I doze on the couch with Adrien, until he nudges me, and I open my eyes and yawn. "Is it that time already?" I sit up, not wanting to leave the comforting circle of his arms. "We still have a few minutes, but I thought we should get prepared." "Good idea. I'm going to change." "Change?" "Yeah, probably not the best idea to be wearing a ladybug suit. And I have an idea for the camera. Be back in a flash."
I change quickly into an all black outfit, and grab the small camera from my shelf. Papa got for me last year, but I've been so busy this is the first chance I'm gotten to use it. "You look lovely in black, my love." I giggle. "Your just saying that because you wear a black suit. I feel like were going to rob a bank. Here, transform and let me take a look at your bell."
Adrien does, and sits back down next to me on the couch. "We're going to put this camera in your bell, because if you are use the baton or bug phone it will illuminate a glow, and Hawkmoth will get instantly suspicious. Cat detached his gold bell, smiling at me. "Clever idea, M'lady. That camera is as small as a grain of rice." "I'm known to have a good idea once awhile," I tell him, smiling back but something is blocking the slip of paper. "What's in here? Oh, that's right. For you, My Kitty."
I hand him the scrap of paper, blushing and he gives me a look when he opens it. Its a drawing of him with a fish in his mouth going "meow." "I put in that in there if you were having a bad day and I wasn't around." "We'll put it back later," Cat says, putting it is his pocket. "Time to go."
Even the Eiffel Tower that can be seen all over the city is dark and quiet, and I slip my arm through Cat's and I give a little squeeze. Unless its patrol, I'm not usual out this late and even then Cat and I meet in the usual spot.
The carasoel sits dark and quiet, and its closed needed repairs. There's a secret entrance, but before I open the door, I signal to Cat to stay silent and do a quick scan of the premiter. "Coast is clear," and I open the door beckoning for Cat to go inside.
We hunker down, and I sigh with relief that we weren't spotted. We have to be quiet as mice though, for though we know the time Hawkmoth is supposed to arrive, he could be early. My eyes struggle to stay open, and I fight back a yawn. "Princess?" I can just make out Cat's shape in the darkness and his eyes are glowing green with eye shine. "Take a nap, I'll keep watch." I hope he can see my grateful smile in the darkness, because my head droops forehead immediately.
Squeak, squeak, squeak. "Come on, Hugo. Do you want to say hello to Daddy?" My son pulls along his duck toy on a string and nods,but his lip is trembling. "Yes, Mama, but my ducks keep getting stuck in the sand." I smile at my serious child, who looks so much like Adrien down to the buttercup hair and jeweled green eyes. "Its alright, Hugo. We have all the time in the world."
The sun is dazzling against the white sand, and the surf is a artist's shade of blue. I'll let Hugo play in the surf once we get to the garden where Adrien is working. Emma stirs within me, and I rub my belly. Adrien and I have decided that Emma will be the next Ladybug holder and Hugo the Cat. Sometimes we let him transform with us watching and when he's "Cat Noir" he does the cutest little thing. He drops down and crawls on all fours, crawling and giggling like mad. He wants to be just like Daddy, but loves snuggles with Mommy in the rocking chair.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Hugo sees Daddy kicking up the powder and Adrien swoops him up in a hug, laughing with joy his face radiant….
"Princess?" I lift my head, and I can hear the gentle sound of raindrops above us. "Is Hawkmoth here?" "No, but you were talking in your sleep. You okay?" Cat as shifted so his arm is around me, and I don't know why I blush shyly.
"I was dreaming we we're married and I had a child and was with child. You should have seen your face when Hugo ran towards you…." "It would give me the greatest joy to give you kids, M'lady. If I could give you the world I would." I rub noses with Cat, a giggle on my lips. "How about a coffee in the morning?"
Our quiet laughter is cut short, when we hear the tapping of a cane, and I detach Cat's bell and pull up my phone to watch the conversation. "Good your right on time, Alden." "If you want to make sure that Marinette is Ladybug, your worries are over," Alden says. His voice is smooth as a silken handkerchief but there's a undercurrent of evil running through it. "If she wants to be a fashion designer, then she'll jump at the chance to work for me. Give her a few weeks to settle in, and when she least expects it, we'll grab the earrings." "Hm, its a good plan. But she almost in constant contact with Adrien. And as you informed me this morning, he's very protective of her." "Oh, don't worry about him."
"Excellent. Shall we start the plan in the morning? They always go to Starbucks as it says in the magazine." "If you come sir, they'll be instantly suspicious. Trust me."
Cat is holding my arm, and we glance at each other and I gasp, his normally playful eyes are feral. The two men shake hands and part ways and I draw the bell back into our hideout and let out my breath. How long was I holding it?
We head for home, but Cat tells me we'll go to his apartment, and we're quiet all the way there. As soon as we get inside he turns to me. "Your not actually going to go through it, are you?" "Your going to think I'm bonkers, but yes I am." "Marinette-" "Look, we know what their up to, and know the game plan. Eventually, Alden is sure to lead us to Hawkmoth and we'll be ready." "What if your new "job" is crawling with security? What if-" "Shh," I press a finger to Cat's lips. "We've got this. Pound it?" "Pound it, M'lady. Now, lets get you bed, you must be tired."
I chuck off the blacket jacket and hat I was wearing and Cat detransforms and Adrien flops on the bed, giggling. "What?" "I'm going to miss your all black outfit. Why couldn't you add a little bell?" I shuffle, shifting his knees apart. "I'm sure it will be back. Meanwhile, can you help with the rest?" "With pleasure."
Slowly, he draws my black tank down my arms, and I'm left in a black bra. He unhooks it, casting it to the side of the room. He moves his hands towards my chest, but I block him. "Uh-uh, your not done yet," I whisper.
"My lady, black lace underwear? Not that I'm complaining," "I'm nothing if I'm not through," I began to weave my hands through his hair. "Touch me, Adrien. Please."
Adrien is quick to undress and tosses me on the bed. "If he makes a pass at you, I'll break his face." "Easy, love." Adrien slips into me, and whispers in my ear. "I'm going to be a bit rough, but if anything hurts say sunrise. Understood?" "Yes, Adrien."
I can understand his emotions, all he wants to do his keep me safe, protected. Even I'm a little scared, but when your a superhero you have to shove the fear aside.
I scream his name with pleasure as he goes deeper and deeper, till finally he collapses on me, and nestles into my chest. I play with his hair, and he looks at me. The look says, "I can't lose you again. Not now, not ever."
Before I can say anything, he falls asleep, listening to the beat of my heart. I click off the bedside lamp, and soon sleep comes to take me to dreamland. The clouds are as pink as cotton candy, and you can dance on the clouds. Which Cat and I do, under a sliver moon.
I feel so happy, so full of joy, is it possible to be this happy inside a dream? The dream changes and I'm sitting in a rocking chair, rocking back and forth as I rock my daughter. Adrien is at the stove stirring something, but it smells delicious.
Emma looks just like me, down from my raven-black hair to my bluebell eyes. A tuft of black hair sticks up and I bend down to give it a gentle kiss.
Its still raining in the morning, but I'm snug and cozy with Adrien's arm around my waist. I get up slowly, not to wake my partner and start to dress. I want to select a pretty outfit today, maybe my plum colored dress? But as I walk past the mirror, I stop looking at myself.
Have I gained weight recently? I press my hand to my stomach and feel a slight bulge. I have to take deep breaths to calm myself. Could I be pregnant? Calm down, Marinette, your overthinking things again as usual. But as I open my phone in the bathroom, I stop feeling like Autumn would be a better person to ask. She was so sweet and kind, and I miss her gentle laugh.
"Marinette?" Adrien shuffles into the bathroom, seeing me standing there looking off into space in my bra and panties. "Everything okay?" "Yep, perfect!" I walk quickly out of the room, heart beating quickly. This is one secret I'm not ready to share yet with Adrien.
