Mako Mermaids: Rita Santos' Daughter

Chapter 5

Rita's POV:

How is my baby girl 6 months old already? Time is flying by so quick and I don't like it, I want Caitlan to be forever small. Hopefully she'll never be too big to snuggle up and have cuddles with her mummy.

I was awaken by small taps on my face. I groaned. "Okay sweetheart. Mummy's awake." I opened my eyes to Caitlan with a big smile on her face. I smiled and poked my tongue out at her, which she did back. "It's a good job mummy loves you isn't it, cheeky." I smiled as I tickled her sides, to which she squealed with laughter. "I guess we should get our bums up for breakfast. Does mummy get a kiss first?" I lifted her up above my head, then moved her close to give her a kiss, which she gave me one of her adorable baby kisses. "And again." I smiled and got another kiss off my baby girl. I got out of bed and spun Caitlan around, which she really enjoyed.

First day of trying seafood for Caitlan, I know she'll love it. I prepared some yesterday and put it in the fridge to keep it fresh. I gave her her morning milk feed first, then got her high chair set up in the living room. "Okay Little Miss Santos, let's get you fed" I smiled and gave Caitlan her first spoonful, it's fair to say she loves her seafood, just like Mummy. "Is that nice sweetheart?" I smiled. "Want some more? Here we go." Caitlan's little mouth opened wide for the next spoonful. It's fair to say she demolished her breakfast, except the parts that's mushed around her mouth. "Looks like someone enjoyed her breakfast. We should get you cleaned up missy. Kiss?" I leaned forwards for a kiss which Caitlan gave me, along with some of the breakfast around her mouth - mushed up lobster is quite nice.

It was pouring with rain outside so looks like a day inside. "So sweetheart, what shall we do?" I sat on the sofa cuddling Caitlan. "Day of cuddles and a swim?" I suggested, at the word of 'swim' - Caitlan's little face lit up. "Swim it is" I chuckled and kissed the top of Caitlan's head.

In the pool Caitlan had a good little splash about. She's still very shy and likes to cuddle into the crook of my neck, but she's slowly easing out of her shell.

I made bubbles float out the water and I heard a small gasp. Caitlan was in awe of the bubbles, so I made one float towards her which popped on her little nose, she squealed with laughter. I made another bubble and turned it into fireworks. Caitlan jumped in my arms, I hope I've not frightened her. My little girl started clapping. I lifted her above my head and spun around in the water. "Mummy thought she scared you then missy." Caitlan giggled, she's so cheeky.

I then held Caitlan in the water and spun around, Caitlan's little tail splashing happily. "Shall we go under, darling?" I held Caitlan close and we both went underwater. Caitlan put her tiny hands on my face. I kissed her little nose and Caitlan's face scrunched into an adorable smile. She then cuddled into my chest. I think that's a sign to say she's tired.

As soon as I got us both out of the pool, I heard little snores. I looked down and Caitlan was snoozing away, cuddled into me. I smiled and planted a small kiss on her head.

Once we were dried, I laid down on the sofa, and laid Caitlan on my chest. I wrapped us both in a blanket and smiled listening to my baby girl's little snores and the raindrops splashing outside.

We were laid on the sofa a good couple of hours before Caitlan decided to wake up. She really needed that afternoon nap. "Hey there beautiful." I smiled as her little face scrunched up into a yawn.

I gave Caitlan her afternoon feed, then sat on the floor and played for a bit. I laid Caitlan down on her play mat, her little sea creature baby mobile over her head. She kept reaching for the seahorse and dolphin, giggling. I just smiled at my baby girl. Caitlan then rolled over on her stomach for the first time. I scooped her up in my arms and smothered her little face in kisses. "You're so clever sweetheart."

Caitlan thankfully slept through the night. She sleeps better when she's all snuggled up to me. I don't mind of course, I sleep better knowing my baby girl is safe in my arms.

It was nice and sunny today so I decided to take Caitlan on a small wander. "Where shall we go today darling? See where Mummy's legs take us?" I asked Caitlan giving her her morning feed on the balcony. Caitlan just giggled and babbled.

After breakfast, and after getting us both dressed, I set Caitlan's pram up outside - Caitlan was on her play mat whilst I set it up and could hear her screaming and sobbing. It broke my heart that even if I'm away from her for a minute, she cries her heart out. I immediately ran inside and scooped my baby girl up. "Mummy's still here sweetheart." I whispered and bounced Caitlan slightly. Caitlan's cries stopped instantly. I got Caitlan's baby bag sorted - mushed up seafood - check; plenty of nappies - check; dummy - check. "Right my little starfish, I think we're ready to go." I put the baby bag on my shoulder and smothered Caitlan's little face with kisses before putting her in the pram.

We took a slow walk along the coast, Caitlan babbling away at me. I smiled and tickled her feet. We stopped outside the Ocean Cafe, I took Caitlan out the pram and we looked out at the ocean. "Absolutely gorgeous from this view isn't it? Not as gorgeous as you though my darling." I whispered and kissed Caitlan's cheek before we headed in the cafe.

We saw Doctor Blakely and his wife with little Zac, who's a few weeks younger than Caitlan. "Mind if we join you?" I smiled. "By all means" Lauren, Doctor Blakely's wife smiled. The owner came and took my order as I got Caitlan out of the pram. "I'm sorry to ask but am I okay to breast feed her in here? She's due her feed." I asked meekly. The owner smiled and said "Please, you don't have to ask. Me and my wife have a son called Joe, and we're expecting our second son in a few weeks. Your baby needs her food too." He smiled and went to get my seafood platter and a cup of tea.

I breastfed Caitlan as I had my seafood. Little Zac was sat on Lauren's knee babbling away. "We've been hoping to have play dates with other babies. Would you and Caitlan like to join us?" Rob asked. "We'd love to" I smiled.

I put Caitlan in a high chair and fed her her mushed up seafood. "So Rita are you going to continue pursuing teaching?" Lauren asked. "Maybe when Caitlan is older. She hates being away from me even for a second and I'd like a job where she'd be able to come to work with me." I replied. "Wouldn't you want to put her in Kindergarten and school?" Lauren questioned. I smiled, "I'd home school her. I'd take her to work with me, and then teach her at home. I'd rather keep her with me. I just hope I can find a job that will let me bring her." I smiled sadly. "Well I'm on the school board for Suncoast High. If an opportunity comes up when Caitlan is a bit older, I'll let you know. And I'm sure I can persuade the other Board members to allow you to bring her." Rob said. I smiled and thanked him.

After lunch, the five of us went for a walk on the beach, Caitlan and Zac in their prams. We found a spot on the sand that wasn't crowded, got the babies out the prams and sat down. "How about some ice creams?" Lauren suggested to which me and Rob agreed - I said I'd share mine with Caitlan and Lauren will share hers with Zac. Lauren and Rob went for the ice creams and I sat and held Zac and Caitlan. Zac was playing with the sand, whereas Caitlan was watching the ocean.

Rob and Lauren came back and handed me my ice cream. Caitlan's little face looked up at me. "I'm guessing you want some of mummy's ice cream my darling?" I smiled and let Caitlan have some, her little arms flapped with excitement after trying it, it's fair to say she loves ice cream. "Want more?" I asked and then added "does mummy get a kiss first?" I lent down and Caitlan gave me a kiss - her mouth very sticky from the ice cream. 

We got home from a day of fun - we're looking forward to our next play date with the Blakeley's. Before we got ready for bed, we went for a quick swim in the ocean. I held Caitlan to my chest as I swam, I didn't swim extremely fast as Caitlan is still too young to swim at that speed. As she gets older I'll teach her how to swim against the ocean current properly. Thankfully we didn't go far enough to run into the Mako Pod. I spun Caitlan around and she had a huge smile on her face. She then cuddled into me which was her way of telling me she was tired, so we headed back.

As soon as we got back and dried, I gave Caitlan her night feed to which she fell asleep mid feed, on the way to bed - thankfully we got into our pyjamas before the swim and I'd put a clean nappy on Caitlan beforehand.

I quietly got on the bed and laid Caitlan down next to me. I planted a kiss softly on her head and whispered "Sweet dreams, my little starfish." I laid down myself and fell asleep with my baby girl snoozing away, cuddled up to me.

That's chapter 5! I hope y'all like it!