Snow, beautiful white snow fell from the sky and on to the ground, making the city of Paris look like a winter wonderland. Marinette smiled as she watched snow from her window. She loved Paris at Christmas time.

"Marinette!" Her mother called. "Are you ready? We're leaving in ten minutes."

"Oh no! I lost track of time."

Marinette rushed to her closet and pulled out her out fit. It was a red dress with black spots along the skirt. She slipped on a pair of white tights and black mary-janes. She undid her pigtails, then tied a black ribbon into her hair. Once she was dressed, she grabbed her bag and rushed downstairs to meet her parents.

"Oh mother, you look so beautiful." Marinette said.

"Thank you Darling. And you look beautiful too. Now let's get going." Sabine said.

They got in the carriage and off they went. Her father was a very popular baker, so he had been hired by Andre Bourgeois to cater his Christmas Eve party. And as a special thank you, Sabine and Marinette had been invited to the Christmas Eve party and Christmas breakfast.

"Tom, thank goodness." Andre said when they arrived. "I was beginning to worry."

"Don't worry sir. I'll have the food made in no time." Tom said.

"And thank you for inviting us." Sabine added.

"You're welcome. The party is just down the hall. Enjoy."

Sabine and Marinette went to the room down the hall. Inside it was the largest Christmas tree Marinette had ever seen. It was illuminated by candles and glittering ornaments. All the adults were just sitting and talking while the children were playing games and trying to peek at their wrapped up gifts.

"Now Marinette mind your manners and behave."

"Yes mother."

She went to meet with her friend Alya.

"Isn't this incredible?" Alya asked.

"Yes, the tree is beautiful and look at all those gifts."

"Everyone gets one."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I wonder what mine will be."

"Alya." A voice called. It was Nino, a good friend of Marinette's who had a crush on Alya. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas Nino."

"I got you a gift."

"For me?"

"Hold out your hand."

He fashioned a poinsettia corsage on to her wrist.

"It's beautiful. Thank you."

Sweet music started to play, all the ladies and gentlemen paired up to dance.

"Care to dance?" Nino asked Alya.

"I would love too."

He offered his arm and she took it, then the two of them began to dance. A red haired boy named Nathaniel came up to Marinette.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked.

"I would-"

"Out of my way!" Pushing her aside was Andre's spoiled daughter Chloe. "I will not be the only one not dancing at my own party." She grabbed Nathaniel's arm and pulled him away to make her dance with him.

Poor Marinette, there just weren't enough boys. She sighed as she sat down to watch everyone dance and laugh.

"Need a partner?" Tom volunteered.

"Papa, you're supposed to be in the kitchen." Marinette said.

"Don't worry I have everything already made. So still need a partner?"

"Yes Papa."

"Alright but first I think you should open this."

He handed her a small box with golden ribbon tied into a big bow. She opened her gift, inside was a pair of brand new red dancing shoes.

"Oh Papa!" She gasped. "They're lovely but they must have cost so much."

"Well your mother and I have been saving up."

"Thank you Papa."

She hugged her father then took off her black mary-janes and tied the red shoes on to her feet. Tom and Marinette laughed as they danced merrily to the music. Once the Christmas dance ended everyone went into the dining room.

The table was set with all sorts of Christmas goodies. There were sugar plums, gingerbread, cherry pies, peppermint sticks, spice cakes, sugar cookies, truffles, and red punch.

Marinette grabbed a small plate and began to put a few sweets on it. She was going to get some gingerbread but she noticed the plate was gone but a trail of crumbs had been left behind. She followed it and it led her under the table where little Manon was stuffing her face.

"Manon." Marinette said.

"Oops." She said.

"Manon! Not again!" Her mother scolded. "If it wasn't Christmas Eve, you'd be in big trouble young lady." She took the plate from her. "I'm sorry Tom."

"That's alright. I thought one of these kids would get too greedy so I made extra."

After everyone ate they went to unwrap their presents. Of course Chloe got more because she was Andre's daughter and he was richer than everyone else. But being the brat she was, she never said thank you for any of her gifts.

While the children played with their toys and gifts, the adults began to settle down and engage in long conversations. Then the quiet moment was interrupted by a loud chime of the grandfather clock. The doors blew open as a man carrying a large suitcase walked in.

"Master Fu." Andre said. "How nice of you to join us."

"I do apologize for being late but I was very busy." He said. "I was making these." He opened his suit case and seven wind up toys flew out of it. The toys resembled animals, one was a ladybug, another was a black cat, then there was a fox, a turtle, a moth, a peacock, and a bee. Red, black, green, orange, purple, blue, and yellow stardust filled the room. Everyone clapped and cheered.

"Master Fu you are a wonderful magician." Sabine said.

"Thank you Madame."

"Did you make them yourself?" Marinette asked.

"Yes I did, Miss?"

"Marinette. I've never seen toys like that before."

"That's because they're one of kind like you my Dear."

He booped Marinette on the nose, she giggled. He stuck his hand back in the suitcase and pulled out a doll. It was a stuffed little boy doll with a black tail. He wore a black solider jacket, white pants, and black boots. He had blonde hair with black cat ears, a black mask the covered his green eyes, and a smile stitched on his face.

"What's this?" Marinette said picking the doll up

"This is Cat Noir but you don't want him. He's an ugly doll not pretty like those expensive porcelain dolls."

"Oh no he's very handsome." Marinette said.

"You think so?" Fu said.

"Yes."

"Please!" Chloe said. "That is the ugliest thing I have ever seen."

"Miss Bourgeois I wouldn't be so quick to judge if I were you." Fu warned. "He is very special."

"Don't make me laugh!" She cackled. She grabbed the doll and began to pull on it.

"Stop! You'll hurt him!" Marinette said.

"How cute, she thinks it actually has feelings." She tore the arm off and threw the doll on the floor.

"Chloe!" Andre scolded.

"What?!"

"Master Fu I am so sorry."

But Master Fu wasn't listening, he was watching Marinette.

"Oh you poor thing." She said picking the doll and his arm up. "Please forgive her, I don't think she meant any real harm." She went over to where she left her bag. "Don't worry I'll fix you up."

She took out a needle and thread then sat over on a couch. "I hope this doesn't hurt you." She began to sew the arm back on to the doll. Then using a handkerchief, she made a bandage. "There good as new."

"You're quite the little nurse." Fu said. "Tell me Marinette, do you like him?"

"Oh yes. He's wonderful."

"Then you can have him."

"Really?"

"Yes but you must promise to only treat him with love and compassion."

"Oh I promise."

"Good. Because if he's loved properly, he will live."

Marinette looked at the doll, wondering what Fu meant by that. But she just put it aside and hugged her doll. Little did she know how special he was.