Hawkmoth: The Final Battle: Part 2 (Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir)

Chapter 5

EPILOGUE

The last year of high school was finally over and Adrien was throwing a party to celebrate. There were just a few last minute details to check on before it started later in the afternoon. He was glad his father had eased up after the Hawkmoth incident. Adrien's schedule was pared down and he was able to hang out with his friends more. Gabriel didn't really have a leg to stand on with the "protecting Adrien" excuses anymore, what with the biggest threat having been himself. Adrien had been a superhero without his knowledge for over a year, obviously he was capable of handling himself. Slowly, Gabriel became less reclusive and allowed Adrien to have his friends over at the mansion as well, this party was a big step though, regardless.

Adrien ran downstairs to go over everything with his step-mom. A few days after "the Big Day," they had finally put Emilie to rest. It wasn't too long before his father and Nathalie began to see each other seriously, leading up to them getting married last spring. It had been a small, charming wedding and Adrien was so happy for them.

"What else do you need me to do, Nathalie?" Adrien was nearly bouncing off the walls, he was so excited to be hosting for all of his friends.

"Well, Ms. Cesaire is catering dinner, the Dupain-Chengs have dessert covered, and Kitty Section should be arriving soon to set up for entertainment. I think all that's left is hanging up the decorations." She pointed to the table that was filled with streamers and an assortment of other bright and colorful items.

"I'm on it! Plagg, claws out." Chat Noir made quick work of the decorating. "Anything else?"

"I think you better go change. I believe your girlfriend will be here soon." Nathalie smiled.

"Nah, I've got time. Punctuality is not Marinette's strong suit." He joked, heading back to his room anyway.

———

"Tikki, I can't wait to show Adrien this new dress!" Marinette twirled in front of her mirror. She had finally completed the design she had been working on just in time for the party. She definitely kept busy these days, even without akumas to fight.

Shortly after she and Adrien became official, Gabriel offered her an internship at the company. He knew she was talented, and having her around put Adrien in a better mood during photo shoots and at other events. Marinette was also able to keep an eye on the former villain, as well. Between the internship and helping her parents around the bakery and school, Marinette was pretty booked most of the time.

"He's going to love it!" Tikki affirmed. The dress was a soft pink with floral accents.

Marinette finished tying her hair up into a bun. "I better hurry up if I want to get there before the other guests."

"I'm sure Adrien doesn't expect you to be on time." Tikki giggled.

Marinette's phone started to vibrate on her desk. "Hello?" She answered while searching for a purse to take with her.

"Hey, Girl!" It was Alya's unmistakably bubbly voice. "Are you almost ready?"

"Yeah, I'm about to head out. Are you going over with Nino?"

"No, he's already there with the band." Nino, with his interest in the music industry, had become Kitty Section's manager. "I have one more thing to take care of, but I'll see you soon."

"Okay." Marinette was wondering what mysterious thing she was taking care of first. "I'll see you soon, bye!"

Marinette grabbed one more thing from the miracle box, a special request, before heading down to the bakery to check on her parents.

"I am about to head to Adrien's, do you need any help before I go." Marinette eyed the boxes of sweets that were bound for the party.

"That's sweet of you, Marinette, but we've got this handled." Sabine assured her.

"Run along and knock the socks off that lucky boyfriend of yours." Tom seconded.

They had both been so excited for Marinette when they found out her and Adrien were finally together. They had made Adrien feel like part of the family right away.

"Oh, Honey, please take the yo-yo." Her mom stopped her as she was about to leave. "You know I feel better when you are traveling in the suit."

"Okay, Mama." Marinette laughed as she went to find a place to transform.

Marinette thought back to when she told her parents about her secret life. She figured if Adrien's father and Nathalie knew, she should probably let her parents in. So, one afternoon, her and Adrien sat them down and told them first about Ladybug. Her mom was very understanding and her dad had to make a pun, saying that it explained why she was always "bugging out." It has earned an eye roll from her and a loud guffaw from Adrien. They told her they were proud of her and didn't mind as long as she was careful, especially with Hawkmoth gone. Besides, with Marinette's natural clumsiness, a little extra magical protection sounded great to them.

Except for a select few, no one really knew what happened with Hawkmoth, but they all decided it was better not to reveal his identity as long as he promised to keep theirs a secret, so everyone else just had to trust Ladybug and Chat Noir had taken care of things.

Adrien was much more worried about Marinette's parents finding out that he was Chat Noir. He just kept thinking back to when Tom was akumatized into Weredad. Marinette had nearly forgotten that whole fiasco, thinking it laughable that she had told everyone she was in love with Chat Noir to hide her identity. She told him not to worry, and as expected, they thought his identity also made perfect sense. They had been wondering what finally curbed Marinette's "Adrien stutter."