Chapter 12

A few days later...

After Natalie Charles' second birthday dinner, Cleo suggested a night out on the beach and in the water having fun with their powers. The families walked down to the beach away from the view of the mainland. There Rikki and Anna lit some fires to provide light, the tide was out making this easier. The mermaids and mermen had a power duel for fun and to see whose powers were the strongest. Flying ice, water and jelly was going back and forth, lightening blocking water from its destination. Eric, Jacob, Jennifer, Charlie and Leila were all participating as they had gained full control of their powers, they had a miniature battle beside their parents, the humans looking after the younger kids and observing. They always found these battles fun to watch although they were not at all serious. The kids then had a sculpture making competition – this involved all of them except the one year olds who only ever used their powers when it suited them, usually not impeccable timing. Rikki's kids also did not participate as their power did not really allow them to, but they had great joy once they were done when they could melt them all. Rikki just laughed watching her sons' glee.

They then decided to have races close enough to the shore to still have light, this also allowed the little kids to race. Will and Lewis grabbed their boats and anchored them in the places of the start and finish. The kids would race first, this meant the course would be much shorter, Will – the finisher would move his boat further away for the adults' race. The guys knew that the races would be over insanely quickly due to the mermaid's incredible speed through the water. All the mers got into the water to wait for their turns. The adults did their best in sorting the kids into groups for racing; it was quite difficult due to the various ages.

Jennifer, Jacob, Leila, Charlie and Eric raced. They enjoyed it thoroughly, after battling it out, Jennifer passed the line in front of the others. Daniel, Andrea, Alex and Jay raced next. Will and Bella (who was swimming beside the boat) could not decide who had won – Andy and Dan had passed over the line at exactly the same time. They were followed by Natalie, Arianna and Madeline – they all had a parent holding their hand. Ben was with Natalie, Anna with Maddie and Emma with Arianna. Emma being competitive as usual, coaxed Arianna through mindspeak and they passed over the line before the others. Emma was very satisfied with this result. Stefani and Amelia were sitting on the beach with Ash playing together, too young to understand the concept of a race.

Then it was the adults' turns. Lewis divided them into two races. Will drove his boat much further away and they decided to make the adults swim around his boat and come back to the start line.

Race 1: Cleo, Anna and Rikki

Race 2: Ben, Emma and Bella.

They had their heads above the water to hear the start signal. As soon as Lewis said 'Go!' the first three set off at turbo-speed. They observers cheered loudly. Rikki was in the lead by far, Anna and Cleo trailing but battled it out for second place. Cleo (who was used to swimming quickly to try keep up with Emma and Rikki's races) came second by a millisecond.

In the next heat, Bella decided to just enjoy hr swim and lagged behind. She knew that in racing against the determined and competitive Ben and Emma, that she'd be no match for them.

Ben and Emma were neck and neck until Ben slightly over took her. As they went to turn around the boat, Emma caught Ben out and got out in front. Ben ended up taking close second. At the end, they shook hands laughing.

After a brief break, it was time for the final. Emma and Rikki. Everyone decided mutually to lengthen the course. They knew how competitive the two of them could be. Thus, they decided that the course be double its original length, the competitors would have to circle round Will's boat twice. Setting off, turning around Will's boat, coming back to the start, turning around and then going back to Will's boat, making the start the finish. (A/N: I hope that makes sense...)

Zane was going to film it so he sat on a rocky outcrop from the beach, close to the course as possible without actually being in a boat or in the water.

This race was for fun but was also of utmost seriousness.

"...and Go!" A flash of bubbles signalled the mermaid's departure of the starting line, a large wave came from them and rocked Lewis' boat. They raced around Will's boat narrowly missing splashing him. Lewis was not so lucky. As Emma and Rikki sped around Lewis' boat, a wave crashed over him. It drenched him completely.

"Aw, honey," Cleo said sympathetically, but anyone could see that she was trying not to laugh at his expression.

"Thanks guys," he called out sarcastically after Emma and Rikki. Will also became dripping as a powerful wave rocked his boat as the race became more intense. Rikki had narrowly lost many other races to Emma by a millimetre. This time she was determined to win. Just before they crossed the line Rikki nipped in front winning the race, she was not sure whether she had yet however.

"Well, according to me and everyone else who was in the water, Congratulations Rikki! You won!" Lewis announced, Rikki pumped her fist in the air. "...and it's about time too," Lewis muttered. Unfortunately for him he wasn't' quiet enough and he was met by an angry yet amused stare from Rikki.

"Congrats Rikki," Emma said.

"Thanks Em," they hugged awkwardly in the water.

The mermaids and humans made their way back to the dining hall, had their supper and then returned to their own houses for the night. The parents tucked their now-exhausted children into bed before returning to bed themselves.

The Bennett Household...

"I hear you videoed the race?" Rikki said while she was getting into her pyjamas.

"Yeah, unfortunately, from where I was you really can only see ripples and waves coming from the water. I gave Anna an underwater camera to film it from where she was, I haven't seen the footage, but I bet it's great," he smiled at her. She returned the smile.

"Finally I bet Emma fair and square," she muttered before slipping into the bed beside Zane. They kissed for a few seconds. "I love you," Rikki said her eyes sparkling.

"Likewise," Zane said.

Rikki turned over and Zane put his arms around her waist, "Good night."

A/N: Thanks everyone for the reviews. Here is another chapter as a reward for all my lovely reviews and reviewers. Please continue to review, love you guys!