The Deal

13

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   "Marinette! Hold still!" Alya shouted for what felt like the nth time in an hour, trying to apply makeup to her best friend's face.

   Marinette couldn't help her fidgeting. She was sweating even worse than a sinner in church! She was beyond nervous and swore she was going to make a fool of herself wearing two-inch heels. Two inches too many!

   "I'm sorry, Alya," The bluenette apologized, biting her lower lip, "I've just got a lot on my mind."

The ombré-haired woman rolled her eyes and smiled softly.

"Just breathe and focus on Adrien, then everything will be okay," Alya informed. Marinette winced before reluctantly nodding her head. She knew what Alya meant. Marinette did have butterflies but that wasn't her main concern. No, there were bigger fish that need frying.

There was a knock on the door before it opened with a groan. Sabine's head poked into the room, steel-gray eyes looking between the two women.

"Are you ready, dear? You need to be out here in a few minutes," Sabine asked, moving into the room and closing the door.

"She's almost done, Mrs. Dupain-Cheng. We just have to put in the veil," Alya informed. Sabine smiled before looking over at her nervous daughter.

She knelt down to Marinette's height and looked her directly in the eye, saying, "You look absolutely stunning, Marinette."

Marinette's face turned a slight shade of pink and a small smile graced her lips. She stood up from her chair and hugged her mother tightly, who returned the embrace. She hoped everything would turn out just as it was planned.

But, not everything goes to plan.

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"Dude, you alright?" Nino asked the stiff as a board blonde male. Adrien could feel sweat lace his forehead from the cold glare he was getting from his father through a tablet.

Let's just say, it took a lot of convincing to marry Marinette. Yet, his father was still very much against this marriage. It was all worth it when Adrien bothered his father enough to get him to agree.

The blonde had a lot less trouble getting Tom's blessing. Right at the mention of marrying Marinette, Tom didn't have to think twice about it. No hesitation or reluctantly when he allowed Adrien to propose.

Now, here he was, standing under the alter and waiting for the love of his life. Yet, the disapproving look his father was giving wasn't helping his nerves the slightest.

"Yeah, I'm good," Adrien answered the DJ. Nino patted his friend's shoulder reassuringly. Adrien had been best friends with Nino ever since the blonde began to secretly date Marinette. They've been partners in crime since and played online video games together.

   "You both have come a long and bumpy way down the road. Now, it was all worth it since you're getting married," Nino said. Adrien nodded in agreement. It took a lot to sneak away in dates and not be caught. But, it has finally come to a new kind of freedom he never thought he would ever experience.

   A dream come true.

   "And to think, it all started because your father made a deal to pay Marinette to be your friend. Crazy, right?" Nino joked. However, Adrien was confused and looked at Nino.

   "What deal?"

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   "Take a deep breath," Tom informed his daughter, who fidgeted on the spot. Marinette did as her father instructed, clutching the bouquet in her left hand. She gave her father a grateful smile still feeling a little jittery.

   "Thank you, Papa...," the bluenette, standing on the tips of her toes and kissing her dad's cheek, "...for everything. I love you."

   "I love you too, sweetheart," Tom replied, softly and returned the kiss on her forehead. The organ began to play a different tune. Marinette felt butterflies in her stomach the moment she and her father began to walk down the aisle.

   She gulped down her nerves and held her chin high. She felt free and confident but scared all at the same time. This was her and Adrien's moment. Victory was in their grasp after all the trouble it took to get here. They could finally be together without anything or anyone getting in the way.

   The two made it to the alter. Tom let go of Marinette's arm and went to take a seat next to his wife in the front row. Marinette happily turned her attention towards the love of her life, wanting to see his reaction.

   Yet, she wasn't expecting to see such anguish in his eyes. Her bright smile fell as the priest began to start the ceremony. Marinette only ignored him, trying to figure out what was wrong with her soon-to-be husband.

   Suddenly, Adrien gave her a cold glare before stomping away down the aisle. He left Marinette standing at the alter all by herself in confusion. She looked at Alya, who seemed concerned and mad. Then, Marinette gazed over at Nino for some sort of answers.

His eyes were wide and skin pale as he stared at the bluenette like he made a big mistake.

Then, it hit her that Adrien knew about the deal and the tears began to flow. A stabbing feeling hit her heart repeatedly and years of the weighted guilt finally crushed her soul. It hurt how close they were to only be farther away.

Alya quickly dragged her best friend back to her dressing room, leaving behind many confused people in their wake. The brunette shut the door behind her and settled a crying Marinette onto a chair.

"What happened? Why did Adrien look mad then storm out? Why did Nino look like he saw a ghost? What in the world happened, girl?" Alya interrogated, placing her hands on the bluenette's shoulders.

Marinette's makeup was all messed up and eyes were bloodshot red. After that, Alya didn't want to see another bride cry on her wedding day.

   "I...I d-don't know. M-Maybe, he th-thought I was a-after his m-m-money?" Marinette spoke the half-truth, whimpering with a raspy voice. Alya pursed her lips before bringing Marinette into a hug.

   "I-I didn't even g-get to t-tell him," she continued. This caught Alya's attention and pulled an arm's length away before she asked, "Tell him what?"

   The room grew quiet for a moment, the air growing with an intense unsureness. Marinette's breathing evened out while staring into Alya's tense stare. The bluenette bit her lip, looking away in embarrassment.

   Alya shook the bluenette's shoulders and repeated her question. This time, Marinette made eye contact with Alya once again.

   "I'm pregnant."

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