Adrien stood in the middle of nowhere. The mist from the ground rose up around him and the free standing door at the end of the pathway stood like a silent sentinel, enticing him to open it. The lightning cracked over head and the sounds of thunder rolled across the open sky above his head in the growing darkness. He walked forward at a steady pace, the door inching closer to him and he placed his hand on the antique door knob, turning it and letting the door crack open.

He shielded his eyes from the bright light that streamed through. Stepping through the threshold, he could feel the soft grass under his feet as butterflies fluttered past him. He held out his hand, his fingers small and childlike. Four year old Adrien loved when he was allowed to play in the garden. One of the butterflies handed on his fingers, it's wings a brilliant white.

"Did you catch one kitten?" A soft and warm voice said. Little Adrien turned to see his mother smiling at him.

"Can I keep it mummy?" He asked. Emilie crouched down to meet his eyes.

"Butterflies only live a few days my sweet. It is better to let it be free to enjoy the garden."

Adrien looked at the butterfly then watched as it fluttered away into the sky. "That's sad." He said. "Why can't it live for longer?"

Emilie looked lovingly at her son, tucking one of his bangs behind his ear. "Sometimes it's not about how long we can shine for my kitten, but how brightly we shine and the lives we touch while we are here."

Emilie stood up and faded away in the sunlight, the scenery morphing into Adrien's room. He was at the piano playing "Fur Elise", the trophy sitting on top of the piano having been awarded to him at a recital that day when he was eight years old. It was the first time his mother had missed a performance.

"That was beautiful, kitten." She said suppressing a cough. "I'm so sorry I missed you winning your trophy."

Adrien stopped his playing and went and sat next to his mother on the couch. "It's okay mama. I know you're sick." He said holding her hand. "I wish father had come though. He never comes to see anything that I do."

Emilie leaned forward and kissed Adrien on the forehead. "I know sweetness." She sighed, her voice heavy with melancholy. "He...he's a busy man. He runs a big company and lots of people work for him. We should be grateful for the work he does for us. We are luckier than most with our nice house and nice things."

"Does father love us?" He asked. He saw something pass through Emilie's eyes and she tried to suppress another cough.

"I'm sure he does, in his own way." She replied, pulling her son closer to her chest. "But always remember that I love you Adrien and one day, someone special will come along, and they will love you too. There is nothing more precious than that Adrien. When you find it, cling onto it because love like that is a rare and precious thing."

Once again the room faded away, and Adrien was standing in the middle of the foyer of the mansion. The lights flickered as a severe storm raged outside. Twelve year old Adrien had come out of his room in his Spider-Man pajamas looking for his mother. He wouldn't admit he was frightened by the storm, he just wanted to make sure she was okay. He could hear voices coming from his father's study, the door slightly ajar.

Adrien approached the door, but stopped before knocking. There was a sound like whimpering and he could hear his mother crying.

"Stop it Emilie, you'll give yourself another dizzy spell." He heard his father's harsh voice say. "You're always passing out at the most inopportune times."

"And who's fault is that Gabriel." She said back sarcastically. "It's not like I wanted to get sick."

"I never asked you to wear it Emilie." Gabriel replied flatly. "That was entirely your own decision, and now look at you. What use are you to me? You should have been there tonight by my side charming the investors like you used to."

Adrien shifted enough to look through the crack in the door and saw his mother stand up and grab both of Gabriel's arms.

"I did it for you Gabriel." She said desperately. "I wanted you to love me, the way you once used to. To love our son."

"Our son?" Gabriel queried. "Are you sure about that?"

Emile recoiled back. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You expect me to believe you have been entirely faithful to me through our marriage Emilie." Gabriel scoffed. "You, the social butterfly, the actress that was adored by men across both sides of the channel…" There was a crack and Gabriel was left rubbing the side of his face.

"How dare you." Emilie growled. "How dare you accuse me of that. After everything I gave up for you. What I went through to have Adrien."

Gabriel straightened up and stood over her. Emilie leaned against the desk with her arms hugging around her lithe body. "Well, you did give me the perfect specimen if nothing else." Gabriel replied coldly. "He should be modeling by now, he's old enough for it and that face of his will make this brand go global, the same way yours once did." He hooked a finger under her chin and made her emerald eyes look up at him.

"What if he won't?" Emilie said sharply, jerking her head out of his grasp. "What if I left and took Adrien back to England with me?"

"Do what you want Emilie, you always did." Gabriel said harshly. "But you won't be taking Adrien with you. I'll make sure of it."

Another loud crack of thunder sent Adrien reeling, rushing back to his room. Through the fog of his mind, he could hear his mother calling his name. Adrien...Adrien…

"Adrien, Kitty wake up."

Adrien opened his eyes and could feel sweat dripping down his forehead and his breathing was fast and shallow. The room was dark except for a small night light. He saw the pink walls around him and began to calm. Closing his eyes he let out a shaky breath. Fragmented memories of the last 24 hours flitted into his memory, cold grey eyes, harsh words. "This is your fault Adrien." He heard echoed in his mind. Was that last night, or still part of his memories. He wasn't sure anymore.

"Chaton, are you alright?" Adrien opened his eyes and turned his head to the girl laying next to him on the bed, her eyes full of concern. "You looked like you were having a nightmare." She sat up and reached over to her nightstand, taking a face washer out of a bowl of water. Ringing it out, she laid it across his forehead. She looked tired, like she had hardly slept all night.

"What time is it?" He asked, his voice dry and hoarse.

"A little after 4am. My parents are downstairs starting up the ovens for the day's baking." She said, offering him a glass of water which he drank thankfully before laying back down. Marinette placed the glass back down before curling into his open arms and resting her head on his chest. "Do you want to tell me about your dream?"

"Not a dream as such, more like memories." He murmured. "I was remembering my mother. Her kindness, her softness. She had been such a constant in my life. My father was often absent, but she was always there encouraging me. Then she started getting sick and things seemed to have changed after that. There was a part though I had forgotten about. A repressed memory maybe. The night before my mother disappeared there was a thunderstorm. I went looking for her and I overheard her arguing with my father. She threatened to leave him, but he wasn't going to let her take me. He was already planning my modeling career and what I could do for the company. I don't think their marriage was as happy as my father used to make out it was. I'm not sure he even loved us, I mean, how could he do what he did to me if he loved me? I never would have thought him capable of something so low. I guess I didn't really know him at all."

Marinette held onto him tighter. She felt so angry at what Gabriel had done. He had destroyed the last shed of a connection he had to his son. The last of his trust. "I love you Adrien." She sat up so she could see his eyes. "I will always love you."

Adrien ran his fingers through her loose hair, gently cradling her cheek. "It's you that kept me together m'lady. All these years it was the thought of you that made living worthwhile. Whether it was you fighting crime by my side, or the you that brought me passionfruit macarons to class. I can't remember a lot of what happened while I was in that drug haze, but I could feel his anger. I just hope I didn't say anything stupid."

"You said plenty of stupid stuff kid." Plagg interjected from behind him. Adrien and Marinette sat up to see where the kwami was curled up on a pillow with Tikki. "Don't worry though, your father might think you are a lovesick fool, but he doesn't know who you two really are. He seemed to have thought that Pigtails here was holding something over you."

Adrien let out a sigh of relief. "Well, she does I guess." He quipped, leaning over and kissing Marinette on the forehead. "She holds my heart."

Plagg made an array of gagging noises which Tikki tried to shush. Marientte took the washer off his forehead and rested her cheek against it. "I think the fever finally broke. I'm going to ho help my parents downstairs. If you need anything, just send Plagg down okay?"

"Do I look like a messenger to you?" Plagg whinged.

"Oh shush you crabby old Stinky Sock. I'll go if needed." Plagg settled back down and purred.

"You always know how to look after me SugarCube." Tikki shook her head and laid her head on top of the grumpy cat.

As she went to move away, Adrien reached out and grabbed his fiancee's hand. "Marinette." He said softly. She sat back down on the bed and could see the self blame in his eyes. "I don't want you to...please don't feel you're obligated to…"

Marinette gently pressed two fingers to his lips, her eyes soft and loving. "I'm not doing this just to keep you in Paris Kitty, although that is part of it of course. I want to marry you Adrien. I told you before, I don't need all the fancy trimmings. Sure it would have been nice, and for Alya and Nino to be here with us too, but it's not what is important. What's important is the commitment we make to each other, if that's what you still want too."

Adrien could feel the tears start to well in his eyes. He lifted her hand reverently to his lips, pressing a soft kiss there. "There is nothing else I want more in the world right now, that to call you my wife m'lady." He said, pulling her into a tight embrace and burying his face into her hair. "Loving you means everything to me, and I would give up everything I have for that."

Marientte pulled back and wiped a tear from his cheek with her thumb before kissing him tenderly, with all the love she had for him.

~~~~~

"Don't be bemused, it's just the news. I'm Nadja Chamack and we have breaking news for you from the world of fashion. Alec, what's the buzz?"

"Good Morning Nadja, be prepared for hearts to break all over Paris this morning. We have exclusive first pictures of supermodel Adrien Agreste with what appears to be his new fiancée. Rumours had been circulating that the son of fashion tycoon Gabriel Agreste was set to marry heiress Kagami Tsurugi this weekend, but our secret insider has told us that he has in fact been in a secret relationship with former classmate and aspiring designer Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

"Wow, that is unexpected, but just look at how in love the young couple seem in these pictures and there is no denying that ring on Miss Dupain-Cheng's finger. Any news on the wedding date?"

"Our insider was tight lipped on that one, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was any day now. We approached Gabriel Agreste for comment, but the reclusive designer was unwilling to confirm or deny anything leading to speculation that there may be a rift within the Agreste household. Will young love conquer all?"

Gabriel groaned as he held an ice pack to his thumping head. If this was the after effects of taking drugs, then he really didn't see the appeal. Nadja and Alec continued to prattle on the TV, making him seem an even bigger arse than he clearly already was in their eyes. The coverage showed there was already a media circus around Tom and Sabine's bakery. Gabriel sniggered at all the free publicity they were getting.

"Nadja, our Twitter is absolutely exploding. It seems that the love story of the model and the designer has captured the imagination of Parisians this morning."

On the TV was a list of trending Twitter hashtags.

#Adrienette

#younglove

#parislovebirds

#gabrielisaprick

#MDC

#boycottgabrielbrand

"Our reporter has discovered that Miss Dupain-Cheng is also the creative talent behind the growing online teen brand MDC. Apparently her site has crashed this morning for all the hits it's getting. It seems like all the youth of Paris wants a MDC original. I wonder if we will see Adrien in one of her designs?"

Gabriel's phone rang once again. He had ignored it twice already, but he knew he couldn't put off talking to Nathalie any longer. He had barely said hello when her angry voice came down the phone line.

"What were you thinking Gabriel? I just got off the phone with Kagami Tsurugi and she told me exactly what you did to Adrien. I can not believe you. You drugged your own son?"

"I wasn't drugging him, Nathalie. He's hiding something and I just wanted the truth out of him." Gabriel tried to defend himself. "Him and that girl…"

"Of course he's hiding something you idiot of a man." Nathalie snapped. "He's in love with her and you tried to marry him to Kagami and believe me when I tell you, if Adrien hadn't had someone else, there was no way Tomoe Tsurugi was ever going to agree to that prenuptial agreement you had drawn up. I just got through reading it this morning and you are insane if you think she was going to agree to your idea of a merger."

"I needed that merger." Gabriel raised his voice, before wincing at the throb in his head. "You know that."

"That wasn't a merger Gabriel, that was a takeover. It's too late for that now anyway." Nathalie said flatly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that Amelie knows you have been embezzling money from the company."

"What?" Gabriel dropped the ice pack from his hand and it landed with a thud on the ground.

"Your brilliant idea of sending Lila Rossi here had her snooping around your accounting department. There are huge gaps in the ledgers and Amelie is going to start asking questions as to where the money has gone. So unless you would like to explain the costs associated with that cryogenic chamber you keep her sister in…"

"Alight, alright I get it." Gabriel conceded, his head starting to thud again. "I'll go into partnership with Amelie. I don't have much of a choice now do I?"

"No, you don't. And unless you want the face of your brand to walk out the door permanently I suggest you go and see Adrien and find a way to patch up some of the damage you have done."

"He's under contract, he can't just walk out." Gabriel growled. There was dead silence on the other end of the phone.

"Is this really how you want this to play out?" Nathalie said bluntly. "The Gabriel brand has already taken a slip on the CAC index and the shareholders are getting jittery. If you had any sense at all you will renegotiate that contract with Adrien and bring Marinette into the company. After all, she is going to be family."

Gabriel gritted his teeth and balled up his fist. "Fine." He grumbled. "But I'm not going anywhere near that bakery."

"Oh yes you are." Nathalie commanded. "You are going to walk in there, you are fixing this mess and then you are going to smile for the camera's and tell them how happy and delighted you are to welcome Marinette to the family. The family Gabriel, not the company."

Nathalie abruptly hung up on him. Gabriel picked up the cold pack and placed it back on his forehead. He did not like this...he did not like this at all.

~~~~~

"Miss Bourgois, Miss Bourgois. Would you like to comment on the engagement of Adrien Agreste? Did you know about it?"

Chloé stuck a pose as she stood out the front of Tom and Sabine's bakery and smiled for the flashing cameras. "Well of course I knew about it." She said, flicking her ponytail. "I was the first person Adrien told and I immediately got on a plane and rushed back here so I could congratulate him personally because I'm such a great friend like that."

"Miss Bourgois, any word on when we can expect the wedding?"

Chloé gave a knowing look. "My father is a busy man of course, he can't drop everything to do weddings just any old day of the week. You'll just have to wait and see." She turned to head towards the door of the bakery, when another annoying reporter got up into her face.

"What about you and Luka Couffaine? Has he come back with you?" Chloé gave the man a glare that would send even the bravest of men into hiding. She then checked herself and flashed another dazzling smile.

"Today isn't about me, although I'm amazing enough, but about Adrien and his fiancée. Now if you don't mind…" she said as she pushed herself past the reporters and into the bakery.

"Miss Bourgois." Sabine said as she walked over to the socialite. "It's lovely to see you again."

"Yes yes." She waved off. "If Adrikins is going to be part of this family, then I'll be here frequently so Chloé is just fine. Where is he?"

Sabine pointed up the stairs. "He's in the kitchen with Marinette and Kagami." Chloé pouted and screwed up her nose at hearing the Japanese girl's name, but proceeded up the stairs.

Adrien was feeling a lot more human again after having a shower and a cup of coffee. Kagami had arrived while he was eating a late breakfast, joining him and Marinette as she had missed breakfast herself. She had been busy on the phone to both Nathalie and her mother, who was already on her way to the airport to take her private plane back to Osaka. It came as no surprise that Tomoe Tsurugi was far from impressed at the prenuptial agreement that Gabriel had drawn up. Her trust broken, she had no intention of continuing any form of partnership with the Agreste name and to Kagami's relief, that included her. Kagami had chosen to stay in Paris for the time being, though, while her mother reconsidered the future of the Tsurugi company.

Their peaceful breakfast was shattered but the whirlwind that was Chloé Bourgois.

"Adrikins, you look like death warmed up." She declared as she entered the room. Adrien gave her a deadpanned look.

"Gees, thanks Chlo. Remind me to compliment you on your stellar looks when you're hungover."

Chloé leaned over, kissing him on the cheek before joining them at the kitchen table. "What were you doing getting drunk anyway?" She quipped before noticing the eyes looking at each other across the table. "What?" She asked before Marinette filled her in on what exactly had happened between Adrien and his father.

"What the actual…" She didn't say the last word because Sabine had come in with more tea. Despite her brash personality, Chloé had been brought up to be a lady in company. "I tell you truthfully Adrien, that man makes my blood boil sometimes."

"You and be both." Kagami added. Chloé eyed the Japanese girl sitting beside her, resting her elbow on the back of her chair, she poked Kagami in the arm.

"And you're telling me it didn't cross your mind to just go ahead with this marriage arrangement? I know you had it bad for Adrien years ago. What's in this for you?"

"Chloé." Adrien warned. "Kagami has been nothing but supportive of Marientte and I." He said, taking his fiancée's hand in his on the table. "What's past is past."

"No, it's alright." Kagami said quietly. "I appreciate Chloé's skepticism. You're right. I did consider going through with it, but not because I was still in love with Adrien. Like him I was looking for freedom, to be my own person. I thought I needed someone to rescue me from my life and my demanding mother. I realised though that I didn't need anyone saving me. Standing up against this marriage was freeing for me. Adrien needs Marinette, and she needs him and I needed to realise my own self worth, that I am more than my family name. Just like Adrien is more than his. I have the right to dream too and if I'm not enough on my own, then I'm never going to be enough for someone else."

Adrien looked at her with so much pride. Kagami had grown so much over the years he had known her, much like Chloé had. While his love for Marinette had only grown, his admiration for the women close to him made him feel blessed.

"That's...amiable." Chloé conceded, looking conflicted. She held her hand around the treble clef necklace that hung around her neck. Marinette couldn't help but notice that Chloé looked troubled, but that would have to be a conversation for another time.

A moment of silence passed over the group before Adrien spoke again. "We were watching the news this morning. You wouldn't happen to know who the insider was spilling tib-bits to the media would you?"

Chloé laughed, her eyes instantly reflecting mischief. "Someone had to feed them something." She stated. "They were snooping all around City Hall and I can only pay off so many people to keep quiet. I figured if I threw them a bone it would put them off the scent for a while. Don't worry though, everything is still all set for tomorrow."

The group became aware of a scuffle outside. The media was yelling out and there seemed to have been a lot of excitement.

"Were you expecting someone?" Kagami asked. Both Marinette and Adrien shook their heads. Moments later they heard Tom's voice coming from the bakery.

"It's up to Adrien if he wants to speak to you. I'll let him know you are here, but if he doesn't want to see you, then you leave my bakery, understand. Adrien is safe here and surrounded by people who care for him, and I plan to keep it that way."

Tom came into the kitchen and saw the group still sitting at the kitchen table. "Adrien, your father has come to see you. If you don't want to though…"

"No, it's fine, I'll see him." Adrien said, standing up. "I'm sorry to have brought all this trouble to your bakery. I never wanted to be a bother to anyone."

"You're not a bother son." Tom said affectionately, putting an arm around the blond's shoulders. "But if you would like some one with you, I'm happy to be your support person."

"It's alright Papa, I'll go with him." Marinette said, sliding her arm around Adrien's waist. "Whatever needs facing, we'll always do it together."

"Me too." Kagami volunteered, getting onto her feet.

"Any funny business, and your old man will have to deal with me too." Chloé added standing up as well.

The four of them moved to the lounge room, although none chose to sit, while Tom brought Gabriel up. Adrien held Marinette to him and kissed her on the temple. As the footsteps approached they all turned to look at a gaunt Gabriel. Unlike Adrien, he hadn't recovered anywhere near as well from getting a taste of his own medicine, no doubt because he had no one to love and care for him the way Adrien had. Gabriel tried to ignore the sting that thought left.

"I did want to talk to you in private." Gabriel said once Tom had left. His tone was still trying to exude his authority and his glare at the bluenette had not gone unnoticed.

"What you have to say you can say in front of Marinette." Adrien said firmly, taking a protective stance in front of her. "And if anything you have to say is to belittle or attack her in any way, then you can turn around and walk out right now. I intend to marry Marinette and no one else."

"Is she pregnant?" Gabriel asked bluntly. Both Kagami and Chloé scoffed and Marinette practically choked.

"What exactly do you take me for?" Adrien said angrily. "I assure you that my fiancée's dignity is completely intact." Gabriel raised an unconvinced eyebrow and Adrien rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "We were waiting until we got married". He said, a blush pinking up his cheeks.

Gabriel felt decidedly uncomfortable under the joint stare down of Kagami and Chloé as Adrien had spoken. Between them and Nathalie, Gabriel couldn't help muse at the fact that Adrien had become surrounded by very strong women willing to stand up for him. It made him wonder even more about his son's attraction to the little bakery girl.

"I don't mean you any disrespect Miss Dupain-Cheng. However I am a father and I must ask what has to be asked. May I therefore request to speak to Adrien and his fiancée in private?" Gabriel asked in a more civil manner.

Kagami and Chloé shared a look before Adrien nodded to them that it would be alright.

"We'll be downstairs if you need us." Chloé said, patting Adrien's arm and narrowing her eyes at Gabriel as she walked past with Kagami.

"I'm not here to interfere in your relationship." Gabriel said in his usual flat tone. "I have rather come to offer you an olive branch."

Adrien looked questionly at his father. "What kind of olive branch?"

"Could we at least sit down?" Gabriel asked, gesturing to the lounge chairs. Adrien nodded and he and Marinette sat on the lounge while Gabriel took the armchair opposite. Adrien held Marinette's hand in his and Gabriel tried not to comment on the small size of the ring on her finger.

"Adrien, as you know, your contract is a legally binding document, however, my solicitor has rightly pointed out that the contract can be negotiated upon your marriage. I gather you are planning that soon."

"Something like that." Adrien replied evasively.

"Don't worry Adrien, I don't plan on fronting up to it if that is what you are worried about." Gabriel said flatly. "I may not be able to stop you in this folly, but I have no intention of participating in it."

"Does your son's happiness mean nothing to you?" Marientte asked, catching Gabriel off guard. "This isn't some bratty attempt at getting on your nerves. I love Adrien. We love each other and we want to spend our lives together."

"What makes you so different to the thousands of other girls around Paris that claim to love my son? Would you still marry him if I ended his contract and cut him off without a penny to his name?" Gabriel questioned. He saw a defiance grow in the young designer's eyes.

"Yes, I would." She said and Gabriel saw the pride in his son's face. "Adrien means more to me than the family he was born into and he is capable of achieving so much more than you have ever allowed him to."

Gabriel sat back in the chair and rubbed his chin. She was a feisty one, he'd give her that. Maybe he had been too hasty at dismissing the opportunity right in front of him.

"I do not mean to insult you Marinette. You don't mind me addressing you by your first name do you?" Marientte shook her head. "You see Adrien is all I have. I can't risk losing either him or the company to an irrational marriage or a greedy divorce. You understand I have Adrien's best interests at heart."

Marinette felt Adrien squeeze her hand. She had a very uneasy feeling about all of this and despite his words, Gabriel lacked sincerity. Gabriel continued talking with Adrien about an upcoming meeting with his Aunt Amelie and cousin Félix that he would like Adrien and Marientte to be part of. The restructure of the company would include renegotiating Adrien's contract and Gabriel would like to extend that courtesy to Marientte.

"That's generous of you Mr Agreste. But I'm reapplying to ESMOD and I would like to continue to build up my own brand. I don't want to look like I'm benefiting from the Agreste name in any way."

"I admire your determination Marinette." He said dryly, standing up. "I wish you luck with your application." He offered out a hand to her. Marinette stood up and took it confidently, at least she was hoping it looked confident and that Gabriel wouldn't notice the shaking in her hand.

"May I say that's a very interesting pair of earrings you have there Marinette. It's an unusual style choice for someone so fashion forward as yourself." Gabriel said looking at her ears. Marientte instinctively held her other hand to her earring.

"What, these old things?" She said casually. "I've had them forever. Family heirloom from China." She said with a too wide smile. Gabriel gave her a once over look before looking back over to Adrien.

"I'll have Nathalie give you the details for the meeting. You may consider yourself on leave until then." He held his hand out to his son, who took it with a level of trepidation.

"Thank you father." He said. Gabriel nodded his head.

"I'll see myself out."

Adrien wrapped his arms around Marinette's shoulders as his father retreated down the stairs, clearly hoping to avoid another run-in with Kagami and Chloé. Marinette patted his arm with her hand. "Is it just me Kitty, or did something seem odd about all that?"

Marinette felt his head nod against hers. "I have a feeling there is something he isn't telling us." Adrien said, turning her around so she was facing him. "I know Aunt Amelie and Nathalie will keep him in line though." He cupped her face with his hand, his eyes soft as he lost himself in her ocean eyes. "I want to forget about my father and the company for now. My only focus is on tomorrow and making you Mrs Marientte Agreste."

"Then you better make sure you pack me a lot of cheese for the next few days." A grumpy voice came from Adrien's shirt. "Because I ain't listening to the two of you losing that dignity of yours."

"Plagg!" Adrien whined in embarrassment while Marinette broke into a fit of giggles.