Keeping calm was easier said than done when Marinette was panicking. Panicking like trying to juggle flaming marshmallows while riding a unicycle on a tightrope with a spider crawling up her leg—utter chaos!

It was 2:30pm by the time her brain had realised what was happening, 3pm by the time her hair was done and her makeup, and now she was panicking.

"Marinette, sweetheart, you need to put the dress on," her mother said.

"But - but what if it doesn't fit? Adrien will be standing there waiting for me, all alone, and then he'll call off the wedding, dump me, find a beautiful woman and go off to live on some desert island with a hamster, have loads of gorgeous children and live off nothing but fruit and love!"

"Is she always this dramatic?" said Anthony, who'd arrived decked out in a smart suit, alongside Alya, a mere 10 minutes ago.

Marinette's head shot to the door, her eyes glaring at them both. So much for best friends. "You two are not helping!" she hissed, turning around and dropping into a chair with a hefty kerplunk.

"She's procrastinating," Alya not so quietly whispered to Anthony.

"I can hear you, you know," Marinette scolded, her attention fully drawn back to the wedding dress sitting lonely in the corner.

She looked up at the intricate lace patterns cascading down the bodice. The dress shimmered in the soft glow of the design room, a vision of elegance and romance. Yet, a knot of anxiety sat in her stomach, tightening with each passing moment.

As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, she couldn't shake the overwhelming fear that gripped her heart. Adrien, the love of her life, the man she had dreamed of marrying since they were teenagers, was just a few moments away from becoming her husband. The thought should have filled her with boundless joy, yet a nagging voice whispered doubts in her mind.

What if he'd changed his mind? What if this dress, this symbol of commitment and devotion, was nothing but a cruel illusion? Her chest tightened at the thought. She loved Adrien with a depth that often took her breath away, but love, as she had learned, did not guarantee 'happily ever afters'. His mother and father were the stars of a dark fairytale which she couldn't just ignore.

A tear welled up in her eye as she imagined the possibility of heartbreak. She blinked it away, refusing to let her fears consume her. Adrien was kind, loving, and fiercely devoted to her. Surely, these doubts were nothing more than the remnants of past heartaches, the scars of old wounds not yet fully healed. The fear of a young girl who could only say she loved him if she was looking at a picture of a cow.

"Maman, can I have a minute with my friends please?"

Her maman moved towards her and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

Marinette smiled up at her maman. "You just want to try out the coffee machine, don't you?"

A soft chuckle filled the room with love. "Of course, dear. And your papa will be here soon."

She watched as her mother left the room, leaving her alone with two of her friends...and her old buddy, anxiety.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh," she murmured, her thoughts swirling like a storm.

Turning to her friends, Marinette's eyes pleaded for reassurance. Alya noticed the worry etched on her face. "What's on your mind, girl?" Alya asked gently.

Marinette hesitated, her voice trembling slightly. "I...I've never kissed another guy," she confessed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "And Adrien and I...we haven't...you know..."

"Nope," Anthony answered, arms crossed and head tilted to one side. "I don't... Do you, Alya?"

Her friend shook her head, faking innocence. They both knew exactly what she meant.

Marinette took a deep breath, trying to push through the increasing embarrassment. "We haven't been..." She looked at the door and then lowered her voice. "We haven't been intimate yet. What if we're not compatible? What if I'm making a mistake?"

Alya exchanged a knowing glance with Anthony, their expressions soft with empathy. "Marinette, love isn't just about kissing or being intimate," Alya explained, her tone reassuring. "It's about connection, understanding, and trust. You and Adrien have something special."

Anthony nodded in agreement. "Every relationship is unique, Marinette," he chimed in. "What matters is the love and respect you have for each other."

Marinette chewed her lip, contemplating their words. She remembered the way Adrien made her laugh, the warmth of his embrace, and the way he looked at her as if she were the only person in the world. Despite her worries, Marinette knew that their bond ran deep. She gave them a soft smile.

"Thanks. Would you mind if I just have a moment? And if one of you could contact Adrien and tell him I'm coming, that would be great." Her eyes pleaded with Alya, hoping her friend would catch the drift.

They both looked at each other, a suspicious guilty look in their eyes.

"Sureeee. Though, I don't think he'd expect anything else. We'll go and see how your maman's getting on." Alya dropped her a wink before grabbing Anthony's arm and leading him out of the room. The door softly closed behind them.

As they bid Marinette farewell, Tikki emerged from her hiding spot, accompanied unexpectedly by Plagg. The mischievous kwami floated alongside her little red bug, eyeing the wedding dress with a smirk.

"Well, well, well, look at this, Marinette," Plagg quipped, his green eyes glinting with amusement. "Never thought I'd see the day you'd finally be in a wedding dress."

Tikki shot Plagg a playful glare before turning her attention to Marinette. "You'll look absolutely stunning, Marinette," Tikki exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Marinette blushed, grateful for her kwami friends' presence. "Thank you, Tikki," she replied, a smile tugging at her lips. "What do you think of the dress?"

Tikki and Plagg exchanged a knowing glance before they began their whimsical commentary. "Oh, it's a vision of loveliness, truly," Tikki said, her eyes sparkling with delight. "The lace detailing is exquisite, and the way it shimmers in the light—it's perfect for you, Marinette."

Plagg floated closer to inspect the dress, his curiosity piqued. "I must admit, it's not as cheesy as I imagined," he remarked with a smirk. "You might actually pull this off, Princess."

Marinette couldn't help but chuckle at Plagg's typically sardonic tone. "I'm glad you approve, Plagg. After all, Adrien chose it," she said, her nerves easing with each moment of their banter.

Tikki circled around Marinette, her glow accentuating the bride-to-be's radiance. "Just imagine walking down the aisle, Marinette," Tikki suggested, her voice tinged with excitement. "Adrien won't believe his eyes."

Marinette's heart fluttered at the thought of Adrien's reaction. "I hope so," she replied wistfully, her mind filled with visions of their future together. She stepped forward again, reaching out and allowing her fingers to caress the fabric.

As Tikki and Plagg continued their lively commentary around Marinette's wedding dress, their banter brought a playful energy to the room.

Tikki, with her characteristic warmth, fluttered closer to Marinette. "You know, Marinette, this dress reminds me of the time you made that beautiful gown for the school fashion show," Tikki reminisced fondly.

Marinette smiled, remembering the event vividly. "That feels like ages ago," she replied, a touch of nostalgia in her voice. "I never imagined I'd be wearing a wedding dress someday."

Plagg, ever the contrarian, chimed in with a smirk. "Well, you're not exactly the type to blend in with the crowd, Marinette," he teased, earning an exasperated look from Tikki.

Ignoring Plagg's jest, Tikki turned her attention back to Marinette. "But seriously, Marinette, you and Adrien are meant to be," Tikki said earnestly. "I can feel the love you have for each other—it's as strong as ever."

Marinette's heart warmed at Tikki's words. "Thank you, Tikki," she replied, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. "I just hope I'm making the right choice."

Plagg floated dramatically around the dress. "Oh please, Marinette, when have you ever made the wrong choice?" he said with a smirk. "Except maybe when you forget to feed me cheese."

Marinette laughed, her worries momentarily forgotten in the light-hearted exchange. "I'm sure Adrien has ordered plenty of cheese for the wedding," she assured Plagg, earning a satisfied nod from the kwami.

Marinette felt a sense of comfort wash over her. Their presence, filled with affection and playful camaraderie, grounded her in the joy of the moment.

"You two are the best," Marinette said sincerely, her voice tinged with emotion.

They exchanged a glance, their expressions softening. "And you're the best, Marinette," Tikki replied warmly. "We're here to support you every step of the way."

Plagg nodded in agreement, a rare hint of sincerity in his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, what Tikki said. But don't forget my holder too," he muttered, though Marinette detected a hint of affection beneath his gruff exterior.

Marinette laughed. "Adrien too."

"Adrien too," Plagg stubbornly agreed.

"So, why are you here and not with him?" Marinette asked, curious as to why she was now in charge of two kwamis not just one.

"The same reason they all are, Marinette." The room began to fill with tiny flying creatures, looking like something out of a Disney fairy tale.

"When the guardian swears her life to another, we're kind of the bodyguards," Tikki explained.

"Just in case he goes crazy and decides to destroy the world. You know how it goes," Plagg added for good measure; she didn't need that visual right now. "But you have nothing to worry about."

The kwamis gathered around Marinette, each and everyone spending time to tell her how they felt in monologues she could really do without. But she basked in the glow of friendship and love, she knew that with Tikki and Plagg by her side, she was ready to embark on this new chapter of her life. Whatever challenges or uncertainties lay ahead, she was filled with hope, knowing that the bonds of friendship and the magic of love would carry her through.

"Thanks everyone," she said softly, a flicker of determination in her eyes. "Adrien and I have something real. I shouldn't let doubts cloud my happiness."

Tikki grinned. "That's the Marinette I know and love!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

Marinette took a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve settle over her. The wedding dress, once a source of anxiety, now represented a new beginning—a celebration of her love for Adrien and the life they would build together.

"I'm ready," Marinette declared, her voice steady. "I'm ready to be the blushing bride living her fantasies, doubts and all."

With a deep breath, she decided to confront her fears head-on. She stepped closer to the dress, her fingers trembling slightly as she reached for the zipper. This was it—the moment that would seal her fate. Putting on this dress meant stepping into a future she had longed for, a future she had built with Adrien in her dreams.

As she slipped into the gown, the fabric enveloped her like a soft embrace. Her reflection smiled back at her, radiating hope and anticipation. Despite the lingering fear, she knew one thing for certain: she loved Adrien with all her heart, and she was willing to take this leap of faith.

"This is it," she whispered to herself, the words a mantra of determination. "No turning back now."

She closed her eyes, picturing Adrien's warm smile, and the way his eyes sparkled when he looked at her. She clung to those memories, letting them wash away the doubts and insecurities that threatened to cloud her mind.

...and then she looked at her watch.

"Maman!" she called in a hurry. "I'm ready!"

At that moment, Marinette made a silent vow—not just to Adrien, but to herself. She would embrace this day with courage and optimism. Whatever the future held, she was ready to face it, knowing that love was the thread that bound their hearts together, unbreakable and enduring.

She just hoped she wasn't going to be too late.

*****

Marinette was unbelievably late.

Even after a smooth transition into her wedding dress, she was still running late. First, the flowers hadn't arrived. And, on top of that, Alya had forgotten her phone (and Marinette's) meaning Anthony was their only point of call. Luckily he was a fast runner and made it to the florist in record time (after first getting the details from Félix at the mansion). Finally, the flowers arrived at the house around 3:45 pm, complete with a very sweaty and brassed off Anthony.

But that was fine. They were only running 15 minutes late, which was good for her...

Until her father ripped his tuxedo pants and she had to load up her new sewing machine to sew them back together.

But she was here now. Only an hour late, and on her way to the man of her dreams.

Then the car stopped, and so did her patience! Luck really wasn't on her side at the moment, and she couldn't help but wonder if this was what it was like to have Plagg with you 24/7.

She glanced out the window only to find a sea of people blocking the road. It seemed someone had leaked the wedding to the media (her bet was on Lana) and now they were camped out and blocking the entire pathway to the mansion. She was so tempted to transform and run.

"Enough of this!" The VIP of her wedding story (Anthony), launched himself out of the car and began to manhandle reporters out of the way, snatching a phone from one of them and placing it to his ear.

He was one fierce diva and she loved him dearly.

For the next half hour, with the police's unexpected assistance, they embarked on a mad dash to reach the wedding venue. As they raced against the clock, her body tensed up with nerves, feeling like she was living out a scene from a chaotic romantic comedy.

Anthony had already made his way in to find Richard and let Adrien know she had arrived, as she climbed out of the car, attempting to control the need to scream.

"Where the hell have you been? Adrien was about to call off the wedding!" As always Kagami didn't hold back on her thoughts and feelings. She stalked forward, a dress matching Alya's coating her body and a face without any emotion.

Marinette looked at Kagami and shook her head. "After today, I'm going to write a memoir of my series of unfortunate events."

Kagami rolled her eyes and let out some kind of laugh. "Well, you can apologise to Adrien later. Right now, we need to get you down that aisle."

Down the aisle. She was floating on air.

Marinette stood outside the marquee in the enchanting Agreste garden, her father by her side, her heart fluttering nervously in her chest. The soft glow of fairy lights intertwined with the lush greenery created a magical ambiance around them. Tears welled up in Marinette's eyes, a mixture of joy, excitement, and a touch of nervousness.

"Papa," Marinette whispered, her voice barely audible over the gentle breeze. "I can't believe this is happening."

Her papa, his eyes glistening with emotion, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You look absolutely beautiful, sweetheart," he said, his voice filled with pride. "Adrien is a lucky young man."

Marinette smiled through her tears, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I'm the luckiest girl in the world," she replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "I can't wait to marry him."

As she gathered her composure, she took a deep breath, savouring the moment. The soft strains of music floated through the air, adding to the magical atmosphere. The anticipation built inside her, and she felt a rush of excitement knowing that soon she would walk down the aisle to meet Adrien, the love of her life.

Then a voice started to sing. Beautiful, like an angel calling from the heavens. She recognised the voice. It was Elise.

Her papa squeezed her hand gently. "Shall we?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with affection.

She nodded, her heart pounding with anticipation. Together, they took the first steps toward the marquee, where her future awaited. As they approached the entrance, her eyes scanned the garden, taking in the beauty of the warm sun casting a glow over everything. A surge of emotion washed over her, and she couldn't hold back the tears of happiness. This was the moment she had dreamed of—the moment she would marry her soulmate.

With her father's steady presence beside her, Marinette began her slow walk down the aisle.

She stole a glance at Adrien, standing at the end of the altar, his eyes fixed on her. Time seemed to stand still as she met his gaze. His normally composed demeanour was softened by a radiant smile that reached his eyes, and sparkled with an intensity Marinette had never seen before—a look of pure awe and adoration in his eyes. It was as if the whole world faded away, leaving only the two of them in a perfect bubble of love and anticipation.

She thought back to all the memories she had shared with Adrien—the laughter, the shared dreams, and the unwavering support. Each step down the aisle felt like a testament to their journey together, a journey that had led them to this beautiful moment.

She felt cherished in a way she had never imagined. Adrien's expression spoke volumes, revealing the depth of his love and the profound impact she had on his heart. She could feel his love enveloping her like a warm embrace, calming her nerves and filling her with a sense of overwhelming happiness.

His eyes followed her every move, his stare never leaving her. Each step brought her closer to him, and with each passing moment, she felt a rush of emotions—excitement, gratitude, and above all, an unshakeable certainty that she was about to marry a man who truly cherished her.

When she finally reached his side, she could see the unspoken words in his eyes—the promise of a lifetime of love, support, and happiness. It was a look that etched itself into her heart, a memory she would treasure forever.

And in that moment, surrounded by their loved ones and bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, Marinette knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be. With Adrien by her side, looking at her with unwavering devotion, her doubts and fears melted away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude.

Adrien's voice broke through her thoughts, soft and filled with tenderness. "You look breath taking," he murmured, his eyes brimming with affection.

Marinette looked into the green of her dreams, feeling her heart swell with love. "I love you," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity.

"I love you too."

As Marinette stood beside Adrien, she saw Luka stepping forward to the front of the marquee, his guitar strap slung over his shoulder. For now, he'd transformed into the officiant for their wedding ceremony.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice resonating with warmth and sincerity. "Today, we gather to celebrate the union of Marinette and Adrien—two souls destined to be together."

Marinette's eyes filled with gratitude as she listened to Luka's heartfelt words. She had always admired his gentle spirit and artistic soul, and now, having him officiate their wedding felt like a perfect touch to their special day.

Luka continued, his eyes alternating between Marinette and Adrien. "From the moment I met Marinette and Adrien, I knew they shared a bond unlike any other. They complement each other in the most beautiful of ways."

Marinette's heart swelled with emotion as Luka spoke about their relationship. She recalled the moments she and Adrien had shared—laughter, support, and unwavering love—that had led them to this moment.

"Today, as they stand before us, pledging their love and commitment to one another, I am reminded of how love has the power to transform lives and inspire us all."

Marinette glanced at Adrien, his eyes locked on her, filled with love and devotion. She squeezed his hand gently, overcome with gratitude for the journey that had brought them here.

"Marinette and Adrien, may your love continue to grow and deepen with each passing day. May you always find strength and solace in each other's embrace, and may your life together be filled with joy, laughter, and countless beautiful memories."

Tears glistened in Marinette's eyes as she listened to Luka's heartfelt blessing. She felt a deep sense of peace and contentment knowing that she was sharing this moment with Adrien, surrounded by their loved ones, and blessed by Luka's kind words.

As Luka's heartfelt speech concluded, all eyes turned to Adrien. He took Marinette's hands in his.

"Marinette," Adrien began, his voice steady yet brimming with emotion. "From the moment I met you, my life changed forever. You saved me in ways I can never fully express."

She felt her heart swell at Adrien's words, her eyes welling up with tears of overwhelming joy.

"You believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself," Adrien continued, his voice filled with emotion. "You saw the real me behind the masks I wore, and you loved me for who I am."

Tears began to stream down her cheeks as she listened, feeling the weight of Adrien's words touching her soul.

"M'Lady," Adrien said, his voice soft but resolute, "I vow to always be there for you, just as you have always been there for me. I promise to be your partner, your confidant, and your biggest supporter. I will cherish you and protect you, not because you need saving, but because you saved me."

Marinette's breath caught in her throat as Adrien's heartfelt vows washed over her. The depth of his love and gratitude filled the space between them, igniting a flame of hope and joy in Marinette's heart.

"You are my hero, Marinette," Adrien declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "And today, I pledge my life to you—to us. Together, we will navigate life's challenges and celebrate its joys, hand in hand, forever."

In that sacred moment, Marinette knew that her love for Adrien was reciprocated in every way. With tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, she whispered, "Adrien, I love you more than words can say. You are my everything. We've faced so many challenges side by side. Amidst my confusion and moments of being lost, you were always my guiding light, my saviour. You deserve to be truly cherished, and I promise to shower you with the adoration you deserve."

Their hands intertwined, Marinette was unable to speak anymore, but it didn't matter. He only had to look at her and he knew how much she loved him.

He nodded, giving her hands a little squeeze. Thank you.

He stepped towards her and sealed their vows with a tender kiss, surrounded by the warmth and love of their friends and family. In that instant, Marinette knew that their love was a beacon of hope and light, illuminating their path forward as they embarked on their journey together, bound by a love that was destined to last a lifetime.