Fates: Chapter Forty-Six

Margaret

It was my last day on land.

No.

It would not even be a day anymore. I only had a few hours left.

I knew that I was leaving Grasveld Aisles tomorrow but the gravity of my decision had not weighed in on me until Prince Erwann appeared. Somehow, I had been thinking that tomorrow meant about a hundred more days on land.

Visiting my friends for the last time was a little difficult to explain but they all accepted my reason for coming--that I bumped into Seirra who insisted that I give him a tour and we were simply passing by. All their knowing stares and questions were enough to make my blush permanent but I tolerated the teasing because I knew that I was going to miss all of it.

I was going to miss all of them.

Nobody found it unusual that I hugged them when I was saying goodbye. I could not be more thankful that Seirra's presence seemed to comfort me and that his hand holding mine were enough to keep my emotions at bay. If it wasn't for him, I would most definitely be suffering from an emotional breakdown.

I never thought it would be this difficult to leave without letting anyone know.

When it was time to see Robert, however, I could no longer hold back my tears.

He opened the door for us and was completely surprised that we chose to visit him after dark. It took him a few more seconds to realize that I was already crying and he immediately assumed that Seirra was the cause.

"What the hell did you do to Marge?" he gritted through his teeth as he grabbed Seirra by the collar.

It looked a little awkward because even though Robert was tall, Seirra would always be taller. And well--bigger and fiercer.

"Rob, he didn't do anything, I swear," I said, grabbing at his arms to remove them from Seirra's shirt. "I just--Can I please hug you?"

He was so stunned by my request that he failed to give any sort of response. Besides, it was not as if I gave him a chance to say no because I already had my arms around him as soon as I finished my question.

That was when he knew what was happening.

He tightened his hold on me and was silent for a full minute while I cried my eyes out.

"I seriously wish I didn't have to forget you but since that's the way it would be, I guess I just have to wish for you two to be happy," Robert said as he pulled back and released me.

He extended his hand to Seirra as a sign of camaraderie. I knew Robert was fascinated by the merman's existence but it was clear that his offer for a handshake meant more than just a call for friendship. He was letting the merman know that he trusts him as an equal.

"You're an important friend to Marge. Thank you for that," Seirra told him in all seriousness, acknowledging Robert's trust in him.

"It's nothing, really. Just make sure she'll stay happy."

It was a reminder-or warning-that Seirra accepted with a smile.

"I hope you won't forget me," Robert told me as his eyes glistened.

"I won't," I promised him. "And I know someday, you'll find someone worthy of everything that you could give."

He looked away and blinked to keep his eyes dry, and then finally gave us a huge grin.

"I sure hope so too," he said. "I wish you both a good life," he told us as he moved to close the door.

"Thank you, Robert," I replied. "For everything."

With his smile still in place, he finally stepped back inside his house.

A few seconds passed before Seirra took my hand and we walked back to the main road.

"Robert's a good guy, " Seirra remarked. "Someday, I hope he'll find his happiness."

"I'm sure he would. He deserves no less."

*****

Our last stop was the cemetery.

It felt eerie to be visiting at such a quiet night that the only things I could hear was the wind howling and the leaves crackling beneath our feet.

A sob escaped from my throat as soon as we reached Mom and Dad.

This would be the last time I could visit them—unless I could find a way to go back on land without the many complications that would come with it.

My knees gave out as I placed the flowers I brought for them and I allowed myself to cry openly. Seirra had his arms around me the whole time but looking at the tightness of his jaw, I knew he was having as much of a difficult time as I was.

"I would have wanted to meet you, Sir, Ma'am, if only to thank you. For Marge," he said in the silence of the night. "She was the best thing that could ever happen to me, and although I wish you didn't have to suffer because of my parents, I never would have wanted to change the past. Because then, I would never have met your daughter."

I took his hand and smiled at my parents' tombstones.

"I have no idea whether you'll ever approve of him, Mom, Dad. But I love him with all my heart and I know that if it would really make me happy, you would let me be with him. Because you love me too." With my other hand, I touched their names engraved on marble, imagining that these were their faces. "I won't ever forget you. I love you very much."

I let go of Seirra's hand as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. We stayed that way for a few more minutes and then we silently stood up and walked towards Grampa's grave.

Each step closer to Grampa felt heavier and heavier. I wanted to see him-touch him again-but in my mind, I knew that it could never be and that this would also be my last visit.

I tightened my hold on Seirra's hand because no matter how he tried to hide it, I was sure that he was having a more difficult time of it.

He knew Grampa far less than I did but they were connected in a much deeper sense. And I knew he regretted not being able to spend more time with the older man.

Seirra never told me but he visited Grampa's grave every day in the past week. Even before we found out the truth. And his longing for a family-for answers, for time-was almost tangible. He did not show his pain but in my heart, I knew he was suffering.

Silence went on even after we placed flowers on Grampa's grave.

When Seirra started trembling, I forced myself not to fuss or look at him. I let him cry silently as I let my own tears cover my face.

I had no idea how long we stayed there but one thing was for sure. Grampa will stay in our hearts for the rest of our lives.

I did not know that I was nodding off from exhaustion until I felt Seirra's hand on my cheek as he said, "Marge? It's past midnight. I should get you home."

"Oh," I replied, my voice hoarse from sleepiness. "Sorry."

He slowly stood up and steadied me when I stumbled on my feet.

He had a gentle smile on his face when I looked at him, and he had never looked more god-like than in the moonlight.

I smiled back, and with confidence that suddenly came so naturally, I pulled him down and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.

He was taken by surprise but he recovered quickly and took over.

The kiss I thought was something to lighten up the mood became more than a kiss-it became a promise.

We kissed each other deeply and I knew things could only get better from here.

When we finally let each other go, I said the first thing that came into my mind.

"I'm excited."

Seirra grinned and then kissed my forehead.

"Things will be vastly different in Aquania but I'm so glad you're ready to face it."

"You will be there. What's to be scared of?" I replied with a grin of my own.

He laughed at my complete faith in him and then said, "Let's go home. You really need to rest. And when you wake up, your whole life will change."

And somehow, I really could not wait.