Evermore

by Brenda Pandos

  “You may not think so, but you need this and it is not selfish,” she whispered.

  “I don’t know.”

  “It’ll be the wedding of the century.”

  My stomach flipped. “I don’t want all that.”

  “Fine, then a small one — a small, magnificent one.” She paused. “What are you afraid of?”

  I smirked. “Why do I feel like you’re proposing to me?”

  Tatchi snorted. “‘Cause I am.”

  In the distance, I could hear a baby cry. “You brought Nicole?”

  Tatchi sighed. “Yes. She’s with my mom. But don’t worry about that. I have it handled.”

  I blew out another breath, still unsure, as the merling wailed louder. If I ever wanted to fulfill my dreams of having a wedding with my human family involved, this would have to be it.

  “Three weeks?”

  Tatchi’s face brightened as she clutched my hand. “Three weeks.”

  I squeezed back. “Okay. Three weeks. Let’s do it.”

  Tatchi jumped up and whooped, doing a little dance.

  I rolled my eyes, and though she always had a way of sweet talking me into doing what she wanted, I wasn’t sure if this was the best timing. But then I was somewhat relieved.

  I was getting married.

  TWELVE – FIN – May 20 – 6:00 p.m.

  I waited on the dock, nervous as hell. What were they talking about? Would Tatiana help Ash see reason?

  Badger walked up to me, changed from his work attire back into his kilt. He stopped and clapped me on the back.

  “Aye, Son, what’s troublin’ ya?”

  I scrubbed my hand down my face. “What do you think? Women.”

  He laughed a big belly laugh. “They be trouble, but the best kind in my opinion. Anythin’ I can be helpin’ ya with?”

  “Can you read minds?”

  “Oh, Son. I don’t think you be wantin’ that. If she ain’t talkin’ to ya, it might just be she’s scared. Weddins and funerals bring out the worst in people, I’m tellin’ ya.”

  I swallowed. “She wants to call it off.”

  He jerked his chin down. “Whatcha mean, off?”

  “I don’t know. She just freaked out, like…” I groaned. “She hates it when I sing.”

  “She don’t like your voice?”

  “No.” I let out a loud sigh. “When I persuade people.”

  “Aye.” He nodded. “You been doin’ a lot of that? Singin’, eh?”

  “Well, I kinda have to,” I huffed. “I mean, we showed up and they wanted to arrest us because the house burned to the ground and we took off without a trace.” I froze, remembering I wasn’t supposed to mention that. “Between you and me.”

  “You be workin’ yer magic with her parents, too?”

  “Well, yeah, when I have to. Like tonight when I ask her dad if I can marry her… that’s if she still wants me.” I glanced toward the house, watching the girls on the porch, an emptiness filled the pit of my stomach. “I can’t seem to do anything right.”

  “Does she be wantin’ her family’s blessin’ without the song?”

  “Well, sure, but…” I started. “He’s not going to say yes.”

  “How do ya know?” Badger scrubbed his bushy beard. “Yer not some chump. You got a good noggin on yer shoulders and ye love her. That’s all a dad wants for his daughter.”

  “He has a gun.”

  Badger busted up laughing. “Aye. Give him a chance, lad. You might be surprised.”

  Hearing him confirm what I knew I should do didn’t help my nerves. Off in the distance, I heard my sister scream. Badger and I looked toward Ash’s house.

  Badger smiled. “Aye, Tatiana’s here.”

  “Yeah,” I rubbed my sweaty hands down my pants, “I called in for backup.”

  “Smart man.” He raised a bushy brow and nodded appreciatively. “Looks like those girls be up to no good, though. I have ta admit, ye got yer hands full.” He smacked me on the back once more, making me stumble forward. “But yer house ain’t goin’ to be built on its own.” He guided me across the lawn, around my parents’ house, and stabbed a finger toward the newly poured foundation slab by the lake. “Actions always speak louder than words.”

  “That’s the cottage?” Eyeing the slab infused my confidence with a renewed vigor. This was really happening.

  “Aye. Yer Da did that yesterday while you be out schoolin’.” He gave me a hard look. “Listen to me, Son. A woman needs two things.” He raised a forefinger pointedly. “To know she’s the most important thing in the world to ya and ya’d die for her.” He raised another finger. “And second, a home. It’s easier being a mer to provide that, but right now, yer caught in the middle, tryin’ to make everyone happy — mer and human. Focus on Ash, and let the rest fall where it may.”

  Goosebumps stippled my skin as courage swelled inside me. I wanted to ask her dad. I wanted to ask him now.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Ash’s dad’s truck pull into the driveway. This was my chance.

  “Thanks, Badger!” I said, then took off running.

  “Aye, where you goin’?”

  “To show Ash how much I love her!”

  Badger laughed behind me as I ran down the road to her house.

  I reached the driveway, out of breath. “Mr. Lanski?”

  “Hey there, Fin.” His expression turned bewildered as he pulled his gear from the truck. “Am I late for dinner?”

  “No. I… uh, need to ask you something,” I said while following him into the garage.

  He set his boots and fireman turnouts on the floor. “Can it wait till after we eat? I’m starved.”

  I waffled for a minute as he walked past and retrieved a grocery bag from the cab.

  “No, it can’t,” I said firmly.

  Bill stopped and spun toward me. “Okay.”

  My chin jerked upward, my heart pounding. “I love your daughter, and I’d like to have your permission to marry her.”

  His brows lifted, and I clenched my mouth shut, my courage evaporating and leaving me in a desert of doubt. The urge to sing burned in my throat. Why would it matter if I did? It wasn’t like Ash was here to listen anyway.

  “You think you’re ready for that?” he asked.

  “Ready?” I stammered. My heart continued to pound as his glare deepened. This was impossible. How could I convince him without the song that Ash was my soul mate? I ground my teeth, determined to make him see me as a legitimate suitor. “I don’t think anyone is ready for marriage…”

  “So, then why are you asking to marry my daughter?”

  “Because I love her, sir, and I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy.”

  His eyes tightened. “And how do you plan to do that?”

  “My dad and I are building a cottage next to my parents’ house — where we’ll live, and I’m taking over Jack’s Charters, so I’ll be able to provide whatever Ash needs.”

  Bill’s chin lifted. He looked over my shoulder as if to verify my claim of a cottage. “I see.”

  “And I know you have a gun, but I’m still here asking you.”

  His jaw clenched as if to hold in a laugh. “I do, but… lucky for you, I like you, and there’s no more room on my wall for your head.”

  I choked in a breath.

  He put his hand on my shoulder. “I’m kidding. You’re young, yes.” He let out a long sigh, and I fought interrupting him to defend myself. “But you’ve matured into a fine, responsible man. And even though there was confusion with the mission trip, you took care of my girl like you promised you would. I can see she loves you too, and if I said no, I wouldn’t hear the end of it, from her or my wife.” He smiled. “So, yes. You have our blessing.”

  My legs almost gave way as my throat parched. “Really?”

  “Of course. Now, come inside, Son, before my stomach turns inside out.”

  I wanted to whoop and holler, but I calmly followed him inside.

&nbs
p; THIRTEEN – ASH – May 20 – 6:20 p.m.

  At the baby’s wail that lasted long and loud, Tatiana darted off the porch and headed to the houseboat.

  “Tell your mom I’m sorry I can’t stay. We’ll start tomorrow when you get home from school, okay? Get your mother’s credit card.”

  “Okay?” Like that was going to happen. My mother needed to know there was a wedding happening first, then I remembered the bag of gems I’d hidden in my room. Maybe I could exchange that into currency.

  As I watched Tatchi go, a tear gently slid down my cheek. One problem down, a million more to go, and I couldn’t stop crying — dang it!

  Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Fin running up to the house. He disappeared around the corner by the garage. I leaned over the banister to call out and clue him in on the plan, but he disappeared inside. Then I heard my dad’s voice.

  My heart jumped into my throat and I yanked my head back. Was he doing what I thought he was doing? Now? I held my breath and waited for the song, for him to force my dad to agree. But he didn’t. Even after my dad heckled him about having a gun.

  My heart gushed with happiness as I listened to him defend his love for me, that I was his everything.

  Mom opened the front door, startling me.

  “Ash? Dinner’s been ready for fifteen minutes, and… what’s going on now?” She walked over, and I couldn’t stop myself, a hormonal hot mess, from crying more. Then Dad’s blessing of my wedding could be heard clear as day.

  Her mouth opened, then shut as we looked at one another.

  She dipped her head. “I don’t think you’re supposed to be hearing this.”

  I pushed the tears off my cheeks. “I didn’t mean to. I was just talking to Tatchi and….”

  I stopped talking.

  She gave me a sweet smile, then pulled me into a hug. “It’ll be our secret.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” I relished the warmth of her arms, in awe my decisions weren’t making her mad. Was the missing persons scare what she needed to finally support me like a mom should?

  “We should go inside before they do, though.”

  “Oh, right.”

  As we darted inside, I put on my game face and wondered how I’d keep my excitement contained throughout dinner. I was getting married, and all without the song.

  ~|~

  Throughout dinner, I fought to keep from fidgeting and pay attention to the conversation, wondering how long we’d need to hang out before Fin and I could escape and be alone.

  “I’ll take care of that,” Fin said while standing, collecting my plate and my mother’s.

  “Oh, no, Fin.” Mom lifted her hand, shooing us out. “You two should go relax outside. Watch the sunset. I’ll do the dishes.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Quite positive. Now go.”

  I caught my father’s wink as Fin took my hand and led me outside. He said nothing as he led me to our bench, but I couldn’t restrain myself. I tackle-hugged him.

  “What was that for?” he asked while he held me, eyes bright.

  “I just love you.” I peered up into his face, wanting so badly to confess I’d listened in. “And I’m sorry about earlier.”

  He tilted his head to the side. “I should have convinced my sister to come a lot sooner.”

  I nudged him in the side. “It’s not just that.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Then what else is it?”

  “Just… that I don’t want anything to stand in the way of me professing my love to you for all to see.”

  He gave me a funny look. “You were listening, weren’t you?”

  “Listening?” I gave him a coy smile.

  “To my conversation with your dad,” he said.

  “You talked to my dad?” I could barely keep myself from blurting out the truth, and how proud I was of him.

  “Yeah. Threatened to mount my head on his wall if I wasn’t careful.”

  “What?” I rasped. That part I hadn’t heard, but it totally sounded like Dad.

  “And,” he said slowly. “He gave us his blessing.”

  I grinned so wide, I thought my teeth might fall out, then threw my arms around his neck. “This is wonderful.”

  “You listened, didn’t you?”

  “What? No.” I twisted my lips.

  “You’re such a terrible liar.”

  I laughed and hugged him tighter. “And you’re terrible at being covert. I saw you run up to the house.”

  He glanced away. “I had to ask him when I had the chance.”

  I could barely contain my smile.

  “So no more wedding jitters?” he asked.

  I held my breath. With my parents’ blessing out of the way, the next step was timing. We had to set the date, and Fin had to know why the rush. And if there was ever a time to tell him the truth, this had to be it. “Just maybe some… morning sickness.”

  Fin laughed, then his body stiffened. “Wait, what?”

  I looked up at him, dragging my teeth over my bottom lip. “I’m pregnant.”

  Eyes rounded, he stopped breathing. “How is that possible?”

  “It’s called sex,” I said sarcastically.

  “No, I mean…” He paused and stared at me. “We used protection.”

  “I know, but…” My smile fell. How could he look at me like this was my fault? “It’s not fool proof.”

  “How far along are you?”

  “I don’t know. A week? I haven’t had a period since the conversion.”

  He scrubbed his hand through his blond hair, his eyes darting to my stomach. “How long have you known?”

  “I took a test earlier today. That’s why I left. Pearl guessed by just looking at me.”

  “Pearl knows?” He stumbled backward.

  All the amazingness he’d just done to ask for my hand evaporated from my heart and left me there feeling naked. This wasn’t how I’d expected him to react. Not one bit.

  “You know, you could be happy for me. This is your baby, too.”

  “I know that… I… I’m…” He just stopped and stared.

  “Well, it wasn’t like I wanted this either.” I balled my fists and turned, marching toward the front door.

  He caught me by the wrist, spinning me toward him. “I’m sorry. It’s just a surprise.”

  “Tell me about it,” I barked. “And because of your stupid mer genes, we’ll be parents in 6 weeks. So it’s now or never, and I need a house. So you’ve got some work to do.”

  “You mean your mer genes. Have you forgotten you were born mer?”

  I gasped, then tried to side step around him, but he wouldn’t let go. I yanked against his grip. “Let go.”

  “Ash,” he said calmly. “Wait.”

  “What?” Tears streamed down my cheeks.

  He tugged me into a hug and squeezed. “I love you, and I love our baby. We’ll get through this.”

  “Get through it?” My body stiffened. “You act like it’s a death sentence.”

  “No.” He pulled away and then grunted. “What I mean is, it’s going to be a lot. But our love is stronger than just a promising kiss. Tatch is here to help you plan. I’ll build the house with Dad. And all that’s left is that we let your parents know.”

  “That I’m pregnant?”

  “No.” He blew out a breath. “That the wedding is in three weeks.”

  My glance darted to the ground. My original instinct was correct in not holding this wedding. How could I be happy about this now? “What will my friends think?”

  Fin hooked his fingers under my chin and lifted so he could look me in the eyes. “It doesn’t matter what they think.”

  My breath hitched, my pride wounded. Doing things in the right, respectable order had always been my intention. “It matters to me.”

  “Ash,” he said more firmly. “What needs to matter is what I think.”

  “I know that, it’s just you have to sing to manipulate everybody.” My voice was hard.

/>   “And I hate every minute of it,” he said resolutely. “But this is why I have the song. To protect our secret. And unfortunately, your human friends can’t be your friends forever. They’re going to age and wonder why you look the same as you do now unless I sing to them. We’re going to have merlings they’re not going to be able to meet unless I sing to them. There’s a compromise so you don’t have to say goodbye to your family forever. You have to remember that.”

  I gnawed on my lip. “I know. It just hurts to manipulate them.”

  He let out a slow sigh. “Well, I didn’t manipulate marrying you.”

  “I know.”

  He cracked a smile. “So you were listening.”

  I pressed my lips together, caught. “Just promise me you won’t resort to singing first thing. That you’ll try to rationalize a reason first.”

  “I promise.” He took me into his arms. “We’re a team, you and I. We have to be strong. We can overcome anything, but you have to talk to me. You can’t try to solve it on your own, or keep things from me to protect me. I’m a grown man. I can handle it.”

  I closed my eyes, feeling guilty. Time and time again, I’d done just that to protect him and it always backfired. “And you need to do the same for me.”

  “All right.” He kissed the top of my head, then he knelt down.

  I startled. “What are you doing?”

  He pulled something from his pocket. “Making it official.”

  “But you’ve already made it official.” I flashed my hand where the ruby ring he’d given me covered my promising tattoo.

  “That was a promise ring. This is the real deal.” My eyes watered at the sight of the diamond ring sparkling in his hand. “Ashlyn Francis Lanski, will you marry me?”

  I swallowed down the happy sob lodged in my throat. “Of course, I will. Today. Tomorrow. In three weeks.”

  I changed the ruby ring to my other hand, as he stood. He took my fingers gently, and slipped the ring onto my finger, then he grabbed me and twirled me around. “You’ve made me the happiest merman ever.”

  I laughed, baffled at the crazy life we lived.

  In the corner of my eye, I caught two silhouettes watching us.

  “I think we have an audience.” I nudged my chin to the left.