𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 ✔️

Chapter Twenty Three

Emma had been nothing but a bundle of joy all day.

And he meant that with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

"I've never seen her so angry," Gabriel said. "Reminds me of another girl I used to know."

Adrien quirked a single brow up at him.

Gabriel returned the favor. "Her mother."

That sinking feeling in his gut made him want to throw up. Adrien rubbed his face and groaned. "I don't know what to do."

"Why don't you start by telling me what happened."

With Emma off whining to Nathalie, Adrien explained everything to his father. "She called Marinette 'Mommy'. Marinette and I corrected her, and now she's determined to pitch this fit and I know she's not going to stop. If I could give her a mom, I would. But I can't. That's Marinette's decision and as much as I would like for her to just say 'yes' then 'I do', it's not that simple."

Gabriel frowned. "Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do. She wants Marinette as her mother. Either she is going to have to learn that Marinette isn't her mother or Marinette is going to have to decide that she is willing to fill that role."

Adrien grunted, hand still over his face.

His father rested his hand on Adrien's shoulder. "Adrien, there is nothing you can do except be patient. I highly doubt she is going to reject you."

"She's not ready, father," Adrien countered. "We talked after that, and I told her that I was ready to marry her. But she..." he sighed. "I know she's going to say no. She practically ran out that door. All I can think of is that I scared her off."

He was silent for a while. "I don't know if she is or isn't ready," he finally answered. "However, it is very clear to see she cares for you and Emma. And that is coming from me."

Adrien smirked.

"Have a little faith, Adrien," his father assured. "I think you're worrying far more than you should."

Adrien mulled over his father's words, and while he wasn't certain he could fully believe them, he knew his father had the best of intentions. "Thank you, father."

He hummed. "Now, I would suggest that maybe distracting Emma with lunch at Mimi's may be a good idea."

"Maybe," Adrien said. "We'll give it a try. Thanks, and sorry for disturbing you on your day off."

"You've done no such thing," his father chastised. "I do love seeing Emma, and while I would enjoy coming with you to lunch, I have something else on my schedule."

"I understand. Thank you for everything, though."

"Of course."

Marinette was miserable. And that was putting it lightly. A complete and total emotional mess was more like it. The guilt that engulfed her was haunting and horrible and she just couldn't stand it.

"Marinette," her maman called up the stairs. "Someone is here to see you."

Even though she was terrified of who that someone might be, she still got up and headed downstairs to greet her guest.

Never would she have guessed that it would be Gabriel Agreste.

"Forgive me if I disturbed you," he said. "But I would like to talk with you, if you wouldn't mind."

She nodded, and her mother quickly disappeared from the room.

They stood there for a moment. "Would you like a seat?" Marinette quickly offered.