The Engineered Baby Boom

NEW YEAR, NEW BRAND

New Year's Eve came quickly with Marinette busy creating her special surprise for Adrien. It had been almost a week since they had gotten engaged and she couldn't be happier! She was going to spend the rest of her life with the man who had stolen her heart and even though he also happened to be her enemy, she hoped that the closer they became and the more love she provided, that he would see how life could go on.

Marinette knew that Adrien loved his mother. She felt terrible about what had happened to her, truly she did, but the universe had its reasons and its purpose for all that happens. Look at her and Adrien. They were meant to be, meant to create a family, but also meant to hold the miraculous of the Ladybug and Black Cat.

Tikki had explained over the years how the two holders were a part of each other. How they were always meant to be together. That even though he was working against her, because of his father and the loss of his beloved mother, the universe had always intended for them to be a team. She explained how everything that was happening in their lives was to lead to a predetermined future. One that she couldn't allow to change, because a rewritten world wasn't what the universe intended.

If the world were to be rewritten, there was no telling what would come of that. Who or what would be sacrificed in return for Adrien's mother. The one thing that Tikki had told her however was that it would most likely affect her in some way. One half of the whole had to pay the price. It could be her own life, it could be her parents. She would give herself for Adrien, but she knew that this was the way the world was supposed to be. She wasn't willing to risk anyone else's life for a new world. She loved him, she did, but the risk outweigh the benefit. She just hoped he would eventually see things her way, and maybe just maybe they could find another solution to help his mother.

Sighing Marinette finished packing her bag for the night. The Gala at the Le Grand Paris started in a matter of hours. The makeup and hair artists would be arriving soon to prepare her. They were introducing Adrien and herself tonight as engaged to be married. Along with another surprise that Adrien refused to share with her. She had to admit she was a bit giddy thinking about the possibilities and her own surprise for the night.

Adding the newly created QiPao and letter to her luggage, Marinette placed it to the side for Gorilla to gather. Heading into her closet she pulled the Gabriel gown designed specifically for this function from her closet. She had been working with Gabriel on the design and he was incredibly proud. This was her first collaboration piece with her soon to be father-in-law, and world-renowned designer Gabriel Agreste and he had gifted it to her to wear tonight. To say she was excited was an understatement.

Removing the hanger from the hidden hanging straps, Marinette laid it on her bed to inspect it one last time. The A-line, Princess style gown had a strapless, sweetheart neckline, perfect for accentuating her where she needed it most. She wasn't the most blessed in that department, but the built-in push-up bra inside would provide just the perfect amount of cleavage. Not too much to be slutty, but enough to prove she was all woman.

The sheer baby-blue bodice hugged her waist with a lace up back creating an extra thin waist using a corset type design that blossomed out at the hip into a beautiful darker-blue silk skirt that lightly caressed the floor when her heels were on. Lastly, the left side was slit to her lower hip, to show off her long, athletic legs. It was absolutely perfect and she couldn't wait for Adrien to see it. Just as she finished her inspection a knock sounded at her door before immediately creaking open.

"Hair and makeup are here, Ms. Dupain-Cheng," Natalie's monotone voice filtered through the air.

"I'm ready, send them in."

Marinette pulled away from the dress as the door opened wider. A tall, slender, dark complected, man with a brown pompadour, in a silk multicolored shirt and dark blue skinny jeans entered with a much shorter, pale, redheaded woman in an incredibly eclectic, multicolored outfit. Behind them followed Gorilla carrying a photography chair from one of Adrien's sets.