Hey all!

I hope where ever you are you are having a lovely Christmas Eve, and I hope you have a very happy Christmas tomorrow.

I must apologise, as I have not been updating as much as I wanted, and after having a very hectic few weeks I am still struggling... However, the wonderful CaulderPine wrote this amazing poem as a gift to you all for my series of one shots. There is one more from them on it's way in a few days, and I'll look to working on the rest when I can.

Please enjoy the festive period if you celebrate it, and go and check out his other stories, the link to his profile is on my page.

Merry Christmas

Lady Rhi X

Bonus: Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, and all throughout Paris,

Not a creature was stirring, except a frustrated Agreste.

It was evening at this time, while his father was being an ass,

and Adrien was getting more frustrated by everyone that he passed.

Everyone around him was stocking up on good cheer,

but the blond model was even more angry this year.

His little Kwami was being a drag,

but, what did you really expect from someone like Plagg?

It wasn't until, as he shuffled past Tom and Sabines,

that he finally heard something that made his heart sing.

"Adrien! What are you doing? It's freezing out there!"

"I'm sorry, Sabine, but I just needed a walk, and to get some air."

"Without even a coat, or a sweater at least?!"

"I just wasn't thinking straight when I decided to leave."

So she invited him in, and called out upstairs,

"Marinette, add one more to the chairs!"

Holding up his hands, he shook his head saying "I don't want to impose!"

"It's not an imposition, and here..." she handed him a tissue, "for your nose."

After blowing and wiping, they ascended the stairs,

only to have Marinette nearly freak out as she saw the pair.

"A-A-Adrien... wh-what are you doing here?" she stammered clearly caught of guard,

"I snuck out of the house," he answered, "dealing with my father is just getting too hard."

"Don't worry, son," Tom boomed with a friendly smile,

"you can stay with us, at least for a little while."

"I'll call Nathalie at least," Marinette said, "just to let her know that you're here."

Smiling at the girl, he nodded his thanks. "I appreciate it, but she may be angry, I fear."

Waving with a hand, she smiled at the boy, "Don't worry so much, I know how to handle her."

That caused his mouth to drop open as she dialed the phone "Wait. Are you sure?"

"Of course." Marinette said as the phone picked up, her smile wide.

"Hello?" Nathalie's cool voice entered her ear, and she trembled inside.

"Adrien snuck out," she said cordially, "but it's okay, he's safe at our home."

Within a few seconds she heard Nathalie say, "Wait! Adrien left? Give him the phone!"

Marinette did so, much to Adrien's chagrin.

"How dare you run away on Christmas Eve again?!"

Everyone saw the effect the woman's words had on the boy, or maybe it was the tone,

"Now see here!" Tom boomed, nearly rattling their home.

"Maybe what this boy needs, is something he's obviously not getting over there."

That caused Nathalie to stop. "Sir, I do believe you're putting on airs."

"I don't think he is," Marinette intoned, glaring at the screen,

"if anything he's just saying what everyone else has seen."

Nathalie opened her mouth to protest, but was shut down by Sabine,

"You and his "father" have hurt the kind soul of this poor teen."

"For once, let him be happy," Marinette suggested, "let him be with those that care."

Adrien felt tears fall down his cheeks, 'I never knew I had such friends out here.'

Tom looked at him, a hand on his back.

"For once consider yourself a member of our family, which is a word your father sorely lacks."

Sabine reached for the phone, and before disconnecting the call,

she said "We'll have him home by midnight. That is all."

Looking around, Adrien started to say,

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you today."

but he couldn't get out the words as he was wrapped in an embrace,

and Marinette, that sweet girl, gave a kiss to the side of his face.

He swore his cheeks went from frozen to overheated in nothing flat,

before Tom said "You know, you really shouldn't have gone out without a coat and hat."

"Don't worry, Papa, I've got him covered." Marinette said as she headed for her hatch,

and returned with some gifts, which was only two out of the whole batch.

"Marinette, you didn't have to get me anything, your friendship's a great gift..."

"Get?" she asked, "How about you see what they are, first. I want to see if they fit."

Adrien opened the boxes, and his eyes boggled at what was inside,

what he saw made his mouth drop open while Marinette beamed with pride.

Pulling out the black faux leather, sherpa lined, coat he was stunned at the sight

"I was going to give you this later, but I thought, what the heck, why not tonight?"

He felt his heart race as he saw the blush on her cheeks,

and the look in her eyes made his legs feel weak.

"This is gorgeous, Marinette. I love it!" he said with a smile on his face,

'Why is her smile, and every word making my heart race?!'

Upon opening the next box, he was stunned at what was inside,

but a pair of blue gloves and a striped winter knit cap with the same colors as their eyes.

Suddenly he remembered the scarf his father had gotten him on his birthday so long ago,

and he saw Marinette chew on her lower lip as if there was something she wanted him to know.

"This is... beautiful, Marinette. You have no idea how much I love these gifts..."

"You still haven't tried them on..." she countered, "come on, I want to see if they fit."

So he did, striking a pose,

only for Sabine and Tom to smile while Marinette looked at him from head to toes.

She was in "designer's mode", something his father would often say,

checking the fit at the shoulders, and length before saying "Okay?"

"It's perfect!" Adrien gushed, and he wrapped her up in a hug,

one that she returned joyously as she heard him whisper "my everyday Ladybug"

That night they dined, with Adrien feeling more love that night than he had in years...

which isn't to say that he didn't shed a few tears.

After dinner, they played video games, drinking hot cocoa, and having fun,

but all too soon for the younger Agreste, this night was about to be done.

"Do you mind if I walk Adrien home maman, and papa?" and the pair had to smile.

"Oh, and don't worry, I'll make sure she's home in a little while."

Walking in the snow, they smiled as Adrien poked out his elbow for her to take,

and Marinette obliged, while noticing his smile wasn't fake.

Adrien looked at her saying "I'm glad your parents had me over tonight."

"That makes two of us, but your father being so distant really isn't right."

"I know, but what can I do?"

"How about coming over whenever you're lonely. My entire family really likes you."

"Is that offer for day or night?" he asked, causing her to blush,

"Of course! I would love you to come over..." she said in a rush.

Stopping he smiled, "That makes me happier than you'll ever know."

Marinette nodded before she noticed the reflection of a plant in a store window; mistletoe.

"Um... Adrien..." she pointed up with her gloved finger,

When he looked up his mouth dropped open "Oh... talk about a perfect place to linger."

Looking away bashfully, she shivered as she said. "How about we go?"

"But isn't there a tradition when two people are under the mistletoe?"

Her cheeks heated up to the warmth of the sun.

"Y-Yes... there is... j-just the one..."

"Then with your permission..." that's all he needed to say,

because Marinette practically melted into his kiss on that day.

They were still kissing, as the snow came down around the pair,

and threatened to bury the teens before they came up for air.

"Oh wow!" Adrien gasped, "Is that what it's like to have a real kiss?"

Marinette either didn't seem to hear, for there was something that he missed.

When she looked up at him again, her voice barely cracked,

as she said "Can I have another?" which had him slightly taken aback.

In less than a second, he obliged the young woman in his arms,

it was a tradition, after all, so what was the harm?

Time had no meaning as his heart hammered in his chest,

never knowing that a black sedan approached, from the mansion of Agreste.

Hearing the honk, the pair broke apart,

but there was no doubting what they'd felt in their hearts.

Adrien looked, seeing his bodyguard inside,

never before had the big man shown his approval, but this smile he didn't hide.

"Can we drop Marinette back at Tom and Sabine's?"

The nod from the driver was all the encouragement he'd need.

Once they were in the back, he held the girl close,

and Marinette nuzzled him with her still cold nose.

When they dropped her off, he gave her another kiss,

this one wasn't nearly so passionate, but he knew those lips he would miss.

Upon entering her home, she turned, waving goodbye,

while Adrien gave the happiest of sighs.

He noted his driver looking at him, and he blushed at the gaze,

but then watched as Gorilla gave a thumbs up, that was all he needed for praise.

When he was back in his room, his mind was warring with his heart,

"Perhaps," Plagg suggested, "this could be a new start?"

'Maybe,' Adrien thought, 'there's obviously something about Marinette I didn't quite see,'

'how could I have been so blind... she clearly likes me.'

At the sound of his phone buzzing, he saw the message that was left,

'Thank you for the kisses,' Marinette had texted, 'it was the greatest of gifts.'

Thank you CaulderPine, hope you have a wonderful Christmas (^.^)