Chapter 33: What can we do?
Same day- Monday, Sept. 5th, 2011
Rikki's POV
As Emma and I walk towards the café, Rosemary begins crying. We stop, and Emma picks her up, and begins rocking her back to sleep. It takes a few minutes before we start walking again.
"You know, it's weird, James will just lay there quietly even when he needs something, but Maria, the second she's wake she is crying for attention," I tell Emma.
"Yah, both my babies are like Maria. I wish that at least one of them was like that, but if one cries, they both usually start crying. It's nice when they are happy though," Emma says.
"Yes, it is. I guess every baby is different. So, do you have a plan for who's going to take care of the girls while you are in school?" I ask.
"Kind of, he has day classes right now that end at three, and I switched my classes for night classes, but we both have work, too. You guys know about his internship, right?"
"Yes, we do, but that's still a few months off, right?"
"Yes, anyway, school is planned, work is the issue," Emma says.
"Well, then it's time to fix it," I say as we reach he café.
We go in, and head for the office since that's where the four of us will be talking. Ash was already sitting on the couch waiting for us to come. He imeadately gets up, and kisses Emma. when they break apart, he says, "Zane'll be back in a few minutes."
"Thanks, I guess we should just have a seat," I say. Emma and I sit down on either side of Ash, and turn our strollers around so we can see our babies.
It took longer than we thought, but eventually Zane walks in.
"Sorry, I'm late," he says.
"It's alright," Ash says.
"So, let's talk about you guys first, Rikki and I could always stick to what we are doing now," Zane says.
"Alright well, all my classes were understanding, and willing to switch to the night class, so Ash can go to school during the day, like he has been, and I could go at night," Emma says.
"Okay, but what about work?" Zane asks.
"Well, Ash and I could both work on the weekends, my mom and Jenna said they would babysit for us. As for as the week goes, I know he's currently working five days a week, is there a way ti make it so he works four, and I work three? He;s off Fridays now, and can work the day shift or he can stay home, and I can work," Emma says.
"So, Saturday, Sunday, you both work. And you want to work Friday mornings?" I ask.
"Yes, that just leaves his other two days," Emma says.
"How about Wednesdays, and then a random day depending," Zane says.
"Alright, just let us know. We need to make sure child care is taken care of," Emma says.
"No problem, we'll have it every other week that he'll get one more day," I say.
"That will work," Ash says.
"Thanks guys, do we need to stay for you guys to figure out your schedules?" Emma asks.
"No, we can handle it," I say and they leave.
"So, what do we want to do? I don't have class on Fridays, either," Zane says.
"I know, and I managed to switch some of my class times, but Tuesdays are a bit of a problem," I say taking out my class schedule and Zane's.
"Well, the only overlap is Tuesday from 2:30 to 4, perhaps your mom and dad could watch them? I can be there at four thirty," Zane says.
"Well, don't you work, after all, you are the boss," I say.
"Well, what if we keep a play pen in the office, I'm in the office more often than not, and as you said I'm the boss," Zane says.
"Are you sure?" I ask.
"Yes, I don't know why we didn't do this before, now I can spend more time with them," Zane says happily.
"If you say so, what about my days then, does it matter, if we are just going to keep a play pen in the office?"
"No, I guess not."
"Alright, well, they are getting tired, I'm going to take them home, and put them down for a nap," I say.
"Wait, you work today, let me do that."
"Okay," I say surprised.
No POV
Melanie has been on display since Saturday which is only about three days, but she's been in captivity for roughly two weeks. They won't let her regain her human legs for even a short while, so she sleeps on a rock that is part of tank. She was currently trying to sleep so that the people paying to see her will get bored of her and leave.
As she tries to appear asleep, she overhears two women talking.
"All I'm saying is, that Cleo had a bucket of water by her for a reason," the first woman says.
"To make it seem realistic, there's no way she's a real mermaid, she has legs," the second woman replies.
"Maybe mermaids can be human, too, like when they are not wet," the first woman argues.
"That's crazy talk!"
"But seriously, think about it, Cleo looks exactly like this mermaid, except the color. Doesn't that confuse you," the first woman says.
"Maybe, but they could have just modled Cleo's tail after the real mermaid's," the second woman points out.
"Really, she was pregnant, right? Well, how do you explain how the "Costume" fits so perfectly?"
"Ummm…I don't know, but does it make a difference?"
"Yes, that means mermaids could be among us, and she could have a life, a family and we are keeping her from that," the first woman explains.
"We aren't doing anything, the marine park is. So, stop caring."
"But I do care, what if we could do something to free her? Would you do it?"
"That depends what do you have in mind?"
"You'll see," the first woman replies before they walk away out of Melanie's earshot.
Melanie stopped faking her sleep to get a look at the two women, maybe they will actually come up with a good idea that will free her. They actually seem to care more than her so called friends.
Then she realizes that this could be trouble for Cleo, who else thinks that Cleo is a real mermaid?
A few days later
At the café
Bella's POV
I was currently sitting at the café with Ashley in my arms, and Cleo sitting across from me with Catherine in hers. It's her first day off since Monday, and you can see how tired she is.
"So, how do you like being a mother?" I ask.
"I like it, but I haven't gotten time to spend with her, I've been at work more often than not," Cleo responds.
"it'll be alright, it could be worse."
"How so?"
"You could be Melanie."
"That's true, I feel so bad for her. No one can think of anything to fix this mess. Nate's been going everyday to visit her, but it's just not the same, and you can tell. And if Nate's having a rough time, Nathan's just misrible," Cleo tells me with a sad look.
"that poor boy doesn't deserve that, and I can't believe that Sophie's responsible," I say although I can sort of see her that heartless.
"Sophie's responsible for this?"
"Oh yah, Will told me last week that Sophie admitted what she did, and that she feels bad about it," I say.
"But she did it? Can you imagine what would happen if she found out about us?"
"I already know what would happen."
"Oh no, she found out about you, too?"
"No, Will asked her hypothetically what she would do it say Ashley was a mermaid or I was," I say.
"And?"
"She said that we are her family, and despite our differences, she couldn't do that to someone she knows, and Will cares about," I say.
"So, because she didn't know Melanie, it was okay to ruin her life?"
"I guess, but she feels bad about it now," I say.
"It's too late, isn't it? Anyways, let's talk about something else," Cleo says.
"Alright," I say.
"How's living alone?"
I look at her in surprise. I guess I wasn't expecting that, and I have to really think about it. How is living alone?
"Sucks, honestly, I'm lonely most of the time, that's why I asked you here. I don't like being alone," I say.
"But you have Ashley," Cleo says.
"Which is great when she's awake, but she's a baby, she sleeps a lot," I explain.
"Well, duh."
"So, I'm more alone than anything. Will's not there more than ten minutes, and no one comes to visit," I say.
"I can try to visit," Cleo says trying to cheer me up.
"It's not the same as someone coming home to you at night. Even though she was gone all day, I felt safer knowing she was there in case something happened at night," I say.
"Aww.. it'll be okay. Maybe you and Will will work out your problems soon."
"I wish."
Same day
Emma's POV
I was taking care of the girls until I switch with Ash at four. He's off work, so he just had class, and I have my classes tonight. It's only three so I have another hour before he gets home, and I have to go to school. It's only been a few days, and I'm suddenly more tired than ever. I've kept up with my school work so at least I'm not as far behind as Rikki.
Suddenly, there's a knock at the door, I wonder who it is?
Carrying Lilly-Anne in my left arm, I walk to the door, and open it. It's Will.
"Hey Emma, I was wondering if you have a minute," Will says.
"Uh, sure come in."
He walks in and sits on the couch.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Okay, so do you need something?"
"Actually, you, Bella's birthday is on Saturday, and I wanted to plan something nice for her. I kind of have the present, but I wanted to do more than that," Will says.
"I thought you weren't her boyfriend anymore, why do you want to do something so nice for her?"
"I'm not, but I love her, and one day I hope to marry her, but we do need the space. To be ourselves first."
"What does that mean?" I ask.
"It means that we need to be a part so that we can figure out what we want for ourselves before we can complete each other the way we should. Anyways, I thought I'd do something nice for her."
"Okay, well, what did you have in mind?"
"Well, I wanted to give her a night off from Ashley, first, so do you think you or Ash could watch her?"
"Of course, I know she's been a better mom since she moved out," I say.
"Yes, she has. Anyways, I'm kind of a bad cook, and I know that you and Ash like to cook, so I was wondering if one of you will cook it for us? I'll pay you, I promise."
"Uhhh….i don't know, Will. I can't exactly commit Ash to that because if I'm watching the girls, he would have to be the cook for your dinner," I say.
"Okay, but can I ask him? He might want to more if I talk to him as a man, you know, instead of hoping he'd give in to you," Will says.
"alright, you can talk to him, but it's already Thursday, s you better talk to him tonight. Uh, I would come back at like 6 or 7, give him time to relax, and feed the girls," I tell him.
"Thanks, Emma, I'll come back. Byes," he says as he gets up and leaves.
Wow….he actually cares.
At the marine park
Around 4:30pm
No POV
Nate walked to Melanie's inside tank entrance, so that he and Nathan could see her for dinner like he has been since he's been allowed to see her. Nathan trails behind him holding the small takeout bad.
"Hey love," he says when he spots Melanie laying on the ground.
She looks over at him as he approaches.
"Hi."
"That doesn't sound happy," Nate comments.
"Do I sound sad?"
"No," Nate answers.
"Than what do I sound like?" Melanie asks.
"You sound thoughtful," Nate says.
"I am thoughtful, I overheard something today, I'm considering it as a way out," Melanie says.
"really? What is it?"
"Whether or not mermaids are humans and have lives. There were arguing over whether or not they should bring awareness, and let me go," Melanie says.
"Maybe, I'm just a little confused, you want everyone to know that you're a mermaid, but human, too?"
"yes, tell everyone that I'm not just some creature. That they should care that I'm a fellow human being, and I'm locked up because I'm different," Melanie says.
"Alright, and I think I know who can help," Nate says.
At about six
Ash's POV
I just got a call from a fellow coworker, they need me to cover their shift, but there's a problem. I have the girls. I've been calling around for a babysitter, but everyone's busy. I've got one last shot: Zane.
So, I dail his number and take a deep breathe.
"Zane speaking."
"Hi Zane, it's Ash."
"I know, do you need something."
"That guy that's supposed to work tonight called and asked me to work," I say.
"And…." He asks prompting me to continue.
"I can't find a babysitter, and was wondering if I could bring them to work? Like leave them in the play pen?" I ask hopefully.
"Sure, I have mine in the office with me, so I don't mind watching yours."
"Thanks so much, I'll be there soon."
"No problem."
I already have the girls ready, so I grab their bags, and my apron, and walk out the door. I get halfway there when suddenly, "Ash! Ash." Someone's calling me I turn around.
It's Will.
Will's POV
I saw Ash walking the girls, and thought 'here's my chance'. It took a few yells, but he did turn around.
"Hey Ash, I want to ask you something," I say.
"Okay, well, I'm in a hurry, do you mind walking and talking?"
"Not at all," I say and then we begin walking in the direction he was originally walking in.
"So what do you want?" Ash asks.
"Emma's going to babysit Ashley on Saturday as a treat for Bella's birthday, but I wanted to make her dinner and I can't cook. I know that you are a fantastic cook, and I think Bella deserves the best, so please, will you do it?" I ask hopefully, I understand if he says no, but with everything that's happened, I just want Bella to have a great birthday.
He gives me this look like he can't believe that I'm asking him this. I try to give Ash the puppy eyes, but it would probably work better if I was a girl.
"I'll do it, but only because I can see that you truly want her to have a great birthday. And after dinner, you have to come have cake with us," Ash says.
"Deal," I say.
At the café
Zane's POV
After I got off the phone with Ash, Nate comes bursting in my office without knocking.
"Hey, it was closed for a reason. The kids are sleeping," I say glancing at my twins. They are just so perfect. I'm happy that we left a play pen here so that I could work and take care of them.
"Sorry, it's just, there something that could finally help us with Melanie being locked up."
"So tell me."
"Awareness, we tell everyone that mermaids are human, too. That they deserve freedom."
"What will that really do?" I ask totally confused.
"It will get peopleto challenge the marine park. We could petition to get her freed, and to protect future mermaids from landing in the same predicament," Nate says.
"I think it's brilliant, I'll call everyone here, we will start tonight."
A/N here you guys go, for reference I don't know the next time I'll be updating, my boyfriend is leaving in a month and I want to spend as much time with him before he does. It should be some time between next Friday and the Friday after. Thanks for everything guys!
Kass- thanks for saying sorry, but honestly after I read that, I felt like it was my fault …after all I did say I would update every week on the same day, but I got behind, that was my fault. And I'm honored that you look forward to it so much, you were upset because it wasn't up. Anyways, thanks for your reviews, and do you like the guys POVs? Oh and you have to have a fanfiction account, do you have one?
H2oRikki- sorry it was long, was it too long? And I am putting different POVs, did you like the guys POV? Thanks.
Zikki3: thanks, I'll address what Sophie knows next chapter, I added that part in way after I wrote that chapter and the one after, so I didn't fit it into this one, sorry, but it gets addressed in Riots which is the next chapter.
Swimngym- thank you for understanding, and wishing me luck with my schoolwork, in about a month, I'm going to have a lot more time because I won't have to devote any time to actually being with my boyfriend. Also, I'm glad that you liked the boys POVs, from now on I'm going to try to put it in more. If people like it that is. Thanks again.