Chapter Eight- Family Meeting

Krolia and Thace stared at the ring on Keith's finger. "Engaged?" Krolia repeated.

Keith nodded, beaming. "Last night. I told him how I felt, he said he loved me, and then proposed."

"We're happy for you, Keith," Thace said. "We insist we meet him, though. Get to know our future son-in-law."

Keith nodded again. "Of course. I told Lance that and he's offered to come tonight for dinner."

Krolia also nodded. "That's perfect."

Veronica gaped at Lance from the shallows. "Married?" she repeated.

"Yeah," Lance said from the dry sand. "He confessed love to me, I told him I loved him, and then I asked him to be my husband."

"Lance, I don't know if I can officiated you in a ceremony."

"Sure you can. Right here or Keith and I can stand in a boat."

Veronica looked sheepish. "Yeah, you're right. That will work. I guess I was just wondering how the two of you will make this work, what with both of you living with family and living in different worlds."

"That's something we'll have to talk about, perhaps after dinner. I'm meeting Keith's parents tonight. Oh and sis? Go ahead and tell the family about Keith and our marriage. I shouldn't keep this from them anymore."

"I would say so as you are married now."

Lance smiled as he headed back into the city while Veronica headed back to the sea. Lance felt lucky that he could talk to sea life as that was how he was able to speak to Veronica. Yup, a couple of sea turtles on the beach and I'm talking to my sis. He was thrilled when she said she was the shaman and that was when he told her he was married.

Married. He sighed happily. I'm married to the most wonderful human in the world. We will need to talk about how we're going to make this work as I can't stay on land forever. My family would miss me.

Keith fussed with his tie, annoyed that his parents insisted he be dressed up for dinner. Lance is the one who's supposed to be making the good impression, not me. I do wonder if Lance has a suit. Probably not; he didn't think about meeting my parents when he proposed. He finally straightened his tie and was coming down the stairs when the bell rang.

"Keith, dear, answer it," Krolia called.

"Okay, Mom." He opened the door to see Lance in a suit and holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand. His mouth fell open as he let his husband in. "Lance?"

"Shiro took me shopping for a suit. Said it would make a good impression on your parents. The flowers are for your mom."

"Shiro was right about the suit and Mom will love the flowers." He led Lance into the living room where Thace and Krolia were waiting.

Lance came forward with a shy, nervous smile. "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Kogane," he said as he gave Krolia the flowers and then shook Thace's hand. Both adults smiled warmly and Lance felt some nervousness fade. The residue nervous feelings were from the fact that he was going to tell them the entire truth. Technically they're already my in-laws and they should know their son-in-law's a merman. Of course, Keith doesn't know that and I need to tell him about it.

Thace looked Lance up and down. He was dressed in a smart suit and his hair was neatly combed. He had greeted Krolia and him politely, had presented Krolia with flowers, and had shaken his hand. He found himself liking the brunette and could see why Keith agreed to be his fiancée.

"Let's sit and have some dinner and you can tell us about yourself," Thace said.

"Okay, Mr. Kogane," Lance said. He snagged Keith's arm as the adults headed out. "Keith, I'm going to tell them the truth about me. Veronica's already told my family about you and us being married."

"Tell the truth? Why?"

"Well, technically they're already family and they deserve to know the truth."

Keith sighed. "You're right. They should know."

The four sat at the table, passed around the food, and ate in silence for a little while. Lance, however, was trying to figure out how to tell the truth. I think I'll let the questions lead me and hopefully I'll be able to tell the truth.

"Lance, tell us about your family," Krolia said.

He smiled. "Oh, my family is quite large and we live together in one large house. I've older and younger siblings. One of my older sisters has a very important job where I live."

"What kind of job?" Thace asked.

"She performs wedding ceremonies, funerals, traditional blessings and prayers, things like that."

"That is important," Thace remarked.

Keith smiled slightly. He knew his dad had certain standards and wanted to be sure Keith would be taken care of; with Lance's sister having an important job, it certainly helped boost Lance's worth in his eyes.

"Speaking of wedding ceremonies, what kind of wedding were you and Keith wanting?" Krolia asked.

"We were thinking a private ceremony, just family and Shiro."

"I believe we can do that. I look forward to meeting your family," Thace replied.

"I…don't know if they will want to attend," Lance said slowly.

"Why not? Do they not approve?"

Lance slowly exhaled. "I have…a confession to make. I am not really human."

"What?" Krolia asked, confused.

"I'm…a merman. Keith and I met a few days ago when he was looking for a conch shell. I told him that I am fascinated by humans and their world. My kind can obviously take human form, but most choose to do so on a secluded island to sunbathe. Keith and I seem made for each other as we love the other's world and want to know more about them."

There was silence before Thace said, "You're a…merman? That's not possible. Merpeople don't exist."

"We do exist and I can prove it." He stood and moved away from the table. "Keith, I will need a towel and some water." His husband rushed to get them as Lance added, "I found that when water touches my bare legs, they become my tail until I dry it." He turned around and removed his pants and underwear, glancing back quickly to see Krolia averting her eyes. Keith returned with a towel and a glass of water that he gave Lance, also averting his gaze. Lance splashed the water on his legs and waited. His legs wobbled as they became a tail and he fell with an "Ouch!" as he hit the floor. I should have sat down; it wouldn't have hurt then, he inwardly scolded. He looked up to see Krolia and Thace staring at him with open mouths. His fins flicked slightly and Krolia gave a small gasp.

"I trust you believe me now?" Lance asked as Keith handed over the towel and Lnace dried his tail, regaining his legs.

"So…what do you think?" Keith asked after Lance had left.

Both adults exchanged looks before Thace said, "It is clear that the two of you care a great deal for each other, but he won't be able to provide for you or for you to provide for both of you."

"I don't care about that. I can go to college to earn a degree and get a job to support myself. I'm sure Lance can get a job once he's old enough."

"We accept your love for one another and having Lance as part of the family, but…"

"There won't be a wedding," Keith finished and his parents nodded.

"Okay. That's fine," Keith said calmly. Keith was a little disappointed but knew they could still get a marriage license and have Veronica make their marriage official.