Papa is up early as I am the next morning. "Headed out, honey?" We're letting Adrien stay at the apartment while my family and I stay at the hotel. "Yeah. Just think, I'm starting to like getting up early!" Papa laughs and gives me a hug. "You'll need a umbrella, my Little Ladybug."

I listen to the pattering of raindrops against the umbrella. Though my spirits are a little low today, I'm trying to smile. I admire Papa very much in this difficult time, first the arson and now vandalism. My mouth wobbles and I have to duck under a awning for the rain is not the only thing falling today.

"Marinette, why are you crying?" Tikki asks with concern. "Because. Even before they knew I was Ladybug, they never stopped believing in me."

In the dark moments in my life, and there's been a few, I would go as Ladybug to get a hug and to hear my mother and father's advice. Mama would always say she was proud of me, and then invite in for tea or a home cooked meal and Papa with his bear hugs….

Oh, why won't the tears stop? I kneel down, a pain welling up in my chest. "Princess?" The tears subside for a second and I look up into the eyes I fell in love with so long ago, the only person who never gave up on me. Adrien, Cat Noir.

"Hey, come here. Cry it out." I clamber into his lap, and release the dam of emotions from the last few days. Hard as it is to cry, I feel better.

"You know, I hardly see you cry, Cat. Not that I want that or anything," I wipe at my eyes. "I'll tell you a little secret," he says, his eyes glowing green on this dark day. "I would stuff down my emotions, and I would hide the pain with puns. I know they weren't always the best, but at times I made you laugh. That was always enough for me." I rest my forehead against his, placing my hands on both cheeks. "I never knew that about you." "Come on, let's get some food and coffee and you, and you'll feel like Bugaboo again. You with me?" I nod, and he leans in kissing my cheek.

The cold rain running down my face and his warm kiss to the cheek sends an electric current through me, and I shiver with pleasure. And then my stomach growls.

We hold hands in the Starbucks line, and instead of being nervous at all the people staring, I rest my head against Cat's shoulder.

Wanting to be alone as we eat breakfast, we take refuge from the rain on Swan Island in one of the little stalls.

"What?" I feel a bit like a lion tearing into my breakfast sandwich when Cat just sighs at his turkey and cheese. "Your sandwich looks pawesome. Mine is just, meh." "Okay, one bite."

I scoot closer as thunder booms above us. Chomp! "Cat, bite the sandwich, not my fingers! And that's not one bite!" "But so good," he mumbles.

When our bellies are full, we snuggle together, and Cat whispers sweet nothings in my ear. Or cat way I blush. "Your such a dork, but I love you." "I'm your dork, and I've not giving you up." I kiss him. "Good. Besides, someone has to keep a eye on your tail."

"Princess, I have something for you." "Oh? Is it a bouquet of catnip?" Cat's eyes gleam wickedly. "What a good idea, but sadly no. But I think you'll like it much better then catnip, though I'll need to get off my lap."

My heart starts beating more quickly as Cat produces a small maroon colored box. "Claws In. Marinette," he whispers, gently closing my open mouth with his finger. "Your supposed to open it." I pinch the lid, and nestled on a bed of velvet is a ring, with a small dot of red and a small dot of black in the middle. "My Lady," Adrien plucks the ring from the box and kneels.

"Marinette, I will love you in every universe for the rest of my days. My heart feels complete with you beside me. Now, will you do the honor of becoming my wife?"

I'm crying again, but this time for a very different reason, for these are tears of happiness. "Yes, yes, and more yes!"

"Marinette," "Hm?" "I wasn't up early just to give you a ring. I took a loan out from the bank to pay back Papa's debt. I know they still need to access the damage, but I'm giving him the money when we get home." "Adrien, that's far to generous!"

"Your family has been the only family I've ever known, Marinette. It's the least I can do, when they opened their hearts and their home." He sighs, running his hand through his blonde hair. "But, I took a modeling job in New York and I leave this afternoon. I won't be gone long, but I'll be leaving Paris for a time."

"I understand." "Keep working on the potions, love. It will strengthen our powers and possibly bring my mother back. If anyone can do it," Adrien smiles lovingly at me, stroking his fingers on my cheek. "Its Ladybug."

There's celebration when we return to my parents, but it feels short-lived, as we drive Adrien to the airport. The rain is louder then this morning, and everyone is quiet, letting Papa drive.

We all cry as Adrien's flight is called, and he hugs us tightly, saving me for last. "With this money, I', going to buy you that house and hamster you've always wanted, my love." "Just come safe, that's all I want." "How about a rainy selfie before I go?" I nod, smiling despite the coming tears.

Adrien waves one last time before disappearing. I feel a numb feeling coming on. Cat, my Adrien is gone. But for the numbness can settle in, my parents gather me in their arms, protecting me with their love.