A week later, there is a knock at the door to the Agreste mansion. Natalie answers it then frowns. She can not believe her eyes.  She has not seen them in years.  She thinks did they come here for business or what?

        "Hello, what brings you here?" Natalie asks.

         "Do not be silly," Chole answers.

        "Yes, we came to assure you all that as the new owners of the Dupain-Cheng bakery we plan to make full use of it,"  The former mayor explains.

         "Daddy means that the employees may remain on staff, and as for the space above it, we will rent it out to a person of our choice," Chole explains.

         "Yes, grandpa wants what is best for everyone," Sarah says. 

     *Author's note: Sarah is Chole's adopted daughter.  Let me know if wish to see a backstory as to how Chole ends up with her.

       "Chole, Sarah, and Andre Bougerious are here,"  Marinette says.

        "They are?" Adrien asks. 

        "Yes, so come on silly," Marinette replies.

          Adrien exits his room, goes downstairs, and stands next to Marinette with an arm wrapped around her.  He glares at the Bougerious since he is not so sure he trusts them.

        Marinette laughs a funny expression on her fiance's face.  "Do forgive Adrien since he has a bit of a rough day," Marinette explains.

       "Yes, well I understand that since Nathaniel is away on business a lot and we rarely see each other much," Chole remarks.

      "Nathaniel as in Nathaniel Kurtzberg the artist from our high school days?" Adrien asks in surprise.

     "Yes, mom is his girlfriend," Sarah says proudly.

      "Yes, what of it?" Chole asks with hands on her hips.

     "Congratulations to you,"  Marinette and Adrien say together.    

       "Thanks, and Marinette we mean it when we say you are still welcome at the bakery.  If you wish to do so you may continue to work there and have your regular days, Sundays, and Thursdays off.  You may also have Fridays as half days, so you can leave early then, as for Saturdays the schedule is different now so that it will close this day.  On holidays the hours will verify, but as for the space above it, do you know of  anyone who might wish to live there?" Chole asks.

       Marinette smiles as Chole explains further the details about the bakery. She still can not believe how much nicer Chole has become over the years or that the Bougerious family is the people who own the bakery her parents started back when she was in her sophomore year in high school.  She can not think of better owners for it though.

      "Well, Juleka did mention the rent on her place went up again.  It is so high now she can barely pay the rent let alone for extra things like her groceries, for repairs on things in the apartment itself since her landlord is so cruel," Marinette tells them.

        "I see you say you recommend our former classmate and friend, Juleka be the one to rent the room right above the bakery then?"  Chloe asks for confirmation from Marinette.

        "Well, I will have to ask her to see, but yes," Marinette responds.

     "Splendid, I rather have her there than a stranger at least this way we know she will not trash the place," Chole remarks.           

           Chole smiles as Marinette's ring glistens a bit in the room despite the dim light fixtures. She can tell that Adrienette is happy together.  She is glad too since she knows Adrien had a rough childhood and that Marinette lost her mother recently.

           She hugs Marinette as she says, "Oh, and one more thing, I am so sorry about your mother, Mari."

           Chole pulls away as she adds, "I see you two are engaged, well congratulations to you both!  I am so happy for you."

           "Thanks, Chole, and we are happy for you as well," Marinette says.

          "Yes, thanks Chole," Adrien says as he gives her a high five.

           Chole starts to walk off but stops to ask, "See you at work in the next ten minutes, right, Mari?"  

          As soon as she sees the frown on Marinette's face she laughs,  "Ha, just kidding as the bakery is not quite open for business yet.  I will text you to let you know when it is though."

        Chole, Sarah, and Andre Bougerious all make their exit and go back to the Bougerious hotel.  They are glad  to have spoken to Adrienette for a while. Maybe, this way they will see how great things can be for everyone now that the bakery does not have to close for good.  A good thing too since the place is popular and has some great treats.

        Adrien and Marinette watch them go and smile.  

        "Wow, that is amazing," Marinette remarks.

         "Yes, but it is not the only thing that is amazing," Adrien tells her.

              Marinette gives him a look to show she has no idea what is trying to say right now.  

               Adrien grins as he blurts out, "You are amazing, Marinette."  He kisses her cheek and sees her face turn a cute shade of pink.

              "Adrien, you are so sweet and I love you," Marinette says.

             "Same with you, Mari, I love you too!" Adrien says with a smirk.

                   A few minutes later, Juleka shows up to congratulate them on their engagement and the good news about the bakery.  "I am glad I get to stay on at the bakery since it became my workplace too after my boss fired me over such silliness," Juleka says.

               "I am happy for you too, Juleka," Marinette says.

              "Do you have any idea how soon it reopens for business?" Juleka asks.

              "No, but I do recall Chole saying she will text me when it is ready to reopen,"  Marinette answers.

          "Hmm, okay, sounds good," Juleka replies.

        "Chole says the room above the bakery is yours to rent if you want it that is," Marinette tells her.

        "She sure did, babe,"  Adrien adds.

          " I will be glad to move in there since my rent went up it is been a burden to stay where I currently am anyway," Juleka says.

         "Yes, well that is why I recommended you as a tenant," Marinette pipes up.

            "Good, then, I will let Chole know soon," Juleka states with a smile. Then, she leaves Adrienette alone.

            Juleka texts Chole to tell her thoughts about the apartment complex that is above the bakery. She smiles then puts the cell phone back inside its cell phone case.  She drives back to her apartment so she can pack, and let her landlord know she has no plans to renew her rent lease on it.  She can hardly wait to move into her new place. She knows it is Marinette's old home, but that does not trouble her any.  It makes the place seem more like home than the other one.

          Marinette and Adrien smile as they head out the door to go on a walk. The wind is a slow, steady breeze so that it feels nice in the summer's heat.  

         The two head towards Andre's ice cream stand. They are glad to see it is still around now that Andre's nephew has taken it over ever since Andre won the lottery and decided to retire early from the business. The food tastes great like it did years ago and the time together reminds them of a lifetime of friendship and more.

         "Ah, Adrien and Marinette, what would like today?"  Andre's nephew asks.

         "The usual," Adrien says.

          "Yes, what he says, is good for us both," Marinette adds.

            Andre's nephew, Steve nods his head as he scoops up the ice-cream puts it into a big cone and adds two straws to it. He also hands them two spoons and a  few napkins.

          "Enjoy," Steve says.

          "Oh, we will," Adrien replies as he pays for the nice frozen treat.

      *Author's note: Well that is it for this chapter.  Hope you managed to enjoy it.  No copycats allowed. -Summer Cheng

                Find out more in Chapter 23

            bye, bye little owlets!

     _Summer out!