Adrien sighed impatiently as he glanced at his watch. Marinette was supposed to be there by now, but was nowhere to be seen. Sure, it wasn't unlike her to be late, but it's the day before the Gala so wouldn't she have arrived early to continue working?

Everyone knew how paranoid she was about everything being perfect. Perhaps her alarms didn't wake her, or she misread his message by saying they'd take the day off, or maybe she was just sick. He could only hope it wasn't the latter. There was no way Adrien would host this Gala by himself. Deciding he was done waiting around, Adrien left his office and headed down to the design room to see if Marinette's friends knew where she was.

The room, as always, was bustling with activity. About five or six people were crowded around a mannequin in the center of the room while several others were scattered about the different tables. It was easy to spot Genevieve and Camille, or rather hear them, since they were talking so loudly.

"Mr. Agreste...Can I help you with something?" Genevieve asked as Adrien walked up to where they were working.

Adrien realized that the room was now quiet, all eyes on him. He refused to be bothered by it and asked, "Yes. Do you know where Marinette is? I noticed she has yet to arrive."

Camille smiled widely at this remark. "No, we figured she slept in. Apparently Mari was here until midnight this morning because we saw her time-stamp and that the gown," she gestured to the cluster of people in the center of the room, "was nearly finished."

"She what?" Adrien didn't know how he felt about Marinette exerting herself by working until the early hours of the morning. She should certainly get a raise for such dedication to her work and the success of this company.

"I'm not surprised. Maybe this was because we made her go out with us the other night and she thought she had to make up the work. Either way, I wish she wouldn't pressure herself like this," Genevieve said, carefully eyeing Adrien. "Why do you need her?"

Adrien thought for a moment before answering. It wasn't as if he and Marinette were dating yet, but he was hoping this would be a date for the two of them. Of course, he couldn't say he wanted to take her out for the day. Marinette would absolutely kill him if he was the one that made it sound as if they were an item when they weren't. "We have a meeting scheduled for the day to finalize some things."

"Did you try calling her?" Camille asked. "It's already nine o' clock. She's super late."

Adrien was well aware of the ears around him. "No, I'm afraid I am unable to reach her." He had already called an hour ago when he saw that she was running late. "Thanks, anyways."

Maybe she did sleep in. Marinette is a heavy sleeper, from what Adrien remembered about their past relationship. All those nights they'd spent together, cuddled up on the couch watching a movie or chatting until the early hours of the morning about nothing and everything. She would fall asleep and look so peaceful, her head leaning against his shoulder as she let out soft snores that made Adrien smile. It took a lot to wake her from slumber. Adrien realized that he missed her more than he thought.

He pondered this as he walked back to his office to make another phone call.

******

Marinette shifted in the molded seat that was pulled up beside her father's bed. She had gone to visit him once before and felt bad this was only the second time she was seeing him.

In the past two hours, Tom and Marinette carried on light and heavy conversations. Marinette's heart ached, seeing her father in such an ill state with his pale skin and thin, graying hair.

"How's your mother?" Tom asked. "I know she puts on a brave face when she comes. My love, who'd do anything for me. Just like I'd do anything for you two, my girls."

"She's..." she trailed off. Sabine was more quiet than usual, but gave off a silent strength that she shared with her daughter. "She's worried but hopeful. I think--" Marinette was interrupted by her vibrating phone. "I'm sorry, Papa, I have to take this." She gave him an apologetic smile.

Glancing at the screen, she saw it was Adrien. Suddenly, she remembered their plan to spend the day together.

"Hello?" Marinette hoped he wasn't too upset with her for forgetting to call in and missing his earlier call.

"Marinette! I saw you weren't here yet and was just making sure you didn't forget about our plans. Is everything okay?" Adrien asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Yes, yes. I went to visit Papa today and forgot to call saying I'd be in late. What time do you want me to be there?"

There was a pause. "I'd hate to interrupt your time with your father, but if we are going to make it in time to do everything..."

"I've been here for two hours already, he's starting to get sick of me." She gave Tom a wink eliciting a smile from the middle-aged man.

"Can you be here in half an hour, then?"

"Yeah. Sorry again for not calling in."

"It's alright. Make sure you bundle up. We'll be walking around outside and wouldn't want you to get a cold. Tell Mr. Dupain I said hello and hope he gets well soon."

Marinette smiled at his thoughtfulness. "Will do."

Adrien waited in his office once more, having already told Nathalie to inform Marinette that upon arrival, she was to see him. When his desk phone rang, announcing that the bluenette was on her way up, he beamed, smoothed his hair, and grabbed his coat. He was sliding his wallet into his inner pocket just as she knocked on the door before entering.

"Hey," she greeted.

Adrien looked up and smiled at her attire. Marinette was so cute in her pink and teal set of hat, scarf, and gloves. He had no doubt that she made and designed those himself.

"Hey. You ready to go? There's so much to do and loads to see."

She laughed, music to his ears. "Just what do you have planned?"

Adrien grinned. "Only one way to find out, princess. Shall we, m'lady?" He made a big show of offering her his arm eliciting a giggle from the petite woman.

"We shall."

They took the elevator downstairs to the main lobby where Adrien asked the receptionist if she'd inform Gabriel of their departure for the day before leaving the building.

"Where to first?" Marinette asked. She appeared nervous, Adrien noted. He was too, knowing that this was his one and only chance to win her over once and for all. If he didn't have a ring on her finger by New Year's his father certainly wouldn't be pleased. Not only that, but he's been secretly wanting this, her, for years. If things weren't so tense between the two and they cleared everything up sooner, perhaps she'd already be his wife. Yes, he'd like that very much.

"We are going to the best place you've ever eaten for a light luncheon."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Yep. Plus I'm sure Mary will be glad to see us again."

"Of course. The Café. You better be paying," she joked.

Obviously, he was. This was, after all, an impromptu date. Even if Marinette didn't know that. They quickened their pace as a cold wind blew. Adrien couldn't help at smile at how red her face had gotten from the cold.

She looked up at him through her lashes, seeing him glance her way. Marinette gave him a curious look but Adrien said nothing, just continued to think.

When they finally reached the café, they quickly went inside, sheltering themselves from the cold. Mary could be heard bustling behind the counter, muttering to herself.

"Just a moment!" she called. "Now what can I do--Oh! It's you two! How are my favorites?" Mary beamed at them.

"Cold," Adrien said, making both of the women laugh. He really did miss hearing Marinette's laughter.

"I can imagine! Do you two want your usual?" She pulled out her pen and paper from her apron pocket, ready to take their orders.

"Actually, since we're here on a date, I thought we'd change things up a bit."

Hearing this Mary's smile widened. "A date? Oh finally! That's wonderful. About time you two made up."

"Yeah," Adrien smiled at Marinette. "It is." He gazed at her adoringly before clearing his throat. "We'll take your Christmas special."

"Date?" Marinette whispered as soon as Mary was busy putting together their drinks. "I wasn't aware this was a date."

"I'm sorry. I misspoke. Do you want this to not be a date?"

"Is that you asking me out officially?"

"I suppose so, yes. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, will you go out with me?"

She stared at him for a moment, blinking. Her mind must've been going a hundred miles a minute because she seemed distracted. "Yes." Marinette gave him a shy smile. "I'll go out with you."

"Really? So you'll date me again?"

She nodded. "But...we're going to take things slow, right?" she asked tentatively.

"Of course. I don't care how fast or slow we take things so long as I get to spend time with my princess."

Her cheeks were dusted with pink and Adrien was thrilled to know that it was him who made her blush. Although he will admit that he is surprised about her agreeing to give him another chance, he was overjoyed. Now he could only hope that she would decide to speed things up so they can skip to the rest of their lives together.

After Mary had brought them their drinks, the two began to grow more comfortable with each other.

"Adrien, can I ask you something?" Marinette wrapped her hands around her mug of hot chocolate.

"What?"

"When you, you know, first said we'd have today off...was it meant to be a date back then?"

"I think I was being optimistic. I was just glad you agreed to come."

"You didn't give me much of a choice," she replied with a playful roll of her eyes.

"Touché. I was hoping deep down that maybe it would be. At the time I knew it wasn't but now..." He did something he wouldn't normally do on a first date and reached forward to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Well, now it is. And I'm going to cherish today. I'm not sure what the new year will hold."

She looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

Adrien reached for her hand and gave It a reassuring squeeze. "When the Gala is done with, my father will make his departure for London, officially leaving me with the company for good. If Nathalie goes with him...I will be on my own tackling all this. The past few months I've been trained under the guidance of Father, but without him there keeping things afloat...I don't think I can do this on my own."

Marinette squeezed his hand back. "You aren't alone. You have me, remember?" At this, he smiled. Adrien knew then that he'd do whatever he could to make this woman his wife.

"You're all I need to be happy, Mari," he whispers, bringing the back of her hand to his lips with a soft smile. A blush once more creeps upon both of their faces, and Marinette's face further reddens when she hears Mary sigh happily. Adrien laughs, the sound echoing off the walls and blending into the quiet hum of the Christmas music playing in the background.

"Are you ready to go?".

"There's more?" Marinette asked, bewildered. Adrien grinned, his eyes sparkling. He had an entire night of surprises planned for the two of them.

"You should know by now that there's always more, Princess. Let me pay the check real quick. We need to get going before we miss it." He headed over to where Anne was wiping down the counter.

"Miss what?" Marinette called after him.

Mary laughed. "Stop questioning things and just roll with it, honey. Some things are meant to be a surprise." She turned to Adrien, who was handing her the money. "No, keep it. It's on me tonight. Seeing you two back together is payment enough. Happy holidays!"

Adrien and Marinette smiled back at her before bundling up and heading back outside into the cold, hand in hand.