Chapter five- Christmas Wish

In class Thursday after all of the reports were on Miss Bustier's desk, she addressed the class. "I know you're all very anxious to get your papers back, so I'll grade them as fast as I can. In the meantime, I want you all to write a letter to Santa asking for your dearest Christmas wish."

Chloé's snarky voice chimed in. "We're not babies anymore, at least I'm not."

Miss Bustier smiled warmly at the blond with attitude. "I don't think you're babies. It's just something light and fun for your last assignment before Christmas."

"Whatever," the mayor's daughter retorted.

Marinette began writing her letter saying that her dearest Christmas wish was for the boy that she loved to love her back. While writing on her tablet, a message popped up. It was from Alya saying that she took a peek at Marinette's letter. She encouraged Marinette to tell Adrien about her feelings for him. Marinette told Alya about wanting to confess at the Christmas party. Marinette looked over at her best friend's shocked face, but when Alya smiled and gave her a thumbs up, Marinette smiled back sweetly.

Later, Miss Bustier passed back everyone's papers, and everyone started chatting. Adrien sat with Marinette, while Alya moved to sit with Nino to look over their papers.

"We got an A," Marinette cheered.

Adrien smiled. "I'm not surprised. We make a good team."

Marinette smiled at her crush. "We really do."

Friday morning, Marinette entered the school, immediately spotting Alya and Nino laughing together.

"Hey, guys," Marinette said, greeting her friends.

Alya smiled. "Hey, girl."

"H-hi, Marinette. Uuuumm… I have t-to be somewhere else," Nino responded nervously, flailing his arms, before running away.

"What's up with him?" Marinette asked, confused.

"I don't know," Alya answered. "He's been acting weird all morning."

"I know you've asked," Marinette stated knowingly.

"I did, but he didn't want to talk about it. I'm sure he'll tell me eventually."

Marinette didn't buy that her best friend was okay with not knowing. This was Alya for crying out loud! She wanted to be a journalist, a career that required knowing other people's business. So yeah, she didn't believe it, but she didn't press the issue any further. After talking for a few more minutes, the two friends walked to their classroom together.

The classroom was tastefully decorated for the Christmas party; both clear and colorful lights, as well as red and green streamers adorned the walls, each desk, including Miss Bustier's, was outlined with silver and gold garland, a Christmas tree, fully decorated, sat beside the teacher's desk, a foot taller in height, and mistletoe hung in the doorway.

After everyone arrived and put their white elephant gifts under the tree, Marinette made her rounds, chatting with all of her friends. She finally made her way over to Adrien and Nino.

"Hey, guys," Marinette said.

Looking uncomfortable, Adrien responded by saying, "Hey, Marinette, hi. Sorry, but we have to go, right, Nino?"

"W-what he s-said," Nino stuttered as Adrien pulled him away from Marinette.

What was going on with those boys today?

About a half hour later, it was time to exchange gifts. Marinette ended up getting an elephant ears headband, making her laugh, and she put it on right away. Kim ended up getting the antlers. He was disappointed and embarrassed at first because everybody was laughing, but he eventually lightened up, put them on and laughed along with the rest of the class.

After present time was over, everyone mingled in small groups. Marinette was talking to Max and Nathaniel when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Marinette turned around to see an oddly nervous Adrien. "Yes, Adrien?"

"Hey, Marinette, can we talk?" Adrien asked, rubbing the back of his neck. "In private?"

Marinette turned her head to see Nathaniel and Max smile, wave and walk away. She also noticed Nino and Alya watching her and Adrien from a few feet away. Telling Adrien to hold on for a second, Marinette ran to her desk, grabbed Adrien's gift and held it behind her back with one hand as she ran back to the boy. She couldn't help but smile when she returned to Adrien and saw him with one hand behind his back. The thought of him possibly getting her something made her squeal internally. She reached Adrien, grabbed his free hand and led him out of the classroom to a Janitor's Closet for absolute privacy.

"So," Marinette started. "What did you want to talk about?"

Adrien bit his lip. "We're good friends, right?"

Marinette was confused but smiled. "Of course."

"And we've gotten closer lately." Adrien looked down. "At least, I think we have, and I hope you think so too, but if you don't-"

Was he nervous? Adorable! Now she was ninety-nine point nine percent sure he liked her. She didn't want to do or say something stupid and mess this up. She didn't trust herself to speak, but she had to confess. It was time, but she needed to stop his rambling first.

"I love that we've gotten closer too," Marinette blurted out in a high-pitched voice.

Adrien stopped rambling, lifted up his head and smiled at Marinette. Then, he pulled his arm out from behind his back, revealing a box wrapped in green paper and a sparkly red ribbon. "This is for you."

Marinette smiled shyly, revealing a box wrapped in green paper with a red ribbon from behind her back. "And, this is for you."

Marinette and Adrien took their gifts from each other as Adrien said, "Let's open them together on the count of three. One."

"Two," Marinette said.

"Three," the teenagers said in unison.

When Marinette finally finished unwrapping the paper, she was surprised to see a black velvet box. She opened the box and saw a silver, heart-shaped locket. However, the shape and color were not the first things that caught her eye. The first thing she noticed was the engraved message on the front of the locket. The message said I love you. Marinette's heart fluttered as she looked up at Adrien in surprise, only to see him looking at her with the same expression.

Adrien took the green scarf that Marinette had made for him out of the box, unfolded it and held it so that she could see the stitched lettering that said I love you. "D-do you really mean it, Marinette?"

Of course she meant it! She loved him with all her heart, and now, she knew that he felt the same way. As if the engraved locket wasn't proof enough, she saw it in his eyes right now. He wanted it to be true. He wanted her to love him. That was hope she saw in his eyes, clear as day.

"I love you, Adrien," Marinette said with confidence to the green eyed boy, trying to hold back tears.

Adrien put the scarf around his neck, put the box on the floor and walked the short distance towards Marinette. He stopped right in front of her and put his hand on her cheek, causing her to gasp in shock. With a smile, he said, "I love you too," and pressed his lips to hers.

Marinette quickly got over her shock and melted into the kiss, dropping the necklace box on the floor, not caring at the moment about anything except the boy kissing her. She wrapped one arm around his neck, placing her free hand on top of his on her cheek. She felt Adrien wrap his free arm around her waist and pull her as close as possible.

Adrien pulled away, too soon for Marinette's liking, smiled and said, "I've thought about doing that since New York."

Marinette's eyes went wide. "Really?"

Adrien blushed. "Well honestly, you've never been just a friend to me. I've always felt like you were more than that, and I finally figured out why in New York." Adrien saw Marinette's smiling, blushing face and continued. "You've always been there for me, and something about being with you on that trip made me realize my true feelings for you. What about you?"

"Me?"

"How long have you had feelings for me?" Adrien asked curiously.

"W-well… e-ever since you gave me your umbrella that day after school," Marinette replied nervously.

"You mean we could've been together already?" Adrien asked, surprised.

Marinette nodded.

"I'm an idiot," Adrien stated apologetically as he picked the locket up off the floor and put it around Marinette's neck from behind. "But, we can be together now."

Marinette looked down at the piece of jewelry around her neck, traced the heart with her finger and turned her head to look at Adrien. "It's beautiful, Adrien. I love it. Thank you."

"Thank you for my scarf," Adrien said and kissed Marinette on the cheek. Then, he stood in front of Marinette. "I want to ask you to be my girlfriend, but I need to be completely honest with you first."

Marinette looked on, confused as Adrien took a deep breath.

"Plagg, claws out," Adrien said and transformed into Cat Noir before Marinette's eyes. "Well?"

Marinette was shocked. Adrien was Cat Noir? That was crazy... right? Then again, it kind of made sense. The pieces started falling into place; they both had blond hair and green eyes, Cat Noir seemed really comfortable around her, and he stopped flirting with Ladybug because he liked Marinette.

Marinette's shock dissipated, and she smiled. "Tikki, spots on."

Ladybug stood before a wide-eyed Cat Noir, watched as his surprise turned into joy as he smiled and said, "You know, this actually makes perfect sense. I always thought Marinette and Ladybug were very similar but never put this together. Now that I know Ladybug and Marinette are the same person, I couldn't be happier."

"Really?"

"Of course," Adrien said. "I was feeling guilty for being in love with two girls at once."

"I know what you mean," Marinette responded. "I felt guilty for having a crush on Cat Noir."

Cat Noir grinned. "So, you're finally feline our chemistry, Milady?"

Ladybug rolled her eyes but smiled. "Yes, Kitty."

Cat Noir smiled. "We should de-transform. I want to see your face when I say this."

Ladybug nodded, and they de-transformed.

"It's about time," Plagg stated, sounding bored. "I want some delicious cheese now."

Marinette giggled. "Nice to see you again, Plagg."

"Hey, Marinette," Plagg responded.

Excitedly, Tikki said, "I'm very happy for you both."

"Thanks, Tikki," Adrien said, smiling at the red kwami.

After Tikki and Plagg received their snacks, they retreated to their usual hiding spots.

Once the kwami's were out of sight, Adrien grabbed both of Marinette's hands and stared into her eyes. "Will you be my girlfriend, Marinette?"

Marinette's heart did a somersault in her chest as she said, "Yes."

Adrien and Marinette shared another sweet kiss before Adrien opened Marinette's locket, revealing the picture inside to be the one of them sleeping, cuddled up together on the train.

Marinette smiled fondly. "How did you-"

"I told Alya and Nino about the locket," Adrien said, "and Alya sent me this picture to use."

"That's why Nino was acting so weird," Marinette realized. Thank you, Alya.

Adrien nodded before they headed back to the classroom hand in hand. The new couple didn't make it through the doorway before everyone turned to look at them and cheered… well, not everyone.

Chloé stood there glaring with her arms folded. "This is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"

Everyone else, even Miss Bustier, pointed toward the ceiling. Adrien and Marinette looked up and realized that they were standing underneath the mistletoe. Then, they looked at each other, smiled and leaned in, sharing a kiss that may have been short but left Marinette breathless. After telling everyone how they got together – Alya and Nino first, of course - the two lovebirds sat cuddling in Adrien's desk.

"About that letter to Santa we had to write yesterday," Adrien said, arm around Marinette, "you were my Christmas wish."

Marinette looked up at Adrien and smiled from where her head rested on his shoulder. "You were my Christmas wish too."

Adrien kissed his girlfriend's head, and the two of them sat in a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's company. Marinette had never been so happy.