Marientte had been right. Tom's Yule Log was a chocolate coated piece of heaven, and Adrien had never enjoyed one as much as this one. Sure, the chef's at the mansion had made them before, but they never tasted as good as this. Then again Christmas had never felt so homely before, even with his mother there. But he didn't want to think about that now.

They decided to also open up the snickerdoodles that Adrien and Marinette had made since they would go stale. Marinette promised Adrien that as soon as they knew his father and Nathalie were going to be on their way back, she would help him make another batch of fresh ones. Adrien felt bad using up their ingredients, but Marinette told him to consider the first batch a trial run and she would expect him to make the next batch on his own. Adrien happily agreed and mused at how very Ladybug of her it was.

While they were having their treats and hot chocolate, Adrien's bodyguard arrived at the door. Nathalie had given him a list of items for both Adrien and Edmond which he had packed into two bags. Adrien and Marinette got up to greet him when Marinette's phone rang.

"Oh, it's Alya. I'll take it upstairs. Just bring your bags up when you're done." Adrien watched her scurry up the stairs with a contented sigh before finding Sabine and his bodyguard.

The large man, who Adrien affectionately referred to as the Gorilla, handed him the bags as well as a message he had written out from Nathalie, mostly to do with Edmond's routine and feeding schedule. Sabine was still carrying Edmond with one arm while she offered for the bodyguard to come inside for a while, but Gorilla declined. He did however accept the box of mixed minced pies and lemon tarts that she offered him. Adrien knew that his bodyguard often looked imposing, but was really a big softie on the inside, and has a real sweet tooth. Edmond bounced excitedly when he saw the familiar face, the bodyguard letting his face melt into a smile as he gently rubbed a finger against Edmond's cheek.

After his bodyguard left, Adrien followed Sabine back to the living room. "Mrs Cheng, can I ask you a favour at all?" Sabine placed a motherly hand on his arm, since his shoulder was a little too high for her to reach now.

"Of course Adrien, you can ask me anything." Adrien blushed slightly at the care and concern in her voice.

"It's nothing bad." He reassured her. "It's just...I asked Marinette if she would like to come with me to see The Nutcracker performance tomorrow night but I wasn't expecting to..." He gestured towards Edmond and Sabine smiled in understanding.

"Oh we can look after him dear." She said reassuringly. Tom affirming his agreement from the couch. "It's not like we are opening the bakery the next morning. And he's been such a sweetheart for his Aunt Sabine." She cooed and nuzzled her nose against Edmond's cheek and he squealed in delight.

"Thank you Mrs Cheng." Adrien beamed, watching the way Edmond interacted with Marinette's mother. Maybe he could sense the familiarity about her, or more likely knew he was being handled by someone who knew what they were doing. While Adrien liked to think he'd learned quite a lot, he was still the big brother and he was sure that being a parent would be a very different, and no doubt more tiring experience. He was feeling more confident that the coffee warmer was definitely the right gift for Nathalie.

"You're more than welcome, and I think you can just call us Sabine and Tom now Adrien." She smiled sweetly at him. "After all we have known you for years and you did ask our daughter on a date didn't you?"

Adrien hadn't really specified it was a date to Marinette, but it was a date wasn't it? At least he hoped that Marinette was going to see it that way.

"Thanks Sabine." It felt a little strange to use her first name after knowing Sabine for so long, and yet it made him feel more welcome in some way. "And I promise we won't be too late getting back."

"Don't worry about that son." Tom called out. "You and Marinette enjoy your date."

"Thank you Mr Dup...I mean Tom." The baker gave him a broad smile and a nod.

"Think nothing of it." Tom said. "Do you need a hand with the bags?"

Adrien shook his head, collecting the two bags and making his way up the stairs towards Marinette's room.

*****

"He's what!" Alya screeched down the phone so loud that Marinette had to hold the phone away from her ear.

"You trying to send me deaf or something?" Marinette deadpanned down the phone while giving Tikki a cheeky smirk. The red Kwami was highly amused at the conversation.

"Well excuse me." Alya retorted. "I'm still recovering from the fact Adrien asked you as his date to the ballet, and now you drop on me that he is staying with you...in your room no less."

"It's no big deal Alya." Marinette tried to placate her best friend. "Nino stays in your room."

"So not the same thing." Alya retorted while Marinette giggled at her.

"This isn't high school you know. We are two responsible adults in charge of looking after Adrien's baby brother. Nathalie and his father are counting on us. Anyway, Adrien never said the ballet was a date. Maybe he just wants to go as friends." She could hear Alya choking down the phone.

"Are you serious right now? You two have both been in love with each other for years and don't even try to pretend that boy didn't have a crush on you in Lycèe. He is taking you on a date Marinette, this is a date. He is spending his time with you, this isn't just hanging out with a friend or helping to babysit. I'm really proud of you for the friendship you two have developed now, but you need to be honest with yourself girl. Stop closing yourself off to him Marinette, god only knows that boy needs someone to love in his life and at Christmas most of all."

Marinette did know Adrien had a major crush on Ladybug in school, on both sides of the mask, but Adrien having a crush on Marinette? She had been so awkward with him for so long, jibbering and jabbering, tripping over her feet and her words. How could anyone love that? And yet after the reveal Adrien had still been the sweet and understanding friend he had always been. Friend - there was the answer. Of course Adrien would still be kind to her, she was his friend, but she would have to be kidding herself to think she could be anything more than that. Even as Gabriel Agreste's star intern, she would never be enough to be suitable as the next Mrs Agreste. With age comes awareness and she knows what people would think.

"I don't know Alya." Marinette said, self doubt creeping in. "This isn't really about me and Adrien though. Adrien wanted so much for Edmond's first Christmas to be special, now his father and Nathalie won't even be here. It was meant to be their first Christmas together as a new family."

"Then you need to make it special for him." Marinette looked up at Tikki who was giving her an encouraging nod and Marinette became more determined. Adrien was Chat, her trusted partner, her best friend, and he was counting on her.

"You're right Alya." She said decidedly. "I have to make this Christmas special for him. Adrien needs me, and I won't let him down." She heard footsteps approaching her door. "He's coming with the bags, I better go."

"Alright girl, but remember, if you want to get this relationship to move out of the friend zone, then you have to make a move too. Sunshine there won't push if he thinks you're not going to accept him. Adrien's too much of a gentleman for that. However, some mistletoe wouldn't go astray..."

"Bye Alya!" Marinette quickly hung up. She couldn't even start to think about mistletoe and Adrien in the same sentence right now, not when she was going to have to share her room with him.

Adrien pushed up the hatch and had that unsure kitten look on his face. Marinette couldn't help but melt into a smile, and Adrien instantly relaxed.

"So, um, where do I put my bags?" Marinette looked around the room and realised that she hadn't actually thought about where he was going to sleep. Plagg on the other hand barely gave her a hello before flying off to the little space he and Tikki had made for themselves in her room.

"Oh, um..." Marinette looked at her chaise and back at Adrien while playing with her fingers. Why was she being so awkward about this? Adrien had been in her room dozens of times over the years for study or playing video games. After the reveal they even popped in sometimes for late night snacks and to just talk.

"It's fine Marinette. I know I'm invading your space here and intruding on your Christmas. I can just sleep on the chaise so I can be close to Edmond." He had his eyes down as he sat the bags next to the chaise and Marinette realised she was making this awkward for him too. Ugh, what was wrong with her?

"No, no. Your legs would be half hanging off it. You can have my bed and I'll take the chaise."

"I can't take your bed off you m'lady. That wouldn't be very chivilous. Besides, Edmond is my responsibility. Nathalie left a note saying he usually wakes at least once through the night for a feed, and again early in the morning. If I'm close by, we won't disturb you so much. I know you're not a morning person." He added, but the smile wasn't all together there. Marinette felt a prang in her chest. Even when they weren't fighting akumas, he was still willing to make sacrifices for her.

"Kitty." Marinette said gently, cupping both hands around his face. "You are not intruding or invading my space. I'm happy to have you and Edmond here with me, to share my Christmas with you." She saw him relax his shoulders and give her a grateful smile. Oh how that smile sent butterflies through her. She placed both her hands on his arms, partly so her own knees wouldn't buckle. "Just think of it as a Christmas slumber party, just you, me and Edmond." She added with a broad smile and was surprised at the way his face lit up.

"Really." His voice sounding overly excited, then he rubbed his hand behind his neck shyly. "You know I've never been to a slumber party before." Marinette blinked at him.

"You've never...but I thought you and Nino..."

Adrien shook his head. "Father never allowed me to stay the night. In Lycèe he relented enough for me to have dinner with Nino's family sometimes if we needed to work on assignments, but my bodyguard always came and picked me up by eleven." Marientte sat down on the chaise and Adrien moved to sit next to her. "Is...is that weird?" She turned and looked at him and he had that lost look again. "I never was really allowed to do much. My father was always a bit too overprotective."

"But Adrien, your twenty, surely now..." He shook his head again.

"Father wrote it into my contract that I had to be home by eleven unless it was a formal Gabriel event, at which time I was to return, alone, as soon as it was over."

"You're contract?" Marinette furrowed her eyebrows at him in concern. Adrien let out a sigh.

"In order to go to university and gain a level of autonomy my father had me sign a contract that I would continue to live at home and model for the brand. Don't worry, when I finish next semester, I'm a free man." He put on a smile, but she could see his pride had been hurt by his father's actions. A new sense of determination came over Marinette.

"Okay, we are fixing this tonight." She declared, standing up. "You are coming with me to get the inflatable mattress. We will set it up here on the floor for you and I'll take the chaise." Adrien went to protest, but she waved her finger at him. "No butts, my house my rules Kitty." She said with a wink. "Now we are going to get Edmond settled, then we will eat foods that would make your dietitian blush, and if you're a very good Kitty I might even let you pick the movie."

Marinette held her hand out to him, the way he had done for her so many times before. Looking up at her, Adrien had a look of awe and amazement on his face as he took her hand. Standing up, he pulled her closer to him, wrapping both arms around her in a tight embrace.

"Thank you, m'lady Marinette." He said, biting his face into her hair. She knew he was trying to hide tears, but she felt them as they trickled down her neck and she held him closer.

"It's alright mon minou." She cooed, rubbing soothing circles on his back. "I know this wasn't how you wanted to spend Christmas, but I promise to make it the best Christmas ever, for you and Edmond."

Adrien pulled back slightly and wiped his eyes with his palm, still holding her shoulder. His hand then slid up her neck until it rested on her cheek. "Getting to spend my Christmas with you will be the best gift of all m'lady." He leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead before pressing his own forehead there. Marientte could feel her heart racing as their breaths became intermingled.

A soft knock came to the hatch door and the two parted as Sabine called out hello. "Come in Mama." Marinette responded, pressing her palm to cool her burning cheeks. Sabine gave her an all too knowing grin as she entered.

"I think someone here needs a bath." She said as she brought Edmond into the room. "If you lay a towel on the chaise, you can change him there. The basin in the bathroom should be plenty deep enough to make a bath for him. He's just had a bottle and most likely will sleep for a few hours now."

Adrien reached out and took Edmond, the baby gurgling and flapping his arms to see his big brother.

"Mama, can we get the inflatable bed for in here? Adrien can sleep on that, and I can be on the chaise. That way we can look after Edmond quicker and not have him wake you and papa up." Sabine nodded her head.

"Yes dear, that would be fine. Your father and I will be going to bed soon since tomorrow is Christmas Eve and the store will be busy. You needn't hurry down though. I know how tiring babies can be, so sleep when you can. Now can I leave you two to organise his bath? Our show is coming on and we want to watch it before bed."

"We got this Mrs...I mean Sabine." Adrien corrected himself and Sabine smiled at him. "We're a good team, right Princess." We threw Marientte a flirty wink, causing her face to heat up and Sabine to giggle as she left the room. Adrien looked back at Marinette with a smirk.

"Your Chat is showing Adrien." Marinette said flatly, folding her arms and trying to look mad, and failing miserably. Adrien just shrugged.

"Your mum is a very smart woman." He grinned. "I wouldn't be surprised if she already knows about us, I mean Ladybug and Chat Noir of course."

"Perhaps." Marinette conceded. "I often wondered how she could have accepted so many dumb excuses when I suddenly had to leave. And I'm a bit surprised they never found me missing from my room. They can be a bit nosey you know." She shook her head at herself but saw a flicker of something else pass Adrien's eyes.

"At least they cared to look." He said with a level of melancholy. "My father wasn't around enough to notice." Oh no, she can't let him start going down that path.

"Well, let me get some towels and you grab what we need to get this bath on a roll because I don't know about you, but I think somebody's bottom is a bit on the wiffy side." She addressed the last part to Edmond, ticking the side of his face and earning a squealing laugh in return. Adrien's disposition instantly lifted and he carried Edmond over to the chaise.

Marinette returned moments later with two towels, laying one on the chaise. Tikki and Plagg sat along the edge to watch the two young adults navigate Edmond's nappy. Marinette became a little suspicious at Plagg interest, but decided to pay him no mind.

"You want me to do it?" Adrien offered. "I don't mind, I've dealt with One of his dirty nappies before."

"It's alright, I handled a lot of Manon's accidents when she was little." Marinette said confidently.

Carefully the bluenette took off Edmond's onesie. Edmond reached up trying to get hold of Plagg's tail.

"Hey, I ain't your chew toy kid." The cat Kwami complained, shifting over closer to Tikki.

"Don't pretend you don't care Plagg." Tikki giggled. "I've seen you keeping an eye on Edmond."

"Of course I'm keeping an eye on him. He's always trying to chew my ears." He quickly whipped his tail out of the reach of tiny fingers. Edmond was now squirming, trying to twist around while Marientte was getting his nappy off.

"Adrien, maybe get him Santa Plagg out of the backpack. It's a bit hard to clean him while he's wriggling." Tikki grabbed the little nappy sack bag for Marinette to dispose of the dirty nappy and wipes in. Adrien gave Edmond Santa Plagg and he immediately put the ear in his mouth.

"There, all done and ready for his bath." Marientte said, giving Adrien a triumphant look until something warm and wet started to hit her clothes.

"Ahhh....ewww, ewww, ewww." Marinette shrieked. Tikki quickly grabbed a cloth nappy and threw it over the source of the offending liquid. Edmond for his part simply giggled at the array of contorted features on Marientte's face. Adrien grabbed the other towel and wrapped Edmond up in it, but the stream had already ended. Plagg practically rolled off the chaise in laughter.

"I knew it." Plagg laughed. "You owe me three cheese puffs Sugarcube."

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry Marinette." Adrien apologised in a panic as pee clung to her clothes, and he was pretty sure there was some in her hair. The blonde started having an internal meltdown that Marinette must really hate him now that she had been well and truly christened by his baby brother. His panic soon melted away though when Marinette began to laugh. She put her hands on each side of her face, leaning forward and laughing so hard she could hardly catch her breath. Tikki soon joined in, as did Adrien. Even Edmond squealed in delight, although he had no idea he was the cause of so much excitement.

"Well that's a first." Marinette finally got out. "I'd changed Manon before but girls don't exactly shoot water fountains. Who would have thought something so small could hold so much pee." She said, picking up the towel Edmond had been laying on. Her face was flushed from the laughter. Adrien knew he was most probably staring, but he couldn't tear his eyes away when their eyes met. the laughter died now, but her smile remained. "Come on, the quicker we get him in the bath, the safer we'll all be I think."

"I don't know m'lady, maybe he might make a good defence." Marinette narrowed her eyes at him.

"What? Think I might sneak over and attack you in the night Kitty."

"I don't know." Adrien teased, holding Edmond up and poking his butt near her. "I've got a baby and I'm not afraid to use him."

"Too bad he's out of ammo then." She retorted as she opened up the door. Adrien followed with a kiss to Edmond's head.

Heading down the stairs towards the bathroom, they could hear her parents down on the lower level still watching TV.

"No, your ganache is too runny."

"Oh no, the fondant is falling off on that side."

"They're going to run out of time to cool that cake, the icing will just melt straight off."

"Does that look like a sleigh to you? Looks more like a lopsided Goggomobile. And what on Earth happened to that Christmas tree?"

Adrien had to chuckle to himself as he listened to Tom and Sabine go back and forth. "What are they watching?" He asked as they headed into the bathroom.

"The Great French Bake Off, Christmas special." He quirked an amused eyebrow at her. "I know, I know, they watch cooking shows like other people watch football."

"They sound like fun to watch with." Marinette nodded as she started the water running.

"They are. You should sit with us and watch sometime. One episode they were baking bread and my Grandfather was visiting. We could have started a shots game with the amount of times he said 'that's not how it's done'." She imitated her Grandfather's voice with her hands on her hips. "I think we would have all passed out in the end." She was laughing at the memory as she added the soap to the bath and tested the water. Edmond clearly liked baths as he got very excited when he saw the water.

"Bread huh. Do you know what happened when two slices of bread disappeared in the middle of the night?" Marinette turned off the tap and took in that mischievous look her partner always got when he thought he had the perfect joke.

"Do I want to know?" She asked, taking Edmond and holding him in the water. He started kicking his legs and making little splashes.

Adrien leaned in closer to her ear, the grin widening on his face. "Turns out they e-loafed." Marinette groaned, but also turned slightly to hide her blush. "Aww, come on m'lady, that was funny." He said, giving her a slight shoulder bump.

"Ha Ha, very funny Chaton." She said dryly, masking her amusement. "Here, hold him while I try and clean myself up a bit."

"Why don't get in the shower?" Adrien asked rather nonchalantly. "Although you could probably get away with wearing anything, I don't think my little brother's pee is one of them." He looked up to see Marientte's face turn a shade of red he was sure he had never seen before and realised what he said might have been a bit forward. "Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you." He apologised turning his eyes back to Edmond. He was beginning to wonder how many times he had already apologised tonight. "I promise I won't look, not that I don't want to look, I mean you're beautiful to look at, but not covered in pee, I mean pee isn't beautiful even if you are, I mean..." He chanced a look at her and she had her hands covering her mouth as she giggled at his flailing, her bluebell eyes dancing in amusement. He chuckled shyly and went to rub the back of his neck when he realised his hand was wet. Instead he gestured to her. "I just don't want you to, you know, having to keep waiting to get clean. I can take care of this." He motioned to Edmond happily inspecting the bubbles on his hands.

Marinette mentally ran through several scenarios in her head before reaching the one where she told Alya they were responsible adults. It wasn't like they were sharing the shower after all. Marinette straightened up and pulled on her Ladybug confidence. This was her partner, her teammate, her best friend. "Yeah, I think I might do that." She said, trying not to squeak as she spoke. He smiled and nodded to her and Marinette felt her heart flip. Partner, teammate, friend, she repeated like a mantra. Oh who was she kidding?

Adrien, always the gentleman, turned his back to where she was trying to remember to breathe as he heard her clothes drop to the bathroom floor and the shower turn on. As the steam in the room rose he could feel his own face heating up.

"I'll take Edmond back to your room and dress him." He called out, trying hard no to let his voice betray his thoughts. "Can I get you anything?"

"No, I've got a bathrobe in here. Thanks anyway."

Adrien picked up Edmond and wrapped him in a dry towel. Closing the bathroom door behind him he leaned his head back on the door while Edmond tugged on the collar of his shirt. The house was quiet now, Marinette's parents having gone to bed. The only sound was the rushing water of the shower behind him.

******

"So have you decided on a movie?" Marinette asked as she spread out a blanket on the inflatable bed. She had plates of various pastries and danishes as well as Tikki's cookies and the cheese balls Plagg claimed as a victory for Edmond's little accident.

Edmond wasn't quite asleep yet so they thought they would arrange the inflatable bed and chaise, and watch a movie on Marinette's laptop.

"My mum and I used to have a tradition of watching 'It's a Wonderful Life' every Christmas, well, the ones she was at home for anyway and we didn't have some event to go to. It was her favourite movie I think." Marinette watched as Adrien's eyebrows furrowed, like he was trying to remember something, but wasn't quite getting there.

"Oh, well, did you want to watch that one then? I'm sure it's on here." Marientte asked scrolling through the movies on the computer.

"No." He said quietly looking at Edmond in his arms. "To be perfectly honest, I never liked the movie. I only watched it because she wanted to and...it helped me be closer to her." Marinette watch him as he patted Edmond in thought. "I think I'd like to start a new tradition." He looked up at her, the sound of the rain returning lightly pounding against her window. "What's your favourite Christmas movie?"

He was looking at her that way again, like his eyes could see right through to her soul. Maybe they did and it made her heart race. "My favourite? Um, The Polar Express."

"That's my favourite too." He said softly, sitting on the inflatable bed beside her legs as she sat on the chaise. "Let's watch that one."

Marinette slid down onto the bed beside him as Adrien held Edmond. Tikki and Plagg came to join them, sitting on a pillow on the chaise, but they made sure Edmond had Santa Plagg to chew on so he would leave Scrooge Stinky Sock (as Tikki dubbed him) alone. Marinette balanced the computer on her lap and they started the movie. Edmond loved the bright colours and the music, especially the Hot Chocolate song. By the time 'When Christmas Comes to Town' finished though, Edmond was sound asleep in Adrien's arm, and Marinette was asleep on his shoulder.

For a little while, Adrien continued to sit like that, nestled between the two most important people in his life. This was the kind of traditions he wanted to start, only one day it would be their own baby snuggled to his chest. He looked down at Marinette and rested his cheek against her head, smelling her freshly shampooed hair. It was still down from when she washed it and hung softly on her shoulders.

Kagami had asked him if he just loved Marinette or if he was in love with her. He didn't understand what the difference was at the time, but now he did. Of course he loved her. He loved her as Ladybug, her bravery and her confidence. He loved her sense of justice, and her compassion to others. He loved her as Marinette, when she was blushing and stuttering when she got flustered. He loved the attention to detail she gave to her sewing or her baking. He loved the way she loved everyone around her. He loved the way she cared for Edmond, welcoming them both into her heart and home, sacrificing her room and her privacy. But most of all, he loved her - her laughter, her infectious joy, the smell of her hair, her smile and the way she filled his heart with warmth and love.

She was Ladybug, hero of Paris. She was Marinette, a rising fashion designer. Then there was a third person - her true self, the one he adored the most because it was all of her rolled into one. Yes, he was in love with her, completely and hopelessly and he made a promise to himself that one day he was going to marry this girl, if she'll have him.

Carefully, Adrien slid away from Marinette to place Edmond into his bassinet. The baby sucked furiously on his dummy from being moved, but quickly settled back down with Santa Plagg tightly in his grip. Adrien then gently lifted Marinette up and laid her on the chaise, covering her up with her blanket. He softly pressed a kiss to the top of her head before settling himself on the inflatable bed beside her, closing his eyes and drifting into a contented sleep.

It was just after 2am when Adrien thought he heard the sound of shuffling feet near his head. Opening his eyes he became aware of a soft night light on the desk emitting a soft glow through the room. Rolling over he looked up to find Marientte walking around the room gently rocking Edmond.

"Hey." He called softly, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

"Hey." She whispered back, patting Edmond on the bottom as she walked. Adrien saw an empty bottle sitting on the desk.

"I'm sorry, I never heard him cry." Adrien said, standing with a stretch. He didn't notice that his shirt rose up as he did it, but Marinette definitely did. She quickly averted her eyes back to Edmond.

"It's fine. He...ah...he didn't actually cry. I got up to use the bathroom and happened to hear him waking up."

Adrien walked over to her. Marinette had a soft pink dressing gown on over her pajamas, her hair tied back in a messy bun on top of her head. Adrien gently placed a hand in Edmond's head and watched him sucking on his dummy with his eyes closed. Bending down he kissed the top of the baby's head. "I'll take the bottle and wash it up while you put him down." Marinette nodded, snuggling the baby close to her chest.

Adrien made his way down the stairs and into the kitchen. Walking over to the sink he rinsed out the bottle, setting it to dry before leaning his hands against the bench. Above the sink he watched the rain drops run down.

"Is Edmond up?" He turned, slightly startled, to find Sabine behind him.

"Yeah, well he was. Marientte is just putting him back to bed."

Sabine walked over to the fridge and took out a jug of water. Grabbing two glasses, she poured him a glass of water too which he accepted gratefully. He hadn't even realised how dry his mouth was.

They stood there in silence for a few moments before Sabine spoke. "You love Marinette very much, don't you?" Sabine asked softly, turning her eyes with a smile to the stunned young man.

"How did...?" But Sabine just chuckled at him.

"A mother knows these things Adrien." She said simply. Adrien leaned his back against the counter top, looking down into his glass. "You know she loves you too." Adrien suddenly looked over at her and she nodded to him.

"But, she always said we were just friends." Sabine shook her head.

"She's always been too afraid to tell you the truth, and she would be mad at me for saying this to you, but she's capable of so much, and then she lets self doubt get the better of her sometimes. Just tell her how you feel Adrien, it's all she needs to hear. She has so much love in her heart for you, you just need to let her know that your heart is a safe place to fall." She pressed her palm on his chest over his heart and he nodded his head.

"I'll always catch her." He said and Sabine nodded her head in return with a knowing smile.

"I know you will Adrien, you always have." With that she patted his cheek and left to return to bed.

Adrien walked back up the stairs, pausing for a moment to calm himself before going back in. Marinette did love him, she had always loved him and he loved her and this was everything he had always wanted. Walking back into the room, Marinette had left the nightlight on and was sitting on her chaise, Edmond now sleeping peacefully in his bassinet.

"Everything good?" He asked. She looked up and smiled at him.

"Everything's fine." Adrien walked over and sat beside her on the chaise.

"Don't you mean everything is purrfect?" Marientte gave him a light shoulder bump.

"It's too late in the night for your puns Kitty." But there was no real bite to her words. "Edmond went back to sleep pretty quickly, I guess we should too."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, neither one making a move to go back to sleep. Adrien could feel her pinky finger brush against his like little shots of electricity.

"I forgot to tell you that Nathalie said in her note that Jeanette, the store manager, will be expecting us at 10am to fit your dress. That way any adjustments can be made by 5pm. It was a bit late to arrange hair and make up though, but it's not like you need it anyway."

Marinette bit her lower lip with her teeth. "It's such a glamorous event though Adrien. Maybe I should get Alya to come and help me?"

"You don't need it." Adrien repeated. "You're already beautiful just as you are." Marinette let out a small chuckle.

"Oh yeah, just a picture of beauty sitting right here." She said gesturing at her messy hair and dressing gown.

"I mean it." He reiterated.

"Well, I can't see it, but I'll take your word for it Kitty." She giggled, patting down her hair on her head. Adrien reached out and took her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing the inside of her wrist. Marinette felt a shiver run down her spine at the intimate gesture.

"Then I wish you could see yourself through my eyes." He said softly as he looked up at her. Marinette's mouth fell open slightly as Adrien let go of her hand to rest it on her cheek, gently rubbing his thumb over her soft porcelain skin. "You know what changed for me after the reveal?" He asked. Marinette was almost too afraid to speak her heart was beating so fast.

"What?" She said, barely above a whisper, her eyes looking down. Adrien leaned his face closer to hers.

"That I realised how much I already was in love with the girl behind the mask." Marinette lifted her eyes up into his emerald ones searching that what he was saying was true. "Because I love you Marinette."

"I love you too Adrien." The words were a relief as they passed her lips. "It was always you."

"Then, may I?" He asked and she nodded her head as their lips met each other halfway. Adrien's hand on her cheek slid behind her neck as she tilted her head allowing him to deepen the kiss, her own hand finding its way into his soft golden hair. Her heart was pounding and as he brought his other arm around her back to hold her closer, she was almost certain he felt it.

Breaking eventually for air, Adrien pressed his forehead against hers with a smile playing on his lips. "As much as I would like to keep doing this, I know Edmond will be up early and my Princess likes her beauty sleep." He kissed her on the nose as he sat back. "Goodnight m'lady." He said with one final chase kiss to her lips.

"Goodnight Chaton." She whispered back, kissing him again before Adrien finally got up to turn the light off. As he settled back into the bed, he reached over for her hand, kissing it before lying back down and drifting off into sweet dreams.