Gabriel Gets Used To... Planning a Wedding

Epilogue: One year and two months after the wedding

Unbelievably, a year had passed since Adrien had married his 'true love' and although Gabriel still wasn't BFF's with Marinette, they were more tolerant of each other. She had recently worked on a collaboration with his company that had been surprisingly successful. Not only had it increased his sales but also given him a little more time away from work to pursue other interests–just like the one walking through the door at the moment. (Hello Nathalie in the white cardigan—yes, he'd finally come to terms with that piece of clothing too.)

Three weeks after returning from Finland, Gabriel had met up with Ladybug and revealed himself. Initially, Gabriel planned to leave the Miraculous somewhere and have Ladybug find it, but as the weeks went by (and with Nathalie's guidance), he opted to reveal himself and explore the possibility of helping Émilie. Unfortunately, even after visits from the Guardians at the temple, there was nothing to do but let her go.

Where he thought Ladybug was going to turn him in and have him locked away for life, she'd been surprisingly sympathetic, though he would never forget the look in Chat Noir's eyes. He knew he would never forgive him for what he did. The next day, he explained everything to Adrien and Marinette.

A month later; they officially buried Émilie Agreste.

Adrien had been quite frosty since then, the visits had died down, and it seemed the only time he wanted to communicate was when Marinette was with him. Gabriel was trying hard to turn a new leaf and maybe reconcile with his son, trying to make him understand the depths of his grief and sorrow. Eventually, Adrien told him he could understand, but could never fully forgive. When Gabriel took as better than nothing.

It had been a couple months since Adrien and Marinette had celebrated their one-year anniversary and tonight they had planned a second celebration with all the family. So here he was, standing outside their front door with Nathalie by his side and an expensive bottle of champagne in his hands. He could hear the music and laughter already sounding out through the window, Tom's guffaw not one to be missed.

Adrien and Marinette had moved out of the city instead choosing to live on the outskirts for commuter purposes. They both wanted to have time away from the hustle and bustle of the city atmosphere. Gabriel looked at the driveway, noticing their red and black Range Rover, with Félix's slick Bugatti behind. Surprisingly, Félix was now engaged to Kagami–Tomoe had cried time and time again on the phone with him, and he couldn't blame her. The guy was like inviting Lucifer into the family.

A quick knock on the door, and it flew open to reveal his son looking happier than he'd ever seen him.

"Come in," Adrien said, stepping to one side. He had a beer bottle in one hand, making Gabriel wonder if that was the real reason for the smile. "We're just about to get started."

Gabriel helped Nathalie out of her coat (hands slowly skimming over the cashmere) before taking off his own, placing both on the coat rack as Adrien closed the door behind them.

They made their way into the main lounge, noticing how Tom and Félix were in the middle of a game of cards and the girls were in the back, in the kitchen, crowded around something on Marinette's phone. As she noticed them, Marinette turned and smiled, quickly saying something to the others and heading over. She kissed Nathalie on the cheek and gave him a curt nod.

"Princess, can we do it now? Everyone's here? I can't wait any longer," Adrien said, bounding into the room behind them.

"Toilet's down the hall, cus!" Félix announced, causing everyone but him to smile. It was like having a permanent teenager in the house.

"Of course," Marinette said, beaming at her husband. Adrien walked past them, giving Félix a hearty slap to the back of the head as he made his way to Marinette at the front of the room.

Gabriel glanced over Marinette, noticing how she looked a little more rounded than she did a month ago in the office. Her face was shiny, almost glowing, and her figure had definitely changed...

Oh! No! This can't be happening.

"I'm sure you're wondering why we've gathered you all here today..." Marinette carried on talking, but Gabriel's eyes had wandered elsewhere.

He watched Adrien cautiously slip an arm around her waist, completely different to the way he would manhandle her in the past. His son wasn't gentle, he was fierce and ferocious, never getting enough of her. This was the opposite, this was an animal in protect mode, this was...

"You're pregnant!" Gabriel blurted out, causing the entire room to fall silent.

Everyone looked from him to Marinette and Adrien, only hearing the sounds of a car passing at speed outside and a plane flying low over the rooftops.

"Is it true? Are we going to be Grandparents?" Sabine asked, everyone now fully focused on the couple in front.

"Way to steal our thunder, Father, but yes! We're four months pregnant."

The room exploded with cheers as everyone darted forward to congratulate the soon-to-be parents, everyone accepted him.

Joy flooded the room, encroaching on every space possible, but Gabriel's mind couldn't help but wonder...

I've only just got used to being a father-in-law, now I've got to get used to being a grandfather.

And what an adventure that would be.