A/N: This is the first chapter of the first bonus story, "First Date", for my completed fanfiction, "The Christmas Movie". Please read that first before this one to avoid confusion and spoilers.

Prepare yourself for some MAJOR Adrinette fluff.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Marinette paced around her room in long strides, her rate of breathing so fast she was hyperventilating. She put her hands into her hair, running her fingers through it repeatedly. She stopped when she caught a glimpse of herself in her full-length mirror and stared at her reflection. Her face twisted with worry and she was about to open her mouth to say another complaint about herself, but her mother beat her to it.

"Marinette, Sweetie, you look perfect." Her voice instantly calmed Marinette's nerves drastically, but the young girl still looked at the reflection of the cherry blossom pink sweater she wore. It was one she had made herself, with sleeves that went down to her wrists and had a slight puff at her shoulders. It was just long enough to touch her hips, so she decided to tuck it inside waist-high pearly white pants that ended just above her ankles. She wore chamoissee brown boots that went up to her shins but were visible only from her ankles down due to the pants.

"I don't know, Mom." She sighed as she tucked her shirt into her pants more to make it as smooth as she could. "Maybe I should have gone with that green sweater instead, and different pants."

"Nonsense." Sabine said with a soft laugh as she stood and walked over to Marinette at the mirror. She smiled as she looked at her daughter's reflection before she pulled slightly on that pink sweater that she was wearing to make it look just a little baggy above the hem of her pants. "You look amazing, and I'm sure Adrien will think so too."

"Do you really think so?" Marinette asked nervously, though a smile tugged at her lips as she looked at her reflection. She had to admit to herself, despite her excessive worrying and nervousness, she did look cute. Her heart beat a little faster and her cheeks warmed at the idea that Adrien might think she looked cute too.

"I am positive." Sabine cooed as she gently squeezed her daughter's shoulders. "Now, how about we get that hair of yours curled?"

Marinette smiled a little more and nodded as she turned away from the mirror and let her mother lead her to her desk where the curling iron was already waiting. She still felt nervous, but her excitement was also growing. In just a couple hours, she would be going on her very first date with none other than Adrien Agreste.

Adrien stood outside the Dupain-Cheng bakery and took a deep, shaky breath. His warm breath was visible in the cold when he exhaled, but he paid it no mind. His eyes were fixed on where he had spent a lot of his time for the past month: the Dupain-Cheng's apartment. However, instead of going there to act for their Christmas film project, this time he was going up there specifically for Marinette.

It was their first date. Adrien had been overwhelmed for the past few days with nervousness and excitement. He may have over-thought everything a little too much because he wanted the afternoon to be perfect, but now it was time to pick her up so there should not have been much to overthink about anymore.

He turned his head, looking over his shoulder at the limousine that had taken him to the outside of the bakery. He gave his chauffeur and bodyguard a smile and slight nod, then watched as the window was rolled up and the car drove away. He would be spending the rest of the afternoon free and unsupervised, and he also hoped that he wouldn't attract unwanted fans. He wanted to enjoy time with Marinette on a normal, casual date.

Adrien let out another nervous breath as he looked down, and, in one smooth motion, shifted the single red rose in his right hand to push up the sleeve of his black jacket on his left arm to look at his wristwatch. It was a few minutes from the time he said he would pick Marinette up, which meant that he would be right on time when he reached her door.

He allowed himself a shudder to let all his nerves out, though he knew they would come back in due time. He had never gone on a date before and had never spent much time alone with a girl, much less a girl he really, really liked. He hoped that this date would go over smoothly and would lead to more dates to come.

As he started to walk up the flights of stairs to the Dupain-Cheng residence, he smiled to himself as he recalled how he had come to plan for this date. After finally filming that last scene for their project, things had become very awkward between the two simply because neither knew how to act around the other anymore.

It had seemed that their moment on the Eiffel Tower was a one-time occurrence, but Adrien wanted more moments like that with Marinette. To ensure that would happen, he knew the awkward tension would need to fade, and he was certain that the only way to get there was to spend more time with her.

So, at school the day after the last scene was filmed, he had asked her if she happened to be free that Saturday, which would give him a few days to plan a date. She had told him that she would more than likely have spare time and asked what he had in mind. The moment he admitted that he was hoping they could spend that afternoon together, she smiled shyly at him, which he found adorable. As she had clarified that it was in fact going to be a date, both teens were smiling, blushing messes, but nonetheless excited for the coming weekend.

Adrien was picturing Marinette's shy smile and the way she had tucked a few strands of her loose hair behind her ear as he approached the door to the apartment at last. He was extremely excited to see her, but when he transferred the rose to his left hand and raised his right fist to the door, he hesitated momentarily to take a quick breath before he quickly rapped his knuckled against the door four times.

After knocking, he took a small step back and brought his hands together in front of his chest, fiddling with the rose and spinning it between his fingers nervously. He waited several seconds, during which he was able to take a few deep breaths in hopes of calming his racing heart before the door opened.

"Adrien."

The boy managed a small, yet rather nervous smile. "Hello, Mr. Dupain."

"Hello, Son." The man offered a smile as he stepped away from the door. "Why don't you come in? Marinette is still up in her room, but she shouldn't be much longer."

"Thank you." Adrien could already feel himself start to relax from his date's father's welcoming smile. He stepped inside and away from the doorway, allowing Tom to close the door behind him. During the silence, the rose in the young man's hands had not gone unnoticed by the father, though was not commented on.

The two made their way to the living room to wait for Marinette to come down the stairs that led up to her room. Adrien took a seat on the couch while Tom took a seat on the loveseat, then looked around the room as he tried to feel less anxious. He knew that the time before he would see Marinette again was only decreasing with each passing second.

He allowed himself to look at the pearl painted walls then the Christmas tree. He was instantly reminded of what were now fond memories he had made with who was once a dear friend and now was more. The color of paint on the walls brought back the memories of painting them with Marinette, and the Christmas tree reminded him of the time they had spent decorating it together. He smiled to himself as his eyes lowered to the flower in his hands. He had been twirling it between his forefinger and thumb absent mindedly, and still was as he let out a small sigh.

"Are you nervous?"

The sudden sound of Tom's voice brought Adrien out of his memories and his attention up to the man looking at him with arms crossed over his chest. He tried not to think about it too much, but their seating placement reminded him of the time Tom had caught Adrien with his arm around Marinette while watching the freshly recorded scenes of the time. They were both sitting in the same locations as that late afternoon, but this time there was no disapproving look from the girl's father.

"A little." Adrien admitted with a sheepish smile. He was not so worried, however, about being alone with Tom as he thought he would have been. He was replaying the last conversation they had alone through his head. It calmed him more to remember that Tom approved of him to the point he had no need to even ask to date Marinette.

"That's understandable." Tom replied with a slight chuckle. "First dates are always meant to be nerve-wracking. But after a while, it will get easier and the nervousness will fade. Just give it time."

All Adrien could do was nod as he glanced up toward the top of the stairs towards Marinette's room, then down at the carpet beneath his feet. After a moment of awkward silence, he raised his eyes and looked at Tom. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dupain."

Tom looked at Adrien questioningly. "What for?"

Adrien hesitated. He had been feeling a twinge of guilt for what he had done to Marinette only a week ago ever since he sat down with her father, knowing that he had never spoken about it with her parents while also knowing they would have seen first hand how upset he had made her.

"For hurting her. I never meant to."

Tom was quiet for a moment, thinking about the apology. It was clear to him that the boy was being sincere, and he knew that Adrien never would have intentionally hurt Marinette so badly, especially after asking for permission to date her several days before the teenagers' falling out.

"I know that, Adrien." He replied finally. "I knew that there was a misunderstanding between you two, and how hard you were trying to apologize to her for your mistake."

Tom offered Adrien a small smile to show that there really no hard feelings, but the boy still looked skeptical so he added, "That day after you and Marinette spoke again and cleared things up was the happiest I have seen her in a very long time. I can't hold too big a grudge against you when you make my daughter so happy."

Adrien's cheeks warmed so much that he was visibly blushing, but he was also smiling hopefully at the man. "Do I really?"

Tom's smile grew as he nodded. "Oh yes. You make her very happy, Adrien."

The blond was silent for a moment as he let the words sink in. It made him really happy to hear that he made Marinette so happy, and the fact that it was her father telling him made it even more clear to him that he had her parents' approval to date her.

He was unable to remember the last time he had felt so much joy around Christmas time. It would have had to have been before his parents divorced and his mother left which was nearly two and a half years ago. Two rotten Christmases made December tough; seeing families together celebrating while he and his father still struggled to cope with his mother's absence.

He had been dreading this Christmas as the third without his mother, but he never had the chance to feel miserable. Marinette had kept him smiling and laughing, comforted him when he was upset, and made him really feel wanted. Adrien was happy, but also excited to know that his new, developing relationship with Marinette was only beginning to blossom.

"She makes me very happy too."

Marinette sat at her vanity stand, and let out a nervous breath she had not realized she had been holding in. She looked at her reflection and felt a little self-conscious. "Are you sure it won't be too much?" She asked her mother without looking in her direction.

"I'm positive." Sabine answered, and her tone made it obvious that she was smiling. "It won't be much, just a little bit to bring out your eyes."

Marinette reluctantly nodded and lifted a hand to take a strand of her freshly curled hair and twisted it nervously around her fingers. Even though she trusted her mother, she was still doubtful. "I don't wear makeup very much. What if he notices and thinks I'm trying too hard?"

"Marinette, you know that he's surrounded by people with all kinds of makeup daily." Sabine reminded with a small laugh. "Both men and women wear such unnatural colors, but still look amazing. You're only going to bring out your natural beauty. It won't be too much."

Marinette turned from the mirror and looked at Sabine with a worried expression. "But would it be enough?" She fretted, now worrying about a polar opposite from before. "You're right; he does spend a lot of time with beautiful people as a model. What if I'm not pretty enough and need more?"

"Nonsense." Sabine said as she leaned closer to her daughter and kissed her temple. "You are beautiful with or without any makeup." She paused and turned her eyes to Marinette's reflection, causing Marinette to do the same. "See? You don't even need makeup."

Marinette smiled softly at her reflection, allowing her mother's words to sink in. Her eyes shifted from her reflection to her mother's as a question crossed her mind, and she opened her mouth to ask it aloud. "So, why do I need it?"

Sabine laughed as she looked down to the desk and picked up a pencil eyeliner. "You don't." She said as gently turned Marinette's face in her direction to start the application to her eyes. "It's more for Adrien. Close your eyes."

"For Adrien?" Marinette echoed as she shut her eyes. A blush coated her cheeks, and her smile grew shyer at the thought. She giggled and her tone turned skeptical and amused. "Really, Mom?"

"Yes, really." Sabine laughed as well. "It's important to remember that makeup is for yourself to feel great, but it's also good to keep in mind the fact that there are people that like it when you dress up for them. A boy, no matter the age, enjoys it when a girl takes the time to look good specifically for him."

Marinette's blush darkened as she thought about it. "So, Adrien will like me wearing a little makeup for our date?"

"I guarantee it." Sabine paused smiled at Marinette. One eye was finished, and Marinette took the slight break to open her eyes and return her mother's smile. Her eyes closed again as her mother made a movement towards her other eye.

"Now, if you really don't like makeup, then don't let anyone pressure you into wearing it." Sabine said with a sternness to her tone. "Don't ever let someone force you to do something that makes you uncomfortable."

"I never would." Marinette agreed with a small smile. "And I know Adrien isn't the kind of guy to do that, which is why I don't mind doing it for him. Though, I'm not sure how often I'll wear it because I usually don't have the time."

Sabine laughed because it was true. Marinette was always running late, so makeup wouldn't be much of a priority to her. "Well, it's a good thing you don't need it to look pretty."

Marinette giggled along with her mother at the statement. She focused on the feeling of the strokes made on her eyelid and felt a warm fuzzy feeling of excitement building up. She could hardly wait to see her date, and his reaction to seeing her with makeup. The most she had ever put on before was a little bit of mascara. There may have not been much added this time in comparison, but she felt that it was a step up.

The laughter of the two females faded just as Sabine was finishing up with the eyeliner. "There you go." She cooed as she pulled her hand away and went to exchange it for the mascara. Marinette's eyes opened and she turned to look in the mirror. There were thin dark lines, one on each eye, just above her eyes that each ended with a small wing. She felt her cheeks warm as she turned back to her mother and watched her take out the wand.

Just as Sabine was bringing it towards Marinette to apply the mascara to her eyelashes, she heard a faint tapping sound coming from down stairs and hummed thoughtfully, her smile growing warmer. Four quick taps that sounded an awful like what could be knocking. She didn't say anything as she brushed the wand upwards, darkening her daughter's lashes.

The lack of words made Marinette's curiosity grow. "What is it?" She questioned. Sabine paused the strokes and smiled at the girl.

"I think Adrien's here." She replied. She waited a moment before going back to applying the mascara in case Marinette jerked or moved suddenly.

She did, but it was after another few seconds when the words sunk in. She jerked backwards in surprise and stared up at her mother in surprise. "He's here?! Now?! I'm not ready!"

"He can wait downstairs." Sabine assured her. Marinette was quiet for a long moment before she visibly relaxed and moved towards her mother again to let her continue darkening her eyelashes.

"With dad?" She asked. Her heart was starting to race at the thought of her father keeping her date company while she was hidden away in her room upstairs. Sabine only hummed a confirmation.

"He'll be just fine." She said as she applied a couple more touches to her eyelashes then put the mascara wand back into the small container and twist it closed. "Making him wait to see you a little longer will only do him good."

"It will?" Marinette questioned. She could feel her heart beginning to thump faster in her chest as her anxiety and excitement rose. Imagining the blond boy downstairs waiting on her only made the date feel even more real.

"It will." Sabine confirmed as she put the mascara aside and picked up a tube of pink lip gloss. "But don't worry, we won't be much longer."

"Okay." Marinette let out a shaky breath. She shuddered with anticipation but held her head still as her mother applied the lip gloss to her lips. She had only thought this day, her going on a date with Adrien, could only happen in her dreams and imagination. But now it was real, and she knew it was real.

Adrien really did like her. No, he loved her. He had told her multiple times that he did over those voicemails of his that she kept so she could hear him say those three words to her whenever she wanted. He had also told her a few times apart from that last scene where Zachary and Marilee finally got together. And each time, whether it was a recording of his voice, or she was hearing him say it in person, she knew he meant it.

It was real, and she loved it. But most of all, she loved him.