She gasped when he nibbled carefully at the point of her ear, and the choked scream heralded the second climax. He was with her this time and groaned against her neck as he jerked into her.
They shook together, her hands were on his and she held him tight.
She had waited for what felt like an eternity to find her mate, now he was here and there was a baby on the way. She wouldn’t have done anything differently.
Epilogue
The tiny island was swamped with visitors.
Lorai was on the wide deck, looking out to the ocean with her daughter in her arms. Adam was dealing with the next wave of guests, but Lorai was waiting to hear from her mother.
Mer tradition meant that the first person aside from the parents to hold the baby had to be the mother’s mother. It was frustrating Veema, but Lorai was willing to hang on one more day.
A gleam in the water made her stand straight. She walked toward the water with little Raia in her arms. The gathering on the deck was suddenly silent. Adam walked after her, but he didn’t stop her.
“What do you see, Lorai?”
Lorai looked down at her five-day-old daughter. “I see Grandma.”
As she spoke, a head crowned with silver and pearls began to emerge from the water. Lorwella walked up the beach with a huge chest carried in front of her.
She walked up to Lorai and set the chest down before she changed into a more human size. She kissed her daughter’s cheek and smiled at Adam. “Thank you for the mage. He could not get me here in time, but I believe it is better than waiting until the child is in school to meet its grandmother.”
Adam inclined his head. “It was the least I could do, Mother.”
Lorwella smiled.
Lorai grinned. “May I introduce you to Raia Srim, your granddaughter.”
Lorwella held out her hands and took the tiny, squirming bundle into her arms. “Hello, Raia. You may call me Nana Wella.”
“She won’t be calling you anything for a while, Mother.”
Lorwella kissed her granddaughter and leaned down, taking some water and putting a drop on Raia’s lips.
Lorai smiled. She had already introduced Raia to the sea, as had Adam. It was nice to see that her mother carried on her father’s traditions.
“Now, dearling. Back to your mother so I can show her what I have brought.”
Adam wrapped his arm around Lorai’s waist. “A gift?”
Lorwella smiled. “No, this is her bridal gift. Her dowry. As she got older, we kept adding to it, but you are the one to finally benefit. It is our gift to you for taking a risk on my daughter.”
Lorai rolled her eyes as her mother opened the chest.
Gold, jewels, pearls the size of Adam’s fist. Everything was tumbled together, and it filled the chest.
Adam’s eyes bugged slightly. “All that?”
“Oh no. There are six more chests.”
Lorai grinned and fished out a necklace with dangles, waving it above Raia. “I was single for a really long time.”
Adam’s shock was funny, and he stared. “Where did it all come from?”
Lorwella shrugged. “Any beings that sailed the sea. Her father was astute in collecting a dowry for his daughter. It was how he finally passed.”
Lorai whispered, “Harpooned while sinking a ship. My mother sought out every survivor and destroyed them.”
“So, serious family loyalty.”
She leaned against him. “Nothing lasts forever, except family. No matter how dangerous or crazy, blood ties us now and into the future.”
“What a cheery thought.”
Lorwella closed the chest and smiled. “So, shall we meet Adam’s family? They look a little confused.”
Lorai chuckled. “Veema has been trying to hold Raia for days. I think I should put her out of her misery.”
Lorwella laughed. “You held to that tradition.”
“I did.”
“Good for you. Now, if she has any giant characteristics let me know. I will create a lesson plan for her.”
They talked about Raia’s future as Veema showed the baby off to the rest of Adam’s family.
With the family issues sorted, Lorai leaned against her husband. “So, Flipper, still happy that you chased my tail?”
He squeezed her, kissed her passionately and whispered, “I really hate that show.”
She snickered and enjoyed the sight of friends and family enjoying the baby. The island had several guesthouses, and many of the guests would return to the sea. It was the perfect home for merfolk and shifters who liked privacy and the rich fishing areas nearby.
Life was good; it had just taken time to get here. Patience wasn’t a virtue, it had been her destiny.
Author’s Note
I have often wondered what fictional characters would think of modern entertainment. At least, this time, we got to take a look under the sea.
Zenina Masters
About the Author
Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.
An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.
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