Shoreline

24

We sat there, my head leant on his shoulder when my phone began to ring, our tranquillity interrupted. Arthur continued to stare at the water and gave my hand a gentle squeeze , "are you being serious?!" I exclaimed. Arthurs gaze suddenly flicked to me.

"What?" he mouthed, I gave him the one minute signal. "Don't give me that," he tried to grab my phone and listen in, I tried to push him away but it was futile. I hung up and looked over at him.

"We need to go to the lab now," I said and stood up.

"Why what's happened?" he asked.

"You'll find out when we get to the lab," I smiled. He rolled his eyes, we both mounted his motorcycle and we headed off. Within minutes we were at the lab, I ran in leaving Arthur behind.

"Don't wait for me!" he called. I ran into the lab and I was met by Alex.

"I'm glad you finally got here!" he greeted me.

"Show me! Show me!" I exclaimed like an excited kid. 

"You actually built it!" Arthur exclaimed with a smile on his face. "I am impressed, I'll admit that."

"Of course, I wanted Ava to join you one day, and I think this is the perfect solution," Alex replied leaning back on the table with his arms crossed over his chest, a smug smile spread across his features.

"Has it been tested?" Arthur inquired looking over it.

"Not yet, but tests can start as early as tomorrow," he said. Arthurs eyes met mine.

"Are you sure?" He said taking his hands in mine, "we don't have to rush it, it was only earlier you were telling me that you didn't want to go back into the water."

"He's right Ava, we can wait till you're comfortable," Alex said. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair.

"If you're not sure, don't rush into it," he said sliding his hands up and down my arms affectionately.

"Ava I know when you're unsure," Alex added

"Please Ava think this through. I've almost lost you once I can't face it again," Arthur said.

"I'll be fine," I said walking over to it and looking it up and down.

"We don't know that, not without testing it in a safe environment," Alex said.

"But where's safe around here?" I said and sat back down admiring it.

"How about we put you with the pod of the dolphins we monitor?" Arthur suggested.

"I don't think it's deep enough, and the dolphins may not take kindly to something different in their environment," I said.

"How about the lagoon with one of the sunken ships?" Arthur suggested.

"That could work," Alex said.

"Tomorrow, we meet, we test this thing and if there's any improvements needed then we can address them till it's perfect, and she can join you in Atlantis," Alex smiled. Arthur and I looked at each other we were both very excited, I would finally see his home.