"Look at you." Toshio smiled when Sakuno placed the baby on his arms. Two weeks passed by quickly and mother and child were doing just fine. They were on the living room of their house and Ryoma came close, bringing some tea with him. Word about the birth of the doctor's daughter spread quickly on the small town and many people came by visiting them and bringing food for the nursing mother. Ryoma was very touched with the people's kindness. The other mermaids and humans that already had children also gave Sakuno a lot of advices. Everyone was smitten by their daughter's cuteness and Ryoma was very proud. "Aren't you a beauty, Yuki-chan?"
The baby looked at him curiously. She had a great resemblance to Sakuno, but she had Ryoma's eyes.
"I heard she was born under some challenging conditions. Are you well, Sakuno-san?"
"I am fine." Sakuno smiled. "I just didn't know it would hurt so badly!"
"For a mermaid to give birth outside the ocean is two times more painful than for a human. The water makes things easier." Toshio looked at Ryoma gently. "That is the biggest proof of love you can give your human mate."
Ryoma looked at his wife and smiled at her.
"Toshio-san, when is she going to be able to go to the water? And her tail? When is it going to come out?" the young human had many questions.
"Six months." He looked at the baby again. She had lovely pinkish cheeks. "She is still too young to be able to control her temperature on the water. And her tail will not come out at least for two years." The little girl grabbed a piece of his long ponytail. His eyes were kind. "Does she sleep well at night?"
"Yes. She only wakes up when she is hungry or wet." Ryoma answered.
"My first one would scream during the whole night. I thought he was dying. I was so afraid." He smiled at his memories. "Aki was exhausted. In a desperate measure, I took him to the sea one night. It was summer and I just put him on my chest and let the waves carry us without wetting him. He slept immediately and peacefully. Then, I arranged a boat and kept it near the house. If necessary I would be there with him, rocking him to sleep."
"She likes when I sing to her. I met some mermaids once and they were singing to their children. I have a song that is on my memories for a long time, but I have no idea where I learned it."
"It was probably your mother's song. The mermaid's lullaby is unique inside each family. She had sung it to you at some point and you memorized. I still remember my mother's song as well." He smiled at Sakuno. "Someday, Yuki-chan will sing your song to her children as well."
The merman placed the baby in her mother's arms and caressed the soft red hair.
"Do you have any idea of how important you are, little one?"
"What do you mean?" Ryoma asked.
"Your daughter existence saved your kin." He looked at Sakuno with gentle eyes. "You are not the only one anymore. There are many groups of merpeople around, but all of them are important. The sea would be less beautiful without your red scales between the waves."
Yuki yawned and rolled her little body to her mother's chest, closing her eyes. Sakuno smiled and gentle kissed her forehead
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"I must admit. Even though I really miss you, I understand why you like in here so much." Kaori smiled to her brother. They were sitting on the small harbor on the back of his house. She had travelled to visit them. A year had passed by quickly. It was a beautiful spring afternoon. The tide was low and Sakuno was playing with Yuki on the sand, near the waves. The sun was setting on the horizon and everything was orange and golden.
"Isn't it?" Ryoma said, with a smile. "This is my favorite spot."
"So, another girl on the way, right?" she looked at Sakuno's round belly. She looked six month's along. "Do you think your math is going to be correct about the birth date this time?"
"How knows." The gentle breeze moved his dark hair. "But, just in case, I will not leave Sakuno's side this time. Not even for a second."
"What a doting parent." His sister giggled. "You are going to be horrible for their boyfriends."
"Please, do not talk about such a thing." He released a long breath. "Toshio-san already says his son is going to court Yuki."
"Oh, do not forget to invite us for the wedding ceremony!"
"You can tease me as you like. I am sure Shuichirou-san is going to be a very overprotective father as well."
Kaori long purple hair waved with the wind and she placed her hands over her stomach.
"We will find out about it soon, I guess." The pink eyes were filled with love.
"Eh?!" Ryoma was very surprised. "Kaori! Are you…? Really?!"
"I found out a few days before coming here."
"Congratulations!" he hugged his sister tightly. "Wow, Shuichirou-san must be so happy!"
"He does not know yet. Otherwise there was no way he would let me come without being escorted. I will tell him when I arrive home."
"I am so happy for you."
"I am happy for you too." She touched her brother's face and smiled.
"Let me know when you are about to give birth, so we can go to Muramasa. I can help you with the deliver."
"You can go, little brother, but there is no way you are going to see my private parts." She grinned and it made him chuckled.
Kaori leaned on her brother's arm and took a deep breath, enjoying the sea's smell, while watching Yuki and Sakuno on the sand.
"Sakuno-san does not look one day older than the day I met her. Are all mermaids like that?"
"Yes. It is scary sometimes."
"Is Yuki-chan going to be like her?"
"No, she is a half-blood after all. Toshio-san said her life spam is going to be around only 100 years old." She notices a hint of sadness on his voice.
"You are going to be and old man with a young and beautiful wife. People will be jealous." Kaori tried to humor him.
"Maybe." He touched his sister's hand. "But no matter how long it takes, I am going to love her forever. Until my last days. And beyond."
"I know you will." Her other hand covered his.
They stayed silently leaning on each other, while the sky slowly started to change colors.
The mermaid picked up their daughter on her arms and Yuki giggled when her mother's kissed her round cheek. She looked at Ryoma and smiled, surrounded by bluish tones. He engraved the happiness of his wife and daughter deep on his heart and wished they could forever remain on that perfect moment.