Adrien sat up in bed, his ring back on his finger, Marinette by his side and his father at the foot of the bed. Gorilla was also in recovery and doing well, Gabriel had shown a lot of concern for his employee, this whole experience had taught him what was important to him.

Adrien was lapping up this scene in front of him, very happy that his father had softened so much so quickly, he wasn't going to let anything sour his mood. Feeling well enough to go home, he protested when the doctor had recommended he stay in overnight for monitoring.

His father had informed the doctor that he would keep a close eye on his son and check on him frequently in the night. The doctor noted that it all depended on how his food intake was in the evening. Adrien had eaten so much and was only gaining in strength. Annoyed however, that the doctor insisted that he be wheeled to the car awaiting him outside.

Adrien really could not believe how this day had turned out. Yes he had been in a car accident, and yes it was caused by his ex-girlfriend, and yes people he cared about had also been hurt. The outcome as far as he could see though, was only positive. His father was not being an asshole with him, Marinette was at ease by his side, everyone was on the mend and he found out that his dad's laugh was infectious!

Life was good.

"You were meant to have a photo shoot tomorrow Adrien, but I have cancelled it so you can get your rest" Gabriel was looking at his schedule for tomorrow as Adrien clambered into bed. "I am supposed to be having a conference call," he pursed his lips, "That can wait until Monday...send them an email now..." he fiddled with Nathalie's iPad with what would appear to be great difficulty. "Right," he said looking over at Adrien, "I have cleared my schedule for tomorrow," a genuine smile on his face with Adrien smiling shyly back. Gabriel could see the slight uncertainty in Adrien's face and internally winced as he knew why his son had such reservations about his sudden transformation.

"Would you like to surprise Marinette first, by having breakfast there?" Adrien had a look of elation on his face when his father said this. "I'll take that as a yes then," he went to turn, but came back to face Adrien, "would it be ok if Nathalie joined us too?"

"Yes, why wouldn't it be," Adrien replied, now rather puzzled.

"I just wanted to check son,"

'Son! He called me son and it wasn't in a controlling way either! This is amazing, it's all I've ever wanted. My father, actually being my father.'

"Father," Adrien started and Gabriel tilted his head looking over his son more intently. "Thank you for allowing Marinette to be there today," he focused on his hands while he fidgeted nervously with his ring. "And thank you for being there too," he looked back up at his dad, "it means so much that you were there too."

With this Gabriel smiled kindly at his son, and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'll be back to check on you later, if you need anything, give me a shout."

With smiles exchanged, Gabriel left Adrien to get his rest, and went to his office to look through some papers.

After checking in on Adrien for what seemed like the tenth time that night Gabriel looked at his watch. The time was three in the morning and he knew he would have to get sleep himself. There was one thing he needed to do though before he could do anything else.

Descending down into the lair of Hawkmoth, Gabriel winced at his behaviour. He was full of remorse for his actions. The seasoned designer walked across to his wife Emilie. He placed a gentle hand on her glass chamber with a tear escaping his eye.

"I love you so much." He started in a feeble voice, choking on the tears that were now emerging. "I never thought this day would come, where I accept that I will never have you by my side again."

He dropped to his knees, hand still just about making contact with her chamber. "Adrien almost joined you today, and I can't risk him again." The tears pouring down his cheeks, shoulders hunched and his head hanging low. "He has met a lovely young lady, he is happy. I wish you could see him now, looking more and more like you with each day that passes." Shifting to a seated position, he leaned his back to his wife's casket. "I don't want to let you go, but I can't focus on Adrien and building our relationship until I accept that you are no longer here."

"I have too much hate in my heart to let him in," he was almost silent with his words. "If I carry on like this, I wonder how much damage will be done before I realised it is too late to rebuild the bridges I have destroyed with my actions." He knelt up to look up at her through the glass, "you were such an amazing mother to our son... I only hope I can live up to the standards you set." Choking again, he struggled with the words and rationing in his mind. "I hope I have your blessing to stop this tirade over Paris, and to-to keep our son safe from anymore Akumas."

He stayed there for a while, crying into his arms and eventually falling asleep next to his wife for the last time.