An alarm softly chirped near Adrien's head. When it stopped, he felt a warm breath by his ear. "Happy birthday Kitty." Marinette whispered. Adrien pulled his arms tighter around her, snuggling his head into her neck. He was in between that state where you can't be sure if you're dreaming or not, but if he was dreaming, he wasn't ready to wake yet. Marinette giggled and kissed him on his hair. "I have to go."
"Stay." He whispered, kissing her neck. "I don't want you to go."
"Neither do I, but I have to." She replied, making gentle circles in his scalp behind where his cat ears would be. "I'm not supposed to be here though, remember. Besides, I'm helping papa make your cake this morning." She could feel him grinning.
"Well, I guess for the sake of cake I guess I can let you go, as long as it's chocolate."
"Of course minou." She said, but before she could get up, Adrien rolled over onto his arms above her, locking her in place.
"But you have to pay the toll first." He said with a mischievous grin. Marinette's eyes sparkled in the dim morning glow as she ran her hands up his bare chest and laced her fingers behind his head.
"And what might that be?" Adrien pretended to be thinking about it.
"Three kisses should do it." Marinette bit her bottom lip as she regarded his face. He might have been trying to tease her, but right now he felt as though he was the one being teased and it was taking all his will power not to kiss her senseless himself.
Marinette slid one hand back to gently cup his cheek before planting a soft kiss there. "One." She whispered before moving to his jawline. "Two." She said breathlessly, feeling him shiver under her touch. "Three." She murmured against his lips, running her fingers through his hair in their passionate embrace.
"Keep this up m'lady and you're going to be trapped in this bed permanently." Adrien said as he kissed her nose.
"Then you won't get any cake." She giggled at his pout and could picture his cat ears would have been flat to his head.
"Fine." He conceded, blowing raspberries into her belly to make her giggle before rolling over her so she could get up.
"Tikki, ready to go." Marinette asked.
"Sure thing." Her kwami replied. "Stinky Sock over there is in a cheese coma and his purring is keeping me awake anyway." Adrien grabbed his glasses from his nightstand to see Plagg sound asleep on his back with his back feet in the air, his tail twitching in his sleep. Rolling out of bed, he slipped his boxers on as his girlfriend transformed. Adrien opened the window for her before placing his hands on her waist and pulling her closer to him.
"I can't wait for the day we won't have to say goodbye like this." He said, gently curling his finger under her chin and running his thumb across her bottom lip. "I love you Marientte, so much."
"I love you too." She stretched up onto her toes and they shared a soft kiss. "I'll see you in a few hours." Adrien stood at the window and watched as the love of his life soared over the rooftops. Turning around he saw Plagg's foot twitching in his sleep.
"Mmmm, sweet camembert." He mumbled. Adrien had to stifle a giggle. Sometimes he really wished kwami's could be filmed so he could have shown Marinette.
Adrien let out a happy sigh as he flopped back onto his bed. Opening the drawer beside him, he took out the small box that held the ring that Lottie had given him. Was it wrong to want all these things now? He knew they were only young, and people have their own ideas about when the right time to make lifelong commitments should be, but he felt a deep desire to make sure she was his. Adrien knew that was a bit irrational, after all, she is his Ladybug. It wasn't like she was going anywhere, but as far as he was concerned the day he had accepted his Miraculous he had already made a lifelong commitment. Perhaps he could blame Plagg for feeling like a possessive kitty, but the idea of just living together for years didn't really appeal to him, especially if it was going to be more than just the two of them. He wanted that piece of paper and the ring on her finger. He wanted her to have his name, to introduce her as Mrs Agreste.
Adrien looked up at the picture he kept of his mother by the piano. Maybe it wasn't such an irrational fear. His mother had left without warning. Even though Adrien suspected she had died, she never told him she was sick, he was left to figure that out for himself, and it was almost impossible to talk to his father about it. Then Nathalie was sick for a while and he feared losing her too. He thanked God that Nathalie seemed to have recovered from whatever it was, but the idea of ever losing Marinette terrified him and he just wanted to be by her side always, to be whatever she needed him to be.
Turning the ring around in his fingers he thought about the stories he had heard like Jack and Alice, of cats and bugs that had missed their chance. It was hard to get Plagg to open up about it, although he was quite happy to talk about Sean, the one who had the ring made for Isolde. Unlike Jack and Alice, they had revealed to each other much earlier and younger, and lived a long and happy life with seven children! Adrien smiled. Maybe not that many, he wasn't sure Marinette could keep up with that and be his head designer. Perhaps two or three, that would be nice.
"Pigtails leave already?" Plagg asked sleepily. Adrien nodded and put the ring away back in his drawer. "Just give her the ring kid, it's not that hard." Plagg offered, reading his chosen's thoughts. "And then I can live in gooey cheese balls and baked camembert heaven for the rest of my life." He grinned excitedly, licking his lips. "Now where's my breakfast." He added, making his way to his stash.
Adrien had a bounce in his step as he walked down the stars of the mansion a few hours later. He hadn't really slept after Marinette left, too excited for the day ahead. School was over and while Adrien knew that he would miss seeing his friends everyday, he couldn't wait to get into the next part of his life. With his overnight bag over his shoulder, he was about to head out the door for breakfast with Marinette and her parents when he heard his name. Turning, he was surprised to see his father descending the stairs with Nathalie.
"Father." He exclaimed. "I thought you would have left already." Gabriel shifted his gaze to Nathalie, looking somewhat guilty.
"Well, Nathalie arranged for a later train so I could wish you a happy birthday and give you your gift." Adrien looked at Nathalie, who gave him a supportive smile. Adrien figured it must have been something more than just a pen for a change. "I was going to wait until your 21st to give you this, but..." He looked like he wanted to say something else, but changed his mind. "I think you are mature enough to have it now." Adrien looked curiously at the small box in his Father's hand.
With keen fingers, that young man opened the box and discovered a Gabriel brand logo key ring with two keys attached. One key looked like it belonged to a door, the other was long and pointy. Adrien looked back at his father who had a soft smile on his lips. It was a look Adrien had rarely seen on his father.
"One key belongs to the apartment your mother used to have. It's not far from the company offices and been well maintained. It was something she always wanted you to have when you were old enough. You can do what you like with it of course, but..." He hesitated for a moment until he felt Nathalie's hand gently on his back. "It would make a nice first home." Adrien was speechless. He wasn't even sure his father had kept that apartment after his mother was gone. He rushed forward and tightly embraced his father. Gabriel was surprised at first, but soon surrendered to the warmth of his sons embrace.
"Thank you." Adrien mumbled into his father's shirt, a tear evident in his eyes. The blonde pulled back from the embrace and looked at the other key. "So what's the other one, a new car?" Gabriel rolled his eyes.
"Certainly not." He said with a flat expression before an unreadable look crept into his worn features. "It belongs to a safety deposit box at a bank in Zurich."
"Switzerland?" Adrien questioned with confusion. Gabriel nodded solemnly.
"Your mother wanted me to give this to you when I gave you the apartment. I don't know what's in it, she never told me, but the box is in your name so only you can access it." Adrien looked at the key curiously, so many questions running through his head. Did this mean his mother knew she was leaving or that she was dying? Why did no one tell him anything? Adrien felt his father's hand on his shoulder.
"I know you have questions Adrien, and I will answer them in due course. Right now though I would like you to enjoy your birthday with Marientte." Nathalie came over and gave Adrien a hug.
"Happy birthday Adrien." She said before turning to Gabriel. "I'll wait in the car." She said, giving what looked like an encouraging smile. Adrien saw her gently place a hand on his father's arm, Gabriel's features instantly softening as he watched her walk out the door.
"Was there something else father?" Gabriel looked a little uncomfortable and pulled at his collar. Secretly he was scolding himself for feeling so inadequate. This is his son after all, and as a parent he felt he should be able to broach delicate subjects with more authority. He tried to get Nathalie to do it for him, but she had put in no unequivocal terms that Gabriel was his father and that as his assistant it wasn't her place. Gabriel felt a jab to the ribs at her comment, as their relationship was far from platonic at this point, however he did concede it really wasn't her place to ask Adrien about his love life.
"Adrien, as I'm sure you know this company was as much your mother's dream as it was mine. We had always hoped that it would become a family legacy for generations to come." Adrien nodded his head.
"Of course father." He replied. "I'm ready to take on more responsibility at the company and I know Marientte is excited to meet Spencer."
"Good, good." Gabriel said, looking down at his shoes. "Speaking of which...ah...how is Marinette?" Adrien looked at his father curiously.
"She's...good." Adrien replied, rubbing the back of his neck nervously wondering where this conversation was going.
"She seems like a very capable young lady." Gabriel continued, clasping his hands behind his back. "I'm sure her and Spencer will get along well. They seem to think alike judging by the work she has shown me before, and the portfolio she had sent for the internship." Adrien could tell his father was beating around the bush about something. Gabriel cleared his throat, his eyes searching around the room.
Gabriel then took on a more determined look, like he had come to a decision, and looked Adrien in the eye. "Am I right to assume this is a - serious - relationship between you and Marinette?" Adrien hadn't expected to be asked that, noting his father had emphasised the word serious. Adrien smiled shyly, figuring what his father was implying, but gave no hesitation in his answer.
"Yes it is father. I love her more than anything." Gabriel could see how much that was true from the look in his son's eyes. "I want to spend my life with her." Gabriel seemed to have contemplated that answer for a moment.
"I'm glad." He said sincerely, though there seemed to have been something more on his mind. "She's a credit to you Adrien. I would not object to her being part of this family when the time comes." Adrien's mouth almost dropped open, but he managed to stay composed.
"I hope to." Adrien said, his father patting him on the shoulder.
"Well, we'll get her name on one contract or another, although I think you would prefer she signed her name next to yours."
Adrien was tempted to ask his father about his own relationship with Nathalie. He wasn't stupid and knew that there had been nights Nathalie hadn't gone home. He wasn't making a judgement over that. After all, that would be fairly hypocritical since his own girlfriend had spent more than one night in his room this week, however he wasn't exactly hiding his relationship. Somehow he felt this was more than that though. Adrien knew his father was keeping secrets from him, but he had a feeling Nathalie wasn't necessarily the main one.
"Is everything alright father?" Gabriel looked at him with a sadness behind his eyes. He laid both hands on his sons shoulders.
"I look at you and wonder where the last 18 years went." He said with a level on melancholy. "It seems like yesterday when you shyly stood for your first photo shoot and look at you now, a young man with a level head on your shoulders, a wonderful girl by your side and..." He held back his emotions. "I'm proud of you Adrien." Those words were without a doubt, the best gift Adrien had ever received.
*******
Gabriel stared out the train window at the blackness that was the under channel tunnel. Nathalie was sitting across from him going through paperwork. They were timing the launch of the advertising campaign, with Marinette wearing the now officially dubbed "Sunset Dress", with her public debut at Audrey Bourgeois's summer soirée next weekend. Gabriel was pleased how everything was turning out. Adrien announcing he had a girlfriend was doing better for their image than Gabriel had anticipated and it looked like sales of the summer line might help pull the company more into the black. The board of investors at least seemed more pleased which was keeping them off Gabriel's back. He had run the company far too close to ruin then he would like to admit.
As the train continued its journey, Nathalie eventually nodded off, lulled by the repetitive rocking on the tracks. Gabriel watched her as she slept, her head cushioned by her jacket against the window. She'd worked tireless hours with this launch, and he was grateful beyond words for her help. He too was tired, but couldn't take his eyes from her to sleep. In his mind, he replayed the conversation he'd had at his first appointment with the oncologist.
——- Doctor Espére gave Gabriel a moment to let the diagnosis sink in. Although he had suspected it, Gabriel had hoped that the situation wasn't as dire as he had dreaded. He knew though that he had waited too long. Preoccupation with getting Ladybug and Cat Noir's miraculous in a futile attempt to save his wife meant that he had neglected his own warning signs. The past 4 years had all been nothing but a dreadful waste.
"I know it's a lot to take in, especially after what happened to Emilie." Dr Espére said with empathy. "But aside from the practical aspect of treatment which we will discuss at length, there is also the human side." Gabriel raised his eyes at the doctor.
"Human side?" Dr Espére leaned forward with his hands clasped together on his desk.
"Cancer isn't just something that affects the person with it you know, everyone in your life is affected by it." Gabriel said nothing, his expression unreadable. "How many children do you have Gabriel?" The man in question furrowed his eyebrows.
"You know I only have one son."
"Just the one?" Gabriel shifted forward in his seat feeling affronted.
"If you're suggesting I had extra marital relations..."
"I don't mean offence." Dr Espére interrupted with an inquisitive glance. "I don't pass judgement on these things. As you well know I have a fairly exclusive clientele through this clinic where a mistress on the side isn't exactly unheard of. A diagnosis such as this often brings the skeletons out of the closet, especially where large assets are concerned." Gabriel sat back into his seat. He realised his reaction would have seemed over the top, especially since he had named Nathalie, his personal assistant, as his next of kin contact rather than his own son.
"There won't be any of those types of skeletons." He said more quietly. He might have had a closet full of secrets, but a love child certainly wasn't one of them. Dr Espére watched his patient for a moment but Gabriel was clearly schooling his expressions.
"You also should know that with this treatment, you won't be able to father anymore children." Gabriel nodded.
"Yes, I'm aware of that." He said. "I waited too long to realise a few things, consumed by my own grief." For Gabriel that was quite an admission to make, but he was also aware it would put a lot more strain on Adrien since he had no siblings to share the load with.
"How old is Adrien again?" The doctor asked.
"Turning 18." Gabriel shifted his gaze away pursing his lips. How was he going to tell Adrien about this?
"You will have to tell him about this Gabe." Dr Espére said, reading his thoughts. "I know it won't be easy, but this isn't the kind of thing that can be kept hidden and he has a right to know what your expectations are of him should the worst happen." He watched as Gabriel took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes before replacing them and then rubbing his forehead. "I'm confident in the treatments we have, but your cancer is more advanced than I would have liked for starting treatment and there are practical considerations you need to make for the future of your company and your son. He is still going to be a very young man in control of a multi million dollar business and he needs people he can trust around him."
Gabriel looked at the doctor through eyes that seemed to be seeing clearly for the first time. Dr Espére got up from behind his desk and sat next to Gabriel, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Gabriel, I'm not your lawyer and I'm not your priest, but I am your friend and I have experience in these matters. I know you came to me because you trusted me with this. I'm so sorry I couldn't save Emilie, but like you, her cancer was too advanced." Gabriel dropped his head and Dr Espére continued on gently. "Now is not the time to leave things unsaid and undone. I've seen this all before Gabe, the wolves will be circling, especially young girls with dollar signs in their eyes."
"I don't think that will be too much of an issue. I believe my son is already interested in a girl." Gabriel said, his mind drifting back to the dinner they had shared with Marinette. "She's known him for years and she's..." He looked back at the doctor with a light of realisation in his eyes. "She's talented and gifted and I believe she really does love Adrien. She...different." Dr Espére couldn't read Gabriel's meaning.
"Look Gabe, I wouldn't normally recommend this sort of thing, but if you think this is something genuine, if the girl can be trusted, then I would gently encourage that. I've seen this happen too many times in my life. Surround the boy with people he can trust." Gabriel looked conflicted.
"But they are only turning 18, the gossip magazines would have a field day." He said, Dr Espére nodding his head.
"I know Gabe, but you and Emilie were only about 20 if I remember." He said with a hint of humour in his voice. Gabriel rolled his eyes.
"That was different, she was pregnant and we hadn't even built the company yet." He looked back at the Doctor who had an eyebrow raised at him. Gabriel could see him calculating in his head. "Your right, it...wasn't Adrien." He said, notes of sadness in his voice. "She had a miscarriage. We never told anyone she was pregnant so nobody knew. It took years before we finally had Adrien. It made his birth so much more special...to both of us." Gabriel fought back the emotion that was creeping into his voice. "I swore to myself that I would do whatever it takes to ensure his happiness. That I would keep him protected, that I would..." his voice cracked as the emotions started to take over. "I failed him."
Dr Espére but his arm around Gabriel's should. "It's not too late Gabriel." He said with reassurance. "There is still time." ——-
"Gabriel?" Nathalie's voice broke through Gabriel's thoughts. He hadn't even noticed they had left the tunnel. "I must have drifted off to sleep." She yawned, stretching her legs and arms.
"It's alright Nathalie." He said, reaching over to hold her hand. "You needed to rest."
"You should have too." She said looking at him with concern. "The treatment will be gruelling and you need your strength." Gabriel shook his head.
"Too much on my mind for sleep." He replied, looking back out the window. "I...don't know how much to tell Adrien." He frowned, touching where his Miraculous would normally be. He and Nathalie had both decided that for now it would be better not to wear them. All the time. "Should I tell him what I tried to do? Would he forgive me if he knew?" He sighed heavily. "Would she?" Nathalie pursed her lips. It wasn't just his secret, it was hers too, and she hated the idea of losing Adrien as much as he did.
"I don't know Gabriel." She answered honestly. "I just don't know." She got up and sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder and lacing their hands together. "But I will be here with you. No matter what happens."
********
Adrien stirred in his sleeping bag on Marientte's floor. This had been without a doubt the most fun birthday he'd ever had. Marinette's parents always made him feel like he was part of the family, and Nino and Alya were also part of that. He felt so loved, so wanted, more than he ever had. That there were people who actually cared he had been born that day and was part of their lives. It filled his heart with joy.
He felt kind of bad that they had left that mess in the lounge room from the pillow fort, not to mention all the bags of rubbish foods his old dietitian would have fainted over. He was so glad when his father finally got rid of him and trusted Adrien to look after himself. He did promise Marinette he would help her clean up in the morning though. He wouldn't want Marientte's parents to think badly of him.
Sitting up he noticed Marientte wasn't there. He got up and looked over to Alya and Nino, who were out for the count. Clearly the pillow fight that had all gotten into had been the finish for them. He and Marientte stayed up longer, whispering quietly and stealing kisses until they too had fallen asleep sometime after midnight. Looking at the clock, it was only around 4am. Getting up he checked on Tikki and Plagg who were curled up together in their hiding spot.
"What are you doing up?" Adrien turned around to find Marientte coming back up through her trap door, still in her pajamas and her hair in a messy bun on top of her head.
"I was going to ask you the same thing." He said, sliding his arms around her waist.
"I woke up with a headache." She said, laying her head against his shoulder. "It's a bit hotter down here on the floor than up in my loft. I heard mamma and papa up so I went down to get some water and painkillers." They heard Alya roll over with a soft groan. Marinette pointed up to her skylight and Adrien nodded following her up.
Adrien sat on her deckchair with a leg over each side and patted the space in front of him for her to sit down. Marinette made herself comfortable, leaning her back into his chest. Adrien pulled out the hair tie from her messy bun, letting her long tresses fall to her shoulders. Carefully, but firmly, he ran his fingers into her hair, applying gentle pressure as he rubbed her head with his fingers.
"That feels wonderful." She hummed after a while, a warm breeze blowing over them. It still wasn't light yet, but the stars were starting to fade away. "No wonder you love it so much when I do it for you."
"Well, it was about time I returned the favour. He quipped. "This was the best birthday I think I ever had. I'm going to have to find a way to make it up to at yours in a few weeks." Marinette smiled to herself.
"I'm keeping you awake now though. We really should go back to sleep." She could feel Adrien shrug.
"Meh, sleep is for babies." He joked, but he felt her stiffen slightly under his fingers. He stopped his ministration, sliding his hands down her bare arms and wrapping his around her waist and holding her against him, softly dropping a kiss onto her shoulder.
"You're still worried." He said, resting his chin on her shoulder. She rested her head on his.
"Yeah." She said softly. Adrien gently trailed his hand up and down across her abdomen.
"When will you know?"
"Not yet, it's too soon." She replied. He could hear the concern laced in her voice.
"I'm sorry Marientte." He said quietly against her cheek. "I've put all this strain on you on top of everything else you have going on." He let out a heavy sigh. "I was selfish." Marientte reached her hand back behind her and ran her fingers into his hair.
"We both were." She said quietly. "But it will be fine Kitty." She said, although he wasn't sure if she was reassuring him or herself. "We got into this dance together, remember."
"Dance with me." He suddenly said excitedly. Marientte turned to him with surprise.
"What now? In our pajamas?" She could see that glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Why not?" He laughed, getting up. "Wait there."
Marientte watched as he jumped down through her skylight. A moment later he re-emerged with his phone in his hand.
"This is silly." Marinette giggled.
"It's my birthday, and the birthday boy can do what he likes." Setting his phone low he put it in his top breast pocket of his pajamas offering her his hand.
"Technically your birthday was yesterday." She countered. Adrien shrugged, but his smile was infectious. As he pulled her into a dance hold she could hear the music as it played.
"Is that...?" He grinned widely and nodded.
"Yep, the song from our first dance together at Chloé's party back in Collège." Marinette giggled, resting her head on his chest. "I think I loved you even then you know, I just hadn't put the pieces together."
"Neither had I." She reminded him. "But I'm so glad that now we did." He cupped her face in his hand, dipping his head and kissing her softly and slowly, savouring in the contact. Pulling back they resumed their dance in the breaking dawn light, unaware of Alya and Nino filming them from the skylight with matching goofy grins.
A/N - Is Gabriel going to tell Adrien he's Hawk Moth? Will Adrien forgive him? Is Marinette expecting? Let me know what you think will happen!