Marinette Dupain-Cheng fell out of the fabric store doors, almost colliding with the oncoming traffic as her momentum carried her nearly into the street.

"Watch where ya' going lady!" An angry driver yelled in passing as Marinette reeled back from the street to the side of the sidewalk closer to the buildings.

"Sorry," she called out despite the driver being long gone. The twenty-six year old frowned as she glanced back at the fabric store behind her, filled to the brim with people shopping early for Christmas.

It was the first day of December and the stores were bustling with people not wanting to be left behind in the Christmas rush, including Marinette since she would be too busy with work to shop or make Christmas presents closer to Christmas time.

She checked her bags to make sure she had everything before going to her purse to grab her Christmas list.

"Papa, check. Maman, check. Alya, check." The list went through Marinette's boss, co-workers, and a couple of interns she was overseeing this year.

"Now to find something for Nona," Marinette put away the list and proceeded down the street.

While she had decided to make a little something for everyone, Marinette's grandmother would be trickier considering she was a world traveller. Her Nona had been begging her to come home with a boyfriend for many Christmases, and it looked like this was going to be another year without. So a special present would have to do.

Her grandmother would appreciate anything Marinette made her, but she still wasn't certain what to make. Marinette glanced in the windows, not paying much attention as she turned right rather than wait to cross the busy street. She only noticed once the sound of the cars and crowds disappeared, finding herself on a isolated street absent of the holiday cheer. She was about to turn around when something in a shop across the street caught her eye.

Making sure no cars would pass, Marinette raced across the street to a see a necklace adorning one of the dresses on a mannequin. The necklace was a simplistic silver chain with a ladybug decorated with red and black gems around the silver base that opened into a photo locket of a generic couple.

Marinette excited at her find looked up to read the store's sign.

"Miraculous Ladybug Boutique"

With a smile, she entered the shop to find it filled with any and every dress imaginable. She was certain even her work didn't have this many dresses, and that was saying a lot considering she worked in a fashion design house.

Intrigued, Marinette moved towards the racks of dress, each a unique color and style, no two dresses the same. She could almost imagine herself wearing one of these dresses to a ball. Probably with a young man to please her Nona and parents.

She would have been lost in the dress shop for days if a chipper voice hadn't brought her out of her day dreaming.

"See anything you like?"

"Wahh!" Marinette stumbled back in the dresses, thankful the rack was strong enough to support her and the dresses' weight. She turned to see an older and slightly plump woman with barn red hair with the exception of a couple of white strands. Her big blue eyes looked as if holding a wonderful secret they way she gazed fondly at Marinette. .Guessing by the embroidered logo on her apron, Marinette guessed the woman ran the shop.

"No, sorry, just looking," answered Marinette as she regained her composure.

"Alright, I'll be up front in you need anything," answered the lady with a smile before she tottled away.

"Actually," the old woman turned around with a bright smile as Marinette tried to remember why she came in here. It wasn't for a dress. Something for her Nona. A piece of jewelry.

"That ladybug locket in the window, may I have a look at it," Marinette squinted as she tried to read the name tag, "Tikki, Owner."

Tikki giggled at Marinette's attempt at her name, Marinette turning pink in shame at her thoughtless read through of the name tag.

"Sure," she led Marinette to the front of the store and pulled up a stool. Stepping on the stool, Tikki removed the necklace off the mannequin and handed it to her customer. Marinette studied the piece carefully, the craftsmanship as excellent as she had seen at some of the fashion shows.

"Where did you get this?" She asked during her study.

"Magic," Tikki's eyes twinkled in merriment at her customer's confusement.

"And how much for this?"

"53.10 euros excluding tax."

Marinette frowned. It would be cheaper to make something for her Nona, but maybe this could replace the not bringing a boyfriend home for Christmas.

"A unique item, one of a kind," Tikki pressured.

"I'll take it," Marinette agreed. She had a one of a kind Nona who deserved a one of a kind present, magic or not. She handed the necklace back to Tikki.

"Do you want me to wrap it for you?" asked Tikki as she led Marinette over to the cash register.

"No thank you, I want to switch the picture for one of me and my Nona."

"No you and a boy," asked Tikki in seemingly innocent curiosity. As she stepped behind the counter, Marinette taking her place in front.

"No boy this year. Maybe I can work on making that my Nona's Christmas present next year," Marinette chuckled at her joke, Tikki laughing along with her.

"I can probably speak for your Nona saying she only wants to see you as happy as she was when she was once in love," offered Tikki as she scanned the tag on the necklace.

"I know. Just can't find the right one to bring home for the holidays," Marinette sighed as she pulled out her card, scanning it at the register while Tikki put away the necklace in a small box.

"Well Christmas is the time for miracles," offered Tikki as she ok-ed the purchase before putting the package in a bag.

"I'm going to need one. Thank you for your help Tikki."

"My pleasure Marinette," the old woman smiled, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief as she handed Marinette her purchase.

"How did you know my name," Marinette hesitantly took the bag.

"Your card."

Marinette nodded in understandment. Of course she saw her name when she put in the card.

"Have a Merry Christmas," Marinette called out as she left the store.

"You too sweetie," Tikki waved as she left before once again busying herself around the boutique.

Marinette smiled as she headed back down the street towards street, excited about her purchases. She would say it one successful shopping day.

She made the trip back to her apartment a few blocks away, a convenient spot that was close to her parents, the shopping district, and work. Only once she was back inside her cozy home did she allow herself to admire her purchases. Fabric and golden thread for new aprons for her parents, the fluffiest orange and purple blended yarn for Alya's scarf. Little silver baskets and various red and green fabrics for cookies she would bake at a later date for her co-workers and interns. Silk she had ordered online waited on her coffee table to be a scarf for her boss. And finally, her grandmother's necklace. Marinette took the box out of the bag and opened it to admire the unique piece. Only to find overlaying the present was a ticket.

"Admit One. Miraculous Christmas Ball. December 24th at 10:00 pm"

And with that, I present to you dear reader the start of a Miraculous Christmas. Definitely shorter chapters than "Call Me, Beep Me" and much more shipping, fluff, and holiday magic ahead.

This will be updated as more chapters are written with no set schedule.

Merry Christmas!