"You're beautiful, my lady."
Ladybug laid her head against her boyfriend's chest. The warmth radiating off of him felt so relaxing and comforting. Growing more once she felt his arms circle around her body.
"Oh, chaton."
Those words, those wonderful words. Oh how those words flutter like butterflies or fireflies in Marinette's stomach. After a memory of gossip a few years ago when she and Adrien started dating, and hearing girls that she wasn't good enough for her boyfriend, Marinette had doubts. But hearing Adrien chase away those fears with his love and confessing how beautiful she is to him; well, beautiful stood out as a whole new meaning in her eyes.
When Adrien first told her what the beauty and love meant to him, Marinette felt breathless. He described that to him, all the beauty and love they've endured stood for the life that he was lucky enough to share together with her. It became the day he vowed and began to live his real life with the love and lady of his dreams. To live his life without worrying of playing fake. And how his lady, his precious Marinette, is the beauty of all the true colors that existed in the world; the one who gave him the life and love that he missed and craved so much ever since his mother's disappearance.
After they started dating, their relationship flourished; Marinette helped encourage Adrien with his distant relationship with his father. And she's glad she did. Helping Adrien was a huge support and relief for him. His relationship with his father changed for the better and has been getting better since. He had a family again.
Now they're here. At the age of twenty-two, both her and Adrien are as happy as ever. Marinette followed her dreams as a fashion designer, studying and working hard that she managed a scholarship to her dream fashion school in Paris. Three years and she's nearly there. Just one more year left and Marinette will graduate with her degree in fashion and design with an offered position on the fashion team at Gabriel's company. How did she get so lucky? Throughout all the ups and downs through her path of success, Marinette always has her wonderful, caring boyfriend, having him supporting her every step of the way as she takes on every opportunity that comes her way to prove what she can do and offer in the fashion industry.
And the same goes for Adrien. Her free spirited chaton. Like her, after Adrien built a better relationship with his father, he managed to gain control of his life once he turned eighteen. He couldn't be happier. Taking the opportunity to tackle his own dreams, Adrien entered university with Marinette to earn a degree in physics with a minor in teaching. Marinette remembers Adrien's excitement when he returned home after his first day of classes and gawking about how everything was going to turn out great and how he couldn't wait to retrieve his degree and do what he loves.
It wasn't a shock to anyone when Adrien decided to go towards the career path in physics and science, with a minor in teaching. He was a nerd but that was who Adrien is and Marinette couldn't ask for anyone better. She's been extremely proud of the man that Adrien as grown to be and dedicated that he puts towards anything he sets out to do. Marinette knows Adrien has been working and studying hard for his degree. Well, Adrien already earned his bachelor's degree, he's just working on earning his master's. Adrien was aiming to be a physics professor. With how much Adrien as put towards his studies, Marinette knew it wouldn't be long before his dream became a reality.
At first, Adrien's father wasn't too satisfied that his son left the modeling business, Gabriel learned to move on and learned to be happy for Adrien and support his son when he needed it. He's happy with the man that his son has become and the accomplishments that had come from it. Gabriel had to constantly remind himself that his son was an adult now, Adrien can make his own decisions. Besides, Gabriel couldn't be happier with the woman his son is dating. He knows for a fact, after watching for the past seven years, that Marinette will always bring great joy and happiness to his son, Adrien.
Having both their lives going where they had dreamt so many times since their youth, she remanences that yes their plans have unfolded how they envisioned so far.
Relaxing, Marinette sits in one of their living room chairs of their penthouse (a gift from Gabriel) and looks out one of the living windows; gazing out and overlooking the congested city scape of Paris.
It's a beautiful, calming day outside. The sun was nicely and warmly bright for the summer day and barely had clouds visible in the sky. The perfect condition for the warmth of the sun's rays to cast its glow along the place she calls home.
With the window partially open, a wonderful breeze blows in the summer air and through her window; flipping and softly blowing her raven locks along her face. Marinette couldn't have asked for a better day to celebrate this special day of her and Adrien's life. Their anniversary. Having been dating for six years as of today. She still finds it unbelievable that her prince turned out to be her knight in shining leather.
Marinette remembers that day to heart.
The day she and Adrien decided to reveal their identities to one another was the day they began their future of being together. It might have been a shock at first, but when they spent that night staying up talking to each other, it wasn't hard to see the love they bore for the other.
It began the summer after their second year in lycée.
All was pleasant and Marinette was on her balcony enjoying the night air and breeze sitting in her lawn chair while sketching new designs for future projects. Not like it's new but it was always the best way for her to relax. It was a stressful week and all her pent up tension was released onto her sketchbook.
All was going fine until she heard an explosion blocks away. When she looked up from her sketchbook she could make out the faint outline of smoke from the dark night sky. Calling on her transformation, Marinette ran to the explosion site to find another Parisian was akumatized. Thankfully, Chat arrived shortly after her arrival.
When the two heroes headed into battle, Marinette hoped it would have been a quick fight, but she underestimated the power of this akuma and found how much the dangers of being a hero came to light.
Ladybug and Chat Noir had been thrown around numerous times and gained multiple cuts. One would have not thought that a magician would be of any threat but the two learned to never judge a character's appearance.
She had almost lost her partner from being cut in half as a magic trick and she being in a box with swords coming into contact, stabbing through the wooden board that was Ladybug's main protection. In all, it was a wake-up call and nightmarish one at that.
Once the two heroes cleansed the possessed object, watching the white butterfly float off, and helping the victim to his feet; the two heroes escorted the victim to paramedics before Ladybug looked back at her partner.
"Follow me." She told Chat before launching her yo-yo and pulling herself up to the roof tops.
Listening to his lady, Chat extends his baton and follows close behind. Hopping across a couple of roofs, Chat and Ladybug stop. She turns around and throws herself into her partner's chest, wrapping her arms in a tight embrace. Caught off guard, Chat takes a few steps back from the impact and then wraps his arms securely around Ladybug.
"My Lady, are you alright?"
"I thought I was going to lose you." A sob escaping and tears falling down her cheeks.
Indeed, it had been a frightful account, but the only thing Chat could do at the moment was console his partner who was crying in his arms.
"I'm here, bugaboo. I'm right here."
"I want to reveal identities." Responded Ladybug.
"What?" Chat was stupefied.
"I can't go through another experience like tonight and not know my partner. I love you, chaton. I can't lose you." Her hold tightening around Chat.
"I love you too, my lady; but are you sure you want this?" Chat knows he's always wanted to know who his lady is, but he wouldn't wish to force her into revealing identities if she didn't want to.
"I'm honestly sure, chaton." Came her reply.
Loosening their grip, they reach for each other's hands and intertwine their fingers with one another. They close their eyes and take a deep breath.
"On the count of three, alright Chaton?" Said Ladybug.
"Alright." Came his simple reply.
In unison, the two heroes counted down.
"One." The nerves setting in.
"Two." The tension building through their bodies.
"Three." Each calling off their transformation as the magic of the suit begins to diminish off their bodies.
A beat going by, followed by another. It was here and now that they were each about to meet the person underneath their partner's mask.
Slowly, nervousness still lingering through their bodies, both open their eyes and become stunned to see Adrien and Marinette standing in their place. To think that both where beside each other almost every day hit Adrien and Marinette full force. In silence, they take the moment to process the person in front of them.
In an instance, a watery smile and tears brimming to the surface of her eyes, Marinette throws her weight into Adrien as she tackles him in another embrace. Feeling the strength behind the tackle, Adrien falls back on the roof, his arms reflexing as he clutches Marinette in his arms holding her in place. Her arms snaking around his neck as she hides and nuzzles her head between his neck.
He held her close. Adrien felt warmth, comfort seeing his lady, his precious princess. It only felt right to tell her.
"I couldn't be more thrilled knowing my princess is my lady. This is the happiest night of my life, bugaboo."
"Me too, chaton. I couldn't have chosen or asked for a better partner."
The smile on Adrien's face only grew.
"I love you, Marinette." His voice nothing but soothing.
"I love you too, Adrien. Always." Came the reply as Marinette snuggled closer to Adrien.
The two heroes remained embraced on the roof for another hour. The night spent talking, never straining away from the other. They remained together that night even when both departed back to her bakery home.
Opening her eyes, Marinette leaves the memory and stares out the window again, hearing Tikki move and feel her kwami settle on her shoulder as the two enjoy the beautiful summer day.
"Are you going to tell him?" Came the soft kwami's voice.
Marinette glances away from the window to look at her kwami. She can see the sparkle of elation resonating in Tikki's blue eyes. The kwami's chosen gives her a sweet smile full of warmth.
"I will, but not until Adrien and I go on our date. We're planning on walking to the park by my parent's home after we have our lunch. He should be back at any moment."
"I'm happy for you, Marinette. And so proud of you and Adrien. The both of you deserve the best of happiness." The kwami nuzzled against her chosen's cheek.
"Thank you, Tikki." Marinette picks up her kwami from her spot and places a kiss on Tikki's forehead, "I'm glad you're here to share it with me."
"I wouldn't miss these moments in your life for anything, Marinette." Tikki and her chosen look back out the window as they wait for their boys to come home.
Hearing mild footsteps echoing in the hallway outside the home, Marinette and Tikki hear the sound of jingling keys and the door's lock being turned.
The front door opening, Adrien enters the penthouse. Dropping his school bag, Adrien turns to see his girlfriend sitting in one of the living room chairs by the window looking over at him. With a smile, Adrien heads over towards the couch, Plagg poking his head out from his chosen's jacket and flying towards his lucky counterpart.
Coming up from behind, Adrien wraps his arms around Marinette's shoulders and bends down placing a kiss against her blush cheek.
"How's my princess today?" Asked Adrien, humming in pleasure as he rests his head against her shoulder.
"Doing very well, my prince. You ready for our date?" Marinette turning her head to place a kiss on his cheek in return.
"Absolutely."
Pushing himself off his girlfriend, Adrien offers his hand to Marinette and helps her up. Heading over to the front door, Marinette grabs a pair of black flats and light jacket. With shoes on and her jacket snuggling against her body, the kwamis hide in Marinette's purse as the couple exit their home hand in hand.
Walking down the Parisian streets, Adrien surprised Marinette to an exquisite and fancy restaurant. And not just any exquisite restaurant. It happens to be Marinette's favorite restaurant that serves one of her favorite dishes when she and Adrien make time for extravagant dates.
"Oh Adrien, you shouldn't have." Gushed Marinette.
"Nothing is too grand for my lady. Besides, it's not often I get to spoil you."
Marinette turned to him with a brow raised.
"You know that's a lie, Adrien. You spoil me constantly."
"So? I enjoy spoiling you."
Without another word, Adrien pulls Marinette along and into the popular Parisian restaurant informing the hostess his name for their reserved table.
With a welcoming smile and nod, the hostess grabs two menus and walks Adrien and Marinette to their designated table.
Reaching near the back of the restaurant, the hostess stopped near one of the tables for two and gestured the couple over. Walking up, Adrien pulled out the chair for Marinette. Looking at her boyfriend, Marinette thanked Adrien as she took her seat. Pushing the chair back in, Adrien sat in the chair across from her.
Retrieving their menus, the hostess left as the waiter came behind her and greeted the couple.
"Bonjour monsieur and mademoiselle. My name is Claude and I will be your server this afternoon. May I start with your beverages?"
"Yes. Can we get a bottle of White Bordeaux and water each, please?" Said Adrien.
"Of course, monsieur. I'll get that right away." Replied the waiter.
"Thank you, Claude." Thanked Adrien.
Watching the waiter leave for their drinks, Adrien and Marinette turn their gazes to each other.
"Let's take a look at the menus and decide on our meals before Claude returns, shall we, my lady?"
"Alright, chaton." Marinette winked at her boyfriend as they both looked over the menu. "On second thought, I think I'll let you decide for me."
Marinette closes her menu and looks at her boyfriend with a smile. Giving her a smile in return, Adrien gives a nod as the waiter returns with their wine and water.
"Your drinks." Welcomed the waiter. He places a cup of water each for Marinette and Adrien and sets the bottle of Bordeaux with two wine glasses. Setting the silver plate down, the waiter pops the wine bottle open and pours the couple a glass of white wine each.
"Merci, monsieur." Thank Marinette.
"Are you two ready to order or would you two like some more time to decide?" Asked the waiter.
"I think we're ready, monsieur." Replied Adrien. The waiter nods and offers a smile, pulling a notepad and pen awaiting Adrien's order. "My lady and I would like order the pumpkin soup with creole lobster for starters. Then we'll each take the oven roasted lamb chops with mint chimichurri, please."
The waiter took the order and retrieved their menus. "I will get your orders in right away."
With the waiter leaving, Adrien looks over at Marinette and reaches for her hands. Marinette looks back at Adrien and intertwines her fingers with his. "Happy sixth anniversary, Mari."
"Happy sixth anniversary, Adrien." Marinette couldn't help with the slight blush that surfaced along her face. She couldn't wait to tell Adrien the special news.
As their dishes came and went, and after getting dessert of crème brulee, Adrien paid for their meal and exited the restaurant. With their wonderful lunch over, the day was still calm with the cool summer breeze that Adrien and Marinette spent the afternoon walking along the streets of Paris.
Along the way, the two stopped a few times to window gaze as Marinette made notes to return to certain shops and buy some items for her projects when they returned home.
"I can't believe we're already celebrating six years of dating one another. It feels longer than that."
"Indeed, minou. And it can only get better from here."
"How right you are, my lady."
Coming to an intersection, Adrien and Marinette arrive at the park by her parent's bakery as they walk along the pathways of the park. Strolling and glancing at the families and couples roaming the area, the two heroes come to the main entrance of the park where their alter-ego statues reside to greet the citizens.
As Marinette and Adrien stop, she looks her their statue when Adrien moves his left hand into his left pant pocket.
"Princess?" His voice was slightly shaky.
Marinette turns and Adrien gets view of his girlfriend's sky blue eyes.
"Kitty?"
"You're right. It can only get better from here. Everyday has been a better one since I've met you, even before we knew each other as Ladybug and Chat Noir. My life got significantly better, even amazing on the first day a met Ladybug and my best friend, Marinette, my princess. The day, my lady and my princess became one, and agreed to become my girlfriend, I knew I found the one as you opened my world to the true beauty and colors that life has to offer, especially when that true beauty and color is standing by my side and in front of me."
Marinette was speechless, she didn't know how to respond as unshed tears began to surface at the corners of her eyes as she continued to look at her boyfriend. Though what he did next she wasn't expecting. Her hands flew up to cover her mouth, her voice gone when she watches Adrien kneel down to one knee and pull a box from his pocket; opening the box to reveal a ring inside. A beautiful carved silver engagement band with a diamond in the middle with small rubies of red and green running along the sides to represent Ladybug and Chat Noir. Marinette felt breathless as she was sure her heart stopped.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, my lady. You are my true beauty in this world. My life wouldn't be as amazing and wonderful without you in it. You could have chosen anyone, but you stayed with this tomcat, a stray and gave him a home, a home full of warmth and love. Will you remain with your knight and take this ring and be my wife?"
Marinette moved in a blur. Getting down on her knees, she wrapped her arms around Adrien's neck and embraces him with a lover's kiss full of affection, love, and warmth that only the two can give each other. Tears of joy sliding down her cheeks.
After a few seconds, Marinette releases her kiss and leans back as she looks into her boyfriend's eyes, hers still full of tears.
With a smile, Marinette returns, "My knight, my chaton, yes. Yes, I'll marry you."
Baring a smile that could put many to shame, Adrien removes the ring from the little box and slides the silver band on Marinette's left ring finger. Once the ring was on, he embraced his fiancée in his arms and gives her another kiss.
"You just made this cat a happy man, princess. There's nothing that could make this day better or more beautiful."
Marinette leans back in his arms and stares into Adrien's eyes. The elation sparkling within told no lie. And what she had to tell him would spark those feelings further.
"I bet you that you're wrong and that I can indeed make this moment better."
A chuckle rumbles out of Adrien as he looks down at her, "And what would that be, my lady?"
Moving her right hand from his chest, Marinette places her hand on his cheek, soothing circular motions with her thumb along his cheek bone as she takes a breath. With a calming nature and smile still baring on her face, the smile that her fiancé gives makes this moment all worth it.
"Kitty…I'm pregnant."
