Mako Mermaids: Rita Santos' Daughter

Chapter 19

Caitlan's POV:

The holidays have been epic up to now! I've spent time with my friends at the beach (not near the water though) and at the cafe but as always, spending time with mum has always been my favourite thing to do. We've mainly been for small swims in the sea not too far from the tunnel connecting us to the ocean, and spending time in the Grotto and cuddling up on the sofa watching tv.

I decided to sit on the bench just outside our house and stare at the sea for a while - I find it soothing; Mum was doing a bit of prep work inside for when school is back up in a few weeks. I heard little mews and whimpers. I looked in the bushes and a small white kitten that was in bad shape was hiding. "Hey, it's okay little one" I whispered. The poor thing was shaking but I picked him up and in my arms he started purring.

I took the kitten inside. Mum was sat at the dining table. "Mum I found this little cutie outside. Can we keep him?"

Rita's POV:
Mermaids are naturally afraid of cats, but since I began living on land, I've grown to love land animals. Caitlan sat next to me with the little kitten. "Of course we can sweetheart." I smiled. "What can we name him?" Caitlan asked. We sat quiet for a moment thinking and then simultaneously, we both said "Poseidon!" Poseidon then mewed, it's as though that was already his name.

I took a quick trip to the pet store, Caitlan stayed with Poseidon. I got some cat supplies and cat toys.

When I got back, Caitlan was in the Grotto cuddling Poseidon. "Let's get Poseidon cleaned up." I smiled. I applied the cat shampoo on Poseidon's fur, he didn't look too happy about it. Caitlan got a bowl of water which wasn't too hot or too cold and brought it in the Grotto. We placed a towel on the floor and put Poseidon on it, me and Caitlan used our magic to control the water and clean Poseidon. It went smoothly, until Poseidon shook himself dry. Thankfully, me and Caitlan were sat down when we got splashed so we didn't fall over. We looked at each other then started laughing. "He's all fluffy!" Caitlan happily remarked. We dried ourselves off and Poseidon leapt onto my knee and let me brush him.

Poseidon then started purring. "Oooh shall we show Poseidon our photo album?" Caitlan suggested. I chuckled and said "I don't see why not" Caitlan excitedly got the photo album that I decorated when she was born. The one that was meant to be mine and Harry's wedding album. Caitlan sat next to me and I wrapped my arm around her. We opened the album. The first photo was when I was pregnant with Caitlan. I was about halfway through and had a tiny bump. "Wow you're glowing there mum" Caitlan smiled. "Well I was pregnant with you my little starfish, you wouldn't stop wriggling about in there"   I laughed. The next two photos were of me and her when she was first born - one with our legs and one with our tails. Veridia took both photos - after I showed her how the camera worked. "I can't believe I used to be that small." Caitlan said in awe. "I miss you being that small. You'd never settle unless you were cosied up in my arms." I smiled and kissed the side of her head. "What can I say? I've always been and always be a mummy's girl." Caitlan rested her head on my shoulder. "And I wouldn't change a thing" I rested my head on Caitlan's.

The next photo was Caitlan's first smile. Poseidon funnily enough was looking at each photo and purring. There's so many photos of both me and my Caitlan. One of us eating ice cream on the beach, one where she refused to have clothes on for the day and was parading around the house in her nappy, and plenty of us together, my little girl is growing up and I don't like it. We took a photo of the three of us, Poseidon in our arms to add to the album.

Our daily delivery of seafood arrived. We broke up small bits of prawns for Poseidon which he demolished with his cat food.

We sat in the living room - I say sat, I was sitting and Caitlan was laying down, her head resting on my knees. Poseidon sat on the arm of the sofa. "Can I ask you something mum?" Caitlan asked. "Of course baby girl. What's wrong?" I replied. "I know daddy was the love of your life, do you think you'd ever fall in love again?" She got a bit shy asking. "I don't know sweetheart. Why do you ask?" "I don't know. I think because I want you to be happy-" I cut Caitlan off. "Caitlan, darling. I am happy. If I fall in love again I don't know. But I'm in no rush. Nobody would ever replace your dad, and I don't know if another man would accept us as mermaids. Your daddy loved me as I am." "And I'd probably have to move out our room and have my own" Caitlan mumbled. "Wait a minute sweetheart. You are always my number one. If I did get into another relationship, I'd never choose someone else over you." "What if you ended up having another baby?" Caitlan got a bit teary. "Hey, I would never love you any less. I know it'd be hard sweetheart. But you don't need to get upset darling. Who knows what the future has for us? But remember, it'll always be you and me and Poseidon." I got a bit teary myself, I wiped both of our tears away. "I never want you to think that I'd love you less baby. You and your daddy are irreplaceable" Caitlan sat up and rested her head on my chest. "So are you mummy. Sorry for overthinking." "Don't be silly sweetheart. You don't have to apologise. I remember when you were born. I knew that the hole in my heart when I lost your dad would never be full again, but you are my whole heart my little starfish. I'm so proud that you're my baby girl." I wrapped my arms around Caitlan protectively. "I'm proud that you're my mummy, I even admit that at school when you're my principal." Caitlan smirked slightly and gave me a kiss before we burst out in laughter.

So Poseidon has joined the Santos clan! Hope y'all like this chapter