Description

 Marinette stood in the doorway. She felt a lump form in her throat at the sight of him.

   Marinette's POV:

      I arrived home.

      I had been away for three years.

       I knew I had to stop running.

        I  entered the house in sheer amazement.

        The place was decorated in time for Christmas, but he was here.

          I had not expected to see him after all this time.

            I stood in the doorway.

             I felt I could not move.

            It was as if my feet were frozen to the spot I stood on at the moment.

                 Why did not mom and dad tell me they invited my old crush to join us for Christmas?

                     I stared at him not sure how to proceed.

                    Nothing had prepared me for his being in the living room helping place the star on top of the tree.

                      I noticed none of my other old friends were around.

                     Alya had told me she and Nino were on their honeymoon. Imagine them married before me.

                        Alix was away on business and Kim was busy with the kids.

                         Juleka was on a cruise with her new boyfriend, I forget his name.

                             Luka and Zoe were in a cabin visiting her grandparents.

                             Mylene and Ivan were skiing in the Alps.

                               Chole was at her grandfather's house.

                                Nathaniel was away at an art festival in Sweden.

                             It took a moment for Adrien to realize I was there.

                             As he got off the ladder, he took a photo.

                             I heard my father clear his throat.

                            "Marinette, are not you going to greet our guest, Adrien Agreste?"

                             I nodded my head in shame.

                           "A-Adrien, it is great to see you." Great, the old stutter was back.

                          "Marinette, you are back!"  

                            Adrien walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me.

                              I was surprised but hugged him back.                             

                                "Where is Kagami?"

                               "We broke up. I never felt she was the girl for me."

                                "I thought you were engaged."

                                "I broke it off.  I could not marry her."

                               "What? You were so perfect together."

                               "I  never loved her. I always had another girl in mind."

                            Before I could ask who he meant, Mom called out, "Hey, you two supper is ready!"

                            I  sat in the chair next to  Adrien.

                             After the blessing, I  took a bite out of the pizza.

                              "Marinette, how are things with you and yours?"

                               I saw Adrien's grin turn to a frown. What was with him anyway?

                               "Mom, it did not work out.  Matt and I broke up a year ago."

                                "Well, that is too bad now, is not it?"  I could see the gleam in her eyes as she spoke.

                                 "Oh, good you are single." 

                                  I poked Adrien under the table with my fork.

                                  I saw him rub his arm.

                                  After the meal, Adrien helped me with the dishes while my parents took a walk. 

                                     I knew they did that on purpose to get me to talk to Adrien.

                                   "Marinette, why did you harass me with the fork?"

                                     "I-I am sure I do not know what you are talking about A-Adrien."

                                     Adrien sighed.  "Marinette, I missed you."

                                        I  shrugged my shoulders.

                                       "Marinette, you do not know how much I wished you had not left."

                                        I looked up in surprise as I dried some dishes.

                                        "B-But y-your other g-girl,..."I was cut off, as Adrien placed the dishes into the drainer, and pulled me close.

                                            "Marinette?"

                                          "A-Adrien, I  can not compete with her."

                                         I felt a tear roll down my cheek.

                                     Adrien reached up and wiped it away.

                                         I felt myself about to fall when strong arms caught me.

                                        "Marinette, it is ok, I have got you."

                                        "Adrien, please let me go."

                                      I struggled to get out of his grasp. I felt him hold me close.

                                     "Marinette?"  I heard him say huskily.

                                     I closed my eyes afraid of what fate awaited me. Afraid all this was a dream and that soon I would wake up miles away in my apartment alone with my dog, Tikki to keep me company.

                                    I felt his breath close to mine.

                                  "A-Adrien?" I whispered.

                              "Shh, don't run from me, darling."

                           Before I could register what he said, I felt his lips brush against mine.

                            The kiss was better than I could imagine it would be.

                                I could feel him tremble. It was as if he were afraid I would hate him for the kiss.

                                Before he could pull away, I wrapped my arms around his neck. I  slowly returned the kiss. I heard him moan.  

                               "M-Marinette, don't be mad. I love you."

                              "I love you too, A-Adrien." 

                             Adrien kissed me. I kissed him.

                             "Get a room, you two!" I heard my father shout.

                           "Tom?"

                           "Sorry, I love your daughter so much."

                            "Adrien, I made this for you."

                            I handed him the small package.

                          As he ripped it open, I heard sobs.

                       "Marinette, thank you."

                        I had given him a picture frame with a blow-up of the photo that was once the screensaver on his laptop. It was a photo of his mother.

                       "You are welcome."

                       "Here, sweetheart."

                       I opened his gift to find a set of pink pearl earrings, a necklace, and a matching bracelet.

                      "Thanks, Adrien."

                 "Merry Christmas, Marinette."

             "Merry Christmas, Adrien."

              I felt at that moment that it was the best Christmas ever!

       the end    

      Until the next Miraculous one-shot story,

     bye-bye, little owlets!

     Summer out!