Chapter 85

A few hours later, Lewis arrived back at Mako. He would ask on Alan's behalf, but if that didn't work, he'd get Alan to come over and ask himself.

"Hey Cleo," Lewis said, kissing his wife's cheek.

"Hi," she smiled, "How was work?"

"The same as usual," Lewis began, "Alan told me that Denman has officially bought the photos and she wanted to know what we wanted to do with them,"

"Great!" Cleo said. "Why am I sensing that it's not perfect?"

"Well, she wanted to be here for the burning of the pictures – Alan asked if she could be here,"

"Oh," Cleo said, "Right. Well, I'm okay with it, but I'm not sure our friends will be. I still don't trust her but if she is willing to give us the photos without anything in return…I am ready to think she has changed,"

"I told Alan that I would ask you guys, but he wants to come over and try to convince you if I can't,"

"That probably won't be necessary, but Rikki's going to be the hardest to get to…I'll talk to her,"

OoOoO

Later that afternoon, Rikki and Emma met Cleo at the McCartney household. They had predicted Rikki's reaction correctly.

"What!" she exclaimed, getting up from the couch, "You cannot be serious – you can't seriously be suggesting bringing the woman who caused so many problems in the past to our safe haven, our island! Once she sees everything here, what's stopping her from getting obsessed again?"

"Rikki," Cleo began. Emma was not sure what her own thoughts on the matter were. True, she didn't trust Denman, but she hadn't exposed them and she had bought the pictures…what if she really did just want to be a part of it.

"No, Cleo. Don't tell me you bought whatever sob story she said to you," Rikki ignored her.

"Rikki, if you would just listen for a second," Cleo tried again. "Before you make all these assumptions, can I at least explain properly?"

"Fine," Rikki sat down on the couch once more.

"Denman was invited by Alan – she is not forcing herself on us – actually she doesn't expect to be accepted. Alan asked us on her behalf. You trust Alan right?"

Rikki shrugged. She decided not to make a remark about family bias.

"It could be a risk yes, but she just bought the pictures and agreed to give them to us," Cleo continued. "Shouldn't she be thanked for that?"

Rikki deflated. "Yeah,"

"I'm not saying her intentions are pure – we don't know that, but what we do know is that she hasn't exposed us yet, and we might as well assume for the moment that she really has changed," Cleo said.

"Fine. She can come over," Rikki submitted. Cleo's eyebrows rose; she had not expected Rikki to give in so quickly.

"Em?" Cleo turned to her, "What do you think?"

Emma sighed.

"I think that we should give her the benefit of the doubt, she can come – just make sure Alan knows that she has to be on her best behaviour,"

"Okay, we don't have to trust her, but I think that we need to thank her for saving Jessie," Cleo said. The other two mermaids nodded.

OoOoO

Lewis phoned Alan with the good news once Cleo told him. Denman, Alan and Jessie would be visiting the island at around seven, after everyone had had dinner.

OoOoO

After Alan had talked to Lewis earlier on, he called Jessie with the good news.

"Hey, babe,"

"Alan," Jessie smiled. "Is it good news?" she asked hesitantly.

"The photos are secured. You're safe," Alan grinned. He heard his girlfriend's sigh of relief.

"Oh wow…it feels like an enormous weight just lifted off my chest," she replied.

"Linda is confident that if Hunter knows what's good for him, he'll stay away from you and the secret," Alan reassured her. "She's bringing the photos over to Mako and we're going to burn them together, with everyone else,"

"When are we doing that?"

"Later tonight, at around seven- is that alright with you?"

"Yeah, fine. Wow. I cannot express to you my relief,"

"Believe me, I have some idea," Alan replied.

OoOoO

Jessie swam over to Mako and shared her relief with her fellow mermaids. Later on, Denman arrived in her boat and found Alan on the beach, waiting. After a hug, they began walking up to the village.

"Are you sure they're okay with this?" Denman asked cautiously. "The last thing I want to do is ruin this victorious moment,"

"I asked them and you have permission. Jessie is excited to thank you in person. Just assure them you have no ulterior motives and don't be surprised…"

"Surprised at what?"

"Their village is a work of art, it is made of water – if you act too interested they'll be suspicious. Just be friendly," Alan instructed.

"I feel like you're my father right now," Denman smirked. Alan winced.

"Sorry,"

"No, it's fine. I need it," Denman said, squeezing his arm comfortingly. "Here, take the envelope," she passed him the package of photos and the USB.

"Thanks again for this; it means a lot to me that you would protect Jessie,"

"I know. It was the right thing to do. I hear you plan on proposing to her," Denman grins teasingly, bumping an elbow gently into his ribs.

"Yeah," he said bashfully. "She's amazing,"

"I'm glad you're so happy," Denman said. There was a comfortable pause despite Denman's growing nervousness. "So buildings made of water?"

Alan nodded. "They used their powers to make them. They didn't have to bring many materials over by boat as a result. Promise me that you won't go all sciency on it and make them doubt you,"

"I'll try to control myself," Denman smiled nervously.

Alan led them to the secret entrance to the hidden mermaid village. You had to know where it was to find it. He hoped that the occupants wouldn't be upset that Denman wasn't just waiting on the beach.

They walked up the hill.

"We're here," he stated. Denman's eyes widened.

"It's beautiful," she breathed. "Wow,"

The sunset was causing the glass-like buildings to reflect light in a kaleidoscope of colours.

"It takes some getting used to, right?" Alan smiled.

The villagers were leaving the dining hall as they approached. Jessie came out in front over everyone else and quickly approached Alan. She kissed him soundly. Linda smiled at the smiles on the young couple's faces.

Denman took in the faces of the adults arriving. She recognised many of them. Cleo and Lewis smiled hesitantly in greeting. The others all had weary faces. Rikki and Zane had expressions of stone as the approached, hand in hand. Well, she hadn't expected a warm welcome. Just the fact that she was allowed there at all was a miracle. Alan and Jessie pulled away from each other reluctantly. Alan turned to the group.

"Hey guys," Alan greeted cheerily. He held up the brown envelope. "We got it,"

A/N: Hey everyone! Again, sorry for the wait, I really should write more. I'm on university holiday for the Christmas/New Years period! YAY! But I just got a job :P Such is life. Hopefully I'll update more - I really really hope. Maybe with reviews I can be persuaded to do it faster :P Inspire me! (Truthfully, I've been having trouble writing recently, so the support really helps :D )

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Tell me what you thought. I hope enough happened to keep it interesting.

Thanks so so much to The Writer Es, YaleAceBella12, Beaker77, HybridsRose, Sammiloveschocolate, CrazyHayniac, Bethy679, Starlightdreamer12, Acgisme, KKbobbitt93, Mermaids Forever, zikki 3, Greendayluuver for your beautiful reviews :)

I appreciate you all. Thanks so much!

See you all next time!