*part 2 of "christmas tree decorating"

Adrien gulped, staring at the door. He shouldn't be so nervous to confront his father. He was scared, afraid of rejection.

He loved Marinette more than anything and he didn't want his father to forbid their relationship. Adrien hadn't noticed any change in Gabriel's demeanor at home; then again, the boy barely saw his father so he couldn't really say.

Marinette let go of his hand and walked forward to get the door. She gave him one last reassuring smile and reached for the door knob.

Adrien stepped forward suddenly. Time to be a man. "No, I'll do it." As afraid as he was, he had to prove to Marinette that he wasn't afraid.

No one should be afraid of their own father. Or rather, how their father reacted to them.

Adrien breathed out and was about to grab the doorknob when more loud knocks frazzled him. He felt his heart beating out of his chest.

Marinette gently pushed him to the side and opened the door.

An emotionless face met hers. But it was not that of Gabriel Agreste, instead it was his assistant.

"Hello, Ms. Dupain-Cheng," Nathalie formally introduced. "I am Gabriel Agreste's assistant and Adrien's primary caretaker. May I come in?"

"Oh, of course!" Marinette smiled. "Everyone is welcome."

Nathalie walked in, looking around inquisitively.

Marinette felt uncomfortable, like her home wasn't fancy or luxurious enough for the formal looking woman.

Sabine smiled and waved from the kitchen. "Hi there!"

"Hello," Nathalie said in a monotone voice. "You must be Sabine. The house smells delicious."

"Thank you dear! The food will be ready shortly."

"Excellent."

Adrien scratched the back of his neck. He had to ask the one question that had been bugging him.

"Uh, Nathalie," Adrien spoke up. "Where is my father?"

"He had other duties to attend to, but wanted me to tell you he wish he could be here."

Adrien looked down, disappointed. "Of course. Why didn't I think any differently?"

"Adrien," Marinette said quietly, grabbing his arm.

Nathalie had her arms folded, staring silently at the ground.

"Nathalie, please," Marinette whispered desperately. "Adrien was looking forward to his father showing up."

"I truly apologize, but Mr. Agreste is very bu-"

Three knocks sounded on the door, surprising Marinette.

Nathalie blinked, fixing her glasses. Her eyes went wide.

"Is that...?"

The door swung open and Gabriel Agreste stood there in the doorway.

"Excuse my entrance," he said sternly.

Adrien quickly glanced up, surprised. "Father?"

"My son," Gabriel smiled, joining his son with arms open wide.

"I thought you were busy?" Adrien asked, slightly confused. He awkwardly hugged his father.

"I decided that spending time with you was more important," Gabriel beamed, feeling like the world's best dad. He patted Adrien's held before letting him out of the weak embrace.

Adrien blinked, unable to form a coherent response, when Sabine chimed.

"Dinner is ready!"

Everyone took a seat at the table, greeted by the delicious food, full of mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, stuffing, rolls, and a signature family dish from Sabine's side of the family. Tom sat at the very end of the long table she had set up in the living room.

Tom clapped his hands together in excitement. "I'm starving, let's dig in!"

Marinette settled down in a seat on the side of the table nearest to the kitchen. Adrien sat beside her, followed by Nathalie. On the other side, Sabine sat beside the end Tom was sitting on, followed by Gabriel.

Adrien had to awkwardly avoid the judgemental gaze of his father who just so happened to sit right across from him.

"Go ahead everyone!" Sabine announced proudly, waving her hands in the air as if letting the flood gates loose.

Tom did not waste any time, he plopped a spoonful of potatoes on his plate and then moved in for the ham.

Marinette grabbed a roll and placed it on her plate. She glanced over at Adrien. "Would you like one?"

"Yes please," he smiled graciously. She handed him a roll and he thanked her.

Nathalie cleared her throat and asked Sabine to pass the stuffing, to which she did. So far, so good. Everyone was enjoying the meal.

Adrien cautiously glanced up at his father who was quietly watching the frenzy ensue.

"Father... would you like something?" he asked.

"No thank you," Gabriel replied.

Sabine looked over at him worriedly. "Are you sure? No ham, turkey, stuffing..."

Gabriel shook his head and laughed. "I assure you, I am fine. But the food looks splendid."

"How about a drink?" Sabine pressed, wanting to take care of her guest any way she could.

"Water," Gabriel nodded.

Adrien sighed, feeling embarrassed. His father was acting completely rude. How could he disrespect Sabine by not eating any of the delicious food she had so strenuously prepared?

He spooned some mashed potatoes on his plate and placed 2 slices of ham on it as well. The smell brought him nostalgia. The last time he had ham was well before his mother disappeared. Heck, the last time he had a proper meal was before his mother disappeared.

"So, Adrien," Sabine commented, breaking the silence. "How are you?"

"Oh, I'm good, thanks for asking," Adrien nodded. "Just trying to survive this school year I guess."

"You're doing perfectly fine, Mister Honors," Marinette laughed. "I'm the one who needs help surviving this school year. Finals are going to be brutal." She then looked up at Adrien and smiled. "But as long as I have you to tutor me, I'm gonna be just fine."

Adrien laughed, putting his arm around her.

Gabriel shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Adrien peered over at him suspiciously.

Sabine took a sip of water before glancing over at Gabriel. "And you? How is everything going?"

"Perfect," Gabriel replied, faking a hint of a smile. "The modeling business is booming now more than ever. So many bustling opportunities for my son overseas."

Marinette cautiously looked at Adrien, a concerned look hidden behind her aqua eyes. She had not heard of such offers. If she was holding Adrien back...

"Really? How interesting," Tom commented.

"Of course. There are numerous shoots in the United States that have been calling his name. It could change his career in wonderful ways. But unfortunately, my son has not decided on a course of action yet... Something seems to be holding him back from a world of endless opportunities..."

Adrien clenched his fists and sat up straight. "Father, we aren't doing this right now."

"Why not? It's time we get down to business."

"In the middle of the Dupain-Cheng's wonderful dinner that we were so graciously invited to?! Give me a break," Adrien sneered under his breath.

"Watch your tone, young man," Gabriel said.

Adrien quickly loosened up and lay back in his seat before he officially lost his cool. He wasn't going to ruin this dinner for Marinette or her parents. Still, he was afraid of who his father would offend tonight with his strict views.

Marinette grabbed his hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

"Very well, we will resume that conversation another time," Gabriel murmured before taking a sip of water.

Sabine smiled awkwardly, unsure of how to pick up the conversation from there. Instead, her daughter stood up and announced enthusiastically, "Dessert anyone?"

*

The clock struck 8 and dinner had finally drawn to a close, much to Adrien's dismay and relief. He was so thankful that his father no longer had the chance to disrespect the Dupain-Chengs any longer.

However, the cold man did inflict some damage during the dinner. Adrien noticed the concerned look on Marinette's face after Gabriel had mentioned his modeling opportunities in the United States.

Adrien stood by the doorway and watched as Marinette put on her best smile as she wished him goodbye.

"See you tomorrow, mon minou," she whispered, kissing him on the cheek. However, as much as her bright smile warmed his heart, he knew it wasn't entirely genuine. He saw through the facade, one he was entirely too familar with, and realized how worried she truly was on the inside.

"I didn't give them a final answer," Adrien whispered as she pulled away from the cheek kiss she administered.

She looked up at him, knowing that he meant he had not given an answer in regards to the modeling opportunity.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Marinette asked.

"Because, I knew for a fact I wasn't going to go. Heck, Mari, we're superheroes... That's a full time job and you can't do it all alone," he whispered, carefully looking over at Tom and Sabine who were chatting with Gabriel and Nathalie.

"So? I can cover for you. This modeling things means a lot for your career and I don't want to hold you back."

"I'd be gone for months," Adrien replied.

Marinette blinked, hesitating a bit. She then laughed like it's no big deal. "That's... alright. I'd just miss you like crazy but we would video chat every night."

"Mari... I haven't even made my decision yet."

"Well I think you should do it. Chase your dreams, tiger," Marinette smiled confidently, although she wasn't totally sure if she believed her own words...

Gabriel approached the two, hands behind his back. "Thank you for the dinner, Miss Marinette, but my son and I must be leaving."

"Bye," Adrien smiled, reaching in for a hug. He squeezed her tight, not ever wanting to let go.

"See ya mi- mister," Marinette corrected, almost calling him kitty in front of his father who had no idea of his secret identity.

Or did he?