Marinette wants to add some Chinese wedding traditions to her big day, but Adrien and the boys might get more than he bargained for when the bridesmaids get involved. Written for the Miraculous Fanworks Discord

Marinette slowly opened her eyes and looked up through her skylight. It must have been very early as the daylight was only just starting to break in the sky. Normally she wouldn't wake up this early, not unless an akuma was around, but today it was the excited kind of butterflies fluttering in her stomach that had her awake.

A soft smile spread across her lips when a familiar pair of Cat ears and bright green eyes looked down at her, an orange rose in his hand. Beside her, Tikki had awoken at the movement of Marinette sitting up and promptly flew up to the early morning intruder.

"What are you doing here? You know you're not supposed to see the bride before the wedding, it's bad luck! Now scat." Tikki chided Chat Noir while trying to wave him off.

"I think you have me confused with someone else." Chat grinned cheekily. "I'm just a local stray dropping by to see my favourite civilian. I believe Marinette is marrying that devilishly handsome and ultra charming Adrien Agreste later today. Besides, I have it on good authority that Marinette keeps a secret stash of luck tucked away in her bag." He gently bopped Tikki on the nose.

Marinette opened the door on her skylight and laughed. "It's fine Tikki. We've practically been living together for the last five years anyway."

Chat helped to pull Marinette up and into a tight hug. Marinette rubbed his back soothingly. "Is everything alright Kitty?"

"I just missed you." He replied, pulling back just enough to hold up the rose between them with a bashful smile. "I know I was supposed to stay at the hotel until later, but I just had to see you."

Marinette gently placed her hands on either side of his face, raising up onto her toes to give him a soft kiss on his lips. It hadn't been the easiest few years for Adrien. The day he turned 18 he walked out of his father's house and straight into the Dupain-Cheng bakery, leaving everything behind. Over the next few years both Adrien and Marinette attended university (Adrien having gained a scholarship) and worked hard to save up to buy their first apartment. Since the day Adrien had left the Agreste Mansion, they hadn't spent a single night apart until last night when Adrien stayed with Nino, Félix and Luka at the hotel where the wedding was going to be. Marinette had to admit it felt a little foreign to her too, spending the night back in her old room.

Without its face, the Gabriel brand soon fell into decline and debt. Gabriel's sudden death a year ago meant that Adrien became the sole beneficiary of what was left of the Agreste fortune. After paying off creditors, there was a much smaller, but still tidy sum of money. More than enough for a fresh start in life. Despite the rise of a new Butterfly holder, they had both decided that they had waited long enough to make their union official.

"Couldn't you sleep Kitty?" Marinette asked, soothing his hair. Chat's ears flattened as he pouted.

"If you had to spend a night in a room with Nino, you wouldn't sleep either. Luka didn't fare much better. How the hell does Alya put up with it?"

"Ear plugs." Marinette replied matter of fact with a small shrug. "What about Félix? I'm surprised he didn't complain all night "

"Oh he transformed and snuck off the bugger and went to Kagami's. I guess he missed her as much as I missed you."

Chat nuzzled against the side of her face and the two chuckled. Marinette lifted the rose in her hand to her nose and sniffed its sweet scent. "Do you suppose I could hide this one in the bridal bouquet?"

Chat gently brushed a stray piece of her bed hair back behind her ear. "It's a different colour than the bouquet flowers though isn't it? Don't you want it to match?"

Marinette shook her head. "We were doing this wedding our way, remember. A little bit Chinese, a little bit French and a whole lot of just us. Are you still sure you didn't want to add at least a little something British? You are half English after all."

Chat shook his head. "I think my cousin is British enough at the wedding. As long as Félix gets his pot of that "fragrant" Earl Grey at the desert, he's happy." Chat declared sarcastically. Truth was, Félix and him had become quite close, but that didn't mean Adrien didn't love to dig at his cousin's more refined tastes.

"Well, I made sure Papa added plenty of your favourite passionfruit macarons to the desert buffet along with mama's special Chinese Pumpkin Cakes and that Tapioca Thousand Layer Cake you liked so much."

"Sounds amazing. Just make sure Tikki keeps Plagg away from the cheese buffet otherwise the little glutton will eat everything."

As much as Marientte wanted him to stay, there was much to be done and she didn't want Carapace and Viperion out early in the morning looking for a wayward cat. With one last kiss, she sent him on his way and watched as Chat bound over the rooftops and out of sight.

Making her way back inside, Marinette carefully laid the rose Chat had given her next to her bouquet of red and white roses on her desk. She looked around what had been her childhood bedroom and thought about all the wonderful, beautiful memories she had shared there. She then surprised her parents by coming down early and helping to prepare some of the food that would be sent to the hotel and added to the buffet.

When Adrien and Marinette began planning their wedding six months ago, they had both decided it was going to be a very small affair with only close friends and family in attendance and a small reception at Zoé's boutique hotel. Having learnt so much about the business from the former Mayor of Paris, Zoè put her knowledge to use by opening her own hotel. Adrien and Marinette were going to be the first wedding in the newly refurbished Art Deco building which was very exciting for all involved. While Zoè's chief chef was well renowned, Marinette's parents still prepared a few extra special dishes, including some of their favourite Chinese treats.

One thing that Marinette was very keen to do, and Adrien was encouraging of, was integrating some Chinese traditions into their big day. Red was especially important, not only because it signified luck for the future, but also to them personally as it represented her Ladybug life which had brought them together. It was a nod to her ancestors, her mother, her Uncle and Fei and also Master Fu.

By mid morning the bakery was abuzz. Marinette's bridesmaids Alya, Kagami and Zoè arrived ready to get their glam on and prepare the games for the unsuspecting groom and groomsmen. When Marinette told the girls that she wanted to add some Chinese traditions to her wedding, Alya excitedly started to Google to find something the bridesmaids could do. She was delighted to find that there was one tradition called door games where the bridesmaids challenged the groom to some tasks in order to prove he was worthy of the bride. Her co-conspirators quickly joined in with ideas and together they came up with three challenges for the unsuspecting boys.

Marinette helped the bridesmaids to prepare. Each was dressed in a deep pink, off the shoulder a-line bridesmaid dress with gold flowers in their hair. Once the bridesmaids were prepped and ready, Sabine took Marientte up to her room to help her get dressed and do her hair while the bridesmaid's busied themselves with setting up the challenges. Soon Adrien, Nino, Luka and Félix arrived in a limo, dressed impeccably in black suits with deep red ties.

"Bro, why are we so early?" Nino asked when they approached the door. "I thought we weren't picking the girls up for another hour."

Adrien was practically bouncing on his feet in anticipation. "I'm not sure. Alya said to be early because the bridesmaids had a surprise for us."

"Surprise?" Félix queried. "Sounds more like an ambush."

"You might not be wrong." Luka observed when his keen ears picked up on the girls inside laughing and the sounds of running feet.

Adrien approached the door and knocked. The little closed sign all most fell off when Alya opened the door and leaned against the doorpost. "Can I help you?" She asked, trying to conceal her smile and keep a straight face.

"Hi Alya." Adrien beamed. "I gather Marinette isn't ready yet."

Zoè then came over to the door. "She's upstairs with Sabine, but we have a few jobs for you to do first while you are waiting."

"Jobs?" Adrien asked, perplexed. "What kinds of jobs?"

Kagami then joined the other girls at the door.
"Actually, it's more like three challenges to prove you are worthy of our friend."

Félix pinched the bridge of his nose with a sneaking suspicion where this was going.

"Worthy?" Nino gasped. "He's friggin' Chat Noir, how much more worthy do you need?"

"Babe, calm down." Alya said, placing a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder. "It's all in good fun."

Luka patted Nino on the other shoulder. "I think I understand, Nino. I've read about these door games before."

Félix raised an eyebrow at Kagami's mischievous grin. She didn't get into mischief often, but when she did, all hell usually broke loose. "I think I'm having regrets."

"Oh come on cousin." Adrien laughed. "Let's just go in and see what we need to do."

Alya put her hand out and waved a finger at them. "Not so quick there boys. The first challenge will have to be passed before you can enter through the door."

Zoè stepped out with a guitar and handed it to Luka. The musician took the instrument and laughed. "Wait, this is my guitar."

Zoè nodded. "That's right. I had Jules drop it off to me this morning. You will be helping Adrien with the fist challenge."

Alya then gave Adrien a red envelope with his first task. Opening it, Adrien's face almost turned bright red. "Your first task is a declaration of a love so strong. Remember the first time you expressed your feelings in a song."

Nino collapsed in laughter as Luka began to tune up his guitar. "Hope you remember the words dude. That was some years ago now."

Adrien gave him a bashful smile. "Yeah yeah, I remember. How about you Luka?"

Luka strummed a few bars. "I think I've got it. Ready when you are."

Adrien saw there were quite a few people on the street around them, but he just took a deep breath and tried to block them out. It was for Marinette after all, and if he knew Alya she could keep them stalled for hours if he tried to argue the point. He gave Luka a nod and he played a few notes of introduction.

"I don't need a grand declaration..." Adrien began, closing his eyes and visualising in his mind the night he first sang that song to Marinette on the Couffaine house boat. Zoè even added in the harmonies like she had before. He had been trying so hard to win Marinette over when he wrote that song, not realising she was trying to deny feelings she already had for him. What a mess they had been then. Later, after they started dating, he played the song for her again on the piano, just the two of them. It was those moments he liked to remember best, when they could finally be open and vulnerable with each other.

When Adrien finished he was a little startled to hear a round of applause break out behind him. What really caught his attention though was the sound of a familiar laugh high above them. Looking up, he didn't see her because she had already run back inside, but the sound of her voice was enough. She had been watching and now he was one step closer.

"Are you going to let us in now?" Félix asked impatiently. The girls thought for a moment, but agreed that Adrien's serenade was satisfactory enough to pass the first challenge.

Entering the bakery, the boys were greeted at the counter where Zoè had set up four red containers with labels on the lids. She then handed Adrien another red envelope.

"Married life comes with many flavours. Sometimes it's sweet, sometimes sour. There are salty times and there are spicy times. Can you guess the flavours and be another step closer to winning your bride?"

Adrien gave Zoé an apprehensive look. "Am I going to like these? I mean it's not like deep fried Scorpions or something gross is it?"

Zoè assured Adrien that she would never be that cruel and held up a blind fold for him and Nino who would also be helping with this challenge. Once the blindfolds were secured, Adrien was offered a spoon with the first flavour. Alya was quick with her phone to record his contorted face as he sipped the salty soy sauce.

After Adrien guessed that one correctly it was onto the sour lemon juice. Both Adrien and Nino got that one fairly easily and were granted a water break to refresh their mouths. Next was the sweetness of Maple Syrup which had Nino asking for another spoon full.

"So that just leaves spicy right?" Adrien asked. "That shouldn't be too hard."

"I like your confidence." Zoè chuckled as she guided the spoon to him. Adrien could sense Nino shift uncomfortably beside him.

"When you say spicy..." He began with trepidation. "How spicy are we talking?"

"You'll see." Was the only answer he got from Alya.

Adrien tasted the spicy offering and was pleasantly surprised. "It's sweet chili sauce." He declared. "It has a little kick, but it's not that bad."

Feeling more confident, Nino put the whole contents of the tablespoon into his mouth. "Holly shit!" He screamed, ripping off his blindfold and jumping around, a string of profanities flying out of his mouth. Adrien took off his blindfold to see the girls laughing hysterically while Félix grabbed Nino a glass of milk.

"I don't get it." Adrien said. "Nino's had sweet chili sauce before and hasn't reacted like that."

Alya and Zoè gave each other a knowing look before picking up two bottles from under the counter. "You had sweet chili sauce, Sunshine." Alya explained. "But I gave Nino this one."

Adrien squinted his eyes and read the label. "Kick my Ass Sauce?"

"You gave me what?" Nino screeched between mouthfuls of milk. "What the hell?"

"Actually that one was Alix's idea." Alya added. "She bet Kim that you would faint. Guess she lost her money on that one. Good job honey!"

Nino side eyed his girlfriend as he took another gulp of milk. "Thanks, I think." He said with a frown, that was until Alya came over to plant a kiss on his cheek. Whatever it was she whispered in his ear, his mood dramatically improved.

"You are onto the final step." Kagami said, waving the group over towards the lounge room where Tom was sitting along with two buckets set up on the floor. "Adrien and Félix, I need the two of you to take off your shoes and socks and roll up your pants."

Adrien and Félix looked at each other with some apprehension, but neither was game enough to question Kagami and simply obeyed. Once they were ready she gave Adrien the final envelope.

"A husband must show bravery against all the odds. Search the water, with your best foot forward, to find what is hidden underneath."

Kagami then pointed to the two buckets. "There are eight Mahjong tiles at the bottom of each bucket. You have to use your toes to retrieve all of them."

Félix shrugged. "Doesn't sound so bad..."

He instantly took those words back when Alya and Zoè tipped a bag of ice into each bucket.

"One more thing." Kagami added. "No Kwami help."

Plagg stuck his head out of Adrien's shirt. "You don't have to worry about that." He declared. "I wouldn't be getting into that bucket for all the camembert in Paris." Duusu wholeheartedly agreed.

Holding each other for support, Adrien and Félix dipped a foot each onto the buckets.

"I think I've lost feeling in my toes." Félix complained as she swished his foot around to find another tile. "Please tell me this isn't a Japanese tradition?"

"I could make it one since you seem to be enjoying it so much." Came Kagami's sarcastic reply. Félix narrowed his eyes at her and she had the gall to just wink at him. Damn he loved that girl, even if she did drive him crazy.

Meanwhile Adrien started a happy dance once he had pulled out the last Mahjong tile. Kagami took mercy on her boyfriend and didn't make him keep going for the last tile.

"How are we all going in here?" Sabine asked, entering the lounge room with an amused smile seeing Adrien and Félix putting their shoes back on. "I see you beat all the challenges Adrien. Well done."

"Can I see her now?" Adrien asked excitedly. "Is she ready?"

"Yes dear, she is ready."

Sabine stepped out of the doorway and stood beside Adrien as the sound of footsteps began to ring out from the stairs. First he saw her elegant gold shoes, then the deep red petticoat under the white dress, an embroidered pattern of flowers moved from her red sash at her waist and across her bodice before the sweetheart neckline was again trimmed again in red. On her head she wore a delicate headpiece of red enamel flowers and beads of gold and pearl. Among her bouquet of white and bright red roses, was the orange rose he had given her earlier that morning.

Adrien stepped forward towards his bride and he could feel tears begin to prick at his eyes. "You're a vision." He whispered, taking her hand in his and bowing to kiss it. "I have passed the challenges of your fair maids m'lady. May I have the honour of escorting you to become my wife?"

"Of course Chaton." She replied, looping her arm in his and he lead her out of the bakery and to the awaiting limousines.

~~~~~

The ceremony in the small chapel was simple but heartfelt. When the Minister announced that Adrien may kiss the bride, Adrien cupped her face gently, dipping his head to meet her lips in a soft kiss. There were sighs of 'awww' and 'finally' echoing around the room as friends and family began to clap. Adrien's lips broke into a broad grin and Marinette began to giggle. She opened her eyes and looked into his, a glint of mischief flitted past his eyes and Marinette gave him a wary look.

"Kitty." She warned before she squeaked as Adrien wrapped his arms around her and dipped her down, claiming her lips in a much more passionate kiss. Everyone erupted into cheers and whoops. Marinette was too enamored to be embarrassed, looping her arms around his neck and just savouring the moment.

The chapel for the wedding was very close to Zoè's hotel, so the bridal party and their guests walked the few streets to the venue. It was a glorious spring day and Adrien could hardly take his eyes off his bride... his wife. She was really his now and he felt so proud to be able to call her his partner for life. She looked up at him as they walked, the sun making her headdress glitter and shine. He kissed the back of her hand and whispered "I love you."

When they arrived at the hotel, the guests were ushered into the function room for champagne and canapés while the bride and groom, along with Marinette's parents and the bridesmaids had their photos taken in the garden. Zoè had gone all out on decorations for the venue, hanging red and gold lanterns with fairy lights and golden rose centerpieces on the tables.

After a little while, Alya and Kagami escorted Tom and Sabine to come with them to an adjacent room. Inside had been set up two chairs with cushions on the floor in front of them. Next to the chairs was a low table with an ornate red Chinese teapot and matching cups, adorned with gold double happiness symbols.

Moments later, Adrien and Marinette joined them. Marinette had changed to her reception dress which was a mermaid style red cheongsam with gold embroidered phoenix and dragon designs. They knelt down on the cushions, Marinette in front of her father and Adrien in front of Sabine. Marinette poured the tea into the two cups. She picked up the first cup and held it up to her father.

"Mama, Papa. I want to thank you for all you have done for me. You have been my rock and my soft place to fall. You have always supported me in everything I have chosen to do, even when I couldn't always tell you what that was." Marinette started to become a little emotional, remembering the night her and Adrien had finally told her parents about their secret identities. "You have shown me the example of what a loving marriage is, and I only hope that I can rise to your standard and always make you proud."

With a warm smile on her lips, she passed the teacup to her father who looked at her with all the pride a father could have. Marinette then picked up the second cup and passed to Adrien. Her touching speech had already begun to make him emotional, but he took a deep breath before holding the cup in front of Sabine.

"Tom and Sabine, I wanted to thank you for opening both your home and your hearts to me. You have been an example to me of what it really means to be a family, and I treasure both of you more than you can imagine. Thank you for your love, your support and for Marinette. I promise I will love and protect her every day of my life." He gave the cup to Sabine and then took Marinette's hand in his beside him.

Tom and Sabine sipped their tea, handing their cups to the awaiting bridesmaids who had witnessed the occasion. Sabine then took from her purse two red envelopes and handed them one each. Inside the envelopes were matching gold bracelets etched with the Dragon and the Phoenix - symbols of Yin and Yang, just like they were. Tikki and Plagg joined the, helping the couple to put on their bracelets before all four of them bowed in thanks.

"There's my favourite fur ball." Tom declared when he saw Plagg. "I have some of your favourite cheese puffs waiting just for you under the dessert buffet."

Plagg whooped happily. Adrien loved that fact that Plagg had made such a close bond with his father in law, even if it had been motivated my his stomach.

"Don't spoil him too much dear." Sabine warned her husband. "Remember he is Adrien's Kwami, not yours."

"I know my love, I know. Just getting in some practice before the grandkids arrive."

The reception was a huge hit, along with the special treats Sabine had made. Speeches were made and games were played with everyone having a wonderful time. Zoè, Alya and Kagami even surprised the newlyweds by organising a group of Dragon dancers as entertainment and to bless the bride and groom for a long and happy marriage "after they made us what felt like a lifetime for them to get together." Alya added.

As the night wound down, Nino's music selection began to slow and the newlyweds found themselves swaying in each other's arms on the dancefloor.

"Everything alright little Bug?" Adrien asked, noticing how quiet Marinette was. She looked up at him and smiled.

"I'm so happy." She said, a tear in her eyes. "Today has been everything I've ever wanted and I'm afraid I will wake up and find I'm 15 again in my bedroom and it was all nothing but a dream or a timeline Bunnyx will come to erase."

"That won't be happening, I promise." Adrien replied, stroking her cheek with the back of his fingers. "And even if it did, no matter what dimension or what universe we are in, I will still be in love with you. Always."

Marinette rested her head against his chest and he held her tighter as they danced into the night. As long as they had each other, nothing could come between them.