I walk up to the door, praying Autumn is in, and they'll let me stay at least for the night. Raising my fist to the door, I knock.

I hear quiet footsteps and the door opens, and Autumn's mouth drops open. "Marinette?" "Hi, Autumn. Can I come in?" Autumn seems to snap out of her trance, and she opens the door wider. "Of course, of course! How are you, and how's Adrien? Here, let me get you a snack!"

She scurries to the kitchen while I sit down in a chair, rubbing my belly. "Adrien's fine. I told him who I am under the mask just a few days ago." Though it feels like longer. "That's great, and how is Paris?" "Lovely." Everything suddenly tumbles out and I tell her I think I'm carrying a baby. "No wonder your so quiet. Do you want to lay down?" I nod, but then a wave of naesau passes over me, and I've only eaten one cookie.

I lurch to the bathroom and Autumn follows me, and I make it just in time heaving over the toilet. Autumn rubs my back and mummers words of comfort. For a moment, she reminds me of my mother. "Marinette, I don't have the supplies to do a ultrasound on you, but do you think you'll be okay till morning?" I nod.

I tell Autumn about Alden Taylor and the new "job" I've taken on. "Just be careful, Marinette. Those kind of men can be wolves in sheep's clothing and don't let them take advantage of you." "Good thing Adrien and I know he's working for Hawkmoth. And I'll be careful, I promise. Is there anything I can do to help with supper?" "Oh, goodness, no. I just like someone to talk with, as Orion's out on the island every night."

"Did someone call my name?" A voice from the door calls and I stand up. "Orion!" I run and give him a hug. "Why, Marinette, come for a visit?" "Yes, though a short one, unfourtanely." "Well, then, we best make a bonfire tonight. What do you say, Autumn?" Autumn looks at me, and I give her the slightest nod. "Sounds lovely."

The night is lovely too, Orion makes a big bonfire cooking fish and sweet corn. Finally, hungry I slather on the butter and we toast marshmallows for dessert. The only thing that would made this night absolute perfect would be Adrien here to share it with me.

I go to bed soon after Tikki curled up on my cheek, using me as her pillow. Back in my single days, we would cuddle like this when I was sad and when I went to sleep at night. I got my Miraculous at thirteen, though in some ways it feels like my Kwami has always been right beside me, a constant in my life.

Though she hasn't said anything, I hope she hasn't felt like Adrien took her place. The sun rises early here on the island, and I find out Autumn and Orion do too. "Get up for some grub!" Orion shouts and I grin at Tikki. I am thousands of miles from Paris in the middle of the ocean, but this feels like home.

"I'll be taking Marinette to the island today, so I'll be needing the boat," she tells Orion. "That's fine, dear. You know I'll be working on the garden." "I'd love to see the garden later, if I can," I tell Orion. His face lights up with pleasure. "Nothing would please me more, Marinette. Are you interested in gardening?" I nod, my eyes sparkling. "When I'm not flying over Paris on a yo-yo string."

We laugh heartily and I dig into my breakfast the fluffiest pancakes and eggs ever. I skip the coffee (shocking, I know!) and have some fresh squeezed orange juice from the oranges Orion picked this morning.

"You should watch him climb for a coconut, Marinette," Autumn laughs, placing a hand on her husband's arm lovingly. "He gets a such a determined look on his face." I burst into giggles, picturing Cat seizing up the tree, then climbing it Cat style.

I help with dishes, wiping them dry, another comforting familiar feeling of home. We head out in the boat, waving to Orion, and Autumn hands me a umbrella. "Are we expecting rain later?" I ask. "Its to keep the sun off your face and from you turning into a lobster instead of a pretty ladybug."

The water makes a soft sound, lapping against the sides of boat, and I look down into the depths. A mirror girl stares back at me, but then the image changes as one side of my face wears a mask, the other is my own face.

"Here we are!" Autumn sings out, casting the rope to shore. I help her tie up the boat and look around. Its a island village with huts and stalls, and everyone seems happy as they call out morning greetings.

"The hospital's up the hill, so we'll walk through the village," she tells me. The smell of food drifts out of the tents and stalls and even though I've recently had breakfast, my mouth begins to water.

"Here, Marinette, I'll buy you a little fruit cup." She hands me a cup of vibrant fruit and when I bite into the cantaloupe the sweetness explodes in my mouth. "This is about the best thing I've ever tasted."

We get to the hospital which is cool and quiet, differing from the hot sun and busy marketplace. I rub my belly, feeling suddenly very tired. "You can rest your head on my shoulder, dear. I don't mind."

I must doze off until they call my name, for Autumn is nudging me gently. I'm told to put on a hospital gown and I do, then climb up onto a table. The doctor is coming shortly, and I don't know why I'm feeling nervous. "Autumn, will you come and hold my hand?" she does, and I don't let go during the procedure.

"Yes, definitely a strong heartbeat, Marinette. And its a girl!" Happiness ripples through me, though I wish Adrien were here to hear the news. "I just started a internship. Will I be okay to work?" "As long as you don't feel sick, you should be fine. But try not to do to much."

I feel even better when we're back out in the sunshine, and I tell Autumn I'll meet her at OceanView Park in a hour. Its easy not to miss because looks out at the ocean.

I'm glad to be alone, giving me a chance to talk to my Kwami. "Its so peaceful and relaxed here, Nikki. Can't you see us living here?" "Marinette, your duty is in Paris." "Yes, for now. But once Hawkmoth is defeated, I'd love to live on a island near Autumn and Orion."

Without them meeting, I just know Orion and Adrien would be best friends. After we eat, I sigh, knowing I'll have to head back soon. We hug and I thank her for everything. "See you soon," I wave as I step through the portal.

I walk towards home with a smile on my face, thinking I'll grab a few things from my place and then head over to my parents.

As I get closer though, I notice a lot of police activity and I wonder what happened. I see Adrien and start walking towards him. "Marinette, thank goodness your safe," he hugs me tightly. "Did something happen?" "Someone vandalized your apartment. Its strange though, your laptop and safe were untouched."

I step back, feeling sick, but its not from the pregnancy my face going white. "Someone was looking for the Miracle Box. Someone knows I'm Ladybug." "Or is suspicious at least." "The question is who?"

Thank goodness I visited Autumn when I did, or I could have been badly hurt or worse and the baby….Absentmindedly , I place a hand on my tummy. "Adrien, do you think there's somewhere private we can talk?" "Of course."

Since my place is unavailable, we head to where no one would think to look for Ladybug and Cat Noir. The sewers, in a secret hidden room. "Adrien, the Miracle Box is down here, hidden in the sewers. That's why whoever was in the apartment didn't find it." I feel his hand on my cheek, and I lean into the warmth and softness. "As long as your okay, Marinette, that's all I care about." "There's something else, too." "I'm pregnant."

Slience roars in my ears, but only for a moment. "I'm going to be a Daddy?" "Yes, the most wonderful Daddy ever." "Well, on that note, I have something to tell you to, Marinette." I can hear the smile in his voice. "But its a little cramped in here. Can we go out in the open?"

Once we're on the platform, my hands start sweating for no reason. Adrien gets down on one knee and pulls out a little box. "Marinette, you are the love of my life no matter if you wear a mask or not, you are my soulmate. I guess I wasn't expecting a baby yet, but I'm so happy. And with that said, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, will you marry me?"

"Can I look at the ring first?" I ask, then flush. He laughs and nods, and I pinch the lid open, gasping as the ring is perfect. A gold band with a red ruby in the center that looks like a ladybug. Tears build in my eyes. "Yes, Adrien Agreste. Yes, I'll marry you."

"I know we have to take care of Hawkmoth, but I'm so glad you said yes, love." We kiss, our lips greedy for each other, and its like we can't get enough of each other. After we break apart and catch our breath, I take Adrien's hand. "You have to keep the secret, but I'll show you were the box is hidden."

I begin to lead him deeper into the sewers, the roar of water ringing in our ears.