Sea of Memories

by Kelly Risser

  ****

  He stayed with his grandparents for six weeks, and then he couldn’t take it any longer. He had to see Sharon again. When he arrived at the inn, he was greeted by Mary. As she handed him the key to the same room he had before, he asked, “Where’s Lydia?”

  “She’s at the hospital.” Mary’s eyes lit up with excitement. “The baby should be here any minute now.”

  “Is Sharon with her?” he asked before he could stop himself.

  “She’s in the waiting room, I imagine, with Lydia’s parents.”

  “Thanks.” He turned toward the staircase, his thoughts on where the hospital was and how he was going to get there without a car.

  “I’ll be going up there when my shift ends here,” Mary said. “If you like, you can ride with me.”

  “That’d be great.” He smiled at her. “I’d appreciate that.”

  “I’ll come and get you when I’m ready,” she said. “About another hour or so.”

  He went to his room and showered to wash the salt off his skin. Next, he visualized khaki pants and a black shirt. He wanted to look a little nicer than usual when he saw Sharon again. He actually felt nervous, and he never felt nervous about anything. She brought out all kinds of new emotions in him.

  On the ride to the hospital, Mary peppered him with questions about where he had been and how long he was back for. He answered the best he could.

  “My daughter cares about you,” she said, wagging a finger in his direction without taking her eyes off the road. “Do not break her heart.”

  “I’ll try not to,” he answered honestly, adding, “I care about her, too.”

  They found Lydia’s parents in the waiting room. “It’s a boy!” her mom exclaimed when Mary went over to hug her. “Sharon’s back with them now. You two can go on in.”

  David walked slightly behind Mary, unsure of how Sharon would react to seeing him. It had been over a month. She might not even love him anymore. Or, she could be mad. Either way, not a day had passed that he didn’t think of her.

  When they entered the room, Sharon was holding the baby and laughing at something Lydia had said. It was the most beautiful sight, and for a second, David allowed himself to fantasize she was holding their child. Shaking off his daydreams, he congratulated the new parents. Darrin looked proud, sitting next to his wife and holding her hand. Lydia seemed tired, but happy.

  “Did you name him?” Mary asked.

  “Evan,” Lydia said. “Evan Scott Mitchell.”

  David crouched next to Sharon’s chair. “Hi.”

  She gave him a tentative smile. “Hi yourself.” Her eyes held unasked questions, and he knew they’d talk later. “Do you want to hold him?”

  Without waiting for his answer, Sharon placed the baby in his arms. The little one stirred and cracked open his eyes, revealing brilliant turquoise irises. Closing them again, he yawned. Startled, David stroked the baby’s cheek to see if he’d open his eyes again. Evan obliged, but David must’ve been mistaken or seen a trick of the light. The baby’s eyes were the normal murky brownish-blue of a newborn. He stared at David for a moment, then opened his little rosebud mouth and let out a wail.

  Crying babies were not his thing. David handed the boy back to his mother before returning to Sharon’s side. “Have you eaten?” he asked.

  She nodded. “In the cafeteria about an hour ago.” His heart sank. He was really hoping to spend time alone with her. She added, “I could use some fresh air, though. Do you want to go for a walk?”

  The hospital had several walking paths around the grounds. David held her hand as they walked. Sharon was very direct when she asked, “Why did you come back, David?”

  “To see you,” he said and squeezed her hand. “I couldn’t stay away.”

  She gave him a small smile, but he couldn’t help but notice that she appeared a little green. “Are you feeling alright?”

  She made a face. “I don’t think the hospital food is agreeing with me. Can we sit for a moment?”

  They sat on a park bench in the shade. After a few deep breaths, her color returned to normal. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve been sick to my stomach all weekend.”

  “Maybe you upset yourself worrying about Lydia,” he suggested.

  “Yeah. That’s probably it.” Although she verbally agreed with him, she continued to look worried. There was something she wasn’t saying, but he didn’t feel he could push the issue after being gone all this time.”

  “So, what do we do now?” she asked.

  “Do you want to walk some more?” He stood and offered her his hand.

  She took it and rose. “Sure, but that’s not what I meant. Where do we go now with this?” She gestured between them. “You were gone for over a month, and now you’re back for... what? Another month or two?”

  “I don’t know.”

  She looked ready to cry. He felt bad that he couldn’t make her any promises or commitments, but he really had no clue what to do next. Yes, he wanted to spend time with her, but if that upset her, it wasn’t fair of him to demand it, not when he couldn’t say with certainty he would be here for her. He hung his head.

  Her hand lighted on his arm, and he raised his eyes to meet hers. She was smiling at him, although her eyes still looked watery. “Thank you for being honest. I love you, and I want to be with you. I know you’re going to break my heart.” Her smile turned wry, and she covered his mouth with her fingers to keep him from interrupting. “But it’s yours to break.”

  He took her other hand and placed it over his heart. “And mine belongs to you. Only you, Sharon. You have captured me with your magic.”

  She laughed. “I have no magic.”

  “Oh yes, you do,” he said and kissed her.

  ****

  He didn’t see much of Sharon over the next week. If she wasn’t working, she was over helping Lydia with the baby. David didn’t want to appear needy, so he spent his days checking for any trails on the killer. He knew the odds were low that he would find something after all this time, but it gave him something to do. He’d just returned from one of those treks to find Lydia outside his door. Her arms were crossed and her face unreadable, but she wasn’t smiling. “You better come with me,” she said.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  She shrugged and looked at him over her shoulder. “I’ll leave that for you to decide.”

  His mind whirled with what could’ve happened. Sharon wasn’t mad about his absence, and she seemed happy to see him again. What else could’ve happened? Lydia led him through the first floor to the master bedroom where she and Darrin slept. Sharon was sitting at the edge of the bed, surrounded by a pile of wet tissues.

  He went to her and dropped to his knees. Her face was hidden behind her hands, which were curtained behind her long, curly hair. Gently tucking her hair behind her ears, he lowered her hands and asked, “What’s wrong?”

  She sniffled a few more times, but she didn’t say anything. Lydia spoke from the doorway, “I’ll leave you two alone.”

  When the quiet click of the door sounded, Sharon whispered something. It was too quiet for David to understand. “What?” he asked.

  “I’m pregnant,” she said clearly this time while lifting her chin. Her eyes dared him to argue with her. “And before you say anything, yes, it’s yours. The one and only time…” Her words were lost in another stream of fresh tears.

  For a moment, he was frozen. It was all he could do to stare at her anguish and let the words soak in. He was going to be a father. Jumping up, he sat next to her on the bed and pulled her into his lap, kissing her tear-stained cheeks. “This is wonderful news! Why are you crying?”

  “Wonderful news?” She struggled to get away from him, so he let her go. She stood and faced him with fire in her eyes. He was confused. Why was she mad? “David, I’m eighteen. I was planning to go to college in a few weeks. We’re not married. I haven’t even known you that long. People will talk…” As
she spoke, she paced faster and faster and her volume increased while she ticked each reason off on her fingers.

  He let her rant for a while, and then he stood, took her arms, and lowered his head until they were eye level. “This is a gift. The greatest of gifts.” He kissed her until he felt her shock and anger melt into passion.

  “You’re not upset? You’re really happy about this?” she asked when he broke the kiss.

  “I am beyond happy,” he said. “I never thought I’d be a father.”

  She stepped back and gave him an odd look. “Why not?”

  “I never loved anyone before.” He reached for her again, pulling her close. “And I love you, I really do.”

  He heard her watery laugh before she said, “I love you, too.” She tightened her hold on him and sighed, “What are we going to do?”

  Kissing the top of her head, he said, “We’ll figure it out together.”

  The hardest part was breaking the news to Sharon’s parents. David thought Jamie was going to jump across the table and punch him, but eventually, their shock and dismay turned to acceptance. They loved their daughter.

  Sharon didn’t go to college in the fall. She worked at the inn full time. David continued to stay there, and even after several months, it barely made a dent in the Selkies’ vast savings account. He didn’t need to worry about running out of money. He did worry, however, about running out of magic. His body was beginning to feel weak and tired, a sure sign he had lived with humans for too long. It scared him, losing his Selkie magic, but it terrified him to think of life without Sharon. She was his rock, his happiness, and soon, she would be the mother of his child.

  One day while she was working, he’d gone to tell his grandparents. They were afraid for him, but happy too. They promised to contact Angus and his siblings in Ronac to share the news. They didn’t ask whether he was planning to stay with her or not.

  Now the ground was covered in snow, and the human holidays had passed. Sharon’s belly was round and full. It was nearing the point where she was always uncomfortable. And yet, her eyes lit up whenever the baby moved. If David was nearby, she grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly. He loved to feel the child within her and couldn’t wait to meet their son or daughter.

  Quiet times like these, when they were lounging and watching a movie, were some of his favorites. Over the last half hour, however, he’d noticed Sharon holding her breath at regular intervals. “Are you feeling okay?”

  “Just Braxton-Hicks contractions,” she said. “Lydia warned me about—ye-OW!”

  She sat forward and panted for a moment. “Okay, that was a little different from the others.”

  “What can I do?” He felt his heart speed up in fear. This was all so new to him. Selkies didn’t have birthing classes or hospitals. The females usually swam into the ocean to give birth, and the older, experienced women from the clan went with them to help. Somehow, he didn’t think that would appeal to Sharon.

  She took an experimental breath and rubbed her belly. “Call my parents. They’ll have to drive.”

  He did as she said, and Mary picked up on the first ring. Skipping the customary greeting, he blurted, “Sharon’s in labor.”

  Mary’s soothing voice replied, “We’ll be right there,” and then she hung up.

  Through Sharon’s protests of being too heavy, he scooped her up and carried her down the steps, setting her on the couch in the front room. He crossed to the window and watched like a sentinel for Jamie’s car.

  “I hope my mom remembers my overnight bag,” she said before another pain overtook her.

  “If she doesn’t, we’ll bring it tomorrow.” He looked back to make sure she was okay. “I don’t think you’ll be coming home before then.”

  Lydia ran into the room with Evan on her hip. She glanced between David and Sharon. “It’s time?” They both nodded. She sat next to Sharon and took her hand, but she addressed David, “Call and tell me when the baby comes.”

  “I will.” He glanced back out the window just as the car pulled up next to the curb. “They’re here.” Scooping Sharon up again—she didn’t protest this time—David walked to the door, which Lydia opened. Mary got out of the car and motioned for him to put Sharon in the front seat.

  “She’ll be more comfortable,” Mary said. She went around and slid into the backseat behind Jamie, so David sat behind Sharon.

  The drive to the hospital was quiet except for the occasional cry of pain from Sharon. Each cry made David wince. This was scarier than anything he had ever experienced.

  Jamie stopped by admittance, and Mary ran inside to alert the hospital staff. David was about to lift Sharon out when she screamed. He jerked back in surprise and smacked his head on the car frame. Sharon didn’t seem to notice, but her parents chuckled sympathetically. Mary patted his back and told him to go find a chair.

  “The nurses will get her inside,” she said. “No need for you to give yourself a concussion.”

  A sympathetic intern handed him an ice pack. He was too nervous to sit, so he paced in the lobby, watching while they moved Sharon into a wheelchair and brought her inside. He wasn’t sure what to do. She hadn’t explicitly asked him to be in the room with her, but she hadn’t told him not to, either. Mary was the one who went to the birthing classes with her. When he offered to go, she had said, “No offense, but I’d feel more comfortable if my mom was there.”

  Secretly, he had been relieved. The idea of being in a room full of pregnant women freaked him out a little bit. The entire concept of childbirth both intrigued and scared the hell out of him. If he did go in the room, he might be the first male Selkie to witness a birth. In his culture, the men were not allowed. Their job was to guard the females from a safe distance away and make sure that there were no predators nearby, like sharks. He started to walk toward Jamie when Sharon called back in a panic, “David, aren’t you coming?”

  Jamie clamped him on the shoulder with one beefy hand. The smile he gave him was grim. “You’re not getting out of this one, son. Take care of my daughter.”

  “Yes, sir.” He hurried to follow the women and medical staff down the hall.

  ****

  Labor was killing him. Sharon screamed and squeezed his hand every time a contraction hit. Who knew how powerful a woman in pain could be? If she kept it up, his bones were going to fuse together. He wanted to take his hand back and shake it out, but he knew neither Sharon nor her mother would understand. Instead, he clenched his teeth and held on.

  Someone came to give her drugs, something called an epidural, and he and Mary had to leave the room. In the hall, Mary patted his arm. “You’re doing great. It’ll be better when we go back in. The epidural really helps with the pain.”

  David nodded. Although her words were meant to bolster him, he wasn’t sure if he believed her. On the other hand, whether he wanted to go in or not, he didn’t have a choice. When a nurse opened the door to readmit them, Mary grabbed his arm and hauled him with her. It was like she knew he was thinking of leaving. Smart woman.

  Nurses surrounded Sharon’s bed, checking her vitals and measuring her progress. One left to get the doctor, so he knew it wouldn’t be long now. They resumed their positions near the head of the bed, and David took her hand again. “How are you feeling?”

  “Much better.” Sharon gave him a tired smile. “Epidurals are…” She took a few quick breaths as another contraction hit. No screams this time, which was a good sign. “Life savers.”

  An older nurse returned with the doctor, who was a friendly-looking woman with blonde hair and glasses. She asked Sharon a few questions before checking her dilation and the baby’s position.

  “You’re ready,” the doctor said. “When you feel the urge to push, do it.”

  A little while later, Sharon crushed David’s hand as she pushed. It took a few tries, but then the doctor announced, “It’s a girl.” Her words were followed by a warbled cry.

  David looked down at his daughter, hardl
y believing that he was a father, even after watching the evidence literally grow month by month. She was beautiful with a shock of dark, wavy hair like his. The doctor cut the cord, and the nurses took her to the corner to check her vitals. They cleaned her and wrapped her in blankets before placing her in Sharon’s arms.

  “What are you naming her?” Mary asked.

  Sharon looked up at David and nodded with a smile on her face. He’d come up with the name, so he guessed she felt he should announce it. “Meara,” he said. “Meara Elizabeth.”

  Elizabeth was Sharon’s suggestion. It was the name of Mary’s mother. Hearing it, Mary’s eyes teared up. “Meara is a beautiful name, just like her.”

  The baby had quieted in her mother’s arms. She was the most beautiful thing David had ever seen. If he hadn’t already decided to give up his Selkie magic and live as a human, he would have now. This small, innocent child already had her fingers wrapped around his heart. He wanted to be there for her. Guide her, protect her, but most of all, love her. He didn’t know the first thing about being a dad, but he’d figure it out for her.

  “Do you want to hold our daughter?” Sharon asked him.

  He gently took Meara in his arms and held her against him. She stirred, but settled back into sleep, her pink lips puckering like a rosebud. He ran a finger along her cheek, soft as silk. He could hold her like this forever, but after a few minutes, he offered her to Mary.

  “I’ll go and tell Jamie,” he said.

  Once he did and sent the nervous Jamie back to the room to meet his new granddaughter, he called Lydia and gave her the news. Afterwards, he sank into one of the plastic chairs, exhausted and elated. He was a father, and she was perfect. What more could he ask for?

  Brigid

  My brother. The idiot. David came to Nova Scotia to find their parents’ murderer. In the process, he fell in love with a human girl. You would think that would be enough for him, but no. He went and got her pregnant. Oh brother is right. Oh really stupid brother.