In Another World (Miraculous Ladybug)

Chapter 7: Memories

Marinette sat with her hand on her producing stomach. She was four months along, she barely looked pregnant, but she didn't care, she couldn't wait. Looking through a photo album of the last eight years. She sighed had they really been here for eight years? Paris was still in her mind; she wondered how her family was, if the heroes ever beat hawkmoth, who had replaced them, was Adrien okay, and did he ever find new love? But yet when she looked at these photos of the life she and Nino had built, she couldn't imagine anything else. She looked at the gold ring that sat on her finger. The gold chain sat empty but she never took it off. Nino walked in the front door. Dotty where are you?

In living room love. He claimed his spot next to her. Looked at the page she was looking at. His finger landing on what Mari knew was his favourite photo from their wedding day... The only photo she hadn't worn her earrings and he hand warn his bracelet. 

***

They had waited almost a year before tying the knot. In that year Henery and Alice had gotten married. Nino and Mari had taken the chance to see how weddings worked on Dou Luna. They got married at harvest time which had become their favourite time year. Mari's tea-length dress had been beautiful and of course, she'd designed it herself. It fit her to a tea. She'd made the top to be form fitting and the skirt was several layers of tulle that flowed elegantly as she walked. But about two weeks before the wedding She had a breakdown. "Ninny, why did our bruises never heal? I know they don't hurt anymore but..." 

"But?" He softly prompted. 

"But, we are about to get married and we will have these purple bruises in our photos. I know it's silly but Alice and I were looking at hers today and seeing our scars in their photos made me feel self conscious."

"Oh, Mare..." He hugged her close, "I guess the earing we found you and band I use only kinda hide them, huh? But you wanna know something?" She nodded, he gently placed his thumbs on her ears. "I love these 'scars', they remind me of brave, strong, beautiful smart women I know you are. The girl who was Ladybug, who saved me countless times, the girl I loved first." He kissed her softly. 

"Oh, Nino." she took his hand in hers, her figures gently stroking his wrist, "You were so brave then, so quick thinking. You took hits for me, you defended our team, our friends. You were a shield with and without a mask. I was so grateful to count you as my best friend. And I can't wait to call you mine." She kissed him. 

On their wedding day, they slipped away, for a special photo. Down at their favourite spot, Nino took her earing off and she untied his band. With his hands holding her face, the photographer took a photo of both bruises in focus, the kiss almost looked like a second thought. 

***

She took his hand. "I love you." She turned the page as he kissed her cheek. 

"I love you too." His hand found hers on top of her stomach and set his on top of hers. "Oh look it's our honeymoon."

"I was so grateful Maryweather suggest we take two weeks and spend time in both the mountain range and at the beach." 

"I know I like the beach better, your bathing suit was smoking hot." He teased watching her blush. 

"Oh hush!" She hid her face in his chest. "I'll never let Alice talk me into stuff like that again."