"What does she need the treatments for?"   Marinette repeats herself.

            Doctor Brown gulps and paces the floor in dismay.  It is times like these he regrets having to be the one to give such bad news.  It is clear by the looks of it this single mother is already upset about Emma's condition.

          "Look, I might not be related, but I still believe you should just tell her," Adrien remarks.

             Marinette gasps as her phone dings and she sees a text message. She did not expect to hear from him.  Not now and at a moment when her world is all in circles as usual.

               "Hold on just a second, I need to read the text message he just sent me," Marinette says.

               "By he, you mean?" Adrien asks.  He regrets this when he sees the look Marinette gave him.  It is the same look she gave him two years ago on the day her ex ditched her while she was expecting Emma.

              Marinette looks at the text once more and reads it aloud.

               Luka's  text

               Marinette, I am sorry things ended on a rough note with us.

                  I should have listened to you.

                  Anyways, I know it is to late to start over, but I hope you can forgive me.

            "What the nerve of him?  How can he expect you to just forgive him?"  Adrien asks.

                "Adrien,  I think it is best for all involved if I do forgive him," Marinette answers.

                   "Well, if that is how you feel then, I support you," Adrien says.

                     "Yes, I know you do," Marinette replies.

                 "Oh, and there is more," She states.

      Luka's text continues

        Marinette, have you seen my dress shoes?  I can not find them anywhere.

            If you need me for anything feel free to text me.

            I will be glad to answer any questions that concern the health of our child.

             Anyways, that is all I wish to say.

                -Luka Cuffaine

           "To put it lightly Mrs. Marinette Dupain-Cheng Cuffaine, your daughter Emma is suffering from childhood cancer,"  Doctor Brown sadly tells her.

              "What?  My Emma has cancer?  She was just a bubbly two-year-old the other day," Marinette states.

            "Doctor are you sure?" Adrien asks.

           "Yes, and this is why I need to know about Mr. Cuffaine's family history. It is important to know if anyone else in his family has ever had cancer.  If so, what kind, for how long, it might make a difference on how soon we can start the treatment,"  Doctor Brown explains.

           "No, Emma!  She can not be sick, I refuse to believe it!'' Marinette says hysterically.

               Marinette's text to Luka

                 Emma, our daughter, or rather my daughter as you did refuse to acknowledge her for two years is in bad health. The doctor here, Doctor Brown says it is cancer.    Do you know if anyone who has had cancer in the past in your family?   Is there anything I should know you are not telling me?
                Also, I forgive you, but yes I will have a hard time trusting you.

                I want you to know for Emma's sake you are not to be referred to as her father other than in the paperwork.   Doctor Brown tells me he needs your approval for any treatments which may include blood transfusions.

                Luka's  text to Marinette

                 I see well, I am sorry to hear she is ill.

             Emma is a perfect name by the way.

                As for family as far as I know my father had cancer before he passed away when I was a child. He was the only one. He did have it in his liver and brain.  His treatments though good was not successful.  Every patient is different when it comes to the response to this sort of thing.

              I say go ahead with the treatments.

            Oh, and I am type B negative blood type in case you need it for the files.

             Sorry to trouble you.

       Doctor Brown frowns, "Well, it sounds like everything is all set then, but we still need his signature to continue treatments after the first two weeks."

          "Are you serious?" Adrien asks.

         "Calm down, Adrien!"  Marinette says.

      "Calm down, Emma's life is on the edge and he says that homewrecker needs to put his okay to continue her life-saving help after two weeks.  It is the most prosperous thing   I have heard in years,"  Adrien responds.

         Marinette squeezes Adrien's hand and he blushes.  The doctor thinks maybe someday Emma will have a new father. He hopes so for both their sakes. Doctor Brown sees no reason the young child should be without one all her life with such a man who comes to the assistance of her and her mother.

        "I will leave you alone to go run some more tests,"  Doctor Brown says and walks away.

          Now, alone once more Adrien scowls.  

         "Oh, Adrien, you have always been there for us.  I do not know, but it makes me feel so relieved,"  Marinette says.

           "I will do anything for you and Emma," Adrien says sadly. He thinks  I would give my life for them if it came to it.

            "I know and that is why I ..."Marinette says.

           Someone walks into the waiting room and sits down.  He waits impatiently for someone to come speak to him.

         "Sir, how may I help you?"  A nurse asks.

            "Ah, yes, I am here to sign some forms so my daughter can have the procedure needed for cancer, not that I much of a father,"  He explains.

         "Mr. Cuffaine, of course, right this way," The nurse says.

             Adrien hears Marinette stop in the middle of her sentence and frowns when he sees what or rather who caught her eye.  He thinks when things were going well between us that snake had to come and show his face again.

            Luka sighs the paperwork, then waves to Adrien and Marinette. He can see Adrien does not seem too happy to see him.

           "Look, Adrien, I mean no ill feelings towards you.  I wish you well, same with you Marinette and Emma.  I only came here because it seemed to urgent when it came to Emma's medical condition.  So, I will be going now.   I know when I am not wanted," Luka says.

           "Luka, wait!"  Marinette says.

            Adrien feels Marinette let go of his hand to speak to her ex.  He feels as if his skin stands on edge, his blood boils, and his eyes are on fire.  He can stand to see her anywhere near Luka.  He knows it is silly to feel this way as she and Luka were married once.  Then, again the guy did break her heart and Adrien was there to help her. He always was even before Luka came along.

       Adrien's Flashback...

       Adrien had let her go the day Marinette announced she was seeing Luka, and as hard as it was to smile at the wedding he had gone through with it because he knew it would make her happy. He always knew he loved her.  He wanted what was best for her even if he he was not the one.

    So, Adrien was the best man at the wedding. He walked Juleka the sister of the groom down the aisle and towards the front o the church.  He was glad she was chosen to be the maid of honor since Alya thought he was nuts to agree to be in a ceremony that involved Marinette's marriage to another man.

     After the ceremony, Adrien gave a toast the bride and groom. He recalls he wished them many years of happiness together.  He remembers his dance with Juleka and how he secretly wished it was with the bride instead.  He knows it was wrong to feel this way, but Marinette had been his best friend for years.  He loved her,  but he could not ruin things for her and  Luka.

       A few months later, he was invited to a house warming party. Like the proper best friend he had shown up.  He even brought a date, Kagami who was an old high school friend with him.  He and Kagami seemed to hit it off and for a while there he thought all was well.

    Only years later, Kagami told him she was through with him and he was shocked.  He kept busy with his work so the shock would not hit too hard.  Then, to top it off Marinette called him and his heart sunk when he heard her tears. It was then he realized the truth he tried to keep hidden away all this time he still loved her.

        He rushes to her side and finds out that Luka left her.  It was bad enough the guy he thought was the perfect match to make her happy had done this, but the worst part was it was while she had a baby in the womb.  He consoled her the best way he knew how with a hug.

     Adrien made it is a goal to see to it that Marinette and her daughter to be were never hurt by him again.

       End of Flashback...

         Adrien does not know if he should stand up or stay put.  He believes to follow them might be a good thing, but who is to say that is not a mistake too? He shakes his head as he shrugs his shoulders in uncertainty. He sighs as he remains in the waiting room for the moment.

          Luka is glad Marinette ran after him. This way they can talk at last out of earshot of Adrien Agreste.  It is not like he intends to take her away from Adrien not again, after the last time he had learned his lesson.  This time things were different.  He was sure of it.

         "Yes, Marinette?"  Luka asks.

         "I just wanted to let you know how I appreciate your coming to make sure Emma is given the best care, "  Marinette tells her ex-husband.

          "I just wanted to thank you for raising, Emma.  I am sure you have done a fabulous job.  It seems I never was cut out to be a father.  Adrien, on the other hand, is a different story altogether, " Luka responds with a grin.

           "Yes, well, Adrien and I are just friends," Marinette says.

           "Whatever, Marinette, I must be going, so tell Adrien to take care of Emma and I wish you all well.  I mean it,"  Luka says.

          "I know, thanks, Luka."  Marinette answers. She hugs him as a quick way to show her thankfulness for his words.

            It is at that moment Adrien stands up and goes outside for some fresh air.  He sees Luka and Marinette hugging. He turns away so they can not see his tears. He thinks does it always have to be him?
 

         Marinette pulls away, and Luka waves goodbye as he gets into his truck.  Luka drives away and Marinette goes back inside the hospital.

           Adrien follows her but does not touch her hand.  He thinks it best if he gives her some space.

       Find out more in Ladrien/Adrienette Father's Day Special  part 3

      -Summer out!