She walked to the cliffs edge. Lark stood in the same spot, watching her. He wondered where she was going. Was it someone in Panga. Maybe King Nephrus’ son Osiris. Panga was on the other side of the Trojian Sea. Eulachon and Piratchu were off of the Palimora Sea. Fin looked back. She couldn’t soothe him. He wanted things she couldn’t give him. She stared at him. There was great distance between them. She could see enough to note the look of longing on his face. She turned and walked back. He ran to her.
“Lark. I love you. But I love him more. Please…I hope you understand. You are such a wonderful man. You are going to make someone an awesome husband,” she said. Fin went towards him. She leaned into him and kissed him on the mouth. He took in the strange yet sensual touch of her lips on his, instinctively closing his eyes. She pulled away and smiled as he kept his eyes closed then slowly opened them. Fin took a few steps from him then returned to the cliffs edge. She waved then turned and leaped into the water. Lark exhaled sharply. He was shocked at his immense feelings. Fin affected him in a strange way. She could elicit feelings from him that were from a deep place inside his spirit. It was why he loved her. She awakened things in him. He was sure there was more.
The people of Eulachon lined the streets. King Andreus walked among them, surrounded by guards as he greeted his people. He needed their support. Their understanding. He was going to force the hand of their neighbor. A former ally. And it could backfire on him. But the people of Eulachon had faith in the decisions of their beloved former King Orfe’s only son. And even though many of them were not in support of taking Mojarro, many stood by him and their army. Members of their family. They had to support them. It would help ensure they returned home.
“King,” the woman said, as she bowed. King Andreus smiled as he walked past. Everyone he approached bowed as he passed. It was an affirmation of his rule. His way of claiming the land as its new king. Andreus saw a familiar face. A woman named Mayat who stayed on the edge of town near the sea. He walked over to her. She was in the city visiting her ailing mother. Her daughter and son looked on from the window.
“Ma’am,” he greeted Mayat. She was an excellent seamstress and he hoped to get her to fashion him new attire. “Your Highness,” she greeted and bowed.
Andreus looked over her shoulder. In the window stood a beautiful young woman. He wasn’t sure he had ever seen her before. He was good with faces. He would have remembered. He turned his attention back to Mayat. “Would it trouble you to come to the castle tomorrow. I would like you to consider being my personal clothier,” he said. Mayat was honored.
“Why yes, Your Highness. I would gladly fashion your wardrobe,” she said. Andreus nodded in approval. “And who is that in the window?” he asked. “Oh. That’s my daughter Guida,” she said. Andreus looked over at Guida once more. He was smitten. “Great. I have a party tonight. Please attend. And bring your family with you,” he said. “Of course Your Majesty,” she replied.
Andreus glanced at Guida. She blushed at the attention she was receiving. He saluted her and walked away. Mayat turned and smiled at her daughter. Guida walked from the window. The king wanted her at his party. His look told her he wanted something more. Guida was anxious. She had heard about him. He was dangerous. Unpredictable. But he was handsome. And he was their king. She was going. He had her intrigued.
The king entertained Mayat and her family. She was surprised. She was unaware the attention would be on them. It turned out that they were the guest of honor. Mayat sat next to the king. Guida and her brother Shalam, on the other side. Guida clapped at the entertainment, as she and Andreus made eyes at each other most of the evening. The king rose from his chair. “Madame,” he said, as he extended his hand. Guida looked at her mother. Mayat nodded and smiled. It was tradition to ask the father when a man wanted to speak with an unmarried woman. But Guida’s father was not present. Andreus assumed he was dead. A man would never miss an outing with his family. And especially one where the king extended the invitation.
Guida took his hand and stood from her chair. She walked with the king. She was nervous. It was a bit overwhelming. They were followed by a few of his guards. The king gave them a visual warning. One that they knew well. They were to stay back. Give him space. And especially since he was in the company of a woman.
He took her outside to walk in his garden. One of the few viable gardens in Eulachon. He wanted to impress her. Guida was quiet. Hard to read. She looked beautiful in a thin lavender and gold dress. Her golden hair long and wavy. She favored Fin, but without the dark hair and green eyes. And there was an ethereal quality that made her stand out. He hated to admit it to himself, but she was a lot like Fin. It was the reason he was initially drawn to her. But there was also something about her that spoke to his heart. The same adoring feeling he had when he met Fin. But Fin despised him. He saw it in her eyes. He felt it in his heart that day. And there would be no changing it. So, he was moving on. And Guida would be his bride.
F
in swam up the lair and back into the now familiar waters of the Pacific Ocean. She picked up speed once she was close to the surface. Sturgeon fish and whales swam past her as she kept a steadied and fast pace towards Malibu. Suddenly a sharp pain in her lower abdomen, slowed her. Fin grabbed her belly. A whale got close and she took off again. She looked back, trying to put distance between them. Fin knew nothing about the new world’s sea life. She was pregnant and refused to take any chance. But the whale seemed to be following her.
Another piercing sharp pain went through her stomach and her back. Fin once again, slowed down and grabbed her belly. She bit her lip. She panicked. She wasn’t going to make it at the rate she was swimming. Fin looked back. The whale was quickly approaching. Fin hummed to calm the whale. Her melodic underwater vibrations that had a soothing effect quickly calmed the whale. She used her throat to create the vibrations that resonated with the aquatic life around her. Soon the whale slowed.
Fin put her arm out to thwart an attack. The whale touched her with the tip of its baleen, in a gesture similar to the baby Baika. Fin touched its nose. The animal seemed to be aware that she was in distress. Fin felt herself get lightheaded. Oh no, she thought, as her eyes became heavy and hard to keep open. She could feel herself losing consciousness. The whale began to push her. Her body wrapping naturally against its mouth as the animal swam towards land. Fin rubbed its nose as she continued to feel her strength fading. She continued to make clicking and pulsing sounds. Suddenly everything went dark.
The currents moved across Fin, taking her slowing towards the shoreline. Her limp body floated on the ocean floor near Lance’s home. A mackerel got close and picked at her fingertips. Fin jolted awake and looked around. She was home. She smiled at the kindness of the whale and wondered how it knew where she was going. She was followed by all types of fish. She guessed the animal recognize her from her travels deep in the ocean. Or the times she swam around taking in the scenery between Lance’s home and the area surrounding him.
Her pain was immense. She felt she couldn’t move. The baby was coming. She feared passing out again, and carefully made her way to the boulders under his dock. It was dark and cold. She climbed to the top of her favorite spot. The boulders were positioned perfectly for relaxing. Stacked in a way where she could sit comfortably. She changed from her tail. It felt more natural to deliver the baby from between her legs. Although it was not the traditional way the women delivered babies.
Fin let out a yelp, as she cliched her teeth together. The pain was unbearable. Soon she heard a neighbor open his door. She could see him with a flashlight coming to investigate the noise. She submerged herself. The water would muffle her screams. Soon the man went back inside, but she could see him standing by his window.
I can’t be seen. I can’t…Oh no, she thought, as she opened her mouth. The water muffling the otherwise high-pitched scream she was emitting. She instinctively pushed, barely able to catch her breath. She pushed again then dropped her head back
. Her legs open. Her body immersed over her head in water as she held onto the rock and pushed her baby out. Her legs wide, floating apart. She screamed another muffled sound as she laid across a large rock. Blood seeping from her vagina as the baby’s head began to emerge. Fin worried the blood would attract unwanted sea animals. She looked around. She tried to pick up on the vibrations of the water. She didn’t detect any fine movements. She pushed again. She screamed Lance’s name. She wondered if he was inside. Asleep. It had been a long time. She wondered if he still thought of her. Or if he’d given up on the love they shared.
Fin opened her mouth and took water into her special lungs. Her eyes closed tight, as she continued pushing. Soon her baby’s head popped out. There was some relief, but then another contraction had her clawing the rocks. She looked down. All she could see was the silhouette of her baby and smiled. The dark skies and even darker waters, prevented her from viewing her precious bundle. She laid back on the rock. There was still more. It was taking too long and she feared the unknown. If the baby had more human characteristics, then it would not survive being submerged. And her screams would alert others, is she emerged from the water. It was risky. And Fin was getting weaker.
Come on baby. Come on, she said, as she prepared to bear down and push her child out. Fin bit her lip and with all her strength pushed her baby out then grabbed it. She climbed up the rocks and sat partially exposed. She held the baby on her shoulder and rubbed its back. Soon the baby let out a low muffled cry. Fin burst into tears. It wasn’t how she envisioned having her first child. She was supposed to be at home with her mother and midwife by her side. She cried for Aterra.
“I wish you were here mom,” she said, as she held her baby tight, frightened and unsure. She had no mothering skills. No information on how to take care of a baby. Aterra was gone. And with her, any advice she could have given. Aterra was private. Not forthcoming with a lot of things. But Fin was sure she would have helped her raise her child. She missed her mother.
The moon was bright enough to illuminate her surroundings. Fin could finally see her daughters face, once the clouds movement allowed the light to come through. She looked her baby over. It was a girl. “I’m going to call you Isla,” she whispered.
Isla was a smaller version of Fin. Beautiful olive complexioned skin and a head full of dark curly hair. Her eyes the same stand out bright green color as her mothers. But under the veil of darkness, it was hard to see her clearly. Fin cried as she kissed Isla’s small clinched hands. She checked her toes. Her fingers. She smelled her. It was overwhelming. But the feel and sound of her baby brought her the greatest joy. The clouds dispersed. The light of the moon gave Fin the chance to look into her baby’s eyes. She smiled when she saw her baby had her hair color and eyes. They were the only ones. It was a trait that no other nermein had. It was a trait Fin felt was her own. “You are so beautiful,” she said, as she continued inspecting her daughter, now that she had more light.
She could see the baby had no gills and no soft flesh between her legs. She checked again. Her baby was human. And life would have been hard for her in Madaka. The thought saddened Fin. No matter what happened, she would always need to leave Isla with Lance. There was no other option. “I can never take you back. No matter my fate, you will always be here. This is where you belong my little princess,” she said to Isla.
“Shh,” she whispered, as the baby became fussy. The baby began sucking on Fin’s skin. She quieted. But then cried when Fin tried to adjust her and place her over her shoulder. “Why do you want to suck on my skin?” she asked, chuckling at Isla’s mini sized outburst.
Fin sighed. She’s hungry already, she thought. She remembered the time, as a child, when she saw a nermein woman covering a newborn with a cloth close to her breast. Fin allowed Isla to suck her skin. But the baby kicked and screamed out of frustration. Soon Isla made her way to Fin’s breast. She stopped crying. Fin looked down at her. She squeezed her other breast and was surprised when something came out. Fin instinctively understood. She laid back Isla nursed as Fin closed her eyes. She hoped to get enough energy to climb the rocks and knock on the door. She needed Lance now more than ever. He would know what to do. And he would have wanted to be a part of the delivery. But Isla had her own schedule. She came when she was ready. An unfortunate fact of childbirth that Fin had not anticipated.
She laid her head back and held onto her baby, too weak to move. She had loss blood. She hadn’t eaten. Soon her weakness took over and she closed her eyes. Isla squirmed. The coolness of the water and wind was causing her discomfort. The baby tried suckling again, but became frustrated. Fin wasn’t holding her in position and she was unable to reach her breast. Her cries became louder. Fin awoke disorientated. The loss of blood affecting her. She closed her eyes again and fell fast asleep as her body began replenishing what it had lost.
Lance moaned then turned on his left side. He had to be up early. A meeting was scheduled for six in the morning. He would need to be up by four. He tossed then flipped to the other side. Soon his eyes opened. “Huh? What was that,” he said. He sat up and looked out the window. It sounded like a wounded bird. Or perhaps some small mammal. Lance removed the covers and sat on the edge of his bed. The sounds continued and he became irritated. What is that?
It was a beautiful night. Lance had just a few hours to rest. He stood up and walked to his window. The lights along the water line were dim. He looked over at his neighbor’s house. The property was dark, with only scattered exterior lights on. He remembered seeing them with large bags, leaving in a Mini Van. He assumed they were going on vacation. And he hoped the sound was not someone snooping around the property. The man had complained about someone gaining entry while he was on vacation before. Lance was prepared to go investigate.
He opened the door and stepped onto the porch off the master bedroom. The low-pitched whining noise was closer to his property. He looked down. Whatever it was, in was under his dock. Lance wiped his tired eyes and went back inside.
“What the fuck? I have to get some sleep,” he complained, as he searched for a flashlight. Lance grabbed a small flashlight and exited through his patio door. He headed towards the dock and turned the flashlight on. He checked around, flashing the light onto his property as he walked towards the dock. He could hear the sound getting closer. His eyes narrowed. He hoped it wasn’t an injured animal. That would mean it could die under his dock and leave a foul smell for months.
Lance stood over the sound. He flashed the light between the spaces. He could see something. What is that? he thought, as he got down on his knees and shined the light through the space in between the planks.
“Fin!” he shouted, as he ran to the edge and jumped into the water. He moved quickly towards her. He was excited, anxious but he also feared the worst. He hoped she wasn’t injured and unable to call out. His mind couldn’t make sense of why she didn’t come inside. Knock on the door.
“Fin! Fin,” he said, his emotions on high, as he drew closer. He didn’t see the baby right away. He assumed the noise was Fin. He approached her. She looked asleep. She was holding something. Something small.
Lance got close. His eyes widened from the sight before him. It was a baby laying on her chest. Fin held her close. Her instinctive and strong motherly grip keeping Isla safe. “Fin?” Lance said, as he kissed her. He touched her cheek. Then rubbed the side of her face. The cramped position between the rocks made it hard to get to her and lift her. Lance took the baby from her. Fin woke up slightly. “Lance,” she mumbled, her voice shaky.
“Fin. You came back,” he said, kissing her. He looked deep into her eyes. Fin cupped her hand on his face. “She’s yours,” she said. Lance looked at the baby. His eyes wide. He was in shock. Tears fell from his face. “Don’t cry,” Fin said, as she wiped them. Lance gently touched the baby. He kissed the top of the baby’s head as she suckled her mother’s breast. Fin was surprised. He instincts kicked in. It suddenly made sense. “Oh. That’s what she w
anted,” she said softly. Fin rubbed the baby’s head, as she leaned against the rock. “I named her Isla,” she said. Lance smiled. “She’s perfect,” he replied, as he took her in his arms. Fin was relieved. She was getting weaker. She had lost blood during the delivery. She needed rest.
Lance carried the baby into the house. He laid her on the couch and then returned to Fin and picked her up. “Everything's gonna be alright,” he said. Fin put her arms around his neck and held on tight. She was never more sure of anything. She would be alright. He was her hero. He always was.
Lance carried Fin to the room and laid her next to Isla. Finn immediately fell back asleep. He pulled the covers over her and then moved Isla over and placed pillows around her body to protect her. He stood, staring at his family. He was still reeling from the excitement and shock of it all. He bent down and kissed his baby. He touched her curly hair and smiled, then kissed Fin. It was all overwhelming. He had a family. New responsibilities that he looked forward to.
“I love you,” he whispered, as he turned and walked out of the room, gently closing the door. He stood against it. Unable to move. A baby, he thought. He would have never imagined. He was a father. His dream had come true. And there was still one more dream to fulfil. But he had time. He needed Fin back healthy and strong. And then they could build a life together.
Lance took several days off while he tended to Fin. Isla had turned out to be quite a handful. She was feeding every two hours. And to give Fin rest from the demanding feeding schedule, he purchased a breast pump so he could help out with the baby’s feeding. Lance didn’t know much about childcare. Everything he found out was a result of Allan’s input and suggestions. Allan was instrumental in his own children’s care. He knew a thing or two about it. And he was happy for his brother. Lance sent him pictures of his family. Allan promised to come and visit. He helped Lance and Fin understand the baby’s needs and they were grateful for him. Lance began video chatting with his brother and soon Fin joined in. She too learned a lot from Allan.
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