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Two years had passed since Mrs Agreste disappeared and Adrien had missed his mother terribly, even more so around Christmas time as Emilie loved to decorate the whole house with bright coloured lights and with a seven-foot Christmas tree in the main living room. The house always smelt of gingerbread and pine needles as Adrien helped the head cook Gracie Destine in the kitchens making gingerbread houses and decorate the cookies to put on the tree, the boy remembered one Christmas before his mother got sick they had finished making a holiday wreath for the front door and Gregory Bodin/Gorilla hung up the wreath. (Gregory meaning watchful and Bodin means sharp edge)

Flashback

Gracie was taking the last gingerbread house into the Living Room, as the Head Cook was busy both mother and son got into mischief giggling when Gabriel walked in demanding what was going on with Nathalie not far behind him. Emilie in a devious mood grabbed an egg and threw it hitting her husband right between the eyes, Nathalie bit her bottom lip holding in her snort as Emilie was giggling as Gabriel walked further into the kitchen to grab a napkin to clean his glasses not in a good mood as Mrs Agreste came to her husband ready to apologise when she was hit in the face with the leftover flour.

Emilie sputtered and wiped the flour off her face to Gabriel laughing- a full-blown flour and egg war began, Adrien was laughing to see his parents acting like children but was soon grossed out when his mother and father shared a kiss just as Gracie came in to see her kitchen in an awful mess. It was Adrien's favourite moment to see his father laughing and being carefree not caring about his appearance as he danced with his wife as their son watched in awe.

Afterwards, as Staff had finished cleaning the kitchen as the Agreste family and Nathalie went upstairs for a shower and fresh clothes before coming downstairs to watch 'Miracle On 34th Street' and 'It's a Wonderful Life with a mug of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and popcorn. Just as the Grinch was thinking of a plan to get rid of Christmas in Whoswille Adrien was trying desperately to stay awake to see Santa, Nathalie gave Adrien a small soft smile as she promised to put out the cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeers.

Gabriel smiled as he lifted Adrien into his arms and carried him into his room as his son tiredly protested he wasn't tired, with a chuckle Gabriel pressed a kiss to his son's head telling him that he needed to sleep as Children's sweet dreams were the one thing that helped reindeers fly. With a tired yawn Adrien closed his eyes and told his father that he loved him, Gabriel watched over his child till he was sound asleep before whispering. "I love you too."

End of Flashback

Now Adrien's father never acknowledges him and was always busy at work, the only time his father talked to him was when he was scheduled for weekly after school classes or when he was needed for a photo shoot. Yet again Adrien was going to be left alone on Christmas as he desperately pleaded on his cell phone with his father just to spend one day with him, like always Gabriel that he was busy and didn't have time for silly things.

Gracie Destine had to watch as the sweet boy of thirteen pleading with his absent father just to spend an hour or two with him, Gracie knew how painful it was to lose loved ones and it was harder for her on this time of year after losing her husband and daughter in one night in a fatal car crash just before Christmas Eve, Robert was the love of her life and Autumn Rose was her little ray of sunshine and losing them destroyed her.

Now watching Adrien close to tears shattered her heart, she knew she would lose her job but she wasn't going to stand there as she stormed over and asked Adrien to give her the phone ready to give Mr Agreste a piece of her mind.

"Can you please explain to me Mr Agreste, what is so important that needs to be done that can be rescheduled for another day? I'll tell you shall I! Nothing, as nothing is more important than spending those precious moments with your family and if you don't think that is not a good enough reason then your son can spend Christmas with me. Oh don't worry Mr Agreste, Mr Bodin would be with him at all times, so Merry Christmas and humbug to you."

Adrien couldn't believe that Old Gracie could get so angry as she was the most patient woman that the boy had ever known, Gracie was taking deep breaths to calm herself down before smiling down at the boy as she told him to pack a few things he needed while she made a few calls. Adrien didn't argue as he raced to his room and packed some clothes to last him for the week and his favourite movies, i-pad and phone so he could be in contact with his friends, once finished Adrien ran downstairs where Gorilla was waiting for him with his packed bag and surprisingly Nathalie was there too as she didn't want to spend Christmas with any of her family who always belittled her or bringing up when she was going to bring a man home to see them.

Once everything was packed into the car Gorilla followed Gracie in her small car for two hours till they came to a private road to a small five-bedroomed Country House that looked like a fairytale cottage with a small tower that looked out to the gardens. The tower was Autumn's Playroom, she would stay there reading or playing with her toys pretending to be a princess that fought dragons and saved the day.

Gracie smiled as she gestured everyone into the house showing them to their rooms letting them unpack and settle in as she got supper ready of Ratatouille and warm bread from the oven followed by Passionfruit Mille-Feuille, once fed and ready for some sleep as tomorrow the four of them were going out to pick a Christmas tree and food shopping.

Adrien smiled as he hugged the older woman thanking her, Gracie hugged him back and patted on the back telling him to get to bed as they were getting up early as they were going to be busy to get everything ready before Christmas Eve, as much as Adrien liked that this year he wouldn't be alone a part of him wanted his father to be there with him. Sighing Adrien got into bed and was soon fast asleep.

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In the morning with a cooked breakfast inside everyone, everyone dressed up warm and got into Gracie's van and went to the nearest town to shop before heading to a farm to pick the perfect tree.

It was almost sunset and it was getting colder when Adrien found a perfect tree, it was a six-foot douglas fir that was just perfect for decorating. Gorilla shrugged as he quickly cut down the tree and carried it back to the main entrance to be paid before driving back home, as soon as Gorilla placed the tree in the living room in the corner by the fireplace and went to clean up from the tree sap as Adrien and Nathalie got to work helping Gracie who was singing Christmas songs as she baked that was contagious as Adrien sang along as well as he helped roll out the gingerbread and biscuit dough cutting out stars and angel shapes before putting them in the oven.

As everything was baking and the kitchen was cleaned Adrien made a few calls to Nino as he talked about buying a Christmas Tree before decorating it, he also made cookies and decorating them before putting them on the tree and couldn't wait to watch Christmas movies with Nathalie, Gracie and Gorilla.

Nino grinned pleased that Adrien was happy as he deserved it as they talked for an hour before Gracie called Adrien to help decorate the cookies and Gingerbread men, Adrien had the biggest grin on his face as he said his goodbyes as he promised to tell him more after the holidays. Nino grinned happily for his friend as he wished Adrien a Merry Christmas and would see him soon before hanging up.

When Adrien and Nino said their goodbyes the blond waved and wished his best friend a happy holiday like he did with Chloe, the blond was thinking of what his father was doing when Gracie called him again. Adrien got up and headed to the kitchen and was surprised to see that Gorilla was there as well with a piping bag full of icing and Nathalie was too ready to get started, the boy knew that Nathalie and Gorilla were coming out of their comfort zone just to make him happy and Adrien would always be grateful for that.

No one had ever heard Nathalie laugh or how bright Gorilla's smile as everyone put their decorated cookies on the tree, some of the cookies were lob sided and were a real mess than a masterpiece but to Adrien and the three adults thought it looked perfect as each piece created was a memory filled with laughter.

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After a hot meal, Adrien went to grab a shower as Gorilla helped Gracie with the dishes, while everyone was busy Nathalie made a call to her friend and boss hoping for Adrien's sake that he would come.

After everyone was settling down for the night, Adrien went into the kitchen to grab a cookie and some milk before entering the Living Room to look at the fireplace, there were many photos on the mantlepiece of Gracie and her family. In the middle of the mantle was a photograph of a pretty young girl of fourteen smiling brightly at the camera, she long auburn curls with the biggest hazel-green eyes and rosy cheeks from playing in the snow hugging a middle-aged man with dark hair that was receding a little and a neatly trimmed beard who had warm matching eyes like his daughter.

Adrien felt selfish that he wanted to spend time with his father and sometimes hated him for neglecting him when he needed his father the most, and here was Gracie who had lost everything in a single night. Heading to the kitchen to clean his glass and plate Adrien headed upstairs and straight to bed thinking of a way to thank the old woman for her kindness.

It was close to Christmas and Gracie talked about a tradition that she and her family had and wanted to share it with them, Adrien was intrigued as he asked what it was. With a sweet smile Gracie told them to follow her into the garden so they could help her cut a small log before bringing it inside, Nathalie and Gorilla thought it was ridiculous as Adrien was intrigued and wanted to know more.

"Now this tradition is an old one but modified a little, just before midnight each of us will cut a piece of the log and make one wish. Once you made a wish you throw your piece into the fire at the same time, so your wish can come true or have good luck all year round but for that, you have to do this till New Year's Eve."

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As Adrien and the three adults were wrapping gifts, Gabriel was in his Mansion alone with a few members of staff to clean and keep on top of things. As the staff kept out of sight Mr Agreste was in his office looking at the photograph of his wife holding their son laughing at something Adrien had said, not knowing that the picture was secretly taken by her husband.

Through the last few days, Gabriel kept going over in his mind what old Gracie said in one of her rare moments of anger in her latest call.

"Dates can be rescheduled but those precious moments with your family you can't get back. Take it from someone who knows dear, but you have something that I don't. Your child, who is the best part of you and your wife that will live on through him and his children. Now I can't order you what you should do, but I can tell you that Christmas is only here one day a year that has nothing to do with presents under the tree or the feast on the table. It is one day that people you love are together under one roof sharing what they have, their time. If you can't be there for your son then I wish you a Merry Christmas, but if you change your mind you have my address."

Gabriel went to where Emilie was sleeping in a cryogenic cell that was keeping her alive, he didn't know what to do as he asked for a sign. That was when he heard a clatter and Gabriel looked down to see a framed photograph of him and Adrien that was last taken before Emilie got sick, looking over to where his wife was sleeping he thought he saw a small smile on her face as if she was trying to tell him a secret. "Ok my love, I get the hint." sighed Gabriel looking at his sleeping wife. Placing his hand on the glass for a brief moment promising her he would return and find out who the Guardian of the Cat and Ladybug Miraculous to bring her back, leaving the secret room and towards his bedroom to pack a few things and made his two-hour journey to his destination.

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It was Christmas Eve and Adrien sadly sighed, Nathalie didn't know what to do and Gorilla was upset for the boy he cared deeply for. Gracie smiled as she cheered everyone up by telling her stories of her family and the antics they got into, Adrien laughed and was soon cheered up as he made his calls to Nino and Chloe who annoyingly called him her Adriekins wishing them a Merry Christmas and what they were all doing for the holidays.

Gracie was finishing cooking Cassoulet with baby onions and potato au gratin followed by apple Tarte Tatin with fresh whipped cream, Adrien was setting the table as Nathalie was checking and answering e-mails, Gorilla was cutting enough wood for the fireplace as Gracie was going to read her daughter's favourite poem before the log burning at Midnight. Just as Adrien was putting the last plate down when there was a knock on the door, confused Adrien looked over to the older woman and saw her smiling as she asked him to open the door.

Not wanting to argue, Adrien opened the door and standing on the doorstep with his suitcase was Gabriel Agreste, happy tears fell from Adrien's eyes as he hugged his father as Gabriel awkwardly patted him on the back. Gracie Destine hearing the boy happily shout father smiled happy that she cooked extra set another plate as Adrien brought his father into the warmth of the house and took him to his room, Nathalie didn't know how Gracie got to Mr Agreste but she was glad for Adrien's sake that the man-made an effort for his son.

Gabriel was warm and cosy from the warmth of the fireplace with a full stomach with a mug of hot spiced apple cider, Mr Agreste watched his son laughing as he chatted with Nathalie who had a soft smile for the boy. Gabriel hadn't noticed how beautiful Nathalie was when she smiled and that wasn't often, Gracie was preparing the turkey with roasted chestnuts and mushrooms and the vegetables that would be cooked tomorrow before entering the living room with her daughter's storybook sitting down by the fire.

The gorilla was reading a book while sipping his spiced apple cider when Gracie entered the room with a book under her arm, putting his book away Gorilla with the others got comfortable as the older woman read. "'T'was the Night Before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."

Gabriel sighed contently remembering his mother reading this poem to him when he was a boy, watching his son's eyes shone with wonder listening to the poem. When Gracie had finished she wiped away a tear from her eye and with a small smile closed the book and gave it to Adrien. The boy smiled thanking the woman for the gift as he promised to keep the book safe so that he would read it to his children one day, now close to Midnight each person cut a piece of the log and a wish. Gabriel thought it was ridiculous but did what was asked as he wished that he had a solution to bring Emilie back to life, once everyone made their wishes each person on the count of three threw their piece of the log into the fireplace and wished each other a Merry Christmas.

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Years had past and Adrien proposed to Marinette Dupian-Cheng, Gracie Destine found out she had breast cancer but told no one that she had less than a year to live as she didn't want the fuss or the people around her pitying her as she wanted to have those warm memories with being with friends and family. Gracie was there when Gabriel gave up being Hawkmoth once Emilie was brought back to life, however, their marriage didn't last long as they realised they were drifting apart.

Emilie started her big comeback and was working with director Jacques Audiard as Gabriel worked on his latest season, but every Christmas was family time as Emilie De Graham De Vanily and her ex-husband dropped everything to be with their son and soon with Adrien and his siblings as Emilie met a fellow actor and were soon married with a twin boys Jean and Evan as Nathalie and Gabriel had a little girl Eva Autumn Agreste who Adrien doted on.

Through the years Adrien would always remember Gracie Destine who didn't back down when Mr Agreste was pushing people he cared for away from him, the same old jolly woman who always sang songs while cooking or helping the Agreste men to open their eyes when it came to the women in their lives. No matter how much she was in pain Gracie had a smile on her face as she fixed Adrien's boutonniere as gave the now young man some Grandmotherly advice.

"The time will come when you have children of your own and you will dear, promise me one thing. That you drop everything no matter how busy you are as messes can be cleaned and paperwork can be done another time and never worry about the small things or you miss out on the wonderful moments in your life."

Adrien kept his promise to Gracie and less than a year later after Adrien and Marinette got married, Grace Simone Destine died at the age of 67 with Gregory Bodin/Gorilla holding his friend's hand as she took her last breath. With a tear in his eye Gorilla wiped them away as he silently opened the hospital window so old Gracie's soul could be reunited with her husband Robert and daughter Autumn Rose, after a few hours Gorilla pressed a kiss to the woman's cooling forehead and walked out of the room sending messages to everyone that cared for the woman who is a short time brought a little bit of light in the lives of the people who knew her.

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Two years later as Eva Autumn turned eight and Evan and Jean turned nine, Marinette and Adrien were proud parents of a beautiful baby girl with wisps of blue-black hair and dazzling green eyes just like her father's. They named the girl Emma Grace Agreste, through the years Marinette gave birth to two more children, Louis Gabriel and Hugo Thomas Agreste. whenever Adrien and Marinette found themselves busy and the children wanted to play or just watch a movie together, as promised they would drop everything and make time as they grabbed the storybook that Gracie gave Adrien a long time ago as the children got excited as Marinette opened the book and began to read.

The End

The End