After delivering the bomb of a child and marriage to his family we find ourselves being surrounded by lots of love, questions and everything feels good but it doesn't seem like is going to stop soon.
Shane-Alright that's enough.
Sister-Do I get to call her sister Ann?
Shane-I don't know. You have to ask her not me.
She turns to me and taking my hand she asks.
Sister-Can I call you Ann?
-Sure. If you want. I don't mind.
With that she hugs me before she swims back with her brother and kiss his cheek before she swims around just having fun with her other brother.
Queen-Shane, I am so happy for you.
She hugs her son tightly and he buckles away blushing hard.
Shane-Mother please.
I laugh as she keeps hanging him on a hug and he tries to get away from his mother.
Queen-Such happiness.
Shane-Mother that's enough. You're embarrassing me.
King-Shane, respect your mother.
Shane-I am not disrespecting her but please keep a bit of control.
King-You are marrying, she won't get to do this as much after the wedding so just let her enjoy it as much as she can now.
He sighs in defeat and he hugs his mother back. I laugh and swimming around them I speak.
-You're adorable.
Shane-Jealous?
I laugh and her mother turns to me and hugs me instead before she goes back to her husband and I join Shane in turn.
King-We are happy for you to find such a lovely mermaid to marry and we're proud as well. If you'll allow us we would like to bless you both and your child.
Shane-If she agrees. Annabelle?
He looks at me and not knowing what to say I just ask a bit insecure.
-It won't hurt, will it?
Queen-It won't hurt, I can assure you that. I was blessed as well so I know how it feels.
-Alright. I, you can do it.
With that they both nod and taking my hand they close their eyes and two currents of water surround me completely and they glow in warm and calm colors before they slowly disappear and they let me go.
King-There you go?
Queen-How do you feel?
-I'm not sure how to put it into words but is good. I'm relaxed?
King-Blessed.
-What exactly did you do?
Queen-We just blessed you for a happy marriage, a handsome or beautiful child as well as healthy. All good wishes you can have and you do have.
Shane-Thanks.
King-You are welcome.
Shane-Well, now that that's done, if you excuse us. We'll retire for the night.
King-That is fine.
Queen-Good night Shane.
Shane-Night mother.
They share brief hugs before we go together towards his room.

I find that his room is quite big for just one merman, not that mine on land is any different but still, I like it. Is like the cave we slept in the first time but bigger and with more things in it. He has seashells, books, flowers, corals and a bit of everything including an extra room that when I look is swords and fighting stuff. He has a lot of shirts and necklaces and bracelets. I sigh and looking around I see him sitting by a window looking out. I smile and swimming towards him I kiss his cheek.
-What are you watching?
He sighs and caressing my tail he let's out a laugh.
Shane-I was just imagining how our child will be. Will it be a merman or a mermaid? Will it be born with a tail or with legs? How will your dad react when we tell him? Will he ask me to live with you or will you come to live with me? I guess it doesn't really matter if the end is the same.
-And what's the end?
Shane-That we're together.
-Hmm, some of those questions I can assure you. My dad will be playing the jealous and mean dad at first but he's really not going to do anything to you. He will accept it. And I already made my decision that no matter what dad says, yes or no, I'm coming to live with you.
Shane-I am glad you feel that way. I felt like I was taking you away from your family.
-We barely spend time together like before so you're not really taking me away.
Shane-And our kid?
-Be human or merbaby, boy or girl, as long as is healthy and strong I don't mind.
Shane-Me neither, I'll love it either way.
-What would you like? A mini you or a mini me?
Shane-I really like a boy to teach him to be strong but a girl to protect sounds nice as well.
-Alright. Well, let's go to sleep, tomorrow we can go with my dad or organize something so we can all meet together.
Shane-Then we will need to sleep quite a bit.
We laugh and taking my hand he swims me to the bed. Is even softer than the other one. I sink into it and he joins at my side and turning I cuddle in his arms.
-My love.
Shane-Sleep well my love. I love you.
I smile as he kisses my hair and I fall asleep easier in the safety of his arms.

The next day as planned we go to meet dad or at least we swim together to the beach and drying off I go in land to get dad. I get home and as is lunch time I go to the dining room and as expected dad is there reading a book as he waits for lunch to be ready. I go towards him and I lower his book to get his attention.
Ev-Annabelle. You're back.
I smile and sit at his side.
Evzen POV
I smile as my daughter sits at my side and putting my book away I take her hand on mine.
-I thought you'll be gone longer.
An-I will be gone but I have to show you something first. Is down at the beach.
-Then let's go. Shall we get the boat?
An-Not sure. Let's go then.
She gets up and laughing I follow her down to the beach.
Annabelle POV
I take dad down to the beach and as we get to the water I throw a rock at the water to let him know I'm here.
Ev-What are you doing?
-You'll see. There, look.
He turns to where I'm pointing as Shane comes out of the water.
Ev-Who is that?
-That's Shane, my fiancee.
Ev-You promised you wouldn't see any boys.
-And I didn't, he's not a boy, he's a merman. I already went to meet his family and now he's meeting you.
Ev-How long have you met him?
-A few months now. Dad, please be nice to him. I love him.
With that I get in the water and I swim towards him. I turn to look at dad and he's still on the beach.
Shane-He doesn't like me, does he?
-He's still processing everything and I didn't told him the other things. I just told him you're my fiancee.
Shane-He hates me.
I laugh and clinging to his arm I look at dad as he comes in the water with us. When he's close enough he pecks my cheek softly. I laugh and I jump to his arms for a hug.
-Daddy.
Ev-I love you. Always my little girl.
-I love you too.
We get off from each other and kissing my forehead he turns to Shane a bit less gentle.
Ev-You.
Shane-Yes.
Dad's expression softens and clasping a hand on his shoulder he speaks.
Ev-Do make her happy.
Shane-Of course.
Ev-You have to come visit.
-We will, maybe you might use the boat yourself to visit us.
Ev-Ha, this is hard, my children have opposing powers of mine.
Shane-Opposing powers?
-My siblings and I can swim and go deep under water while he can turn his body on fire and fly high in the sky.
Shane-Cool.
-Alright then, we have to go home. I promise to come visit. Tell my siblings to come visit.
Ev-I will.
With one last hug I go out into the ocean and to my new home.

Eight months later
I sigh as I look at my surroundings once more. Since my baby will be born anytime now I was moved from the palace to a cave by the beach where I can give birth to my child without any trouble. Although I would like to be in the ocean is safer here. No sharks, no whales, no predators or any danger for my child. I hear a splash from below in the water and I turn just in time to see my husband coming out to the water. I smile as he takes my hand and kisses it.
Shane-How are you doing?
-Just fine. I would usually go for a swim to clear my head but..........
Shane-I know, you'll be out swimming just in a few days.
-It won't be long now. Hmm, can I ask you to do something for me?
Shane-Anything. Just ask.
-If you could call my sisters. I want my sisters and my brother to be here with me at least.
Shane-Hmm. So I did good in calling for them.
-You already did that?
Shane-Uhum, I send a messenger to get them, they should be on their way back right now. Would you like me to check if they arrived?
-Please.
Shane-Mother will come as well.
He gives me a soft kiss before he goes back in the water. As I watch the water I groan a bit on pain. I try to massage the pain away when I feel it. I try to calm down but is hard. Of all the times to give birth it has to be now. I hear a splash before I hear her.
Queen-Ann, are you alright?
-Is time.
Queen-Let me get someone to help. Stay calm.
I nod and she goes away to get help.

Shane POV
As I turn to take my wife's sisters with her I see mother coming with a nurse mermaid and father, stopping her I ask a bit worried.
-Mother, is something wrong?
Queen-Your wife is giving birth. I have to help her.
-I'm going with you.
Queen-No, this is ladies only. You will wait here.
-But......
Queen-No buts, her sisters can come but you will stay out here with your father and wait patiently.
She pulls her sisters with her and I see as the four of them go inside together. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I turn to see dad.
King-She knows what she's doing. You just have to trust her.
-Is my child.
King-I know and they will be fine.
I sigh and so we wait. When I'm sure dad's not watching I try to sneak a quick glance at the bottom of the pond. I can see their tails barely because of all the bubbles that surround them each time they splash the water. My mother's, my wife's and her sisters and the nurse mermaid as well. Only five adult tails. I sigh and turn away from the pond and I swim by the entrance nervously when dad gets my attention again.
King-Shane, calm down, everything will be.......
Before he can finish speaking he gets interrupted by a cry, a baby crying. I share a knowing look with dad when mother comes out with the nurse. I take her hands on mine.
-Everything went fine, they are both alright, right?
Mother just laughs at my enthusiasm but before she can answer any of my questions I go in to be with them and I'm thankful when she doesn't even tries to stop me.

To be continued...................