#babinette

It was going so well, in fact, that she had told her dad she was seeing someone and wanted to introduce them. He had been excited but concerned, saying that he would absolutely be meeting them as soon as possible, was she free to come over for dinner that night? 

“Dad, isn't that a little soon? I really don't need you scaring her off, she's really sweet,” Barbara said, exasperated. “And it would be tons easier if you would come here, you know?” 

“Fine,” Jim said agreeably. “What time should I be there? And do you want me to bring anything since it's such short notice?” 

“No dad, we'll be fine,” she sighed, resigning herself to it happening that night. “Could you get here for 7?”

As soon as she was off the phone she messaged Marinette, inviting her to the meal. She made sure to say that if she was busy she didn't have to but Marinette replied immediately saying she couldn't wait. 

Marinette showed up a little after 5pm, arms laden with bags and boxes and a bright smile on her face. She babbled away as she headed to the kitchen, saying that she had everything she needed to make one of her family recipes. They'd spent enough time together that Barbara could see the nerves hiding behind the cheerful chatter.

“He's going to love you,” Barbara said, unpacking the bags alongside Marinette and pulling down her pull-out counter so she could assist. “Honestly, he just wants to make sure I'm happy and that should be obvious enough when he sees us together. You didn't have to go through all this trouble.” 

“I want to,” was all Marinette said, her voice firm. 

By the time her dad arrived - twenty minutes early - the apartment was filled with the smell of spices and had a warm, cosy feeling that it always did when Marinette cooked. Jim managed to remember to knock instead of just letting himself in with the key as he usually would when it was just Barbara, which was nice. 

“Something smells wonderful,” he said in lieu of a greeting, breathing deeply. He was sizing up Marinette from where he was standing, her back still turned as she added the finishing touches to the meal and started the rice. 

“It's a pleasure to finally meet you,” Marinette said when she turned around, coming to give him une bise. “Sorry food isn't ready yet, can I get you a drink?” 

“No, that's fine, I can wait until dinner,” Jim replied, a smile making his moustache twitch. That was the point Barbara knew that Marinette had won him over, just like she did with everyone she met. 

Dinner was filled with laughter and there were no awkward pauses that Barbara had to fill which was amazing. By the end, Marinette had been invited to their annual thanksgiving plans and Barbara was even more enamoured with her girlfriend.

_ _ _

“Goddammit!” 

Marinette startled awake from where she was lying next to Barbara and sat up so quickly her head span for a moment. She glanced at her girlfriend, concerned and rested a hand on her shoulder to try and comfort her. 

“Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, I just- jesus!” Barbara swore, sitting up as well and rubbing her legs. She had tears in her eyes but Marinette couldn't tell if it was from pain or frustration. Barbara had been open about the phantom pains that had been plaguing her ever since Joker had shot her but had admitted that it had been getting worse in recent months. 

“Don't apologise for that, what can I do to help?” Marinette asked, trying not to let her worry bleed into her voice too much. She knew she didn't manage fully, but stayed close to Barbara as she tried to even out her breathing. 

Later in the day, when she seemed back to usual, Marinette broached the topic again.

“Babe, I really think you should talk to your doctor, or physiotherapist, about these phantom pains. I really don't think they're supposed to be getting worse over time,” she implored. “Please, for my peace of mind?” 

So Barbara called and arranged an impromptu appointment to discuss the phantom pains. Marinette could tell she was resigned to the pain and was merely humouring her but got her to promise to call her when she was done.

It wasn't until she was back in her apartment, spiraling while she waited for Adrien to get back from work that Tikki spoke up. 

“It could be the effect of long-term exposure to the Ladybug Miraculous,” Tikki said with a shrug. When Marinette stared at the Kwami in confusion she elaborated. “She wasn't born without the use of her legs, she was shot, right? Well, her exposure to the miraculous might be creating the pathways that were destroyed. It's taking longer than if she was wearing it herself but-” 

“Wait, so…she's healing? Like, she's going to be able to walk again?” Marinette stared at the pocket sized god in amazement. Her mind was racing and she wanted to scream with excitement. She knew she healed at an accelerated rate but she hadn't realised it would be able to heal such a severe injury for someone else. “But…all of her doctors have said there was no way…” 

“Well, it would hardly be a Miraculous if it was ordinary,” Tikki retorted drily. But Marinette was lost in thought and hardly acknowledged the statement as she started to panic about what she would say to Barbara when she saw her again.

_ _ _

Lying on an examination table, Barbara started to feel even more nervous about the serious look on the doctor's face. When she had described the frequency and intensity the doctor had said, far too casually, that she would like to ‘check some things out’. And that alarmed Barbara enough that she wished Marinette was there to calm her down.

“Okay, so I want you to let me know if the pain gets worse at any point during this. But for now, lay back and close your eyes, please.” 

With her eyes closed, Barbara relied on the sounds to work out what was happening but tried to focus solely on the sensations in her legs and lower back as the doctor did her checks. 

“Okay, well I don't think it's anything to be worried about necessarily,” she said at last, though her tone set Barbara's teeth on edge. “But I would like to send you for a couple of x-rays to get a look at what's going on in there.” 

Barbara was well past mild panic at this point and nodded even as she grabbed her phone and messaged Marinette to let her know. She asked if Marinette minded coming to be with her at the hospital while they ran tests and was relieved when she got an immediate positive response.

Once Marinette was there Barbara tried to relax but there was something…off with her. Her blue eyes seemed overly bright, just on the manic side, and she was chattering without pause. It reminded Barbara of their first few meetings before they'd gone on a date and that's what made her realise it was something like nervous anticipation. Like she had hopes for how things would go but was afraid at the same time. 

It took several hours before they were pulled into a private room for a consultation. The doctor looked nervous as well, hands fidgeting and a smile trying to break over his face. Barbara was so busy trying to work out what could possibly be going on that she missed what he said the first time. 

She didn't miss the soft exhale that came out of Marinette and the happy tears she saw when she glanced at her. She blinked and turned to ask for the doctor to say it again.

“Of course, I'm sure this is a shock,” he said gently, but he didn't have a ‘bad news’ face on. It seemed more like excitement and Barbara felt a hard lump move into her throat. “I know you were told that the possibility of your spine reconnecting its nerves was zero and I don't know how to explain it. It's a medical miracle, really, but they're more common than you would think. But it looks like the pains you've been experiencing are good and indicate that with more physiotherapy…”