Christmas Time.

Chapter 8

Marinette

Later that day, Carol and I stood in front of the Manor. It was bigger then I remembered.
"Mom, you ok?" Carol asked, holding my hand.
"Yes. It's just, this is the first time I'm really seeing this place." I whispered.
"Mom, do you like Damian?"
My head spun so fast to look at her, it was like a scene from the Exorcist. "What?! Me?! Damian?! No! No way! pft! Carol, don't say such things!" I said, my face growing redder and redder by the second.
"Really? Then how come Mar'i said she heard you guys kissing last night." Carol shot back, letting go of my hand to cross her arms over her chest.
I panicked. What am I supposed to say, oh well, mommy has a secret fairy she keeps in a box asleep till she is needed, and she magically grew this plant called Mistletoe and we kissed. Yeah, not the conversation I'm having with my brand new daughter. No thanks. No way!
"Because, I tripped and I hit my face with his, and out lips...brushed—ach! No! Umm... touched, causing the kiss." I said, pushing my hands together to indicate out faces. Wow, being a mom is hard.
"Ah ha... well, come on! I'm hungry!" She shouted, grabbing my hand again and dragging me to the door. "Mommy did you bring your violin?" Carol asked as we waited for Alfred.
"Yes, it's in the car. But I don't think I'm going to play tonight." I whispered, a little shyly.
"Please mommy!? Just one song." She begged.
I tried to say no but she was too adorable to say no to. So I sighed, before running back to the car and grabbing my violin.

"Hello Marinette, how was the drive?" Damian asked politely, as Carol ran off with Mar'i to explore the Manor.
"It was good, some black ice here and there, but good." I replied.
Damian slipped his hand around mine, before leading me down the hall. We came to a stop in front of a room, and I gave Damian a questioning glance.
"Just trust me." He whispered, glancing at my violin case in my hand, before looking me in the eyes.
I nodded, before he opened the door and I was engrossed by the calm empty room. A dark blue paint was set on the farthest wall, and the other was full of mirrors.

"What is this?" I asked, stepping into the room and setting my violin down. I looked it up and down and marveled at the simplicity about it. It seemed like the only normal thing in the manor.
"This is where I want you to play." He whispered, his arms wrapping around my waist. Gently tugging me against him, just as he had done the last two nights in bed.
"What?" I asked, turning to look at him.
"I want you to play me a song. Something. Anything. And I want it to be here. That's what I want for Christmas this year." He whispered, looking directly at me.
I smiled shyly before I pressed my lips to his. Damian kissed back, deepening it.
"Ok." I whispered, pulling away and pulling out my violin. I fiddled with it for a few moments before I started playing. The violin sounded like the words of a song I loved and learned to play, Love me Like you Do by Ellie Goulding.
It's not a Christmas song, but for Damian I would play it. Hopefully he doesn't know it and won't understand the meaning behind this choice, but I would find out eventually.

When I finished, he clapped and spun me around.
"That was beautiful." He said, smiling gently.
"Thank you, but I could have done better." I whispered back, shrugging and moving to set my violin back down.
"What are you talking about, you were amazing. Now, come on. Alfred is about to call for dinner."
Nodding, and not wanting to argue, I followed him out of the room, and into the dinning hall. Which was beautiful to say the least. Carol was already sat next to Mar'i, while Kori sat on Mar'is other side, there was a space open on Carol's. I hurried to fill it, just in case someone decided to sit next to her. It was her first dinner with me, I'm going to be selfish and demand to sit next to my daughter on her first meal as such. And surprisingly, Damian sat next me. Even though we've kissed a few times, I still wasn't sure if he actually liked me. Since we haven't had 'the talk' yet.
"Everyone settled in? Let's being." Bruce said, as Alfred brought out the food. Seeing as he was the only one bringing things out, I jumped up and followed him into the kitchen, ignoring his protests as I grabbed the bowl of mash potato's, and followed him back out.

"There was no need for you to do that, Miss. Marinette." Alfred said, as we took our seats at the table after the food was brought out. 
"I am well aware of that, Alfred. But that doesn't mean I can't help you out." I stated. 
"Well, thank you. I appreciate your help, Marinette."
From down the table, I heard people gasp. Head snapping towards the noise, I saw every single Wayne staring at me. "Did I say something wrong?" I asked Alfred.
Shaking his head, a small smile on his lips as he sipped his tea, he followed my gaze.
"How did you do it?" Tim asked.
"What do you mean?" Carol asked, tilting her head in that adorable six year old manner.
"Get Alfred to call you by your first name. We've been trying to do that since we met him." Jason jumped in.
"I don't know. Is that not normal?" I asked, sipping my hot chocolate.
"NO!" Everyone shouted.

Alfred shook his head in amusement, before redirecting the focus to the food. Everyone laughed and joked around, telling all sorts of embarrassing stories. But that didn't compare to the giant smile on Carols face. There was potato's all over her face, along with whipped cream from her hot chocolate. Unable to help myself, I grabbed her napkin and wiped the food from her face. 
"Mom, I could have gotten it." She whined.
Laughing, and handing her the napkin, I let her finish the job. "I'm sorry, but it was all over your face."
Both of us grinned at each other, before Mar't started talking to Carol once more. Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I pulled it out and was happy to see Chloe was calling. Excusing myself from the table, I headed towards the hallway. "Hey, Chloe."
"Marinette, I have some news for you."
"What do you mean news? Good news? Bad news?"
"Adriens trial got moved up."
"How soon?" I asked.
"Next week."
My breath got caught in my throat, and time seemed to freeze. "That soon?" I whispered.
"I'm sorry, Mari. I tried to fight it, but Gabriel is working with it."
"Because he only cares when it comes to his image being in jeopardy." I growled.
"When are you coming back?"
"Carol and I will try to be out there in a couple days. I have to gather a few more things from here, before we get on the flight."
"I'm really sorry, Mari. This is utterly ridiculous, ridiculous."
"It's ok. I just thought I had more time, guess not. What are the chances...?"
"With Gabriel working with the lawyers? Pretty high."
Already knowing that would be the odds would be, I sighed and leaned against the wall. "Alright. I'll see you soon, Chlo."
"See you soon, Mari."
Hanging up, I ran my hands over my face and groaned. Stupid Gabriel. Stupid Adrien. I hate them both!!! 
Shaking off the sadness and anger, I rejoined diner.