"No, no, I'm good," I sit down with a flop, and Marinette sits down next to me. We're in the gardens on a bench swing between two trees and the night air is cool and sweet, delicious with the scent of flowers.

"Are you sure, Adrien? Your sweating," Marinette narrows her eyes suspiciously. With help, maybe I'll gain confidence with the cane. "Could be because I'm wearing a suit," I tell her and lean forward to kiss her cheek. "What's with being dressed up?" "Because I have a question for you."

I slowly and carefully get up and get down on one knee, presenting her with a small box that I open. "Oh, Adrien," Marinette's voice is soft and the blue darkness hides her face.

"Marinette, from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I wanted you to be my wife. Will you do the honor of marrying me?" Silence fills the air, save for the gentle creaking of the swing. "You do realize the first time you saw me I gave you a new hairstyle right? And then I got mad because I thought you put gum on my seat." "Yeah, but now we're best friends and partners. So, what's it to be, my love?"

"Yes," at first her voice is soft. "Yes," her voice growing in confidence as I stand up and swoop her into my arms, her fingers tangling in my hair. "I should dressed up a bit more," she giggles, looking down at her pink fuzzy sweater and jeans. "I think you would look good even in burlap." she snorts. "If I make you an outfit out of burlap, I don't want to hear a peep of complaint out of you. Clear?"

I grin, Cat brain taking over. "What about a meow?" I can't see, but I can hear her eyes rolling. "Your just a dork," she groans. "Your dork." "My dork," she cuddles up, stroking my cheek, pausing momentarily. "What? Do I have something on my face?" "Yeah, your face," she shoots back. "I like your stubble," she whispers, grazing her fingers through it. "What about a beard?" "No!" Marinette's voice is quick and firm. "Five 0'clock shadow?" "Kitty…." she warns. "Hey, just asking," I hold up my hands in surrender. "I swear, if you grow a beard, I will razor it off in your sleep." "Ooh, scary Cockroach." She gives me an angelic smile. "You better believe I'm scary," and I laugh aloud.

We sit back down on the bench, cuddling up for warmth, as it really is a beautiful evening. "What do you think they'll say about school? I mean, I'll marry you but I want to graduate first."

"If they say yes to letting us back in, its going to be a lot of studying," I warn her. "Maybe they'll let us study here. I mean, we have all the resources we need, and it would be a lot quieter. Though there is one distraction…." she teases, giving me a soft little poke.

After breakfast, we all meet in a huge circular room, and I'm reminded of Arthur's Knights of the Round Table.

"We have been in contact with your school," Bumble says, "And though you have been both accepted back in, there are rules."

I stifle a groan.

One of the strictest rules is assignments must be turned in on time, and once a week until we finish, we'll have a check in with our teachers.

"Is there anything else you require before we adjourn the meeting?" Bumble asks. "Yes, we'd like to be married here after graduation, if the Council will allow."

Murmurers of happiness and pleasure of being picked fill the room. "Congratulations, you two, and we'd be delighted to host your wedding. In the mean time, you two have some studying to do!"

Everyone laughs, and Marinette and I hold hands as we head to the library, with a quick detour to the kitchen for cookies and coffee.

Its strange, during studying I feel a chill go through my body and I shiver violently. "Adrien?" Marinette's voice is filled with alarm. But just as the sensation takes over, it passes. "Guess I have more healing to do."

"Here," Marinette reaches out her hand. "Take my hand."

Fingers linked, I feel so much better and we do a long session in the library. After dinner, we take a walk in the gardens, me stumping along with my cane.

Marinette plucks a green here, a herb and flower there. "What are you doing, Princess?" I ask, my curiosity aroused. "I can heal your leg, Adrien. I just need the proper ingredients. But when I do heal it, its going to hurt."

I give her an affectionate nudge. "Nothing could hurt me when your around, Princess." "What am I, a peach?" she jokes as she meanders down the path and I quicken my pace to keep up with her. "Yeah, cause I think your peachy!"

"All that studying has made you oofy," she grins. "Do kisses cure oofiness?" "I'm willing to try," she whispers, playing with my fingers.

Lightness and warmth spread through my body as our lips connect, the taste of strawberries and honey fills my mouth.

"I love you, Adrien Agreste," she whispers, and I sallow, feeling a lump in my throat. Mere words cannot express how important and special she is to me.

I thought I would sleep well that night, but I toss and turn. Marinette has instructed me to meet her at the front gate at midnight to heal my leg, and here I am, wide awake and not getting a wink of sleep.

I sigh and wander over to the window where the moon is yellow and sliver like a lemon in the sky. Its beauty calms me, and propping my chin on my knees, I watch the celestial show.

However, I will be anything but calm in just a few hours, and I wait for the stroke of midnight, listening to each tick of clock of the hour.