This is the last chapter taking place on this one day, sorry there were so many. Don't worry, the conflict with Gabriel is almost over and the remainder of the story will be Lyric and Hugo, along with the promised Blossom drama and other stuff of course.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Treat Me Like a Princess

Loss was something everyone had dealt with. Losing a pet. Losing a child. Losing and family member or friend. Sometimes it isn't even death-related. A friendship falling out or a breakup. In life, everyone has to lose something. Sometimes hope. Sometimes the will to live. But does it matter in the end, if we all end up six feet below the ground?

A dull thought that for many years was all he thought.

After his mother's difference, it felt like he'd lost a part of himself. The spark of joy in his life had turned to ash. His heart swelled at the mere thought of joy until it seemed some new light had entered his life. She'd been the spark that had relit his life.

Ladybug. Marinette.

For many incredible years, she was a blinding light that finally gave him a reason to live again. Then his son did. There was more light in his life than ever, but it only takes a few moments for a spark to turn back to ash. His father had always ruined his life. As a child, he only didn't notice how much pain his father brought thanks to his mother shielding him from it. But once she was gone, it became clear how much hardship his father brought with every word. And when it seemed he'd finally escaped him, he returned, and not only did he ruin his life again, but his son's life.

Gabriel had never been a father. Fathers were supposed to fill their children's lives with joy, weren't they? That's at least what he assumed. Gabriel sure never filled that quota.

He'd ruined his son's life and his life again. And might've-

"Papa,"

Adrien refused to look up at the girl beside him. He'd listened to her speak, taking her time to introduce herself and explain who she was. But he couldn't let himself believe it. Or he didn't want to believe it.

He'd made the wishing expecting to die. Hoping to die. He didn't deserve to live after what he'd done. Yet he did. Marinette had sure given him a talking to between tears of what he could tell were joy and relief. He'd tried to calm her, and Emma and Louis who were both crying and hugging him like he was some stuffed animal. Alya who'd just arrived pulled them away so they all could breathe, but the girl who'd just stood in the doorway remained. She'd shut the door and sat down in the chair beside him, slowly beginning her explanation.

"My name's Akira,"

She didn't take her time getting to the point of who she was. And when she did, his heart had fallen in his chest.

"Papa, I need you to talk to me," she said with a sigh following. Adrien remained silent, staring at the wall ahead of him. Akira frowned, gently squeezing his arm. Adrien nearly jumped at the contact, soothed after a moment when her warm hands rubbed his arm."I don't blame you Papa if you're wondering."

So she knew. He wasn't sure if he should be happy or sad.

"I don't blame you for anything,"

Her sweet voice had dropped momentarily and Adrien finally turned his head to face her. She looked twelve. She'd explained she was fourteen but she looked almost as young as Emma. She was slender, slightly bony with a round babyish face. Her eyes were wholesome and stared at him without an ounce of pain, just pure love.

He noticed her crutches, leaned up against the wall beside her. And her braces fastened tightly to her legs.

His heart dropped but she smiled."I know-"

"I did this," he whispered, eyes dilated as his gaze fell down to his own hands."I'm, I'm so sorry." Akira didn't chime in, frowning at him as he spoke."You weren't even a baby and I-I..."

"You did it to protect daddy, and grammy," she smiled, her greens eyes mirroring his own."I know that. And I know if I had kids I'd probably do the same." She froze for a moment, smirking." And don't worry because I don't." she laughed, seemingly embarrassed by the thought."I know how Gabriel could've hurt them and to be honest, you made the right choice."

"What?" Adrien asked, mouth hanging open as Akira grinned.

"We are not a codfish Papa," she giggled, speaking in a make-shift British accent."But you did make the right choice. I mean, I'm alive, you're alive, and Gabriel didn't hurt anyone. If you hadn't agreed, Daddy or Grammy could've died and sure my legs are messed up but that's it." She smiled brightly."See, if you hadn't agreed a lot worse could've happened!"

"But you were just a baby," he said, continuing to frown."How could you have-"

Akira let out a strenuous groan."It's so annoying when you get pouty. Daddy gets pouty like this a lot," she frowned, eyes lighting up suddenly."I'll tell grammy to bring in some of her hot chocolate next time, it always makes you happy."

Adrien nodded, face still straight."It does." He looked at her legs again, noticing how awkwardly she sat. She seemed to be in pain, or it probably wasn't that painful since he expected she'd lived her entire life with it." Besides your legs, are you okay?" he asked in a wavering voice.

Akira nodded, her eyes closing as she spoke."My lungs are kinda bad and I need an inhaler but besides that I'm-"

"Tell me the truth." he stated while she opened her eyes to stare at him."You close your eyes like Marin-Grammy when you're lying. Tell me the truth, please,"

She was silent, smiling weakly and grasping her knees."Do you want to truth Papa? I'm not going to live as long as everyone. I've always known that and I'm fine with that. Doctors try to give mama and daddy hope that the next surgery will help but we all know it won't. I'm dying, I always have been but I'm happy. And I know you're going to blame yourself papa but I'm happy, and isn't that all that should matter?" she asked, raising an eyebrow towards him."I mean Gabriel lived longer than I will but he was never happy."

"Lived?" Adrien asked, trying to control his thoughts. Akira nodded, giving him some relief. Gabriel would be gone soon. The nightmare and pain he caused would end soon. In the next fourteen years, he'd be gone."I'm still sorry,"

"Please don't be. I forgive you, Papa, I've always forgiven you for what you did. But if you want to make it up to me, make me this promise."

Adrien raised his head, curious for what she'd say next." What?" he asked when her pause went on for a few seconds.

Akira smirked."I want you to promise to treat my baby self like a princess." she stated."I mean its the least you can do,"

He nodded, face still straight."I promise."

She slapped her hands together, grin still in place."Okay, I'm hungry and Grammy's probably going to come back in soon so I'll see you soon Papa," she chimed, slowly standing and grabbing her crutches. Humming to herself she left the room, nodding to the nurse that passed. Knowing exactly where the food court was and where Emma, Louis, and Alya probably were she began down the hall. A vibration from her pocket caught her attention and she smiled opening the contact.

[Papa: Hey sweetie, sorry I didn't text earlier but how was your day? Your school had auditions for this winter's play today right? If so, how'd it go? Grammy's experimenting with her pastries again, you and Everett will have to taste some next time you guys visit.]

Akira smiled, rereading the text. So Grammy didn't tell him, she thought, swiftly responding.

[Akira: Don't worry Papa, I've been pretty busy today! School was good, I barely passed my science quiz and missed the audition. I spent the rest of the day baking cookies with uncle Louis and giving a good talking to to your younger self. Why'd you never tell me how moody you can be? Like try and smile! Oh and ask Grammy to explain! Love you Papa!]

The daily texts between her and her Papa had always been such a normal thing she never thought to question it. And even before she had a phone and when they first moved to Italy h would always call to just hear about her Everett's day. She'd always known what he'd done but it was sometimes hard to believe and she often forgot. He was no different than all her other grandparent's even if he was the reason she was handicapped.

"You good?" her sweet voice asked, traveling to his ear.

Hugo frowned, shrugging his shoulders. He brushed his hair back, trying to get his thoughts straight."I don't know."

There was a pause from her end until her voice piped up."Do you want me to come over?"

"Please," he begged, voice cracking. It only took her a few minutes to arrive but the ten minutes on the couch felt like an eternity. The unlocked door opened and Lyric peaked her head into the silent apartment. She smiled weakly, sitting down beside him. Her fingers intertwined with his and he rested his head on her shoulder.

"It's okay," she whispered, her voice surging tears. He didn't even try to fight it, small beads of water beginning to roll down his cheeks.

"I-I didn't want him to die but... it's so soon," he said, voice cracking as he spoke. He burrowed his face into her shirt, trying to wipe his tears away."God, I'm horrible,"

"You're not horrible," she assured him, pushing his dark hair back and pressing a kiss against his forehead."You're kind. You're hard-working. You're amazing. You're really annoying," she smirked at the chuckled that escaped him."And you're an amazing dad,"

"Thanks," he sighed, relieved when his tears finally stopped, leaving his cheeks damp.

"I know it's tough and you don't have to go in and see him yet,"

"Can I not see him at all?" he asked.

Lyric frowned with an unamused expression."Hugo Agreste,"

"I know, I know," he sighed."I just don't want to. Can we at least wait to let him see her?"

Her frown deepened and she stroked his hand."I mean she's still in the NICU so yes but once we're home with her we can't just keep him from her. Hue, he's not going to hurt her again,"

"I know,"

At his tone, her hand gripped harder. Straightening up, she held his cheek, smiling sweetly."Hey, let's talk about something else,"

"Like what?" he asked.

"Our daughter for one," she grinned."The doctor said she might be able to be taken home in a few weeks,"

"Damn," he sighed, stretching his arms out and leaning back into the couch cushions."So things are about to get real?"

"They sure are," she said, laying her head on his chest."We've still got some things to figure out."

"Like what?"

"Where she'll stay," she said, holding his hand. She could hear his heartbeat, the constant thumps soothing her.

Hugo frowned, considering their options for a moment." I guess your parent's place is best. I mean both houses are crammed but with my dad recovering and everything I guess yours will be easier. And Blossom can be more of a help than Em and Louis." he added.

Lyric stared up at him, her ice-blue eyes wide with surprise. Although she wouldn't acknowledge it, she was surprised and proud of how he so nonchalantly mentioned Adrien. There was no hate or annoyance in his tone. Just a teen mentioning his dad. She looked back down at his hand, squeezing it gently."I guess that is best. You should move in,"

Hugo laughed, partly surprised."You sure your parents will be okay with that?"

"why wouldn't they? they've been living together since they were 18,"

"Ya but I think your Grandma's house has more room than the apartment,"

"It'll be a little cramped but Oliver can bunk with Blossom and me you and Posie will take the smaller room." Her voice fell and she frowned."Oh, we still need to pick out a new name,"

"We can do that later," he said, genuinely not looking forward to picking a new name. Posie was so sweet and so perfect. He didn't want anything else for his little girl."So, you really think your parents are cool with me moving in?"

Lyric scoffed, rolling her eyes." Please, you know they love you. And my mom will be able to sleep at night knowing if there was some medical emergency she could assist. Also puts me at ease," she mumbled, mentally not prepared to deal with the struggles of having an unstable newborn.

"True, she'll definitely be a help," he said, looping a strand of her hair around his finger."So that's settled, what's next on our lengthy agenda,"

Lyric chuckled, swatting his hand away."How about sleeping. We both deserve it after today." Although he laughed he listened, leaning farther into the cushions and letting his eyes finally rest. Holding her close he caught whiffs of her vanilla shampoo. Easily he could picture spending every night like this, with her.