CH.11: Closing chapter

Marinette sat in the back of Adrien's family car as they were driven to school. She and Adrien were now officially a couple…both in social and crime fighting life. Nathalie and Adrien's body guard were taking them to school and for most of the drive the two were silent. Marinette could see that Adrien was wanting to hold her hand and she too was itching…but…Nathalie seemed to be focused on them so doing so might not be wise.

"I am sure you two are questioning the events surrounding Gabriel Agreste and what will happen next for his Fashion Empire correct? The way I see it…well…given the partners Gabriel entertained it is possible his company will see itself divided amongst them. However given that you are his heir Adrien…a huge part of the revenue and income will go directly to you."

Marinette gawked a bit at that. She imagined that Gabriel would not want this…but…given how he was now resting behind bars…his say was left to rot. Hawk Moth was finished…though whether someday he might escape or another villain would rise to take his place remained to be seen. As it was Adrien didn't speak much after the cops took in his father. Paris had a field day with Gabriel arrested, and no amount of money or backing from the Mayor would help him out this time.

Marinette was relieved that the Mayor did not get his way of keeping Gabriel out of jail. Chloe was avoiding Adrien and it was clear from her being with Adrien that she was doing all she could to hold that tongue of hers. This was another thing on the 'wait and see' list, given her history with Chloe and now that she was dating Adrien it could prove troublesome in the school scene.

"The mansion will have to be sold…and much of the stuff inside. I will go and find work elsewhere, do not worry about me young Adrien…it is time I start living my life anew. As for yourself…I would recommend filing independence, live on-."

"Nathalie…I was wondering if…you'd adopt me." Adrien had finally spoken and both Marinette and Nathalie were speechless.

"I-I don't know what to say…I would have thought you'd-." Nathalie had trouble forming words and Marinette did not blame her.

"Yes, well, turns out my father had things to say about you that I never considered. Truth is…you were a mother when I needed one…but I treated you like some babysitter that was always watching me and keeping me from having a life. I want you to adopt me…to continue looking out for me but not as someone hired by my father, or hired by me, but by a teenager who needs someone to help him grow as an individual…and to be family."

Marinette reached down to hold onto Adrien's hand and saw him smile. The two of them sat there in the car for a bit and Nathalie made a motion to the driver to stop.

"I will have the papers drawn up then. I will let you two walk to school from here…and Adrien…treat her right." Nathalie smiles at the two of them before Marinette opens the door and walks out. The car begins to leave and Marinette is still holding onto Adrien's hand.

"So M'lady…what does the future hold for us now?" Marinette could have closed her eyes and pictured Cat Noir speaking those words…except it wasn't Cat Noir…it was Adrien, her boyfriend.

"I imagine it hold a tardy slip if we do not hurry. Hey Adrien…do you think things will be different now that our identities are revealed?" Marinette begins to walk and Adrien matches her pace as the two of them see the school in the distance and Nino and Alya waving to them.

"Oh…I am sure it will make things interesting, that is for sure. Truth is…I am ok with the way things are…over the way things were. Hiding who I was from you…it felt wrong each time we transformed. I have always wanted to share this part of my life with someone…and now that you are you and I am me…we should have quite the double life to live."

Marinette supposed she could see some truth to that. She was in love with Adrien whom was Cat Noir and Adrien was in love with Ladybug who was her. Overall it was the perfect ending to a rather messy string of affairs. Hawk Moth was gone but again no telling if he was truly gone or just taken out of a bigger equation dealing with a grander ploy of villains set to rise. The book revealed many Miraculous and their user…and in time they might be revealed…till then they were just as much a mystery to them as to anyone else.

"Race you to school?' Marinette grinned as she let go of his hand and began to race. Adrien wasn't too far behind her.

As they raced the view of the school changed and they were on the rooftop chasing after some hooded bad guy. The feel of the night breeze against her felt so refreshing and she swung to the next rooftop with Cat Noir right by her side, as he always would be.

"M'lady…you ready for this?" He grinned that boyish grin of his and she could see the face of Adrien more than just a blank face.

"I am…let's go Cat Noir!" She rushed off and for once in her life she was truly happy…with Cat Noir aka Adrien Agreste she was ready to tackle the darkness. The two of them were more than just partners now…they were boyfriend and girlfriend, defenders of Paris and they were unstoppable.

THE END

Authors note: This Epilogue was meant to sum things up and keep things nice and tidy in the end, which I hope I accomplished. Thanks to all who made this story what it is. Looking forward to season two whenever it decides to air…and see you all later.