12Hello readers! A couple quick things in Housekeeping:
1. I am SOOOOOOO sorry about the delay (7 month delay...) in uploading the conclusion to our story! Between graduating college, working full time at my job, and a general sense of not being inspired, there just hasn't been a lot of time spent writing for fun.
2. This may be my last story for a while. I have the general premise for a new story, but like I mentioned earlier, I have not had a fair amount of free time dedicated to writing. Especially with a potential job change on the horizon. I do urge you to subscribe to my Author feed as you never know when planets will align or inspiration will strike.
I believe that is all for housekeeping! Without further ado, I present the final chapter of My Christmas Wish:
All I Want for Christmas Is You
The next few days passed in a blur. The heroes appeared on several news outlets to recount their fight and answer questions. Before anyone knew it, Christmas Eve had arrived.
It had taken much skill and even more begging, but Adrien had managed to convince his father to let him spend Christmas Eve with Marinette's family. Marinette and her parents hurried about the house before he was set to arrive. They were determined to give Adrien the best Dupain-Cheng Christmas they possibly could.
"Maman, does the tree look evenly decorated? Are there enough variety in the cookies we made? Is there too much garland? WHY did Papa put mistletoe in EVERY SINGLE DOORWAY?" Marinette ran about frantically. Sabine had to physically restrain her with an embrace.
"Everything looks great, honey. Adrien will have a marvelous Christmas." Marinette took a steading breath.
"You're right. And you're sure that it's fine that Adrien sleeps down here on the couch tonight?"
Sabine smiled. "Yes, it's fine. We start our celebration so late, I don't want him to feel like he has to rush home. His father's assistant – Nathalie, I think it was – said that everything would be fine as long Adrien is home by noon tomorrow." She now saw how fidgety her daughter was, as she did when she was about to ask a question she was nervous about. "What is it Marinette?"
A blush crept over the girl's face. "Would it be alright if I made a pallet next to the couch and slept down here tonight? You know how much I love to sleep next to the Christmas lights… and that way Adrien's not alone." Marinette glanced sheepishly up at her mother. A chuckle escaped Sabine's lips.
"I suppose that will be fine. Just no funny business, alright?" Marinette's blush intensified.
"MAMAN! Nothing like that is going to happen, okay? We've only been dating for, what? Less than two weeks?"
Sabine laughed, moving to the kitchen to begin preparing the Christmas Eve feast. Marinette let out an exasperated huff of air. Mothers can be so embarrassing!
Adrien arrived with an overnight bag just as the sun began disappearing behind the Paris skyline. As he walked into the apartment above the bakery, the smell of Christmas greeted him. The fragrance of the live tree mingled with the scent of various spices, pastries, and meats. Each smell was unique yet did not clash; they blended into a beautiful harmony. Adrien couldn't remember the last time he was in a home that smelled this good.
"Adrien! You're here!" Marinette ran down the stairs that led up to her room. If the smell of dinner filled up the room, her smile lit up the whole city.
"Hey! Yeah. I just let myself in. I figured you guys would be busy setting up for your Reveillon feast. Was that okay?" He rubbed his neck nervously. Adrien visibly relaxed as Marinette took his hand, squeezing it to comfort him.
"That's fine. We all want you to come around whenever you want. Papa said to never hesitate to let yourself in." She led him to where he could dump his bag during dinner. "If you want, you can stick your bag and Plagg up in my room. Tikki's already up there snacking on some special Christmas cookies I made them."
Plagg popped his head out of his cozy spot in Adrien's shirt pocket at the mention of Tikki and cookies. "Hey Baker Girl! Got any cheese up there?"
Adrien shoved him back into the pocket. "Be grateful you pig!"
Marinette just laughed. "Yes Plagg. I actually made a special cheese bread just for you. Merry Christmas!" The kwami made an uncharacteristic squeak as he flew up the stairs to his love… and Tikki.
"I guess I'll just leave my bag down here then." Adrien stashed his bag behind one of the couches.
"Perfect timing because dinner just finished." Tom walked out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron. Adrien straightened.
"Hello sir. I know we've met before, but I would like to formally introduce myself as your daughter's boyfriend." He held out his hand for a hand shake. Tom's face turned stoic as he accepted the handshake, which quickly turned into a hug.
"You are such a gentleman, Adrien! Like I'm sure Marinette told you, you are welcome here anytime. I already know how happy you make her, and I can't wait to get to know you better, son." Tom gave him one last shoulder squeeze as he released the boy.
Adrien stifled his gasps for air. He didn't realize how strong Marinette's father was. "Well, then I hope our paths croissant again, sir!" He smiled sheepishly after that lame attempt at a bakery pun. Tom looked to his daughter while silently pointing to Adrien.
"I like this boy. Keep him."
"Sabine, this Christmas feast was INCREDIBLE!" Adrien patted his very full stomach. "I don't think I'll have to eat again for at least a week."
The woman laughed as she began to clear the table. "Thank you, Adrien. Did you have a favorite dish?" Adrien pondered the question.
"I'm going to have to go with the baked ham. The spiced apples and the pears added an exquisite layer of flavor. I was wondering though," The boy gestured to the untouched bowl of apples in the middle of the table. "Are the apples just for decoration or are they something special?" As everyone else aided in the dinner clean up, Marinette explained.
"In the Chinese culture, 'apple' sounds like 'peace'. Apples are exchanged and eaten on Christmas Eve because it means 'peaceful' or 'quiet evening'. It's something that Maman did growing up, so we've integrated it into our traditions." Marinette placed her dishes into the dishwasher. "Do you and your father have and Christmas traditions, Adrien?"
He shrugged. "Not really; not since my mom disappeared. Now Nathalie, my bodyguard, and I decorate the trees in the lobby. My father and I just have a Christmas day lunch. That's about it."
Nobody knew what to say after that. Sabine held a gorgeously decorated dessert aloft in attempt to recapture some of the cheer that had left the room.
"I hope everyone saved room for the Bûche de Noel!"
"The Christmas Log!" Tom exclaimed excitedly. "I've been looking forward to this all night!"
After desert, the group dispersed to change into comfortable clothes before the exchanging of gifts at midnight. Marinette checked on Tikki and Plagg before slipping into her warmest sweatpants and a sweater Nona had sent her while on her latest adventures. Hearing a knock on the trapdoor, the kwamis scurried under nearest pillow.
"Marinette? Are you decent?" It was Adrien.
"Yes. Come on up." The hinges squeaked in protest as the boy opened the door. He had a very similar idea to Marinette of what "comfortable" was. He sported a black pair of sweatpants bearing the Ladybug insignia and a loose long-sleeve green shirt that had a kitten wearing a Santa hat, meowing "Have a Puurrfect Christmas".
"Nice pants." Marinette giggled.
Adrien's smile quirked into a Chat Noir smirk as he threw himself into several outlandish model poses, highlighting the pants. "You like what you see?" Marinette laughed again, lightly punching him in the shoulder. Adrien wished he could hear her laughter all the time.
"Let's look at the lights on the balcony," Marinette was already tugging him towards the roof access. "Christmas Eve lights from this view are spectacular."
The air was chilly as the door opened, whipping loose strands about their faces. Adrien could not deny the beauty of the lights below him. Festive reds and greens mingled with the ordinary whites and yellows of store fronts. All of them reflected in the wide gaze of the girl he had fallen for.
"Isn't it beautiful?" She whispered.
"Yeah, but not as beautiful as you." Marinette turned to him with a classic Ladybug stare.
"That was corny."
"No. Corn is corny. That was sentiment." He dug his phone out of his pocket and scrolled until he found the song he was looking for. The slow melody of All I Want for Christmas Is You began to play softly on the breeze. He bowed slightly, his hand outstretched. "Will you dance with me, My Lady?"
The girl curtsied. "Of course, Kitty."
The teens swayed slowly to the music; no longer awkward like the first time they danced at Chloe's party. This was comfortable, this was two people who trusted each other explicitly.
As the song reached its end, Adrien pulled a small package from his other pocket. "Speaking of what you want for Christmas, I wanted to give you your present now. I couldn't wait another couple of hours." It was a small jewelry box with an envelope tied to it. "Open the box first." He encouraged. Marinette moved to sit in the chair situated along the back wall of her balcony to open her gift.
"Oh, Adrien! It's beautiful!" She held up an intricately etched charm bracelet. Several charms were already attached to it, including a miniature Eiffel Tower, loaf of bread, gaming controller, and a little ladybug next to a little cat. Marinette glanced up, tears in her eyes. "This must have cost a fortune. It's too much!" The boy waved his hand dismissively.
"Nah. Father gives me more of an allowance than I actually need, and I enjoy hunting down sales and bargains. May I help you put it on?" Nodding emphatically, Marinette held out her right arm. Adrien clipped the bracelet together, then lightly pressed his lips to the back of her hand. Marinette stifled a gasp.
"Hey, why don't you open the envelope now?" Marinette had almost forgotten it. Careful not to tear the contents, she eased her finger under the flap. Her hands shaking, Marinette withdrew the silky paper of two tickets to…
"The next Fashion Week?" She squealed. She threw her arms around her boyfriend, trying not to sob. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" The poor girl blubbered.
"I know you've always wanted to go. Tickets for the public won't go on sale for months, but Father always gets several dozen tickets ahead of time to dole out to people who deserve it. He gave me a few to give to friends." He pulled Marinette back, so he could wipe the tears from her face. "Those two are for you and Alya. Nino will join you guys since I'll most likely be modeling for my father. But you can be my date on the red carpet entering the event, if you'd like."
Adrien winced as Marinette punched him in the arm gleefully, with more force than she had earlier. "Of COURSE, I'd like to be your date! This is the best gift EVER!" The grin rapidly vanished from her face. "But the gift I made you can't possibly compare to what you've given me…" She ran down to her room.
Marinette returned quickly with her hands behind her back. "Consider this part one until I can figure something else out. Sorry it's not wrapped yet." Adrien stared at the creation in her hand.
It was a pale blue beanie hat with intricate ribbing detail on the upturned brim. There was something familiar about it…
"Wait, this looks like the scarf Father gave me for my birthday a few years back." He took the hat in his hands, running them over the silky strands of the yIarn she had used. Adrien noticed Marinette wouldn't meet his eyes.
"I didn't want to tell you…"
"Marinette. Just tell me." She took a deep breath.
"The year you started school with us, I had maybe… a tiny… itty bitty… majorcrushonyou." The words just spill out of Marinette. "I was so happy it was your birthday and I wanted to make you a special gift. I left the box with the scarf I made on the inside table after you walk in your big doors and somehow, someway, you thought your father had given you the scarf." Her eyes turned misty now; she spoke softly. "You looked so happy. I couldn't take that away from you."
Marinette took a calming breath. "The plan was always to make you a matching hat, but there was always the possibility of you asking about the sc-" Her voice was suddenly silenced by a soft kiss from Adrien. As he pulled away, she could see the tears in his eyes.
"This is why I love you, Marinette. You look out for everyone's best interests above your own. Let me do that for you now." She smiled and nodded, resting her head on his chest.
The heroes, now with arms around each other's waists, looked out at the glittering snow-covered canvas below them.
"Merry Christmas, Marinette."
"Merry Christmas, Adrien."
FIN
I hope you enjoyed the conclusion to our tale! As the Hallowthanksmas season is upon us, do not hesitate to reread the Holidaze series from the beginning as it is back in season. Until next time, readers!
"One little spark, of inspiration/ Is at the heart, of all creation/ Right at the start, of everything that's new/ One little spark, lights up for you" - Journey into Imagination, EPCOT
"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."" -Mark 10:27