I woke up the next morning, clutching one of Cat Noir's black t-shirts in my hands. I was cuddled up against it, smiling in my sleep. We'd gotten into this pattern sometime back. Whenever I couldn't sleep or had a nightmare, he would leave an article of his civilian clothes with me to lay with in my bed. Course I never saw him in any of it, but that didn't matter. It just smelt like him…. That was enough. Gradually regaining my consciousness, I inhaled the fabric surrounding my face. My heart gave a little flutter. Ah. Perfection…. I couldn't have woken up in a better way.

Except for perhaps Cat Noir's arms wrapped securely around me.

"Good morning, Marinette. Sleep well?" Exiting my room after dressing for the day, I was surprised- but not as surprised as you might imagine- to see Adrien coming up the hallway in my wing of the mansion. I looked over behind me to him giving me a single wave accompanied with a kind smile. I mirrored his polite expression, still high off the romance of last night. "Yes, very well actually. You?" "Oh yes; one of the best sleeps of my life," he grinned, shutting his eyes and rubbing the back of his neck. I blinked at him perplexed. Huh, I wonder why that is? Maybe he's just relieved to finally know who his fiancée is? Or maybe it's something else. Who knows. My cheeks coloured a little as he stepped closer toward me. My foot wanted to instinctively take a step back, but I made myself resist the urge.

"Sorry to surprise you like this. Our house can be a bit of a maze and I wanted to make sure you found the dining room ok." "O-Oh! Well, how nice! That's very…. sweet of you," it really was. This guy obviously cared about me, even if it was technically his duty as my fiancé to. Still, he didn't have to be as considerate to me as he was…. My hand rose up toward my chest slightly as I was unsure what else to say. Sensing this, he continued to lead the scene. "Do you have everything you need from your room?" He inquired, putting both his hands inside his pants' pockets. "I uh… I think so? I always double-check my backpack before I go." He nodded and motioned for me to follow him. "Good. Let's go get some breakfast." Breakfast…. Breakfast with Adrien? That still feels weird to me; it feels weird just being around him, especially alone like this. But….. But…. "It'll drive me crazy if I know you're living with someone you hate. So do us both a favour and try to get along, ok?"

"A-Adrien!" My hand actually shot upward as I called out to him. He stopped walk so to glance back at me from over his shoulder. It took a minute, but I eventually sent him a friendly grin, trying to be as natural and kind as I could. "Um, t-thanks…. Thanks for everything. You been… nothing but kind to me since I got here. I just wanted to say thank you…" The tips of my forefingers tapped together shyly. I was unable to meet his gaze as I said this, praying my cheeks weren't too red. Adrien's face seemed a little astonished at this declaration, but soon enough his smile returned across his lips. Grinning more for himself than me, his eyes gently shut, and his head spun forward. He wasn't looking my way when he verbally replied.

"You're welcome, Marinette."

We walked to the dining hall room in silence, stealing not-so-secret glances at each other along the way. While I was doing my best to appear normal, he had this calm, contented air about him. Like everything was going to be ok…. Everyone keeps telling me that- maybe I should be more inclined to believe them. I mean, if my beloved Cat Noir says that he's ok with this, then maybe…. At least I could rest assured that last night wouldn't be the very last time I saw him… like I was anticipating.

With a smile, Adrien held the dining room door open for me, letting me go in first. You can imagine my shock and horror to see that my parents were already there and making themselves kept at home. Mom was already re-arranging the chairs at Mr. Agreste's massive dining table. Her face lit up when she found Adrien and I entering the room together and didn't wait any time rushing over to us.

"Oh! They're here! Tom, they're here!" She hollered over to Daddy who I suppose was in the kitchen. Her head dashed back in our direction. "Just look at you! The happy couple! How'd you sleep last night, dear?" "Fine, Mom. Thank you," I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly. She was being so loud…. Her eyes gave me one of those looks only a mother's can. "Not you! I was talking to Adrien!" "Erm, I slept well, thank you. Sabine," he looked like he didn't know what to make of the situation. I wanted to roll my eyes so hard. The only saving grace was that it wasn't Cat Noir experiencing this cringe-fest right now. Thank god for that. Still, I couldn't help but feel bad for Adrien. I wasn't lying when I said we came from really different families…..

Mom raced back over to the table where a series of white fine-bone china plates were set. "Sit right here, Marinette- next to Adrien," she pulled up a chair beside my fiancé. "Mom!" I gritted through my teeth. Oh my god, someone kill me please. We looked at each other timidly and sat down… side by side. My cheeks were burning a bright pink by now I'm sure; my hands curled onto my lap super tightly. Mom, however, looked like she was having the time of her life, sitting down at my other side. She caught a glimpse down at my clenched fists, noticing my engagement ring for the first time. Oh yeah, I haven't shown anyone it yet.

Her face lit up fascinated. I suddenly felt my hand being plucked off my lap and held up for display. "That's a very pretty ring, honey. Did you design it yourself, Adrien?" Mom's eyes wandered over to him as she held my hand in her hand to inspect my ring. Adrien flinched, then blushed a tad and peering off to the side. He's got a shy streak in him too, I see….. "U-Uh, yeah! I just went off what I thought Marinette would like. I wanted it to be a combo of Ladybug and Cat Noir colours, since I heard that she likes them….." "Oh, you're so right there, young man! Our little girl LOVES those two, especially Cat Noir." "Mom!" If it was possible to have died of embarrassment, I would have just then. For Adrien's part, he merely covered his mouth as he gave a little cute chuckle. Mom shrugged like she didn't know what she did wrong. "What? You had his posters everywhere in your old room. Clashed with all the pink, if you asked me," she said over to Adrien, using her hand as a shield which didn't work at all. I can still hear you, you know!

"I've made crepes with fresh berries and cream for everyone!" Oh, great; here comes the other one. My father burst through the kitchen door with a tray of steaming hot crepes. I nearly stood up in my seat, I was so mortified. "Daddy!" "What? Did you want Belgium waffles instead?" He asked me, genuinely confused. I buried my face in both my hands. Ugh, forget yesterday's first encounter with my new family; THIS is the real nightmare. Adrien's going to think that his in-laws are crazy! If it's not his dad smothering us one moment, it'll be my parents the other. Please, Cat Noir; please come save your baby from this whole mess!

"Here, Adrien. I made a special crepe just for you," Daddy slid one onto his plate. Adrien's eyes lit up excited. "Thanks, Tom! This looks great!" He grabbed his fork in a heartbeat. I watched him; this anxious feeling beginning to swell in my gut. Well, at least he's not dying of embarrassment. He seems to actually be enjoying all the attention- or at least Daddy's cooking. He took a bite, his entire face widening in amazement. Once he swallowed, he flashed my dad a brilliant, elated smile. "Wow! This is the best crepe I've ever had!" "Tom's one of Paris's finest bakers," Mom explained. Daddy nodded like this was common knowledge. "That's right! Don't you worry, Adrien. Now that we live here, I'll be making all kinds of stuff for you guys. You'll love it! Fresh croissants, macaroons, crème brulee. In fact, I'm going to bake your wedding cake!" He proclaimed, folding his arms across his chest for prominence. Once again, Adrien's eyes flashed in delight. "Really?!" "Oh yes. No future son in-law of mine will have another "bakery's" cake… Uh, I mean no daughter of mine." I frowned unimpressed. Yeah, say you're thinking more Adrien than more about me without saying it. Typical. They're just over-excited about the engagement. Not that I can fully blame them either.

It's not like I've ever brought a boy home for them to meet before.

Daddy next put down two crepes onto my plate, grinning sappily at me as he did so. "Eat up, pumpkin! You've got a big day today." "Thanks, Daddy," I internally sighed, picking up my own fork. But before I could take a bite, Mom cut in leaning closer to me with that great big leer of hers. "Marinette? Aren't you going to invite Adrien to come to Versailles with you today?" "Oh, Mom! H-He doesn't want to sit in an old, dusty workshop while I look at fabric samples all day," that, and I don't want to subject him to the wrath of Dr. Grinds. Adrien swallowed the mouthful of crepe he was currently chewing on to glance over at me. "Actually I don't mind," he gently countered. But I shook my head. "You don't have to do that, Adrien. I know you have schoolwork to do yourself." Mom scowled disapprovingly, giving my knee a pinch.

It was Daddy who whisked his hand around dismissively at us. "You kids just go get your work done. And don't eat anything else today!" Oh Jesus, I'm almost too afraid to ask…. "Why?" I questioned, nervously glancing over my shoulder. "Because I've got a big dinner planned for your first night as an official couple!" Daddy's arms flung up into the air. "What?!" My hands slammed down onto the tabletop in disbelief. I wanted nothing more than for the floor to open wide and swallow me whole. This was all happening too fast! When did he even plan that?! What will Mr. Agreste say?

"Good morning, everyone," Mr. Agreste slithered into the dining room. Adrien's cheerful demeanour rapidly altered, as did mine. Oh no, Mr. Agreste! I knew he'd be here this morning but… I was kinda- desperately, actually- hoping that he wouldn't show up. Daddy, though…. "Well, good morning, Gabriel! I've made plenty of crepes! Sit down and have a few!" As if to add insult to injury, he actually lifted his spatula up in the air as he said this. Mr. Agreste did NOT appear impressed, giving my father the "side-eye". "I've already eaten, thank you." After shooting down my father, he turned his attention to his son, completely ignoring me in the process. His hands were clasped intimidatingly behind his back.

"Adrien. You're going to escort Miss Dupain-Cheng to her place of study this morning, I hope." "Of course, Father!" "That's really not necessary," my hand rose up a tiny bit to interject. But Adrien sent me a kind smile. "I don't mind. I can take you there on my way to the university." "But that's over a thirty-minute drive. I can't ask you to do that for me." "The train would be faster, you know," Daddy hummed, pouring more cream over his crepes. "Public transit?" Predictably Mr. Agreste scowled in disapproval. Adrien shot him a pleading look. "It is the fastest way, Father. You know how backed up traffic can get downtown." "And the train stops right outside the university," Mom added. "Very well," he sighed after a moment, clearly still not onboard with the idea. Mom and Daddy sent the other a victory wink, which made me cringe to no end. Why are they trying to couple us up? Adrien and I are already engaged!

Mr. Agreste shot Adrien a warning glare. "Come straight home once you're finished there." Adrien was visibly put off by this but lowered his head nonetheless. "Yes, Father….." He muttered wistfully. Then the former's harsh eyes shot over to me for the first time that day. They were staring right into my soul and judging by their disgust I would say he didn't like what he saw. "See to it that your fiancée does the same." My back arched a little in repulsion of my own. Excuse me?! See to it that I do the same? Who does it think Adrien is? My new master? No, he's just the intermediary between me and Mr. Agreste; we all know who held the real power here.

Adrien was as equally revolted by this order but said nothing- neither did I. Daddy- missing the insidious meaning behind Mr. Agreste's bitter words- thought nothing of it, landing his broad arm over his shoulder. "Don't worry! They'll both be home early tonight. I've already told them about the dinner you've arranged, Gabriel." "What?!" Both Adrien and I gasped dumbfounded. That was HIS idea?! Why would he….? Unless he wants to parade his new soon-to-be daughter in-law around the city's elite. But somehow, I got the feeling that wasn't the case. It was only then that my mother realized that I might not be thrilled about this dinner plan. "Marinette? Sweetheart?" Her hand took mine in hers once more. She made me look at her by lightly squeezing it. My head jolted her way and she met it with another soothing smile. "Don't worry, honey. Everything will go just fine tonight." "Mom…." How could she be so sure? We don't even know who's coming! But that didn't stop her from giving my hand another affectionate clasp. "It's just one dinner party. I mean, really.

What's the worst that can happen?"