Marinette turned lightly in the bed. And after a while of uncomfortable shifts and turns, her eyes slowly fluttered open. The light from the window immediately shining in made her squint.
She ran her fingers through her face and only opened her eyes when they finally came into focus. She made a move to sit upright but winced lightly as a sharp pain travelled through her stomach. Okay those sleeping positions were definitely not helping, she internally groaned.
She alighted the bed carefully, not to strain her stomach. Slipping her feet into her flip-flops, she grabbed her robe and wrapped it around herself before taking short strides to the bathroom.
"Adrien..." She called softly but got no reply. Probably in the parlour or the playroom, she thought. Slowly, she made her way out till she found him in the kitchen.
Her heart swelled as she saw him doing the dishes from last night while making breakfast at once. It was times like this that she fell a thousand more times in love with him.
That little apron around his neck, smears of flour on his face while he scrambled around to keep everything in order. Adrien was a cooking disaster but now that she wasn't well enough to work, he always skipped work to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, even if it was all baked foods since that was all he could do. Alternatively, they ordered food sometimes.
All in all, it was still perfect. She loved what they shared with every bit of her. And to think it all started from a high school crush.
She leaned on the doorframe watching him, a huge smile on her face.
"Morning." She finally made her presence known after some time. "How long have you been up?"
He immediately snapped his head to her. Even looking like a mess, he was still gorgeous. But then his expression dropped. "Marinette, you're up already? You shouldn't have walked here on your own." And in a split second, he was at her side.
She rolled her eyes, not that again. "Adrien, I already told you, I'm fine. And I can walk on my own."
"But-"
"You need to stop treating me like a vegetable, I'm fine." She sighed, a little exasperated. This was happening a lot more frequently than she liked to bear. Adrien was always too worried, never letting her do basic things insisting that she wasn't fine.
And it was annoying sometimes. Sometimes he wouldn't even let her lift a fork.
His face twisted up for a second then softened and placed his hand on the side of her face, "I know, I just don't want you to put pressure on yourself. You're still recovering, I just can't stand the thought of anything happening to you again." He spoke softly, the worry etched in his features.
The look in his eyes melted her annoyance and she met his soft gaze, "I'm fine, Adrien, trust me."
She traced her slender finger over the crease in his forehead till it smoothened back, "I'm fine." She reassured him and he sighed, his shoulders slumping.
Slowly, she stood on her toes, leaning in till her lips were pressed against his. Giving in to the best taste in the world, Adrien let his hands fall to her waist as he moved his lips in sync with hers, pulling her closer.
Yes, kissing Marinette was and would always be the best feeling in the world for Adrien. He vaguely wondered how he still felt the chills and tingles he'd felt when they first kissed back when they were 14. And to think, he was blind to the most amazing woman in the world. In a honesty, he'd never been more grateful for Ladybug throwing him in a trashcan.
He almost laughed into the kiss when the memory came back to him. Running out of air, they both pulled apart and a lovesick smile was etched on his face. "You're so wonderful." He gushed, rubbing his thumb softly on her cheek.
She giggled softly, "You say that everytime." He cradled her face placing light kisses all over her face making her giggle even more. "It's because I mean it."
He leaned back just to stare at her, pure adoration in his emerald stare. It was one of the times that she asked herself if this was truly real and not just 14 year old Marinette daydreaming about three kids and a hamster.
"See, I'm fine." She whispered. It was sure as hell real. He leaned his forehead against hers as she spoke, "Besides you can't carry me around now, how disastrous would that be?" She chuckled and he rose a brow, "You know with my weight and all." She gestured to her body.
A smirk crossed his lips for a second and before Marinette could contest, his hands went to the underside of her thighs and he hoisted her up to the marble counter. A squeak of surprise follower by a loud chuckle escaped her lips.
"You were saying?" He smiled smugly as he moved to cup both of her cheeks, her face now at the same level with his and her legs at both sides of him. She giggled and bopped his nose, "You're such a dork."
"I'm your dork."
"Mm..hmm..." Her next words were muffled as their lips met in another kiss. His hands went to her waist pulling her closer, her legs instinctively tightening around him while she threaded her fingers into his hair.
Even with the shortage of air, they didn't stop. His lips exploring her mouth in a more intense than sweet way. Her hands slowly travelled to his shoulder, loosening the apron around his neck and coming to rest on his shirt.
He pulled back when she fondled with the button of his shirt, "Princess, we can't." His words coming out gruffly as he tried to catch his breath. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, whispering against his skin, "I'm fine. Just keep going." And then she placed a kiss and another.
Adrien's hand on her waist pulled her closer and a sharp pain travelled through her stomach, the position forming knots in the wrong parts. She made a small noise in the back of her throat, her hand instinctively moving to grip her stomach.
Adrien immediately froze hearing her sound of pain. "Princess, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." He carefully helped her down and in a split second, his hand curled under her knees as he lifted her off the ground. He looked down at her as her arms wrapped around his neck. And there it was again, the fear in his eyes.
It was the exact same look in his eyes when he came home from work months ago and found her curled on the floor, bleeding seriously. She looked away and folded in his arms, "I'm so sorry." He whispered again as he carried her back to the bedroom.
Like she was a fragile glass, he carefully lay her on the bed. He knelt beside her, her hand tight in his grip. "I'm so sorry." He whispered over and over again.
"It wasn't your fault." She whispered back and turned on her side to face the opposite direction. She hated to see that look in his face, that despair and knowing she put it there made her so upset. That sometimes she wondered if she never confessed her feelings, she wouldn't have dragged him into her mess of a life.
The doctors had no explanation for her bleeding, and almost-miscarriage. There was more magic to it than they could understand.
During the first earlier months of her pregnancy, Shadow moth was brutal with sending akumas and sentimonsters. And some of the heroes she could reach out to weren't even in Paris, not even Alya. And to avoiding giving to Miraculous to untrustworthy people, she had to merge a lot of miraculous during battles.
Tikki warned her about the dire consequences since she was pregnant but she was adamant. So much power drained her, the baby and caused incorporated complications with the pregnancy.
Adrien was beyond distressed, he always looked horrified, scared and the whole situation took a toll on him. She felt so horrible that she just couldn't tell him it was some stupid miraculous. Stupid akumas. Stupid powers.
"It's my duty to protect you, Marinette." He moved her hair away from her face. "And the thought of losing you makes me go insane. I would die without you. I love you so much."
He placed a kiss on her fingers, "I need to go get us some groceries and I'll be back as soon as possible. Please I just need you to rest here. I'd be back soon to get anything you need. Pls don't get up." She made a muffled reply keeping her eyes everywhere but on him.
He seemed a bit relieved, "Father called earlier, he wanted to come with us on the next visit to the hospital." He spoke after a small silence. She turned and offered him a tight lip smile, "That'll be great."
But if there was one thing she was grateful for, it was Gabriel. At first, when they started dating, he was completely against them. But after several dinners and talks, Marinette actually began to grow on him. And as much as he didn't care to admit, she reminded him so much of Emilie. He saw himself and her in the young couple. And years after when Adrien proposed, he gave no objections.
And even since the complications of her baby, he was always there beside them, leaving his akumatizing business for months now.
Adrien kissed her fingers again, "I'll go check on Emma firs-"
As if on cue, little baby cries echoed through the house. "I guess she's awake." He mumbled. "Call me if you need anything."
"Bring Emma to me." She held him back but he nodded in negation. "Rest, I'll make her sleep before I leave." He gave her hand one last squeeze before leaving the room.
She could hear shuffling, doors closed and opened and then the cries stopped completely. Then more shuffling, a little cursing and the burnt smell in the air said it all. He'd probably burnt the bread. Typical Adrien, she silently chuckled.
"Princess! I'll be back in a few." She heard him call out and the sound of the door right after told that he had already left.
She shifted her weight and climbed off the bed. She made a beeline, straight to the play room where Emma was.
The door was half open so she easily slid in but let out a little gasp at the sight before her. Emma lay in the court, Plagg resting on her cheek, purring softly and Tikki playing with her fingers while she let out small gurgles with sleepy eyes.
Marinette thought she would cry, the sight was too cute. The gasp she let out got the kwamis' attention making them look up at her. "Marinette, didn't Adrien ask you not to leave the room?"
The bluenette did not get to reply as Daizzi flew past her with a thin straw in her grip, "We found it!" She squeaked and the other kwamis flew in as well.
Marinette's eye widened in shock then she narrowed her brows, "I thought I said no Kwami out of the storage room except Tikki. And what are you doing here, Plagg?"
Mullo zipped round her and squealed, "But Emma is so cute."
"Her bubbly blue eyes."
"Her soft...soft...sunshine hair."
"And her soft hands."
Pollen, Orikko and Ziggy gushed right after. "So we're making her a crown."
"Out of straws!"
"And by the way, Adrien's not here now." Roarr and Barkk added.
Marinette groaned. Keeping the miracle box was a babysitting job in it's whole. But still she couldn't deny that she absolutely loved the sight...it was too cute.
She walked to Emma's crib and squatted next to her. Plagg and Tikki still lay next to her, "And Plagg? Why are you here? Did something happen with Catnoir?"
Small panic for a moment before Tikki quickly came to the rescue, "You see, Catnoir was just worried since you haven't shown up for the last few months so Plagg came to check on you. I told him about the condition, that's okay right?" Tikki flawlessly lied.
Marinette nodded and smiled, absolutely flattered that Catnoir still cared for her even if there were no akuma attacks. Years ago, he already told her he was in love with someone else so she knew it was all platonic.
"Absolutely..." She beamed, "And Plagg, tell Catnoir to meet me for an afternoon patrol at our usual spot."
"That will cost you three wheels of Camembert." Plagg stretched and purred and Emma giggled happily, reaching out to Plagg. "I think she likes you." Marinette smiled.
"Who wouldn't?" He purred, "By the way, Didn't your husband tell you not to leave the house?"
"Exactly, Marinette. It would be your first time transforming after your surgery. Wouldn't it be too much to jump the rooftops?" Tikki cautioned but Marinette waved it off. "You guys are all worried for nothing. Emma is healthy, I'm fine, just some minor pains. Besides the ladybug suit helps."
"You're so stubborn." Tikki flew up to her and she chuckled.
"Apparently, that kid finds it irresistible." Plagg muttered under his breath.
Adrien opened the door quietly and peeped in to see her laying on her side. He walked in silently and sat beside.
He was relieved to find her sleeping peacefully. He placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. "I love you, Princess." Looking to the side, he saw Emma's milk bottle filled up and smiled. That was his Marinette always ahead of it all.
Sometimes he just loved her so much that it scared him. Years ago when she had first confessed to him, if he was being entirely honest, he didn't know they would even go this far. He loved her so much more than breathing. And he could still remember the dead feeling he'd felt when the doctor said she might not have made it.
"Just so you know, Ladybug wants to see you for patrol this afternoon." Adrien immediately turned to see Plagg curling next to Marinette.
"Get away from her, you'll wake her up."
"Don't be jealous now." Plagg teased and Adrien sighed. "Where did you see Ladybug anyway?"
"I went to see Tikki."
Adrien left Plagg to nap and went to feed Emma. He played with her for a while before putting her to sleep. He stared at her a little longer while she slept. He created her with Marinette, his heart screamed in happiness.
Going back to their bedroom, she hadn't still woken up so he decided to go for the patrol. He arranged some snacks in case she woke up and he wasn't there. Then he transformed and left.
It was barely fifteen minutes since he left before Marinette woke up. Trudging lazily, she looked around the house but there was no sign of Adrien. She found Tikki curled up next to Emma in the playroom.
"Where's Adrien?"
"He left for p- more snacks? I don't know, he didn't say anything when he was leaving." Tikki flew up to her. Marinette nodded. "He'll probably be a while, you should go meet Catnoir, aren't you late?"
"You're right!" She sprung up. "So, spots on?"
Ladybug barely landed on her feet when she got there. Her ungraceful landing caught Catnoir's attention who was sitting at the edge of the roof.
He immediately rushed to help her get her balance. She internally cursed at the light burns she felt in her stomach. At least the suit's magic helped. "Ladybug, are you okay?"
"I..uh..yeah..." She muttered, slightly out of breath. Okay jumping on rooftops was definitely a terrible idea.
She looked up at him, a crease on his forehead showing how worried he was. She smiled. She just realized how much she'd missed him. She surprised him and wrapped her arms tightly around him, "I missed you so much."
He relaxed into the hug, "I missed you too." He whispered into her neck, tightening his hold around her.
A moment passed by, neither of them moved, just enjoying the warmth of the other. Ever so slowly, he pulled back to look at her. "I missed you a lot." She whispered again.
Suddenly something shifted in him and his face dropped and he looked away, "Is something wrong?" She reached up to make him look at her.
"The past few months have been terrible, Ladybug."
"Want to talk about it?" She offered him a smile and he nodded. "Yeah, I do need to get the burden off me. .." He muttered.
She led him by the hand to sit at the edge of the roof, their feet dangling down. There was a small beat of silence. Then she scooted closer and placed her hand on his. He smiled back at the comforting gesture.
"You know my girlfriend I told you about.." She nodded, "Yeah...we got married sometime last year."
Ladybug beamed, "Oh my goodness, Kitty! And you never told me, I'm offended." She placed her hand on her chest in fake hurt. "But still madly happy. I'm so happy for you!" She squeaked and he chuckled at her squealing. She was too cute for her own good.
"Thank you. That means a lot. What about your fiancé you told me about? It's been a while, aren't you together yet." He deviated the topic unintentionally. He was genuinely curious. He could still remember the way her eyes lit up and she jumped around when she told him her boyfriend proposed.
It reminded him so much of Marinette.
"Well..." She trailed off, playing with her hair. It had fallen a little longer than it had been so she could twirl it around. "We got married not long ago and we already..." A blush formed on her cheeks and she looked away.
He immediately caught on, his eyes lit up, "No way, you're pregnant! You're pregnant! You're pregnant? You shouldn't be roof jumping, little lady." His giddy expression dropped.
She chuckled, "Relax, I'm not pregnant. I actually already had my baby not so long ago."
"You still shouldn't jump roofs but wow...you have a baby! If it weren't for our identities, I would demand to see..."
"Her." Ladybug clarified and his eyes widened and he beamed, "You need to promise when all this is over, I'll be her godfather." Her smile matched his, "Like I would pick anyone else. Only if I'm the god mother of your baby when you get it, okay?"
"Well..."
"Well...what?"
"My wife actually just delivered 2 weeks ago."