Emotional Support [Complete]

After an eventful evening, Nathalie, Adrien, and Marinette arrived home to meet Gabriel, sitting on the sofa. Marinette smiled and ran to greet him like a father who's returned from a long day at work. She sat beside him, hugging him tightly.

"Gabriel, you're home!"

Adrien sat on his opposite side, hugging him as well. "Yeah, I thought you were coming home late."

Gabriel returned his children's embraces. "I was, but they let me out early. I wanted to surprise you. But I came home only to find the house empty." His voice became a mix of disappointment and sternness. "No one answered my calls."

"I'm sorry," Marinette apologized, pulling out her phone to see missed calls and messages from Gabriel. "My phone automatically goes on silent after four because I'm usually doing homework. I forgot to turn that setting off."

"My phone blows up all the time from Instagram," Adrien said quietly. "I wasn't checking."

Gabriel looked up to Nathalie. "And what's your excuse?"

Nathalie bit her lip, checking through her purse. "I... I must have left my cell in my bedroom."

"And you did not notice, how?"

Nathalie avoided eye contact. "I... don't know. I must have been too excited."

Gabriel pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers. "This is very unlike you, Nathalie. I'm disappointed. I did not know where the kids were or if they were okay. How could you be so careless as to leave your phone behind?"

It was as if all the happiness and excitement was sucked from Nathalie's features as the scolding drew her back.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Gabriel nodded curtly. "Goodnight, Mlle Sancoeur."

Nathalie hesitated before retiring for the night, without giving another word.

Marinette and Adrien glanced at each other before Gabriel.

Marinette hit his shoulder. "Gabriel, what the heck?"

"Huh?"

"Yeah!" Adrien added. "Nathalie is amazing! She does everything for us!"

Marinette nodded. "Like takes us to the mall!"

Adrien smiled. "She was there for me when I was sad."

"And she bought us dinner," Marinette continued. "And this was all just tonight."

"Yeah, and Nathalie loves all of us." Adrien circled his hand pointing to them each. "She didn't deserve to be reprimanded for one mistake. We are all fine, and you've hurt her."

Gabriel swallowed. The kids did have a point. He hesitated. "A-Alright. I'll apologize to her tomorrow."

Marinette nodded approvingly. "Good."