Salut! ^^
After thinking through how much more of the story there is I've stated it needs this and another chapter. So the next chapter will be the last. ^^
"Ugh, we need more!" Adrien groaned as he placed down his phone, he was in his room and had talked with Nino, "Even if some of the guys from school are willing to provide some money we still don't have enough."
"Maybe you could make a loan?" Plagg asked, "...but you are a pretty rich guy you know."
Adrien sighed, "But if I have to give that much money I'll get in trouble when the bill comes."
"You're gonna get in trouble anyway, you're the one who wants to pay it all but doesn't dare to ask your dad." Plagg pointed out.
"...you're right." Adrien closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, "If I'm gonna pay for an operation then I need my father's approval."
It took some time for Adrien to think everything through, his classmates had provided money for the operation but it wasn't enough. He needed a lot more to even afford something that could help her. He needed more contributors or just one who could provide the missing money. He got up and went towards the door. But before he opened it he stopped for a second.
The kwami sighed, "You're really gonna do it, are you?" he asked as he floated to the boy.
Adrien sighed, "I want to. Because if I don't then I'll regret it for the rest of my life." he said, turned to the kwami and let him fly into his usual hiding spot inside his jacket. Then he opened the door.
He went through the quiet hall towards his father's room, stopped in front of the door. He took a deep breath before rising up his fist to lightly knock on the door. It took some time 'til he heard footsteps coming towards the door. Inside, Adrien felt like panicking, but he didn't want to move. He held his breath as the door opened.
"Adrien? What is it?" Gabriel asked, he seemed serious as usual but Adrien could still find kindness in his father's voice.
"S-sorry if I'm disturbing you, father. But... I really need to talk to you."
"Marinette, are you okay?" Tikki asked.
No sound came from the girl, there was only those quiet breaths through her nose. The kwami floated towards the girl and stopped in front of her trying to get her attention.
"I'm fine, Tikki." she finally said in a tired whisper.
The kwami crossed her arms and stared at the girl, "Marinette, I've been with humans for over five thousand years. I know as well as you do that you won't get far with that answer." she said as she slowly shook her head, "Now, tell me what's wrong." she then said in a more kind voice.
The girl sighed, "I don't know if I'm doing the right thing, Tikki. I mean, I literally freaked myself out when Adrien was about to talk to me about my crush on him... and I told him to wait with it."
"...yea, you could've gotten your answer there and then and you wouldn't be like this now." Tikki pointed out.
Marinette sighed, "But here I am hoping for Cat Noir to show up, and something inside me is... is making me wanna-... t-tell him ho-how I... feel."
Tikki smiled as she floated closer to the girl, "I think you're just low on romantic love, Marinette. Teenagers gets that. When people are around your age they get a need, they're longing for someone to love."
The girl groaned, "Ugh, I guess that's why my heart gave up on Adrien and started longing for Cat Noir..."
Tikki nodded, "I think so. It has happened before with other girls." the kwami sighed, "I'm sorry, Marinette-"
"It's not your fault, Tikki. Like you said, my bad luck was surely just a preparation for something really lucky. I mean, maybe... maybe it's best this way." she smiled.
There was a knock on the door, Marinette heard Tikki fly away to hide and then she said "Come in."
The door opened and she heard her friend's voice, "Marinette, tell me ONE time when I haven't found you just sitting on that couch without anything to do."
Marinette thought back at the days when Alya had come visiting her, "Eh, there was that one time when you found me sit on the floor..."
Alya chuckled, "Yeah, and you said you were going to the couch to rest." she said and sat down next to Marinette, "Everything okay? I mean, after what happened..."
She nodded, "I'm okay. Just trying to think everything through."
"Good. You need to. I mean, what happened to you!? Yesterday you were still that girl who dreams of her prince charming, the one she stutters in front of and the one she's hung up pictures of on her wall-..." Alya stopped, then she started mumbling to herself "which are no longer there... and you don't stutter... nor are you going on about how amazing he his..." she said.
Marinette could hear how Alya was finishing the puzzle, she knew something was coming... something she didn't want right now.
"Wait-..." Alya gasped when she had figured it out, "Y-you're-... ARE YOU-"
Marinette smacked her hand onto Alya's mouth to shut her up, "Please... don't say it. Out loud. Please." she begged without turning her head towards her friend.
After some time she could feel Alya slowly remove her hand and place it down on Marinette's lap next to the other hand, she leaned forward, "Are you, seriously, in love with someone else!?"
Marinette didn't know what to say, she... she knew there was a small possibility that Cat Noir could be Adrien- but that's nothing she'd believe. Without being done thinking, she slowly nodded. She then heard Alya gasp again, she didn't know if she was happy, shocked or sad. Then she remembered what Alya could think about it all, "Please don't..." she tried.
"Is- is it C-Cat Noir?" Alya asked.
There it was, the question that was too hard for her to answer. She really needed to think of something smart to say. It was true but... she doesn't want Alya to know. And if she'd say no then Alya would not stop asking who it was... but maybe...
"I know him but I don't know who he is." she finally said.
It was quiet for some time, until Alya finally spoke. "You know him but not who he is...? That's complicated..."
She nodded, "Yea. I think it's better to be with him than trying to get Adrien's attention, it's better to stay friends with him. And this other guy, he's-... he's caring and funny and..." she sighed before letting the last word out, "...amazing." she breathed out and closed her eyes. A smile grew on her face.
"...that sounds like Cat Noir. Admit it, girl. It is him." said her friend with a rather annoyed tone.
Marinette smiled, "Can't tell you, I've got strict rules about it. And if I tell you it wouldn't be a secret anymore."
Alya grinned when she got an idea, "Well, then I won't tell you a huge secret that is going on right now, it's about you and a certain blond boy."
Marinette got curious and confused, "What?"
"You heard me, but I'm not gonna say it 'cause I got strict rules about it too. And if I'd tell you then it would be a surprise." she said, ending with a singsong tone.
Marinette groaned as she gently nudged Alya to the side in a teasing gesture. They both laughed.
"But seriously," Alya stopped laughing, "Are you really sure that guy you're talking about is someone for you? I mean, does he even love you back?" she asked.
Marinette remembered how he acted yesterday at the patrol, she nodded. "I think so... I mean, he has not really told me but... it feels like he does. And I really hope he does."
After some time of having fun with Alya they heard a knock on the door and Tom came up.
"I hope I'm not disturbing but I was wondering if you'd like some food?" he asked.
The smell of food coming from the open door made Marinette realize how hungry she was, so her answer was quite obvious. She nodded.
"We'd love to." Alya answered and got up, grabbed Marinette and helped her down the stairs.
The dinner was really good and the girls didn't really have time to talk, until Alya got an idea. "Marinette, can't we have a sleepover or something. I mean, it might be a little lonely for you to sleep alone and we haven't had a sleepover in a long time."
Marinette almost choked on her food, Alya must be up to something and Marinette didn't really like it.
Sabine thought it was a really good idea, "Good idea, Alya. It's fine by us, right Tom?" she asked her husband and received a happy nod, "But I think you have to ask your parents first."
"Of course, I'll call them when I'm done." she said and ate a little more, then she remembered something more, "Oh, and I need to talk to you guys later."
Tom got curious, "Why not now?"
Alya leaned forward a little and placed a hand next to her mouth to whisper so Marinette didn't hear, but she knew she'd hear anyway, "It's the surprise for Marinette, but she must not know what it is."
"You don't have to whisper, I'm not deaf you know." said Marinette in an annoyed tone.
Alya laughed, "I know. I'm just messing with you."
Marinette smiled and shook her head, that surprise seems to have something to do with her parents... then it's probably something big.
Later that evening. Alya had asked her parents, got a yes and gone to get some stuff for the sleepover. Marinette was alone again in her room.
She sighed as she laid down on the couch, every minute felt like hours. She was wishing for his presence before Alya came back.
And her wish actually came true. Five minutes alone and then came a knock on the window, she slowly got up and waved in the window's direction. She then heard it open and his feet gently landing onto the floor, the window then got closed and he got closer to her. And as usual he sat down next to her, but this time he seemed more tense than usual. She could feel that, so without thinking she leaned towards him til her head was resting on his shoulder. She didn't know why but... she just wanted to. She didn't know how he would react, so it was slightly surprising when she felt his hand sneak up behind her back and up to her shoulder to rub it a little. She relaxed and closed her eyes. "I missed you, kitty." she then whispered.
She heard a low chuckle, "Sorry, I couldn't come last night because... I had to sort things out first. And if I'm late then it's because I was busy with something really important." he explained and she could hear the happiness in his voice, he wasn't scared or sad. He was happy.
She moved a little closer to him and sighed, "It's okay, I'm glad you're here now. But it's sad you can't stay here for long, my friend is coming over to sleep here."
A low moan came from him, "Now that's sad, I wish we could have more time, princess." he said and let his head rest on hers, "So it's a definite no to let her see me here?"
"Yep, if she sees you she'll never leave me alone, ask questions all the time. Not to mention she'd spread it in mere seconds and she'd think you're crazy."
"Well, I-... I am crazy... I-.. I'm kind of... crazy about you." he stuttered while chuckling nervously. She'd never seen him like this, well, at least not as Marinette. Ladybug has seen him stutter and be nervous like this before but-... he's crazy about her? Really?
"Eh... not crazy in that way but... since you seem to be real close to Ladybug she... she'd think you're some sort of "double-dater" or something. She actually does believe you two are a thing." Marinette explained.
He made that chuckle again, "Huh, well... he he, I... don't know why but I feel quite... over with that. I mean, she's the most amazing girl but... not long ago it just... faded a little."
"What a coincidence. I-... I gotta be honest with you. Ever since he came to my school I've had feelings for a very nice guy-... you know who I'm talking about." she smiled, "But... since the day I got blind... my feelings for him has been fading away. Now I just see him as a very good friend. But I still really like him."
It got quiet for a while, then she felt him move, "Tell me, do you have any ideas why your feelings are fading away?"
She wasn't really sure if she wanted to be honest, but she still wanted him to know. So she almost forced herself to. "I-... I don't really know but... I think... I think it's because I... love someone else." she said and turned down her head to hide a blush.
"D-do you... know who it is...?" he asked nervously.
She slowly nodded, she had to tell him. If not then she'd regret it later. "I-... it's y-..." she stuttered as she felt a finger under her chin slowly and gently lifting her head up. She leaned in.
Knock knock.
'Argh! WHY NOW?!' She mentally screamed, she felt him move around nervously as if he didn't know where to go. So she pointed up at the window over her bed. His presence was about to leave her when she suddenly felt his lips peck her cheek before they disappeared. She heard him quickly go up the stairs, then she heard the trapdoor open.
"It's just me Marinette, I hope you haven't waited too long." said Alya.
No, actually, I've waited too little. "Nah, it's fine, I've just... thought about what to do." she said. She was pretty sure she heard the window over her bed open and then close, but luckily it seemed like Alya didn't hear it. By the sound of it she was just placing down things on the floor as if nothing had happened.
"I'm pretty sure this will be a night to remember, 'cause tomorrow will be a big day." said Alya, she was probably talking about that surprise again. What could make it so special? She can't really see anything so it won't be a sight to remember. So what could possibly make it so amazing?
The night was great, the girls had fun and her parents had been with them and played games. It was really a night to remember, she wished she could write it all down in her diary. But she couldn't see and Alya was not allowed to even peek in it (since it was filled with her adventures as Ladybug).
But it was now morning, and both Alya and Marinette's parents seemed tense and were up to something. It was as if they were getting ready to leave soon or something like that. Marinette got worried and didn't agree to go with them if they wouldn't tell her. "Come on! If we're going somewhere in just a few minutes then I want to know what it is."
Sabine, who actually wanted Marinette to know as soon as possible so she could be ready for it, looked at Tom and Alya. They all agreed that it was time for Marinette to know. After all, she's the patient. Sabine took a deep breath. "Sweetie, yesterday someone called us and asked for our permission to pay for something. Then Alya came to us with a letter. It's from the hospital, that someone has paid for an eye surgery for you. You know it's the best hospital in France and the chance of getting your vision back is very high, if you're lucky you'll might even have your vision back by tomorrow." she explained.
A shocked Marinette just stood there without any idea what to say. At first she was confused, then happy and... then she got really scared. She doesn't know if she wants to or not. She really does want her vision back, but what if the surgery goes wrong? What if-... wait. "Who... paid for it?"
"We can't tell you. It's a surprise. But you'll meet the person at the hospital. So... is it okay, sweetie? Do you want to do this?"
Scary thoughts came to her mind, could it be Adrien? Alya said the surprise had something to do with him so... is it him?
She couldn't ask those questions now, she had to be patience. And if she'd meet the person at the hospital... "What are we waiting for? Let's go!" she chuckled.
They got ready and went down and out to the family's car. It took some time for them to get there, she didn't know how long but it felt like hours. And when they got to the hospital they checked in and went to a room. There Marinette had to sit on a chair as a doctor looked at her eyes, he then gave info to a nurse.
"So, you're the girl my colleague talked about. She said your eyes were really hurt, but it seems they've healed a little." he told her, "You're really lucky."
Marinette smiled, it's good they've healed a bit. Her luck must've come back. It will hopefully still be with her during the surgery. If only Cat Noir could be there with her. He would be as happy as her.
"Father, I got to be honest with you. I... I love her. But I can't be happy with her if she's not happy. She loves to be creative, and she's always been that cute girl who makes people smile whenever she's smiling. But if she can't see anything-..." he sighed.
It was quiet for a while, then he felt his father place a hand on his shoulder. "I understand, son. But are you sure this is the right thing to do?"
Adrien lifted up his head, he looked at Gabriel and said "Yes. I just need her parents approval."
His father let a proud smile grow in his face, "Then I guess I have to make some phone calls."
It was the biggest surprise Adrien ever had since his secret surprise birthday party his friends had for him, but this surprise was bigger since his father had never done anything like this for years.
So the next day he had talked a little with the Dupain-Chengs before they went, he just had some things to do before he could meet them at the hospital.
"Natalie can come with you." Gabriel offered.
"Thank you, father. But she doesn't have to, I trust the Dupain-Chengs. Plus, Natalie has things to do here." he pointed out, "I have to go now so I won't be late. Good bye, father. Good bye, Natalie." he said before he left.
'We're late.' Adrien stated as he saw his clock. Typical traffic problems. He won't make it to be there to see her before the operation. At least she got there safely, to the operation that might change everything. Turn everything back to normal.
He was sitting in his car. The "gorilla" was driving as usual. And he stared out at the buildings they passed. He remembered the rooftops. It was here he and Ladybug ran when they helped people to the emergency. And it was here he ran with Marinette that day, the day she got blind.
After waiting for some time Marinette had to go to another room where the surgery would take place. She got some treatments and other things for the surgery, then she got a mask on and the nurse told her to breath in the gas. Her parents and Alya were there, her mother held Marinette's hand. Marinette had asked before but she still wanted to ask before the gas made her sleep.
"Where is he?" she weakly asked, the gas had already made her tired.
Alya chuckled, "He's just late, but he'll come. Trust me."
Sabine noticed her daughter's eyes were closing, "You'll be okay, Marinette. It'll be alright. We'll be here when you wake up again." she promised. Then Marinette closed her eyes and fell asleep. It was scary it all had went so fast, just some hours ago she got the news about her surgery taking place today which caught her unprepared. Now she's lying there, in a bed and ready to get operated.
I'm sorry if was too straight forward with the hospital part, I just don't know so much about eye surgery... or any surgery for that matter.
Next is the ending! À plus! ^^