Our Fated Tail

Seren

Seren

I couldn't help smiling as Anilena fretted over Aiden. She didn't know that is was normal for newborn children to grow quickly. Whenever she looked at me, she'd have this adorable little pout with her brow furrowed in frustration. I stayed standing behind her, my arms wrapped around her waist. She was in kneeling position and tickling our son. He looked a lot like me, but I could see her in him. The whole week she'd been in a coma, Aiden had grown. Hi tail had changed a little, looking like the onyx was sprinkled with salt. Georgia and Cobius had watched him when I was with her. Father visited a few times and adored his grandson. I did get a good lecture about how I should've waited until we'd married, but I had yet to ask her.

The thought scared me. Would she say yes because she loved me, or would she say yes because of Aiden? Then I would scold myself for thinking about her so poorly. Everything about Anilena was perfect. Her humor, her determination, her smile, and everything else. I even seemed to enjoy her violence, which was wearing off on me a little. I understood that it has only been a month or so since we've known each other, but it isn't strange for mermaids to make such early decisions on who they wanted to mate with. It is a one time deal. Mermaids only fall in love once. One time is all we get, and when we lose that person, it tears us apart. It's a curse that we cannot change.

"Eren."

I looked up at Anilena. Her white hair floated around her face and she grinned. Her bright green eyes flashed neon and I blinked. My mother never went through these changes. I shook off the feeling when she looked at me concerned. I just kissed her forehead and rested my chin on her shoulder. Aiden flopped around some more on the bed before settling on his back, playing with a small coral rattle. Georgia had filled the room with tiny toys for him. He squabbled for a minute before screaming. I jolted and looked at Anilena, worried. She laughed and picked him up.

"You scared daddy," she giggled at him. "What's that matter baby?" Aiden screamed again and threw his arms around, catching her chin. "Ouch! Hey now, calm down. Mommy will go get you food."

"I can do it," I said.

She kissed me. "That's okay. I need to move anyways."

Her body was tanned and that white of her scales contrasted dramatically against it. I watched her leave with Aiden and he was blowing raspberries over her shoulder. I layed down and groaned. How was I going to ask her? We had a family now, so it's only proper to ask her to marry me. Right? I groaned and rolled onto my stomach, deciding sleep would help. As soon as my lids drooped, someone landed on me. Their tail wrapped with mine and Anilena let out a light laugh as I yelped.

"Hey there," she whispered. "I missed you. When Kasey had me locked up, I really missed you."

I rolled to my side, making her settle next to me. She had glazed eyes and I frowned. "I missed you to. I was worried."

"I know."

I placed a small kiss on her forehead and wrapped my arms around her tightly. She yawned and I noticed Aiden was missing. "Where's the ba-"

"Georgia took him so that I could spend time with my boyfriend," she mumbled. "Sleep."

I chuckled at her demand and we curled up against each other. When her breathing got shallow and evened out, I closed my eyes.

The morning was calm. The water was illuminated slightly brighter than night. Anilena wasn't here and there was a tiny scream somewhere in the hall. I got up and swam out to the hall and saw Aiden screaming as he pulled his mother's hair. She was cursing under her breath and trying to get him to let go. I watched with a grin as he let out an infant battle cry, before yanking extremely hard.