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"Is there any reason I shouldn't go?" It was a last ditch effort, one last chance for Marinette to say something, anything to make him stay. He'd rather stay by her side than see the whole damn world with his guitar in hand. But she had urged him to take the opportunity Jagged had offered. Like he hadn't made it clear that she was so much more to him than even his music.
"I-I mean, I'll miss you…" she glanced down where she was gripping his hand and promptly let go. "But this is such an amazing opportunity for you… I think you should take it."
They'd only been dating for a few months when Jagged dropped the opportunity of a lifetime in his lap, and if it hadn't happened in front of Marinette, Luka wouldn't have even considered it. Probably wouldn't even have told her.
"I can make music anywhere… but you're here, in Paris."
Marinette leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his lips. That was the dream he wanted to chase. "And I'll be here when you get back. Waiting."
He nodded slowly. "If you're sure."
Marinette smiled brightly, but there was something off about it, something tight. "Cell phones are a thing. We can text and call and video chat…" she shrugged lightly, but brushed at her eye like—
"Video chat doesn't do you justice." Luka murdered softly, low against her ear where no one would over hear him. He couldn't touch her through a phone.
"I won't be the reason you don't go." Marinette finally said. Final and clear… and truth be told, if they hadn't been together when Jagged asked, he would have jumped at the chance.
"Okay. I'll call."
"Every city."
He nodded. "Every airport."
"I want to see a picture of all those backstages."
"It'll be like you're there." Luka promised. But how could it be anything but hollow? The world was always a little colder when Marinette wasn't there to make it warm with her smile and hugs and congratulatory kisses.
Marinette threw her arms around him. "Rock the world, Star."
Their last kiss was long, desperate, and salty enough for Luka to regret everything about the tour as he climbed aboard the airplane that would separate him from the woman he loved for almost a year.
Marinette bounced on her toes, waiting for Luka to disembark. It had been nine months since he flew away to become famous. And boy had he.
She'd known he couldn't miss the chance to play his music on a world tour. He was too talented. And she was too scared he'd regret choosing her if he stayed.
But now he was coming home.
And she was terrified. Because he had asked if there was any reason he should stay…and she hadn't said a word other than go.
He'd begged her to meet him at the gate, and how could she say no? So she was here, and it was only a matter of minutes before—
"Marinette!" His voiced carried over the crowded airport and she whirled, still bouncing.
She clutched her surprise to her chest. "Shhh. I've got you."
Luka stopped abruptly in front of her, mouth dropping along with the arms he'd lifted to wrap around her.
His eyes swept over her. “You lied to me? For months?”
Marinette swallowed. "I didn't want you to miss—" she stopped. Her voice shaking too much to manage whatever reason would have made it out first.
"Instead, you let me miss this?" Luka edged closer, his eyes riveted on their daughter.
Marinette scrubbed her face with one hand. "We hadn't talked about — I didn't want there to be regret… or anger. I didn't mean—" there were no words to fix anything she'd done since her suspicious had been confirmed a few days after Jagged's offer. She'd been too afraid to tell him and throw a wrench in their fledgling relationship. Long distance had seemed easier than getting the words out.
She never had found the right words to tell him. Which was why she'd brought their two week old baby with her to meet her Papa.
"Surprise?" She winced at her own words, at the shock still written across Luka's face.
Luka reached out tentatively, running his long fingers over the dark hair that coated the baby's head. "Can I hold—" he stopped, another flash of pain crossing his features.
"Her." Marinette offered. "And of course."
She helped Luka gather their baby into his arms before whispering. "I haven't named her yet, not officially. I wanted us to come up with something together."
He just nodded. His eyes roving the perfect face of their baby as tears trailed down his cheeks.
"I'm sorry." Marinette breathed.
Luka nodded again. "So am I. I should have been here."
She shook her head. That had been her fault. Carefully, Luka pulled her close with one arm, still holding the baby so gently and securely.
"I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere."