Everything Changes –Chapter Twenty

Marinette POV

I woke to a faint beeping noise. I tried to make sense of my surroundings as I came to. I was still in hospital, that was for sure. I had an oxygen mask covering my face. I felt weak and sore. What happened? I didn't remember anything after going into the delivery room. I tried to sit up, and as I did, that's when I noticed the blonde boy sitting on a chair in the corner of the room. As soon as I had propped myself up comfortably, he seemed to notice me. At first he just tensed in his chair, but after a few moments he finally scampered over.

"Mari? Mari! You're okay!" Adrien whispered. He was wearing the same clothes as when I last saw him and he had thick bags under his eyes. I cocked an eyebrow at him and blinked a few more times.

"W-What h-happened?" I whispered back, mainly because I couldn't do anything but whisper.

"I'm so happy you're okay! You passed out and stopped breathing, I was petrified of losing you. I was also terrified that Emma wouldn't sleep, but she was an angel! I didn't sleep at all last night and-" He rambled on and on until I couldn't take not knowing.

"A-Adrien," I interrupted, my voice echoing inside the oxygen mask. "W-Who's Emma?"

Adrien's eyes bulged out of his head and his jaw dropped low to the ground.

"You don't remember?" He tried to process and I shook my head.

"Emma is your daughter, Marinette,"

"I-I had the b-baby?!" I suddenly whipped the blankets off, hoping to find my still pregnant belly. No such luck. "I m-missed it?" He must've seen the fear and sadness in my eyes; he placed a hand on my cheek and smile.

"Technically no. But, honestly, it didn't look like much fun," He gave me a warm smile. "Would you like to meet her?" I swear I gave the tiniest nod in existence. Adrien got up and walked over to a crib in the opposite corner. He picked something up and walked back over to me. Before I knew it, there was a teeny, tiny bub in my arms. I was not exaggerating when I said she was small. She couldn't have been any longer than 30cm (11.811) at the most. I could probably hold her in one hand.

"Oh, s-she's so t-t-tiny," A few tears fell from my eyes as I took in the beauty of our daughter. She had short little tufts of raven hair and piercing green eyes. She had adorable rosy cheeks and pink puffy lips. Her tiny hands curled and uncurled and her eyes were getting droopy. She let out a big yawn and I giggled hoarsely. She was beautiful.

"Oh, and one more thing," Adrien piped up. He pulled a jar from behind his back. Floating inside it was a dark purple butterfly.

"Crap, A-Adrien! Is th-that the a-akuma?" I whisper-screamed. He nodded proudly.

"I didn't sleep at all last night," He giggled.

"C-Come here, Kitty," He stepped in closer allowing me to pull him into a hug. "I love you," He smiled through his growing blush.

"I love you too."

"S-So do you kn-know when I can leave?" I asked, breath still shaky.

"I believe they said a few days," He told me as I began to play with a tuft of hair on my daughter's head. I nodded, kind of annoyed that I couldn't nuzzle Emma with an oxygen mask on. "And I was thinking… maybe I could tell Father while you still here? I don't want him to do anything to you or Emma so it's probably safer for me to go alone?" I felt the laughter bubble up in my chest, and out past my lips.

"A-Aw, my l-little kitten's a-all grown u-up," I giggled.

"Do you think I could go, now?" He asked anxiously. I laughed out a yes in response. "Can I get a photo? Of you and Emma? Just in case?" I nodded yet again, and Adrien got out his phone and took a photo (which I must admit was pretty good) of me with Emma in my arms. Adrien placed a small light kiss on my forehead and did the same to Emma, before exiting the room. I couldn't help the nagging feeling that said this was not going to end well.

Adrien POV

I was sweating buckets, fidgeting with anything possible and was panting heavily. I was petrified. I was outside my father's office, waiting for my turn (or meeting) with him.

"Adrien, your father will see you now," Natalie's cold, monotone voice came up behind me and almost scaring me to death. I nodded, in obvious fear. I stood up and pushed open the door slowly.

"Father?" I spoke up hesitantly. He merely grunted in response. "May I have a word with you?" He put down the paper he was reading over, and looked up at me.

"You have five minutes," Was his only response. Jeez, how do I start?

"W-well, u-um… you s-see…"

"Spit it out boy," My father interrupted impatiently.

"I h-have been at… the h-hospital for t-the past f-few days," I finally managed to choke out.

"What for? Clearly, you're not sick or injured," He questions raising an eyebrow.

"A-Actually… it w-was a b-birth," I tried to speak as softly as possible, in hopes that he wouldn't hear me.

"Who's baby? I don't know any pregnant people," My father sounded genuinely confused.

"Mine…" I squeaked, probably a little too quiet.

"Speak up, Adrien!"

"It's mine! Okay?" I blurted out. He looked at me stiffly for a moment before beeping Natalie.

"Natalie, cancel my next appointment," Uh oh. I gulped and began to twiddle with my thumbs.

"Yeah, so…" I started only to be cut off.

"What?! You knocked some poor girl up, kept it secret for nine months and then tell me when it's born?! Girl or boy?!"

"I-I-I-I-"

"GIRL OR BOY!?"

"Girl! It's a g-girl." I was starting to question whether this was a good idea.

"F**k…" Excuse you?!

"What's wr-wrong with that?" I began to argue.

"Get. Out." Did I hear him correctly?

"I-"

"GET. OUT!" He screamed, his face said it all. I began to back away, tears brimming in my eyes. "You are hereby prohibited from entering these premises," Wait, WHAT?!

"B-but, Father! Aren't y-y-you over-reacting a bit?" I stammered.

"I am not your father, and you are not my son! Out!" I was unsure for a moment whether he was an akuma or not, because he was over-reacting big time! That's when I saw it. The brooch. The purple butterfly brooch, poking out from beneath his tie.

"No… this can't be…" I muttered and Father-er- Gabriel must have seen what I was looking at as he tucked it back under his tie. "No…" And just like that; I ran. Leaving all memories of that horrid place behind. But, of course not before stealing three or four unused debit cards from Gabriel's (*cough* Hawmoth's *cough*) desk.

I had go house-hunting.

I don't even know!

Don't judge! Hope you like it!

Sticks and Stones don't normally hurt me…

But words sure can hella hurt!

~Allie