well, you were a being from a universe of dolls and objects, which meant that despite being kinda human-like, you still had doll features, (which is your choice) as you would sometimes help the zipper thieves at their journey to get back home, however, you weren't aware of nelly seeing you as a parent figure.

so after helping they out again, as you currently checking nelly as you tended to him a bit, when you were ready to yell at kester and his henchmen without no fear, nelly suddenly spoke

Nelly:thanks mom/dad nelly spoke, not realizing what he called you as alejandra, levi and gadget were beside him when he said that.