The Mermaid DISCONTINUED

Prologue

"Natalie!"  Ivan Keems called from the bottom of the stairs to his daughter.

As a way of answering the young girl, Natalie, ran down the stairs and tackled her father in a hug.

"How was work?" Natalie grinned at the man and Ivan couldn't help but smile down at his daughter.

"Work was amazing." Ivan answered. "I have someone I want you to meet."

Natalie nodded and Ivan led her to the front door. "Well, where are they?" Natalie asked, confusion written all over her face.

"Down by the water." Ivan told her simply.

Natalie grinned happily. She had always loved going down to the water, even if she didn't know why. She quickly sprinted down to the waters edge with her father not far behind. Natalie turned around at the waters edge as no one was there.

"Are you sure they're here?"

"Yes." The father told the girl. "Come down to the very edge where your feet are in the water."

Natalie kicked off her shoes and stepped into the water. Soon enough, someone appeared. Natalie screeched and jumped out of the water.

"D-DAD!" She screamed.

Surprised by her reaction, Ivan rushed to his daughter's side.

"It's alright." He reasured her. "She won't hurt you."

Natalie only nodded.

"Hello, Natalie." The woman in the water smiled brightly.

"Hello." Natalie said slowly. "Are you a mermaid?" Natalie cocked her head to the side as she asked her this.

"Yes." The woman laughed. "You are rather clever, just like your father told me you were. How old are you now? I haven't seen you since you were a wee one."

Natalie smiled brightly at the complement. "I'm eight." She told the woman before realizing that she had no idea who the woman was. "Who are you?

"I go by Oceania to most." The mermaid smiled. "But you can call me mom."

Natalie's eyes widened and she stepped into the water.

"You're my mom?" Natalie questioned still wide eyed.

"Yes." Oceania nodded and reached a hand to hold her daughter's. "Would you like to go for a swim?"

"I-I don't know." Natalie looked at where the woman's feet should be, but instead saw a dark blue tail.

"It's alright if you don't want to." Oceania smiled and winked. "But I assure you that I am an excellent swimmer."

Natalie laughed and nodded. "Can I, dad?"

"You didn't even have to ask." Ivan told the girl.

Natalie smiled at her father and looked to the mermaid. Oceania reached a hand out to Natalie and she gripped her mother's hand tightly.

"Whatever you do, don't let go of my hand." Oceania told the girl and Natalie nodded.

With a swish of her tail, Oceania and Natalie disappeared under the water's surface, not to come back to the beach for many hours.