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Dinner. Papa had said family dinner.
Not… whatever the hell this was.
Marinette gripped Luka's hand in hers as she froze in the doorway to her parents' dining room. Anarka was there with Rose and Juleka… although Juleka looked conflicted.
"What's wrong?" Luka whispered from behind her.
"Nothing. And everything." Marinette whispered back.
Everyone was smiling too brightly.
The cupcakes on the counter were just a little too pink and blue.
Rose clasped her hands together and beamed at them. "Well, come in. Marinette, you should sit."
"Why?" Marinette asked as she finally inched her way into the room. She was replaying her conversation with her parents in her head, trying to figure out what had happened…
"We should all have dinner soon. We've been busy; it would be nice to catch up."
Nothing. Completely innocuous.
Maman had promptly invited them over for Friday evening. And apparently extended the invite to all their family.
Luka kept his hand firmly at her back, lending her his strength, while probably thinking she was being ridiculous. He would see… what Marinette still wasn't sure, but something was off.
"This is nice," Luka said brightly. "It's been a while since we had everyone together."
"Not since the wedding!" Tom boomed. "It's been months."
Marinette fought back a blush. She'd been too wrapped up in her new husband to be as social as they usually were… and everyone knew it. Not that she was alone in her adoration. Hardly. Luka had been the reason they cancelled plans at the last minute at least as often as she was.
Maman placed a large skillet in the center of the table with a smile. "Come, eat."
Rose leaned forward in her seat as everyone gathered around the table and began dishing up. "Sooooo, what's new?"
Marinette took a bite of her Maman's cooking and Papa's bread. So good. It was nice to come home for meals on occasion.
She grinned at Rose. "Not too much. Lu's working on a song that will blow your socks off, and I'm almost done drafting a new collection for Milan. It's going to be a wild year."
Anarka leaned back. "Not too busy, I hope. Don't want ta wear yerselves out."
Marinette waved a hand. "We're young. I'm sure we can handle it." Luka leaned sideways to kiss her cheek, making her blush. The last time she'd said that about something, he'd told her he liked handling her…
Silence fell as they ate, but after a minute, Marinette realized everyone was still looking at her and Luka. Expectantly.
Except Juleka. She had her head practically bowed over her plate. As if she was avoiding everyone.
Marinette dropped her fork onto her plate. "What is it? Why is everyone acting like this is some kind of intervention?"
"Well…" Maman said.
"We all have certain expectations…" Papa added.
Anarka leaned forward, a gleam in her eyes. "We had some hope y'might be…"
"Pregnant!" Rose all but yelled. "Don't you have a baby announcement?"
"Uhhhh." Marinette glanced at Luka, who looked even more shocked than she felt.
He glanced at her a little nervously. "Darning?"
Marinette rolled her eyes, as if he wouldn't be the first person she told. With a frown for the rest of their family, she answered the question (assumption?). "No, actually."
She looked pointedly at Rose. "Are you?"
"What?!" Rose yelped.
Marinette leaned back into her chair, shifting closer to Luka, whose hand quickly found her shoulder. "I mean, once you're married… there are expectations, right? You and Juleka beat us by a few months. Is there something you and Jules want to tell us?"
Juleka groaned. "Oh my god, Rose. I told you to leave them alone. I told all of you."
"Now—" Papa interjected. "We're just excited about grandkids someday. We aren't trying to rush anyone."
"Of course not," Maman added. "I'm sorry we jumped to conclusions."
"Welllll—" Rose whined.
"Wouldn't hurt." Anarka chimed in.
Papa was smart enough to keep his mouth shut, but he nodded vigorously.
Marinette just sighed and took another bite of her dinner, shaking her head. Hiding a smile.
Once everyone had returned their focus to their plates. Luka leaned close, voice low in her ear. "When you're ready, I'll be more than happy to do my part."