The girls graduated the next day, the nerves they might have felt gone after saving the world.
Cleo even got a reward, but nothing was quite as momentous as the ring she received from Lewis.
Lewis kissed her cheek. "Look at you, future Mrs. Scientist."
Don Sertori might have not approved of such an early engagement, but no one could miss the smile on his lips from seeing the look of joy on his daughter's face.
Lewis and Cleo planned to marry after college. Lewis had a ground-breaking internship that Cleo didn't want him to miss out on.
On the weekend, the Sertoris threw a large graduation party for the girls and a going away bash for me.
A surprise guest arrived and Cleo let out a squeal as she ran to embrace Emma, who came back for the girls' celebrations.
Lewis nudged me as he drank his punch. "So, what are you going to do after you leave us? More interdimensional travel?"
"Oh, undoubtedly." I chuckled, "I think I'm going to get a Poli-Sci degree. My soulmate needs all the help he can get."
I looked over at the smiling faces turning to Bella who stood by the side like us.
"What are you going to do, Bella?"
"I got recruited from an international music label. I think I'm going to take them up on the offer."
"Congratulations Bella! That's wonderful."
"It seems everyone is going to fulfill their dreams." I rolled my lower lip beneath my teeth before letting out a sigh, my gaze catching Rikki's. "I'm going to miss you all so much."
Rikki sauntered up. "We'll only be a swim away."
I laughed.
"No, really."
Bella and I glanced at each and smiled.
Cleo ran up to us three. "What are you three doing here all alone? Don't be spoil-sports. Join the party."
I grinned, "Wouldn't want to spoil sports now, would we?"
Emma came over and, for the first time, gave a completely free from tension smile. Traveling abroad must have been eye-opening for her.
"Cleo was just showing me her ring."
Cleo blushed, and we all bent to look at the twinkling diamond.
"You did good, Lewis." Rikki clapped him on the back.
"It's very pretty, Cleo." And it was, it had small moonstones framing a glittering diamond. It must have cost a fortune. I remembered all the side gigs Lewis had done, and it finally made sense. "Very fitting."
Cleo smiled before looking over at my ring finger, "Bella mentioned you got a ring, too."
It was my turn to blush. "He didn't exactly propose but…"
"But…" All the girls looked at me. Emma raised an eyebrow while Rikki laughed.
"He said something very possessive and romantic, I bet."
I looked down at my lunar eclipse ring. "Maybe."
"Knew it." Rikki leaned forward. "Something like you are mine and I'm yours."
"How did you know?" My eyes widened before it dawned on me.
"Loki can get rather possessive, too. I'm sure he would have marked me as his, if he had the chance."
"You make it sound so vulgar, Rikki."
She just shrugged.
Emma looked between us, looking a little lost.
"How about a swim later and we'll catch you up?"
Emma nodded with a smile.
Cleo, Rikki, and Bella glanced at each other and then at me.
Bella smiled, "Yeah, maybe around 6 pm tomorrow. You don't leave until Monday, right?"
I wasn't expecting what greeted me at the moon cave when I arrived.
The girls told me they'd meet me there, and that they had something to do first.
When I rose from the moon pool, I found it aglow, reminiscent to the lighting from our first anniversary as mermaids. The room was lit by the light of candles on shells in alcoves throughout the cave.
Cushions were surrounding a low table with my favorite foods and drinks. Tears fell down my cheeks as I looked at the girls waiting for me on the cushions.
"All this for me."
"We couldn't let you go without one last hurrah just for you." Rikki held up a blanket for me to change behind as I got out of the pool. Bella handed me my waterproof backpack with a change of clothes inside.
Emma looked at me and grabbed a chip, waiting for me to settle on a cushion before leaning forward. "So what did I miss?"
Cleo, Rikki, Bella and I looked at each other before all laughing. This would be a long night.
It surprised me when Don offered to drive me to the airport when Monday came around. Cleo, Rikki and I squeezed into the truck and we headed off.
It was quiet, all of us in our own thoughts.
When we reached the airport, Don looked at us.
"See her off, girls." He looked at me. "You always have a place at the Sertori residence. Never forget that, Darcy."
"Thank you, Mr Sertori."
He nodded before the girls walked on either side of me into the airport. We paused before the gates and stared at each other.
"I'm not good at goodbyes." Rikki spoke up, "So you better call me no matter what time of day or night when you make it back safely."
I felt myself choking up, but I grinned despite it. "Got it."
Cleo jumped into my arms. "We'll miss you."
Tears fell when I felt Rikki's arms come from behind.
"Keep us updated, ok?" Cleo looked into my eyes, staring me down with that firm expression that was rare but so intrinsically hers.
"I will." I turned and enveloped them both in a big hug. "Stay safe for me."
My last thought before I left Australia was: I'll miss my family.