Godzilla: you really think i haven't brought up being single in conversations? my main problem is i don't know any single guys in real life that are worth my time and are not fathers. it seems everyone where i live has already been taken or is a dead beat dad. i gotta get out of this small town. (I'd like to state that i love kids, but if i get into a relationship with a guy who has a kid and things don't work out... it would be really hard on the kid and i know I'll get attached. so to save myself from that heart ache I'd rather date a guy without kids. i'd love to be a mom myself one day, but i don't want some kid thinking i'm their wicked stepmom.)

Cliffhanger: I pm'd you saying i read some of your stories, but i had this in the works for months... i read your stories like a week or so ago. this story and the one you're thinking about are two completely different stories. even the setting is different. the only thing they have in common is the arranged marriage.

enjoy and please review!

~inudigifan201

Ch, 2. Meeting Bridgette

It had rained all week. But, at least it was a week well spent. Both of them got to know each other more and more with every passing moment. They had almost become inseparable.

King Gabriel noted this with a hidden smile as he watched his son truly be happy since his late wife's passing. He knew he had made the right decision when he approached King Tom after learning that one of his twin daughters had yet to marry.

It was at a meeting of kings when Tom asked if any of them had a single son. Gabriel didn't think much of it at the time, that is, until Tom started to talk about his unwed daughter. Everything the man said aligned with what he knew what his son wanted and needed in a wife.

The two kings agreed it would be better if their children didn't meet until their wedding day. So neither of them could reject the other to protect themselves from being rejected.

Luckily for Tom, the elder of his twins was already married and had three children of her own, so he really didn't need any more heirs, but Gabriel only had the one son. So it was decided that Marinette would move in with him and said only child. The two kingdoms would be united, but not by a normal means. The elder of the twins would take the throne with her husband and when Adrien would be crowned king, Marinette would be his queen. So really, the kingdoms would be sister kingdoms… literally.

Sure, they both loved their children and wanted them to marry for love, but the two were past the prime age to wed and many thought that Gabriel's line would end with Adrien. And that his kingdom would fall.

Tom just wanted Marinette to be taken care of so he could stop worrying about her. He wanted her to be happy. Seeing her twin sister get married before her and her to become an aunt… it broke something in her. Something she couldn't understand. Something that her father so desperately wanted to fix as soon as possible, just to see his daughter smile again. A real smile, not a fake one she put on when she had to.

Adrien wasn't in much better shape. Since his mother's passing, he had become mostly cold toward other people when he was the most kind and selfless child Gabriel had ever seen. Adrien barely ever smiled. The only time Gabriel even saw a sliver of happiness from his son was when he was talking to the flowers. Sure, he had noble sons Nino and Nathaniel as friends, but Adrien needed a feminine presences and Princess Chloe only darkened him further. Princesses came in droves to court him when he came of age because of his looks and his wealthy kingdom, but he didn't like any of them. It wouldn't be long before a princess would show disgust in the fact that he tended his own garden. And with that, the princess of the week would be asked to leave.

Tom had informed Gabriel that Marinette liked to garden as well. Her balcony was covered in plants. Though, her's were mostly herbs, a few veggies, a couple of fruit, and a handful of flowers. Gabriel smiled at that. She was a kindred spirit to his own son.

The two kings spoke for hours rattling off traits just to make sure it was a good match. The kings had come to one conclusion: Marinette and Adrien were made for each other.

It was at that moment when they made the revelation that Marinette entered the room to fetch her father. The meeting of Kings had long been over and her mother was worried. King Tom had no enemies, so Sabine figured he had just lost track of time catching up with an old friend.

Marinette figured it was king Andre. The man was always asking for a trade of something from his kingdom for more baked goods. But the man that had held up her father wasn't Andre. It was Gabriel. She knew him by reputation only. She heard he kept to himself and barely spoke in the meetings. To see him with her father so casually confused her to say the least. It wasn't until her father told her Gabriel had a son her age that things clicked into place in her mind, they were plotting her wedding.

Looking back on that day, Marinette had no idea why she was so afraid. Adrien was everything she ever dreamed of. A real gentleman and not a gentleman by title only. She was very glad when Prince Theo, whom was much older than her, announced his marriage to another princess when Mari was eight. She felt sorry for the poor girl that ended up with Theo. He always creeped her and her sister out with his advances towards both of them. He never confused them, though. Only their parents and Theo were able to tell them apart… and Felix. Felix was a nobleman that had known the twin princesses since they were little. Marinette often thought that he was a bit of a snob, but her sister Bridgette thought the world of him. To Mari's surprise, Felix asked her if she would be ok with him asking for her sister's hand in marriage. She was floored to say the least. She didn't even know he returned Bridgette's feelings. But, she wanted nothing more than to see her sister happy, so she approved.

At the time, Marinette wondered when someone would ask Bridgette the same question Felix asked her. But, it never seemed to come. Sure, there were suiters, but none of them could tell her and Bridgette apart which angered her and Felix. So, he kicked the suiters out personally.

She didn't initially tell Adrien about Bridgette because she wanted him to get to know her first without pilling on a look-alike. She even convinced Bridgette to stay away from the wedding. Felix and the kids attended though. Seeing Felix in the pew made her feel like her sister was there when she really wasn't. It was oddly comforting.

But now all that was what felt like eons ago.

Adrien and Marinette found themselves in the vast library, both reading a different book and telling each other about it, even though they'd already read the title the other had picked. It was fun. It was nice to have this time to themselves even though they both knew it wouldn't last long.

His father had a lavish ball planned to celebrate the wedding in two days. Adrien knew what all that entitled. Fittings, he hated fittings. And not to mention all the guests would soon be arriving.

It seemed his father had invited the entire world. Even though he knew that would be impossible. It was at least all the royals. Which meant… Princess Chloe. God! Adrien was not looking forward to seeing her.

"You're Majesties," A lanky messenger interrupted their reading time. "Princess Bridgette, her husband Sir Felix, and their children have arrived."

Hum, some names Adrien had never heard before. He looked over to his wife who was sitting next to him, but she had disappeared. It wasn't until he heard the heavy door to the library close that he figured out she had left the room and him in the dust. He then looked up at the messenger. "My wife knows these people doesn't see?"

The messenger shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine Sire."

Adrien shrugged and stood up. He picked up the books they were reading and placed them on the table. He then left the library to go and investigate.

He soon bumped into this tall lanky almost white-haired man with piercing blue eyes holding two small children with black hair and much softer blue eyes in his arms.

He smiled and apologized as he looked them over. They seemed familiar, but where had he seen them before?

The man nodded, but never smiled. The children however smiled brightly and were asking a million questions… each.

"I am Felix and these are my kids Ember and Jackson." The man spoke flatly.

"Nice to meet you." Adrien continued to smile, feeling ever more awkward. "I'm Adrien."

"I know." Felix nodded, still not smiling. "I was at your and Princess Marinette's wedding. So were my kids. My wife was unable to attend."

That's where he had seen him before! "Why is that?" Adrien became curious.

"My wife and your wife are twin sisters. Marinette wanted you to get to know her first before you met Bridgette." Felix explained.

Adrien nodded. That made, some sense. He could see why, but at the same time… he would have liked to know that he had a sister-in-law. "Do they look exactly the same?" He found himself asking. He didn't have much experience with twins, so he was curious.

"No." Felix spoke flatly.

The little girl, Ember, smiled wide. It was a very similar smile to Marinette's. Yep, they were related. He instantly found the child absolutely adorable and gave her his undivided attention. "Mommy and aunty Mari don't look exactly the same. Mommy's hair is longer."

He smiled warmly at the child as he ruffled her hair. At least she was more help than her father.

It was then Marinette and her sister came into view. He could easily see why Marinette didn't want him to meet Bridgette too soon. They did look a lot alike, but he could tell them apart.

Marinette appeared to be the mature one while her sister had a more baby-ish face. Ember was right, Bridgette did have longer hair, but it was pulled into two long twin tails while Marinette's beautiful locks were down. Marinette's eyes were also brighter while Bridgette looked tired, most likely from the baby in her arms.

He couldn't hear what they were talking about, but Marinette was soon holding the baby. His heart beat loudly as he gazed at her smiling and being silly with the infant. The child's laughter and his wife's smile made him clutch his chest.

Felix gave his new brother-in-law a mischievous smirk. "You want a kid?"

Adrien blushed wildly as he turned back to Felix. "What?"

Felix kept his smile, Adrien had to admit the man looked a lot better when he smiled. He almost felt intimidated. Then he remembered this man was married to Marinette's twin sister. So, he stopped worrying for a moment.

"Mari has been wanting a child too." Felix continued as he looked back over toward the women. "She has ever since Bri was pregnant with Ember. She never said anything, but we could all tell."

"Oh." Adrien nodded. Made sense. If he had a twin who got married before him and then had kids before him he would no doubt get a touch jealous too.

"It got so bad I almost felt bad for asking her permission to marry her sister." Felix sighed. "I felt bad for her. And at her age… it's just a knife to the heart."

Adrien nodded. "How old were you and Bridgette when you married?"

"Bri was 16 and I was 17." Felix answered, flatly. There went his emotion.

Adrien didn't understand in new found in-law. But, he shrugged. "Slightly older than normal, why did you wait so long?"

Felix shrugged. "I had to go through hell just to ask for Bri's hand." He gave a light chuckle. "I'm not a prince like you." He then sighed as Adrien intently listened. "Their parents love me, but the high court objected. Bri had to refuse at least 10 princes before the high court would let me even begin to court her. I'm not allowed to be king, but I never cared about that. All I've ever cared about is Bri and her happiness."

Adrien nodded with a smile. "How long have you known them then? Marinette and Bridgette, I mean." He honestly thought it was cute how their names kind of went together.

"Most of our lives." Felix answered swiftly.

And all at once, Adrien felt insignificant in his wife's life. He had only known her a week while Felix knew her for most of her life. But, something nagged at him. "You chose Bridgette…"

Felix nodded. "They might be twins, but that doesn't mean they're the exact same." He gave him a smirk.

The children had long abandoned their father and ran to their aunt and mother. So, they were free to talk about anything and everything.

"For starters, Mari is the creative one. And the mischievous one." There was a tinkle in Felix's eye. "If she has an opinion, she has no qualm with telling you about it. She's very smart." He chuckled. "And she's stubborn as a mule." He shook his head. "It's funny really." Adrien became confused. "She's also very protective and motherly even though she's the younger twin." Felix shrugged. "Bri on the other hand is more quiet and reserved. She would much rather read all day than paint or sew. She can't paint anyway and she's not the best seamstress. Mari has made everything they've ever worn since she was old enough to hold a needle. Bri is good at making decisions under presser while Mari freaks out a little and has to over think things. Bri is…" he stopped and blushed.

Adrien became confused and tried to match his line of sight. His eyes fell on the girls giggling about something. He smiled and blushed himself. He was a lucky man and he knew Felix felt the same way.

Marinette had long handed the baby back to her sister as they began to make their way to the boys with the kids trailing behind. "Adrien." She smiled at him with a light blush. "I'd like to introduce you to my sister, Bridgette, future queen of… well…"

"Our Kingdom." Bridgette rolled her eyes with a smile.

Adrien gave her a small respectful bow. "It's an honor to meet you Princess."

"I'd curtsy back, but it's kinda hard when holding a baby." She continued to smile.

"Oh that's fine." He held out his arms. "May I?"

She nodded as she handed him the infant. "His name is Felix Jr."

He looked down at the baby wrapped in a blanket in his arms. He could see why the child was given that name, he had his father's eyes and almost white hair. However, the child had his mom and aunt's smile.

"Jr. smiles much more than you do." Marinette poked Felix in the arm as Ember jumped for him to catch her.

Felix rolled his eyes.

Marinette then looked over at Adrien and blushed when she noticed how much of a natural he was with Jr. All the baby did while in his arms was giggle and reach for his hair. He did hand the child back to his mother when he started to fall asleep.

He looked up and couldn't help but compare his bride and her sister, since they were now standing side by side. The biggest difference, that he noted anyway, was their eyes. Marinette's were blue bell while Bridgette's were more of a periwinkle. He smiled wide as he figured out his own way to tell them apart. He figured it would be disastrous if he confused them. So, he would try his best not too, just to stay on the safe side.

It also helped that they seemed to color code themselves. Marinette always wore a light pink and Bridgette was dressed in a darker, rosy pink.

The children also helped, he was sure they could pick out their mom in a crowd no problem. Felix was also able to tell the difference. He would have to keep near him during the ball if he needed any bailing out. He was sure Felix didn't want him to confuse their wives either.