Chapter Text
Epilogue: Fatherhood
Though over a decade had passed, Adrien still found himself struggling to fall asleep at a decent time. His recent movie was a box office hit, and he was enjoying the time at home with his newly born daughter, Emma. He busied himself as much as he could during the day. At night, well that was a different story.
Adrien had been able to vent himself through night runs as Chat Noir. He'd rush across the rough tops for hours. Now, he stayed at home, rocking his baby daughter to sleep. Marinette had been busy working away at Gabriel’s newest fashion line. She had been thrilled to be able to work from home, for a while, but the past week, she was needed at the office.
The new mother was anxious, leaving her baby, but Adrien had been more than supportive, and managed to take care of his daughter with ease. Emma been struggling this week with the changes at home. Sleep was not coming easily to her, and she was now joining her father on the path to insomnia.
“I’m telling you, Emma, you really do want sleep. I don’t know why you are fighting this,” Adrien spoke over the infant's sobs.
Adrien looked out the window at the dark cool night. He also felt like crying. He was tired too, and he just wanted to relax.
“I'm telling you, baby girl, you are working you way down a dark path. You want to sleep. You don't want to end up like your old man.”
“Why don't you get some sleep then, Kid,” Plagg floated in. The black cat landed on his chosen shoulder. “Look at me Emma,” the kwami started making faces at the infant.
The crying child paused long enough to view the black cats misshapen face. Emma inhaled deeply and let out a loud wail. Plagg’s ears dropped and he placed his paws over his ears.
“Sorry kid, I thought I’d be able to help.”
“It’s not your fault. She’s always struggled to get to sleep. I’m sure that is from e. I can’t even sleep right as an adult.”
“You used to be able to sleep so easily, what happened?”
Adrien thought. “When I couldn’t sleep in high school, I would go for a run as Chat Noir. The fresh air always helped.”
“Why not do that now?” The kwami suggested.
“Do what now?”
“Go for a run. Suit up and go run along the rooftops. The rest of the team shouldn’t get to patrol every night. You need to be able to go out as well.”
“And if I got the baby carrier I can bring Emma along!” Adrien stood up with Emma in his arms and walked over child’s dresser, where they had the babies outside accessories.
Plagg quickly followed. “Wait, you're taking the baby! But she is a baby! Marinette will kill you! Tikki will kill you!”
“Well they are not here now, are they?” Adrien pointed out. He pulled out a onesie from the child’s dresser and began to change the fussy Emma. “Emma loves being rocked to sleep, or even long drives. I bet a quick run will put her straight to sleep.
Adrien was too happy to consider if what he was doing was a good idea, or a bad idea. He dressed Emma up in her Cat Suit onesie before strapping her into the the carrier. “Alright, Plagg, claws out!” A flash of green light morphed the man into Chat Noir. He smiled as he flexed his muscles with the baby carrier strapped to the front.
Emma fussed as her face pressed against the leather skin material. “We are going to get going emma. Just stay with daddy. He climbed out the window and launched into the nearest roof. Adrien stood and felt the night air breeze. “Feel that, Princess? That is the feeling of a good idea.”
Chat Noir placed his arms around the carrier and began to sprint. He went at a slower pace then he would normally; lack of sleep and a few months without consistent exercise changes your abilities. He continuously glanced down at his daughter. Her head was resting comfortably against his head. Here eyes were open, but she was no longer crying. It seems that the baby was enjoying the outing as much as her father.
Adrien kept with this pace for thirty minutes before he was certain that Emma was fast asleep. The feline hero took the opportunity to find a nice view of the city before sitting and resting the cool crisp air. He found a balcony with a nice lounging chair. Chat Noir began to purr as he lay his back into the seat. He looked down again to see Emma was happily asleep. Adrien smiled. This was the perfect place to relax. He was just going to close his eyes for a minute.
“Adrien, get up and come inside. You can’t sleep on the roof the whole night.”
Something was tapping against Adrien’s shoulder. He opened his eyes to see a familiar mustached face. “Tom?”
The man smiled. “Yes son it’s me. Come on and sit up so I can take Emma.”
“Emma?” Adrien looked down. He was still suited up as Chat Noir, with his daughter strapped to his chest. “Oh no, did I fall asleep?”
Tom Chuckled. “You fell asleep on the rough at around midnight. It’s now two in the morning. You and Emma need to come inside.”
“It was just supposed to be a quick run,” Adrien explained as he stood up. “Just to get Emma to sleep.”
“Well it looks like you accomplished that. Here hand her to me and climb down the roof. I have a crib set up for Emma and you can sleep in Marinette's bed.”
“You won’t tell Marinette I fell asleep out here with Emma, will you?”
Tom shook his head. “Believe me son, Marinette was the hardest baby to get to Fall asleep. I used to drive her for hours in the car until the ride rocked her to sleep. I would then park the car where ever I was and sleep there. I never once got a ticket, but Sabine was always flustered. I’ll just tell Marinette you came over for some assistance.”
Adrien smiled. “You are the best, Tom.”
They climbed down the hatch, and into Marinette’s old room. Emma was placed in the crib, and Adrien was asleep on the bunk. Tom hit the lights and smiled. The man couldn’t help but feel accomplished when his son in law subconsciously knows that he can always turn to his family when he needs an extra hand.