Adrien had never felt like this. Never in his life had he felt like he was standing on the verge of something wonderful, amazing, fulfilling, yet somehow still a little unobtainable, withheld and entirely undeserved, all while sitting at the back of his car and gently petting the blond hair of his sleeping daughter.
I have to tell her, rang through his mind over and over again. I must. Marinette has to know I was her Chat Noir. She needs to know who Emma's father is. Maybe then there would be at least a slightest hope of us being together- but first, I have to tell her.
Just then Emma yawned and moved about, making all kinds of facial expressions in her sleep, frowning and scrunching her little nose, her tiny lips tugging into a sleepy smile, as she tried to settle in a more comfortable position. Carefully Adrien kissed the crown of Emma's head, a smile of his own sneaking on his lips. So short and fleeting but that little moment of happy and adorable was enough to break the train of his depressing thoughts and for quite some time after that Adrien could do nothing but memorize every movement and every expression of his little daughter's face.
How foolish of me it was to leave her and run, his mind sprung back into actions after a while. How stupid it was to not fight for her but giving up. I could've been here for this. I could've been here for her. For them. For everything. For me, as well… I'd better be careful not to mess it up this time. I need to do this right, or I might never get another chance."
At the same time, Marinette was already ten minutes late. Adrien didn't mind at all. From her texts, he knew she was alright, which was the important part but how could he complain if that same unexpected traffic gave him a little bit more time with his daughter? He didn't know when he would see her again, or even if he would see her again. Every moment with her he treasured. Every minute to him was precious.
From this moment on Adrien's primary objective was not to mess it up again and tell Marinette everything at the right time in the right place in hopes of receiving a response he wanted to hear so badly.
Meanwhile, a few blocks away Marinette was nervously biting her lips as the clock slowly tick off the minutes. Stuck in unforeseen traffic due to a massive accident, she could do nothing but wait. Wait and anxiously nibble at her lower lip.
This day was insanely crazy and full of obstacles but, thankfully, Marinette knew how to fight the winning battle. Not only she was able to fix everything and finish her project, but she also did that on time. M. Agreste was so pleased that with almost no objections he let her have the rest of the week off. Being Alya's maid of honour and with the wedding just a couple of days away, Marinette could have not been more pleased with that.
Despite her anxiousness, Marinette couldn't help but grin in the solitude of her car, thinking about the impending nuptials of her best friend. There was probably no one else more excited about it than she was! Besides the happy couple, of course. For Marinette was there when they started dating. She helped Alya to choose the perfect outfit for every important date. Even the dress Alya wore when Nino proposed had been Marinette's suggestion. She also secretly claimed the credit for the timing of the proposal itself, because who else made Alya look so incredible that Nino couldn't resist but propose as soon as he got a stable job? Marinette grinned wider. Everything was so amazingly perfect. Even Adrien-
Her smile dropped.
It would've been perfect if not for Adrien and the effect he still had on her. The last thing Marinette needed now was for her stupid teenage infatuation to return and make her miserable as soon as he steps onto that plane. The easy way out would be to stay away from its objective but, considering that their best friends were getting married, there was no plausible way for Marinette to avoid Adrien. With every minute she spent with him, however, she felt her old feelings surfacing little by little but fast enough to make her terrified. Marinette knew it was ridiculous to be afraid of her past, hopeless crush to come back but that was one thing she didn't want to happen. She had too many things to worry about as it was, Marinette couldn't afford another heartbreak.
She also couldn't let herself hope that he would stay despite her heart's greatest desires because Adrien was leaving very soon and there was nothing she could do about it. Her feelings would never be reciprocated. There was just not enough time for that to happen in less than a week so she and her heart must stay away from Adrien for her and her baby's sakes. Breaking Emma's heart and her hopes of having a father the moment Adrien boarded that plane was something Marinette was sure she would never forgive herself for.
None of that, however, was the main reason Marinette decided to stay away. Her heart was simply already occupied by someone else, and the memories it held were too precious to let them go for the man who was merely passing by. Chat Noir might not be in her life anymore but to remember him Marinette wanted more than anything. All these years she constantly replayed in her mind every wink, every salute, every smile, every kiss and yes, even every single one of his stupid puns. She wanted to remember everything about Chat because one day she planned to tell Emma a story of the brave and selfless man who, unfortunately, didn't know she existed but if he did, he would've loved her to pieces. He would've given her the whole world and more, just as he wanted to give it to her mother.
Marinette couldn't forget, and Adrien couldn't take Chat's place in her heart.
Her plan was simple. Marinette would take Emma and get away from Adrien as fast as she could. She would also try to eliminate any future unnecessary encounters. She wouldn't even entertain this stupid, naïve, unrealistic idea of a possible relationship that came out of nowhere.
Just hold on for another couple of days, she tried to calm herself down. After the wedding, you can lock yourself up in your house and stay there until Adrien's safe and sound back in the States. Then you'll put your life back together and move on. For now, you'll come, take Emma and leave immediately. The less time you'll spend with Adrien the better. Remember, go there, take Emma and leave immediately. Go, take Emma-
When a small red car pulled over by the agreed-upon spot, Adrien reluctantly left his seat and walked over.
"Hey there." A soft smile graced his face as he leaned down and opened the door for Marinette. "So, I guess 'Finish the Important Project' mission finally succeeded?"
"Finally," Marinette sighed and smiled back. Her sight unwillingly focused on the man in front of her. She blamed her exhaustion but the last time she had seen someone so handsome and unfairly complimented by the nighttime was a long time ago when Chat Noir was still a part of her life. Reflected from the streetlight, sparkles mischievously danced inside Adrien's eyes; his playful smile and a wistful look on his handsome face made Marinette pause and swallow involuntarily. The hitched breath and the stumbling heart in her chest were quickly crumbling her resolve to not fall for him again and surely proving Alya right. That "can't resist Adrien Agreste" gene undoubtedly existed and it looked like Marinette was an unfortunate bearer.
"I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting," she managed to mumble after a few moments.
"It wasn't a long wait so don't worry," Adrien offered her a hand. "Mi' lady?"
Marinette froze in her place. She hadn't heard those words in years but they, so unexpected and painfully familiar, rendered her speechless and furiously blushing. To her utter humiliation, and even despite the darkness around, she suspected that Adrien had noticed.
"Marinette?" Adrien whispered when the pause and silence between them became a little awkward.
"Sorry," she muttered under her breath, finally gathering herself enough to operate on a basic level. "Long day. Too tired to function properly."
Adrien chuckled, his hand still stretched out in anticipation. Ever such a gentleman, Marinette reminded herself and, hesitantly placed her hand into his. It wasn't anything like she'd expected. When their hands touched, no electric shocks were running through her body, no maddening cluttering of her heart, threatening to jump out of her ribcage, happened. No. Nothing so incredibly dramatic. Instead, it simply felt warm. The most comfortable of warmth there was. His hold felt incredibly safe. As he wrapped his fingers around hers, it felt so intimate and secured, so right that it felt like coming home.
Slowly Marinette got out of the car, relishing in the feeling and only when she stood firm on her own feet asked: "So- where is Emma?"
"She is sleeping in my car," Adrien answered quickly but didn't let go of her hand, trying to confine to his memory the feeling. He couldn't let go because holding his Lady's hand in his own was something he wanted to do for a long while.
Still not thinking clearly, he mumbled: "Do you want me to bring her or her stuff first?"
"What stuff?" Marinette frowned instantly, taking her hand away and effectively bringing Adrien back to the reality, her own clouds fleeing before the rationality of a grown-up mind. No answer was received yet but knowing Emma very well Marinette already suspected what Adrien meant by "her stuff". For some reason, Emma always seemed to be an object of affection for everyone around and the gifts were almost always an expression of that affection. Was she about to discover that Adrien wasn't immune either?
But then again, it was Adrien, the boy who handed her his only umbrella when she was still mad at him and went to his car soaking wet instead. He was the boy who tried to scratch the gum off a bench for a complete stranger and showed his kindness and generosity over and over again throughout their school years. Adrien was the boy with the biggest heart she knew. It was his kindness that changed her opinion of him and condemned her to many years of hopeless pinning in the first place. Why was she even surprised to discover that he got something for Emma as well? Why was her heart tightening at the reminder of why she fell for him the second day they met?
"Um- we- kind of-" Adrien nervously started to rub the back of his neck, a move she knew too well. "Well, Emma needed an outfit- for a trampoline park- and I- Emma- well- shortly speaking- I maybe- bought her some clothes- and a couple of accessories—" his eyes shifted to the side, the voice had gotten quieter with every word, a light blush flooding his cheeks, "—and maybe some toys- if you don't count in a few pairs of shoes-"
Marinette pinched a bridge of her nose, trying to understand, to grasp the meaning of what she just heard him mumbling, her internal turmoil pushed aside because just now she thought she distinctly heard a whole list of things instead of only one. One present would've been fine but multiple?
"How many things did you buy her exactly?" she whispered a full minute later.
"Just a couple, Marinette." Adrien raised his begging eyes to her. "Please. I had to keep her interested and entertained for the whole day. For you—" he had the audacity to blame her, "—so you could finish your project. I did that for you."
"You insisted on babysitting her, Adrien. You told me it wasn't a problem. You were saying it was going wonderfully all day long and now you are blaming me for your complete inability to say 'No' to a small kid?"
Marinette glared at Adrien, but he just stood there, looking a bit confused, a lot surprised by her boldness, a little guilty yet devilishly innocent and adorable.
"Adrien, you cannot give her everything she wants," Marinette sighed, resigning the battle before it even started. Was there even a point to lecture him? He did help her out a lot and who knows, maybe he had never dealt with a child before, not with an Emma-like one anyway. He might actually not know how to say 'No' to a kid after all. Plus, his innate generosity might have played a role as well. She couldn't blame Adrien for who he was. "Emma is a child, Adrien," Marinette added lastly. "A small child that needs to be taught some boundaries. I can't take anything from you. You can return it all to the stores tomorrow."
"But, Marinette," she heard a quiet voice in return. "Can you at least consider it? Just this one time? Please. I'm sorry for my incompetence but I bought only the absolute best from what we saw, and Emma really loved it all. She already planned where she would wear everything. I've just met her, so I wanted to give her a couple of presents for all of the years I missed. Please?" His voice was almost a whisper now. "Please, don't punish her because I didn't know about the rules and regulations."
Marinette sighed and closed her eyes if only not to see his. She had to admit - his pleading was melting her heart. Adrien had never begged her for anything before, and she wasn't immune to that just as he wasn't to Emma. Another "Please" and she gave in. One time wouldn't hurt, she told herself. It's not like it would happen again. He'd be away and out of our lives pretty soon so…
"Alright," Marinette agreed. "But, Adrien, that is a one-time only thing! Anything else you bring her, you are taking back right away. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Adrien's face lit up. In his excitement he didn't even realize how his arms wrapped around Marinette, effectively sending her into a stupor. A few seconds later, realizing just what he'd done, Adrien pulled away and, blushing furiously, murmured: "Thank you. I'll go bring everything over."
The man rushed back to his car and opened the trunk. Slowly coming back to reality, Marinette observed in horror as he was pulling out countless packages and bags barely fitting them into his arms.
"See?" he grinned. "I told you. Just a couple of things."
Mentally facepalming, Marinette stopped herself from throwing a remark or two about just how different their understanding of "a couple" was. This day was already beyond exhausting. She didn't have enough emotional or physical, for that matter, strength to explain to someone, who looked just like a grown man but obviously was still a silly, little child, what "a couple" and "can barely hold it in two hands" meant. Marinette was dealing with her own kid on a daily basis; she wasn't obligated to educate one more.
"I'll bring Emma," Adrien added after successfully stuffing the trunk of her car full of packages that probably contained half of some random boutique or two. "Can you, please, hold a door open for me?"
"Sure." Marinette opened the back door of her car, adjusted Emma's car seat's straps and straightened up, turning around in preparation for Adrien's arrival. At once her heart skipped a bit. A few meters away Adrien was carefully walking over with her Emma in his arms. Her sleeping daughter looked so small and fragile yet calm and secure in his strong embrace, and he was cuddling her so lovingly, placing a soft goodbye kiss on her tiny forehead when he thought Marinette wasn't looking, that Marinette couldn't watch anymore. She turned her attention to the car seat and tried her best to hold emotions and her tears in. With a soft smile, Adrien placed Emma into her car seat, buckled her in and gave her head a final ruffle.
"Well, I guess this is it," Marinette rushed to say as soon as Adrien closed the door. She had to follow her plan and escape. "Thank you so much again, Adrien. You really helped me out today, but I should go now. It's late for Emma, and I need her well-rested for tomorrow's rehearsal, or she'll be grumpy and uncooperative. And we all know we can't afford that."
She smiled at Adrien, hoping to lure him into a false feeling that she was okay and not nervous at all to stand so close to the man who made her chest tighten and her heart jump out of the rib cage. "So, good night?" The corners of her lips treacherously trembled.
Yet instead of taking his leave, Adrien continued to stand in place, silently looking at her. Soon he carefully reached out and tucked a few escaping hair strands behind her ear.
Marinette tensed. "I'll-"
"Wait," Adrien interrupted quietly, taking Marinette's hands in his own. "Don't go yet. I need to tell you something." He moved closer and almost whispered, "Did I already tell you how beautiful you look today?"
"Not that I remember…" Marinette replied, her cheeks disappearing under a thick layer of crimson. Stupid! She mentally knocked her head on the nearest tree. Run away! Run as fast as you can!
Adrien slowly leaned closer and Marinette forgot how to breathe. Involuntarily, she swallowed when suddenly she could feel his breath on her skin once he started to speak again. "That won't do—" he was so close, "—I have to correct my mistake right away." Marinette's lips parted. "You look amazing, Marinette," Adrien almost purred. "You look gorgeous and I-"
A sudden cry abruptly broke the magic spell. Shaken from her trance, Marinette quickly stepped away from Adrien.
"Emma—" she found herself slightly out of breath, "—I- I- have to- to go—" Marinette fished the keys out of her pocket, "—she is- is waking up- I need- need to leave—" She walked to the car, "—drive home- She'll fall asleep again- Yes, again. Bye, Adrien," the girl quickly opened the door of the car. "Thanks again!" Still furiously blushing, she jumped into her car and speeded away before Adrien could even blink.
"But we need to talk…" he whispered to the one who couldn't hear him anymore and who was currently driving away, wiping the tears that started to fill up her eyes before stopping a few blocks away and letting them flow.
This wasn't happening! She couldn't let this stupid crush to come back, and Adrien with his perfection wasn't helping.
"I am hopeless… What was I thinking? He is leaving- I can't love him… I can't have him… I must forget…" Marinette quietly sobbed, resolving once again to stay away no matter what it cost her.
The next day was lonely. Don't get him wrong, Adrien wasn't alone. He spent most of it amongst all kinds of people he didn't really pay attention to but never in his life had he felt lonelier than today. The reason was simple.
He missed them.
Missed Emma and Marinette after only one night apart. How much more pathetic could he get? The day was empty without Emma's silly laugh and Marinette's adorable blushes. Adrien couldn't concentrate on anything, his thoughts and desires focused only on one thing - the family he didn't have yet. He wanted to take his little girl by her tiny hand again and pull Marinette close to his chest. He longed to feel a soft peck of Emma's little lips on his cheek and tried to remember how hot and spicy her mama's kisses on his mouth were. He discovered that longing hurt physically, hurt in every possible way, in every part of his body.
The only hope for relief was that five o'clock wedding dress rehearsal where they would surely be. Adrien arrived thirty minutes earlier in hopes of seeing them sooner. To his delight, it wasn't futile.
The first thing he heard when walking into the building, was Emma's voice. A bit frustrated, but who cared? She was already there, and he could see her again.
"But Uncle Nino!" Adrien could hear a pout in her tone. "I don't want to go and throw my flower petals everywhere! I want to keep them for myself! They are so pink and pretty."
Without a second thought, Adrien walked in the direction of the now precious voice. Soon he saw his little, lovely, secret, but only for a little while yet, daughter, standing near the doorway into the main hall, dressed in one of the dresses he bought her yesterday and passionately arguing with Nino.
"Emma, sweetie—" Nino closed his eyes in contained exasperation and pinched the bridge of his nose, "—you need to do it. Believe me. Just throw them around while walking and after the show you can take them home. Okay?"
Emma's frown deepened. Nino sighed and took some of her petals. "See?" he threw them around, "It's easy."
"You're mean, Uncle Nino!" Emma cried and crouched to the floor trying to gather every single petal back. "I don't want to do this! They are too pretty to throw them away! They'll get dirty."
Visibly frustrated, Nino groaned and face-palmed, but a wide grin appeared on his face as soon as he had noticed Adrien approaching.
"Hey there, man!" he fist-bumped Adrien's shoulder. "You're just in time."
"Am I?" Adrien raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, you are." Nino quickly walked behind his friend and took him by the shoulders directing his sight to the little girl not far away. "You, my friend," he proclaimed. "Have a rare opportunity to help me out." Nino's voice sharply changed to whining and Adrien laughed.
"Not funny," the groom-to-be pouted. "Alya entrusted me with teaching this little monst- angel, I mean, angel how to be a flower girl and I am not good at it. So, a little help?" his eyes grew big and pleading. "Please?"
"Are you implying that I can teach her because I am a good flower girl?"
"You are the second-prettiest flower girl there ever was," Nino proclaimed in the most serious of manners, straightening up and putting a hand on Adrien's shoulder. "And it is your sworn duty to help the prettiest one to fulfill her role!"
Adrien snorted and erupted in laughter. Nino shook him by his shoulders, his head hanging low as he begged again. "But seriously, dude. You, as a model, know how to put on a show and you also seem to possess some kind of Emma-whisperer abilities, judging from yesterday. Help meeeeeee-"
At that exact moment Emma, who gathered all of the petals back, turned around to see who was talking to Nino. Her face lit up as she dashed toward Adrien shouting happily: "Uncle Adrien! You came back! I'm so glad to see you! I missed you!"
Smiling, Adrien stepped forward and caught the running girl in his arms. She hugged him firmly before placing a soft kiss on his cheek. Laughing and showering each other with compliments, both of them completely ignored Nino and the lowered jaw on his astonished face.
"I missed you too, my little bug!" Adrien finally concluded, noticing his friend's expression. "Now, tell me - what is this horrible Uncle Nino bothering you with?"
Emma frowned and pouted her cute, little mouth. "He wants me to throw away my pretty, pink flower petals and I don't want to because they will get stepped on and become all dirty and stinky and- and- and not nice! Uncle Nino is mean!"
Adrien chuckled, bopped Emma's nose with his finger and put her down on the floor, kneeling right by her side.
"Ah!" he raised his finger. "But Uncle Nino has a good reason to ask you to do that, Emma."
"He does?" the little girl's eyes widened. "Why?"
"Do you really want me to tell you the secret why?" Adrien offered in the most mysterious of voices. In return, Emma feverishly nodded.
"It has something to do with a couple of princesses and a queen."
Emma's eyes lit up. Adrien got comfortable on his knees and took her basket of petals in his hand.
"You see," he continued. "These petals are not ordinary. They are magical, and tomorrow they will play a crucial role but only with some help from one amazing princess."
To his amazement, Emma smirked. "You are lying!" she crossed her arms over her chest. "I am not a baby anymore to believe in magic!"
"I. Am. Not." Adrien pouted. "And I can prove that to you. Did you see Aunt's Alya white gown and your Mama's pretty dress?"
"Of course, I did!" Emma nodded, a wide grin spreading on her face. "The dresses are so, so pretty! Mama even has one for me. She made them herself. But—" the girl frowned again, "—she doesn't allow me to touch them or even come close."
Adrien nodded, suppressing a chuckle. Judging by yesterday, it wasn't a surprise that Emma wasn't allowed anywhere near their dresses. "Okay," he continued. "But do you see your Mama and Aunt Alya wear such pretty dresses every day?"
Emma's hard thinking was written on her face as expressions changed one after another rapidly. Observing her, Adrien enjoyed every frown and every eyebrows movement, every twitching of her mouth and focused concentration in her eyes. A few moments later, Emma gave up.
"No," she said. "They don't wear such beautiful dresses every day, but I wish they would. Mama looks like a princess in it."
"Exactly," Adrien smirked. "Mama and Auntie Alya become princesses when they wear such beautiful dresses. However, they can do it only on special days and tomorrow will be one of those days."
Emma gasped and clasped her hands together. "Really?"
"Yes. And not only them, Emma," Adrien gently poked his finger in Emma's chest. "Tomorrow all three of you will become princesses. Aunt Alya will become The Wisest Princess ever. Your mama will become The Prettiest Princess of them all, and you will become The Coolest Princess around," Adrien declared with his best impression of serious expression. "That's the absolute truth and you know why will this happen tomorrow?"
"Why?" Emma bit her lip in anticipation, completely enveloped in the story.
"You will become princesses for one day only so The Wisest Princess Alya can become The Wisest Queen Alya of Kingdom Ninoland."
Emma squealed and jumped in her place. "Really?"
Adrien nodded, a silly grin trembling on his lips. Who did just say she didn't believe in magic anymore?
"This is so amazing!" Emma continued to squeal. "Aunt Alya will become a queen! Just like in fairy tales! A Queen! So cool!"
Adrien hummed satisfactorily. He was on a roll, complimenting his story with a couple of appropriate emotions and expressions to make it more believable. A few random details on the magical kingdom and its fair royalty didn't hurt either. Even Nino was interested now, especially after "Ninoland" was mentioned.
"Yes, exactly like in fairy tales. But—" Adrien's face became serious all of a sudden, "—as in all fairy tales there are ancient, evil forces that want to prevent this from happening and steal princess Alya away so she won't become a queen!"
"No!" Emma gasped with horror. "Oh no! We have to protect her! We need to call Ladybug and Chat Noir! They will protect her!"
Adrien laughed. "No. Not this time, my Coolest Princess." He gently ruffled her golden hair. "This time we need you."
"Me?" Emma gave him a surprised look.
"Yes, you." Adrien nodded and pointed to her basket full of pink flower petals. "You can protect Aunt Alya with these. That's what Uncle Nino was trying to teach you. He just didn't want to spoil the secret."
"But how?" Emma looked at the basket in confusion. "These are just flowers."
"Oh, but they are just flowers today," Adrien smiled. "You see at the stroke of midnight they will gain magical powers, and by spreading these petals in a specific pattern, you'll be able to create an invisible, power shield around princess Alya to protect her."
"I will?" Emma looked at him with her eyes wide.
"Yup. All you need to do is to throw them everywhere where aunt Alya will step in this room, and evil forces won't be able to touch her. That's why we have to practice today, so tomorrow everything would go as planned and we can win a battle for Princess Alya."
For a moment Emma continued to stare at Adrien in concentration. Then grabbed the basket from his hands and walked back to Nino with newfound determination.
"Show me again, Uncle Nino. You didn't have to hide the truth from me, you know!" she pouted. "I am not a baby anymore, and I can protect Aunt Alya from the evil forces!"
Nino laughed and shot invisible guns towards Adrien. "You rule, man! Thanks."
"No problem." Adrien stood up. "Told you, I'm good with kids."
"Or," Nino grinned and winked at him. "There is something you are not telling me."
"Go teach your Padawan, oh great King of Ninoland," Adrien chuckled, pointing into Emma's direction. "Or your future queen might not be pleased."
Nino laughed nervously and went over to the small girl who was now feverishly throwing flowers all over the place. Watching them with unhidden pleasure, Adrien leaned on a door frame. Thinking about it, he couldn't explain how he figured out what exactly Emma needed. He knew he had to ignite a desire inside of her and once she had it, she'd be unstoppable. But why? Maybe because he was the same way? If Adrien, younger or older one, wanted something really badly, there was little that could stop him from stubbornly reaching his goal. And if Emma inherited that trait of his, all she needed to succeed was a desire to do what she was asked to – throw flower petals in front of Alya. A little bit of magic and here she was – the perfect flower girl.
"Wow! Nino is good!" He suddenly heard a familiar voice beside himself. "I didn't expect him actually to teach her something!"
"Hello, Adrien," Alya greeted him, not taking her eyes from Nino, in awe observing him walk around with Emma.
"How was your day yesterday?" she finally faced him. "I hope you took my advice seriously."
"Nice to see you too, Alya." Adrien tensed. Their conversation still lingered in his mind. Do not let Emma like you more than a regular babysitter, a mere passerby. Do not get close to her under any circumstances unless you plan to marry Marinette. Alya loved both, her best friend and her daughter, and wanted to protect them. He could understand that. Yet, he wondered just for a second if it was possible that in her overzealous Alya scared away more than one man who could've been possibly interested in Marinette? Not that he was complaining. Deep down, he was thankful. He was, however, somehow intimidated by her as well.
The bride-to-be scanned him with her narrowed eyes. "Your return ticket is still next week, right?"
"Yes, why?" Adrien frowned. Why was she so concerned about his future flying plans?
Before Alya could reply she was swept away into Nino's arms. "Here is my beautiful, Wisest Princess," he cooed lovingly, kissing her cheek lightly.
"Auntie Alya, Auntie, Alya!" Emma was tugging her dress from beneath. "I will save you tomorrow! I now know how and the evil forces won't stop you from becoming a queen!"
Not even bothering with untangling herself from Nino's embrace, Alya giggled, confusion playing vividly on her face. "What are you talking about, sweetie. A queen of what?"
"Of Kingdom Ninoland, of course," the girl continued to bubble excitedly. "Did you forget about your transformation tomorrow?"
Alya threw a confused look at Nino.
"Oh, yes, the Wisest of Princesses," Nino chuckled. "Did you forget already? Emma will throw those magical, flower petals in front of you tomorrow and they will protect you from the evil forces so you can walk up to the aisle and become the Queen of Ninoland."
For a second Alya got even more confused but then noticed Nino's frantic eyebrows wiggling signalling to just go with it for everyone's sake. Realization hit her almost immediately – a walk on petals to the aisle, the transformation from a princess to a queen of Ninoland? Who came up with this nonsense? She laughed.
"Of course, I remember, kiddo." Alya got free from Nino's hold and crouched to Emma's level. "I just didn't know they told you my little secret. Tell me, who is the one that betrayed his future queen?"
"It's Uncle Adrien!" Emma grinned. "But don't you scold him, Aunt Alya! He is perfect, and I love him so much! He did it only because he loves you too and wants to help me protect you. I am not a baby anymore so I can help you. Uncle Adrien thinks I can and I can! He is the best!"
Alya glared at the place where Adrien was standing just a minute ago. The space was empty, and Adrien was quickly walking down the hall, further away from the woman who wanted to hunt him down dead for sneaking into Emma's heart despite her warning. The last thing he needed now was to be evicted from the building or sent to a hospital.
The rest of the day and the rehearsal went pretty smoothly. Everyone knew their places and roles. Emma was adorable. She made a whole ceremony out of throwing her flower petals and made sure to spread them not only on her way down the aisle but on a stage as well, explaining that Aunt Alya will be standing there too and thus she needed to be protected there as well.
However, it was Marinette again who captured Adrien's attention that evening the most. The friendly way she held herself with everyone, the strict yet gentle, loving manner she handled Emma with, cleverness and skills she used in saving the evening a couple of times - it was all impossible to miss. That famous stubbornness which drove Marinette to success, trying again and again until it worked - Adrien had found it irresistible even back in their teen days. Yet now, much to his doom, Marinette was better in everything - beauty, maturity, the way she held herself, in everything. Adrien couldn't help but let his eyes linger on her all evening long, just as she tried her best to avoid him at the same time. He would lie if he said that it wasn't disheartening because, after all, Adrien only wanted to catch Marinette's attention so that she could see in his eyes how much he loved her.
Once everything got wrapped up, discouraged by his constant failures, Adrien decided to leave before Alya could find him. Not because he didn't like her or was actually scared of the bride but more that he didn't want to deal with another heart to heart conversation right now. Not when he couldn't say that no, Emma wasn't just a random kid to him and yes, he had a ticket but he wasn't planning on using it; no, he wouldn't stay away from Emma and he would love if the girl would love him back and yes, he would very much like to marry Marinette if she would have him. Although after tonight he wasn't so sure about his chances anymore. For some reason, Marinette seemed to be terrified of him all over again.
In any case, Adrien wanted to speak to Marinette before subjecting himself to Alya's interrogations anew. Thus, avoiding any contact with the bride-to-be as much as possible seemed like a logical solution. During the rehearsal that was easy. Now, however, she was more or less free to hunt him down, and he had nowhere to hide and no one to protect him. From the looks of it, the talk with Marinette wouldn't happen today also, her continually being either busy or with other people as much as possible. Finding no further reasons to stay, Adrien quietly walked outside, trying to remain undetected to all, and was already unlocking his car when he heard Nino shouting his name.
"Adrien, wait! Hey, why are you leaving so early?" The groom ran up to him.
"Tired," Adrien responded and caught himself by surprise that it wasn't a lie. Exhausted emotionally and disappointed with yet another day wasted with not even a single opportunity of talking with Marinette, he had zero desire to stay or even chat with his friend. He was ready for this day to be over so tomorrow might bring him new opportunities.
"Come on," Nino wouldn't give up. "What's wrong? You don't look like yourself, dude. You haven't been all evening."
Adrien stopped and turned to look at Nino. They were best friends ever since they'd met. Their friendship survived six years of living on different continents and was still going strong. Nino understood and knew him like no one else, apart from his little Chat Noir secret, that is. If Adrien couldn't be himself and honest with Nino then with whom he could? And frankly, he was too tired to keep up a happy act anyway.
"I just didn't want to be chased away by your lovely, future wife, Nino, so I decided to leave on my own," Adrien sighed.
Nino frowned. "Did something happen, bro?"
"Nothing new," Adrien shrugged his shoulders. "Just wanted to avoid another 'Don't you dare to come close to Emma' lecture."
"Ah, don't hold that against her, Adrien." Nino chuckled and bumped Adrien's shoulder. "Alya's just very passionate and protective, man. Come on. You have to understand her. Emma is like her own daughter by now, and she went through hell with Marinette when that bastard-cat dumped her pregnant and alone. Of course, she'll be on her guard when Emma starts to get all affectionate with a random person. She just doesn't want to see either of them hurt again. That's all."
There was no possible way for Nino to know just how much guilt and self-condemnation that phrase stirred in Adrien. No way he could have known just how much his best friend would have given away this second for the chance to change everything and make that statement false, to go back in time and rewrite their history. Yet the way Adrien flinched and tensed hadn't escaped Nino's attention. Neither did Adrien's clenched fists and the thin line of his lips.
"Adrien? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," the man murmured. He didn't mean to let out so much of the emotions that accumulated throughout the day and stormed inside him, but now that they were seen he needed a plausible explanation to lead Nino's attention away from the fact that that "bastard-cat" was him. One day Nino would know but not yet, not when Adrien hadn't had a chance to fix his mistakes yet.
"I get her, Nino," Adrien cautiously proceeded. The best diversion was to focus on the other side of the issue. "But does she need to chase away all of the potential candidates as soon as they appear?"
Nino paused before his lips slowly stretched in a grin and he fist bumped Adrien's shoulder again. "Are you a potential candidate, Adrien?"
"I don't know yet," Adrien blurred out, happy that his weird reaction was quickly forgotten. "It's hard to decide when I can't even get a minute alone with her. She's either busy at work or being guarded by Alya or runs away as soon as I come close."
"So, you are interested!" Nino grinned. He silently observed Adrien for a few moments before adding. "Are you serious about it, though? I mean, Marinette is awesome and Emma is adorable, but they're a packaged deal. You got to love them both." Nino halted, observing Adrien for a moment or two more. "You did hit it off rather unexpectedly with Emma, to be honest, but before you proceed, make sure you aren't interested in Marinette only because her daughter is adorable. "
"I don't think I am in this because of Emma," Adrien quietly answered in a little while. "I mean, she is amazing and is such a joy to be around. I do love her already but…" he stopped, nervously fidgeting with his keys in uncertainty. "Have I ever told you I had a crush on Marinette back in the days?" he finally admitted. "And now it's all coming back so suddenly and strongly. I mean, Marinette is incredible. She is the woman I can see myself spending the rest of my life with. I can't stop thinking about her, Nino. About them..." Adrien leaned on his car, his eyes focused on the building his girls were still in. "I've been lonely long enough. I want to try this and see if we can make it work. They are both remarkable. They deserve to be happy and I want to take care of them. I want to be that man who will make them happy. I don't even know how to explain this or how I can make it work, but I want to take a chance."
"Aren't you going away soon, though?" Nino asked, a tiny smirk playing on his lips. His friend had finally admitted to the crush he always suspected back in the school but was never able to confirm. Now Alya owed him twenty euros or maybe even more if Nino would count in the dividends for all these years. "Stay here, dude," he added as happiness for his friend started to fill his mind with new ideas and possibilities. "You and Marinette would be an awesome couple and with Emma liking you already I don't see why you shouldn't try. Just imagine how much fun would we have. Double dates, bro escapes from our wives- Now you have to stay or none of what I've already planned would work if you aren't here."
"I will," Adrien smiled. "Even if Marinette wouldn't want me, I'll stay. I have neither will nor desire to go back to the States and that miserable life I had over there."
"Then, don't worry, man," Nino slammed his hand against Adrien shoulder blades. "Nino can help you there. I'll make sure you spend some time alone with Marinette tonight, but you'll have to take things slowly to not spook her away. For starters, tell Marinette you are done with the States and will be staying here with us, to get her used to the idea and maybe get the things started. Take her out, just talk, get to know each other better, alright?"
"Sure," Adrien nodded. "Slow and steady wins the race, right? Though I don't see how you are going to trick Marinette into spending some time with me? I think she'd been avoiding me all night."
"Luckily for you," Nino smirked. "Alya asked me to drive Marinette and Emma home today. Her car happened to be in service but—" he winked, "—let's just say that I might have planned to do something with my bride after the rehearsal and—" he hummed as the thoughts rolled in his mind, "—it was supposed to be a surprise so I couldn't tell her when she asked me to drive Marinette home- Thus in order to do that thing I planned, I asked you to play a chauffeur to Marinette? How about it?" Nino proudly grinned.
"That might actually work," Adrien straightened up, his heart filling with hope. "At least it will give me- how long? About thirty minutes or so to talk with Marinette since I doubt she would jump out from a moving car. At least, not with Emma still in it. Thanks, man!" He smiled. "You are the best!"
"I certainly am!" Nino chuckled. "Just promise me, Adrien, to be careful and not to hurt her. She's been through a lot as it is. Another heartbreak could be too much."
"I'd rather die myself." Adrien looked straight into Nino's eyes. "Never again."
"Again?" Nino frowned. "When-"
"When we were in school?" Adrien rushed to interrupt. "Didn't you tell me she liked me then and since I was an oblivious idiot I unintentionally kind of broke her heart?"
"Oh yeah," Nino nodded, missing a slight streak of sadness on his friend's face. That, Adrien thought, would make it two heartbreaks I caused my Lady instead of the one I knew about. Why didn't I count this one before? Never again if I can help it!
"Now I only need to think about what thing I was supposed to do with my woman…" Nino thought aloud in the background. Switching his attention to Nino's words, Adrien thought about it for a minute before the corner of his lips twitched. Passing by Alya and Marinette today, he might have overheard some information that would undoubtedly be proven to be quite valuable now.
"I'll help you there," he noted, pulling his cell phone out and climbing into his car. "Give me a moment."
In about five minutes Nino's phone beeped and before he could open the message Adrien was standing by his side again.
"You are very welcome, bro," he grinned.
At first, Nino couldn't believe his eyes, so he took another look to make sure he read it correctly and glanced at Adrien.
"Man, but that's impossible. How did you do this?"
"Trade secrets," Adrien smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. "Now if you could convince Marinette to let me drive her home before Alya sees us, that would be great."
"Right," Nino nodded. "I'll be right back. But, man!" He still couldn't believe. "Alya wanted to go on this "Romantic Yacht Voyage on the Night Seine" forever. I called them every day for weeks! It was booked solid for another two months. How?"
"Let's just say—" Adrien smirked, "—that they always keep a few spots open for the people who are in a desperate need of a favour. I am waiting, Nino. No Marinette within ten minutes and the deal is off."
He didn't need another warning. Nino was rushing back to the building already to give Adrien a chance in making his dream a reality and to fulfill one of the greatest wishes of the woman he loved more than anything. A mutually helpful agreement and if he was lucky enough then all four of them would benefit. Talk about a deal!
Nino ran. Adrien settled in his car and waited. Somewhere in the building, Marinette was getting ready to leave.