A/N - I'm so sorry for the delay on this chapter. I didn't mean to leave you all hanging. I hope you will find the wait was worth it

Marinette stood in the kitchen and boiled a jug of water in the apartment she now shared with Adrien. There were still boxes of her sewing around that hadn't been sorted and unpacked yet. She looked across the counter divider at Gabriel who had his face buried in his hands at the dining room table. Nathalie sat next to him, rubbing his back. Marinette looked back at the kettle as the steam rose up wondering what had gone so wrong. The had exited the venue quite quickly after the phone call, citing Gabriel's health as the reason. Adrien walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, dropping a kiss onto her shoulder. They still had not yet changed from the clothes they were in at the show.

"Want me to help?" He asked. Marinette nodded her head, looking back to see Nathalie wipe a tear from her face. She looked confused and Marinette wondered how much she knew about any of this. Adrien brought the tea cups over and Marinette could see his hand shaking as he placed the tea bags in them. She stopped what she was doing and placed her hand on his, wrapping her fingers around and squeezing reassuringly. He tried to  smile at her, but it was weak.

"Are you okay?" She whispered. He bit his bottom lip and nodded.

"I don't think I've ever seen him this upset before. At least, not since mother." He whispered back. She cupped his face and ran her thumb across his cheek. Adrien placed his hand over hers, pulling her hand around to kiss her palm. "Let's go in and see what he says."

After making the tea, Marinette placed the cups on a tray, taking them to the table. Nathalie grabbed Gabriel's, sitting it in front of him and encouraging him to take a sip while Adrien and Marientte sat down opposite them. Gabriel pulled his hands away from his face, his features drawn and worn. He didn't look at them, but focused his eyes into the cup of tea in his hands.

"Years ago, I made a bad investment and lost a substantial amount of money. It was completely disastrous and without an immediate cash injection, everything would have been lost." He finally said looking at Adrien. "I was...distracted after your mother died and wasn't thinking clearly." Nathalie placed her hand on his arm.

"But we got past all that Gabriel. Your partnership with the Tsurugi company helped restore most of that financial damage."

"Yes it did, but the deal I made with her is now the issue." Gabriel lamented. "I made Tomoe Tsurugi a silent partner in the company by signing over Emilie's share to her and she is using that collateral against me now." Nathalie stared at him with wide eyes. She had no idea he had gone that far. Gabriel was supposed to look after that share until it could be signed over to Adrien.

"What was she supposed to get in return?" Adrien asked. Gabriel turned his head away, closing his eyes.

"A substantial financial return on her investment." He said. "Profits have slowly been gaining ground recently and I was hopeful that would have been sustainable enough." Then he looked away from them. "She... in the fine print she had also added that she hoped that you would marry Kagami and create a bonded partnership between the Tsurugis and Agrestes." He spoke with heavy regret in his voice, but that didn't soften the blow.

"What!" Adrien gasped.

"I wouldn't agree to an arranged marriage, which she had wanted, but I allowed them the opportunity to have Kagami spend time with you by seeing she was enrolled in the same fencing school and accompanied you to various official events." Nathalie sat back in her seat glaring at him and Gabriel could feel the burn, but it was the betrayed look in Adrien's face that hurt him the most. "I wasn't thinking, Adrien. You were 15 at the time, I thought it would be fine and had you taken an interest in Kagami, no one would have been none the wiser."

The group sat in silence for a moment, absorbing the information. Marinette could still feel Adrien's hand trembling in her own, more from shock, although Adrien wondered if he should have been so surprised. It wasn't like his father was ever that perspective in social cues, the company had always been his first priority, and it wasn't as though Adrien was with Marinette at that time. He cringed internally that he had only thought of her as a friend for so long when she was in fact his Lady. Adrien looked at Marinette who gave his hand a squeeze. He couldn't imagine ever giving up Marientte for Kagami now. Besides, she was now happily married to Luka anyway.

"So what happened tonight?" It was Marinette who broke the silence and asked. Gabriel shook his head and took a deep breath before he continued.

"After Kagami left she was naturally furious and took off for Japan. Kagami had told her she was married to someone else but Tomoe refused to believe it and insisted her daughter should return immediately. She had just gotten a hold of Kagami's marriage certificate today." He said solemnly. "Yours and Adrien's names are listed as the witnesses. She has taken this as a personal affront and a blow to her honour that you helped her daughter to run away with that musician." Marinette went to interject, but Gabriel continued. "I'm not blaming you for that. Kagami and Adrien made their own choices. I was willing to accept that, but it appears that Tomoe will not. Now she is claiming breach of contract and she is pulling out her assets in the Gabriel company. It's going to leave a gaping financial hole, not to mention I'm going to have creditors breathing down my neck."

"But she can't do that!" Nathalie protested. "She had you sign a contract under duress agreeing to an arrangement that couldn't possibly have been controlled." Gabriel slowly shook his head.

"I'm afraid she can Nathalie." Gabriel took off his glasses, laying them on the table and rubbing his eyes. "And what's worst is that she knew the one it would hurt most was Adrien. I think she considered it a payback for his not having been with Kagami."

Adrien put his arm around Marientte. Kagami had always been his friend, but even if he had known about this back then, there was no way he could have felt the same way about her as he did for Marinette (or Ladybug back then). Besides, Kagami found her soulmate in Luka and it was sadly very clear that her mother was never going to accept that.

"Father, there must be something we can do?" Gabriel shook his head again.

"Once Tomoe withdraws her assets out of the company, we will have no choice but to liquidate to fill the debt. I'm so sorry Adrien." Gabriel screwed his eyes shut. "I made you the head of a company that will be teetering on collapse in a few weeks. I was so caught up in my own world for so long, I ruined everything. I believe I have found a buyer for the mansion and the sale of that will fund my retirement and ongoing treatments. You still have this apartment. It's in your name, Ms Tsurugi can't touch it, or your personal bank accounts." He turned to Nathalie who had tears streaking down her face. "Nathalie, I won't make you stay with me under these circumstances, if you want to leave..." She gently cupped his face with her hand.

"You're a stupid, foolish man Gabriel." She said, her voice thick with emotion. "But I've stuck with you this long and I'm not about to jump ship now." Gabriel took her hand in his and kissed the back of it.

"I don't know what I would do without you Nathalie." He said. "I was wrong to have kept this from you, but I was ashamed at my own stupidity." Nathalie pressed her forehead to his. Gabriel pulled back and then looked at Marinette. Her eyes were down, her brows furrowed in concentration. "Marinette." He said reaching out to her other hand on the table. "I really did want this company for you and Adrien. Your talent and vision would have taken it far. You are so much like the daughter Emilie always wanted. She would have loved you." Marinette gave him a weak smile. Gabriel patted her hand before sitting back into his seat.

A few moments of silence passed before Marinette stood up, placing all the tea cups back on the tray and taking them back to the kitchen. Setting the tray against the sink she tried not to let the tears fall. Without the Gabriel brand, her designer dreams were falling into ruins. It was too late to apply for an internship elsewhere, Gabriel would have known that. Marinette figured that was why he looked so apologetic. She looked up to the self and saw Tikki and Plagg hiding in there. Tikki was giving her an encouraging look while Plagg's ears were down and his tale was wrapped around himself. She reached her hand in and gently scratched the back of his ears. It would be alright, somehow.

"Mari." She turned and saw the broken look on Adrien's face. She could sense his self blaming and immediately flew into his arms and held him tight to her.

"It's alright Kitty." She whispered. His head shook into her neck.

"I'd offered you the world Marinette, and now there's going to be nothing left." Marinette pulled back slightly so she could see his face, cupping his cheek.

"We have each other Adrien. I still have my commissions and I still have you. I promised to marry you, not the company and as long as we are together, then I already feel like I've won the jackpot." Adrien smiled at her softly before his eyes widened and he looked away as though a thought had just occurred to him. Marientte furrowed her eyebrows at him. "What is it?"

"Jackpot." He whispered under his breath. "Of course." A smile suddenly lit up his face and he kissed her firmly on the lips. "You're a genius."

"I am?" She said perplexed as he darted back into the dining room.

"Nathalie, what about my trust fund from my mother? There must be a small fortune in it by now." Nathalie looked at him confused.

"Probably, but you can't access that until you're 21 unless..." Her eyes suddenly widened and Adrien's lips broke into a broad grin. Gabriel sat up straighter, realisation hitting him too.

"What?" Marinette asked, looking between them. Adrien turned to her, taking both of her hands in his.

"I can access the trust fund if we get married." Marinette blinked at him.

"Wha...What...a...as in now?" She stuttered out. Adrien nodded his head, still grinning like the cat that got the cream.

"What do you say Princess? We organised Luka and Kagami's wedding in three week, we can do the same." His smile dropped though when he saw her worried face. "What's the matter? You...you haven't changed your mind have you?" Marinette saw that he had taken her worried look the wrong way.

"Oh no. I didn't mean...I wasn't..." She stopped babbling and took a deep breath. "Of course I want to still marry you Adrien. It's just I thought I had 12 months to make my dress. If we get married in three weeks, what am I going to wear?" Adrien let out a relieved laugh as he hugged her. Of course she would worry about something like that.

"You know I'd marry you in a potato sack Marinette." He pulled back to cup her cheek and she smiled up at him.

"Actually, I might be able to help with that." The young couple turned to Gabriel, who had stood up. "There is a storage room with vintage dresses in it. Many are inspired by old Hollywood and golden era designs. I'm sure there are several bridal ones there. You may take your pick of anything you like." Adrien bounced on his feet.

"Oh. I couldn't..." She began, but Gabriel wouldn't hear of it.

"Please, I insist Marinette. You are marrying my son, you have every right to be a bride on your big day."

"It will work Marientte." Adrien assured her. "We won't let Mrs Tsurugi get the upper hand on us. We are in control now, you and I, and we can just say we are restructuring and rebranding. We can offload the international stores to pay out Mrs Tsurugi. I was going to offload them anyway because they are running at a loss. We build a new brand with your designs from the money in the trust fund. Maybe we can even convince Spencer to stay. You have so many amazing ideas in that sketchbook of yours. Forget the winter collection, I'm sure we can make something happen in time to launch a Spring collection instead." It was then he saw it, that determined Ladybug look in her eyes. They were going to do this, and they would find a way to make it work.

******

For the following three weeks, Marinette worried they may have bitten off more than they could chew by trying to organise a wedding in such a short space of time. Unlike Luka and Kagami where they just had to organise paperwork and simply make sure they were there at the right time, Adrien insisted on organising a whole wedding. Marinette had offered to compromise and get married in the registry office by Mayor Bourgois, but her Kitty wouldn't hear of it. "We only get to be married once Bug, and I don't want you regretting not having a dream wedding." He had said. Then he gave her the kitten eyes. How could she say no to the kitten eyes? Clearly Adrien had wanted the dream wedding just as much as she did. What Marinette did discover though was that when you reach out and ask for help, people will go above and beyond for you.

Marinette, Alya and Sabine went to the vast storage room at Gabriel to find a wedding dress. There were rows upon rows of gorgeous vintage gowns. Amongst the item she found a stunning Grace Kelly inspired gown with a high neck and long sleeves in sheer crochet lace with a wrap around semi sheer tulle full skirt. It was perfect for an autumn look and Marientte still had enough time to add a few personal details. With a matching sheer long veil, it was everything she would have dreamed for herself. Among the items in the storage room they also found a bridesmaid dress for Alya, off the shoulder in a burnt orange. It suited Alya perfectly. Marinette was grateful that Alya wasn't leaving for America just yet and was able to be part of her day. She couldn't have imagined getting married without her best friend by her side.

Gabriel contacted Lady Charlotte and asked if they could be married under the gazebo on her grounds at Chateau Roseraie. Lottie couldn't have been more delighted to be involved and insisted on taking over the decorating and catering as a wedding gift to the young couple. As November was approaching, there would be no roses in bloom, but Lottie assured them that the grounds took on their own beauty through each of the seasons. Adrien was overwhelmed at her kindness, especially since she had already given him her family ring.

Of course, Marinette's parents insisted on making the cake. Not that Marientte would have wanted anyone else. Adrien had been very worried what their reaction would be when they told them that would be getting married now and not next year. He didn't want them to think he was doing it just for money, because his reasoning was so much more than that. Yes the money from the trust fund would save the main part of the company, but his sole purpose for doing so was for Marinette. He always intended that once he took over the company it would be an outlet for her creativity. He nervously explained all that hoping that they would see he was doing this for her.

Adrien soon realised though that he shouldn't have been surprised that Marinette's parents would be totally supportive of them. At first they thought maybe there was more they weren't telling them. After all, Sabine knew Adrien intended to get married if that did happen, but Marinette assured them that wasn't the case. Sabine however volunteered babysitting duties whenever they needed it, just in case, telling them babies can come when least expected. The young couple sported matching blushes amid Tom's hearty laughter.

Finally, on a sunny Friday morning in early November, Marinette Dupain-Cheng walked through the gardens of Chateau Roseraie behind her best friend and on her father's arm, to marry the love of her life. The leaves of orange and yellow drifted around them as they made their way towards the gazebo where friends and family had made the trip on short notice. Her heart warmed to see Kagami and Luka had even managed to come and support them. Rose and Juleka were paying extra attention to Kagami and Marinette was so happy to see the Japanese girl had been so readily accepted into the Couffaine family.  Also Adrien's Aunt Amelie and his cousin Felix were there too. After applying to the Mayor for their paperwork, Mayor Bourgois insisted on coming himself to officiate the nuptials and had also offered to continue on as a board member at the company.

As a four string quartet began to play, Tom led his daughter down between the rows of seats towards her husband to be. In her hands she carried a cascading bouquet of rustic country flowers in autumn colours. Marinette could see Adrien was nervous as he bounced on his feet, but the smile on his face was radiating. In his hand, he held a single orange rose. It had become their colour. The colour of the sunsets they had often shared as Ladybug and Chat Noir, the colour of the flower he brought her when he started to fall for her behind the mask, it was the colour of their love. Nino threw a wink to Alya as she passed them and Adrien stepped forward to hand Marinette the rose, kissing her on the cheek over her veil. "You look like a vision Princess." He whispered, taking her hand from her father and standing before Mayor Bourgois.

Adrien hardly heard the words that the mayor spoke, all he could do was look at Marinette, his Lady and in a matter of moments, his wife. He saw Tikki smiling as she hid amongst the flowers of the bouquet and the soft purr of Plagg in his jacket. Adrien believed that the Kwamis were just as much a part of this day as he and Marinette were. He wondered for a moment if he had never received his Miraculous, would they even be at this point now? He didn't want to think about it, but would be forever grateful to his stinky cheese munching Kwami cat for coming into his life.

When it was time to exchange their vows he struggled to hold back his tears when Marinette turned her bluebell eyes up to meet his emerald, giving and receiving their promises to one another through their eyes as much as their words. Slipping a gold band next to her engagement ring, Adrien's heart leapt when Andre pronounced them husband and wife. Carefully lifting her veil, they smiled at each other before Adrien cupped her face with both of his hands and leant down kissing her amid applause from their guests. Resting his forehead against hers, they both giggled as the reality began to hit them that they had actually done this. They had really gotten married. Straightening up with a wide grin, Adrien offered his new wife his arm to lead everyone back to the Château. When he turned he saw his bodyguard trying desperately not to blubber like a baby. Beside him Nathalie had a handkerchief to her eyes, her arm looped with his fathers who gave him an approving nod. With Marinette beside him, Adrien felt like he was floating on air.

Back inside the Château, Lottie had a buffet spread set up in the dining hall. The atmosphere was elegant but casual, with the string quartet playing softly in the background. Alya sided up next to her best friend, looping an arm over her shoulders. "So Mrs Agreste, what are your plans for your honeymoon. I'm sure Adrien has something disgustingly romantic organised." Marinette giggled.

"Actually we're mixing business with pleasure for now. We might do an extended honeymoon later, but Adrien needs to get the funds from his trust fund and the accounts are at a bank in Zurich, so we will spend the weekend there and then go to the bank on Monday."

"Zurich huh?" Alya questioned. "Isn't that where you said his mother had a safety deposit box?" Marinette nodded. "Is he going to open it?" The bluenette shrugged her shoulders.

"He hasn't mentioned it." She replied. "I don't like to ask because he seems worried about it. Since we will be there though he might let his curiosity get the better of him." Silently Marinette hoped that the old saying about curiosity and cats wouldn't apply here. Alya picked up two champagne glasses, handing one to Marinette.

"Well, let me toast to you my BFF. I'm so glad I was still here to be part of this." They were about to clink glasses when Kagami walked over to them. Marinette gave her a hug and Alya picked up another glass.

"Here you go Mrs Couffaine, join us in a toast." Kagami shook her head and gave Alya a smile tinged with a small blush.

"Well, I'm happy to toast." She laughed nervously. "But I'm afraid I can't drink it at the moment." She said, placing a hand in her belly. Alya and Marinette looked at each other before looking back at the Japanese girl.

"No way!" Marinette squealed excitedly. "How far are you?"

"About 8 weeks." She said. "We haven't told anyone else outside of Luka's family yet." No wonder Rose and Juleka had been fussing over her. They were going to be Aunties! Marientte noticed Kagami absentmindedly touching her belly as she talked and she was genuinely so happy for her friends. They had fought so hard to be together, and now they would have a little family of their own. She hoped that her and Adrien would be able to do the same soon because she knew how important family was to him. Luka, Adrien and Nino walked over to the girls, all grinning from ear to ear. Clearly Luka had been sharing the same news.

"I'm so sorry for what my mother has done to your company Adrien. I had no idea." Kagami apologised, but Adrien shook his head.

"It's not your fault Kagami. Besides, it ended up giving me the perfect excuse to marry my Princess all the more sooner." He declared, wrapping an arm around Marinette's waist and kissing her on the temple. Kagami and Luka fell into conversation with Nino and Alya. While they were busy, Adrien drew Marinette's attention to the other side of the room.

Felix and Chloé were standing over by a large fern in a planter by the window. The socialite had her arms folded, a small scowl on her face. Felix put his drink down, taking Chloé's hand and holding it between both of his. She shook her head, turning slightly from him, but he still kept hold of one hand, not letting her leave. Stepping closer, Felix's face looked like he was pleading to her, his hand on his chest. Chloé turned her head back to him, her eyes softening. Felix reached his hand up to cradle her face stepping closer still before leaning in and kissing her softly on the lips. Adrien looked at Marinette with a knowing smirk on his face before kissing the back of her hand and leading her to the dance floor.

Adrien spun her out and then pulled her back into him as they made their way around the floor. Soon other couples came to join them. Kagami rested her head on Luka's chest, his arms holding her protectively. Alya and Nino swayed as she chatted relentlessly, Nino looking lost and adoringly at the same time. Tom and Sabine swirled past them. "Try not step on his toes." Her father teased. Marinette poked her tongue out at him.

"May I have a dance with my daughter in law?" Asked Gabriel as he approached the couple. Adrien smiled and stepped back, taking Nathalie's hand to dance with her while his father danced with Marinette. Although Gabriel still towered over her, she wasn't afraid of him anymore. She had seen so many sides to this complex man, but now he was family, and for the sake of family she would always give him a chance.

"I wanted to thank you Marinette." He began. "You love my son and make him happy and that is all I had ever wanted for him." Marinette could detect an underlying regret in his voice as he spoke.

"He loves you too you know." She said earnestly, but it didn't budge that distant look in his grey eyes.

"I know." He said. "And I took that for granted for too long, but I don't know if he could ever forgive me all my sins. I've made so many mistakes and there is so much he still doesn't know and I don't know how to tell him." Marientte wasn't sure what to make of the look he was giving her, like he was trying to tell her something without actually saying it. She looked away to her side and saw Adrien dancing with Nathalie. She looked like she wanted to cry again, but they were happy tears because she was smiling. Adrien wiped her cheek and she patted his shoulder as she talked.

"Sometimes it's best to just be honest." Marinette said, looking back at Gabriel. The older male shook his head.

"Some mistakes can be...unforgivable." He said, sadness evident in his voice. Marinette looked directly at him.

"Nothing is unforgivable." She assured him. Gabriel simply gave her a small smile and nodded his head but she could see that he didn't really believe her.

"You really are one of a kind Marinette." He said, straightening one of the clips in her hair. "You always look for the good in people. I truly hope that you will always find it."

"Alya is looking for you. I think it's time for you to throw the bouquet." Adrien cut in, Gabriel releasing his hold on Marinette as she took Adrien's hand. She didn't understand the conversation she had just had with Gabriel, but something told her she would soon enough.

Marinette separated a smaller bouquet from her main one and stood on the stairs, throwing the flowers over her shoulder. In a mad dive, Chloé and Ondine crashed into each other, leaving Mylene to easily catch the flowers. The other boys ribbed Ivan about his girlfriend being the one to catch it and a bright blush illuminated his broad face.

"Oh no Adrien, you don't get away that easily." Alya called out as Adrien made his way back towards the buffet. Turning he pointed to himself confused as Alya waved him back. "Yes you. You're the groom last time I checked. It's your turn to throw the garter." She commanded, pulling Nino over as well. Adrien looked bemused as Alya also grabbed Marinette and dragged her along. "You are wearing a garter aren't you?" She asked the confused bride.

"Of course." She replied. "That was my something blue."

"Excellent." Alya bounced, mischief evident in her face. "Gather around everyone. Right, Nino you crouch down on all fours here." She directed. Nino quirked an eyebrow at her but didn't argue with his girlfriend. "Good, now Marinette you sit on his back." Marinette heard Nino groan as she sat on him.

"You better not be calling my wife fat there Lahiffe." Adrien laughed as Nino pouted.

"Suits weren't meant for this dude." He complained. 

"Here Luka, we could use your help too." Alya called out. Luka looked a bit stunned to be signaled out, but felt Kagami give him a light push with a giggle. He shrugged off his jacket, giving it to his wife to hold and approached the scene in the middle. "Good, now you crouch on the ground here and Marinette, you rest your foot here on his back. No not that one, the leg with the garter." As she spoke she pulled out her phone and took a series of pictures.

"Now what?" Adrien asked, rubbing the back of his neck still confused.

"Now you pull the garter off." She quipped. "With your teeth." Alya added with a smirked. The room erupted into laughter as Adrien crouched next to a red faced Marinette. Moving her layers of skirt up her leg, but still preserving her dignity, he found the lacey item strapped to her thigh just above her knee.

"Careful where you put your teeth Agreste." Kim called out eliciting a giggle amongst the boys. Adrien looked up at Marinette and wiggled his eyebrows as he carefully grabbed the lace in his teeth. Their friends whooped and whistled as he slid the garter down her leg, Marinette covering her face but laughing hard as he slipped off her shoe to get the garter over her foot. Adrien stood up triumphantly swinging the garter around his finger. Alya struggled to film it all as she almost doubled over in laughter.

"Alright boys, gather around." She called. "Not you Ivan, Mylene already got dibs on you." The other guys got into a bit of push and shove, their competitive sides getting the best of them. Adrien stood on the stairs where Marinette had thrown her bouquet from and made eye contact with Felix in the crowd. His cousin shook his head mouthing no, but Adrien gave a wide grin and nod turning his back before flicking the garter over his shoulder. Kim leapt up onto Max's back like he was trying to intercept a football causing his much shorter friend to stumble and crash into Nathaniel and Marc. Kim could only watch as the flying lace drifted over the tangled bodies and straight into Felix's face. Catching it in his hands, Adrien was sure a faint blush invaded his cousin's face as he avoided eye contact with Chloé.

As the afternoon wound down, Adrien and Marientte ducked away to change before getting ready to catch their train to Zurich. Adrien confided he had some apprehension about meeting the bank on Monday, but in the meantime there would be two blissful days with his new wife. His wife. The thought of that made him feel warm and tingly all over. He was hers and she was his, and nothing would ever change that.

Saying farewell to friends and family, and with a special thank you to Aunt Lottie, the newlyweds made their way to the train station. It was already after six by the time they boarded the train, and it would be after ten by the time they reached their destination. Marinette snuggled into Adrien's side, the soft rocking of the train lulling her to close her eyes. Adrien ran his fingers lightly up and down her arm as the lights passed them outside the window.

"You should have a nap Kitty." She said, passing a cookie from her bag to Tikki.

"I'm okay." He said softly, scratching behind Plaggs ears with his other hand. Tikki snuggled down next to her counterpart on Adrien's lap, nibbling through her cookie. Plagg pinned his ears down as her crumbs fell onto his head. Marinette chuckled.

"Are you happy, Bug?" Adrien asked. She looked up at him, her answer radiating from her face.

"Very happy." She answered. Adrien smiled softly.

"I love you." He said, kissing her on the forehead. She closed her eyes and leaned into him.

"I love you too." She whispered back, snuggling back into him and drifting off to sleep.