Dear Journal,

I'm not sure why Bugaboo allowed it, but she did. We swapped Kwamis for the day. Tikki is munching on a cookie I've given her, and Plagg is with….well, you know I was well I do, Journal, I don't who knows behind the mask, but I know who I'd like to be. Something, Tikki pipes up from in between bites of cookie. "Adrien?" I walk over to her. "Yes?" "Could you do a drawing? Or maybe paint with watercolors?" I stroke her little head with my thumb. "What, so I can make a paper cookie?" I grin at her. "Very funny. Its a gift for someone very special. You love her too." I leap at the chance. "Is it for Bugaboo?" "Now, Cat Noir, you know I wouldn't be able to tell you that."

Tikki watches as I dig in my closet, getting dusty as I pull out my old easel my parents gave me on a long ago birthday. Outside, it starts to rain. "Perfect painting weather," she grins.

I set everything up, and Tikki lets me use my imagination. Mama Cheng and I have tea nearly everyday and she talks about her homeland of China often. I know she misses home, and then I have a idea. I lose myself in my work as I paint mountains and trees, and a little stream. "Adrien? What have you got there?" Nathile asks, setting my food tray down. "Oh, I'm just dabbling on the canvas." Suddenly, I feel shy as Nathile studies it. "Do you like it?" "Its China, right? Your mother, father, and I visited China not long after I met them. Your father was in his very fashion show, and he was so nervous."

I look up from my Pad Thai with vegetables. "Father was nervous? He's always so calm and collected." Sure, Father and I may not see things eye-to-eye much anymore, but I've always admired his work ethic. "Oh, yes. That's when we went outside, and you could just see the mountains in the distance. They looked like they were floating with their snow capped peaks, the afternoon sun hitting them just right." Nathile is in the room with me, but she's far away, reliving the moment. Then its gone, and she shakes her head. "Have a good dinner, Adrien."

Tikki comes out of hiding as I eat some noodles thoughtfully. "My father was different back then," I tell her. "He would spend time with me. We'd love to play for hours on the garden swing, or in the garden." "Draw it, Adrien. Make your memories come alive!" I finish my food and stand up.

I wonder if this is how Marinette feels when she gets one of her ideas for her creations and she doesn't stop until she's finished.

As I paint, my mind takes me back….

"Adrien, my arms are getting tired. Aren't you getting tired of swinging yet?" My father gasps for breath as he pushes me on our garden swing. I giggle and shake my head. "I could never get tired of playing with you, Daddy. But we can play something else if your tired." I hear my father breathe a sigh of relief. We flop down on the ground, the sun playing peek-a-boo between the leafy green branches, the sky a perfect shade of blue. Clouds scuttle across the sky, some little and wispy, and some as big as cotton balls. Father and I laugh and laugh as we find shapes in the clouds. "Your going to be a model, Adrien. But I sense that when your older your imagination will grow and grow. Maybe you'll be a artist or a skilled musician." I reach for Daddy's hand, callous and soft from years of hard work so he could provide for his family. "I'm happy as long as I have you and Mommy," I smile at Daddy.

Suddenly, a voice calls across the yard, and Daddy's smile vanishes from his face, and he sprints across the yard. The sun is cold now and dark without Daddy. He only moves like when Mommy isn't feeling well. Isn't there a cure to make her better….?

"Adrien?" My mind snaps back to the present, and my eyes are wet, as I dab paint onto the canvas, depicting a little boy watching his father run away. "You okay?" she asks, floating up and touching me cheek. "Yeah. Don't worry, I'm not sad. If you wouldn't have suggested painting, I wouldn't have thought of these memories. And now I can see them." "Don't forget, Adrien. Even if your mother is gone, there's one place she'll always be." She gently bumps against my chest. "Right here." Yes, my mother will always be in my heart.

Even though no one could ever take her place, I do have Mama Cheng to talk to now. If Marinette's not around, its her and Tom I go to with my problems. I want to give the painting to Mama Cheng, and her birthday's around the corner. Maybe then?

I'm glad Ladybug and I switched Kwami's, even if it was just for today. I can see how Ladybug likes her, she's honest and kind.

I fall asleep with the rain gently sliding down the windowpane, knowing sometime during the night, Tikki will leave.

In the morning, I find Plagg asleep on his pillow but near him is a note from Tikki.

"You keep your sadness hidden like wearing a mask,

But when the time is right, share the memories of your mother,

with the ones most close to you.

Yes, you may have tears,

but you will feel lighter,

telling the one you love about your Mother."

Tikki

She's right. I will someday, and maybe sometime soon I will tell Marinette stories about her. But for now, its back to Adrien and Plagg, Camembert and giggles. Master Fu was right when he gave me the Cat Miraculous give me my friendship with Plagg. We're partners, just like Ladybug and I.

Adrien Agreste

-Cat Noir