"Sabrina!"

No sooner had the apartment door opened, even before Sabrina could get a quick glimpse of the apartment's interior, than her mother was throwing her arms around Sabrina's neck in a bone-crushing hug. Letting out a breath and relaxing into the hug, Sabrina smiled, returning her mother's embrace and allowing her to guide her into the apartment, drifting back in time to when she had been so much young, when her mother had almost always greeted her after school with a hug at the door. Shifting her head to one side to look past her mother's shoulder, Sabrina felt a twinge of nostalgia, taking in the couch and chair set in the living room, just before her mother directed them over to sit down on it. Years ago, when Sabrina had been in collège, her parents had saved for two months to replace the ratty old sofa they'd owned for almost two decades; the first time Sabrina had eaten cookies while sitting on the new couch, her father had scolded her roundly before making her vacuum the couch, inside and out. Now, four years later, some of the newness had worn off. Looking closely, Sabrina could pick out a dozen small stains, some of them from the time Chloe had come over and insisted that they be allowed to eat snack in the living room and refused to accept any other response from Sabrina's parents. At the time, Sabrina had all-but idolized Chloe for standing up to her parents; now that she and Max were looking at buying their own furniture, and with a child of their own on the way… she could admit to herself that she related more to the twitch in her father's face when he had seen the two of them eating chips on his new couch.

Sinking into the couch, Sabrina let out a breath as her mother finally released her and sat back, examining Sabrina's face fondly before wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. "Hi, Mom," Sabrina told her, smiling.

Her mother sniffled, giving Sabrina a watery smile. "Oh, I'm sorry – but it feels like it's been ages since you were here!"

"But Max and I came for dinner two nights ago!" Sabrina protested, her eyes widening.

"I know," her mother agreed. "And I am so happy for you both – it's so wonderful that my little girl is growing up and starting a family of her own! I can't wait to meet my first grandchild! And you found a wonderful young man to start your family and raise your child with!" Reaching for a tissue, she dabbed her eyes. "But that's just… it's not the same, sweetheart." She sighed, giving Sabrina a regretful smile. "Don't misunderstand: I love the incredible young woman you have become. But sometimes, I still wish I could have had a little more time with the little girl you were."

Sabrina's stomach clenched, tapping into the mix of joy, happiness, and sadness in her mother's emotions. "I'm sorry for–"

Her mother shook her head firmly, placing a finger over Sabrina's mouth to cut her off. "You have nothing to be sorry for, dear," her mother assured her quickly. She laughed wryly. "It's a mother's prerogative to be sad when her child grows up – you'll understand when you get there." Raising an eyebrow and glancing down at Sabrina's stomach, she added, "Because for as adorable as your baby will be when he or she is born, they won't stay that way forever…" Sighing, she studied Sabrina fondly for a long minute until finally, with a sigh, she released her hold on Sabrina's shoulders and stood up. "Let me make us some tea."

Sabrina's eyes widened, and she shifted her focus from her mother to the baby, seemingly asleep, having settled down after fussing through half of her last counseling appointment of the day. So young – though she could pretend she already knew everything about her baby, just from the emotions she picked up on throughout the day, she hadn't formally met him or her yet. To think: in only a few short months, she would be holding their little bundle of joy – this baby that she and Max had created. What an experience it would be! Watching the baby grow up. Experiencing the joy and excitement of life again as the baby experienced everything for the first time. How long would it be, then, before her baby was here: grown up, getting married, starting a family of his or her own? She sighed. "I hope he stays young at least for a little while…" she murmured softly.

Her mother's emotions shifted, surprisingly close behind Sabrina. Suppressing the urge to jump, Sabrina glanced back at her. "Did you find out what you're having, then?" her mother asked, handing Sabrina a steaming cup and sitting down next to her again, sipping her own tea. Though her voice retained a casual tone, Sabrina could still feel the curiosity and excitement building in her emotions.

Sabrina smiled. "Not yet," she admitted. "We want it to be a surprise."

"We actually did the same with you – waiting to be surprised. Although your father suspected that you would be a girl." Her mother hummed. "But have you thought about names yet?"

"We have…" Sabrina frowned. "We haven't picked any, though. I suggested that if we have a boy, we could name him 'Max' – Max doesn't know if he wants a 'Junior', though."

Her mother nodded. "We talked about naming you for your father before you were born," she observed. "I thought it would be sweet; your father absolutely hated the idea."

"I also suggested 'Roger' – after his grandfather," Sabrina confided. "Max is a little more amenable to that idea, though Roger is a bit of an 'old name'."

"Don't let your father hear you say that!" her mother teased, stifling a laugh.

Sabrina smiled, giggling in amusement, and batted her stomach. "'Mathieu Roger Kanté'. I think that's in the lead for now, at least if we have a boy. Mathieu for Claudie's father – Max's grandfather; Roger for mine. When Max was growing up, his grandfather was the only father figure he had… until his Grandpa Kanté died when he was ten." She sniffled, warmth in her chest. "But he's said that he started to see Dad in that way, after we started dating. Dad was so welcoming of him – especially after he found out that we were superheroes."

Her mother covered Sabrina's hand with her own. "I think that's a wonderful name. And I know your father would be honored."

Nodding, Sabrina took another sip of her tea. "That's for a boy. If we have a girl…" She frowned. "That's a little harder to decide. I like 'Louise' – for grandma. But I also just like the name 'Josette'." She shrugged. "At least we still have a few months to decide."

"That's true," her mother agreed, nodding. "Although I'd already named you in my mind, years before you were born! I just needed to convince your father to go along with it!" She smiled mischievously. "Fortunately, he wasn't too difficult to persuade…" Looking off into the distance, she sighed affectionately before refocusing her gaze on Sabrina. "Whatever you decide, it will be beautiful."

"I hope so." Sabrina let out a breath. "I would hate to saddle our child with a name they would grow up to hate."

"You'll make the right decision," her mother assured her. "But when you do, be sure to let me know – I've been experimenting with calligraphy, and I would absolutely love to write something for the baby!"

Sabrina grinned. "Absolutely – I'll add you to the list! Marinette already started on a baby blanket, though she's not going to finish it until she has a name to add. And I think Chloe would cover the nursery with decorations if I let her!"

Her mother hummed. "You have such wonderful friends – this baby will be so loved."

"I know."

"But how has the morning sickness been?" her mother asked, examining Sabrina carefully. "I remember it was much worse last month."

Sabrina shrugged. "It's gotten a lot better lately. There have been one or two days, but nothing like a couple months ago. I haven't really been having the same trouble keeping food down in the morning, at least. Dr. Ouazani isn't too worried."

"That's good." Her mother cocked her head. "You never told me how you came to see this new doctor," she mused. "I thought you were happy with Dr. Barreau; he's been seeing you since you were a baby!"

"I was," Sabrina replied slowly. "But we've gotten to know Dr. Ouazani and his family very well – Chloe and Adrien helped him to start his clinic." She raised an eyebrow at her mother. "And he knows that I'm Impératrice Pourpre; he works with the Heroes of Paris."

Her mother's eyes widened in understanding. "And that way, you don't need to worry about keeping your identity secret with your doctor."

"That's why so many of the heroes come to me for counseling," Sabrina agreed, nodding.

"And because you are so good at what you do."

Sabrina blushed.

After a moment of silence, her mother sighed, looking her up and down. "I'm glad you are doing well, dear. You don't want to lose weight while your pregnant…"

Sabrina chuckled ruefully. "Not much risk of that!"

"All the same…"

"I know." Sabrina let out a breath. "I'm being careful." She raised an eyebrow. "You really don't have to worry about me, you know."

Her mother smiled regretfully. "A mother never stops worrying about her child." She cleared her throat. "But how are things going with Claudie?" she asked, a tint of anxiety entering her emotions. "I can only imagine how much of an adjustment this has been for you – I know how much it must be for her!"

Sabrina smiled. "Actually, it's been going very well! Claudie and Max have been hard at work on their plans with the other heroes. We have Claudie's apartment almost completely set up now – all of her furniture and such is in the apartment; now she can get down to unpacking and setting up."

"I can't imagine it's easy, having your soon-to-be mother-in-law living right next door!" her mother observed wryly. "I would not have wanted your Grandma Raincomprix living that close, especially not when we were first married…"

Sabrina shrugged. "We're figuring things out: how often to have meals together, how much time Max and I need for ourselves, what kinds of things we do together or separately… It's an adjustment, but I think it's going to be okay. Definitely when the baby arrives we'll appreciate having her right there!"

Sabrina's mother hummed. "Still, just because your father and I don't live right next door to you, don't count us out of the picture. If you need someone to watch the baby for you, I would be happy to take him or her for the day – or the night – anytime you need it. After all, we're only a portal away!"

Sabrina smiled, leaning into her mother. "I know – and I'm so grateful to you and Dad for being here for us through this. I… I'm not sure if I would be able to do this, if it weren't for you, and Dad, and Claudie… and everyone else who has been supporting us this whole time."

Her mother wrapped her in a warm hug. "And I'm grateful that my little girl has found such a sweet young man to start a family with, one who cares about you so much. That you both care about each other so much." She blinked several times.

Sabrina's breathing hitched at the sensation of love and affection coming from her mother. "Mom? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," her mother assured her. "Just… thinking about how much you've grown up." Wiping her eyes, she sniffled. "You really do need to come over here more often, sweetheart – I promise I won't cry so much the next time."

Sabrina raised an eyebrow at her affectionately. "I doubt that."