"Don't worry, Sabine, Cat is always on time. He'll be here soon. In fact, here he comes now!"

"Who's here?" a sleepy voice said from behind them. Marinette stood in the doorway, still dressed in her pajamas and holding her Cat Noir she had made herself. "Oh, Cat's come to help your father in the bakery today," Sabine told her daughter, after sharing a look with Tom. "But Marinette loves spending time with Cat," Tom stroked his mustache. "He shouldn't have to work." "Could you tell Cat I'll be down in a few? I need to dress. And isn't supposed to be a special day today?"

Cat opened the door to the bakery, hearing the last part of what Marinette said. "Every day is special when I get to see you, Princess. Don't worry, I'll be waiting."

Marinette shrugged and headed upstairs, while Sabine smiled at Cat. "Thanks for coming, honey. If you can distract Marinette till party time, she'll have a surprise birthday worth remembering!" "And as promised, here is your reward," Tom handed him a doughnut. Cat looked at it in confusion, though he wanted to devour it right that second. "But I haven't done anything yet," he protested. "Don't worry about that. Just enjoy."

Marinette was down soon. "Good morning, Kitty. Ready to hit Starbucks?" Cat laughed. "Somehow, I knew we we're going there first." They headed out, and Cat slipped his hand into Marinette's. "Isn't today special?" Marinette asked again. "Oh, today's been rather ordinary, but this is Paris and anything can happen." Marinette sighed. Had everyone forgotten her birthday?

"Princess, instead of heading back home let's go to the park. We could pick flowers…" "Swing?" Marinette asked, excitedly.

Sipping their drinks as they lazily swung back and forth, the pair got to talking, until Andre the ice cream man rode by on his bike. Marinette leaped off the swing. "Cat, there's Andre! Let's get a cone!"

Andre always had a special birthday song and Marinette couldn't wait to hear hers. "He looks like he's in a hurry," Cat said, standing up. "Want to pick some bluebells instead?" Marinette opened her mouth, shut it and followed. Maybe everyone had forgotten her birthday.

Later, with their arms full of flowers, they walked by the Agreste mansion. "Let's give Adrien one of these flowers," Marinette smiled. Cat suddenly handed her his bundle. "Great idea, but do you want to talk to himself yourself? I need to make a call." Marinette shrugged. "Sure."

Cat ran off, and Marinette rang the bell. Two minutes later, Adrien came out. "I thought you would like some flowers," Marinette said, shyly, handing him several. "You want to hang out?" Adrien smiled, but shook his head. "Sorry, I have homework. But can I give you a call this evening?" Marinette nodded. "Okay." A call was better then nothing, right?

When Cat reappeared, Marinette was grumpy. "Let's just go home," she snapped, when he suggested a movie. Cat smiled. "As you wish, Princess."

Marinette was quiet on the walk home, but Cat hummed a cheerful tune. "What are you so happy about?" Marinette asked, as he opened the door for her. "Oh, you'll find out in three, two, one!"

"Happy Birthday, Marinette!" Her parents and friends popped up from all corners of the bakery. It had been decorated with balloons and decorations, and Mama and Papa held a strawberry cake between them.

"Go on, love, blow out the candles," her mother told him. "I thought you forgot my birthday!" Marinette wiped away a happy tear. "Of course we didn't, dear. That's why Cat had you out and about this morning to keep you from seeing the surprise!"

Marinette laughed, closed her eyes, and blew out the candles. "Happy Birthday, Marinette," a warm voice said. Marinette opened her eyes to see Adrien standing there. "But I thought you had homework!" she hugged him hard. "Other excuse. Now, may I escort the birthday girl to the table? That cake looks good!"

Marinette smiled, cheeks pinked. She loved her birthday, but more then presents she was happy for the ones she loved.