1I Always Wanted My Kids to be Smart

Epilogue: One Smart Kid

Daryl stared at the clock, tapping his foot impatiently. "Where is that boy?" he said with a scowl.

Muffy walked out of the kitchen. "Oh, calm down, Daryl," she said. "Dylan is fifteen years old. He can take care of himself. Now, come in to dinner before it gets cold."

"I don't care," said Daryl. "That boy doesn't need to spend all his time playing music. Especially not with some gothic punk."

"Now don't get started on that again. He's perfectly fine staying at Nami and Gustafa's house," Muffy scolded. "Besides, you know perfectly well that Dylan runs the equipment and does the special effects for Jareth's music videos. And Jareth is not a punk. He's a pop artist." She started walking back into the kitchen, but stopped and added, "Oh, but I do remember that he said he was going to the beach after his session with Jareth. Something about finding specimens."

Daryl stopped scowling and smiled. "Oh, of course," he said. "I should have realized, after that big storm last night. Why I remember when I was his age, I always went down to the beach after a storm to look for various things that might have washed up. I collected all sorts of things, like starfish and seaweed and old artifacts and-"

Daryl's recollection was interrupted as the door burst open. A tall, slender boy with messy blond hair and large green eyes ran through the room. He was wearing a white lab coat that was turning red from something he was carrying over his shoulder. "Hi, mom. Hi, dad. Can't talk now," he called before the kicked the hatch that led to the basement open. He jumped down into the abyss.

After Dylan had disappeared. Daryl turned to Muffy. "What in blazes was that boy carrying?" was all he could bring himself to say.

Muffy shrugged. "I-I don't know," she said. "I would guess it was a fish from what I saw, but it was huge."

Daryl and Muffy could hear the water begin to run in the bathtub in the basement. They ran over and climbed down.

As the two parents opened the downstairs bathroom door, they saw Dylan rushing around, mumbling, "First Aid Kit. First Aid Kit. Where do I keep that blasted First Aid Kit."

The two parents then looked at the bathtub. They could just see the head of a girl leaning against the edge.

"Dylan!" Muffy demanded. "What is the meaning of this!"

Dylan screeched to a halt. "Mom, she's hurt. Badly," was all he said before he started rushing around again.

Muffy noticed that Dylan's lab coat was stained with blood on the entire of the right side. She stretched out a hand and grabbed the boy by the collar. She pulled him close and looked him square in the eye. "Okay,. You, stop. I will take care of her. You take care of that stain," she said forcefully.

Dylan and Daryl were shoved out of the bathroom, the door slammed behind them.

After a minute, Daryl turned to Dylan. "Alright then, let's see that coat," he said. He pulled something that looked like a lighter out of his pocket. He flicked it a couple times, until a white flame popped out. He held it up to the coat, and the stains disappeared as it swept over. "There, a knew Bleach-Fire was a wonderful idea," he said as he put the device back in his pocket.

Dylan, however, was shaking like a leaf. "Dad, I can explain about the girl," he said. "You see I found her on the beach, and she was hurt, and-"

Dylan stopped as the bathroom door opened. Muffy walked out, looking pale as a ghost. She walked up to the two scientists and turned to Dylan. "Realize this, if you hadn't probably just saved that girl's life, you would be in big trouble, little mister," she said. "But right now, I want you to watch her. She is, after all, in your bathroom."

Dylan nodded and walked into the bathroom.

After Dylan had left, Muffy turned to Daryl. "Oh, Daryl, what are we going to do?" she whined.

"What are we going to do about what?" Daryl asked. "I'm sure that Dylan only had good intentions regarding this girl."

"Yes, I know, but," Muffy started. "That girl is a muh-muh-muh-muh. A muh-muh-muh-muh." She stopped and took a deep breath. "Maybe I should just show you." She led Daryl to just outside the bathroom door and pointed inside.

The mirror inside the bathroom was angled so that they could see inside the tub. The girl had green hair, which was adorned with a shell. If you followed down, you could see that she wore a top that looked to be little more than a broad sash with sea-shell print on it. Next came Muffy's expert bandaging job. It was when you got past the bandages that the problem arose.

Daryl was stunned. "A me-"

Muffy slapped a hand over his mouth and pulled him back. "Exactly," she said. "And if this turns out anything like when you wrote "A Year with a Yeti: The Secret Life of the Mukumuku" of "Harvest Time with Harvest Sprites", do you know what would happen."

Daryl groaned. "We had to rebuild our house after it was stormed by interviewers," he moaned.

"Yes, and we've got to nip that in the bud," said Muffy. She walked into the bathroom, Daryl following.

Dylan looked up from his patient. "Oh, um, hi, mom," he said.

"Hi, honey," said Muffy. "Look you know you're little friend, here?"

Dylan nodded. "Yeah, I know, she's a mer-"

"Shhh! Yes, exactly," said Muffy. "Listen, while she's here, she's going to have to be our little secret."

"Huh?" Daryl asked, lifting an eyebrow. "But mom, do you realize what this would mean for the scientific world?"

"Yes, honey, and that's the problem," answered Muffy. "Frankly, we don't want any more news reporters trespassing at this time. You can tell Jareth, but he'll have to keep it a secret, too."

"Oh, okay," said Dylan. "Maybe later, then."

"If I can invent some way to deter reporters without worrying about lawsuits," said Daryl.

"Until, then, you just watch her and take good care of her. Okay?" said Muffy.

Though he looked down-hearted, Dylan answered, "Okay."

"Alright, we'll check on you later, then," said Muffy. She walked out of the bathroom.

After Muffy left, Daryl walked up to Dylan. He reached inside his coat and pulled out a pencil and a pad of paper. "And if you get the opportunity, be sure to take some notes," he said. With a nod, he left as well.

Dylan sat in the bathroom, watching his guest. After about an hour had passed, the girl began to stir. When she had woken up, she tried to move, but flinched in pain.

Dylan, who had almost fallen asleep, jolted up and looked at the girl. "Oh good, you're awake. You had me worried," he said.

The girl looked around as well as she could with the pain she was in. "Where am I?" she asked, looking at Dylan. "Who are you?"

"I am Dylan," Dylan said with much bravado. "I found you on the beach with that nasty gash, and I brought you here, my home." He paused. "What is your name?"

"I'm Leia," said the girl.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Muffy was sitting in a large chair, musing to herself. "Daryl, do we have any blue feathers left?"

Daryl jolted in his seat. "Muffy, you can't be serious!" he shouted. "Dylan's only fifteen."

"Calm down. Calm down," said Muffy. "A mother can dream, can't she?"

Okay, that's it. Story's over. I hope you liked it. If it sounds like their might be a sequel, there might be, but not right now. I have other stories to tend to. Anyways, any final comments would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if anyone is curious: yes, the epilogue was a shallow means to include Leia the mermaid without interfering with the DarylxMuffy pairing.

Until next time.

Mission Complete.

Signed:MasterofHearts1313