We've focused on sunshine child for quite a bit, let's see how blueberry child is holding up

Also, I use Hawkmoth instead of Shadowmoth bc reasons

~~~~~~~~~~

Marinette barely made it into her room before she started crying again. Maybe she was just exaggerating about everything, but she couldn't focus on anything. She honestly didn't even know anymore. Her brain was a mess. She could barely think straight. It was getting harder and harder to go to school and act like normal. She had a feeling that Alya was catching on to something, but she wasn't sure if that was the case or if that was her nerves messing with her.

Did she say too much to Chat? Was she being inconsistent with her story? Was he catching up on her small lies? Everything somewhat revealing she only told to Chat, right? She hadn't told anything to Adrien. Right? Or maybe she let something slip to Adrien? She just word-vomited because of how nervous she was.

Why did both of them have to care so much about her pregnancy? Why did both of them have to care so much about her?

It didn't help when it came to making her decision.

As much as she avoided the topic with Adrien, she had thought about what she wanted to do. She already knew what she wanted; it was clear in her planning.

If she was being honest with herself, she doesn't want to get rid of the baby. She doesn't want to put it up for adoption either. But she was terrified of admitting it to herself. She didn't want to admit that she had grown an attachment to the baby. Keeping the baby would bring up so many issues that she wasn't sure she could handle.

How would Gabriel Agreste react? She knew he cared about image, so would he disapprove? If he did, what exactly would he do? Would he be angry and lash out at Adrien? Force him to stop seeing her? Prevent him from being in the baby's life? Would he go after her? Adrien would never let Gabriel harm her physically, but what about her reputation? She was an aspiring fashion designer. He could drag her name through the mud and ruin any chance she had at gaining notoriety. He could ruin her career before it even officially started.

And Adrien. How would he react? He'd be supportive if she told him she wanted to keep the baby. But would he feel pressured to do so? Would he feel forced to enter a relationship with her? She didn't want him dating her because he feels he needs to!

This was her opportunity to have a child with Adrien. This had been her dream since she was 14. But it felt wrong. It felt wrong to want this. Even in her daydreams, they were married adults with established careers. The reality was much different. They weren't in a relationship, and they were barely legal adults! Besides, it was her dream, not his. She doesn't even know what he thinks.

Chat was right; Adrien consented to sex with her. But it was a one-time thing. He didn't even know it was her, Marinette. How would he react to that? He at least liked Ladybug, but would his feelings change if he found out it was her under the mask?

Realistically speaking, how would she be able to raise the child? She'd have to put her dreams of university on hold temporarily. She didn't have an income, and she'd feel terrible putting the burden of a baby on her parents. Parents that still didn't know she was pregnant because she was terrified of telling them. She could sell clothing she made. She had some recognition from working with Jagged Stone and winning a few contests with Gabriel Agreste. But even then it would take time for her to get a steady flow of work. Adrien had money, but again, she felt like she'd be forcing his hand. Of course, he'd support her and the baby, but would it be out of free will or because he was forced to because she wants to keep the baby? It does take two to make a baby as Chat said, but it did little to rid her of her guilt. It just doesn't feel right to force him into something she wants.

And that was just her personal life. How would her superhero life be affected? She was a superhero. She didn't know when she'd be needed, and she can't just take the baby with her to battle! She'd have to keep the baby well hidden, far away from Hawkmoth. She supposed her parents and Alya could help, maybe even getting a babysitter would help. What about Chat? Would she drag down their team now that she was going to be a mother? He seemed to take it well, but what if it did affect their partnership?

She let out a groan in frustration. It seemed like all odds were against her.

"You need to tell Adrien, Marinette," Tikki spoke, bringing her out of her thoughts. "You won't know what will happen until you do something about it."

"I know, Tikki, but..."

"Are you worried about what will happen?"

Marinette nodded.

"Then tell Adrien. Marinette, he can help you. You told Chat yourself, Adrien will be there for you and support you. It doesn't matter what you decide."

Marinette opened her mouth to say something but closed it again.

"You want to keep the baby, don't you?" Tikki asked. Marinette tensed up.

"You have to be honest with yourself, Marinette. You will soon be at the point of no return; however, you seem to already know what you want."

Marinette shook her head, "I need to talk to him first. I-I can't decide on my own."

"And when will you do that? Marinette, it's been two weeks now. You've been stalling. You say you want to tell him but don't," Tikki pointed out.

"I'm scared, Tikki. I'm scared of his dad's reaction. I'm scared of Adrien's reaction!" she cried.

"But he said he'd support you," Tikki replied.

"Easy for him to say when he doesn't know it's his baby!"

"Then tell him it's his! How will you know what he thinks and how he'll react if you sit here and do nothing?"

Marinette buried her face into her pillows. Tikki and Chat were right. She was stalling. She kept coming up with excuses to not tell him. It wasn't fair for her to want to keep the baby without even informing him that it was his baby. She couldn't wait any longer; she had to tell him.

.

Adrien sat on his bed, his hands gripping his hair.

"It's Marinette," he muttered. "It's my baby she's carrying. Holy shit, I got Marinette pregnant."

It didn't sound real.

Plagg looked at his holder, somewhat amused.

"Is that why she's been avoiding me?" he asked out loud. It made sense. She was so open about her pregnancy with Chat but not with Adrien. She was scared of telling him. She constantly avoided the topic at school. Because he was the father of her baby.

So many emotions rushed through him at once. Shock, excitement, and happiness that Marinette and Ladybug were one. (He'd be lying if he said he didn't at least have a crush on Marinette prior to this). Sadness that she was avoiding him. The stress of not knowing what was going to happen next. Hurt that he could not offer her the comfort he knows she needs.

And anger.

"B-because, it'll r-ruin his life!"

"I-It's his father. His dad is very strict. If his dad found out he got a girl pregnant..."

"H-his dad w-wouldn't allow the p-pregnancy," she cried.

Adrien didn't want to believe that his father was heartless enough to force Marinette into ending the pregnancy. But he'd be lying if he said he didn't get why she believed that.

Gabriel cared a lot about the family name, but Adrien couldn't care less. He'd give up all that he had if it meant standing by her. Not that he needed to. Since turning 18 a few months prior, he gained full control over his finances. He had an excess amount of wealth. He could very well take Marinette and their child and run off across the world if he had to. He wouldn't mind doing that if she chose to keep the baby. He loved her. He'd do anything to keep her happy.

His heart fluttered at the thought of her keeping the baby, but he quickly dismissed those thoughts. Adrien shook his head. He shouldn't be jumping to conclusions like that. He was thinking too far ahead. He hadn't even had a discussion with her about their options. Not that he'd oppose her decision.

It didn't hurt to think of possible futures, though. She did that too, didn't she?

As if Plagg read his mind, he spoke, "It's looking more and more like pigtails wants to keep the baby."

Adrien looked up, surprised, "What do you mean?"

Plagg took a bite of his cheese, "Well, if she didn't want to keep it, why would she be looking for a replacement? Maybe she unconsciously made her mind up already."

Adrien sat there stunned.

"I'll try to let you know before the switch happens, but things are moving so quickly that I can't guarantee anything."

Why would she say that if she didn't plan on keeping the baby? Maybe he was reading too much into it. Just because she didn't want to keep the baby, it doesn't mean she'd want to put herself in any physical danger. Maybe she was considering putting it up for adoption.

Adrien leaned back, letting himself fall back into his bed. He frowned. It was hard for him to do anything when she refused to talk to him.

He needed to do something. He needed to tell her that he knew. Now that he knew that Marinette's baby was his, there was nothing stopping him from approaching her about it directly.

If she didn't want to approach him, he'll have to approach her.

~~~~~~~~~~

I hope her thoughts don't come out of the blue. I've read a few fanfics with the same plot and most went with the direction of her finding out too late to get a legal abortion so she'd have to go through with the pregnancy and, depending on the story, either keep it or give it up for adoption. I wanted to try a slightly different angle, one in which she does have all 3 options available to her. I feel like it adds more weight to her decision since she has the option to not through with it at all. We're pro-choice in this house.

Let me know what you guys think! The reveal is coming up! o: