I'm not little!"  Emma protested.  "I'm thirteen!  Mom, I can't find my earrings.  I think Hugo lost them.  Can I borrow a pair from you?"
                          
"Sure thing, honey.  Just don't go..."
                          
"In the fancy jewelry box, I know.  Just the normal stuff on the dresser."
                          
"Hold still, Em," Adrian instructed.  "I'm almost done."
                          


                          
Marinette found her boys in the kitchen.  Luka's guitar was draped over his back as he finished his breakfast, trying to ignore Hugo's complaints.
                          
"Mom!" the ten-year-old protested.  "I can't go to school!  I don't feel good!"
                          
Marinette laughed before dumping him on the counter stool next to his half-brother.  "Eat a little breakfast and you'll be all better."
                          
"School is awesome, Hugo," Luka assured him.  "Mom met my dad and our dad at school.  And superheroes showed up during Mom and Dad's school years.  You might be just as lucky."
                          
Hugo's big green eyes bugged.  "Superheroes?"  Luka remained the only child to know his parents' identities.  And even he didn't know that his mother was the guardian of the miraculous.
                          
"That's right, superheroes," Adrian said conspiratorily, re-entering the room with his briefcase.  "And don't you worry about Louis one bit.  Your hamster will miss you, but he'll be happy to see you when you get back."
                          
Hugo wolfed down his breakfast and picked up his backpack.  "I wanna see superheroes!"
                          
Marinette chuckled at his antics and ruffled Luka's hair.  She kissed his forehead.  "Thanks, Luka."