Hello! I know its been a while, so I recommend you read the last chapter before you get into this one! 

Also, letting you know, this fanfic is coming to an end. Don't worry, its still going to be a while but its nearing the "falling action" section.

Enjoy!

Adrien's POV

I knocked on the door, palms sweating.

Why the hell was I here?

"Come in," an angelic voice chirped just before I nervously swung open the door.

The woman looked up, and when she saw me her eyes lit up in a way that expressed neither happiness or disgust.

"Took you long enough," she rolled her eyes, leaning back into her chair. "I was beginning to think you had scampered away."

"Good morning to you too, Lilly." I grimaced, looking away, trying not to make eye contact.

"Actually, this morning was kinda sucky." She said.. "I tripped over my own shoelace and...you know what nevermind its not important. We have busines to discuss, right?" She smiled, seeming so sweet and nice that it was demonic.

"Please, have a seat." She gestured to the opposite side of her desk. I closed the door behind me and sat down. 

"So...." I started. "What's your plan....about this....complication?"

"Oh, I don't have a plan." She said."That's what I was hoping I would ask you about."

I sighed. "Are you going to keep it?" 

She laughed sadly. "No. I can't , even if  I wanted to. I'm only 21 and I have a job.  I have goals, I have a life, I have poeple to give back to. I couldn't support a child financially."

"But...you own this place, right? Doesn't that give you a sustainable income?"

"No, I don't own it.. My mom does. But she's...unable....to be present in the office currently, so I've taken over her job I guess. Any income  I receive goes directly to her. Meanwhile, I'm taking courses and staying in school, trying to get myself a degree. Of course, after that, I need to worry about student loans..."

Lilly grinned grimly. "And I child on top of that...it's not something I can do."

Enourmuos guilt swarmed my heart. Look what I had done. I had the choice of ruining this woman's life...

Or ending a child's.

"So, you're going to abort?" I said.

"I don't know what I'm going to do."

We were silent for a moment, as if honoring and reflecting on what had happened.

Suddenly, Marinette's words came into my head. 

You haven't changed, Adrien.

But I have. 

"What do you want me to do?" I had said to her.

Figure it out. And don't show up in front of me until you do.

I think I've figured it out, Marinette.

What I should do.

I'm not doing it for you. I'm not doing it to prove myself to you. I'm doing it for myself, to prove to myself that I've changed. 

"If you'll allow me," I said to Lilly. "I'd like to take custody of the child."