Adrien hummed a happy Christmas tune as he wrapped Tom's present. Since he would be picking Marinette up from her parents, he figured it would be best to give them their presents tonight. He was especially proud of what he had found for Tom.
A book of puns. Not that Tom needed any help, but the book would be very much appreciated.
For Sabine, he found a ladybug serving dish, since she had told him during dinner that she and Tom had met at the Miraculous Christmas Ball years ago.
For Marinette, he was tied between a favorite game of his he noticed wasn't in her game collection, or a first edition copy of his father's book, "Fashion Avenue: Defining Where Society Moves". Second Edition was out by the time Adrien had been born and first edition was quickly off the shelves, despite Gabriel hoarding an extra box of copies in his home. If Marinette had kept her textbooks from school, then she probably had the 14th edition, so first edition would have been extra special.
In the end, he decided to go with both gifts.
His suit hung in the front of his large closet space, which after trying on at the Black Cat, Adrien agreed Plagg did know what he was doing as the suit looked spectacular on him, primarily black with green and silver accents. But matching well with whatever pink Marinette wore was a definite nope. As far as he knew.
Once he finished wrapping the presents, Adrien planned to eat a small bite from the kitchen, then get ready for the ball.
His humming was interrupted by a knock on the door.
He checked his watch. Everyone had left to prep for the party hours ago.
"Come in?"
Adrien watched as his father entered the room, Adrien immediately standing to attention.
"Adrien, why aren't you dressed yet? You are going to be late for the party," scolded Gabriel, old age aiding him in looking stern and intimidating.
Adrien took a deep breath. He had honestly hoped to deal with this after the party, but it looked like it was going to be sooner than later.
"I actually have other plans this evening," informed Adrien, remaining calm and collected.
"A different social event with Chloe?"
"No, actually. Chloe and I broke up."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Whether or not Gabriel was actually sorry, Adrien couldn't tell.
"I'm going to the Miraculous Christmas Ball with someone else instead."
"The Miraculous Christmas Ball?"
"Yes, it's a funny story actually," Adrien began, chuckling as he remembered the first time he saw Marinette. Pollen had pulled her over to where Chloe was arguing with Tikki, stray hairs ascue from the winter weather, cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment at being called out by the worker. That meeting seemed so unimportant then.
"I'm sure it is," interrupted Gabriel.
Unsure whether to continue with his story or prepare for a lecture about minding his responsibilities to the company, Adrien shuffled his feet nervously.
"What is she like?" Asked Gabriel.
"She?"
"The person you are going with, to the ball." For once, Gabriel's eyes didn't stare down at Adrien, choosing instead to try an find something interesting in the room.
"She's absolutely wonderful," Adrien felt he could burst as he tried to pick out the best things about Marinette, "Marinette is thoughtful and considerate of everyone. She can be a bit stubborn and is very determined to do her best. She is very competitive, but she just loves everyone. She even apologized when I broke up with Chloe. She thought it was her fault, but it wasn't, but still. She cares and you know when she cares for you, because she shows it."
Was that a smile lurking on Gabriel's face as Adrien went on about Marinette? Adrien wasn't sure if he was seeing something since once he finished, Gabriel was back to staring down at him with an expressionless face.
"I hope you have a good time tonight. Let me know what your Christmas plans are then in the morning since I assume you will not be attending any of Chloe's." Gabriel was about to leave when he noticed the book on Adrien's desk. With long, purposeful strides, he stopped over the desk, took a pen, and signed the inside cover.
"Merry Christmas Eve Adrien," and with Gabriel left the room.
Once the door was shut, Adrien fell back into his desk chair with a sigh of relief. That went a lot better than he imagined. Remembering what his father did before he left, Adrien turned to the book for Marinette and opened the cover.
Along with Gabriel's signature was a note.
"Continue treasuring the people around you as much as I am sure you will cherish this book."
An odd thing to write, but given how he had described Marinette moments ago, he guessed that's what his father went off of.
Adrien went right back to work wrapping the remaining gifts, pulling out the remaining few for his father, driver, and his assistant. Christmas presents were done, so onto a small snack, then to get ready.
As he made his way to the kitchen, the silent home was disturbed by a call from his phone. He pulled the device out of the pocket to see it was from Marinette.
"Hey Bugaboo, I was about to start getting ready. How about you?"
The only response on the other line was a muffled sniff.
"Marinette?"
"My dress, and my ticket. They're gone. Someone came into my apartment while I was at work this morning and took them. They aren't where I left them last night and I checked every inch of the apartment. The place was a mess, and I don't know what to do. I just finished putting everything back together and nothing came up, no note or clue to where the dress and the ticket are."
Adrien could hear Marinette's sobs on the other end, wanting to run over and comfort her. They would figure it out together. He was sure Tikki had another dress she could wear.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dump all that on you. Since I don't have a ticket, I can't go to the ball though," Marinette continued, trying to calm her nerves. Adrien though wanted to argue her logic. Of course she could still go. Tikki and Pollen could vouch for her.
"You should go. Have a good time. Take a chance to meet some new people," Marinette went on.
He wanted to stop her line of thinking right there. There was no way in heaven or earth he was going without her. She was his chance and his hope. He had opened his heart, and it had picked Marinette.
"I hope you have fun. Goodnight and Merry Christmas." And just like that, Marinette hung up, with Adrien not saying a word that whole phone call.
It didn't take long for him to start moving again though. He quickly searched his phone for another contact, and quickly called the number.
"Miraculous Ladybug Boutique, this is Tikki."
"Tikki, its Adrien. I need your help. Marinette just called and said her ticket and dress were stolen," Adrien continued to the kitchen, relieved to find it empty of the family chef.
"Oh no! The poor dear."
"Do you have another dress she could wear?"
"Well, there is one dress, not sure if it is the right size."
"Anything, please. She might still be going to her parents, so could you please bring her the dress?"
"I don't know Adrien, she did lose the ticket."
"She didn't lose the ticket! Someone stole it! She's a responsible person who wouldn't just lose a ticket! And if you don't help her, then I just won't be going either!"
Adrien was certain he heard a squeal in the back, but he was too furious too care. He was not going to stand for these women abandoning Marinette like that.
"And you are certain about that?"
"Absolutely."
"Good. Pollen, go get the dress in the back and let your uncle know we'll be running late. Adrien, you get ready and meet with Plagg at the Ball."
"So you are going help her?"
"Of course. You didn't think we were going to leave her like that on Christmas Eve did you?"
To be honest, Adrien had thought they were.
"We'll fix this all up and have your princess ready before midnight."
"Midnight? I was supposed to pick her up."
"Adrien, the prince escorts the princess when he marries her." Adrien turned bright red at that remark.
"For now though, the prince must wait for his princess at the ball."
"Alright."
"See you tonight! Merry Christmas Eve."
Adrien was left staring at his phone, alone in the kitchen. He quickly grabbed an apple and ran up to his room.
His princess was going to the ball, and her prince was going to be there waiting for her.
