Dylan: "You mean the world to me. You know that right?"
Cecelia: "You always remind me. How could I not know?"
Dylan: "I was just checking. I look forward to our future together."
Cecelia: "Will we have a future? You'll watch me grow old and grey while you stay young forever."
Dylan: "I still won't leave you. I'm here for you. I'll always be there for you."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51832185689_d9390fb867_z.jpgAfter a few days, the couple had a traditional merfolk wedding. Even though Cecelia was human, both her and Dylan stayed true to their merfolk heritage. They exchanged rings and kissed.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51831951953_135f63e101_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51832185999_47f2fc66b0_b.jpgWhen the merfolk went to the dance floor, Dylan thanked his mom for showing up and being there to support him. He knew she didn't approve of Cecelia, but he was relieved that she didn't protest to their marriage during the wedding.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51830891137_53ab99f451_b.jpgAs the sun rose, the Zalrians and Kailani's went inside for drinks and to catch up. Sefina joined the wedding with Zephyr, but she had to admit that she never imagined that there would be so many merfolk in the world. It was a little overwhelming.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51831951928_e8c8185b12_b.jpgAfter being caught up in the mood, Zephyr took Sefina to a place closer to the sky, by a waterfall that cascaded down a cliff.
He kneeled in front of her. "Will you marry me?"
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51831951923_e434a2a99a_b.jpgSefina: "Yes..."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51831836576_3104c77e3a_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51832185959_13326bd36e_b.jpgSefina jumped into Zephyr's arms. "Yes!"
Zeph: "We can have our wedding tomorrow. It doesn't have to be traditional."
Sefina: "It doesn't have to be traditionally human either."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51832568375_fa713b9c6d_c.jpgZephyr and Sefina had a typical human wedding as a compromise.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51832568710_bc91ff3c58_b.jpgAfter the weddings, Dylan, Cecelia, Zephyr, and Sefina went home to Sulani.
Dylan sang his Charmer's Lullaby to Cecelia and gave her his Mermaid's Kiss. The ritual was a simple merfolk tradition between partners, but it was one that sealed the bond between two merpeople. Cecelia tried to sing her Charmer's Lullaby, but her voice failed her. Her human existence started to weigh heavier on her.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51832185849_2de4df0760_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51830891387_e343f81c9b_b.jpgAs Dylan pulled away from the kiss, Cecelia had a confession. "This is really hard for me to say, but I'm struggling. We both know this won't work. It can't work."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51832185844_b195fbd4d2_b.jpgDylan: "I don't care if your human or mortal. My love for you is deeper than the sea."
Cecelia: "But, it might not be deep enough. We both know that you can't leave the sea behind. You're one of the Sapphire Princes and the Spirit of the Sea. And..."
Dylan: "They're just titles to me. I know I can't change what I am, and you can't change what you are. But, maybe, we can create something that can be our bridge between the Land and Sea. Would you...?"
Cecelia: "I think I know where you're going, and the answer is yes. But, I'll be leaving Sulani afterward, so their future can be in a place closer to humans."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51830891367_6fdedaa3fd_b.jpgDylan and Cecelia had a moment in the waterfall. The mist swirled around them, and even though Dylan knew that they were going separate ways, they were going to create a legacy to immortalize the fleeting time they had together.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51831951513_839961828c_b.jpgOn the shore, Zeph had a bittersweet goodbye with Sefina. "You'll always be my one and only love, but Cecelia needs someone that knows the human world, and I have to stay here. I have responsibilities as a Prince and the Spirit of the Sky. If there was another way..."
Sefina: "We both know that this would end one way or another, and I'm not about to leave my best friend to fend for herself in the human world."
Zeph: "Look after her. I'll always be looking after you two. This doesn't have to be goodbye. Me and my brother, we can leave Sulani to visit you. We can't be away for long, but we will still be there for both of you, always."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51831836876_ec2829e19d_h.jpgZeph: "And, do you mind... for one more night."
Sefina: "You don't have to ask. I was thinking the same thing."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51831836846_0f56bd9f44_b.jpgAs the moon set on the horizon, the couple had their moment in the waterfall after Dylan and Cecelia went home.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51832568565_3d384a23d3_b.jpgZeph leaned in for a kiss, and Sefina pulled him into the waterfall by the waste.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51830891337_cb316efdb3_b.jpgSefina and Cecelia left Sulani the next morning and moved to the World of Newcrest. The world was home to a variety of Fae, Spellcasters, and Aliens. They would blend in better there. It was hard for the girls to leave, but Cecelia made up her mind. She would raise the Legacy of the Sea away from Sulani. She would ensure that no Darkfins would know of the children she was about to bring into the world.
While Cecelia was walking around the neighborhood, she was approached by Zephyr. He did little to hide his mermadic heritage. As the Spirit of the Sky, Zephyr was immune to the elements, so it didn't matter how hot or cold the weather was. It didn't matter if there was rain or sunshine. The function of human clothing to protect from the elements simply didn't matter.
Cecelia: "You know you'll have to hide that you're a merman when the twins are born."
Zeph: "I just thought I drop by to check on how you are doing. Dylan will be over later. He's tending to the sea at the moment."
There was a moment of silence before Zeph spoke up.
Zeph: "Did you know I'm a criminal mastermind?"
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51842001674_745918b8c5_b.jpgCecelia hid her face in the palm of her hand and shook her head. She knew better than to believe Zephyr. Even more importantly, she couldn't believe that such a mischievous liar could be responsible for watching over everyone. Zeph was easy to forgive, and his reputation was pristine. He was mischievous, but not evil.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51842001669_dc18fe32d1_b.jpgAfter changing into his human disguise, Zephyr and Sefina went on a date to Mt. Komorebi.
Zephyr: "So, how have things been?"
Sefina: "They've been fine. It hasn't been easy. We're founding a new legacy, so we have our hands full. Cecelia is expecting twins."
Zephyr: "I bet they'll look a lot like me and my brother."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51842001639_7a41091e99_b.jpgZephyr: "By the way, thank you for helping to look after Cecelia. I know you're busy running your own business, and I'm grateful for the time and energy you are giving up."
Sefina: "I've been thinking about looking for another job, but the house hasn't been producing enough power to run the internet. I don't think the business career is for me."
Zephyr: "My family has a lot of contacts. My dad has been around a long time, so I'm sure he knows someone that can offer you a new job."
Sefina: "I appreciate the offer, but I want to forge my own path. I don't need the guidance of the stars or extra wind in my sails."
Zephyr: "I admire your determination. Just remember that I'm always here to help."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51842376550_692bf95735_c.jpgAs the couple prepared to part ways, Sefina had a joke she wanted to share.
Sefina: "What did the barnacle say to the boat?"
Zephyr: "I don't know."
Sefina: "I'm stuck on you."
Zephyr chuckled and the two parted ways.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51841637601_f3989eecdb_b.jpgAfter the twins were born, Dylan didn't waste time coming over to check on his family. Dylan arrived when the rain began to poor. The environment was ideal for the Spirit of the Sea, but not quite ideal for humans. Regardless, Cecelia greeted Dylan with a kiss in the rain. Even though Cecelia decided to raise her sons away from the sea and merfolk, she still loved Dylan.
Dylan arrived in very similar attire to his brother. Immune to the elements and the weather, Dylan didn't need to wear outfits for protection from the weather. It didn't matter how hot or cold, wet or dry. As a merman, Dylan was much more comfortable in the water. The same could be said for his twin brother.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51841637451_8e41c9c04c_c.jpgCecelia and Dylan left for Sulani when they went on their date. Sefina stayed home to look after the twins. Cecelia flirted with the young merman.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51841637441_c40841bae6_b.jpgTo prevent Cecelia from drowning, Dylan gave her the life-giving Mermaid's Kiss. Cecelia wished with all her heart to be a mermaid again.
Cecelia thought: "If only I wasn't cursed to a mortal life. If only our children could enjoy the eternal youth all merfolk enjoy."
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51841751653_9d043d4a59_b.jpgCecelia started to wonder if she was wrong to leave Dylan. She wondered if she should have included him in their lives. Still, they both knew that the Darkfins were still out there. And they both knew, that as long as Dylan was a target, the Darkfins would go after their sons to get to Dylan. And unlike Dylan, they didn't have mermadic powers to protect themselves.
But when she looked into Dylan's sad eyes, she wished things could have been different.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51842376385_7b4b788558_b.jpg
