"It's a saying, dear one," came a female voice.

Jessica looked up to see the second most beautiful woman she had ever seen before take a seat next to Edward. The woman was willowy, slender, with long brown hair and a heart-shaped face. Her eyes were the most unique shade of brown Jessica had ever seen, with at least ten different variations present.

"I know that, love. I just think it is a horrid one."

The brunette huffed, smiling while she shook her head.

"Edwardian sensibilities."

"I once charmed you with my sensibilities."

"He's right. Oh, where are my manners? Please call me Bella, Jessica."

"Well, that won't be too hard to remember either." When she was a child, Jessica had a lovie she called Bella. She carried that doll everywhere, swearing it was her best 'fren' in all the world. A sweet woman had given her the lovie during a visit to the beach.

Bella smiled. "No, I don't think it will be."

Jessica's mind began to put together all the pieces. This Bella was the woman she met years ago!

"You!" she whispered.

Bella nodded, her smile growing. "Me."

"Wow." Jessica shook her head as she processed all the information before her. "What happened after the two of you escaped?"

"Four," Bella gently corrected.

"Four?"

"The two of us, Pearl, and the baby she carried."

Jessica paled as she remembered her dream.

"Which is why you are here," Edward added.

"It is?"

"You read the scrapbook?"

"Oh, yes. Are you really a mermaid?" Jessica turned toward Bella.

"No."

"I didn't think so."

"I'm a siren."

"I beg your pardon?" Jessica could almost sense the "TILT" sign appear above her head.

"Aro knew that the average circus attendee would not know what a siren is so he advertised Pearl and myself as mermaids. Pearl was the other."

"My grandmother's name was Pearl!"

"We know," Bella said, smiling over the lip of her teacup as she took a sip.

The memory of that trip to the beach where she had met Bella came back. And she remembered the reason for the visit. Her grandmother had passed and been cremated, or so she had been told, and her ashes were to be scattered off a cliff and into the sea.

"They are one and the same? Your Pearl and my grandmother?"

Bella and Edward nodded. Jessica looked down at her hands in her lap, back up at the couple, and then at her teacup.

"So that makes me."

"Half siren," Edward replied at the same time as Bella said, "Our godchild."

"I beg your pardon, but what did you say?"

"You are one-half siren. Your mother chose to marry a human. She also asked us to be your godparents."

"Okay. That's a bit overwhelming. Why are you telling me all this?"

"Because it's your time," Bella replied gently.

"My time?"

"To write."

Jessica snorted indelicately.

"I can't write. I've tried. Nothing comes to me, and what little bit I manage to get down on paper, it's utter trash."

"That's because you haven't had the right inspiration."

"Easy for the Masen clan to say—every biography is an instant bestseller, just ask my husband."

"And do you know why that is?" Edward asked, meeting her eyes with his own brilliant green ones. "Because of the gift of the sirens."

"And the fact our stories are parts of our lives," Bella added. "So we called you here to give you your history." She nodded toward the scrapbook.

Jessica's eyes widened as the book began to shimmer like a rare pearl. Instantly, it doubled in depth.

"Just a little more background information," Bella said with a smile. "More about how we," she motioned between herself and Edward, "met, and how your grandmother and I were captured, and what happened after we escaped. Some of your mother and grandmother's story as well."

"The rest of the story is up to you," Edward added.

For the rest of the morning, Jessica talked with her godparents, catching up, learning more about each other and sharing what ended up being common interests.

Jessica's phone buzzed with a message from Michael asking where she was.

"You should go," Bella said, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "But we will see you again soon."

Jessica's own eyes filled with tears as she gave each of them a hug, took the scrapbook in her arms, and headed back towards the rental house.

Nine months later, Jessica held two prized possessions in her arms—a healthy two month old baby girl named Pearl Isabella Newton, and her brand new book, The Mermaid and the Carnie. Both were very well received.

And that's a wrap! I hope you enjoyed this story! Be sure to check out the other FAGE 16 offerings, they never disappoint!

Until next time,

DeJean