Marinette and Adrien walked home hand in hand with Hugo on Marinette's hip. The bluenette has formulated a plan to finally choose between both men in her life. Normally she wouldn't have her child involved in anything until she herself was positive it was the right choice but being indecisive, Marinette had included her son in the choosing. If she could get Hugo to run to the man he liked more, then whoever it was would be the one she'd be with. A bit of a stretch but Marinette wanted to know for sure that Hugo was comfortable with the other person before Marinette opened her heart again. She wasn't going to choose between two grown men and her child, the latter being the most important thing to her.

Keeping Adrien in the dark about her plan, Marinette looked down at their joined hands and bit her lip. If she wanted this to be fair for each, she couldn't let her emotions get in the way. Marinette retracted her hand from Adrien's and placed it around Hugo to add more support. Adrien didn't seem to mind as he was deep in thought about the situation at hand.

Would he be a good father to Hugo? He had never really spent time with the boy as their first meeting was when he returned and even then, Adrien didn't really see him. His first glance at his own son was when Hugo was wrapped up with Nino in the waiting room. Now that he could see for himself, Adrien realized Hugo shared the same piercing green eyes as him and his mother. The boy's hair matched Marinette's, black with a soft blue hue. There would be no doubt that he would grow into Adrien's facial structure while having Marinette's glowing skin complexion.

As soon as Marinette unlocked the door and the three stepped inside, she placed Hugo on the floor who in return, waddled into the small play area in the corner of the living room. Marinette glanced back at Adrien and motioned for him to join her on the couch. As they settled down in silence, Adrien's heart beat could be heard through out the room. He swallowed his nerves and looked towards her.

"I've been thinking about us," his heartbeat picked up speed as she spoke. "And I've also been thinking about Cole and I." Just as quickly as it speed up, it died down when Cole was mentioned.

"Oh?" Was all Adrien could croak without growling at his name.

Marinette nodded. "I know that I have to decide between you two. You're both important to me, but I can't be selfish and decide myself who I should be with. I have to think about Hugo and his well-being. You understand right?"

It hadn't occurred to him that Hugo would be affected by the guy his mother chose until she brought it up. It did make sense, having two father figures in and out of the house wouldn't set a great example on the toddler. Adrien nodded in agreement. Marinette was right, Hugo was more important than being with someone romantically. Even if she didn't want to be with him, Adrien would make it his life mission to ensure that they both were taken care of, him being his own flesh and blood and her being the love of his life. Whether Marinette wanted to be with anyone was entirely up to her and Adrien would have to be okay with it.

"I do. Hugo is number one priority."

She smiled. "I'm glad you agree. It makes things a bit more easier with what I have in mind."

Adrien raised a brow. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well," Marinette leaned her back against the couch cushions. "I wanted to include Hugo with who I end up with. If he's not comfortable with who I'm with, then what's the point of being with someone?"

Adrien nodded. "Right. Have you told Cole yet?"

Marinette shook her head and looked over at Hugo as he played with his toys. Adrien followed her gaze and smiled at him. He had gotten so big and the pictures Eileen used to send him didn't do it justice.

"No, but I asked him to come over. He hasn't gotten back to me yet."

"Who do you think Hugo will choose?"

Marinette's face went blank at the question. She hadn't considered who Hugo might've chosen. Whether it be Adrien or Cole, Marinette knew if she didn't want to be with the person then she wouldn't be on board with her child choosing for her. Did Marinette have strong enough feelings to be with either guy? Did she really love Adrien? Did she really love Cole?

Before she could answer, Hugo looked up to both of his loving parents and with a huge smile on his chubby cheeks, opened his mouth and said his first word.

"Daddy!"

With the glee in his jade green eyes, Marinette knew who it was. She knew all along... even Hugo knew.

~~~
{A/N:} My birthday is the Sunday and I can't wait!!!

Chapter eighteen: coming next Wednesday

~miraculousduo♥️