Cold Days, Warm Hearts

Chapter 12 - Merry

3 years later...

Marinette added a few final touches to their very own Christmas tree. Most of the apartment was still filled with boxes that would need to be unpacked, but that would have to wait. Tonight was about celebrating Christmas Eve in their very own place, and Marientte wanted it to be perfect.

Opening a soft bag, she took out three special baubles, one with her name, the one she made for Adrien and the one he had made to remember his mother. She hung them up on the tree. She hoped that one day they would be able to add more names to the tree.

The bell dinged on the oven and Marinette put on her mitts to take out the chicken she had roasted. Checking the time, it would only be around 15 minutes before Adrien would be home and she wanted to have everything ready before he arrived. 

Taking out two long red candles with snowflake decorations embossed on them, she set them on the table and lit the flames, creating a soft glow when she turned down the light. In the ice bucket was a chilled bottle of their favourite Sauvignon Blanc and a basket of fresh bread rolls sat on the table that she had made earlier in the day. Adrien spent such long hours from early in the morning at the bakery, but he was dedicated to the job and wanted to be able to repay the faith her parents had shown in him by training him and investing their time and energy in him. Marinette was so proud of his achievements.

Taking out some warmed up plates, she served up the chicken and vegetables, putting them on the table just as she heard the apartment door open. "Are you here Bugaboo?" Adrien called out.

"Right here." She said, taking off her apron and coming out to greet him. She could see he was tired from the long day, but there was nothing tired about his smile, or the sparkle in his eyes when he saw her.

"What's that behind your back there Kitty?" She asked as he clearly was hiding something.

"Just a little something for you." He replied, revealing a bunch of red roses.

"Aww, they're beautiful." She said, taking a deep smell of their aromatic aroma. "And you picked up my promise ring from the jewelry store before you came home, right?" The wide eyes and panicked look on her boyfriend's face was little comfort. "Adrien, how could you forget? Not only did you insist on having my ring cleaned today, on Christmas Eve of all days, but you forgot to pick it up? I feel naked without it on."

Adrien's face morphed into something a lot more mischievous. "How naked?" He said, leaning in and wiggling his eyebrows at her with a flirtatious smoulder. Marinette pushed his nose away with her finger.

"Oh shush you." She giggled. She could hardly stay mad at him on Christmas Eve, especially when he was looking at her like that. "Come on, and sit down Chaton."

Adrien's eyes lit up to see the table all set up, complete with Christmas tablecloth and napkins. "M'lady...you must have worked on cooking this for hours."

Marinette took out the bottle of wine and poured it into the glasses. "You deserve it for all the hard work you do." She said, placing the glasses down and kissing him on the forehead. "Besides, it's our first Christmas in our own place, and we'll be spending tomorrow with my parents. So why not celebrate tonight?"

Adrien grabbed her hand and softly kissed the inside of her wrist. "No wonder I love you." He said, nuzzling his cheek against her hand and looking up to see her blush. It was still his favourite thing to do besides kissing her, but he had a feeling he was going to get plenty of those later.

~~~~~

After dinner, Adrien suggested they should open up their gifts for each other now since they would be opening gifts from her parents tomorrow. Marinette felt he just wanted to see what she had made him, but she didn't mind. Sitting together on their couch she handed Adrien his gift. She watched on with a wide grin as he held the knitted cat jumper up.

"I'm only here for the Purr-esents" Adrien read out, looking over the picture of a black cat under a Christmas tree. He could see on the tree there was a small ornament of a Ladybug too, a special touch just for them. "Marinette, this must have taken you days, I love it so much." He gushed, scooping her up and planting a loud kiss on her lips. "I hope you realise I'm wearing this to your parents place tomorrow."

"I kind of suspected you would." She giggled. She knew her Kitty too well.

Adrien then took out a box from under the tree about the size of his hand. Marinette felt it had a bit of weight to it and carefully opened it. Inside the package was a beautiful glass and silver jewellery box with "Marinette" engraved on a silver panel at the front of it.

"Kitty, it's beautiful." She said, smiling at him. "I finally have a proper place for all the necklaces and earrings you keep buying me."

"There's still something else inside." He said, pointing to the jewelry box.

"Oh Kitty, what did you go and buy now?" She playfully shided. Adrien would find almost any excuse to buy her jewellery - when they graduated from Lycèe, every birthday and Christmas, when she was accepted to ESMOD... each one held a special place in her heart.

Marinette felt as though she had stopped breathing, though when she opened the box. Inside was a stunning petite twist diamond solitaire engagement ring on a rose gold band. When she looked up her boyfriend had slid off the couch and onto one knee.

"Marinette." He began, reaching out to hold her hand in his. "Three years ago, I thought my world had fallen apart. Instead, I found that my life had only just begun. You had brought this stray cat home for Christmas and shared your house, your family and your love. I promised you then that I would stay by your side always, as both your Chat Noir, but also as your partner for life. You're the one I want to share my life with, have a family with and live to be old with. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, my Ladybug, will you make my Christmas Merry and Bright by becoming my wife?"

By the time he had finished his speech, the tears were trickling down Marinette's cheeks. She smiled and nodded her head. "Yes." She said as he sat back next to her and she fell into his embrace. "Yes I'll marry you my minou."

Adrien pulled back, taking the ring out of the jewellry box and sliding it on her finger. He then cradled her face in his hands and pulled her into a deep kiss, pouring every ounce of his love for her into the way his lips moved with hers. He then trailed soft kisses down her neck.

"By the way..." He murmured against her skin. "Your promise ring is in my pocket."

Marinette started laughing, which he joined in before resting her forehead against his. "Adrien, I don't know what I'm going to do with you sometimes." She chuckled.

"Well I had to find a way to have your finger bare for your new ring. " He replied as he took the promise ring he had given her three years ago out of his pocket and handed it to her. "I guess you could keep it in the jewellery box now." Marinette shook her head and instead she put it on her finger on her right hand.

"This ring was a symbol of our beginning, and I'm going to wear it until the very end." She said, touching his cheek with her hand. "Merry Christmas Kitty." She whispered.

"Merry Christmas m'lady." He whispered back before kissing her again.

A/N - Thank you so much for sharing this 12 Days of Christmas journey with me, I hope you enjoyed it. Until next time 💜