As usual, I do not own anything but the plot line.
Lewis's POV:
I couldn't believe what I was seeing when a little girl came running up to Cleo, calling her Mommy. I could believe it even less when Cleo left and came back with a little boy, named Lewis.
"They're our children? I'm a father?" I said, shocked.
"You are a father, Lewis." Cleo replied.
"I can't believe it. I can't believe that I'm a Dad." I muttered to myself.
"I couldn't believe it when I first found out I was pregnant. I hoped it wasn't real, at first. But after I saw them, I didn't mind." Cleo said.
"I wish you had told me, Cleo. I know that you didn't want me to give up on the Science program, but being with you three would've been worth it." I said.
"I know, Lewis. But I couldn't take that opportunity away from you. I thought about telling you so many times, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it." Cleo whispered, staring at her hands.
"I understand, Cleo. Our babies…did you tell them about me?" I inquired.
"Of course I did. Every day. I told them stories about when we were in school, when I first became a mermaid….stories about Mako, and how you were always there for me when I needed you." Cleo replied.
"Didn't you need me when you gave birth? I wasn't there then." I said, angry at myself.
"I know you weren't, Lewis. But that was my choice. If I had told you that I was pregnant, I know that you would've been there. But I didn't. She wasn't a replacement of you, but Sam was there." Cleo whispered.
"I'm glad she was there for you. Were the twins born on time?" I asked.
"They were born a couple of weeks early. But everything turned out fine." Cleo said.
"I'm glad. They are really beautiful, Cleo." I said.
"They're a lot like you-trying to find out everything they can about the world. They especially love coming here, to the dolphin park, and feeding Ronnie." Cleo said.
"I've really missed you, Cleo." I murmured, hugging her.
"I've missed you too, Lewis." Cleo replied, resting her head on my shoulder.
"MOMMY! DADDY!" Laura's voice cried. Cleo looked at me quickly, and then ran towards the sound of Laura's voice. I followed, feeling an overwhelming panic. Thoughts raced through my mind, wondering what could have happened.
"What happened, Laura? Where's Lewis?" Cleo said, looking around frantically.
"He's with Ronnie. But you said we weren't supposed to go so close to the water, Mommy." Laura said, pointing at the dock.
"Thank you, Laura. How about you stay with Daddy while I go get Lewis?" Cleo said.
"Sure, Mommy." Laura said. I picked Laura up, and then watched Cleo walk over to the dock to get Lewis. She reached him, and then picked him up. I sighed in relief, glad that nothing had happened to Lewis.
"Lewis, you know not to go on the dock like that. You don't know how to swim yet." Cleo said.
"I know, Mommy. I'm sorry. I won't do it again." Lewis said, wrapping his arms around Cleo's neck.
"I know, Lewis. How about we go home now? My shift's over, anyway." Cleo said.
"Sure, Mommy. Is Daddy coming with us?" Laura asked.
"If he wants to, Laura." Cleo replied, looking at me over Laura's head.
"Sure, Cleo. I'd love to." I replied. Cleo started walking towards the staff area to grab her things, and then we left the park. After walking for ten minutes, we got back to Cleo, Laura and Lewis's house.
"Sam and my Dad bought a new house, after Sam found out that she was pregnant. This one was all paid off, so they gave it to me and the twins." Cleo explained. Cleo unlocked the door, and put Lewis down. I followed suit, and Lewis and Laura walked off to the living room.
"So…Lewis, where are you living now?" Cleo asked.
"Well….I left my things at my parents' house." I replied.
"Do you….want to come stay here? With us?" Cleo asked, looking at her feet.
"I'd love that, Cleo. If Lewis and Laura don't mind, that is." I answered.
"Do you want to ask them?" Cleo inquired, smiling.
"Sure." I replied, heading for the living room.
"Laura, Lewis-can I talk to you two for a moment?" I asked, sitting on the couch.
"Sure, Daddy." Lewis said, grabbing his sister's hand and pulling her towards me.
"How would you feel about me staying here?" I asked, after Lewis and Laura had climbed onto my back.
"You'd stay here, Daddy?" Lewis asked.
"I would, Lewis. If it's okay with you two." I replied.
"It's okay with me!" Laura said, grinning broadly.
"It's okay with me, too!" Lewis said, his grin as broad as Laura's.
"I love you two." I said, hugging them.
"I love you too, Daddy." Laura and Lewis said.
"Have you two met my Mom yet?" I asked.
"Grandma! Yeah, we have!" Lewis exclaimed.
"Want to come with Cleo and I to grab my bags?" I inquired.
"Sure, Daddy." Laura said. I took their hands, and we went back into the entranceway, where Cleo was standing.
"Will you come with us, Cleo? To grab my bags?" I asked.
"Sure, Lewis. I take it they agree to you staying here?" Cleo said.
"They did. They also said that they knew my Mom?" I inquired.
"They do. I begged her not to tell you, Lewis. I wanted to tell you myself. I'm sorry." Cleo whispered.
"I know, Cleo. I understand. I'm not angry at you." I said. The four of us left the house, and Cleo locked the door behind us.