Mako Mermaids: Rita Santos' Daughter

Chapter 4

Rita's POV:

I'm having a little swim with Caitlan in the pool, how is she one month old already? Out of nowhere, Veridia shows up and says "Caitlan needs to grow up with the other hatchlings" - I hold my baby girl to my chest, not wanting my ex best friend to take her away, but she pries her from my arms and swims off. "No! Give me my baby girl back! Caitlan!" I sobbed and Caitlan was crying her heart out...

I jolted up, sweating like crazy. Caitlan was crying - she's one month old and currently her first tooth is breaking in, so she's in a lot of pain, bless her. We haven't had much sleep in the past few days. "It's ok, my little starfish. Mummy's here." I cooed and lifted Caitlan into my arms. "Mummy's here." I lifted Caitlan to my chest and kissed her head.

Caitlan won't stop screaming in pain. "I know sweetheart, I know. I wish I could take your pain away." It broke my heart seeing my baby girl in pain. I carried Caitlan into the kitchen and went into the fridge to get her teething ring and a jar of my potion that helps ease a baby's pain of teething, but unfortunately doesn't take it away fully. I spread some of the potion onto the teething ring and gently put it near Caitlan's mouth, she thankfully let me rest it onto her gums to relieve the pain. "There we are, that should do the trick." I whispered.

Caitlan settled so we went back to bed. I laid her down on my legs. I started to play Peek-A-Boo. "Where is she? There she is!" What happened next is what I wasn't expecting - a small smile on my baby girl's face, a smile I recognised as my own.  "Look at that gorgeous smile." I repeated Peek-A-Boo and a small giggle erupted. I felt a small tear fall down my cheek. I lifted my Caitlan up, got my camera and took a photo of us both smiling. My baby girl's first smile!

I laid Caitlan back down and used the Invisibility Spell for Peek-A-Boo, but as soon as I disappeared, Caitlan started crying. I made myself visible again instantly. "Mummy's still here sweetheart. It's ok. I'm sorry." I lifted her up and smothered her little face in kisses, "let's give you your feed and head back to sleep." I whispered. Halfway through her feed, Caitlan fell back asleep - out like a light.

I laid down and rested Caitlan on my chest, and kissed her head. "Sweet dreams, my little starfish." I fell back asleep myself.

After that well needed sleep - Caitlan definitely needed it as she was still fast asleep when I woke up; when she woke up I gave Caitlan her morning feed as well as having my breakfast and a cup of tea on the balcony.

Around midday, we went for a swim in the pool. I laid on my back and held Caitlan on my chest, as we floated about, Caitlan's head resting in the crook of my neck. I then heard a dolphin enter the cavern pool, Christina. "Veridia asked me to give you this. Her words: for Caitlan, when she is ready." She said in Dolphin, indicating to the pool floor. I thanked her in Dolphin and she swam back to the ocean. I kept hold of Caitlan as I swam to the floor of the pool, and picked up a moon ring. I smiled, knowing that eventhough we no longer speak, Veridia still thinks of us.

I placed Caitlan's moon ring in my shell with mine, to keep it safe. I then got an unpleasant smell, Caitlan's nappy needed changing. Mermaids don't need nappies when we're babies, so this experience is rather new to me but hey I've been doing it for a month and doing well. We left the Grotto via the secret entrance in my book case, and grabbed the baby cleaning supplies and went into the living room. I placed the changing mat on the floor and laid Caitlan down. "Okay Little Miss Santos, let's get you changed." I smiled. I took Caitlan's dirty nappy off, grabbed a clean one which turned out to be the last one. Looks like a trip to the store is in order. Anyway, I put the clean nappy on Caitlan and said "how can something so cute create something so gross eh?" I lifted Caitlan up and blew raspberries on her little tummy, she squealed with laughter.

I decided on putting Caitlan in her baby pouch instead of the pram. I only need to get nappies from the store anyway.

At the store I ran into Doctor Blakely. "Hello Rita, how's the Mum life treating you?" "Very exhausting Doctor Blakely, but I wouldn't change a single second of it." I smiled as I looked at Caitlan snoozing away against my chest. "You can call me Rob. I've just nipped to get some nappies since me and Lauren have a baby son, Zac." I congratulated Doctor Blakely, then went to pay for the nappies and headed home.

Caitlan woke up when we got home. "Okay sweetheart, what shall we do for the rest of the day?" I took Caitlan out of the pouch and cradled her in my arms. "It's so nice and sunny, how about we have a small walk on the beach?" Caitlan babbled which I took as a yes.

I decided on  carrying Caitlan, instead of the pouch or pram. I found a spot on the sand to sit down and sat Caitlan up against my stomach and wrapped my arms around her. A few people walked by with a few 'awws' but I was focused on my little girl. A small family of turtles walked by, a mummy turtle with her babies. I smiled at them as they headed to the ocean. I gently swayed with Caitlan on my knee. I started thinking about becoming a teacher. When Caitlan is slightly older, I'll start to teach her how to be a mermaid, and I'll get a job as a teacher in land school, one where Caitlan can stay with me. As much as I love teaching, my baby girl is always my priority. "You're mummy's number one baby girl. Always." I whispered and kissed the top of Caitlan's head. She started to cry and scream, which I knew was due to her tooth so we headed home.

Once we got home, I instantly got Caitlan's teething ring and the potion, thankfully she calmed after a few minutes. I got Caitlan's nappy changed, and into her pyjamas, before getting into my own pyjamas. I cuddled Caitlan in bed, giving her her nighttime feed, I cradled her  in my arms and lulled her to sleep. "Though I'm far away, across the sea, this moon keeps haunting me... As I spread my wings,
and soar above, it's you, you're guiding me..." I sung quietly and Caitlan was out like a light. I laid Caitlan down next to me, wrapped us both up and I kissed my sleepy girl on her cheek. "Sweet dreams my little starfish. Mummy loves you so so much." I laid down and cuddled Caitlan as I fell asleep.

That's chapter 4 guys! Hope y'all like it!