Marissa clutched the toy monkey Gabby had given her, bouncing it along behind strawberry bear as part of the complicated game of 'house' that Gabby had devised for her toys. She was expecting a laugh from Gabby as she made the monkey trip, and then get up and shake himself off, before carrying on.

She looked up and noticed Gabby looked very pale.

"Gabby are you okay."

"I feel funny." she said, a confused expression on her face.

"Do you feel sick?" Marissa asked.

Gabby nodded and looked like she wanted to cry.

"Oh sweetie, you might be feeling a little sea-sick. We'll take you outside in the fresh air and maybe you'll feel better."

Gabby didn't make a move but held out her arms to be carried. Marissa scooped Gabby up and carried her out onto the deck, Gabby was getting a bit too big for this but Marissa managed.

She sat down on one the couches on the rear deck, Gabby on her lap and stroked her fingers through the little girl's hair.

"Is that better?" asked Marissa as the breeze hit them.

Gabby just shook her head and gave a sob, burying her head into Marissa's shoulder.

"Oh sweetheart." said Marissa as she rocked the girl back and forth gently. "It sometimes helps to close your eyes."

Gabby obeyed, screwing her eyes up tight but she didn't feel any better.

"Sing to me." said Gabby, "Sing the song to make me better."

"The song?" asked Marissa. She took a deep breath. "Once a lonely caterpillar sat and cried…
To a sympathetic beetle by his side… 'I've got nobody to hug'… 'I'm such an ug-i-ly bug'…"

"No," moaned Gabby, "Your p-woper song!"

"I'm sorry sweetie; I don't know what song you want!" said Marissa sadly.

"Your special song which makes everything alright." said Gabby pleadingly.

Marissa knew what Gabby wanted, she could feel the tune and the words just out of reach, but try as she might the song wouldn't come back to her.

"I just can't remember it, Gabby. I wish I could."

Gabby groaned and held on tighter.

Not knowing what else to do, Marissa carried on singing 'The Ugly Bug Ball' and rocking the little girl in her arms.

…

"What's wrong?"

Marissa looked up to see Reggie watching then from the top deck.

"Gabby's feeling sea-sick."

"Poor, baby." said Reggie. "I'll let dad know!"

He disappeared from sight, moments later Jackson appeared.

"How is she?"

"Not good." Marissa called back, smoothing her hand over the little girls pale cheek.

"Okay, we'll head back." said Jackson concern in his voice. "You hold on little one."

Gabby didn't look up, just clung tightly to Marissa's neck.

"Make it stop." sobbed Gabby. "My Marissa, I wanna go home."

"I know sweetie. Jackson is turning the boat around. We'll get you back on dry land as quickly as we can and then you will start to feel better."

"My Marissa."

"Yes, Gabby." said Marissa, wondering about the possessive way Gabby was calling her name.

But Gabby was just snuggling deeper into her arms, her little fist holding tightly to the collar of Marissa's shirt.

"My Marissa." Gabby moaned again, through her sobs.

"Shhh, baby." hushed Marissa, stroking her hair. "I'm here."

"My Ma…"

Marissa froze as realisation struck. Gabby wasn't saying 'my Marissa', she was calling her momma.

…