Her hand was on his knee as he drove to his father's house to pick up Emma. If he looked over, he could see that smile on her face that proved she was just as happy as he was. And he felt like he was walking on air because this woman had agreed to become his wife.

They made it to his father's house in no time. He looked over at her, and when his eyes locked on hers, he felt his heart trip over itself. He was probably smiling like an idiot but as long as he was her idiot, he would be perfectly happy. "Are you ready?" he asked Marinette, plucking her hand from his knee to give it a kiss.

She gave him a smile that nearly sent him to his knees and how was it possible he was this happy? "Yeah," she said, her voice sweet and sure. "I'm ready."

They got out of the car, only for Marinette to side right up next to him once she was able. He happily bent his arm for her to hold, and she shot him a grin when she wrapped her arms around his. His heart was practically pounding out of his chest by the time he got to the door.

The Gorilla answered the door. With an approving nod, he let the duo in. "Emma is throwing a fit in your old room," he said.

Adrien cringed, hoping that what they had to tell her would be enough to calm her, but if it didn't, well, that's why they drove instead of walked today. "We'll go talk to her."

"In a moment," a voice called out. Adrien turned to see his father approaching. "Actually, I believe I'm going to have to pull Adrien away for a moment. There's a guest in my office I need you to speak with."

Adrien's expression fell. "Are you certain it can't wait, Father?"

"Emma can hold on a little while longer," Marinette whispered, patting his arm reassuringly. "Go handle business."

With a frown, he turned back to his father. "On the condition," he said, "that you and Marinette have a productive talk about just when she can start designing for you. She's not going to be Emma's nanny forever. Not if she's Emma's mom."

Slowly, a pleased smile spread over Gabriel's face. "Well then," he said. "I suppose we can have such a conversation, Mrs. Kurtzburg. As long as Adrien goes to handle business in the office."

"Fair enough," Adrien relented. "Thank you, Father."

He nodded.

With one last pat on Marinette's hand, Adrien pulled away from her and walked to the office where he was immediately greeted with the sight of a portly fellow lounging in one of the guest chairs.

"Ah," he said, standing. "The young Agreste."

"Yes. Pleasure to meet you, Mr..."

"Damocles," he said with a slight bow. "I normally do business directly with your father. But in this case, he called me saying you were in need of a ring. Specifically, an engagement ring."

Adrien was a bit stunned at this point, standing shock still as the man unlatched the thick briefcase he had rested on Gabriel's desk. He opened the lid at a sharp ninety-degree angle, revealing the staggered layers of rings that lifted out from the case.

Adrien opened his mouth then quickly shut it upon realizing he was speechless.

Mr. Damocles puffed out his chest and smiled. "Quite the selection if I do say so myself. Forgive my pride, but I do say I did a smashing job considering how short of notice I received."

"Father told you I needed an engagement ring?" Adrien finally said.

The man nodded. "He did."

"When?"

The man rubbed his immaculately kept gray beard in thought. "Saturday evening, I do believe."

Adrien's eyes widened. His father had called the man the same day Adrien had come to complain about Marinette not being ready to marry him? His father had been that certain Marinette would agree to an engagement?

"Your father sent me a picture of the young lady in question," Mr. Damocles continued. "A lovely picture of you and your daughter, too, by the way. It was very clear to me that she, as a winter, would look positively striking in red. I would say a ruby would be the best way to go."

Adrien snapped himself out of his trance as the man plucked one of the shelves from his case. "I... I would agree."

The man beamed. "I knew you'd agree with me. These are my finest rubies."

Adrien stared at the rings. A couple dozen rings lay perfectly nestled in the dark velvet lining. Adrien picked up one that caught his eye.

"Ah, a fine choice."

The more Adrien looked at the other rings, the more certain he felt the one in his hand was the only one that would do. However... "I don't know her ring size."

"Your father told me five and a half."

Adrien's eyes widened once again.

Mr. Damocles cocked his head in a way that made him seem particularly owlish. "Is something wrong?"

Adrien shook his head. "No," he said, staring down at the ring in his hand. "But, I think a talk with my father may be overdue."

...

"I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to talk to me," Marinette said. "It... it really helped put things into perspective for me."

Mr. Agreste grinned. "Of course. I'm glad I could offer such assistance. And though I do not want you to feel as though I pussed you into marrying my son, I'm pleased that is your choice. You've made quite the impression on my granddaughter and I've seen many positive changes in my son. You are good for both of them and they clearly adore you."

Marinette grinned, but she couldn't suppress the blush that rose to her face. "I adore them, too," she said. "And while I still feel a little, I don't know, nervous for this whole 'new relationship' thing, I'm also really happy and excited. I don't regret this choice."

His smile widened, and Marinette felt as though she was receiving the highest praise in the world. "I don't think you will. Now," he said, his expression shifting to a serious one. "Adrien said you wished to take the job?"

Marinette nodded. "I would love to. I'll work hard to prove my worth, too."

"I'm certain you will," Gabriel said. "That does not concern me. The job will open up come June. I'll have to work around Emma, unless you two have discussed getting a new nanny?"

Marinette shook her head. "Adrien said you'd be willing to work around one of us being with Emma."

"Then I'll organize that," Gabriel said. "Between your and Adrien's jobs, surely one of you can always be at home. Furthermore, Emma will soon be off to kindergarten meaning that I'll be able to have you here more in order to train you."

"That sounds good to me."

With that, Gabriel started explaining to her the description of her job and all the expectations for it. They discussed events she would need to attend and finally touched on salary. "Are those agreeable terms, Mrs. Kurtzburg?"

Marinette nodded. "Yes, sir."

He grinned. "Then the next time we meet, I'll have the employment papers for you to sign."

"That sounds perfect."

By then, Adrien had returned, hand in his pocket while shooting his father a look Marinette couldn't quite decipher. Though, by the smirk on Gabriel's face, it was clear he did.

"Did it not go well?" she asked Adrien, stepping up to his side and placing a hand on his arm.

"No," he assured, giving her a warm smile that could melt her on the spot. "It went perfectly fine. Should we go talk to Emma?"

Marinette smiled and nodded. "We should go find her. Thank you again, Mr. Agreste."

"Of course," he said with a nod. "Emma should still be up in your old room, Adrien. Nathalie and I did our best, but-"

"She threw a tantrum, didn't she?"

Marinette frowned.

Gabriel nodded. "A large one."

Adrien rubbed his eyes. "Was she crying for..."

Gabriel gave a single nod.

"Crying for who, Adrien?" Marinette asked.

He looked at her, hesitation clear on his face. With a sigh, he admitted, "She's been begging for her 'mommy' all weekend."

Suddenly, Marinette's heart sank through the floor. "Why didn't you tell me that?"

"Why? To make you feel guilty?"

Any retort died on her lips, and she could only shrug.

"It's not important, now," he said, grabbing hold of her hands. "It would only have been hard had you said no."

"You wouldn't have told me, would you?"

"Not a chance," he admitted. "But it's a moot point now considering you are going to be her mommy."

Before she could say a word, he gave her a small smile that silenced her. "Come on," he said. "Let's go tell her."

She looked up at him, and his grin widened hopefully. She returned his smile and relented. "Okay."

He led her up the stairs to the room she assumed was his old one. She took a moment to marvel at the shear size of it, but that only lasted a moment

"Mommy!"

Before she was attacked by a four-year-old little girl.

"Mommy," Emma said, tears forming in her eyes.

Her heart was officially in shreds at this point because she honestly loved this little girl and it broke Marinette's heart that she had caused Emma so much pain. Marinette pried the little girl off her long enough to kneel down in order to give Emma a proper hug, curling her up in her arms protectively while Emma cried against Marinette's shoulder.

When the tears slowed, Marinette pulled away just enough to look Emma in the eyes. "Emma," Marinette began. "Your daddy and I have something really important we want to tell you, okay?"

Emma still clung to Marinette's blouse as though Marinette would disappear any second. Not that she would go anywhere, and to prove it, she squeezed Emma's arms in reassurance. Eventually, Emma wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded.

Marinette glanced over at Adrien, who was now kneeling beside her. He gave her a nod, so she began. "Do you remember when I told you I'm not like momma bear because I'm not married to your daddy?"

Emma sniffed and nodded.

"Well," she said. "You see. I love your daddy very much."

"And I love Marinette very much," Adrien continued. "And because we love each other and want to be a family, we're going to get married."

"Which means," Marinette finished, "that when I marry your daddy, I'll become your mommy."

Emma's eyes widened as she let out a gasp.

"Is it okay that I become your mommy?" Marinette asked. "And come live with you and your daddy?"

Emma started crying again, holding on to Marinette as though her life depended on it. "Mommy," she sobbed. "Mommy."

Marinette cocooned the little girl up in her arms, clinging to her tightly. "I'll take that as a yes," she whispered, more to Adrien than to Emma.

Adrien just grinned. He reached over to stroke Emma's hair as Marinette held her tightly until her tears slowed.

"But Emma," Adrien said. "You see, there's still something very important I have to do."

Emma looked to her daddy curiously, as did Marinette. The tone of his voice was mock seriousness, and Marinette caught that unmistakable twinkle in his eye that meant he was definitely up to something.

"Because," he said to Emma, looking at her very seriously. "Before Marinette and I get married, I have to kneel in front of her..."

Marinette watched as he shifted to be on one knee. And suddenly her eyes were wide.

"And pull out this little box in my pocket..."

Her jaw dropped. He didn't.

His gaze shifted to hers, and suddenly that smile was fully genuine and his heart shone in his eyes. "And give her this ring..."

He did. Adrien flicked open the box, leaving Marinette to gasp at the insanely beautiful ruby that was glittering back at her.

"And ask her to be my wife," he said in such a reverent way that Marinette knew he wasn't talking to Emma any more. "And I hope she says yes."

"Mommy! Mommy! Say yes! You have to say yes!"

Marinette was aware of how Emma was shaking her arm, frantically begging her to say yes. But Marinette felt as though she'd just been hit with a punch to the chest as the reality of everything came crashing down upon her not for the first time in these last few days. She was going to marry him. She was going to be his wife. She was going to be Emma's mom. They were going to be a family.

And suddenly, her worries seemed small in comparison to how excited she was for all that to become reality. "Yes," she said, her voice surprisingly weak. "Yes."

Emma squealed happily before wrapping her arms around Mariette's torso.

Marinette looked down at the girl in fondness then hugged her back before looking up at Adrien. The smile he gave her completely stopped her heart. "Can I have 'mommy's' hand?" he quietly asked, a teasing lit to his voice.

She grinned and complied, holding out her left hand for him to take. His smile was wide and his eyes positively gleamed as he took the ruby ring from the little velvet box and slid it onto her finger with the most tender of care.

She felt the tears well in her eyes. The next thing she knew, Adrien had both her and Emma wrapped up in his embrace. She sniffed, then happily leaned against him, pressing her face into his neck and leaving tear stains on his shirt. But considering the way he simply squeezed them both tighter, she doubted he minded.

Emma was very clingy the rest of the day. She didn't let 'mommy' out of her sight and seemed to completely forget that 'mommy' had a name.

But Marinette was perfectly okay with that.

Eventually, it was time for Emma to go to bed. Marinette helped bathe her, then let Emma sit on her lap while Adrien read a chapter in the book.

She was out before Adrien even finished.

"She had a long day," he commented, marking the page and closing the book.

"A long weekend, from the sounds of it," Marinette added.

He hummed his agreement. Emma was soon tucked in with Plagg at her back and Tikki under her arm. They slipped silently from the room then made their way downstairs.

Once at the bottom of the stairs, Adrien caught Marinette's hand before she could take another step towards the front door. She whipped around to look at him, only to see a sly smirk and a mischievous sparkle in his eyes as he tried to drag her into the living room. While Marinette pretended to struggle against him, she allowed him to lead her and pull her on top of him as he collapsed onto the couch. She giggled and hid her face against his chest, then peeked out of her hiding spot to look at him. And when she met the gentle glint in his eyes, she knew she wouldn't be able to resist the urge to kiss him.

Twenty times over.

When was the last time she just made-out with a man? She felt like a teenager again, but the somewhat foreign sensation of the ring reminded her that she wasn't a teenager and she was engaged to the man who had his hands all over her and made her so immensely happy.

But then she also registered that he'd just presented her with a ring and they only just talked about that that very morning.

She pulled away, her breath coming in heavy pants just as his was. "Adrien," she said between breaths. "Just where. Did you get. This ring?"

He chuckled. "Father obviously knew something I didn't," he answered. "Because the 'business meeting' he sent me to handle was a jeweler who had brought a bunch of engagement rings for me to view. I spotted this one and knew it was perfect."

"Please tell me it wasn't too expensive."

He gave her a cheeky grin that practically confirmed that suspicion. "If I'm being honest, I really don't know how much it cost. I just told him to send me the bill."

"Adrien."

"Whatever it was," he said, brushing a stray tendril of hair from her face, "you're worth it."

"But I don't need a big, flashy, expensive ring."

"Do you like it?"

"I don't need a-"

"That wasn't the question," he gently interrupted. "Do you like it?"

She paused to look down at the gorgeous ruby set in white gold, the filigree on the sides mimicking vines of flowers that were embossed into the band. And it just so happened to fit perfectly on her hand. "It's beautiful-"

"Then that settles it," he said. "It's yours."

She wanted to argue, but she knew he wouldn't let her. So she settled for taking his cheeks in her hands and kissing him again.

He smiled against her lips, then slanted his head to press a deep kiss to her lips before pulling back and whispering, "I love you."

"I love you," she whispered back, kissing him again. The truth that rang in her words was impossible to ignore, even for her. Because she did love him. And the fact that she was going to marry him, that she would be his wife... it wasn't so nerve-wracking anymore. "I love you. I love you. I love you."

He grinned, then shifted her in his arms so as to hold her tighter.

They stayed just holding each other for a while, foreheads pressed together, arms wrapped around each other.

"We're engaged," Marinette whispered, finally putting that fact out in the air. "We're engaged."

"We are," Adrien said. "I'm really happy."

"So am I. Really. I... I didn't know I would be this happy."

He moved his hand to cradle the back of her head. "Is it too soon to ask when you want the wedding to be?"

She grinned, but that grin fell when she thought about it. She always had wanted to be a spring bride. April or May. But seeing as April was coming to a close and there wasn't enough time to plan an entire wedding within a month, May was out of the question. Meaning that if she wanted to be a spring bride, she'd have to wait a year.

She pulled away so she could see Adrien fully. She took a moment to take in the man before her and knew without a shadow of a doubt that that was far too long to wait. Realistically, she should be shooting for fall or winter at the latest, but she was never a cold-weather person. "July or August?"

Adrien's eyes widened slightly.

She grinned. "I'm up to planning a fast wedding."

Slowly, an unabashedly happy grin crossed his face. "July or August," he repeated happily. "July or August. Maybe July for the sake of saving our anniversary from being overshadowed by the hectic fall fashion release around late August."

"July," she whispered. "I'm perfectly content with that."

More kisses were exchanged before they finally calmed down and simply lay together curled up on the couch. He toyed with a lock of her hair, which made her want to fall asleep right here on his chest. But then that meant she'd be doing the walk-of-shame tomorrow. While the shame part would not remotely be true, it made her think of something she kind of neglected to think about earlier that day. "Adrien."

"Hmm?"

"Um..." she bit her lip. "Well... I know we talked about having kids..."

His eyes opened to meet hers as he patiently listened.

"But we never talked about when."

His lips pursed in thought. "I guess we didn't." he said.

"So, uh, when-"

"Your choice," he quickly answered. "That is your decision."

Her brow furrowed. "But, I mean, it would be your child, too. You should have a say."

He gave her a soft smile. "Marinette," he began. "I've been a dad for nearly five years. I'm perfectly fine to become a dad again soon. I don't care when."

"Even if we started right away?"

His eyes widened slightly.

Her gaze fell to his chest as warmth blossomed in her cheeks. "I... I've wanted a baby for a while," she said. "And who knows if we'll have to start treatments or not. Nathaniel and I were just beginning to talk about that possibility before..." she sighed. "I just want to give us as much time as possible if we need it."

His smile widened, and he took her cheeks in his hands, guiding her eyes back to his. "Wedding night," he said. "We'll start trying. However long that takes us to get those two little ones you wanted."

She smiled. "Boys."

He grinned. "Boys. We'll try for two boys."

Her heart was fluttering, excitement overflowing from her. "When I was younger," she began, words pouring from her mouth in a way she couldn't stop even if she wanted to. "I wanted three. Two boys, and a girl."

He smiled. "We can still have that little girl," he said.

"That's the thing," she said. "I had names for them all."

He quirked a brow.

"Hugo and Louis for the boys, and then a girl named Emma."

She watched him take in that information. She could practically see the gears in his mind turning. She grinned. "One way or another, Emma is the girl I've always wanted. I'm absolutely thrilled to be her mom."

His grin widened as his arms snaked around her waist. "How'd I get so lucky to have you as my fiancée?"

Her cheeks warmed, but she couldn't help but smile at him. "Well, I'd like to know how I somehow was blessed enough to be part of this family."

Next thing she knew, his hand was cradling the back of her head, pulling her in for another round of kisses. She sighed, her eyes closed and smile on her lips as he kissed her again and again, and she returned every single kiss he bestowed upon her.

When she had to part for air, Adrien didn't let her get too much distance and settled for having his face pressed against the side of her head. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you ten times over. I love you so much."

"I love you, too," she whispered back. "So much that I don't want to go. But if I don't go now, I don't know if I ever will."

He whined in protest, giving her a squeeze. "Fine," he grumbled, disentangling his arms but still resting his hands on her hips.

"I don't want to," she assured. "Trust me."

"How quick can July get here?"

She took his cheeks in her hands. "Not quick enough." With that, she pressed one more kiss to his lips before reluctantly moving away him. Adrien stood from the couch and followed as she walked to the door. She slid on her shoes, and Adrien held her purse for her.

She took hold of it, knowing he wouldn't let go. Knowing he would pull her closer so her chest bumped against his. "I'm usually pretty patient," he whispered. "But I cannot wait for the day you come over to stay."

She grinned.

"I'll help you pack when the time's ready," he said, "And in the meantime, I'll start shifting the guest room into a design studio."

Her heart felt as though it was flying. "Okay."

With one, two, three more kisses goodbye, Marinette finally headed out the door into the night. She felt his gaze on her as she made it out to her car, and she couldn't help but turn back to smile at him. She gave him one last wave before getting in her car and driving off into the night.

She was so happy when she stopped at a red light. It meant she could let out the squeal of excitement she'd been holding in all day.

Apparently, no matter if she was eighteen or twenty-seven, she still squealed like a little girl after getting engaged.

She stared down at the ruby, and she just couldn't help but bounce in her seat like a child high on a sugar rush. She was engaged to an amazing man and they were going to get married and have a family and she was so happy.

When she got to her house, she suddenly realized that she would have to tell everyone. Her parents, Nino, Alya, her friends. They would all learn she was engaged and would be married soon and, and-

She needed to take one step at a time. Parents. She'd tell her parents first and Nino tomorrow.

She leapt from the car, only for it to beep at her in a reminder to turn off the headlights. Once that was done, she shoved her keys into the door, fumbling with it before it finally opened. She then bolted up the stairs and into the apartment, startling both her parents who happened to be watching TV in the living room.

"I'm engaged!" she blurted, holding out her hand to show them the ring. Her ruby ring. Her beautiful ring given to her by the most amazing man in the world and she was ecstatic.

Her parents stared at her, speechless for a moment before her maman started smiling. She stood from the couch and quickly rushed over to Marinette. "I'm so happy for you!" she said, tackling her daughter in a hug.

Marinette could feel happy tears bubbling up and didn't even try to hold them back. "Thank you, maman. Thank you."

They stood like that for a moment until she felt a weight on her shoulder. Marinette looked up to see her papa beside her, smiling and crying, and soon, he wrapped both her and her mother up in his large embrace. "My little girl's getting married again," he said. "I'm so happy for you, Marinette."

"Thank you, Papa," she said, leaning her head against his chest. "Thank you."