Chapter Fourteen

Adrien stayed seated in the taxi cab, staring up at the imposing visage of the Agreste mansion. Marinette sat worriedly beside him, squeezing his hand.

"Hey, I'm here, you know." She said softly, paying the driver. "It's just a house; it can't hurt you."

"You're wrong," Adrien answered under his breath, finally opening the door and stepping onto the sidewalk. Marinette scooted out behind him and followed him to the gate. It swung open before he pressed a button; they were waiting for him.

Natalie met them at the front door. "Adrien." She said simply, emotionless as always. Not another word as she led them inside and to the dining room, where Marinette's parents sat around a massive wooden table with a portly man in a suit and tie with a briefcase in front of him. Just the clicking of heels on the immaculate floors, the scrape of wood on stone as the chairs were pulled back.

"Mr. Agreste. I am David Perryweather, and I am the one in charge of your father's estate. Thank you for finally meeting with me." The stranger said, nodding his head. There was no acknowledgement from Adrien. The blond was staring at his hands on the table, bangs over his eyes.

He really needs a haircut, Marinette thought off-handedly, rubbing her hand on his thigh comfortingly.

The man cleared his throat in the awkward silence and continued, standing and unsnapping the clasps of his briefcase. He first removed a letter and slid it across the table to Adrien, who halted it beneath his palm. "Your father insisted that, before anything else, before his will is read or his estate dolled out, that you read this."

Adrien picked up the letter. It was a cream-colored envelope, with the Gabriel logo in the corner in silver. His name was neatly scrawled in his father's familiar handwriting over the seal. It was thin, though. Whatever his father had to say to him, he, as always, was brief. Adrien slowly tore the seal, sliding his finger along the top of the envelope. He stopped though, not opening it, hands trembling slightly. Marinette met his eyes and squeezed his leg, nodding for him to go on.

Dear Adrien,

If you are reading this, I am deeply sorry for what I have done—to you most of all. I cannot bear knowing that, if I have died, you do not know the truth, and there is no easy way to break this to you.

I am Hawkmoth.

I have wanted to tell you. I came close many times, but held myself back. I need you to know, though, that I did not start as the villain I know I must have become.

I must also apologize for one more thing, though I know I could never be forgiven for this sin. It is about your mother. I told you she left us. In a way she did. Adrien, your mother is dead.

The paper crumpled in Adrien's hands at the edges, and he began to shake, but he kept reading.

I want to tell you that I had excellent reasons for keeping these things from you, but I cannot. I hope that I will have succeeded in my mission before I died, and that you will never have to read these words, but I doubt it. This is the way of darkness. It swallows those who taste of it.

Your mother was the original holder of the Butterfly Miraculous, and of the Kwami Nooroo, since she sixteen and her mother passed it down to her. She was beautiful—powerful, strong, pure. I wish you could have seen her. We traveled the world together, and she would spread her butterflies as we went, bringing joy and peace where we visited. Then you were born, and our lives were perfect.

A few years after you were born, we were traveling in China, and we entered a part of town we shouldn't have. You were back at the hotel with the nanny. There was a man with a knife. Your mother fought him away. She was so brave. But he was fast. I couldn't do anything. The doctors couldn't help her; we were in a tiny village, after all, with little proper health care. She died in my arms. I took the butterfly Miraculous, and I buried her there, where I knew I could find her if I needed. I returned with you to and locked myself away.

Your mother had told me once a great secret handed down through the lines of the Miraculous Holders. She said that if one were to possess both the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous, one would be granted a wish. It would come at a terrible cost. To bring someone back, I would have to give up someone I loved just as much. I knew that cost meant I could have my wife, but I would have to give up our child in return. I could not bear the thought, so I did not act. I held the Miraculous and mourned in silence. I told no one of her death, so that if I found a way to bring her back, no one would question it. Then I figured it out. I did not have to wish for my wife back. I could wish to go back in time, so that we never went down that alleyway, and she never was attacked. I could sacrifice this life I built for one we could build together. I just needed to bring the Ladybug and Black Cat out of hiding, which meant I needed a villain. So, I became the villain.

I never meant for it to go this far. Those two were just kids; I should never have kept pushing it. I should have just talked to them, just asked. But I was so determined to be the hero of my wife's story. I am sorry, so sorry for everything I have done.

I wanted you to know, so that when I died, you discovered the truth from me, and not from anywhere else, and that you knew all of the truth. I did not want to be Hawk Moth. I just wanted to be a husband again.

Love always,

Gabriel Agreste

Father of Adrien

Husband of Celeste

Adrien reached down and grabbed Marinette's hand in his and squeezed, choking back his tears. All this time. All this time holding out hope his mother would come walking back into their lives, and…his father had been doing the same, waiting for the day he could bring her back, driven mad by a wish it had been in his power to grant.

Adrien carefully folded the letter and replaced it in the envelope. Mr. Perryweather nodded. "Good. Now that that is settled, I can grant the estate." He pulled out several stacks of papers and laid them out, labeling them as he went. "The deed to the mansion and land, and all possessions therein, to Adrien Agreste. The deeds and rights to the company and all of its holdings domestic and abroad, to Adrien Agreste." Adrien's eyes grew wider with every item. "The deeds to several real estate holdings domestic and abroad, to Adrien Agreste. The titles to three cars and a limousine, to Adrien Agreste. And, last but not least," he held a folded square of plain lined notebook paper to Adrien, "A very precious secret, for Adrien Agreste and whomever he decides to share it with."

Adrien took the paper. There was an address written on it. He knew it was for a cemetery in a small Chinese village. He folded it and tucked it into his shirt, close to his heart, vowing to reveal its contents later. Marinette leaned her head against his shoulder, just to let him know she was still right beside him. "He left everything to me?" He asked.

"Of course. You are, after all, his only surviving heir. It would fall to you even if he had not willed it away in the first place. But, if it means anything, he did will it to you." Perryweather nodded and handed him a sealed manila envelope. "This contains the relevant financial information—account numbers, stock portfolio, passwords, safety deposit box keys, etc." The envelope was quite heavy. "And this contains the blueprints of the mansion itself. He was quite adamant that you receive them." He handed Adrien a portfolio case. There was a letter taped to the front, the envelope almost identical to the one Adrien's first note had come in.

"Now, to business matters," Adrien's eyes moved to Perryweather's. "There is the issue of the running of your father's business. He left it to you. There will need to be stockholder meetings, and other such formalities—"

Adrien cut him off, turning to Natalie. "You know Gabriel from the inside out. You have been running it at my father's side for years. I know you've been running the company…in his absence." Natalie nodded. "Then I'm stepping down and appointing you as the head of Gabriel."

Natalie's jaw dropped for a moment before she composed herself. "Are you sure, Adrien? You are tossing away a great opportunity."

Adrien looked at Marinette. "No, I'm simply embracing a different great opportunity. Gabriel is your baby. Raise it. That is, if you want it." He cocked an eyebrow at her.

After a brief hesitation, Natalie nodded. "Yes, thank you, Mr. Agreste. I will gladly take the position."

Perryweather looked pleased. "Very well. You and I will need to meet soon to discuss the transition, Nat."

The next hour passed in a monotonous flurry of paperwork and detailed legal explanations. Basically, Adrien was now one of the richest men in Europe. And, apparently, in possession of, not one, but two castles in Germany. He could never work again, and just from passive income alone from his property holdings, double his wealth every five years. Marinette was impressed that, with all that money, the Agreste mansion was not more lavish.

Finally, finally, Perryweather and Natalie left to discuss the business side of the estate, leaving Marinette, Adrien, Sabine, and Tom together in the dining room. It was quiet. "Are you okay?" Marinette asked.

Adrien looked at her with big eyes. "I…don't really know." Was his answer. He handed her the letter. Marinette gasped as she came to the part about his mother. "I know. I can't believe he didn't tell me. We could have helped him."

Marinette put the letter on the table and cupped Adrien's face in her hands, bringing their foreheads together. There was something comforting in knowing that she was breathing the same air he was. "Adrien, Adrien…" she whispered. Her eyes were closed, a couple of tears trailing down her face. "I'm so sorry." There were no other words. Nothing else that could comfort the wounds his father had left. They remained in that position until the strength crept back into his limbs and he could pull away without fear of falling over.

"I'm going to see this house." He said.

Marinette gaped. "Are you sure?"

Sabine and Tom looked a little worried. "Adrien, dear, this is a beautiful house. And it is well-protected. We would understand if you didn't want to live here anymore, but are you certain?"

Adrien's eyes glanced up at the familiar sight of the high ceilings, chandeliers sparkling in the sun from the skylights above. It was beautiful. "I've spent too much time here alone. I've been alone here most of my life."

"You aren't alone, you know." Marinette blushed.

"Are you asking to move in with me?" Adrien grinned, holding her hand.

"That's not what I—I mean, that's—" She spluttered. "I just meant that you have people now who care for you. This house was like a prison. But it doesn't have to be anymore." She looked around. "Sure, the décor is a bit…cold. But add some plants, some color, something beautiful…this would be gorgeous." She said the last almost to herself, her designer eyes glancing around like she was already picking out paint chips and fabric swatches for the walls and curtains.

There was another long silence. Then, Adrien got an idea that made his face crack into a wide, happy grin. He could picture it clearly in his head. But he didn't want to say anything just yet. "You're right; I need to think on it more, and there's no use thinking on an empty stomach. Let's go for dinner, my treat. He took Marinette's hand and led them out, winking at Tom and Sabine over his shoulder.

The couple smiled softly at each other. "You two go on; we're a bit tired. Come see us tomorrow, and I'll have a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies waiting."

"Okay, mom. We will. Love you!" Marinette called over her shoulder as they stepped into the limo at the curb. Adrien's bodyguard/driver was back at his normal duties, it seemed.

They ate at a small Italian restaurant, reminiscing and sharing mischievous glances over a basket of garlic bread. It was the perfect foil to such a stressful day. When they finished, it was dark. The night had become their favorite time once more. Once, it was a time when they could let their alter egos free and be the person they secretly were inside. Now, it meant fewer paparazzi, less visibility to gawkers who wanted photos with the famous Ladybug and Chat Noir. They could stroll down the street like any normal couple at night, blissful and calm. They took advantage of it.

Adrien pulled them to a stop, then jerked Marinette into an alleyway. Her battle instincts had her heart racing before his lips met hers. Then, it was racing for an entirely different reason. Her hands held the back of his neck as she kissed him back, sweet and loving. "Come on, Bugaboo." He said as he pulled away. "Plagg, claws out!"

Marinette laughed. "Tiki, spots on!" Adrien took off at a run, stopping a ways ahead and looking back with a playful smile.

"Catch me if you can!" He yelled, taking off again.

Marinette sighed, her sore muscles protesting again as she forced them to propel her onto the rooftops and make chase. "Really, minou? Really? Get me all hot and bothered then make me exercise? You really are a demon."

Adrien laughed, the sound filled with the rush of adrenaline and joy that came from running free again. "Call it your physical therapy final. If you can catch me, your training is complete." He picked up the pace, disappearing.

Marinette didn't realize how much fun she was having at first, until her face ached from smiling so wide for so long. He stayed within sight, but always ahead of her, just out of reach, making her push harder and harder. They used every bit of parkour they had learned over the years, and they didn't care who saw, whooshing over people's heads. Chat even managed to swipe a fedora off one guy's head, pausing to pose atop a street lamp with the hat, his eyes glowing teasingly below his bangs before he returned the article and took off again.

Then, all at once, he was gone. Ladybug tried to follow his trail, but it went cold, right on top of the Arc de Triomphe. Arms like steel bands wrapped around her waist and jerked her backwards into the hard, muscled chest of her partner with a small 'oof.' "I win. Looks like I caught you, Bugaboo." He whispered in her ear, voice low and sexy, trying to turn her on. It was working. Ladybug giggled and relaxed back into him.

They sat on the edge of the Arc, feet dangling over the side, watching the lights of the city and the people coming back to life again, finally, after the ordeal with Queen Bee, just enjoying each other's existence.

"You are right, you know." Chat said.

"I'm always right." Ladybug answered sleepily, resting her head against his shoulder.

He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer. "You really are, aren't you?" He laughed softly. "I meant about the mansion. I shouldn't sell it. I may have bad memories there, but I can make more, beautiful memories there now. And I want to. But not alone." He took her hand. "Plagg, claws in." He whispered. He wanted to feel the touch of his hand on hers. His other hand fingered the box in his pocket. "Marinette," he heard her call away her own transformation. "You have been the best friend, to both Chat and to Adrien, for these last five years. We've been partners in school, in work, in our crime-fighting night-life. But, I want us to be partners in so much more." Marinette's eyes snapped wide open, and she met his gaze in surprise. "I love you. I've loved you all along, and I've known since the first time our hands touched that I wanted to be the one holding your hand right until the end, forever. And the moment our lips first met, I was a goner. I couldn't have gotten through the last few months without you, and I can't believe I could get through the next fifty years without you. So, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, will you agree to be my partner for life?" He pulled out the box and opened the lid. Inside was a delicate silver band with two stones—a sapphire and an emerald—the color of her eyes, and the color of his. "Those bluebell eyes—I should have known," He said, shaking his head. "Marinette, will you marry me?"

Marinette could only nod, her right hand covering her mouth, her left thrust out towards him. He slid the ring on her finger, then laughed joyously, lifting her up and dancing around the top of the Arc de Triomphe with her, their Kwami applauding above their heads. Marinette kissed him, then wiped the tears from her face, not able to stop smiling. "Adrien, I love you, wholly and completely. Did you ever doubt I'd say yes?"

"For a minute there, maybe." He shrugged and kissed her again. "I hoped you would say yes. We were sitting in that dining room, and you had that look in your eye, like you were already picking out china patterns, and it just hit me—I could see us in the den, in front of the fireplace, with snow falling outside, cuddled together, and I could see us chasing kids around the mansion with your eyes." Marinette smiled and closed her eyes, imagining with him. "Teaching them to make pastries, your parents visiting for brunch and…well, I fell in love with the idea. We don't have to do any of that, if you don't want to. I have dozens of other homes, apparently, to choose from. Do you want to live in a castle? We can live in a castle." Marinette placed a finger over his lips.

"It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful." She sighed, leaning into him. "Let's go home."