a little like I was being pushed.
I knew that I loved him, and I knew that I wanted– no, I desperately needed– to be with him. Unfortunately, living with Ethan would make it impossible for me to keep any secrets. As much as I would love to be with him every day and every night, I knew that it would force me to either give up my trips out to see Lorelei, or constantly defend them. I wasn’t ready to do either.
I supposed I was guilty of the same kind of wishful thinking as Ethan. I hoped everything would work out magically once I turned eighteen, and we could finally be together. I was beginning to realize that my troubles were going to follow me wherever I went.
“Hi sweetie!” I walked in to find Abby sitting on the couch, sorting through a stack of baby clothes. She held up a tiny pink jumper with a warm smile, “I remember you in this one.”
I sat down by her side, looking through the clothes and listening to the stories that each garment had to tell. Abby got increasingly emotional, every little outfit bringing back memories of me and Cruz as infants. The tiny clothes reminded me of Nixie, and I wondered what she would have been like had she been born on land.
Abby sniffed and wiped her eyes, “It’s lucky that I saved all this stuff, huh?”
I nodded my agreement, but I knew that luck had nothing to do with it. Abby was sentimental about her friends and family, always giving over her entire heart– even when it might not be the best idea. The baby she carried was one lucky kid; already loved unconditionally and without reservation.
I remembered Barbara’s threat to do Abby harm with a spasm of anger. Hurting someone as good and kind as Abby would be doubly evil, like killing a unicorn. I was glad Barbara was dead, and then I felt bad for not feeling bad.
I patted Abby’s hand, “Do you want a cup of tea?” I asked as I got up.
We sat and talked awhile, sipping mint tea, folding baby clothes and catching up with each other. She was excited about Shayla and Megan’s success, and I told her a little bit about my trip to Hawaii. Abby beamed when she talked about Cruz, delighted that he had finally found his place in the world and seemed increasingly happy. She told me how much she liked Brad, and I changed the subject abruptly, not quite ready to think about having my enemy’s son in such close proximity to my family.
“Wow!” she said, looking at my hand, “Is that ring new?”
Dutch came bursting through the door, sparing me from that conversation. He had a bag of groceries in one arm, with a bouquet of flowers sticking out of the top. Abby loved flowers more than anyone I knew, and I smiled. Dutch certainly had her number.
Abby’s face lit up when she laid eyes on him, and she stood to receive a one armed hug and a kiss. I was touched by the way they greeted each other with such tenderness, and when Dutch looked at Abby it reminded me of the expression on Ethan’s face in the morning. I hastily excused myself and retreated to my room, leaving them to their intimacy.
I flopped down on the bed, thinking about Ethan. I looked at my ring, and sighed. As much as I loved him, I was starting to wonder if we were the ideal match. He was insecure and sensitive, and I was secretive, always trying to avoid conflict. He wanted to control everything, but I prized my independence. We were about to enter into a marriage at an age where most people were only thinking about their plans for the next weekend.
I was starting to fear we might be headed for a monumental train wreck.
My relationship troubles were the least of my worries. I had to find Lorelei, Nerissa, and Nixie. I had to warn them about the mermaid hunters that were certain to come for them, but I wasn’t sure that they’d even understand why they were in danger. I could only hope that Nerissa would remember enough of her past experience to believe me.
My phone rang, and I reached for it, seeing it was Evie. I bit my lip and answered.
“Oh Marina, my darling! Are you alright? I’m so sorry!” she sounded like she was on the verge of tears.
“You heard,” I said, wondering how