{A/N:} I realized I didn't answer a question from the tag. So here it is:
5. Disney character you relate to the most?
Max Goof from A Goofy Movie

~•~•~

With the news fresh on his mind, Nino thanked Marinette for the toy, loaded Devan into his car seat, then scrambled home where he found that Alya had taken off. Deciding to tell her in person, Nino patiently waited what seemed like hours until his wife walked through the front door, fuming.

"Alya! You're not going to believe what—"

She raised a single finger then shook her head. Moving aside, Eileen walked in behind her, her head hung low.

"Before you start, Eileen has some explaining."

Nino raised a brow and glanced at the other. When she didn't speak up, Alya cleared her throat indicating Eileen should start.

"Nino, there's no easy way to say this—"

"Get to the point." Alya said through gritted teeth.

Eileen gulped and inhaled sharply. "Adrien is alive..." her voice trailed off. "And I'm the one who faked his death."

Nino's eyes went wide as he processed her words. How could that be? Eileen and Adrien were friends, why would she want him dead?

Knowing what he was thinking, Eileen continued. "I knew all along. Just like last time, I've been talking with him... for years now. Lucas has been too, but only because he's been trying to get Adrien home."

"And why hasn't that worked out?" Alya spat out, still not looking at her.

"Because every time he tries, I tell Adrien that Marinette isn't ready to see him yet."

~•~•~•~

Marinette wiped off her hands onto the kitchen towel hanging from her waist and scurried to the door. She wasn't expecting any company that night so she was at a complete loss of who it might be.

The door opened and there stood a blonde man, a head taller than Marinette. Cole. She smiled at him and welcomed him inside.

"What a surprise!" She beamed as he took a seat on the couch.

Cole shrugged in response. "What can I say? You've been on my mind a lot recently."

A soft blush crawled onto Marinette's cheeks. "Really now? Why's that?"

"I think," he scooted closer, placing a hand on top of hers. "I think because I'm starting to fall for you..."

Marinette's turned a bright pink as Cole's voice trailed off. He started to lean closer, a smirk plastered on his lips.

She began to think of the exact moment she knew she liked Cole, but came up empty. There wasn't a specific time when it clicked, that she could see herself... being with Cole. Her heart slightly stung as she gazed at him. No other guy had been this close to Marinette other than Adrien. Their first "I love you" came to mind, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

It was the first Valentine's day they spent together after officially dating for a few months. They were walking hand-in-hand beside the love lock bridge when he turned to her. No one had been able to add their locks to the bridge in a few years as it had became a concern for the preservation of Paris' architectural heritage ((which is a real thing btw)) yet Adrien secretly held one in his coat pocket.

He turned to her, a bright smile on his face. "Have you ever done something potentially illegal for love?"

Marinette raised a brow at his question and giggled, making his smile grow even larger. "No and I don't think you have either. We're both goody-too-shoes."

"I think otherwise," he leaned in and kissed her softly, closing the lock around a small latch on the fence. Marinette was the first to pull away and noticed his hand was still wrapped around the lock, her eyes went wide.

"Adrien, did you—" He nodded.

"I love you." He replied, catching her by surprise.

Marinette smiled softly and looked up at him. "I love you too."

Marinette jumped slightly when a pair of lips had found hers. All she could see was blonde hair and a familiar feeling ran throughout her as the kiss lasted a few more seconds.

"This..." she thought. "This isn't Adrien... but why does it... feel like him?"

~•~•~•~

"You are ridiculous!" Nino glared at Eileen along with Alya.

"I know and I'm sorry!"

"You shouldn't be apologizing to us. Apologize to his wife, his child! You're the one who took Adrien away from everyone! They all cried their hearts out at his funeral while you and Lucas sat there, knowing the truth! That he wasn't dead!" Alya began to step closer to Eileen, both brows furrowed in frustration. She was only stopped when Nino pulled her back.

"Look, we'll all go over there and you will tell Marinette the truth. Then apologize for ruining her life." Nino said, trying to remain calm when all he wanted to do was scream at the woman who took his best friend away. The woman was a damn she-devil for crying out loud! How could anyone forgive her after all the pain and suffering she's caused? Surely not most of their group, Eileen had hurt them all one way or another.

"What if she doesn't believe me?"

"Not our problem, is it? You created this entire mess and you're the one who's going to fix it."

"Speaking of messes," Nino placed a hand on his wife's shoulder, making her jump slightly.

"What happened?" Her expression turned solemn as she turned to face Nino head on.

He sighed, closing his golden eyes gently. "I went to see Marinette today, to return a toy Devan had accidentally took." Nino opened his eyes. "While there, I asked her if she really liked Cole. She told me that... she did."

Silence overcame the room after Nino spoke. Before anyone could respond, Alya pushed Eileen out the door while Nino gently picked up Devan from his crib.

"Marinette's falling for another guy," Alya pushed Eileen again. "And all because took away the love of her life," Another push. "How do you sleep at night, knowing you ruined a perfect marriage?!" Alya had pushed Eileen from the front door all the way to the car, Eileen's back pressing against the front bumper.

"I— I—" She stuttered, trying to think of way out, a way to get far from the person who stared daggers at her. To be fair, she knew she deserved all the yelling but she didn't expect it to go this far... just like she didn't expect for Adrien's death to go on for years... which was a total lie.

"Get in the damn car."

Eileen hurried into the back while Nino came out with their son, who was still sleeping.

"Finished yelling?" He joked, laying Devan into the car seat. Alya shook her head and held the door open for him.

"Not even close."

~•~•~•~

"You kissed me..." she breathed, pressing her lips together after the sudden contact. He nodded and grinned at her reaction.

"That's not a problem is it?" His question spent a few seconds in her mind and before she could formally respond, a knock at the door sent her reply out the window.

"I'll wait, it might be Alya trying to tell you how this is all a bad idea. Again." The two chuckled as Marinette's petite hand wrapped around the doorknob.

The door was open before she glanced to see who was standing there. A cold breeze flew in and circled her form, causing her to shiver.

"Need a warm hug, m'lady~?"

Marinette's head whipped around and her eyes grew wide at the sight. Half of her wanted to run into his arms and never let go yet the other half wanted to scream. No this couldn't be real, he couldn't be real... they all went to the funeral, to the cemetery where he was buried... he was pronounced dead! But yet here he stood, a small grin on his face while his green eyes sparkled under the porch light. There stood her dead husband, Adrien Agreste, in the flesh.

~•~•~•~

{A/N:} I know this chapter ended just like the prologue but at least there's some #adrienette action! I only ended it this way because the next chapter is coming out in like three days, so it's not that big of a wait

Chapter nine: coming this Wednesday

~miraculousduo ♥️