The Spirit of Christmas

Chapter 2

When Adrien switched off his alarm in the early hours of the morning, it wasn't with the usual groan at having to get up while it was still dark outside. For the first time in a long time he jumped out of bed with a smile on his face.

His mind couldn't stop thinking about Marinette and that summer they had spent together as children. As a sheltered child who had been homeschooled Adrien hadn't interacted much with children his own age. Shy and awkward, he was mesmerised by the girl with dark pigtails that bobbed as she ran and who happily took his hand so she could show off the shells she had collected.

Like the sun that beamed down on the shimmering ocean, Marinette had brought a warmth to his life, something that up until then only his mother had done. That light had been snuffed out after his mother died and Adrien felt it was something he would never find again. He didn't entirely blame his father. Adrien knew he was distraught at the loss of his wife, and he didn't really know how to raise his son except to shut him away from the world, but it wasn't an excuse either. Even Nathalie, the family's trusted assistant, had tried to tell Gabriel his approach had been wrong, that one day Adrien would grow up and leave but he wouldn't listen.

Adrien had begged his father to take him that following summer back to Calais so he could see his friend, so he could once again find that warmth and sunshine but Gabriel wouldn't have it. Adrien was an Agreste and above such childish folly, even at 13. Clinging onto the lucky charm bracelet Marinette had given him as a farewell gift, Adrien cried for weeks until eventually one day he gave up on the idea of ever seeing his sunshine again.

Fate had a funny way of stepping in, Adrien mused as he rinsed off in the shower. Now that he had found Marinette again he was determined to make sure that this time they wouldn't lose contact. Would it be too forward to ask her out on a date? Would that even be fair considering he was only going to be staying another week or so. After that he would have to return to the hospital in Paris to complete his residency.

Perplexed what to do, Adrien got dressed in his hospital scrubs and grabbed his watch for the table. "Oh no." He grumbled, picking up the small piece of paper sitting next to his watch. He had totally forgotten about the staff Secret Santa. He had gotten the name of the old receptionist out of the bag and he didn't have the faintest idea what to buy her. Adrien then had a light bulb moment. Grabbing his coat, he raced out to his car.

~~~~~
The café was really busy. Fresh falls on the slopes had brought out the skiers, many stopping for their coffee fix on their way. Tikki had her long red hair thrown up into a messy bun and was directing two of their casual high school kids who were keen to make some extra holiday money. Marinette had been flat out in the kitchen all morning baking goods for the day. Now that she was finished she could help Tikki out at the counter. Behind the display cabinet, Marinette saw a single long stem rose in a box.

"Plagg apologising for something again?" Marinette asked.

"He probably should." Tikki laughed. "He offered to cook last night and between you and me I don't consider baked Camembert with sourdough dipping bread to be sufficient for dinner." The two girls giggled before Tikki continued. "However, a courier dropped that off earlier and it isn't for me, it's for you."

Tikki chuckled at the red flush on Marinette's face when she picked up the card and read it.

Marinette,

Thank you for the hot chocolate last night. I was wondering if I could ask my new found fiancée for a favour if you happen to be free this afternoon. Give me a call on the number below.

Adrien x

"Care to tell me what that's all about?" Tikki asked, reading the message over Marinette's shoulder with an amused grin. "I leave you alone for the night and you pick up a stranger that walks through the door and get engaged?"