A week later, Adrien went to buy groceries, baby formula, and other usual items. He did not trust the sitter from the other night not to blab.

    Marinette had dropped by and insisted on watching the girls so others would not ask too many questions. She had brought a bookshelf and installed it inside the small back room. She placed a few books on it. They are much better.

     Adrien arrived home safely but not without another customer shaking her head at him. He entered the house and saw that the girls were asleep. Marinette sat not far from them with a book across her lap. 

     "Marinette?" He whispered so as not to wake Alana and Bailey.

     He saw that she was asleep too. Cute, he thought. He placed a blanket over her.

        It was one he finally finished making. He sighed as he wished that Marinette could stay with him and the girls forever. Where had the thought come from?  

       "Adrien, when did you get home?"  Marinette asked startled to see him staring at her when she awakened.

       "Shh, I have only been here for ten minutes. I brought some blinds, curtains, food, and other things that I found at the store."

        Marinette got to work putting up the blinds, and then the curtains. Adrien watched her in amazement.  Where did she learn to do such a thing?

         "Adrien, you hungry?"

           "Now, that you mentioned it, yes. I forgot I skipped lunch."

          "Adrien, sit down."

             Marinette insisted on fixing them supper. She got to work cooking some pasta, alfredo sauce, chicken, broccoli, and mushrooms.

              Adrien heard the girls wake up.  He wanted to watch Marinette in his kitchen. He took care of the girls and soon returned after he set them gently into the play pen and added a few toys.

               "Chicken broccoli and mushroom alfredo pasta?"

               "Yes, and there is some garlic bread  too."

              "My favorite."

                "Everything is your favorite Adrien."

                As they ate, the phone rang. Strangely, he was not expecting any phone calls.

                Adrien ignored it. Marinette answered it spoke some in Portuguese then frowned. She hung up and looked worried.

                "Marinette what is the matter?"

               "It was that horrid man again. He keeps making threats."

             "what kind of threats?"

            "He threatens to ruin me if I do not stop seeing you."

           Adrien gritted his teeth in frustration. Who could it be?  One of his father's men, but they did not know his private number.  

              Marinette almost fainted. Adrien caught her.

              "Marinette, speak to me."

               Adrien noticed her face had turned white as if she had seen a ghost. He carried her to the sofa.

               He brought her some water. He did not say a word when she came too and drank it.

            He hugged her as if to say, do not you dare scare me like that ever again, woman.

           He frowned. "Marinette, I am sorry. I did not mean to bring trouble to you."

            "Adrien, listen to me, it is not your fault."

                 Marinette kissed his cheek. He blushed and she did the same as she pulled away.

                    "I will see myself out."  

                 Adrien watched her go. He thought I must tell her soon.

                  "Marinette wait!" He shouted after her.

                Marinette turned around and he heard a loud bang noise. He tackled her to the ground. He was in shock. Someone had tried to kill her. He could not let her be alone. Not after this.

                 "I will call a friend, for you to stay with tonight. You must not be alone, not after he tried to take you from me."

                   She could hear the pain in his voice as he spoke. She nodded her head in agreement.

                     Marinette had not told Adrien everything. Not even Alya knew much about her past. She was on the run from the gang she had left years ago. She did not expect them to catch up to her.  How was she to stay close to him and his kids without putting them in danger?

                      Adrien helped her back into his place, shut the door, and bolted it.

                          He called Alya and explained all. Well, maybe not all but enough for her to understand that Marinette needed to go stay at her place.

                          "Sorry, but I can't.  Nino and I are out of town to celebrate our engagement."

                           "I see, well have a good time then."

                           "Take care of her, Adrien."

                          "I will."

                        He told Marinette what Alya said. He grinned. He sent out for dessert.

                           Soon a fresh box of donuts arrived. He brought them inside, tipped the driver, and closed the door. He bolted it again, and this time set the alarm.

                           "Marinette, I know it is sudden, but will you be my girlfriend?"

                           "Yes."

    The story continues in Chapter 5

    Till then, bye-bye, little owlets!

    Summer out!