When February arrived, so did the anniversary of the day all our lives were changed forever.

When we all arrived at the Mako cave that night we found the moon pool cave transformed.

Battery powered fairy lights were strung through the entrance of the cave. Candles on large shells dotted the natural shelves surrounding the moon pool. Paper lanterns were laced through the rock alcoves. An assortment of big cushions and colorful pillows sat in the center.

Cleo looked at us, "Lewis got us a surprise. Come sit."

We dried ourselves before settling in looking out toward the moon pool.

Music began to play from a CD player to the side and on the rock wall above the moon pool came alive with light. A slideshow of memories from the last year. There were silly photos. We laughed when we saw one where Lewis lounged across all our laps and then Cleo's dad catching him mid film. We smiled as we saw one that had all four of us girls sitting on the boat that led them to Mako a year ago with me taking a selfie. Several with the three girls, or some with three girls and Darcy's head poking in or Lewis's.

"Has it really been a year?" Rikki looked in awe.

"Best year of our lives." Cleo smiled.

The new year went by quickly and before we knew it it was May.

I got a call from Lewis who liked keeping me updated in regards to his planetary alignment research.

"You won't believe what I found!"

"It's all connected?"

He continued on, "Someone has already done my research on Mako before. Rikki found his address. Want to come?"

"We'll have to be careful. He might have men-in-black already watching him."

"That's why I'm asking you to come and not the girls."

I shook my head, "Well thanks a lot."

We met up at the cafe and took the same transportation to the man's house. My gaze keeping a lookout for other strangers who looked like they were watching or out of place.

When we knocked on the man's door, no one answered we walked back to the road only for Lewis to point to a fisherman. I stayed by the road feeling a bit antsy.

At first it looked like it was friendly before the man started to walk away, so I walked over to Lewis.

"Anything?"

The man in the fisherman's cap glanced my direction eyes widening as he looked at my hands.

I glanced down and looked at my moon ring.

I pointed to it, "Have you seen one of these before?"

"Where did you get it?"

I smiled, "A kind lady gave it to me."

"Her name?"

I peered into his eyes, I had a good feeling about this one. He reminded me what an older version of a lonely Lewis might look like.

"Ms Chatham."

"Louise…"

The old man's eyes glanced at the ring and then back at me. "She'd only give it to you if you were…" He shook his head. "Take me to Mako and I'll tell you everything."

We were preparing for our trip to Mako when I looked at the horizon, "You know a full moon would be the best time to research."

Lewis nodded.

"A full moon you say?" The old man's voice came from behind. He turned toward Lewis, "The offer still stands. Take me to Mako and all this…" He pointed to the satchel at his side, "all my research will be yours."

As soon as we reached Mako, the old man was off straight toward the side of the island where the entrance to the moon pool lay. Sometimes he'd pause his gaze far off as if he was seeing another time.

"Max?" Lewis called.

I shook my head, "Lewis, let's follow and see what he knows. I already texted the girls before we headed out to stay away from Mako for now."

When Max fell through the entrance we followed and soon we found him viewing the moon pool with awe.

"It's like it was back then."

"With Louise?" I asked.

Max nodded, "Those 3 girls…before everything changed."

He bent down and scooped the water, "The water has always seemed magical here."

He threw some in my direction.

"I'm afraid that won't work."

I stepped into the water, "I see you'll only tell us what you know until you see."

"Darcy?" Lewis's voice came from behind me.

"It's ok. That's why I wore a dress today anyways."

I dove in, keeping below the surface willing the change.

My head bobbed out of the water.

Max gasped looking at my tail, "I've only seen a protector from a far."

"Katya?"

"Yes. Louise told me of her and the natural mer pods." He gazed off into the distance, "All those years ago Louise, Gracie and Julia. We were the best of friends. I was the first one to know their secret. The others didn't like it but Gracie was relieved I knew. Gracie was the one for me." He looked into the water. "I tried my best to find out why this happened. If not for the other two, for Gracie. It was the hardest on her. I didn't realize how hard it was at the time, promised I could help but she knew I only had theories."

"She didn't take to the sea like the others."

"No…I lost her in the end." Max looked away, "I need to leave." He glanced at the ring, "Yours, and whatever 3 others, secrets are safe with me."

After we took Max back, Lewis looked down at the satchel Max gave.

"I've got heaps of reading to do."

"Call me with the highlights…and don't…"

"I won't read them in public."

"Thanks Lewis."

Not long after Emma revealed her mer secret to Ash who took it well, Lewis warned us of a specific full moon. According to Max it was the same type of moon from fifty years ago when Gracie gave up the sea. Anyone found in the moon pool the night of June 1st, 2007 would lose their mer status forever. None of us took any chances that night.