(A.N: This story happened even before Thomas was born. Just reminding you so that you won't get confused. Enjoy!)
(Additional: This is also not part of the story! Thanks!)

ADRIEN

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

The radio in the car blares out the lyrics of the song and I bitterly press the button in front of me to turn it off. I slam my hand back on the steering wheel and grumble.

"Adrien..."

"Don't." I sternly utter, my eyes just focusing on the driveway.

Through the corner of my eye, Marinette retracts her hand and slowly rests it on her lap.

I sigh, "2 weeks..." I whisper. "You'll be gone for 2 weeks and you only inform me about your trip last night. And I guess that you forgot that tomorrow is the 24th of December! Christmas eve! And you should feel lucky that I agreed to drive you to the airport!"

"Adrien-"

I swerve to the side and slam on my brakes. We suddenly stop on a curb. I lean my head on the window and close my eyes.

I need to let out some steam...

"Adrien please listen to me!" Marinette suddenly speaks up. "I'm sorry, okay? My parents are in China. I thought that they were okay with me staying here..."

"My lady," I sadly mumble. The sudden realization dawns over me. "We won't be together this Christmas."

I turn my head to look at her and tears start to make my vision blurry.

"M-my girlfriend won't be celebrating our 4th Christmas together-"

"Oh, Adrien," Marinette leans over to wrap her arms around me, "please don't cry..."

I lean my head on her shoulder and wrap my arms around her waist, "Is there a problem with being a sentimental softie?"

She looks at me and softly kisses my forehead. "My boyfriend is such a softie...and I feel guilty for leaving him."

"I'm sorry for venting out my anger..." I apologize and she slowly shakes her head, wiping the tear running down my cheek.

"It's my fault for not telling you about my sudden trip to China."

"China." I sigh and start to feel more glum. "That's like on the other side of the world...it's so far away."

"I'll make it up to you when I get back."

"But it's going to feel different without you on the actual day."

She sullenly nods, "I know." She whispers. "I'm sorry that this is your first Christmas without your...without your-"

"Father." I finish her sentence and closey eyes, trying to rub off the fact that my father is not here anymore. "I guess that I'll be celebrating Christmas eve and New Year's eve by myself..."

I unwrap my arms and turn away from her. I start the engine and place my hands on the steering wheel, looking at the road in front of us. She rests her hand on top of mine.

"I'm really sor-"

"Let's take you to the airport," I cut her off, "you wouldn't want to miss your flight."

We arrive at the departure area in no time and I witness a couple hugging probably their eldest child, a group of friends bidding good-bye to one of their friends who is unfortunately crying, and a mother wiping her tears as she waves farewell to her daughter.

"I don't want to look like them." I confess, "All of them bear sad faces...but I can't help to have the exact feelings as them-"

Suddenly I am interrupted by Marinette who has placed her lips on mine. I close my eyes, savoring the kiss before it ends.

"You know that I love you, right?" She whispers, leaning her forehead against mine.

"And I love how you can calm me down in an instant."

"Is that the only thing you love about me?"

I kiss her then unbuckle my seatbelt. "I love everything about you, my lady." I open the door and walk to the trunk, leaving Marinette in a complete daze. I grab her luggage from the trunk and carry it with me to Marinette. I open her door and unbuckle the seatbelt for her.

"I thought that we would be sharing more than a kiss after you unbuckled your seatbelt..." she sheepishly says.

"Your plane is waiting...I guess that we would have to save your wish until you come back."

She stands from the car and takes her luggage from me. "I'll be looking forward to coming back then."

I softly chuckle then start to frown again, "I really did plan this year's Christmas...I made arrangements for the both of us." I hang my head low.

"Then I'm really sorry, love. But 2 weeks will pass by in a rush and ths next thing you know it, we'll be cuddling by the fire again with a mug of hot cocoa to warm us up."

I look up at her and she gives me one of her widest grins. I can't help to grin back at her. "I'll do my best, Marinette."

With one last glance, she enters the terminal and I am left behind in the departure area.

I enter the car and rest my head on the steering wheel. My hand goes to my back pocket and I take out the most important thing that has been making me feel nervous every time I'm with Marinette.

A ring. A silver ring with a small ruby placed on the middle. An engagement ring.

"This is why I don't want you to leave me this Christmas."

-------------------------

I check the calendar, December 24.

And I check the time, 8:00 PM.

4 more hours until it's Christmas.

I put on a coat before leaving my apartment.

The wind is chilly tonight as the white snow falls slowly from the air. I wrap my blue scarf around my neck and head to the only coffee shop that is still open on Christmas eve.

I enter the coffee shop only to be greeted by a quiet atmosphere. Only 3 tables are occupied and there is an acoustic band playing soft music at the front.

I called Marinette last night. I told her that I will be spending my Christmas eve here since staying at our apartment will just give me a heart ache.

Our apartment won't feel the same without her.

I order one cup of warm peppermint cocoa at the counter and I head to a table by the window. Staring out the window, I notice that the sidewalks are empty and only the light coming from the streetlamps illuminates the dark chilly night.

The barista brings my order to my table and I nod at him in gratitude. I sip from my cup and observe the people around me too.

They look gloomy...also sad. I guess that they wouldn't be celebrating Christmas with their loved ones too.

"Good evening..." a voice greets us through the speakers.

The voice sounds familiar...like as if I know that voice very well.

I look to the front and I see her.

Marinette.

What is she doing here?? She's supposed to be in China!

I almost spill my drink in shock. And I had to make sure that my eyes were not deceiving me.

"You all look so glum tonight." she says into the microphone, "I'm glum too...my boyfriend is not here with me right now." She sneaks a glance at me then clears her throat, her cheeks starting to flush. "Although he isn't here tonight...I have a song for him. And I hope that you will enjoy this song."

The guitarist starts to play the intro and Marinette fixes herself on the stool.

"I'll be home for Christmas..." she starts singing. Her soothing voice makes my heart flutter. "You can plan on me." she continues.

"Please have snow and mistletoe," she sneakily winks at me and I can't help to sheepishly smile at her. This woman is so cheeky.

"And presents by the tree...Christmas eve will find me where the love light gleams." She closes her eyes as she sings the last line, "I'll be home for Christmas if only in my...dreams."

This woman is full of surprises.

She finishes the song with a smile and the audience gives her a warm round of applause.

"Thank you." she utters before going down the platform.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and I taken it out.

Meet me at the apartment.

The text says and I immediately leave the shop.

-------------------------

I open the door, only to be greeted by Marinette wearing a Christmas sweater with pants and a reindeer headband on her head.

"Surprise!" she exclaims as I stand in shock.

She walks up to me, carrying another Christmas sweater with a similar design as hers.

"I got you a sweater too...I've always wanted to try those 'relationship goals' things." she hands me the sweater and drags me to sit on the couch in the living room. "At least say something, Adrien..."

"You're supposed to be in China right now..." I whisper and she guiltily bites her lip.

"I'm sorry that I lied." She confesses.

"Then why did you lie-" she stops from talking by placing her index finger on my lips.

"Shh. Let me talk first, okay?" she asks and I just nod in compliance.

"Every Christmas, you surprise me." she starts, "Like on our first Christmas together, you surprised me with our first kiss...on the second Christmas, you took me out on a ski trip!" Suddenly, she lights up all the candles on the coffe table in fron of us and she turns off the lights.

"I want to surprise you this Christmas...I wanted you to believe that I had to leave the country this Christmas. Actually, I just stayed in the bakery this whole time." she whispers as she sits beside me again under the candlelight. "It's so romantic to celebrate Christmas with your significant other with only the candlelight as your source of light." she snuggles next to me and I wrap my arm around her.

"Thank you." I sigh as I kiss her forehead.

She looks up at me and closes her eyes to kiss me on the lips. "My parents have each other for Christmas. And you only have me."

"I know." Acknowledging the sudden realization.

"But I'm not going to leave you, my Adrien. So you shouldn't leave me too..."

I kiss her cheek, "I won't" I say against her cheek and she shivers a bit.

"That tickles!" She pushes me away and I kiss her nose.

"Does it tickle there?" I tease her and kiss her chin, "Does it tickle here too?"

She leans back as she giggles, suddenly lying down on the couch and I climb on top of her, straddling her while kissing every part of her face. I stop as she kisses me on the lips.

"I still have one last surprise for you." she whispers against my lips.

"And what is it?"

"Look up."

I look up at the ceiling and I start to chuckle.

There is mistletoe hanging from the ceiling right above us.

"You know..." she whispers as she starts to rub patterns on my chest. "my wish has not yet been granted..."

She innocently looks at me and I take off her headband and start to play with the hem of her sweater. I raise an eyebrow at her as I smirk.

"What are you trying to imply, my lady?"

"Will you be fulfilling my Christmas wish tonight?" she quietly asks.

"Definitely."

And with that, I blow all the candles off.

I guess that I have to move the proposal to New Year's eve.

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This is my early Christmas gift to all of you!! Have a Merry Christmas!!