The day couldn't get any more perfect than it already was. Cloudless blue sky, a bright winter sun, and a touch of frost hanging in the air. People walked about the streets, cars moving in a heated dance of holiday rush, a buzz of chatter and humming of the city he once thought to be calming. Now, even the warmth of sun rays on his skin couldn't soothe Adrien. The moment his cellphone chirped, he almost jumped out of his skin.

Nathalie: I'm at the scene. Everything should be ready by five o'clock. The pilot is informed and will be on standby at noon.

He shot back a quick reply and stashed his cellphone back into his pocket. Everything was moving along as planned. Everything except his level of composure… because this was a bad idea!

He was moving too fast.

He knew he was.

Marinette wouldn't like that.

She'd kick his butt to the curb and…

"Dude, relax. Everything will be fine." Nino wrapped his arm around Adrien's shoulder. "She loves you. You have nothing to worry about."

"I know she does, but loving me and marrying me are two different things. What if I'm too early with this whole thing? What if she isn't ready for marriage yet?"

"Oh, please," Chloe huffed from the couch she was lounging on. "This proposal is twelve months overdue already. Don't get all mushy and self-conscious on me now."

Adrien gave her a look. "Chloe, we've only known each other for twelve months. How is that twelve months overdue?"

"Adrien, darling," Kagami groaned. "The girl was in love with you before you even met. She's been ready for months."

"You can't know that for sure."

"I can," Alya chipped in with a smirk. "A browsing history never lies, and Marinette's says she was more than ready about six months ago. If you stall any longer, expect her to propose on New Year's Day."

"Are you sure, though? Maybe you misunderstood something—"

"Kwamis give me strength." Alya let out a groan and glanced at Nino. "Babe, I kind of promised her not to tell, but you didn't, right?"

"About?"

"The gift she got him for Christmas?"

Nino's lips stretched in a smirk. "The watch?"

Alya nodded. "Just like the one I got you when we got engaged. Just a bit more fitted to Adrien's tastes."

"Wait." Chloe perked up. "The watch? As in the one a bride gives to her groom in exchange for her engagement ring?"

Kagami let out an amused chuckle. "The girl's bolder than I thought. I like it."

"I thought that tradition was dead," Adrien murmured.

"It's more alive than you think," Alya replied. "Good French traditions never truly die, and this one has been coming back recently. For the best, if you ask me. Why can't a strong, independent woman spoil her partner a little? It's only fair."

"I do like it," Kagami looked at Chloe. "Would you prefer a ring or a watch, darling?"

"We can always get both."

"We could."

Adrien tuned them out, turning back to the window. Marinette was ready… or so their friends claimed. Usually, he believed them without a doubt, but right now, his brain just wouldn't shut up with all the what-ifs.

What if he messed everything up at the last moment?

What if she didn't like the ring?

What if she got cold feet?

What if he freaked out and back off at the last moment?

He had his t-shirt for that. He made sure he wouldn't mess this up. Unless—

"Listen, Adrien." Kagami ripped through his train of thought. "Do the names Emma, Louis, and Hugo mean anything to you?"

Adrien stilled. "How—"

"Just answer me."

He looked to the side, mumbling. "Those're the names of our future kids."

"Unbelievable!" Chloe huffed. "You two are talking kids' names, and you're still worrying over the girl not being ready? Really, Adrinkins. This whole love thing has made you a bit… I don't know…"

"Obnoxiously irritating," Kagami finished for her. "Not to be insulting, but your brain stops functioning when Marinette's around and you seem to lose all sense in anything concerning her. You're like her puppy, really. It's embarrassing at times."

"Yes. Precisely. Embarrassing."

He glared their way. "Like you're any better when it comes to each other."

His phone chimed again.

Nathalie: Your father wishes you the best of luck and would like to know the results as soon as possible. Since I promised you privacy, would you mind texting either him or myself before the end of the day with the news?"

A chuckle slipped his lips as he typed a response. "Father's really eager for Marinette to join the family."

"No wonder. He adores her."

That his father did. Ever since Gabriel had met Marinette, he hadn't stopped singing her praises. Mostly her talent as a designer, but Adrien clearly saw Gabriel respected her for a lot more than that. He wasn't sure what magic Marinette had performed on the man, but after their meeting, Gabriel had warmed up to his offspring little by little and the two of them started to slowly mend their relationship, having weekly lunches and spending holidays together. His father had even offered to help Adrien with making sure this proposal would be perfect.

"Do I look okay?"

"You look cool, bro."

"Charming," Alya winked.

"Dashing." Kagami nodded.

"Passable." Chloe rolled her eyes. "Stop fidgeting."

"Perhaps, I should've worn a tux—"

"And spoil the surprise? If you show up in a tux to take her to lunch, she'll know right away."

"She will." Alya nodded. "Plus, you'll lose your t-shirt edge that way. Can't wear a t-shirt under a tux."

His blood ran cold. "Is the t-shirt too much? What if she hates it?"

"Now?" Chloe grumbled. "Really, Adrinkins? Now of all times, you're thinking about it?"

"What's wrong with thinking about it now? It's important!"

Chloe's face reddened in anger as she glared at him. "I'm going to kill him. Someone take this mess away from me because, I swear, Adrien, if you don't get in your car and propose to her right now, I'll do it instead of you. Not for you! Instead of you!"

"She's not lying, by the way," Kagami said with a mischievous smile on her lips, the kind that people had rarely seen on her face, the smile that told him she was deadly serious. "You either snatch her up, or we'll do that."

The clock on the wall showed noon; five cellphones buzzed with alarms.

"Can't stall any longer, Adrinkins. You better get your ass over there."

"Okay. I'm ready. I can do this. Before I go, though—"

"He's stalling again."

"He totally is."

"And I know why he keeps doing that."

"Why?"

"He can't do it. He's getting cold feet."

"Yes, I can!"

"Nah. It's beyond him."

"Marinette's too good for him anyway."

"She'll say No—"

"Are you guys serious?" Adrien yelled. "No? Really? I'm having a freaking panic attack here about proposing to the most incredible woman on this planet, and you say she'll reject me?! What kind of friends are you?"

"The best ones," all five chimed in unison.

"Okay, I see what you're doing. Reverse psychology, right?"

"What is this reverse psychology thing you're talking about?" Alya asked. "Never heard of it."

"Neither have I," Chloe added. "Gami, do you know what that is?"

"Nope. That's beyond the scope of my knowledge. Nino?"

"Don't look at me. I'm just as clueless."

"You all are horrible," Adrien huffed. "Horrible! And I'm so proving you all wrong. I'm going to propose. She's going to say yes, and we'll live happily ever after and have three kids and a hamster, and you all will choke on jealousy from how happy we are!"

Kagami yawned. "I'll believe it when I see it."

"Prepare to stare for years to come."

"Is that a threat you're going to act on or just—"

"Just wait and see who'll be the last one laughing." Adrien huffed and put on his coat, heading to Tom and Sabine's bakery without bidding his friends a farewell. They were terrible. They didn't deserve his goodbyes.

Still, he was thankful. Whatever it was that they did, it worked. He was finally out of his apartment and driving towards his destiny with the most determined attitude about the whole matter yet.

"Adrien?"

He wasn't sure why he was freaking out before. Marinette's smile was the best medicine for his nerves. Her beautiful, blue, deep as an ocean eyes; those adorable freckles sprinkled like stars across the bridge of her nose—

"Adrien, why are we heading to the airport? You said lunch. I planned for an hour of lunch. I still need to put the finishing touch on my dress for the Gala tonight."

He nervously chuckled. Perhaps, there was something that made him nervous around Marinette after all. She hated liars. "About that… would you mind if we missed the Gala this year?"

She looked at him with her eyes wide for a few moments before frowning. "What's going on?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."

Her head tilted to the side, Marinette raised an eyebrow. "A surprise?"

"Yes." His cheeks hurt from grinning, but he must persevere. He mustn't give himself away. "I found the perfect spot for our anniversary dinner date, but it'll take a little time to get there. We wouldn't make it back in time for the Gala. So, if you really want to attend that, we'll have to turn around now."

She examined him for a few more moments before leaning back into her seat. "Say, purely hypothetically… judging by us driving to an airport… this perfect place for our anniversary dinner date you found… it isn't located in Paris, is it?"

"You've always been too smart for me, my Lady."

"Is it in France at least?"

With a mischievous smirk on his lips, Adrien reached out to take her hand and bring it to his lips, letting them linger over a glowing soul mark of a black cat.

Marinette's eyes widened. "No!"

He grinned. "Yes."

"Milan?"

"The most perfect of places to visit for our anniversary. Wouldn't you say so?"

Her hand cradling his jaw softly, Marinette leaned forward to press a light kiss to his cheek. Short and sweet, powerful enough to make his whole body melt into a puddle of goo. "I'd take going to Milan with you instead of the Gala any day."

"My thoughts exactly."

Their flight had gone by faster than expected. Being the only passengers on board the Agreste's private plane, Marinette and Adrien hadn't held back on cuddling as they watched yet another cheesy Christmas romance movie. Once in Milan, they stopped at a random cafe for lunch. After that, they wandered the streets for an hour or so before Adrien stopped in front of one of the historical residences on the promenade of Corso Venezia.

"Do you remember this place?"

She looked at the building and shook her head. "The only time I was in Milan was that time I was five. I don't remember much, but can I assume this is the spot of our first meeting?"

"That is it. Want to go in and check it out?"

"Are they opened to the public? They don't look—"

Adrien pulled the door handle, opening the door for her. "After you, my Lady."

True to her nature, Marinette hesitated only for a moment before her curiosity won out and she stepped inside. A small inner courtyard had a particular charm in the winter time, and even without words, Adrien could tell how much Marinette liked it. That spark in her eyes that appeared when she was inspired shone brightly as they slowly made their way to the main entrance.

"I wish I could remember all of this, not just the red couches in the room I got lost in."

"They are still there if you can believe it."

She turned his way with a skeptical eyebrow. "No way."

"Want me to show you?"

He offered her a hand. She took it with a smile and quietly followed his lead, breaking the silence only as they reached the door leading to the main part of the building.

"Have you come here often?"

Adrien nodded. "Countless times, always hoping for a miracle. Should've succumbed to my sweet tooth and visited a nearby bakery in Paris, instead."

"I always wished I could've visited here," Marinette replied. "Never had a chance, so this means a lot. Thank you."

He squeezed her hand in his. "No problem. Ready?"

"As ready as I can ever be."

A heavy door closed behind them as they walked inside the grand building. A butler greeted them in the foyer and asked for their coats. When they settled that matter, he showed them to the hallway leading inside the mansion, then disappeared.

"I was dead sure places like this don't allow the public to visit," Marinette whispered when they were left alone. "Aren't they all private?"

"Most of them are. This one is. The times I visited were the times I came here with my father for his shows. One of the reasons I got into modeling, actually. He said if I insisted on tagging along every time, I should at least make myself useful."

"You became a model because you wanted to visit here?"

"Because I wanted to find you," Adrien corrected. Opening yet another door, he prompted Marinette inside. "This way."

She gasped as she walked in. The whole room was illuminated by crystal chandeliers. Soft music floated through the space, creating a welcoming yet somehow intimate atmosphere. In the middle of the room stood a table, set for two. The moment Marinette's eyes found it, she turned to Adrien.

"So, this is this your perfect place?"

He brought her hand to his lips, once again leaving a kiss on her fingers. "The exact room where it all started." He pointed to a wood fireplace on the left side of the room. "This is where I found you. And that—" His hand motioned to the far corner of the room to a pair of red couches by the wall. "That is where we located your grandmother. Also, the place we got our soul marks."

"Are you telling me I got lost in one room?"

Adrien couldn't help a chuckle. "In your defense, it is a huge room, more like a ballroom. It was full of people, and you were a tiny, little girl in a strange, new place. Anyone would've gotten lost in your situation."

"You were the same age in the same room full of the same people, and yet you knew your way around."

"That's because not only was it not my first time here, but I also arrived a few hours before you did, so I had a chance to explore and get to know the area."

"In other words, you completed your training for rescuing damsels in distress in time for it to be useful."

Adrien laughed. "Something like that. Shall we get to our dinner? Alya promised it's all your favourite dishes."

Marinette raised an eyebrow. "Alya? What does Alya have to do with this?"

"Her mom has a highly qualified chef-acquaintance who lives here in Milan. Alya composed the menu, and the mentioned acquaintance prepared it for us."

Marinette chuckled. "Why am I not surprised? Who else?"

"Nino's responsible for the music. My father rented the venue and lent us his private plane. Nathalie's somewhere on the premises. She supervised the preparations but promised we'll have privacy for the dinner. Chloe and Kagami made sure I looked presentable."

Marinette's mouth slowly opened as she stared at him in shock. "The whole gang?"

"Everyone insisted."

"You guys… especially you, Chaton. You always were a little extra, but this is a new level."

He grinned and took her hand in his, motioning her to the table. "Our first anniversary deserved nothing less. Shall we?"

She let out a chuckle."What am I going to do with you, Agreste?"

"For now, how about we enjoy our dinner?"

"That can be arranged, but no more going overboard. Just a visit here would've been enough."

"Got it."

They walked to the table. The dishes on it were steaming, the candles clearly lit just a little while ago. Adrien's napkin sported a slight bump, the place Nathalie promised to hide the ring for him.

"I'll take this off if you don't mind." Marinette removed her blazer, settling down. "It's a bit hot in here."

There wouldn't be a better, more natural opportunity than this one, so he might as well follow suit—whether he was ready or not. Adrien quickly took off his sweater and froze in place, waiting for Marinette to look at him.

The ticking of a clock on a wall echoed on his skin, his throat suddenly very dry. Why wasn't she looking at him yet? Their table assembly couldn't be more interesting than your boyfriend frozen in the middle of a room on the verge of fainting.

A moment later, she glanced his way. "So—"

Her gaze fell on the writing on his t-shirt, eyes scanning it as she read quietly. "Lost in love."

Her eyes darted to his. He stopped breathing as the ending slipped her lips barely audibly.

"If found, return to Marinette Hopefully-Soon-To-Be Agreste."

There was no going back now. Adrien reached for the napkin and pulled the small box from under it. Kneeling down, he opened it to reveal a ring he and all four of their friends had searched for months for.

"Marinette, I've loved you ever since I saw you standing by that fireplace all those years back. I know we were only five, but seeing you braving your way through the crowd of strangers despite being so scared your eyes were full of tears, I knew you were the girl for me. The thought of you kept me going all these years. This past year has been the best one of my entire life, and I'm hoping that, perhaps, you'd be willing to spend the rest of our lives together. Will you marry me, Marinette?"

She clutched her hands by her mouth, her eyes sparkling with tears just like all those years back. Only now they were tears of joy, not fear. Her lips trembled in a smile as Marinette nodded and barely breathed out, "Yes."

It felt like a mountainous weight fell off his chest. Finally, he could breathe. His hands were shaking when he reached for hers. Hers trembled just as much. As tenderly as he could, Adrien slid the ring on, whispering, "I know we're soulmates and we've been very happy together this last year, but I was so nervous, you can't even imagine."

Her giggles were heartwarming. Marinette wiped a tear off her cheek and placed her right palm over his heart. The glow of their soul marks illuminated the space, shining so bright the ladybug mark on his chest was visible even through his t-shirt. "You could've just slipped the ring on my finger in my sleep, and I would still have married you, you dork."

"Really? Because that actually was one of the ideas on the table."

She laughed, leaning closer to him as he wrapped his arms around her. "Again, not surprised. What else was proposed?"

"Chloe wanted a shopping spree proposal, something about a treasure hunt in the mall. Kagami insisted I teach you fencing and propose as soon as you win a match against me. Alya suggested a billboard proposal. Nino wanted a shout out at the Jagged Stone concert next week."

She watched him in awe. "How did I not find out about this before? Alya's so bad at keeping secrets."

Adrien leaned his forehead against hers, gazing into her gorgeous eyes. "According to our friends and family, someone is so in love with a certain cat she doesn't notice anything that's going on around her."

Her hands on his collar, Marinette pulled him down, their lips brushing for the shortest of moments. He returned the gesture. Twice. Three times. They soon lost count. When Marinette eventually pulled away, Adrien couldn't help the grin on his face.

"I'm so happy right now, I feel like yelling from the rooftops. 'She said Yes! She's going to marry me and I'm the happiest man alive!'"

Marinette chuckled. "Knowing you, I'm not surprised."

"Shall we do that, then?" he asked with no small amount of excitement. "I'm sure we can get on a roof here somehow."

She laughed and landed one more kiss on his lips. "Maybe just yell on your private Instagram so we aren't a couple of obnoxious tourists? But after that, your phone's off. I want you all to myself tonight."

"That's an amazing idea." Adrien grinned, already pulling out his cell phone. "Come here."

He pulled her against himself, holding his phone away. Marinette propped her hand up to show off the ring just as he kissed her cheek and clicked the button.

Looking at the selfie, Adrien couldn't help himself. His Lady was just too beautiful. "You always look so good, Marinette. Why am I the one who models?"

"Flirt." She gave him that sultry look he could never handle without butterflies raving in his stomach. A lot of good things followed that look. Things that made his knees buckle under him and forced him to swallow at just the thought. Meaning, he'd better post this thing, turn his cell off, and get back to his Lady.

"Last year, I got a soulmate for Christmas," Adrien read as he typed. "Today, I've snatched a fiancée. And if you are thinking that I'll become a husband to the most amazing woman alive next Christmas, you're very, VERY wrong. Because Marinette is clearly a spring bride, and there is no way in hell I'm waiting that long. #happiest man alive #I love her #she said yes #meant to be #turning my cell phone off now #;) #time for the cat to get his cream."

"A spring bride, huh?" Marinette walked closer, her fingers on his chest, her eyes on his. "Want to elaborate?"

"April? Everything is blooming. You in the third wedding gown in your sketchbook. The one with pink accents."

She quirked an eyebrow. "You were snooping through my sketchbook behind my back?"

Adrien shook his head. "No. I'd never. But Alya said it'll be perfect for you and that I'll love it. Apparently, it's just the right amount of innocent, sexy, and gorgeous."

She ran her fingers along his chest. "Of all the dresses I designed that one will certainly be your favourite."

"So, April?"

Her head tilted to the side, that mischievous smirk igniting a fire in the pit of his stomach, Marinette hummed. "I'll consider it… if you can kiss me like you've never kissed me before, leave me breathless, and make me forget about this delicious food on the table."

Adrien grinned. A challenge! He loved those. This wasn't even a hard one. For all her bravado, everyone knew Adrien was her weakness. Just as everyone was aware that Marinette was his. He pulled her closer and leaned down, their lips mere inches apart. Hot breaths against each other's skin, Adrien whispered before closing the space between them.

"You're so on, My Lady."