Chapter 37
"Speak of the devil," Emma said as the Merman surfaced. Anna splashed her face to attempt to wash away the remaining tears, this did not work as well as she hoped – her eyes were still red and puffy.
"Anna, it was all her,"
"It's alright Ben, we've discussed this, and she's done it before; to Rikki and Zane."
"So you're not mad?"
"It wasn't your fault – yes I am hurt, but I forgive you," Anna smiled at him. He breathed a sigh of relief and kissed her cheek.
"Just one question," Rikki asked, "Why was Sophie there in the first place?"
The Next Day...
Bella and Will's house...
"Bella? I think we need to have a talk,"
"Okay then, shoot." She sat down on the couch.
"Well over the months we've been married, I've been thinking of starting a family and..." he began flustered.
"It's alright Will," Bella said soothingly, "In fact I've been thinking the same thing. Actually, I think we maybe already pregnant.
"Really!" His eyes widened.
"Well, you know how I've been feeling off lately..."
"Ohh!" It finally clicked in his brain.
Meanwhile at Emma and Ash's place...
"So that's the date?"
"That's the date."
"All set?"
"Yup."
Later that day... (18th of July)
"We have big news to tell you guys!"
"So do we!" The two couples laughed.
"You guys go first," Emma said to Bella.
"Okay. Will and I are pregnant!" There was excited chatter amongst the group.
"Yay! You can join me!" Cleo said placing a hand over her belly.
"What was your news?" Anna asked Emma and Ash.
"We've decided on the date of our wedding."
A few days later...the bottom of the ocean...
'Wow' Rikki thought to herself.
She picked it up and swam quickly back to the surface where Zane was waiting.
"Have a look at this!" Rikki said, passing it to Zane.
"Wow."
"That's what I said –well thought"
"It should belong in a museum"
The couple were looking at a small golden statue which looked to have Aztec Origin – neither of them were experts on Aztec arts – Rikki tended to find other types of artefact.
"I wonder what it's doing here"
The following day the two of them closed the cafe early and took the artefact to the museum – to donate it. Married into the Bennett family and owning a successful cafe meant that Rikki did not need the money, meaning that she was happy to donate the valuable artefact the the museum -free of charge.
"You sure?"
"Positive. I don't need the money."
"Can we have your details anyway?"
"Sure thing,"
"Thank you, Mrs Bennett,"
'Wow, 'Mrs' takes a lot of getting used to,' Rikki thought to herself.
Rikki took the letters out of the letterbox the next morning before work. She flicked through them as she went back inside.
"For Zane, For Zane, For the Cafe, Bills...Ooh, one for me!" Rikki said under her breath as she walked. She frowned in thought, wondering whom it was from.
'To the Generous Rikki Bennett, who graciously donated such a priceless Aztec artefact to our museum, our humble thanks.'
"Aw, that's nice," her eyes continued to scan the page.
'P.S. Since you did not take the money yesterday, here is ten percent of the royalties for your charity. A $300 Cheque'
Rikki gasped then frowned again.
"Zane!" she called, he came into the room still in his dressing gown. "They sent me the money – I dint want it! I cannot accept." He laughed and kissed her cheek.
"You deserved it."
She crossed her arms. He chuckled again.
Character Profile Update – (sorry there are so many, it is to help me keep up with myself :P)
DATE: 22nd July
Rikki Bennett: Aged 24, Married to Zane Bennett for about a month
Cleo McCartney: Aged 25, Married to Lewis McCartney for about a year. Cleo is 3+ months pregnant.
Emma Gilbert: Aged 25, Been in a relationship with Ash Dove for 8 years
Isabella 'Bella' Benjamin: Aged 24, Married to Will Benjamin for nearly a year. Bella is 2 months pregnant
Lewis McCartney: Aged 25, Married to Cleo McCartney for about a year
Ash Dove: Aged 27, Been in a relationship with Emma Gilbert for 8 years
Zane Bennett: Aged 25, Been in a relationship with Rikki Chadwick for 6+ years
Anna Matthews: Aged 25, Been in a relationship with Ben Charles for 3+ years
Robert 'Ben' Charles: Aged 25, Been in a relationship with Anna Matthews for 3+ years
William 'Will' Benjamin: Aged 25, Married to Bella Benjamin for nearly a year