Page 144 of Sea's Secret

One Year Later

Meria

“Three?” Dominick gasped as I cradled our three new babies in my arms. They barely fit, but I was glowing with happiness and pride. I could not wait to bathe them in the sea and see the color of their tails, if they had tails. We were still not sure if they would.

“I told you, mermaids have multiples, and I guess, even though I have no tail, I am still a mermaid. Three, that was why my stomach was so large.”

Dominick sank down beside the bed and reached out his hand to each of the babies’ sweet heads.

“Meria–they are so–”

I looked from our children to Dominick. During that first year of our marriage, his soul’s melody came out more clearly than ever, and I could sense his joy through his song.

“I know–beautiful–precious–incredible,” I said gently.

“All of it, and more,” he said in a reverent whisper. “What will we name them?”

“It is customary for mer to name their children after things within the sea–”

“But you are Meria.”

“Yes, it is based off of Mer, it actually means, ‘little mermaid.’”

“It does? You never told me this!” Dominick said with a chuckle as he kissed my cheek, my forehead, and neck.

“Yes, well, I was the youngest–”

“Then I shall call you that more often. You need to rest, my love. Let me take them.”

“I want them near,” I complained.

“No problem,” Dominick said as he stripped off his boots, his socks, his coat, vest, and belt. “I shall join you.”

He walked to the opposite side of our rather large bed and sat down beside me. I passed two of the babies to him, still wanting to hold one, at least. I still could not fathom such joy. I had a family. It was not just Dominick and me, but we had those three precious lives that we had brought into this world.

“I think we shall name this one Ocean,” Dominick said, nodding to the one with light hair in his arms.

“Really?” I asked Dominick with a laugh.

“Why not?”

“I like that name, We need other names, too. I was thinking about Forest. It was one of my favorite things on Marren island, and I love the land-forests here in Walden.”

“That is more of a boy's name,” Dominick said.

“And?”

“I guess, I did not ask what they are?” Dominick asked with a laugh.

“Two girls, one boy.”

“Aw, so Forest for the boy; I like that.” Dominick smiled.

“Which two are my daughters? I must get a good look at them.”

“You are holding the girls.”

“Ah–yes, well, this one is Ocean–no doubt about that. It appears that with her hair, she will take after her mother, and I am sure she shall have your tail coloring,” he said, kissing the top of his daughter’s head.