Devastating

Chapter 46

"No, they're also for your family. And last time we spoke, Mar'i asked me to bring desserts for her ball. I was invited as her fairy godmother." Marinette continued. "One of these has my costume..." She seemed so excited for a children's party, he didn't understand why.

They turned a final corner and entered the kitchen, Mar'i was on a step stool watching Alfred pour batter into small pans, her parents sat watching as they held gifts under the counter, Bruce and Selina sat at the table with Jason and Tim in similar positions all waiting for when the small girl would come out of her trance. Mar'i had the tendency to zero in on her baking softly humming the french lullaby until what ever she was making was ready. Marinette had been keeping track of everything Mar'i was doing, sending lots of recipes and tips.

Alfred put the desserts in the oven when Marinette suddenly said,

"Happy Birthday, Mar'i!" Everyone's eyes snapped to the source of the voice, almost surprised to see the Parisian.

"Auntie Nettie!!!" Mar'i unsteadily flew into her aunts arms for a hug.

"Marinette!"

"Hey, Tim!"

"It's great to see you, Marinette!" Selina said as she went for a hug, Bruce said hello with a nod. Kor'i joined in with her own welcome to the petite girl.

"Hey! What am I? Chopped liver? I want a hug!" Jason exclaimed trying to vie for Marinette's attention.

"It's great to see you all! But I heard it was a certain princess and her uncle's birthday!" Marinette said immediately reflecting the attention off of her and onto Damian with a smug smirk and a wink as she went to greet Pennyworth.

"Happy Birthday, uncle Dami!" Mar'i said chirpily as she hugged him, the rest of his family chorused in.

"Alright, Nightstar, Damian, lets eat and then you can open your gifts." The food was ready shortly after that and the family ate in peace talking and joking around. Damian refused let go of Marinette's hand the entire time. The plates were soon cleared and gifts brought out, Mar'i and Damian took turns opening one at a time.

Mar'i opened her first gift, it was from Selina. She was gifted an american girl doll that looked exactly like her, Bruce quickly handed his to the small child his bag was filled with clothes and accessories. Mar'i was instantly hooked and sat the doll right next to her.

Bruce handed Damian his gift, it was a faux leather messenger bag.

"Thank you, father."

Mar'i promptly tore into her next gift, which was from Jason. It was a paintball gun, glasses, and ammo. Everyone gave him a disapproving look until Mar'i studied it and said,

"Mama! Look! Long range paintings!" Everyone chuckled at her conclusion and Damian opened his gift. It was a pair of socks with the red hood logo on it, Damian simply rolled his eyes before opening Tim's gift.

The box was heavy and rectangular, when he opened the wrapping paper there was a box with a photo of a laptop.

"You keep stealing one of mine to face time Marinette and homework, I thought it was time you got your own." Tim explained, Damian thanked him and Mar'i got her turn to open Tim's gift.

Mar'i unwrapped the gift, it was a large wooden box- a drawing kit. Mar'i loved making cards and drawings, making her father take thank you cards with dessert to the officers at the GCPD every Friday. The messages inside were always heart felt and they actually had a bulletin board in the middle of the bullpen covered in bright cards with glitter and glue.

"Thank you, uncle Timmy! Look Papa! Now I have more colors for the cards!"

"That's great, Nightstar! The guys are gonna love them." Mar'i beamed at her family before running out of the room and coming back with a  messily wrapped gift.