Mako Mermaids: Rita Santos' Daughter

Chapter 7

Rita's POV:
I've been a Mummy for one whole year! How has that gone by so fast? Caitlan is still so tiny, thankfully she hasn't had anymore bumps to the head - she's almost started crawling but still not quite there yet. Oh and the only word she loves to say is Mama. What can I say, she's a mummy's girl.

I woke up and Caitlan was still fast asleep. I smiled as her little brown locks were messy in her face as she snored away.

Caitlan woke up about ten minutes later. "Morning baby girl. Happy birthday." Obviously Caitlan didn't understand but she still had the biggest smile. "Mama!" She said happily. I lifted her up and smothered her with kisses, squeals of laughter erupting from my little girl. "Shall we go open your presents?" I asked Caitlan who just babbled "Mamama". "Does mummy get a kiss first?" I lifted Caitlan up and she leaned forwards and gave me a kiss. "Thank you sweetheart. Let's get our bums up!"

On birthdays, mermaids usually give gifts to others, but land people receive on their birthdays. I wrapped Caitlan's birthday presents last night when she dozed off. Rob and Lauren offered to get them for me since they knew Caitlan won't leave my side.

We came to the living room and sat on the floor, the presents were set out last night. Caitlan looked up at me confused. "These are yours baby girl, shall we open them?" I said trying to get Caitlan excited. I got Caitlan a baby walker so she can sit in it and slowly get used to using her feet. She also got another type of walker that she can hold on to when she's got the hang of using her feet - I mean she does have to start crawling first. Caitlan got some cute clothes too - some tops and dresses. But I think her favourite gifts were her sealife teddies that I'd bought her: shark, seahorse, starfish, turtle and dolphin. Caitlan gasped and cuddled all of them to her tiny chest. "Mummy wanted to spoil you sweetheart. How about we have breakfast then we get dressed for your small party with Zac and David eh?" I stood up and spun Caitlan around. The owners of the Ocean Cafe (Miranda and Carl) had their second son David a couple of months ago, so they've joined our play dates with the Blakeleys.

After breakfast, we got dressed and me and Caitlan were in matching dresses. Caitlan is growing slowly but surely, but outgrown her large pram so I've got a smaller one that's easily collapsible - which is easier since I can keep Caitlan in my arms whilst I take it outside and set it up.

"Okay, nappies. Check. Mushed seafood. Check. Dummy. Check. Birthday girl." I then went in front of the pram and bent down to Caitlan's level and bopped her tiny nose. "Check." I kissed Caitlan's forehead and she started giggling. "I think we're ready."

As we walked along the Gold Coast on the way to Ocean Cafe, Caitlan pointed at the ocean saying "mama!" She looked up at me and I smiled "we'll go for a swim later sweetheart, I promise." I put my hand to her face and she cuddled into it.

When we got to the Cafe, it was decorated for Caitlan's birthday. The Blakeleys, Miranda and Carl really outdid themselves. Zac was sat playing on the floor, David in his mother's arms. Caitlan tried to shy away into her pram, but then reached her arms up to me. I scooped her up in my arms, Zac waved and Caitlan clasped her tiny fingers to her palm, waving back.

Miranda and Carl gifted Caitlan a cute set of seahorse pyjamas, and the Blakeleys gifted her a framed photograph of us all. I thanked them all for the gifts and I put Caitlan on the floor next to Zac.

I was eating some lobster and enjoying a cup of tea and I heard small taps on the floor and "mama" - I looked down and saw Caitlan crawling to me. I lifted her up and spun her around. "Well done sweetheart! You're so so clever!" I smothered her face in kisses, Caitlan giggling like crazy. Miranda then brought out a chocolate cake out, we all sang 'Happy Birthday' and Caitlan shyly cuddled into me. I blew the candle out and we all had cake.

Halfway through eating her slice of cake, Caitlan fell asleep. Zac and David were also conked out. "I think that's our cue. Thank you for making Caitlan's first birthday memorable." I smiled at the Blakeleys, Miranda and Carl and said bye. I gently put Caitlan in her pram and laid it down, then took a slow walk home.

Caitlan woke up just as we got to the door. "Hey sweetheart. Good nap?" I smiled as I got her out of the pram.

We headed to the Grotto and I got out the paints and paper. I put paint on both mine and Caitlan's hands, Caitlan looked at me confused. "Do what Mummy does sweetheart. Watch." I placed my hands on the paper and made prints, Caitlan giggled and copied. We then did the same with our feet. "Now how about we go for a swim whilst the paint dries eh?" As soon as I mentioned a swim, Caitlan's little face lit up.

We went in the Cavern and I saw a big seashell on the edge of the pool. We got into the water first and then I opened the shell. It was a bracelet made of pearls with a starfish charm on it. I knew instantly who it was from, Veridia. "It's off Aunty Veridia" I whispered. Caitlan hasn't seen Veridia since she  was born, but I'll tell Caitlan about her properly when she's older and understands. I'm grateful Veridia  hasn't singled Caitlan out even if we're no longer friends.

Caitlan's little tail was splashing happily about in the water, she can't swim on her own - hatchlings begin to swim without aid when they're four years old, but I held Caitlan's hands as we swam about, her giggles echoing through the Cavern. I pulled Caitlan into my chest and wrapped my arms around her. She put her tiny hands to my face, I kissed her small palms and she cuddled into me. "Shall we go for a quick swim?" I whispered.

We went into the ocean, it was getting quite dark, but it wasn't dark completely. Caitlan was happily pointing out the different creatures; dolphins, turtles and even a shark! I smiled at my darling girl as she admired the different creatures.

When we got back to the Grotto, the painting was dry so I wrote 'Age 1 Caitlan and Mummy' on it and hung that up next to our very first one. I got my camera and took a couple of photos, I kissed Caitlan's cheek and snapped the photo, I could feel her smile as I took it. We took a few more: Caitlan decided she wanted to kiss my cheek, then we had another mummy daughter kiss, we smiled at the camera, and smiled at each other. I used Harry's photo printing machine to print the photos off to add to the photo album.

Caitlan fell asleep in my arms, bless her. She's had a very tiring birthday. I gently carried her into our room, got her changed into her pyjamas and laid her in bed, then got into my own. As soon as I got into bed, Caitlan snuggled up to me. I kissed her head and whispered "sweet dreams my little star fish, mummy loves you so so much." I fell asleep cuddling my baby girl.

Hope y'all like this chapter!