Miraculous Christmas

Chapter 1

"Why are you in such a rush?" Plagg asked, as he watched Adrien run around his room trying to get ready.

"I'm running late. I'm supposed to meet Marinette, Alya, and Nino at the skating rink in..." he checked the time on his phone. "One minute." He hopped on one foot as he pulled his other shoe on, then he grabbed his bag before running out the door. "Come on Plagg."

........................................................

"I wonder what's taking Adrien so long." Marinette said, clearly worried that he wasn't going to make it.

"Don't sweat dude. I'm sure his photoshoot just went longer than expected."

"I hope you're right Nino."

"Girl, you worry too much. We'll have a good time even if he doesn't show, right?" Alya added.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"I just can't believe it's not you that's late, Marinette!" Alya said, laughing.

"Honestly, I'm surprised too," Marinette said, and they all started laughing.

"Hey guys!" Adrien ran up to where they were standing in front of the ice rink. He stopped to catch his breath. "Sorry I'm so late. The photoshoot took forever."

"What did I tell you Marinette," Nino nudged her in the arm. Marinette blushed and looked down at her feet. 

"So, should we go in?" Adrien asked, opening the door. "After you," he said to Marinette as she walked past him. He pretended to tip his hat to her.

"Why thank you, kind sir" she said with a giggle. She held up the ends of her invisible dress and curtsied. 

They made their way to the bleachers, after getting their skates, and sat down to put them on. Alya and Nino were up and on the ice before Marinette had time to blink. "Well," she said looking at Adrien. "It looks like we're going to be third wheeling together."

"If I have to be a third wheel, at least I get to do it with you," he said standing up and then reaching for her hand. 

Her eyes went wide and her breath caught in her chest. She put her shaking hand in his and followed him onto the ice. It was hard for her to focus on skating at first. She kept tripping, but before she could hit the ground Adrien would catch her every time. After a few laps she finally relaxed a little and was able to keep herself upright. 

Adrien still kept a tight grip on her hand. "Just in case she falls again," he said to himself. He looked over at her and smiled. A hint of pink washed over his cheeks. He quickly turned his attention back to skating before anyone noticed, or so he thought.

"Babe, did you see that?" Nino asked Alya.

"I sure did. I think our plan is working." They high fived each other.

"So, Adrien," Marinette started nervously as they started another lap. "What are your plans for Christmas this year?"

"We probably won't do much, if we do anything at all. It's really hard for my dad to celebrate without my mom."

"Oh, I didn't think about how hard it must be for you and your dad. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's not your fault my dad's a Grinch," he smiled a little. "What about you? What are your Christmas plans?"

"Oh, uh we don't do that much. Every year on Christmas Eve we have a gingerbread house competition. Then on Christmas day we open our presents and cook a big dinner together."

"That sounds amazing," Adrien sighed, wishing his family could be more like hers. Marinette's heart broke for him. She wished with all of her heart that he could have the kind of Christmas he deserved. One filled with joy and family and love...

She was pulled out of her thoughts when she felt herself falling. This time she pulled Adrien down with her. They looked at each other then busted out laughing.

"Oh my gosh, are you two okay?" Alya asked after she and Nino had skated over to them.

"Yeah, I think so." Adrien said, standing up. He reached down and pulled Marinette up. She winced as soon as she put weight on her foot and fell back down.

"I think I twisted my ankle," she said as she tried to stand up again. "But I'll be fine." She winced again. "I just need to sit down for a minute."

"Here, let me help you." Adrien put his arm around her waist and helped her to the bleachers. "I'll go get some ice."

"I think I've had enough ice for one day," she said to herself as she started to untie her skate. 

"That looks pretty bad," Alya said. "I think it might be broken." 

"No! I can't have a broken ankle! What am I gonna do?" There was no way she could fight an akuma with a broken ankle. What was she going to do?

"Girl, everything is gonna be okay. It's Christmas break, so you have a while before you have to go back to school. It won't be that bad."

It would be a complete and total disaster if Ladybug wasn't able to do her job. She tried to calm herself down, but she couldn't keep from having an internal freak out.

Adrien came back with a bag of ice, but he stopped in his tracks when he saw her foot. "Marinette! That looks awful." She looked down at her steadily swelling foot. It had started to bruise. 

"Way to make her feel better," Nino said.

"Sorry. Here you go. I'm sure it's not as bad as it looks" he handed her the ice pack.

"Dude, you should probably go get an x-ray. Can your driver take us Adrien?"

"Oh no! You guys don't need to do that. I can just call my parents to come get me, that way you don't have to waste your day at the doctor's office."

"It's no problem Marinette. We can meet your parents there if you want." Adrien said.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" 

"Of course not."

"Me and Nino can take the subway. That way you two don't have to worry about us." Alya winked at Marinette. 

"Alya!"

...................................................

"Adrien, do you think you could carry Marinette? I really don't think it's a good idea for her to be walking on that foot." Alya said with a sly smile.

"Alya, I can walk. I'm fine." Marinette said, glaring at Alya.

"She's probably right, Marinette. Why don't I give you a piggy back ride to the car? That way you don't hurt yourself more."

Her face burned red. "Um... I guess that's okay." Marinette thought she might melt as she held onto him a little bit too tightly. They made it to the car without incident and they were on their way.