Today's story was written by LyraMaeArcher
Ep: I wish I'd come up with this idea when I was dating. Where were you when I needed you, Lyra?
MR: Probably off saving the world. I adore Nino! The only thing that would have made this story better is flower crowns…
Lyra: Sorry that I let you down, Ep. That whole "living in another country and didn't know you" thing kind of ruined my support system. And darn it! Flower crowns! I should have thought of that!
Nino eyed Adrien with one eyebrow raised in disdain.
"Seriously, Dude. Flowers? How cliche can you be?" Groaning he flopped back onto the couch in despair. This had to be perfect.
Adrien's idea of flowers was just too stereotypical. Might as well just add chocolates and call it a day. Gah.
"No, Nino. Listen…. I have the BEST idea. Trust me."
The glint in his best friend's eyes made Nino reconsider.
Ayla frowned at her phone in frustration, the last message sent not getting any response. Nino had said to meet him at the park near Marinette's family bakery, but he was nowhere to be found. Waiting 15 minutes without a message or sign of his arrival did nothing for her mood, leaving her short-tempered and annoyed.
A quick flick of her thumb had her scrolling through her contacts to open that of her best friend.
Have you seen Nino anywhere?
The instant response of three dots made Alya feel better.
No. Why?
A quickly worded answer explaining the situation made Alya feel better, pausing to take in another survey of the park. No Nino.
I'm on my way!
She hadn't expected Marinette to drop everything and show up at the park. She just wanted to vent her frustrations with her best friend, but a flash of pink and black stumbling out the front entrance of the bakery made her smile. In all the years they had been best friends, Marinette had never failed to be a chaotic disaster.
A gaggle of arms tangled around Alya, nearly knocking her off the bench that she had claimed to pass the time.
"Still no Nino?" Marinette asked, stretching her neck to look around the park for their missing friend. Alya just frowned with a shrug. "Ok, let me text Adrien quick to see if he's there or something."
Marinette's fingers typed quickly, clicking away on the phone keypad in frantic movements. She stared intently at the screen until it dinged a response. A frown.
"Nope. He doesn't know where Nino is either. So, we'll wait together. If he doesn't text or show up soon, we'll send out a search squad."
The park bustled with activity in the warm spring sun, children and parents laughing and playing around the statue of Paris' heroic duo - Ladybug and Chat Noir. Listening absentmindedly to Marinette ramble on about the early morning adventures at the bakery, Alya smiled at a young girl with oversized pigtails who approached them shyly.
"Are you Miss Alya?" the little girl asked, big brown eyes wide and questioning. Alya frowned for a moment before nodding. The girl responded with a toothless grin and a squeal.
"He said I had to give you this." From behind her back, the girl pulled out a flower in a large vase and an envelope which she thrust into Alya's hands before running off to the playground. Blinking, Alya stared at the red bloom for a moment before slowly turning to face Marinette who looked like she might explode with excitement.
"Oh my goodness, Alya!" she screamed, making Alya wince slightly before looking at the flower again. What was Nino up to? Passing the vase to Marinette, Alya slid her finger along the edge of the envelope to reveal a folded paper.
Alya, Happy 7th anniversary. I had to do something special, so today - I've got a surprise for you. This flower is an amaryllis. It's a symbol of radiant beauty. I thought that was perfect for you because I have always thought you were the most beautiful thing to walk the earth. Keep this flower and this vase together with you all day. You will need them. Your next flower is at the cage where this whole thing started. ~N
"What does it say?" asked Marinette, leaning over to read the note for herself. "It's so romantic, Alya! Let's go!" It was hard to not be infected with the exuberance of her friend as Marinette pulled her through the subway system to the zoo.
"The panther cage, right?" Marinette squealed, practically running with the vase in her hand. Visions of shattered glass made Alya decide that she would take the vase before the next clue.
The panther cage looked almost the same as it had this day seven years ago when Ladybug had shoved Alya and Nino in for their own safety. Little had they known what that would lead to. Leaning against the barrier sat a small wrapped flower and note.
In the package was a brilliant orange bulb that looked more like sea coral than a flower.
This cool flower is called a celosia. It symbolizes uncomplicated love. Loving you is easy, Al. It always has been. Even from day one when we realized we were meant to be. It always will be. Add this to your vase then go here:
An address at the bottom of the letter sent Marinette scrambling to pull a map out of her phone.
"A Gabriel store!" Alya thought that Marinette might die on the spot at the thought of even entering a Gabriel store. Whether it was because of her dreams of fashion or the awkward relationship Marinette had with the heir of the Gabriel empire, Alya couldn't quite say, but like a flash the flower dropped into the vase and off they ran to the next stop.
Gabriel's fashion style was well above Alya's limited budget and, honestly, mostly outside her personal "practical and comfortable" preferences, but when a stylist appeared at the door to usher them in, she decided to just roll with it.
Marinette drooled over this thing and that, melting at the feel of fabrics, and talking endlessly with the waiting staff about all things fashion. Alya, however, found herself gently shoved behind a change room curtain with instructions to pick out an outfit she loved from the selections within.
The choices were beautiful and Alya felt like a princess, peering at her curves in the provided mirror as she tried them on. Settling on a burnt orange asymmetrical jumpsuit, she stepped out into the shop to find Marinette twirling in a soft pink halter dress.
"Adrien told them to let me pick a dress too!" She smiled. Alya just shook her head in confusion. Adrien and Marinette's friendship was the most confusing she ever knew - obviously in love with each other but refusing to move past the safety of best friends. As long as they were happy, she supposed.
The stylist handed her another flower package and card. Lilacs waited inside.
These lilacs have different meanings based on their colours. The light ones represent first love - which you are, my first and only love. The magenta ones symbolize love. And I love you.
From there, the message sent them to a shoe store to find matching footwear for their new outfits. A breathtaking orange lily representing passion and pride (because Nino was "insanely proud of her accomplishments") and directions to head to the salon where the girls giggled getting their hair styled, makeovers, and manicures.
Alya felt more spoiled and pampered than she ever had in her life. Nino sure was putting effort into this anniversary, she had to give him some credit.
This white astilbe flower represents patience and dedication. It also is supposed to be the "I will be waiting for you" flower. And I am waiting for you now. Join me, will you?
Suddenly, Alya felt nervous, grasping Marinette's arm for stability as they approached the beautiful Jardins de Plantes, the whole garden a rainbow of blooming flowers.
Sitting in the centre of the path was a small table where Nino sat, dressed in a fashionable dark suit. He staggered slightly as he got to his feet and took her hand from Marinette.
She felt dizzy as he stared at her with adoring eyes.
"Alya. You are stunning." His kiss wasn't gentle, full of their familiar fire of passion as he shared his feelings without words. Oh, how she loved this crazy man.
"Happy Anniversary," he whispered, escorting her to sit opposite him at the table. Taking the vase of flowers collected through the day to use as a centerpiece, he called for the waiter. She blushed as he continued to gaze at her lovingly, her ever-present confidence fizzling.
Champagne and appetizers and a small meal of delicious food filled the table as he asked about her day. She told him everything, in awe of his secretive plan.
But her heart stopped when he grasped her fingers tightly and pulled a red rose from under the table.
"Alya Cesaire. This red rose is the well-known symbol of love. I hope you know how much I love you."
With trembling fingers, she took the rose.
"I love you too," she confessed, which made him smile. When he dropped to his knee, her heart stuttered in surprise.
"Then marry me." He pulled a small box from inside his jacket, cracking it open to reveal a beautiful diamond ring that flashed in the sunlight. She heard herself gasp and shout a loud yes before throwing herself in his arms.
He slid the ring on her finger before she kissed him senseless. Breaking apart, she couldn't help but feel a little confused by his smug grin.
"What?" She asked, poking his ribs.
"You think I can't keep surprises from you," he chuckled. She had to admit his track record wasn't fantastic, but this…. he had done amazing. She studied the shimmering golden ring on her hand.
"It was perfect, Nino. Thank you." She kissed him again, feeling him chuckling against her hands.
"And you are sure you want to marry me, right?"
"Yes! I said yes, didn't I?" She didn't like the glimmer of mischief in his eye as he leaned in close.
"So, marry me now."
Now? She didn't know if she could figure out what he was saying. Weddings take time and planning and invitations…. She couldn't just marry him now. Could she?
"Trust me, babe."
Marinette appeared from… somewhere, grabbing Alya's arm and pulling her away from Nino.
What the heck was going on?
"What is happening Mari? Why is he saying to get married now? Where are we go-" Alya's mouth stopped moving when she saw the large white tent that Marinette steered her into.
Whirling to face her best friend, her confidante, her traitor! Alya didn't know what to say. Had Marinette been in on this all day?
Marinette just laughed at what must have been shock on her face before pulling back the tent door. Stepping inside, Alya gasped.
There, hanging from the ceiling, was an immaculate wedding dress. One that she and Marinette had spent many a teenage conversation imagining together for their "one day" files.
"Did you- I don't understand."
It wasn't every day that Alya Cesaire felt speechless, but this was one of those times, trying to prevent the tears that threatened to ruin her makeover.
"Happy wedding day, Alya. Do you like it? I made it for you." Made it. Made the dress of her bridal dreams?
Alya briefly wondered if she was smothering her petite best friend as she hugged her senseless. Tears be damned, they were happening anyway. Big ugly sobs of joy and overwhelming emotion as her mother peeked her head in the door followed by all her sisters.
It took them all working together to get Alya into the dress, to touch up her hair, and to fix the mascara from her cheeks.
"Nino will pass out, Al. I know it." Marinette said. "Just one last thing."
Another package of flowers - a mixture this time, with another note.
Alya, Take these flowers. Add them to your collection from today. These are peonies - which represent my hope for our happy marriage, stock which symbolizes the long-lasting bond we share, and calla lilies to stand for your beauty. And of course, roses for our love. See you at the altar.
Marinette's deft hands gathered all the flowers from the day into a bouquet, trying them together with a wide orange and green ribbon.
A wedding. A surprise wedding? How in heaven's name had Nino pulled this off?
Her father's hand held her strong as they stepped from the tent and walked through the beautiful garden. Rows of familiar faces lined the path to a white arch draped in fabric that fluttered in the gentle breeze.
But she didn't take much more note than that, clutching the bunch of flowers that had confessed Nino's love throughout the day. She only had eyes for the man at the end of the path, standing there with a brilliant smile and eyes that trapped her own.
A wedding. A wedding!
She was about to marry this man. This man she loved with all her soul.
It happened so fast, she felt like she almost missed it. The vows, the rings, the kiss. Nino's whoop of joy and the crazy applause from their family and friends.
As day turned into night, as the revelry turned to dancing and laughter and drinks, she had to ask her new husband, "How did you pull this off? Where in the world did you get this crazy idea anyway?"
Nino laughed in her ear.
"Adrien. It was his idea. The man is a walking romantic, let me tell you."
Alya turned to where Adrien stood beside her as the best man with Marinette holding his arm, the pair looking surprisingly like they had swallowed canaries.
Adrien grinned down at Marinette.
"What do you think, milady? How did we do?" He asked, eyebrow raised. Marinette beamed back up at him.
"Purrrfectly, chaton."
And Alya dropped her glass of champagne, speechless for the second time in the same day.