Beyond the Coral Seas

Chapter 3:

The Juice net Café was practically a second home after school three years ago. Emma and Cleo parted the bead curtains and entered. "THERE SHE IS!" Rikki yelled as she recognized Emma.

"Hi Zane", Emma courteously greeted Zane. "Lookee lookee," she dangled her hand in Rikki's face.

Rikki examined Emma's diamond ring on slender gold band. "WOW AND DOUBLE WOW! Both of you. In another hour, I won't even recognize you!"

Zane ordered the pizzas after exchanging small talk."So...you and Ash are getting married?"

Emma beamed looking at her ring. "Yes we are. Now please fill me in about everyone. I will be graduating in a few months. Ash is doing great as a business manager.

The pizzas came and they were promptly devoured. "Well let's see. Remember Miriam, like who could forget? She's married with 2 kids." Zane volunteered.

"Nate got in trouble with the law recently. Remember he went out with Charlotte? What a sick joke that was!" Rikki said.

"Tiffany is in Melbourne I hear, working as a model." Zane added.

"Those other mates I hung with in school are in the service, they could use the discipline". Zane reminisced.

Rikki came back to the table after stepping out. "How is LEWIS these days?" She mocked Cleo affectionately,"Ooh Lewis! Lewis! I love you so much!"

"Ok Rikki that's enough," Emma reprimanded her.

"You know I'm happy for you, Cleo."

Zane looked at his watch."Got to go, ladies. "

"Another party? Oh well, later babe" Rikki said, kissing Zane.

"Gotta go make that money" was his response as he left.

Rikki stirred her soda. "So how is the science guy these days?" she asked Cleo.

"Well, I need to talk to him more about the wedding."

"You mean about kids and mermaids" Emma clarified.

"Yeah" said Cleo, tossing a braid over her shoulder.

"Your hair looks great Emma, like you've been under a sun lamp too long," Rikki reached out and pulled a strand of it. "Ow!" cried out Emma, throwing a bagel at Rikki.

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The three girls who had come to be friends at an extraordinary time when they'd accidentally found themselves on Mako Island. Teenage girls with real concerns, the least of it being the fact that they sprouted tails whenever they touched water. Either on purpose or accidentally. Yes they tried to live normal lives as much as possible but now that they were older, they needed to explore what would/could happen if when they decided to marry or live together, as Rikki and Zane were doing. What would happen? Maybe someone could help Cleo; all of them would need that help eventually.

Months swirled by, life in Queensland went on. Cleo was in the last minute preparations with the wedding. Flower arrangements. Seating in the great hall. Family and visitor protocol. Now they were bound for their honeymoon. Thank you notes, lots of thank you notes. Rikki and Emma looked dazzling in their pink and purple bridesmaid's dresses. Cleo looked radiant as her dress had pearls intertwined. Lewis was as proud as could be in his tux, only he looked more grownup and handsome than when they had a high school dance where everything had gone wrong because of some potion he had concocted so they could wear what they wanted to the dance and not look like dorks.. But in the end love had triumphed for all three girls. The honeymoon, fixing up the townhouse, challenges at work, time with family. Life had been in a whirl.

One morning, she knew she did not feel well. Lewis had been an expert with all things biology and he knew he had to help her however he can. He'd placed a pillow behind her back as her stomach protruded slightly to help her aches and pains. "It'll pass, babe," his voice soothed her.

"I really did not plan on this so soon after the wedding." Cleo relaxed her shoulders while he rubbed them.

"Cleo, these things can just happen. I'm very proud to be your husband and am excited to be a dad!" Lewis whispered to her. Then he turned her to face him. "We can always talk to Max if we need to. We're in each other's corner; remember "I've always said I'd be there for you just as you said the same thing to me."

"I remember. I know" she sighed, as he brushed her long brown hair. He turned her about declaring, "No worries babe; that's my job".