A/n hey guys, I am soooo sorry I haven't had time to update or write or anything else, but I am working hard to finish each chapter so if you'll just be patient with me and review, I will find more time to do this. Oh and I hope this chapter explains anything that is confusing. Thank you, and keep reading and reviewing.

Chapter 10: It's called Life

About a week later

March 12th-Saturday

Rikki's POV

Lizzie and I went swimming together for our birthday today. The first birthday we can remember ever spending together. We wanted to do something small and intimate so the girls planned a get together with us and our families. The only one not invited was Ash because he decided that he wasn't going to help Emma or be a part of her life. That jerk.

As we near Mako, I point to the moon pool to show her that's where I want to go. Of course we find it empty wait…no…it's not empty I can hear voices. I send a questioningly look at Lizzie before she yells out, "Guys it's just me and Rikki."

I give her an even more confused look as three blondes and a brunette come into view. "Happy Birthday Lizzie and Rikki!" they all say.

"Thanks," I say.

"Thanks guys, and thanks for coming, this means a lot to me," Lizzie says.

"We are glad to be here, hun," the blonde that looks a lot like the two of us says.

"I can't believe you came," Lizzie says surprised.

"That's great, but I'm so confused," I say.

They top chatting, and decide to get us out of the water first. Of course Lizzie didn't have any trouble, but the two older blondes had to help me. Once we were on the ground and dried off, Lizzie helped me up.

He pauses before saying, "I have some people I want you to meet."

"Okay," I say.

She points to the second oldest blonde and says, "This is Bethany, Bella and her twin sister's older sister."

She turns to the youngest blonde and says, "and this would be Bella's twin, Diana."

"Nice to meet you two," I say.

"Now this," pointing to the only brunette in the room, "is obviously Cleo twin, Kelly."

I nod to her, and then before I can say anything she jumps right on, and says, "and finally, this is our mother, Marybeth Chadwick."

"Wow," I say because it is the only think I can think of.

"I know this I a surprise, but Lizzie thought was a great idea," my mom says.

It's weird to think my mom is saying something to me, but I respond, "It is a great idea. I just kind of wish I'd known."

"That's good, anyways, I'm just so happy to see you two together again after all these years," Marybeth says.

"Yes, of course it's great, but why is everyone else here," I say.

"We're here because Jenna and Lizzie thought it was best for us that we see our families again," Kelly says with a slight attitude.

"Are you saying you don't really want to meet them?" I ask.

"I don't know, but mine as well try, right?" Kelly says.

"No, absolutely not. You can't just waltz in their house, and turn their worlds upside down for the fun of it! That's not fair to them, and it's just not right at all," I say angrily.

"Rikki, she didn't mean that. She cares, she's just hiding her true feelings," Lizzie says.

"No, I'm not. What's not fair, is that they lived their lives happy and never knowing about us. Why should I come in, and make their lives even better," Kelly says.

I go to retaliate, but Lizzie stops me. "Kelly, stop it. Look we can talk about this later, we have a birthday party to go to," Lizzie says emphasing the word birthday.

"Oh no, they can't come. We can't just spring this on them, it's not fair," I say totally freaking out.

"No, they're not. I wouldn't do that to you, but Jenna and I are going to come here later. And I thought it would be nice if mom came to our party," Lizzie says.

"That's fine, and we do have to get going," I say.

We wave goodbye and jump in.

At the café

Cleo's POV

I was just finishing getting everything when I spotted Ash hiding out in a corner, and looking at something in his hand. I felt angry yet curious as to why he would come here. After what he did to Emma, he had no right to be here except if he was working, but on the other hand, he had been avoiding her anyways, so why would he come here knowing he would see her.

So, I walk over to him planning to ask what he thinks he's doing here, but I don't have to. He turned around, and spotted me first. He gets up, and grabs my hand and pulls me outside.

"Ash, what are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you about Emma," he says.

"First off, what? And second off, why?"

"I feel bad for what I did to Emma. I may not be in love with her, but I found out exactly how much I care about her. We may never get back together or get married, I owe it to Emma to be there for her and our children," he says.

"And how will he know that you aren't going to walk out on her for a third time?" I ask.

"This," he says holding up a ring.

"You're going to propose to her, but you don't want to marry her?" I question.

"No, it's a promise ring. A promise that I'll always be a father to my children and that I'll always help her out with them," he says.

"But you've made that promise before…."

"But this time I have a ring," he says.

"What does a ring matter?" I ask.

"Of course it matters, it's a symbol of my honesty," he says.

"I'm not sure she'll see it that way," I say slowly.

"Please just help me, I promise that I won't let you down," he says.

"What is your plan?"

"All I want you to do, is get Emma to the little Italian place at 7 on Wednesday. I'll be there to plea my case," Ash says.

"I guess I could do that," I say.

"Thanks. I appreciate it. I have to go o she doesn't see me, but don't forget Wednesday at 7, bye," he says then walks off.

Before he gets too far, I yell, "If things don't work out just remember it's called life."

Then I walked back inside, wondering if I'm doing the right thing….

An hour later

No POV

Rikki, Lizzie, and their mom were on their way to the café. All three were smiling and chatting like there was no tomorrow. Rikki was surprised that things felt so natural. A they walked closer to the café, Rikki remembered that no one had any idea that her mom was going to be there.

"Are you ready for this?" Rikki asks.

"Of course, I have to do what's best for my girls," Marybeth says.

"Wow," Rikki says.

The three walked in the café, and everything seemed to stop. All chatter ended. And everyone had turned to see the new commers. Most jut yelled "Happy Birthday", but a few focused more on the woman behind the twins.

In fact, most of the adults knew who she is and what she is which is why they stared and wondered how and why she was there.

"Everyone this is my mom," Rikki says.

Everyone stops staring as they all yell hello, and happy birthday. Then return to their chatting. Rikki went off to her friends, and Lizzie walked over to Jenna. As Marybeth turned to follow Lizzie, Terry, their father, walk up to her and says, "Is it really you?"

"Who else would it be?" Marybeth says with a laugh.

"I can't believe you're here, will you come sit with me?" he says.

"Sure."

As the two walk over to one of the farthest booth, they didn't realize that someone hadn't taken her eyes off them. She looked totally ticked off and like she had something to say.

As soon as Marybeth and Terry sat down in the booth, Lisa (Gilbert) finally boiled over and stormed over to the other two, "What do you think you're doing here?" she says glaring at Marybeth.

"It's my daughters' birthday, where else would I be," Marybeth replies.

"You haven't been at Rikki's birthdays for the last 15 years, why come now?"

"That wasn't my fault, and besides I've never missed one of Lizzie's birthdays and I won't stop now," Marybeth replies.

"You weren't invited," Lisa says.

"Actually my daughter want me here, and Lizzie thought that it would be nice to surprise Rikki, and Rikki loved it," Marybeth says.

"Well, Lizzie may have wanted you here, but I'm sure Rikki was just being polite. As for the rest of us, we don't want you here messing up my perfect life," Lisa almost yells.

"It's called LIFE, it's not perfect!"

"My life was perfect, but you just had to ruin it. First by changing Jenna into a fish, and then by making her come back and make Emma admit that she's one, too."

"The first was an accident, I didn't plan that, and the girls came here on their own. I never would have told them to take this risk," Marybeth says.

"If you didn't tell them to come, then why are you here?"

"Because they want me here, and it's time to fix the problems in my family. I shouldn't be missing Rikki's life or my grandchildren's lives. It's time to make things work," Marybeth says.

"We'll see. Don't be surprised if things don't work out," Lisa (Glibert) says before walking out the door.

Their fight was masked by most of the other's chatter, but still Jenna, Emma, Lizzie, and Rikki had all seen. The four of them stood shocked about ten feet away from where Marybeth and Terry sat. Jenna was the first to move. "Mom, it's okay. I'm sure she's the only one that feels that way," Jenna says.

Marybeth just sighs and says, "Honey, I don't think so. It was nice to be here for the few minutes I was here, but I have to go now." She gets up and heads out the door before anyone could stop her.

The four girls look at each other, and Lizzie and Jenna nod at each other before Lizzie says, "She needs her daughters, Rikki, stay here and enjoy your party." Then the two of them head out themselves.

"I'm not considered her daughter?" Rikki asks.

"You are, but those three have been a family since they were four. To them being a daughter/mother is more than flesh and blood, but don't worry we will work this out," Rikki's dad answers.

"I guess you're right."

After that everyone at the party went back to having fun, and celebrating Rikki's 19th birthday.

Awhile later

At the moon pool

Rikki's POV

After the party, I told Zane that I needed to find my mom, but I would be home after. Knowing that my mom and the girls had gone right back to the moon pool, I went straight there, and of course found them along with the others I had met earlier.

"Are you girls alright?" I ask.

"Of course we are, why even bother coming now? It would be too late now," Kelly says with an attitude.

"First off, I wasn't talking to you and second, her daughters told me to stay at my party," I say emphasing the s on daughters.

"Okay, fine. Why are you here? Obviously they told you to stay because you're not needed here," Kelly retorts.

Before I can respond, Lizzie tell Kelly that she needs to go in the corner. I almost laughed at the absurdity of it, but I didn't.

"Rikki, you have to understand that we've been a family for 15 years, to us blood doesn't matter. And anyways, mom kind of expected that to happen, that's why we didn't hesitate to leave, and follow her," Lizzie says.

"Okay, but I still feel bad about it," I say.

"Don't feel bad, it's called life, and besides it wasn't that bad, and it wasn't your fault," Marybeth says.

"I feel like it is," I say.

"It doesn't matter, anyways it's time to call it a night. We'll talk tomorrow," Marybeth says.

"Yes, because we need to talk about you girls wanting to mes with people's lives just because you can," I say looking at Kelly, who was still sitting in the corner.

Kelly opened her mouth to respond, but Lizzie stopped her, "You're right. Just because life did this to us, doesn't mean we have to mess up their lives, too."

We all agree, and head out and home.