The Ocean's Call: Part One | ✔

Part Twenty Three

"I can't believe that you kept this from us." Mum smacks Alex in the arm. I'm sure its not the first time she's done it this afternoon, just the first I've witnessed.

I snuggle onto the couch with nana further, watching Alex rub his arm with a frown. "It was a new thing, and it was Harley...we liked being in the bubble alone."

Nana sighs, patting her chest. "I miss the love bubble." She whispers.

I grab her hand and squeeze gently. "The whole secret thing was all me, I promise. Alex wanted to tell you guys' weeks ago." Harley shares.

Dad laughs as mum gasps, putting on a dramatic front. "I'm just excited for you guys." Jack ever the gentlemen and good big brother pats Alex on the back. They share a look before Alex hugs him.

"Two down, one to go." Mum gives me a look, winking.

I roll my eyes. "If only she knew." Nana whispers in my ear.

I grin. Yeah, if mum knew she'd lose her mind. The more I think about being destined to be with Austin the more I think about Harley and who her mate is. Am I hoping she's found him and rejected him? Or am I hoping that she just hasn't met him yet?

What I'm really hoping for by some miracle is that my brother could be her mate. That would solve all these problems but when has life ever been anything but the cruel mistress she is? The odds of my brother being her mate are slim.

The slim odds are almost worth telling him that he's a merman, once he does the rebirth ritual i.e., die in the ocean. Perhaps if Harley isn't meant to be with him, he would find who he was meant to be with.

I watch my family joke around with Harley and Alex, teasing them with all their love. Thinking about mates might just drive me insane. If my family are merfolk, half-bloods who haven't gone through the rebirth ritual that means they all have someone they're destined to be with. I think about Louisa, Jack's girlfriend since forever. Her entire world would be crushed if Jack ever went through the rebirth ritual.

And what about my parents? Either of them could be merfolk but if I go off the fact that nana could possibly be a mermaid dad is the one who gave us the genes. What if mum is just plain human? I can't not imagine my parents together; they might drive me insane sometimes, but they've shown me what love looks like. If my future relationship looks even half as good as theirs, I'd be happy.

Maybe telling the rest of my family would be a mistake, one that I could never undo as it all falls apart. Who's to say any of them would even want to be merfolk after I told them they could be?

*

Dad fires up the BBQ on the back deck. Mum brought all the good stuff from the butcher, the good beef patties, the best honey garlic sausages, even some chicken patties too. The smell is absolutely heaven outside here, sitting on the deck letting the smell waft around us I'm already heading into a food coma. My stomach is begging to be filled with the yummy goodness.

Harley's phone starts singing, she looks at it frowning. "I'm so sorry, I really have to take this. Give me five minutes." She takes off down the steps, putting the phone to her ear. I watch her walk towards the beach and almost out of sight.

"I'm so happy for you, son. You caught a good one, but we knew this already." Mum pinches Alex's cheeks and pulls him into another hug for the night.

"Thanks mum."

"Just wait until she whips out baby pictures." Dad mutters in the background.

Alex frowns, pulling back from mum's hug. "Not tonight, yeah?"

Mum shrugs innocently. I snort, I'm sure Harley may have seen some of those photos but who would take that opportunity away from mum. She just wants to show off her baby and possibly embarrass him in the process. I'm down for that.