"Hello? Anyone home?" I unwrap my scarf and hang it on the hall tree at Marinette's. "Cat, is that you, dear?" A hear a voice of from the living room.

I walk further into the living room to see Sabine, Mari's mom, curled up in a chair, tea in hand.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

"Just taking a little rest," she says. She looks fine, but my heart speeds up a bit. She's okay. It's not like Mother. "I really am fine," she says. She knows about Mother. "Just relaxing with a hot cup of tea."

"Do you want me to do the dishes?" I ask. I can't just sit here. "That would be wonderful. I'll make you a small gingerbread treat with supper," she smiles. "Oh, no. You don't have to do that…" "Its the least I can do."

I walk into the kitchen, and pull out a pink apron. It has a pink heart on it, but for some reason I don't feel silly.

The dishes are a bit piled up, so I set them in orderly rows on the counter according to status. I smile a little as I turn on the water and squeeze in some dish soap. Maybe I got my organizational skills from Father.

The warm water is calm and soothing, and my heart slows down to a normal beat. Who knew dishes could be so relaxing?

Sabine sits down at the kitchen table, as I'm drying the last dish. "Cat, make yourself a cup of tea. I'd love to chat with you a bit."

After I get the water going, I sit down beside her. "So, what are you studying in school? Any favorite subjects?" she asks.

See, this is what I love about Mari's mom. She doesn't just worry about report cards or perfect grades. "Hold on, I'll show you."

I take out some of the homework material I'm working on. "You want to be a therapist?" "yes. I'm kinda quiet as a civilian, and watching things from a distance. Sometimes, its hard to talk about feelings."

Its like Adrien is in the room with her, not Cat Noir. Sabine lays her hand on mine. "Sweetheart, you can talk to me or Tom about anything. Just like Marinette, we keep her secrets."

Her affection towards me makes my eyes sting like onions. And then I remember the tea! The kettle is shrieking, demanding attention.

I plunk a dandelion tea bag into the hot water. Even the smell relaxes me, calming me. I turn to Sabine.

"Would-would you read me a story?" I ask, my voice kitten soft. Normally, this is Mari's and my thing, but I want to know Sabine more. Can I say this? She reminds me of Mother.

"Of course. Go get the book you want, and I'll meet you in the living room." I walk upstairs, pulling "Owl at Home" off the small bookshelf, plus my favorite blue blanket.

I curled up in my blanket and listen to the story. We laugh at some parts, cry in others. Especially when he makes the pot of tears.

"Thank you, Mama Cheng," I say. Oops. It just slipped out. I feel like a part of the family here. Will she be angry at me?

"Cat, I love that you call me that. I'm glad we got to spend some time together," she says. "I'm always up for having tea," I say, smiling at her.

Its cozy in the living room, with the snow outside falling gently. The tick, tock of the clock is familiar and soothing.

"Marinette should be home soon, and then we'll have supper," she says. "Okay." she stands, and heads for the kitchen.

I burrow under my blanket, like a bunny. My heart is happy at the moment, and I want to hold on to it. Its warm and cozy under here, and I listen to the sounds.

My sensitive cat ears pick up everything. The click of the burner, the flame. The smell of soup soon fills the air, and soon I'm dreaming.

In my dream I'm standing still, but a pink dove is in my hand. I'm confused as often is in dreams, but I think this dove represents love. Not the romantic love that I have for Marinette, but a mother's love.

Soon, a sweet smell fills the air. It is Christmas? Oh, that's right. Its my special little treat from Mama Cheng. It will be nice to call her Mama. Mother is reserved for Mother who always holds a special place in my heart.

I feel like I'm glowing inside, its such a peaceful feeling. I smell corn and cream, is she making corn chowder one of my favorite dishes?

My memory floats back to when I was small, when I would eat the special soup, Mother would make me wear a bib.

Now, with a family with the Dupain-Cheng's, my heart is slowly healing. Being rejected by Father stings, but here with my new family, my heart sings.

Home isn't just a building where you live. Its memories, love, and laughter. Like a real good recipe. Before I go to sleep at night, I sit on Mari's balcony, thinking.

Its time I will tell Mari I love her, that I have feelings for my special Princess. I was once a stray alley cat, thin and starving, devoided of love.

But when her family took me in, a whole new world open up to me. I may be silly and playful with Ladybug, but I do have a sensitive side. Its not all cat puns.

Maybe I've already gotten my Christmas wish, to have a family that loves me, no matter what. My eyes have lost their dullness, and now they sparkle.

Its chilly out here, soon I will soon join Mari for a bedtime story. I will never forget Mama's Cheng's love, reading me stories and her fabulous gingerbread.

I can't wait for Christmas, where her family and her grandpa and grandma and I are all together.