Chapter Twenty-One
Note : So. Big chapter. Big, big chapter. Lotsa content. And, you'll notice, it's about three times longer than I normally make them. Necessarily. Enjoy. And, please, feedback is welcome.
"I'd say you're about 12 weeks along," the doctor said. She was a tiny woman, about 5'2" with black hair cut short and deep brown eyes. And she never stopped smiling. "If you look…just…there!"
Marinette and Adrien looked at the screen and saw the black and white image on the monitor. Marinette's heart froze. Her brain stopped functioning, except for one emotion: an overwhelming love, hot and flowing and oozing out of her pores for that blurry little thing on the screen.
"Wait," She said as she caught up to Dr. Montgomery's words. "Twelve weeks? Are you sure?"
"There is always a little bit of leeway for timing it, days, maybe, but yes, twelve weeks." She answered cheerily.
"We were being so careful, though. I mean, we've always been careful," Marinette backtracked. "I've been on the pill since I was 16. I've never taken a break. Ever. Well, no, that isn't true." She counted in the air with her fingers. "I was in a coma for two weeks. During that time, I did not take the pill. But even when I was in bed with stab wounds in and out of consciousness I woke up to take the damn thing."
"Well, there are a few factors that could have affected it," Montgomery said as she cleaned up the area and put away the equipment. "The pill is not 100% effective; there is always a small chance that a young, healthy woman could become pregnant while taking this precaution. The trauma you suffered could have affected it, by throwing your body's natural hormone state out of synch. And some antibiotics have been known to react with certain birth control pills to negate their effects." She smiled and patted Marinette's hand as she saw the look on her face; the girl had to take in a lot. "Ms. Dupain-Cheng, I believe that if a baby is meant to be born, it will find a way, contraceptives or no."
"Twelve weeks," Adrien mused, rubbing Marinette's other hand as he thought. "That would put it…maybe a week and a half, two weeks after we defeated Queen Bee, right before you started training again."
Marinette thought back to the first time they'd come together again after her fall.
Marinette closed her eyes as her lips moved with his, tasting him. She lay on her back as he lay on his side next to her, lifting himself on his right arm, his left gently resting over her lower abdomen. She deepened the kiss, her right hand resting on his forearm as she turned into his body.
Just as she expected, Adrien pulled away from her, and she huffed in frustration, crossing her arms and looking up at the ceiling. "Mari," he started.
"Don't 'Mari,' me, Adrien," she warned. She didn't budge, even as he tried to turn her back over.
"Come on, please look at me." He said.
Finally, she turned on her side, arms still crossed, keeping some distance between them. "Why won't you touch me?" She asked. Adrien sighed and pressed his forehead to hers. She wanted to pull away, but she was touch-starved. Just that little contact was driving her crazy and soothing her inner turmoil all at once. "Is it…Is it the scars? Are they that bad? Or is it me? Did I do something wrong? Did you realize you don't really want to be with me? Am I-?" Her voice had risen higher and louder and grown in speed with every word, her brain spiraling.
Adrien kissed her softly, cutting her off. "Don't ever think there is anything wrong with you, Milady." He answered firmly. "I just…don't want…I don't want to hurt you, is all."
Marinette could hear the fear behind his voice. "Adrien, minou," she whispered, cupping his face in both hands. "You could never hurt me. Ever. I know that. You know that." He looked deep into her eyes, and she could see the chained lust in them. "I'm better, minou. I'm going to be fine. I am fine. Look," She grabbed one of his hands and pressed it to the worst of the few scars the incident had left, underneath the thin tank top she wore. It was just below her right breast, a 6-inch long, finger-width, sunken strip of flesh tat felt cool and glossy to the touch.
Adrien flinched as his fingertips brushed the weal. "Mari…I…"
"Hey, look at me," Marinette said firmly, cupping his cheek. After a minute, he did, meeting her gaze with pained green eyes. "It. Wasn't. Your. Fault. Do you hear me?"
"But it was." He argued, pressing his forehead to hers and closing his eyes. "It was all my fault. I was too caught up. You saw what I did. That darkness. I was taken over by it, and you were hurt. How is that not my fault."
"You said it yourself," Marinette was having none of his self-pitying nonsense. "You were taken over. It wasn't you; it was your grief. You just lost your father, and your partner was in danger. You did everything that you could, Adrien." He tried to interrupt, but she pulled back, making sure he was looking at her again. "Everything. You. Could." She pressed her lips against his. His kiss was still hesitant, though, and she felt a tear drip onto her cheek. "Adrien. I'm here. I will always be here. When I was hurt, you were there for me every second. I am my own person, though, and I make my own decisions."
"I know, Milady. I just couldn't stand to lose you. I thought I had, when the doctor came out with that horrified look on his face. I thought I would never see you again." He finally touched her again, wrapping both arms around her waist and hugging her, pressing his face into the crook of her neck. Marinette smiled and stroked his hair.
"Hey, how about we make a promise," Marinette said gently in his ear. "Let's not do that again. Ever." Adrien coughed out a surprised laugh. "Seriously, that wasn't fun. I promise not to jump in without my partner, if you promise the same. We'll look out for each other, no matter what."
"Deal." He was smiling again, and Marinette turned his face towards her, wanting to see that smile. It had been absent for so long. Her eyes lingered on his lips as her mind churned out other beautiful ways he used them, though.
Adrien could see the passion behind her eyes, and he could feel the heat building between them. He had been holding back—still wanted to hold back. But she was in his arms again. Where she should be. Where she should always stay. And he couldn't deny the feeling of every cell in his body straining towards her. He didn't remember thinking about moving, but suddenly he had closed the inches between them and kissed her. And kissed her…and kissed her. When he pulled away, they were both glassy-eyed and short of breath. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked, his hand sliding up her back and into her hair, which had grown out over the last few months.
"Just be gentle." Marinette was panting, on fire, amazed that she could feel this much about one person. "I trust you, minou." She whispered in his ear as she kissed his neck.
Adrien groaned and gave up fighting. In record time, he pulled her tank top off and slid her yoga pants and panties off her legs. Marinette gasped and shuddered at the feeling of his fingertips on her bare flesh for the first time in weeks, nearly falling apart at his touch on her inner thigh, so close…Adrien slid his basketball shorts off, already shirtless in preparation for sleep. "Let me know if I hurt you," he said as he rolled on top of her, spreading her legs as he kissed his way down her body. He had barely touched the center of her longing before she came undone, and he drew it out as long as he could, feeling her shudder beneath him again and again. He knew he wouldn't last long, though, and drew himself back up. He spread her thighs a little wider and lined himself up, kissing her deeply as he pressed forward, tasting her moans on his lips. He was gentle, long slow thrusts that made Marinette sigh in pleasure, closing her eyes in bliss, gripping the pillows behind her head as if to ground herself. She wrapped one leg around his waist, her calf pressing him closer. It was as if the world was righting itself. Ladybug and Chat Noir—Adrien and Marinette—together again, at last. They came together, explosions of colors behind their eyes, each other's names on their lips.
"Marinette?" Adrien waved a hand in front of her face, and Marinette coughed, flushing red. "Are you with us again."
"Yeah…Yes. Sorry. Distracted." Adrien's confident smirk as he met her eyes told her he knew exactly what had distracted her. "What were you saying?"
Doctor Montgomery smiled knowingly at the young couple and sat herself in her own chair. "I was just saying that so far, you and the baby are perfectly healthy and the pregnancy is going smoothly. Did you two have any more questions about what to expect? I know we talked the other day and today when you arrived, but I also know new mothers. The questions are never-ending."
Marinette returned her smile. She had interrogated the woman for nearly two hours non-stop two days before when she had called to schedule her appointment, and she had asked at least a dozen other questions the second she had walked in the door. "I think that's all for now at least. I have some reading and researching to do. I will probably have more questions later."
"I would expect nothing less. You are always welcome to call the office with any questions or concerns. If you have any issues, please don't hesitate to call or come in. Otherwise, you're all set for now, and I will see you again in two weeks for your next appointment." The doctor held out a piece of paper. "This is a prescription for prenatal vitamins." She held out a small packet of three pieces of paper, covered both sides with charts and writing, stapled together. "This is the suggested meal plan, what to eat, what not to eat. I know we discussed it at length earlier, but I wanted to make sure you had a physical copy just in case." She handed over a business card. "And this is my card. Again, call the office with any questions. If it's an emergency, my personal number is on the back."
"Thank you, so much, Dr. Montgomery." Marinette said, rubbing her stomach with the hand Adrien wasn't holding. "You've been so great. So patient."
She waved off the compliment, standing and grabbing her clipboard. "You're perfect, Ms. Dupain-Cheng. I'm happy to help. You can go ahead and change, and just stop by the front desk to set up the next appointment before you go. You both have a fantastic day!"
"No." Marinette crossed her arms over her chest.
"Mari…" Adrien sounded like an exhausted kindergarten teacher.
"No."
"We need to tell them."
"No." She wasn't giving any ground.
"They need to know." He wasn't either.
"No. They. Don't."
"Mari." He gripped both of her knees and knelt on the floor in front of the couch she was sitting on. "They are involved in keeping you safe. They. Need. To. Know."
"I will not ruin this day for them." Marinette growled, glaring at him.
Adrien sighed. "Patrol is tonight. You. Me. Crime-fighting. Come on. At least tell Chloe, since she'll be with us. We can tell the newlyweds when they get back from their honeymoon."
Marinette stood and paced. They were in a private room in the Grand Paris Hotel. She was wearing a deep purple dress, strapless with a sweet-heart neckline, falling just below her knees, and simple black patent leather pumps. Luckily, the dress wasn't the curve-clinging kind and flowed loosely over her torso, a simple black belt resting just below her breasts. She was starting to show just the tiniest bit, the smallest bump of her stomach that most wouldn't notice. But Alya would. Marinette wondered if she would still be able to hide it long enough for Alya and Nino to get back from their three-week honeymoon. Her hair, which was almost to the middle of her back—it's hard to get your hair cut when you are supposed to be dead—was curled and pinned up delicately, held back by a sparkling silver ladybug comb.
Adrien wore a simple tuxedo with a violet vest and a black bow tie. His hair was styled carefully wild—very Chat Noir, and his cufflinks were a bright green.
"I will not steal this moment from them." Marinette said again. "But…we should really tell Chloe. And Master Fu." She groaned. "And my parents."
"There, see?" Adrien smiled as he hugged her.
"Hey, watch the hair, sneaky cat." She swatted his chest and mock-glared at him. "Come on. We're going to be late."
"Hey, they can't start without us." Adrien grinned as he opened the door, bowing gracefully as he ushered her out. "We have the vows."
Marinette laughed as she took his arm, and they maneuvered through the people milling about the area to take their places at the head of the procession line and taking the offered bouquet of white and purple flowers. It took a few minutes for everyone to settle, before the music began to play. "Are you ready, Milady?" Adrien asked quietly as two men opened the doors.
"Let's do this." She answered. They stepped out into the ballroom, which had been transformed for the wedding. The floor-to-ceiling windows that took over the far wall let in the gorgeous colors of the sunset. There were lilies and roses everywhere, white and violet ribbons tied to every wall sconce and bench that had been set up on either side of the aisle, which was marked with a deep purple carpet leading up to a platform with a trellis dropping with lilacs and wisteria and white roses. The crowds on either side turned, ooing and awing as Adrien and Marinette gracefully made their way down, followed by Chloe and Kim looking every inch as elegant. Adrien kissed Marinette's hand as they parted, taking to either side of the podium and the Justice of the Peace. Adrien clapped Nino on the shoulder, and Marinette and Chloe shared bright, proud smiles as she joined her. Then, Chris Lahiffe followed down the aisle, looking adorable and dashing, carrying a purple pillow and the rings. Behind him trailed Ella and Etta in matching violet dresses, grinning adorably as they scattered flower petals. As they took their own places, the music changed, and everyone stood, turning to see the bride. Alya stepped through the doorway, absolutely glowing.
Her dress trailed behind her in a delicate show of lace. It was a simple cut—three-quarter sleeves, a wide neckline, hugging her body until it reached mid-thigh before it flowed out. Marinette, having designed it, also knew it was backless, a trail of white-gold chains connecting the sides. Her veil did not cover her face, but fell behind her, coming down to the small of her back. Her hair was left half-down, two braids coming around the front and held back by an antique blue fox-shaped clip that Marinette had lent her. She was a stunning sight, led down the aisle by her extremely proud-looking father.
Adrien nudged Nino, who finally remembered to breath, just before Mr. Cesaire kissed his daughter's forehead, and she took Nino's arm instead, walking up the two steps to stand before their officiator.
There was a beat of silence after the rustling of everyone taking their seats once more had died. "Friends, family, honored guests," The Justice of the Peace announced, his warm voice full of hope and joy. "We are here today to witness and honor the marriage between these two beautiful people, Alya Cesair and Nino Lahiffe." There were a few cheers from the crowd.
Marinette tried to remember every word, every breathtakingly beautiful moment of her best friend's wedding. She did. She was so proud to be there, finally. But she kept getting distracted. Adrien's eyes kept finding hers across from each other. She could read in them the same thoughts she could hear in her own mind. This is going to be us. We will get our happy ending, too. They would be married soon, and they would have their little one, and they would live long, happy lives. The minister said beautiful things, happy things, things that brought tears to her eyes, yet, if asked, Marinette couldn't have told a soul what those things were. She handed Alya her vows. She had helped her write them, had been there for her to practice them. But she couldn't remember a word of them. There were cheers after the two had spoken their pieces, and Marinette had to wipe away a tear as they exchanged rings.
It was so fast. All the build-up, the pomp and circumstance, all the devotion poured into that ceremony, and it was over so fast. Marinette felt herself get swept up in the wonder of the moment, the flow of joy from everyone in the room as the minister finally said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." She couldn't stop smiling through the endless pictures with the photographer. And everyone wanted to shake her hand as well—Ladybug was there, gorgeous, and happier than ever at her best friend's wedding. Luckily, it had been closed to the public, so that, while there were reporters upon reporters outside the hotel, security kept anyone else out of their private event. Today was all about the happy couple.
Marinette was about to leave, to change for the reception, but Adrien pulled her up short, winking. Alya and Nino stood back on the platform. "Alright, alright. Thank you all so much for coming, for being here with us. But we have a surprise for someone in this room." Marinette glanced around curiously, and Alya held out her hand to her. Marinette was wary as she took the offered hand and stepped up to her. Alya grabbed her shoulders and turned her around.
Marinette gasped. Streaming into the room was every person she cared about—her family, her extended family, even old Uncle Fernand and Master Fu. She pressed both hands over her mouth. "Most of you already know exactly what's going on." Alya said. Adrien winked at them again. "But, for those that are a bit lost. This, is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She is finally engaged to her life-long crush Adrien Agreste. And I am too impatient to wait for their wedding. So, with a little help from Mr. Agreste and the Dupain-Cheng family…"
Marinette spun and threw her arms around her friend's neck with a squeal, and the room laughed and clapped. "You planned this? A double wedding?" Marinette was crying, thanking the stars for waterproof makeup.
"You two have waited long enough. Besides. You've had that dress designed since you were eight and made since freshman year of college." Marinette laughed and wiped her eyes. "Yes I planned this. You've been busy. Now, let's go get changed." She ushered the wedding party back down the aisle quickly and towards the dressing rooms. "We'll all be right back. There is punch on either side wall." She called over her shoulder as the wedding guests mingled.
Adrien stopped them before they parted. "Mari, you don't have to go through with this if you don't want to. But I want to be with you, to be yours in every way possible."
Marinette shushed him with a kiss. "Adrien, you are the best man I could have ever asked for. Did ever ask for." She giggled. "Begged for." Alya dragged her down the hallway, and Marinette blew him a kiss over her shoulder, careful not to step on Alya's train.
Alya, Marinette, and Chloe piled into the women's dressing room, the hair stylist and make-up artist already ready to go. Marinette chuckled as Alya opened the closet her own dress had been in, grabbing another three garment bags. She handed one to Chloe, one to Marinette, and hung the other on her privacy screen.
"When did you get a hold of this?" Marinette asked as she stepped behind her own screen and stepped out of her maid of honor dress.
"Honey, we've been planning this for weeks." Marinette froze for a second before unzipping the bag. "Adrien did most of the leg work. He's the one that snuck me your wedding plans, and he's the one that let us in to grab your dress this morning. Luckily, you already had a guest list organized, or it would have been more difficult."
Marinette stepped into the dress and slid the sleeves over her arms. She ran her hands down the front of the dress and smiled softly. She had, in fact, made the dress three years ago, for her final project for a class. It hugged her closely down to her waist and hung down to just brush the floor. It was a bit like Alya's, simple-cut. Long sleeves, wide neck, leaving her shoulders bare. The dress did not completely cover the back. It had a simple backless cut, with a removeable delicate tool piece and satin buttons filling the space. "Can someone zip me up?" She asked. Alya stepped around wearing a red body-hugging dress with black beading down one side that looked like… "Are those cats?" Marinette grinned.
Alya twirled. Sure enough, there were cats twining around each other with green eyes down the right side of her dress and along the bottom hem. Chloe wore a dress that matched exactly. "Of course. Ladybug and Chat Noir get married, and you don't expect us to cater to that image? Turn."
Marinette turned and lifted the few loose curls away from her neck. Alya zipped the bottom, then got to the buttons. There was a pause. "Mari…?" Alya said nervously.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"It…uh…doesn't quite fit." Marinette froze. Of course it didn't. This dress was made for her younger self. She hadn't been so fit. And she hadn't been pregnant. Her mind raced.
"Let me try." Chloe's deft fingers took over, and Marinette felt the dress tugging around her waist.
Alya looked at Marinette in the mirror, noting her nervous expression and the tight dress. "Marinette…" Alya said, understanding in her eyes.
Marinette whirled and pressed a hand over Alya's mouth. "We haven't told anyone yet!" She blurted out before Alya could say the inevitable. Alya squealed around her hand and hugged her.
"You're pregnant?!" she whisper-shrieked. Chloe gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth. Marinette blushed and nodded, unable to hide her smile. "How long have you known?"
"About three weeks? Since Adrien and I got out of the hospital. I'm about twelve weeks along." She answered, slipping out of the dress. She stood in her white slip and turned the dress over, unhooking the tool piece from the back. "Luckily, this is an easy fix." She said, ignoring the questions nearly bursting from her friends as she put the dress back on. Alya quickly zipped it up and pushed her into a chair.
"And when were you planning on telling us?" Alya demanded as their helpers fussed with her hair and makeup.
Marinette sighed and closed her eyes for a touch-up on her eye shadow. "We were going to wait. We were going to tell Honey and the rest of the team tonight on patrol, and then our family, and then we were going to wait to announce it until you got back from your honeymoon, and then go public."
Chloe squealed and wriggled in her own chair. "Ohhh this is so exciting. Both of you married and starting families."
"My ship has come home to dock," Alya wiped away a fake tear with a grin, and Marinette shook her head, reaching for her veil. Hers was longer. It didn't cover her face either, but was held in place with a small tiara, dotted with rubies. "This was my grandmother's," Alya said, as she fastened a diamond bracelet around Marinette's wrist. "You can borrow it." Marinette squeezed her hand.
"And this is a gift that your cousin left for you." Chloe said, handing her a box with a silver bow.
Marinette pulled off the bow and opened the box, and smiled. Inside was a pendant the size of a silver dollar, silver, with sapphires and rubies and emeralds creating the beautiful image of a peacock. It rested on the end of a chain long enough for the pendant to sit under the bodice of her dress.
"Why a peacock?" Alya asked.
"Rico has always been into Spanish artists, given the fact that his parents are, in fact, Spanish artists. He loved Salvador Dali's work, especially his Argus. He was obsessed for a while."
"Huh." Was Alya's only response as the finishing touches were made. Alya pulled a bouquet of red and white flowers out of her closet, tied together with a black-spotted red ribbon, and two smaller bouquets for them. "Ready?"
"God, yes." Marinette answered. She was so ready to be married to Adrien. Alya peaked her head out the door to make sure everyone else was ready to go as well, then motioned them forward.
Tom Dupain stood in his tuxedo, tears already falling down his face as he watched her walk towards the wedding party. She saw Nino had changed his vest from white to emerald, as had Kim. Alya hugged her again, pressing her finger over her lips and winking to let her know her secret was safe with her before joining Nino. Chloe nodded in support as well as she took Kim's arm. Rico gave her a thumbs up with one hand, balancing a black pillow on his other with the rings. Manon smiled at her, wearing a short sleeve red dress with a black ribbon around her middle, holding a basket of rose petals. Everyone was smiling and ready for this.
Marinette remembered picturing her wedding day, as every little girl did. She imagined a prince and a room full of people. And she had imagined feeling nervous, feeling a sudden rush of cold. But she didn't feel that. She had never imagined her wedding being this perfect, surrounded by friends as true as hers, family that had supported her more than she had ever known, and more love than anyone else had felt.
The music started. She took her father's arm. "Don't let me trip, okay?" She asked.
Tom smiled and patted her hand. "No promises." He joked. Well, not really joked. She was notoriously clumsy. She gathered up every ounce of her Ladybug grace and held it to her. "You look beautiful." He whispered as they stepped forward, the music shifting, the rustle of people standing, the whisper of voices waiting to see Ladybug step out.
She smiled and stepped forward. The room was lit by the chandelier and the wall sconces, the sun having set by then. To her amazement, the purple ribbons had been replaced with alternating red with black trim and black with green trim, which may have seemed out of place at a wedding, but it somehow worked. Even the trellis of flowers had been traded for a trellis of red roses and moon flowers, which were just opening their blossoms. Marinette's breath left her, though, as her eyes landed on Adrien. His had changed his vest as well to the same emerald green as his eyes. He stood waiting for her, his eyes widening as he caught sight of her walking slowly towards him. The rest of the room disappeared. She couldn't have told anyone about the different carpet down the aisle or the rose petals scattered before and behind her. She couldn't have told anyone anything about the first few words the Justice of the Peace said. She was lost in Adrien's gaze, again.
"Adrien and Marinette have also chosen to write their own vows." The minister said, motioning to Alya, who handed Marinette a piece of paper. Marinette's hands were shaking slightly as she took it, unfolding it. Adrien gave her an encouraging nod.
"Marinette Agreste." She began. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng Agreste. Adrien and Marinette Agreste. I cannot tell you how many notebooks had variations of that in the margins of every page." There were several chuckles, mostly at the solemn nod Alya gave. "Adrien, I have been in love with you since the day we met, and I know that sounds cliché," she turned to the audience for a moment. "But just look at him," she said in a stage whisper. More laughter. She turned back to her love. "It wasn't because you were big shot model Adrien Agreste, or because you have the most gorgeous green eyes ever to grace the earth. To be honest, I was so glad you were just a regular person like everyone else. And then there was the incident with the gum, and I thought you were just like the other popular people at school. But then you found me after school, and you apologized, and you were so. Sweet." There were a couple of 'aww's in the crowd. "It was raining, and I didn't have an umbrella, so you, the Adrien Agreste, gave me yours and walked right out into the downpour." He smiled at her. "I know that's just…so small. But at that moment, it was exactly what I needed, and you seemed to understand that. You are so selfless and kind and sweet, and I cannot imagine a single day of my life without you by my side." Marinette could see her mother wipe her eyes off to the side. "This ring is a promise, that I will always be with you, no matter what, and that I will try every single day to show you that same kindness that you showed me, and to bring you the same joy that you gave me with that small act." She slid the gold band onto his left ring finger.
Adrien was desperately trying not to cry. He half-turned to take the sheet of paper from Nino. "Love blinds you." He began. "The person you fall in love with becomes this shining beacon, representing hope, love, happiness, and everything good about the world, and it's bright, and it blinds you. You became that light for me. The day we met, I was in a weird place. I had found freedom, and friends, and laughter, and I found Plagg, and I found purpose." The Kwamii were sitting in their own places on the seats in the front row. Tikki had a handkerchief that was bigger than her entire body. "I thought that was the most I could ask for, but you proved me so wrong. You came swinging into that fight without hesitation, and you kicked ass." There were some chuckles, and Marinette grinned. And I have to believe that love blinds, because how else can I explain how I didn't recognize you after that moment." He gripped her hands and shook his head in exasperation at his own stupidity. "But I believe that how we fell in love is not nearly as important as how we stay in love." He turned to the audience, speaking directly to them. "We decided not to do the traditional vows because they just weren't enough." He turned back to her. "'For richer or for poorer'—well, I am one of the richest men in the world, which, once we have finished this ceremony today, will mean you are one of the richest women in the world. 'In good times and in bad'—you and I have helped each other through our darkest moments and have been a part of our brightest. We've already been through sickness, and through health; hell, we've even been parted by death." There were a few murmurs at that. "And let me tell you, those few seconds, when you were gone, they were the worst in my life, Mari, and I never want to go through that again. You are everything I want, and everything that means anything. You are my best friend, my partner, my love, my light. And, with this ring, I promise to make love and protect you, no matter what, in this life and in any that follow." He slid the ring onto her finger, and with her right hand, Marinette wiped away tears.
"Do you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?" The minister asked.
"I do." She answered, no shake to her voice.
"Do you, Adrien Agreste, take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." He was smiling—not grinning, or smirking, or that fake model smiling, but a real smile.
"Then I now pronounce you man and wife. You may—" Adrien grabbed Marinette's waist and turned her, dipping her and pressing his lips to hers amidst the cheers and applause of the gathered guests.
"It's about damn time!" Alya shouted, and the two broke away, clinging to each other and laughing at her.
"Here, here!" Chloe answered as the wedding party gathered together for the next round of photos.
Sabine stepped forward, clearing her throat and dabbing at her eye with a tissue. "Alright, the reception is in the main dining hall. We're going to gather there to wait for our guests of honor." The guests began filtering out, a few people stepping forward who had not congratulated them yet.
Marinette and Alya sat next to each other at the head table, both wearing shortened versions of their wedding dresses, still backless, about knee-length, with white low-heel dancing shoes. Their new husbands sat on either side of them, the tux traded for slacks and white shirts. The four couldn't keep their smiles off their faces. They greeted guest after guest after guest and opened a few of their smaller wedding gifts. They had not brought the larger ones, or the more expensive ones, having those instead sent to their houses.
"Alright, if our beautiful couples would make their way to the dance floor for their first dance as man and wife." The DJ said. Adrien took Marinette's hand and led her over, Nino and Alya following, as the crowd of loved ones closed in around the edges of cleared square in the center of the dining hall. Marinette placed her right hand in Adrien's left, her left arm going up around his neck as his right hand gently pressed into the small of her back. The soft sound of a guitar began playing, and Marinette smiled up at him. As Tim McGraw's "Not a Moment Too Soon" began strumming, Adrien and Nino began moving their wives gracefully across the floor.
"You remembered," She said. She wasn't big on American country music, but she loved this song. And, it really was perfect for them.
Adrien brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Of course I remembered, Milady." She pressed her lips to his for a soft kiss, and there were coos as more couples began pulling themselves onto the dance floor.
"This is all just…perfect," She told him.
"Yeah? You're not mad we kind of took it over?" He sounded as though he had been worrying about it.
"No, of course not. You were right. I've been busy, distracted. I've been working on getting myself back in shape and putting together our house, and we were in a coma for three weeks and I wake up to…big news." She lowered her voice glancing around. "I couldn't imagine all of that piled on top of planning this wedding. And I'm glad we're getting married before we…"
He nodded. "I figured you would be. I know this is going to cause a stir when we make the announcement."
"Hey, the only people who have a say in this relationship is you and me." She said, kissing his cheek. "Paris can judge all they want, but this is our family."
"Say it again," Adrien whispered in her ear.
"Our family," She answered with a smile, and he spun her out, both of them laughing and oblivious to their audience.
The rest of the reception passed in a blur, until Adrien and Nino led their wives out of the dining hall. "It's time for our love birds to fly the nest. Let's send them off on their honeymoons with a bang!" The DJ said as they stepped out into the night. There were loud sounds overhead, and Marinette looked up to see fireworks lighting up the Paris sky. She hugged Adrien.
"Honeymoons? As in we are going on our own?" She said, looking at him in surprise.
"Of course. That's the best part of the wedding." He smirked, his hand sneaking down for a quick squeeze of her butt. She slapped his chest, and they stepped forward again. There were two lines of security guards holding back reporters, leaving a path to two limos. Two loud pops sounded from behind them as people set off confetti cannons, sprinkling them with flower petals. At the limos, Marinette and Alya hugged, wishing each other luck and happiness on their trips, then turned, and, as one, threw their bouquets over their shoulders.
As they turned to see who had caught them, there was a rumble beneath their feet.
"What the…" Adrien muttered, as they all looked around. The quaking grew and grew until everything around them was shaking. "Earthquake!" He shouted. There were screams as people began trying to get to some sort of cover. Then, the building across the street erupted in a column of fire, and something large and black came bursting out of the top.
"Tikki, spots on!" She shouted amid the chaos, and a red glow, quickly followed by a green light, cut through the dust and smoke. Marinette felt strange, and looked down, freezing for a moment. Her suit had changed. Now, she didn't just wear a simple spandex body suit. She wore what looked like red and black body armor, and instead of her small purse, she had a utility belt. Her mask, luckily, was the same, but even her hair changed, a long ponytail taking the place of her pigtails.
Looking over, she saw Chat Noir's suit had changed slightly as well. His also looked more like padded body armor, still all black, with combat boots and his signature mask. But there wasn't time to dwell on these changes. They took off immediately. Marinette heard static and reached down to find her walkie talkie somehow attached to the belt. Chat found the same.
"Dispatch, this is Alpha team! We need back-up at the Grand Paris Hotel."
"Alpha team, what is the situation?"
"We aren't sure, approaching now. There was an explosion, and there are civilians in danger. Please send—what the hell is that?" She stopped short, perched on a rooftop and staring up at…was that a fucking dragon?
The creature—it was. It was a fucking dragon. Bigger than…well, about the size of her parents' bakery and apartment—with four massive legs, glittering red claws, and leathery wings. It seemed to look at her as she spoke, then back down at the crowd in front of the hotel. It reared back its head, and there was a sound like rushing wind. Marinette looked back down in horror. "NO! Shield, do something!" She screamed, seeing her parents in the front trying to keep people calm. Then, she had to turn away, shielding her eyes, as a torrent of flame came pouring from the dragon towards them below. Faintly, she thought she heard, Wayzz, shields up! Pollen, let's fly! And Trixx, let's pounce! But she couldn't be sure.
When she raised her head, the beast was gone. She scanned the skyline, but it was nowhere to be seen. She raced back down to the ground. There was ash and smoke everywhere. She ran forward, the dust settling, to see a strange sight. Everyone was okay, protected behind a glowing green shield to the front of them and above, the sides and back of their bubble protected by a thick wall of scorched vines.
"I can't…keep this up…" She heard, and saw Shield with his hands outstretched, eyes screwed shut. Without warning, his bracelet beeped, and the transformation fell away, leaving Nino standing there, the shield collapsing. Nino fell to his knees, and Vixen caught him before he could hit the ground. There were gasps as a gold light came from the side of the crowd, and Chloe fainted, the vines crumbling to dust.
"What just happened?" Vixen asked after she made sure Nino was safe.
"We…don't know." Marinette answered, looking around at all the cameras, the destruction. She grabbed her yoyo, not sure if it would work, and extended it into the sky. "Miraculous Ladybug!" She shouted, hoping for no result, despite the damage. The char marks faded, the building behind them righting itself, injuries healing.
"Whatever it was," Chat Noir said, "Someone with a Miraculous is behind it."
Note again: Like I said, big chapter. Big things happen. BIG things happen. Aaaand one of my famous cliff-hangers. More to follow soon, I promise.