She had little sleep and too many confused and contradictory emotions inside of her, but as the sun peeked above the horizon, Marinette had firmly decided on one thing - neither Alya nor Nino deserved for their best man and the maid of honour to be at odds with each other on their wedding day. Having already had one unfortunate experience of hurting her loved one while being emotional, Marinette couldn't allow for that to happen again - she couldn't spoil the happiest day of Alya's life. That's why when the first sun rays of the day pierced through her windows, she stopped agonizing over the events of the last night and carefully considered her actions for the day - take a step back, put herself together and her loved ones above her own emotions, and do everything possible to remain civil with Adrien for her friends' sake.
Easier said than done but, nevertheless, as soon as she could, Marinette talked to Adrien, ensured they both were on the same page and more or less made up. Then she walked down the aisle, stood by Alya's side and smiled, made sure the ceremony and the dinner ran smoothly, and everyone looked their best. Not a single detail escaped her watchful eye as she pulled her best for her best friend on her special day. Still, in all the chaos, somehow, Marinette couldn't think of anything else but Adrien and the previous night.
For the most part, she was confused. Adrien had never paid her so much attention as he had done in the last few days. Why? Why would Adrien be so interested in her all of a sudden? Why was he so concerned about her feelings toward Emma's father? Why did he suddenly care so much?
One particular line had bothered her the most, though. But what if I am her father? Inevitably, Marinette's thoughts raced back to Chat Noir as her sight shifted to the side to catch a glimpse of the impeccable human being standing beside Nino. He was tired and sleepy, but even in this state, Adrien was an image of perfection. The flawlessly fitted suit, that neatly groomed hair, his immaculate stance, not a string, not a thread out of place. Perfect, and so unlike Chat with his wild blond mop of a hairdo and skin-tight suit that left little to the imagination. Not the look the Agreste heir would ever be showing off. Not at all.
Of course, they shared some physical characteristics, which proved only that she just had a type, not that they were the same person. Their personalities were way too different for that. Adrien was sweet and thoughtful while Chat was ambitious and often talked before thinking. Adrien was always polite and mindful of others. Chat couldn't live without flirting and badly-timed puns. Chat had loved her from their very first meeting while Adrien had always insisted she was just a friend. He couldn't be him. He just couldn't be.
"Do you, Alya Cèsaire, take this man-"
A smile played on Marinette's lips as she remembered the moment she fell for that silly cat - that day he died for her for the fifth time. A nasty akuma had been aiming for Ladybug but he, her stupid, reckless cat, had jumped in front of her again. With a growl, Ladybug had gotten ready to fight to the death. It was an epic battle, but eventually, she had defeated the akuma and brought everyone back to normal. Everyone, including Chat Noir. The first words he had spoken to her upon waking up in her arms still lingered in her mind to this day.
"For better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health-"
"My Lady," Chat had murmured, still weak and disoriented. "I didn't have a chance to say it to you in my last four lives, so I am not waiting for the right moment again. I love you, Ladybug!" he had whispered. "I love you with all my heart and soul. I will always love you, no matter where you are, who you are or even if you love me back."
"To love and to cherish; from this day forward-"
"I love you," Chat had said, and her world had changed forever.
That was the moment when something had clicked. For the first time in her superhero career, Ladybug had realized that, just a few minutes earlier, she hadn't been fighting to save Paris or to protect its citizens. No. Her battle was for Chat Noir. His life was at stake. She couldn't lose him. She'd lose her own life in trying, but she couldn't afford to lose him because-
At that very moment, Ladybug had realized that she had loved that silly cat, loved him more than she had ever loved Adrien. At that very moment, letting her tears flow she pressed closer to her partner and sobbed on his chest for what felt like hours. That evening, wrapped in his arm, she leaned over and pressed her lips to his, their first, conscious on both sides, kiss, marking a start of their relationship.
"I do."
To be completely honest, at that time Marinette had still been harbouring a warm affection for Adrien, but after Chat's confession, she had decided to leave her former classmate behind and look at her partner with different eyes. And truly, Chat Noir had been a breath of fresh air after years of unrequited love. He was different. He excited her and made her happy. He was always such a goofball yet quite a gentleman. He never went further than she allowed him. He always respected her. Never pushed, never insisted, he was happy with what she was ready to give him. Quite soon Marinette found herself wishing with all of her heart that she would be able to give him all of her love, but somewhere deep inside, the ghost of Adrien refused to leave.
As if in fog, Marinette heard Nino starting to repeat the oath, but her thoughts were still far away - the day she broke Chat's heart. She didn't mean to hurt him, but did it matter now? That day, her twentieth birthday, she had decided it was finally the time to commit to a serious relationship with Chat. No more 'maybes' or taking it slow. No more hesitant kisses only to hold him at arm's length later. Chat had waited years for her, patiently enduring her stupid hesitations and uncertainty. It was time to give them both what they truly wanted and her birthday seemed like the perfect day to finally forget the past and move on.
However, as soon as Marinette had crossed the line, a part of her heart, the one that still belonged to Adrien, raised a rebellion. After their night, she had awoken when it was still dark and fled. For the next while, miserable and confused, feeling the guilt of betrayal, Marinette couldn't find peace anywhere. In her head, she understood that she couldn't have betrayed someone she was never in a relationship with, but her heart refused to listen, chanting "How could you? What about Adrien?" over and over again.
She had tried to fight it. She knew it wasn't normal, but back then she was a mess and had no one around to help her. At least, no one to whom she had the courage to go. The breaking point, however, came as soon as she saw Chat Noir for the first time after their date, approaching her with a charming smile on his lips. He looked like his life couldn't be any better while she was utterly miserable. She tried to pretend. She tried to act normally but, in the end, she just couldn't.
She broke.
Ladybug had cried; she had yelled; she had pushed him away. She had been beyond exhausted and just wishing for that confusion, pain, guilt and that unbearably heavy burden of betrayal to vanish. She had never planned to tell him about Adrien but did it almost immediately. She had never wanted to make him feel responsible, but somehow, he looked crushed and guilty as soon as he understood. The last thing, Ladybug had meant to say was I wish I'd never met you, but it slipped from her lips before she could stop herself.
That was the very moment something broke inside of him as well. She could see it in his eyes, and before Ladybug could finish her sentence, before she could fix the damage Chat had quietly replied, "As you wish, my Lady. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy."
He'd bowed down and disappeared into the night, leaving a mess of a Ladybug to stand there, frozen in her place, too shocked to chase after him by the sight of a small, black velvet box that slipped out of his pocket. About ten minutes later she had finally gotten the courage to pick it up. The content was speaking louder than anything Chat Noir could've ever said.
"I do," Nino happily said somewhere to her side, and Marinette's heart tightened. That could've been her and Chat if only she would've controlled herself and her emotions or gotten help when she needed it. She didn't, and she wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to forgive herself for that.
Even back then she'd immediately realized she hurt him; however, the full extent of the catastrophe she had unleashed Marinette had understood a little later when a new Chat Noir had appeared and a delayed period prompted her to buy a pregnancy test. Forced to give up her Miraculous, alone and pregnant, Marinette had finally sought out help. She had gone to her parents and confessed to her friends only with one thought in mind - her baby. Because what most people would've regarded as an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy, Marinette had accepted as a precious gift from the destiny, a second chance, a small part of Chat Noir she could still have.
"You can now kiss the bride!" the priest said, and Marinette, pushing her thoughts away, cheered as Alya pulled Nino into a kiss. This day was her best friend's wedding. She had to do her best and look happy. No. She has to do her best and be happy.
But her mind was still refusing to let go despite her best efforts. The guilt of hurting Chat Noir in such an irrational and cruel and simply childish way was haunting her for years. That guilt had kept her single all this time. That guilt drove her to give Emma the best upbringing she could. That same guilt was the base of a mountain of reasons why she couldn't give Adrien a chance, not that he wanted one anyway. That guilt was something she had never let anyone on, except for yesterday when Adrien had practically forced her to open up. Maybe, that was for the best, though - a good reminder of how horrible of a person she was and how undeserving of happiness she'd become by her own actions.
Marinette had never forgiven herself for hurting Chat Noir, but even if she did, there was another issue standing between her and any potential suitor - she still loved him. A part of her heart would always belong to Chat Noir and committing herself to anyone else until that was the case was out of the question. Being with another man, even if it were her other love Adrien, would always feel like a betrayal to Chat, and burned once in a similar situation, Marinette was too afraid to try it again. It could only lead to her hurting Adrien, just as she hurt Chat.
Why was she even thinking about it? Adrien was leaving for the States soon. Yes, he took an unusual interest in her recently, but it only was his way of catching up with a good friend. Nothing more. It couldn't mean anything more and Marinette knew it. Immediately, she shrugged her shoulders, inhaled deeply and looked ahead with renewed determination - she'd be nice to him, she'd be his friend, and she would lock her foolish heart under a few more locks to keep it from acting out. After all, she had Emma to think about.
The rest of the ceremony and the reception Marinette dutifully followed Alya, helping her with the smallest needs and details. She made sure the guests were all taken care of. She straightened Alya dress when it was a little dishevelled after the first dance. She helped her with the washroom and fixed her hair. She accepted the bride's calls and made sure nothing significant happened on the world's arena while Alya was away from the internet. There was a small mishap with the cake. Marinette took care of it. Nino lost the USB drive with the music he prepared for Alya? It was Marinette who found it. She even fixed Adrien's jacket when some kid pulled hard and ripped the button off. And she did it in the friendliest of the ways. Anything and everything that went wrong - Marinette was there to deal with it, so it was no wonder that by the sundown she was barely standing on her two feet.
That was why when somewhere closer to the end of the reception beaming with joy Emma dragged Adrien up to her and asked for the permission to dance with him, Marinette didn't have the strength to forbid her daughter a few dances with Uncle Adrien, especially since she was unusually well-behaved for the whole day. To her amazement, Emma seemed to forget the previous night and hadn't called Adrien Daddy again, apart from a few times in the morning. She also hadn't spent her whole day shadowing him as Marinette was predicting instead quietly enjoying whatever entertainment Mme. Bella was providing her. Marinette was surprised but extremely happy because it looked like unnecessary drama was avoided with minimal damage.
"Did you dance yet, Mari?" Alya whispered from the side when the pair took off.
"Not yet," she weakly smiled. "Didn't have time."
"You should. I know how you love to dance, girl. I wouldn't want you to spend this whole day doing nothing but work. Go have fun as well."
"That's fine, Alya," Marinette sighed. "I had plenty of fun today. Plus, we can always go somewhere after you come back from your honeymoon and catch on all the missed dances."
"Well, the evening isn't over yet, Mari. Find yourself someone and go dance," Alya tempted with a wink, turning her attention back to Nino. From a corner of her eye, Marinette saw Nino whispering something in Alya's ear and instantly her friend stilled. Her eyes focused on something in the room, then glanced back at Marinette.
"I need to step out for a few minutes," Alya said with a smile, but something was off - Marinette could feel it. Alya's smile was too tense, her voice way too jittery. She moved in a too stiff of a manner.
"Do you need help?" Marinette rushed to offer.
"No." Alya tried to look carefree. "Just a word with the husband."
"Okay." Marinette nodded. "I'll be here if you need me."
"Sure," the bride replied and dragged her groom outside the room.
About five minutes later Marinette was still sitting alone as the voice of Elvis filled the room, changing from a more upbeat tune. I can't help falling in love with you, he sang as Marinette slightly dizzy with exhaustion took another sip of her champagne. The previous stressful and sleepless night was finally getting to her.
"Marinette?" she suddenly heard to the right and almost jolted around, startled by the unexpected voice.
"I'm sorry," Adrien apologized. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"No, that's fine," Marinette smiled. "I'm just a bit tired so I kind of spaced out. Where is Emma?"
"Oh, she's back with Mme Bella," Adrien replied. "They went to get the dessert."
"Good." Marinette fell silent. Even despite her strong determination to be friendly, she was still trying to avoid being alone with Adrien and actually managed to do so for most of the day. However, being as tired as she was now, she didn't want to run away again and quite frankly she didn't care anymore either. Adrien was nice. He proved to be quite helpful today and friendly, and charming, reliable, trustworthy and looked so handsome in that suit-
Get a grip, girl, she scolded herself in her mind and hid her blushing face from Adrien who just as silently as she continued to stand beside her.
"Are you too tired for a dance?" Adrien quietly asked a few more moments later.
"Hm," Marinette smirked. "Did Alya send you?"
"No?" Adrien eyebrows knitted in a frown. "Why would you think so?"
"Because we just discussed the topic of me not dancing yet and then she vanished and you appear with an invitation. Too much of a coincidence, wouldn't you say?"
"Well, while it does look suspicious," Adrien smiled. "Let me assure you that neither I saw Alya in the last twenty minutes, nor did she ask me to do this. Believe it or not, I wanted to invite you for a dance ever since the evening started, but you seemed to be always busy. So, I waited until you sat down, and only then came to rectify this awful injustice of you not dancing yet."
"Nah," she lazily shook her hands. "Thank you, but I still need to do-"
"Come on, Marinette," Adrien walked to stand in front of her, smiled and stretched his hand out. "Dance with me. You need to relax a little too."
Blankly Marinette stared at his hand for a couple of seconds. Then her eyes shifted to his face, to the eyes filled with worry for some reason, and to the smile that seemed to tremble on his lips.
Some things are meant to be, Elvis sang in the background as Marinette thought. She was tired physically, but even more so she was exhausted emotionally. She wanted a break so badly, to relax and have fun. At this very moment Marinette just wanted to feel happy, and wanted, and needed at least for a couple of minutes and here was Adrien asking her to dance, wanting to spend the next five minutes holding her in his arms as the slow tune floated through the room. And Marinette loved to dance.
She nibbled at her lower lip nervously because maybe it was that little alcohol that she had or perhaps the years of loneliness were finally catching up with her, but as Adrien quietly sang along "Take my hand" with Elvis Marinette didn't find neither a reason nor a desire to refuse.
"Sure," she smiled back and stood up. A sigh of relief escaped Adrien's lips, but Marinette didn't notice. She was too busy freaking out internally and overthinking again if this was the right choice to make.
Slowly, they walked to the dance floor just as the new song started, and everything took a step back as soon as Adrien pulled Marinette close. With her cheeks dusted with a blush, Marinette was barely breathing - Adrien's sudden closeness making such a primary action nearly impossible. The warmth of his body on her skin, his breath burning so close, Marinette raised her eyes to look at Adrien as they started to move, only to see him focused on her and her only, nearly inaudible singing along:
And in this crazy life. And through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
"I didn't know you can sing," Marinette noted, for the first time realizing how lovely, deep and perceptive Adrien's voice sounded when he sang.
"That's because I can't," Adrien chuckled. "It only comes out on rare, exceptional occasions and I usually make sure no one hears me."
"That's a shame," Marinette responded. "You have a nice voice."
"You like it?"
Marinette nodded.
"Thank you." Adrien grinned. "Then I guess I have no choice but to sing some more for you."
And so, he did as they danced like never before. The room filled with music, Adrien held Marinette close, moving with the beat, twirled her around and pulled back, landing her right against his chest. Oozing with confidence and sex appeal, Adrien was the most adequate dance partner she'd ever been with - not that there were many in the first place but still - and the last five minutes were the best dancing experience Marinette had ever had. The magic he'd created engulfed her, and soon it felt like they were the only duo on the floor - her, him and his quiet singing in her ear. Naively enough, there even were a few moments when Marinette felt like Adrien didn't just murmur along with the song for her but actually meant every word. She dismissed the thought immediately. She couldn't be his everything. Impossible.
The damage was, however, done and when the next song started, Marinette didn't want to leave. This felt nice. Dancing with Adrien felt so natural and amazing that when he placed his hand on her waist and drew her closer to him Marinette, starved for more, hungry for feeling loved and wanted, losing her head in the moment, didn't protest. Instead of pulling back like she'd planned Marinette placed her left hand on his shoulder and her right one into his other hand.
So I'm gonna love you
Like I'm gonna lose you
I'm gonna hold you
Like I'm saying goodbye,
This time Adrien whispered and the way he tightened his grip around her waist closer to the end didn't escape even her. Goodbye was something she didn't want to say as well but something that was needed to be done, so when the song ended, Marinette slightly pulled back out of his embrace.
"One more," Adrien breathed into the crook of her neck. "Please. Just one more."
She regretted agreeing to his plea right after the first sound of the next song floated around the room. That wasn't the song Marinette could dance with Adrien with a straight face. She already survived two, but this one was just a little bit too much, especially when Adrien looked her straight into the eyes somewhere in the middle and sang along as he meant it.
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more.
"I'm sorry," Marinette interrupted instantly, stopping their dance and pulling away. That was more than she could handle. "I'm sorry. I need to go," she whispered and fled.
All she wanted was to feel happy for a few moments; another heartbreak was what she got instead. A single tear, the first of many to follow, escaped her eyes as Marinette vanished into the ladies' room, the one place where she knew Adrien couldn't follow her, somewhere where she could let it all out, kick her own butt, get it together and renew her determination to stay the heck away from him.
"Are you alright?" Adrien asked her when about fifteen minutes later she emerged back, calmed down and determined to finish this day to the best of her abilities.
"Yeah," she tried to smile to ease the worried look on his face. "Sorry, I didn't feel very well suddenly. Needed a break."
"Maybe you should to go home and rest?" He still looked worried. "I'll take care of everything here."
"Thank you, but I am better now. Everything will be over soon anyway," Marinette answered looking around. She spotted Emma in the middle of the room, jumping around with a couple of her friends under the watch of her caregiver. The energy that kid had surprised even Marinette sometimes. Some guests continued to dance, others enjoyed their desserts, the newlyweds- they were still away it seemed.
"Did you think about the lunch tomorrow?" Adrien's asked.
Marinette stilled. "I'm sorry, Adrien. I didn't have much time to think about it with all the craziness around. Can I take a rain check on this?"
"On the lunch or the thinking? Because if it's the thinking part, then we can think together now. Let's see," Adrien hummed, observing her. "Seeing how you feel now, I assume you'll probably want to rest tomorrow, right?" Marinette nodded. Adrien continued. "Then, how about I'll drop by your work on Monday? Whatever time is better for you and we'll have lunch in one of those cafes across the office?"
"Sure." Marinette nodded, too tired to protest anymore but already planning how swamped with work she'd be all Monday. Too busy to go out for lunch for sure. "Now, if you don't mind, I think we actually need to search for our newlyweds. People will start to leave soon."
"I'll go check the outside," Adrien responded. "You stay here in case they'll come back on their own."
"Thanks," Marinette whispered and headed to her seat.
"You!" Alya hissed as soon as Adrien came into her view. "How-"
"Alya, calm down," Nino put his hands on her shoulders from behind. "As I said for a dozen of times now Adrien didn't-"
"It doesn't matter, Nino-"
"Alya, I thought we agreed to be civil about this and to let them deal with it on their own?"
"I know what I agreed to but-"
"Actually," Adrien carefully injected into their conversation. "You need to head back right about now, but I'll gladly stay behind if you want to slay me as a wedding day treat."
"You think you are so smart?" Alya glared. "Think you can escape my wrath after what you've done?"
"No," Adrien shrugged unable to keep a lovesick grin off his lips. Despite Marinette running away at the end, those few dances she gave him were the best time of his life so far. Not a million angry Alyas could spoil it for him right now. "I said I'll stay behind for all your killing pleasures, but right now guests are getting ready to leave, and Marinette is there all alone taking care of everything."
"What are you so happy about?" Alya narrowed her eyes. "Why is there a dopey smile on his face, Nino?"
"I have no idea." Nino wrapped his hand around Alya's shoulder and started to lead her away. "But he's right we need to go back inside and finish that thing called the wedding. Kicking Adrien's ass can always be done later, Al. Okay?"
"You better not run, Agreste," Alya glared and stomped to the venue. "Let's finish it quickly, Nino-"
The pair left. Adrien followed them soon. But not before lifting his face up to the starry sky, closing his eyes and enjoying the light breeze of the warm August evening. The melody slipped from his lips unintentionally.
Take my hand,
Take my whole life, too.
For I can't help falling in love with you.
"Nino? Why do I suddenly feel like I am in dire need of protection?"
"Oh, really?" Alya eyebrows jolted right up at Adrien's words, eyes narrowing at her target. She thought she calmed down after Nino pulled her back into the room full of guests where she had to be nice and smile instead of raging about the shocking revelation of the century. And in a way, it worked. By the time they performed the last of their duties, Alya had thought her anger had subsided enough to talk about it rationally. So, they called Adrien to one of the rooms provided to them for a conversation. Before coming, though, Alya personally packed Marinette into her car and insisted she left the premises immediately.
"You are exhausted and need a rest a.s.a.p.," Alya insisted. "Marinette, you've done more than enough already and we actually paid them money to clean up the whole place so shut up, get in the car and drive away before I call the national guard on you."
"Alright, alright," Marinette finally agreed. "Listening and obeying, ma'am."
Only after Marinette drove away, Alya headed to the room where Nino and Adrien had already been waiting. The anger came back as soon as she had caught sight of a certain blond and her glare alone seemed to scare the living daylights out of Nino's best friend as he paled and shrunk deeper into his chair.
"Protection?" she scowled. "So now you need protection? How about six years ago when you knocked Marinette up? Where was your need for protection then, Adrien?"
"Al-"
"Stay out of it, Nino! Let me teach him some responsibility for once!"
"Hey, I'm not irresponsible," Adrien defended himself. "Not that you need to know, but we used a condom. There was a whole box of them in the upper drawer of the night table."
"You used a condom you found in some cheap motel room?" Alya seemed to spit fire now. "Are you that stupid, Agreste? Why didn't you bring your own? How dumb can you get? Those things can't be trusted. Someone could poke a hole in it-"
"I didn't bring my own because I didn't plan to have sex," Adrien shot back. Never in his life had he thought he would have to defend his love life choices against Alya. In the middle of them, Nino just sat, pitching the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed, mind numb. "A nice dinner date and maybe some cuddles and kisses - that was all I was hoping for. That's the most I could've hoped for considering how the things were between us. First date, Alya!" he added. "And it wasn't a cheap motel. It was my mother's apartment."
"You took her to your mother's apartment for your first date?" Alya scowled. "Adrien, that's so ridiculous and tacky. You could afford so much more!"
"What else was I supposed to do?" the man grumbled in response. "I wanted it to be special and sweet and just the two of us. Winter meant it had to be inside unless we wanted to freeze our butts off on some random roof, which we didn't. We hadn't revealed our identities, so a public outing was out of the question as well. That apartment, Alya, was huge and nicely decorated and it wasn't lived in for years, so it meant privacy. It seemed like the perfect solution at the time."
"Wait a second." Alya's eyes widened. "If nobody lived there for long- could the condoms you found there also be a few years old?"
"How should I know?" Adrien shrugged. "I didn't put them there."
"Guys, guys!" Nino interrupted not even bothering to hide his amusement. "Who cares about the age. The real question here should be, whose condoms were those? Let's see." He grinned at Adrien, "It was your mother's apartment. I assume no one lived there after her, and the last man she dated was, presumably, your father so we can assume-"
"Don't. Even. Go. There," Adrien growled.
"The condoms must belong to-"
"Idiots," Alya groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose as well. "Both of you are morons."
"What did I do this time?" Adrien cried out, desperately looking for help from Nino.
"Adrien," Nino chuckled from his seat, clearly being more entertained than concerned. He knew Alya, and he knew that her anger was short-lived when it came to her friends and despite everything, Adrien was still her friend. Not to mention that there could, possibly, be quite a few good consequences of this discovery, which Alya, being Alya, had probably, already calculated. Marinette being finally happy for starters. His new wife would never put that chance in jeopardy.
"Condoms expire," he continued. "They last from a few months to a maximum of a few years, depending on a couple of factors. The one you used was probably ancient and as such - bad. Useless in other words."
"Oh," Adrien blinked. "So that's how-"
"Idiots," Alya continued to murmur. "Two fools."
"Hey!" Adrien protested. "Don't blame me. I followed the rules. Everyone says use a condom - I used a condom. No one ever told me to check an expiry date. Why there is even an expiry date on them? It isn't food or medicine. It shouldn't expire!"
"Listen, Nino." Alya suddenly turned to her new husband. "Are you absolutely sure he is the father? Emma is a rather smart girl to be born from—" she paused and scanned Adrien from top to bottom, "—him."
"That," Adrien interrupted before Nino could reply. "Can hardly be doubted."
"Oh, and why is that?" Alya looked him over skeptically again. "Did you ever consider that Marinette might have had another blond admirer with green eyes? She was and still is quite popular, you know."
"Oh, I don't doubt that," Adrien smiled. "But Emma is mine for certain."
"Did you have a DNA test done or something?"
"No," Adrien responded but stood up and pulled out his wallet, producing a small photo he took a habit of carrying around.
"Is that one of your other kids?" Alya frowned. "Because while she does look incredibly like Emma, it's not her. A non-identical twin I can accept but definitely not Emma. And why is this picture so old? What did you do to it?"
"I don't have any other kids," Adrien stated nonchalantly.
"Are you sure about that?" Alya smirked. "A week ago, you didn't know about Emma. Maybe-"
"I've never been with anyone except Ladybug in all my twenty-six years."
"Fine." Alya accepted the excuse and took the photo from his hands. She looked at it more closely, not giving Nino even a chance to peak. "Oh! I know," she exclaimed a moment later. "It's your secret, well-hidden from this world sister when she was still young and pretty. Your father's love child perhaps?"
Instead of answering Adrien only stared back, his eyebrows creeping up. "Really?"
"Let me dream, Agreste," Alya pouted. "Do you know how hard it is to come by a delicious secret or a mystery these days? A cousin?" she guessed again.
Adrien shook his head.
"It's you!" Nino added, finally getting a quick look. "And you were so cute, dude."
"You know, bro," Adrien responded with a chuckle. "Even though my father is the fashion-forward designer and has a wide range of clothes choices in his collection, when it came to dressing our family he was always quite traditional."
"So, the child in the pink dress and the bow in its hair isn't you?"
"Afraid not," Adrien laughed. "That's my mom."
"Your mom?" the duo repeated in unison. "She looks-"
"Exactly like Emma," Adrien finished for them.
"That's some insane resemblance," Nino remarked. "No wonder, you stared at her like you saw a ghost that day."
"Neat," Alya breathed out, still staring at the photo. "Okay," she sighed in a little while and returned the picture back to Adrien. "I'll let you live for now."
"Thank you very much," Adrien bowed down and chuckled. "Oh, The Great Queen of Ninoland."
"I said I'll let you live, Agreste. I didn't promise to not harm you," Alya threatened but the smile was already making its way on her lips.
"So, what's next?" Nino decided to step in. "Did you tell Marinette yet?"
"No," Adrien sighed. "Didn't want to dump this on her at the wedding, but I secured a lunch on Monday. I'll tell her then."
"Wait?" Alya frowned. "This Monday?"
For some reason, Adrien didn't like Alya's reaction. Something sounded wrong. "Yes?"
"Well, hate to disappoint you, Adrien," Alya went to explain. "But as I was sending Marinette away just now, Nathalie called her to let her know she is leaving for Milan with your father tomorrow."
"What?" Adrien paled. "My father-"
"Easy there, lover boy," Alya giggled. "It's a work-related trip. Someone cancelled on him at the last minute, so they were looking for a replacement and Marinette was the next on his list."
"He can't just order people around like this and at such short notice," Adrien frowned. "What about Emma? Where will she be for a week? Marinette's parents?"
"No. Tom and Sabine have been away in China for a few weeks now," Alya shrugged. "And they're not due back for at least one more. Emma's, actually, going with Marinette. Since, as you said, this is extremely short notice, Gabriel himself offered to not only take her along but also to hire her usual caregiver for the trip to keep Emma comfortable."
"My father would do this for Marinette?" Adrien seemed to be quite confused. These were some extreme measures in employee accommodation for any employer and being in the industry his whole life he knew next to none of those who were willing to do so. Gabriel Agreste was certainly not one of them. Why would his father-
"Oh, you'll be surprised at what he's willing to do for Emma," Alya interrupted his thoughts. "But we'll discuss it later. Now let's get back to the main issue here. Marinette leaves tomorrow morning so you'll need to wait a week to talk to her."
"Or go there now," Nino added.
"Have you seenMarinette today?" Alya glared at him immediately. "She was so tired she barely stood on her own feet. She is probably fast asleep by now anyway."
"But what if she isn't?" Nino protested. "What if she is laying there in that bed, dreaming of a handsome blond prince with green eyes to come and rescue her from her loneliness?"
"Nino-"
"Listen, guys," Adrien intercepted. "I don't think I can wait a week if I can help it, so I'll go there now and see if she is awake. If she isn't, I'll leave and try tomorrow morning. Worst case scenario, I'll either ask Father to take me along to Milan or we'll talk in a week."
"Fine," Alya hesitantly agreed as Nino gave Adrien a couple of thumbs up. "But don't wake her up. For your own safety," she added. "Good luck, Romeo."
"Thanks," Adrien smiled and headed for the door.
"Hey, Agreste?"
"Yes, Alya?" He turned around just before exiting.
"How will you prove to her that you were Chat Noir?" Alya tilted her head to the side. "You don't have that thing anymore, right? That little floating bug or something?"
"His name was Plagg," Adrien responded with a sad smile. "And he was the grumpiest little cat you could ever meet. Loved Camembert more than his life-"
"That!" Nino chuckled. "That explains some things I was always curious about."
"You mean the smell?" Adrien deadpanned.
"Maybe?"
"Well now you know but to answer your question," he looked back at Alya. "Ladybug and Chat Noir spent years saving Paris, fighting akumas, doing patrols, talking nonsense and making amazing puns, Alya. There are things that only the two of us know so I think I can prove to her my former identity."
"Gotcha!" Alya finger gunned him, a bit disappointed that those sweet secrets weren't voiced out loud. "Go, get her, Agreste. Just remember, it's either Marinette's happy or you are dead."
"Wouldn't want it any other way," Adrien chuckled and closed the door behind himself.