Marinette spoke too soon.

Things weren't so bad with Adrien, but she still had more people to tell.

She had to tell Alya and explain everything. Alya knew she was Ladybug already, but not who Chat Noir was. Marinette wasn't sure if it'd be a good idea to let her know that. She'd probably leave it up to Adrien. Either way, she felt nervous about telling her. Moreso about the pregnancy rather than giving up the earrings. Marinette knew Alya was capable of doing a good job, that wasn't the issue. The issue was the embarrassment of letting anyone know she was pregnant. She struggled enough to tell Adrien.

She could probably get away with hiding the pregnancy from most people at school. She would still be in school for the early stages but out of the school the final months.

Her main group of friends would find out eventually, but she trusted them. She was nervous about anyone finding out, but there was no hiding after the baby was born. She felt better knowing that it could wait. It wasn't urgent for her friends to know. She wondered if it was wise to inform the school of her situation, no matter how embarrassing it would be.

Her parents didn't know yet. She had to figure out how to tell them. At times, she felt like a failure, but she knew her parents. They'd always support her, and that gave her a tiny bit of courage.

Gabriel didn't know either. Marinette dreaded telling him the most. He was a terrifying man, capable of ruining her life at the snap of his fingers.

Marinette placed a hand over her small belly.

"Hey, it'll be ok," Adrien spoke, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. Marinette turned to him with a soft smile. She had Adrien to help. It honestly didn't feel real at all.

Everything happened so quickly the night before, she thought she had dreamt the whole thing. That was until Adrien showed Sunday morning at the bakery and asked for her. He told her they were going out to breakfast with Alya and Nino. And so, here they were, sitting in a small, somewhat hidden, family owned restaurant. It was rather empty for a Sunday morning.

He told her it was so they could talk to Alya and Nino and to handoff the earrings. Marinette felt sad about giving up the earrings, but Adrien reassured her it was only temporary and she'd be Ladybug again. It was for the best to do it as soon as possible. Akuma appearances were unpredictable, and some could be physically demanding. Marinette shivered at the thought.

"I know, I'm just really nervous," she replied. They both sat on one side of a booth, still waiting for Alya and Nino. Marinette was suprised she was there early for once.

"I know, but we're doing this together," he said, lifting her hand up and giving it a soft kiss. Marinette blushed. For fuck's sake, she had sex with him and she still blushed at a kiss on the hand! It honestly felt unreal. She had sex with him, fully confirmed with the pregnancy, but sometimes it felt like a dream. It all felt disconnected.

They both heard the door chime and turned to see Alya and Nino walk in.

"You're here early for once!" Alya said, sitting down in the booth across Marinette.

"It's thanks to Adrien," she replied.

"Have you guys ordered yet?" Nino asked, sitting down next to his girlfriend.

"No, we were waiting for you guys," Adrien replied.

A waiter approached their table. "Are you guys ready to order some drinks?"

"Yes, can I just get some coffee?" Adrien asked.

"Us too," Alya spoke.

"Me too, but um, do you guys have decaf?" Marinette asked, a bit flushed.

"Yes we do, anything else?" he asked.

"That's it for now, thank you," Adrien smiled.

Alya turned to Marinette and asked, "Decaf? You usually get regular coffee or a café crème."

Marinette laughed nervously, "I've just been cutting back on some stuff, you know? Living above a bakery is nice but I have to watch my health!"

Alya stared at her best friend wearily before deciding to let it go. She had a feeling something was up, but she didn't have any evidence of well, anything.

Adrien only glanced at Marinette, but didn't say anything. This didn't go unnoticed by Alya.

The group chatted about school and other things for a bit before ordering their food. After eating, they stayed back a bit to enjoy another cup of coffee. Adrien expected Marinette to excuse herself and ask Alya to go with her, but that didn't happen. He noticed her fidgeting, and he was sure Alya noticed too. Maybe this wasn't the best place to do it. They were in public still, even if hidden away.

He could tell Marinette was nervous, and how could he blame her?

"Do you guys want to go for a walk or something?" Adrien asked.

"Sure, why not? I have time. The twins are with my sister, and I could use more time outside of the house," Alya smiled.

"Yeah, I got nothing better to do," Nino replied.

Marinette only nodded.

The group paid the bill and stepped outside. Adrien wanted to reach out and grab Marinette's hand, but he wasn't sure if he was allowed to. He didn't know where they stood. They kissed the previous night and agreed to keep the baby, but that didn't mean they were together. Or maybe it did? He wasn't sure. He still didn't know how to fully read certain social interactions. He'd have to talk to her about where they stood later. He didn't want to push any of her boundaries. She was already in a tough position as is.

"Where to?" Nino asked.

"A park?" Alya suggested.

Adrien nodded, "Yeah, that works. Lets see if we can find a secluded area, though. The parks are probably full right now."

Alya raised a brow, "Secluded? What for?"

Marinette tensed up, but Adrien was ready for this.

"I don't want to be bothered by fans," he shrugged. Alya's face softened, "Oh, right. I get it."

They found a nearby park and settled in a far away corner. There were still plenty of people around, but far away enough as to not hear their conversation.

They had some idle chat before Nino spotted Andre nearby.

"Hey, dudes, it's Andre! We should get some ice cream," Nino spoke, pointing in the direction of the ice scream cart.

"Hell yeah, I love Andre's ice cream," Alya grinned.

"Do you want some ice cream, Mari?" Adrien asked, standing up from the patch of grass they were sitting at.

"Um, yes please. I just want vanilla, nothing fancy," she replied.

Adrien nodded, "Nino and I can go and get it. You girls can stay back."

Alya shrugged, "Fine by me."

The boys left, leaving the two best friends sitting next to each other.

"So what's going on with you?" Alya turned to Marinette.

This caught Marinette off-guard, "Wh-what?"

Alya narrowed her eyes, "Something's up, I can feel it. C'mon, tell me. I'm your bestie!"

Marinette groaned, burying her face in her knees. It was now or never.

"Don't scream, ok?"

Alya frowned, "Scream? Ok, I won't scream but now I have to know what's going on."

Marinette peeked up from her knees, too nervous to make full eye-contact.

"I'm pregnant."

Alya blinked.

Then burst into laughter.

"Oh, Mari, really? That's funny. Next, you're gonna tell me it's Adrien's!" she doubled over laughing.

Marinette looked up flushed and frowned.

"I am pregnant, and it is Adrien's," she muttered.

Alya looked up at her, trying to hold back her laugh, "You? Pregnant with Adrien's baby?! I'm sorry, Mari, but you can barely talk to the guy! Let alone sleep with him and get knocked up!"

Marinette pouted. Was it really that hard to believe?

"Were you and Adrien planning this as a joke? Is that why—"

"Ladybug got pregnant," Marinette cut her off. Alya paused, her smile dropping.

"What?"

Marinette looked away, embarrassed, "Ladybug slept with Adrien."

Alya's eyes widened, "Wait, so you're actually..."

Marinette nodded. Alya sat there stunned.

"Wait wait wait, as Ladybug?!"

"Shh! Quite down!" Marinette quickly jumped to cover Alya's mouth.

Alya pushed her hand away, "Mari, I'm going to need you to explain what the fuck is going on."

Marinette sighed, "I slept with him a few weeks ago as Ladybug. We used protection, but obviously it didn't work! I found out after I was late."

"Does Adrien know?" Alya asked.

"Yes, both about the baby and that I'm Ladybug. I came clean about it," Marinette looked away.

Alya sat in silence, not knowing how to process what she just heard. Her best friend was pregnant.

She finally snapped out of her trance when she saw Mari taking her earrings off.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Alya quickly asked.

"Ladybug can't be pregnant, I'm going to need you to temporarily take my place," Marinette replied, her eyes watering. She stretched her hand out to Alya.

Alya looked up at her and hesitantly took the earrings.

"A-are you sure?" she stuttered.

Marinette nodded, "I trust you to do a good job. We can talk more about it after, and I can teach you anything you don't know. Chat Noir and I agreed that I should give up the earrings as soon as possible."

Marinette placed a hand on her belly, "Akumas are unpredictable, so it's best I stay away until I give birth." It felt weird to say that outloud.

A few tears ran down her face but she wiped them away quickly.

"Oh, Mari," Alya scooted over and wrapped her arms around her.

"I-I know it's for the best, b-but I'm going to miss i-it," Marinette stuttered out.

"It'll be ok, girl. I'll come around and you can see your kwami," she replied. Marinette nodded in agreement.

"You said Chat Noir knows too?" Alya asked.

"Y-yeah, he agreed for someone to take my place," she replied.

Alya wanted to ask more questions but refrained when she heard the boys coming back. She turned to see Nino with a stunned face, staring at Marinette then glancing back at Adrien.

"So, I take it Adrien told you?" Alya asked.

"So it's true?!" Nino's eyes widened.

Adrien nodded, handing Marinette her ice cream and sitting next to her.

"Wow," Nino whispered, sitting down next to his girlfriend. "Dude, I didn't know you guys were a thing."

Marinette and Adrien both blushed. They both stuttered trying to explain.

"They weren't a thing, Nino," Alya nudged him on the side. "Let's leave them alone, for now."

"Oh. OH, my bad."

The rest of the day went by fairly normal.

~~~~~~~~~~

I know pregnant people can technically have 1 cup of coffee, but she's having more than 1 so decaf is better. Plus it builds up credibility when telling Alya lol

This chapter might be a little messy but I typed it on my phone and it's kinda difficult to type on my phone lol. Let me know what you guys think!