Chapter 3- Emma
I watched Galen leave with a sigh and started on my chores for the day. He came back while I was making lunch and I looked up. "Hey."
He came over and started helping. "Hey."
"Have a nice swim?"
"Yeah…" He sighed and looked at me. "I'm sorry Emma, I don't know what's been going on with me lately."
I set the table. "Can you get the kids?"
Galen nodded and went upstairs, coming back down with Cora and Cole, each of them taking a seat. When the kids went back upstairs he looked at me. "Emma I'm really sorry."
I sighed as I began dishes. "Do you miss the sea Galen?"
"Of course I do but I want to be with you."
"But you miss the sea more. It's where you belong." I wasn't looking at him as I spoke.
Galen made me look at him. "Emma, what are you saying? Do you doubt my love for you? Do you want me to leave?"
I shook my head. "I don't want you to leave. But I think you do."
He blinked in surprise. "E-Emma...no…" He sat down with a sigh, stunned. "Emma…"
"Galen, there's no point in denying it. I can tell you're getting tired of living on land and yearn for the sea. You're just not meant for the land."
"Then come to sea with me. We c-"
I shook my head. "No. We've been over this. I'm less meant for the sea than you are for land."
"But Emma…"
"No Galen. I'm not living in the water."
Galen stood. "Why am I always the one that has to give things up? I left everything behind to be with you but you wouldn't do the same for me."
I narrowed my eyes in anger. "Oh so now you're accusing ME of not loving YOU? You know what Galen, why don't you just go back to the kingdom where you belong?"
Galen blinked. "...Fine...I will…"
"Good. Take Cora with you. You're always complaining that she should be more like the Syrena children so why don't you raise her like one."
Galen went upstairs without another word. He came back down a few minutes later carrying Cora with her curly blonde hair all messy and her traditional Syrena eyes filled with tears. Neither of them said anything to me and I watched as Galen left with her.