Chapter 16
"I'm expected home for dinner soon," Cleo said with a sigh, as they surfaced together. After a long time socialising in the moon pool, the four mermaids had decided to swim again. The hours had flown by as they swam together through the ocean.
"Will we see you tomorrow Em?" Cleo asked.
"Maybe," Emma replied. "I'll be spending most of the day with Ash… but I'm sure I can squeeze a swim in or something."
"Who is Ash?" Bella asked hesitantly.
"Oh right, he's my boyfriend," Emma smiled. "We've been long distance for the last year. It's going to be awesome to see him."
"Wow, that must be hard," Bella mused.
"It wasn't too bad," Emma replied. "Yes, it was hard not seeing him all the time, but we did email often and had the odd Skype call. He was really good about it all."
"What are you doing tonight Bella?" Cleo asked.
"Will and I are going out for dinner," she blushed. "It's our first date out at a restaurant."
"Cute," Rikki smirked. Bella pushed her shoulder playfully.
"Shut up,"
Rikki grinned in response.
"So you're still coming round for dinner, Rikki?" Cleo asked. Rikki nodded.
"Well, I'll see you all later," Emma said. "It was nice to meet you, Bella."
"Likewise," Bella smiled.
"See ya," Rikki said in farewell, as Emma disappeared beneath the water.
"Have fun on your date, Bella," Cleo smiled.
"Thanks," Bella replied. "Bye."
She too disappeared beneath the waves.
Rikki and Cleo looked at each other, before swimming towards the Sertori household.
OoOoO
"Welcome back," Sam said to Rikki and Cleo as they came through the front door. Sam was placing the hot food dishes on the table, on the mats Kim had just finished laying out.
"Emma seems nice," Sam commented. "Kim, would you get your dad for dinner?"
The girl nodded, leaving the room.
"She is," Cleo answered. "It was awesome to see her again after so long."
Rikki nodded her agreement as she sat down at the table.
OoOoO
Emma felt fluttering in her stomach when she woke up the next morning. In fact, she was so excited about the day, she woke up too early. A couple of times, in fact. She groaned when she looked at the clock for the tenth time. Seven o'clock stared back at her. She wasn't due to meet Ash at the Juicenet…ah, Rikki's Café, until ten. She dropped her head back into the pillows. Well, she might as well get up.
Rikki had told her that in the imminent closure of the café, Zane had once again gone back to his father to plead for money. Rikki wasn't sure on the exact details because Zane didn't disclose them all to her, but in exchange for the money to pay off the debts, Zane had to promise to go and study business somewhere. Zane had asked for Rikki's help in managing the café again, just until the profit was stable. Rikki said she was still thinking about it. Rikki had described Zane's smirk as "too pleased" when she told him she would think about it – not outright saying 'no.' Emma had asked why she didn't just say no. Rikki had shrugged, and said she didn't really know why. Emma felt like she did. Although she had never really liked Rikki's relationship with the arrogant jerk, she could see her friend still had deep-seated feelings for him. She could tell that Rikki was hurt by something that had happened and was unsure what to do about it. Hopefully, that would all sort itself out in due course.
After a quick breakfast, Emma felt drawn to the ocean again. Having it right there was a temptation too good to refuse. She would go for a short swim to kill time. Soon, enough she was back ashore walking the familiar path along the waterfront to the café.
OoOoO
Emma had only seen pictures of what had been done with the place. Rikki had emailed a few back when she was still with Zane and excited about what they could do with it. It was definitely strange seeing another name on the place – especially her friend's name. Emma looked at her watch. Five minutes early. Perfect.
Ash was nervous as he approached the café. He hadn't really visited since he worked there, having spent most of his time working with the horses, and living out of town. He was nervous because he was seeing his girlfriend face to face for the first time in a year. He briefly thought that maybe she wouldn't want to be with him anymore, than maybe the distance was too much. 'That's irrational,' he realised. He took a few deep breaths. 'Even if they were a little awkward, they'd get back to where they had been in their relationship,' he resolved.
Emma was leaning against the railing on the deck outside the café. A grin took over Ash's face as he saw her. Emma caught his eyes a few seconds later. She started walking towards him, beaming.
"Hey," Ash greeted, when she was a few metres away.
"Hey," she echoed softly. They just stared into each other's eyes for a moment, large smiles still stretched across their faces.
Before Ash realised, Emma had her arms wrapped tightly around him. She nuzzled her face into his chest. This was nice, Ash acknowledged. He enclosed his arms firmly around her. The contact amazing after so long.
Neither of them knew how long they stood like that for, enjoying each other's embrace.
Emma slowly, pulled her head away so that she could look at his face. She felt an incredible rush of affection for this man. She was so glad they had persevered with their relationship.
Ash lifted one of his arms from where it rested at her back, gently stroking her cheek with his thumb. 'Was this love?' he asked himself.
Emma vaguely acknowledged that they were probably looking like love-struck idiots before her thoughts were abruptly stopped in their progression.
His lips were on hers.
Ash kissed her gently, his thumb still caressing her cheek.
'Okay, this was nice,' Emma recognised as she began to respond to the kiss. 'Very nice indeed.'
Wolf-whistles spoilt the moment. The sound rudely reminded the reunited couple that they were in a public space. They broke the kiss, but maintained their hold on each other.
A blush passed over Emma's cheeks.
"I've missed you," Ash whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. Emma's smile became wider, if that was even possible.
"I've missed you too," she replied in kind. With that, she took his hand, and they walked together into the café.
A/N: Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it :D I also hope it reads as I intended. Please tell me what you think, it encourages me and gives me peace of mind.
I am so so so so so so so so so SO sorry that it has taken me so long to update this story! Firstly, I've been busy with life - Uni was on, and is back on again, (has been since the 13th) and I already have a 1500 word essay due in a few days! (really should have been doing that but...procrastination :P - plus I was really inspired this week about this story :D)
Anyway, I hope this chapter made up for the wait!
Thanks so much to the people who reviewed - it really means a lot to me, it tells me that there are people who like my work, because most of you will know that writing does take a lot of time (most of the time).
I'm glad you guys like how I have balanced the Bella/Emma meeting. I personally found that the fanfictions that make them hate each other instantly quite unrealistic - so I wrote it how I feel like it would happen in reality - or at least my version of it :P I understand that in that situation they could feel replaced, but I think they also know that it wasn't Cleo and Rikki's intention for that, it just happened. Being friendly people, I can't see why Bella and Emma couldn't try to get on. I also can't believe that Rikki and Cleo wouldn't have been in contact with Emma -they had spent pretty much 24/7 with each other for 2 years...so even if they didn't know much about each other, Bella and Emma would have known each other's names at least. Anyway, I could probably talk about this for a long time :P Feel free to debate H2O stuff with me in the reviews or private messaging.
ALSO, I'm really excited because... CARIBA IS GUEST STARRING ON MAKO MERMAIDS. AS RIKKI. Most of you probably already know this but I need to fangirl with someone :P Cariba Heine is going to be in the last two episodes of Mako Mermaids Season 3. Now, I don't really watch Mako Mermaids - I've watched the first season, and a few episodes of the second, but this has got me so excited! I can't wait to see how they explain her character and the links between the two shows... they probably won't explain everything but still.
NOW, before you start commenting and messaging me and such, I KNOW THERE IS A SEASON 3 ON NETFLIX. HOWEVER, what you may not know, is that Netflix has incorrectly labelled the second half of Season TWO as season 3. Season 3 will have the introduction of an Asian mermaid. There are promo pictures and everything of Cariba back in her tail. I have reblogged a few on my tumblr : kclmcaskett if you wanted to follow me. It's pretty much Castle stuff, but it is me.
Without further ado, thanks so very much to the following people for reviewing:
marga. bours .1- I'm glad you like it so much :D Thanks for your support. I'm sorry ASAP turned out to be almost four months later...eek!
NotJustAShadow - Thanks :D I can't wait to see what comes out of my brain :P
sammiloveschocolate - My dear sister, thanks so much for all your support. I appreciate it more than you know. Thank you for doing so despite my own ongoing promises to read your new stuff. I really will read it someday. But what I have read, helped you plan, or heard you dictate to Mum when I'm home is fantastic. You really are a great writer :D Thanks again! I'll see you in the weekend when I come home for work.
If any of you guys want to read some great original novels, check out my sister, Bubblygumgum over on Fictionpress, (I believe we have similar writing styles, so if you like mine, you'll probably like hers)
**SHAMELESS PLUG**
HeartlandFan101 - Elly :D Thanks so much for reading and supporting me and giving me inspiration and ideas when I am lacking :P Above all, thanks for being such a great friend :D
chinaluv - Thanks so much! I hope you like this one too.
ObsessedwReading - Thank you. I really appreciate it.
WannabeeAussie - Thanks. I agree with what you said :D
HybridsRose - Thank you :D Thanks for the ideas too. You'll see how that'll work out ;-)
THANKS EVERYONE! SEE YOU AGAIN ON THIS STORY, OR ONE OF MY OTHERS :)
p.s I'm sorry for the length of the note :P LOL