Broken Tides

Chapter Twenty-one

"Dolly, what's going on?" The man asked. His voice nearly cracking, as he pretended he didn't notice me. His eyes darting to look me up and down occasionally told me otherwise.

Dolly, Dee's mother, turned her head around to face him. "The consequences." She stated firmly. Not unkind, but clearly perturbed by his reaction.

The other woman noticed me and Dee's hands, still laced together. A look a excitement. "Will you two be joining family or starting a new one?"

I realized then that she had no idea who I was.

That my father had never told her about me.

"Depends." I said calmly. Not eyeing her, or the small child in her arms. "If my dad wants me to join his I can."

She glanced over to him, bewildered.

"But I'm not so sure if I should."

Dee squeezed my hand before taking a big breath. "Y'know! It's late, and we just swam all the way here." He gently shifted my face to his with his free hand. "How about we get something to eat, get some sleep and then talk about this in the morning?"

Dolly hummed in agreement. The two of them led me through the archway.

We found a small kitchen like area. Another couple sat in the coner quietly eating.  A man came over to us, and from his facial expression, and from his bright green eyes I knew he was Dee's father.

And not very happy.

We hardly made it into the room before he noticed us and made his way over. "Who is this?" He said, his voice booming and deep. Im glad Dee seems to take after his mother.

"This is Marlowe," Dolly took her hands off my arm and shoulder, and reassuringly placed them in his chest. "Dillion and Marlowe are paired."

"Excuse me?" He glaced over to me and I felt my stomach drop.

"Mateo, before you get upset," she held her hand out for me, I again let her expose my fin, showing the man. "Whether you like it or not."

I was ready for a beat down, a screaming match, hate and everything that scared me away from dating in the first place, but apon noticing the stripey pattern, and Dee showing his, this whole mans entire demeanor changed.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He stepped into the space between us and wrapped his arms around me in a full hug. "Welcome, then." He told me with a big, toothy grin.

Maybe Dee took after both his parents?

"Marlowe is also..." She quieted herself, voice lowering to a near whisper. "Lance's son."

I glanced back to my father and the woman, deep in coversation. She seemed to be upset, crying. And my father seemed annoyed almost.

Mateo looked me up and down before nodding. "Yes, I can see that now."

Dolly took me aside, sitting me down at the other end of the island counter. I noted that this place was actually very modern looking. The whole place had an off the grid vibe to it but clearly seemed built for comfort.

"What exactly is this place?" I asked her. 

She moved to the otherside, filling two bowls up and sprucing up whatever she'd put in there.

"Lewwrn kahl." She looked at me, a playful grin on her face, as she watched me think. "Life Cove."

She turned to me, setting down the bowls, one next to me for Dee. And grabbed a napkin and pen. Writing it down for me.

"This place used to be specifically for couples, men to bring their women, to start a family or bring new life to them. Now it's mostly used as just another home for the pod." She slid my bowl closer to me "Eat." She ruffled my hair as she walked back over to Dee and his father, who were talking about the shop.