Gift Wrapped: A Reveal Story

Author's Note: In an attempt to keep things light with my writing partners, I started out to write a wonderful story full of fluffy love. Sadly, it also includes some necessary angst. But I did try for just full fluff. Really. -ep

MR: As requested earlier this month.. Welcome to Epcot97 Appreciation Day, where it's all Lukanette and Adrigami all the time! (Absolutely no Marichat allowed)

Lyra: ::blows kazoo:: HAPPY EP DAY!

No reveals happen in this story *wink wink*

I'd met Santa last Christmas under less than ideal circumstances, having bolted from my bedroom as Chat in anger over my father's views on the holiday. After nearly Cataclysming the tree in the square, I'd come across a jolly old man with a reindeer sleigh who'd amazingly had Camembert in his sandwich.

I'd come away from the entire episode believing in both him and the spirit of the holiday anew, and I'd intended to use my second Christmas as Chat to show Ladybug how much she meant to me. While she might not have had the same feelings for me, it was - at the very least - my chance to remind her how much I valued our friendship.

Weeks of planning had culminated in a series of boxes that I'd squirreled away - first in my bedroom at the mansion, and then as December appeared, in key locations throughout Paris. By the time Christmas Eve dawned, I was beside myself with anticipation and tried to mentally will the clock on my phone to fast forward to my designated patrol time with LB that evening.

Amazingly, she'd agreed to my suggestion that we take a quick spin through the city, just in case Santa wound up in trouble again. While it was slight subterfuge on my part, given what had happened last year it had a ring of prudence to it - enough that (I hoped) I'd be able to pull off my plan successfully.

Trying not to appear too anxious, I powered through the full day of the decorating activities that Nathalie had carefully scheduled for me, and managed to finish hanging the final gaudy ornaments on the massive tree in our foyer just before dinner. I didn't expect to see Father at dinner, and for once, Nathalie chose not to stand watch over me. Sliding Plagg some extra cheese, I hurried up to my room and then transformed on the run, leaping out of my open window and into the snow-filled darkness beyond.

Much like last year, snow had started to gently fall as the sun had sunk into the horizon. It gave the city I loved such a unique look - dressed in white, with more falling every moment. My black costume stood out against the flakes, making any sort of stealth impossible, but on this one night, I wasn't particularly worried - at least, until an untimely akuma horned in on my personal festivities. I threw up a prayer to whatever had created the kwamis that we'd get one perfectly calm, perfectly ordinary evening.

Landing atop a chimney flue, I vaulted down to perch along a wrought-iron decorative edge running along the roof that was our meeting place for the evening. I was a bit early for our meeting - okay, a lot early - so my masked green eyes watched as the snowflakes lazily fell out of the sky and floated serenely to the sidewalk below. Few people were out, given what day it was, and this year I felt the sting slightly again that I really didn't have that traditional warm family Christmas morning to look forward to. That had made me all the more determined to celebrate it with my "other" family, even if she didn't realize that's what I considered her.

My tail tapped contentedly against the rooftop as I continued to watch the snow fall, and at one point, I turned my head upward to catch a few flakes on my tongue. Unfortunately, I was in the midst of a second round of snow tasting when Ladybug nearly silently dropped onto the roof next to me.

"Chat? What on earth are you doing?"

I turned my head slightly, mouth still agape. "Eating snow," I confessed.

"Bad kitty!" she admonished good naturedly as she joined me at the railing.

"Sorry, Milady," I laughed. "Sometimes I'm not the suave and mature cat you know and love."

"Sometimes?" she asked, rolling her eyes. "Shall we?" she continued as she readied her yo-yo.

"In a moment," I said as I slid a small card out of my costume pocket. "This is for you."

Her eyes widened, and I saw all of the old arguments starting to bubble up.

"It's Christmas," I said, holding it out to her. "As your partner - and your friend - I wanted to celebrate it with you. Just a little. That's all."

"Chat," she started. "I don't think-"

My megawatt smile faltered, for the entire evening hinged on her reading my card. I dropped my paw. "All right," I said, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice. "I understand."

Sliding it back into my pocket, I turned back to the snow. "It's pretty, isn't it?"

"Yes," she said, but it was perfunctory. "Ready?"

"Sure."

Patrol lasted as long as normal, and we parted ways at the same rooftop after wishing each other a Merry Christmas; I lingered, though, not just to watch her lovely lithe form as it soared into the snow, but also to reluctantly retrieve all of my surprises from around the city. It was small solace to think that maybe next year I'd be more successful.

My first stop was a rooftop close to where we'd met for the first time. Hiding behind a loose roof tile, I retrieved the small jewelry box and popped it open to see the Noir Black bracelet I'd had made. Tiny red dots had been woven into the metalwork, looking a bit like a reversed version of her costume. I popped open my storage compartment in the baton and slipped it in and sighed before looking across the street and seeing the two of us hanging upside down from my baton, entangled in her yo-yo. I'd been so supremely confident that day and so overwhelming underprepared; she had been the voice of reason and had pulled my kitty butt out of the fire.

Smiling at the memory, I leapt away and worked my way across several rooftops. The snow was falling more heavily now, and the temperature had fallen significantly, but between my costume and the act of hurling myself across the night sky, I felt quite toasty. A few more rooftops and I landed atop the glass-roofed studio where I'd nearly been done in by CopyChat. Sliding down a convenient rain spout, I retrieved another small box and popped it open to reveal a small kitty charm that looked vaguely like me, only with a tiny straw in one paw. As traumatic a day as it had been, I'd learned the value in my honesty with Ladybug - a lesson that I had kept with me ever since.

One more box went into my baton storage compartment, and then I was off again, rising up on my baton and then helicoptering my way toward the Seine. When Nathaniel had been akumatized, Ladybug had trusted me to protect my classmate and friend Marinette; while I'd not been quite as successful as I would have liked, the very fact that she had felt comfortable enough to rely on me had buoyed my confidence as a budding superhero.

Landing beside a stairway leading down to the paved walkway, I pulled apart a pile of trash to locate my third box. This one held a small charm in the shape of a barge - a memento of that night. I held it in my paw for a bit, then looked across the cold water of the river and shivered slightly, for if Marinette hadn't been as clear headed as she had been, we would've gone under with the boat.

Tucking the box into my baton, I smiled again thinking of my friend. Her rooftop patio was actually the next stop; unwittingly, she had helped me during one of my semi-regular visits to her as Chat, as I'd snuck the fourth box underneath the upturned planter I often perched upon. As I vaulted back into the night, I wondered if Marinette was enjoying her Christmas Eve with her very cool parents. She, too, had the kind of family I craved, and I was a tiny bit jealous.

Maybe a lot jealous.

Landing on a chimney that rose out of the Bakery, I quickly determined that Marinette wasn't about before vaulting down to the wrought iron railing. Perching for just a moment, I took in the snow-covered Notre Dame, still shrouded by construction scaffolding but lit externally for the holiday. Despite her still being in sorry shape, it was still inspiring to see the grand old Dame lit up.

I slid off the railing and moved to the planter, and had just tipped it up to reach beneath it when my feline ears pivoted and heard the skylight open. Before I could snatch my box, Marinette was peering at me, curiosity blazing in her eyes. "Chat?" she smiled. "Are you stealing my planter?"

"No, Princess," I laughed, deciding honesty was my best move. Holding up the box, I explained: "I hid this here earlier, but my master plan went off the rails, so I swung by to collect it."

Despite the cold and the blowing snow, Marinette pushed out of the skylight and came onto the patio, "What plan?" she asked.

I popped up to the railing and debated how much to tell her. She must have seen my indecision, for she prompted me slightly. "You did something for Ladybug, didn't you?"

"Yeah," I said. I cracked open the box to show her the third charm - it was a tiny baby pacifier.

"Wow," she breathed. "What is it?"

"It's a charm representing one of the moments I shared with Ladybug over the time we've been partners," I said. "I had twelve made up, and each one is a moment where she helped me become a better Chat." My masked eyes looked down on the charm. "This one represents the time she helped me rescue you from your dad."

"I remember."

"I knew Ladybug would appear just when I needed her - and she did, of course - but I also learned that while I can do some things myself, we are far more effective as a team." I laughed. "I have another box over at the Ice Rink with a small skate, for I had to learn that lesson twice, apparently."

Marinette was smiling softly at me. "Chat, that's beautiful."

"Yeah. Well, I know she doesn't love me - she's got another boy in her life," I explained. "Ladybug remains an important part of my life. Her friendship alone means more than anything, and I wanted her to know that tonight." I looked at the snowflakes. "Especially tonight."

"Why's that?" Marinette had stepped beside me and I could tell she was shivering. I leaned into her shoulder - at least that part of her would be warm.

I smiled. "Christmas was always the best holiday," I said. "And it's the perfect time of year to tell someone how much you care about them." Looking at her, I smiled wider. "I was going to surprise you tomorrow, but I've got a gift for you, too."

"Me?" she said.

"You're special to me too, Mari. All those nights you've let me hang out here? Being a friend I can count on?" My masked eyes searched hers. "It means the world to me."

Marinette smiled a bit shyly. "That's sweet, Chat. I don't know what to say."

"Then let me come back tomorrow," I said. "I won't stay long—"

"Absolutely," she said quickly. "And you can stay for dinner."

My ears popped up. "I can't impose—"

"Nonsense," she smiled and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. "It's my gift to you."

"All right," I smiled as I leapt up to her railing. "I need to collect the rest of my Ladybug boxes before Santa makes his rounds. I'll see you tomorrow."

Marinette looked at me. "Don't stay out too much longer."

"No promises," I laughed as I fell over the edge and vaulted to the next rooftop.

The fourth box was at Trocadero, a small feather charm; the fifth, a video game controller at the stadium. The sixth was on the roof of the Grevin - a small ladybug - and the seventh was the ice skates I'd mentioned to Marinette.

Number eight was also connected to Marinette, for it was a small loaf of bread. The box was on top of the quaint house her grandfather lived in, and as I was storing it in my baton, my feline ears picked up the faint whisper of Ladybug on the wind. Turning, I peered into the darkness with my night vision but wasn't able to see my partner, and wondered if I was instead thinking I was hearing her solely because I'd wanted her to join me on this little gift quest I'd put together.

Sighing, I leapt away toward number nine. It was a small flipper, hiding in the decorative awning of the pool where Siren had been akumatized. Ladybug had needed to take off to visit Master Fu right after I'd snagged her out of midair - although at that point, I didn't know who he was, and she wasn't able to tell me. So in typical fashion, I'd sat atop one of the nearby nearly submerged buildings and groused about being left out only to discover it hadn't been Ladybug's choice. The lesson there was patience - and trust in my partner, with the flipper reminding me that it had been the first time we'd discovered other transformations existed.

Clinging to my baton, I reached over and removed the small box from behind one of the lights on the awning, then rose higher so I could stand on the roof and insert the small box into my storage compartment. Despite how dire the circumstances had been, I found myself smiling slightly at the beauty even a submerged Paris had provided - including, especially, the form-fitting aqua mode costume of my partner.

Leaping away from the roof, I redirected the baton and set off for box ten. It was perched on the apex of the pyramid at the Louvre, a feat I was particularly proud of and now slightly sad that Ladybug wouldn't see. I clawed my way up the side of the glass, careful not to scratch it too badly, and then slid back down the other side. Landing on my boots at the bottom, I cracked open the box to see the small bunny; although there had been many adventures in and around the famous museum, our first visit with Bunnix had affected me greatly on two fronts.

First, I knew that Ladybug and I would still be working together years from now; that gave me faith that despite whatever screw-ups took place between now and then, I'd ultimately grow into the partner she deserved (and, with luck, might just love). And second, I knew that she would become the self-confident leader that I already saw. Placing the bunny into my baton, I hurried away from the pyramid and leapt back into the snowy night, smiling to think about the two of us possibly still out protecting Paris on a snowy Christmas Eve in the future.

The penultimate box was hiding in a favorite nook of ours on the Eiffel Tower. Landing at the base, I hopped from beam to beam, using my claws and cat agility to snake my way to the point halfway up that provided excellent views of the City of Love. Box eleven held a small lipstick charm - brilliant red for Milady - and was a reminder that I'd do anything to protect her, though kissing Chloe might have almost been a bridge too far. As I put the box away, I looked out across the twinkling lights of the city, twinkling more, perhaps, because of the snow, and smiled. Being up at that height was a perk of our job, and one of the few I knew Ladybug also enjoyed. She was typically all business, but every now and then, I was able to get her to unwind just a little in a few spots across this city. This one was a favorite.

I leapt off the side of the Tower and swan dived toward the street, pulling out my baton at the last minute to pogo-stick vault back into the air. Helicoptering up to a nearby rooftop, I started a slow jog toward my final gift, unwilling for my trek to end, even if it had been without Ladybug. For after this, all I had to look forward to was a long, lonely night in my room at the mansion.

I slowed further, realizing that wasn't entirely true. Thanks to Marinette, I had a place to be on Christmas morning. One where I was definitely welcome.

My last stop was the plaza in front of City Hall, the very location where a year earlier I'd nearly turned the Paris Christmas Tree to ash. This year's version rose boldly into the night sky, and I dropped into a four-point crouch just beside it. The lights were flaming brightly, glittering off of the baubles the tree had been trimmed with, and the falling snow made it feel all the more cheerful.

I crept forward, and thrust my paw beneath the tree to retrieve a much bigger box, wrapped in black paper with green ribbon. This one was the "special" charm that was to be the pinnacle of the treasure hunt, and even now, I was unwilling to crack it open without Ladybug being present.

It could wait until next year.

I sat for quite a while in my patient cat crouch, just watching the snow as it fell heavily across the plaza; it was a quiet, calm moment that I pulled into my soul to hold onto for when times grew turbulent later. When the clock tower started to chime for the midnight hour, I knew it was time to return home and reluctantly rose up into the night on my baton. Slowly, I ran across the familiar rooftops, still dreading returning to my room despite my plans with Marinette.

Light from my bedroom spilled out from the tall windows, mutely reminding me that no one had checked up on my whereabouts after dinner. I landed on the windowsill of the window I'd left open, and crinkled my masked eyes in humor at the half-inch of snow that had accumulated below it. My bad.

I vaulted across the space and landed, crouched, in the center of my room, and was about to drop my transformation when my feline ears picked up that sense that Ladybug was nearby; cocking my head, I was nearly certain I could hear her ziiiing of a retracting yo-yo. Once I could write off; twice made me suspicious - and worried that she might have followed me home.

Backflipping to the window, I caught myself at the edge and smiled grimly; there were, perhaps, worse things than having Ladybug in my home, with losing my Miraculous being one of them. Pulling my baton out, I snapped it in two and hurled the pair at the light switches on either side of the room. They struck home and plunged the space into semi-darkness, allowing my night vision to kick in fully.

Grabbing the returning pieces in each paw, I hopped to the edge of the window and reassembled the baton before popping it open to the Bug Tracker. Sure enough, the red logo appeared on the rooftop opposite the mansion, causing me to swear in the four languages I knew.

I pushed myself into the air and intentionally left the mansion in a direction away from the roof Ladybug was on. Unsure of how long she'd been following me, I wondered if I'd be able to convince her I'd just been visiting one more place on my rounds that evening. I knew she knew who Adrien Agreste was, and as we'd both been to the mansion to fight an akuma or two, it wasn't an unknown location.

The snow had gotten even heavier, if that was even possible. I had to stop a number of times to shake the accumulating mess off of my mane before finally arriving at the Le Grand Hotel Paris. My baton deposited me on the rooftop pool area, and I perched on the railing much like I would at Marinette's. Scanning the darkness to see if Ladybug had followed me, I decided she likely had, but was keeping a discrete distance, I didn't want to give away the fact that I knew she was out there so I didn't check my baton. I suddenly thought of one final place I could go before I tried to lose her completely.

It was a gamble, but I was willing to take it.

I dropped off the railing and made like I'd located something under a snowy chaise lounge, then went through the motions of putting something into my baton. Then, after dawdling for a few moments, I helicoptered into the air and dropped to nearby roof. Building up a good head of steam, I ran toward the edge of the roof and vaulted high into the air, helicoptered a bit more and then hit the side of the tall skyscraper housing the television station. Not long ago, we'd fought one of the first combined akumas here, though neither of us retained any memories of the experience. Alya had kindly recorded the final moments, however; the kiss between Ladybug and myself was still a top hit in most internet searches. As I hopped from window to window, climbing the tall building, I found myself wondering once again what had happened between us in those hours that had been erased.

If the kiss was an indication of anything, all of my hopes and dreams had played out.

Reaching the roof, I pulled myself over the edge and vaulted into the exact center of the helipad, about where the kiss had taken place. So many akumas had been attracted to the height; Kwamibuster was the most recent, and one where my friend Marinette had been tapped (briefly) by Ladybug to be a Miraculous Holder. She'd unfortunately misunderstood the rules and had revealed herself to me by accident, putting her on the banned list with Chloe. I'd been lobbying Ladybug to give her a second chance, but she'd made up her mind about it.

I waited in my patented patient-cat stance, wondering if Ladybug would take the bait. As the tallest building in the city, she'd not be able to perch elsewhere and watch me from protective cover. I suspected the longer I sat there, the more likely an appearance from her would be - if for no other reason than to ensure nothing had happened to me. I hated to goad her in that way, but then again, she'd been following me.

My suit protected me from the worst of the snow and cold, but after a few minutes of inactivity, I could feel the exposed parts of my face starting to sting. Still I waited; a half-hour passed before I snapped open the baton to confirm the little red logo was still out there, similarly patiently waiting.

I rubbed my paws together after three-quarters of an hour had elapsed, wondering how it was possible that my fingertips could be cold. I checked the baton again and saw she hadn't moved, either, and started to grow concerned that she would start to freeze herself. I knew I needed to do something, but also knew based on how she was tracking me, she might follow me right back to the mansion if I went home.

Clearly she wasn't worried enough to reveal herself, though, so it was a conundrum.

I thought a bit longer and frowned. There was really only one other place I could go as Chat that would be more-or-less within my normal pattern. Sighing at the need to impose upon my friend, I stood and leapt to the edge of the building, then vaulted into the night toward the Bakery.

Making good time, I landed on the rooftop patio as gently as I could and then crept to the skylight, my boots leaving cat-prints behind in the snow. As loudly as I dared, I tapped at the portal. When Marinette didn't respond, I tapped again, a bit louder, and pressed a feline ear to the opaque window. I started to tap a third time when I definitely heard the ziiing of the yo-yo and turned to see Ladybug striding toward me, a frown on her face.

"Chat," she said sternly. "What are you doing?"

"Milady," I said, as I stood. My face flushed slightly as I wasn't entirely sure what to tell her; as I'm not very good at lying, I tried for a selective truth. "Uh, I didn't want to be alone on Christmas Eve. Marinette invited me over for Christmas Day and I… uh… decided to come early?"

"Alone?" she said, all traces of anger evaporating from her face. "Don't you have a family, Chat?"

"I can't answer that," I said. "You've been pretty clear on that point."

"Right," she said, but I could tell from her expression that I'd confirmed something for her.

I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. "Milady, whatever you think you know-" I started, my paws out pleadingly. "I… I can't lose being Chat. I just can't."

She smiled at me. "I don't know anything," she said softly. "Look, go home. Come back tomorrow for dinner, just as we'd planned."

"But-"

"No buts. More people than you know care for you, Chat. Marinette is one of them and I'm sure she'll be right here tomorrow waiting for you."

I hung my head, but at the same time, something in the way she'd said it told me I wouldn't have a shadow this time. "All right," I said. "But only if I can give you my card before I go."

"Deal," she said.

"Don't read this until I go," I said as I pulled it out from my costume a second time. "And ignore the quest part at the bottom. We'll do that another time, I guess."

Taking the card from my paw, she went on tip-toes to whisper into my feline ear "Merry Christmas, Chat," before leaning back down to kiss me softly on the cheek.

Flushing slightly, I smiled shyly and responded: "Same to you, Milady." And with that, I leapt away into the night and returned to the mansion.

I slept fitfully, waking with a start close to six in the morning not feeling rested at all. As I tried to wake up under the hot water from my shower, my feline brain was replaying the events of the night. As fuzzy as I felt, it seemed like something significant had happened and I'd missed it.

The epiphany hit as I climbed the steps to my room in a desultory fashion after getting my one present from Father - a copy of a video game I already had, though Nathalie should have known that. My hand was on the doorknob when everything clicked.

Come back tomorrow for dinner, just as we'd planned.

In a blur of motion, I pried Plagg from the massive wheel of Camembert I'd ordered as his Christmas present and transformed as I moved through my room. My gift for Marinette was sitting on my computer, and I tucked that and the final box for Ladybug into my backpack before vaulting out the open window into the bright and clear day.

As she'd promised, Marinette was waiting for me on the rooftop patio when I landed. Smiling widely, she said, "Right on time, Chat."

"I make it a point never to miss food," I smirked as I landed on the railing. Sliding the backpack around, I unzipped it and slid out the gift I had for her, careful to ignore her slight widening of her eyes - for the satchel was one I had used as Adrien many times. "This is for you, Princess," I said as I handed her the small box.

"You didn't-"

"Yes, I did," I smiled as I continued to perch. "Like I told you before, your friendship means the world to me."

She smiled. "As does yours, Chat," she replied as she slit the tape on the gift wrap. Much like Ladybug's, I'd wrapped the box in pure black paper, but no ribbon. Opening the box, her eyes bugged out as she lifted out the insanely hard to find special edition Ultimate Mech controller. "How did you get this?" she cried. "It's been sold out for months!"

"It has indeed," I grinned. "I… have a friend who knew how to get bumped up the priority pre-order list." It didn't hurt that Nathalie also had access to Father's super-exclusive credit card, perfect for such hard-to-find items.

"Do you now?" she smiled.

"Yes. Hopefully it won't give you too much of an advantage over me, not that you need one."

"You've been getting better," she said.

"Thanks." We'd only played together - as Chat and Marinette - just a few times, and I'd taken pains to ensure that I lost horribly each time; as Adrien, I was reasonably capable of holding my own against her. I cocked my head and smiled a bit slyly. "Of course, this is also a backhanded way for me to invite myself over more frequently."

"You don't need an excuse, Chat," she said as she leaned up and kissed me briefly on the cheek. "Thank you."

"I have one more gift," I said, my heart pounding slightly as I said it. "Well, two, I guess."

"Really, Chat, that's not necessary."

"This one is," I replied. I popped off the railing and stood in front of her. Taking a deep breath, I unzipped the backpack and pulled out the box I had for Ladybug. Keeping my eyes on the box, I started softly: "I've been debating whether to do this or not, especially since I went to extraordinary lengths to ensure I could keep the Cat Miraculous last night."

"What are you talking about, Chat?"

I looked up at her. "Being Chat Noir is everything to me, and I have a feeling that while Ladybug doesn't have the same… attachment… to her alter-ego as I do, I imagine she'd not want to give up being our Team Leader until she's no longer needed."

"When the job is done, in other words," Marinette said, slowly nodding.

"Modesty forbids, of course, but I think I make her a good partner. And I don't think either one of us wants to jeopardize that part of our relationship, either."

She nodded again.

I held out the box. "Opening this box will trigger a memory spell," I said. "It will erase certain… things… that both of us might think we know." I paused for a beat. "Or saw, perhaps."

Marinette looked at me, and I winked a masked green eye at her.

"Do you understand?" I asked carefully. "Just taking this box is enough."

Nodding slowly, a partial smile appeared on Marinette's face. "Touching the box, even?" she asked.

"Yes." I looked deeply into her eyes, knowing exactly who I was seeing for the first time; from the twinkling in her eyes, I could see Marinette was on the same page.

Her smile grew wider. "We'll forget everything?"

"No," I smiled. "For example, I won't forget that I'm in love with Marinette."

She nodded. "You're saying I'll still know that I'm in love with… Chat?"

My smile grew wider. "Yes," I replied. "Unfortunately, I might forget that I was supposed to be in love with Ladybug," I added, and I looked at her expectantly - hoping - wishing - for what she'd say next.

"And I'll forget I have feelings for Adrien?" she nodded slowly before she smiled devilishly. "You might have to augment this spell just a bit, Chat. In the same way Clark Kent did in Superman 2."

My masked eyes widened. "If that's what it takes, Princess. I hope I'm up to the task."

Marinette pulled the box toward her, but I kept my paws on it, allowing her to pull me closer. Carefully, I leaned down and gently brushed my lips to hers. Very tentatively, I kissed her - just enough of a promise of what could come later, if she wanted to continue down this path with me.

I pulled away from her and gazed down into her deep blue eyes. "How do you feel, Princess?"

"A little woozy," she laughed. "I feel like I've… forgotten something. You?"

"The same," I smiled as I pulled her into a bigger hug. "Merry Christmas," I said warmly.

"Merry Christmas, kitty," she said.

I stepped back, my nose working the air. "I think your parents have served up dinner. At the risk of offending them, looks like I'm going to have to keep you on pins and needles for a bit longer."

"I can wait," she smiled. "Now that I know you're not going anywhere," she teased as she pulled me back down to her lips by my bell.

We kissed again, longer and deeper, before I followed her down the skylight. I paused in her bedroom at her desk, though, having seen my card for Ladybug propped up against the monitor. "Go on down," I said. "I need just a moment if you don't mind. That… spell… took a lot out of me, and I need to catch my breath."

"Okay," she laughed. "I'll prep my parents that my… boyfriend… will be right down."

"That has a nice ring to it," I said, but narrowed my masked eyes at her. "But will your father believe us this time? The last time resulted in him locking you away in a tower."

"I can convince him," she said as she disappeared through the trap door.

As soon as she was gone, I pulled out my baton and carefully removed the twelve small boxes from the storage compartment, and arrayed them around the one larger box. Smiling, I returned the baton to the small of my back as I decided this was quickly turning into the best Christmas ever.

I hurried down the trapdoor to join my new girlfriend and her family, feeling welcome - and wanted - for the first time in recent memory. It was a generous gift Marinette had given me that would last me a lifetime.