So sorry for the long delay in uploading, October wasn't the kindest month to me but everything's looking up now!
Short chapter as I'm still getting into the swing of things but I hope you enjoy.
"Hey, look over there! The girls have come back!"
The group turned their heads to see Tin-Tin and Marina strolling down the patio steps from the balcony of the Tracy household, the latter holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers held tightly to her chest. The mute girl made her way down the patio with Tin-Tin and then over to where the Tracy matriarch was sitting. She presented her with the flowers before bowing modestly.
The old lady beamed and took the gift with a sincere smile. "For me? Why how kind of you, dear! Thank you Marina, you're such a sweetie!"
"What a kind gesture." Jeff agreed.
"And just look at that bouquet!" Gordon replied in awe, fascinated by the beautiful bright colours of the seaborn plants tucked away within them. "Is that red algae?"
"Red algae?" Alan repeated with a raised eyebrow, thinking the name sounded a little gross.
"Yeah! Red algae is found underwater in these parts. I like the touch!" he gave a thumbs up to Marina, who smiled.
Tin-Tin nodded. "It was Marina's idea. She wanted to add a touch of the sea. We've just been scuba diving together and she's been showing me all sorts of marine flora and how to cultivate it." she held a hand appreciatively on her new friend's shoulder.
"It's amazing to think she actually lives under the sea to know that." Alan turned to the girls. "Like a mermaid princess from a fairytale or something."
"With legs." added Gordon.
"With legs." Alan parroted.
Troy and Phones smiled at their friend. They wouldn't have believed it either, but their encounter with the mad tyrant King Titan had changed their perspective, and their lives.
"She's a good girl, our Marina." Phones agreed.
"You'll have to take Gordon out exploring sometime. See if your knowledge of the sea can beat his own." Alan grinned, elbowing his brother's chest.
"We'll see about that…" Gordon patted his fingertips together like a villain before breaking into laughter.
Marina felt a blush rise to her cheeks at all of the attention she was receiving and nodded modestly in return, not sure where to place herself. She rejoined Tin-Tin by the side of the pool and sat down on the edge of it, allowing her legs to drape into the cool water's embrace.
"Why don't you come in for a swim, darlin'?" Gordon asked her, patting the water. "The water's lovely and cool. That goes for you too, Tin-Tin!" he called over to the Malaysian girl. "And you two!" he turned towards Troy and Phones.
"We're good here, thanks." Troy answered, raising his arms behind his head to make a point of looking lazy.
Tin-Tin shook her head and took a seat on the chair under the parasol beside Mrs Tracy. "I've just spent the past two hours exploring the sea so could do with a bit of a break from the water. A bit of sunshine will do me good."
Gordon gasped with a dramatic flair. "A break from the water? Impossible! What's wrong with you?"
"Not everyone's a fish like you are, Gordon." Alan grinned, soon becoming a pout when his brother splashed him.
Marina laughed silently at their interactions. They were so lively and energetic. Gordon was completely relaxed now compared to how he was when they had first met in the prison of the underwater villain Prince Aquanas. She found his happiness refreshing to see, and the relationship between him and his younger brother Alan to be warm and playful.
The mermaiden found herself looking at the other members of the party who surrounded her, studying their faces. The Tracy family all had similar qualities that gave away the fact they were related, even if they didn't look exactly alike. Their eyes, their smiles. They were all the same.
"So this is where everyone's been hiding." came a jovial voice from the patio.
Her green eyes drifted up towards the new voice and she saw two approaching figures. Again, even though they looked nothing alike, both were riddled with Tracy features and mannerisms. One was tall and thin; the other was short and stocky. One had pale blonde hair and blue eyes, the other had chestnut locks and brown eyes.
Yet they had the same smile.
"Wouldn't exactly call it hiding." Gordon snarked back. "Where have you been?"
"Just chillin' inside." John grinned, taking a sip from the juice box he had brought out with him.
"Seems like we're missing a right party out here." Virgil greeted, quickening his walking pace to beat John to the last shaded seat. John chuckled at his younger brother's actions and joined Marina by the side of the pool.
"Good afternoon, boys. How's your brother?" Grandma asked with a twinkle in her eye.
"Still pouting in his room."
"That's Scott for you!"
"You coming in, John?" Gordon asked, bobbing up and down in the pool.
"Maybe in a while. I'm fine here for the moment."
But his brothers had other ideas. Gordon and Alan smirked and swam up to John, grabbing his legs and pulling him into the water. John resurfaced with a cough then started splashing his siblings in revenge, Marina silently laughing at their antics.
"Bet it's never quiet with these boys around." Phones chuckled.
"Never." Jeff smiled and shook his head. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."
The family laughed.