Emma was so excited! She had worked for days on her card at school, making sure she had put the perfect amount of glitter on the front design so that it dazzled with perfection, after all, that's what her Maman deserved. Perfection.

When her teacher had set the class a task to make special Mother's Day cards to take home for the weekend, Emma knew she had to make the most wonderful card ever because her Maman was the 'superest' Maman ever! Literally!

Emma had chosen the prettiest pink card, the colour so soft and gentle, and the exact shade her mother had always said was her favourite. Then she selected the shiniest glitter — definitely better than the glitter Alexander had chosen for ex-Aunt Lila's card; and finally, she'd made sure the felt tip pens she was using were fully loaded and the nibs sharp. Everything had to be just right!

Working carefully, she used every second her teacher gave her to concentrate on drawing pretty hearts and butterflies around where she'd used her best bubble writing skills to spell out the words ' I love you' on the front cover; outlining them in black and making sure she coloured within the lines. She had even sneaked in a few little ladybugs and kitty faces along the way. This was going to be the best thing she'd ever made for her Maman!

Hugo was still in his cute phase, learning new skills and constantly grabbing the attention from their parents. He was still a baby and she understood that, but even at the age of 2 he had far more artwork on the fridge than she did. Then there was Louis — her twin. He was the most amazing artist, taking after their Maman and leaving her with the art genes of their Papa.

She loved her Papa, she really, truly did, but his drawing abilities stopped at stickmen. His brain worked a lot better than his hands — his greatest creation to date being the lucky charm he'd made their Maman over 12 years ago. Not exactly the next Picasso.

Finishing off the cover, she held it in front of her; twisting it side to side, she marvelled at how the glitter reflected the light like a tiny disco ball. It was perfect, all she needed to do now was to write the message inside, the one she'd already drafted four times, then she would be done.

With her tongue poking out the side of her mouth, she wrote the little poem she'd created for her mother, making sure every letter was perfectly formed and placed on the lines her teacher had drawn for her. The 't's all crossed and 'i's dotted with little pink hearts. This card was going to be the best ever! It would be so good that it earned a space on their, already overcrowded, fridge. Right in the middle!

Adding the last kiss, and drawing one more heart, Emma closed it with a wide smile on her face. Job done.

"Hey sis," Louis headed over to his sister's table, something yellow in his hand. "How's your card looking?"

Emma smiled. A smug smirk taking over her face and making her look every inch her father.

"It's all done, but you're not seeing it until Sunday." Emma flipped the card face down on the table and crossed her arms over it.

"Come on, Emmie. I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

Shaking her head, once more, Emma denied. "Nope! You'll have to wait."

Her smirk remained as her brother turned and went back to his table with an eye roll their mother would be proud of. This year hers would be the one her Maman showed first to everyone! This year no one was beating her.

Emma turned the card over once more and stroked her finger over the bumps of glitter. Even a 'Hugo' handprint card and scribble wasn't going to be a patch on this. She'd never been so proud of herself.

•••••

"Hey Em," a whispered voice met her ear. "Emma, wake up kitten, the boys are already downstairs waiting."

Emma rolled towards the familiar voice, coming eye to eye with dancing greens. It took her a second to place together who it might be. Her brother's vibrant eyes were so similar to her father's; however, there was only one green eyed person in this house who called her kitten.

Sitting up, her Chat Noir teddy tightly under her armpit, she looked into the picture perfect face of her father.

"What time is it?" she asked, using the little black cat to rub her eyes.

"Half seven, Princess."

Half seven?

That was an hour later than what she usually woke up!

Throwing the covers from her body, she leaped out of the bed and stumbled towards her wardrobe, grabbing her little step to help her reach where the card lay on the top shelf.

She'd been too excited to sleep the night before. Thoughts of the hugs her Maman would give her before sending off a picture to Grand-mère and Grand-père, praising the time and effort she had put in the card, had kept her awake.

But she would just wave off the gratitude as a big nothing, her mother had saved the world multiple times, of course; she deserved the thanks more than anyone else she knew.

Emma adored her parents, but as much of a daddy's girl she was, it was the praise and adoration from her Maman that kept her motivated to be her best. Every fencing match, every test result, every cake they baked together... She loved to make her Maman proud of her.

Forgetting her papa was still in the room, Emma clutched the card tightly in her hands and raced down the staircase, heading straight for the kitchen where she could already hear her brother's arguing. Hugo's now incredibly well pronounced 'no' firing out and straight at their brother.

Giggling, Emma opened the door and came face to face with Louis in a Carapace mask and Hugo with the matching shield.

"No!" The smallest Agreste screamed once more, moving forwards and hitting Louis as hard as he could in the stomach with the shield.

"Step!" A loud voice boomed behind her.

Her father moved forward and grabbed Hugo, taking him out into the hallway as the small brunette continued to scream loudly and kick his feet.

"Is everything okay?" Her Maman's soft, gentle voice floated down the staircase as her papa continued to wrestle the toddler onto the step.

"All under control, M'Lady," he said in a strained voice, attempting to reprimand the child. "You go back to bed. Your first surprise will be coming... arrggghhh!!!"

Hugo progressed from kicking and slapping her papa to biting him. The scream coming from his mouth was an indication he was about to explode.

In 5...

4...

3...

2...

"You are staying here for two minutes, you DO NOT bite!" There it was. Their usually cool, calm and collected father had lost his ... !

As Hugo continued to scream, her papa walked back into the kitchen. Once again remaining the most chilled out of the Agreste's.

"So? One rose or two?"

•••••

Adrien shook his hand where Hugo had just bit him before running it under the cold water. The smallest of their clan was wild! He didn't know if it was because he had to fight off both Emma and Louis for attention, or the fact Louis had been playing rough with the toddler from a young age, but he was vicious! If any of their children had animal tendencies it was most certainly this one.

Looking over his shoulder, he noticed Emma seemed increasingly nervous and couldn't help but frown. What was going on?

She'd been on edge since they'd returned home from school on Friday afternoon. She'd run straight up to her bedroom with her bag and without a word. Seeing her scale the wardrobe to get the card out this morning was a sigh of relief. He'd been right about what she was hiding (not that he thought his precious little 8 year old was smuggling hardcore drugs or anything into the house).

When it came to Mother's Day and Father's Day, both Marinette and Adrien could clearly see the competitive spirit in their children. Unfortunately, all of them had taken that particular trait from their parents and ran with it. Mecha Strike competitions in their house were on the scale of Avengers: Infinity War.

Drying his hands, he made his way back out into the hallway and saw Hugo was lying on the floor in front of the step singing 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star'. Sighing, he moved towards their youngest and picked him up by the top of the arms, placing him back on the step.

"Hugo, you don't kick and punch, and you definitely don't bite. What do you need to say?"

"Sowwy, Papa," Hugo muttered, bottom lip sticking out.

"Okay, give me a hug." The child pounced into his father's arms and gave him a loud, wet kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you," Adrien said, amused, wiping the spit away. "Right, let's go and get your Maman her breakfast."

Hugo led the way back to the kitchen where Louis and Emma were in a rather deep discussion. Catching the end of the conversation, Adrien heard something about Louis and the fridge. Had he been hoarding food in his room again?

"Time to take this up, kids." Grabbing the tray, Adrien sent the children ahead and followed up behind. It seemed the children had gone with two roses; one red, one pink — also known as 'The Marinette Special'.

"Is all this for me?" Marinette asked, the same as every year.

"You know it is, Maman." Louis responded slightly exasperated. "You say the same thing every year and on your birthday."

She chuckled and beckoned him over. "And like every year you're not too old for a kiss." She hooked an arm around Louis' neck and pulled him down towards her, placing a loud kiss on his forehead.

"Happy Mother's Day, Maman. I made you this." From behind his back, Louis presented Marinette with the most beautiful sketch of the two of them together.

"Oh, Louis," Marinette's voice was coated in awe as she studied the yellow card with a glistening in her eyes.

Adrien smiled before turning his head to Emma, the small girl looking at the card in her own hands and her face dropping. As though feeling his stare, Emma swiftly moved the card behind her back hiding it away.

"Mama, mama..." Hugo clambered up onto the bed next, pulling the covers hard to help his venture before thrusting something into Marinette's face.

"Hugo, this is wonderful. What is it?" Her eyes met his and Adrien just shrugged. He hadn't got a clue either. All he knew was Hugo was very, very excited about it.

"Ca," Hugo said with an abundance of enthusiasm. "Ca," he said again, bouncing on Marinette's lap.

"Oh," she said, studying it once more. "It's a cat!"

"Papa ne nor!" Hugo screeched pointing over to where his father stood. It seemed Hugo had created a clay Chat Noir — Adrien had never felt so proud!

"I adore it. Thank you Hugo." She kissed the top of his head and squeezed him into a hug, causing the small child to scream and giggle in happiness.

"Em, why don't you give yours to your Maman next?"

Adrien saw the panic in his daughter's eyes and the slight twitch in her shoulder.

"Oh, I - um - I spilled water on it. Yeah, and now it needs to dry. I'll go and see if it's ready yet." Jumping off the bed and keeping her card hidden, up her top nonetheless, Emma scooted from the room as quick as a flash, leaving everyone standing there staring.

"I'll just —" Marinette went to get out of bed, only for Adrien to stop her.

"You relax and eat, I'll go and check on her."

He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to her temple. "Thank you for being so amazing, I'll give you my present later" he whispered, dropping her a wink before heading out in the direction of his daughter's bedroom.

Marinette giggled before turning her attention back to the boys.

"Where shall I start then?"

Marinette made a big deal of waving her hands over the tray, looking as though she didn't know what to take. Finally, she settled on the glass of orange juice, lifting the tray with a smile and placing it to her lips. She just wished she'd waited a couple more seconds before pouring a decent amount inside her mouth.

"Did it hurt when you pushed us out of your vagina?" Louis asked, only for Hugo to suddenly learn a new word.

"Vagina!"

The orange juice didn't stand a chance.

•••••

Emma sat on her bed and looked down at her card. Her stupid, none impressive card. Once again, her siblings had outdone her. Louis with his impressive sketch and Hugo with his tiny Chat Noir, which in all honesty looked like a cow, but he was two years old, and for his age he'd out done himself. Why couldn't she have just a tiny bit of talent like her siblings? Why, once again, was she the let down of the family?

Wiping her nose roughly with her fist, she didn't hear her father opening the door.

"Knock, knock," he said, sticking his head around and looking directly at her. She quickly shoved the card down the side of the bed and placed her hands laced together in her lap.

"Hi Papa." She sniffed, unable to hide the sorrow that she felt.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

She nodded her head, a whimper betraying her and leaving her lips. Sucking in her bottom lip, the nod turned into a shake; her eyes betraying her and releasing her true feelings.

"Hey, Princess, what's wrong?" Her papa moved forward, sitting himself beside her on the bed. "Why are you upset?"

Emma launched herself into his arms, wrapping her own tightly around his neck and burying her face into his chest. She always felt so safe and secure in his arms. Her father was her hero; her protector.

He cradled her head as he had many times in the past, shushing her as he rocked them gently side to side.

"Oh, Princess, tell me. This is unlike you."

Sobbing more, she wiped her eyes on his tee and cuddled in closer, hoping her father would display his comforting magic.

"Why is everyone better than me?" she sobbed the words out, face still buried in her father's chest. Her body shook and her papa gripped her tighter.

"Why do you think that? Everyone's good in their own way."

Moving out of her father's grasp, she flung herself over her bed and retrieved the card she'd made from where it had been deposited down the side of the bed. Grabbing it between two fingers, she pulled it back up and threw it onto his lap.

"See, it's awful compared to the boys. Maman's going to hate it." Her bottom lip trembled, her hands shooting up to cover her face. "She'll be so disappointed. She'll think I don't care."

"Emma, your mother adores you, you know that."

"But I'm the screw up. I'm not as smart as Louis or as cute as Hugo. I can't even make Maman a decent card."

Her papa stood abruptly, moving towards the doorway. "Get dressed. I'm taking you somewhere with me."

And with that he was gone.

"Is everything okay with Emma?"

The boys had headed off to play in Louis' room leaving Adrien alone with Marinette. He'd quickly dressed ready to take Emma on their little road trip.

"She'll be okay. I'm just going to take her to your office."

Marinette nodded in understanding, it was nothing new when Emma compared herself to her brothers, but this time it had really affected Adrien.

He hated to think Emma considered herself a let down to Marinette; all three of their children were unique and special in their own way. Louis was brains, Hugo hilarious and Emma... Well, she was their sports star. She used her body more than her brains and they were fine with that.

Adrien walked towards his wife and circled his arms around her waist, pulling her in close to his body so he could rest his head on her hair.

"It'll be okay, I promise."

"Should I talk to her?" Marinette questioned, biting hard on her lower lip. He lifted one hand to remove it from where she was suffocating the damn thing, before bending down and kissing her on the lips.

"I've got it, you just enjoy the morning being Queen of the tv. It won't be long until we're stuck watching Spidey and his friends, or Bluey again," Adrien chuckled, Marinette snuggling into his chest and holding him tight. God, he loved when she used him for support... amongst other things.

"You'll let her know how much I love her?"

"You know I will. I'll bring your parents back with me. They're closing the shop early, right?" Adrien moved towards the doorway, fully kitted out in his tee, open shirt and jeans.

"You know they are. They heard you were cooking dinner and they couldn't miss out on that opportunity."

"You almost sound bitter, M'Lady. It's as though you can't stand that the guy who had never cooked before is now better than you."

With a swift movement, he closed the door before the pillow could hit him; a guffaw left his mouth as he came face to face with his daughter in the hallway.

"What did you do now?" she said, crossing her arms and looking exactly like her mother when she was decked out in polka dots.

"Nothing..." he trailed off, only for the door to open behind him and a pillow to smack him on the back of the head.

"Your welcome," Marinette giggled from the other side of the door.

"I never said thank you," he hollered back, only for Emma to laugh too. Grabbing his daughter around the waist he carried her down the staircase and into the hallway. "Put your shoes on."

"Yes, Sir."

"Hey! No need for the cheek."

They both began to laugh, coats and shoes being placed on and heading towards the garage. It wasn't very often they could drive around Paris, the whole family appreciating the slight reprieve the weekend gave from commuter traffic so they could get out on the road.

"So, why are we going to Maman's office?" Emma said, buckling up and staring at him. He smirked, not wanting to give anything away.

"You'll see when we get there, little Lady." She giggled in response and Adrien's heart exploded. He didn't quite know what it was, but he would do anything to make his family laugh. He adored hearing their happy chuckles and seeing the sparkling of their eyes.

They made their way towards the bakery, Adrien flicking on the radio and singing along with Emma to the random songs playing; harmonising in a way he couldn't with any of the others. Again, along with the physical skills, Emma possessed his musical talent. She was already studying a high grade on the Piano, something she'd taken up completely by choice.

Parking in the small loading area behind the bakery, Adrien followed Emma around the front and into the main store.

"Emmie!" Sabine moved forward and swept the small girl up in her arms.

"Happy Mother's Day, Grand-mère. Did you like your gift and card?"

"I loved them, thank you very much." Letting go of the small girl, she headed over to her grand-père and repeated the action, Adrien stepping forward in her place to greet Sabine wishing her a Happy Mother's Day too.

"I helped Maman with the crocheting. She said I did a really good job."

Sabine chuckled. "You definitely did, mon chéri. You have a talent there."

"Thank you, grand-mère."

Adrien dropped Sabine a wink, before leading Emma to the back of the store. "I'm just having a quick stop off in Marinette's office, I hope that's okay?"

Tom burst out laughing. "After all these years, Adrien, you're still asking to enter our house. Carry on up, Son, you know our home is your home."

Adrien couldn't help the blush pinkening his face. Tom was right, after 13 years he still asked to enter the premises even though they'd told him multiple times it was his home too, and the fact he owned a key.

"Thank you, Maman, Papa."

The two Agreste's headed up the staircase, the sounds of 'such a sweet boy' trailing behind him as he followed his daughter. He couldn't help but smile, they were the best in-laws and makeshift parents he could have ever asked for. The coldness of the Agreste manor washed away the moment himself and Marinette had made it official as he was welcomed daily into the Dupain-Cheng residence.

Finally reaching the apartment, Adrien pulled out his key to open the door, Emma trailing in as they made it up to Marinette's studio. Her old room.

"Why are we here then Papa?" Emma asked, Adrien moving forward and switching on the lights.

"Take a look around."

Adrien watched as Emma moved around the space, her eyes glancing over the different pictures pinned up on the wall. His daughter looked in awe, her mouth slightly agape as she rotated slowly from wall-to-wall. Picture upon picture, drawing upon drawing lined the walls, every inch covered in either a photograph of the children, him, or a drawing one of the children had created.

Even though Emma wasn't the most artistic out of the small tribe, she was the one who had drawn the most pictures for Marinette, some becoming inspiration for her mother's designs; regardless of the skill or what it was – every single picture was on the walls or stored safely in this room.

"Wow!" Emma whispered, moving from one side of the room to the other. The side of the room full of pictures of Emma at fencing, playing in piano recitals, basketball, swimming... pictures with medals, with her brother's, sitting on Adrien's shoulders.

Eventually, Emma made it to the centre of the room.

Behind Marinette's sewing table was a portrait of the twins and Hugo, it was the day they'd brought Hugo back from the hospital and the twins were beside themselves with their new sibling.

"See," Adrien said, moving closer to his daughter and lowering a hand to her shoulder. "Your mother appreciates everything you do for her. Every single drawing is in this room. Either on the walls or in a special album your Maman's created. She loves every single thing you give her, because it comes from you ."

Emma launched into his arms and nuzzled her head against his chest. "Thank you, Papa."

•••••

Marinette was in the kitchen, grabbing a drink for her own mother when Emma came in hiding something behind her back.

"Hey Kitten, how are you?"

Not wanting to push Emma too much, Marinette continued moving around; her attention directed elsewhere and not on her daughter.

"I'm good. My card has dried off and I was wondering if it's okay to give it to you now? I know the morning's over —"

"Of course." Marinette moved forward to her daughter.

"Here." Closing her eyes tight, Emma shoved the card at her with both hands.

Marinette took the card and studied it. It was beautiful. She opened it up and read the passage, her eyes prickling by the time she reached the end.

My Maman, My Hero.

My maman's my hero,

She's the best there could be.

Not only is she beautiful,

But she looks after me.

When I am sad, she gives me big hugs,

And the day I fell over she checked me for bugs.

She looks after our family, and all of Paris too,

That's why today is all about how much I love you.

The poem was sweet and she could tell Emma had worked hard to create it and the fact she had written it in her best handwriting made Marinette's heart swell.

"Oh, Emma, I love it." She grabbed her daughter in a tight hug and squeezed her into her body.

"You mean it?" she asked, Marinette moving back and gripping her daughters arms.

"I do. But you know what I love more than this?"

Emma shook her head.

"You."

The small girl moved forward and hugged her Maman tight and hard.

"I love you, Maman. Happy Mother's Day."

"I love you too."