Marinette's POV:

The day after the explosion, I awakened in the guest room of Adrien's apartment. I smiled at him, and Glinda. It was good to see those two getting along so well. I got up and went to the bathroom. I showered, dried off, and changed into the outfit I had taken with me.

   "Good morning," I said to Adrien as I exited the bathroom.

   "Good morning, Marinette," Adrien said. I could tell he was glad to see me.

   Adrien offered to fix breakfast and I was fine with that idea.  I smiled despite the chaos from last night. All that happened was still fresh in my mind.

   I watched him fix some eggs, bacon, and biscuits. He hummed as he worked. He served me first, then himself. As I ate, I looked in his direction and saw him petting Glinda with one hand while eating with the other.  I could not help but think he was going to spoil her yet.

   After breakfast, I washed the dishes, while Adrien went to get the mail. He came in with a frown as he set it on the table.  "There were two magazines, a bill, and a letter out there." He said.

   I could see no reason for that to trouble him, but his voice sounded concerned.

     "The letter is addressed to you." He explained.

 I finished with the dishes, dried my hands, and took the envelope with my name scribbled across it in bold letters, "Marinette."  I wondered, "Who could have sent it?" No one knows I slept here last night, besides Adrien, Glinda, and I. It was not as if Glinda could tell them.

     I opened it slowly. I smiled when I recognized the handwriting. It was from someone I had not heard from in years. I began to read it.

    Dear Sis,

  I am writing to explain why I never came to visit you. See, my girlfriend and I thought it best to surprise you together.  We bought this nice-sized home with more than enough rooms for two. Also, I proposed to her last night and she accepted! Isn't that grand?  

    Jessica and I are to be married soon, in a week.

    I am sorry to hear of Margot, your sister's passing, and of Mom and Stepfather's deaths. That must have been so hard on you. I am sorry, I was not there for you like I should have been. 

    Uncle John wrote to me and told me of the bad news about the family. I also hear that you are no longer by yourself in the alley. That is a relief, I would hate to think of you getting sick, or dying from some bad disease because you had no one to care for you.

        Also, it took me ages to write, because I was called away in the military. Jessica and I thought it best not to worry you. You had enough on your mind as it was already.

            I want you to know that I am back from military leave and am home for good. Jessica and I are excited about our upcoming marriage. I hope life finds you well.

       Oh, and if I shall ever find someone to love you, grasp hold of them, and tell them how you feel. Keep them as long as you can. You need to be surrounded by those you love.

         Love,

          Bobby

PS. I was unsure where to send the letter so I sent it to a friend of yours place since that is where Uncle John suggested I send it.

  "Is it good news?" Adrien asked. "Yes, my stepbrother Bobby is getting married to his Jessica," I answered. I smiled. "Well, that certainly is good news," Adrien agreed.

     The phone rang, and Adrien answered it. I saw him frown. I  could not help, but wonder what that was all about anyway.

       He nodded and kept saying, "Yes, I see, thanks for letting me know, chief, yes, sir. I will be sure to tell her."  He hung up and spoke to me, "That was the police chief on the phone, he says he believes his men apprehended the man responsible for the mail bomb that was sent to your place last night. He also says the man confessed that someone paid him to ship it to your address. He did not ask any questions because he was too afraid too."  

    I was shocked. "Someone paid him, but who?  Why my address?" I asked.

   "He did not say. I believe the chief is not sure who paid the guy yet." Adrien said.

     I sighed. I suppose this means I will need to stay with Adrien until I know it is safe to return to my home.

  I took the letter to the guest room and set it on the dresser.  I pulled out the other one he sent years ago and placed it beside this one. Sure enough, the handwriting matched. That proves he sent both letters. Each was signed, Love Bobby. I knew that I was no handwriting expert, but I had no doubts in my mind he had written both.

      A few days later, I received another letter. It was from Bobby as well.

       Dear Sis,

   Marinette, I am glad you found somewhere safe to stay.  You do not know how upset I was when Uncle  John told me about the bomb. I can't believe someone would threaten my sibling like this. The whole thing is awful. It shocks me to the very core.

      Jessica and I are getting married real soon. We would invite you except we have decided to elope.  Don't worry though if we ever have children, you will be the first to know. We want you to be the godmother to them should something happen to us.

      Tell that friend of yours thanks for keeping watch over my little stepsister. I truly appreciate it.

             I look forward to hearing from you.

            Love,

           Bobby

    I put this with the other letters.  It was the second time this week to hear from him.  I was glad and so was Adrien. This meant I was not the last child of my parents after all since Bobby was still alive.

    I wondered when he started to contact Uncle John. I called Uncle John and he said, "Marinette, sure Bobby has been calling me as often as he can to check up on you."

    I was relieved. At least, I knew that part of the letter was true. Sure, Bobby didn't mean to exaggerate, but from what I remembered he was a bit of a liar even before he left home.

   I  received no letters for awhile after this but tried not to show how much this troubled me.

    Adrien could tell I was upset. He did his best to keep me calm.

Find out more in Chapter 22

Until then,

bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!

 I smiled. My brother is getting married to Jessica, and I could not be happier for him. He may be a stepbrother, but he is the only brother I have ever had.