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Marinette's P.O.V

I walked through the bakery's front door after returning home from school. I kept my sight everywhere else except for papa. I nervously wondered if Mallorie is going to sneak back into her room or exploit that she escaped her room by walking through the front door.

Mallorie is unpredictable in that way. I never know what's going through her head.

If dad found out she did escape and was a school, he'll probably want to know why I didn't say anything or why I lied. Of course, he's keeping up a pretty good track record of his own secrets too. So, why do I feel somewhat guilty for wanting to hide Mallorie's escape?

"Welcome home, Marinette. How was your day at school?" dad asked me. Instantly, my memories replayed in a flash. From freaking out in front of the whole class to finding a rebellious sister at school, it was definitely not just a normal day at school.

Keeping a straight face, I shrugged my shoulders.

"Same old normal day at school," I lied. Dad raised an eyebrow, seemingly not getting the response he was looking for. He didn't say anything about it though.

"Well, I'm going to close down the shop early today so we can celebrate both you and your sister's birthday," he said. I blinked in slight surprise.

"You are?" I questioned. He smiled and nodded.

"Of course. This is the first time having both of you celebrate a birthday together. I...I never thought we would ever be able to..." dad trailed off with a melancholy tone in his voice.

"What does he mean by that?" I thought, "I need answers."

That's exactly what I'm going to do once I'm done talking to papa. I'm going to sneak into his room and search for anything that can lead or give some sort of answer. If he's not going to give them, then I'll find them myself.

   Yet, is this a good idea? I could be betraying papa's trust and doing what I think is right. For all I know, this could be the wrong choice.

   "Okay," I replied, feeling my stomach twist. I began to head up the stairwell. I want to find answers. It might help me understand Mallorie's situation better but there has to be a reason dad hasn't told us anything. I paused on the stairwell.

"Tikki? Do you think finding answers is the right choice? I think it is...but I can't just assume that it's the correct choice," I asked my Kwami. Tikki zipped out from my purse and floated at my eye level.

"Honestly, I don't know. Instead of assuming or thinking what the better choice is, when do you believe is the better choice," she asked.

"What does that mean?" I questioned, confused.

"What I'm trying to say is, do you believe your father would keep whatever it is a secret for no good reason?" She explained.

"No, I don't believe so," I replied.

"Then, trust that he does have a good reason and will tell you when you're ready to listen," my Kwami said.

She's right. I should trust that papa even if he did hide something this important. He's not a bad guy and isn't out to purposely hurt anyone. Although, I suppose he already did hurt me but hopefully for a good reason.

Tikki returned to my purse and I continued up to the apartment into my bedroom. I slip my bags off, setting my school bag on the floor and gently placing my purse on my desk. I slumped onto my desk chair and let out a sigh, closing my eyes.

This has been some birthday.

Two years ago, grandma was akumatized with the power of turning people into stone or her loyal servants. Yet, this birthday gets the top spot for the craziest birthday so far.

   I reopen my eyes, letting my gaze drift around until landing on a pink package sitting on the far side of my desk.

   I tilt my head and sit up, grabbing the present. A piece of paper floated to the floor and landed next to my foot. Raising an eyebrow, I picked up the paper and read the short note.

I'm sorry for everything. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Marinette.

My eyebrows narrow in confusion. Who is this from? What are they sorry for? I set the note aside and peek into the small package.

I felt my heart immediately drop into the pit of my stomach and stared at the small miraculous box, wishing my sight was wrong for once. My hands clenched the bag and felt my bottom lip begin to quiver.

Please...let this be a hallucination—some sick joke of a nightmare. I don't want this to be real. I don't want to lose him! He's my partner! My best friend.

My love.

Shakily, I reach into the bag and bring out the small box. The pink package fell onto the floor but I didn't pay any mind to it. I held my free hand over my mouth and felt tears rolling down my cheeks.

This can't be happening! This can't be real!

I heard a small gasp come from beside me, probably Tikki. Still, I didn't take my attention off of the box. It's my only focus point. Nothing else mattered at the moment except the object in my hand breaking my heart.

   "Oh no..." I shakily spoke in a quiet tone.

   I never imagined Chat Noir would go to this length. He loved being a superhero...at least, I thought he did. I thought I knew him but how could I know Chat Noir?

   Chat Noir kept his identity secret because of me. I don't actually know who he is without the mask. The cat hero could be anyone! Why did I not let him reveal himself when I had the chance—so many chances gone to waste!

   Now, how will I ever find my lost mon minou?

   If I do find him, how will I convince him to be my partner again if he feels he's not good enough for the position?

   I understand the incident with Syren threw him in a state of distress. I can't imagine how he felt after nearly killing a victim of their own emotions.

   Chat Noir couldn't control himself after I nearly drowned. His powers must have tempted him to commit to the idea more. He needed to blame someone and act out for revenge.

   His blame went straight towards Syren.

   All of that distress over me.

   Chat must have been so scared once he realized what he nearly did. So, he probably thought giving up his miraculous would be for the best.

   "Oh, Chat," I said, holding the box close. I let out a breath of air and furrowed my eyebrows. My hand gripped the box tighter.

   I will find him and convince Chat Noir to take back his role. He needs help and I'm the only one who can do something about this.

   There is a knock on the trap door. I felt a small breeze whiz by before quickly throwing Chat Noir's ring holder into a drawer and shutting it.

   "Come in!" I exclaimed a little too quickly.

   Dad pushed the door open and stuck his head into my room.

   "It's time."

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"Bon anniversaire..." dad began to sing while carrying the cake over, "...nos vœux les plus sincères..."

I glance over at an agitated Mallorie, who looks like she could explode at any moment. My gaze moves down to my fiddling fingers resting on the table's surface.

"Que ces quelques fleurs vous apportent le bonheur...Que l'année entière vous
soit douce et légère..."

Papa set the cake down on the table with an audible clack. If he wasn't singing the birthday song at the moment, the plate would've been the only song filling the tense air. I know he's trying to make this first birthday a nice one for Mallorie and me, but it isn't working out so well.

"Et que l'an fini, nous soyons tous réunis...Pour chanter en chœur: "Bon Anniversaire!" papa finished, joyously.

Mallorie wasn't amused at all. She slammed her hands on the table and stood up from her seat.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" my twin yelled, surprising me and dad.

"What do you mean?" dad asked, blinking in confusion. She huffed, teeth gritted together like a predator ready to attack.

"Shouldn't you be ticked off at me?! I stole from a jewelry store just last night! You should be angry and upset! I should be in my room "thinking over what I did." Not celebrating this screwy day!" She scoffed in spite.

   I kept silent, not wanting to get involved in this conversation. I'd probably make this situation worse if I spoke up anyway.

   Dad's confusion melted into the depths of sorrow. He let out a sigh and looked at the floor. Then, he took a seat and scratched the back of his neck.

   "To be honest, I am still angry at you. I'm disappointed that you stole from that shop and you don't seem to care about it..." dad truthfully answered.

   "Then, why?" Mallorie snarled.

   "Is it so wrong in wanting to enjoy my daughters' first birthday together?" He questioned, "You're still in trouble but I wanted this day to be remembered as a good one and not one where you are in trouble for committing robbery. I didn't want you to spend your first birthday with us grounded and locked away in your room by yourself."

   "Do you think that'll change my mind or something? Do you think that'll get me to go soft and grow closer to you? Well, it doesn't work like that in this world! You should just give up because I want nothing to do with either of you or that dead bitc-"

   I cut Mallorie's words off with my hand over her mouth. I wanted to so badly slap her—punch her—for being so cruel to not only us but mama too. Mallorie is going too far deep like a knife plunging into the skin and twisting it.

   I can feel unshed tears lining my eyelids. My body trembles from holding back my rage. I hardened my glare and shot it straight into her gray—the same color as mama's. I never thought I would stare into those same eyes and feel this much resentment.

   The same color that held a gentle and kind nature.

   Now, I only see hatred and selfishness.

   "You can talk me down all you want, burn my things, and send me to the hospital. But you will not insult our mother," I said in a sharp tone. She slaps my hand away from her mouth.

   I continued, "I don't know the reason why you weren't kept but our parents aren't whatever conclusion you've drawn in your head. They have always been good people and obviously, making up for past mistakes. But you won't let yourself give papa a chance. You hold your grudges so close you constrict it and won't let it go until you've finished the job."

   For a slight moment, I see her face falter. I must have hit the nail right on the head. She lets out a growl and walks off.

"I should've never come out of that room," she muttered. Mallorie disappeared into her room and slammed the door shut. Dad just continued to sit silently in his seat in a daze, staring off into the distance. He seemed to be figuring out something, wondering what he did wrong.

   He didn't.

   He just wanted us to have a happy birthday.

   I frowned, realizing that this isn't only my first birthday with my sister. It's also my first birthday without mom too. Dad was probably trying to make this special since she isn't around anymore and Mallorie had just arrived back in our lives (if this is deemed a miracle).

   "Hey...dad," I spoke up, immediately gaining the baker's attention.

   "Yes, dear?" He asked.

   I gave a small but sincere smile, "Thank you."

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I hope you enjoyed the chapter!!

Here's the whole song and translation for the French birthday song!

Bon anniversaire,
nos vœux les plus sincères
Que ces quelques fleurs
vous apportent le bonheur
Que l'année entière vous
soit douce et légère
Et que l'an fini,
nous soyons tous réunis
Pour chanter en chœur:
"Bon Anniversaire!"

Translation:

Happy birthday,
our most sincere wishes
Than these few flowers
bring you happiness
That the whole year you
be soft and light
And the year is over
let's all be together
To sing along:
"Happy birthday!"

(If any of the translations are wrong, know that I used Google Translate!)