The last chapter went way longer than it should have, and it kept going! So I've decided to cut it and make the following a new, albeit shorter, chapter. Thanks to everyone for reading!

**...Aaaaand it seems like in all of the panic and news about the strong winds stirring up fires around my area, I forgot to post this chapter! Don't worry, I'm okay-the fires are mostly contained and the air quality is back to decent. Onward to the chapter!

Chapter 4: Read My Lips

Later in the evening, Marinette would tell Adrien about the time she saw him mourn for his mother the first time. It turns out that she had been in an unfortunate accident and was currently in a coma, showing no signs of waking up even more than one year later. That brought another round of tears and hugs, but this time, they had each other to hold on to-they weren't alone and wanting anymore. They talked about why Marinette hadn't been able to cross her mirror to his room, but they just explained it away as fate working in mysterious ways.

Of course, this prompted them to stand in front of her mirror again. Would Adrien be able to go back through the mirror? Or would they be having the awkward conversation with her parents of how Adrien had appeared in Marinette's room? And again, with Adrien's father with why he was out past dusk. Marinette tentatively reached out to touch her mirror. It was solid.

"What if it doesn't work again?" Marinette asked.

"Then I guess I'll be meeting your parents, Princess," Adrien grinned, though his nervousness was apparent with the way he forced the use of her nickname. "Well, here goes nothing." Adrien took a step towards her mirror, and like walking through a waterfall, the glass shimmered and parted to let him through. "It's working!"

Marinette took a risk and held the arm that hadn't passed through the mirror yet. Adrien smiled and tried to pull her through, but she was blocked entrance into his room. Adrien frowned and unfortunately let go of her hand to push the rest of his body through the mirror. It was weird to finally be able to look at each other through the mirror. They were practically in the same room, but they couldn't touch, talk, or hear each other. He said something to her, but Marinette shook her head and indicated that she couldn't hear him. An idea formed and she ran back to her desk for her cell phone, showing Adrien that she was going to call him.

"It's weird to have to call your phone to talk to you, Adrien. Especially since we're right in front of each other."

"But now we can talk to each other whenever!"

"Marinette, time for dinner!" a voice called from below.

"Oh, that's Maman. I have to go now, but I'll see you soon, Adrien."

"Okay," Adrien said. "I'll see you soon, Princess. I need to go down to dinner as well."

Marinette hung up her cell phone, but she hesitated to leave right away. Adrien cocked his head to the side, wondering what was keeping her.

Marinette made a show of mouthing "read my lips," and after Adrien nodded, she said the words that would have him walking on clouds the rest of the evening.

"Je t'aime."