Dusk 'Til Mermaid

Chapter Twenty

Bambina

I've thought a lot about how the reunion of meeting my parents after seven years would be. I've thought about all the hugs and excitement or even a little bit of crying. Heck, I've even expected the shock of seeing their long lost mermaid daughter.

What I didn't expect, though, was there was news I never even thought about. One was very upsetting, the other, I was having mixed feelings about.

But, we won't start there.

"Hi, mom. It's me. Bambina."

Her eyes widened in shock and she reached out to me. I saw a few tears escape her eyes as she touched my face then my hair.

"Bambina, it's really you." It wasn't a question but, I nodded anyway to confirm.

She pulls me into a tight hug and I wrap my arms tightly around her body. I can feel her body shaking slightly in silent tears. I wasn't sure for how long we held on to one another but, it seemed like quite awhile. Not that I was complaining. I didn't want to let go either.

Soon, she pulls away to look at me, leaving her hands on my shoulders. After taking me in, she looks over at Aiden. He gives her a small smile before waving at her awkwardly.

She smiles really big at him before pulling him into a hug as well.

He patted her back awkwardly, glancing at me. She pulls away before motioning for us to follow her.

"Please, come in!" She gushes excitedly.

I look over at Aiden and give him a toothy grin.

"Thank you so much for this, Aiden." I say before walking in after my mother.

I follow my mother into the kitchen and sit down at the kitchen table. I look at her face and I can tell she is excited that I'm here but she also looks as if she's debating on if she's dreaming or not. Honestly, I'm having the same debate in my head. I never thought I'd be able to see this day.

"So, where's father?" I ask my mother with a smile. I can't wait to see his face when he sees that I'm here.

Her smile drops and she looks to the floor. After taking a deep breath, she puts her hand on top of mine. I look up at Aiden before looking into my mothers eyes. Trying, but not succeeding, to read her mind.

"Bambina, Darling.. Your father.. Well, he is not here with us anymore." She tells me sadly.

What? Why? Did he leave her? Why would he do that? After losing me, as well?

"Why?" I ask her, voicing my thoughts. "Where is he now?"

I feel a light squeeze on my shoulder and look up to see Aiden looking just as sad as my mother.

She clears her throat. "Well, one day, your father and I were in a boat in the ocean, looking for a sign that you might still be alive. We were going to give you this beautiful locket." My hand instantly reached for the locket around my neck. "But, a nasty storm came and he fell overboard. We all tried to save him but, he didn't make it. He had the locket on him but when we were finally able to get him out of the water so that we could bury him, the locket was missing."

I reach back and unclasp the necklace before handing it over to my mother.

"I found this about a month and a half ago." I tell her.

She smiles instantly as she opens the locket. She then looks back at me.

"I can't believe you found it! This was five years ago!" She hands the necklace back to me and wipes the stray tear from her eyes. "I wish he were still here. He would've loved to see you now."

I nod. "I wish I was able to see him now."

My mother than looks up at Aiden. "So, are you Bambina's boyfriend?"

My eyes widened in shock as I look up at Aiden. His face matched mine.

"No, he's just a friend." I tell her quietly. "He actually found you for me."

She nods but still looks confused. "So, the curse isn't broken?"

I shake my head. "Actually, I was hoping you could tell me how I could break the curse."

She opens her mouth to speak but there's another knock on the door. She tells us she'll be right back before getting up and walking to the front door.

"I'm sorry about your dad." Aiden tells me as he sits in my mothers chair.

"Thanks, Aiden. I wish it were different but I've learned a long time ago that life is not fair." I admit sadly. "At least I've gotten to see my mother after all these years."

He nods before pulling me into a hug. I lay my head on his chest for a few moments before I hear footsteps coming back into the kitchen. We both look up to see a little girl running through the door but pausing to look at us. Probably because she's never seen us before.

She was a very pretty little girl. She had beautiful blonde, curly hair and blue eyes. She looks back at my mom, who finally joined her.

"Mommy? Is that her?"

Mommy?

My mother nods her head with a smile. The little girl looks back at me with excitement before walking over to me. I watch the little girls movements, still in shock that she called my mother 'mommy'. She reaches out and touches my face before smiling and throwing her arms around my neck.

"My mommy always told me that I had a sister but she was cursed to be a mermaid. She told me that one day you might come back.." The little girl tells me quietly. "Are you really a mermaid?"

Sister?

"I, um," I look at Aiden, trying to figure out what to say next. I've never trusted anyone with my secret, other than Aiden but that's because he found out already.  He nods slightly in encouragement. I look back at her and nod. "But, not for much longer, I hope."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I was hoping to have this chapter up yesterday as a Christmas present for my fans but my daughter got sick and I wasn't able to write. But, I guess the next day is just as good!

Love you guys! Hope you all had an amazing Christmas!

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H.C.