See You Soon (See the Moon)

9. Moon Tipsy

I didn't have peace to myself for long.

Soon after calm came a flood of calls from the girls.

My fellow college students were now used to how I'd leave a study group to answer my calls outside on a regular basis.

Emma was calling about Ash again.

She had caught him and Rikki whispering several times, and she was worried and jealous.

"Do you trust Rikki?"

"Well..."

I rephrased my question, "Do you think Rikki would ever date someone you thought might be your soulmate?"

"Well no..."

"Then you have nothing to worry about."

I received a text later that day that it all had been a misunderstanding as expected. Ash and Rikki had been planning a 'employee of the month' gift basket for her.

Another full moon night, Emma and Ash at last confirmed they were soulmates.

The Gilberts were away and we had the house moon-proofed.

Lewis came over to help. He was the only allowed boy as long as I was chaperone.

It was all set until the door was knocked on and in came Ash, moonlight lit Cleo's face who had come around the corner.

Cleo giggled. I looked from her to Ash.

I smiled.

"Emma will be right down."

He nodded then headed toward the living room, a big picnic basket in hand. The girls had told me they'd convinced him to be bold when it came to Emma. Well he was taking their advice.

I made it upstairs towing a very loopy Cleo.

"It would be lovely to go for a swim. Don't you want to go in the water, Darcy?"

"Yes, but what's more important is taking care of my family."

"That's me." Cleo pointed to herself, before pouting. "But I want to go to Mako, won't you take me, please?"

I entered Emma's room with Cleo, passing Lewis in the hall who had finished proofing the upstairs.

"She got exposed?"

"Yep." I rolled my eyes, "Watch her for me? I need to talk to Emma."

Emma came out of the room.

"Downstairs there is a lovely possible soulmate that is trying to do something romantic for you."

"Ash!" Emma whispered.

"Look I know its not the greatest timing but you've been avoiding him. Not everyone gets the chance to see their soulmate so early like you and Cleo, you should not be wasting any time."

"But..." Emma started and I raised my hand to stop her excuses.

"It's not a request. I'm ordering you as the oldest, go down and enjoy the date. No hanky panky though, I don't want your parents coming after me."

I giggled as I heard Emma whisper 'hanky panky' with a shake of her head as she went down the stairs. Once Emma was downstairs, I heard the bedroom door open.

I looked behind to see Lewis with wide eyes as high pitched giggles came from behind.

I sighed. "She opened the blinds and Rikki is now moon-tipsy too."

"Yep." He nodded.

I sighed, "This will be a long night."

I passed him and looked at the girls with my hands on my hips.

"Darcy!" Cleo and Rikki chimed.

"Let's go swim. We'll love it." Cleo looked at me with wide eyes. "We should be swimming."

Rikki came up to me and pulled me towards the open blinded window where moonlight was streaming in, "Can you feel that? Mako would be beautiful right now." Rikki set her head on my shoulder.

Cleo came up to my other side, "We are happier as mermaids."

"I know. It is lovely isn't it?"

A blonde and dark haired head nodded enthusiastically.

"How about I sing you the lullaby my Babya would sing me on full moon nights?"

I nodded toward Lewis, and gestured with my head to the bed. He went over and pulled down the sheets and blankets.

I slipped my hands into each of the girls' before humming the start of the melody.

Singing the melody of a full moon night and the soft patter of rain upon the window pane.

Outside clouds rolled in and following the melody came the sound of a rain shower.

The girls pouted but let me put them into bed. I helped Rikki in, while Lewis helped Cleo.

My voice softly sang the melody until I saw both their eyes droop and their breath deepen.

Lewis closed the blinds behind me then watched as if entranced as I sat at the foot of the bed patting the girls feet.

Singing of full moon nights and soft storms.

Emma came in an hour later, her head in the clouds.