Chapter 1
Another year was beginning and again the kids were relaxing for the last week of their summer holidays. It was Jennifer, Jacob, Leila and Charlie's second year, while Eric was just starting. Over the years, the families had grown significantly. The once group of ten had grown into a group of twenty-four. Cleo and Lewis had had another daughter, Andrea Danielle McCartney, she was nearly five years of age. Anna and Ben had had their first child, Daniel Peter Charles, he was also nearly five. Within the five years they had also had their second and third children, both mermaids. Madeline Keziah Charles who was almost three and Natalie Jessica who was yet to turn one year old. Naturally all three children had inherited all of their parents powers, their ability to mould water strengthened by double. These three also changed much quicker, about the same speed as their parents as they were full-blooded mer-kids. Emma and Ash had also had their second and third children, again they were both females, near the same age as the Charles' kids. Arianna Kristie Dove (nearly three) and Amelia Lily Dove (just over one year old). Bella and Will had had their second child, another girl named Stefani May Benjamin, she was the same age as Amelia as they were born the same month.
Rikki and Zane also had another set of twins. The pregnancy was most definitely not planned...
Flashback
"Zane Bennett! What have you done?" Rikki yelled barging into the McCartney's water house, her face as red as her shirt.
"W-what?" Zane stuttered clearly scared at his wife's rage. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him off his chair and out the door. The whole group could hear muffled yelling coming from the Bennett household, luckily, all the kids were at the moon pool with Emma and Bella. The others did not interfere; they knew if they did, they also would have their heads bitten off.
"This is your entire fault!" she shouted
"What is?" he asked with an annoyed tone. To his surprise, Rikki broke down crying.
"Rikki, Rikki, I'm sorry, I don't know what I did wrong...tell me..." She wiped her tears, reached to the coffee table, and handed something to him. He now understood.
"You are pregnant babe? Why is that a disaster?"
"I don't want any more," she moaned, "I don't do kids,"
"You seem to be doing all right," he asked confused.
"Don't get me wrong, I love our girls but two more? I don't think I'll cope."
"Wait. Two?"
She nodded solemnly. "I think they will be a set of twins again. For some reason in our family we get sets of twins – it's genetic, it skips a generation hence the fact that I don't have a twin and we have twin girls.
"Oh...But so what. I love you and we will be able to cope...especially with all the support of our friends who have just as many kids..."
"True. I swear Zane, you are going to be neutered after this birth,"
"Why me?" he moaned. He stopped when he saw Rikki's icy glare.
"Right. Okay. Whatever floats your boat."
Six months later...The ultrasound...
"You have twins!" Lewis told the expecting couple.
"What is it with me and having twins?" Rikki exclaimed.
"You told me yourself..." Zane began but stopped as again Rikki gave him an icy glare.
End Flashback
Once Alex and Jay were born Rikki had nearly forgotten about the whole fiasco, she loved her beautiful baby boys. Fortunately for Zane, Rikki never mentioned him having a vasectomy again...
Over the years, the group had flourished on the island, the mermaids swimming back to the mainland for work, the kids not having to worry about being exposed in public. They really had had a wonderful time. One case of frustrated lightning coming down on the houses from Charlie Bennett had resulted in a broken roof -this was the only fix up they had had to do. The village was never found and the moon pool was a part of their private land. They were so carefree until the day that the kids first started school. Luckily Emma was there as Mrs Dove to help them get out of swimming and stuff. Lewis had made a drastic decision that helped them further...
Flashback
"I'm going to train to be a doctor," Lewis announced one morning. The group always had communal meals together in a building that they built especially for meetings and meals.
"What? Having a mid-life crisis there Lewis?" Rikki scoffed. Cleo lightly hit her on the shoulder.
"What?" Rikki complained. Cleo shook her head.
"No Rikki. I thought it would be easier when we need medical assistance and a proper doctor that won't risk you guys being exposed. Also I believe it would be very, very useful for us in a few years when our kids start school. I could get them out of water based activities."
"Ohh. Now I getcha," Rikki said.
End Flashback.
It turned out he was perfectly right. Emma was currently teaching the four six year olds in her year two class. The five year olds would be getting Emma's close friend Phoebe or Miss S to the kids. The year was off to a fantastic start after the New Year's bash the previous night. They had gone swimming and had water like fireworks and power displays that night, it was awesome, the kids loved it especially.
A/N: Hey guys, thanks for continuing reading. Please review, tell me what you think... :D
*edited