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King Mercia went into detail at dinner about why he was choosing to resign from the throne. Being tired was one thing, but not having his queen was a bigger issue for him. After all these years without Alina around he just didn't have the heart to rule anymore. He'd said he'd be better off on the council, making plans and expanding growth below and above the water.
As ususal the council was trying to find new ways to keep their waters clean and free of human waste (which was very difficult). The Merfolk seldom wanted to be friends with the humans because of this concern.
Pods around Salineas knew of the princess being in a relatonship with said human. Most didn't like it. And they liked it even less when Paulie and Marista began dating. Marista had spoken with many of her family and friends about Paulie. Many had even met him and still they had low expectations of the relationship.
Marista and Paulie wanted to prove all of them wrong. That what they had was real and would continue to be for many years to come.
Mermista went back to training hard the next few days. No one was even allowed to watch her train except her father. She needed to focus on this and she was getting better each passing day.
The day of Marika's birthday and baby shower soon came.
Mikey and Jordan were adding extra lights in the small cafe that had been rented out for three hours. Amara was ordering people around and having a mild melt down.
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"This needs to be perfect!" She told everyone that was helping out.
"Why did we agree to be here?" Mikey whispered to Jordan. "Isn't this meant for women only?"
Jordan made a face and shrugged. "Yeah, but I'm the baby's father and her sisters kind of demanded that I'm here for it." He looked up at the clock above the register. "Mermista is gonna be here with Marika in like thirty minutes! We need to hurry up."
Meranda was with the Star sisters, Peeka, and Marika's best friend, Brittni, or Britt as most people usually called her. Britt was also a mermaid and she'd been friends with Marika since they were little.
Jordan had met Britt briefly at the Dolphin Social, but they'd never had a conversation until today. It was very awkward for him because Britt had asked so many questions.
The girl's were finishing up the platters of finger foods for the shower and plating them.
"Is Krishell coming?" Amara asked coming into the kitchen.
Meranda shook her head. "No one has heard from her. I have no idea where she is." She then added, "Don't say anything to Mermista. We don't need to see her freak out. There are pods watching the oceans and land for her."
"What do we say if Mermista or Marika asks where she is?" Amara's voice sounded scared.
Jewel put a hand on Amara's shoulder. "She had other plans and forgot."
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"Being blind folded is so not fun." Marika complained.
"Yeah, I know that too." Mermista said and laughed.
I was running late. I had to stop and get something for the baby shower from the market. Mermista had sent me and now I was rushing back to the cafe.
Mermista and I saw each other from a distance and she shooed me with a hand to hurry up.
"Let's just hang out for a few minutes." Mermista said and pulled Marika to a stop.
