Tom's POV:

     I wondered who made our daughter so happy as she boarded the bus today. I saw her sit beside a blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy. Who was he to her?  Who was she to him?

      I supposed it was a bit early to concern myself with such matters.  Marinette was only five years old and the boy looked to be around the same age if not a little older than her. I hoped that whoever he was would keep Chole away from her. 

     I smiled. Perhaps he was her first friend. Oh, that would be grand. I knew she could use one. I could tell she had a difficult time making friends. She had trouble with many things, including struggling with some of her words, but I am sure there was something she was good at. She could make her mother and me proud, I was sure of it.

      I waved to her as the bus pulled away. I could not wait to hear about how her school day had gone. It turns out I did not have to wait for long. I had forgotten today was only a half-day of school and that she would come home earlier than usual.

  Once Marinette was long out of sight, I went about helping Sabine in the bakery. I figured I'd keep myself busy for a few hours, and the hours went by faster than I realized.

   Time skip!

   Around 12:30 pm, when the bus arrived back in our neighborhood and pulled up to the curb outside our house two children exited the bus together unknown to me.  One of them ran up to the porch and rang the bell. The other followed close behind unsure of himself. 

     "Adrien, it is ok," Marinette said. "You sure?" Adrien asked. "My folks are nice," Marinette grinned as I opened the door. "You are home early," I remarked. "School was done early today," She said with a shrug of the shoulders her friend following close behind her.

      "Who is your friend? " I asked wiping some flour off my hands onto my apron. "Adrien Agreste, sir," He said. "Nice to meet you, Adrien, I am Tom Dupain-Cheng," I said. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Cheng," Adrien replied. "Tom is enough, lad."  He grinned and shook my hand. He didn't seem to mind. 

       I let Sabine know Marinette was home and she had brought a visitor with her. Sabine was overjoyed to meet Adrien. She set some cookies and milk out for him and Marinette, some lactose-free in a glass for Marinette, and some regular milk for Adrien.

     I saw how Adrien's eyes widened when Marinette sipped her milk. "Why is yours different?"  "I am allergic to lactose," Marinette answered. Adrien gasped. "you okay?" I asked concerned for the boy. "Yes, I did not know she had an allergy," he said. "It is fine, she has to be careful to drink lactose-free milk, and only eat lactose-free ice cream or she gets sick," I explained. Adrien jotted something down. I did not know then, what it was he wrote. I assumed it was part of a homework assignment.

         Marinette dunked her cookies into some of her cup and Adrien dunked a few cookies into the milk glass he was drinking from. I left them alone to get back to work.  Little did I know this was just the beginning of something special for them both.

          Time skip!

          Goodness, it felt like it was only yesterday, that Marinette started kindergarten. Yet, here it was eight years into the future.  Our daughter was an eighth grader. I noticed she had brought Adrien home with her, every day since that first time, he had joined her for cookies and milk. It made me want to know more about his parents.  I found out that Adrien's mom was in the hospital and his father was visiting her as much as he could. This left little time for Adrien.  I was sure that was only part of the reason- he stuck around, that and the tasty snacks, and of course, Marinette.

            "Adrien, you treat her right," I said. "Yes, Tom," He said. I smiled.

                Marinette grinned. I could tell, she was pleased with how well Adrien and I got along. "Dad, I like him she whispered in my ear." 

                 I watched their interaction and could tell time had only matured them both. It was obvious they were great friends.  I heard the phone ring and frowned when I answered it. It was the hospital. There was so much bad news. It seems Adrien's mother's health had taken a toll on her.  She was in a coma. 

               I sobbed as I hung up the phone feeling bad about having to share such news with him. "Adrien, your mother is worse, I am afraid," I said. Adrien saw my tears and knew it before I said. "She is dying, isn't she?  why? She loves me, unlike my father, but she is dying..." He blurted out. His tears fell harder and faster than mine. 

              Marinette reached over and hugged him. I smiled. I knew then, that Marinette was good for him. If he could not see it then that was his problem.  I walked off not wanting to disturb them.

               I overheard Adrien talking to her, "Marinette, thank you. I do not know what to do without her, She is the only one who loves me."  Marinette pulled away. "Adrien, I am here for you," she said. Adrien wiped his tears away. "I know, and I am here for you," He said. They did their homework, but the lad left early. Most nights he stayed for supper.  That night he went to see his mother. Marinette pleaded to go with him. I refused to let her. She ate very little that night and went to her room right afterward.

               "Tom, can't you see, Adrien needs her?  He is hurting and she is his only friend. Please, Tom let her go to him. " Sabine said. I felt bad about the whole thing and nodded. Sabine kissed me, then took Marinette to the hospital to be with him.

              I sighed. My daughter was growing up and there was not a thing I could do about it.

                Find out more as the story, The Bargain continues in Chapter 3

             Until then,

         bye-bye,

       little owlets!

     Summer out!

Author's note: This is Adrienette's short story, told from a different point of view per part. There will be a total of around 4, or 5 parts.