Chapter Nine- Official Union

"So, no wedding," Lance said as they stood in front of a woman in City Hall, getting their marriage license.

"Right. They like you and all, accept you as family, but…" He trailed off as he signed the license and passed Lance the pen. He too signed it and the woman went to copy it and scan it into the computer.

"But?" Lance prompted as they left with the original copy of the license.

"They worry about me being provided for, as if I can't support myself."

Lance made a dismissive noise. "I know you can take care of yourself. I usually don't have to worry about how to support myself as the sea provides one with food everywhere one goes. It provides materials we make into items."

"Sounds perfect. No worrying about making enough money to live, able to travel between land and sea, just a simple life."

"I suppose so. I never thought about it that way." He shifted his bag on his shoulder. He was returning home to find out what his family thinks of him being married to a human. I hope they're a bit more understanding. As they approached the shoreline, they saw Shiro waiting by the rock that concealed it from view; he had planned to see Lance off as well. He looked up as they approached and he looked as if his greatest wish in the world had come true.

"Lance," he said. "There's a group of merpeople in the water. One said they're your family."

Lance gasped at the statement and took off with Keith and Shiro right behind him. He rounded the bend and came to a stop, gaping at the almost a dozen merpeople in the water, Veronica in the forefront with an older mermaid beside her.

"Mama," Lance said as he came close to the edge. "What are you all doing here?"

"Veronica told us you got married and we wanted to see your beloved." Her eyes went to Keith who smiled shyly and hopefully at her. The second emotion surprised her. Why is he appearing hopeful? Do his parents not approve? She pushed those thoughts aside for the moment before saying, "Hello, Keith. You seem like a nice boy and I sense the love of the sea Veronica mentioned from you. Yes, I can see why Lance fell for you. I am proud to welcome you to our family." She held out her arms and Keith leaned down to accept the hug.

"Thank you," he said as they broke the hug. "My parents accept our love and marriage, but will not hold a wedding."

"Well, that's just silly," Mrs. McClain said.

"I…also told them I'm a merman and I proved it," Lance admitted. "I thought they had a right to know as they're technically family already."

"Of course, hijo," his mom said. "Is it possible you being a merman is why they won't have a wedding?"

"It's possibly part of the reason," Lance conceded. He looked at Keith who had waded into the water to meet the rest of the family. "Having a wedding isn't necessary as we married the night Keith accepted and we made it legal for humans by getting a marriage license just this morning."

"They may not hold a wedding," Veronica spoke up. "but I can still make the marriage between you and Keith official as the shaman."

Lance smiled. "I'd like that. Keith! Veronica's ready to make our union official!"

Keith grinned as he headed back to Lance, the rest of the family moving closer and Shiro stood behind the boys. The two teens stood side-by-side before Veronica who raised her scepter and moved it back and forth between them, eyes closed. She murmured words Keith didn't understand before saying, "As the shaman, I officially declare Lance McClain and Keith Kogane married and bonded for life." There were claps and cheers as Lance and Keith shared a kiss.

"I should head home," Lance said as they parted. "My family will want to celebrate with a party and pick out my own wedding ring as it is traditional."

Keith's face fell. "I wish I could go with you. It sounds like a lot of fun."

"With my family, I'm sure it will be."

Veronica looked at her scepter and then at Keith. "There is a way to join the party," she said. "It is rare for one of us to fall in love and wed a human, especially one that loves the sea the way you and Shiro do. There is a ritual spell to change a human to a merperson complete with all our abilities including the ability to become human. This spell only works on those who love the sea deeply."

Keith perked up. "I could be a merman?"

"Yes. You and Shiro both, if he wishes. I think I speak for the family when I say we would love to have you join us for the party." She looked back and the others nodded.

Keith looked back at Shiro who seemed as excited as he felt. He looked at Veronica and said, "Give us a few minutes." He and Shiro went to the rock bend, stripped, and neatly folded their clothes out of sight. They then walked back to the water to see Lance had already changed and was being congratulated by his family. Veronica and Mrs. McClain had moved into deeper water and the two humans swam out to them and floated before her, treading water.

Veronica held the scepter straight up again, chanting words Keith didn't understand again. The pearl on the scepter glowed white. "As shaman, I grant you the tails and abilities of mermen." She tapped the pearl to Shiro's chest and then to Keith.

Keith felt a tingle go through his body and his legs feeling boneless. He sank under the surface to see that his legs had become a red tail and his feet were a pair of black fins. Shiro came down and looked at his all black tail. He grinned at Keith who grinned back.

Lance swam over to Keith, took his hands, and spun the two of them in a circle laughing. "Keith, you look great as a merman! Your tail complements mine."

Keith couldn't help laughing too. He had fantasized and dreamed of living in the sea and now it was happening. He was breathing underwater, he had a tail instead of legs, and best of all, he had a husband to show him around and explore the waters with.

Keith stared around the marketplace as he followed Lance and the McClain women as they headed for the jewelry stall to pick out Lance's ring. The market was a large open area of countless stalls with mermen or mermaids selling various wares. It looked similar to home with obvious differences.

"So Keith. What do you think so far?" Lance asked.

"It's a dream come true," he answered. "I'm seeing a part of the ocean that had been impossible and I'm breathing underwater. Plus, your family is so nice. I wish I could live here forever."

"You could. Isn't eighteen the age when most humans move out?"

"Yes, it is."

"Then, do it. You could move your stuff to Shiro's home and come live with me and my family."

Keith's heart pounded. Would Shiro let Keith do that? What would his parents say about him moving out? Well, they can't object as I'm technically an adult and can make my own decisions on how to live my life.

"Lance," called Rachel. "Check out this ring. It's so cute."

"Cute!?" Lance repeated. "Sis, I'm not looking for cute." The two mermen came over and Keith had to agree: It was too cutesy to suit Lance.

"Of course you're not," said Lisa, his sister-in-law. "I think this one would be better or perhaps this one." She pointed at two rings. One had a band shaped from a cream-colored seashell and had a sprinkling of different colored pebbles decorating it. The other was a band also shaped from a seashell but blue and cream-colored. Lance spied small gemstones winking within the band. The vendor must have found those while human on the secluded island as those stones aren't found in the sea. He looked at Keith. "What do you think?"

"I like that one. It seems to suit you." He pointed at the second one.

"I have to agree," Mrs. McClain purchased the ring while Keith slid it onto Lance's finger and both of them admired it.