Gabriel's world went black. He was falling and he couldn't figure out how far he was going. He closed his eyes and braced for whatever impact was coming. Then, he suddenly stopped. He opened his eyes to find himself in his office. His wife's portrait was back where it was supposed to be. Adrien's pictures were back and the windows were shut. His papers were on his desk neatly arranged.
"I'm back? I'm back!"
He checked the time, it was already morning on December 25th.
"It's Christmas! I haven't missed it! I have another chance!"
Gabriel raced around the house and then he realized something.
"This house is lacking decorations. But how am I going to get this place decorated in time?!"
"We can help," squeaked a voice.
Gabriel turned to see Nooroo, Tikki and Plagg before him.
"How," asked Gabriel.
"My ladybugs and Nooroo's butterflies can help hang things," said Tikki.
"Yes, and we will help as well," smiled Nooroo.
"And I will be doing what I do best, supervise," smirked Plagg.
The other two spirits rolled their eyes and began to work. White butterflies and ladybugs flew across the building leaving behind Christmas decorations. With that taken care of, Gabriel made a few calls. Meanwhile, at the Dupain-Chengs, Adrien was having some hot chocolate after having opened gifts with Marinette and her parents. His phone rang and when he saw who it was, his stomach flipped and his face fell.
"Father," he answered.
"Adrien! Why aren't you at home?! You had a photoshoot today!"
"Well, I, you see."
"I don't want to hear it. I am sending Nathalie and the Gorilla to get you. You're at the Dupain-Cheng's are you not?"
"Yes, I am," Adrien sighed.
"Good. I expect you home right away."
Gabriel hung up and Adrien was filled with a sense of dread.
"Adrien? Is everything okay," asked Marinette sitting next to him.
"My father is sending the Gorilla to pick me up," he said dejectedly.
"Oh, I see. Maybe we can hangout later?"
"I'd love to, but I doubt he would let me."
The two decided to just snuggle until Adrien was called down for his ride. He waved good bye, got in the car and drove off. Marinette noticed her parents were moving about at a rapid pace.
"What's going on," she asked.
"We just got a call for a special request. Go get dressed, we are delivering this in person," said her mother with a knowing smile.
Meanwhile, Adrien was sitting with Nathalie while the Gorilla drove them to what he thought was the photoshoot. He saw his house come into view and someone standing outside of it.
"Who's that outside the house," Adrien asked.
"I think, it's your father," cried Nathalie.
The car stopped and everyone got out with surprises on their face.
"There you are, hurry inside, we've got a lot to do before the day is done."
Adrien, Nathalie and the Gorilla were very worried now. Not only was Gabriel smiling but the outside of the house was decorated beautifully for Christmas. They followed the man inside and what they saw made their jaws drop. Garlands hung on the rafters, red and white ribbons wrapped around the banisters. A modest Christmas tree with white lights was in the corner of the foyer.
"Dad, how, when," asked a flabbergasted Adrien.
"That's not important but what is important is that I owe you all an apology." The three of them stared back in stunned silence. "I have not treated you all as well as I should have. Last night, I realized some things and decided that if I plan to keep to you all in my life, I have to make some changes. Like spending Christmas with the people who matter the most to me."
Stunned faces morphed into smiling ones and Adrien bee lined to hug his dad. Their embrace was interrupted by a knock on the door. Nathalie opened to see the Dupain-Cheng family carrying a couple boxes of treats.
"Marinette," cried Adrien.
"Adrien," she said back.
"You didn't tell me you were coming," smiled Adrien as he ran to his girlfriend.
"I didn't know."
"Gabriel called us and asked us to bring some treats over," said Tom.
"He did," Adrien questioned.
"Yes, said he wanted to have a family Christmas with everyone. Thank you for inviting us," smiled Sabine.
"Thank you again for the last minute order," smiled Gabriel back. "Now then, let's all adjourn to the sitting room."
Gabriel led them to the sitting room and the others awed at the sight. More garlands and ribbons were hanging. A small nativity scene stood on the mantel above the fireplace with a fire currently going. Off to the side was a huge Christmas tree with red and white ornaments and ribbons and a white glittering star on top. But what was at the bottom was the biggest surprise. A mountain of presents sat around the tree.
"Mr. Agreste! When did you buy all these presents," exclaimed Nathalie.
"I have my ways. Now come! I had the chef prepare hot chocolate as well as cheese, fruit and vegetable plates for us."
The little party was underway. Laughter and smiles were on everyone's faces. It was an amazing sight for Adrien. Seeing his father act in a way he hasn't seen in years, Nathalie and Gorilla enjoying themselves as well. Add the fact his girlfriend and her family are part of it made it even better. Soon it was time to open gifts and Gabriel was more than happy to play Santa.
"First, for my assistant Nathalie."
He handed her an envelope. She opened it and gasped.
"An all expense paid two-week vacation?"
"You deserve the break and then some," he smiled. "You fly first class on my private jet to anywhere you want and I pay for it."
"Mr. Agreste! Thank you so much," Nathalie cried with tears in her eyes.
"Now, for the Gorilla," said Gabriel giving him a large box.
The big man opened it and found a large bottle of an expensive wine and an envelope.
"I knew how much you enjoy wine and that vineyard hosts excellent wine tastings. You and your wife should enjoy it."
"Thank you sir," the man smiled.
Gabriel then turned to his smiling son and his girlfriend and her family.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng," he called.
"Just Tom and Sabine, please," Sabine said.
"Of course. I want to thank you two for providing my son a home away from home. I know I haven't been the best father but, I do appreciate what you have done for him. So, I called an associate of mine and asked him to recommend something."
The doors opened again and a few men wheeled in new state of the art ovens and other baking equipment. The Dupain-Cheng's, Adrien, Nathalie and the Gorilla were shocked once again that day.
"Mr. Agreste," cried Tom. "This is too much!"
"Please Tom, call me Gabriel. And I hope you can accept this. I have made arrangements for these items to be installed whenever you wish."
"Thank you so much," cried Sabine.
While she and Tom went to examine the equipment, Gabriel addressed Marinette and Adrien.
"Miss Marinette. I understand you wish to be a designer. How would you like to be a part of our summer programs until you are finished with school and can apply for a full internship? But I think it would be safe to say that you will be accepted," Gabriel said with a wink.
Marinette was unable to comprehend the opportunity that was presented to her. Adrien was happy for her and couldn't believe his father was being so generous, though he did wonder if there was anything for him. Luckily, his father seemed to have read his mind.
"Do not think I forgot about you Adrien," he smiled as he pulled out a stack of papers.
"What is that," Adrien asked.
Gabriel continued to smile as he stood up and walked over to the fireplace.
"This is your modeling contract." Gabriel threw it into the fire. Adrien gaped at the sight. "From now on, you do only the photoshoots you want, when you want. I've also decided to cut back on your lessons as well. You get to decide which ones you want to keep and which to stop all together."
Adrien didn't say anything but jumped up and ran to hug his father.
"Dad, I-I don't know what to say," Adrien choked out. "Thank you so much!"
"Your welcome my boy. But, don't think that is all I had for everyone."
Gabriel began to hand out the rest of the gifts to everyone. Meanwhile, hidden in the rafters were the spirits.
"We did good didn't we," asked Nooroo.
"Yes, we did," beamed Tikki.
"You know Tikki, you look really cute in that dress," smirked Plagg.
Tikki blushed as Nooroo gagged.
"You know it looks weird seeing a grown man hit on a teenage girl," chided Nooroo.
"You could always turn into an adult woman, then," smiled Plagg.
"Nah, I like this teenaged form."
Taking that as a cue, Plagg reversed his age. Instead of wearing a black suit, his clothes changed to a neon green shirt with black jeans and boots. His face took on a more youthful appearance.
"Better," he asked.
"Much. You know, I honestly think it's you who get to them the most."
"Ah, I can't take all the credit."
"Regardless, I feel that things are better now," said Nooroo.
"They are indeed," said Master Fu appearing with them.
He smiled at the heart warming scene before him. Relieved to see his friend getting his family back. As the party died down, Gabriel had one other little surprise.
"Oh, by the way Tom and Sabine. When my son proposes to your daughter, just know that the wedding will be fully paid for by yours truly."
He winked at the now blushing couple.
"I expect it to happen by New Year's," smirked Sabine.
"Maman!"
"Dad!"
The adults laughed at the embarrassed teenagers.
Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope you all enjoyed this story and the holiday! Love you all!