"Do you think your lucky charm can fix me?"

     His voice was like a broken song, it quivered among the bends of the soft winds of their city.
It was solemn. It was hopeless. The emotion in him almost brought tears to her eyes.

   She couldn't begin to imagine what he had been through. Despite the many times she had tried to heal him, to assure him, she had to accept that there were scars deeper than anything that could fix it.

   "What?" Ladybug inquired, perking a brow as she attempted to conceal the grimace that emerged from behind her mask.
   Her blue eye shifted to her partner beside her, his body remained still as he leered at the orange sky the blessed the both of them.
   
   Chat Noir's attempt to remain impassive completely failed the moment his green sclera eyes shifted in her direction.
   Their eyes connected with one another, and Ladybug's composure washed away in an instant.

"I'm broken..." He murmured, his heart sinking into the dark pits of his stomach.

    Ladybug was hurting with him.
In the time they had been attempting to track down Lila, there was something that had changed.
  
   Chat Noir wasn't the chipper and playful feline that she had always remembered. The trauma in him completely changed him for the worst.

   "No..." the bug replied, her gloved hands taking his soft face in a warm embrace. "You're not broken... you're just stalled. We'll get you back on your feet." She assured, her thumbs running against his cheeks.

   Chat Noir broke into her embrace, he leaned into her palms, his eyes closing as his tears pooled at the edges of his eyes.
   His clawed fingertips lightly scratched against the back of her hands, as a deep frown tugged at the edges of the lips she had kissed many times before.

   "Then why do I feel so flat out fucked? Like I've become a defective product that was forgotten to be returned before the warranty expired. The things in my head...it's hard for me to escape from. I keep losing you over and over again, and it's difficult for me to let go and let it die... I can't unsee it. The nightmares are still haunting me, I'm always scared..." his voice began to break as the tears rolled down his cheeks.

   The heroine's breath escaped her as her digits began to tremble against his skin.
   "Chat...you were given a second chance. I was given a second chance..." her voice was a soft melodic tone. "You have the opportunity to do it right this time. We will both learn from this..."
   The heroine rose herself on her toes, pressing her lips to his forehead.

"I'll do whatever I can to help you get through this..." her blue eyes captured his watery ones.
   The feline took her words into account, his eyes flickering between hers.
      He knew she was right. It was already a done deal that Ladybug and Marinette were back. His son was back to the way he was before he callously abandoned him so that he could be a lousy father and brood over his wife's death.
       Adrien had been given another chance. He realised that he had taken everything for granted. He had spent most of his time working and pleasing others rather than focusing on himself as well as his family.

   What tore him apart the most about losing his love was the regret he knew he was forced to live with for the rest of his life.
   He thought about the what ifs and the donts. He thought about everything wrong he did and wished he could have taken back. He thought about all the plans they made together but pushed it aside to get their work done. He could have been loving her like everyday was going to be their last day. He hated himself for not doing that.

   Life changed in a blink of an eye, yet it felt like it took him years to finally come to terms with that.

When he lost Marinette, Adrien was forced to come to terms with how dull and empty his life was when he had her. He had many opportunities to grab her by the hands and make the best of everything, but he had always assumed that she would always be there.

And that was his grave mistake.

Ladybug stepped away, her blue eyes blinking as Chat Noir's green eyes began to widen.
   The hero, looked away from her, his posture completely straightening up as if he was thrown into an epiphany.

   The thought made him sick, as he almost felt as if he should be thanking Lila. Not for killing his Lady and forcing him to live in a fresh hell before she decided to take him back, but he felt like he should be thanking her for teaching him a lesson.

    His mistake wasn't that he was unable to save Marinette when she had died back then. It wasn't that he didn't leap at the right moment that would have prevented Lila from stopping him just before he was able to touch her and it certainly wasn't that he had gifted her those earrings that night before she had decided to wear them.

His mistake was that he never appreciated what he had. He had always assumed that everything he had would always be there. He never thought that one thing would completely tear his life apart and flip his world upside down. He took everything he had for granted on the risk that he would always have time to do it later.
   Most people never got second chances on unfortunate situations like this.

But on a dark twist of fate, Adrien was finally able to do things right this time.

Ladybug was in front of him, he didn't have to imagine her like he had to before.
  A sour taste brewed in his mouth as the hero realised that he was just about to make the same mistake that he had done the last time. He was going to allow his life to wash away. He was going to ruin his second chance by wallowing at what technically never happened.
   It was undone. It was erased from the minds of everyone who endured it with him.

   The blonde shifted his eyes back to Ladybug who appeared completely dumbfounded as to what he was suddenly realising.

   "I think it's getting late. We should probably grab Louis from Alya and Nino. Lila doesn't seem to be around for right now. She's not in any of the factories that we've been searching through. So I think it's time we call it a night and start again first thing tomorrow." The feline elucidated, completely devoiding the conceptual epiphany that was his own.

   Ladybug blinked, her blue eyes averting back towards the skyline. She teetered on the edge of trepidation. It was in her nature to continue to be perceptive but even she had to concede at times to be anything less than vigilant.
   Adrien had seen that side of her first hand.

"Alright..." the heroine breathed, her mind immediately reverting back to what she had wanted to prepare for dinner that night.

The blunette turned, feeling Chat Noir close behind her.
  A small beep from his weapon emanated as he extended it, ready to pounce off the roof at her command.

Ladybug grabbed her yoyo, pausing as she seemed to purse her lips in light contemplation.
   "What do you want for dinner?" She asked, tilting her head towards her partner with an innocent glance.

  Chat Noir simply laughed, the lightness of her inquisitive completely enlightening to him.
   He would have lived this a thousand times if he could have. Her likeness knew no bounds, and he couldn't have had it any other way.
  Each time she looked at him, Chat was always reminded why he had fallen in love with her in the first place.

   Ladybug gasped slightly at his laugh much to her perplextion as it was the first time she had ever seen him smile in such a long time.
   It warmed her heart so much to see him lighten up.
Of course she couldn't understand what  it was about her inquiry regarding dinner was so facetious as it was was a great significance to her.

But nonetheless, it was quite enchanting.

    "What?" The bug asked, smiling bashfully as Chat Noir approached her.
A small gasp escaped her lips as his arms wrapped around her waist.

    "I guess we can figure that out when we get Louis. I think it's really up to him what we eat." He elaborated, leaning down to kiss her lips softly.

   Ladybug relaxed under his touch, her hand lightly cupping his face before she subtly pulled away.
  "Mmm-" she hummed, her hands lightly playing with his hair with a pout.
   "I can't let Louis chose. He's a picky eater, all he'll eat is nuggets. I don't think he's getting the nutrients he needs, especially because I don't breast feed him anymore. "So I worry that as he's getting older, his nugget diet is going to bite him in the ass one day."

   Chat nodded his hand remaining on her waist as he tugged her closer.
  "I know he likes ice cream. I'm sure he'd love ice cream for dinner."

   The blunette scrunched up her freckled face, immediately reprimanding that notion.
"Yeah no. Ice cream for dinner is never happening."

   Chat Noir smirked, nodding as he shoved his weapon into the rooftop below him.
   Ladybug gripped on to him, the hero taking her by surprise as he began to glide across the skyline with her held on tightly to his side.
   She closed her eyes, enjoying the wind through her hair.

   Her blue eyes opened, and she glanced up at her love who briefly looked down at her.

   Chat Noir was ecstatic at that moment. He was gliding across the sky, moving effortlessly.
Each time he leapt, he held her tightly. Both their bodies were free falling, and this time he had her in his arms.

   "Are you planning on being one of those helicopter moms then?" Chat asked, grunting slightly as they both whisked through the air.

    Ladybug gasped, a small frown on her face as she was truly hurt by that comment.
   "You know, I've let you off the hook the last time when I wanted to slap the crap out of your head, but now I really feel like I'm ready to just fully kick your ass."

    The feline simply tittered.
"I actually don't mind either. You've got me completely whipped."

   Ladybug simply rolled her eyes, remaining utterly obdurate.
"I can leap myself, you know..."

_________________________________________

    Marinette placed the dishes into the dish washer.
   She was actually quite pleased with how dinner came out. She managed to convince Louis to try some mac and cheese which he was reluctant to, but once seeing Chat Noir eat it, he was all for trying new food.

     She sighed, placing the kitchen towel to the side before she flicked off the light.
   She yawned, her back aching. She just wanted a shower and a nap. First thing the next morning, she'd have to go out with Chat Noir and search for Lila.
     Marinette paused, poking her head into Louis' room down the hall. She smiled as she was blessed by the sight of her two boys.

    Adrien tucked the little one in, pressing soft and gentle kisses to his head before he reached for his favorite book.
   Tikki and Plagg took their places on Louis' shoulder, poking their heads forward so that they could get a better look at the book as well.

   Both Louis and Adrien glanced up at Marinette as she spied on them.
"I'm going for a shower. Goodnight my lovelies." She whispered, smiling at her little boy and her kwamis. "I love you guys, I'll see you tomorrow."

   Louis smiled sleepily at his mother. He rubbed his eyes with a small yawn before he began to relax against Adrien.

   "Love you mommy..." she murmured, closing his eyes and nuzzling into Adrien.
   
  The blunette grinned and closed the door. She was way too exhausted to run back to her room and dig out pyjamas. She just wanted to take a hot shower and figure all of that out later.

  She turned on the hot water, immediately shedding her clothes. The bluenette relaxed under the hot water.
    Her back ached and she turned over, allowing the water to soothe the sore muscles in her back.

   Marinette took a moment to think in the shower. She had hoped that Adrien decided to turn a new leaf and hope for the better. She knew the mental damage was way too much, and she wondered if her Lucky charm was enough to remove that damage. She wondered if it would be like last time, where she'd use her power and it erased the memory of everything that had happened before hand.

Whatever the case was, Marinette would be there to help him every step of the way.
Marinette had began to feel a bit of hope in her heart. She bit her lip, incredibly determined to find Lila and finally put an end to this.

    Marinette ran a hand through her hair, relaxing for a bit before she had finally decided to finish up what she had to do in the shower.

  Marinette quickly rinsed off, almost too excited to get to bed. She stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel and drying herself.
   She yawned as she gently placed the towel around her body. She hummed, grabbing her hair brush and running it through her hair.

    The female paused the moment she walked into her bedroom.

  Adrien stood by the bed in his boxers. The Male blushed as he held a red rose in his hand.

"H-Hey!" He breathed, his arm extending as he offered the rose to her.
"I've missed you..."

   Marinette chuckled, a small smile on her face as she realised he was such a stud.
   "You missed me? So you stripped into your underwear?" She teased, as she placed her hair brush on to the dresser beside the door and moved closer to him.

   Marinette closed the bedroom door behind her, and very gingerly took the rose from him, nuzzling her nose into the top of it.

   "Well..." Adrien glanced down at himself, not taking into account her comment on his attire. "I actually want to cuddle with you...." he admitted bashfully before he glanced up at her again.  "I've been too busy screaming from nightmares...I didn't get a chance to cuddle you like I used to..."

    Marinette continued to glance down into her flower. Her heart began to flutter at the sound of his voice. He was such a sweet angel. She was truly in love.
    She carefully placed the rose to the side, turning to the drawers to grab something to wear.

   Before she could pick anything to wear, she was gently tugged back towards him by her arm.
   The female blushed as Adrien lightly spun her around, forcing the towel to gracefully fall off of her.
Adrien grabbed her waist, gently pulling her to him tautly.

    "Adrien!" Marinette exclaimed lightly, trying not to be too loud as her baby was asleep in the room over. "I'm naked..." she murmured bashfully as she hid against him.

    Adrien chuckled, capturing her hand into his as their bodies swayed side to side in gentle motions.
   "It's alright..." the blonde assured with a gentle smirk as he pressed soft kisses to the top of her head. "It's nothing I haven't seen before..."

    Marinette rolled her eyes, burying her face into his chest with a bashful giggle. She pressed soft kisses to his collar bone, the blush underneath her skin deepening.

    She enjoyed the motions between the two of them. She had remembered a long time ago that they'd dance together out of pure love. There never had to be any music, all they needed was each other.

It was just their thing, and she wouldn't have asked it to be any other way.

    "You should take back what you said..." Marinette murmured, pulling back to glare at Adrien who simply furrowed his brow as he attempted to contemplate anything he had said that she would have wanted him to retrieve.

    "About calling me a helicopter mom..." the female elucidated as she read his expression.

    Adrien laughed softly in response, simply amused by anything she did. This would be something he'd never take for granted again. He enjoyed every moment he had with her and Louis, even the bad moments he knew he'd be grateful for. As long as he had them, nothing else really mattered.

    "You could be my helicopter mom." He laughed softly, leaning down to scoop her up in his arms and carry her towards the bed.

    Marinette gasped, completely caught off guard the moment he lifted her and gently placed her on to the bed.
   She blushed bashfully, biting her lip as Adrien carefully crawled in beside her. He pulled the blankets up over them and then he lightly tugged Marinette closer to him.

Marinette was more than happy to syncopate to his body. She nuzzled her face into his chest once more.
   Adrien wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as this was something he had craved to do for so long.
  Marinette breathed out, her heart racing along side of his as she felt warm and safe in his arms. 
  
   "I love you..." Adrien whispered, his hands lightly moving up towards her hair.
  His fingers gently ran through her hair, pulling back just as Marinette pulled back to look at him.

A deep blush covered her cheeks, brewing under her freckles.

"I love you too..." she replied, closing her eyes as Adrien leaned forward to rub his nose against hers affectionately.
     Marinette relaxed, her hands resting on his chest as Adrien pressed his lips to hers in a gentle yet passionate kiss.
   She habitually wrapped her arms around him, her lips moving along with his tenderly.
His lips were warm and sweet against hers, and Marinette almost felt as if she could fly to heaven and back. Her hands gently tugged at the soft hair on the nape of his neck.
   "Mmm-" she hummed as their lips separated from one another. "I can't remember the last time we cuddled like this..." she breathed against his lips. "It's actually a nice change of pace..." she opened her eyes, glancing into his.

   Adrien smiled, his hand reaching up to cup her face.
   "Get used to it, my queen. We're gonna make every night a cuddle night. Even when we fight. I won't let you forget that I love you..."

  Marinette smiled, her face moving back to press into his chest.
"I dont think that's possible..." she replied softly, her fingertips lightly running along his shoulders.

    Adrien continued to hold her close, the couple cuddling into one another until sleep inevitably came.

     ________________

Adrien's eyes shot open the moment he heard a scream.

His heart hammered in his chest as he sat up, Marientte sitting up beside him.

For the first time in weeks, Adrien wasn't hearing the sounds of his nightmares.

Marinette kept the blanket wrapped tightly around her as she stumbled out of bed.
The sky remained dark as it wasn't four in the morning just yet. 
   "I'm going to grab Louis." Adrien informed, climbing out of bed in his underwear.

Marinette nodded, her blue eyes shifted as she inspected the scenery outside from her window.
She clutched on to the blanket, her eyes finally catching a glimpse of Lila who had started a collection of innocent people in her tirade.

   "Come out, Hawkmoth! We play things would like to have a word with you!" Lila chuckled. "You can't resist the voices any longer!"

   Marinette furrowed her brow, her heart racing as she knew she had to transform.

      Adrien returned to the bedroom, holding his toddler taut to him. Adrien placed the child into their bed, instructing the little one to stay under the covers at all costs.

  Louis agreed, hiding under the covers as he was already aware that his parents had to stop and fix everything.

    "Its Lila..." Marinette explained, turning to watch Adrien as he approached her.

  "I figured as much..." Adrien sighed. "And she couldn't let us get a full night's sleep..."

"She's looking for hawkmoth..."Marinette informed, turning her head to observe the chaos that was brewing outside their bedroom window.

   "Hawkmoth? Why do you think that is?" He asked, furrowing his brow. He shifted his eyes back out the window.

   Marinette shrugged, tucking her hair behind her ear and flashing her earrings.

   Adrien turned just in time to greet both their kwamis as they floated above their shoulders.

   "I dont know..."Marinette replied thoughtfully. "But I think it's time we've finally put an end to Lila's reign of manipulation..."

_________________________________________

Author's note:

Seriously feel bad tonight. Ignore me, insecure writer here. Honestly feel like making this into a series was a bad idea. I sometimes feel like I should discontinue these stories and delete them because to me I feel like they flopped.

But I dont wanna do that cause it's a lot of hard work and dedication erased especially because this story is coming to an end within the next three chapters.

Yes, only three chapters left and this sequel is complete.

Anyway. Sorry for not being a talented writer.