Author's Notes: I am deeply, deeply sorry that I am so late with this! I didn't get the chapter sent to my Beta in time, and then I had a really long shift at work, so I'm only now able to upload it with the stamp of approval! I will admit being very emotional about this chapter, so I do hope you all like it.
xxi
Lewis never realised how busy Mako Island was.
He thought it was the perfect setting for a proposal. The cave was magical in just the right moonlight, with the natural waterfall creating a romantic ambience as it trickled down the cavern walls and spilled into the mystical moon pool. It was fitting to ask Cleo to become his girl for life in the same place that transformed them so completely.
There was just one problem.
Everyone else thought Mako was magical, too. All of a sudden, he couldn't get Cleo alone there. It had always been a sanctuary for the three girls, and he understood that, but now it seemed they congregated there every afternoon. And he had to set up the moon cave for his big presentation!
He wanted to surprise her; a proposal wasn't supposed to be planned on her side, so he couldn't ask her to stay away without causing suspicion. She should just show up to be pampered and then met with the surprise of a lifetime. Unfortunately, the others didn't think of that.
Rikki knew what he was planning. There was no way she didn't with her smirks and chuckles sent his way whenever he became especially exasperated that yet another attempted decoration of the cave was set back by Cleo devising a picnic there—for all three couples.
He pleaded with Rikki to help him out.
"Just this once, don't come to Cleo's party! Please! I'm at my wits end, trying to make everything work, and this is a perfect opportunity."
"I guess. Since you're so desperate..." she yielded with amusement. "But how are you going to surprise her if she thinks she's setting up for her own picnic?"
"Ah. I was also hoping you could help me with that."
-x-
"But why do we have to stop here? I have a picnic to set up for!" Cleo was impatient as Rikki dragged her into yet another second hand store.
"Because I wanted to go shopping with you—that's why. You said yourself we don't hang out enough anymore."
"Hey, look at this," Emma said. She was in on the secret too, now. She pointed at a display case of jewellery, her finger on the glass.
"Ew, that choker is hideous!" Rikki gawked.
"Yeah, but it's still nicer than anything I can afford."
Cleo was standing still, staring at something that had caught her eye.
"What are you looking at, Cleo?" Emma asked.
"That ring," she said.
"Why? You want someone to buy it for you?" Rikki joked, jabbing Emma's side with her elbow. Emma shook her off and made warning eyes at her.
"No, I just... was thinking."
Emma stole a glance at the ring in question. "You don't want that one." She listed several reasons why it was inferior to other rings she'd seen around, "...and it's more pricey than it's worth."
"I wasn't interested in that ring! I just..." she shrugged. "Don't you girls ever think of how nice it would be? To get married, I mean."
Rikki snorted. "Sure."
Cleo rolled her eyes and playfully smacked her arm. "You may not be a romantic, Rikki, but I think it's a great idea!"
Rikki tried not to give herself away. "What? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with your wedding dreams! I just have different ones."
Hers were already fulfilled. In fact, she and Zane had made it official with some help from mermaid magic and less strict marriage laws across the ocean. It was simple, and private, and she wouldn't have done it any other way, despite the big event Cleo would have wanted to make it. But she wasn't going to sabotage Lewis's plans with her own announcement. She could wait until Cleo was done gushing. And considering Cleo that could be a while.
"Ah! It's so late!" she suddenly cried. "I'll never get there on time!"
"It's okay, Cleo," Emma comforted her, "It was just us, anyway. And I'm sure the guys won't care about decorations."
"But I care!" she cried, "I wanted to do something nice for all of us. Where's Rikki?" she asked, head darting back and forth for her missing friend, "We have to get going."
"The toilet, I think," Emma shrugged. "I'm sure she'll be along in a minute."
Rikki was actually sneaking a call to Lewis, using the toilets as cover.
"Can you hear me? Okay, she's getting antsy. Are you almost finished? Right. I've got this, Lewis! Trust me. She has no idea."
-x-
"Good thing we swim fast!" Rikki smiled when they returned with all their purchases. Cleo was practically dancing from foot to foot in anxiousness.
Cleo huffed sullenly. "Swimming doesn't help, Rikki! I have to take all this stuff by boat, remember?" she gestured to the shopping bags slung over her arms.
"Riiiight. Okay, well you should go scope it out."
"What for? I know what it looks like."
"Yeah, but what if your vision changed, or you want to make sure we don't bring too much stuff?" Rikki prodded.
"That's actually a good idea," Emma agreed. "You go now and decide where to put everything, and we'll be along with the boat as soon as we can."
"Are you sure?" She looked hesitant.
"Go!" Rikki cried, "Go to Mako Island!"
Cleo laughed. "Alright! Just... don't be long!"
Rikki chuckled darkly. "Of course not."
-x-
Something was different. Cleo could sense—or maybe smell it as her head came up at the edge of the moon pool. Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the change.
The first thing she noticed was the candles. Dozens of them; all different sizes, set in holders, cups, or even on dishes to catch the melting wax. They turned the natural glow of the moon pool orange, and made the place feel warm and comforting. They also smelled faintly of vanilla.
A full dinner was spread out over a blanket, including a combination of Cleo's favourite drinks and sweeties. White rose petals were strewn around the shore, and just to the right of the blanket was a large heart shaped from red petals.
And in the middle of it all was Lewis, dressed to the nines and looking quite shy. He smiled nervously at her, as if caught in the act.
"Hi."
"Lewis?" she smiled back, "What is all this?"
"I thought it seemed like a nice night for a picnic."
"Yeah, so did I, but my idea was a little different from yours."
"Disappointed?" he asked seriously.
Cleo laughed. "No, but I am under dressed."
"Ah. Rikki said you might want to change." He pointed to an evening gown in purple and gold, kept stable by the hanger trapped on a jutting rock.
"So that's why Rikki and Emma didn't want to leave the shops," she realised. "You made them your accomplices, didn't you?"
"Maybe," he smirked.
During their dinner, Lewis was particularly distracted. Cleo complimented the candles, the food, his tuxedo, and his cleverness for putting it all together without her knowledge, and at each compliment he sighed a long breath of relief. He also kept fiddling with his tux.
"Is there a problem with the fit?" Cleo asked, nibbling on her third jelly slice.
"What?" he said with a start. "No... I mean, I hope not. We can get it resized, but... Wait! How did you...?" he had a moment of panic, and then expelled another anxious sigh, "Oh, you mean the suit! No, it's fine."
Cleo leaned in a little closer, "Lewis, is everything okay? You seem a little unwell. Did something weird happen with your powers? You can tell me," she said in earnest.
Lewis shook his head to cover a laugh. "No, it isn't that." He stood up and began to pace back and forth at the edge of the moon pool. "Hang on. I have to make sure it's still there."
Cleo waited in serious concern while he turned his back and fiddled with something from his pocket. A plunking sound alerted her to a small object falling into the moon pool.
Lewis was beside himself with frustration. "No! Oh, I can't believe it!"
"What? What is it? I'll help you look!" she offered.
"No, Cleo, you can't!" He angrily tugged at the ends of his hair. "Augh, hang on. I'll fish it out of there."
Cleo scooted to the edge of the pool, feeling stranger and stranger. She worried about his suit, which was most likely a rental, remembering after a second that mermaid magic usually rendered their clothing back to normal as soon as they dried. His merman state helped him glide straight to the bottom of the pool where his precious item had sunk.
He emerged, holding it over his head as he shook the water from his hair. It was tiny, silver, and clasped tightly between his two fingers. Cleo was about to take it from him to stash it some place safe, but when she saw what it was, she was frozen in surprise.
A diamond ring. One perfect round stone with a circle of tiny diamonds around it, sparkling in the candlelight, and dripping unfortunately from its time in the pool.
"Lewis..." she swallowed, "Is that a...?"
"Yes, I'm sorry, Cleo," he said as if he'd ruined it all, "It wasn't supposed to go like this. I had a whole speech planned, and a presentation... but the speech was in my pocket, and now you've already seen the ring..." He looked so upset, Cleo wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.
"Lewis," she stopped him, cupping his face in her hands and not caring that she was about to grow a tail from the contact, "It's perfect."
"Really?" he brightened, "It's not too small or anything?"
"No! It's gorgeous! But you know, you didn't actually ask me, yet."
Lewis slipped the ring on the appropriate finger, fairly confident what her answer would be. "I'd get down on one knee since I know you like that, but it's going to be a little tricky, given the circumstances." He scowled at his tail and shirtlessness.
Cleo giggled and shifted forward as best she could, dragging her tail behind her. "I'll pretend you're on one knee. Go on..." she poked him with one finger, as the rest were trapped in his hands.
"Cleo Sertori," he asked, and her grin was already turning her face bright pink, "Will you marry me?"
The words were barely out before she attacked him gleefully. She managed to squeak a hurried, "Yes!" in between her excited kisses. Soon they were both in the moon pool, and Lewis was glad that their magic allowed them to hold their breath for so long.
Because now he was going to kiss Cleo for a very long time.