Two weeks.

Chloé finally broke after two weeks.

Marinette had just said goodnight to Adrien, who was eager to take her to see a new apartment he had found. Her parents had been polite enough during dinner as Adrien described it, but their faces said volumes to Marinette. Her mother looked like she was switching between proud and resigned, while her father looked like he was ready to cry.

It was only after Adrien had kissed her goodnight and headed back to the hotel that Marinette gathered the courage to ask her mother what was wrong.

"What do you mean?" Sabine asked as she cleared the table. Marinette started collecting plates to help.

"I mean you looked like someone stole your last baguette the entire time Adrien was talking about getting a new apartment. What was so bad about that? He's already doing a shoot this week and working again, and it's for Vogue. Vogue! He's even got that Hugo Boss ad campaign lined up, and his agent got him three acting roles! And he's being responsible and getting an apartment and…"

"And we're happy for him," Sabine said, sighing.

"Then why did you look so sad all throughout dinner?" Marinette asked again.

Sabine set her dishes down in the kitchen by the sink and leaned against the counter. "Because he wasn't just telling you about an apartment. He was asking you to approve of it."

Marinette set her own dishes down. "So what?"

Sabine steadied herself. "He was asking if it worked for the two of you."

Sabine looked to Marinette as her daughter slowly began to understand. "He was talking about you living with him. And moving out of here."

"Oh. Oh, mama," Marinette said as Sabine started to cry. She hugged her mother and held her as the older woman continued to sob.

"You weren't supposed to grow up this quickly," Sabine said. "We were supposed to have more time with you! This is too much, and you're too young! You were supposed to go to University and have more time for you! But you, you always did do things your own way. I just… I'm not ready for my baby to be gone."

"Mama," Marinette said. "Adrien found an apartment two blocks away. We'll be right there! And you and dad can come over any time, you know that. I'm still applying to University, and I'm still going to need your help. And your advice. And, and you! Oh, mom."

"I'm not letting you go," Sabine said. She hugged Marinette tight. "You can have the baby right here. Tom! Tom, I am not letting Mari go. She lives right here now."

Tom came into the kitchen from the living room. He looked at the two women and then wrapped them up in a gigantic hug.

"Daddy!" Marinette cried out. "Not you, too!"

"You live here. Your mom said." Tom said, crying. He kissed her on top of the head. "This is your home. This will always be your home."

Marinette felt her father starting to shudder against her. She closed her eyes and wrapped one arm around him. "Of course it is. Nothing will ever change that. You two know that."

"We know," Sabine said. "That doesn't make this any less difficult."

"Do you really think I'd forget about you?" Marinette asked. "I mean, for real? And I haven't moved, or heck, I haven't even seen this apartment yet. What if I don't like it? What if Adrien moves in here with us? What if…"

"Sweetie," Sabine said quietly. "One of the hardest things a parent has to come to terms with is realizing that there is someone out there, someone other than themselves, that their child loves with all their heart. You're our daughter and we love you. Our love for you is greater than the number of stars in the sky. But… Soon, you won't need us anymore. You'll want us, but… You don't need me to tie your shoes or your father to help you bake a loaf of bread, or our help to make… To make good decisions, or to, to just be you. You haven't for a while now, and I think tonight, it just hit us all at once."

Tom nodded in agreement. "He's a wonderful young man, despite what he did to you."

Marinette looked up and glared. "I was there too, you know."

Tom continued, ignoring her. "He's going to do right by you, and I just know you'll do right by him. You two are so good together, and… This is honestly all we wanted for you, but..." He pulled back and looked his daughter in the eyes.

"We just wanted a little more time. Just a little."

Marinette found herself starting to well up as she looked at the expression on Tom's face. It was one she had never seen from him before. He was smiling at her, but his eyes…

His eyes looked like a man who had been completely defeated.

"How much more time did you want, papa?" Marinette asked. "How long were you counting on?"

Tom's voice hitched, his words barely making it out.

"Oh, forever."

Marinette hugged him again as he openly wept. "We just wanted forever with you. That's all. That's all we ever asked for."

"I love you so much," Marinette said as she buried her face against his shoulder. "I love you both so much. I always will."

Sabine nestled in as she hugged them both, yet again. "We know, darling. We know."

So, anyway.

Chloé.

Marinette had finally pried herself loose from her parents embrace and was decompressing upstairs. She was busy looking at herself in her full-length mirror as Tikki hovered beside her.

"That is a pooch," Marinette said. She poked at her tummy. She tried sucking it in, but it was no good. "I really can't hide this much longer, can I?"

"Why would you want to?" Tikki asked. "This is a beautiful thing to have happen. Why would you ever want to hide it?"

"Because I don't feel like getting judged by everyone," Marinette sighed. She flopped down on her bed. "I mean, I know my friends are understanding and all, but I just feel like if I tell them, they're gonna look at me differently, you know? I just… I wanted to push this out a bit."

"Is that why you didn't tell them you were engaged?" Tikki asked.

Marinette nodded. "I need to tell Chat, first. I owe him that. I just…"

Tikki drifted to Marinette's shoulder and patted her on the side of the head. Marinette brought her knees up to her chest and held them. "I just don't know how to do it."

"It'll be okay, Marinette," Tikki said, reassuringly. "Also, um, on that topic? Maybe it's time to tell Adrien about, well, you know."

Marinette nodded. "I agree. I've been putting this off, but… Adrien loves me, and he respects Ladybug. I'm sure he'll understand. I just, oh, Tikki. What if he's intimidated because I'm a superhero?"

Tikki stared at her. "I really don't think that will be an issue."

"I'm serious, Tikki. I mean, what about the whole Aspik debacle?" Marinette panicked as she put her hand to her head. "He felt so awful that he failed! What if he still carries some guilt from that? Do you think he feels bad about it? Because he shouldn't! He tried so hard, but maybe… Maybe being a hero just isn't for him. Not that I'd judge him. He'd make such a dreamy hero. Oh, Tikki. If only Adrien had been given the chances Chat had. And Chat! I've been putting him off, and I know he's worried! I just don't know how to face him! What if he feels rejected? What if he doesn't understand? What if he hates me because I'm just Marinette? Oh Tikki, what do I do?"

Tikki floated to the side, her head resting on her hands.

"I love you so, so much," Tikki said, her voice completely level. "Don't ever change."

Marinette and Tikki both jumped as a loud knock came from her skylight window. Tikki quickly hid as Marinette made her way up her ladder and popped out to see…

"Chloé?" Marinette asked, confused. "I mean, Queen Bee? What are you doing here?"

Chloé was standing off to the side with her arms crossed. She was glaring at Marinette and tapping her foot.

Marinette looked at her for a moment. "Is something wrong?"

Chloé stared for a moment, her face doing something strange. It looked like she was trying to talk, but not quite sure how to go about it. Finally, she blurted out, "Are you sick?"

"Excuse me?" Marinette asked, slightly offended.

"I mean, are you feeling alright?" Chloé asked. "Did you break something? Is it cancer? What's going on?"

"Chloé?" Marinette asked, confused. "I don't follow."

Chloé looked off to the side. "You know when, um, okay. Um, you remember Alya's birthday?"

Marinette nodded. "Yes?"

"So, like, remember when I found out a month in advance you were doing a surprise party for her, and I was threatening to spill and ruin it, and you asked me not to, and I kept my mouth shut?"

Marinette nodded. "Yes? I'm not sure where you're going with this."

Chloé shot her a glare. "So, I did it because…" She closed her eyes and winced. "I respect you."

Marinette blinked. "Oh. Um, thank you?"

Chloé nodded. "I've, um… I've always respected you. It's why, um… God, this is harder than I thought it would be. I keep quiet, or I guess I should say I kept quiet. Because of you. I always have."

"Chloé? What exactly is going on?" Marinette asked. "Do you need to sit down? Would you like a drink?"

"No!" Chloé snapped. "God, you being nice makes this harder. I just, um…" She closed her eyes and gathered her courage. She then opened them and turned to Marinette.

"Why did you quit being Ladybug?"

Marinette nearly fell over. Her eyes were wide with shock.

Notes:

OH, SNAP!

The bug is out of the bag! Can our heroes move forward after this pulse-pounding realization? And what will this mean for Queen Bee and Ladybug?

NEXT TIME:

A shocking confession! Well, I mean, the continuation of the shocking confession we just heard, but WORK WITH ME, HERE.

A decision is made!

Money is refused!

HOT BAKERY ACTION!

All this and more! Same Bug Time, Same Bug Channel!

Chloe: I do not appreciate being led on like this.