Christmas had come and gone in absolute bliss. Adrien had stayed over on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and Marinette was loving the discovery of her partner's identity. It amazed Marinette how quickly she'd become accustomed to AdriChat once she began to know him as the complete package, she had fell in love with Adrien and she'd fell in love with Chat, pulling them together and she was sure her heart was going to explode out of her chest.

After Christmas night Marinette had made herself a permanent resident in Adrien's apartment, not that he'd seemed to mind at all. It was as though now they were together they couldn't be apart.

She'd closed down any commissions and her website for the remainder of the Christmas period, wanting to say goodbye to her spinster ways and really get hands on with her relationship with Adrien, and when she said hands on, she meant it in more ways than one.

The happiness she was feeling was more than anything she'd ever known, and in a way it felt illegal that something could feel this good. That she should be this amazingly happy because of a guy. She never thought she'd be one of those women that needed a man to make her life purposeful but being here, in this relationship she didn't know why she'd never considered it before. He was everything to her. She supposed it was so much she needed the man, as she needed his love.

Surprisingly, none of her friends had queried how they'd suddenly gotten so close so fast, but their closest friends knew of their little secret. The secret that had them acting like an old married couple only a week into their relationship, and were thrilled with the outcome.

It just worked. Them being together just worked.

Marinette looked up at Adrien's Christmas tree and reached for the red and green ornament, twirling it around in her fingers as Adrien stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Her heart fluttered for about the thousandth time that week. Every slight touch or smile made her heart skip a beat and stomach swirl, and just seeing his large hands snake around her waist was doing nothing but adding to her obsession with him.

"Did you buy this whilst we were at the cabin?" She stroked over the bauble, dragging her index finger gently over the small bug and cat design.

"I did, and I'm quite sure I paid way over retail for it." He rested his head on her shoulder and her heart flipped again.

"They definitely saw you coming," she giggled back, turning around in his arms.

"Oh yes." He released one arm from around her and stretched up to grab the decoration from the branch and spun it around on his finger. She looked up at it, watching as he moved it in front of them. "I brought it for you."

"Then why did you put it on your tree?" She bopped him on his nose the way she had with Chat Noir so many times, and it didn't feel weird. It felt right! Like she should have been doing it for years.

"I had a big plan," he said with a shrug and cheesy grin.

"Oh, really?" She said, "please tell."

"Well," he coughed, "I was going to bring you here ..."

"Yes," she moved her head closer.

"And we were going to drink wine, and relax in front of my fireplace,"

"Sounds nice,"

"Oh, it certainly would have been. I would have even let you lie under my Christmas tree if you wished." She slapped his bicep sending him into a fit of laughter before he tensed his arms pulling her as close as possible to his chest. "And then I'd have shown you the bauble, and kissed you," he placed a hand under her chin tilting her face up to meet his pressing a kiss so gently on her lips she wanted to cry. "And finally, and this is my personal favourite part, I would have said that the bauble was yours, but it had to stay here because I never planned on letting you go."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her, kissing him with such deep passion she could feel her toes curl. He licked along her lips and she couldn't help smiling as she allowed his tongue into her mouth and to push against her own. Eyes closed and heads moving around Marinette continued to throw every small ounce of devotion into the kiss, letting him know she would always be there.

Adrien pulled away and she noticed how his pupils had dilated in the most delicious of ways, ways she'd grown accustomed to over the last week. He smiled and placed a small kiss on her cheek as he pulled her into a hug. She was sure she'd died and gone to heaven as she felt his chest rise and fall on a contented sigh.

"I love this, but it's still strange." She said, a lightness in her tone. The relationship wasn't strange, not in the slightest, it was strange how quickly it all became one, and how right it automatically became.

"It is, but I love it." He responded, his smile brighter than the sun.

"I love it too." She was so desperate to tell him it pushed past just love of the relationship, that it ran to the love of the depth of her soul. She loved him, she just hadn't got the guts to tell him that yet. It still felt too new, too detached.

He turned her head to the side and placed a kiss on her Miraculous before mirroring the movement to her opposite ear. She knew he was thanking her earrings so in response she took his ringed hand and kissed on top of the silver band. Their hearts connected by tiny pieces of jewellery.

"You look beautiful, by the way." He finally let her go and headed over to place his scarf and coat on, grabbing hers and presenting it to her to slip into.

"Thank you, Chaton." She smoothed a thumb over her lips and walked to the mirror, checking her no smudge lipstick was, actually, non smudge. They were heading to Chloé and Kagami's wedding later that day, and both Marinette and Adrien were kitted out in their formal wear.

Marinette a beautiful long sleeved, floor length red dress, her back completely bare as the dress cut square across her collarbone and the sleeve stopped midway between her wrist and elbow. Adrien was in his usher's suit, the only thing missing was his corsage. The girls wanted him as both best man and matron of honour, and he'd been thrilled to accept, as long as he could bring his plus one.

Neither girl denied.

There was just one thing they needed to do before heading to city hall for the civil ceremony and then the hotel for the reception.

She slid her arms into her jacket, Adrien holding it up behind her, and straightened the lapels. He brushed his hands down her arms and bent down to kiss her neck.

"I can't seem to stop kissing you." He laughed. "I seem to see an opportunity and just take it, I'm sorry if it's getting annoying."

"I have nothing against that, I feel the same," and as if confirming her point she turned around in his arms and placed her red stained lips against his once more, straightening his tie and brushing down the front of his winter jacket. "Are you ready?"

He sighed and stretched to scratch the back of his neck. "I suppose I need to do this sooner rather than later. I don't want to start a new year with this hanging over my head."

"Our heads. Remember you're not alone anymore Mon Minou."

Marinette took hold of his hands and called for her transformation. The expression on his face still showed complete awe as the red spotted supersuit covered her body. He'd seen the suit almost daily for years, yet watching her transform was just so personal, so intimate. Marinette placed her hand in her yo-yo and pulled out the snake bracelet before handing it over to Adrien.

"I want you to wear this ... just in case."

Adrien placed it on his wrist, and Sass appeared, Marinette dropped her transformation and summoned the viper into her clutch bag, alongside Tikki and Plagg. "Let's go." She took his hand and led him to the doorway. Together they were going to see Shadowmoth, they were going to see Gabriel Agreste.

As Adrien and Marinette pulled up, courtesy of Gorilla, outside the Agreste Mansion, Marinette found herself shivering for no apparent reason. Well, tell a lie, she knew exactly why she was shivering. The adrenaline had kicked in and she was already in defense mode just in case Gabriel tried anything. She knew Adrien was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, after all he was a well skilled superhero too, but she felt highly protective of her kitty, and knew what he could do if provoked.

"Hey," the sixth sense between them must have alerted Adrien to her discomfort, as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in towards him. The consol between them made the movement difficult, but the contact between the two of them was everything, and she needed it, she needed it badly. "It's going to be okay, I promise. We're there together and that's all that matters. We've got this, Bug."

"I should be the one supporting you, not the other way around. It's your father we're about to go and see."

"He's a terrorist that's been trying to kill us both for years. You're quite okay being a little nervous, I won't hold it against you."

She nodded into the crook of his neck, before he pulled away to let himself out the vehicle. Taking a deep breath, she knew she needed to pull herself together, but knowing what Adrien was about to do and how it was going to affect him broke her heart.

Their Christmas had been wonderful but this was looming in the background just waiting to be dealt with. Luckily for Marinette, Su-Han had made his presence known once more and had agreed with both Marinette and Adrien that he'd make the trip with Gabriel and Emilie, to the temple in Tibet, on New Years ... at Midnight. With everyone out and about celebrating it would hide the movement in the crowds and allow them to leave Paris without too much attention.

Adrien had begun to put a plan in place; including notifying the company, especially the shareholders, and the friends of the Agreste's, about the departure of his father from Paris. Marinette was overwhelmed with the pride she felt for her boyfriend. He was taking everything in his stride, and thanks to their past problems, they were dealing with everything together; both emotionally and physically. Which is why they were currently standing outside the door to the Agreste Mansion hand in hand.

Marinette gave Adrien a quick squeeze as he placed his hand on the door knob and opened up into the foyer. He noticed Nathalie was already there waiting for them, and with a curt nod she led them to Gabriel's office, the office where Marinette had finally come face to face with Shadowmoth.

"Adrien, Marinette, please sit down."

"I would prefer to stand," Gabriel had originally stood with his back to them, suddenly turning around at Adrien's words.

"My, my, aren't you two alike. That's exactly what she said."

The door clicked to a close as Nathalie left the heroes alone in the room with Gabriel.

Marinette kept her eyes forward and on to their nemesis who'd, time and time again, taken her amazing partner away from her. Her partner who also happened to be his son.

Marinette had noticed that Gabriel looked older than he had a week ago. His silver hair had turned white and his tall lanky frame barely held any substance. His cheekbones prominent and his eyes sinking into his face, Marinette could see his bones protruding his skin. He did not look well, and Marinette was finding it hard to keep herself from wincing.

"What can I say? Marinette always has the best ideas."

"Too true, too true." Gabriel moved closer to them, and looked as though he was going to reach out for a whisky tumbler on the table when his hand suddenly changed direction, grabbing a hold of Marinette's wrist. "I just need the earrings." His grasp was tight and Marinette whimpered under the sheer force.

In the matter of seconds both Adrien and Marinette had called their transformations and Marinette was now standing behind her 'father-in-laws' back, arm in a solid arm lock with no means to escape.

"You shouldn't have done that girl! You should have gotten rid of me when you had the chance."

As though a sudden surge of power shot through Gabriel, he twisted out of the grip attempting to place Marinette in one of his own. But the hero was too strong, kneeing Gabriel in the back of his knee and taking him down to the floor. The grasp of her hold tighter and unforgiving.

"Adrien, Adrien please, let me go. She's hurting me."

The switch in Gabriel's personality was huge and Adrien now understood the Green Goblin reference Marinette had placed on his father earlier that week. Gabriel Agreste was no more, in his place knelt an angry, bitter old man.

"You spoiled child!" Gabriel shouted up again, spit leaving his lips as he spoke. Marinette pulled his arm tighter. "I did everything for you! All you needed to do was let me win and help me bring your mother back."

"It doesn't work like that, Gabriel! You can't rewrite the past." Adrien dropped onto his knees facing his father and softened his voice. "You've got to let this go, what's happened has happened, we can't change the past, but we can try to change the future."

"No!" Gabriel threw his head forward in an attempt of hitting Adrien off guard, however, as Gabriel's head hit Adrien's, the older man recoiled in shock before collapsing on the floor, out cold.

"You ok?" Marinette looked up from Gabriel's motionless body to Adrien's wide eyes.

"Um - I don't actually know." He rubbed the spot on his head where Gabriel had hit only to find he felt no pain at all. The impact had done nothing to him, so he made a mental note to thank Plagg later.

"Let me help," Marinette hooked her arm underneath Adrien's and raised him onto his feet. Shifting herself closer into his body and under his arm. They both looked down at Gabriel, neither knowing what to say.

She pulled her yo-yo from her hip and contacted Su-Han. Gabriel was more unstable than she'd originally thought, and with the wedding only an hour away Marinette and Adrien needed to leave. Once the message had been sent through, she dropped her transformation and wrapped her arms around Adrien's waist.

"You sure you want to be with me? This is my family you know. Messed up villains." He sighed into her hair, before placing a kiss on her head.

"Yes, but you are an unsung hero, and I l-"

"Chat Noir? Marinette?" Nathalie walked into the room and looked down at Gabriel, still out cold. "What did you do to him?"

She rushed to his side and crouched down, grabbing a hold of his wrist and checking his pulse.

"He did it to himself," Chat Noir replied, grasping his arm tighter around Marinette's waist.

"Nathalie?" Marinette had questions she needed answers to. Gabriel would be no use now, he was too far gone. "What happened to the akumas? If he knew who I was, why didn't he send an akuma for me?" She felt Adrien tense next to her, understanding the exact moments she had been vulnerable, they both had.

Nathalie sighed and shifted her position so Gabriel's head could rest upon her knees.

"He was struggling to maintain focus when he was Shadowmoth. It was like he was fighting himself, part wanted to attack, part wanted to stop. The Sugar Plum Fairy was the last straw. She was an easy akuma, a young heartbroken girl, it should have been easy for him, but the girl managed to break part of the control. He knew that you, Marinette, would be both the greatest akuma he ever made, but also the hardest to control. He knew you'd be out of control."

Adrien looked down at Marinette and dropped her a wink. "That's my girl," he dropped his transformation and stood along Marinette, intertwining their fingers together.

"And why did he offer Marinette the business?"

Nathalie shrugged and looked at Adrien. "Because he knew she would be worthy of such. As much as he despised you for stopping him, Marinette, he marvelled at your skill and determination. He honestly thinks you'd be best for the brand."

"Thank you for letting me know." She whispered, only to be cut off by violent coughs coming from Nathalie herself.

Adrien dropped Marinette's hand and ran to Nathalie's side, roping an arm over her shoulders and trying to soothe the cough.

"You need to go with them." Marinette said, arms folded and voice authoritative.

"I don't think it's right for me to be there."

"You're sick, Nathalie. I'm guessing the peacock Miraculous? Mayura?" Nathalie let out a huffed laugh and shook her head.

"Of course you know, whoever chose you two chose the smartest kids in Paris. I can decide if I'm happy or sad for the roles you've played in all this."

"We're going to try and make it better, for you all. We promise."

Nathalie nodded and the room became silent. All there was left to do was wait for Su-Han to take them away.

"Do you want to see your mother?" Nathalie turned to Adrien and placed her own hand on his.

Marinette watched the inner turmoil as he considered the question. He wasn't taking this lightly.

"No," he finally said. "I said my goodbyes over five years ago, I've grieved her, I've mourned her. If she does return, I will love her once more with the entirety of my heart, but I can't allow myself to be like my father and wallow in could be's. I have a happy ending now," he looked over to Marinette, and her knees weakened from his radiant smile, "and if this is the end of my story, so be it."

•••••

Su-Han arrived quickly at the mansion and managed to put both Gabriel and Nathalie under some sort of protective sleeping spell. Marinette didn't question it much, just let the older guardian do his job. He promised to check in and let them know of any changes, but neither Marinette or Adrien could see any miracles happening, at least not soon anyway.
So here they were, standing in the doorway to the Mayor's suite preparing for Chloé and Kagami's wedding. The room was filled with Chloé's family members and friends, and a few on Kagami's side.

Marinette gave a quick wave to Sabrina as they entered the main area of the room, her first time seeing the short haired girl since their lycée days. She nodded in greeting and Marinette could sense a sense of understanding between the two of them. An understanding of forgiveness. A lot went on in the past, but Adrien had reminded her that sometimes it needs to be left there, that it's the past for a reason.

Adrien seemed to know most of the people gathered for the occasion and took great pleasure in escorting her around, introducing her as the love of his life. She couldn't help the heat in her cheeks or the blushes that continued to arrive on her over and over again. She hated the attention and loved it at the same time.

She loved him.

"I better go and see if Kagami and Chloé are ready," he placed his lips to her cheek before beginning to move away, "see you after the service, beautiful."

She blew him a kiss which he caught and stuck in his jacket pocket before turning and making his way out the room. She watched him leave only for him to quickly look back and give her a heart warming smile. She sighed in loved-up bliss and grabbed a champagne flute from a passing waiter. God, he sent her into spirals.

"Fancy meeting you here?" The voice echoed in her head and she turned around and came face to face with Luka.

"W-w-what are you doing here?" She attempted to hold her flute steady but her hand was shaking. She prayed to the kwami's he wasn't there to cause trouble.

"I found someone who needed a date," Luka looked over his shoulder and Marinette noticed Zoe (Chloé's half sister) greeting some of the guests.

"Oh, Zoe's back! That's great news." Marinette looked between Luka and Zoe and noticed something familiar on both, she squealed in glee. "You're matching!" She announced, a lot louder than needed.

Luka's face turned scarlett and he began to play with his fingers.

"Luka Couffaine," Marinette wiggled her eyebrows, "do you have something to tell me?" All the tension left Marinette and she couldn't help the smile as she studied Luka's guilty face.

"I kind of bumped into her at Notre Dame, and seeing you two in such loved-up happiness, well ... it just kind of happened. She told me that she'd always liked me but left because of you."

"Me?" Marinette said in shock. She'd never intended to cause any issue with Luka and Zoe. After she'd left him, the two had been on and off seeing each other. Of course, Luka didn't know she knew, it was only from patrol chats with Vesperia that Marinette had pieced it together.

"Well, more me, because until you met Adrien I wasn't willing to let you go, and she knew that."

"Please don't use her as a second choice," Marinette's guilt ridden voice caused Luka's eyes to shoot up into his hairline.

"She's never been a second choice, it's always been the two of you. This is more of a second chance." Zoe turned at that very moment and came eye to eye with Marinette. The two girls stood frozen and she could see Zoe's fake smile plastered over her face.

"Marinette," Zoe greeted as she moved closer.

Marinette didn't want to have any more animosity with anyone. She'd got her guy and it was time for the others who're made for each other to get their chance. She stepped forward and took Zoe into a hug.

"It's so good to see you," she said before whispering in her ear, "please take care of him, he's just a big softy."

Zoe stood in shock as Marinette moved away.

"Ladies and gentleman, please take your seats." The room began to separate into their desired locations, Chloé's to the left, Kagami's to the right.

"I'll see you there?" She smiled and turned to make her way to Kagami's side where Adrien had saved her a seat. It seemed Chloé's side tripled in numbers and Marinette was honoured to stand by the girl who'd been Adrien's friend for all these years.

As they were waiting, a woman in sunglasses with a rather large stick slid into the seat next to Marinette. The designer turned her head to look the woman over before realising who it was. Tomoe Tsurugi sat next to her, head focused to the front.

"You did the right thing," Marinette said. Turning her focus to the back doors where Adrien stood, a beautiful woman on each of his arms.

"It has nothing to do with you." Tomoe hissed back. Marinette ignored the words.

"Kagami looks beautiful, happy and in love. That's all that matters."

At that precise moment Adrien turned his head, coming eye to eye with Marinette. If her pupils could make heart shapes hers would permanently be set that way.

Four hours later, and the wedding was at the party stage. Kagami and Chloé were sharing their first dance, hugging and kissing in the middle of the dance floor and Marinette let out a sigh.

What a way to end the year!

She looked to the corner and noticed Luka and Zoe in a rather heated make out like teenagers. She smiled knowing that her friend was going to be okay, actually looking at them now he'd definitely be more than okay.

Marinette giggled to herself as a hot breath hit her ear.

"What's so funny, bug?"

"Just life,"

"Life?" He held her tighter against him and placed his head on her shoulder. "I didn't realise I amuse you so much."

"Oh, you know you do Kitty Cat. I just ... I can't believe what's happened this month."

"You're telling me, the first thing I'm doing in the new year is booking therapy sessions."

She let out a giggle even though she knew he wasn't joking. "I think I'll join you with that."

The DJ announced for the guests to join the newlyweds on the floor and Adrien offered his hand. She slid her fingers effortlessly into his as he guided her to the middle of the dance floor. Both congratulated the girls once they were there, and wrapped around each other in a slow sway to the music.

They danced for what felt like hours before the DJ reminded them New Year was upon them. Adrien grabbed Marinette's hand and dragged her out onto the balcony. Shrugging off his dinner jacket he wrapped it over her shoulders, laughing at the way it hung off her body.

"Plagg, claws out," once his transformation was complete he swooped Marinette into his arms and bounded into the night sky.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked.

"You'll see," he smiled at her the way it always sent her insides fuzzy and huggled into him tighter. She loved being this close to him.

Date 10

Before she knew it, they'd landed on a rooftop decorated in candles and roses, just like he'd set up all those years ago when they faced Glaciator the first time.

Once he'd placed her down he'd picked up a red rose and brought it to her.

"I thought this would be fitting," he smiled, calling off Plagg and catching the kwami. He took a piece of cheese from his pocket and handed it to Plagg..

"Chaton, why have you de-transformed? You're going to catch a cold."

"I came prepared," he walked over to the blanket and placed on a jacket waiting there, giving a slight dither as it warmed up to his body temperature. "Come here."

He signalled for her to sit alongside him, and she moved quickly into his embrace and blanket? "You really did think of everything, didn't you kitty?"

"How else would we watch the firework display?"

Marinette smiled before placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"I actually wanted to speak to Tikki and Plagg as well."

"You rang?" Plagg zipped over, fully recharged from his Camembert and settled on Adrien's lap. Tikki followed soon after.

"Is everything okay?" The small red kwami asked, the fake innocences in her voice proved she knew what Adrien was about to say.

"You know why we're here. Sass let out your little secret." Adrien lifted his wrist and gave it a little shake.

"What did they do?" Marinette had lost her sweet innocence as she glared at the two kwami's.

Adrien coughed before preparing to speak.

"Get them the meet at the arcade, get him to model for her, they owe Kim by the way,"

"You caused his accident?" Marinette shrieked at the two kwami's who decided to look everywhere but at Marinette's face.

"A little," Plagg said.

"They cataclysm'd Vanessa's room,"

"No," Marinette said, letting out a little giggle. "Let me guess, they put the mistletoe up when we were drunk too?"

Tikki looked guilty before speaking up. "We love you Marinette."

She couldn't help laughing. How much effort had these two gone too?

"We may have left your computer on the news site too?"

"I have no idea what to do with you two," so instead she scooped them into her hands and kissed them both on their heads. "Thank you." She whispered. "I'm not entirely happy with how you did it, but I appreciate what you did."

"Woohoo, no punishment," Plagg shouted out, flying in the air.

"Don't get too comfortable. There will be a punishment, I just need to figure out what."

Plagg slowly slunk to the picnic blanket as Tikki came to cuddle next to him. They were so cute.

A sudden boom in the background made them both jump, as the fireworks started to break above the Eiffel Tower.

"I guess it's the New Year," Marinette said.

"I guess so, and it's going to be the best year yet." Adrien smiled and moved towards her, messing with something in his pocket, Marinette recoiled away from Adrien and looked to where his hand was.

"You're not ... it's just, it's way too soon ... I thought we'd date more first ... maybe move in together and get to know each other more ..."

"Marinette, what ..." his eyebrows creased and he looked to where his hand was suddenly understanding, he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and waved it around, "no, oh God no ..." her eyes widened and he began to wave the paper around. "It's the speech, the wedding speech, not our wedding Chloé's, it was digging into my pocket. There's no ring. Not that I wouldn't because I mean just look at you, but no not yet. No ... no."

"Not ... yet?"

"I plan to, maybe in a year," he watched her face for a reaction, nothing came. "Two years?" No reaction, "three ..." he looked at her eyes closely "months?"

She burst out laughing and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"I love you, Adrien Agreste," he took a quick breath in and moved his head closer to hers.

"I love you more, Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

Their kiss lasted the length of the firework display, short and long kisses matching the rhythm of the music, and two kwami's proud to have helped their holders find their way into each other's hearts with Plagg proving, once again, that he was the greatest kwami when it came to love.