Marinette found herself looking at Adrien more and more often. Her mind was constantly drifting to a fantasy where she wasn't just playing house, but actually living it. How would things change? Would things change at all? Or would their interactions stay the same? Would they last?

And was this okay?

That was the big question. Yes, she'd had a year to mourn. She was beginning to let go. She had accepted the fact that Nathaniel was gone and she was left a widow. But... was she really ready to try a new relationship? Or were lines she shouldn't cross being blurred with a fantasy? It was hard to forget the way Adrien looked over at her when she put on the ladybug necklace. It was impossible to forget the feeling of pride when Emma called her mom.

But was it all in her head?

So many questions. So much to consider. So much on the line.

"Marinette, look!"

Marinette grinned down at the drawing Emma was holding up at her, one covered in red, pink, and purple hearts in honor of Valentine's day. "Very nice, Emma."

"It's for daddy, but don't tell him."

"I promise," Marinette said, crossing her heart. "Do you want to write 'To Daddy' on it?"

Emma shoved the paper over to Marinette. "Yeah."

With a pencil, Marinette lightly wrote the words on the paper so Emma could trace it in crayon. It had become something they did together, with Marinette writing things out for Emma to trace. Usually, it was in the form of labeling things, like 'cat' or 'dog', but as far as Marinette and Adrien were concerned, it didn't matter. It was a start, and Emma was soaking it up like a sponge.

Emma's face scrunched in concentration as she traced the lettering in red crayon. She took everything she made for her dad very seriously. It was tremendously sweet.

After this was done, they were going to go bake cookies to decorate. At Marinette's house, of course, because Emma said that they couldn't risk Daddy walking in on them. It had nothing to do with the fact Emma really wanted to see Mrs. Cheng and Mr. Dupain again.

"Done!"

"Very nice," Marinette said. "Now, are you ready to go make cookies?"

Emma was up and scampering to the door like a shot.

Marinette chuckled before following after her. She popped her head into Adrien's office to let him know where they were going, which he acknowledged with a wave and a 'have a good time.' Then, Marinette grabbed Emma's car seat before heading out to the car.

Emma bounced excitedly the whole way there, then followed Marinette up the stairs to the apartment.

"Hello," Marinette called. "We're here."

"In the kitchen," her maman called back.

Emma scampered into the kitchen. "Mrs. Cheng!" she cried.

"It's so nice seeing you, Emma," Maman returned.

After hugs were exchanged, Emma bounded back to Marinette. "The card."

Marinette peeked into her bag to give her the card that Emma had made for Maman. Except she couldn't find it.

Uh-oh.

Her maman could read her face. "Did you forget it?"

Marinette shot her a sheepish grin.

With a smile, Maman shook her head. "Go on. Emma and I will start in on the cookies while you go grab it, okay?"

"Thanks, Maman." With a kiss to her cheek and a 'be right back', Marinette hustled out the door.

When there was a knock at the door, Adrien was sure Marinette, being Marinette, just forgot something. She was adorable, really. He'd grown accustomed to holding whatever item Marinette forgot out to her as she rushed back in.

He took a quick peek around but didn't spy anything immediately, so he settled for just teasing her. He swung open the door. "Forget some-"

And stopped short.

Because Marinette wasn't tall, brunette, or had green eyes.

"Hey," Lila purred, stepping closer.

He took a half-step back. "What brings you, Lila?"

She chuckled. "It's Valentine's Day, silly. A day where lovers can be together. Or, in our case, get together."

She was running her hands up his arms, and he quickly stopped her. "I don't understand."

She gave him a sultry pout. "Come now, Adrien. We always have such a good time when we're out together. Yet, I didn't get to see you when you were in Italy. I was so sad to learn you were in Italy an never stopped by."

That had been the goal. "I was there on business."

"You weren't on business the whole time. You should have called me, and we could have gone out to dinner. I still have a fantastic place in mind."

"I actually was busy the whole time. I wanted to get everything done so I could come back and spend time with my daughter."

She seemed to stiffen at this, and Adrien mentally cheered. Hopefully, he could keep this up long enough to get her back out on the porch instead of in the doorway.

"You know," Lila said, her posture relaxing with the ease of a well-practiced actress. "I'd love to meet your little girl. Is she around?"

Adrien inwardly cursed, knowing he couldn't lie. "No, she's out with her nanny."

A sly grin curled up on her lips. "Oh. Well then." She took another step forward, while he took one back. "We can get to know each other a little better."

"Lila," Adrien interrupted, taking her firmly by the arms and holding her at a distance.

"Adrien," she purred.

"Sweetheart?"

Adrien and Lila turned to the door.

Where Marinette stood.

Adrien took yet another step back, distancing himself from Lila as much as possible.

"Who are you?" Lila asked.

Marinette quirked a brow, but instead of answering her, she sidled up next to him. With tender touches that would have made him melt through the floor at any other time, she wrapped her arms around his. "Aren't you going to introduce us, sweetheart? Who's your friend?"

Adrien's heart was pounding inside his chest, and he found it shockingly hard to breathe. "Um... M-marinette," he shakily began. "This is Lila Rossi, one of the models for Gabriel's. Her father is one of our most prominent investors. Lila, this is Marinette Kurtzburg, my... sweetheart."

Marinette squeezed his arm, making a show of snuggling closer.

Adrien was about to have a heart attack. A sweet death, but...

What was the downside, again?

"I got the text that your nanny and Emma were out for the day so I thought I'd spend a little time with you," Marinette said. "Hope you don't mind I didn't take the time to dress up. I may have gotten a little excited and rushed out the door."

"I don't mind," he instantly said, forgetting that this was a ploy and not reality.

Lila cleared her throat, calling their attention. She flashed a fake smile towards Marinette. "Adrien's never mentioned you."

"And that's because I asked him not to," Marinette supplied. "I didn't want to spoil anything when it's still so new."

Lila's eyes narrowed.

"Forgive us, Lila," Marinette continued, her voice dripping in fake sweetness. "But... it is Valentine's day."

Adrien forced a smile that he hoped wouldn't show how badly he was dying for this to be reality. Forget work, he'd happily spend the day cuddled up with this woman.

With a forced look of pleasantry, Lila nodded. "I understand," she said, her voice strained. She turned to head out the door, only to pause after a couple steps. "How did you meet, again?" she asked. "I've never heard of you."

"His best friend, Alya, is getting married to my best friend. We're both in the wedding party."

Well, that was true.

With one last skeptical look, Lila marched out the door.

And Marinette was quick to shut it behind her. "Gah. Thought that floozy would never leave."

Adrien blinked a few times. "Wh-wait-what?"

Marinette quirked a brow. "Adrien, when you told me she was a flirt, I was expecting pick-up lines or trying to weasel her way into your life. I didn't expect a hussy trying to yank you into bed. She wasn't even trying to be subtle about it."

"Well, yeah, I know," Adrien lied. He could agree once she pointed it out, but his brain had been too fried to notice it immediately. "But you... what... was...?"

She paused, and he watched as she slowly turned pink in realization. "Oh, um... that was me... trying to help." She looked away and started twisting her hands together nervously. "You were looking really uncomfortable and you've told me so many times how much you can't stand when Lila rubs up against you, and there's really nothing like a girl to get another girl to back off."

His jaw went slack. "Yeah. I... thanks."

She nodded. "Yeah. Um... I forgot some Valentine's cards Emma made for my parents. I'll... just go grab those real quick." In a flash, she spun on her heel and tripped up the stairs. She caught herself quickly and continued to scamper up to Emma's room.

Adrien couldn't take his eyes off her. His heart was pounding, his mind was shot to pieces. The only thing he could think of was the wonderfully adorable woman he'd undoubtedly fell for. He watched the red ribbons of her pigtails bob with each step, her hair brushing against the oversized, red sweater that looked so good on her. It was a stark contrast to Lila who wore a slim dress and tights that showed off her figure. With his mind mostly back in gear, he could easily peg it as a woman who wanted to draw attention to her body. Funny how the only body he could think about right now was the one that was dwarfed by an oversized sweater and plain jeans.

She bounced back down the stairs, waving the cards in the air.

He grinned. "And you have everything, correct?"

"I'm nearly a hundred percent certain," she said with a smile.

"Is that Marinette certainty or-"

She smacked his chest with the back of her hand. "Knock it off," she said, though her smile gave her teasing away.

He made a show of rubbing the spot she smacked him. "That hurt," he whined, exaggerating a pout for effect.

She rolled her eyes, then completely wrecked him when she took his cheeks in her hands and shot him a teasing smile. "Something tells me you'll be just fine."

With two pats to his cheek, she slipped away and out the door before he could even register she was gone.

Wednesday night rolled around, and Marinette was well prepared. She'd gone to the store, wandered down the sale aisles, and bought expensive chocolates and ice cream for under half price.

Who said dinner had to consist of anything healthy tonight?

She happily showed her finds to Adrien. "Valentine's day may be all about the gifts, but wait until after to buy anything."

"Then what do you do for Valentine's day?" he questioned.

"Time," she said, walking through the door. "You give your time to the other person. Do something they don't want to do so they don't have to do it. Spoil them with affection and words. Just be there," she answered. "Valentine's day is for lovers. So love them."

"You make it sound so simple," he said, a bit breathless as he shut the door.

She shrugged, her heart racing at his voice paired with the earnest look in his expressive eyes. "Who said it has to be difficult?"

Adrien paused, his gaze falling away for a moment. "You know what I think would go really well with this?" he eventually asked, reaching for the bag of goodies before wandering into the kitchen.

After kicking off her shoes, she followed him. He walked over to the wooden bench that was along the wall and removed the seat, revealing a collection of wine bottles.

"So this is where you hide it."

"My father bought it for me when Emma was born so that I could hide the stash in a place she wouldn't get into. I don't usually break into it, but now, I think it's time to pull a new bottle." He reached over decisively, pulling a bottle, glancing at the label, and putting it back. He grabbed the next one over then presented it to Marinette.

She read over the label over before catching the date. She looked up at him with wide eyes. "This must be worth a small fortune."

"Maybe," he shrugged, taking the bottle from her grasp then fishing through the kitchen for his bottle opener. "But it was a gift from years ago. There's an investor that always brings my father and I bottles of wine as gifts. It does little good if it's sitting under that bench."

Soon enough he was holding out a glass for her to take. She had to admire it for a second before taking a sip. "Mmm," she moaned appreciatively. "That is fantastic."

Adrien followed suit. "Agreed. But I think it would go well with these." He pulled out the biggest box of chocolates.

"I know it's kinda breaking tradition," Marinette said. "But I was thinking maybe a movie tonight?"

He grinned with approval. "I think that sounds like a great idea."

Slowly, he wrapped his hand around hers and pulled her toward the living room. Her smile came unbidden as she allowed him to guide her, even though she knew where to find the grown-up movies. She hadn't had the opportunity to look them over before, so when she saw the title of one of them, she had to do a double take. "You have Pride and Prejudice?"

He pointedly didn't make eye contact. "Maybe. Maybe it was something Chloe left. Maybe it's something I use to cheer Alya up every once in a while."

She smirked knowingly. "Mmm-hmm. I totally believe that."

After popping that movie into the DVD player, she settled herself on the couch. Adrien handed her back her glass of sweet wine before setting the open box of chocolates he retrieved from the kitchen on the coffee table. He then proceeded to settle beside her. "Comfy? Want a blanket or anything?"

She bit her lip to keep off a smile.

"Yes," he said, standing up to retrieve a couple blankets. He then handed over her favorite one with a knowing smile.

Her heart skipped when she took it.

Forty minutes later, two empty wine glasses were sitting on the table and one chocolate remained in the box. Marinette looked at the chocolate before looking to Adrien, who was looking at her with a glint in his eye.

Marinette launched herself at the box, but Adrien tackled her before she could get a good grip on it. "Oh, no you don't," Adrien teased, pinning her to the couch underneath him. "Mine."

"I bought them," she retorted with a grin, smacking his chest and trying to get out from under him.

And that's when they realized the box and the chocolate were on the ground.

"Now look what you did," Adrien said.

"I did?"

"Yeah. You're in trouble now."

"Oh, really?" Marinette teased. "What sort of trouble could I possibly be in?"

A glint sparkled in his eyes as a smirk twisted up across his lips.

And suddenly she wasn't feeling so confident.

"Tickle monster."

She squealed as he assaulted her sides. "Stop!" she cried through her helpless giggles.

"Never!"

Her laughs never stopped as she continued trying to shove him off her, but he just grabbed on tighter, collecting her in a hug that prevented her from moving anywhere.

She sighed in relief, though her smile never left her face as she let her arms wrap around him. They stayed like that for a couple long moments before she realized that he was on top of her. Holding her. And she was holding him.

Heat flooded her face as she pushed Adrien off her and scrambled to the side. This was her boss. Her friend. Not anything more.

Their eyes met. And Marinette realized that she wasn't the only one blushing.

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. I... that was out of line."

Marinette couldn't bring herself to agree with him, but then again, she couldn't bring herself to disagree with him either. Her face was red and her heart was pounding because there was a very handsome-despite-being-massively-flustered young man sitting beside her that she may or may not like more than just a friend.

She... she just didn't know.

"Well," she finally spoke upon finding her voice. "So was the... um... smack in the kitchen last month," she finished shyly.

He rubbed his now red neck and couldn't look her in the eyes. Not that she really noticed considering she could barely bring herself to look at him.

"I'm sorry," Marinette finished. "I used to do that to Nathaniel, and when you and I were arguing about the laundry it was just... so automatic-"

"I understand," Adrien said. "I knew it wasn't on purpose. You looked horrified then ran before I could even string a sentence together."

Marinette's blush grew brighter.

"That being said," Adrien continued, finally turning to look at her. "I... I think we should have a talk that... I'm not sure you're ready for, but it needs to happen."

She forced herself to look at him. "What is it?" she asked breathlessly.

Adrien sighed, taking a moment to collect himself. "I... I really like you, Marinette," he forced out. "I have for a while."

She blinked, her mind shutting down at the sudden confession.

"That's why it was so awkward," he continued, rubbing the back of his neck. "Because I like having you around. I look forward to our game nights with more excitement than I should. And watching you interact with my daughter... it gets to me. She adores you, and to watch her bloom under your care, it..." He shook his head and sighed. "I know you may not be ready to move on from Nathaniel. It's why I've bit my tongue so many times on so many occasions. I wanted to give you time before I sprang anything on you but I can't keep quiet any longer. Marinette, I really like you, and if you would allow it, I'd like to try something more than what we have."

Marinette could only stare. Her heart was racing. Her mind was blank. Her mouth was agape. She managed to shut it, swallow, and open it with the intent of saying... what? What could she possibly say to that?

Slowly, as she fought for words that wouldn't come, she watched the hope drain from Adrien's eyes. And it wrecked her.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I... I don't know what I was thinking. I just... I had to try." His gaze fell from her face to the ground. "I'd understand if you weren't comfortable with me after this. I should have told you earlier, but my father found your application. He looked it over and told me that he would have liked to hire you when he had the chance. He'll have new positions open come early summer. If you want, I'll tell him you'd like the job."

Her mind was completely shot. She couldn't think straight. It was like ten different, disjointed pieced were all functioning at their own pace and the only words that managed to come out from the chaos were, "That means I'll have to leave you."

He turned his attention back the her, his eyes wide and sparkling with... something. Something unreadable just below that dazzling green surface. Her heart was pounding, but there was no denying it. Not anymore. She reached over to place a hand on his knee. "Adrien," she began, "you and Emma... you two are so important to me. I love Emma. She's the most precious thing. If I had a daughter, I'd want her to be just like her. And you..." The words got choked up in her throat and it took a little work to force them out. "I'd miss game night. But more than that, I'd miss the moments we steal between... life. Dinners and movie nights and teasing Chat Noir for stealing Plagg. I..."

He shifted closer, and she wasn't sure she could take much more of this.

"I..." She stuttered, stopped, and swallowed. "I don't know. I... I want to. But I don't know."

The next moment was just silence as Adrien slowly reached out to take hold of one of Marinette's hands. "Would you be willing to try?" he asked, his voice cracking at the end. "To take one step at a time? If all I'm asking for right now is a single, proper date night out... would you say yes?"

Her heart was flailing wildly in her chest and threatening to break her ribs. She took a handful of heavy breaths, yet her voice was weak when it came out. "Yes."

His grasp on her hand tightened as a smile grew across his face as bright and unstoppable as a wildfire.

"Yes," she repeated. "One date."

"That's all I ask," he assured before bringing her hand up to his lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "And we can go from there."

"Okay," she said, her heart skipping beats as he rubbed little circles on her hand with his thumb. She tried to take a breath to steady her heart, but it was no use. It wouldn't calm for the rest of the night.