"Marinette, why do you need to bring all that stuff with you?" Tikki, her Kwami, asked. "You know Cat and I have a meet-and-greet later today. Might as well get some sewing done as we wait." "But today's Valentine's Day! Maybe we should go see Adrien instead." Marinette sighed, staring up at one of the pictures on the wall. "I'd love that, Tikki, but you know his dad." Tikki nodded, and flew up to give Marinette's cheek a hug. "Anyway, we better get going!"
After grabbing her Starbucks order, Marinette headed over to the convention center. Stepping inside, she felt like she had been transported from winter to spring. Warm sweet scented air had Marinette unbuttoning her new pink coat. She sighed happily, and started meandering down the garden path.
What was it about flowers and water that made her so calm? She reminded when Cat had given her a red rose and a surprise kiss. Bluebell flowers swayed and danced in the breeze, and Marinette drew out her sketchpad, the flowers looking like flowy material to Marinette. Nikki stayed hidden, but peeked once in awhile.
A commotion had Marinette hurrying over to a sea of yellow daffodils. "How are there dandelions growing among the tulips?" A man said with a label that read Groundskeeper on it. "There such a pesky weed!" The gardener glared at him. "Dandelions have a mind of their own. Besides, I don't have time to pluck weeds if you want me to have Ladybug's and Cat Noir's photo shoot set up in time."
Marinette chewed on her lip. Maybe she could help, after all she did like gardening. And she didn't want anyone akumatized over a weed!
"Maybe I could help," Marinette spoke up. The groundskeeper opened his mouth to protest, but the gardener smiled at her. "Just be careful you don't step on the daffodils."
He handed her a blue plastic bucket. "Good luck!" he called as he walked down the path. Marinette rolled up her sleeves and got to work. As Ladybug, luck was practically her middle name!
Adrien walked down the garden path and stopped suddenly. Plagg peeked out of Adrien's shirt. "Why'd you stop, did you smell catnip or something?" "Ha, ha. Marinette's in that display of daffodils." A dreamy expression crossed his face. Plagg folded his arms. "Let me guess, your going to turn in Cat Boy and say meow to her?"
Adrien didn't answer as he ducked behind a weeping willow. "Plagg, Claws Out!" Cat trotted down the garden path, eager to see her.
Marinette straightened up for a moment as Tikki supervised from a nearby dandelion. "Marinette, Cat alert!" Nikki zoomed off to the stream, leaving Marinette alone.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Princess." Cat said, delicately stepping into the garden. "You too, but I thought your section was by the pussy willows," she grinned. Cat laughed. "Has anyone told you I'm a dande-lion?"
To his delighted surprise, Marinette burst out laughing. "Why? Because your mane is so fluffy?" Cat crossed his arms, but he couldn't stop his grin. "No, its because when I'm hungry I roar instead of purr." "Did you say snore?" "My, you are a sassy one today, Princess." Marinette felt her cheeks blossom with pink as she gave her response. "Oh, you enjoy it." Cat stepped closer. "Your humor is refreshing and soothing as these flowers."
"Well, since I picked all these dandelions and my stomach rumbling, how about we get something to eat before i start roar?" she grinned. Cat bowed and offering her his arm. "A excellent idea."
They got egg sandwiches and lemonade and Marinette told Cat about her latest project that actually was flower-related. "So, your using felt and making them into flower bouquets?' Cat asked as they finished and headed down the path. "Yes, I think my clients are ready for spring…." Marinette paused as Cat slipped his hand into hers. A happy warm feeling washed over her. "You don't mind, do you?" Cat checked. "I like holding hands with you," Marinette told him shyly. "And it is Valentine's Day."
It was hard to say "goodbye" as they parted ways to go transform. Still, it was nice they could do the flower shoot together. But after fifteen minutes, the director wanted to get on with the shoot.
"Adrien, there waiting for us," Plagg hissed as Adrien frantically scribbled inside a pink heart.
"Flowers and chocolate are nice and sweet,
but what I treasure most is spending time with you.
Ladybug, I love you with my whole heart,
So, this Valentine's Day,
Would you be my Valentine?
Adrien
Adrien ran panting down the path as Ladybug waved and smiled at the crowd. Adrien walked up. "A card for you, Ladybug," he said. Ladybug read the card silently as Adrien's heart beat like a drum. Her eyes grew soft as she looked up at him.
"Yes, but right now I have my shoot." "Of course, good luck!" Adrien started to back away, but Ladybug caught his arm. "If you see Cat, will you tell him the shoot's started? I'm worried about him."
Adrien smiled at her. "Don't worry, I'll tell him."
As Adrien transformed, his grin couldn't be bigger, he may not be in a catsuit later, but he was going out with Ladybug!
