I know it's been a while, but I've finally updated this story. Enjoy.
The Bates sit in the medical bay waiting area, waiting for word on Cass. Cass's father comes out with a warily look on his face. Diane respectfully asks him how Cass is doing. While he speaks in a calm voice, his eyes show his concern for his daughter.
"She's doing ok. They're getting plenty of fluids into her. They're going to keep her overnight, but she may be released tomorrow."
"Can we see her?" ask Brett.
"Not tonight;" answers Dr. Clayborn; "We'll see about tomorrow. She needs rest."
His wife and elder daughter come out of the medical ward; Morgan has an angry look on her face. "Where is Herold Stiff? I'm going to kill him!"
"Please Morgan calm down;" pleads her mother; "He's detained with the twins right now. They will be punished."
"If he doesn't get what he deserves, I'll give it to him myself."
The Bates boys are shocked to hear Morgan talk like that. They've never heard her make such a threat or be so worried about her sister. Morgan even insists on staying with Cass, but the medical staff won't let her.
"Not fair! They let Dr. H's daughter go back to her cabin to recover. Why does she get special treatment?"
After the Clayhorns leave, Winston comes out. "Winston;" ask Jason; "How did Dr. H convince them that her daughter is, well, normal?"
"All I know is that she seemed to have very convincing medical records;" answers Winston; "they said that Maria's got a rare dehydration condition and Barbara showed them the medications she uses. They also talked with Maria's doctor in Florida."
"That's clever;" says Diane.
"So, is this Maria really a...;" Brett starts to ask as Barbara exits the sick bay. Diane approaches her. "Dr. H, I, well, is Maria going to be alright?"
Barbara nods; "She will. Neri's still with her I assume."
"I'm sure she is. About Neri..."
"We can talk later. I just want to get back to my daughter."
"Understood."
"Um Dr. H;" says Jason; "Well, I really don't know what to say. About Maria..."
"Maria's story is hers to tell;" replies Barbara; "It'll be up to her and Neri going forward. For the moment, it's best not to tell y'all anything specific. She'll freak out at how many, well, that y'all know about Neri and..., it's best for her and Neri to work this out themselves."
"We understand Dr. H."
"I don't;" says Brett, Jason giving him the shoulder.
Winston walks out with Barbara. The Bates are at a loss of words as to what has happened tonight and at the possibility that Maria might be, a mermaid. Winston tries to comfort Barbara as they board the left.
"Barbara, I assure you me and the Bates will never exploit Maria. We are secret keepers."
"I believe you Winston;" says Barbara; "Well, I actually have no choice in the matter right now."
Neri is in the Hernandez's cabin. Maria is laying asleep in her small, inflatable pool in mermaid form. Neri just stares at her, astounded by what she's seeing. She rubs her hands on Maria's tell, it feels perfectly real and natural.
"Please don't do that, Neri;" says Barbara entering the room.
"Sorry;" Neri removes her hand; "I can't help it. I can't believe she's real."
"I know the feeling;" replies Barbara sitting down on the opposite side.
"She looks much better;" says Neri.
Barbara nods; "She heals fast."
"Like me;" Neri touches her fins; "She is daughter you birth?"
Barbara nods; "Yes Neri, she is my biological daughter."
"You not mermaid, like her? I right?"
Barbara looks at the glowing blue mark on her hand, which Neri actually noticed earlier. Barbara had been surprised that Neri could see it. It remains bright blue, meaning that it's safe for her to talk to Neri.
"No Neri, I'm not a mermaid."
"Her father?"
"He's human, well, actually he's a monster." Neri looks at her strangely; "I mean he's not a good person."
"So, Maria was not born with tail?"
"No, she wasn't. She'll tell you herself how it happened when she's ready. And Neri, are you really from another planet? I wouldn't have thought."
Neri smiles; "I am from Planet of the Oceans, but I do not remember it."
"I was wondering why your legs didn't change when you hit the water."
"So, she becomes this when she's in water?"
"When she's wet, yes. Her legs return when she's dry."
"That is amazing. Does she breath underwater, like in movie?"
Barbara can't help but giggle; "No, she breathes air. And don't go by the movies, they're not accurate at all."
"Mama." Maria slowly moves her head.
"Magali Marie!"
Maria slowly opens her eyes; "Mama." The two embrace tightly, Barbara with tears in her eyes. Neri is very touched by the scene.
"Sweetheart, I thought I might have lost you tonight."
"I'm ok Mama. And I'm sorry."
"No sweetie, it wasn't your fault at all."
"Cass?"
"She's fine."
Once they finish their embrace, Neri speaks with a smile; "Hello Maria."
The mermaid looks at Neri and freaks out, splashing hysterically in the pool and leaning towards her mother. "Mama! Who's this?"
"I am Neri, nice to meet you, Maria the mermaid."
Barbara places her hand on her daughter's shoulder; "It's alright honey, she saved you and Cass."
"You and Charlie saved you both."
Maria takes a good look at the ocean girl; "It's you, the girl from the pictures."
"Yes. That is my island you were on."
Maria just stares in aw momentarily, then splashes Neri. She giggles and shakes her head slightly. "I will not have tail. I born on another world."
Maria's jaw drops. She looks down for a minute, then looks up again. "Are you like Cory?"
A perplexed look appears on Neri's face; "I am like who?"
"Corrina. Do you know her?"
Neri looks at Barbara, who explains; "Corrina is also from another world. But she's not a water person. I don't think Neri knows her sweetie."
Maria again splashes Neri, getting her soaked. She doesn't transform.
"You either have a magic object or under a spell, or your not a mermaid."
Neri shakes her head; "I do not get tail, but I swim in the ocean and talk to Charlie. I also need much water or I dry and get sick."
"That sure does sounds like a mermaid;" informs Barbara.
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In the Bates cabin, Jason is pacing back and forth. Brett wakes up; "Jas, what time is it? I'm trying to sleep."
"Neri's still not back yet. I'm concerned."
"About what? She's fine."
"I don't know." Jason stops pacing; "I don't know what to think. A real live mermaid who has legs on board? What am I supposed to think? What's this going to mean for Neri. Is this, girl even safe?"
"Dr. H is probably thinking the same thing."
"He's right Jason;" Diane comes into the room, rubbing her eyes; "She's probably in the same boat as Neri."
"Is that girl really her daughter?" wonders Jason; "How do we know she's not holding the girl prisoner for her own sinister motives."
"Jas, that's bull;" says Brett.
"I understand what you're thinking son, but I have a strong feeling that's not the case at all. I believe they really are mother and daughter. They are carbon copies of each other, and that genuine concern from Dr. H for her was no act. We're all shocked by this, but I imagine they're just as worried about us finding out their secret. We must let the girls recover then we'll take it from there."
The door opens and Neri finally enters the cabin. "Neri! Where have you been? It's late;" says Jason.
"Sorry. Maria and I were talking."
Jason clears his throat; "Neri, about her. Maybe we should take this slow until..."
"She wants to swim with me to island tomorrow. She wants to talk to Charlie more."
The Bates shouldn't be surprised by that. "Can we meet her?" ask Brett excitedly; "Will she change into a tail...ah, I mean will her legs change... Darn my voice."
Neri looks them thoughtfully them shakes her head. "Maria said she not ready to meet you yet."
"WHY? We'll keep her secret."
"She's overwhelmed;" answers Neri; "Says she wants to wait to show boys. She wants to show Cass."
"Why Cass and not us?" ask Brett.
"Maybe because Cass already knows her;" answers Jason.
"She must be overwhelmed, having this many people learn her secret a one time;" says Diane. "Neri, did you say she talks to Charlie?"
"Yes mother. She talked to him tonight. Her first time. She wants to learn more."
"And she's really a mermaid?" ask Jason.
Neri nods. "She not born like that. It happened later. Said she'll tell me tomorrow."
"So, Dr. H really is her mother?" ask Jason.
"Barbara birthed Maria, yes."
All of the Bates still have concerns and many questions but agree to call it night. Tomorrow will bring yet more questions, maybe some answers as well.
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The next morning, Cass is allowed to leave the medical bay but under strict orders to take it easy in her cabin. Morgan surprises her sister by telling her she had already put in to take a whole month off! She had intended to tell Cass on their scuba trip, which will have to postpone by a few days. At first, Cass isn't sure how she'll tolerate spending a whole month with her sister. However, Morgan used to be rather fun when they were younger, and is more then willing to give Cass space when she needs it. They're parents are also taking some time off, which they've barely done in years.
Morgan's getting ready to go get breakfast when their door bell rings. Morgan doesn't intend to allow visitors in today until she opens the door to see Neri and Maria.
"Neri Bates?"
"Hello Morgan. We come to see Cass."
"She's not taking any visitors today. She needs her rest. Shouldn't she be bed?"
"Maria wants to see Cass."
"She can later. Not today."
"I want to see them." Cass is standing behind Morgan wrapped in a blanket."
"Get back into bed young lady. You need your rest in order to recover."
"Please Morgan;" pleads Maria; "Just for a minute."
Morgan's amazed; "So you finally spoke up." She huffs; "OK, but only for a few minutes, with Cass in bed. I'm going to get breakfast. When I return, you'd better return to your cabin and rest Miss Hernandez."
"Yes ma'am."
Morgan exits the cabin. When the door closes, Cass hugs Neri. "Oh Neri, thank you so much for saving us! The boys too. I don't what we would've done if you hadn't showed up."
Neri smiles; "You are welcome Cass. Only we would not have known if Maria had not called out to Charlie."
Cass gasp at hearing that. "Maria, you can talk to Charlie? You really are an Ocean Person aren't you?"
Maria realizes what Cass means and flashes a smirk. "Kinda."
"Kinda? You are from the Planet of the Oceans aren't you?"
Maria nearly reverts to her usual shyness. Urged by Neri, she nods, gathers up her courage, and notices the glass of water next to Cass's bed. She sits down on the floor, takes a huge breath, and holds out her hand.
Cass is perplexed, then wonders if her eyes are playing tricks on her as liquid water literally rises into the air, so much more than the glass was holding, and goes over Maria's head. She drops her hand, getting herself drenched and transforms. Cass's jaw drops, she rubs her eyes and opens them again, still seeing Maria in mermaid form.
"Maria, you're...Neri, do you see this? Am I seeing..."
"Someone coming to door;" says Neri. Maria also hears the footsteps and drags herself to shower room as she doesn't have time get dry. Neri quickly gets her in and closes the door as Mrs. Clayhorn enters the cabin, surprised to see Neri.
"Oh...what are you doing here...you're the Bates boys' friend and Dr. Bates assistant...sorry what's your name?"
"Neri, Cass's mom."
"Yes. I'm sorry, but I thought I told Morgan no visitors until this evening."
"Neri's just checking on me. She and the boys were the ones that found me last night, remember?"
"Oh yes, my apologies Ms. Neri. Thank you again so much for saving my little girl's life. Is there anything I can do for you."
Neri smiles; "May we finish our visit with Cass please?"
"Oh, yes of course. With you in the bed young lady if you want to go to church service and fellowship tonight. Oh, I see you spilled your water. I'll get some more."
Mrs. Clayhorn picks up the glass, fill it back up, returns it to the table, then starts to open the shower room. "Mom you can't!"
"What's wrong? Who's in there? Not Morgan, I just passed her."
Just then a flush is heard, the door opens and Maria comes out, back in human form.
"Maria? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in your cabin recovering."
"Yes ma'am."
Mrs. Clayhorn gently puts a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I'm relieved to see back on your feet and thank your concern about Cass. But you both need to rest and drink lots of water and Gatorade. Morgan and Cass's dad will return any minute with breakfast and we're going to a watch some movies."
"I hope you brought the Star Wars trilogy;" says Cass.
"Morgan suggested Star Track."
A disappointed look appears on Cass's face; "Mom, I hate Star Track! Why do we always got to watch what Morgan wants?"
Her mother smirks; "Just kidding. I rented the Stars Wars trilogy." She proves it by taking the movies out of her bag.
"Very funny Mom. Now that I think about it, Morgan hates Star Track too."
"Star Wars strange movies;" says Neri; "Do not like black Death Vader."
"But he's the best part;" replies Cass; "Aside from Luke and Leia. Do you like Star Wars Maria?"
"Not really."
Cass starts to get a little dizzy and looks flushed. Her mother orders her back into bed, gets some Gatorade from their mini fridge, puts a straw into it and hands it to her daughter. Neri and Maria take that as their sign to leave. As Mrs. Clayhorn goes into the shower-toilet room (wondering why there's still steam in there) Cass calls to her friends. "Maria, did I see what I...". Her new friend moves closer to her and whispers; "Yes Cass, I'm a mermaid. See you at the service tonight." Cass sits there in aw as the two ocean girls exit the cabin.
Up on the pontoon, Neri has changed into her dress while Maria has changed into a blue and turquois floral one-piece swimsuit with a skirt. Ariel is calling to Maria, waiting impatiently for her to enter the water. Neri is taken aback that Maria is talking to Ariel out loud in a "dolphin" voice. Before they jump in, Neri hears Charlie calling. "Maria, Charlie calls. You hear him." The mermaid shakes her head no and has a cringed look on her face, clearly trying too hard. "Relax. Take a breath and do not try so hard. Allow it to come to you." Maria tries to calm herself down and tries again. Again, Neri tells her to stop trying and just allow it come. Ariel too encourages her to relax and have fun. Maria says a prayer to help, imagines herself swimming freely in the sea, and the tension leaves her. Suddenly, she hears Charlie, and she understands at least part of what he's saying.
"He says, hello Maria."
She smiles, as does Neri. Looking towards Charlie as he surfaces in the near distance, they jump into the sea.
