Katie flicked her fin through the water as she sat on the dock. The sun was setting and staining the water in vivid hues of magenta and orange. Rebecca and Ixion had left a little while ago now, but so far, Luna seemed to be taking it better than expected. She was currently in the water, playing with her brother. She had talked Nero into giving her another ride and Katie was starting to wonder if he regretted caving because now she would not let him stop.

At least Luna was laughing and smiling. Katie had been worried that she would get lost in her head again. Thankfully, it seemed like she was truly beginning to heal.

Katie glanced over at the shore where the remnants of their afternoon still lingered. There were a few different sand castles decorated with rocks and shells. They had not had any buckets or spades to work with, so most of the sculptures were mounds of patted-down sand and trenches, but everyone had laughed and had a good time. Although Luna and Riley had taken to trying to squash each other’s creations more than they had actually building them.

The day had been spent with sculpting and swimming, and iced cream after lunch. It had been nice to laugh and enjoy everyone’s company.

Beside her, her mother reached out and draped her arm over Katie’s shoulder. “Whatcha thinking about?” she prompted.

Katie leaned sideways against her mom and sighed with content. “Just enjoying the day,” she replied. She glanced up at her mom and then down at her other hand. It was draped in her lap and Katie reached for it so she could get a closer look at the ring on her mom’s finger. It was new, with braided bands and a small cluster of diamonds in the center, and it made Katie smile. It was the perfect sort of engagement ring in her opinion. Sophie was not a very showy or flashy person, so the more simple, elegant design was well-planned on Lewis’ part. “It is lovely,” Katie praised.

Her mom smiled and held her hand up and out with splayed fingers to admire it herself. “Yes, it is,” she agreed. Her smile was bright and she turned to offer that smile to Lewis as she took his hand in hers. “You did not need to go through the trouble though. I told you that I don’t require anything, just you.”

Lewis leaned in and kissed her in response. It made Katie smile to see her mom and Lewis so happy. “You may not ‘need’ it,” Lewis agreed. “But you still deserve something nice. Do you think I haven’t spent months considering the perfect ring, proposal, engagement party, all of it? I love you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I want to spoil you as I go. A lot of things got all twisted up and most of my plans are meaningless now, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t still get you a proper ring instead of a promise spoken in danger.”

Sophie leaned her head on Lewis’ shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. “Well, it’s lovely. I just hope you know that I feel spoiled enough with what I have. A nice home, two wonderful daughters,” she broke off to gesture at Katie and then at Riley who was curled up on Lewis’ other side. Her fins were dangling over the edge of the dock and she had her chin rested lazily on her arm. “And someone who loves me and I can love in return. I’ve never needed anything else.”

Katie’s smile grew as she watched them. She had known that it was likely coming, but it was such a simple, sweet proposal that felt very fitting for the two of them after all that had happened. They had been sitting on the sand, just chatting and laughing while everyone worked on the sand sculptures Luna had been so eager to try.

Katie had been paying partial attention to them and had seen Lewis pull out the ring box and offer it to her mom. Sophie’s smile had slipped to an awed expression as she had taken it and examined the ring inside while Lewis said he had promised to do things properly but that no idea seemed special enough on how to ask. He said that this was the best moment because he loved her and these were the moments he wanted to cherish most, just the real, happy, carefree moments, nothing stuffy and formal. Just her. It was the sweetest thing Katie had heard in a while and she knew it was perfect because while her mom did occasionally enjoy dressing up and going out, she was always much happier just existing in her bubble with her people.

Her mom had merely smiled and nodded before putting the ring on and reminding him that she did not need a ring to know he loved her and that she loved him too and always would.

The resulting kiss would have been far sweeter if Riley had not broken in and made a face while poking at them, but they had both laughed it off and just sat holding hands after that.

Now, they could not have looked more perfectly happy if they had tried.

“Do you have a date in mind yet?” Katie asked. They had obviously already planned to marry as the proposal was not a surprise, but she wondered if they had done any planning yet.

Her mom shrugged. “Not yet. There hasn’t been a lot of time to work out any details, but we’ll get there. Whatever ends up happening, I’d like the two of you to be in the wedding.”

“Of course,” Katie agreed. “I want to be there.”

“Not just there, Katie. I want you to be a part of it. You and Riley.”

“What exactly is a wedding?” Riley inquired.

Lewis pursed his lips and shrugged. “Think of it like a special party that you throw to celebrate the union of two people. It’s the human equivalent of however Mer officially seal becoming mates,” he tried to explain awkwardly. “It’s not the easiest to explain right now, but there’ll be a ceremony and good food and music. It’s just meant to be fun.”

Riley was silent for a moment before she dipped her head in agreement. “I would not miss it either,” she decided. “Not if you want us there and to take part.”

Katie gave her mother her undivided attention when she patted her scales. “Katie, Lewis and I have talked already about a couple of things though. Not much, but enough. I want you in the wedding. I don’t know yet what we’re going to do, nothing big, just people we trust, but I want you to be my Maid of Honour.”

Katie felt her heart stall in her chest and she swallowed the lump in her throat. She and her mom had always had a close relationship and Katie treasured that, but she was not so certain she deserved that. “But…what about Ruth or any of your friends?”

Her mom shook her head. “No. You. I told you, I want you and Riley in the wedding. You mean the world to me, the both of you. I won’t have you stand second place to anyone.”

There were tears stinging in Katie’s eyes as she threw her arms around her mom and squeezed. “Okay,” she agreed. “If you are sure that is what you want…I am there.”

As her mom was hugging her back, Katie could not help but chuckle at Riley’s next inquiry. “What is a maid of honour?”

Lewis sighed and Katie saw him ruffle up Riley’s hair. “It’s a role in the wedding. When two people get married, they’re referred to as a ‘bride’ – so Sophie – and ‘groom’ – meaning me – and they stand in front of a group of friends and family and exchange vows to love each other for the rest of their lives.”

“That makes sense,” Riley agreed.

“Well a Maid of Honour is someone who stands beside the bride during a wedding. Usually a very close friend or family member. Sophie is asking Katie because we want the two of you in the wedding and that’s a very fitting role for Katie to take. And I would very much like for you to be my Best Man when the time comes too.”

Riley’s brows furrowed together and her voice lowered to a whisper. “Lewis…I am not a boy,” she reminded.

Katie bit her lip to withhold laughter. That would be mean when Riley was merely trying to understand.

Lewis had a little less composure as he began to chuckle and shake her head. “I know that, Riley, don’t worry. A Best Man is just like a Maid of Honour, just who’s at the groom’s side. It doesn’t matter if that person is a girl or boy, it’s just a title. I want you up with me when I get married. There is nothing that would mean more to us than having our daughters up with us.”

“You…you mean that?” There were tears in Riley’s eyes as she checked, and Katie’s heart squeezed at the sight of her friend. She understood what Riley was feeling. She had struggled just as much with the feelings of loss and abandonment, and even while living with Sophie as a young, dependent kid it had been hard to truly comprehend that someone else wanted her.

At least in her case, she had grown up around Sophie and Lewis. She knew that they loved her even if she felt lost after her father’s passing and having Roxanne dump her like old trash. While she did not know for certain the details of Riley’s past, it seemed like she had grown up controlled and beaten down until she had gotten old enough to leave, only to live alone from then on. She was still struggling to fully believe that she had a home and could belong here.

Katie knew there was nothing more any of them could do to help Riley realize that faster, only time would heal the uncertainty and the wounds that had been ripped into her.

“Of course I mean it,” Lewis replied. “Riley, a wedding is meant to symbolize two people coming together and becoming a family. But in this case, we want it to mean more than just Sophie and I becoming a family. The four of us are a family. We should all be together, as a family, and make it permanent, don’t you think?”

The tears that had previously been swimming in Riley’s light blue gaze now spilled over down her cheeks and she bit her lip before nodding. “Yes,” she agreed. “I would really like that.”

Lewis leaned forward and wrapped an arm around Riley. “Atta girl, come on, don’t cry. This is supposed to be a happy time. And Katie? Hon, I want you to know that while I love you and I want to take this step to being a proper family, all of us together, that I would never want to replace your dad.”

Katie immediately shook her head. “I do not think that,” she assured him. “No one can replace my dad, but he has been gone a long time. I love him, I miss him, but I love you too. You have been an uncle to me for years, but I think I would like a stepdad even more.”

Lewis nodded and his smile was bright. He reached out and cupped her cheek. “I wish Michael could see you now, who you’ve grown into. He should have been a part of your life, but I am so thankful that I’ve got to have you in mine all these years.”

Katie smiled back. “I am glad to have you in mine too,” she agreed. They all lapsed into a comfortable silence and Katie retreated into her head to ponder Lewis’ words. She could not help but wonder what her father would think of all of this. What he would think of the Mer and of her tail, of the family she had built in his absence and the girl she was falling in love with.

She took a breath and chewed on the inside of her cheek to hold tears back. It was not every day that she thought about her dad anymore. She loved him dearly, but so much time had passed now. But it still made it hard to consider what it would be like to still have him here.

She was not surprised when Riley’s head turned in her direction. The other Mer’s brows were furrowed, but after a moment, her gaze softened and she offered Katie a sympathetic smile before turning away and leaving her to her thoughts. Katie appreciated how intuitive Riley was. Her heart ached, but she did not require comfort. Some pains needed to be felt. This was one of them. She would always miss her father and it would probably always be bittersweet to discuss him, but that did not mean she would ever want to forget him. She was glad Riley seemed to understand that.

After a moment to collect herself, another thought occurred to her and a sly grin spread across her face. “So…Riley and I are going to be Best Man and Maid of Honour?” she double-checked.

“Yup,” her mom confirmed.

Katie winked at Riley. “You know, it is a good thing we share feelings because it is customary that the Best Man and the Maid of Honour kiss at the wedding.”

“Oh?”

Sophie swatted Katie. “Do not confuse her like that. No, Riley, it’s not customary. That’s just a trope. The Best Man and Maid of Honour are not expected to exchange intimacies at a wedding at all.”

Riley’s lips pursed and she frowned while her brows furrowed together. “But…I like kissing her,” she pointed out.

“I’m not saying that you can’t kiss. You can if you want, but you don’t have to.”

Riley shrugged and stuck her tongue out at Katie. Katie stuck her tongue out right back, then grinned impishly. “So…what are we going to be wearing?”

Instantly, Riley’s expression morphed. “Wearing? Do we have to wear clothes? Are you sure?”

Their mom began to laugh and shake her head. She gave Katie a gentle shove. “We’ll talk,” she announced finally.

Before the teasing line of conversation could be continued, Nero surfaced with Luna in his arms and he dumped her on the deck, where she sopped water everywhere. “Enough,” he scolded with laughter in his tone. “I told you last time that it was a one-time thing for nostalgia’s sake. Now I mean it, you mischievous mackerel. There will be no more Mer clinging to my fin.”

Luna stuck her tongue out between breathless giggles.

“No Mer? Not even your son?” Karina called. She had only been awake for a few hours, but she had been sitting on the dock a little ways away to nurse Kierin.

Nero opened his mouth, then seemed to think better of it and closed it again with a shrug. “We will see,” he relented finally. Karina chuckled and shook her head in response.

“Well, come hold him,” she urged. “I would like to have a stretch and a swim for a few heartbeats.”

Katie knew Nero could move fast, but he was by Karina’s side faster than she could blink. He cupped the side of her face and kissed her opposite cheek. “Gladly,” he agreed. There was a slow shuffle of arms and fins as Karina transferred her son into his father’s arms.

Once Nero had Kierin settled in his embrace, Karina dove from the dock into the water. She surfaced in a lazy float on her back near everyone else a moment later.

“Are you feeling better, Karina?” Lewis checked.

Karina nodded. “Yes. Thank you again. I needed the rest and the dark and warmth helped lull Kierin to sleep. He needed it too.”

“You don’t have to thank us.”

“Certainly not,” Sophie chimed in. “I hope you know that you have a support circle here. I know it’s got to be hard without your pod right now, but we’re all here to help in any way that you need, so please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I just do not wish to burden you all.”

“Karina, it is no burden. If you need a quiet place indoors to tuck up with your baby, you are more than welcome to that. In fact, last night, if you had come woken us up and asked me to sit with that adorable bundle and just let him cry so that his mommy and daddy can get a little rest, I would be honoured. I’ve endured my fair share of nightmares, fevers, and tantrums, I would be happy to help with anything at all with Kierin. Being new parents is hard, allow yourselves to have a breather.”

Karina smiled and nodded. “I appreciate that. I am not so comfortable yet being away from him for long though.”

“I understand. I just want you to know that you have resources available to you if you need them. Go, enjoy a few moments of peace to yourself while he’s happy with his dad.”

Karina smiled and was gone with a flick of her fins.

Katie leaned forward to sneak a peek at the baby. She had seen him a few times, but only in passing. The red and yellow stripes down his tail were growing more vibrant as his scales continued to come in, and though his eyes were closed and his head was limp against Nero’s chest, Kierin’s fins twitch occasionally on the end of his tail and Katie’s heart melted. “He is so cute,” she whispered.

“Yes,” her mom agreed. “But I think perhaps we should all consider following his example and calling it a night. It’s starting to get dark now and it’s been a very long day. Fun, but long, and you girls all had a very early start. You should get some sleep.”

Katie pursed her lips and glanced around. She had not realized the sun had sunk so low in the sky. Her vision had automatically adjusted to the dying light, but now that she was paying attention, the world was being slowly painted in hues of indigo and gray. The morning had started earlier than Katie would have elected and now the weariness was starting to catch up with her. “Sleep sounds pretty nice,” she admitted.

“I am not tired,” Luna protested. She sat up and flopped against Katie. “Let us go for a swim,” she suggested.

Katie shook her head. “Not a chance. You are the one who woke me up this morning. I want to get some sleep tonight, not stay up with you and the wonky hours you have started keeping lately. How do you have so much energy? I used to be able to outpace you easy, but now it is like you have endless reserves to draw on.”

“That is because she is riding – puberty, did you call it? – like a current. Give it a moon or two and she will crash, you will see,” Riley announced.

“That is not true!” Luna retorted.

“Yes, it is,” Nero confirmed. He had leaned forward while gently rocking Kierin. “I am sorry, Luna, but Riley is correct. You are experiencing greater bursts of energy due to coming of age, nothing more. Those energy bursts will fade in a moon or two. You will be stronger and faster when it finishes, but despite how energized you feel, you still need to rest, and so does everyone else. It is time to settle down now.”

“But-”

“There will be plenty of opportunities to swim and play tomorrow, Luna,” Katie’s mom interrupted. “Now, where is everyone wanting to settle down for the night? There’s not a lot of setup just yet in terms of rooms, but we’ve got a couple of mattresses and some of those mats, and plenty of blankets.”

“There is no threat of a storm tonight,” Nero reported. “Karina and I are more comfortable in the water, we will probably remain in the inside basin.”

“You’re more than welcome. If you need anything through the night, just holler,” Lewis encouraged.

“Katie, what about you, hon?” Sophie encouraged.

Katie chewed on her lip and leaned back on her hands. The sky above her was bright and clear, despite the rapidly descending darkness. The moon was starting to come out and it looked full. It was warm, with the sea breeze bringing the fresh, briny scent in. She did not want to go inside. “I actually think I might stay out here tonight.”

“In the cove?” her mom inquired.

Katie shook her head and tapped her fingers against the smooth wood of the deck boards. “No, out here on the dock. The moon looks pretty full and there are no clouds; there are going to be lots of stars out tonight, I think. I would like to camp out under the sky.”

“Can I stay out here too?” Luna pleaded. “That sounds really nice.”

“I suppose I will have to keep an eye on them both then,” Riley sighed. She was rolling her eyes, but her tongue was poked out between her teeth and her eyes were shining.

“Alright,” their mom agreed. “I’ll bring out some blankets. I don’t mind if there’s a little chatter, but don’t be too loud or up too late.”

“Deal,” Katie confirmed.

“Actually, that does sound like a lovely way to spend the evening. May we join you girls too?”

Katie spooked at Karina’s sudden reappearance and nearly fell over backwards. As she careened back, Karina grabbed the end of her tail and pulled just enough that Katie caught herself once more.

She flushed when she heard the woman’s amused laughter echoing up from the water. “Katie, I am sorry, I did not intend to startle you. Are you alright?”

“Yes,” Katie confirmed. She cleared her throat and pushed herself a little further upright so that she would not lose her balance so easily a second time. After a deep breath to compose herself once more, she glanced down at Karina and smiled. “I do not mind the extra company,” she agreed. “It’s just been a while since I’ve gotten to enjoy an evening of stargazing.”

“Nero?”

“I am content wherever you are, Karina, you know that.”

Karina huffed. “That is hardly an answer,” she scolded.

Nero shrugged and readjusted Kierin in his arms. “It is when I am impartial. Karina, you know by now that I am content wherever we are so long as I am with you. If you would feel more comfortable in the water and out of the tide, we can go inside. If you want to sleep out here, then we enjoy an evening under the stars,” Nero stated.

Karina growled. “I am going to bite him,” she huffed under her breath before diving forward and returning to his side.

Katie glanced at her mother while holding her breath. Sophie grinned and rolled her eyes, and Katie burst out laughing.

Her mom patted her tail. “I’d better go get those blankets.” She gave Katie’s tail one last pat before standing up. “Lewis, come with?”

“Absolutely.”

It only took them a couple of minutes to come back with stacks of folded blankets. “We’re a little short on pillows, but there’s plenty of blankets,” Lewis reported.

Riley waved a hand. “We will be fine without. Are you staying too?”

When Lewis hesitated, Sophie spoke up while shaking her head. “Nah, you girls have fun.”

“We would not mind, you can stay,” Katie insisted.

“Yeah,” Luna agreed.

Katie shifted her weight on the dock. She wanted to stargaze, but she did not want anyone to feel left out. She would be thrilled to have everyone join her.

Her mom reached down and cupped her face. “Katie, my darling, I love you so much…let me go to my bed, please. It’s soft and warm and keeps me sane.”

“Besides,” Lewis added. He stepped up and snaked an arm around her mom’s waist before leaning in to kiss her neck. “I think I’d like a little time with my fiancé now.” He began to rub the back of Sophie’s neck and her eyes rolled back.

She arched her shoulders and nodded. “Yeah, that too… ooh, good spot,” she murmured. She leaned back against Lewis and he gave her another kiss on her cheek.

Katie rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at them. “Yeah, yeah. Go off then and miss all the fun, but we will not apologize for having the best late-night camp-out party ever without you,” she heckled.

Her mom rolled her eyes. “Good, have some fun,” she agreed. “Just don’t stay up too late, and don’t disturb Karina and Nero, alright? If you need anything, you know where to find us.”

“Yes, we do,” Riley agreed.

After ‘goodnights’ were exchanged, they divvied out the blankets and got settled on the deck. Nero sprawled out on his front with his arm curled around Karina while he murmured into her neck. She was on her back with a blanket pulled up over the bump of her fins where Kierin was nestled for the night. Every few moments, she would giggle and whisper back at him. It was sweet. Enough time had passed that Katie figured she should be used to their infatuation with one another, but it still felt like seeing it for the first time. She wondered if all mates shared that deep of an adoration and connection that Karina and Nero did.

Watching them made Katie yearn for the same thing and she could not help glancing back at Riley. The blonde had tucked herself up at the very edge of the dock, and if she was not rolled up in a blanket, Katie would have been tempted to give her a shove into the water.

As it was, Riley’s gaze was trained lazily on her too. She smiled back at Katie and then lowered her chin to her arms and yawned. It had been a long day.

Katie looked away with lingering heat in her cheeks and coughed to clear her throat.

By now, the sun had set completely and stars were beginning to show, twinkling by the thousands.

Luna was perched a few feet away with her head tilted back to watch the sky. She was quiet, so Katie pulled herself over to sit with her. Despite her growing weariness, she wanted to make sure Luna was doing alright after everything that had happened today. She knew how easy it was for her sister to get overwhelmed by things, even things with positive potential, and she did not want her stewing on her thoughts alone.

“Hey, you doing alright?” she prompted. She laid a hand on Luna’s shoulder.

Luna hummed in response. “The stars are pretty.”

“Yeah, they are.”

“It was a good idea. It is a nice night.”

“Luna?”

Her long hair rippled like a curtain as Luna turned and smiled. It was still sopping wet, but her smile was wide and her eyes bright. “I am okay.”

“Are you sure? It has been quite the day.”

“I promise.”

Katie wanted to believe her. For once, her sister was calm and happy, without a consistent distraction. It certainly felt like things had shifted for them, but it was hard not to worry after everything they had been through. “I just do not want you to feel lonely or like you got left behind. I know you have always been afraid of that.”

Luna nodded. Her chest expanded in a deep breath that she released slowly. “I am still afraid of it,” she admitted. “But I do not feel that way now.”

“No?”

Luna shook her head and her smile grew. “No, because they did not leave me. They are bringing my family here, and I have a home in the meantime.”

Katie returned her smile and nodded. She swung her tail over the dock and trailed the tips of her fin through the water. Though she normally left it folded, Katie raised her sail to its full height and sighed happily as she gazed up at the twinkling night sky. “It feels like things have truly shifted,” she agreed. “Like we can finally heal and just…live our lives.”

Luna hummed in agreement. “Sophie said something to me when we were still with…I did not fully believe it at the time, but she told me that no matter what happened, I could never truly be alone again. L-L-Lemuria could separate us, but they could never take away the love I have come to find.”

“That sounds like mom,” Katie agreed.

“But I think I understand now. My parents have to leave for a while. I understand why, but I am still going to miss them. But that does not mean they are gone or that I am alone or have been abandoned. I still love them. They are still in the same waters, under the same sky…maybe they are even looking at the stars now too. I am going to miss them, but they have not truly left…right?”

“Right,” Katie agreed. “I am glad you are doing better.”

Luna clucked her tongue and shrugged. “Not yet. I think it will be a long time before I am truly better, but I think I get a little more okay with every turn. For now, that is fine enough.”

Tears stung in Katie’s eyes as she slung an arm across Luna’s shoulders and pulled her close. That was a good way to sum it up, and as Luna finished speaking, a huge weight lifted from Katie’s chest and she finally well and truly slumped with relief. They still loved and needed each other, but it was finally okay to breathe, to worry less, and to make the choices that she needed to. She and Luna were free now, and she intended to ensure they stayed that way. But for now, she could take comfort in knowing that her little sister was going to be alright.

***

“Katie.”

Katie shifted in her sleep and shivered at the puff of hot air that wafted over her ear.

“Katie! Katie, wake up!”

Though the voice was hushed, it was enough to finally rouse her and Katie’s eyes fluttered open. It was still dark and very late. She rolled over to find Riley leaning over her. “Riley? Is something wrong?” she whispered back. A yawn split her jaws and she brought a hand up to rub at her eyes. “What is going on?”

Riley shook her head. “Nothing. Everything is fine, do not worry. Katie, let us go.”

“Go? Go where?”

“Out to sea.”

Katie groaned and shook her head. “Out to sea? Are you crazy? It is the middle of the night, go back to sleep! We can go swimming tomorrow.” With a huff, she rolled back over and pulled her blanket up over her shoulder.

Instead of leaving, Riley began to poke her in the side. “No, Katie, get up,” she insisted. “I do not mean go for a swim, I mean go.”

“Leave?” Katie checked. “You want to leave now? Why? We just got settled here.”

“I know. But now is the best time. Things are calm and stagnant here while my aunt and uncle are travelling to their pod. The moon is full and high, and the waters are calmer at night. Now is the best time for travel.”

“Where is it that you want to go?”

Riley shrugged and smiled. “I want you to come out into the water with me. To learn. I can teach you properly how to hunt and defend yourself and navigate. I will teach you to ride currents and communicate in many of the more common languages, and we can join up with a pod or two for a while so you can experience our culture. Katie, you need to learn, but you cannot do it from a dock. You must come and immerse yourself, be a Mer, do you understand?”

“Yes,” Katie agreed. Her heart was fluttering in her chest at the thought. “Would it not be a little dangerous, just the two of us?”

“I will keep you safe,” Riley vowed.

“That is not what I meant. You and I have not exactly done a very good job about the waiting thing so far. And I thought you wanted to stay for a while? Even you have your limits and you were just saying that you have had enough adventure for a while and just want to stay with our family.”

“I do,” Riley agreed. “I am tired, so are you, but that does not change our situation. You need to learn, and the sooner the better. If we go now, when we come back, there will be no reason or pressure to leave ever again. We can travel at leisure, sure, but there will be no need. We can settle in and live life however we choose. Sophie and Lewis want to merge our family completely. I want that too, but how can it merge if one member is unsure of herself? Let us leave now so we can stay later.”

“Maybe,” Katie agreed. Riley made some good points, but it still made Katie’s heart squeeze. She wanted to learn to be a Mer, but she was also afraid.

“Besides…I do not wish to wait,” Riley admitted. She leaned down until their noses bumped together, and Katie’s breath caught in her chest at the proximity. “I will, forever if I must, and your choice will always be yours to make. Our friendship will remain regardless. But I do not wish to wait if we do not have to. Come with me, Katie, please.”

It took Katie a moment to remember how to breathe, and she knew she must be blushing pretty heavily by the heat in her cheeks, but she swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. “Okay,” she agreed. “Yeah, let us go. But we have to tell mom and Lewis that we are leaving.”

Riley’s head bobbed and she sat up and offered Katie her hand. “Of course. I would not want to leave without saying goodbye. Come on, we will go inside and talk to them.”

Katie accepted Riley’s outstretched hand and then reached up towards the sky once she was upright enough to stretch. Another yawn overtook her, so she gave herself a shake. “I should talk to Luna too.”

She did not wait for a response from Riley before she pulled herself over to her sister. Luna was fast asleep on top of her blanket rather than under it. Katie stifled a laugh. Luna never was very good at keeping a blanket on in her sleep. She liked them fine while she was awake, but always kicked them off once she fell asleep. “Luna,” she whispered as she nudged the sapphire scaled Mer. She needed to keep very quiet because Karina and Nero were only a few feet away. “Wake up.”

Luna’s azure eyes fluttered open and she blinked blearily. “Katie?”

Katie gently hushed her sister. “It is okay, do not get up. I just wanted to say ‘goodbye’ is all.”

“You are leaving?”

“Just for a little while. Riley is going to take me and teach me what I need to know so that we can come back and just relax, all of us together, okay? I love you, Luna.”

“You will be safe?”

Katie was about to respond when she realized that Luna was not looking at her, but rather past her and at Riley.

“Yes,” Riley confirmed.

Luna pushed herself up and wrapped her arms around Katie’s neck. “I understand and I am glad for you. Just be careful, okay? I love you too and I know I am getting better and it really is alright, but I still need my sister.”

“I need mine too. Listen, I owe you a game of checkers when I get back, yeah? Look out for mom for me while we are gone? I worry she is going to get lonely too.”

“I will. But you owe me a puzzle too.”

“Alright. Checkers and a puzzle,” Katie agreed as she squeezed Luna tightly. “Go back to sleep, okay?”

As Luna released her and settled back down, Katie folded half the blanket up over her and smoothed it down. It was a pointless exercise because Luna was just going to shrug it off soon, but it felt a bit better to tuck the girl in.

Once she was settled, it was time to brave two more goodbyes, so Katie carefully picked her way around Karina and Nero, while giving them as wide a berth as she could so she would not disturb them. Riley followed silently behind her as they slipped into the house and down the hall. Even with the roll-boards, it took them a little while to get to Sophie and Lewis’ room. They were going quietly so they would not startle anyone.

Both of them were fast asleep in bed when Katie slowly pushed the door open. She abandoned the board and crawled to Sophie’s side of the bed. She was sleeping with one hand hanging over the side of the bed and her hair strewn across her face. Katie could not see Lewis well, but he was rolled up against her mom. Neither of them stirred as she and Riley entered.

Katie reached up and took her mother by the hand and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. As soon as she touched her mother, Sophie jerked awake so Katie tightened her grip on her hand. “It is just me, mom,” she whispered.

“Katie? Goodness, you startled me. Are you alright? Riley? What are you both doing here, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong,” Riley replied. “We just need to talk to you.”

Their mom yawned widely and pushed herself up in bed. “Alright. Lewis, wake up.”

She shook Lewis awake and while he was getting sat up and situated, Riley hauled herself up onto the edge of the bed. Katie stared up after her. Riley had far more upper torso strength and though Katie had gotten stronger, she still struggled to get up into chairs on her own half the time and had not managed to scale herself up onto a bed yet.

“Do you need a hand, hon?” her mom asked.

Katie set her jaw and shook her head. “No, let me try first,” she decided. She sat back on her tail and reached up as high as she could before using the muscled limb as a launch to get herself off the ground as best she could. She curled her fingers into the blankets and lashed her tail as she struggled for the leverage to drag herself up. Thankfully, having Riley sitting on the blankets helped keep her from simply pulling them off the bed with her, but Katie could not get all the way up on her own despite her best efforts. When she began to slip, her mom grabbed under one of her arms while Riley took the other and they helped her the rest of the way.

“Thanks,” Katie puffed. She glanced at Riley. “You make that look really easy.”

“You just need more practice.”

“Girls, not that I’m not always happy to see you, but what’s got you both up and in here in the middle of the night? Is everything okay?”

Riley nodded while Katie merely shrugged. She did want to go and learn how to be a Mer, and spending the next moon with Riley sounded wonderful. But that did not make the idea of leaving any easier when she had spent too much time recently wanting nothing more than to be home and safe with her family. She could not fathom forming the words now that she was sitting in front of her mom.

Then, it no longer mattered because she was beaten to it. “You are leaving,” Lewis observed.

“Wait, what?” The panic in her mom’s voice made Katie wince. “Both of you?”

Reluctantly, Katie nodded. “Yeah,” she agreed.

“But I don’t understand why? We just got here. Riley, I thought you wanted to stay awhile? It’s just so soon.”

“It is,” Riley agreed with a hum. She shuffled her fins and shrugged. “But now is the best time. I am going to take Katie out into the water to learn. She needs to spend time living in the ocean to truly understand our ways. I cannot teach her from here or we would not be leaving at all. The sooner we go, the sooner we can return without a need to leave looming over us all.”

“I need to do this,” Katie whispered. “I do not want to go, but I need to. Everything is settling down and I want to feel like I can settle too. Just be happy and live life and heal. But I cannot do that while it still feels like there is a hole inside of me. I need to fill it before I can put the trauma behind me, and I think truly coming to terms with who I am now is the only thing that will help. Please understand.”

Her mom opened her arms wide, so Katie leaned forward and accepted the embrace. Her mom squeezed her tightly and rested her chin on Katie’s head. “Oh, Katie, of course I understand. After everything that you’ve been through, no one can tell you what you need better than you. If this is what you want to do, I support you completely. I’m just really going to miss you both is all.” Her embrace got tighter, and she kissed Katie’s brow. “How long will you be gone?”

The question did not feel directed at her, so Katie let Riley answer. “About a moon.”

“I hate when you say that.”

“I know, but it is the best frame I have. These are not things that can be learned in a turn or two.”

“Come here,” her mom urged. One of her arms lifted from Katie’s back and then Riley was pulled into the embrace. “I love you both so much. Look out for each other out there, okay?”

“We will,” Katie promised.

The hug became four ways as Lewis joined in, and a purr rose in Katie’s chest at the warmth the group hug provided. There was no denying that most Mer seemed to be instinctively social creatures because she always felt better with physical contact like this.

“And be careful. I’d like for both of you to come back alive and well and in one piece, and preferably without the requirement of a life-or-death procedure this time.”

“That is my full intent,” Riley agreed.

“Come on then, I want to walk you both out at least,” Sophie decided. She sat up further so Katie leaned back out of the embrace so that her mother could stand up. She was wearing a dark tank top and some striped pajama shorts, and when she stood, she stretched her arms above her head and rolled her shoulders. Then she stepped forward again and beckoned to Katie before hefting her up into her arms.

“Mom, I can use one of the boards,” Katie protested. “It is late; you do not have to carry me.”

“Hush. I want to hold you right now, okay?”

“Okay.”

Katie watched as Lewis got out of bed too, in a gray tee and black shorts. He turned his back to Riley and hunched down so that she could cling to his back. Katie could hear the other girl’s noisy reverberations from across the bed as Riley curled her tail around Lewis’ waist and nuzzled against him.

Though neither of them were so little that they needed to be carried, it felt like a proper family moment as they were both ferried from the room and down the hall. Since Lewis was taking up the rear, Katie rested her head on her mom’s shoulder and smiled at him and Riley, who both returned the expression.

When Sophie reached the back door, she lowered Katie to the floor and slowly peeled the door open on its track so it would not squeak.

Karina and Nero were both awake when they all came out, however, so the added stealth was wasted.

Karina offered Katie a weary smile and a wave. “Good luck,” she called in a hushed tone, confirming Katie’s suspicions that neither of them needed to be filled in on what was going on.

When Riley crawled by next, Nero reached out and grabbed her arm. When she turned to look at him, he beckoned her closer with two fingers. Riley’s brows furrowed, but she leaned forward as Nero whispered something to her. Katie could not hear anything and only knew he was talking by the bob of his chin as he spoke. Karina offered something too and touched Riley’s hand, but then they both sat back and settled in. Riley nodded at them and left them to their rest. When she approached, Katie tilted her head and raised a brow over the scene that had gone down, but Riley merely waved a hand.

She wanted to pester Riley for details, but now was not the time, so Katie made her way to the end of the dock and waited while Riley joined her. Luna was looking at them, but she did not move from her reclined position except to waggle her fingers before she resumed snuggling Stripes with the clear intent of going back to sleep. Katie took that as a good sign that her sister truly was alright with them leaving.

Lewis crouched down next and enveloped Riley in a hug. “Be careful out there,” he urged. He broke the hug long enough to kiss her brow and squeeze her hand. “Come back safe and I’ll even break out the chessboard.”

“Deal,” Riley whispered.

“I love you, kiddo.” He gave her one more quick hug before focussing on Katie. She leaned forward and accepted an embrace from him as well when he opened his arms to her. “I think this is going to be good for you, Katie. But you know we’re going to worry and miss you until you get back.”

“We will be careful,” Katie vowed. “Look after mom for me while we’re gone?”

“Always,” Lewis agreed.

Then it was her mom’s turn and she wasted no time in squeezing Riley so tight that the blonde Mer began to wheeze. “I hate goodbyes,” Sophie whispered. “I’m locking you both inside when you get back so you can’t keep doing this to me.”

“No you will not,” Riley giggled. “But we will stay awhile when we come back. This time, I promise.”

“I love you so much, Riley. Thank you for doing this.”

Deciding she did not want to wait, Katie scooted closer and joined the embrace. “Please do not worry too much,” she pleaded. “We will be alright.”

“I know you will,” their mom acknowledged. “But I’m never not going to worry about my babies, you know that.” She cupped Katie’s cheek and rubbed her thumb over her face. Her lips were pursed and there were tears in her eyes, but her scent was strong with love and pride. It was hard to say goodbye, but this was a goodbye that was alright.

Beside her, Riley hummed. “We should go,” she sighed. “It is always best to be in deeper waters by daylight when leaving the coast to avoid any fishing boats.”

Sophie sighed and Katie could feel the reluctance in her motions as she released them both and sat back. “Alright,” she agreed in a watery tone. She lifted a finger to wipe moisture from her gaze and smiled. “Go on then. Come home soon.”

Riley dipped her head and then twisted and dove off the dock and into the dark waters. She disappeared from sight, but Katie knew she was lurking just below the surface.

She turned to follow but hesitated at the last moment. Turning back, she flung her arms around her mother’s neck and squeezed. “Thank you,” she gasped. “For always believing in me and supporting me, and for never giving up on me. I love you so much, mom.”

Tears fell from her eyes as her mom rubbed her back. “Loving you is a choice I will always make, Katie. Always. Go, sweetheart, do what you need to do, enjoy it, and then come home to your family because we choose you and we always will.”

“I choose you too,” Katie agreed. It hurt to pull away, but she took a deep breath and smiled even as more tears fell. Another breath and she waved before turning and following Riley into the water before she lost her nerve.

The water was cool, but not unpleasantly so, and Katie’s skin drank in the moisture of it. Staying dry did not bother her, but returning to the water always felt like a breath of fresh air regardless.

Riley wrapped her arms around Katie from behind and hugged her. “Are you alright?” she inquired. Her tailfins bumped against Katie’s as she stirred the water to remain upright. “You were crying…Katie, we can wait if you are not ready to go. I was not trying to pressure you.”

Katie shook her head and twisted to hug Riley back. “I am ready,” she assured her. “I want this. I do. It just…was harder to say goodbye than I was expecting is all.”

“Do you need a moment?”

“No. Let us go. If I take a moment, I might fall back asleep.”

Riley gave her another squeeze and then released her. “If you are sure.”

“I am,” Katie agreed. Her voice clicked as she shifted to a more appropriate tongue and winked at Riley. “By the way, what did Karina and Nero say to you?”

Riley grinned and winked. “Nothing that you need to worry about,” she refused. “I will tell you eventually if it becomes relevant.”

Katie huffed and folded her arms. She wanted to tussle with Riley until the girl gave up the information, but she was tired and it was dark. She could see well enough, but she was not used to being in this level of darkness while underwater so her vision was not as good as normal. Riley would win and then lord it over her, so Katie decided to drop it for now. She would get answers later on, one way or another.

Instead, she grinned and gave Riley a little shove before taking off. “Catch me if you can,” she whistled. She had no idea where she was going, but it did not matter. The last time they had gone out to sea together, they had played this game, but Katie was determined not to be trailing after Riley this time.

She could hear Riley cackling behind her and the adrenaline rush of the game was enough to strip away the lingering exhaustion from being woken so late and spur her into motion. She lashed her tail and urged herself to go faster.

Riley had not caught up to her yet, which meant she was just enjoying the game too and not looking to end it rapidly. Katie had no illusions that Riley could outswim her regardless of their circumstances. It did not matter much though, it was just nice to swim with no limitations in any direction.

As her friend began to gain on her, Katie instinctively raised her sail and finally understood it. It angled with every turn and twist she made, cutting the water and making the motions smoother. Katie grinned and began weaving and ducking as unpredictably as possible. Just because Riley was faster and not going all out did not mean Katie was not determined to make her work at least a little for a win.

“You are going to tire yourself,” Riley warned. “And when you do, you are going to regret challenging me.”

Katie flipped onto her back and stuck her tongue out. “We shall see.” Her chest was heaving with laughter and exertion as she rolled back over and urged herself forward. For a moment, she closed her eyes and hugged her chest and just enjoyed the feeling of the water rushing over her body and tangling through her hair. If this was how Riley felt when she travelled, Katie could understand why she could never sit still.

Feeling whimsical, Katie lashed her tail as hard as she could and broke through the skin of the water. She was surrounded by open water and a full night sky of glittering diamonds. The tall cliffs of their cove still loomed behind them, but they were properly out in the ocean now. Katie splashed back down only to leap again and contort her body into a twist. She had not played much with defying gravity since leaving the aquarium behind, but she no longer cared at the similarities to having to perform. This was her choice and she delighted in it.

When she fell back into the water, Riley was waiting, so Katie followed the momentum and slammed into the other girl. They flipped head over tail through the water and Katie could not contain her laughter as they finally managed to straighten themselves out. “I win,” Katie taunted.

Riley huffed and stuck her tongue out as she flared her gliders and resettled them against her sides. “I believe your goal was to stay out of reach, so actually you have lost.”

Katie shrugged. “Well then, I let you win,” she decided.

Riley snorted, but her grin was wide. “If you say so.”

With a sigh, Katie flopped back in the water and flicked her fin at a much lazier pace. “So, where are we going?”

“Actually, I think I am going to take you North. It will be a bit of a trip, but hunting and travelling are good skills to learn regardless, and there is someone I would like you to meet.”

“Oh?”

Riley shrugged as she fell in beside Katie. “An old friend of mine. We met up briefly when I was on my way to find my aunt and uncle, but I could not stay. I was in a rush. Now, there is less of a rush and I think you might like Charlie.”

Katie hummed and drifted closer so she could wrap her arms around Riley. “I would love that,” she agreed. “Lead the way.” Then, despite knowing that she should not, Katie pulled to a stop, knowing that Riley would follow in suit.

Riley’s brows were furrowed together, but Katie did not waste time letting her ask why. She took Riley’s wrists and pulled her closer so that she could lean in and kiss her. Their tails bumped against each other as they stirred the water to remain upright. Riley began to purr and she pulled her hands free from Katie’s grasp to wrap them around her instead.

When her gliders followed in suit, Katie lost control and followed her into the deep reverberations. Waiting was hard and she shared Riley’s sentiments about not wanting to, but after a moment, she reluctantly pulled away.

There was a small, content smile on Riley’s face and it took her a moment to react further, but soon enough she was winking and poking her tongue out. “If that is your attempt to get me to go easy on you, it will not work.”

“I would expect nothing less,” Katie admitted. Riley did not seem like the type to go easy on anyone. At least, not too easy in any case.

There was a warm, fuzzy feeling that buzzed in Katie’s chest as they resumed swimming. It was making her head foggy with joy and her face ache from the wide smile that she wore.

A shiver ran down her spine as she found another burst of energy and darted to the surface once more. Flinging herself into the air was rather thrilling and now that she did not have to worry about being seen and was not being forced, Katie was infatuated with it.

When she re-entered the water, she took a breath and then reached for Riley’s hand. They did need to wait – or at least try to – because Katie did want to respect her friend and the culture of the Mer, but that did not mean that she could not enjoy her company, and she was going to choose to enjoy her company as much as she could.

Katie took another deep breath and closed her eyes once more. That was what felt best. Making choices, feeling like she finally could, was helping make it all real.

It was over now – or at least it felt like it – they were free. And if this was what freedom tasted like, Katie never wanted it to end.