42. Chapter 42

When Sid emerged in the staging pool, Jayna was already at the mertender's nook. Her arms were folded, and her lips were in a tight line, but there was an open receptiveness in her eyes that Sid found encouraging. So far, so good.

His heart raced as he swam towards her. He reached the nook, took hold of the support bar, and pulled himself up so he and Jayna were at eye level. "Hi." He smiled, trying to hide his nerves.

"Hi." Her voice was flat and even, not giving a hint as to what she was feeling.

They stared at each other for several long seconds before Sid turned his shoulder towards her. "Would you mind helping me out of this merbreather?"

Jayna's expression remained flat, and she kept her arms folded firmly across her chest. "Answer two questions first."

His doubt grew. Sid had hoped his grand gesture would be enough to show Jayna how much she meant to him, but he had always known it could all be for nothing. He had lost her trust with his accusations, and he needed to win it back. "Okay. Anything."

"Question one: Do you really think you can buy your way back into my life by giving Realms of Neptune to the employees?"

He had anticipated this question and was prepared with an answer. "No."

Jayna raised a questioning eyebrow.

Sid continued. "I do want to be back in your life, more than anything. I was wrong to accuse you the way I did, and the thought of not being with you is excruciating. But I'm giving you the park because it's the right thing to do." He hesitated before adding, "If you choose not to let me back in your life, then the less involvement I have with the park, the better it will be for us both."

Jayna's expression softened, and she let her arms drop. Relief flooded through him, and he leaned closer to her. But Jayna stopped him with a hand on his chest.

"Question two," she said. "If I let you back into my life, will the Cerulean Order approve?"

This was a question Sid hadn't been prepared for. He hesitated before saying, "It doesn't matter what the Cerulean Order thinks. Not anymore."

Jayna folded her arms again. "Yes, it does." Her voice cracked. She bowed her head for a moment, took a deep breath, and when she looked up at Sid, he saw the concern in her emerald eyes. "It matters because as much as I care about you, and as much as I want you in my life, I understand why the Order is important to you. I don't want to be the reason they keep you out. So yes, it does matter. It matters a lot."

Sid shook his head. "You see, that's just it—it doesn't matter because I have formally removed my name from consideration for membership."

Jayna's eyes grew wide. "You're no longer a candidate for the Order? But why?"

"I wanted to join the Order because that would allow me to make a greater difference than I ever could on my own." Sid leaned towards her, and this time she didn't hold him back. "But while the Order is a powerful force for good, their vision doesn't align with mine the way I once thought it did. That's why I'd rather work with a partner. I've seen firsthand how effective it can be to team up with someone who's vision matches mine."

His heart raced as realization crossed her face, and a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Is that so? Do you have someone in mind?"

He nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "There's this girl," he said. "She's beautiful, kind, resourceful, intelligent…"

Jayna leaned in close so her face almost touched his. "Go on," she urged, her voice barely a whisper.

Her closeness was nearly unbearable, but Sid continued. "She's tenacious, talented, and her tail…" He smiled, and finished in a low, husky voice. "She has the hottest tail I've ever seen."

Jayna grinned and then grabbed him by his merbreather and pulled him to her. Their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss that quickly deepened and grew in intensity.

Sid wrapped his arms around Jayna's back, drawing her closer. She released his merbreather and wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling in his wet hair. It was a kiss that spoke of reconciliation and hope, of two people accepting that they were made for each other.

A noise like thunder reverberated through the changing room. Alarmed, Sid broke the kiss and pulled away. "What is that?"

"That's the sound of people leaving the theater."

Sid sighed. "I guess I'd better change so we can get to the reception." He attempted to back away so Jayna could help him with his merbreather, but she held onto him tightly.

"Is there food at this reception?" she asked.

"Of course," he said, not sure why it mattered.

Jayna grinned and pressed her forehead to his. "Then it will be a long time before anyone realizes you aren't there." Her lips gently grazed his as she whispered, "I just barely got you back, and I'm not ready to share just yet."

THE END