Dear Journal,

"M'lady?" Ladybug looks up from where her head was resting against my chest. "Yes, Adrien?" "You know, with the Horse Miraculous we'd be able to travel back and forth between our island and Paris. And," I link our fingers. "We could be together."

I pull the jewelry box from my pocket and get down on one knee. "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, I will love you forever. Will you marry me?" Marinette's mouth drops open and no sound comes out. "Stronger together. Yes, Adrien, I'll marry you." "Why don't you open the box and see if the ring I picked out fits your finger. Marinette pinches open the lid, and gasps.

I step closer. "Do you like the design I made?" "I love it. Is that a little ladybug?" "It is. But you'll always be my little bug."

I don't know who was more excited, Marinette or Aunt Amile. "We must go shopping so we can pick out a wedding dress and flowers….and...oh, I need to sit down!"

"I love shopping, but if you don't mind, I was planning on sewing my own dress." Aunt Amile looks up from her chair. "Are you sure, dear? Sewing a wedding dress is quite a bit of work." "Don't worry, I have sketches planned out and if I change my mind, you'll be the first one to know."

Marinette sighs, coming over to give me a hug. "Everything okay?" I turn to my aunt and cousin. "I'm going to walk Marinette out. I'll be back in a few minutes."

When we're alone, Marinette looks at me. "If I tell my parents, the news will spread and your father will find out." "Oh, sweetheart, I didn't think of that. We'll work something out though, don't worry."

Something in Marinette's eyes flashes. "I'm not worried about me, Adrien. I'm only afraid of losing you." I brush a strand of hair back from her face. "Your not going to lose me." Marinette steps back with a pouty look. "I better not, cause I like cuddling with my cat." she gives me a kiss. "See you at Starbucks?" "If you ever go missing, that will be the first place I look." She turns away and I can hear a snort, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite sounds ever. "Bye."

The night seems to pass by slowly and during the night I hear a loud sound and think its Plagg. "Adrien, you need to see this." I sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

Its Hawkmoth, grinning evilly on the screen. "This is the last final warning, Ladybug and Cat Noir. Oh, you just think I'm bluffing don't you? I'm tired of playing around. If your not back in Paris within twenty-four hours Paris will burn. I'll be waiting."

Before the screen can even grow dark, I'm transforming and dialing M'lady's number. "Did you see the video?" "Yes, and like you said, I don't think he's bluffing this time. I'll meet you at Big Ben."

We hang up, and I power up leaping into the night. It feels like only seconds until I reach the clock tower. "Ready?" We link fingers and enter the portal together.

"Bugaboo, I have a strange feeling," I stop and tell her. "Cat, this is not the time for a catnap craving!" "No, I know where Hawkmoth is. Follow me."

The streets are so empty you can hear our footsteps on the streets. "But Adrien," Ladybug hisses to me, "This the Agreste mansion!" I squeeze her hand tighter as I punch in the code for the gate. "Just trust me." "Always."

Its like coming home after a long day of school and fencing class. I put a finger to my lips and open the door to Father's office. "I just know there's a secret in this painting," I whisper.

"Here, let me." Ladybug moves her hands over the painting and her fingers slip into little notches. "Adrien!" she hisses. "I think I found something!" She presses her fingers into the notches and with a small squeak she vanishes downwards. "Ladybug!" I dive down after her, and we both tumble into a glass window.

We continue to ascend downwards into some kind of a basement. "You've never been down here before?" I shake my head. I didn't even though this part of the house existed, but that doesn't really surprise me with all the secrets Father keep from me.

The door opens and we help each other up. "Ugh, smells like the sewers down here!" Ladybug waves a hand in front of her face. We start to walk down the long ramp or walkway which also serves as a sort of bridge above the water.

Hawkmoth appears from behind some kind of long tube. "Good, you heeded my message. Paris will not burn tonight if you hand over your Miraculous." Ladybug's eyes narrow and her voice steels. "No deal. If you made the wish, there's no telling what damage it would do." "Oh, I think I'll get them tonight," Hawkmoth smiles evilly. He points a gloved finger at Ladybug. "That Agreste boy, what's his name? Adrien? You wouldn't want him to be hurt would you?"

At once, Ladybug's yo-yo is in her hands. "He's safety hidden away where people like you can't touch him." Hawkmoth shrugs as if the idea bores him. "Oh, I know, Ladybug. Because I sent him to London. Dark Wings fall."

I back up, if I'm in a horrible nightmare, but I'm awake. "Father? Your-your Hawkmoth? How can this be possible?" "Your ladybug had a suspicion about me years ago, but I outsmarted her. But Adrien, you must no why I'm doing this."

Father walks over to a button on the long tube and there's a hissing sound. The doors open and I give a strangled yowl for sitting in the tube is my mother, Emile Agreste. "She's in a coma, Adrien. But I can cure her easily by making a wish."

Father turns back in to Hawkmoth and points at Ladybug. "If you want to save your mother, take her earrings. Now."

"Never. You could have told us, both of us, and we would have helped you. I would have helped you conquer your grief. But you leave us no choice but to fight you."

I'm professionally trained in fencing and Hawkmoth and I begin to duel, the sounds of cane hitting baton echoing around this vast cavernous room.

I can feel my arms beginning to ache after awhile, and I can't look away to see if Ladybug is still safe. But then a flash of red catches my eye up in the rafters and I smile at Hawkmoth. "Look up!" He does so, and I rush forward snatching the Miraculous from his shirt causing a instant detransformation.

"You know what to do, M'lady." she nods and a silent communication passes between us. I take one look at Mother laying there so peacefully a hear a silent ding on my baton.

"Don't give up on her."

-M'lady

I smile a faint smile as I head up the elevator. Father will be going to jail and I doubt I'll see him again. And why would I want to after all things he put me through and tore me away from Marinette?

He had so many chances to come clean, but he took none of them. We return to London and I tell Ladybug goodnight and send a text to my aunt.

I check into a small hotel, and when I flop down on the bed I cry. I'm glad to get this all out, and this is good and healing.

I don't know exactly when I fell asleep, but I wear myself out crying. In the morning, the morning sun is streaming in through my window.

Its a new day, and a day of new beginnings. I shower and freshen up, the hot water spray feels so good after a long fencing battle.

Dressing quickly, I send a text to Marinette.

Adrien: You up? Or is my Princess still snoozing in her tower?

Marinette: If I wasn't awake, the phone would silent, and cats have towers too.

Adrien: You mean your going to start calling me Lord Noir? Can you make a hat with a fluffy feather?

Marinette: First of all, never! And your allergic to feathers!

Adrien: Will you at least buy me coffee makes huge cat eyes

Marinette: Of course. See you soon."

We get coffee and then I take Marinette to breakfast where we discuss wedding plans. Its a bit strange at first, because all my life I've been controlled. Now that I'm free, its time for new beginnings.

Aunt Amile is a wonderful help, even offering to pay for the dress material and help Marinette sew. While they make the dress, Felix and I have fun around London with Kagami, who Felix tells me he's going to propose to her soon after we get married.

The days are going by so fast, and our wedding date approaches. I finalize the papers for securing our island with the cabin. Marinette has enough on her plate so I leave it as a surprise.

I realize Marinette may meet some relatives she's never met before, and it will be good to see my extended family again.

"We've just about got the dress done!" Marinette says one morning at coffee. "Good, cause the wedding's just a few days away!" "Don't say that! I'm already nervous!" "What do you have to nervous about? Your the most confident girl I know." Marinette smirks and leans forward. "Thanks, but that's when I have a mask and suit on! Without that, I'm a clumsy disaster!"

I smile and wink at her. "Maybe you should wear your suit then!" She slaps my hand gently. "Adrien!" "Kidding!" "You'll be fine," I reassure her. "And by the way," my voice grows soft. "I can't wait to marry you." Marinette's face lights up and takes my hands giving them a quick excited squeeze. "It will be here before we know it."