A Miraculous Christmas

Marinette takes a picnic basket and packs a few things, namely, a Yule cake, a packet of homemade cookies, a thermos filled with hot chocolate, two cups and a rectangular box covered in wrapping paper. It had a light blue background with little snowmen. She had already confirmed with her parents how much time there was and the answer was enough for her to have a cute little Christmas picnic. 

Tikki returned back through the window. "Tikki! Are you alright? Did anyone see you?" 

"Nope, everything went fine Marinette." Tikki assured her. "Cat Noir will be meeting for you at the top of the Eiffel Tower in 10 minutes."

"Okay, no time to lose, here Tikki." She fed Tikki a blue macaron, giving her a power-up. "Stalac Tikki, Spots On!" Marinette's normal clothes were now covered by the Ladybug suit with a beautiful winter glow up.  "All set to go." She said to herself and climbed up to the roof before swinging to the nearest roof top and running and swinging across the city, the city shone with bright lights and candles, tacky and wonderful Christmas decorations and the huge tree in the park.

It was exactly 8 p.m. on the clock when she landed on the top of the Eiffel Tower. Cat noir was in front of her, his arms were resting on the railing as he looked around. He was so lost in thought that he didn't even hear her land.

"Hey Cat Noir." She shook his shoulder. He gave her knitted looked before realizing where he stood. He took a step back and bowed, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. "Good evening my lady." She smiled at his gesture.

"Well, your kwami told me you wanted to meet me here." Cat Noir said.

"Yeah, for this." She pointed her hand towards the little Christmas picnic she had set up. A red and yellow mat spread out on the floor, four candles lit on the four corners and a basket in the middle. "I'm not so good at setting up stuff like this, like the time you did it, it was literally fantastic-"

He suddenly raised a finger and placed it on her lips. "Shush now, it's perfect." Was she dreaming or had Cat Noir's voice always been this...deep. She was standing so close to him, barely inches between them. She stared into his eyes, those emerald green eyes, watching her little picnic set-up. For a moment her cheeks were flushed, warm. But she shook it off. "Let's go." She led him towards the mat and sat down. Cat Noir was too overwhelmed to say anything. 

"You did this- for me?" His lips curled into a smile as she nodded in agreement. Cat Noir's eyes welled up, blurring his vision, but he couldn't help it, he was too happy.

"Cat Noir, are you crying?" She asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. He wiped away the tears and shook his head, "Just the cold." He gave a smile, cheeks flushed dur to the weather. 

"Okay, so let's start with the hot chocolate." She took out the thermos from the basket, placed two cups in front on poured down the drink. The aroma of the hot chocolate spread around them as she opened the flask. The began their celebration by clinking their cups together, followed by the cookies and a card game, a few walks down the memory lanes and in the end, the Yule cake. 

"I..." Cat noir paused, his mouth was open but he did not know what to say. "I can't believe you arranged all this in just a matter of minutes." He let out a sigh, relaxing his shoulders pulled her in for a tight hug. "Thank you so much Ladybug. For- for everything."

Marinette felt an electric current run down her spine, was this what they called a spark? She thought and hugged him back. "No, thank you. You make everyday special for me Cat Noir, you're truly miraculous." They pulled away after a moment.

"Well, look at the time, it's an hour already!" She said and started to pack. "I'm so sorry that I have to leave-"

"It's alright. I'm really grateful that you spent Christmas with me."

"I was delighted to and you should take the cake home, and also this." She reached out for the present she had in the basket. She was about to leave, but turned back and walked to him. She pecked him on the cheek and whispered, "Merry Christmas." She swung through the city before disappearing in the fog.

Cat Noir watched her, with a hand on his cheek and a bright blush on his face. "Merry Christmas, my lady." He whispered and picked up the dessert before returning home.

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As Adrien was approaching his house, he saw Natalie on the front gate and Gorilla in his bedroom. They must've noticed he was missing! He quickly transformed back, holding the cake and the present in his hand, he walked up to Natalie.

"Adrien!" She gasped and pulled him in a hug, pulling away shortly. She cleared her throat. "Where were you? We got so worried."

"Oh I was hanging out with- a friend." He said. Seeing the present in his hand, she nodded. "Well, come inside, it's freezing out here." She led him into the house, straight to the dining room. "It's not something you could expect a holiday dinner to be but this is all we could arrange." 

The dining room was all set for dinner with caviar, escargot, smoked salmon and a roasted turkey served with roasted potatoes. Adrien's eyes lit up with the light of the room. "We could not arrange for a dessert or any friend or-"

He hugged her. "Natalie this is so- this is more than enough, I- thank you." She looked at him and gently patted his head. "No problem Adrien."

He pulled away. "And I've got the Yule cake, got it on the way home." He put it on the center of the table and she smile.

Adrien enjoyed the lively dinner with Natalie and Gorilla, talking, eating, laughing. This was the best holiday for him. It was his Miraculous Christmas.

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"Merry Christmas!" Marinette said to her parents as the three of them started to eat. Marinette was quite content with the time she had spent with Cat Noir, maybe it ignited a spark that will bring them to a new stage but for now, she was happy for where she was.

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Vincent hesitated as he stood at the door to his old house. He took a deep breathe and marched up to the door, knocking it twice. An old woman answered the door. "Yes?" She said, looking at the pavement.

"Mama?" Vincent spoke.

She looked up, her wrinkled hands started to shake as she left the handle of the door and headed towards Vincent. She put a hand on his cheek and smiled. "My dear, you are home." She whispered before putting both her arms  around him, embracing him. 

A tear rolled down her face. "Where had you gone? We tried calling you- asked anyone who would know but nothing."

Vincent was shocked, he leaned into her warm embrace as tears formed into his eyes. "I- I'm sorry- Mama I am-"

She pulled away. "It's okay, let us go in and talk, everyone would love to see you." She held his hand into hers and took him inside. He nodded and sniffed before walking in with her. A wave of happiness spread into the family's living room as they saw him appear. Chattering, hugs, laughter and tears filled the room as the family experienced the miracle of Christmas.

***THE END***