Marinette snuck around her section of the office, leaving Christmas presents for her co-workers and interns while they still partied downstairs.

It was finally Christmas Eve, and Marinette's work had closed early for a holiday luncheon and to celebrate the interns who weren't returning in the spring. Everyone's things were packed, ready to leave once the party was over, so Marinette had stepped out during the festivities to play Santa.

Her mission was interrupted with a phone call from Sabine.

"Hi Maman! Merry Christmas Eve," wished Marinette as she answered her phone.

"Merry Christmas Eve to you too! Just checking in see if you are getting ready for tonight yet."

"Not yet, I have a couple of things to do at work then I'll be heading home to get ready." She set another gift on a desk.

"Why are you still at the office? You should be getting ready."

"It's just a Christmas party and some gift giving. I'll be heading out in a bit so I still have plenty of time to get ready."

"Alright dear, I just don't want you to overwork yourself."

"Don't worry Maman, since the fashion show on Friday, I relaxed all weekend and focused on finishing Christmas presents."

"Ok, ok, I just worry about my baby girl."

Marinette smiled as she placed down the last gift for one of her interns, making her way to her boss's office to give the final gift.

"I know, I love you Maman."

"I love you too." She heard her father mention something to her maman.

"Your father and I were also wondering if you wanted to get ready here since you'll be at the ball later. I can help you with your makeup and we can have a mini-Christmas Eve celebration."

Marinette could feel her heart leap out of her chest at the thought.

"I would love to!"

"Alright dear, let us know when you are on your way over." Marinette could hear her father talk to Sabine again.

"And invite Adrien over for Christmas for tomorrow. Your Nona would love to meet him."

"Maman!"

"Love you, see you later." Sabine quickly hung up, allowing no room for Marinette to argue or refuse. Adrien may already have obligations for Christmas, or his father would want to spend time with him since Adrien wasn't going to Gabriel's Christmas party tonight.

Marinette delivered her last gift before returning to her cubicle. With a glance around the tidied work space, Marinette took her purse and left the office.

After a brief goodbye to her interns, co-workers, and a well done from her boss, Marinette began the journey home, running over the list of things she needed to bring to her parents. The presents for her parents, Nona, Alya, and Adrien were nestled under her little Christmas tree. Her dress for tonight hung on the door of her closet, along with shoes and jewelry. The ticket was tucked safely in her nightstand drawer. She would just need to pack up her makeup then she could head over to her parents. Marinette could bring the presents when she saw her parents in the morning. Maybe even give Adrien his when he dropped her off at home later that night.

Her musings were cut off by the ring of her phone with a call from Adrien.

"Adrien! I was just thinking about you."

"Good things I hope."

"Always good things."

"Glad to hear. I was just calling to see where I could pick you up for the ball."

"You don't have to."

"I want to. A gentleman must always escort his lady to a ball."

"Since when am I your lady?"

"I...um...well…" while Adrien stumbled for words, Marinette laughed.

"I'm only teasing you. Thank you for being a gentleman."

"Anytime My Lady. So where should I bring the royal carriage?"

"I'll be getting ready at my parent's house, so you could pick me up there."

"Sounds pur-fect."

Marinette stopped in her tracks at the pun.

"Nevermind, I'm going on my own."
"What? No!"

"I'll find someone else at the ball who doesn't crack puns."
"My Lady," Adrien whined, Marinette stifling a smile.

"Please don't," he whimpered, Marinette wishing she could see how he looked, certain it was heart-stopping adorable right now.

"Fine, because you said please."

"Thank you My Lady! You won't regret it."

"I know. I'm about to enter my building so I need to go now."

"Alright. Shall I pick you up around 9:45?"

"9:30?"

"My, someone wants to see me," Adrien teased, turning Marinette pink as she entered the first floor of her building.

"Maybe."

"Alright, 9:30 it is."

And with that, Adrien hung up.

Marinette giggled as she stepped into the elevator. Tonight was going to be fun. She would still be able to spend time with her parents, go to the ball with Adrien. She smiled at the thought as the elevator opened to her floor, until she remembered she was suppose to ask him over for Christmas. She continued down the hall to her apartment. Her parents could ask him anyway when he picked her up tonight.

Marinette went to unlock the door of her apartment only to find it already unlocked. She was certain she remembered to lock it before leaving that morning. She hesitantly opened the door, gasping at what she saw.

Her apartment was an overturned disaster. Presents under her tree opened. Drawers open with their contents on the floor, seat cushions misset on the sofa. Marinette ran inside, bypassing the presents that still looked intact minus their wrapping, heading for her room.

The dress was gone and her nightstand drawer was empty.


And this begins the final week of Miraculous Christmas Ball. The story will finish posting by Thursday, and I should hopefully have the cover art by Friday.

Thank you for staying with me thus far, the favorites, follows, and comments.

Merry Christmas!