"Nervous?"
Marinette sat in a chair, facing a mirror as Jillian curled her hair. Alya sat arms length away, almost beaming.
The enchanting dress hung on a hook in the middle of the room, slightly glowing from the sunlight pouring in the windows.
"Not really, no." Marinette answered with a smile. "I thought I'd be shaking…but really, if everything goes wrong today, it will still be better than the first one."
"Nothing is going to go wrong, girl. We've got this thing planned down to the very last detail. Chloe's got everything on lockdown, down to the very last T. All you have to do is smile, give your vows, smooch your man, and then relax! Piece of cake!"
"Like I said, I'm not even nervous. This is our day."
Giverny. A tiny little village in the region of Normandy, in Northern France. Here, Claude Monet had his chateau and his garden. Here in May, the flowers were blooming and bursting with colors, the willows draped their weeping curtains down to create walls of green, and secluded rooms in nature. The tulips and irises dotted the landscape with pinks and purples, flocked with white and mauve wisteria.
The cottage Marinette and Alya were getting ready in was no great estate, but a country getaway that was nestled in the heart of beauty. The stone walls were decorated with creeping vines, camouflaging the building into the wilds.
And outside, under the catalpa tree, Adrien would be waiting, along with a handful of friends and relatives. Just those that they truly wanted there. Sure, the whole city wanted to watch, they wanted to see the resolution, see their heroes happy, so a live stream was set up. It would last for the ceremony, and then be over just in time for them to enjoy their privacy.
Sabine zipped the dress up, hiding Marinette's scars in the white and pink lace.
She turned around, twirling her skirts in the mirror, watching the gold thread flicker in the light, and just admiring how pretty she looked.
"You look like a princess," Alya beamed, tears in her eyes. "You deserve this so much."
Marinette's own face almost hurt from smiling, she was so happy. "I think I'm ready."
"Papa's waiting just outside." Sabine handed her the bouquet. "He's probably going to cry when he sees you!"
"Tom or Adrien?" Asked Alya.
"Both!"
Marinette was led out of the cottage, and met her father, Gabriel, and Emilie on the back steps. The aisle to the altar was obscured by a sheer linen curtain. No one had seen her yet.
Except for her father, who lit up at the sight of her.
And then began to cry.
"Look at you! What a beautiful girl…I haven't seen a bride so beautiful since your mother." He sniffled.
Marinette embraced him. "Thank you, papa."
He kissed her cheek. "Are you ready, love?"
"Yes."
Nino held his arm out for Alya, beaming at Marinette with tears in his eyes too. "You look amazing Mari."
"Thank you, Nino."
"And what about me?" Alya chastised her boyfriend.
"Oh, you look drop dead gorgeous, my darling."
"That's what I thought." Alya turned and sent a wink back to Marinette.
"Adrien is certainly a lucky man," Said Gabriel, with a soft fondness not often heard from the cold man. "That dress suits you perfectly. But of course, it's not the dress that makes the bride, it's the bride that makes the dress."
"Thank you, Gabriel. I really love it."
Emilie looked about two seconds away from outright sobbing. "I'm so happy for you both! I promise these are happy tears!"
Marinette chuckled. "I understand completely."
The processional music started up.
"That's our cue." Gabriel held his other arm out for Sabine, and he walked her and his wife down the aisle.
"See you at the end," Alya winked, before walking with Nino down to the altar.
Marinette took a soothing breath as her father gathered her close with his arm. "My little girl. The light of my life, and my personal hero."
"Papa…" she chastised, emotion welling up in her voice. He was not going to render her a blubbering mess before she got to the altar.
"I know, I know. I just…I love you so much. I'm so so proud of you. Every time I look at you, as you or Ladybug, I just feel like I'm going to burst with pride. I want to shout from the rooftops, 'that's my beautiful daughter! I made that!'" He smoothed a little patch of hair next to her temple. "And I just know you're only going to be greater from here on out."
She closed her eyes as the tears pricked behind her lids. This felt right. Having her dad here, this felt proper. This was missing the first time around, and really all she wanted.
"Ready?"
"Yes. Absolutely." She nodded.
Now, her nerves started to tickle at her stomach, right before the curtain could move.
Before she saw him.
But then the white was swept away, and there was Adrien. Staring at her, mouth open, eyes wide. Before his mouth quaked and his eyes became sparkly.
Her vision blurred for a moment. He looked so completely and utterly happy, she almost sobbed.
Instead, she tripped.
Landing on her knee.
"Are you okay?" Her father asked, quickly hauling her back to her feet.
Marinette laughed. "I'm fine! I'm fine! I would trip on my wedding day!" She glanced down at her skirt. "No stains, no rips, everything's fine!"
There was a collective sigh of relief, as Tom held out his arm again and escorted her to the end of the aisle.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Of course there was only silence for a moment, before the officiant moved on.
"Who gives his girl to be married?"
"Her mother and I do," said Tom.
Marinette unhooked her father's arm, gave her bouquet to Alya, and then took Adrien's hands.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, barely containing his joy.
"And you're really handsome," she whispered right back.
The officiant smiled at them both. "Never thought you'd see the day, hmm?"
Adrien just squeezed her hand.
"Please bow your heads in prayer."
Heavenly father, as we enter into your presence, I pray for your blessing upon this couple and their marriage. I pray that you uphold them in your righteous right hand. That you offer your protection and shelter in times of difficulty, that you offer them rest when the past comes back to haunt them. I pray that love only blooms more brightly and more beautiful everyday in their marriage. That their love will be a testament to strength in adversity, and that they continue to have and to hold each other in every trial they face. Amen.
Adrien's thumb brushed over Marinette's knuckles, rounding the edge of her engagement ring.
"Just like the solemn vow you both took to protect Paris, so too, are you now vowing to be joined together. Though the first time your names were joined on paper, this now, you both are coming into willingly. The commitment to your partnership you have held over the years is only a glimmer of the promise you make to each other today. Though it is similar, it is not the same. There is no taking off a costume in a marriage. You don't go home alone at night after you've fulfilled your duty. There are no days off. This is a full time commitment. But it is not one you enter in alone. You have a partner, one you can lean on in your hard days, and one you must support in your own way. As a rope with three cords is not easily broken, so are we stronger together. When you work as a team, there's nothing you can't accomplish, as you already know. There's a lifetime of laughter and joy waiting for you, and it's yours for the taking. Only if you are willing to take the bad with the good. And with what you've both been through together, I think you know what I mean.
"Adrien, there will be days when Marinette struggles. She will have sorrow, anxiety, and pain. You must wrap her in your arms and be willing to listen and help, even if you just need to lend an ear.
"Marinette, there will be days where Adrien becomes angry and frustrated, you need to be the one to offer support, whether it's help, a hug, or space. As you grow older, you will learn what each other needs. To grow and change is to be human, to learn and love is to be a spouse.
"That being said, Adrien, do you take Marinette to be your lawful wedded wife?"
Adrien nodded, speaking more seriously than he ever had in his life. "I do."
"And Marinette, do you take Adrien to be your awfully—pardon me, lawfully wedded husband?"
Marinette smiled off the slip up. "I do."
"In the spirit of the importance of strong friendships to a marriage, Marinette and Adrien have asked two friends to read selections about love that especially resonate with them."
Alya delivered her words of wisdom clearly and with passion.
"The truest love that ever heart
Felt at its kindled core,
Did through each vein, in quickened start,
The tide of being pour.
"Her coming was my hope each day,
Her parting was my pain;
The chance that did her steps delay
Was ice in every vein.
"I dreamed it would be nameless bliss,
As I loved, loved to be;
And to this object did I press
As blind as eagerly.
"But wide as pathless was the space
That lay our lives between,
And dangerous as the foamy race
Of ocean-surges green.
"My love has placed her little hand
With noble faith in mine,
And vowed that wedlock's sacred band
Our nature shall entwine.
"My love has sworn, with sealing kiss,
With me to live - to die;
I have at last my nameless bliss.
As I love - loved am I!"
Nino stepped up next, taking the note cards out of his tux pocket and trembling like a leaf. "This excerpt is from Adrien's favorite book, the Princess Bride." He cleared his throat. "I have stayed these years in my hovel because of you. I have taught myself languages because of you. I have made my body strong because I thought you might be pleased by a strong body. I have lived my life with only the prayer that some sudden dawn you might glance in my direction. I have not known a moment in years when the sight of you did not send my heart careening against my rib cage. I have not known a night when your visage did not accompany me to sleep. There has not been a morning when you did not flutter behind my waking eyelids." Despite the occasional stutter, Nino delivered the reading beautifully and beamed after he was finished.
The officiant spoke again. "Two people in love do not live in isolation. Their love is a source of strength with which they may nourish not only each other but also the world around them. And in turn, we, their community of friends and family, have a responsibility to this couple. By our steadfast care, respect, and love, we can support their marriage and the new family they are creating today.
"Will everyone please rise. Will you who are present today, surround Marinette and Adrien in love, offering them the joys of your friendship, and supporting them in their marriage?
The assembled all spoke unanimously. "We will."
"You may be seated."
After everyone settled, the officiant continued. "Adrien and Marinette have decided to write their own vows, and present them to each other now. Adrien, if you would?"
Adrien smiled at his bride, taking a stack of index cards out of his pocket. He cleared his throat. "This speech isn't actually as long as it looks."
There were a few giggles from the crowd.
"My Lady. My beautiful, kind, strong, wonderful lady. I've dreamt of this day since the moment we met. Since you got me wrapped up in your yo-yo, I knew I was wrapped around your finger, and you could make me do anything you wanted. There was nothing I wouldn't do for you. Even as Marinette, I found myself drawn to you, and eager to spend time with you and help you with whatever you wanted. It's as if my heart already knew who you were, and my brain just needed the time to catch up. I wrote a list of all the things I love about you, and once I knew who you were, I went through and looked, almost all of them pertained to Marinette too." He unfurled the stack of cards in his hand, having taped them together. They unfolded into a long list that hit the floor and went off a little ways. "The only ones that didn't were…" he scooted the list up a bit. "Mysterious allure, and…graceful dismounts."
Marinette laughed at him, feigning annoyance.
"You're perfect to me, my lady. Even after all that we've been through, you're still perfect. I would be the luckiest man in the world to have you standing next to me for the rest of our lives. And I promise, with all of my heart, I will never let something like we endured happen again. You will be safe with me. You'll have everything you could ever want, and I will lavish you with love every minute of every day. You may get annoyed after awhile."
Marinette tittered, pulling a hand away to wipe at her eye.
"Marinette, I promise to cherish you always, to honor and sustain you, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, and to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us."
Marinette took a shuddering breath. "I love you."
"Is that your vow?"
"No," she giggled. She turned to Alya.
Alya's eyes widened in horror. "Oh girl! I left your notes in the cottage! I'll go get them!"
"Don't worry about it," Marinette smiled. "I practiced this enough, I should have it memorized now." She squeezed Adrien's hands. "My darling kitty. My best friend and love of my life. To stand up here with you feels like a dream come true. Teenage Marinette would have been ecstatic to be getting married to Adrien, but to find out that you are also Chat Noir makes me the luckiest girl in the world. When we were captured, and she-who-shall-not-be-named took your Miraculous, and your suit faded away, I was honestly relieved. I was terrified for us, for you, for our safety, but I was so glad that I was with you. I knew my sanity would survive with you with me. That month in isolation without you felt like a month without breathing. A month without water. Because you are everything to me, and all I need is you. I'm ready to stand beside you as your wife, to give you myself as I am, flaws and all, as long as I can have all of you, bad puns and all."
"Hey!" He beamed.
"Adrien, the first time we escaped, when we did it on our own…do you remember that moment in the hallway? You were held by the ankle, and you told me to take the Miraculous and run. And I did. But letting go of your hand in that moment was the most painful thing I ever had to do. I felt like part of my soul was being ripped away from me. I cried the whole time I stumbled through the catacombs, just missing you and so full of fear. I never want to be without you, never for the rest of my life. So please have me, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poor, until death only shall we part."
Adrien raised his hand to wipe the tear from her eye, and leaned in, prepared to kiss her, but held back, since they weren't at that part yet.
"Marinette and Adrien will now exchange rings as a symbol of love and commitment to each other. Rings are a precious metal; they are also made precious by you wearing them. Your wedding rings are special; they enhance who you are. They mark the beginning of your long journey together. Your wedding ring is a circle—a symbol of love never ending. It is the seal of the vows you have just taken to love each other without end.
"Adrien, please place the ring on Marinette's left hand and repeat after me:
As a sign of my love
That I have chosen you
Above all else
With this ring, I thee wed.
The ring sat right over the engagement ring, a rose gold band to match. The bands were a little loose, but Marinette assured everyone she was still gaining weight to get back to her normal size.
"And Marinette, please place the ring on Adrien's left hand and repeat after me:
As a sign of my love
That I have chosen you
Above all else
With this ring, I thee wed."
Marinette placed the rose gold band on the opposite hand from his Miraculous, his wedding band thinner than the other.
"Before these witnesses, you have pledged to be joined in marriage. You have now sealed this pledge with your wedding rings. By the authority vested in me by the city of Giverny, I now pronounce you man and wife! Adrien, you may kiss your bride."
"Don't mind if I do!" He took her into his arms, spun her into a dip, and kissed her. Deeply, with passion, and with unanimous cheer in the background.
"Don't drop me," she whispered as he pulled away.
"Never, my wife." He righted her on her feet.
"I present, Mr. and Mrs. Adrien Dupain-Cheng—excuse me! Mr. and Mrs. Adrien Agreste!"
Laughing, they walked together back down the aisle.
—
The reception was in a tent just the opposite side of the yard from the ceremony. A little tea party garden like in Alice in Wonderland. A dance floor was set up in the center, with long king's tables set up around it.
Marinette and Adrien sat a sweethearts table up front, sharing a little settee. Soft vintage music played, creating a warm, friendly feeling, like one gets in the big city at Christmas time. The food was excellent, as was the Champagne Gabriel had picked out.
Speaking of Gabriel…
The sharp ping of a knife on a glass cut through the conversation, and the man stood. "Thank you all for coming here. It's vitally important that my kids are surrounded by people who love them unconditionally on such a momentous occasion. Adrien and Marinette, I have gone through a lot in my life. A lot of trials and tribulations. And without family, I may not have made it through them. You had each other, in the catacombs, and so you will have each other for the rest of your lives. But more than that, you have us. You've gained another set of parents. Another pillar of support in times to come. Another pair of cheerleaders in time of joy. And while I know I haven't been the most open or understanding the last few years…" He took a huge sigh, and then looked them both in the eyes. "The pride and love I feel for both of you, is immeasurable. I'm so happy you found each other."
When Gabriel stood, Marinette felt a flicker of doubt in the pit of her stomach, but now she just glowed in the glory and bliss of being a newlywed. Today was for her, for them, for their love.
Adrien didn't resist pressing a kiss to her cheek.
When it came time to dance, Adrien offered his new wife, officially, a hand. "A dance, my lady?"
"I would be delighted."
"Technically not our first dance…"
"But I'm counting this one, because we're surrounded by people we love and not a bunch of snobby rich people."
"Of course, my love."
Let me be your wings
Let me be your only love
Let me take you far beyond the stars
"Today was perfect."
"Marinette, I could have married you in the back alley by a dumpster, surrounded by feral raccoons, and it still would have been perfect."
"Would they be cute raccoons? With little bow ties?"
"Yes dear, little raccoon sized bow ties."
"Then yes, it would have been perfect."
Let me be your wings
Let me lift you high above
Everything we're dreaming of will soon be ours.
"Did you really write a list of everything you love about me?" She asked.
"Of course. Plagg doubted that what I was feeling was love and not just admiration. I had a point to prove."
"And that whole list you had…was filled out?"
"Front and back. But there's probably repeats. I think I mentioned your bluebell eyes at least four times."
"It doesn't count if you repeat it!"
"It just means I quadruple my love for it!"
Anything that you desire,
Anything at all.
Everyday I'll take you higher
And I'll never let you fall.
"Are you upset that we're not going away on a honeymoon?" Adrien asked.
"No. I understand your father's fears, and I agree with him. We are doing really good…but I don't know if I'm ready for a trip on our own."
"I'll take care of you. You know that."
"Are you well enough?"
"Most days…"
"It's okay. We'll go soon."
Let me be your wings
Leave behind the world you know
For another world of wondrous things.
We'll see the universe and dance on Saturn's rings.
Fly with me and I will be your wings.
"Adrien, tonight we're supposed to…"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too, Marinette."
"But…I don't…love my body. Not yet. I'm sorry, I should have told you before this."
He hushed her. "My Lady, when you're ready, you let me know. I can wait. I want you to be happy and comfortable."
"Thank you, My Prince."
Anything that you desire,
Anything at all.
Everyday I'll take you higher
And I'll never let you fall.
"They did a really good job bringing your wedding book to life in a few months."
"Oh, I think we're just special." She laughed.
"Oh?"
"Go to any vendor in Paris, and ask if they'll tend to Ladybug and Chat Noir's wedding, I'm sure they'd jump on it!"
"Oh duh, you're right, as always. Still, this cottage is a little too perfect, don't you think?"
"It feels like a dream."
"The best dream, one I never want to wake up from."
Let me be your wings
(You will be my only love)
Get ready for a world of wondrous things
(Wondrous things are sure to happen)
We'll see the universe and dance on Saturn's rings.
Marinette rested her head on Adrien's collar bone, her arms wrapped around his shoulders. His own hands rested on her waist, holding her just far apart that he didn't step on her skirt. And that's how they danced. Just enjoying the smell of the other, the warmth, the comfort and softness. Of loving and being loved in return.
The brands on their hands didn't hurt anymore.
Heaven isn't too far.
Heaven is where you are,
Stay with me and let me be your wings.