Chapter Six- Surprises

"He asked me out to dinner tomorrow night!" Lance exclaimed happily as Shiro and he entered the former's home.

"Wonderful, Lance. I want to help you ask him the question and that's why I said we got to the far side tomorrow."

"Thanks, Shiro. I can't wait to tell him how I feel. Hey, do you mind if I shower?"

"Of course not. Go ahead." Once Lance was in his room, Shiro went to the living room and dialed Keith's number. He was delighted when Keith answered.

"Hi, Shiro. I asked Lance to dinner. I am so glad you decided to have our day out tomorrow."

"You're welcome. I figured if I did that, you'd likely ask him out."

"I'm real nervous, though."

"Of course. Admitting feelings to someone you love is nerve-wracking."

"No kidding. I'm going to take a shower to relax."

"You and Lance both. Good night, Keith." Shiro hung up and smiled. The two boys seemed to think a lot alike, both taking showers and planning to confess to the other. I better take a shower too. Sea spray can be rough on one's hair. A thump from the bathroom caught his attention and he hurried upstairs.

Lance set down his nightclothes, towel, and slippers on the counter before undressing. He looked forward to bathing as a human. He had long figured out the function of bathrooms and the toilet in addition to the sink. He climbed into the tub, set the shampoo and soap on the edge, and turned the shower head on. He stood there in the water, enjoying the warm water on his skin. He used his hands to guide the water through his hair and turned to wet his body so he could use the soap.

His legs suddenly felt weak and Lance fell backwards, landing in the tub with a loud thump. He looked at his legs and gasped. They were gone and his tail was in their place, his fins lying over the tub's edge! He stared at it. How did I get my tail back? Is it because I got wet? No, I've washed my hands before and nothing happened. Maybe getting my legs wet causes them to change.

A pounding on the door sounded and he heard Shiro call, "Lance, you okay?"

"Yeah, but I need some help. The door's not locked."

The door opened and Shiro started to enter, but froze when he saw Lance in the tub with his tail and the shower head on. He ran to the tub and turned the head off. "Lance, how did you become a merman again?"

"I think it happens when my legs get wet. I've never showered before so I didn't know this would happen."

"Well, I guess you're taking a bath instead," Shiro said as he turned on the faucet to fill the tub.

"Thanks. I'll call when I'm out of the bathroom." Shiro left and Lance turned the faucet off once there was enough water. He began lathering up his skin and hair. Geez, I didn't know this would happen and it makes sense. I only stay human for several hours before going home. Well, this is something to keep in mind. He rinsed himself off and lathered his hair again before rinsing it. He then started draining the tub before shifting himself around to pull himself out and onto the floor. He reached up and snagged his towel to start drying off; as he ran the towel down his tail, it split into legs again. He stood, finished drying off, and left the room wearing the pajamas and the slippers. "I'm out, Shiro!" he called, bringing the older man out of his room. Lance put the towel in the hamper and his clothes in the bag before lying back on the bed, his thoughts on Keith and his own family.

They'll be shocked when they find out I'm seeing a human and maybe even married to him. There's nothing against merpeople and humans marrying one another, mostly because it's never happened before. I know Veronica will officially wed us once she's over the shock that I asked him to be my husband, if he accepts. Hmm, I wonder if Keith's mentioned me to his parents yet.

Keith vigorously rubbed his hair dry as he stepped out of the bathroom. He made to head for his room, but paused. He hadn't mentioned either the trip or Lance and knew that they had a right to know their son was in love with another boy. I just won't mention he's a merman. He squared his shoulders and headed for his parents' bedroom. He found them awake, his mother watching TV while his father was reading a book. He spied the conch shell sitting on the top shelf of his bedside table. "Mom? Dad? I've got some things to tell you."

Both looked at him and Krolia muted the TV. "Sit down, honey." She patted the bed. He sat down and she added, "We've got something to tell you too, but you go first."

"Well, Shiro's picking me up tomorrow afternoon to go to the far side of town along with a friend."

"A friend?" Thace blinked. "Which one?"

"A new one. His name's Lance and actually…I'm in love with him. I just haven't' told him yet."

Both parents blinked rapidly. "Are you sure?" Krolia asked gently.

"I'm sure. I know a lot about him and I would love to date him. I just wanted to let you know."

"We appreciate that, Keith. It is a bit strange to hear you're in love with another boy, but we will eventually become accustomed to it. You three have fun tomorrow. Now about our news." She smiled as she put a hand on Thace's. "We're going to have a baby."

Keith gasped and then beamed. "That's great! I'm going to be a brother!" He hugged both of his parents. "I can't wait to tell Shiro and Lance!"

Shiro stared at Keith the next day. He rarely saw Keith look so happy. "Keith?" he asked, perplexed.

"Mom's pregnant!" he announced as he got in the backseat next to Lance. "They told me last night."

"Keith, that's wonderful," Shiro said with a smile as he pulled out of the driveway.

"Yeah, tell them I say congrats," Lance added. "Though you'll probably have to tell them about me."

"I already did last night before being told about the baby. They seemed happy I have another friend as I don't have many."

Lance nodded. "I remember you telling me about that." Lance kept the grin on his face, but inside he felt let down. He loved Keith, but it seemed the raven-haired teen didn't love him. He sees me as a friend, nothing more. Well, I guess I can live with that and who knows? Maybe Keith will eventually love me.

Keith nodded at Lance's grin and also felt his heart beat faster. He really loved Lance and was dying to tell him and that he admitted to his parents that he loved him. I'll tell him at dinner, he thought. That's only several hours away. I just have to hang on until then. Keith stared out the window, composing his confession in his head.

Veronica refrained from biting her lip as she waited for the shaman to come out and tell her the test results. The practical tests went perfectly and she had felt reasonably good about the written portion, but now she wasn't too sure. Suppose she got too many questions wrong or not answered all the parts of the multi-part questions, or…

The door opened and she turned to see the shaman swim out. Old with a vast white beard, he nonetheless radiated supreme authority. He held a gold scepter with a vast white pearl on the top. The pearl was the source of the magic in the rituals that were performed. He stopped and smiled at her. "My dear," he said. "You have served me for many years and learned the rituals, traditions, and laws that a shaman must follow. Now, that time has passed. You aced your test. You are the new shaman." He held out the scepter, lying it horizontally in both hands.

Veronica reached out and took it, the pearl emitting a soft glow to indicate a change in ownership. Tears shined in her eyes. She was the shaman and could hardly wait for Lance to come home so she could tell him the good news.