Marissa leaned on the balcony of Erica's Penthouse apartment and looked down to the Marina. She could see a small white sail in the harbour and every so often the wind brought the sound of children's laughter to her.

True to his word, when they returned to dock, Bianca's Uncle Jack took AJ and Miranda out on his dinghy and was giving them sailing lessons.

AJ had looked so devastated when they were forced to turn back from the boat cruise, but poor Gabby didn't make it back to shore before being horribly sick all over herself and Marissa. AJ and Miranda had tried to comfort her, AJ telling her he knew all too well how terrible it was. Neither child complained out loud that their day had been ruined, they were too worried about their 'little sister'.

Gabby just cried and refused to let go of Marissa. Momma 'Rissa was the one to hold her and comfort her. Momma 'Rissa was the one to carry her from the boat and up to the Penthouse. Momma 'Rissa was the one to clean her up and tuck her in. Momma 'Rissa was the one to hold her hand and stroke her cheek until she dozed off to sleep. Now 'Momma 'Rissa' stood alone on the balcony considering her new place in that little girl's affection.

…

"I've put your things in the dryer, shouldn't take too long?"

Marissa looked up to find Reggie watching her.

"Yeah, poor Gabby, it's not nice being sea sick..." said Marissa, with a frown.

"Is she okay now?"

"She's sleeping." said Marissa. She rolled up her sleeve again. She was wearing an oversized man's shirt and some loud blue and yellow Hawaiian shorts that Jackson had plucked from his wardrobe for her. Her own clothes had to be put straight in the wash.

"It looks like the other two are enjoying themselves sailing," said Marissa, "It more than makes up for cutting short the cruise."

Reggie joined Marissa on the balcony and they both watched the white sail on the water.

"He's a good man, Jack." said Reggie. "A good dad."

"Yeah, he's been great with AJ, you both have. I am grateful. I know it does him good to have a man around."

"Well he's a good kid – he's family just like you."

Marissa sighed.

"Family…"

"Something wrong?"

Marissa bit her lip.

"Um… Gabby called me Momma, today."

"I noticed?"

"She was upset, maybe she wasn't thinking straight."

"Do you mind?"

"Not at all." said Marissa, "Miranda and AJ seem so tied together, it's sometimes hard to remember they aren't really twins and little Gabby is adorable; from the moment she came up to me in the hospital, her arms wide, begging for a sqwoosh, I've been smitten."

Marissa looked down at the tiny sail darting across the water as another wave of laugher drifted up from the bay and smiled as she realised how easily those girls had earned a place in her heart right alongside their mother. It seemed Gabby felt the same, only...

Marissa sighed.

"I know AJ calls Bianca 'Binks' now, as a term of affection; I always thought Bianca's girls called me 'Rissa' for the same reason."

"But then she called you momma."

"I don't even know where it came from."

"We could always ask." said Reggie

Marissa followed Reggie's gaze to see the sad figure of Gabby walking down the stairs still wearing one of Jackson's t-shirts like a dress.

"Momma!" she cried looking around, lost and confused.

"I'm here," said Marissa hurrying back inside. "Are you feeling better now?"

Gabby frowned but nodded her head.

Marissa gave her a cuddle and kissed her brow.

"Do you think you are well enough to see mommy this evening?"

Gabby nodded again a little more eagerly.

"Momma 'Rissa?"

"Yes Gabby."

"I'm so-wy I was sick on you."

"Well I'm sorry you were sick at all." said Marissa, giving the little girl another kiss. "But I'm glad you're feeling better. Do you want to come as see Miranda and AJ on their sail boat?"

"'Kay." said Gabby quietly, holding her arms out to be carried.

Marissa smiled and lifted her up.

"W-eggie!" exclaimed Gabby seeing her cousin waiting on the balcony. "I was sick!"

"I know, I was there. But you're feeling better?"

"Momma 'Rissa made me better."

"Momma's are good for that kind of thing." said Reggie.

"Miranda said I mustn't call you that, but it's okay?" said Gabby looking quizzically at Marissa, who could only smile back. "Momma Reese loved mommy and Miranda and me, but she went away." explained Gabby, hugging tightly around Marissa's neck.

"And now you have a Momma Reese… with an extra 'ahhh'." said Reggie with a grin.

"Yeah." said Gabby kissing Marissa cheek. "My Momma 'Rissa."

Marisa hugged her tightly back; this little girl somehow got more adorable every day.

"Makes sense to me." said Reggie.

…