Chapter 4: As You Fall to Sleep

Adrien's head was still spinning as he walked Marinette home. The idea that she would plan to keep and raise a baby at the age of sixteen hadn't really occurred to him. Although, I guess I was so busy worrying about if she was pregnant, I forgot to consider what we would do if the answer was yes.

The pair stopped just outside of the bakery. Marinette shifted her feet awkwardly before speaking, keeping her eyes on the ground instead of on the model.

"Thanks for taking me for ice cream. You really didn't have to," she said quietly.

Adrien shook his head. "It wasn't a problem. I just wanted to cheer you up. And Marinette," he paused, unsure about his next words. "If you need anything, please let me know. I know I'm pretty busy, but I'm still your friend, and I care about you."

Her face tinged pink at his words. "Thank you, Adrien. I appreciate it."

"And, promise me you'll at least think about talking to him?" His words were timid. As if speaking them too loud could shatter the calm surrounding them.

Marinette looked uncertain. "Okay, I think I can do that." She finally told him. "Oh, I should go. Monday see you! I mean, see Monday you. See you Monday?" She giggled nervously before waving at him and hurrying inside.

He turned and headed back towards his house. "I'll just have to visit her tomorrow as Chat and see if she tells me." He muttered as he walked.

"What will you do with a baby?" Plagg asked from inside his over shirt. "She was right. You are super busy with other things."

Adrien's eyebrows scrunched together as he thought. He really wasn't sure what he'd do with a baby. He hadn't planned on starting a family for another five years at least. And even then, Ladybug didn't seem interested so it would have taken waiting until he found someone else he could love.

"I-I don't know, Plagg. But I can't let her do this alone. It's my fault too."

Plagg smiled as he watched his chosen hurry home. This kid is a good one. And just wait til he finds out.

The next day, Adrien moved through his day at what felt like an alarmingly slow rate. He couldn't wait for the day to be over so he could go pay Marinette a visit. But he had two photo shoots and fencing practice since he had screwed up so badly Friday, and those extended an already long and boring day.

By the afternoon, Adrien had spent his entire day trying to figure out how his conversation with Marinette was going to go that night. I want her to know that I support her decision no matter what. But how will I balance helping her with superhero duties and "Adrien" duties?

The idea didn't come to him until Natalie entered his room to announce dinner would be ready in thirty minutes.

"Oh, and Adrien," she said, glancing back at him as she stepped through the door. "Your father will be joining you for dinner tonight so please be on time."

"I could talk to my dad!" Adrien exclaimed, startling a snoozing Plagg.

"About what?" Plagg asked, stretching.

"About balancing work and family. If it's normal to feel this nervous about the situation. Sure it was different for him but maybe," he sighed, "Maybe this time he can help."

Plagg shook his head. "Bad idea."

Adrien ignored his kwami. "I've got to get ready for dinner," he said, jumping up and heading into his bathroom.

"Why does he always seem to think this time will be different?" Plagg muttered to himself.

As Adrien stepped into the dining room, his nerves multiplied at the sight of his dad seated at the head of the table.

"Good evening, Father," he greeted quietly.

His dad glanced up from his tablet. "Good evening, Adrien. How did fending practice go today? Better than Friday I should hope."

Adrien felt his cheeks heat up at his father's words. "It went well. I was feeling better and was more focused."

Gabriel nodded, "Don't let it happen again." He then turned his eyes back to his tablet.

Adrien ate in silence for a few minutes before finally gaining the courage to speak. "Father, I was hoping to speak with you about something."

Gabriel looked at him again, a mildly interested expression on his face. "What is it, Adrien?"

"I-" but that was the only word he managed to say before Gabriel's phone rang.

"Hello, this is Gabriel. Yes, just a minute." Without another look at his son, Gabriel rose from his seat and headed toward his office, tablet in hand.

"Father!" Adrien called, standing up.

Gabriel looked back at him, "Just a moment," he said to the person on the phone. "What is it? I am very busy."

Adrien swallowed down any meek response he may have used before. "I needed to talk to you about something important."

Gabriel sighed, "I don't have time right now. When you are a parent you will understand that you can't always cater to your child's wishes."

He watched as his father then turned and marched into his office, slamming the door behind him. Adrien stared at the door for several minutes before slamming his hands down onto the dining table in frustration. He stormed from the room and headed to his bedroom, ignoring the sound of Nathalie calling his name. He knew she'd give up when he didn't respond.

Plagg appeared as Adrien's bedroom door slammed shut. "You okay, Kid?"

Adrien wiped at his eyes with a fist, willing the tears away. "Every time I need something. Actually, need. He is unavailable. What kind of a father does that?" he dropped down onto his couch, silent for a moment before looking up towards his windows. "Plagg, let's go. Claws Out!"

Chat Noir moved toward the window and pushed one open. "At least I know what kind of father I don't want to be." He spat the words back at his empty room before leaping out the window and into the Paris evening.

Marinette sat on her balcony attempting to sketch something. Anything really. Just something to distract her from her present situation. She had tried to stay inside and play video games or listen to music but she couldn't take the suffocating feel of her walls.

She had moved out to her balcony for fresh air along with her sketch book and pencils. A sundress lay half finished on the page. The idea had been something light and fun she could wear the following summer, but her inspiration was gone now as she debated over what to do.

A thump sounded nearby and she looked around to see Chat crouched on her railing.

"Hey, Princess," he greeted with a wave. "Nice weather, huh?"

Marinette could feel her mind ablaze with alarm bells. Sure, she had promised Adrien that she would think about telling Chat about the pregnancy but she hadn't expected to see him so soon.

"Hey, Chat," she said, giving him a weak smile. "What brings you around?"

He moved closer, "Nothing really. Just wanted to come see my favorite civilian and check how you were doing. Thought maybe we could chat." He gave a wink, smiling at his own pun.

Marinette rolled her eyes. "Sorry, but I'm not really feeling up to talking. Maybe another day?" She asked, standing up and taking a small step toward her trap door.

Chat cocked his head to the side in confusion. "Sure, that's fine. How about tomorrow?"

Marinette shook her head. "That won't work. Actually, I'm pretty busy for the next few weeks. So maybe it's best if you don't stop by for a while."

Before he could blink, the space Marinette had previously occupied was empty and her trap door was clicking shut. He chuckled at her attempt to avoid him. She must be nervous. He stepped over to the trap door and gave it a small tug, frowning when it didn't give way.

She locked it?

He knocked on the door, "Marinette? Princess, come on." He dropped cross-legged next to the trap door. "I thought you said I could come by to talk," he muttered.

I guess she's not going to let me in. He hopped up and moved across the balcony to leave. He'd try again the next night. Maybe catch her off guard and prevent her from leaving. Then he sighed, "She must really not want to talk to me."

That was when he spotted her sketch book, still open on the chair next to her pencils. He picked it up and flipped to a blank page. He began to scrawl out a message on the page before scratching out part of it and starting again. Finally, he ripped the page out and folded it to slide it through the trap door.

He shook his head, "If she doesn't want to tell me, then she doesn't have to." He unzipped a pocket on his suit and slipped the paper inside before extending his staff and leaping to the next roof.

Unbeknownst to him, that carefully folded note flew out of his pocket, landing back on Marinette's balcony and into a planter.

"Marinette! I thought you were going to tell him?" Tikki said, watching her chosen carefully. She was more than a little worried about the current situation.

Marinette pulled up the covers as she sat in her bed and pulled her knees to her chest. "I only told Adrien I would think about it. And I did." Marinette chewed her lip anxiously. "I was going to tell him. I just got scared I guess."

Tikki nuzzled Marinette's hand. "It's okay, Marinette. Take your time. You know he wouldn't want you to tell him until you are ready."

"You're right, Tikki. But I'll try and not keep him waiting too long."

By the time Monday morning arrived, Adrien was in a less than great mood. He had attempted to stop by Marinette's balcony the night before in the hopes she would feel more ready to talk but her trap door had been locked yet again.

Just because she doesn't want to tell me, doesn't mean she has to avoid me completely, he thought as he threw his books into his locker. He slammed it shut ignoring Plagg's grumbles as his bag smacked into the wall when he threw it onto his shoulder. He stepped into class and his eyes went straight to Marinette's seat, which was empty as usual first thing in the morning.

The rest of the class filed in, filling the seats around him up until the warning bell rang. Adrien tensed, wondering if Marinette would be there. Was she doing okay? Nothing could have happened to her since last night, right?

"Yo, dude, you okay?" Nino asked, nudging him with an elbow. "You're going to break your pen."

Adrien glanced down to see his knuckles had gone white as he gripped his pen. He relaxed and set the pen on his desk. "Yeah. Just stressed," he answered honestly.

Just as the final bell rang, the door opened and Marinette slipped inside. She passed Adrien and climbed into her seat. Adrien heard some whispered conversation between the two girls behind him but tried to focus on the lesson. He couldn't afford to keep being distracted.

As lunch neared, a piece of paper landed on his desk. He picked it up and opened it on his lap to prevent the teacher from seeing.

Can you meet me at lunch? I need to ask you something.

-M

Adrien waited just outside the classroom door for Marinette to emerge. She and Alya waved good-bye to each other before Alya hurried off to catch up with Nino, while Marinette turned to meet his shining green eyes.

"Hey, A- Adrien. Thanks for meeting me."

Adrien was pretty sure the minimal stuttering was mostly due to the fact that she'd looked away as soon as she had begun talking to him.

"No problem. Should we go somewhere to talk during lunch?" he offered.

Marinette blushed, "That'd be grawsome. I mean, awesate. I mean, yes."

Adrien led the way and they wound up outside of a sandwich shop Nino had introduced him to not too long before. After buying their lunches, the pair settled onto a nearby bench.

"What's up?" he asked.

Marinette stared down at her sandwich in silence, already regretting passing him that note.

"Marinette? You can tell me." Adrien placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I- I know it'll be a huge inconvenience. And I'm sure you are super busy. But I have a doctor appointment for the- um, on Thursday and I'm scared to go by myself, and you're the only person who knows."

He stared at her, eyebrows raised at the long, yet coherent, outburst.

Marinette looked up at him through her lashes, suddenly feeling stupid for asking. "Never mind! It's okay. I can go by myself," she exclaimed, waving her hand in front of her.

Adrien grabbed her hand gently. "Mari, it's okay. What time is the appointment on Thursday?"

Marinette blinked up at him in disbelief. He really didn't mind going with her. How is he so wonderful?

"Marinette?"

"Sorry," she said, blushing, "It's at four o'clock."

He smiled at her. "I'll be there."

Thursday arrived far too quickly for Marinette and she spent the day doing her best to act normal and hide her anxiety over that afternoon's events.

"Hey Girl, you wanna come over after school? My mom said I don't have to watch the twins tonight so you can stay over if you want," Alya offered as they packed up their bags before lunch.

Marinette loved the idea. Some girl time would be great. Except, she couldn't. Not only because she had her appointment that afternoon, but also because then Alya would see her throwing up the next morning.

I can't have her worrying, she thought, stopping herself from agreeing too quickly. "I- I can't. I have a ton of homework to finish and my parents don't want me sleeping over on a school night," she lied. And then she felt horrible for doing it. For as much as she hated liars, she found she was guilty of lying quite often.

Alya rolled her eyes with a smile as the girls headed toward the park to eat lunch. "They should just let you. You might even get to school on time for once."

"Hey!" Marinette exclaimed indignantly, throwing a playful punch at Alya's shoulder.

Alya dodged and laughed before running on ahead.

Adrien stared after the two girls with a dazed expression on his face.

"Dude? Dude! Are you even listening?"

Adrien glanced up to see Nino waving a hand in front of his face. "Sorry. What were you saying?"

Nino sighed. "I was asking if you want to come over after school. I got some new music I wanted to show you. I even put together a new mix last night."

The blond opened his mouth to accept, then closed it, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, Nino. My dad scheduled me a last minute photo shoot. Just found out about it this morning."

"Man, your dad works you too hard. He should let you go out sometimes."

Adrien agreed with his friend but this wasn't one of those times. Today he had a different kind of appointment on his schedule. Although if he was being honest, photo shoots or Chinese lessons were a lot less daunting.

He waved good-bye to Nino before heading to his car to head home for lunch. Once he was settled in the backseat he pulled out the folded paper Marinette had passed him that morning when she arrived at school.

Here's the address. Meet me there at 4.

He felt his stomach twist in nervousness. What if somebody saw them together and posted it everywhere? Marinette had already been forced to deal with that the day he snuck out to the movies. That time she had been able to handle it but this would be different. This would be her personal business.

"Maybe I should wear a disguise," he muttered to his kwami.

Plagg groaned from inside Adrien's bag. "That'll be great. With your luck you'll wind up looking like a stalker and get arrested."

Adrien rolled his eyes. "I would not- okay. Maybe that might happen."

Plagg snickered, "Just don't make a big show out of going. Leave behind the bodyguard."

"Sounds like we should travel a more scenic route?" Adrien offered with a smirk.

When Marinette arrived at the clinic for her appointment, she was feeling sick in a way that even gingerbread couldn't cure.

"Tikki?"

The small red kwami peeked out of Marinette's purse. "Yes, Marinette?"

The teen twisted her purse strap as she stared up at the imposing building before her. "I think I'm scared."

"Oh, Marinette," Tikki sighed. She flew up and hugged her chosen's shoulder. "Everything will be all right. And I think it was a good decision to invite Adrien. At least you won't be by yourself."

Marinette nodded. "Thanks, Tikki. I hope you're right."

Tikki zoomed back inside Marinette's purse just as the sound of footsteps reached her ears. She turned and saw Adrien walking towards her.

He waved, "Hey, Marinette! I hope I didn't keep you waiting long."

She shook her head. "No, you didn't. You're fine. I mean it's fine."

Adrien smiled at her rambling. "Shall we?" he asked, gesturing to the door.

Once inside, it hadn't taken long for Marinette to get signed in. What had taken a long time was waiting, and so thirty-five minutes after arriving they were both a bundle of nerves when a nurse called her name.

"Dupain-Cheng?"

Marinette jumped up, "Right here." She hurried over to the woman waiting at the door with a clipboard.

Adrien followed after and Marinette briefly hoped that no one would say anything to him that would make the situation more awkward than it already was.

After taking her blood pressure and weight, the nurse had left the pair in an all white room. Adrien couldn't ignore the disapproving look she had given them before leaving and he hoped Marinette hadn't seen it.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Marinette had been completely silent aside from answering the couple of question from the nurse and Adrien was starting to worry.

Marinette glanced at him before looking down at her hands. "Just a little scared," she answered honestly.

Adrien reached out and took hold of one of her hands. "Me too," he said, then quickly realized that may be a strange answer. "I mean, just that I don't know what to expect. Since I've never been- I mean…" he sighed, his other hand moving to his forehead. Why do I have to sound like such an idiot?

He looked up once he heard giggling from Marinette. "Thanks, Adrien. It's nice to have someone else be the stuttering mess once in a while."

Adrien felt a blush cover his cheeks but was happy to have lightened the mood.

Then there was a knock on the door and it opened to reveal a doctor who looked to be in her mid-thirties, with short red hair and kind brown eyes. "Miss Marinette?" She asked as she stepped in the room.

Marinette nodded.

"Hi, I am Dr. Rousseau. It's very nice to meet you." She shook Marinette's hand before turning to Adrien. "And you must be the…?" She paused glancing at Marinette for confirmation.

"A friend," she answered. "Just here for support."

Adrien felt his heart twinge at her statement. He wanted to say something. To claim the baby as his. But he couldn't, it really wasn't his place. At least not yet.

"Now, this might be a little cold."

Adrien came out of his thoughts to see the doctor had dimmed the lights and was putting some gel on Marinette's lower stomach. Marinette's hand reached for his as the doctor placed the ultrasound device against her skin. They both were silent as static filled the room as the machine came on. A moment later an image appeared on the screen.

"You see that little dot there?" Dr. Rousseau asked. "That's the baby."

Adrien stared hard at the screen. That's the baby? It's so tiny. His stomach flipped at the thought that that little being was a part of him.

"Would you like to hear the heartbeat?"

Marinette nodded quickly and Adrien felt her grip on his hand tighten. The doctor pressed a button and a heartbeat filled the room. It sounded like a horse galloping. He heard Marinette gasp beside him and tears sprang to his eyes at the reality of it all.

After the appointment was over and Marinette had scheduled her next one, the pair left the office. Marinette had insisted she could walk home but Adrien had convinced her to let him pay for a taxi. As they rode through town, Adrien's mind wandered back to the office and the sight of the baby.

My baby.

He glanced down at Marinette only to find her slumped against the seat and snoring softly. He reached out an arm and pulled her to lean against him. After everything that had occurred in such a short amount of time, he wondered how he had never noticed her in this way before. Now that she was carrying his child… now that she had gotten so much closer to Adrien, he found himself feeling territorial.

He gently ran his fingers through her hair, moving her bangs away from her eyes. I will do anything. Whatever it takes to keep you and our child safe. I promise.

A/N: thank you for your patience as i got this chapter together. I already have the next chapter planned out and it's an exciting one. I hope you enjoyed this one and I will be updating every Saturday from here on out! Thanks again!

~marauderluverz