A/N: I'm so so so sorry it took so long for me to publish this chapter! It's the summer holidays for me and I was travelling from place to place and never had enough time to write a lot. Anyways, I'll shut up with my excuses so you can read the chapter.
❤︎❤︎❤︎
Chapter 26 - Our Ending
Adrien was carrying another box from the moving truck to inside the apartment. Once he walked all the way to the third floor and got to the door he placed the box on the floor and reached for the door handle. Just before he could open it the door flew open revealing a panting Marinette.
Adrien smiled, "I've told you, I can open the door by myself, Princess."
"I know, I know but I want to help!" Marinette reached for the box that was still on the floor next to Adrien.
"No, no, no," Adrien stopped her hand and took it to him, kissing her knuckles. "A gentleman doesn't make his Lady carry things for him."
Marinette giggled, "But it's not that heavy!"
Adrien shook his head, "I'm still bringing it."
Marinette pouted jokingly, "Fine! I'll go find another box to carry."
Adrien chuckled as he watched Marinette disappear into the elevator. Finally, he picked up the box that was still on the floor next to him and brought it inside, placing it with the other boxes. No later Marinette came stumbling in, carrying a heavy box. In her hurry of placing it down she tripped over a smaller box that was standing next to the door. Before she or the box could reach the floor Adrien ran over to her catching the box in his hands and Marinette in his arms.
"See, I told you that I should carry the boxes," Adrien told Marinette as he let go of her.
"I- But that wasn't fair! I didn't know there was a box in front of the door!" Marinette complained as she regained her balance.
Adrien chuckled but at seeing Marinette's frown he stopped. "Come on, Princess. We're almost done. I'll help you with the next one, okay?"
Marinette nodded, grabbing Adrien's hand and dragging him down the stairs after her.
The couple brought in the rest of the boxes together this time, always taking the stairs as Adrien wished. Once they were done, they slumped down on the couch which was brought in by Nathalie and one of the movers earlier. Nathalie wasn't helping anymore since she had to go sign some documents confirming that she would become the legal guardian of Adrien.
Adrien sighed silently, his smile dropping. Marinette noticed and gave him a tight hug. "Come on, what do you want to do now? How about getting lunch? Maybe we could go to the bakery for lunch? Or would you like to go-"
"The bakery sounds great." Adrien had interrupted Marinette's rambling and gave her a little smile.
Marinette took a deep breath in and out and muttered, "Okay."
They stood up, took the stairs to the front door and hand in hand walked to the bakery which was just two blocks away. As they walked Adrien questioned Marinette.
"Why are you so nervous?" He looked at her as she fiddled with her jacket sleeve.
Marinette stuttered, "Me? I'm not nervous a-at all!"
Adrien gave her and unimpressed look.
"Okay, okay. I'm nervous because," She hesitated looking at Adrien. Seeing how much he wanted to know what was bothering her, she continued. "We have to tell all of Paris that Hawkmoth is no longer a threat and well, they'll want to know who it was and I- I'll have to tell them." She looked down.
Adrien nodded sadly, then squeezed Marinette's hand. "I know you can do it M'lady. Paris loves you, they'll listen."
"Yeah, I know they will. I'm just worried for you. I mean they'll know," Marinette looked at Adrien, unsure.
"Yes, they'll know but they'll also know that they aren't in danger anymore. Imagine how relieved everyone will be. No more hiding emotions when you're upset, angry or anything else!" Adrien smiled, realising just how much they had done for the city. "After all we did it! We defeated Hawkmoth! Yes, it was my father which kind of stops us from celebrating but it shouldn't! We've been doing this for more than two years, getting no where and look at us now. Free!" He picked up Marinette and spun her around. She was laughing just as much as him. No more extra responsibilities, no more double life!
"Well hello you two love birds!" They had arrived in front of the bakery and Tom smiled at the couple.
"Hi Papa!" Marinette giggled.
"Hello Tom," Adrien smiled.
"Come on in, you can grab something from the bakery but just go eat it upstairs, okay?"
"Yes, Papa." Marinette nodded. "Come on, Adrien!" She pulled him inside.
Once in the bakery, Marinette grabbed herself a piece of quiche and Adrien took a ham and cheese croissant. Satisfied, they walked up the stairs to the living room. Finding a spot, they sat down at the table and started eating. Their initial happiness was starting to fade and Marinette was starting to zone out, thinking about what she should say for the speech. Then she felt someone squeeze her hand and she looked at Adrien.
"I've already told you, you don't need to be worried. You'll do amazing and I'll help you with it, okay?"
Marinette nodded, smiling at Adrien. "Yeah, okay."
They finished eating and then decided to head back to the new apartment as they had promised Nathalie that they would meet up there after lunch.
When they arrived at the building, Adrien opened the door with the general key, letting them into the main building. The inside was simply a set of stairs made out of sand stone leading up in a curve and a small elevator. They obviously chose the stairs and started making their way to the third and top floor. When they arrived Adrien led them to the door of the apartment number 34 and he started turning the key in the lock. The opened door led to a little entrance almost like a small corridor where they left their shoes. They kept walking and came to the end of the entrance and arrived at the living room. So far there was only a couch in the middle of the room and a small tv in front of it. On the right side of the living room there was the kitchen which was just separated by half a wall so you could see the stove on the other side. On the other side there was short corridor leading to a bathroom and two separate doors which lead to the two bedrooms.
Boxes were still standing around everywhere and Adrien took a seat on one of them.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Marinette looked at Adrien skeptically. "There might be something that could break in there. Why don't you just sit on the couch?"
"It must be my cat senses telling me to go on top of everything," Adrien laughed.
"I don't do that!" Plagg had zoomed out of Adrien's pocket and frowned at him.
"Yeah," Adrien agreed, "But you do leave your stinky Camembert everywhere."
Plagg gasped, "You take that back!"
"It's almost as if you're in love with that cheese, Plagg." Tikki folded her arms as she floated next to Marinette.
"Of course I am!" Plagg argued but at the angry look Tikki gave him he added, "But not as much as I love you, Sugarcube!"
"Don't call me Sugarcube, Stinky-sock!" Tikki flew to Plagg who started flying away, going through the walls to escape the angry, little, red kwami.
Marinette and Adrien had watched the exchange and couldn't stop laughing at how sweet their kwamis were. They stopped as they heard the door open and Tikki and Plagg hurried back to their owners, hiding in their jackets. The door opened revealing Nathalie, who walked into the living room dropping a folder full of papers on the kitchen counter.
"Hello Adrien. Hello Marinette," She greeted them tiredly.
"Hi," Marinette waved to her. "Did everything go okay?"
Nathalie nodded smiling. "Yes. Yes it did."
"I'm so glad for you guys!" Marinette smiled brightly.
Adrien smiled at Nathalie and then Marinette. "So I guess we'll just finish unpacking everything for the rest of the day."
Nathalie nodded, "Yes that would be the plan."
"Okay! I can help!" Marinette volunteered.
"Great, thank you." Nathalie smiled gladly.
Adrien walked to the closest box, Marinette following him and waiting for instructions.
That's how the afternoon passed, opening boxes, putting things in their places, and generally making more order. Before they knew it, Marinette was already collecting her things to go back to the bakery.
"I'll bring you Marinette," Adrien held out is hand to Marinette.
"No, no, I can go by myself. Anyway, it's only a two blocks away," Marinette gently pushed his hand away.
"I insist," Adrien took Marinette's hand and led her to the door.
When they arrived to the front door of the bakery Adrien gave Marinette a quick kiss then started walking back the way they came. Before he could get very far Marinette ran after him and grabbed his hand.
"One sec, Kitty," She smiled up at him. "How about- How about we meet up at the Eiffel Tower tonight? I'll bring hot cocoa and some macarons, okay?"
Adrien's face lit up, "That would be amazing! Around nine?"
Marinette nodded, "See you, then!"
Adrien watched as she skipped into the bakery and couldn't help smiling at how happy she looked.
Dinner passed quickly in Marinette's opinion. She talked to her parents, telling her what she had done throughout the day. They listened happily as she went on and on about how much she liked doing things with Adrien, even if it was work. Once everyone had finished, Marinette helped putting away the dishes and cleaning the table. Finally satisfied she kissed her parents goodnight and went up to her room.
"Tikki, have a cookie before I transform," She handed her a cookie from the basket she was holding and the kwami gladly ate it.
"Thanks Marinette," Tikki thanked her chosen. "I'm ready when you are!"
"Tikki, spots on!"
A flash of pink and the spotted superheroine was zipping over the roofs of Paris.
Chat Noir was already sitting at the top of the Eiffel Tower, dangling his feet off the edge. When he heard the soft thump of his partner landing beside him he stood up to hug her.
"Hey Bug," Chat let go of her, letting her put down the basket that she was holding.
"Hi, Chaton!" She smiled up at him.
"Ohhh!" Chat sniffed the air, then looked at the basket that was now on the floor next to Ladybug. "Is that passionfruit macarons that I smell?"
Ladybug giggled as she opened the basket, "Of course! I do know they're your favourite."
She handed him one and he ate it in one bite. "Mmmmh. They're so good!" Chat tried to grab another one but Ladybug pulled the basket away from him.
"Wait a second, you naughty kitty! Let's sit down and pour ourselves some hot cocoa. Then, you can have another one."
Chat pouted jokingly, then sat down and did as she said.
Once they were both sitting comfortably next to each other, sipping the last of the hot cocoa, Ladybug leaned on Chat and spoke to him lovingly.
"I'm so glad everything worked out in the end," She sighed. "I know it's not exactly the "ending" that we had imagined but, well, it's our ending." She snuggled into Chat's side watching the glittering lights of the city of love below them.
Chat Noir quite liked that. It's true, it wasn't what he had imagined defeating Hawkmoth would be like but as Ladybug said, it wasn't the ending they had imagined but it was their ending.
✰THE END✰
❤︎❤︎❤︎
A/N: Yup, this is the last chapter. At first I thought I might write the speech too but I decided to end on a (kind of) nice note. I really hope you enjoyed my story and I congratulate you that you read all of it. And, as always, thank you so so much for all your comments! They always make my day!
