“Goodnight precious,” he whispered, as he turned to leave out. He made a point of cutting on night lights in case she awakened in the middle of the night. Lance went back to his kitchen and pulled roasted turkey from the fridge. He made a sandwich and ate it as he scaled the stairs back to the second level of his home. He walked the long dimly lit hall to his room and climbed into bed. It was one in the morning. And he was ready for a full night’s sleep. It was the weekend. He could relax all day. Maybe take Isla to a park. They both could use an outing.
“Daddy,” Isla whispered, as she shook his arm. Lance awakened and rolled over. “Hey. What are you doing out of bed?” he asked. Isla stared. Her usually animated face showing no emotion. Lance sat up. The nightlight in his room not bright enough and he was unable to read the strange cues coming from his daughter. “What wrong?” he said, as he searched her eyes for an answer. Isla stared as if in shock. Not speaking and not giving any visual cues to her stress. Lance jumped up. He feared someone in his house. Her behavior had him now freaking out.
“Issie talk to me. What wrong sweetheart,” he said, as he moved room to room, with little Issie walking right behind him. He walked around the house, checking every window and door. He looked back. Isla was no longer behind him. He heard the refrigerator open and walked hurriedly into the kitchen. He watched as she pulled open the crisper drawer and pull the package of strawberries from inside. “Oh! You hungry. I’m sorry baby., I thought you were ok. I’m sorry about the burgers I ordered earlier. Daddy slept through the delivery,” he said.
“Mommy,” Isla said, as she pulled several strawberries from the container and ran to the glass sliding door. Lance stared at her. His heart dropped. He thought she was okay after her melt down earlier that day. But he could see she was not. “Iss… Where are you going? We can’t put strawberries in the water tonight. Mommy’s not there,” he said, the words difficult for him to say. He felt like a failure where her mother was concerned. If only he had fought to keep her home. Maybe she would have stayed, if he had made a bigger fuss about leaving. But he didn’t. And now he was in mourning and so was his daughter. Their lives, shattered.
“How about we sit on the dock tomorrow when the sun is out. We’ll put berries in the water then. Okay. Now let’s go to bed,” he said. Isla turned from him. As if disappointed. She teared up. Her silent contempt hurt Lance. “Come on Iss. I promise we will go to the end of the dock tomorrow,” he said. Isla stood still, staring out into the darkness. The lights from their patio and surrounding landscape shielding her view of the dock. “Mommy,” she said again, as she reached up to open the door. Lance wasn’t worried. It had a special lock. Toddler-proof and not easy to open. It was necessary since they lived around water. A fact that would be changing soon. Lance didn’t have the heart to break it to her. He feared a major meltdown. She looked to the water every day. She was still expecting Fin to rise from it. They were still walking to the end of the dock daily, to sit on its edge and hope. Isla throwing strawberries in. Even getting mad if a fish ate it. “Issie. Come on. Back to bed.”
Isla looked at him. Her eyes watery and saddened. Lance sighed. “Ok. We’ll go to the dock. Just for a moment. You can put the berries in. But then we go to bed Issie,” he said as he walked up. Isla looked at her father towering above her. He was her hero once more. She smiled and wiped her eyes. She didn’t want him to see her sad. Her tears sometimes led to his tears and she didn’t want to see her daddy cry. She just wanted to go to the dock.
Lance pulled the door. A gush of wind came in. “Oh wait Iss. It’s cold tonight. I have to get your sweater. Wait here,” he said. Isla held the berries as she patiently waited for her father to grab her sweater. Soon her patience disappeared. Isla pushed the door back open and darted out. Lance opened her drawer. He closed it and opened another. “There it is,” he said, as he grabbed her sweater. He walked down the steps. Soon he could see the door. It was open. He stopped and looked around.
“Oh shit. Noo,” he said, as he bolted from the steps, almost falling, as he frantically tried to reach the outside. He knew where she was. She had gone to the docks. And it was pitch black since he forgot to turn the lights on. He didn’t have time. The light switch seemed miles away. It only would take a second for her to fall into the water. Lance bolted through the door. He needed to get to Isla.
“Issie!” he said, as he ran onto the patio. He reached the dock and stopped. Isla was on her knees. She was bent down, practically lying on the planks. Lance slowed. “Issie,” he shouted as he ran again. Something was on the dock. Lance ran up and stopped dead in his tracks. His heart pounding. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. Lance dropped to his knees and began kissing Fin.
“Fin!” he said, as he rubbed her face. “Fin…Fin…Baby wake up,” he pleaded. Isla smiled, as she tried pushing a berry into her mother’s mouth. Lance kissed Fin over and over. She was cold as ice. He wasn’t sure she was alive. She didn’t appear to be breathing. Her skin was cold. She looked lifeless. Lance cried and closed his eyes and he continued kissing her. “We have to get mommy inside,” he said. Lance stood and picked Fin up.
“Hold onto my pants leg,” he instructed his baby. He couldn’t grab her hand and he didn’t want to leave her while he took Fin inside. Isla gabbed his pant leg. Lance walked slowly, making sure to keep to the middle, away from the edge. Suddenly something caught his eye. Something in the water. Lance squinted. He wondered what it was. He soon realized it was the head of a man. The man was staring at him. Lance stopped. The man stared for a second longer, then dipped into the water. It was Lark.
He was in shock at the world before him. Their houses. Lance’s clothes. The large metal objects moving across the road. It was all overwhelming. But he loved Fin more than anything and her happiness was important to him. Even at the cost of his own. But he had a city to run. Possibly two. Guida showed interest in him. She was beautiful. He could never have Fin. If it was meant to be, they would have loved a long time ago. It was a bitter pill. He would always love her.
Lark headed back home. He was happy he could take his queen home to where her heart was. He understood her. She was led by her heart her whole life. She was a passionate woman. She was now a legend back home. She had awakened them. They were better for it. Life felt better. Nermeins were now holding hands. Kissing in public. Couples enjoying intimacy. Families hugging one another. Teenagers tossing each other around in playful contact. It was a sight. And it was all thanks to Fin.
Lance looked down at Isla. She was beaming. He forced a smile. He wasn’t sure her mother was alive and he couldn’t be happy yet. “Go in,” he said to Isla, as he walked in behind her and laid Fin down on the couch. Isla got in Fin’s face. She tried to open one of her mother’s eyes. She lifted her eye lid and then smiled. “Mommy,”[i] she said. Lance stood over Fin. She was not responsive. He walked away and started pacing back and forth. “I can’t take her to the hospital. What if they take her blood. They always take blood. They will realize she isn’t human. At least not completely,” he said, as he talked to himself. He was unsure of what to do. Lance stopped and stared, hoping for some sign of life. Fin lay there motionless. Not breathing. Not moving. Panic set in. And Lance’s mood changed abruptly. He was overcome with emotion.
He sat down on a second couch and dropped his head. Isla looked back at him. She looked at Fin then back at him again. She ran to him.
“Mommy needs a warm bath,” she said. Lance’s tears hit the floor. He didn’t hear his daughter completely. He was in shock. “Huh,” he said, removing his hands from his face. He looked at her. Isla wiped his face.
“Mommy want a warm bath daddy,” she repeated. Lance furrowed. “What? A bath?” he said, glancing over at his wife. “Iss. She’s gone,” he said. Isla smiled.
“No daddy. Bath,” she said. “You want me to put her in the bath?” he said, not sure why his child thought that was a good idea. A thought came across his mind. Isla was alone with Fin for a few minutes. He
realized there was some time between him getting the sweater and Isla finding her. His mind raced. Perhaps Fin was awake when Isla first happened upon her. Maybe she told her to have him put her in warm water. Lance jumped up. He ran to the bathroom. Isla shuffled her feet in anticipation.
The water streamed out. Lance had it turned all the way up. The tub was filling quickly. Lance raced back and picked Fin up. Her limp body falling easily into his arms. He hoped Isla was right. He hoped the baby was on to something. Lance removed Fin’s thin sheer dress and placed her in the water. He moved her hair from her face and kissed her. He laid her head back. Isla moved in front of him. She continued pulling up Fin’s eyelid. Lance waited patiently. “Mommy,” Isla called to her.
Lance’s eye widened. Fin moved. “Fin!” he said, as he touched her face. “Can you hear me?” he said in her ear. He waited for another sign. Another sound. He kissed her, then moved so Isla could kiss her. Fin moaned. Isla turned quickly to her father and giggled. Lance touched Isla’s little cheeks. Fin was alive. They were both elated. She was back. Lance looked her over. He could see her feet were scarred. He reached over and touched them softly. His mind picturing images of the pain and suffering she went through. He looked at her. Her bravery was admirable.
“Come on,” Lance said, as he waited for her to open her eyes. Fin mover her head side to side. She slowly opened her eyes, rapidly blinking as she tried to adjust her vision. Fin got her bearings. She looked at Lance and Isla. They were both mere inches from her face. Their smiles, melting her heart.
Fin burst into tears and kissed Isla then her husband. She kissed him again. She looked at him in disbelief. She looked around astonished. “How did I get here?” she asked, as she thought hard. Suddenly she remembered. She put her hands over her face. “It’s ok mommy. Daddy saved you,” Isla said. Fin removed her hands and grabbed her baby. “Yes he did,” she replied, looking at him. “Someone was in the water,” Lance said. Fin looked at him intensely then nodded. She knew who he was talking about. She remembered.
“I didn’t think he would. He pulled me out of the lair. He saved my life. All I remember is pointing the way. I must have passed out after that. He must have pulled me the entire way,” she said, amazed and wishing she could thank Lark. She wondered how he pulled it off. How he survived the dunes and the lair and was able to get her home. He was the most remarkable of all. His ability to forsake his own heart, and help her get to hers. Her family was her heart. Her life. And Lark deserved the kingdom she left him. He was a great man. And she wished him happiness. She hoped the spark that she knew would occur between him and Guida, would turn into something wonderful. He deserved it all. And she was grateful that he got her home.
It was worth the risk for her to try. Fin knew she would have died of a broken heart. Lance was her greatest love. And the way he was gazing into her eyes at that moment, showed her how deeply she was loved. Her life could begin again. She was home. Her baby was healthy and happy. Her husband stable and strong. They had been through a lot. Each one of them. But it would all be better now.
The waves were crashing gently against the rocks. Fin stood in the dark, rubbing her belly, looking out at the Pacific Ocean. Lance exited the shower and opened their door. Fin glanced back then looked back to the water. He dried himself then wrapped the towel around his waist. “You alright?” he asked, as he walked to her then stood behind her. “Yeah,” she said assuredly. Lance put his arms around her and smelled her hair. Fin leaned back into him.
“Are you worried about them?” he asked. “No. Lark and the others are leaders. They will guide everyone. They lead with their hearts now. Madaka is different. Their lives and their families will mean so much more to them now,” she said. Lance looked at the moon, the water casting its broken image on the rough waves. “You would have resented me if I kept you from going. But I was angry that I let you go,” Lance confessed. Fin turned to him.
“Thank you for believing in me. I know it was difficult. And I’m sorry I didn’t take better care. I almost didn’t get back,” she said, laying her head on his chest. Lance rested his head on hers. They stood holding each other. Still in shock at the events that got them to this point. “I love you,” she said. Lance kissed her head. He was grateful to Lark. A man he never met. A man he was sure loved Fin. Why else would he risk his life. Risk coming to a strange world. He understood. Fin was phenomenal. “I love you too.”
F
in stood at the window, a cup of warm tea in her hand. Isla sat at the kitchen table doing her lessons. “A…B…C…D…,” she said, as she went through the whole alphabet. Fin listened with pride. Her baby was smart. Gifted, according to her husband. Maybe due to being part nermein. Whatever the reason, she was bright beyond her years.
“Good job Issie. Now count to fifty,” she said, telepathically. Fin waited. She wondered if Isla heard her. It would explain how Isla knew she wanted to be placed in warm water. Lance told her she was out cold, when he picked her up off the dock. Fin told him of her suspicions. But she had not directed her thoughts at Isla yet. And she was anxious to know. Fin repeated the request and Isla chuckled then began to count.
Isla said them loudly. Fin smiled. Her baby had the gift. “Good girl,” Fin said, as she counted with ease. She liked doing her lessons with her mother. In a way, Fin was learning them herself. She had the language but not the letters. She could hear the front door open. Lance was carrying another box out to the moving van. This was the last day in the house off the water. It was bittersweet. She and Lance agreed that they were ready to be in a safer environment for Isla. And the timing was perfect. Fin was pregnant again. And their growing family would need land, trees, backyards and parks. A family setting for their children. She didn’t have the heart to tell him about the baby she’d lost Not yet. Lance wanted a big family. And Fin had plans of filing their house with children.
Isla jumped down from the chair and ran to the television. Fin picked up the remote and turned to Little Mermaids. Isla danced to the theme song as her mother put a few more of her personal items in a box. She picked up the tape and began sealing the edges. She stopped and looked inside. Something caught her attention. Among her items, was a book. Fin pulled it out and looked it over. She had just started learning how to read the English language. Lance was teaching her every day how to read and write. And she had excelled at it.
She looked at the title. It read; Pretty Fin. She fought back tears as she opened the page. The beautifully etched drawing of her was overwhelming. Fin smiled. It was like looking in a mirror. She turned to the next page. She read a much as she could. It was the story of her life. A book created out of need. And one that had not been read since her return. Fin looked at her baby. She placed the book in with Isla’s belongings and sealed both boxes.
“We ready,” Lance said, as he touched her belly and kissed her forehead. “Yes. I guess so. You coming back to get the rest?” she asked. “Yeah. The movers will. They have to box and tape everything else.”
Lance strapped Isla in her car seat. She drank from her juice bottle as she watched Fin exit out the door. “You ready to go to your new house?” he asked Isla. “Uhuh,” she replied. Fin got in and shut the door. She fastened her seat belt then glanced back at Isla and smiled. She reached back and handed her a bag of strawberries. Isla took them and bit into one. Fin turned back around. Her mind wandering. She had read the part in the book about the strawberries. It was the first time she realized that the berry had a significance in their union. That it was a constant in their life from day one.
It was the berries that drew her in and made her comfortable. Something the man from the dock, who had her intrigued, shared with her without even knowing it. It was something to look forward to. He would be there. And he would have them. Discarding them innocently, as she held out her hand. If only he knew the importance of the berry.
But he did. Lance was suddenly there, in the water, staring at her. The berries in his hand. His spirit meshing wit
h hers almost automatically. As if they were meant to be. Fin smiled. There’s was a great love story. She remembered the day vividly. Everything about him. What he had on. What he smelled like. His voice. His eyes. His strong masculine energy. And she could tell the book was as much for him as it was for her daughter. She could see it in the writing. The way he told the story. As if he possibly dreamed it and having Isla validated it as his reality. It was a fairytale that came true. He had fallen in love with a mermaid. And she was real.
“Ok. Let’s go,” Lance said, as he got in. He started the car and looked around. He back at Isla then over at his wife. Fin stared out the window as if in a trance. Lance furrowed. He wondered what the future held. Fin was not human. She had never been away from water. Their new home was surrounded by land, trees and vegetation. He wondered how she would fare. He hoped she could adjust. He was selfish in his desire to keep her from the water and all he could do was hope it worked out. Fin had been mysteriously quiet all morning. He wondered how she really felt. What she wasn’t saying. If she was as happy as her smile implied.
“You okay?” he asked. “Umhmm,” she replied. Her body language was hard to read but Lance stayed in the moment. He placed his hand on her leg. “I know you’re nervous about the move. Everything will be alright,” he said. Fin placed her hand on top of his. She couldn’t say. She just needed him to pull off. Her heart was racing. Her nerves were on edge. She touched her belly to calm her unborn child who was reacting to her response. Fin didn’t expect the separation from the water to be so overwhelming. They hadn’t even pulled off yet and she was reacting physically to the thought of not being near the ocean.
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