Janice woke to something wet hitting her cheek.
She opened an eye to see the small puppy licking her cheek.
"Sea dog!" She giggled and lifted the small one up, getting out of bed.
She looked over at the doll and smiled sadly as she walked out. She set him beside his food bowl, which poppy usually filled, but she did anyway.
As sea dog ate, she thought about the doll, and a random thought came her mind.
"Is it January fourth?"
She ran off to find a calendar. They kept one on the front of ship, and indeed it was.
She squealed and danced, running to poppy, who was asleep, but woke up to her footsteps.
"Morning, lass." He pulled his eyepatch on. "Happy birthday..."
She climbed into his bed and hugged him. He remembered her birthday better than she did herself.
He picked the little girl up. "Is sea dog fed? Are you fed?" He set her on the ground and she shook her head. "I need to save room for cake!" She giggled and poppy shook his head, smiling.
"There's always room for cake." He lead her to the kitchen and she sat down as he made her breakfast.
She impatiently tapped at the table and swung her legs before Percy came in.
"Happy birthday, Janice." Percy smiled and ruffled her hair.
She hugged Percy the best she could, giggling. "Where's Mil-"
She stopped.
She should have known.
Poppy stopped, clenching the knife he held, putting it down. "I'm...im sure he'd love to...be here." He held back tears.
Janice pushed backwards out of her seat and hugged him. Their relationship reminded her on melrose and herself , she knew what he felt. He used to have to comfort her, now it was her turn.
She stood up and hugged him, trying not to cry but couldn't hold it and ran to her room instead.
She held the doll and sat in her bed, closing her teary eyes. Her soft voice cracked.
"Happy birthday...to you....happy birthday, to...you. Happy... birthday dear...Janice.... happy birthday...to....you."
