Marinette

Marinette watched as Emma Agreste, her child, danced around the office climbing and clambering over anything she could reach. Every now and then, the same child ran back to greet either her or Adrien with a kiss and a cuddle, before the giggling continued and she was off again.

Marinette swore tornadoes didn't move this much.

A shiver ran through her body, her arms wrapping around herself as she searched for warmth. She began to rub up and down, hoping and praying the cold chill she had suddenly encountered would leave her alone.

"Do you want anything?" The smooth voice beside her asked, trust Mr. Honey Tones to use those slick vocal cords to try and calm her. "Just tell me what you want, and I'll make sure they send it up."

She shook her head, her teeth chattering in absolute fear.

Within seconds of the first text she'd received, Nathalie Sancoeur had made it down to the second floor and summoned them - complete with child - up to Gabriel Agreste's office. So that's where they were now, seated outside the big bad bossman's office waiting to be seen. How the hell could Adrien be so unfazed about it all?

Marinette was a good girl at collège. She'd never been sent to the principal's office, so she couldn't give an exact comparison, but sitting here, right now, must be exactly how it felt. She was so going to lose her job.

"Baby shar, do do doo."

In a complete juxtaposition to her fear, Emma was having a great time. Now giving them the full song and dance for 'Baby Shark'. The fact she couldn't pronounce shark properly only added to the adorable effect of the uncoordinated hand claps. She looked as though she was about to poke her own eye out.

A chuckle sounded next to her, a quick glance warming her slightly as Adrien smiled and attempted to copy Emma's routine, much to the toddler's delight. With a high pitched squeal, Emma launched forward and jumped into Adrien's arms. It was clear to see just how much the small child loved her father; her little chubby hands grabbing either side of his face and rubbing her own nose against his.

"You are adorable," he chuckled, the little girl this time slapping him on his cheeks and blowing out a raspberry, soaking not just Adrien's face, but causing a sprinkle of spit to make its way over to Marinette.

"Ouch! That's not very kind." Adrien lifted a hand and pretended to rub his cheek, doing the most endearing little pout with it. Emma took this as part of the slapstick comedy sketch, and did it again - this time bouncing on Adrien's lap and whining.

"I - I think she wants you to put air in your cheeks." Her voice came out a little hoarse. It was the first Marinette had spoken since 'the incident' outside the fabric room. She'd suddenly turned into a mute, ignoring the calls and texts chiming over and over again, as well as Adrien's constant worrying over her.

"Like this?" Adrien asked. Marinette turned to watch Adrien puff up both his cheeks which caused the young girl to squeal in excitement. She once again slapped him hard on both cheeks.

Suddenly a pro at the game, Adrien let the air out in one big deep breath. It brushed the fringe off her face, making it flap all around and causing her to giggle in delight. Marinette couldn't deny how beautiful the sound was. There was something so pure and innocent about a toddler's laugh; she wanted to hear it again.

Adrien must have had similar thoughts, puffing his cheeks up for Emma to play with once again. This time she slapped one at a time, Adrien letting out two blasts of air, the fits of laughter increasing from the funny noise he'd released in two parts.

"More!" She began to bounce again, her chubby little hands bashing together in an excited clap.

Adrien turned to look at Marinette, the glistening in his eyes almost winding her in the best of possible ways. He had always been gorgeous - he was a model after all - but right now, so young and carefree, playing with this small child - his small child - he looked nothing less than perfect.

"Who am I to refuse such a beautiful little lady?"

Falling to the small child's beck and call, every single 'more' which was screamed at him, was answered with air filled cheeks and the addition of a giggling Marinette.

"Do you want to do it to Maman?" Adrien asked, Marinette suddenly feeling goosebumps grow again.

Maman? To Adrien Agreste's child! This day was not at all going the way she thought it would. Just being here with the two of them was doing things to her she'd never felt before, it was something she was already wishing wouldn't end.

"Come here, baby girl."

A quick movement between them and Emma was now straddling Marinette's lap; hands at the ready to meet her Maman's cheeks. Filling them with air, Emma slapped her hands against Marinette's cheeks, a wail of laughter following as she uncontrollably collapsed into fully fledged chortles.

"More!" she screamed again, turning in the direction of Adrien. Of course, he obliged by filling his cheeks and allowing her to slap him again.

Emma leaned backwards with laughter, throwing her head back and showing off, what Marinette guessed, were brand new, shiny teeth. "More!" She smiled at Marinette.

Continuing to alternate between the two, Emma became more and more hyped - bouncing on their laps and slapping harder. Adrien and Marinette suddenly became swept up in the moment, playing with the small child and enjoying every second.

Just as Adrien puffed his cheeks ready for the next attack, the door swung open and a voice boomed through the room. The effect of Emma's hands to Adrien's cheeks creating a sound not too dissimilar to a deflating balloon.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Standing quickly, Marinette holding Emma in her arms, they turned to face where Gabriel stood seething in the doorway. If steam started pouring from his ears, Marinette wouldn't be surprised. He looked positively scarlet as he stormed forward, gaze fixated on his son. She understood the man being angry, she was quite sure her own conversation with her parents wouldn't be all sunshine and rainbows, but to see this glare from father to son was terrifying.

The small child in her arms began to whimper, burying her head into her chest. Lifting her and placing a head on her shoulder, Marinette stroked the baby blonde hair of the girl, and started to bounce her a little on her hip.

"Shhhhh!" Marinette whispered to the child. "It's okay? It's okay baby girl?"

In her attempt to calm an obviously unsettled child, Marinette had missed the two additional bodies joining the party. Nathalie Sancoeur and Lila Rossi.

This was not going to end well.

*****

Adrien

Oh, wow! In all these years Adrien didn't think he'd ever pissed his father off this much. He was quite sure, if in a cartoon, his father would be setting off fire alarms with the steam suddenly firing out of his ears.

The older man marched forward and with every step, Emma began to react to her grandfather. It seemed she was fully aware who Gabriel Agreste was and also that she had a clear judgement of his character. The woman beside him manoeuvred her around in the most maternal way, calming the child with soothing words and ministrations. Emma Agreste was most certainly not a fan of her grandfather.

As though his father's deathly glare wasn't enough, Adrien used that moment to say the worst possible thing.

"Father, come and meet your granddaughter."

Adrien wasn't sure who was the most shocked. Himself, his now purple-faced father, his fathers minions who'd just entered the room, or the very pale 'mother' of his child standing (almost cowering) beside him.

"Okay Adrien, I understand. You're rebelling, I get it! Your fun is over now though. Ms. Dupain-Cheng, I believe we need to have a conversation about you remaining at this company, especially if this is the sort of 'attitude' you have towards your professional conduct."

Adrien felt the woman beside him visibly shrink. The woman. The woman who he had no idea what her name was. Damnit!

"No, father. Seriously, Emma is our child. Isn't that right -" He needed to think of a name and fast. Michelle? No! Lauren? Nope! Felicia? Nada! "Princess."

Princess?

Princess?

PRINCESS?

Oh God, now he was asking for it, and from the look on her face she wasn't exactly happy with this nickname. But if he didn't call her something he was quite sure his father would see right through this charade.

"Princess?" she questioned.

"You!"

"Me?" she looked even more stumped than the first time.

"Yes!" he was begging, he knew he was begging. Come on, go along with it! It's a cute nickname!

"Oh!"

"Right."

A slam was heard, stopping the rambled conversation between the two new parents. Lila had obviously had enough, stepping forward and slamming the door.

"Thank you, Miss Rossi."

Gabriel glared towards Adrien, the younger Agreste lowering down on the seat, the woman beside him doing the same thing as Emma cuddled closer into her mothers chest.

Lila and Nathaliemoved to stand to the side of Gabriel and glaring down at the three of them sitting on the sofa. Adrien was sure this chat was going to go well. He was so sure he made a mental note to buy himself a flying unicorn for a job well done as soon as he - they - left the building.

The atmosphere was so thick Adrien was almost certain he was about to choke. Three women glaring at him, plus his father was like a bad nightmare; almost equivalent to the one where he was standing in his boxers in front of city hall, singing the national anthem whilst Ladybug displayed a rather intricate fire routine behind him.

A quick glance to Marinette and he couldn't help but wonder if she was his Lady. There was most definitely something about her, he'd thought that since their unfortunate encounter this morning. He was drawn to her in the most unusual of ways, but did she have the confidence to stand up to evil? The way she was cowering in their daughter's hair told him 'no'.

"How long have you worked here now, Marinette?"

Marinette! The name rang a bell somewhere in the back of his head. Marinette Dupain-Cheng... Marinette ... Mari...

"About a year, Sir," she whispered, her hand still cradling the squirming child's head.

What was his father implying?

Wait!

Mari-trash!

The girl from Chloé's school who was such a loner, she moved to Shanghai.

"She was never pregnant whilst working here, Father. She got the job on her own merit."

"The truth, Adrien. Now!" The demand from his father caused Emma to whimper beside him and all he wanted to do was protect the two females. His primal instincts kicked in.

"We met at a party a few years back -"

"A few!" Lila exhaled. "You've been attending events with me for the past two years, Adrien."

"That's because we were pregnant." Okay, so now he was literally flying by the seat of his pants. But if he wanted them to believe this he had to speak fearlessly. "Now if you could please let me continue. Marinette went to collège and lycée with Chloé, and it was at one of the reunions that we met and hit it off straight away. Things happened and Marinette ended up pregnant."

He looked to his side, giving Marinette a glance, hoping she was understanding what he was doing. The crazy nod of her head was a hopeful indication that she was on the same page as him. They could get through this together.

"How do you know it was you?" Gabriel asked.

"Well, we booked a hotel room, had a meal, and a little wine. She was wearing the most gorgeous black dress which showed off her legs and I couldn't wait to -"

"Not that 'how?' Adrien!" Gabriel said through gritted teeth, Lila coming to his father's aid before the old man blew a blood vessel or something.

"How do you know it's yours?" Lila said, the venom in her voice aimed straight at Marinette and all Adrien wanted to do was dive into the line of fire.

"Firstly, how dare you call my daughter, It! Secondly, I'm a hundred percent sure. But I know what you're like Father and if you want a DNA test we'll gladly give it to you."

Adrien turned his attention from Lila to Gabriel, before really going for the kill and slinging an arm around Marinette's shoulders and pulling her into his body. He was quite sure, by the meep escaping her lips, Marinette was not the slightest into this or onboard. Oh, God! What had he done? Mere minutes ago they were playing around with Emma; laughing and joking in a way he hadn't in years. He just couldn't mess this up... whatever this was... or could be?

"I've -" Marinette coughed and wiggled uncomfortably in his arm for a moment. "I've only had... only done..." He felt her body expand and deflate before the words finally left her mouth. "There's only ever been Adrien."

"Same here," he agreed, looking at the wonder beside him. She was on his side. Without even knowing him she was here with him. He owed her a rather grand gift as a thank you. "I mean, I've only ever been with Marinette. It was love at first sight."

He remembered how it felt meeting her in the coffee shop and for some reason he didn't feel like he was lying. Like he was almost telling the truth.

"Totally!" Marinette piped up beside him. "Just look at him. I mean I fell in love with his personality, but you can't deny he looks good, can you?"

Adrien wanted to facepalm. That probably wasn't the best thing for her to say in front of his overprotective father.

Needing to save this woman from being fired, Adrien burst out laughing. "She's funny, isn't she? The first time she saw me I had just..." He looked around the room for some sort of inspiration, his eyes falling on a jug of water. "...fallen in a fountain. Yes, I was all wet and disgusting."

"I thought you said you met at one of Chloé's reunions?" Nathalie eyed them both suspiciously, and he was quite sure his eyebrows had begun to sweat. Could eyebrows even do that?

"We did," Marinette suddenly said, stopping Adrien before he said something stupid like it was a wet tee competition. "There's a fountain opposite my home which is right by the collège. Anyway, he was walking by it when a cat..."

"Dog!"

"... a dog ran past and scared him. He bombed into that fountain like an Olympic diver."

"She saved me. Took me to her room and gave me some spare clothing she was making for a friend. She altered them so quickly, honestly, she's so skilled."

Never in his life had Adrien Agreste lied to his father's face. This - right at this moment - was the reason why. He was crap at it!

From the looks on everyone's faces, they weren't believing a single word of this story, and who could blame them.

"So, if you two have been together for - what? - three years? Why have you been dating me?"

Marinette turned to look at his horror stricken face. Well, shit!

"Oh - um - it's simple really. That was just part of my - I mean - our cover. We didn't want Marinette's link to me jeopardising her career."

"Yep," Marinette agreed, "a cover. A big cover."

"Huge," added Adrien, "like a circus tent!"

"Enough!" Gabriel bellowed, taking his fingers to his eyebrows and rubbing intently. "Just stop. Both of you." The sigh was certainly not an end of conversation sigh, more like he just couldn't be bothered with listening to anymore of their rambling.

"This is all over the media, Adrien. We need to do press releases and I've been contacted by tv stations for interviews with you. Not so much about the secret 'love' child but also the workplace romance." Nathalie was looking at her tablet, constantly tapping around and bringing up different emails and messages.

"I told you, it wasn't fair on..."

"We know what you said." Gabriel stood and walked to the other side of the room, looking out of the window with his hands strangling each other behind his back. "You're excused."

Without a second glance, Gabriel was slamming the proverbial door in their faces and without a second thought, Adrien launched onto his feet pulling Marinette with him and scurried out of the room.