Emily

Emily sat on the floor, her legs crossed and her favourite ladybug cradled in her arms. She stared at the twinkling Christmas tree in her room, the soft glow of the lights flickering like stars. It was early, and the house was still. But she didn't mind the quiet. She liked it sometimes, when the house felt like it was just hers and Adrien's, and everything was calm.

She didn't always understand the big words people said around her. Things like "busy," "work," or "grown-up stuff" still didn't make much sense. But there was one thing she was starting to understand more than ever: her mummy and daddy weren't around.

She didn't know them. She'd seen pictures, heard stories, and she'd asked Adrien lots of questions. But she knew they weren't there anymore. She couldn't see them. They couldn't pick her up when she cried or give her the kisses that made everything feel better. So, she lived with her big brother, Adrien.

And she loved him so much.

He was the best big brother ever. He made her breakfast when she wanted pancakes (even though she always made a mess). He played with her, and he even let her sit on his lap when he was working—his fingers moving fast on the keyboard while she coloured her pictures. He was funny, too. But sometimes, he looked sad. She didn't like that.

And even though she loved her big brother more than anything, sometimes it was hard. Sometimes, she wished she could have the happy family she read about in her bedtime stories.

This Christmas was different. She had asked Santa for something special this year. She had whispered her wish in the night, right before bed, her hands clasped tight together. She wanted a mummy. She didn't want to be alone with just her big brother. She wanted someone who could cuddle her at night, who could teach her to bake cookies, someone who could tell her stories. Someone who was a girl like her.

That's when she met Nettie.

The first time she saw her, she knew. She was the Princess in her story.

Nettie had a kind smile, and her eyes sparkled like the twinkling lights on the tree. And when Adrien was with her, he looked at her in a way that made her heart swell. He looked happy. Really happy. Like a Prince who had finally found his Princess—or should she say knight, because that was what he was. He was a protector and he was handsome. And when Nettie was around he joked a lot. She liked seeing him like that. She liked seeing him laugh.

But then, Nettie had left. And though she had tried to keep it to herself, she could tell she wasn't coming back. Adrien was grumpy. He wasn't the same. He was quieter. He didn't smile as much, even though he still tried to make her laugh. But she could hear it in the way he talked. He missed her. She knew it.

One evening, after dinner, she found Adrien sitting on the couch, staring out the window. His eyes were far away, like he was looking for something. She wanted to go to him, but her little hands fidgeted with her ladybug instead. She wasn't sure if she should ask him where Nettie was. Maybe he'd be mad. She didn't want him to be mad.

But she needed him to know her wish, her hope. So, she cuddled up next to him on the couch and told him, 'I want a happily ever after.'

Adrien didn't look at her right away, but then his hand gently brushed through her hair. 'I know, sweetheart. I know.'

She didn't understand all the words he said, but she knew he was trying. And that was enough for her.

She may not have her mummy or daddy, and maybe things weren't perfect, but there was still hope. She still had her big brother, and she still had her Princess.

And one day, she was sure Adrien would realise it too. That Nettie was the Princess of their story. She was the one who would make everything right again and he needed to go and fight for her.

For now, she smiled to herself, clutching her ladybug closer. She would keep wishing, keep waiting for her happy ending. Because maybe, just maybe, this Christmas was only the beginning of a new story.

A story where everyone could be happy.

She was doing her very best. Every night, she said her prayers—though they were mostly just whispers of wishes—and made sure to be a good girl all day. She listened to Adrien, helped clean up her toys, even ate all her vegetables without making too much of a fuss. She wanted to be on the nice list. She needed to be. Because this year, more than anything, she was hoping Santa would bring her something special.

She wasn't sure how to ask for it. It was a big wish, and she didn't want to sound greedy, but she wanted Nettie. She wanted her to stay forever. She wanted a family, a complete one.

She knew it wasn't just about presents or toys. She didn't care about those anymore. What she wanted was the warmth of someone to tuck her in, someone to hold her tight, and a big brother who could smile so brightly, the way he did when Nettie was around.

'Please,' she whispered into the tree, her small hands clasped together. 'Please, Santa. Bring me a family. Bring Nettie back.'

She'd been hoping for so long, her heart full of quiet wishes. But no matter how much she hoped, there was always a little part of her that was unsure. What if Santa couldn't bring it?

Suddenly, there was a sound. Laughter.

It was soft at first, almost like a melody that floated through the cracks in her door. Her ears perked up, her heart skipping. She knew that laugh. It was Adrien's laugh, but there was something different about it. It wasn't the quiet, serious laugh he had when he was trying to hide his feelings. This was full of warmth, like the laughter of someone who felt at home.

Curious, Emily jumped to her feet, her little legs moving quickly as she padded to the door and opened it. She tiptoed carefully, trying to be as quiet as possible so she wouldn't miss anything.

She stopped at the top of the stairs, peeking around the corner. And there, at the bottom, she saw them.

Adrien was standing there, smiling, his hair messier than usual, wearing matching pyjamas—matching pyjamas—with Nettie. Her Nettie.

Emily blinked, her eyes wide with surprise. There they were, just like in her storybooks, together, and wearing the same soft, fuzzy pyjamas that she had on. Nettie was laughing, her eyes sparkling just like she'd always imagined a princess would, while Adrien looked at her the way he used to look at the stars—like they were something precious, something he couldn't take his eyes off of.

'Nettie?' Emily whispered to herself in awe.

It was real. Nettie wasn't gone. She was here—with Adrien, and they looked so happy. Her heart swelled, her small hands flying to her chest. She couldn't believe it. She wasn't dreaming. This was real. She had been good. Santa had given her a family.

Her voice was a little more eager now. 'Adrien? Nettie?'

The two of them turned at once, surprised to see her there at the top of the stairs. Marinette's face softened, and she made her way up the staircase, kneeling down in front of Emily with a warm smile. 'Hey there, little one. What's going on?'

She couldn't stop herself. She threw herself into Marinette's arms, almost knocking them down the stairs. 'You're here! You're really here!' she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Adrien chuckled softly, steadying Nettie as they walked down the stairs, pulling them both into a hug. 'Of course, we're here, Em. We're not going anywhere.'

Emily squeezed them both tight, as though if she let go, they might disappear. But when she pulled back, she saw the way Adrien looked at Nettie, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. And suddenly, everything clicked into place.

She wasn't just wishing for a family anymore. She had one–just like all the other children she knew.

The feeling of warmth that spread through her chest was more than just the comfort of being held. It was the feeling of knowing that the people she loved most were together. Adrien, her big brother, was happy again. And Nettie—Nettie was there, where she belonged.

'Are you going to stay?' Emily asked, her voice full of hope, though she was a little nervous asking.

Nettie looked at Adrien, then back at her. There was a sparkle in her eyes, a softness in her smile. 'I'm not going anywhere, Emily. I promise.'

Adrien's hand brushed through her hair, a soft laugh escaping him as he bent down to her level. 'Looks like Santa really did hear your wish after all, huh?'

Emily's face lit up with a bright smile. 'You're both my family now! And it's the best Christmas ever!'

With a contented sigh, Adrien scooped her into his arms, and Marinette held her other hand. They all stood there together, the sound of laughter and joy filling the room as they looked around at their little family. For the first time in a long time, everything felt just right.

Together, they made their way into the lounge, presents scattered around the tree and hearts full of love. Adrien placed her down, and she gasped. She'd gotten presents as well as a family!

Diving straight in to find the biggest one, her brother sat down, with Nettie in his arms, hugging her like a teddy bear.

And for her, that was all she needed. She had her happily ever after, right here, right now.

That's when she noticed it. Something up in the tree.

'What's that?' she asked suddenly, her little finger pointing up at the spot under one of the lights. 'It's shining.'

Adrien and Nettie both looked up at the bauble Emily was talking about, their faces softening. She stretched on her tiptoes, reaching up as high as she could, and tugged the shiny ornament from the branch. She held it out in front of her, her eyes wide with wonder.

'That's so pretty,' she gasped, looking at the sparkling stone in awe. It gleamed under the soft Christmas lights, catching her attention in a way that made her feel like it was magical.

Adrien smiled gently and took the bauble from her, his fingers brushing against hers. 'How about we make Nettie an Agreste too?' He winked and she couldn't help but giggle. He looked so happy.

He looked at Nettie, his eyes soft but full of something big. Something that made Emily's chest feel warm. Without saying a word, he knelt down on one knee in front of her, and Emily's eyes grew even wider. What was he doing?

'Marinette,' Adrien said, his voice shaking slightly, but the smile on his face was all love. 'I know this is sudden, and I know this isn't a grand declaration.'

'Please don't sing again.' Nettie said, her eyes sparkling like the gem on the ring.

'It didn't work amazingly well the first time, so I don't think I'll be trying that again anytime soon. But what I know is that Master Fu brought us together one more time in an attempt to show us how we work. He's always been our biggest supporter, yet also our greatest challenger. He's easily forgiven though, because it meant I got a second chance with you. One that I hope will last a lifetime. I know it's a lot to ask and I know it's soon, but I've never been more sure of anything in my life. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, will you marry me?'

Nettie's eyes went wide, her hands flying to her mouth. She didn't seem to believe it at first, but then, a big, beautiful smile spread across her face, and she nodded, tears already shining in her eyes. She looked like the most wonderful princess.

'Yes! Yes, Adrien, of course I will!'

Emily's heart soared. She didn't completely understand everything that was happening, but she could feel the love between them. It was like magic, like something out of the fairy tales she loved so much.

Adrien gently slid the ring onto Marinette's finger, before leaning forward and giving her a kiss. The spell of loneliness was finally broken. It was slow and sweet, like the kind of kiss that belonged to fairytale characters–a kiss of true love. She didn't really know what to do with herself while they kissed, so she just stood there for a moment, watching them.

They pulled apart, both of them glowing with happiness. Then, as if nothing had changed, they continued opening presents. The room filled with laughter, and hugs, the air light and warm, and Emily felt so full of happiness, like her heart might burst.

After a while, she held up the bear Adrien had gotten her, hugging it tight as she grinned. 'I had a second wish, too,' she said, almost casually, still looking at her new stuffed friend.

'You did?' Adrien asked. He looked confused. Like she felt when Sophia asked her what number came after four.

'What was it, sweetheart?' Nettie looked scared. Almost like she was going to ask for a dog or something.

'I asked Santa to meet Ladybug and Chat Noir. I want to be just like them when I grow up.'

The room went quiet for just a moment, and Emily blinked. She wasn't sure why, but Adrien and Nettie exchanged a look, one that Emily couldn't quite understand. It was like they were sharing some secret, one that was too big for her to know yet.

Nettie smiled softly, her voice quiet but full of warmth. 'You know, Em,' she said gently, 'I think Santa might just make that second wish come true, too.'

Emily frowned a little, confused. 'Really?'

Adrien looked at her, his smile a little sad, a little knowing, but still so full of love. 'Maybe not exactly how you imagined,' he said softly. 'But you never know.'

Emily didn't quite get it, but that was okay. Right now, everything was just perfect. She had her brother. She had Nettie. She had a family, and that was more than she ever could have wished for.

With the sound of laughter and joy filling the room, Emily leaned her head against Adrien's shoulder. She felt so warm, so safe. She was happy. No, more than that. She was loved.

As they continued opening presents, the Christmas tree glowing softly behind them, she smiled to herself. Her second wish might still be out there, somewhere. But for now, this moment was enough. The magic she felt, the warmth surrounding her—it was everything.

And with Nettie by their side, it would only get better from here.

...and they all lived happily ever after.

The end.