When Walls Crumble

Chapter 48: A New Chapter

The sunset was radiant that night.  Adrian thought that it was made that way especially for them.  They were perched on their favorite part of the Notre Dame dome and Marinette rested her head against Adrian's shoulder.  They had landed and de-transformed as subtley as possible to avoid anyone seeing Ladybug and Cat Noir.

"Oh., kitty," she sighed contentedly.  "I'll miss this."

"There's an elevator to the Eiffel Tower.  We'll probably see a sunset again."

"Yeah, but there are always people at the Eiffel Tower.  I'll miss our little private getaways.  Just the two of us where no one can reach."

He smiled.  "I happen to have a lot of pull in a lot of places.  In fact, my dad reached out to me recently and we made up.  Remember Gorizilla?  My father thought I might have been Cat Noir but when I was falling and it was clear I wasn't about to transform, he made my bodyguard drop you so you could save me.  He never wanted me hurt and was furious with Style Queen for attacking me."

"But...does he know you are Cat Noir?"

Adrian laughed.  "Nope.  That day, I sufficiently threw him off."

"He wanted to bring back your mom.  Is he okay now?"

"Oh, yeah!  I never told you.  He proposed to Nathalie.  They're getting married in a few months.  She was actually the first to reach out to me.  She said he was really worried about me and couldn't bear to lose me.  He regretted everything he did while trying to grab at what he used to have, not realizing what he actually had.  She begged me to give him a second chance and said that both of them loved me."

Marinette smiled and wiped the small tear from the corner of his eye.  "Well, I'm really glad.  How do you feel about it?"

"Well...he did it all for me.  I know he loves me.  And he really regrets all the collateral damage.  I believe him.  And, well, I think he deserves this new life.  A fresh start, a new chapter.  Honestly, I think the access he had to a miraculous was the reason he couldn't move on."

"A new chapter...Sounds like a good plan."

Adrian winked at Plagg who pushed a button on the speaker Adrian had set up earlier.  A soft waltz began playing and Marinette instantly recognized it.  

Way up in the mountains, four thousand feet high

There's a trail through the trees to a cliff where Carolina meets the sky

Adrian stood and held out his hand.  "Care to dance, my princess?"

Marinette chuckled and allowed him to help her to her feet.  "Oh, you mischevious little rascal."

Oh and there's a view I just can't describe.

No, I'm not there yet, just a few more steps, baby wait

Okay.  You can open your eyes.

Marinette smiled and turned her head slightly so she could see the sunset.

This is it: This is now, this is what I've been talkin' 'bout.

Looking out, can't you see forever?

So take my hand, just take it in

This is a moment we won't forget. 

On top of the world here together

If there ever was a time for a perfect kiss.

This is it.

"Oh really?" Marinette asked, seeing Adrian lean in for a kiss.  "Did you just..."

He shut her up, planting a kiss on her lips.  Despite seeing it coming, Marinette still gasped.  His touch sent electric currents down her spine.

Mmmh...

She smelled like vanilla.

He pulled away gently, leaving his forehead resting against hers.  When he opened his eyes, he realized her face was bright red and blushed himself.

Girl, I know that you've been waiting and talking with your friends.

Wondering if and wondering where and wondering when

Adrian clutched her hands up towards his lips and kissed them gently.  They both had stopped dancing at that point.  

"I love you princess."

"I love you too, kitty."

Well, I've been waiting too, holding on to this ring

For the right words to say for the right time and place for me...

Adrian knelt down, pulling a small black velvet box out of his pocket.

To get on one knee...

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng Couffaine..."

Her breath caught sharply as he opened the box and Plagg shined a flashlight on it.  A small simple diamond ring glittered brightly.

"Will you marry me?"

Marinette collapsed in a puddle of joy, wrapping her arms around him.

"Yes, absolutely, yes, yes, yes!  A thousand times, yes!" she sobbed into his shoulder.  "I love you, Adrian.  Je t'adore."

"Je t'adore aussi, Marinette.  Je t'adore toujours."  (aussi=too.  toujours=always)